Baseball's reputation was tarnished once again this past weekend when it was revealed that Alex Rodriguez - baseball's premier power hitter and highest-paid player - had used banned substances (steroids) when a member of the Texas Rangers.
Following the initial reporting by Sports Illustrated that he tested positive for Primobolan and testosterone, Rodriguez admitted to using banned substances - without naming which ones in particular - during his three seasons with the Rangers, 2001-2003, and that he stopped using them during Spring training in 2003.
What's intriguing about A-Rod's admission is that he led the AL in home runs in each of those seasons, knocking 52 in 2001, 57 in 2002 and 47 in 2003.
Is it notable that in 2003 he hit fewer than in the previous seasons, or that his previous high was 42, which he accomplished in both 1998 and 1999 when a player with the Seattle Mariners?
Maybe more interesting are his erratic season-to-season fluctuations since leaving Texas for the NY Yankees. In the five full seasons with the Bombers, A-Rod hit 36, 48, 35, 54 and 35. Did Rodriguez use steroids in those odd-year seasons (2005 and 2007) when he hit 48 and 54, respectively, or were '04, '06 and '08 just injury-riddled years? In those seasons, he played in fewer games, especially in '08, when he suited up just 138 times.
One could give A-Rod a pass on 2008, though the evidence is telling. Both the batting averages and slugging percentages were significantly lower in the three even-numbered Yankee years as opposed to the 2005 and 2007 seasons, which compared favorably to 2001-2003.
After studying the career records of players like Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmiero - all notable roidsters - the evidence is pretty compelling. In each case, it's fairly obvious when a player started or stopped using steroids. All the stats go in reverse.
Judge for yourself. Here are A-Rod's career stats. It seems fairly likely that he was using steroids as a member of the Yankees, notably in 2005 and 2007, one of which, I'm sure, was a contract negotiation year (2007).
Considering Rodriguez's penchant for not telling the truth (a symptom nearly universally shared by steroid users), as in the 2005 interview with Katie Couric in which he stated unequivocally that he had never used steroids, it would be imprudent to believe him when he says he quit for good in 2003. The evidence in the stats is just too damming.
Spring training is just weeks away, but this is no way to head into a new season. We're supposed to be full of hope and promise when the Boys of Summer take the fields in Florida and Arizona, but this year fans are likely to be full of angst and aggravation, that another one of their heroes turns out to be more hype than reality, more dope than muscle and more dishonest than ever.
A-Rod's exposure leaves roughly four possible bona fide non-steroid power hitters from the drug-addled era: Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Ken Griffey Jr. and Manny Ramirez. Let's all hope and pray that those guys turn out to have been clean all along. Baseball needs some standard of unblemished excellence. Then again, even if they are upright and un-drugged, just being an active player during these years puts a bit of taint on them as well.
This has been another sad week for baseball, and they haven't even started playing.
Showing posts with label Frank Thomas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frank Thomas. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A-Roid? Examining Alex Rodriguez's Seasons
Baseball's reputation was tarnished once again this past weekend when it was revealed that Alex Rodriguez - baseball's premier power hitter and highest-paid player - had used banned substances (steroids) when a member of the Texas Rangers.
Following the initial reporting by Sports Illustrated that he tested positive for Primobolan and testosterone, Rodriguez admitted to using banned substances - without naming which ones in particular - during his three seasons with the Rangers, 2001-2003, and that he stopped using them during Spring training in 2003.
What's intriguing about A-Rod's admission is that he led the AL in home runs in each of those seasons, knocking 52 in 2001, 57 in 2002 and 47 in 2003.
Is it notable that in 2003 he hit fewer than in the previous seasons, or that his previous high was 42, which he accomplished in both 1998 and 1999 when a player with the Seattle Mariners?
Maybe more interesting are his erratic season-to-season fluctuations since leaving Texas for the NY Yankees. In the five full seasons with the Bombers, A-Rod hit 36, 48, 35, 54 and 35. Did Rodriguez use steroids in those odd-year seasons (2005 and 2007) when he hit 48 and 54, respectively, or were '04, '06 and '08 just injury-riddled years? In those seasons, he played in fewer games, especially in '08, when he suited up just 138 times.
