Charlie Morton’s awaited start didn’t go very well. After being sent down to Triple-A Indy over three months ago, Morton was given his first start on Sunday afternoon against the Brewers. 

During a pre-game interview, Morton said ”I feel like I’ve come a long way.” Unfortunately today, he seemed like the same ol’ Charlie we saw in the begining of the season.

He was pulled after throwing 82 pitches through 3.1 Innings, giving up nine hits, eight runs, seven earned, walked one and struck out two. With the Pirates loss, Morton falls to 1-10 with an 10.03 ERA. (allowing 52 earned runs on 75 hits over 46 2/3 innings)

“[Morton] just didn’t execute quality pitches,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “I think he threw a few too many offspeed pitches and didn’t really get aggressive with his fastball. Just not enough quality pitches. When he throws that many offspeed pitches, then he loses the aggressiveness of really being able to pound the zone.”

Three runs were surrendered in the first inning. After allowing back-to-back singles and a walk, Dickerson hit a two-RBI single and a wild pitch scored McGehee.

Charlie seemed to have calmed down in the second inning, allowing just one hit — a double by Kottaras– then retired the next three batters.

Morton was hit hard in the third inning allowing three more runs to score, although, this time it wasn’t all his fault. Ryan Braun reached first base on an error by Ronny Cedeno and a passed ball by Ryan Doumit were the factors in two of the runs. Escobar and Kottaras both hit RBI singles, giving the Brewers a 6-2 lead.

Charlie was pulled in the fourth inning after giving up a two-run home run to Ryan Braun (his 19th of the season).

“Early on, they seemed to be on my four-seamer pretty good,” Morton said. “I was throwing my sinker, but I was falling behind in some counts. With my sinker, I was inducing less firm contact, but I got beat bad on a couple curveballs I left up in the zone.”

I hope that JR gives Charlie another start. You probally are thinking I’m crazy, but hear me out. Morton was being caught by Ryan Doumit and let’s face it we know he is a horrible game caller. With Chris Snyder’s experience I would like to see how he would pitch with Chris being behind the plate. Throughout the game I noticed Morton shaking off Doumit a lot. Not only were they not on the same page, I can only imagine that doesn’t boost his confidence and only ads frustration.

Neil Walker hit a two-run home run in the first inning of Dave Bush. (Back-to-back homer nights for Walker who is batting .369 with runners on base)

In the second inning with two men on base, Cedeno at the plate and the pitchers spot up next, Ronny decided to bunt. I may not be a baseball player but I do know that is a very stupid idea. I’m not sure if that call was from the bench (god help us if it was) but WHY, oh, WHY would Cedeno do that? He was obviously out at first base. Morton struck out and Tabata flied to center to end the inning and leave both Doumit and Milledge in scoring position.

Dave Bush gave up two more home runs during his seven innings, Doumit in the fourth and Young in the seventh inning. Bush has now given up 10 home runs this month and 25 on the season. He gave up three runs on seven hits, struck out four and walked two. Bush is 7-11 on the season.

There was a scary moment in the eighth inning when Evan Meek was hit in the right arm by a come-backer from Ryan Braun (As if I need another reason to hate him). At first it had looked like Meek was hit in the chest. He fell to the ground and after a minute was helped to his feet. Evan walked off the field with JR and the Pirates medical staff favoring his right hand. Thankfully, the X-rays came back negative and there was no fracture. Meek was diagnosed with a contusion on his right wrist.

Trevor Hoffman came into the ninth inning to pick up his 599th career save and the Bucs lost to the Brewers 8-4.  

News and Notes:

• The Pirates starting pitching now has a record of 24-72. It is the first time since 1952 that the team have five 10 loss starters. (Duke 6-12, Maholm 7-12, Ohlendorf 1-11, Morton 1-10)
• The Pirates have now lost 13 straight on the road.
• Jhonatan Ramos promoted from State College to West Virginia. 

