Shields shuts down Rangers, Rays win 4-1 (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 31 August 2011 11:11:28 PM. © MLB News Blog

James Shields pitched eight shutout innings, Johnny Damon homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the AL West-leading Texas Rangers 4-1 on Wednesday night. Shields (13-10) allowed four hits, walked one and struck out seven, giving him 1,001 for his career. He threw 110 pitches before Kyle Farnsworth finished Tampa Bay’s 10th victory in the [...]

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Lee wins sixth straight, Phils now 86-46 (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 31 August 2011 11:09:32 PM. © MLB News Blog

Cliff Lee wanted one more out. Instead, the dominating left-hander had to settle for the biggest share of another shutout, one that swept the Philadelphia Phillies to new heights. Lee got his sixth straight win on Wednesday night, coming up one out short of another complete game, and Hunter Pence homered for the second straight [...]

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Comparing Random Players

post from Royals Review on 31 August 2011 11:01:20 PM. © Royals Review

On old favorite:

Player A: 4008 career PAs, lifetime line of .269/.312/.429, OPS+ of 95,
Player B: 3238 career PAs, lifetime line of .274/.313/.421, OPS+ of 87
Player C: 3068 career PAs, lifetime line of .269/.318/.404, OPS+ of 90

Best of the bunch.

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http://www.royalsreview.com/2011/8/31/2397091/comparing-random-players-jeff-franc
oeur

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The Sweep Is Sweet: Astros 2 Pirate 0

post from The Crawfish Boxes on 31 August 2011 11:01:19 PM. © The Crawfish Boxes

Houston Astros' Jimmy Paredes (38) slides into home to score Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher James McDonald (53) covers during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Aug. 31, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

These aren't you Astros. Who is this team and who's this fellow called J.A. Happ. The Astros have swept only one other series and that was back in May against another division rival the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

J.A. Happ had a very un-Happ-like start going 7 innings posting 6 strikeouts, 1 walk and allowing 0 runs on 3 hits for his fifth win of the season. Maybe he should be called Dr. Hooton because apparently he's fixed whatever ailed Mr. Happ. As much as we rag on the guy for not being very pleasing to the eyes statistically you always root for him to have games like these, where all your statistical mumbo jumbo can be thrown out the window.

The Astros did miss some opportunities that would of blown this game open like last night. For whatever reasons they didn't have their mojo, but that's okay because they provided just enough to win.

If you like small ball this was your game as both runs scored came via a ground out and a bunt single. Jimmy Paredes was the first to score on a Humberto Quintero ground out to catcher Ryan Doumit who initially looked back Paredes at third before throwing to first, Paredes still decided to come home after the throw was made. The return throw would go eventually end up out of play allowing Paredes to score the first run. After a J.A. Happ walk, his third of the season, Jordan Schafer laid down a perfect bunt single that allowed Angel Sanchez to score.

Mark "The Shark" Melancon came in the ninth to close out the game and secure his sixteenth save of the season.

With the win the Astros now have a 47-90 record, a four game winning streak and a 5-5 record in their last 10 games. To avoid losing a 100 games this season the Astros will need to go 15-9 the rest of the way. If they continue to play like this it's very possible and certainly something to rout for.

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Braves Acquire Infielder Jack Wilson

post from Talking Chop on 31 August 2011 11:01:19 PM. © Talking Chop

Jack is back ... in the National League.

The Atlanta Braves have made their second trade of the day, acquiring infielder Jack Wilson from the Seattle Mariners. Wilson has played shortstop, third base, and second base this season, but has primarily been a shortstop in his career.

Wilson is currently hitting .249/.283/.295, and will probably serve as the backup infielder, though current Braves starting shortstop Alex Gonzalez is hitting just .228/.257/.343, so maybe Jack gets some starts. Wilson provides a decent upgrade over Julio Lugo, who is currently hitting .136/.208/.136 in very limited duty, though Lugo has a higher career OPS (.716) than Wilson (.677). Wilson is also a few years younger than Lugo.

Wilson is currently on the disabled list with a bruised left heel. He will apparently be ready to come off the DL in two to three days. According to Frank Wren, Braves scouts watched Wilson work out, and are confident he will be ready soon.

