Results tagged ‘ red sox ’
Sveum interviews with the Pirates
Current Brewers hitting coach, Dale Sveum interviewed with the Pirates on Wednesday for the open managerial position.
Sveum, 46, was drafted in the first round (25th pick) of the 1982 draft and spent 12 seasons in the majors with seven different teams (Pirates 1996-97, 99). Unfortunately, his career was ended early due to an career-threatening collision in 1998 and never fully recovered. Sveum had a career .236 average with 69 home runs and 340 RBI.
From 2001-2003 Sveum managed the Pirates’ Double-A Altoona Curve and was named Top Managerial Prospect in the Eastern League by Baseball America. (213-211)
Sveum was the third base coach for the Boston Red Sox from 2004-05. He has spent the last five years as part of the Brewers coaching staff that included bench coach, third base coach, and hitting coach. Sveum was named the Brewers interim manager after Ned Yost was fired and during those 12 games they went 7-5, winning the National League Wild Card.
Erin Andrews defends sideline reporters
Erin Andrews was interviewed by Fanhouse recently in which she defended sideline reporters and why we are important. I really enjoy watching her because she is good at what she does and she is a positive influence in the industry. Andrews is speaking out on the recent controversies involving females working in sports, “Why can’t you worry about the way you look and also like sports?”
Defend the importance of sideline reporters.
Sideline reporters are needed for a couple of very important things. I don’t think they’re needed for the ‘fluff’ stories, everyone reads those stories all week long in the newspaper. I don’t think they’re needed for that. When they’re needed – a prime example was when Dennis Dixon was leading the (2007) Heisman race, looks like Oregon’s going to win the national championship then he blows out his knee. Oregon said he’s OK. I’m down there watching, I’m reading the trainers’ lips to him. The trainer starts crying. Right there and then I report it. I knew it was over. The guys upstairs in the booth, they didn’t see that; the cameras didn’t see that. The biggest thing sideline reporters bring are things the guys up there and the camera can’t see.
What are your thoughts about those who criticize attractive female reporters?
I think it’s hilarious that you can’t worry about getting your roots done, working out, worrying about what shoes you’re wearing and have cool jewelry and know sports. I think it’s weird you can’t do those things. Why can’t you worry about the way you look and also like sports? We (females) can multi-task, right? I used to harp on this – I want to prove to people that I know more, that I’m not here because of what I look like or that (it’s because) I’m a female.
I think one of the things that taught me a lot about all the work I’ve done and the (working) relationships I have in the industry last year when I was going through the worst experience of my life (the stalking). I got phone calls from coaches – that I thought never really cared too much about me or gave a second thought – coaching me as their players. Saying ‘you better get back on the sidelines, we want to see you on the sidelines. Don’t let this idiot win. The game will not be all right unless you’re working the sidelines’ and that really proved to me … I don’t care what the naysayers say, I don’t care what message boards have to say, I don’t care what some media has to say, these coaches want me back. So I’ve proved to them, I know my stuff.
Pirates’ potential Managerial Candidates
Now that it has been confirmed (by Pirates’ President Frank Coonelly) that Andy Van Slyke has not been interviewed for the open manager position, there has been some other reports of potential candidates.
The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette is reporting these potential candidates:
· Baltimore Orioles coach and interim manager Juan Samuel –He told the Baltimore Sun that he is likely to interview soon with the Pirates’ and Brewers’.
· Ted Simmons –who was the Pirates’ General Manager from 1992-1993 and served as the Padres bench coach said:
“I made myself clear, I would hope to manage in the 2011 season. I would go and manage anywhere”
· John Farrell, the Red Sox pitching coach said:
“No official contact has been made — [and] any further comment regarding their position should come from the Pirates themselves.”
· Ken Macha, who will not return to the Brewers as Manager in 2011 said:
“The last time this job was open, I was home [and out of work in 2007]. My policy is, I’m not really going to politick in the paper. Let it all play out at their end. I respect what they’re going to do.” There was contact between he and the Pirates in ’05, but not ’07.
· Phil Garner, who was the member of the 1979 Pirates’ World Championship team and has also managed the Brewers, Tigers and most recently the Astros (2004-07) said on MLB Network radio that the Pirates have not called him but:
“I’d like to sit down with the owner and the GM and say, ‘OK, boys, how’s that [current approach] working for us? Let’s do something totally different. And I mean different training.’ I’ve got some ideas I don’t even want to talk about, because I don’t want anybody else to hear them.”
The August leaders are in…
And for the first time this season i made it in the top 50.