Minor League Update:

• Matt Curry (16th round pick in the 2010 draft) at State College, 50 games: .295 AVG, 13 2B, 6HR, 25 RBI

Hitters:

• John Bowker .310 AVG, 17 HR, 44 RBI, .960 OPS
• Alex Presley .324 AVG, 12 HR, 79 RBI, .880 OPS
• Josh Harrison .298 AVG, 3 HR, 72 RBI, 17 SB
• Chase D’Arnaud .243 AVG, 4HR, 44 RBI, 32 SB
• Starling Marte .335 AVG, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 23 SB –Since return from the DL .381 AVG, 19RBI in 28 games

Pitchers:

• Rudy Owens 11-6, 2.56 ERA, 0.99 WHIP
• Justin Wilson 10-7, 3.12 ERA, .216 OPP AVG
• Bryan Morris 9-4, 3.12 ERA, 120 K
• Jeff Locke 12-4, 3.24 ERA, 1.12 WHIP
• Zach Von Rosenberg 1-6, 3.20 ERA, 1.24 WHIP

Pirates Lineup:

Tabata 8, Young 9, Walker 4, Jones 3, Alvarez 5, Doumit 2, Milledge 7, Cedeno 6, Morton 1

*Andrew McCutchen gets some much needed rest today. He is 8-for-38 (barely hitting over the Mendoza line) in his last 10 games with six strike outs.

**Garrett Jones has really been slumping. 4-for-38 with 11 strike outs in his last 10 games. The problem is there isn’t many options to give Jones rest. Clement in on the DL, Andy LaRoche started at first base once this season. Until John Bowker is called-up from AAA (and saves us all!) the only other option is Ryan Doumit and we all know how awful that went.

Brewers Lineup:

Weeks 4, Inglett 9, Braun 7, Fielder 3, McGehee 5, Dickerson 8, Escobar 6, Kottaras 2, Bush 1

The seventh inning seems to be haunting the Pirates as of late. For the second game in a row, the Pirates allowed the seventh to get out of hand giving the Brewers the chance to win the game.

“We always know every time we come here it’s going to be a battle,” Walker said. “Four-run lead, three-run lead, whatever it may be, it’s never safe here when we play these guys.”  

The Pirates entered the seventh inning with a 7-4 lead over the Brewers, but with the lineup the Brewers have, it’s never enough. Sean Gallagher gave up the lead-off single. Lefty Brian Burres was brought in to face the heart of the lineup. Prince Fielder launched a massive home run –estimated at 455 feet– bringing the game within one run. Chan Ho Park entered the inning four batters later, attempting to get out of the inning with the lead. Pedro Alvarez was charged with a fielding error at third base (10th this season), allowing Cain to score and tie the game at 7.

“It’s a tough play, but again, it kind of shows our youth a little bit,” said Pirates manager John Russell. “We make those plays and it might be a different game, but the guys really battled. They kept after it.”

After 14 pitchers were used, 21 position players and more than four hours later, the game finally ended in the 11th inning. Wil Ledema was on the mound. Neil Walker made the second costly error of the game (his first since July 4th), allowing Prince Fielder to get on first base, what could have been a double play. Instead, the Rookie–Lorenzo Cain– hit a walk-off home run and the Brewers won 8-7.

“It’s a tough play, but again, it kind of shows our youth a little bit,” said Pirates manager John Russell. “We make those plays and it might be a different game, but the guys really battled. They kept after it.”

The Pirates roughed up starter, Chris Capuano. They sent him packing after just three innings and 75 pitches. Capuano gave up six runs on six hits, walked three and struck out five.

Jose Tabata continued to be a hitting machine. He homered in the first inning and went 3-for-6 with two RBI on the night.

The offense didn’t stop there. Chris Synder hit a three-run home run in the third inning (He also hit a home run in Friday’s game) 1-for-3 on the night with two walks. Neil Walker went 3-for-6, with a solo home run in the seventh.

The Brewers sent Parra, McClendon, Coffey, Axford, Hoffman and Loe to the mound and through eight innings of relief, they only gave up five hits and one run.

Zach Duke pitched 5.1 innings, giving up four runs on nine hits, walked one and struck out one.

“It’s tough coming in here, but we battled with them tonight,” Duke said. “Hopefully we can get one tomorrow.”

News and Notes:

• With the 8-7 loss, the Pirates have now lost 12 straight on the road.
• Chicks may dig the long ball, but apparently so does Miller Park. There was a total of six home runs last night (Tabata, Synder, Fielder (2), Lucroy, Walker). In the eight games this season at Miller Park against the Pirates they have hit 17 home runs.
• Sometimes Manager John Russell does things that really makes me scratch my head. Ryan Doumit has been awful against lefties this season, batting just .179 with a .252 OBP. So it made sense to start him against the left-handed starter, Chris Capuano right? Until John Bowker is called up in Septemeber (and saves us from the horrendous-ness that is Milledge and Doumit in right field) why not platoon the two in the time being?

