Giants rally by Reds, earn 4-game split (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 12 June 2011 11:49:20 PM. © MLB News Blog

Aubrey Huff had three hits and two RBIs, Jonathan Sanchez pitched six wildly effective innings and the San Francisco Giants rallied from two runs down for a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday night. Nate Schierholtz delivered the go-ahead sacrifice fly off reliever Jose Arredondo (0-2) during a two-run seventh inning that helped [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2011/06/13/giants-rally-by-reds-earn-4-game-split-ap/

Add to del.icio.us

Digg this

Post to Furl

Add to reddit

Add to myYahoo!

Jeremy Jeffress is tipping his fastball...and
other amateur scouting observations

post from Royals Review on 12 June 2011 10:01:29 PM. © Royals Review

Saw the Storm Chasers for the sixth time last night, and figured it would be fun to share a few things I'm seeing.

Jeffress is tipping his fastball, which he's throwing between 95-97. He also throws a curve around 70 mph, and some other kind of pitch around 91-92. I don't see anything in his delivery that gives away which of the two offspeed pitches he's throwing, but distinguishing those from the fastball should be pretty easy for a hitter. His delivery is remarkably different in terms of arm speed and even fluidity.
Whatever he is throwing at 92...he makes it look easy!
Moustakas is (was) making a deliberate effort to take pitches. Obviously we've seen this in the stat sheet. He's also doing a great job shortening up with two strikes, even moreso than last year. I think any increase in strikeout rate is just because he's getting deeper into counts.
I don't think Moose's defense is as worrisome as some say. He looks pretty competent in the games I've seen him.

Lorenzo Cain takes away a hit from somebody every night. It's remarkable.

At the plate, Cain seems to crowd in really close. He's drew an HBP last night and was ducking away on several other pitches.

Giavotella looks frustrated. Not sure if he has always 'played angry' at other levels. But lots of disgust after any missed plays (slamming a ball into the ground), not going hard on some of his groundouts, that kind of thing. He does have a ridiculous number of RBI for where he's hitting the lineup.

Kila, as much as ever, impresses me with his approach. Not only his plate discipline, but he went against the shift last night several times.

Blaine Hardy has decent stuff. I mean, guys couldn't event bunt his pitches last night on several attempts. But he could not finish anybody off to save his life. And in other outings, he hasn't been able to find the plate. Despite his awful numbers, I wonder if GMDM and co see him as a guy who just needs the lightbulb to go off.

Clint Robinson is obviously from some other planet.

There you have it. Very amateur observations for sure but kind of fun to share as we anticipate some of these guys coming up in the future.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.royalsreview.com/2011/6/12/2220125/jeremy-jeffress-is-tipping-his-fast
ball-and-other-amateur-scouting

Digg this

VIDEO: Stow's DNA found on bloody Dodgers jersey

post from 22gigantes on 12 June 2011 08:03:46 PM. © 22gigantes

Ramirez, in courtAn important update from NBC Los Angeles in the beating case of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow: a blood-stained jersey dropped off at a dry cleaning establishment may be linked to the case, and certainly has one thing on it that points in that direction: Stow's DNA.

So-called "Suspect Number One" in the Bryan Stow beating was characterized as wearing a white Dodgers jersey. Since then, parolee Giovanni Ramirez has been arrested in connection with the case, and police say he is in fact, Suspect Number One. The arrest took place on May 22.

A second suspect involved in the beating of Stow and the getaway driver, a woman, have yet to be publicly identified. No further arrests have been made in the case since Ramirez was taken into custody.

On March 31, Opening Night of the Major League Baseball, Stow and his friends were leaving Dodgers Stadium following a Giants loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers when they were attacked from behind. Stow was beaten so bad, that doctors had to medically induce him into a coma to reduce the swelling of his brain.

The latest news in the case is that a bloody Dodgers jersey has been found at a dry cleaners. Instead of cleaning the jersey, the person working at the dry cleaners became suspicious and alerted the authorities.

DNA tests have shown that the blood on the jersey does in fact belong to Stow.

