Show #147: Braves Get Another Series Win Against
Phillies

post from Atlanta Baseball Talk on 15 May 2011 11:58:49 PM. © Atlanta Baseball Talk

Characterizing the Braves. Chipper’s knee. Heyward’s shoulder. Uggla at the plate. And the Civil Rights game.[...]

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-phillies/

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Organizational Evaluation :: Infield

post from Capitol Avenue Club on 15 May 2011 11:09:06 PM. © Capitol Avenue Club

I?ve said it once and I?ll say it again ? 40 games is a safe mark to evaluate the true strengths and weaknesses of a team, and Frank Wren tends to agree. With the draft quickly approaching, baseball operations departments around the league are busy evaluating talent for the upcoming draft as well as the [...]

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40 Game Evaluation :: Infield

post from Capitol Avenue Club on 15 May 2011 11:09:06 PM. © Capitol Avenue Club

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Braves Jones has meniscus tear in knee (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 15 May 2011 10:26:22 PM. © MLB News Blog

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is expected to miss at least two more days with a small meniscus tear in his right knee. Soreness in the knee kept Jones out of the Braves’ 3-2 win over the Phillies on Sunday. An MRI revealed the tear, and Jones had an injection in the knee later Sunday. [...]

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Series preview: SF (22-17) at COL (20-18)

post from 22gigantes on 15 May 2011 10:03:56 PM. © 22gigantes

The San Francisco Giants roll into Colorado Monday for a quick, two-game series against the Rockies.

After completing a three-game sweep of the Rockies last week in San Francisco, it's safe to say Colorado has revenge on their mind.

The Giants lead the Rockies by a game-and-a-half in the NL West.

The defending World Champs earned a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs in a rain-shortened game Friday night, the Giants' first rain-shortened contest since June 4, 2009 at Washington. Sunday's game against the Cubbies was postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on June 28 in Chicago.

San Francisco has held possession of first place for the last five days after spending the previous 28 days in either second or third place.

The Gigantes are one of the hottest teams in the Majors, having won 9 of their last 11 games. They have won four of their last five series, beginning April 26 at Pittsburgh. The Giants are 8-3-1 (won-loss-split) in series play overall this season and they have won four of their last five series on the road, too.

One of the trademarks of this year's Giants team has been their ability to come back and win games in which they have been behind. The club has 11 come-from-behind victories this year, which is tied for fourth-most in the big leagues.

Against their NL West foes, San Francisco is 14-7 so far this year, going 8-1 at home and 6-6 on the road. They are currently in a stretch of playing 10 of 12 games vs. NL West opponents and have gone 7-1 during this stretch. The two games against the Cubs are the only two which were not against division rivals.

The Rockies, meanwhile, are coming off a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres.

After winning the first game, they dropped the final two games of the series and have not won consecutive home games since winning four straight home games against the Diamondbacks, Dodgers and Cubs April 2-15. After Sunday's rubber match loss against the Padres, Colorado is now just 1-5 in deciding games this season, 1-3 at home.

Things have gotten so bad at Coors Field for the Rockies lately, that they have failed to win a home series since taking two-out-of-three against the Cubs April 15-17. Colorado has won just one series against an NL West foe this season, a two-game sweep over Los Angeles April 5-6. The six-run lead the Rockies surrendered in Saturday's loss to the Padres is the largest lead to lose in a loss since the club surrendered an eight-run lead on may 30, 2008 at Wrigley Field.

Previous match-ups:
The Giants have beaten the Rockies in 5 of the 6 previous games they have played against each other this season. The two teams split their series, 9-9, last year.

Rankings:
Avg. -- Rockies .238 (2nd in NL West, 10th in NL); Giants .236 (3rd in NL West, 11th in NL)
Runs -- Rockies 168 (1st in NL West, 4th in NL); Giants 135 (5th in NL West, 15th in NL)
HR -- Rockies 36 (2nd in NL West, 5th in NL); Giants 30 (3rd in NL West, 8th in NL)
ERA -- Giants 3.31 (1st in NL West, 3rd in NL); Rockies 3.91 (3rd in NL West, 8th in NL)

Injury watch:
Giants -- Third baseman Pablo Sandoval (fractured hamate bone in right wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list April 30. He had surgery May 3. He fielded grounders May 10 while wearing a cast. He expects to be out until mid-June. Southpaw Barry Zito (strained right foot) went on the 15-day disabled list April 17. He did some flat-ground throwing May 7-8, and he threw a bullpen session May 11. He is likely to throw another bullpen session in mid-May. Right-handed reliever Santiago Casilla (right elbow inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. Casilla threw a bullpen session April 22 for the first time since he was injured on Opening Day. He was continuing his rehab at the Giants' Scottsdale, Ariz., facility in late April. He began a rehab assignment with Class A San Jose on May 13.