Doumit VS RHP: 

.284 AVG

.354 OBP

.479 SLG

.833 OPS

Milledge VS LHP:

.319 AVG

.409 OBP

.517 SLG

.926 OPS

• The Pirates used all but two pitchers in the 11 inning game (Meek and McCutchen) Meek was warming up in the ’pen. Duke, Burres, Park, Hanrahan, Resop, Ledezma combined for 15 hits and eight runs.
• Hanrahan pitched a scoreless eight inning. He struck out the first two batters, walked Braun but struck out Prince Fielder swinging with a 97 mph heater to end the inning. NASTY.
• The Pirates are 4-5 in extra inning games, while the Brewers are 6-4.
• Garrett Jones and Andrew McCutchen both were o’fers on the night. Jones 0-for-6, McCutchen 0-for-5. GFJ is just 11-for-96.
• The Pirates are 5-12 against the Brewers this season, 17-45 since 2007.
• (Via @BucsInsider) Since his 6/9 recall Jose Tabata is tied with Albert Pujols for most hits (87) in NL. 

Minor League Update:

• Brandon Moss: 1-for-4, 2R, HR (21), 3RBI
• Jeff Locke 6IP, 5H, 1ER, 5K, 1BB
• Starling Marte (Double header) 3-for-8, 3RBI, SB, 4R

Sunday’s Pitching Matchup:

Charlie Morton 1-9, 9.35 ERA

VS

Dave Bush

Morton is making his first start in the majors since May 27th. In 80 innings pitched and 18 starts Charlie was 4-4, 3.83 ERA with 53 K and 30 BB for Triple-A Indy. Morton is 0-3 with a 5.79 ERA career against the Brewers.

Bush is 3-6 with a 4.84 ERA at Miller Park this season. In 14 career starts against the Pirates he is 5-5 with a 4.61 ERA.

Pirates Lineup:

McCutchen 8

Tabata 7

Walker 4

Jones 3

Alvarez 5

Doumit 9

Cedeno 6

Snyder 2

Duke 1

Brewers Lineup:

Weeks 4

Hart 9

Braun 7

Fielder 3

McGehee 5

Cain 8

Escobar 6

Lucroy 2

Capuano 1

News and Notes:

• The Altoona Curve needs five more wis to clinch an Eastern League playoffs spot.

• The Pirates re-called Charlie Morton from Triple-A Indy and will make the start at Miller Park on Sunday. Morton’s last start in the majors was on May 27, 2010. In 14 starts with the Indians he went 4-4 with a 3.83 ERA, including 53 strikeouts and 30 walks.

  The Pirates optioned LHP Justin Thomas to Triple-A Indy to make room for Morton.

Dana Eveland will take the spot in the rotation from Charlie Morton for the Indians.

 

 

 

James McDonald continued to be impressive in his start last night. J-Mac had six strong innings and retired the first six in a row, including three strikeouts through two innings. He also had a 2-1 lead over the Brewers. However, things spiraled out of control in the seventh inning for McDonald and the Bucs.

.

Two runs scored and it should have been a second out, Instead the Brewers toook a 3-2 lead.

“That’s a play that I make, in my back pocket, every day of the week,” Milledge said. “Unfortunately, I didn’t, and it cost us big.”

 

Jonathan Lucroy, who went 2-for-4 on the night, had an RBI single. J-Mac was pulled after 6.1 innings, seven hits, six earned runs, two walks and seven strikeouts.

Chris Resop came in for relief and gave up consecutive doubles by Corey Hart and Ryan Braun, three more runs scored.

The bleeding stopped after six runs scored, the Bucs down 7-2.

 

“I thought McDonald threw the ball very well,” said Pirates manager John Russell. “He just couldn’t get out of that inning. After that, he just couldn’t get back in the dugout. You can’t give up six runs in the seventh.”

“It’s not frustrating, things happen. We played hard. Things didn’t fall our way,” McDonald said. “I felt like I had good stuff today. Sometimes I’ve had great stuff and I’m out in the fourth inning. I still went deep in the game. Things didn’t fall our way, but we’ll get them next time.” 

 

 

Chris Synder hit a solo-home run and Ronny Cedeno hit a RBI single for the Bucs two runs.

James McDonald got the loss, dropping to 2-4 on the season.

Other News and Notes:

• The Pirates lost their oppurtunity to win three games in a row. The last time the Pirates did was June 30-July 2nd. They have only done so three times this season and four straight would have been the first.
• MLB Commissioner, Bud Selig said that he is convinced the Pirates are headed in the right direction.

