The Boston Red Sox paid $103 million to lure Daisuke Matsuzaka (right) from Japan, and judging by his first outing, they seem to have made a solid investment. Matsuzaka pitched 7 solid innings and got his first major league win, 4-1, over Kansas City. Matsuzaka struck out 10, allowing 6 hits, a walk and one earned run, that a homer off the bat of David DeJesus. Boston won the final two games of their three-game series with the Royals after dropping the opener.
Mike Piazza went 3 for 5 with a double and a ninth-inning, game-winning solo home run, staking the Oakland A's to a 4-3 road win over the LA Angels. Piazza, who played many years behind the plate for the Mets and Dodgers, now bats as the DH for Oakland, usually in the cleanup spot.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Matsuzaka Shines for Sox; NL MVP in a Slump
Thursday's Peak Performers and Fabulous Flops
National League
Last year's NL MVP, Phillies' 1st baseman Ryan Howard is off to a slow start and his team is suffering for it, having lost three straight at home to Atlanta, including last night's 8-4 drubbing. Howard has just 2 hits in 11 at-bats, 4 walks, 4 K's and no RBI. His batting average is a modest .182. In 4 official plate appearances on Thursday, Howard stranded 6 runners, not the kind of performance that earned him the league's top honor.
San Francisco's Matt Morris opened his 2007 campaign with a 6-inning, 5-hit performance en route to a Giants 5-3 win. Morris allowed just one earned run and 2 walks. The 32-year old right hander was acquired from St. Louis before the 2006 season and went 10-15 in 33 starts for the Giants last year.
American League
The Boston Red Sox paid $103 million to lure Daisuke Matsuzaka (right) from Japan, and judging by his first outing, they seem to have made a solid investment. Matsuzaka pitched 7 solid innings and got his first major league win, 4-1, over Kansas City. Matsuzaka struck out 10, allowing 6 hits, a walk and one earned run, that a homer off the bat of David DeJesus. Boston won the final two games of their three-game series with the Royals after dropping the opener.
Mike Piazza went 3 for 5 with a double and a ninth-inning, game-winning solo home run, staking the Oakland A's to a 4-3 road win over the LA Angels. Piazza, who played many years behind the plate for the Mets and Dodgers, now bats as the DH for Oakland, usually in the cleanup spot.
The Boston Red Sox paid $103 million to lure Daisuke Matsuzaka (right) from Japan, and judging by his first outing, they seem to have made a solid investment. Matsuzaka pitched 7 solid innings and got his first major league win, 4-1, over Kansas City. Matsuzaka struck out 10, allowing 6 hits, a walk and one earned run, that a homer off the bat of David DeJesus. Boston won the final two games of their three-game series with the Royals after dropping the opener.
Mike Piazza went 3 for 5 with a double and a ninth-inning, game-winning solo home run, staking the Oakland A's to a 4-3 road win over the LA Angels. Piazza, who played many years behind the plate for the Mets and Dodgers, now bats as the DH for Oakland, usually in the cleanup spot.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Granderson is Grand; World Champs Winless
Peak Performers and Fabulous Flops
National League
The NY Mets completed a 3-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday with a 10-0 thumping as Jon Maine shut down the St. Louis sluggers on 1 hit over 7 innings, striking out 6. Carlos Beltran (right) homered twice and drove in 4 runs, providing all the offense the Mets needed. The Cardinals' Albert Pujols had just 1 hit in 10 at-bats in the 3 games.
The Washington Nationals got their first win of the season, salvaging the back end of their 3-game series with the Marlins, stunning Florida with 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th for the 7-6 win. Well-traveled reliever Jorge Julio (4 teams in 3 years) worked just 1/3 of the inning, allowing a walk, 5 hits and 3 earned runs. Miguel Cabrera continued his hot streak with a solo homer in the 3rd inning, his second in as many days. Cabrera is batting a healthy .700.
Colorado's Matt Holliday exploded with 4 hits in 5 at-bats to lead the Rockies over Arizona, driving in 4 runs in the 11-4 victory. The Rockies won the final 2 games of their home-opening series after dropping the opener on Monday.
Philadelphia's Cole Hamels (right) struck out 8 Braves and twirled 7 innings of shutout ball but ended up with no decision in Atlanta's 3-2, 11-inning win. Reliever Tom Gordon was credited with the blown save. The Phillies and Braves conclude their 3-game set on Thursday in Philly. The Braves have won the first two games.