What is still unclear, however, is who the jersey belongs to.

The source who first informed NBC-LA of the bloody jersey said it is believed that Giovanni Ramirez is the individual who took the jersey to the cleaners. A second source, within the LAPD, did not contradict that story, but said that the jersey is not Ramirez's. Suspect Number Two was said to be wearing a black t-shirt on the night of the beating.

Prior to the arrest of Ramirez, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck had said the getaway driver was wearing a Dodgers jersey, with Andre Ethier's number 16.

Ramirez continues to deny any involvement in the case. He has claimed, in fact, to have been with his daughter in East Hollywood on Opening Day, and not in the area of Dodger Stadium. Ramirez has gone before a suspect lineup and taken two polygraph tests. The results of his polygraph tests have not yet been released nor discussed publicly by the LAPD, who insist the right man is in custody, and that the case continues to move along.

At the very least, Ramirez may be heading back to prison, no matter what the case in the Stow beating. He faces a parole revocation hearing scheduled for June 20 after a gun and ammunition were found at the apartment where Ramirez was staying when he was arrested. Parolees are not allowed to have firearms.

Meanwhile, in late May, the Stow family sued both the Los Angeles Dodgers and its owner, Frank McCourt. The suit seeks unspecified damages to cover Stow's future medical care and as compensation for the economic damages to Stow and his two children. No amount was given in the filing, but the lawsuit said that the family needs approximately $45 to $50 million in order to give Stow a good quality of life.

Watch an NBC-LA report on the latest developments below.

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/22gigantes/ySKM/~3/4HVX0uYXy0M/video-stows-dna-fou
nd-on-bloody-dodgers.html

Digg this

Dodgers Bats Lead to Road Trip Split

post from LADodgerTalk.com - Daily Dodger Talk, LA Dodger News, Dodger Minor League Reports and Dodger Chatter on 12 June 2011 08:01:24 PM. © LADodgerTalk.com - Daily Dodger Talk, LA Dodger News, Dodger Minor League Reports and Dodger Chatter

Read The Full Article:
http://www.ladodgertalk.com/2011/06/dodgers-bats-lead-to-road-trip-split/

Digg this

I Wish They All Could Be California Wins - Royals
Destroy Angels 9-0

post from Royals Review on 12 June 2011 08:01:18 PM. © Royals Review

ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 12: Mitch Maier #12 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates in the dugout after scoring his third run of the game in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 12, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Royals won 9-0. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Royals have now won every single series in which they reunite the legendary Mike Moustakas with his hometown fans as they take two of three from the Halos, winning a 9-0 laugher this afternoon. Vin Mazzarro gave the Royals seven shutout innings - no doubt because of the momentum from his last few outings. Some scoffed at MITCH in the five hole, but Yost proved he knew what he was doing with Maier reached base three times, stealing a base, and scoring three times. Billy Butler collected two more hits - that's what bacon do. Alex Gordon had three hits, Melky Cabrera had a sensational series and Moose showed some encouraging plate discipline and power. How the Royals managed any offense with Jeff Francoeur out of the lineup is anyone's guess.

The Royals have now wrapped up their season series with the Angels before Flag Day, and boy are they sorry to see them go. The Royals 7-3 record against Los Angeles/Anaheim is the only winning record they have against any opponent except the Mariners - and of course the Yankees.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.royalsreview.com/2011/6/12/2220705/i-wish-they-all-could-be-california
-wins-royals-destroy-angels-9-0

Digg this

Ubaldo Jimenez Roughed Up, Rockies Lose Comedy of
Errors 10-8

post from Purple Row on 12 June 2011 08:01:17 PM. © Purple Row

DENVER, CO - JUNE 12: Starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez #38 of the Colorado Rockies got off to a rough start by giving up a grand slam home run to James Loney of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning on June 12, 2011 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Marc Piscotty/Getty Images)

Not only did the Rockies lose to a guy named Rubby, they lost in somewhat embarrassing fashion despite hitting four homers (including three with men on base) thanks in large part to three errors. Ubaldo Jimenez (1-7) gave up three HRs for the first time in his career (including a James Loney grand slam), going only 5.1 IP and allowing 7 runs (only two of which were earned) on 11 hits (the Dodgers had 17 on the game), striking out two.

How were only two of seven runs earned? Thank Mr. Ty Wigginton, who booted an easy double-play ball early in the third that came back to bite the Rockies in a big way (five unearned runs) when Mr. Loney hit his two-out (yes, if you've done your math correctly, with the error Loney wouldn't have batted) grand slam -- and then another run got tacked on in the inning. Jimenez later gave up solo shots to Matt Kemp and Rod Barajas. Errors by Jose Morales and Todd Helton exacerbted the situation, one leading directly to a LA run. The Rockies' bullpen continued their forgettable series (27 hits, 5 walks, 19 runs allowed in 12.2 IP), giving up 3 runs in 3.2 IP today.

It started out well enough, as Seth Smith drove a first-inning three-run homer into the second deck (his 6th) to give the Rockies the early 3-0 lead. Unfortunately, by the time the Rockies got on the board again, in the bottom of the 7th on a 2-run Carlos Gonzalez homer (his 9th), it was already a six run deficit. CarGo's homer, followed soon thereafter by a 2-run shot by Troy Tulowitzki (his 13th), made it 9-7 after seven innings, but Colorado would get no closer, even with a Todd Helton solo shot in the ninth (his 9th, eclipsing his 2010 total already) making it 10-8. To their credit, the Rockies got the tying run to the plate, but Seth Smith couldn't repeat his first inning exploits, as Loney made a nice play on his screamer down the line.

There are still some encouraging signs to take away from this series, namely the fact that Colorado's offense finally decided to show up after taking a seven week vacation backpacking through Europe. In the four game series, the Rockies scored 30 runs, including an incredible 25 runs in the fifth inning or later. The Rockies still have six games left on this homestand (SD and DET), so let's hope that the offensive momentum from this series carries over against new opponents.

31 - 34

Games Back: 5.0

Streak: Lost 2

Games Left: 99

Graph:

via www.fangraphs.com

We Salute: Smith (.221 WPA), Gonzalez (3-5, .101 WPA)

We Are Disappointed In: Jimenez (-.425 WPA pitching, -.070 WPA batting), Wigginton (-.167 WPA plus crucial error), Jonathan Herrera (-.104 WPA)

Roll Call: idj2, Jeff Aberle, BeefySwats, Andrew T. Fisher, Junction Rox, glaucophane, Roxman, SDcat09 (x2, most prolific), butterfly, Britbronco22, MissR, CentralCaliRox, everever, free7694, GoRoxGo, moose14, roxintober, RdRnnr, SpringStein, Hollidayrain, controlled_slide, arpagamos, HylianHero, DieHrdRox, Roxman4ever, Arimaris, Rockies7935, TuloRocks, elke, zmiko, victor frankenstein, mkorpal, maris61, prettyinpurple, PinchHitLancePainter, black_knight101, Gr3yStreet, Shaz_Bagl, jordanmowbray, marik7772003, coffeeis4closersonly, AbsenteeRoxFAn
Total Users: 42
Total Posts: 746
Total Threads: 1

Cat had more than 3x the posts of anyone else.

Panda Rating: Sad Panda

Read The Full Article:
http://www.purplerow.com/2011/6/12/2220556/ubaldo-jimenez-roughed-up-rockies-lose
-comedy-of-errors-10-7

Digg this

Jordan Lyles Stays in Astros Rotation

post from The Crawfish Boxes on 12 June 2011 08:01:17 PM. © The Crawfish Boxes

HOUSTON - JUNE 07: Pitcher Jordan Lyles of the Houston Astros takes the field after taking questions from the media at Minute Maid Park on June 7, 2011 in Houston, Texas. Lyles was recently brought up from Triple A Oklahoma City. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

News came down after Sunday's game that Jordan Lyles is sticking with the big league club for now as a starter. To make room for the returning Wandy Rodriguez, the Astros optioned struggling reliever Jeff Fulchino to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

In order to make room for Wandy in the rotation, Houston also bumped Rule 5 pick Aneury Rodriguez back to the bullpen after he made nine starts. Aneury had replaced Nelson Figueroa in the rotation back in May, but his ineffective control doomed many of his starts.

