Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Lester's 1-Hitter tops Jays; Zimmerman Leads Nats over Braves
Players of the Day from Tuesday, April 29, 2008
American League
The Boston Red Sox went into Tuesday's game riding a five-game losing streak and to break out, they knew they'd have to beat Toronto's Roy Halladay, who was seeking his 4th straight complete game.
Technically, Halladay got his complete game, but it wasn't the way he wanted it as Boston starter Jon Lester hurled 8 innings of 1-hit ball and Kevin Youkilis knocked home David Ortiz from second with two out in the bottom of the 9th for the game's only run in Boston's 1-0 triumph over the Blue Jays.
Lester walked four and stuck out six, surrendering only a 3rd inning double to Toronto's Scott Rolen. Of the remaining out, Lester got 15 on ground balls and just 3 on flies, but didn't get the decision. He remained at 1-2 as Jonathon Papelbon came on to work a perfect ninth for his first win of the season without a loss.
Notes: Halladay has pitched four straight complete games but has lost 3 straight. Boston's win kept them tied with the O's for first place in the AL East. Tampa Bay dropped a game off the pace, losing 7-4 to Baltimore.
National League
Ryan Zimmerman cracked his third homer of the season and broke a 2-2 tie with a 2-run double in the 7th inning as the Nationals topped the Braves, 6-3, in Washington.
American League
The Boston Red Sox went into Tuesday's game riding a five-game losing streak and to break out, they knew they'd have to beat Toronto's Roy Halladay, who was seeking his 4th straight complete game.
Technically, Halladay got his complete game, but it wasn't the way he wanted it as Boston starter Jon Lester hurled 8 innings of 1-hit ball and Kevin Youkilis knocked home David Ortiz from second with two out in the bottom of the 9th for the game's only run in Boston's 1-0 triumph over the Blue Jays.Lester walked four and stuck out six, surrendering only a 3rd inning double to Toronto's Scott Rolen. Of the remaining out, Lester got 15 on ground balls and just 3 on flies, but didn't get the decision. He remained at 1-2 as Jonathon Papelbon came on to work a perfect ninth for his first win of the season without a loss.
Notes: Halladay has pitched four straight complete games but has lost 3 straight. Boston's win kept them tied with the O's for first place in the AL East. Tampa Bay dropped a game off the pace, losing 7-4 to Baltimore.
National League
Ryan Zimmerman cracked his third homer of the season and broke a 2-2 tie with a 2-run double in the 7th inning as the Nationals topped the Braves, 6-3, in Washington.Labels: Jon Lester, Ryan Zimmerman
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Reynolds Keeps D-Backs Winning; Barton Homers in A's 14-2 Romp
Players of the Day from Monday, April 28, 2008
American League
Looking for Rookie of the Year candidates?
Keep an eye on the A's Daric Barton who smacked his first home run of the season (he hit four in 18 games last year with the A's), went 3-for-6, drove in 3 runs and scored twice in the A's 14-2 rout of the Angels, boosting Oakland into sole possession of first place in the AL West one game ahead of the Angels.
Usually batting third in the lineup, Barton has Mark Ellis hitting in front of him and the recently-acquired Frank Thomas behind him, so he's likely to be seeing plenty of RBI opportunities. Before his call-up last September, Barton hit .293 with nine home runs and 70 RBI in 136 games with the triple-A Sacramento River Cats.
Notes: The A's and Angels will continue their battle for the AL West top spot as the 4-game series continues through Thursday.
National League
There are plenty of reasons why the Diamondbacks have the best record in the majors, but one of them surely has to be the hot start by third baseman Mark Reynolds. On Monday, Reynolds went 1-for-3 with a 2-run double in the 4th, helping Dan Haren to his 4th win as the Diamondbacks beat Houston 5-3.
Reynolds, overshadowed last season by sensational rookies Ryan Braun and Troy Tulowitzki, hit .279 with 17 homers and 62 RBI in 111 games. This year, he's second in the NL with 24 RBI and tied for 5th in the league with 7 home runs.
Notes: Dominant D-Backs. Arizona leads the NL West with a 19-7 record and has opened a 6 1/2 game lead. They are one of only two teams with less than 10 losses thus far, the other being the Cubs, at 16-9.
American League
Looking for Rookie of the Year candidates?
Keep an eye on the A's Daric Barton who smacked his first home run of the season (he hit four in 18 games last year with the A's), went 3-for-6, drove in 3 runs and scored twice in the A's 14-2 rout of the Angels, boosting Oakland into sole possession of first place in the AL West one game ahead of the Angels.Usually batting third in the lineup, Barton has Mark Ellis hitting in front of him and the recently-acquired Frank Thomas behind him, so he's likely to be seeing plenty of RBI opportunities. Before his call-up last September, Barton hit .293 with nine home runs and 70 RBI in 136 games with the triple-A Sacramento River Cats.
Notes: The A's and Angels will continue their battle for the AL West top spot as the 4-game series continues through Thursday.
National League
There are plenty of reasons why the Diamondbacks have the best record in the majors, but one of them surely has to be the hot start by third baseman Mark Reynolds. On Monday, Reynolds went 1-for-3 with a 2-run double in the 4th, helping Dan Haren to his 4th win as the Diamondbacks beat Houston 5-3.Reynolds, overshadowed last season by sensational rookies Ryan Braun and Troy Tulowitzki, hit .279 with 17 homers and 62 RBI in 111 games. This year, he's second in the NL with 24 RBI and tied for 5th in the league with 7 home runs.
Notes: Dominant D-Backs. Arizona leads the NL West with a 19-7 record and has opened a 6 1/2 game lead. They are one of only two teams with less than 10 losses thus far, the other being the Cubs, at 16-9.
Labels: Daric Barton, Mark Reynolds
Monday, April 28, 2008
Rays Sweep BoSox on Shields Shutout; Phillips Bombs Giants
Players of the Day from Sunday, April 27 2008
American League
Over the weekend, the Tampa Bay Rays accomplished what many considered to be unthinkable - they swept a 3-game series from the World Champion Boston Red Sox. After winning 5-4 on Friday and 2-1 on Saturday, third-year starter James Shields took the mound for the Rays and essentially took the bats out of the Red Sox's hands, firing a complete-game, 2-hit shutout for a 3-0 win over Boston. Shields (3-1 this season and 21-17 career) walked one and struck out 7, overshadowing Josh Beckett's 13 K effort for the Sox. Tampa scored single runs in the 3rd, 7th and 8th innings, all but one of them earned. The sweep put the Rays - winners of 6 straight - in a three-way tie for first place in the AL East with Baltimore and Boston.
Notes: The Red Sox have dropped five straight and are 3-8 against AL East foes, while the Rays are 11-6 and the Yankees 9-6. In the West, the Angels and A's are locked into a first place tie at 16-10. Both teams are determined road warriors, with the A's 8-3 and the Angels 10-5 away from home. Yankees' starter Chien-Ming Wang became the first 5-game winner in the AL, with a 7-inning whitewash of Chicago on Sunday. Wang allowed 4 hits and walked 2 while striking out 9 in the 1-0 win.
National League
Last season, Brandon Phillips socked 30 home runs for the Reds, and the way he's going, he'll likely surpass that number in 2008. On Saturday, Phillips smoked a pair of homers, singled, scored three times and drove in three as the Reds pummeled San Francisco, 10-1, putting up a 10-spot for the second straight day. The Reds' booming bats were a bit of overkill, as Edinson Volquez, set the Giants down on on 5 hits and one earned run while fanning 10 over 7 innings, winning his 4th game without a loss. Volquez has been a fantasy delight this season with his ERA and WHIP both at 1.23.
American League
Over the weekend, the Tampa Bay Rays accomplished what many considered to be unthinkable - they swept a 3-game series from the World Champion Boston Red Sox. After winning 5-4 on Friday and 2-1 on Saturday, third-year starter James Shields took the mound for the Rays and essentially took the bats out of the Red Sox's hands, firing a complete-game, 2-hit shutout for a 3-0 win over Boston. Shields (3-1 this season and 21-17 career) walked one and struck out 7, overshadowing Josh Beckett's 13 K effort for the Sox. Tampa scored single runs in the 3rd, 7th and 8th innings, all but one of them earned. The sweep put the Rays - winners of 6 straight - in a three-way tie for first place in the AL East with Baltimore and Boston.Notes: The Red Sox have dropped five straight and are 3-8 against AL East foes, while the Rays are 11-6 and the Yankees 9-6. In the West, the Angels and A's are locked into a first place tie at 16-10. Both teams are determined road warriors, with the A's 8-3 and the Angels 10-5 away from home. Yankees' starter Chien-Ming Wang became the first 5-game winner in the AL, with a 7-inning whitewash of Chicago on Sunday. Wang allowed 4 hits and walked 2 while striking out 9 in the 1-0 win.
National League
Last season, Brandon Phillips socked 30 home runs for the Reds, and the way he's going, he'll likely surpass that number in 2008. On Saturday, Phillips smoked a pair of homers, singled, scored three times and drove in three as the Reds pummeled San Francisco, 10-1, putting up a 10-spot for the second straight day. The Reds' booming bats were a bit of overkill, as Edinson Volquez, set the Giants down on on 5 hits and one earned run while fanning 10 over 7 innings, winning his 4th game without a loss. Volquez has been a fantasy delight this season with his ERA and WHIP both at 1.23.Glendale Golfs Manitoba
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Notes: San Fran's loss was their second straight and 6th straight by starter Barry Zito (0-6). Elsewhere in the West, Arizona kept a 6-game lead over LA, as Brandon Webb outdueled San Diego's Jake Peavy for a 2-1 victory. Webb leads the majors at 6-0.Glendale Manitoba Golf Winnipeg Golfs.
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Labels: Brandon Phillips, James Shields
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Norton Leads Mariners over A's; Kemp's Flies Plate Five in First
Players of the Day from Saturday, April 26, 2008
American League
Journeyman Greg Norton hasn't seen a lot of playing time since coming over to Seattle from Tampa Bay in the off-season, but he made the most of it on Saturday, with a pair of singles and a double in four at-bats to help Seattle to a 5-3 win over Oakland.
Norton knocked in three and also scored a run as the Mariners picked up ground on AL West co-leaders Los Angeles and Oakland. The Mariners are 3 games back.
Notes: I'll have my AL East scrambled, please. Tampa Bay has won five straight and was the only winner on Saturday in the AL East, as the Rays took their second straight from the Red Sox, by a 2-1 tally. The Orioles lost, keeping them tied with the Sox, who have dropped four straight. The Yankees have lost 3 in a row and Toronto is in the cellar having lost six straight.
