The Return of Jair Jurrjens

People look at Jair Jurrjens’ starts in different ways, even the good ones. Some see the difference between Jurrjens’ good outings and poor outings as nothing more than finding a lot of gloves and not finding a lot of gloves. There is some truth to this, because Jurrjens doesn’t strike out a lot of batters, [...]

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Giants rally past As 5-4 in 9th, rescue Lincecum
(Yahoo! Sports)

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Brandon Belt hit a tying two-run double and scored on Hector Sanchez’s single during a four-run ninth inning, and the San Francisco Giants rallied past the Bay Area rival Oakland Athletics 5-4 on Friday night.

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Yankees rally falls short against Mets (Yahoo!
Sports)

NEW YORK (AP) Justin Turner cranked up Frank Francisco’s new theme song, Project Pat’s ”Chicken Head,” as soon the New York Mets closer entered the clubhouse.

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Northcraft Tosses A No-Hitter, Miller Tosses A
Gem, and Lipka, Ahmed, And Peraza Have Big Days In Friday's Atlanta Braves Minor League Action

Aaron Northcraft struck out 10 in a 7 inning no-hitter in the second game of a doubleheader, Matt Lipka and Nick Ahmed also had big days for Lynchburg, Jarrett Miller had a great start for Rome, and Jose Peraza had another great day in the GCL.

Gwinnett Braves 2, Syracuse Chiefs 6

• Jose Constanza LF 2-5, 2B, .287 AVG
• Felix Pie RF 1-3, RBI, BB, SB (7), .281 AVG
• Ruben Gotay 3B 2-4, .167 AVG
• Yohan Flande 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 3.87 ERA

Jose Constanza had a pair of hits, including a double, and in his last 6 games, he's gone 9-27 with 2 walks. Felix Pie reached base twice and swiped his seventh bag of the season. He extended his hitting streak to 6 games, going 8-20 with a triple, 3 RBI, a walk, and 4 steals in that span. Ruben Gotay had 2 hits for the second straight night, making him 5-12 in his last 3 games. Yohan Flande took the loss, despite making a quality start, allowing 2 earned runs over 6 innings. In his last 3 starts, he has a 2.65 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP in 17 innings.

Julio Teheran will face the Chiefs Saturday night.

Mississippi Braves 0, Birmingham Barons 3

• Phil Gosselin 2B 1-3, 2B, BB, E (10), .260 AVG
• Tim Smith DH 2-4, .321 AVG
• Gary Moran 7 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 3.16 ERA
• Mark Lamm 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K, 3.18 ERA

Gary Moran took the loss despite pitching well, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, over 7 innings. Tim Smith had a pair of singles, extending his hitting streaks to 6 games. During that span, he's gone 9-25 with 4 RBI. Phil Gosselin had a double and a walk, making him 2-7 with 2 doubles, 2 walks, and a RBI in his his last 2 games after going 0-12 in the previous 3 games. Todd Cunningham and Keenan Wiley both went hitless ending their hitting streaks.

Zeke Spruill will take on the Barons tomorrow.

Lynchburg Hillcats 4, Salem Red Sox 3, 11 innings, Game 1

• Matt Lipka CF 3-5, .272 AVG
• Nick Ahmed SS 4-4, 2 2B, 3B, RBI, .272 AVG
• Myke Jones LF 2-5, 2 2B, .238 AVG
• Chris Masters 6 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 3 K, 6.19 ERA
• Cole McCurry 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 K, 0.00 ERA
• Ryne Harper 2.1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 0.00 ERA
• Chasen Shreve 0.2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K, W (3), 1.53 ERA

The Hillcats and Red Sox were only scheduled to play 7 innings in this one, but it took 11 to determine a winner, with Matt Weaver singling in Myke Jones for the walkoff win. Jones had 2 doubles in the game after only having 3 in his first 37 games with Lynchburg. Chris Masters made his third start with the HIllcats, and it was his best one, a quality start that saw him allow 3 earned runs in 6 innings, though he did allow 4 walks. Cole McCurry made his debut in the Braves organization after being purchased from the Orioles, allowing just 1 walk in 2 scoreless innings. Ryne Harper struck out 2 in 2.1 scoreless innings, and he's now thrown 7.1 scoreless in 4 appearances with Lynchburg. Chasen Shreve picked up the win with his 10th straight scoreless appearnce. The 21 year old lefty has struck out 15 over 14.1 innings in that span. Nick Ahmed went 4-4 with a pair of doubles and a triple to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. During that span, he's gone 21-58 with 7 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, 9 RBI, and 2 steals.