“I evaluate everything that goes on, and people tell me the kids that they’re [drafting and] signing are good,” Selig said. “I know there’s frustration, and I understand that and I’m not unsympathetic. But I really think they’re on the right track.”Selig was asked whether he would like to see the Pirates increase payroll for 2011.

“That’s up to them, but I read already where they said they would,” Selig said. “People can talk about money, but they’ve spent a lot of money on scouting, a lot of money on player development. The frustration levels, I understand it from the fans’ standpoint. But it takes time to show. I’m satisfied that they are making good progress right now.”

Read more here

• September call-ups can begin on Wed but GM Neil Huntington said he will wait until the AAA-Indy season ends on Sept. 6th. Likely players to get the call would be John Bowker and Joe Martinez (who the Pirates received in the Giants trade, sending Javier Lopez). Also, Brad Lincoln, Charlie Morton, Jason Jarmillo and Pedro Ciriaco may be called up as well. Brandon Moss, who is not on the 40-man is also being considered.

Saturday’s Pitching Matchup:

Zach Duke 6-12, 5.10 ERA

VS

Chris Capuano 2-2, 3.72 ERA

Duke is coming off his best start of the season when he outdueled Mets’ Johan Santana. Zach pitched seven innings, gave up one run on five hits and struck out five. For Duke to be successful his sinker needs to be on and he needs to not have one huge run inning.

Capuano is replacing Manny Parra. Chris returned this season from a second Tommy John surgery. He has been primarily used from the pen’ and in his past 10 apperances, Capuano has not pitched more than three innings.

Friday’s Pitching Matchup:

James McDonald 2-2, 3.97 ERA

VS

Chris Narveson 9-7, 5.69 ERA

McDonald’s command issues during his last start against the Mets cost him in the loss, the game was called after six innings due to several rain delays. J-Mac went five innings, gave up five runs on six hits, walked five and struck out four.

Narveson threw 64 pitches in his last start against the Padres. He lasted just three innings, gave up three runs on four hits, walked three and struck out zero. In his last three starts Chris has only six strikeouts and a 5.79 ERA in just 14 innings.

News and Notes:

• LHP Rudy Owens and C Hector Gimenez were named to the Eastern League post-season All-Star team.
• Pirates’ Hanrahan finds direct route to strikeouts -Pittsburgh Post Gazette
• Brandon Moss’ confidence returns with hitting stroke -MLB
• Everything I learned about Baseball I learned from my Grandmother -Cardinal Diamond Diaries

Updates:

Pirates Lineup:

McCutchen 8, Tabata 7, Walker 4, Jones 3, Milledge 9, LaRoche 5, Cedeno 6, Snyder 2, McDonald (2-3, 5.04)

*Pedro Alvarez is batting just .171 (6-for-35) his in last seven games, 0 HR and just three RBI.

Brewers Lineup:

Weeks 4, Hart 9, Braun 7, Fielder 3, McGehee 5, Dickerson 8, Escobar 6, Lucroy 2, Narveson (9-7, 5.69) 

• (via @RobBiertempfel)Pirates mgr re:starting LaRoche @ 3b: “It’s not so much Pedro (Alvarez) needs rest; it’s more about getting Andy in there.”
• RHP Jeff Karstens threw bullpen session today w/out problem. He’s in line to start as scheduled Tuesday.
• Triple-A Radio Broadcaster, Scott McCauley spoke with Brandon Moss regarding September call ups and International All-Star Nod. You can read the whole interview on his MLB Blog

Tell us your feelings on a September call-up (Brandon would need to be added to the 40 man roster)

I’m pretty sure the season is going to come to an end and I’m not going to be a call-up guy.  Strictly because they have to make a move and I’m not on the roster.  The Pirates have guys they envision being there a while.  They are trying (Ryan) Doumit in the outfield; they have Lastings (Milledge) and Garrett (Jones) who needs at-bats and I don’t think I’m a call-up guy because there is no room to play me.  I’m pretty sure they don’t want to call a guy up to sit and get paid.  I really envision September 6^th is going to come, we are going to play our last game at Louisville and I’m going to go back home to Georgia.  With that said I’m proud of the year I’ve had and no matter what will happen in September I’ve put myself in a good position for next year.  Will I re-sign with the Pirates if I don’t get called up?  Who knows, that will be a decision I make with my agent and my family and will be decision based solely on what best for me and my family.  Everything will play out over time and I’m happy with the position I have put myself in and will go into Spring Training with the plan of winning a Major League job somewhere.