First of all, I wanted to thank everyone who reads my blog. It really means a lot. I enjoy doing this and I hope you guys enjoy reading it.
And secondly, congrats to all the winners. I noticed a lot of the blogs are women which is really awesome.
Here is the list of all the winners.
And lastly, thanks to Mark who runs the mlblogs. My photo was part of the panel showing the winners. (Top left, next to Pirates MLB.com Reporter, Jenifer Langosch)
Rob Dibble: To female fans “There’s no talking in baseball!”
I’m sure by now, everyone has heard about what a big idiot Rob Dibble (Washington Nationals’ Analyst) is. If you didn’t hear about what he said about “Female Fans” here is exactly what he said on-air during the Nationals vs Marlins game on August 12th.
Those ladies right behind there, they haven’t stopped talking the whole game,” Rob Dibble said in the sixth inning of Wednesday night’s Nats broadcast. “They have some conversation going on. Right here,” he said, circling the offenders. “There must be a sale tomorrow going on here or something….Their husbands are going man, don’t bring your wife next time.”
“All right Bob, now they’re back there, they’re eating ice cream and talking at the same time,” Dibble noted in the top of the eighth.
“I just got an e-mail that said there’s a lot of women who come to the games — while their husbands are the ones at home — because they love this game,” Carpenter noted, briefly touching base with the 21st century. “Tread carefully, Mr. Dibble.”
“My wife loves to come to the game, but they’re right there, still talking,” Dibble countered.
This. Makes. Me. So. Angry!
After outrage from female fans and females that work in the business, Dibble did “apologize” saying this:
My mother was and continues to be my biggest fan. She has been there since I was eight years old playing Little League in Southington, Connecticut, shouting encouragement from the stands.
I’ll never forget 20 years ago during the NCLS; I thought I was on the top of my game, having played in my first All-Star game earlier that summer. But my mom said to me, “Rob you’ve got a good arsenal, but you still need a strikeout pitch.”
Mom was right, of course, and she remains as insightful a student of the game as I have ever known.
Likewise, my wife not only comes to every Nats game, but also scores every pitch, and genuinely feels it when her team makes an error or loses the game.
My 21-year-old daughter, who against my wishes, wears her Coco Crisp Red Sox Jersey to Yankee Stadium, does it to show pride and respect for her team.
That’s the great thing about baseball. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you can – and should – have a passion for the game and for the celebration of the game by its legions of fans in the stands. Those are the values I learned in Southington, and they are part of who I am today.
The game of baseball transcends race, sex, ethnicity, and economic status. Everyone can be a fan of this game and that’s why it remains our national pastime.
As a former player and a current broadcaster, I love baseball. Encouraging new fans and building upon our audience is essential to the future of the game. That’s why I host a national baseball radio show five days a week.
And it’s why I volunteer my time at various clinics and seminars throughout the year, to help bring baseball into the lives of new fans.
The other night I made an off-handed comment, the meaning of which may have been misconstrued beyond what was said. If any fan of this great game took offense, then he or she should know that this was neither my intention nor my history in the game.
I have had the privilege of knowing a great many fans of all backgrounds who are students of the game. Many of baseball’s most insightful fans, television viewers, and callers to my radio show are women.
And just like my mom in 1990, they know what they’re talking about.
I can’t help but bring this issue up and put my two sense in. Guys just don’t understand the issue woman have in the sports world. I have been a sports gal my whole entire life. Growing up I played softball and soccer year round. I also tried other sports but failed. (Gymnastics, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, etc.)
More importantly, I have LOVED watching Baseball, (my passion) football, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf. You name it, I watch it. Nothing compares to my love and passion for the game of baseball though. The most frustrating thing is that Rob Dibble said what most guys think. I know there are some guys out there that respect women in the industry. But sadly, a lot don’t.
I have a season ticket to the Pirates. I have only missed a handfull of games this season. I go early and watch both teams take batting pratice and warm-up. Out of 162 games, I’m at 150 of them. (That’s not even including road trips to other stadiums) I go to the game by myself. Most of my friends don’t really love baseball the way I do and to be honest I hate more than anything sitting next to someone who is talking and playing on their phone and not paying attention to the game. If I didn’t love this game, why on earth would I spend and arm and a leg for my seat? Why would I make it to at least 150 games a year? Why would I go to games alone if I didn’t understand the game of baseball?
