Royals Fall to Trumbo, Angels 4 - 3

Early on in this game, it seemed as though we fans were going to get treated to a The Godfather, Part III follow-up to last night's equivalent to The Godfather, Part II. It didn't end up being that bad, but today's game certainly wasn't a good one.

Will Smith and the Royals yielded four runs in the first two innings without batting an eyelash. Smith ended up limiting the damage his original organization did to the Royals to just those four runs. Despite the fact that the Royals would score single runs in the bottom of the second, third, and fourth innings, they were never able to seize the lead from the visiting Orange County Haves, managing a scant three base-runners over the final five frames.

The Angels' bullpen, for their part, shut down the Royals' offensive attack, finishing out the final 3 1/3 innings with startling efficiency. Being called upon to close today as last night's goat Ernesto Frieri was unavailable, Kevin Jepsen needed to throw just twelve pitches to get through the inning, thanks in part to Jarrod Dyson erasing himself from the basepaths in his pinch-running opportunity after sliding into second safely only to slide past the bag while Howie Kendrick kept his glove atop Dyson's leg.

In the dong hanging department, only Tony Abreu matched the Angels' Mark Trumbo, but his occurred when there were no runners on base, whereas Trumbo had two teammates aboard.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.royalsreview.com/2012/9/16/3343102/royals-fall-to-trumbo-angels-4-3

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Why Isn't The Braves Organist Playing Intro Songs
For Opposing Batters

One of the great joys of watching the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field the past few years has been listening to the organist -- especially as opposing batters are coming up to bat. In a good use of home field advantage, the Braves organist, Matthew Kaminski, plays an organ tune for each opposing batter that has to do with their name, usually something playfully derogatory.

It's a nice inside secret thing to know when you go to the park, and fun to sit there with friends and try to guess why he's playing a particular song for each player. Kaminski also uses social media, mostly Twitter, to ask fans for suggestions for songs to play.

This weekend, however, the organ has been quiet as opposing batters have come up to bat. There was a great deal of consternation on Twitter from fans wondering why no organ songs were welcoming opposing batters. So I asked Matthew what had happened, and this was his response:

With our NL East Division rivals in town this weekend, we've decided to try something different and create a mood and tone that supports the serious importance of this particular series while the visiting team is at bat.

I guess I understand the reason to some degree, but I don't necessarily agree with it. Taunting opposing players is one of the few perks of home field advantage. I'm not suggesting that the musical harassment has ever gotten into an opposing player's head, but it might have; and more than that it's a part of the enjoyment of the game for the fans. We all know Atlanta fans can't be serious for nine innings, so some sort of levity needs to be injected throughout the game.

Did they cancel the tool race, or the cap shuffle? No, those sideshows are still there. But a personal taunting song for each opposing player... that's been replaced with generic "mound meeting" music.

In the grand scheme of things this is a small complaint, but it's one of the most enjoyable parts of a day at the Ted aside from the game on the field. Baseball is fun, and serious, but it's not so serious that it shouldn't be fun. Matthew's still there playing between some innings, including Take Me Out To The Ballgame, but that's not enough. Bring back the organist walkup music.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/9/16/3343044/why-isnt-the-braves-organist-playing
-intro-songs-for-opposing-batters

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The magic number

The Orioles lost last night, meaning they have only 18 games remaining in their remarkable season to get to the next level. To me the magic number is 90 wins, meaning the Orioles need only go .500 the rest of the way to meet my playoff threshold.
 
The scenario as I see it.


This is, of course, barring any unforeseen nonsense or any team getting ridiculously hot/cold. 

One wild card will come out of the west. At this point I think the Orioles west-coast cousin Athletics will make the playoffs in some capacity. The Angels are trying valiantly but I think their inconsistent play will sabotage them going forward during the remainder. The A?s are doing their damnedest to catch the Rangers, but they seem too powerful to be caught.

That leaves the Yankees, Orioles and Rays all vying for two playoff spots. At the start of play today the Birds and the Yanks are tied for first both three games ahead of the Rays. The Rays will take on the Yankees tonight and the A?s are, of course, hosting the Orioles ? each will play two more games this series.