Rockies -- First baseman Todd Helton (sore left calf) left the May 13 game and is day-to-day. Center fielder Dexter Fowler (sore left knee) left the May 10 game. He pinch-hit May 12, and pinch-ran on May 13. He is day-to-day. Right-hander Jason Hammel (sore left calf) was hit by a line drive May 10. He expects to start May 15. Utility man Ty Wigginton (strained left oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 27. He took batting practice May 8, and he began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Colorado Springs on May 12. He was activated May 13. Starter Esmil Rogers (strained right lat muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 2. He experienced pain during a long-toss session May 10, but an MRI found no major damage. He will restart a throwing program during the week of May 16-22. Righty Aaron Cook (broken right ring finger) caught his finger in a door March 10. He went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 14. Cook threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on April 20 in Scottsdale, Ariz., then threw a 60-pitch bullpen session April 26. He threw batting practice April 30. He's threw a light bullpen May 1 and then threw a 30-pitch, two-inning simulated game at Chase Field on May 4. He pitched in an extended spring training game May 10, and he is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class-AA Tulsa on May 14. He is expected to be ready to be activated in early June.

Weather: (courtesy of The Weather Channel)
Monday -- Mostly sunny, High 73/Low 49, 10% chance of precipitation
Tuesday -- Isolated thunderstorms, High 68/Low 47, 30% chance of rain

Rockies Twitter list:
Click here for a list of Colorado Rockies bloggers and beat writers who are on Twitter.

Monday: Tim Lincecum (3-3, 2.11) vs. Clayton Mortensen (0-0, 0.00), 7:15 p.m. PDT, CSN Bay Area/KNBR 680 AM

Lincecum was scheduled to get start on Sunday against the Cubs, but the game was rained out. The Giants' right-hander will now pitch Monday against the Rockies. Lincecum has had a couple of sub-par outings this season, but for the most part has been his usual stellar self. Lincecum was impressive in his last start (Tuesday, against the Arizona Diamondbacks). But so was counterpart Ian Kennedy, who matched Timmy with eight scoreless frames.

Neither pitcher walked away with a decision as the game was decided in the ninth inning. The Diamondbacks didn't get their first hit off Lincecum until Kennedy singled with one out in the sixth. The former Cy Young winner allowed four hits and two walks, while striking out nine.

Lincecum enters Monday's game with an active scoreless streak of 17.0 innings, dating back to his start on April 29 at Washington. He?s blanked opponents over his last two starts, tossing seven shutout frames on
May 4 at New York and then eight scoreless innings in his last start on Tuesday vs. Arizona. The longest scoreless streak of Lincecum's career is 29 innings, last accomplished in 2009.

Lincecum has been a road warrior this season, allowing just five earned runs in 35.2 innings pitched (1.26 ERA). His road ERA is the third-lowest in the Majors. He has pitched at least seven innings in all five of his road contests, all of which are quality starts. He has also held his opponents to a .180 average against for the fourth-lowest mark among NL pitchers in road outings.
The Denver Post reports that Mortensen will remain in the rotation for the time being and is scheduled to pitch again Monday night against the Giants. Mortensen is filling in for the injured Esmil Rogers, who experienced pain in his injured lat muscle while throwing long toss on Tuesday and is expected to undergo an MRI.
Tuesday: Jonathan Sanchez (2-2, 3.55) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (0-3, 6.67), 12:45 p.m. PDT, CSN Bay Area/KNBR 680 AM

Sanchez picked up his first win since April 19 in his start against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. He pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits in the 4-3 victory. He gave up two runs over his first three frames, before surrendering a solo homer to Henry Blanco in the fourth for his final run. Sanchez struck out seven and walked two while picking up his third win of the season.