It never fails, every game I get asked at least once what player I’m dating. Okay, maybe I get it a little. I sit a few rows behind the Pirates dugout, I’m alone, I’m a girl. And don’t get me wrong, it’s a compliment to be considered a ”baseball wife” but I’m not! Nor would I ever be! (No offense to the players.) Why can’t I just be a baseball fan, watching the game I love? I’m assumed to be either a wife/girlfriend or a Pro-Ho. (which I would never be either)
Normally, it’s men that ask the question. Then its followed by a few quiz style questions. ”Oh Yeah? Well, then who is the best hitter on the Padres? or, how long has Pedro been a Pirate? or, Who’s pitching against the Pirates tonight?” These are just a few of the questions I have to answer every single game. (Which I do, correctly. Then they feel like an idiot and I walk away.)
Then there are woman at games, that can be just as rude. (Aren’t we suppose to support each other?) Just because I’m an attractive girl doesn’t mean i’m going after your ballplayer or that I go to games just to try to snag one up. I know there are girls out there like that. Call me crazy but I want more out of my life than that.
To the women who are girlfriends, or wives. I hope to not have offended you. Some of the players are really great guys. Some of the ones I have gotten the oppurtunity to talk to and meet were really cool. And yes, I will admit that some of the players are very handsome and look very good in their uniform. But I’m not that kind of gal and I don’t want that kind of life. Some of the wives do great things with charity events and I have nothing but respect for that.
I just get so frustrated because I want to work in the industry. I want to be a part of this great, great game that I love. I hope that one day women like myself won’t be quizzed or assumed to be a girlfriend or a pro-ho.
Metsgrrl sums it up perfectly:
I wonder if Rob Dibble knows how many times women get looked at funny for keeping score. I wonder if Rob Dibble wonders how hard it is for female fans to have to continually defend their love of baseball as being about the game, and not about cute guys in tight uniforms. I wonder if Rob Dibble thought about what any teenage girls who were watching the game… and heard that. He just gave fuel to the fire of every sexist clod out there who thinks that women are dumb and can’t understand baseball and can’t possibly be at the game because they want to be. No one ever looks at a man and thinks “he must be here with his girlfriend”. It is hard enough to have a conversation with a guy at a game who assumes you are there because you are with a guy.
Here are some more comments:
Did you hear that, guys? Don’t bring your wife to baseball games! She might talk through the whole thing, which she probably doesn’t understand anyway, and like, spend all your money and stuff!
Thanks for the warning, Rob. It’s a good thing all the MALE corporate jerkoffs I see at Wrigley yakking on their Blackberries talk about nothing but OBP and the minor league draft, right? Hey, it’s a good thing they don’t let women work outside the home or drive cars or anything-imagine how much they’d have to talk about then.
Ultimately, though, I couldn’t ignore it. The fact is that this is my life. I am a woman who is a baseball fan. No, wait. I’m more than that. I am a woman who is a baseball writer. I’m a woman who is a baseball writer who runs the best and most successful Orioles blog on the internet. I am recognized by both local and out-of-town sports media as a knowledgeable source on the Baltimore Orioles.I am a woman who, if seated behind home plate at a Nationals game, would get circled by Rob Dibble and called out for gossiping about an upcoming sale while the men were trying to watch baseball.
Hansen is pitching again, Capps traded to the Twins
Some of you guys may have forgotten about Pitcher, Craig Hansen. He was part of the Red Sox, Dodgers deal when we sent Jason Bay and received; him, Brandon Moss and Andy LaRoche.
Hansen has been cleared to pitch for the first time since April of 2009 and has been added to the roster at High-A Bradenton. (In 2009, he only pitched five games, 6 1/3 innings)
In 2008, Hansen pitched in 48 games, 2-7, 46.1 IP, 40H, 37R, 32ER, 3HR, 43BB, 32K, 6.22 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP.
The 26-year-old right-hander, has had a long, uncertain recovery from an unusual ailment in which a nerve in his upper back lost the ability to send signals to his trapezius muscle. He was nearly set to return in early June, but elbow pain shut him down.
“We felt like it was time to get him out and see what he can do,” director of player development Kyle Stark said.
Hansen made his first start in over a year for the Marauders yesterday. He pitched 1/3 of an inning, giving up one hit, two runs; both earned, three walks, one strike out.
I found an old article that was published in August of 2009 on his recovery.
After about a month and a half of looking for an explanation for a “ghost injury,” as Hansen called it, doctors identified Hansen’s condition as Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, a rare disorder in which a nerve deteriorates and, as a result, the muscle in that area of the body weakens. For Hansen, the nerve affected was in the upper right side of his back and weakened the trapezius muscle, which is a critical muscle in his throwing motion.