This is not too much of an upgrade over Lugo, but Lugo was clearly not doing much, so I guess the team might as well try someone else. Wilson has not pinch hit this year, but in his career he has a .452 average as a pinch hitter (14-for-31). The Braves apparently also get "cash" back from the M's, Jack is making $5 million this year, and the Braves trade their second "Player to be Named Later" of the day.

Wilson currently has the third-most games played (1,313) among active players without reaching the postseason, behind Adam Dunn and Vernon Wells (hat tip Jayson Stark). Hopefully he comes back healthy and is able to break that streak with this Atlanta team.

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http://www.talkingchop.com/2011/8/31/2397080/braves-acquire-infielder-jack-wilson

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Westbrooks slam powers Cards by Brewers (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 31 August 2011 10:57:30 PM. © MLB News Blog

Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook hit a grand slam to lead St. Louis to an 8-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night. Rafael Furcal and Albert Pujols added solo homers as the Cardinals won their fifth in six games to cut the first-place Brewers’ lead to 8 1/2 games in the NL Central.

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Red Sox improve to 11-3 against Yankees (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 31 August 2011 10:45:29 PM. © MLB News Blog

Jacoby Ellsbury hit a tie-breaking two-run homer in the sixth inning, Josh Beckett improved to 4-0 against the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox came from behind for a 9-5 win on Wednesday night. The Red Sox, who lost the series opener 5-2 on Tuesday night, extended their AL East lead over the [...]

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Derek Lowe Leads Atlanta To A 3-1 Win Over
Washington

post from Talking Chop on 31 August 2011 10:01:08 PM. © Talking Chop

Derek Lowe hit his first career home run and was great on the mound as Atlanta beat Washington.

Derek Lowe did a little bit of everything tonight as Atlanta got back on the winning track with a 3-1 victory over Washington.

Atlanta got things going in the bottom of the second inning, as Chipper Jones launched his 450th career home run into the stands just left of dead center field. Jones' homer off Nationals starter John Lannan gave the Braves an early 1-0 lead.

The Braves kept the offense going in third inning, as Lowe led off with his first career home run to left field to make it a 2-0 game.

Two batters later, Martin Prado walked and advanced to second on a passed ball. Prado moved up to third on a groundout and scored on a Dan Uggla infield single. Uggla's RBI single upped the Atlanta lead to 3-0.

The rest after the jump.

Lowe gave up his only run of the night in the seventh inning when Mike Morse led off the inning with a home run to center field. Morse's homer, his 24th of the season, cut the Braves lead to 3-1.

Morse would be the last batter Lowe faced, and he left after giving only three hits and the one run while walking only two and striking out six in what was a great outing from Lowe.

Eric O'Flaherty finished out the rest of the seventh inning without incident, and Jonny Venters threw a scoreless eighth inning.

Craig Kimbrel entered to pitch the ninth on the brink of history, and was lights out as usual. Kimbrel struck out two of the three batters he faced to earn his 41st save.

The save tonight gives Kimbrel the record for most saves by a rookie in a season, a record previously held by Neftali Feliz. It's even more impressive considering there is still a month left in the regular season.

Of note, Matt Diaz went 2-3 in his first game back in a Braves uniform.

WP: Derek Lowe (9-12)

LP: John Lannan (8-11) 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.

SV: Craig Kimbrel (41)

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http://www.talkingchop.com/2011/8/31/2397012/derek-lowe-leads-atlanta-to-a-3-1-wi
n-over-washington

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Transaction Analysis: Jack Wilson

Atlanta Braves Acquired SS Jack Wilson from the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later. If you thought the Matt Diaz post was lazy, you’re in for something special. Jack Wilson is hitting .249/.283/.295. Sub-.250, no power, never walks. That’s fine, because he’s a few years removed from being the best defensive SS [...]

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Bautista hits 39th HR as Jays win 13-0 (AP)

Henderson Alvarez allowed three hits in eight innings to become the youngest Toronto starter to win a game since 1979, Jose Bautista led a four-homer attack with his 39th of the season, and the Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 13-0 Wednesday night. The 21-year-old Alvarez (1-2) faced the minimum 21 batters through seven innings.

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2011/09/01/bautista-hits-39th-hr-as-jays-win-13-0-ap/

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