National League
Matt Kemp didn't have a great game, more a spectacular first inning for himself and his Dodger teammates as Los Angeles knocked out Colorado, 11-3 mostly on the strength of a 10-run first inning.
Down 2-0, when LA came up in the bottom of the first, Kemp got the party started with a sac fly to center which plated Juan Pierre. Five runs and eight hitters later, Kemp came up again, this time with the bases loaded, and again lofted a fly ball to center, though this one came down past the wall for a grand slam, giving Kemp five RBI in the inning. Without another hit, he ended his day 1-for-4. The win moved the Dodgers into sole possession of second place in the NL West, 6 games behind Arizona.
Notes: The longest steaks in the NL are both in Pennsylvania, where the Phillies have won 3 straight and the Pirates have lost 3 in a row. Cubs' pitcher Carlos Zambrano is on a roll, picking up his 4th win against 1 loss as he blanked the Washington Nationals on 5 hits over seven innings in Chicago's 7-0 win. In his last three starts (all wins), Zambrano has gone 7 innings each time and has allowed just 3 earned runs.
American League
Journeyman Greg Norton hasn't seen a lot of playing time since coming over to Seattle from Tampa Bay in the off-season, but he made the most of it on Saturday, with a pair of singles and a double in four at-bats to help Seattle to a 5-3 win over Oakland.Norton knocked in three and also scored a run as the Mariners picked up ground on AL West co-leaders Los Angeles and Oakland. The Mariners are 3 games back.
Notes: I'll have my AL East scrambled, please. Tampa Bay has won five straight and was the only winner on Saturday in the AL East, as the Rays took their second straight from the Red Sox, by a 2-1 tally. The Orioles lost, keeping them tied with the Sox, who have dropped four straight. The Yankees have lost 3 in a row and Toronto is in the cellar having lost six straight.
National League
Matt Kemp didn't have a great game, more a spectacular first inning for himself and his Dodger teammates as Los Angeles knocked out Colorado, 11-3 mostly on the strength of a 10-run first inning.Down 2-0, when LA came up in the bottom of the first, Kemp got the party started with a sac fly to center which plated Juan Pierre. Five runs and eight hitters later, Kemp came up again, this time with the bases loaded, and again lofted a fly ball to center, though this one came down past the wall for a grand slam, giving Kemp five RBI in the inning. Without another hit, he ended his day 1-for-4. The win moved the Dodgers into sole possession of second place in the NL West, 6 games behind Arizona.
Notes: The longest steaks in the NL are both in Pennsylvania, where the Phillies have won 3 straight and the Pirates have lost 3 in a row. Cubs' pitcher Carlos Zambrano is on a roll, picking up his 4th win against 1 loss as he blanked the Washington Nationals on 5 hits over seven innings in Chicago's 7-0 win. In his last three starts (all wins), Zambrano has gone 7 innings each time and has allowed just 3 earned runs.
Labels: Greg Norton, Matt Kemp
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Crawford Scores for Rays; Russell Martin Everywhere
Players of the Day for Friday, April 25, 2008
American League
Carl Crawford went 3-6, with two triples, an RBI, stole his 8th base and scored 3 times - including the game-winner - in Tampa Bay's 5-4, 11-inning win over Boston. It was the Rays' 4th straight win and Boston's third straight loss.
Crawford, a career .297 hitter who has topped .300 for the season each of the last three years, is currently on a 12-game hitting streak in which he's raised his batting average from .204 to .314 with 5 extra base hits. Crawford, mainly a singles hitter, is doing what he does best, though, scoring runs. During his streak he's crossed the plate 13 times and his 23 runs overall leads the AL.
Notes: Law of Averages. The Cleveland Indians won their 4th straight game on Friday, a 6-4 home win over the Yankees, and have reached second place in the AL Central, 2 games back of the White Sox. At 11-12 Cleveland sports an unusual stat. While the team batting average is an unhealthy .250, Grady Sizemore leads the team at a mere .264. That means a lot of guys are going 1-for-4 every night.
Kansas City and Texas both won, each ending a 7-game losing streak.
National League
The LA Dodgers are still under .500 at 10-13 and are chasing the runaway Arizona Diamondbacks, but the season has just begun. On Friday night, Russell Martin put in overtime, as he reached base in all 6 plate appearances in the Dodgers' 8-7, 13-inning win over Colorado. If it seemed like Martin was everywhere, it's because he was, going 4-for-4, walking twice, stealing a base, scoring a run and driving in two, including the walk-off game winner on a bases-loaded sac fly. He also caught for 8 innings before putting in 5 more over at third base.
Notes: Florida and Milwaukee dueled through 9 scoreless innings before the Marlins erupted for three runs in the 10th. Florida starter Scott Olsen lasted 7 1/3 before being lifted after giving up 4 hits and 5 walks without a strikeout. Olsen's (3-0) been hot lately, having allowed just one run over his last 21 1/3 innings. Streaks: Houston has won 6 straight while the Padres have been on the losing end five in a row.
American League
Carl Crawford went 3-6, with two triples, an RBI, stole his 8th base and scored 3 times - including the game-winner - in Tampa Bay's 5-4, 11-inning win over Boston. It was the Rays' 4th straight win and Boston's third straight loss.Crawford, a career .297 hitter who has topped .300 for the season each of the last three years, is currently on a 12-game hitting streak in which he's raised his batting average from .204 to .314 with 5 extra base hits. Crawford, mainly a singles hitter, is doing what he does best, though, scoring runs. During his streak he's crossed the plate 13 times and his 23 runs overall leads the AL.Notes: Law of Averages. The Cleveland Indians won their 4th straight game on Friday, a 6-4 home win over the Yankees, and have reached second place in the AL Central, 2 games back of the White Sox. At 11-12 Cleveland sports an unusual stat. While the team batting average is an unhealthy .250, Grady Sizemore leads the team at a mere .264. That means a lot of guys are going 1-for-4 every night.
Kansas City and Texas both won, each ending a 7-game losing streak.
National League
The LA Dodgers are still under .500 at 10-13 and are chasing the runaway Arizona Diamondbacks, but the season has just begun. On Friday night, Russell Martin put in overtime, as he reached base in all 6 plate appearances in the Dodgers' 8-7, 13-inning win over Colorado. If it seemed like Martin was everywhere, it's because he was, going 4-for-4, walking twice, stealing a base, scoring a run and driving in two, including the walk-off game winner on a bases-loaded sac fly. He also caught for 8 innings before putting in 5 more over at third base.Notes: Florida and Milwaukee dueled through 9 scoreless innings before the Marlins erupted for three runs in the 10th. Florida starter Scott Olsen lasted 7 1/3 before being lifted after giving up 4 hits and 5 walks without a strikeout. Olsen's (3-0) been hot lately, having allowed just one run over his last 21 1/3 innings. Streaks: Houston has won 6 straight while the Padres have been on the losing end five in a row.
Labels: Carl Crawford, Russell Martin
Friday, April 25, 2008
Murphy Blasts A's Past Twins; Lee Scoreless Streak at 21; Leadoff Lopez Drives in 6
Players of the Day for Thursday, April 24 2008
American League
After being released by Toronto, Frank Thomas has found a new home in Oakland, but it was lightly-used rookie third baseman
Donnie Murphy who carried the big stick in Oakland's 11-2 romp over the Minnesota Twins.
Murphy, who has spent parts of the last two seasons with the A's but still qualifies as a rookie since he's never had more than 130 at-bats in a season, stroked a single and a pair of solo homers in 5 at-bats, scored three times and drove in four runs.
Notes: The Detroit Tigers are picking up steam quickly. After starting horribly (0-7), they've gone 10-6 and won their last four straight. On Thursday, Magglio Ordonez whacked a pair of homers and drove in four runs as the Tigers completed a three-game sweep over Texas with an 8-2 win. The Tigers still trail the White Sox by 3 games in the Central Division. Texas dropped their 7th straight, as did KC, 2-0 losers to Cleveland as Cliff Lee (left) improved to 4-0 with a 3-hit, complete game shutout. Lee struck out 9 and extended his scoreless innings streak to 21 innings.
National League
Leadoff hitters
aren't supposed to be big run-producers, but on Thursday Felipe Lopez singled in two runs in the 5th and knocked a grand slam in the 6th inning, blowing open a 3-3 tie and leading the Nationals to a 10-5 win over the stumbling Mets.
Notes: Arizona continues to dominate the NL West, last night topping the Dodgers, 6-4, to improve their record against teams in their own division to 15-4. The D-Backs still hold a 6-game lead in the West. Other clubs doing well against teams in their own division are the Cubs (11-4), the Mets (10-6) and the Marlins (9-5).
American League
After being released by Toronto, Frank Thomas has found a new home in Oakland, but it was lightly-used rookie third baseman
Donnie Murphy who carried the big stick in Oakland's 11-2 romp over the Minnesota Twins.Murphy, who has spent parts of the last two seasons with the A's but still qualifies as a rookie since he's never had more than 130 at-bats in a season, stroked a single and a pair of solo homers in 5 at-bats, scored three times and drove in four runs.
Notes: The Detroit Tigers are picking up steam quickly. After starting horribly (0-7), they've gone 10-6 and won their last four straight. On Thursday, Magglio Ordonez whacked a pair of homers and drove in four runs as the Tigers completed a three-game sweep over Texas with an 8-2 win. The Tigers still trail the White Sox by 3 games in the Central Division. Texas dropped their 7th straight, as did KC, 2-0 losers to Cleveland as Cliff Lee (left) improved to 4-0 with a 3-hit, complete game shutout. Lee struck out 9 and extended his scoreless innings streak to 21 innings.National League
Leadoff hitters
aren't supposed to be big run-producers, but on Thursday Felipe Lopez singled in two runs in the 5th and knocked a grand slam in the 6th inning, blowing open a 3-3 tie and leading the Nationals to a 10-5 win over the stumbling Mets.Winnipeg Food Caterers
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For Lopez, it was his first home run of the season and the six RBI gave him 8 on the year.Affordable, quality catering for weddings or events of any size.
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Notes: Arizona continues to dominate the NL West, last night topping the Dodgers, 6-4, to improve their record against teams in their own division to 15-4. The D-Backs still hold a 6-game lead in the West. Other clubs doing well against teams in their own division are the Cubs (11-4), the Mets (10-6) and the Marlins (9-5).