Acquired in the off-season from Toronto, Ted Lilly allowed just 3 hits, 1 earned run and struck out 9 over 7 innings to help the Cubs to a 4-1 win over Cincinnati.
Despite giving up a solo homer to Criag Biggio in the bottom of the 9th, Pittsburgh's Salomon Torres earned his third save in as many games as the Pirates swept the Astros in Houston with a 5-4 win.
Leadoff man Marcus Giles belted a 2-run homer in the 5th inning and went 3-4 overall as San Diego won their 2nd straight over San Francisco, 5-3. Giles also scored the game-winning run when 1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez drove him in with a 2-run shot of his own in the top of the 8th inning.
American League
The Tigers and Blue Jays combined for 29 hits and 19 runs in Detroit's 10-9 home win. Curtis Granderson (right) did most of the damage for the Tigers with his 3rd-inning grand slam. Granderson had scored earlier in the inning as Detroit batted around on Toronto starter A. J. Burnett and reliever Shaun Marcum. For good measure, Granderson stole a base and added an RBI triple in the 7th, which turned out to be the game-winner as the Blue Jays erupted for 7 runs in the top of the 8th.
Cleveland catcher Victor Martinez went 4 for 4 and drove in a pair of runs as the Indians beat the White Sox for the second straight day, 8-7. Martinez, who batted .316 for Cleveland last season, has 6 hits in 8 at-bats this season for a .750 average.
The LA Angels completed a 3-game home sweep of Texas with a 5-3 win on Wednesday. Vladimir Guerrero drove in his 5th run of the season in the first inning.
After losing 7-1 on Monday, the Boston Red Sox returned the favor with a 7-1 win at Kansas City on Wednesday. Starter Josh Beckett pitched 5 innings for the win, striking out 5, walking 4 and allowing just 2 hits and 1 earned run.
The Twins completed their 3-game home sweep over Baltimore with a 7-2 win. Michael Cuddyer went 3 for 3 with 2 RBI and a run scored.
The Oakland A's earned their first win of the season, after dropping their first two games at Seattle, with a 9-0 win over the Mariners. Oakland starter Rich Harden was brilliant, blanking the M's over 7 innings, striking out 7 while allowing only 3 hits and 2 walks. Light-hitting 2nd baseman Mark Ellis drove in 5 runs with a pair of doubles in the 2nd and 5th innings.
While looking at box scores, we noted this entry in one of the inning-by-inning summaries: N. Swisher doubled to deep left center, M. Ellis, J. Kendall, E. Chavez, B. Crosby and T. Buck scored. N. Swisher doubled to deep left, M. Ellis, B. Crosby, N. Swisher and T. Buck scored Wow! a 5-run and a 4-run double. Swisher even managed to drive himself in one time there. Technology rocks! Break up Nick Swisher!
The NY Mets completed a 3-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday with a 10-0 thumping as Jon Maine shut down the St. Louis sluggers on 1 hit over 7 innings, striking out 6. Carlos Beltran (right) homered twice and drove in 4 runs, providing all the offense the Mets needed. The Cardinals' Albert Pujols had just 1 hit in 10 at-bats in the 3 games.
The Washington Nationals got their first win of the season, salvaging the back end of their 3-game series with the Marlins, stunning Florida with 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th for the 7-6 win. Well-traveled reliever Jorge Julio (4 teams in 3 years) worked just 1/3 of the inning, allowing a walk, 5 hits and 3 earned runs. Miguel Cabrera continued his hot streak with a solo homer in the 3rd inning, his second in as many days. Cabrera is batting a healthy .700.
Colorado's Matt Holliday exploded with 4 hits in 5 at-bats to lead the Rockies over Arizona, driving in 4 runs in the 11-4 victory. The Rockies won the final 2 games of their home-opening series after dropping the opener on Monday.
Philadelphia's Cole Hamels (right) struck out 8 Braves and twirled 7 innings of shutout ball but ended up with no decision in Atlanta's 3-2, 11-inning win. Reliever Tom Gordon was credited with the blown save. The Phillies and Braves conclude their 3-game set on Thursday in Philly. The Braves have won the first two games.
Acquired in the off-season from Toronto, Ted Lilly allowed just 3 hits, 1 earned run and struck out 9 over 7 innings to help the Cubs to a 4-1 win over Cincinnati.