One could give A-Rod a pass on 2008, though the evidence is telling. Both the batting averages and slugging percentages were significantly lower in the three even-numbered Yankee years as opposed to the 2005 and 2007 seasons, which compared favorably to 2001-2003.
After studying the career records of players like Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmiero - all notable roidsters - the evidence is pretty compelling. In each case, it's fairly obvious when a player started or stopped using steroids. All the stats go in reverse.
Judge for yourself. Here are A-Rod's career stats. It seems fairly likely that he was using steroids as a member of the Yankees, notably in 2005 and 2007, one of which, I'm sure, was a contract negotiation year (2007).
Considering Rodriguez's penchant for not telling the truth (a symptom nearly universally shared by steroid users), as in the 2005 interview with Katie Couric in which he stated unequivocally that he had never used steroids, it would be imprudent to believe him when he says he quit for good in 2003. The evidence in the stats is just too damming.
Spring training is just weeks away, but this is no way to head into a new season. We're supposed to be full of hope and promise when the Boys of Summer take the fields in Florida and Arizona, but this year fans are likely to be full of angst and aggravation, that another one of their heroes turns out to be more hype than reality, more dope than muscle and more dishonest than ever.
A-Rod's exposure leaves roughly four possible bona fide non-steroid power hitters from the drug-addled era: Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Ken Griffey Jr. and Manny Ramirez. Let's all hope and pray that those guys turn out to have been clean all along. Baseball needs some standard of unblemished excellence. Then again, even if they are upright and un-drugged, just being an active player during these years puts a bit of taint on them as well.
This has been another sad week for baseball, and they haven't even started playing.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Lester Beats Cancer, Indians; Rockies Rally Past Padres
American League
Boston 6 Cleveland 2 - Jon Lester (right) returned to the mound for the first time in nearly a year, picking up where he left off after being diagnosed and beating lymphoma - with a win. 
Lester's rookie season was cut short by the disease last season, but last night he returned triumphant in life and in the game he loves.
Lester was solid, allowing just 5 hits and 2 earned runs over 6 innings - both of the runs coming via Grady Sizemore's 3rd inning home run. His teammates stake him to a 5 run lead with 4 in the 1st and another run in the 2nd. Lester walked 3 and struck out 6, a performance that will surely keep him in the Boston rotation.
NY Yankees 9 Kansas City 2 - While the Sox were celebrating Lester's return, the Yankees were busy winning for the 9th time in 11 games since the All-Star break. Every hitter in the lineup had at least one hit, and Alex Rodriguez reached 100 RBI with a run-scoring single in the 9th inning. And it's only July. Roger Clemens earned career win #351, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits over 7 innings of work. The Yankees remain 7 1/2 behind the first-place Red Sox.
Detroit 9 Chi White Sox 6 - Four different Tigers - Curtis Granderson, Ivan Rodriguez, Magglio Ordonez and Placido Polanco - each had 3 hits, but Granderson drove in four runs and scored twice with a single, double, and his 17th home run of the season - a solo shot which led off the game. The Tigers increased their AL Central lead over Cleveland to 2 games.
Minnesota 4 Toronto 6 - All of the runs in this contest came via the long ball. Frank Thomas hit a pair of 2-run jobs off starter Johan Santana and Justin Morneau drove in three with his 27th and 28th. Reed Johnson and Alex Rios knocked solo shots for the Blue Jays while Torii Hunter added his 21st - another solo job - in the 9th inning.
Other AL Scores
Seattle 7 Texas 8 - S. Sosa, 2-4, HR (15), 5 RBI (69)
Oakland 12 LA Angels 6 - M. Ellis, 3-5, 2 HR (11), 3 RBI (45)
National League
San Diego 5 Colorado 7 - Colorado scored five times in the 8th inning to overtake the Padres and remain 5 1/2 behind Los Angeles in the NL West. Matt Holliday (right) stroked a 3-run homer - his 17th - to tie the game, followed by Brad Hawpe delivering a two-run blow for the winning margin.
