Joba To Pitch In Trenton Today

post from Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog on 29 July 2012 06:02:35 PM. © Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog

Joba Chamberlain will make a rehab appearance in Trenton today with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate. He will enter into the game with two outs in an inning then stay in to pitch the following inning, in hopes of simulating what he would do at the major-league level. He has been placed on a limit of 30 pitches in an inning.

...

?Yeah, I feel like I?m ready,? Chamberlain said Friday. ?Obviously, physical part is over. Now it?s just the mental part of getting in a routine and trusting your pitches and trusting you can get guys out.?

It's also mentioned in the article that Trenton manager Tony Franklin was unsure how long Joba would be with the team, but it's possible Joba could remain there until Tuesday.

Check back later for an update on his outing.

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Preliminary design for a Monstrosity T-Shirt for
@fishstripes shirt store. What do you guys think...

post from Fish Stripes on 29 July 2012 06:02:31 PM. © Fish Stripes

626906550

Preliminary design for a Monstrosity T-Shirt for @fishstripes shirt store. What do you guys think? Too UM-like in color? The store sadly lack a pure black background, this is the darkest I could find.

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Fish Cap: Marlins 5, Padres 4 (10)

post from Fish Stripes on 29 July 2012 06:02:31 PM. © Fish Stripes

July 28, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins center fielder Justin Ruggiano (center) is greeted by teammates after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Marlins Park. The Marlins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Source: FanGraphs

Attendance: 27,730

Hero Of The Game: Justin Ruggiano (.315 WPA)

Goat Of The Game: Edward Mujica (-.384 WPA)

Play Of The Game: With runners on first and second and two outs in the sixth inning, Donnie Murphy hit a triple to right field that scored Justin Ruggiano and Austin Kearns and gave Miami a 4-2 lead. (.294 WPA)

Justin Ruggiano was a player that the Marlins had interest in since the start of spring training. Ruggiano decided to go to camp with Houston, but ended up not making the big league club. In the middle of May, Miami acquired the 30 year old outfielder that hadn't received an opportunity from the Astros, in exchange for a minor league catcher. Now in the lineup everyday, Ruggiano's walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th gave the Marlins their first series victory of July.

Jose Reyes began the bottom of the 10th inning with a bloop double into left field off of Padres reliever Brad Brach. With first base open, Brach intentionally walked Carlos Lee, before Ruggiano hit a single to left field for his first career walk-off hit.

Several scouts were present at Marlins Park on Sunday afternoon to watch Josh Johnson pitch. Johnson fell behind several hitters early, and coming off of what could be considered his best outing of the year against the Braves, he wasn't sharp.

San Diego took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a Mark Kotsay double. With two outs, Alexi Amarista walked and scored on the ball that Kotsay hit over the head of Austin Kearns in right field.

Lefty Clayton Richard gave the Marlins trouble early on, which is nothing new considering the Marlins' consistent struggles against lefties.

The Padres added another run off of Johnson in the fourth. Will Venable walked with one out, John Baker reached on a ball that rolled right under Jose Reyes' glove, and Logan Forsythe followed with a walk. Richard came to the plate with the bags loaded and one out and helped himself by allowing Venable to score from third on a sac fly, giving the Padres a 2-0 advantage.

Richard remained sharp, and Johnson was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the fifth. Johnson only gave up one earned run but walked a career-high six batters while striking out four over five innings. The two runners that crossed the plate against Johnson both reached on a walk.

Miami was finally able to get on the board in the sixth. Emilio Bonifacio lead off the inning with a single, and after Donovan Solano, getting a start in left field, flied out, Jose Reyes singled which allowed Bonifacio to advance to third. Bonifacio scored on a sac fly by Carlos Lee, off of San Diego reliever Dale Thayer. With Ruggiano at the plate, Reyes stole second and advanced to third on an error by John Baker. Reyes then scored on an RBI single by Ruggiano that tied the game at 2.