I was spotted on T.V.

This is proof that the Pirate Parot is always picking on me. He’s hilarious though, so I don’t mind too much. 

The Pirates, Brewers rivalry has been going on for quite some time now. Going into this home stand I had a feeling it was going to be an emotional one. It was a mostly quiet game through six innings with the pitching duel between Ross Ohlendorf and Yovani Gallardo.

In the seventh Inning Evan Meek gave up a two-run Homerun to Rickie Weeks, giving the Brewers a three run lead. Then it got ugly pretty fast.

Todd Coffey, who came in for relief, threw three balls to Jose Tabata then quickly threw a fastball behind him. Home plate umpire Mike Muchlinski warned Coffey as well as both dugouts. Tabata was walked.

Was there intent behind the pitch?

“Absolutely,” manager John Russell said.

“In this series, I knew we hit some of their players,” began Evan Meek, who yielded his second homer in 24 outings, a critical, two-run blast in the seventh by Weeks. “But none of those was intentional. I can understand the last game, retaliation [for a 15-3 Pirates romp Wednesday]. I get that. But they had it with Delwyn Young. They threw at him with another pitch. Then they hit him. It should’ve been over then. They made their point. Personally, I think it’s unnecessary. … There’s no reason to throw at Tabata.”

After the warnings were given out Prince Fielder then complained to First Base Umpire Marvin Hudson. (Fielder was hit in the the previous two games)

The fans erupted from the stands and let loose booing and chanting to both Fielder and Coffey.

Rewind to the fifth, Ohlendorf plunked Weeks then the Brewers returned the favor in the bottom half of the inning when Gallardo hit Dewlyn Young.

You would think it would all be over. They both retaliated. Wrong.

Delwyn Young singled, and Neil Walker hit a two-RBI double, taking advantage of the situation. The Pirates cut the lead to just one run.

“You let the bat do the talking,” said Walker, after his sixth straight multi-hit game. “I’m sure they didn’t expect to have two runs scored on them with two outs after putting Tabata on first.”

In the eight inning, Javier Lopez came into the game. After a leadoff walk to Fielder, who then moved to second base on a single, with Escobar at the plate. He hit the ball to left sending Prince home. The throw by Lastings Milledge was there in plenty of time but that didn’t stop him from trying to pummel Erik Kratz. Elbows up, Fielder slammed into Kratz’s mask, but it was Erik who not only stood his ground but knocked Prince down, ball in hand.

“Emotions were running high,” Kratz said. “It was that kind of game. If it was a 6-1 game, maybe he doesn’t do that. But if he knocks the ball out of my glove, it’s a great play because they are up another run. It’s a good hard play.

“If he was catching and I was coming in, I’m not going to hit him in the stomach or hit him in the chest,” he added. “I’m trying to knock the ball out and hit him as hard as I can. That’s just the game. He played it hard.”

The crowd at PNC Park went crazy with emotions running high. There were boo’s and cheers and chanting. I’ve never been at a game where the fans were so into it.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, still down by one run, The Pirates came to bat and attempted to win in walk-off fashion. Cedeno struck out, Church grounded to second and Tabata struck out to end the game.  

The Pirates lost 3-2, and split the series with the Brewers at two a piece

It was pretty intense,” Braun said, who went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts on the night. “It was nice to feel like we played a meaningful game. That was probably the best atmosphere of any game I’ve played here [in Pittsburgh] in my four years.”

Ross Ohlendorf pitched Six innings giving up six hits, giving up just one run, one walk, and struck out six. He got the loss and drops to 1-8 on the season. 

Gallardo got his first win since coming off the DL. (oblique strain)

The Pirates and Brewers meet again one more time this season, Aug. 27-29 in Milwaukee.

Today’s Pitching Matchup:

Kevin Correia (6-6, 5.22 ERA) VS Paul Maholm (6-7, 4.03 ERA)

Correia picked up his sixth win on Sunday against the Diamondbacks, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings and tied his career high with nine strikeouts.

Maholm gave the Bucs their first complete game of the season and the fourth of his career in his last start, allowing just three hits in the 9-0 victory against the Astros.  

• Ryan Doumit was placed on the 15-day DL. Jason Jaramillo was recalled.