LA Dodgers 10 Houston 2 - Jeff Kent went 4-4 with a pair of doubles, drove in 2 runs and scored another as the Dodgers pulled 2 games clear of the Padres. The Dodgers have the best road record in the National League, at 27-20, and have owned Central division foes, compiling a 16-7 record against them.
Milwaukee 1 Cincinnati 2, 12 innings - To the delight of Cubs' fans everywhere, Javier Valentin stroked a pinch-hit run-scoring single in the bottom of the 12th, giving the Reds the win over first-place Milwaukee. The main beneficiary of the Reds' success, however, was the second place Cubs, which picked up 1/2 game on the Brewers and are now just 3 games back and only 2 behind in the loss column. Chicago begins a 3-game set at St. Louis Tuesday night.
Other NL Scores
Florida 3 Arizona 4
Atlanta 4 San Francisco 2
Lester's rookie season was cut short by the disease last season, but last night he returned triumphant in life and in the game he loves.
Lester was solid, allowing just 5 hits and 2 earned runs over 6 innings - both of the runs coming via Grady Sizemore's 3rd inning home run. His teammates stake him to a 5 run lead with 4 in the 1st and another run in the 2nd. Lester walked 3 and struck out 6, a performance that will surely keep him in the Boston rotation.
NY Yankees 9 Kansas City 2 - While the Sox were celebrating Lester's return, the Yankees were busy winning for the 9th time in 11 games since the All-Star break. Every hitter in the lineup had at least one hit, and Alex Rodriguez reached 100 RBI with a run-scoring single in the 9th inning. And it's only July. Roger Clemens earned career win #351, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits over 7 innings of work. The Yankees remain 7 1/2 behind the first-place Red Sox.
Detroit 9 Chi White Sox 6 - Four different Tigers - Curtis Granderson, Ivan Rodriguez, Magglio Ordonez and Placido Polanco - each had 3 hits, but Granderson drove in four runs and scored twice with a single, double, and his 17th home run of the season - a solo shot which led off the game. The Tigers increased their AL Central lead over Cleveland to 2 games.
Minnesota 4 Toronto 6 - All of the runs in this contest came via the long ball. Frank Thomas hit a pair of 2-run jobs off starter Johan Santana and Justin Morneau drove in three with his 27th and 28th. Reed Johnson and Alex Rios knocked solo shots for the Blue Jays while Torii Hunter added his 21st - another solo job - in the 9th inning.
Other AL Scores
Seattle 7 Texas 8 - S. Sosa, 2-4, HR (15), 5 RBI (69)
Oakland 12 LA Angels 6 - M. Ellis, 3-5, 2 HR (11), 3 RBI (45)
National League
San Diego 5 Colorado 7 - Colorado scored five times in the 8th inning to overtake the Padres and remain 5 1/2 behind Los Angeles in the NL West. Matt Holliday (right) stroked a 3-run homer - his 17th - to tie the game, followed by Brad Hawpe delivering a two-run blow for the winning margin.
LA Dodgers 10 Houston 2 - Jeff Kent went 4-4 with a pair of doubles, drove in 2 runs and scored another as the Dodgers pulled 2 games clear of the Padres. The Dodgers have the best road record in the National League, at 27-20, and have owned Central division foes, compiling a 16-7 record against them.
Milwaukee 1 Cincinnati 2, 12 innings - To the delight of Cubs' fans everywhere, Javier Valentin stroked a pinch-hit run-scoring single in the bottom of the 12th, giving the Reds the win over first-place Milwaukee. The main beneficiary of the Reds' success, however, was the second place Cubs, which picked up 1/2 game on the Brewers and are now just 3 games back and only 2 behind in the loss column. Chicago begins a 3-game set at St. Louis Tuesday night.