Despite giving up a solo homer to Criag Biggio in the bottom of the 9th, Pittsburgh's Salomon Torres earned his third save in as many games as the Pirates swept the Astros in Houston with a 5-4 win.
Leadoff man Marcus Giles belted a 2-run homer in the 5th inning and went 3-4 overall as San Diego won their 2nd straight over San Francisco, 5-3. Giles also scored the game-winning run when 1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez drove him in with a 2-run shot of his own in the top of the 8th inning.
American League
The Tigers and Blue Jays combined for 29 hits and 19 runs in Detroit's 10-9 home win. Curtis Granderson (right) did most of the damage for the Tigers with his 3rd-inning grand slam. Granderson had scored earlier in the inning as Detroit batted around on Toronto starter A. J. Burnett and reliever Shaun Marcum. For good measure, Granderson stole a base and added an RBI triple in the 7th, which turned out to be the game-winner as the Blue Jays erupted for 7 runs in the top of the 8th.
Cleveland catcher Victor Martinez went 4 for 4 and drove in a pair of runs as the Indians beat the White Sox for the second straight day, 8-7. Martinez, who batted .316 for Cleveland last season, has 6 hits in 8 at-bats this season for a .750 average.
The LA Angels completed a 3-game home sweep of Texas with a 5-3 win on Wednesday. Vladimir Guerrero drove in his 5th run of the season in the first inning.
After losing 7-1 on Monday, the Boston Red Sox returned the favor with a 7-1 win at Kansas City on Wednesday. Starter Josh Beckett pitched 5 innings for the win, striking out 5, walking 4 and allowing just 2 hits and 1 earned run.
The Twins completed their 3-game home sweep over Baltimore with a 7-2 win. Michael Cuddyer went 3 for 3 with 2 RBI and a run scored.
The Oakland A's earned their first win of the season, after dropping their first two games at Seattle, with a 9-0 win over the Mariners. Oakland starter Rich Harden was brilliant, blanking the M's over 7 innings, striking out 7 while allowing only 3 hits and 2 walks. Light-hitting 2nd baseman Mark Ellis drove in 5 runs with a pair of doubles in the 2nd and 5th innings.
While looking at box scores, we noted this entry in one of the inning-by-inning summaries: N. Swisher doubled to deep left center, M. Ellis, J. Kendall, E. Chavez, B. Crosby and T. Buck scored. N. Swisher doubled to deep left, M. Ellis, B. Crosby, N. Swisher and T. Buck scored Wow! a 5-run and a 4-run double. Swisher even managed to drive himself in one time there. Technology rocks! Break up Nick Swisher!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Peavy blanks Giants; Sexson goes yard again
Peak Performers and Fabulous Flops
National League
NY Mets' pitcher Orlando Hernandez (El Duque) polished of the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, going 7 strong innings. He allowed only five hits, two walks and one earned run, a solo homer by Scott Rolen. The Mets won, 4-1 and are 2-0, both wins coming against the Cards.
Florida's Miguel Cabrera (right) is off to a hot start. After going 3 for 4 on Monday with a 2-run homer, 4 RBI and a run scored in Florida's 9-2 win at Washington, he followed that up on Tuesday with a 2 for 5 performance, an RBI and 2 more runs scored as the Marlins won again, 9-3. The Nationals will be happy to see Cabrera and the Marlins leave town after their afternoon engagement today.
Jake Peavy and two relievers blanked the San Francisco Giants, 4-0. The San Diego starter twirled 6 innings of 3 hit ball, striking out 6 for the win.
LA Dodgers' catcher Russell Martin banged out 3 hits in 5 at-bats, including a double and solo home run off Milwaukee starter Chris Capuano, drove in 2 and scored twice, but it wasn't enough as the Brewers won again, 4-3. They beat the visiting Dodgers 7-1 on Monday in their home opener.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are relishing the acquisition of Xavier Nady from the Mets last season. Nady batted an even .300 with Pittsburgh in 55 games in 2006, and yesterday drove in the winning run with a single in the top of the 8th in Pittsburgh's 3-2 win at Houston. The Pirates find themselves atop the NL Central at 2-0, as they opened with a 4-2 win over the Astros on Monday. Nady also contributed a solo home run in Tuesday's win.
American League
Vladimir Guerrero banged out a 4-4 performance Tuesday, including a solo shot off Texas starter Vicente Padilla, scored 2 runs and drove in 3, pacing the LA Angels to a 8-3 win, their 2nd straight over the Rangers. Guerrero is batting .714.