Lynchburg Hillcats 3, Salem Red Sox 0, Game 2

• Matt Lipka CF 1-3, RBI, SB (12), .273 AVG
• Tommy La Stella DH 1-3, HR (5), RBI, .270 AVG
• Chad Comer C 1-2, 2B, .189 AVG
• Aaron Northcraft 7 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 10 K, W (7), 3.38 ERA

Aaron Northcraft pitched a no-hitter, allowing just 2 walks and striking out 10 over 7 innings. The 22 year old righthander is now tied for second in the league with 7 wins and 78 strikeouts. June has been very good for him, as he's allowed a 1.04 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP in 26 innings over 4 starts. Matt Lipka combined to go 4-8 with a RBI and a stolen base in the double header. Tommy La Stella hit his fifth homer of the year and his first in June, combining to drive in 3 runs in the doubleheader. Chad Comer snapped a 0-10 slump in his last 3 games with a double. Nick Ahmed went hitless in the second game, ending his 14 game hitting streak, though he did steal his 21st base of the season, good for second in the league.

Rome Braves 4, Asheville Tourists 2

• Tony Mueller PR-LF 2-3, 2B, RBI, SB (15), .266 AVG
• Robby Hefflinger LF-1B 1-4, 2B, 3 RBI, E (3), .243 AVG
• Chase Anselment RF 1-4, .143 AVG
• Jarrett Miller 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K, W (4), 4.08 ERA
• Ronan Pacheco 2 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 0.00 ERA
• John Cornely 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K, SV (4), 4.45 ERA

Jarrett Miller made his second start of the year, and it was a great one, as he struck out 6 and allowed just 1 earned run over 6 innings. It was a nice comeback for him after allowing 4 earned runs in 3.2 innings his last time out. Ronan Pacheco allowed a 7.82 ERA, a 2.72 WHIP, 14.9 H/9, and 9.6 BB/9 in 25.1 innings for Lynchburg, which led to his demotion to Rome. He pitched well in his first game with his old team, allowing 1 unearned run in 2 innings. John Cornely picked up the save for the second straight night, and he's struck out 2 in 2.1 innings over those 2 appearances. Tony Mueller had a pair of hits, including a double, drove in a run, and stole his 15th base of the season. In his last 6 games, the 22 year old has gone 8-25 with a double, 4 RBI, and 2 steals. Robby Hefflinger drove in 3 runs with a fifth inning double, making him 8-24 with 3 doubles and 4 RBI in his last 6 games. Chase Anselment singled for the first hit of his professional career.

Danville Braves 9, Bristol White Sox 8

• Levi Hyams 2B 1-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, BB, .182 AVG
• Josh Elander C 1-3, 2B, RBI, BB, .400 AVG
• Aris Alcantara 1B 2-4, 2 RBI, BB, SB (2), .400 AVG
• Edison Sanchez LF 2-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, .273 AVG
• Kurt Fleming CF 1-2, 2B, 2 BB, OF Assist, .200 AVG
• Rafael Briceno 5.1 IP, 8 R, 7 ER, 10 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 11.81 ERA
• Charlie Robertson 1.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 2.45 ERA
• Nathan Hyatt 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K, W (1), 0.00 ERA
• Alex Wilson 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K, SV (1), 0.00 ERA

Levi Hyams drove in 3 runs and hit the first homer of his career, giving him 5 RBI in 3 games this season. Aris Alcantara had 2 hits and a steal for the second straight day, making him 4-7 with 4 RBI in those 2 games. Edison Sanchez hit his first homer of the year, and he's back in Danville making the transition from first base to left field. Kurt Fleming reached base 3 times and threw out a runner at home from center field. Rafael Briceno was awful for Rome this year, posting a 6.55 ERA, a 1.69 WHIP, and 12.7 H/9 in 67.1 innings. Things didn't get much better for the 21 year old Venezuelan in his first start with Danville, as he allowed 8 runs, 7 earned, in 5.1 innings of work. Nathan Hyatt, the Braves 13th round selection this year, picked up the win in his professional debut, striking out 3 in a perfect inning of work. Alex Wilson picked up the first save of his career, and he now has 3 strikeouts in 2 scoreless innings over 2 games.