To get to 90 wins the Yankees and Orioles both need only to win nine games, the Rays need to win 12. All teams only have 18 games to play.  While it is very reasonable to imagine the Orioles and the Yankees going .500, the Rays getting to 90 might be a bit more troublesome for them.  The Rays have only had two stretches of 12-6, or better, play this year; Once at the beginning of the season from April 12 ? May 29 (14-4) and again from August 7 ? August 24 (14-4).  While their pitching is simply second-to-none their offense continues to struggle to score runs consistently.

>>> Read More

Read The Full Article:
http://oriolepost.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-magic-number.html

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1996 HEADLINE: Paul Molitor Joins The 3,000 Hits
Club

1996 HEADLINE: Paul Molitor Joins The 3,000 Hits Club On this day in 1996, Paul Molitor collected the 3,000th hit of his major league career. On the road playing the Kansas City Royals, Molitor and his Twins teammates took the field in … Continue reading →

Read The Full Article:
http://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/1996-headline-paul-molitor-joins-the-3
000-hits-club/

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Cashman says Girardis job is not on the line

[...]

Read The Full Article:
http://bronxbaseballdaily.com/2012/09/cashman-says-girardis-job-is-not-on-the-lin
e/

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Bats power Yankees to series win against Tampa

[...]

Read The Full Article:
http://bronxbaseballdaily.com/2012/09/bats-power-yankees-to-series-win-against-ta
mpa/

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Phillies vs. Astros game thread

Another better-late-than-never game thread. We had some technical difficulties on the web site.

Another better-late-than-never game thread. We had some technical difficulties on the web site.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2012/9/16/3342606/phillies-vs-astros-game-thread

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2012 Rockies Game #145: Alex White Vs. Andrew
Werner

---

Current Series

3 game series vs Padres @ Petco Park

Fri 09/14 WP: Guillermo Moscoso (3 - 1)
SV: Rafael Betancourt
LP: Andrew Cashner (3 - 4)
7 - 4 winSat 09/15 WP: Casey Kelly (2 - 1)
SV: Luke Gregerson
LP: Drew Pomeranz (1 - 9)
3 - 4 loss

Colorado Rockies Purple Row
@ San Diego Padres Gaslamp Ball

Sunday, Sep 16, 2012, 2:05 PM MDT
Petco Park

Alex White vs Andrew Werner

---

Alex White

#6 / Pitcher / Colorado Rockies

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Aug 29, 1988

---

W-L ERA WHIP K BB2012 - Alex White2-85.181.615743

---

---

---

Andrew Werner

#41 / Pitcher / San Diego Padres

Height: 6-2

Weight: 215

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Feb 25, 1987

---

W-L ERA WHIP K BB2012 - Andrew Werner2-12.591.03238

---

---

Sunny. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80.

Complete Coverage >

---

Pitcher wins don't matter, really. I get it. Or, at least, they're not an incredibly accurate way to depict a pitcher's success. But, either way, the fact that Alex White and Drew Pomeranz are a combined 3-17 stinks. It's just a bummer.

Let's see if White can make that 4-17, and get his team one step closer to avoiding the worst season in their franchise's history.

Lineups after the jump.

---

Current Series

3 game series vs Padres @ Petco Park

Fri 09/14 WP: Guillermo Moscoso (3 - 1)
SV: Rafael Betancourt
LP: Andrew Cashner (3 - 4)
7 - 4 winSat 09/15 WP: Casey Kelly (2 - 1)
SV: Luke Gregerson
LP: Drew Pomeranz (1 - 9)
3 - 4 loss

Colorado Rockies Purple Row
@ San Diego Padres Gaslamp Ball

Sunday, Sep 16, 2012, 2:05 PM MDT
Petco Park

Alex White vs Andrew Werner

---

Alex White

#6 / Pitcher / Colorado Rockies

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Aug 29, 1988

---

W-L ERA WHIP K BB2012 - Alex White2-85.181.615743

---

---

---

Andrew Werner

#41 / Pitcher / San Diego Padres

Height: 6-2

Weight: 215

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Feb 25, 1987

---

W-L ERA WHIP K BB2012 - Andrew Werner2-12.591.03238

---

---

Sunny. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80.