The Seattle Mariners improved to 2-0 with an 8-4 win over visiting Oakland. Richie Sexson (shown at right) pounded his 2nd homer of the season - a two-run shot - bringing his RBI total to 5.
It's going to be a long season for the Baltimore Orioles if they use 37-year-old Alberto Castillo behind the plate very often. On Tuesday, 5 different Minnesota players stole 2nd base on Castillo and the Twins beat the O's for the second time in as many days, 4-3. Joe Nathan picked up his 2nd save for the Twinkies.
Florida's Miguel Cabrera (right) is off to a hot start. After going 3 for 4 on Monday with a 2-run homer, 4 RBI and a run scored in Florida's 9-2 win at Washington, he followed that up on Tuesday with a 2 for 5 performance, an RBI and 2 more runs scored as the Marlins won again, 9-3. The Nationals will be happy to see Cabrera and the Marlins leave town after their afternoon engagement today.
Jake Peavy and two relievers blanked the San Francisco Giants, 4-0. The San Diego starter twirled 6 innings of 3 hit ball, striking out 6 for the win.
LA Dodgers' catcher Russell Martin banged out 3 hits in 5 at-bats, including a double and solo home run off Milwaukee starter Chris Capuano, drove in 2 and scored twice, but it wasn't enough as the Brewers won again, 4-3. They beat the visiting Dodgers 7-1 on Monday in their home opener.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are relishing the acquisition of Xavier Nady from the Mets last season. Nady batted an even .300 with Pittsburgh in 55 games in 2006, and yesterday drove in the winning run with a single in the top of the 8th in Pittsburgh's 3-2 win at Houston. The Pirates find themselves atop the NL Central at 2-0, as they opened with a 4-2 win over the Astros on Monday. Nady also contributed a solo home run in Tuesday's win.
American League
Vladimir Guerrero banged out a 4-4 performance Tuesday, including a solo shot off Texas starter Vicente Padilla, scored 2 runs and drove in 3, pacing the LA Angels to a 8-3 win, their 2nd straight over the Rangers. Guerrero is batting .714.
The Seattle Mariners improved to 2-0 with an 8-4 win over visiting Oakland. Richie Sexson (shown at right) pounded his 2nd homer of the season - a two-run shot - bringing his RBI total to 5.
It's going to be a long season for the Baltimore Orioles if they use 37-year-old Alberto Castillo behind the plate very often. On Tuesday, 5 different Minnesota players stole 2nd base on Castillo and the Twins beat the O's for the second time in as many days, 4-3. Joe Nathan picked up his 2nd save for the Twinkies.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Peak Performers and Ragged Raps on Opening Day
National League
Hanley Ramirez, shortstop for the Florida Marlins, got his season off to a great start on Monday as the Marlins hammered Washington, 9-2. Ramirez, batting in the leadoff spot, went 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles, two steals, 4 runs scored and an RBI just for good measure. Dontrelle Willis got the win with 6 innings pitched.
Edgar Renteria crashed two homers for the Atlanta Braves, including the two-run game-winner in the 10th which boosted Atlanta to the 5-3 win at Philly. 2 for 5, 2 runs, 3 RBI. Nice start.
Adam Dunn homered in his first two at bats, driving in 3 runs as the Reds opened at home with a win over the Cubs. How many losses for this season's Cubbies? My guess is 97.
American League
Seattle's Felix Hernandez blanked the Oakland A's on 3 hits over 8 innings, striking out 12 with just 2 walks. Seattle won 4-0. Last season, Hernandez was 12-14 with a 4.52 ERA for the Mariners.
Alex Rodriguez went 2 for 5, scored twice, drove in 2 with a home run and stolen base as the Yankees thumped the Devil Rays in NY. That should quiet the A-Rod haters for a day or two.
Cleveland scored 5 in the first, 5 in the second and 2 in the third inning to dampen the home opener for the White Sox with a 12-5 win. Chicago's starter, Jose Contreras, pitched all of one inning, allowing 7 hits and 8 runs (7 earned).
Gil Meche, 55-44 with the Mariners since 1999, started out just fine for Kansas City, striking out 6 in 7 1/3 innings to lead the Royals to a 7-1 win over the Red Sox.
Justin Morneau and Torii Hunter both hit their first homers f the season and Johann Santana picked up win #1 as the Twins beat the Orioles 7-4.
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