Sanchez gave up five runs on five hits with six walks in his previous outing against the New York Mets on May 5, but other than that, he has pitched extremely well so far this season. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in seven of his eight starts, while striking out 53 in 44 innings pitched. The left-hander's next start is scheduled for Monday against the Rockies. Sanchez is 4-4 with a 5.23 ERA in 19 appearances (12 starts) in his career against Colorado.
The Denver Post reports that Mortensen will remain in the rotation for the time being and is scheduled to pitch again Monday night against the Giants. Mortensen is filling in for the injured Esmil Rogers, who experienced pain in his injured lat muscle while throwing long toss on Tuesday and is expected to undergo an MRI.
Keys to the series:
For the Giants to win this two-game series, Lincecum will need to continue throwing like he has lately and hope the G-men can score a couple of runs for him. Or at the very least, outhit the Rockies. San Francisco is 16-2 this year when they outhit their opponents and only 2-11 when they're outhit. Scoring four runs or more will help, too. The Giants are 13-4 when scoring four or more and 9-13 when they score three or less runs.

Sanchez looked good in his last start, striking out seven while walking just two. If he keeps the bases on balls to a minimum, the Giants should be able to beat a very beatable Jimenez.

Prediction:
The Giants will win both games at Coors Field this week. My year-to-date record on perfectly predicting series outcomes: 6-6.

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Orioles Take Series From Rays; Closing on the
Quarter-Mark of the Season...

post from Oriole Post - Baltimore Orioles Analysis & News; The World of Baseball and Beyond on 15 May 2011 10:01:49 PM. © Oriole Post - Baltimore Orioles Analysis & News; The World of Baseball and Beyond

The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, 9-3, to take the three-game series down in St. Petersburg, Fla.

After a bad week, they have won five out of their last six games and neutralized a Rays? team that was fairly hot. Baltimore is now 19-20 on the season, and after what we all saw last year, what a difference it is.

The Orioles may not be contenders yet, but they have played solid baseball over the past week.

Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (5-1) went six innings against the Rays, allowing just two runs in yet another excellent outing by Baltimore hurler on the mound.

Meanwhile, for the second straight day the offense got going as J.J. Hardy hit a grand slam home run in the in the sixth inning. Since Hardy?s return, he?s been in the middle of everything and has been a spark in the lineup. Robert Andino did a good job; however, with Hardy back in the lineup, he?s had his hand in several key moments during the week.

The Orioles at the plate got 15 hits and Derrek Lee drove in two runs.

The batters for Baltimore would punish Tampa Bay starter Andy Sonnanstine (0-1) and his bullpen on the afternoon.

Nick Markakis ? who had three hits on the day and raised his batting average to .245 ? slammed his fourth homer of the season in the fourth inning.

Vladmir Guerrero and Brian Roberts both had two hits. Matt Wieters ? who had three hits and Mark Reynolds each drove in runs.

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Posada apologizes to Yankees after spat (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 15 May 2011 09:09:23 PM. © MLB News Blog

Jorge Posada apologized to the New York Yankees on Sunday in face-to-face conversations with manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman, saying simply, “I had a bad day,” and it boiled over into a messy public spat with the team. “All the frustration came out,” Posada said.

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Dodgers Score A Run!

post from LADodgerTalk.com - Daily Dodger Talk, LA Dodger News, Dodger Minor League Reports and Dodger Rumors on 15 May 2011 09:01:21 PM. © LADodgerTalk.com - Daily Dodger Talk, LA Dodger News, Dodger Minor League Reports and Dodger Rumors

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TCB In Stitches: Stitch N' Pitch Day At MMP

HOUSTON - MAY 14: Carlos Lee #45 of the Houston Astros rounds third base after hitting a home run in the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Minute Maid Park on May 14, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Carlos Lee wasn't the only one showing off his craft on Saturday. It was also Stitch N' Pitch Day at Minute Maid Park.

Stitch N' Pitch is a program of the National NeedleArts Association. http://www.stitchnpitch.com/default.asp It encourages people to knit, crochet, cross-stitch, embroider, and needlepoint at baseball games. Events are held at both major and minor league games across the country. (And internationally, as they have an event at a Toronto Bluejays game in July.)

I'm guessing that for the most part, TCB readers are not going to be knitters or crocheters. This story may seem like fluff. Really, though, if you want to share the love of baseball with the casual fan, you have to find ways to do it. Peanuts and crackerjacks aren't going to cut it. Programs like Stitch N' Pitch provide opportunities to expand baseball's fan base.

The thought of stitching, especially knitting, may conjure up images of your grandma knitting an over-sized sweater while sitting in a rocking chair. Stereotypes aside, stitching has been revived in the twenty-first century with books like Stitch ‘N Bitch, The Happy Hooker, Stitch Graffiti, and Subversive Cross Stitch. Crafters are men and women, young and old. And, stitchers are trading the rocking chair for stadium seats.

