Saturday, August 15, 2009

O's Pie Goes Cycling; Lee Cashes In 7 as Cubs Romp

Players of the Day for Friday, August 14, 2009 American League This was an upset bunch of birds. The Baltimore Orioles, stuck in their usual spot in last place n the AL East, took out some of their angst against the LA Angels on Friday, knuckling them, 16-6. Pounding Angels' starter Jered Weaver for 8 earned runs (6 in the 1st inning) on 9 hits and 3 walks, Weaver went to the showers after just 3 1/3, right after allowing a key element of Felix Pie's hitting for the cycle, a solo homer. Pie went 4-for-5, capping his day with a 2-run triple in the O's 7-run 7th inning. Pie, a lanky, (6'2", 170 lbs.), fleet-footed outfielder who joined the Orioles in the off-season after two years with the Cubs, isn't your typical hit-for-the-cycle kind of guy. He's batting only .254, with 3 home runs, 3 triples and 5 doubles and has played in just 68 games this season. The loss by the Angels didn't hurt, as they retained their 4 1/2 game lead over the Rangers in the West, as Texas fell to Boston, 1-0. While the Angels are almost a lock for the post-season, it looks like there may be better days ahead for Mr. Pie and the Orioles. National League Derrek Lee had a big day as the Cubs scored 4 runs in the 1st and 10 in the 2nd inning, completely outclassing the Pirates by a 17-2 score. In three official at-bats, Lee singled, walked home a run and twice delivered bases-loaded doubles to drive in 7 runs and lead the Cubs to the win, emphatically snapping a 5-game losing streak. The Cubs trail St. Louis by 4 1/2 games in the NL Central and are 4 back of Colorado in the wild card, so the players and coaches may have been feeling a bit of desperation. With two more games against the Pirates this weekend at Wrigley, the Cubs are still very much alive in both races.

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