GCL Braves 7, GCL Pirates 14

• Jose Peraza SS 4-5, 3B, 2 SB (5, 6), .429 AVG
• Cody Livesay CF 2-4, RBI, BB, .364 AVG
• Hector Garcia DH 2-5, 2 RBI, .214 AVG
• Chad Rodgers 0.1 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 0 K, 27.00 ERA
• Jaden Dillon 3 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 3.00 ERA

Jose Peraza was the top player for the Braves in the DSL last year, and he's working on earning the same honor in the GCL this year, rapping out 4 hits, including a triple, and stealing 2 bases for the second straight day. In his last 2 games, the 18 year old Venezuelan has gone 7-9 with a walk and 4 steals. Cody Livesay reached base 3 times today, and the 2011 42nd rounder has recorded a hit in all 3 games he's played in this year. Hector Garcia had his first multi-hit game of the season, and he's driven in 5 runs in his last 2 games. Chad Rodgers' recovery from Tommy John surgery hit a snag today, as he allowed 4 earned runs and only recorded a single out. Jaden Dillon, the Braves 29th round pick this year, made his professional debut, allowing 1 earned run over 3 innings, striking out 3.

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-tosses-a-gem-and-lipka-ahmed-and

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Royals Provide Plenty of Laughs in Blowout Loss
to Cardinals

Before the game tonight, comedians Rob Riggle, Jason Sudiekis, and Paul Rudd hosted a celebrity wiffle ball game that included the likes of George Wendt, Eric Stonestreet, Olivia Wilde, and Johnny Knoxville. The game went so well, the Royals invited the trio of hosts to pitch that evening's ballgame against the St. Louis Cardinals. While there was some confusion as the Cardinals protested that it was against the rules to have three pitchers on the mound at the same time, there was apparently a loophole in MLB rules if the stunt was done for comedic purposes.

The stunt did indeed provide belly-laughs as the Cardinals battered around the amateur athletes. Riggle, Sudeikis, and Rudd managed to give up seven runs in just over an inning of work, an astoundingly awful performance that surely any professional pitcher worth a hill of beans could have improved upon. While southpaw Jason Sudeikis did manage to stifle some of the left-handed hitters, Riggle struggled with his command, while Rudd seemingly did not know the rules of the game, often attempting to "pitch" to the wrong base.

Royals players were good sports about the comedic festivities, and went along with it by giving a performance worthy of the Washington Generals. Salvador Perez, having missed the memo on the event while rehabbing in Omaha, did collect two hits including a home run in his return. But Jeff Francoeur was more than willing to go along with playing the fool, going 0-4, delighting the fans with his knucklehead antics.

Already there is talk of a sequel, with a release date as early as tomorrow night.

Poll

Who makes you laugh more?

• Rob Riggle
• Paul Rudd
• Jason Sudeikis
• Ned Yost

  29 votes | Results

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Rockies Get 12 Hits But Only 1 Run In Loss:
Rangers 4, Rockies 1

By and large, the Rockies were getting opportunities against Roy Oswalt. Though the veteran struck out 9 Rockies, Oswalt also allowed 9 hits (3 for extra bases) and a walk against Colorado in 6.2 innings. The problem was that Colorado had trouble getting a couple of them to happen in a row.

It wasn't until a two out triple by Dexter Fowler immediately followed by a double by Marco Scutaro in the 7th that Colorado got on the board. Wilin Rosario led Colorado with 3 hits, including a double, while Todd Helton and Chris Nelson both had 2. Overall, the 6-8 hitters for Colorado went 7-12 on the day, but had no runs or RBI to show for it. Pretty frustrating, I dare say.

Christian Friedrich took the loss (4-4) and allowed all 4 runs, but he managed to go 6 innings in just 73 pitches. On the night Friedrich allowed 7 hits (2 of them homers to pretty much the exact same place) and walked 1 while punching out 4. Guillermo Moscoso was impressive in throwing 2 hitless innings and striking out 4.

I certainly wasn't expecting a Rockies win tonight against baseball's best team, but you generally will put up a lot more than 1 run if you have 12 hits.

---

26 - 43

Games Back: 15.5

Streak: Lost 1

Games Left: 93

---

Tomorrow the 4 man rotation experiment gets its first 2 timer in Josh Outman, so there's that.

Graph: Never in doubt...

Source: FanGraphs

We Salute: Rosario (.032), Moscoso (.029)

We Are Disappointed In: Everyone else

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Wild Pitch! 06/23/12

• Submit your own funny caption to this weeks photo in the comment section below, just keep it PG-13 and under.
• Feel free to rec the comments you want nominated (click "actions" then "rec").
• A tally of wins is posted on the right side of the main page.
• Authors are not eligible
• At the end of the season, the person with the most wins will receive the Official Fish Stripes "Caption of the Ship Award!"

This games photo: Hanley attempting to catch a foul ball.

The 05/13/12 winner is...BacksThePack (His birth certificate said he was 16 when we signed him).

You will receive 1 point. Congratulations!

Last games nominees are finzrule and Jigokusabre.
Last games photo: Melky Cabrera is looked at by a trainer after being hit in the mouth.

Poll

Which caption was best?