Labels: Cliff Lee, Donnie Murphy, Felipe Lopez
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tigers Score 19, Guillen Drives in Five; Fielder's Pair Propels Brewers
Players of the Day for Wednesday, April 23, 2008
American League
This one was out of control early on. The score was 5-5 by the end of the second inning and 7-6 after 4, but when the Tigers put up 11 runs in the sixth, Detroit was on its way to a 19-6 pasting of the Taxes Rangers. In the middle of it all was Carlos Guillen, who stroked two singles and a double in 4 at-bats, stole a base and hit a sac fly to drive in five runs.
The Tigers, regarded by many as having the best offensive lineup in the majors, strutted their stuff against 6 Texas pitchers who allowed 14 hits and 10 walks. Each of the starting position players had at least one hit except Ramon Santiago, though he managed to drive in three runs and score twice.
Notes: The Rangers now have lost six straight and have the worst record in the American League at 7-15. The Angels snapped Boston's 5-game win streak with a 6-4 win at Boston. It was the Red Sox's 3rd home loss.
National League
Last year, Prince Fielder smacked 50 home runs and the Milwaukee Brewers just missed making the playoffs.
Notes: The Cubs have won 6 straight and are two games up on Milwaukee in the Central Division. They defeated the Rockies, 7-6, in ten innings on Wednesday. Atlanta's Chipper Jones leads the league in batting at .422, but the dynamic duo from Philly holds the top spots in homers and RBI. Chase Utley has knocked out 10, followed by teammate Pat Burrell with 8 homers. Burrell leads the league in RBI with 23. Utley has 21.
American League
This one was out of control early on. The score was 5-5 by the end of the second inning and 7-6 after 4, but when the Tigers put up 11 runs in the sixth, Detroit was on its way to a 19-6 pasting of the Taxes Rangers. In the middle of it all was Carlos Guillen, who stroked two singles and a double in 4 at-bats, stole a base and hit a sac fly to drive in five runs.The Tigers, regarded by many as having the best offensive lineup in the majors, strutted their stuff against 6 Texas pitchers who allowed 14 hits and 10 walks. Each of the starting position players had at least one hit except Ramon Santiago, though he managed to drive in three runs and score twice.
Notes: The Rangers now have lost six straight and have the worst record in the American League at 7-15. The Angels snapped Boston's 5-game win streak with a 6-4 win at Boston. It was the Red Sox's 3rd home loss.
National League
Last year, Prince Fielder smacked 50 home runs and the Milwaukee Brewers just missed making the playoffs. Advertise on Blogs, Web Sites
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Fielder has gotten off to a slow start in 2008, but may be coming around after blasting a pair of homers and driving in four runs in Milwaukee's 5-4 win over Philadelphia. Fielder connected in the first inning with a man aboard and again in the 8th for another 2-run shot that gave the Brewers a 5-4 lead and eventually, the win.Choose your own colors, dates and message for maximum impact. Display or text ads by frequency or CPM.
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Notes: The Cubs have won 6 straight and are two games up on Milwaukee in the Central Division. They defeated the Rockies, 7-6, in ten innings on Wednesday. Atlanta's Chipper Jones leads the league in batting at .422, but the dynamic duo from Philly holds the top spots in homers and RBI. Chase Utley has knocked out 10, followed by teammate Pat Burrell with 8 homers. Burrell leads the league in RBI with 23. Utley has 21.
Labels: Carlos Guillen, Prince Fielder
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Grand Slammers: Blake Bombs Royals, Cedeno Crashes Mets
Players of the Day for Tuesday, April 22, 2008
American League
The Cleveland Indians didn't get off to a very good start this season (8-12), and are probably a little bit irked at looking up at the Royals in the standings. On Tuesday night, Casey Blake decided to do something about it, going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a single and a grand slam home run, good for 6 RBI, as the Indians pounded Kansas City, 15-1.
Cleveland rapped out 17 hits against starter Gil Meche and four relievers and are just a game behind the Royals, who have lost five straight.
Notes: Boston keeps on winning, beating the Angels last night, 7-6, for their 6th straight. Texas lost their 5th in a row, a 10-2 beating at the hands of the Detroit Tigers.
National League
Usually light-hitting Ronnie Cedeno broke out the good wood and doubling in a run in the 4th inning and smacking a grand slam in the eighth to lead the Cubs to their second straight over the Mets, 8-1, extending their NL Central lead to 1 1/2 games over St. Louis.
Notes: The Cubs have won five straight, the longest current win streak in the National League. In the Western division, Arizona continues to run away from the rest, winning their 15th against 5 losses last night with a 5-4 victory at San Francisco. The other teams in the division - Colorado, San Diego and Los Angeles - all lost, leaving the D-Backs with a comfy 6-game bulge.
American League
The Cleveland Indians didn't get off to a very good start this season (8-12), and are probably a little bit irked at looking up at the Royals in the standings. On Tuesday night, Casey Blake decided to do something about it, going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a single and a grand slam home run, good for 6 RBI, as the Indians pounded Kansas City, 15-1.Cleveland rapped out 17 hits against starter Gil Meche and four relievers and are just a game behind the Royals, who have lost five straight.
Notes: Boston keeps on winning, beating the Angels last night, 7-6, for their 6th straight. Texas lost their 5th in a row, a 10-2 beating at the hands of the Detroit Tigers.
National League
Usually light-hitting Ronnie Cedeno broke out the good wood and doubling in a run in the 4th inning and smacking a grand slam in the eighth to lead the Cubs to their second straight over the Mets, 8-1, extending their NL Central lead to 1 1/2 games over St. Louis.Fish , Hunt Ducks and Waterfowl Lake Manitoba Narrows
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Cedeno, a career .251 hitter with a total of 11 home runs before Tuesday's blast, took a Jorge Sosa offering out of the park in left field for his first long ball of the season.Golf, Fish Walleye , Fall Duck Hunting at Resort Lake Manitoba Narrows Home Cottage Lot.
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Notes: The Cubs have won five straight, the longest current win streak in the National League. In the Western division, Arizona continues to run away from the rest, winning their 15th against 5 losses last night with a 5-4 victory at San Francisco. The other teams in the division - Colorado, San Diego and Los Angeles - all lost, leaving the D-Backs with a comfy 6-game bulge.
Labels: Casey Blake, Ronny Cedeno
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Ortiz Getting into Groove; Tejada Roughs up Padres
Players of the Day for Monday, April 21, 2008
American League
Big Papi is getting himself into a groove. After a slow start,
David Ortiz has begun to put some sting on the ball. On Monday, he doubled twice and drove in three runs as the Red Sox knocked off the Rangers, 8-3.
To get an idea of just how poorly Ortiz started the season, consider that he was batting just .070 on April 12. Eight games later, he's upped his average to .177, still poor, but he's hit safely in seven of his last 8 games and has knocked in 11 runs in his last four.
National League
In five at-bats, Miguel Tejada singled twice, doubled, homered, drove in three runs, scored three times and stole a base as he and the Houston Astros drubbed the Padres, 10-3.
The homer was the 4th for Tejada, a newcomer to the National League after spending all of his career with Oakland and Baltimore until this season. He doesn't seem to be affected by facing different pitchers as he's batting at a brisk .342 pace and has 16 RBI.
Notes: Best in the West. The Arizona Diamondbacks are off to an exceptionally grand start. At 14-5, they're already 5 games in front and are the only team in the NL West with a winning record. That's largely the result of the D-Backs, who have run up 13 wins against just 3 losses in the division. Over in the Central, Pittsburgh is currently on a 6-game losing streak and has dropped into last place at 7-12.
American League
Big Papi is getting himself into a groove. After a slow start,
David Ortiz has begun to put some sting on the ball. On Monday, he doubled twice and drove in three runs as the Red Sox knocked off the Rangers, 8-3.To get an idea of just how poorly Ortiz started the season, consider that he was batting just .070 on April 12. Eight games later, he's upped his average to .177, still poor, but he's hit safely in seven of his last 8 games and has knocked in 11 runs in his last four.
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Notes: The Red Sox have won five straight and opened up a 2 game lead on the Baltimore Orioles, and 3 1/2 over Toronto and the Yankees. On the opposite end of the scale, the Rangers lost four straight (all to Boston) and the Royals are beginning their annual dive in the standings with a four-game losing streak.Choose your own colors, dates and message for maximum impact. Display or text ads by frequency or CPM.
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National League
In five at-bats, Miguel Tejada singled twice, doubled, homered, drove in three runs, scored three times and stole a base as he and the Houston Astros drubbed the Padres, 10-3.The homer was the 4th for Tejada, a newcomer to the National League after spending all of his career with Oakland and Baltimore until this season. He doesn't seem to be affected by facing different pitchers as he's batting at a brisk .342 pace and has 16 RBI.
Notes: Best in the West. The Arizona Diamondbacks are off to an exceptionally grand start. At 14-5, they're already 5 games in front and are the only team in the NL West with a winning record. That's largely the result of the D-Backs, who have run up 13 wins against just 3 losses in the division. Over in the Central, Pittsburgh is currently on a 6-game losing streak and has dropped into last place at 7-12.
Labels: David Ortiz, Miguel Tejada
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thome's Hits Bash Rays; Utley's Homer Help Phils Past Mets
Players of the Day for Sunday, April 20, 2008
American League
Jim Thome singled twice, doubled and homered in 5 at-bats, driving in 3 runs and scoring twice in Chicago's 6-0 win over Tampa Bay. While Thome was doing his thing at the plate, starting pitcher John Danks limited the Rays to 3 hits over 8 innings, striking out 8 without walking a batter. His record improved to 2-1.
National League
Pedro Feliz homered in the bottom of the seventh to break a 4-4 tie as the Phillies topped the Mets, 5-4, but it was Chase Utley who made it all possible, going 3-for-3 with a pair of homers and 4 RBI. Utley, known to teammates as "the Machine" leads the majors with 8 homers and his 17 RBI is good for 4th place in the NL.
American League
Jim Thome singled twice, doubled and homered in 5 at-bats, driving in 3 runs and scoring twice in Chicago's 6-0 win over Tampa Bay. While Thome was doing his thing at the plate, starting pitcher John Danks limited the Rays to 3 hits over 8 innings, striking out 8 without walking a batter. His record improved to 2-1.National League
Pedro Feliz homered in the bottom of the seventh to break a 4-4 tie as the Phillies topped the Mets, 5-4, but it was Chase Utley who made it all possible, going 3-for-3 with a pair of homers and 4 RBI. Utley, known to teammates as "the Machine" leads the majors with 8 homers and his 17 RBI is good for 4th place in the NL.Labels: Chase Utley, Jim Thome
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Rowand Gets Offensive; Sonnanstine Shines with 3-hit Shutout
Players of the Day for Saturday, April 19, 2008
American League
Tampa Bay's Andy Sonnanstine retired 11 of the first twelve batters he faced and finished with an impressive 3-hit complete game shutout as Tampa Bay downed Cleveland, 5-0.