The only cure for such an ailment is rest, though Hansen is undergoing nerve tests once a month to continue to look for signs of improvement. Hansen said that in his research he has read that recovery time can range from six months to five years. Medical research has shown that 75 percent of people affected with PTS recover fully in two years.
“It’s frustrating,” said Hansen, who still does not have a timetable for when he can pick up a baseball again. “It’s [about being] mentally tough more than anything. Right now, I’ve just got to keep myself busy and stay in shape so that when the nerve does come back and fully regenerate, I’ll be ready.”
How and exactly when Hansen initially suffered this paralysis of the nerve is still unknown. The best guess is that it was caused by a viral infection — something as seemingly innocuous as a common cold — and happened over the offseason. Hansen said that it was during Spring Training when he first noticed that he had lost significant strength in his pitching arm.
“All of a sudden you just notice that the strength gets significantly weaker,” Hansen said. “It’s been very challenging. It’s too hard for me to sit back and watch and not be given an opportunity to play right now.”
He has ruled out any attempt at trying to come back this season and is at this point looking to a return in 2010.
You can read the rest of the Article on MLB.com
Is this photo real? If so, it is a pretty sweet picture!
I will be keeping an eye on him and will continue to post any updates. If he stays healthy, and can fully recover he can be a pretty great arm for the Pirates. He was Boston’s 2nd pick in the first round (26th overall) in the 2005 draft.
In other news, Ex-Bucco, Matt Capps was traded from the Nationals to the Twins for catching prospect Wilson Ramos and Minor League left-hander Joe Testa.
Capps will take over as the Twins’ closer and Jon Rauch will shift back into a setup role. The Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that he’d already spoken to Rauch about the switch.
“He was very professional about it,” Gardenhire said. “He said, ‘Whatever it takes to win.’ It was the same thing he said to me when I told him he was the closer. He said, ‘Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do.’ He said he just wants to win and be on a winner.”
Capps has been very good this year, recording 26 saves in 30 opportunities and posted a 2.47 ERA in 47 games. He also was selected for his first All-Star game this year.
“This makes us a better club,” Twins general manager Bill Smith said. “Matt is a veteran closer, a veteran reliever and he’s going to be a very good fit for this club. We’ve had an interest in Matt Capps for a long time, and this was a good opportunity for us to acquire him. It gives us a better chance to win the division and hopefully advance to the World Series.”
@JeffFletcherAOL tweeted this last night: Wouldn’t it be funny if Capps, who was winning pitcher for NL in ASG, ended up in the WS for an AL team?
How weird would that be?
In honor of Matt Capper, click here to watch his “Big Bull Rider” entrance music when he was the Closer for the Pirates. Ah, memories.
Blown Call at HP, rough 4th, Bucs lose 5-3 to the Padres
In an instant, everything can change. The Bucs learned it the hard way last night as they lost to the Padres, 5-3.
In the first inning, with runners on first and third, Garrett Jones hit a grounder to first-baseman Adrian Gonzalez. He threw to home to try to get Jose Tabata at the plate. After a few seconds of waiting for the call by home plate umpire Bill Welke, Torrealba tagged Tabata and he signaled for the out. The replays clearly showed that Jose made a great play by touching home plate and avoiding the tag. John Rusell came out to argue the call, but it stood, no run. That ended the first inning for the Pirates, the momentum shifted.
It’s hard to really blame a loss on one call that happened in the first, but it definitly was a factor in what could have been an entirely different game.
“He didn’t see Jose’s hand go in there,” Russell said of Welke. “I think he’d know if he had to look at it on replay. But he didn’t see the hand go in there … and it did.”
Said Tabata, through his interpreter, first-base coach Carlos Garcia: “I was kind of surprised when he didn’t call anything at the beginning, because I know for sure my hand touched the plate. And I was kind of surprised that he saw that play the way he did, but I’m pretty sure he just told me that he didn’t see me touch the plate, and that’s why he didn’t make any call.”
Could’ve helped obviously,” Russell said of the run that wasn’t. “It’s a tie game. We score the three runs, we tie it up, [and] it might have changed the outcome a little bit. You hate for something like that to happen, because it is a run, and plays that cost you runs, they hurt, especially in a close game.”
The Pirates managed to only get six hits and two earned runs off Correia through six innings. (Correia’s ERA is 5.09, the worst of the staff of Padres starters. That tells you how good the arms have been.)
Paul Maholm, coming off arguably one of the best starts of his career, pitched six innings, giving up nine hits, four runs with two walks and two strikeouts. If it wasn’t for the rough second inning, Paul would have pitched a pretty good game. (He gave up four runs, four hits, faced eight batters and threw 28 pitches in the second.)