Doumit took a foul ball off his mask on Monday night and felt groggy afterward. Manager John Russell started Kratz on Tuesday, and Doumit returned behind the plate Wenesday. In the first inning Rickie Weeks ran over him in a home-plate collision.

“Ultimately, Ryan didn’t want to go on the disabled list,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. “It was our decision in his best interest, in the team’s best interest, in the organization’s best interest to just go ahead and give Ryan 15 days of rest. He’s been dinged a few times this year.”

Russell continued: “We need to get Ryan healthy. Make sure he gets over this completely.”

Doumit is expected to rest through the weekend and resume light physical exertion early next week.

Huntington said the Pirates expect Doumit to go on a rehabilitation assignment to one of their minor league teams near the end of the two weeks.

-PittsburghPostGazette

• The Pirates expect Andrew McCutchen back in the lineup by Saturday or Sunday. He has been taking Batting pratice and doing some light activity. (AC Joint)

“He’s going to do a little more,” Russell said before McCutchen participated in batting practice. “Swing the bat a little bit, see how it feels. Play a little catch. He’s getting better. See how he progresses through this, and go from there.”

• In a pregame ceremony on Thursday, the 2010 WPIAL Class AAAA baseball champion Pine-Richland Rams retired 2004 graduate and current Pirates rookie Neil Walker‘s No. 24 jersey.

Walker hit .657 with 13 HR and 42 RBIs as a senior while helping the Rams win the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) championship.

Other Pirates News:

• Six consecutive multi-hit games for Pirates Neil Walker. He’s 2/3, 2B (15), BB tonight. AVG up to .320.
• Charlie Morton VS Lehigh Valley: 6IP, 7H, 3ER, 4K, 3BB
• Nate Baker VS Duneoin: 5IP, 3H, 1ER, 4K, 4BB
• Adalberto Santos VS Auburn 2 for 4, Triple (3), RBI
• The Pirates officially sold rights to pitchers Hayden Penn (Chiba Lotte) & Vinnie Chulk (Hiroshima Toyo Carps) for cash considerations.

Around the Ballparks:

• Josh Beckett to return to the mound, but expect a little rust -projosoxblog
• The Mets designate Fernando Nieve for assignment.
• Rob Bradford tweeted: Scouts at Pawsox/Mike Lowell rehab game tonight Blue Jays, Orioles, Tigers (2), and Royals. They were playing Detroit’s affiliate.
• Resist temptation to trade Beckham -ChicagoTribune
• John Lackey’s had a not hitter going through 7 2/3 IP. That tied the Red Sox longest no-hit bid of the season (Daisuke Matsuzaka May 22 at the Phillies)
• Red Sox Daniel Nava sent to AAA as Hermida comes of the DL. He responds by going 2-3 HR, 3RBI 2BB.
• Cliff Lee is the 1st pitcher with at least 7 straight starts with 8 IP and fewer than 2 BB since Greg Maddux in 1994.
• Human Growth Hormone Blood tests to begin on Minor League Baseball Players -Bloomberg
• The Phillies fire hitting coach Milt Thompson. Greg Gross takes his place.
• Carl Pavano has won 7 straight decisions, a career-best, surpassing the 6 straight he won in 2004.
• Alex Rodriguez hit his 599th HR vs the Royals on Thursday night. He also hit his 499th HR vs the Royals on July 25, 2007.
• Ronny Paulino’s GW single was the first walkoff hit by a Marlins catcher since Paul Lo Duca on 8/6/2004 against the Brewers.
• The Nationals (last night) scored 1 run in the 1st, 2 runs in the 2nd and 3 runs in the 3rd, the first team this season to do this.
• The Braves beat the Padres 8-0, their biggest shutout win over SD since July 4, 1980 when they won 9-0.
• Derek Jeter hit his 2nd career inside the park HR, other was 8-2-96, at KC off Jeff Mongtomery.
• OF David DeJesus suffered a sprained right thumb by slamming into wall on Derek Jeter’s inside-the-park homer.
• Cardinals are 1st team with 1 hit or less in a game of 11+ innings since 1962 Angels (2-1 loss at Yankee Stadium in 12 innings) 
• The Angels acquire INF Alberto Callaspo from Royals for P Sean O’Sullivan and Minor League P Will Smith. 
• Dodgers- Monasterios replacing McDonald in the rotation. Taschner will take over as lefty specialist.
• Jamie Moyer’s career could be in jeopardy -ThePhilliesZone