Sonnanstine struck out four, walking only one batter and the Rays' infield turned a pair of double plays in support.
Notes: Man-Ram on a tear. Unlike last season's somewhat unspectacular regular season, Manny Ramirez is off to a fast start, leading the league with 20 RBI and among the leaders with a .342 batting average. He also clubbed home run #496 on Saturday in a 5-3 win over Texas.
National League
Aaron Rowand provided all the offense starter Tim Lincecum and a trio of relievers needed in San Francisco's 3-0 triumph over St. Louis. Rowand went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and an RBI single to account for two of SF's three runs. Lincecum, meanwhile, scattered five hits and three walks over seven innings of frustration for the Cardinals. The pitcher improved to 3-0.
Notes: Special Ks? The race to be the National League strikeout king is shaping up to be an interesting one with five pitchers bunched between 26 and 29 punchouts at this early date. Johnny Cueto of Cincinnati leads with 29, followed by Johan Santana (28), Jake Peavy and Tim Lincecum (27), and St. Louis' Todd Wellemeyer, with 26.
American League
Tampa Bay's Andy Sonnanstine retired 11 of the first twelve batters he faced and finished with an impressive 3-hit complete game shutout as Tampa Bay downed Cleveland, 5-0.Sonnanstine struck out four, walking only one batter and the Rays' infield turned a pair of double plays in support.
Notes: Man-Ram on a tear. Unlike last season's somewhat unspectacular regular season, Manny Ramirez is off to a fast start, leading the league with 20 RBI and among the leaders with a .342 batting average. He also clubbed home run #496 on Saturday in a 5-3 win over Texas.
National League
Aaron Rowand provided all the offense starter Tim Lincecum and a trio of relievers needed in San Francisco's 3-0 triumph over St. Louis. Rowand went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and an RBI single to account for two of SF's three runs. Lincecum, meanwhile, scattered five hits and three walks over seven innings of frustration for the Cardinals. The pitcher improved to 3-0.Notes: Special Ks? The race to be the National League strikeout king is shaping up to be an interesting one with five pitchers bunched between 26 and 29 punchouts at this early date. Johnny Cueto of Cincinnati leads with 29, followed by Johan Santana (28), Jake Peavy and Tim Lincecum (27), and St. Louis' Todd Wellemeyer, with 26.
Labels: Aaron Rowand, Andy Sonnanstine
Saturday, April 19, 2008
D-Backs Blank Padres behind Haren, Jackson; Crosby Leads A's Hit Parade
Players of the Day for Friday, April 18, 2008
American League
Oakland's
Bobby Crosby broke out the hardwood in the A's 13-2 trouncing of Kansas City 
with a two-run double in the 6th inning which gave Oakland the lead and a 3-run homer in the 8th which finished the scoring blitz. Crosby also singled, scored three times and tallied five RBI.
Notes: Where were they hiding him? Cleveland's Cliff Lee improved to 3-0 with a 2-hit shutout over 8 innings at Minnesota last night as the Indians won 4-0. Lee, who's actually been with Cleveland since 2002, has a career record of 57-36 from 128 starts. He's off to a great start in 2008 with these numbers: 22.2 innings, 8 hits, 1 earned run, 20 Ks, 2 BB, 0.40 ERA, 0.44 WHIP.
National League
Improving to 3-0, Dan Haren (left) shut down San Diego on 3 hits over seven innings, while 
Conor Jackson (right) singled, tripled twice and homered, drove in four runs and scored three times in five at-bats as the Arizona Diamondbacks blanked the Padres, 9-0, improving their record against NL West teams to 11-2, while maintaining a 4-game lead over Colorado.
Notes: Elsewhere, Chipper Jones continued his hot streak, knocking two more homers and picking up 4 RBI in Atlanta's 6-1 win over the Dodgers. Jones has 7 hits in his last nine at-bats, including 4 homers over his last two games. He is leading the majors with a .455 batting average.
American League
Oakland's
Bobby Crosby broke out the hardwood in the A's 13-2 trouncing of Kansas City with a two-run double in the 6th inning which gave Oakland the lead and a 3-run homer in the 8th which finished the scoring blitz. Crosby also singled, scored three times and tallied five RBI.Notes: Where were they hiding him? Cleveland's Cliff Lee improved to 3-0 with a 2-hit shutout over 8 innings at Minnesota last night as the Indians won 4-0. Lee, who's actually been with Cleveland since 2002, has a career record of 57-36 from 128 starts. He's off to a great start in 2008 with these numbers: 22.2 innings, 8 hits, 1 earned run, 20 Ks, 2 BB, 0.40 ERA, 0.44 WHIP.
National League
Improving to 3-0, Dan Haren (left) shut down San Diego on 3 hits over seven innings, while Conor Jackson (right) singled, tripled twice and homered, drove in four runs and scored three times in five at-bats as the Arizona Diamondbacks blanked the Padres, 9-0, improving their record against NL West teams to 11-2, while maintaining a 4-game lead over Colorado.Notes: Elsewhere, Chipper Jones continued his hot streak, knocking two more homers and picking up 4 RBI in Atlanta's 6-1 win over the Dodgers. Jones has 7 hits in his last nine at-bats, including 4 homers over his last two games. He is leading the majors with a .455 batting average.
Labels: Bobby Crosby, Conor Jackson, Dan Haren
Friday, April 18, 2008
Ramirez Powers BoSox into First; Jones, Smoltz Lead Rout of Marlins
Players of the Day for Thursday, April 17, 2008
American League
Manny Ramirez blasted a pair of homers, drove in three runs and scored three times in Boston's 7-5 win at New York, boosting the BoSox into sole possession of first place in the AL East, a -half-game ahead the
Ramirez, who hit only 20 homers last season, already has 5 this year and is just five short of 500 for his career.
Notes: Home cookin'. Baltimore is 7-2 at home, but just 2-4 on the road. Other than the O's, only Boston, the Yankees, Seattle and Chicago have better than .500 home records in the AL.
National League
Chipper Jones (left) belted a pair of solo home runs, doubled and singled in four at-bats, driving in 3 and scoring 3 runs in Atlanta's 8-0 drubbing of Florida. By the time Jones had done his damage at the plate, John Smoltz (right) and the Braves were up 6-0, so Smoltz, who allowed only 3 hits and struck out 10, was relieved after completing the fifth inning, earning the win. Smoltz is now 3-0, accounting for half of Atlanta's wins, with an ERA of 0.56 and a WHIP of 1.00.
Notes: Ken Griffey Jr. slugged his 596th career home run and third of the season in Cincy's 9-2 thrashing of the Cubs. Colorado's 22-inning, 2-1 win at San Diego was the longest game - by innings - since 1993. It lasted 6 hours and 16 minutes, the longest by far in the majors this season.
American League
Manny Ramirez blasted a pair of homers, drove in three runs and scored three times in Boston's 7-5 win at New York, boosting the BoSox into sole possession of first place in the AL East, a -half-game ahead the Glendale Golfs Manitoba
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Orioles and one in front of the Yankees. Ramirez hit a solo shot in the second inning, his first at-bat, a two run shot in the 3rd the next time he was at the plate and singled and scored in the 5th, finishing 3-for-5.Glendale Manitoba Golf Winnipeg Golfs.
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Ramirez, who hit only 20 homers last season, already has 5 this year and is just five short of 500 for his career.
Notes: Home cookin'. Baltimore is 7-2 at home, but just 2-4 on the road. Other than the O's, only Boston, the Yankees, Seattle and Chicago have better than .500 home records in the AL.
National League
Chipper Jones (left) belted a pair of solo home runs, doubled and singled in four at-bats, driving in 3 and scoring 3 runs in Atlanta's 8-0 drubbing of Florida. By the time Jones had done his damage at the plate, John Smoltz (right) and the Braves were up 6-0, so Smoltz, who allowed only 3 hits and struck out 10, was relieved after completing the fifth inning, earning the win. Smoltz is now 3-0, accounting for half of Atlanta's wins, with an ERA of 0.56 and a WHIP of 1.00.Notes: Ken Griffey Jr. slugged his 596th career home run and third of the season in Cincy's 9-2 thrashing of the Cubs. Colorado's 22-inning, 2-1 win at San Diego was the longest game - by innings - since 1993. It lasted 6 hours and 16 minutes, the longest by far in the majors this season.
Labels: Chipper Jones, John Smoltz, Manny Ramirez
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Renteria, Cabrera Deliver; Webb Spins 4th Win
Players of the Day for Wednesday, April 16, 2008
American League
The two major off-season additions to the Tigers' lineup, Miguel Cabrera (left) and Edgar Renteria (right) came up huge for Detroit last night as the Tigers crushed Cleveland, 13-2, for their third straight win, actually putting the two supposedly best teams in the division in a deadlock for last place at 5-10.
The two newest Tigers, however, were impressive, each garnering 5 RBI. Cabrera was 4-for-6, scored twice and had a two-run homer in the second inning. Renteria went 3-for-5 with a run scored on his grand slam in the fifth and singled in another run in the 8th. Both homers were off losing pitcher C.C. Sabathia, who is 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA.
National League
Arizona's Brandon Webb became the first 4-game winner in the majors as he stymied the San Francisco Giants on 3 hits in the Diamondbacks' 4-1 win. Webb threw 104 pitches, walked 3 and struck out 5 over 8 innings and also provided some offense, driving in the first two runs of the game with a single in the second inning. Webb, Arizona's ace, has gone at least 6 innings in each of his four starts has an ERA of 1.86 and a 0.79 WHIP.
Notes: Pittsburgh's Nate McLouth extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in four at-bats in Wednesday's 8-1 loss to the Dodgers.
American League
The two major off-season additions to the Tigers' lineup, Miguel Cabrera (left) and Edgar Renteria (right) came up huge for Detroit last night as the Tigers crushed Cleveland, 13-2, for their third straight win, actually putting the two supposedly best teams in the division in a deadlock for last place at 5-10.The two newest Tigers, however, were impressive, each garnering 5 RBI. Cabrera was 4-for-6, scored twice and had a two-run homer in the second inning. Renteria went 3-for-5 with a run scored on his grand slam in the fifth and singled in another run in the 8th. Both homers were off losing pitcher C.C. Sabathia, who is 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA.
