The Baltimore Bullpen Blowup: Angels 11, Orioles
4

post from 6-4-2 ? an Angels/Dodgers double play blog on 04 July 2009 07:44:00 PM. © 6-4-2 ? an Angels/Dodgers double play blog

There's a bunch to write about here, and for once, the danger is that I'll forget some of it; usually it comes to me about 24 hours after, but this was actually a pretty entertaining game (something I've said twice today). Howie Kendrick made a semi-competent comeback, the Angels stomped on a bad team (though one wonders what the O's would do transmigrated into the AL West), and truth and justice prevailed again, tra la.

Some random observations:

Howie Kendrick looked, by turns, revived, then bad and bad. His first out was a hard line drive. His second and third were strikeouts, the last one on three straight pitches, as if he knew his fate has come back to bite him, even though he was facing 3.75 ERA (coming in to the game) Brian Bass. I want to be optimistic, and there's enough hope in the first two at bats to counteract the last two. The rest is up to him.
Vlad murdered a Bass offering over both bullpens. Nice, but there is still almost no reason to think he should be batting fourth. Except for today's homer, he singled but bounced into a double play, struck out, and grounded to short. If it weren't for Brian Bass, he could still be a real goat in this game.
The pixy dust is rubbing off Sean O'Sullivan a bit. Not a great outing for him, who was one out and one run away from a quality start, but the offense got him off the hook.
The bullpen continues to do good work lately. No runs by anybody, and really no serious threats, respectively, under the watches of Bulger, Oliver, and Jepsen. Bulger, especially, is a bit of a blessing, and Jepsen, who gave up a leadoff walk in the ninth to Luke Scott, promptly got a 6-4-3 double play to erase him off the bat of Ty Wigginton. Sweet.
The O's defense didn't help them much tonight. There were two errors, the first in the bottom of the fifth that allowed a bases-loaded, nobody-out situation, when Brian Roberts misplayed a ball and failed to touch second. The second was in the eighth, when Bass's throw took Robert Andino off the bag; both ended with runs scoring.

So overall it was a fun game, but most of it came late. Remember what the fireworks are for.

ESPN box • Angels recap

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7/4 Minor League Report

post from Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog on 04 July 2009 07:29:00 PM. © Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog

================

(Triple-A) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (45-33) against Pawtucket (42-37) was postponed due to a wet field. A doubleheader is set for tomorrow starting at 5:00 p.m. Ivan Nova will start the game the openers, with Kei Igawa going in game two.

(Double-A) Trenton (40-40) beat New Britain (41-39) 7-6 in 14 innings: Box Score - Recap

Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 R H E New Britain
0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 6 13 0 Trenton
1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 7 13 2 W: Schmidt (7-1, 1.34); L: Waldrop (1-1, 1.46)
HR: TRN: Nunez, E (6).

Offense:
Ausitin Krum: 1-for-6, R
Reegie Corona: 2-for-5, BB, 2 R
Eduardo Nunez: 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
Jorge Vazquez: 2-for-6, 2B, 2 RBI
Jesus Montero: 0-for-4, two strikeouts
Chris Malec: 1-for-6
Edwar Gonzalez: 1-for-5, R
Richie Robnett: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI, BB, R
Justin Snyder: 2-for-6, 2B, RBI, - Walk off double in the 14th scoring Robnett

Pitching:
Ryan Pope: 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (5.40 ERA)
Kevin Whelan: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (3.30 ERA)
Jose Valdez: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K (3.52 ERA)
Wilkins Arias: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (4.54 ERA)
Amaury Sanit: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K (2.95 ERA)
Eric Wordekemper: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (1.69 ERA)
Josh Schmidt (W, 7-1): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (1.34 ERA)

Notes: Erik Manning of Fangraphs has this article on Jesus Montero, it's worth checking out.

(High-A) Tampa (Overall 36-39, Second Half 6-2) lost to Lakeland (Overall 32-42, Second Half 3-6) 4-0 : Box Score - Recap

Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Tampa
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 Lakeland
0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 X 4 7 0 W: Robles (2-1, 5.28); L: Zink (4-8, 4.48)
HR: LAK: Carlson (10).

