03_dan_meyer   (3/22)

Unfortunately, I was dumb enough to leave the camera in one of the semi-manual modes for the next few pictures, and they turned out fuzzy. The rule, I learned from someone who has been doing this for a while, is to use full auto unless you're under low light conditions.

Back to the game. Starting pitcher Dan Meyer was Atlanta's first-round pick in the 2002 draft, and "the key to the offseason Tim Hudson deal with the Braves" according to BA, which publication ranks him the team's 21st best prospect. Meyer's been a disappointment for the A's: he's suffered from non-specific shoulder pain, and no longer hits the mid-90's on the radar gun. Worse, he stopped getting even AAA hitters out, sucking horribly with a 5.36 ERA for Sacramento, and a 4.50 K/9 nearly half his 8.80 posted in 2004 with Richmond. BPro also says he has stamina problems, which may be one reason he did so well: Meyer only pitched four innings. This outing was impressive, though, and as a result, the game passed quickly, with nine 1-2-3 half frames logged between the two sides.