Other NL Scores
Florida 3 Arizona 4
Atlanta 4 San Francisco 2
Friday, June 29, 2007
Numbers Game: Thomas: 500, Biggio: 3002
Editor's Note: It's rare that milestones are reached in baseball, but this season is seeing it's air share of big ones. Seeing two reached in one night is especially pleasing for the fans (and the reporters). On Thursday, Frank Thomas belted his 500th home run and Craig Biggio got his 3000th hit. Both players have been mainstays in the game for most of the past two decades and both are deserving of Hall of Fame inclusion when their brilliant careers are complete.
Congratulations to them both.
American League
Toronto 5 Minnesota 8 - Frank Thomas (right) became the 21st player in major league history to hit 500 home runs with a 3-run job in the 1st inning off Twins' starter, Carlos Silva, and also doubled in another run for 4 RBI. Despite the historic feat, the Twins rallied to win and Thomas was ejected in the 9th for arguing balls and strikes. Torii Hunter homered twice for Minny, a solo shot in the 4th and a 2-run dinger in the 5th, which broke a 5-5 tie and gave the Twins the lead for good. Hunter has 17 homers and 62 RBI on the season.
Texas 2 Detroit 5 - Kenny Rogers picked up his 2nd win in as many starts, keeping the Tigers 1/2-game ahead of Cleveland in the AL Central. Rogers allowed a single run on 4 hits over 7 innings, walking 1 and striking out 3.
Other AL Scores
Oakland 3 Cleveland 4 - P. Byrd, W (7-3)
Chi White Sox 5 Tampa Bay 1 - J. Vazquez, W (4-5) 7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K
NY Yankees 8 Baltimore 6 - suspended, to be resumed on July 27 with NY batting in the top of the eighth, 2 out, D. Jeter on 2nd.
National League
Colorado 4 Houston 8, 11 innings - Craig Biggio (right) didn't waste any time getting his 3000th hit before the home crowd at Houston. After sitting out 2 of 3 games in Milwaukee (though he did pinch hit on the 27th) Biggio rapped out 3 singles in his first four trips to the plate, the 3rd one besides being #3000, also drove in a run to tie the game at 1. Biggio picked up another single in the 9th but was forced out at 2nd on Hunter Pence's grounder. In the 11th, after Troy Tulowitzki's solo homer put Colorado up 5-4 in the top of the inning, Biggio singled with 2 outs and moved to 3rd on Pence's double. After Lance Berkman was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Carlos Lee took Brian Fuentes out of the yard to finish a perfect night for Houston. Biggio finished the night 5-6 with 3002 hits, and Houston got the win.
It was Fuentes' third straight blown save and the Rockies' 7th straight loss.
Cincinnati 7 Philadelphia 8, 10 innings - Jimmy Rollins doubled, tripled and singled twice in 6 at-bats, his final single in the 11th driving in the winning run in a wild win for Philadelphia. Chase Utley belted a pair of 2-run homers in Philly's 14-hit attack. With the Mets and Braves idle, Philadelphia took over sole possession of second place in the NL East, 3 back of New York.
Pittsburgh 7 Florida 9 - The Marlins banged out 15 hits and Scott Olson fanned 10 in 6 innings while allowing 5 runs on 7 hits, avoiding the sweep in the finale of their 3-game series with the Pirates.
Other NL Scores
LA Dodgers 9 Arizona 5 - Dodgers tied w/San Diego for 1st in NL West, Arizona 1/2 back
Toronto 5 Minnesota 8 - Frank Thomas (right) became the 21st player in major league history to hit 500 home runs with a 3-run job in the 1st inning off Twins' starter, Carlos Silva, and also doubled in another run for 4 RBI. Despite the historic feat, the Twins rallied to win and Thomas was ejected in the 9th for arguing balls and strikes. Torii Hunter homered twice for Minny, a solo shot in the 4th and a 2-run dinger in the 5th, which broke a 5-5 tie and gave the Twins the lead for good. Hunter has 17 homers and 62 RBI on the season.