Offense:
Daniel Brewer: 1-for-4
Damon Sublett: 1-for-3, BB
Brandon Laird: 0-for-3, BB
Kevin Smith: 2-for-4, 2B
Jack Rye: 0-for-2, BB
Walter Ibarra: 1-for-3

Pitching:
Ryan Zink (L, 4-8): 7 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (4.48 ERA)
Adam Olbrychowski: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (1.84 ERA)

(Low-A) Charleston (Overall 44-35, second half 5-4) beat Greenville (Overall 42-34, second half 3-5) 14-4: Box Score - Recap

Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Charleston
6 1 0 1 5 0 1 0 0 14 17 2 Asheville
0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 4 8 1 W: Robles (2-1, 5.28); L: Zink (4-8, 4.48)
HR: LAK: Carlson (10).

Offense:
Jose Pirela: 3-for-6, 3 2B, RBI, 3 R
Raymond Kruml: 3-for-5, RBI, BB, 2 R
Melky Mesa: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 R
Corban Joseph: 4-for-6, 2 2B, 3 B, 4 RBI, R
Abraham Almonte: 1-for-5, 2B, RBI
Taylor Grote: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 R
Garrison Lassiter: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI, R
Tommy Baldridge: 0-for-5, R, SB (1)
Chase Weems: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB, 2 R

Pitching:
Manuel Banuelos (W, 7-3): 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (2.20 ERA)
Daniel Kapala: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (2.49 ERA)
Edwin Walkter: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (0.00 ERA)

(Single-A Short-Season) Staten Island (7-8) beat Lowell (8-7) 2-0: Box Score - Recap

Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Lowell
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 Staten Island
0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 X 2 5 1 W: Perez, K (1-1, 2.70); L: Kehrt (1-2, 2.87); SV: Marte, R (1)
HR: None.

Offense:
Jimmy Paredes: 1-for-4, 2 SB (10)
Zolio Almonte: 0-for-3, BB
Kyle Higashioka: 1-for-3, 2B, BB, R
Neil Medchill: 2-for-3, BB, R, SB (1)
Robert Lyerly: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Luke Murton: 0-for-3, BB

Pitching:
Kelvin Perez: (W, 1-1): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K (2.70 ERA)
Philip Bartleski: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (0.00 ERA)
Ryan Flannery: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K (1.74 ERA)
Ronny Marte (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (3.00 ERA)

(Rookie) GCL Yanks (7-1) beat the GCL Pirates (1-6) 4-2: Box Score - Recap

Final 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E GCL Yankees
2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 4 9 2 GCL Pirates
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 9 1 W: Richardson, M (3-0, 0.56); L: Pounders (0-1, 27.00); SV: Arballo (3)
HR: YAN: De Leon (2).

Offense:
Eduardo Sosa: 1-for-4, R
Jose Toussen: 1-for-4, BB, 2 R
Kevin Mahoney: 1-for-4
Kelvin De Leon: 1-for-5, HR, RBI, R
Francisco Arcia: 2-for-4, RBI
Jose Mojica: 2-for-4, 2 2B, RBI
Yunior Tabares: 1-for-4, 2B

Pitching:
Matthew Richardson (W, 3-0): 5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K (0.56 ERA)
Dickson Marquez: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (6.75 ERA)
Michael O'Brien: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (0.00 ERA)
Jullian Arballo (S, 3): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (6.00 ERA)

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Sincerely, Lou

post from The Bronx Stop: A Yankees Blog on 04 July 2009 07:13:00 PM. © The Bronx Stop: A Yankees Blog

This is a link to the video of the wonderful story ESPN's Outside The Lines ran today on my personal hero, Lou Gehrig.

The video is based off a series of letters that Lou wrote to his doctor after being diagnosed with ALS.

Everyone should take a few minutes to watch this amazing story of courage-- and if you have time-- to read Lou's actual letters.

Click here watch the ESPN special Sincerely, Lou and read Lou's actual letters.

Click here to learn more about what MLB is doing to help find a cure for this terrible disease.

Click here for the ALS association's website.

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Game #80: Yusmeiro Petit vs. Aaron Cook

post from Purple Row on 04 July 2009 07:00:00 PM. © Purple Row

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

Hopefully we'll see fireworks on AND above the field tonight

Browse more photos »

Happy Fourth of July ladies and gentleman, Rockies fans, Diamondbacks fans, non-baseball fans...and Happy 233rd birthday, USA. Let's celebrate with another walloping of the Diamondbacks at Coors Field.

