Zambrano Plunders Pirates; Murphy Has AL Rookie Cred

Players of the Day from Friday, May 23, 2008 American League Texas outfielder David Murphy continues to rack up stats in a bid for Rookie of the Year honors. Murphy belted a three-run first-inning double on Friday to help the Rangers outlast Cleveland in a 13-9 slugfest. Murphy also scored in the first, adding to more singles and to scores in a 3-for-6 effort. Murphy is batting .297 with 6 homers and 34 RBI. Murphy is already staking his claim, being named AL Rookie of the Month for April. Notes: Cleveland starter Fausto Carmona had to leave the game in the third inning with a strained left hip. Carmona was being knocked around pretty well, allowing 5 hits, 3 walks and 6 earned runs in his 2-plus innings. The Indians, who now have lost 7 straight, say Carmona is day-to-day. Both the White Sox and Red Sox had their winning streaks snapped on Friday. Chicago's 8-game streak came to an end when they lost to the Angels, 3-1, while Boston's 7-game run was stopped in an 8-3 loss at Oakland. National League Carlos Zambrano earned some respect on Friday night, both from the mound and at the plate, improving to 7-1 as he limited the Pittsburgh Pirates to 6 hits and 2 runs over seven innings and had four singles in five at-bats. The Cubs walloped the Pirates, 12-3.

Winnipeg Food Caterers
Affordable, quality catering for weddings or events of any size.
www.kingcolecatering.net

Zambrano, who drove in two runs and scored once, struck out 6 and allowed just one walk. He's batting a ridiculous .343, to complement his 2.47 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Notes: Only three teams have winning road records in the National League - St. Louis, Philadelphia and Florida. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Braves wish all their games were in Atlanta. Despite their 11-1 home loss to Arizona on Friday, the Braves are 20-6 at Turner Field, but just 6-16 away.