Texas 2 Detroit 5 - Kenny Rogers picked up his 2nd win in as many starts, keeping the Tigers 1/2-game ahead of Cleveland in the AL Central. Rogers allowed a single run on 4 hits over 7 innings, walking 1 and striking out 3.
Other AL Scores
Oakland 3 Cleveland 4 - P. Byrd, W (7-3)
Chi White Sox 5 Tampa Bay 1 - J. Vazquez, W (4-5) 7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K
NY Yankees 8 Baltimore 6 - suspended, to be resumed on July 27 with NY batting in the top of the eighth, 2 out, D. Jeter on 2nd.
National League
Colorado 4 Houston 8, 11 innings - Craig Biggio (right) didn't waste any time getting his 3000th hit before the home crowd at Houston. After sitting out 2 of 3 games in Milwaukee (though he did pinch hit on the 27th) Biggio rapped out 3 singles in his first four trips to the plate, the 3rd one besides being #3000, also drove in a run to tie the game at 1. Biggio picked up another single in the 9th but was forced out at 2nd on Hunter Pence's grounder. In the 11th, after Troy Tulowitzki's solo homer put Colorado up 5-4 in the top of the inning, Biggio singled with 2 outs and moved to 3rd on Pence's double. After Lance Berkman was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Carlos Lee took Brian Fuentes out of the yard to finish a perfect night for Houston. Biggio finished the night 5-6 with 3002 hits, and Houston got the win.
It was Fuentes' third straight blown save and the Rockies' 7th straight loss.
Cincinnati 7 Philadelphia 8, 10 innings - Jimmy Rollins doubled, tripled and singled twice in 6 at-bats, his final single in the 11th driving in the winning run in a wild win for Philadelphia. Chase Utley belted a pair of 2-run homers in Philly's 14-hit attack. With the Mets and Braves idle, Philadelphia took over sole possession of second place in the NL East, 3 back of New York.
Pittsburgh 7 Florida 9 - The Marlins banged out 15 hits and Scott Olson fanned 10 in 6 innings while allowing 5 runs on 7 hits, avoiding the sweep in the finale of their 3-game series with the Pirates.
Other NL Scores
LA Dodgers 9 Arizona 5 - Dodgers tied w/San Diego for 1st in NL West, Arizona 1/2 back
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Big Hurt Close to 500; Atlanta Scores, Loses Again
American League
Chi Cubs 2 Chi White Sox 1 - The White Sox still can't find anyone they can beat, even with a solid pitching performance like the one they got on Saturday from Javier Vazquez (7 1/3, 5 hits, 1 earned, 8 Ks). The Cubs pushed a run across on a perfectly-executed squeeze play by Ryan Theriot (the squeezor) and Angel Pagan (the squeezee) in the top of the 9th of closer Bobby Jenks, who was doing anything but closing in this one.
The Sox are deep in the throes of an horrific losing streak, dropping their 4th straight and 21 of their last 26. Ouch! Their dismal play has left them 13 1/2 games behind AL Central leader, Detroit. In those 21 losses, the Sox have scored 2 runs or less 8 times, though they were last shutout on May 31 by Toronto.
LA Angels 10 Pittsburgh 1 - The LA Angles just continue to roll towards the NL West title, winning their 3rd straight and 8th of their last 10. LA improved to 28-10 at home, as Kelvim Escobar (9-3, right) gave up just one earned run off 5 hits while striking out 4 and Vladimir Guerrero boosted his All-Star credentials with a 3-5 effort, including 14th home run - a 2-run shot in the 8th. Vlad has 68 RBI, tied for 2nd in the AL with Magglio Ordonez. The Halos now lead both Oakland and Seattle by 8 games.
Toronto 11 Colorado 6 - The Colorado Rockies swept the Yankees, but can't seem to find a way to beat another AL East squad - the Blue Jays - who beat them for the second time in as many days on Saturday. Frank Thomas went 4-4, including a 2-run, 1st-inning home run, driving in four runs total on the day. It was Big Hurt's 11th dinger of the season and career #498. The Rockies and Jays complete their series this afternoon, with Toronto looking for the sweep.