Ruggiano stole second, which lead the Padres to subsequently walk Austin Kearns, getting a start against the lefty Richard. Donnie Murphy, who was called up to play third after the Marlins traded Hanley Ramirez, crushed a ball to right field for a triple that gave the Marlins a 4-2 lead.

Mike Dunn retired the side in order in the 7th, but the Padres rallied against Edward Mujica in the eighth. Carlos Quentin singled on a ball that got through the hole on the left side, and University of Miami alumnus Yonder Alonso hit a two run homer to tie the game.

Heath Bell and Steve Cishek shut the door in the eighth and ninth, and Ryan Webb, who picked up the win, escaped a bases loaded, two out jam in the tenth to allow the Marlins to head to the bottom of the frame tied, before Ruggiano ended the game.

Manager Ozzie Guillen successfully used his available players, as the Marlins only had four players on the bench at the start of the game and few left in the bullpen as the game approached extra innings.

Miami begins a crucial 11 game, NL East road trip on Monday night in Atlanta. The Marlins will face the Braves, Nationals, and Mets, respectively.

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Chipper And Heyward Go Yard As Braves Sweep
Phillies 6-2

post from Talking Chop on 29 July 2012 06:02:31 PM. © Talking Chop

The old man went 'yicketty' again tonight

Atlanta knew they had a tall task ahead of them looking for the sweep today. Philadelphia sent their ace Roy Halladay to the mound, but the Braves were up to the task. The middle of the Braves order accounted for all of Atlanta's runs as Atlanta took the lead in the first and didn't look back on their way to a 6-2 win and a sweep of the Phillies.

Atlanta jumped on Halladay early, doing damage with two outs in the first. After Michael Bourn and Martin Prado grounded out, Jason Heyward ambushed Halladay. Heyward took Doc's first pitch fastball and hammered it over the right field wall for his 16th home run of the year, and a 1-0 Braves lead. Chipper followed with a single, and Freddie Freeman drew a full count walk. Dan Uggla followed with an RBI double down the left field line to make it 2-0. For Uggla, it broke an 0-21 slump.

Chipper added on in the 3rd inning, taking Halladay's first pitch out deep to right field for a 3-0 Braves lead.

The Phillies would try to close the gap, as Shane Victorino hit a solo homer in the 4th inning, and Carlos Ruiz hit an RBI single in the 6th, bringing the Phillies to within one run at 3-2. That was as close as the Phils would get, however.

Halladay came out after 6, and the Braves tacked on insurance against his replacement Jacob Diekman. Tyler Pastornicky led off with a pinch hit single, and Bourn sacrificed him to second. After a single from Prado put runners on the corners, Heyward hit a comebacker to the pitcher. Diekman couldn't corral it and all hands were safe. Pastornicky scored, making it 4-2. After Chipper's groundout moved the runners to second and third, Freeman looped a 2-out 2-RBI single over Jimmy Rollins' head to make it 6-2.

Tim Hudson didn't have his best stuff today, but, as always, battled hard. Hudson threw 107 pitches over 5.2 innings, allowing 7 hits but only 2 runs. Huddy didn't walk a man and struck out 5 to help limit the damage. Chad Durbin, Eric O'Flaherty, and Christhian Martinez closed it out with scoreless innings.

Atlanta takes on the Marlins again in a series at Turner Field, starting tomorrow. Tommy Hanson will take on Mark Buehrle at 7:10 PM EST.

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s-sweep-phillies-6-2

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Astros Trade A Player, Snap A Streak

post from The Crawfish Boxes on 29 July 2012 06:02:31 PM. © The Crawfish Boxes

July 28, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Wilton Lopez (59) throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. The Pirates defeated the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

HOUSTON – Houston ended its franchise-worst 12-game losing streak, but still lost. For the fourth time in the past 10 days, the Astros traded away a starter, sending Chris Johnson to Arizona hours before Sunday’s game. Later that day, the Astros beat Pittsburgh 9-5 in the finale of a six-game homestand.

Johnson was one of the hottest hitters in the Houston lineup before getting moved, but on Sunday, the Astros got contributions from all over the lineup. Newly acquired first baseman Steve Pearce had an RBI double, second baseman Jose Altuve had a double and a walk while Jordan Schafer added a two-run home run.