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Notes: As it should be? Last night's 15-9 win by the Yankees over Boston, set the AL East up like many believe it's supposed to be, with the Bombers and Beaners tied for first place at 9-7. Baltimore and Toronto are only 1/2 back, but the Rays have already fallen to the basement, 2 1/2 games off the pace.Choose your own colors, dates and message for maximum impact. Display or text ads by frequency or CPM.
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National League
Arizona's Brandon Webb became the first 4-game winner in the majors as he stymied the San Francisco Giants on 3 hits in the Diamondbacks' 4-1 win. Webb threw 104 pitches, walked 3 and struck out 5 over 8 innings and also provided some offense, driving in the first two runs of the game with a single in the second inning. Webb, Arizona's ace, has gone at least 6 innings in each of his four starts has an ERA of 1.86 and a 0.79 WHIP.Notes: Pittsburgh's Nate McLouth extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in four at-bats in Wednesday's 8-1 loss to the Dodgers.
Labels: Brandon Webb, Edgar Renteria, Miguel Cabrera
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Book of David: Eckstein Scores for Jays; Wright's 5 RBI Leads Mets
Eckstein Scores for Jays; Wright's 5 RBI Leads Mets
Players of the Day for Tuesday, April 15, 2008
American League
The Toronto Blue Jays took a calculated risk when they plucked
David Eckstein from St. Louis, but the diminuative shortstop who proved his worth in 2001 with the California Angels, is already paying benefits as the Jays downed the Orioles, 11-3, Tuesday in Baltimore.
Eckstein singled three times in four at-bats, scored in the 1st, 3rd and 6th innings and singled in the final run in the ninth. For good measure, he also stole his first base of the season.
Notes: How do you get four RBI with one hit? The obvious answer is with a grand slam, but Javier Lopez devised a different way in Seattle's 11-6 win at Kansas City last night with a single and 3 sac flies in 2 official at-bats. Now, that's efficiency.
National League
Mets' 3rd baseman David Wright has been getting plenty of press lately as one of baseball's best all-around athletes, but Tuesday night he proved why he's so highly-regarded as he drove in 5 of the 6 Mets' runs in their 6-0 beating of Washington with a home run and two doubles in four at-bats. The complete player, Wright also scored the only other run he didn't drive in, coming plateward in the 7th on a Carlos Betran single. Incidentally, the home run was a 2-run, 1st inning shot, Wright's 4th of the season.
Notes: There were zeroes everywhere in the NL last night, as three teams - Washington, Colorado and Atlanta were all blanked. In NY, Mike Pelfrey limited the Nats to just 5 hits over 7 innings in NY's 6-0 win. Scott Olsen set down Atlanta on five hits and no walks over 7 as Florida won, 4-0, but the best performance of the night belonged to Randy Wolf, who blanked Colorado for 7 innings on 1 hit and 4 walks in the Padres' 6-0 win. In each case, relievers finished the whitewash for the starter.
Players of the Day for Tuesday, April 15, 2008
American League
The Toronto Blue Jays took a calculated risk when they plucked
David Eckstein from St. Louis, but the diminuative shortstop who proved his worth in 2001 with the California Angels, is already paying benefits as the Jays downed the Orioles, 11-3, Tuesday in Baltimore.Eckstein singled three times in four at-bats, scored in the 1st, 3rd and 6th innings and singled in the final run in the ninth. For good measure, he also stole his first base of the season.
Notes: How do you get four RBI with one hit? The obvious answer is with a grand slam, but Javier Lopez devised a different way in Seattle's 11-6 win at Kansas City last night with a single and 3 sac flies in 2 official at-bats. Now, that's efficiency.National League
Mets' 3rd baseman David Wright has been getting plenty of press lately as one of baseball's best all-around athletes, but Tuesday night he proved why he's so highly-regarded as he drove in 5 of the 6 Mets' runs in their 6-0 beating of Washington with a home run and two doubles in four at-bats. The complete player, Wright also scored the only other run he didn't drive in, coming plateward in the 7th on a Carlos Betran single. Incidentally, the home run was a 2-run, 1st inning shot, Wright's 4th of the season.Notes: There were zeroes everywhere in the NL last night, as three teams - Washington, Colorado and Atlanta were all blanked. In NY, Mike Pelfrey limited the Nats to just 5 hits over 7 innings in NY's 6-0 win. Scott Olsen set down Atlanta on five hits and no walks over 7 as Florida won, 4-0, but the best performance of the night belonged to Randy Wolf, who blanked Colorado for 7 innings on 1 hit and 4 walks in the Padres' 6-0 win. In each case, relievers finished the whitewash for the starter.
Labels: David Eckstein, David Wright
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Pudge Drives Detroit to Victory; McLouth Rallies Bucs Past Dodgers
Players of the Day for Monday, April 14
American League
Though the Tigers are off to the worst start of any team in the majors, they still possess a lineup capable of hammering opponents into submission. Such was the case last night as Detroit won for only the third time in 13 games this season, rallying past Minnesota, 11-9, thanks to the late-inning surge by Ivan Rodriguez and his teammates.
Down 9-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Rodriguez connected on his first home run of the year, a leadoff solo shot off reliever Matt Guerrier. Though the Twins' reliever retired the next three batters, the 8th inning would be his - and the Twins - undoing. The Tigers unleashed an offensive assault which sent 10 men to the plate in a six-run eighth-inning, highlighted by Pudge's 2-run triple which tied the game. Rodriguez scored the go-ahead run on Jacques Jones' sac fly and the Tigers added one more for good measure. Pudge finished the night 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored.
National League
The Pittsburgh Pirates may want to reconsider batting Nate McLouth in the leadoff spot, especially after his 3-run, 9th inning home run sent the Pirates to a 6-4 comeback win over the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday night.
McLouth, a part-time player over the last three seasons with the Pirates, has been their leadoff man all of 2008. His dramatic home run - his only hit of the night - extended his season-long hitting streak to 13 games, and despite batting leadoff, leads the Pirates with 14 RBI. He's tied with teammate Xavier Nady for second in the league RBI standings, both trailing Arizona's Mark Reynolds by one.
American League
Though the Tigers are off to the worst start of any team in the majors, they still possess a lineup capable of hammering opponents into submission. Such was the case last night as Detroit won for only the third time in 13 games this season, rallying past Minnesota, 11-9, thanks to the late-inning surge by Ivan Rodriguez and his teammates. Down 9-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Rodriguez connected on his first home run of the year, a leadoff solo shot off reliever Matt Guerrier. Though the Twins' reliever retired the next three batters, the 8th inning would be his - and the Twins - undoing. The Tigers unleashed an offensive assault which sent 10 men to the plate in a six-run eighth-inning, highlighted by Pudge's 2-run triple which tied the game. Rodriguez scored the go-ahead run on Jacques Jones' sac fly and the Tigers added one more for good measure. Pudge finished the night 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored.National League
The Pittsburgh Pirates may want to reconsider batting Nate McLouth in the leadoff spot, especially after his 3-run, 9th inning home run sent the Pirates to a 6-4 comeback win over the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday night.McLouth, a part-time player over the last three seasons with the Pirates, has been their leadoff man all of 2008. His dramatic home run - his only hit of the night - extended his season-long hitting streak to 13 games, and despite batting leadoff, leads the Pirates with 14 RBI. He's tied with teammate Xavier Nady for second in the league RBI standings, both trailing Arizona's Mark Reynolds by one.
Labels: Ivan Rodriguez, Nate McLouth
Monday, April 14, 2008
Vazquez, Konerko Lift ChiSox; Kapler Stars for Brewers
Players of the Day for Sunday, April 13, 2008
American League
This was such a tough choice, we gave the player of the day for the AL to both Javier Vazquez (left) and Paul Konerko (right), both of whom were instrumental in Chicago's 11-0 drubbing of Detroit on Sunday.
Vazquez shut out the punchless Tigers over 7 innings, allowing 5 hits and no walks while striking out 9. Meanwhile, Konerko did his work early on, driving in the first run of the game with a single in the first inning, followed by a grand slam in the 3rd. That was it, but going 2-for-4 with 5 RBI is a pretty good day in anyone's book. Later in the contest, Joe Crede also launched a grand slam, but by then the game's outcome was not in doubt.
Notes: Detroit's loss was their second straight and 10th of their first 12 games this season. In the wild AL East, Toronto caught the Orioles with a 5-4, 10-inning win at Texas while the O's were losing to Tampa. Both Baltimore and Toronto are 7-5, but the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays are all within 1 1/2 games.
National League
Gabe Kapler, a nine-year veteran who spent last season managing Boston's single-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive, knocked a single, double and home run, drove in three runs and scored three times on Sunday as the Milwaukee Brewers outlasted the Mets, 9-7, in New York.
Kapler, who has played with the Tigers, Rangers, Rockies, and Red Sox, signed a one-year contract with Milwaukee in the off-season and is off to an exceptional start. He's batting a healthy .423, with 4 home runs and 11 RBI.
Notes: All things come to an end, including winning, and thankfully, losing streaks. The Washington Nationals broke out of their 9-game funk with a 5-4 win over Atlanta and Colorado ended the D-Backs' win streak at 8 with a 13-5 pounding.
American League
This was such a tough choice, we gave the player of the day for the AL to both Javier Vazquez (left) and Paul Konerko (right), both of whom were instrumental in Chicago's 11-0 drubbing of Detroit on Sunday.Vazquez shut out the punchless Tigers over 7 innings, allowing 5 hits and no walks while striking out 9. Meanwhile, Konerko did his work early on, driving in the first run of the game with a single in the first inning, followed by a grand slam in the 3rd. That was it, but going 2-for-4 with 5 RBI is a pretty good day in anyone's book. Later in the contest, Joe Crede also launched a grand slam, but by then the game's outcome was not in doubt.
Notes: Detroit's loss was their second straight and 10th of their first 12 games this season. In the wild AL East, Toronto caught the Orioles with a 5-4, 10-inning win at Texas while the O's were losing to Tampa. Both Baltimore and Toronto are 7-5, but the Red Sox, Yankees and Rays are all within 1 1/2 games.
National League
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Gabe Kapler, a nine-year veteran who spent last season managing Boston's single-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive, knocked a single, double and home run, drove in three runs and scored three times on Sunday as the Milwaukee Brewers outlasted the Mets, 9-7, in New York.Kapler, who has played with the Tigers, Rangers, Rockies, and Red Sox, signed a one-year contract with Milwaukee in the off-season and is off to an exceptional start. He's batting a healthy .423, with 4 home runs and 11 RBI.
Notes: All things come to an end, including winning, and thankfully, losing streaks. The Washington Nationals broke out of their 9-game funk with a 5-4 win over Atlanta and Colorado ended the D-Backs' win streak at 8 with a 13-5 pounding.