Other AL Scores
Texas 7 Houston 2 - M. Young, 2-4 4 RBI
Tampa Bay 4 LA Dodgers 3 - Dodgers trail Az., SD, by 1/2-gm.
Seattle 9 Cincinnati 1 - R. Ibanez, GS HR (6); R. Sexson, 2 HR (14)
National League
Detroit 2 Atlanta 1 - The Braves finally pushed a run across on Chipper Jones' 4th inning solo homer, but it was all they could muster off Detroit starter Justin Verlander (9-2), who powered through 7 innings, striking out 11, while surrendering only 4 hits. It was the first run for Atlanta in 4 games, having been shut out twice by Boston (4-0 and 11-0) and Friday by the Tigers with Kenny Rogers on the mound for 6 innings (5-0). The Braves' 4th straight loss dropped them 3 1/2 back of the Mets in the NL East while the Tigers retained their 1-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central.
Milwaukee 7 Kansas City 1 - The Brewers won their 5th straight and 9th of their last 10, continuing to lead the Cubs and Cardinals by 8 1/2 in the NL Central. The efficient Brewers turned 8 hits and 3 walks into 7 runs for the win, their 7th in 11 recent tries against AL teams.
Minnesota 11 Florida 1 - Justin Morneau remained in the hospital after a collision with Florida catcher Miguel Olivo on Friday, but the Twins didn't miss a beat, trouncing the Marlins with the help of Jason Kubel's 3-3, 3 run, 2 RBI performance. Catcher Joe Mauer cracked a pair of doubles and drove in 3, in support of starter Carlos Silva (5-8), who allowed just one earned on 4 hits over 7 innings.
San Diego 6 Boston 1 - Chris Young struck out 11 and allowed just 1 hit in 7 scoreless innings of work as the Padres evened their series with Boston at 1-each with the rubber game this afternoon. Khalil Greene rapped a pair of solo home runs to lead the San Diego offense as the Padres picked up a share of 1st place in the NL West as the Dodgers lost and Arizona won.
Other NL Scores
Cleveland 4 Washington 3 - V. Martinez, 3-run 9th inning HR (14)
Arizona 7 Baltimore 4 - J. Valverde, S (24)
NY Mets 1 Oakland 0 - D. Wright, 9th inning RBI double
St. Louis 8 Philadelphia 3
NY Yankees 5 San Francisco 6, 13 innings - A. Rodriguez, 4-6, solo HR (28, leads majors)
Interleague Scoreboard:
Friday (6/8): AL 8, NL 6
Saturday (6/9): AL 10, NL 4
Sunday (6/10): AL 9, NL 5
Monday (6/11): AL 0, NL 2
Tuesday (6/12): AL: 8, NL: 6
Wednesday (6/13): AL: 6, NL: 8
Thursday (6/14): AL: 7, NL: 5
Friday (6/15): AL: 6, NL: 8
Saturday (6/16): AL: 5, NL: 9
Sunday (6/17): AL: 9, NL: 5
Monday (6/18): AL: 7 NL: 3
Tuesday (6/19): AL: 3, NL: 11
Wednesday (6/20): AL: 10, NL: 4
Thursday (6/21): AL: 3, NL: 2
Friday (6/22): AL: 7, NL: 7
Saturday (6/23): AL: 8, NL: 6
Total: AL: 99 NL: 84
Note: During interleague play, home teams are reported under their respective leagues.
LA Angels 10 Pittsburgh 1 - The LA Angles just continue to roll towards the NL West title, winning their 3rd straight and 8th of their last 10. LA improved to 28-10 at home, as Kelvim Escobar (9-3, right) gave up just one earned run off 5 hits while striking out 4 and Vladimir Guerrero boosted his All-Star credentials with a 3-5 effort, including 14th home run - a 2-run shot in the 8th. Vlad has 68 RBI, tied for 2nd in the AL with Magglio Ordonez. The Halos now lead both Oakland and Seattle by 8 games.