Of course, Pirates starter James McDonald helped. The right-hander entered the game with a 3-2 record and a 2.66 ERA in his career against Houston, but had problems with his control Sunday. He walked a career-high seven batters, which is two more than he’d ever walked in 115 career major league games.

Houston starter Lucas Harrell did just enough to keep Houston in the game, too. Harrell left with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth inning. Fernando Rodriguez relieved him, getting pinch hitter Andrew McCutcheon to pop up to Altuve to end the inning.

Harrell threw 5 2/3 innings, allowing five hits, two runs and three walks while striking out five. It’s the sixth time in his last seven starts that Harrell has struck out at least five batters.

Third baseman Scott Moore, starting for the traded Johnson, was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a walk. Pearce went 1 for 4 in his Astros debut, hitting into a double play in the third. Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez was 3 for 5 with two doubles, including one with the bases loaded in the seventh that scored 3 runs.

NOTES: Pearce started at first base on Sunday. In the originally posted lineup, Scott Moore was due to start there with Chris Johnson at third. However, after the trade sending Johnson to Arizona was announced 30 minutes before game time, the lineup was reshuffled and Pearce got the start. … Houston expects catcher Jason Castro to go on a rehab assignment to the Gulf Coast League Astros, based at the team’s Kissimmee training facility by the end of the week. From there, Castro is hoping to be active by the beginning of Houston’s next home stand, which is Aug. 6 against the Nationals. Castro was placed on the disabled list retroactive to July 8 due to swelling in his surgically repaired right knee. … Altuve walked twice, going 1 for 3 with a double and two runs scored. It’s just the second time in his young career that he’s had a two walk game, with the first happening on May 18 against the Rangers.

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The 2012 Cardinals' Historically Good Offense

post from Beyond the Box Score on 29 July 2012 05:02:16 PM. © Beyond the Box Score

The 2012 St. Louis Cardinals got off to a scorching hot start this season, but have since tailed off. As of today, they stand at 54-47, six and a half games back of the Cincinnati Reds. However, they've continued to impress in one specific facet of[...]

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Boras On Cano's FA Situation

post from Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog on 29 July 2012 04:00:56 PM. © Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog

From Joel Sherman:

?I had a meeting with Hal [Steinbrenner] and Randy [Levine, Yankees president] at the owners meetings [in May], and I certainly did not get any indication from them that there will be any dramatic changes in how the Yankees do business,? Boras said by phone.

And Boras did not sound like he would have much sympathy for the Yankees trying to go frugal. He cited Yankees ?revenues triple most major league teams.? But, mainly, he invoked the ?George Steinbrenner legacy? of building the brand, a TV network and revenues by enlisting and keeping stars ? no matter the cost.

?If that continues, the Yankees will still be viewed as a destination for players that is highly coveted,? Boras said.

...

Brian Cashman has said he would like to break the Yankees? practice of waiting until free agency to negotiate contracts and would prefer to attempt to extend both Cano and Curtis Granderson (like Cano, also a free agent after 2013) this offseason.

If I'm Brian Cashman there's no way I'm letting Cano walk and money shouldn't be an issue. The Yankees will be just fine. They make enough money, and there's no reason for them to start acting like the Royals when it comes to their own big name free agents, especially one who happens to be one of, if not the best second basemen in the game. That said, this isn't going to be an easy negotiation for the Yanks, at least not based on this:

However, according to a friend, Cano has felt underpaid on the current six-year, $57 million pact he signed under previous representation and wants to make a score this time ? hence the presence of Boras.

So Cano definitely is going to blow away the current second base record total package of $85 million (Chase Utley) and annual average value of $15 million (Ian Kinsler). But by how much?

Sherman speculates that even offers like $154MM for 7 years or $160MM for 8 will just be the "minimum ante" for Cano. And if you listen to Boras, it appears that he's thinking something more along the lines of $200+ million for 10 years.