Labels: Gabe Kapler, Javier Vazquez, Paul Konerko
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Francoeur Powers Braves with 7 RBI; Ibanez on a Tear for M's
Saturday's Players of the Day, April 12, 2008
American League
Seattle's take two straight from the Angels, due in large part to the hitting exploits of Raul Ibanez. The Mariners' rock-solid outfielder tripled and homered in four at-bats, driving in three runs in Seattle's 8-3 win over Los Angeles on Saturday. On Friday, Ibanez smacked two long balls and added a double in 4 at-bats, driving in 3 as the Mariners rolled to an 8-5 win. Some day, Ibanez will hit a single, and maybe then he'll have a shot at the cycle.
National League
Atlanta took their second straight over the struggling Washington Nationals by a 10-2 score, as Jeff Francoeur drove in seven runs with a pair of homers (2-run and 3-run) and a 2-run single in five at-bats. An iron-man type of player, Francoeur has played in every game this season and all 162 the past two years. He's had 100+ RBI every year since becoming a regular, with 103 in 2006 and 105 in 2007. He should see plenty of good pitches this year, batting regularly behind slugger Mark Teixeira.
Notes: The Nationals loss to Atlanta was their 9th in a row. Meanwhile the Arizona Diamondbacks won their 8th straight with a 10-3 romp over Colorado.
American League
Seattle's take two straight from the Angels, due in large part to the hitting exploits of Raul Ibanez. The Mariners' rock-solid outfielder tripled and homered in four at-bats, driving in three runs in Seattle's 8-3 win over Los Angeles on Saturday. On Friday, Ibanez smacked two long balls and added a double in 4 at-bats, driving in 3 as the Mariners rolled to an 8-5 win. Some day, Ibanez will hit a single, and maybe then he'll have a shot at the cycle.Advertise on Blogs
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Notes: The amazing Orioles continued to lead the AL East with a 3-2 win at Tampa. Boston topped New York and Toronto beat Texas to keep pace. Over in the Central, the Tigers - whom many picked to win the World Series - have secured the worst record in baseball after two weeks at 2-9. What makes matter worse for the Tigers is that their losses have not even been close, like last night's 7-0 whipping by the White Sox. Detroit could only muster a pair of singles off 3 Chicago pitchers. The Tigers' average loss is a 7-2 score. In their nine losses, they've been outscored 63-21.Choose your own colors, dates and message for maximum impact.
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National League
Atlanta took their second straight over the struggling Washington Nationals by a 10-2 score, as Jeff Francoeur drove in seven runs with a pair of homers (2-run and 3-run) and a 2-run single in five at-bats. An iron-man type of player, Francoeur has played in every game this season and all 162 the past two years. He's had 100+ RBI every year since becoming a regular, with 103 in 2006 and 105 in 2007. He should see plenty of good pitches this year, batting regularly behind slugger Mark Teixeira.Notes: The Nationals loss to Atlanta was their 9th in a row. Meanwhile the Arizona Diamondbacks won their 8th straight with a 10-3 romp over Colorado.
Labels: Jeff Francoeur, Raul Ibanez
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Pena Blasts Rays Past O's; Hudson is Lights Out for Braves
Players of the Day for Friday, April 11, 2008
American League
If you're looking for action, look no further than the AL East. While the Yankees and Red Sox squared off in Beantown, the division-leading Orioles were visiting Tampa Bay, where Carlos Pena was making life difficult for Baltimore pitchers. Pena homered in the first and the seventh innings, a two-run and a three-run shot, respectively, drawing the Rays and O's even at 5-5. But, when the slugger came up with the bases loaded in the 8th, he walked, forcing in the game-winning run. Tampa tacked on four more for a 10-5 win, but clearly Pena was a force with which the O's could not reckon.
In five plate appearances, Pena homered twice and walked twice. The two dingers gave him the AL lead, at 5, and his 6 RBI also tied him for AL top honors with Toronto's Vernon Wells, at 12.
Notes: Chien-Ming Wang became the first AL pitcher to record 3 wins, hurling the Yankees past Boston, 4-1, with a complete-game, two-hit effort. Wang didn't walk a batter and the only run came on a J.D. Drew 5th inning bomb.
National League
Known for its versatile and successful pitching staff, Tim Hudson is making Bobby Cox and Leo Mazzoni proud these days. On Friday night, the veteran pitched one of his best games ever, allowing just 3 hits and 2 walks over 8 innings in a 3-0 blanking of the Washington Nationals. Hudson stuck out 5 and got 12 more outs on ground balls, needing only 96 pitches (64 for strikes) to get his 2nd win of the season against no losses. Hudson's 2.14 ERA is nice, but the 0.67 WHIP over 21 innings thus far in the season, is eye-catching.
Notes: Still streaking. Hudson's shutout over Washington was the Nats' 8th straight loss. Out West, Arizona improved to 8-2 and a 2 1/2-game lead in the division with their 7th straight win, an 8-2 romp over Colorado.
American League
If you're looking for action, look no further than the AL East. While the Yankees and Red Sox squared off in Beantown, the division-leading Orioles were visiting Tampa Bay, where Carlos Pena was making life difficult for Baltimore pitchers. Pena homered in the first and the seventh innings, a two-run and a three-run shot, respectively, drawing the Rays and O's even at 5-5. But, when the slugger came up with the bases loaded in the 8th, he walked, forcing in the game-winning run. Tampa tacked on four more for a 10-5 win, but clearly Pena was a force with which the O's could not reckon.In five plate appearances, Pena homered twice and walked twice. The two dingers gave him the AL lead, at 5, and his 6 RBI also tied him for AL top honors with Toronto's Vernon Wells, at 12.
Notes: Chien-Ming Wang became the first AL pitcher to record 3 wins, hurling the Yankees past Boston, 4-1, with a complete-game, two-hit effort. Wang didn't walk a batter and the only run came on a J.D. Drew 5th inning bomb.
National League
Known for its versatile and successful pitching staff, Tim Hudson is making Bobby Cox and Leo Mazzoni proud these days. On Friday night, the veteran pitched one of his best games ever, allowing just 3 hits and 2 walks over 8 innings in a 3-0 blanking of the Washington Nationals. Hudson stuck out 5 and got 12 more outs on ground balls, needing only 96 pitches (64 for strikes) to get his 2nd win of the season against no losses. Hudson's 2.14 ERA is nice, but the 0.67 WHIP over 21 innings thus far in the season, is eye-catching.Notes: Still streaking. Hudson's shutout over Washington was the Nats' 8th straight loss. Out West, Arizona improved to 8-2 and a 2 1/2-game lead in the division with their 7th straight win, an 8-2 romp over Colorado.
Labels: Carlos Pena, Tim Hudson
Friday, April 11, 2008
Young Guns: Tampa's Jackson, Giants' Correia Post Zeroes
Players of the Day for Thursday, April 10, 2008
American League
It was widely reported in off-season baseball circles that the Tampa Bay Rays were building a contender. Well, they're still a game under .500 at 4-5, but looking better thanks to starter Edwin Jackson, who tossed 8 innings of 2-hit, shutout ball at the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, resulting in a 7-0 win for Tampa and Jackson's second victory against no losses on the season.
National League
All of a sudden the Giants have pitching? That's positive, because they really don't have much else. Last night, reliever-turned-starter Kevin Correia blanked the St. Louis Cardinals for 7 2/3 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 walks while fanning 4. A trio of relievers finished the job in a 5-1 San Francisco win, their third straight. To say that the Giants are offensively-impaired would be kind. Through 10 games they've scored 25 runs (2.5 per game) and have won their three latest by a combined score of 9-3. Correia evened his record at 1-1.
Notes: Streaking: The Arizona Diamondbacks are on a 6-game win streak as they prepare tp host Colorado this weekend in a three-game set beginning Friday. The Nationals have headed in the opposite direction with their 7th straight loss. They've been swept by St. Louis and, most recently, Florida. The Nats host a 3-game series with the Braves starting Friday.
American League
It was widely reported in off-season baseball circles that the Tampa Bay Rays were building a contender. Well, they're still a game under .500 at 4-5, but looking better thanks to starter Edwin Jackson, who tossed 8 innings of 2-hit, shutout ball at the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, resulting in a 7-0 win for Tampa and Jackson's second victory against no losses on the season.Fish , Hunt Ducks and Waterfowl Lake Manitoba Narrows
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Last year, Jackson went 5-15 with an ERA of 5.76 in his first full season as a starter, though he did register a complete game shutout in the process of learning the AL hitters. He's off to a fine start in '08, with an ERA of 0.64 and an 0.93 WHIP.Golf, Fish Walleye , Fall Duck Hunting at Resort Lake Manitoba Narrows Home Cottage Lot.
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National League
All of a sudden the Giants have pitching? That's positive, because they really don't have much else. Last night, reliever-turned-starter Kevin Correia blanked the St. Louis Cardinals for 7 2/3 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 walks while fanning 4. A trio of relievers finished the job in a 5-1 San Francisco win, their third straight. To say that the Giants are offensively-impaired would be kind. Through 10 games they've scored 25 runs (2.5 per game) and have won their three latest by a combined score of 9-3. Correia evened his record at 1-1.Notes: Streaking: The Arizona Diamondbacks are on a 6-game win streak as they prepare tp host Colorado this weekend in a three-game set beginning Friday. The Nationals have headed in the opposite direction with their 7th straight loss. They've been swept by St. Louis and, most recently, Florida. The Nats host a 3-game series with the Braves starting Friday.
Labels: Edwin Jackson, Kevin Correia
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Greinke Blanks Yanks; Spilborghs, Rockies Bust Braves
Players of the Day for Wednesday, April 9, 2008
American League
Yankees haters rejoice! The Kansas City Royals have taken two straight from the Bombers, including last night's 4-0 whitewash thanks to the super performance of starter Zack Greinke who scattered six hits and a pair of walks over 8 innings to pick up his second win of the season. Greinke, the Royals true staff ace, is sporting some impressive numbers, including a 0.60 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. In 15 innings, he's allowed just 12 hits and one run, walking 4 and fanning 5.
Notes: Jason Kubel went 2-4 with a grand slam a single and a sac fly, amassing 6 RBI in Minnesota's 12-5 win at Chicago.
National League
The Colorado Rockies got their offense going, maybe because they inserted
Ryan Spilborghs into the #5 slot behind Matt Holiday. The three Atlanta pitchers who faced the fill-in outfielder didn't find much success as Spilborghs went 3-for-5, scored three times and drove in five runs, three of which came on an 8th inning blast into the center field seats which sealed the Rockies' 12-6 win over Atlanta.
