Saturday, April 18, 2009

Kubel Slams, Hits for Cycle; Ludwick Blasts a Pair as Cards Fold

Players of the Day for Friday, April 17, 2009 American League Just a few days ago, Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers accomplished the rare feat of hitting for the cycle. As of Friday night, he became ancient history as Minnesota's Jason Kubel turned the trick in the Twins' 11-9 slugfest over the LA Angels. Kubel got things going early with an RBI double in the 1st inning. In the third, he singled and moved to second on Justin Morneau's ground out, but was gunned out at the plate trying to score. Kubel tripled and scored in the 6th inning, tying the score at 3, but the best was yet to come. After the Angels scored 5 in the 7th and one more in the 8th to take a 9-4 lead, the Twins cut the lead to 9-7 when Kubel appeared at the plate with the bases loaded and the game on the line. Kubel launched his second homer of the season deep to right, giving him the game-winning grand slam, the cycle, 5 RBI and a pair of runs scored. National League It's easy to overlook some of the players on St. Louis' roster as most of them pale by comparison to the incomparable Albert Pujols, but Ryan Ludwick, who routinely bats behind Pujols, is making a name for himself in his third year in a Cardinal uniform. After hitting 14 homers in limited action in 2007, he followed that up with 37 for a full season in 2008. This year, he's off to a grand beginning, and in Friday's 9-8 loss to the Cubs, he belted a pair of bombs along with a single in five at-bats, drove in 4 runs and boosted his batting average to .405. Ludwick has 4 homers and 10 RBI thus far in 2009.

No comments: