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Braun homers twice again as Brewers beat Cards
(AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 12 May 2008 11:53:36 PM. © MLB News Blog

Ryan Braun hit two home runs for the second game in a row, and St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and manager Tony La Russa both were ejected from the Milwaukee Brewers’ 8-3 victory Monday night. Braun followed up Sunday’s two-homer performance by hitting two more off stingy Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright (3-2), who had [...]

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ap/

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Weekly Minor League Update + HOTLIST: 5/6 - 5/12

post from Talking Chop on 12 May 2008 11:47:16 PM. © Talking Chop

I don't know whats going to be going on with me the next couple of weeks because there is a decent chance I am getting a promotion and I'm going to have to move, so don't be mad if I'm not consistent getting stuff out even though Martin is back. But I'll do my best.

Richmond 20 - 17 (2-5 WTD)

An uncharacteristic rough week for the Richmond team. They still have a 4 game lead in their division so things aren't scary yet. The offense has been a little weak lately (only 5 hits total in the double header against Louisville). They lead the league in average and are second in OBP but are next to last in SLG. Their pitching has been solid with the third best ERA in the league thus far. That will take a hit with Jo-Jo being called up and the whispers of Charlie Morton starting later this week for the big club.

Mississippi 13 - 25 (4-2 WTD)

Mississippi is playing a little more even keeled as of late. Jason Perry's offense is now combining with a mini resurgence of Kala Kaaihue who has 5 XBH in his last 5 games. He only had 5 in his previous 30 games. You understand if i reserve my excitement for a later date and time. The big news for Mississippi this week is that Tommy Hanson has been promoted to AA to help boost the worst rotation in the league. I think his HRs allowed will go up just because he is such an extreme flyball pitcher, but he hasn't been allowing much contact period this year so I think he will still post some solid lines.

Myrtle Beach 23 - 13 (4-1 WTD)

The Beach leads their division by six games right now. They have been really impressive lately in just about all facets of the game. In the pitching oriented league the Pelicans have the best OPS in the league and lead in HRs, 3Bs and are second in 2Bs. They also own the best ERA in the league. That will probably change a bit now that they have lost Tommy Hanson to AA. It looks like Chris Vines is taking his spot in the rotation after throwing very well out of the pen in extended outings. I still don't have any word on when Gorkys Hernandez will return to action. At this point they don't really need him.

Rome 13-24 (2-4 WTD)

Rome has fallen to last in the division and 13.5 games out of first place. Wow. For a team that has so much talent (especially on the pitching staff) you have to wonder how this has happened. Well the pitching isn't doing all that poorly. They are hovering around the middle of the pack currently with a 3.91 ERA, but the hitting, oh the hitting. They are second to last in the league with .637 OPS and a horribly bad .296 OBP. Heyward and Freeman have turned it up lately but I just don't think two guys can do much for this offense.

Hotlist!!!

Jason Heyward - Heyward went 9-23 (.391) on the week and currently is riding a 5 game hitting streak. He doubled in 4 straight games and hit his 4th HR of the season. He even threw in a SB. His Ks have leveled off a bit after having a bad spurt a couple weeks back and current has 27 in 142 ABs which is perfectly acceptable in his first full season. Well it is for me anyways. It is also greatly encouraging to see him hitting for some more power.
Freddie Freeman - Teammate of Heyward, Freeman helped combine for a solid 3-4 punch all week long. He also went 9-23 adding 6 doubles and his first HR of the year. His AVG has been hovering around .300 the past couple of weeks and his OPS is a solid .802 for the season. If Gilmore can start hitting these three could be a difficult trio to deal with.
Charlie Morton - Charlie Morton's on-again/off-again relationship with prospect lists might finally be a steady relationship. He only had one game this week but he pitched 7.1 scoreless innings of relief and lowered his ERA to 1.76 on the season which has started some speculation that he will start Friday since Jurrjens has to pitch on Monday due to the rain-out. Everyone likes this kid right now and I'm more than willing to give him a shot at the rotation.
Scott Thorman - I'm giving Thorman credit for all of May in this. So far this month he is hitting .417 with 5 doubles and his only HR of the year. For a guy that his .176 in April he is murdering the ball so far this month. His OPS is over 1.000 and he only has 6 K on the month so far. I wonder what got him swinging all of a sudden?
Ernesto Mejia - Mejia gets credit for a little more because he is currently on a 13 game hitting streak. What was more impressive was the fact that he had an XBH in 11 straight games during the streak including doubles in 8 straight at one point. He raised his average from .193 to .270 during the streak and has pulled his OPS up to .799 on the season. That is just impressive. He is 22 in HI A so if he gets a bump up and keeps hitting he might someone to keep an eye on. I know there are a couple people here who love him.

Honorable Mentions: Ryne Reynoso, Myrtle Beach; J. Perry, MIssissippi; K. Kaaihue, Mississippi; D. Hernandez, Richmond; D. Heath, Myrtle Beach.

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http://www.talkingchop.com/2008/5/12/508421/weekly-minor-league-update

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Losing Furcal

post from Baseball Musings on 12 May 2008 11:41:00 PM. © Baseball Musings

Rafael Furcal hasn't played the last five games for the Dodgers, and now he's going to be out even longer as Los Angeles will place him on the disabled list: Team spokesman Mark Rogoff said Furcal would go on the...

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http://www.baseballmusings.com/archives/026586.php

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Cubs Could Sign Jim Edmonds

post from MLB Fleece Factor on 12 May 2008 11:40:46 PM. © MLB Fleece Factor

As per Dave van Dyck of The Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Cubs could be interested in signing outfielder Jim Edmonds, who was resently released by the San Diego Padres. Edmonds was hitting just .178 for the Pads, and wasn’t playing anywhere near the Gold-Glove defense he flashed earlier in his career.Cubs manager Lou Pinella has [...]

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http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/05/12/cubs-could-sign-jim-edmonds/

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Perez wins for first time in 9 starts, Nationals
beat Mets (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 12 May 2008 11:37:01 PM. © MLB News Blog

Odalis Perez used his hitting to help him earn his first win of the season. Making his ninth start without a victory, Perez had three hits and two RBIs and pitched into the seventh inning to lead the Washington Nationals over the New York Mets 10-4 on Monday night. On an unusually chilly night with [...]

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-beat-mets-ap/

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Furcal Heads to DL

post from MLB Fleece Factor on 12 May 2008 11:33:03 PM. © MLB Fleece Factor

According to Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, the Los Angeles Dodgers finally placed shortstop Rafael Furcal on the 15-day disabled list on Monday. The All-Star SS is suffering from a lower back injury.According to the piece, the Dodgers are seeking an emergency replacement for Furcal, who it hitting .366 with 34 runs scored so far this season. If [...]

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Cubs take advantage of Padres error as they crush
the Padres 12-3

post from Chicago Cubs Blog on 12 May 2008 11:26:00 PM. © Chicago Cubs Blog

The Chicago Cubs took advantage of a huge San Diego Padres error as they scored six runs in the fifth inning to break open the game on Monday night. The Cubs weren’t done with done however as they scored another five runs in the sixth inning as they went on their way to beat the Padres 12-3.

Alfonso Soriano hit a two run home run while Geovany Soto and Mark DeRosa also finished the game with two rbi. Derrek Lee, Reed Johnson, Kosuke Fukudome, and Aramis Ramirez all finished the game with one rbi as well. We can’t forget about big Carlos Zambrano either as he went 2-4 including a double off the right-center wall.

Zambrano threw seven innings to improve his record to 6-1 on the season. Zambrano could have probably went longer in the game but with the Cubs up that much, the Cubs decided to let Scott Eyre and Bob Howry finish out the game, Eyre had to be relieved after only getting two outs though so hopefully he will pitch better next time he is called upon. Howry recorded the final four outs in the game.

With the win the Cubs are now up a game in the division as the St. Louis Cardinals lost up in Milwaukee. The Cubs will try to make it a 5-0 current homestand as they face off against the Padres again tomorrow night with Jason Marquis getting the start.

How will Marquis do? Will this be his last start if he struggles once again?

Post from: Cubs Blog

Cubs take advantage of Padres error as they crush the Padres 12-3

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http://www.chicagocubsblog.net/cubs-take-advantage-of-padres-error-as-they-crush-
the-padres-12-3/

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Padres bring up Gonzalezs brother, Edgar (AP)

Infielder Edgar Gonzalez joined his younger brother, Adrian, on the San Diego Padres on Monday when they purchased his contract from Triple-A Portland. To make room, the Padres designated infielder Callix Crabbe for assignment. Gonzalez was invited to spring training with the big league club before being reassigned to minor league camp on March 18.Read [...]

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The East Gets Closer

The Red Sox fall to the Twins 7-3. Boston scored in the first inning but that was it as Buchholz was wild tonight, walking five in 4 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, the Rays take down the Yankees 7-1. Garza records a...

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http://www.baseballmusings.com/archives/026585.php

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G39: Rangers lose win streak with big 12-6 defeat

Well, first off, I didn't see most of this game. I spent the day with my family, and with it being Mother's day, I saw just part of the early bits of the game before we headed out to do the family thing in the afternoon.

What I saw was the Sidney Ponson that has existed for the last few years make a reappearance. The one we've had up until this point has been really great. The one we got on Mother's Day 2008 was well, "Sidney Ponson". He actually stuck around the game for awhile (5.1 innings), but he gave up seven hits and five walks. That was pretty indicitave of the entire Rangers pitching staff, actually. Ponson was followed by Esteban German (0.2IP, 3H, 2R), Jamey Wright (2IP, 1H, 1R, 1BB), and Eddie Guardado (1IP, 2H, 3R, 2BB). None of our guys did particularly well this day.

Rich Harden came off the DL for Oakland, and proceeded to stink up the joint about as badly as Ponson did - worse if you look at the line. 3.2 innings, eight hits, four walks, and 5 runs. Not good.

Since I didn't see much else of this game, I'll pass on going into a lot more detail. Check out the MLB.com Recap I link to here, there's plenty of detail, plus some video.

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http://www.rangerfans.com/archives/2008/05/g39_rangers_lose_win_streak_with_big_1
26_defeat.html

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