• Okay, this is going to hurt... alot...
• The cheek swab really helped CSI Miami solve the case of the stolen base.

  1 votes | Results

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http://www.fishstripes.com/2012/6/22/3111943/wild-pitch-06-23-12

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Astros Fall 2-0 Despite Harrell's 9 K, 2 Hit
Performance

The first batter of the game, Shin-Soo Choo (gezhundheit!), reached third on a triple that replays showed might have been foul. The next batter plated him on a sacrifice fly. If you turned the game off at this point, you did not miss much scoring, but you did miss a great ball game.

Pitching

Yes, the Astros lost for the umpteenth time in a row, but the pitcher of the game was not the winning pitcher. Indians' starter Ubaldo Jimenez recalled shades of 2010 when he led the majors in Win % by throwing 6-2/3 innings, giving up only four hits and four walks while striking out eight. But Astros starter Lucas Harrell outpitched him, giving up only two hits and three walks while striking out an astounding nine.

I'll write that again, in case you missed it. Nine strikeouts.

• Before tonight, Harrell was averaging only 4.4 strikeouts per nine innings. At 5.85 Innings per Game for the season so far, that means Harrell was averaging 2.86 strikeouts per appearance.
• Tonight, Harrell had a rate of 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings. That's a 264% better strikeout rate than his yearly average. That's four more strikeouts for Harrell than the number of pitchers used by Astros manager Brad Mills tonight. That's three more strikeouts than Joe Smith, Vinnie Pestano, Chris Perez, Wesley Wright, David Carpenter, Fernando Abad, and Francisco Rodriguez combined.

The Umpire's strike zone was a teensy bit generous, but most of the strikes Harrell generated were on swings, not borderline calls. His sinker was destructive tonight, sweeping down and away from the batters and generating a beaucoup of silly-looking swings. His only struggles came from a bases-loaded jam after two walks in the seventh. More on that below.

Hitting

Once again, the Astros could not escape the strikeout bug (twelve). The loudest hit of the day came on a Brian Bogusevic double immediately after his defensive gem (again, more on that below), and Chris Johnson had two of the Astros' four total hits. The eighth inning got exciting with three warning-track outs against Pestano, who may have the greatest name in baseball right now. But nothing came of the inning.

Defense

The play of the game came on a double play outfield assist by Bogusevic. He caught a ball in deep foul territory then launched a strike to Chris Snyder at the plate, who tagged out Carlos Santana in the spikes. It was not even close. That double play ended a bases-loaded seventh inning, preserving Harrell's statistical masterpiece. The other great play came on a behind-the-back snow cone catch by Johnson in foul territory in the eighth. The only bonehead moment was in the ninth, when Snyder called off Johnson on a pop foul at home, seemed to lose the ball in the roof, let it drop behind him, then glared at Johnson as if it was somehow his fault. That runner eventually came around to score the second run of the game.

Box Score

Here is the scorecard my wife took during the game

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-k-2-hit-performance

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Jurrjens Wins In Return, Braves End Red Sox
Winning Streak With 4-1 Victory

Jair Jurrjens may have had trouble getting minor league hitters out, but he had no problem with the Red Sox.

In his first start since being recalled, Jurrjens dominated Boston's hitters into the eighth inning and ended their five-game winning streak, winning 4-1.

Jurrjens gave up a first-inning single to Adrian Gonzalez, but the Sox could manage little else against him. He issued a walk to Daniel Nava in the third inning and hit Will Middlebrooks in the fifth, but that's it. No one hitter reached second base through seven innings against Jurrjens.

While Jurrjens was handling the Red Sox hitters, Braves hitters were hitting Jon Lester. They had four hits but no runs through the first three innings, but with two on in the fourth, a Matt Diaz groundout plated the first run and a double off the bat of Andrelton Simmons scored another for a 2-0 lead. Simmons added a sacrifice fly in the sixth following Jason Heyward's leadoff double. Lester was chased after seven innings, having allowed 10 hits.

Boston finally cracked the scoreboard in the eighth with doubles by Middlebrooks leading off the inning and Nava with two outs to score Middlebrooks. Nava's double chased Jurrjens, who only allowed three hits and struck out four. Heyward and Martin Prado each had three hits with Heyward smacking a pair of doubles.

Atlanta added a run in the ninth on Freddie Freeman's two-out single off Mark Melancon, and Craig Kimbrel shut the door in the ninth for his 21st save.

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ed-sox-winning-streak-with-4-1

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1999 Topps Florida Marlins Team Set

1999 Topps Florida Marlins Team Set Time to show off another Florida Marlins team set that I was able to pick up. This one comes from the 1999 Topps issue, and it has a nice Golden flare to it. And … Continue reading →

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