June 17, 2011
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Bob Melvin sat back and looked at his phone to count the texts.One . . . two . . . therell be more, he said, as though he were describing messages from MI-5. They werent, though.Diamondbacks, he said with that wry smile he likes to use. I still have some guys over there.His Oakland As had trimmed the Giants lead in the NL West to a prosciutto-esque half-game with a 5-2 win at whatever the hell theyre calling the Oakland Coliseum this month. He had gotten a better (and in some ways fortune-laden) performance from rookie Graham Godfrey than the Giants got from Tim Lincecum, and the offense revved up a series worth of runs.So he got thank-yous from people who could use the win almost as much as him.
Hell need moments like this, though, while he learns what it is hes volunteered for here. I mean, hes working in a ballpark where signs roasting the general manager and the two principal owners are allowed to hang for nine full innings without interference, so while it may be a First Amendment haven, its not exactly DisneyWorld, mood-wise.Youll have to give me a bit more time before I can tell what we have here, he said as he gnawed on an unsuspecting former shrimp. I mean, Ill have something for you, but we need to see what were going to be like when we get (Brandon) McCarthy back, maybe (Rich) Harden and (Brett) Anderson. This isnt a lot like any other team Ive had, but I cant say why that is yet.Melvins finest moment was in 2007 with Arizona, and while that was a team that started poorly and found its pace in August and September, it was also a team of young power hitters, a three-man bullpen and two starters (Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb). That team won 90 games while being outscored. It also hasnt been as good since, for you karma fans out there.But the As havent been that good either, so Melvin goes from day to day, trying to pick up hints here and there, taking the occasional Billy Beane phone call for the As version of the Giants postgame rap (only after wins so far). He is working with Bob Gerens staff, a roster that is fraying at the edges, and is six games back with who gives a damn how many games left.Ive told them not to get involved in that, he said. I want them to reduce the season to the day bin front of them and not worry about down the road. Hows that for a nice clich?Excellent. Says a lot without saying anything.I try not to do that, he said. I try to say things that will mean something to them, but Im not at that point yet where I can say specific things to everyone. I can tell them to fight, and so far they have. But we have a ways to go yet.Fridays game was a modest little pas de deux as June interleague games go. Second baseman Jemile Weeks had two more hits and was thrown out twice on the bases, signs of talent and impetuosity that the As have been running low on for some time now. Hideki Matsui walked three times, twice against Lincecum, and scored the As second run. Conor Jackson had three hits and drove in a run.And Godfrey, who wasnt fooling anyone, was still clever enough to get through the Giants despite letting the leadoff hitter get into scoring position four times. Melvin had to get three pitchers up in the seventh for different matchups while gritting his teeth that he could get Godfrey through the seventh, but in the end the As resembled a team that shouldnt be nine games under .500.What they should be is another matter entirely, but Melvin is still trying to figure that out. Hed like time. Hes got three weeks, tops. Beane is on Line 1, and the Diamondbacks wont be texting him much after this weekend. Its lonely at the top of the bottom.