I'm pretty sure this is a good thing for both the Astros and for Lyles. While I don't love the idea of Lyles pitching the rest of the season in the rotation, he has shown flashes of being good and holding his own at the big league level. That's enough to keep him around and let him learn on the job with the major league team.

As we've talked about in the past, Lyles probably won't get to Super Two status even if he stays with the major league team for the rest of the season. It's interesting that Fulchino was the victim of the roster crunch, though he certainly hasn't been good this season. In fact, it wouldn't shock me if any of the bullpen arms got sent down, with the possible exception of Mark The Shark.

I think this also is a vote of confidence for Aneury Rodriguez. The Astros really seem committed to keeping him around all season. He's not been good, but there have been times where you can see he's got talent to be a contributor one day. This Astros team isn't winning a pennant, so why not keep him around and see what happens?

What do you think? Are you happy with Lyles staying in the rotation? Did the Astros choose the right reliever to demote?

Read The Full Article:
http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2011/6/12/2220651/jordan-lyles-stays-in-houston-astr
os-rotation

Digg this

Live Video: Mets Fan Show Weekly Report

I’ll be doing another live video show with Kerel Cooper of On The Black tonight before the Reds-Giants game on Sunday Night Baseball. We’ll be talking about the week in review for the Mets and the upcoming series’ against the Braves, Angels, and A’s. Join us at Ustream and be a part of the show. ... Continue Reading

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MetsReport/~3/v8bXqgR43Nk/

Digg this

Brewers sweep, take 1st place from Cards (AP)

Prince Fielder cautioned against making too much out of the Milwaukee Brewers’ sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals. Fielder’s go-ahead homer in the sixth rallied the Milwaukee Brewers to a 4-3 victory over St. Louis on Sunday as the Brewers knocked the Cardinals out of first place in the NL Central.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2011/06/12/brewers-sweep-take-1st-place-from-cards-ap/

Digg this

Braves Win Sixth Straight Behind a Hanson Gem

Tommy Hansom was outright dominant today in Atlanta's 4-1 win. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Behind a pair of two-run shots by Dan Uggla and Brian McCann, the Braves franchise took their record above five hundred - to 9983-9982 - for the first time since 1923. Today's 4-1 victory is the sixth in a row for Atlanta, who is now 7-2 on their road trip. The trip will conclude tomorrow night with one more game in Minute Maid Park.

Tommy Hanson pitched beautifully today, using his curveball to absolute perfection. Tommy racked up a career high fourteen strikeouts over the course of the seven innings he threw. Hanson only gave up one earned run on three hits and walked two batters on the afternoon. O'Flaherty pitched a great eighth inning and Venters did his usual thing to close out the game in the ninth. Kimbrel threw a ton of pitches in the ninth inning last night so Fredi Gonzalez gave him the afternoon off.

Uggla looked great at the plate for the third day in a row. His two-run shot to left opened up the game with a bang in the first off of Brett Myers, who is no stranger to seeing his pitches leave the field. He also singled up the middle and drew a walk on the day. This marks the first time in 2011 that Uggla has had back-to-back multi-hit games. McCann provided some insurance in the sixth inning when he launched yet another homer into the right field seats that plated Dan for the second time today.

The Braves' offensive production in Houston has been phenomenal. The last few games can almost make a fan forget that the team's entire starting outfield is on the DL. All of the replacements have done a great job in the field and at the plate. We can only hope that the depleted lineup can keep things rolling and extend the winning streak to seven games. They will go for the sweep tomorrow night at 8:05.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.talkingchop.com/2011/6/12/2220449/braves-win-sixth-straight-behind-a-h
anson-gem

Digg this