Toronto 11 Colorado 6 - The Colorado Rockies swept the Yankees, but can't seem to find a way to beat another AL East squad - the Blue Jays - who beat them for the second time in as many days on Saturday. Frank Thomas went 4-4, including a 2-run, 1st-inning home run, driving in four runs total on the day. It was Big Hurt's 11th dinger of the season and career #498. The Rockies and Jays complete their series this afternoon, with Toronto looking for the sweep.
Other AL Scores
Texas 7 Houston 2 - M. Young, 2-4 4 RBI
Tampa Bay 4 LA Dodgers 3 - Dodgers trail Az., SD, by 1/2-gm.
Seattle 9 Cincinnati 1 - R. Ibanez, GS HR (6); R. Sexson, 2 HR (14)
National League
Detroit 2 Atlanta 1 - The Braves finally pushed a run across on Chipper Jones' 4th inning solo homer, but it was all they could muster off Detroit starter Justin Verlander (9-2), who powered through 7 innings, striking out 11, while surrendering only 4 hits. It was the first run for Atlanta in 4 games, having been shut out twice by Boston (4-0 and 11-0) and Friday by the Tigers with Kenny Rogers on the mound for 6 innings (5-0). The Braves' 4th straight loss dropped them 3 1/2 back of the Mets in the NL East while the Tigers retained their 1-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central.
Milwaukee 7 Kansas City 1 - The Brewers won their 5th straight and 9th of their last 10, continuing to lead the Cubs and Cardinals by 8 1/2 in the NL Central. The efficient Brewers turned 8 hits and 3 walks into 7 runs for the win, their 7th in 11 recent tries against AL teams.
Minnesota 11 Florida 1 - Justin Morneau remained in the hospital after a collision with Florida catcher Miguel Olivo on Friday, but the Twins didn't miss a beat, trouncing the Marlins with the help of Jason Kubel's 3-3, 3 run, 2 RBI performance. Catcher Joe Mauer cracked a pair of doubles and drove in 3, in support of starter Carlos Silva (5-8), who allowed just one earned on 4 hits over 7 innings.
San Diego 6 Boston 1 - Chris Young struck out 11 and allowed just 1 hit in 7 scoreless innings of work as the Padres evened their series with Boston at 1-each with the rubber game this afternoon. Khalil Greene rapped a pair of solo home runs to lead the San Diego offense as the Padres picked up a share of 1st place in the NL West as the Dodgers lost and Arizona won.
Other NL Scores
Cleveland 4 Washington 3 - V. Martinez, 3-run 9th inning HR (14)
Arizona 7 Baltimore 4 - J. Valverde, S (24)
NY Mets 1 Oakland 0 - D. Wright, 9th inning RBI double
St. Louis 8 Philadelphia 3
NY Yankees 5 San Francisco 6, 13 innings - A. Rodriguez, 4-6, solo HR (28, leads majors)
Interleague Scoreboard:
Friday (6/8): AL 8, NL 6
Saturday (6/9): AL 10, NL 4
Sunday (6/10): AL 9, NL 5
Monday (6/11): AL 0, NL 2
Tuesday (6/12): AL: 8, NL: 6
Wednesday (6/13): AL: 6, NL: 8
Thursday (6/14): AL: 7, NL: 5
Friday (6/15): AL: 6, NL: 8
Saturday (6/16): AL: 5, NL: 9
Sunday (6/17): AL: 9, NL: 5
Monday (6/18): AL: 7 NL: 3
Tuesday (6/19): AL: 3, NL: 11
Wednesday (6/20): AL: 10, NL: 4
Thursday (6/21): AL: 3, NL: 2
Friday (6/22): AL: 7, NL: 7
Saturday (6/23): AL: 8, NL: 6
Total: AL: 99 NL: 84
Note: During interleague play, home teams are reported under their respective leagues.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)