Notes: Jonathan Sanchez, a middle reliever turned starter in 2008, pitched a six-inning gem, allowing just 3 hits while striking out 10 Padres, but failed to pick up his fist win of the season as the Giants waited until the bottom of the ninth to score the game's only run, knocking of the padres for the second straight day, 1-0.
American League
Yankees haters rejoice! The Kansas City Royals have taken two straight from the Bombers, including last night's 4-0 whitewash thanks to the super performance of starter Zack Greinke who scattered six hits and a pair of walks over 8 innings to pick up his second win of the season. Greinke, the Royals true staff ace, is sporting some impressive numbers, including a 0.60 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. In 15 innings, he's allowed just 12 hits and one run, walking 4 and fanning 5.Notes: Jason Kubel went 2-4 with a grand slam a single and a sac fly, amassing 6 RBI in Minnesota's 12-5 win at Chicago.
National League
The Colorado Rockies got their offense going, maybe because they inserted
Ryan Spilborghs into the #5 slot behind Matt Holiday. The three Atlanta pitchers who faced the fill-in outfielder didn't find much success as Spilborghs went 3-for-5, scored three times and drove in five runs, three of which came on an 8th inning blast into the center field seats which sealed the Rockies' 12-6 win over Atlanta.Notes: Jonathan Sanchez, a middle reliever turned starter in 2008, pitched a six-inning gem, allowing just 3 hits while striking out 10 Padres, but failed to pick up his fist win of the season as the Giants waited until the bottom of the ninth to score the game's only run, knocking of the padres for the second straight day, 1-0.
Labels: Ryan Spilborghs, Zack Greinke
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Huff Leads O's to 6th Straight; Molina Yard Work Drops Padres in 11
Tuesday's Players of the Day
American League
The Baltimore Orioles extended their AL-best win streak to 6 games with an 8-1 win at Texas as Aubrey Huff went 4-for-4 (a double and three singles), driving in 4 runs to take over the AL RBI lead. Frank Thomas and Joe Crede each have 10.
Notes:While the Orioles are soaring, the Detroit Tigers are souring, falling to 0-7, with a 4-0 at Boston on Tuesday. Off-season pick-ups Edgar Renteria and Miguel Cabrera are batting .200 and .100 respectively. That says something about knowing the pitchers you're facing, though Placido Polanco (.115) and Ivan Rodriguez (.148) can't use the same excuse.
National League
After having Barry Bonds routinely bomb homers into McCovey Cove, fans of the San Francisco Giants aren't finding much to cheer about this season. Last night, however, catcher Bengie Molina gave everyone a treat, homering twice, the last one providing the winning margin in the Giants' first home win of the season, a 3-2 win over San Diego in 11 innings.
Notes: Arizona, 5 straight wins; Milwaukee, 4 straight wins. Washington, which began the season by winning its first three, have now dropped five in a row.
American League
The Baltimore Orioles extended their AL-best win streak to 6 games with an 8-1 win at Texas as Aubrey Huff went 4-for-4 (a double and three singles), driving in 4 runs to take over the AL RBI lead. Frank Thomas and Joe Crede each have 10.Notes:While the Orioles are soaring, the Detroit Tigers are souring, falling to 0-7, with a 4-0 at Boston on Tuesday. Off-season pick-ups Edgar Renteria and Miguel Cabrera are batting .200 and .100 respectively. That says something about knowing the pitchers you're facing, though Placido Polanco (.115) and Ivan Rodriguez (.148) can't use the same excuse.
National League
After having Barry Bonds routinely bomb homers into McCovey Cove, fans of the San Francisco Giants aren't finding much to cheer about this season. Last night, however, catcher Bengie Molina gave everyone a treat, homering twice, the last one providing the winning margin in the Giants' first home win of the season, a 3-2 win over San Diego in 11 innings.Advertise on Web, Blogs
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Molina's solo shot came with one out in the bottom of the 11th, off Padres' reliever Cla Meredith. Bengie found his groove earlier, blasting a solo shot to left in the second inning.Choose your own colors, dates and message for maximum impact. Frequency and CPM Plans available.
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Notes: Arizona, 5 straight wins; Milwaukee, 4 straight wins. Washington, which began the season by winning its first three, have now dropped five in a row.
Labels: Aubrey Huff, Bengie Molina
Monday, April 7, 2008
Laird Doubles Up on Angels; Sheets is Complete
Sunday's Players of the Day
American League
The Texas Rangers spanked the LA Angels, 10-4 in Anaheim on Sunday to take two of three on the road against the reigning AL West Champs. One big reason was catcher Gerald Laird who went 4-for-5, scored three three and launched two shots into the seats, driving in a total of 6 runs on the day. Laird started things going for the Rangers when he singled and scored their first run. In the top of the 4th, with Texas leading, 2-1, he took Angels' starter Jon Garland deep with a three-run homer to blow the game open. Laird singled home Hank Blalock in the 7th and blasted another two run shot in the ninth for good measure. The effort boosted his batting average from .091 to .312.
Notable: Frank Thomas hit his 11th career grand slam in the fifth inning off starter Josh Beckett as the Toronto Blue Jays completed their 3-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox.
National League
In the current climate of specialization in major league baseball, certain pitching stats have gone from being notable to downright rare. One such stat is the complete game, and the even rarer complete game shutout. Milwaukee Brewers' ace hurler
Ben Sheets gave everyone - but especially the San Francisco Giants - a taste of old school pitching, working the entire nine innings, in a 7-0 whitewash of the slumping Giants.
Sheets, facing the Giants' Barry Zito, allowed just 5 hits, while striking out 8, throwing 109 pitches, of which a remarkable 78 were strikes. Sheets struck out the side in the first inning, signaling that he had quality stuff. He didn't walk any and didn't allow a baserunner past second. Thanks to a double-play that ended the 6th, Sheets got the final 11 outs in order. After hurling a 2-hit, scoreless 6 2/3 innings in Milwaukee's season opener at Chicago, he received no decision. Sunday's complete game extended his scoreless streak to 15 2/3 innings.
American LeagueThe Texas Rangers spanked the LA Angels, 10-4 in Anaheim on Sunday to take two of three on the road against the reigning AL West Champs. One big reason was catcher Gerald Laird who went 4-for-5, scored three three and launched two shots into the seats, driving in a total of 6 runs on the day. Laird started things going for the Rangers when he singled and scored their first run. In the top of the 4th, with Texas leading, 2-1, he took Angels' starter Jon Garland deep with a three-run homer to blow the game open. Laird singled home Hank Blalock in the 7th and blasted another two run shot in the ninth for good measure. The effort boosted his batting average from .091 to .312.
Notable: Frank Thomas hit his 11th career grand slam in the fifth inning off starter Josh Beckett as the Toronto Blue Jays completed their 3-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox. National League
In the current climate of specialization in major league baseball, certain pitching stats have gone from being notable to downright rare. One such stat is the complete game, and the even rarer complete game shutout. Milwaukee Brewers' ace hurler
Ben Sheets gave everyone - but especially the San Francisco Giants - a taste of old school pitching, working the entire nine innings, in a 7-0 whitewash of the slumping Giants.Sheets, facing the Giants' Barry Zito, allowed just 5 hits, while striking out 8, throwing 109 pitches, of which a remarkable 78 were strikes. Sheets struck out the side in the first inning, signaling that he had quality stuff. He didn't walk any and didn't allow a baserunner past second. Thanks to a double-play that ended the 6th, Sheets got the final 11 outs in order. After hurling a 2-hit, scoreless 6 2/3 innings in Milwaukee's season opener at Chicago, he received no decision. Sunday's complete game extended his scoreless streak to 15 2/3 innings.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Braves' Johnson Slams Mets; Rodriguez Closes Out Rangers
Saturday's Players of the Day
American League
The Altanta Braves pounded their arch-rivals, the New York Mets, 11-5, on Saturday, thanks in no small part to the pinch-hit grand slam by regular second baseman
Kelly Johnson. With the Braves already ahead 5-3, Johnson was called on with the bases full and two outs and promptly took reliever Jorge Sosa out of the yard with a bomb to right field.
Johnson, not really a serious home run threat, hit sixteen homers last year in his first full year as a starter. He has been on the bench since March 31 due to a sore right knee.
National League
Francisco Rodriguez gave up his first hit of the season Friday night, but it didn't matter as the Angel's closer notched his third save of the season in a 2-1 win over Texas on Friday.
Rodriguez allowed a ninth inning, two-out double to Hank Blalock, but got Frank Catalanatto to ground out to first to end the game.
American League
The Altanta Braves pounded their arch-rivals, the New York Mets, 11-5, on Saturday, thanks in no small part to the pinch-hit grand slam by regular second baseman
Kelly Johnson. With the Braves already ahead 5-3, Johnson was called on with the bases full and two outs and promptly took reliever Jorge Sosa out of the yard with a bomb to right field.Johnson, not really a serious home run threat, hit sixteen homers last year in his first full year as a starter. He has been on the bench since March 31 due to a sore right knee.
National League
Francisco Rodriguez gave up his first hit of the season Friday night, but it didn't matter as the Angel's closer notched his third save of the season in a 2-1 win over Texas on Friday.Rodriguez allowed a ninth inning, two-out double to Hank Blalock, but got Frank Catalanatto to ground out to first to end the game.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Pierzynski Sends Tigers to 0-4 Start; Hall, Owings Share NL Limelight
Friday's Players of the Day
American League
In the off-season, the Detroit Tigers opened their checkbook and signed 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera. Now that the Tigers are 0-4, fans are thinking they should have picked up some pitching or maybe a veteran catcher like A.J. Pierzynski, who stroked a two-run double in the third and broke a 5-5 tie with a three-run homer in the 7th as the Chicago White Sox caged the Tigers, 8-5. A.J. also doubled in the second inning, scoring on Carlos Quentin's home run. After his 3-5 evening, A.J. is batting a solid .529.
National League
The game was essentially over after
Bill Hall socked a two-run homer in the first and then pounded another 3-run shot to left in the 5th inning as the Milwaukee Brewers routed the visiting San Francisco Giants, 13-4. Hall, however, wasn't finished, stroking a single to right in a 5-run Milwaukee 6th, for his 6th RBI of the game. Hall finished with a pretty good stat line: 3 hits in 5 at-bats, including the pair of dingers, 6 RBI and 2 runs.