Stitching is a welcome boredom buster at baseball games. It keeps the hands busy while still allowing them to socialize and watch the game.

As far as sporting events go, baseball is certainly one of the most stitch friendly. Baseball is a slow paced game, and for the most part, there isn't a whole lot of standing up for fans. Crafters aren't going to get jostled around by other fans. (Unless they stitch the opposing team logo!) Stitching is also a great activity to do while watching games at home too.

For inspiration, I used http://www.myphotostitch.com/ to create a cross-stitch pattern for The Crawfish Boxes logo.

TCB Logo Cross Stitch Pattern

Stitch away!

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Sunday Pebble Report: Cook starts rehab, while
Modesto continues to make up for lost time on offense

Aaron Cook is back in action in Tulsa.

Colorado Springs: L 11-16

The Sky Sox first three hitters, Eric Young, Charlie Blackmon and Chris Nelson each got aboard at least three times and combined for five stolen bases and six runs scored. That's usually a good sign a team's on it's way to victory, but the ball's been carrying of late in the Springs and elsewhere in the Pacific Coast League, in Saturday's contest the production turned out to be just a day to pad the season stats. The offensive players are doing exactly what we'd want, but it's very difficult to gauge how ready they are for MLB play, as it seems the gap between the quality of the NL and PCL pitching has widened considerably over the last two years. 10.86 runs/game are getting scored in the PCL in 2011, compared to 8.36 in the NL, a difference of 2.5 runs a game. In 2009, the PCL averaged 9.76 runs, and the NL averaged 8.86, or less than one run a game difference. For yesterday's contest, the Sky Sox scored all 11 of their runs off of one of Kansas City's plethora of stud prospects, Mike Montgomery, so that's a good sign, but I still don't know how much I trust the results in a season like this.

Tulsa: L 3-4

Aaron Cook pitched a four inning rehab assignment for Tulsa and gave up four runs on six hits with two walks and just one strikeout. It might take a couple of starts before we get a really good read on where Cook's at, so don't put too much stock into this result. The good news was that what outs Cook did record, he recorded on the ground, save for that one K. Joey Williamson pitched four scoreless innings in relief of Cook, allowing just a single and a walk and striking out six. This is the third time he's faced this same Arkansas team this season, sandwiching a six run (two earned) 2.2 IP outing at home between two scoreless four inning appearances on the road.

Tim Wheeler hit his 11th HR of the season and had two hits overall in the loss. Given how often he strikes out, Wheeler's been pushing the upper limit of what we'd consider plausible from a hitter at his age and level. To get any better, he'd have to make more contact, and who knows how that would affect other parts of his game. Since the K rate isn't at a particularly alarming level, it's probably safe to put him on a promotion watch to AAA at some point in the next few weeks. Should Eric Young Jr. or Charlie Blackmon get promoted to the majors, it would create the necessary OF void in Colorado Springs for Wheeler to fill.

Modesto: W 11-2

Chad Bettis continues to pitch very well. Delta Cleary had four hits. Mike Zuanich hit his ninth home run of the season and Kent Matthes also contributed three hits. I'm going to skip going in depth on all of these guys and go somewhere else, though.

I don't know if we talk enough about 2010 second round pick Josh Rutledge because he's an infielder without power, and he had a rough start in Tri-City last season, but he's turned up his performance in May even with the aggressive promotion to Modesto to start the year, and seems he may be getting the knack of professional baseball, turning into a decent contact/on base threat. If he can keep his K rate and BB rate equal around this 15% level and continue to provide that plus glove up the middle, he could be looked at as another Jonathan Herrera type. I had him in my off season PuRPs list, and it's going to be hard for me to leave him off this one, as he's responding pretty well to the challenge of High A less than a year after being drafted.

Asheville: L 4-5

Four Tourists hit four solo home runs off Lexington starter Carlos Quevedo, but Asheville also whiffed 13 times against him in six innings without a walk as he put up an Edwar Cabrera-esque line against the Tourists. Helder Velazquez, Chandler Laurent, Corey Dickerson and Bryce Massanari were the four to homer, while Velazquez, Kyle Parker, Russell Wilson and Cristhian Adames were the four Tourists who had three K's.

Erik Stavert started for the Tourists and had a decent outing, allowing four runs, two earned and struck out six in seven innings. Bruce Kern has had a solid year so far, but allowed a run in two innings to take the loss.