Complete Coverage >

---

Pitcher wins don't matter, really. I get it. Or, at least, they're not an incredibly accurate way to depict a pitcher's success. But, either way, the fact that Alex White and Drew Pomeranz are a combined 3-17 stinks. It's just a bummer.

Let's see if White can make that 4-17, and get his team one step closer to avoiding the worst season in their franchise's history.

Lineups after the jump.

Rockies

1. Dexter Fowler (S) CF
2. Josh Rutledge (R) SS
3. Carlos Gonzalez (L) LF
4. Jordan Pacheco (R) C
5. Chris Nelson (R) 3B
6. Andrew Brown (R) RF
7. Matt McBride (R) 1B
8. DJ LeMahieu (R) 2B
9. Alex White (R) P

Padres

1. Everth Cabrera (S) SS
2. Logan Forsythe (R) 2B
3. Chase Headley (S) 3B
4. Yonder Alonso (L) 1B
5. Will Venable (L) RF
6. Cameron Maybin (R) CF
7. Alexi Amarista (L) LF
8. John Baker (L) C
9. Andrew Werner (L) P

Read The Full Article:
http://www.purplerow.com/2012/9/16/3342396/2012-rockies-game-145-alex-white-vs-an
drew-werner

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9/16 News, Links, Discussion: Braves-Nationals,
McCann Update

Game 3 vs. Nationals The Braves won 5-4 on Saturday as Andrelton Simmons was hit by a pitch to bring home the go-ahead run in the eighth. It’s just the latest example of the Braves finding new ways to win. The Braves will go for a series sweep against the Nationals tonight after going 5-10 [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CapitolAvenueClub/~3/xLQgxF0y8Bg/

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Game CXLVI Open Thread - The Angels of California
Versus The Royals of Kansas City

AL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRKChicago7866.5410Won 2Detroit7767.5341Won 4Kansas City6679.45512.5Won 1Cleveland6086.41019Lost 2Minnesota6086.41019Lost 2

(updated 9.16.2012 at 12:17 PM CDT)

---

American League Wild Card Standings

W L PCT GB STRKOakland8461.5790Won 2Baltimore8164.5583Lost 2Los Angeles7967.5415.5Lost 1Tampa Bay7867.5376Lost 2Detroit7767.5346.5Won 4Seattle7076.47914.5Won 1Kansas City6679.45518Won 1Boston6680.45218.5Won 2Toronto6579.45118.5Lost 2Cleveland6086.41024.5Lost 2Minnesota6086.41024.5Lost 2

(updated 9.16.2012 at 12:17 PM CDT)

Just two good weeks. After last night, these good weeks are all but a certainty.

Dan Haren facing off against Will Smith. Something tells me Ernesto Frieri doesn't make an appearance this afternoon.

AL Central Standings

W L PCT GB STRKChicago7866.5410Won 2Detroit7767.5341Won 4Kansas City6679.45512.5Won 1Cleveland6086.41019Lost 2Minnesota6086.41019Lost 2

(updated 9.16.2012 at 12:17 PM CDT)

---

American League Wild Card Standings

W L PCT GB STRKOakland8461.5790Won 2Baltimore8164.5583Lost 2Los Angeles7967.5415.5Lost 1Tampa Bay7867.5376Lost 2Detroit7767.5346.5Won 4Seattle7076.47914.5Won 1Kansas City6679.45518Won 1Boston6680.45218.5Won 2Toronto6579.45118.5Lost 2Cleveland6086.41024.5Lost 2Minnesota6086.41024.5Lost 2

(updated 9.16.2012 at 12:17 PM CDT)

Just two good weeks. After last night, these good weeks are all but a certainty.

Dan Haren facing off against Will Smith. Something tells me Ernesto Frieri doesn't make an appearance this afternoon.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.royalsreview.com/2012/9/16/3341956/game-cxlvi-open-thread-the-angels-o
f-california-versus-the-royals-of

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