If the Rockies want to win this series, it's a good idea to do it tonight. Sure, Ubaldo Jimenez is starting tomorrow, but so is Dan Haren. This pitching matchup favors the Rockies ridiculously, as Arizona's Petit is not only coming off the disabled list but has been very ineffective when healthy this season.

Aaron Cook pitched eight innings, allowing just one run in his last start. Somehow, that impressive outing was only the fourth best among Rockies starters through the last turn of the rotation. In their respective last starts, Rockies starters averaged 8 IP, with 2 CGs and and ERA of 0.90. Who needs a bullpen?

Also of note, Aaron Cook is 5-1 with a 2.36 ERA and 3.429 K/BB under Jim Tracy. He was only 3-2 with a 4.82 ERA abd 1.083 K/BB under Clint Hurdle. Then again, a lot of players have better stat lines under Tracy.

Current Series

Rockies lead the series 1-0

Fri 07/03WP: Jorge De La Rosa ( - )
LP: Max Scherzer ( - )
5 - 0 win

Arizona Diamondbacks AZ Snakepit
@ Colorado Rockies Purple Row

Saturday, Jul 4, 2009, 6:10 PM MDT
Coors Field

Partly cloudy,rain. Game time temperature around 70.

Might these sorry looking snakes sport hidden venom?

posted by Poseidon's Fist 1 day ago

12 comments | 0 recs

Complete Coverage >

Sun 07/051:10 PM MDT

Starting Pitchers:

Yusmeiro Petit

#48 / Pitcher / Arizona Diamondbacks

Height: 6-1

Weight: 255

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Nov 22, 1984

W-LERAWHIPKBB2009 - Yusmeiro Petit0-38.031.741910

vs.

Aaron Cook

#28 / Pitcher / Colorado Rockies

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Feb 08, 1979

W-LERAWHIPKBB2009 - Aaron Cook8-33.771.335031

Lineups will be posted when they are available.

AZ Snakepit

Diamondbacks vs Rockies coverage

Identical lineup for the Rockies tonight, while Hinch only keeps two spots constant.

Lineup

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Colorado Rockies

07/04/09 6:10 PM MDT

Arizona Diamondbacks Colorado Rockies Stephen Drew - SSDexter Fowler - CFAlex Romero - LFClint Barmes - 2BJustin Upton - RFTodd Helton - 1BMark Reynolds - 3BBrad Hawpe - RFMiguel Montero - CTroy Tulowitzki - SSGerardo Parra - CFIan Stewart - 3BChad Tracy - 1BChris Iannetta - CAugie Ojeda - 2BCarlos Gonzalez - LFYusmeiro Petit - PAaron Cook - P

Go Rockies!

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Demolition of Yankee Stadium Photo Update- 7/4/09

post from The Voice of Yankees Universe on 04 July 2009 06:37:53 PM. © The Voice of Yankees Universe

Here are some of the latest demolition photos of Yankee Stadium. I want to thank demolitionofyankeestadium.com for providing me with these photos.———————————————————————————————————A sportsnation ranks the Yanks poorly / Phillies made an offer for WangTURLEY’S WHISTLING WHILE HE WORKED WAS BOON FOR MANTLE‘Munson’ is worth a read / Musings on in-stadium economicsA 28-Mile-an-Hour Pitch Picked Up Steam in [...]

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Notes From Game 80

post from The Voice of Yankees Universe on 04 July 2009 05:54:10 PM. © The Voice of Yankees Universe

This series is starting to get the feel of the series against Minnesota in mid-May. So far, both games have featured well-played, come-from-behind victories, with the second one being a walkoff. And in that series against Minnesota, the Yankees managed four well-played, come-from-behind victories, with three of them being walkoffs.Mark Teixeira (3-for-6), Hideki Matsui (2-for-4), [...]

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Posada, Yankees Walk Off With Win in 12th

post from Bronx Baseball Daily on 04 July 2009 05:46:36 PM. © Bronx Baseball Daily

Jorge Posada singled in the winning run for the Yankees (47-33) in the 12th inning to beat the[...]

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G78: Tommy Hunter wins his first; 3-1 over Tampa
Bay

Yesterday was Tommy Hunter's 23rd birthday, I believe. I know it was his birthday, not sure of the number, but that's really irrelevant. He started the game for the Rangers, and looked pretty decent last time out. So he took the mound on his birthday (with his family in the stands), and threw a pretty decent game this time out, too.