Not to be outdone, Arizona's
Micah Owings worked over the Colorado Rockies for 6 2/3 innings, fanning 9 while allowing just 2 hits and 1 earned run (a Todd Helton solo homer) as the visiting Diamondbacks downed the Rockies, 8-1. Allowing just two walks, Owings recorded a WHIP of 0.60. He's off to a great start in just his second year in the majors.
The only thing missing from Owings' performance was a contribution from the plate. Probably the best hitting pitcher in baseball, Owings went 1-4 at the plate. Owings is a career .328 hitter, with 4 homers and 15 RBI in just 64 at-bats.
American League
In the off-season, the Detroit Tigers opened their checkbook and signed 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera. Now that the Tigers are 0-4, fans are thinking they should have picked up some pitching or maybe a veteran catcher like A.J. Pierzynski, who stroked a two-run double in the third and broke a 5-5 tie with a three-run homer in the 7th as the Chicago White Sox caged the Tigers, 8-5. A.J. also doubled in the second inning, scoring on Carlos Quentin's home run. After his 3-5 evening, A.J. is batting a solid .529.National League
The game was essentially over after
Bill Hall socked a two-run homer in the first and then pounded another 3-run shot to left in the 5th inning as the Milwaukee Brewers routed the visiting San Francisco Giants, 13-4. Hall, however, wasn't finished, stroking a single to right in a 5-run Milwaukee 6th, for his 6th RBI of the game. Hall finished with a pretty good stat line: 3 hits in 5 at-bats, including the pair of dingers, 6 RBI and 2 runs.Not to be outdone, Arizona's
Micah Owings worked over the Colorado Rockies for 6 2/3 innings, fanning 9 while allowing just 2 hits and 1 earned run (a Todd Helton solo homer) as the visiting Diamondbacks downed the Rockies, 8-1. Allowing just two walks, Owings recorded a WHIP of 0.60. He's off to a great start in just his second year in the majors.The only thing missing from Owings' performance was a contribution from the plate. Probably the best hitting pitcher in baseball, Owings went 1-4 at the plate. Owings is a career .328 hitter, with 4 homers and 15 RBI in just 64 at-bats.
Labels: A.J. Pierzynski, Bill Hall, Micah Owings
Friday, April 4, 2008
Gordon Powers Royals, Thompson Grounds Rockies
Thursday's Players of the Day
American League
If you haven't heard about
Alex Gordon already, you may be missing out on one of the next pure power hitters in the American League. Gordon, who started most of last season for the Kansas City Royals, is now a fixture at third base and last night clubbed his second home run of the season, a two-run shot that staked the Royals to a 2-0 lead in their eventual 4-1 win over Detroit.
National League
Used primarily as a middle reliever and spot starter last season,
Brad Thompson wasn't expected to do much more than keep the Cardinals in games this season, though he has always done well against the Rockies. On Thursday, the sinkerballer stymied the reigning National League champions, blanking them on 6 hits over 6 2/3 innings, striking out 6 and getting 10 ground outs.
Thompson also aided his own cause with a single in the 5th inning that plated the Cardinals' third and final score of the game. Thompson issued just 2 walks in the 3-0 win.
American League
If you haven't heard about
Alex Gordon already, you may be missing out on one of the next pure power hitters in the American League. Gordon, who started most of last season for the Kansas City Royals, is now a fixture at third base and last night clubbed his second home run of the season, a two-run shot that staked the Royals to a 2-0 lead in their eventual 4-1 win over Detroit.Glendale Golfs Manitoba
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Gordon's blast to left center was all starter Zack Greinke would need, as he blanked the Tigers over the first six innings, and left after allowing a solo homer to Brandon Inge in the seventh. Gordon's two RBI doubled his total to 4 for the year.Glendale Manitoba Golf Winnipeg Golfs.
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National League
Used primarily as a middle reliever and spot starter last season,
Brad Thompson wasn't expected to do much more than keep the Cardinals in games this season, though he has always done well against the Rockies. On Thursday, the sinkerballer stymied the reigning National League champions, blanking them on 6 hits over 6 2/3 innings, striking out 6 and getting 10 ground outs.Thompson also aided his own cause with a single in the 5th inning that plated the Cardinals' third and final score of the game. Thompson issued just 2 walks in the 3-0 win.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Redding Stops Phillies, Sizemore Shines for Tribe
Wednesday's Players of the Day
American League
The Cleveland Indians took their second straight from the White Sox, 7-2, on Wednesday, propelled to the win by starter Fausto Carmona, who worked seven innings, allowing just 4 hits and 1 earned run, and leadoff hitter Grady Sizemore, who tripled and singled twice, drove in three runs and scored twice in four at-bats. Sizemore got things going in the bottom of the second, driving in a pair, drove in another run with a single in the 6th, and tripled and scored Cleveland's final run in the 8th.
National League
Leading the NL East with a 3-0 record are none other than the Washington Nationals, who began the season by opening their new ballpark with a 3-2 win over Atlanta, and since have gone on the road, winning two straight over last year's division champions, the Philadelphia Phillies. On Monday, their bats did the talking in an 11-7 win, but Wednesday's matchup between Phillies' ace Cole Hamels and Washington's Tim Redding (right) turned into a wicked pitcher's duel, with Redding allowing only one hit over seven innings.
Redding was lifted after completing the seventh as Ryan Zimmerman had given the Nats a 1-0 lead with his second homer of the season, and that's how it ended, as Luis Ayala and Jon Rauch worked perfect 8th and 9th innings for Washington. Redding (1-0) walked 3 and struck out two, throwing 94 pitches. The only hit for the Phillies was a harmless second inning single by Pedro Feliz. Redding was an equal opportunity hurler, getting 9 outs on fly balls and 10 on grounders.
American League
The Cleveland Indians took their second straight from the White Sox, 7-2, on Wednesday, propelled to the win by starter Fausto Carmona, who worked seven innings, allowing just 4 hits and 1 earned run, and leadoff hitter Grady Sizemore, who tripled and singled twice, drove in three runs and scored twice in four at-bats. Sizemore got things going in the bottom of the second, driving in a pair, drove in another run with a single in the 6th, and tripled and scored Cleveland's final run in the 8th.National League
Leading the NL East with a 3-0 record are none other than the Washington Nationals, who began the season by opening their new ballpark with a 3-2 win over Atlanta, and since have gone on the road, winning two straight over last year's division champions, the Philadelphia Phillies. On Monday, their bats did the talking in an 11-7 win, but Wednesday's matchup between Phillies' ace Cole Hamels and Washington's Tim Redding (right) turned into a wicked pitcher's duel, with Redding allowing only one hit over seven innings.Redding was lifted after completing the seventh as Ryan Zimmerman had given the Nats a 1-0 lead with his second homer of the season, and that's how it ended, as Luis Ayala and Jon Rauch worked perfect 8th and 9th innings for Washington. Redding (1-0) walked 3 and struck out two, throwing 94 pitches. The only hit for the Phillies was a harmless second inning single by Pedro Feliz. Redding was an equal opportunity hurler, getting 9 outs on fly balls and 10 on grounders.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Guerrero, Furcal Key Contributors for Angels, Dodgers
Tuesday's Players of the Day
American League
The California Angels are in pursuit of another Western Division title and they'll be depending largely on the bat of star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero to get there.
National League
Rafael Furcal isn't your regular player of the day, but his performance on Tuesday deserves special mention. After blanking the Giants on opening day, 5-0, the Dodgers were looking for two straight, but fell behind the Giants, 2-0 in the seventh.
Enter Furcal, who drove in a pair of runs to tie the game in the bottom of the inning, and then scampered home from second with the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth on Dimitri Young's single. Furcal had singled with one out and was moved to second base on a walk to catcher Rod Martin. The Dodgers won, 3-2.Furcal also helped turn three double-plays for the Dodgers.
American League
The California Angels are in pursuit of another Western Division title and they'll be depending largely on the bat of star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero to get there.Glendale Golfs Manitoba
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After dropping their opener at Minnesota, the Angels roared back, thanks in large part to the live bat of Vlad the Impaler, who drove in single runs in the 1st, 5th and 8th innings which alone was more than enough, as Jon Garland shut down the Twinkies on 6 hits over 8 innings. The Angels won, 9-1, as Guerrero was 3-for-4, with a double, two singles and a run scored in addition to his three ribbies.Glendale Manitoba Golf Winnipeg Golfs.
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National League
Rafael Furcal isn't your regular player of the day, but his performance on Tuesday deserves special mention. After blanking the Giants on opening day, 5-0, the Dodgers were looking for two straight, but fell behind the Giants, 2-0 in the seventh.Enter Furcal, who drove in a pair of runs to tie the game in the bottom of the inning, and then scampered home from second with the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth on Dimitri Young's single. Furcal had singled with one out and was moved to second base on a walk to catcher Rod Martin. The Dodgers won, 3-2.Furcal also helped turn three double-plays for the Dodgers.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Thome, Nady Double Up as Opening Day Players
Monday's Players of the Day
American League
The White Sox lost their opener at Cleveland, 10-8, but it wasn't for lack of effort by DHJim Thome, who slugged a pair of two-run homers in his first two at-bats of the season. The shots were career homers 508 and 509 for the dead-pull slugger, and the four RBI pushed him past the 1400 mark by two. 500 homers and 1500 RBI are certain HOF credentials. Too bad this guy's bat is going to be wasted on such a non-contender as the White Sox. Keep an eye on Thome. If he stays healthy, he could be serious trade bait come July.
National League
The Pittsburgh Pirates may not win 80 games this season, but they're off to a good start, winning their opener in Atlanta, 12-11 in extra innings thanks to a three-run homer in the top of the 12th by Xavier Nady, who also connected earlier in the game with a solo shot, single and double. Fours were wild for the veteran right fielder, who went 4-for-7, scored four runs and drove in four.
American League
The White Sox lost their opener at Cleveland, 10-8, but it wasn't for lack of effort by DH
Jim Thome, who slugged a pair of two-run homers in his first two at-bats of the season. The shots were career homers 508 and 509 for the dead-pull slugger, and the four RBI pushed him past the 1400 mark by two. 500 homers and 1500 RBI are certain HOF credentials. Too bad this guy's bat is going to be wasted on such a non-contender as the White Sox. Keep an eye on Thome. If he stays healthy, he could be serious trade bait come July.National League
The Pittsburgh Pirates may not win 80 games this season, but they're off to a good start, winning their opener in Atlanta, 12-11 in extra innings thanks to a three-run homer in the top of the 12th by Xavier Nady, who also connected earlier in the game with a solo shot, single and double. Fours were wild for the veteran right fielder, who went 4-for-7, scored four runs and drove in four.