?When you go to sign great players and you know you are going to get six or seven years more of greatness, you have to spend by paying more years. You may pay over 10 years for the privilege of having the great seven. That is how it goes with big franchises and acquisitions. And the Yankees under George were one of the first teams to do that.?

This is typical Boras. Set the bar so high that even the middle ground ends up being a ridiculous contract. But again, I'm not going to sit here and pretend like this is something the Yankees cannot afford. I'd prefer if the Yankees could avoid any kind of deal for more than 7 or 8 years, but at the end of the day the Yankees just need to make sure Cano remains a Yankee.

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Official Game Thread - Game CI - The Royals of
Kansas City Versus The Mariners of Seattle

post from Royals Review on 29 July 2012 04:00:54 PM. © Royals Review

Will Smith

#53 / Pitcher / Kansas City Royals

Height: 6-5

Weight: 240

Bats: R

Throws: L

Born: Jul 10, 1989

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP2012 - Will Smith2-355000027.1281919711186.261.43

Felix Hernandez

#34 / Pitcher / Seattle Mariners

Height: 6-3

Weight: 230

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Apr 08, 1986

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP2012 - Felix Hernandez9-521212200148.0132484610391472.801.16

According to Yahoo! Sports, it has been eleven years since the Mariners swept a four-game series at home. These Royals are just the team to allow them to break that streak.

I think it is safe to say that we are officially in the "we are we still watching this $#!+" portion of the season.

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Fergie Jenkins 2004 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts
Significant Swatches Game-Used Jersey Card

Fergie Jenkins 2004 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts ‘Significant Swatches’ Game-Used Jersey Card Yep, another great relic card for my Fergie Jenkins collection. It has been hard to find ‘new’ relic cards of Fergie lately. He has not been featured … Continue reading →

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Game #100: Mat Latos vs. Jonathan Sanchez

Current Series

Reds lead the series 2-0

Fri 07/27 WP: Bronson Arroyo (6 - 6)
SV: Aroldis Chapman
LP: Drew Pomeranz (1 - 6)
0 - 3 lossSat 07/28 WP: Johnny Cueto (13 - 5)
SV: Aroldis Chapman
LP: Christian Friedrich (5 - 8)
7 - 9 loss

Cincinnati Reds Red Reporter
@ Colorado Rockies Purple Row

Sunday, Jul 29, 2012, 1:10 PM MDT
Coors Field

Mat Latos vs Jonathan Sanchez

Mat Latos

#55 / Pitcher / Cincinnati Reds

Height: 6-6

Weight: 225

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Dec 09, 1987

W-L ERA WHIP K BB2012 - Mat Latos8-34.301.2710937

Jonathan Sanchez

#35 / Pitcher / Colorado Rockies

Height: 6-0

Weight: 200

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Nov 19, 1982

W-L ERA WHIP K BB2012 - Jonathan Sanchez0-111.252.5054

Partly cloudy,rain. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 90.

Complete Coverage >

Both of today's starting pitchers enter this game, the 100th of a miserable 2012 for the Rockies, searching for something. Jonathan Sanchez, who is making his second start with Colorado, is trying to find the form that made him one of baseball's better lefthanders in 2010. Mat Latos, meanwhile, continues his long journey toward finding the missing T from his first name.

Who will find what they're looking for first? My guess is Latos.

Lineups after the jump.

Reds:

1. Zack Cozart (R) SS2. Drew Stubbs (R) CF3. Brandon Phillips (R) 2B4. Jay Bruce (L) RF5. Todd Frazier (R) 3B6. Chris Heisey (R) LF7. Miguel Cairo (R) 1B8. Ryan Hanigan (R) C9. Mat Latos (R) P

Rockies:

1. Dexter Fowler (S) CF2. Josh Rutledge (R) SS3. Carlos Gonzalez (L) LF4. Michael Cuddyer (R) 1B5. Tyler Colvin (L) RF6. Ramon Hernandez (R) C7. Jordan Pacheco (R) 3B8. DJ LeMahieu (R) 2B9. Jonathan Sanchez (L) P