He went 5.1 innings, throwing 90 pitches. I missed when he came out of the game, so I'm not sure of the situation, but the one runner he left on base didn't score. Didn't seem like a huge jam from the boxscore, but I missed that part of the game. Anyway, Hunter allowed just three hits and one run. He also walked three and struck out five. Not exactly dominating numbers, but definitely good enough for the win, which was his first in the majors.

That was held up by our bullpen, who backed up Hunter with 3.2 innings of no hit, shutout relief. Jennings & Wilson held it for Frank Francisco who bounced back from his meltdown in the return to the closer's job. Frankie threw one inning, allowed no hits and no walks, striking out one for the save. Nice to see this kind of pitching. Wish it would have been more consistent in June.

Offensively, we didn't have a ton going on. While Tampa Bay only had three hits the whole game, we didn't do a ton better. The Rangers had just five hits. All five of our hits were against Tampa starter Scott Kazmier. Their bullpen was as good as ours. However, it was enough. No Ranger had more than one hit, they were scattered, however, there was some power hidden in there. We had two doubles (Byrd, Cruz), and the big deal was suddenly power stroke heavy Hank Blalock. Hank hit a two run home run out over the center field wall in the fourth inning, putting us up at the time 2-0. Both teams added a single run in the fifth, and that was the end of the scoring.

Bit surprised that our offense is still in low gear, but the win was enough to tie us for first place with Anaheim again. Feeling good about that, as I'm sure most of us are.

To quote Jamey Newberg: Smoaklahoma! Here he comes. September callup? :)

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Wang goes down with a shoulder strain

Chien-Ming Wang left today’s game after 5.1 innings of work. He was pitching well up unil the 6th inning, where he gave up 3ER. The word on Wang is that he has a shoulder strain and that is definitely bad news. Any time you are dealing with your shoulder it’s a serious matter. He will [...]

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One Team's Waiver is Another Team's Treasure -
Cubs 2 Brewers 11

Game Seventy-Eight - Cubs 2 Brewers 11
WP - Braden Looper (7-4) LP - Rich Harden (5-5) Save - None

The Cubs lost for the first time at Wrigley since dropping the opening game of the White Sox series back on June 17. The Cubs suffered a rare blowout at home behind another horrible outing at the Friendly Confines by Rich Harden. Harden barely made it out of the first inning after allowing five runs ... a two-run single by Casey McGehee and a three-run homer by Mike Cameron. The Brewers hit Harden incredibly hard in his two-plus innings. Harden allowed seven runs on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout on 52 pitches.

Wrigley Field has definitely been The Un-Friendly Confines for Rich Harden this season. Harden has not posted a win at home since May 12 and is 2-4 in eight starts with a 7.65 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP (33 runs, 32 earned, on 43 hits with 20 walks and 42 strikeouts). Rich Harden has allowed 15 home runs this season in 13 starts ... nine at Wrigley Field.

Casey McGehee proved to be the difference early on in the game ... and was only a double short of the cycle. McGehee, who the Cubs put on waivers in the off-season, drove in five of the Brewers 11 runs and finished the afternoon 4-for-5 with a two-run homer, a triple, three runs scored and five RBI. While the Cubs did not let Prince Fielder beat them, Casey McGehee sure stuck it to his old organization.

The Cubs had chances to make a game of it in the beginning. They loaded the bases twice against Braden Looper but came away empty both times. The Cubs looked bad again at the plate and left five of the seven runners on base in the first two innings. The Cubs finished the afternoon 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position ... and hit into three inning ending double plays. To say the 4th of July on the North Side was not pretty would be an understatement.

The Cubs lone highlight came courtesy of Milton Bradley in the third inning. After a Derrek Lee single, Bradley hit his first home run since May 27 ... a two-run shot into the bleachers in right center.

The Cubs did not manage another hit after Bradley's home run in the third until a two-out single by Mike Fontenot in the ninth.

Alfonso Soriano finished the afternoon 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and three left on base out of the sixth spot in Lou Piniella's lineup.

In a game that was over before the Cubs had a chance to swing the bats, Lou Piniella's crew dropped to .500 once again at 39-39 on the year.