I really can’t say they hit a ball hard,” Maholm said of the second. “They found holes, broken-bat double — just the kind of inning that happens. But I felt good. I still felt like I could go out and throw my pitches when I wanted to, and try to keep us in the game. That was the biggest thing, is make sure it didn’t get any bigger.”
The Pirates cut the lead to two runs in the fourth inning when Pedro Alvarez single advanced two runners into scoring position thanks to a throwing error by Everth Cabrera. Lastings Milledge singled home both runners making the score, 4-2.
In the fifth inning, Tabata hit an RBI ground out to bring the game within one run.
Brendan Donnelly came in to pitch in the seventh inning. Throwing 13 pitches, 12 of them balls, he walked the bases loaded with no outs.
D.J. Carrasco came into the jam and continued to prove what a great asset he is to the Pirates. The Padres only managed to get one run, a Will Venable Sac Fly.
Heath Bell recorded his major-league leading 28th save of the season.
The Bucs have a challanging series on their hands, not only are the Padres first in the National League but a big part of that has been their stellar pitching this season. Entering Friday’s game the Padres leads MLB in Bullpen ERA (2.87), and second in Starting Pitching ERA (3.30) and rank third in Strikeouts (750).
Today’s Pitching Matchup:
Matt Latos 10-4, 2.45 ERA
VS
Jeff Karstens 2-5, 4.84 ERA
Latos just coming off the disabled list (strained left oblique) will start against the Pirates. He leads the Padres with 10 victories and will be making his first start since July 8th. Matt, who has proved to have one of the strongest arms in the NL in the first half of the season, has even impressed veteran Heath Bell.
“He’s showing what we all think he can do,” Bell said. “He’s not just a young kid with great, unbelievable stuff that doesn’t know what he’s doing. Every outing he’s learning.
“I told him, ‘You have the potential to be a No. 1. You have the potential, when we lose a few games, to be that stopper, that ace that we know we can ride.’ … With Mat, we have a chance to win every single outing.”
Karstens retired the first 12 batters he faced on 29 pitches his last outing. Although he did give up two long balls to both Fielder and Weeks he did mange to throw 53 of his 66 pitches for strikes. Jeff hasn’t picked up a win since June 19th, but has allowed just three runs or less in three of his five starts since.
I just felt I had a really good rhythm throwing strikes,” Karstens said. “And then, when I got ahead, I was expanding the zone a little bit, making them chase. Just doing what I’ve been doing while I’ve been here.”
Other Pirates News:
- To say Neil Walker has been hot is an understatement. In the Brewers series he went 11 for 17, with 4 2B, and 5 RB. Raised his AVG from .289 to .320, 51 points in the 2nd half alone. He’s been great since being called up on May 25th.
“What he went through, I think really made him a stronger player,” Russell said. “Fighting his way, struggling a little bit in Triple-A and finding it toward the end of the season last year. Came in, he knew Pedro [Alvarez] was going to play third, so I think it challenged him in another direction. We challenged him to play other positions and challenged him to try to find a spot that he could settle in.”
- Pirates promote 33rd round draft pick Justin Ennis (LHP) to Single-A West Virginia.
- Joel Hanrahan’s miserable six-run seventh inning against the Brewers three months ago is not a distant memory, not even close.
“I wouldn’t say that I put that outing behind me, I’d say I use it more as motivation,” Hanrahan said. “These guys, they’re coming up there trying to take food off your plate at all times, and you’ve got to go out there and take it personally and go out there and try to do your job, I guess. But I use that as motivation because, you can ask [Octavio] Dotel and [Brendan] Donnelly, we’ve all had games like that against Milwaukee, and we use that as motivation and try to work on it and try to get our numbers down as much as possible.”
Hanrahan has done just that, giving up just 10 earned runs in 37 2/3 innings (38 appearances) since, lowering his ERA from 15.75 to 3.67. Take away that April 22 outing, which came in a Pirates’ 20-0 loss, and Hanrahan’s ERA is 2.43.
The 28-year-old right-hander struck out two in the ninth Thursday against the Brewers and has now tossed four scoreless innings in four appearances since the All-Star break, striking out six, walking none and allowing just two hits.
With the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline fast approaching, Pirates manager John Russell has repeatedly said he likes what he has in his bullpen. Hanrahan isn’t oblivious to the chatter, but his mindset remains the same.
“This time of the year, obviously, there’s a lot of trade talks going on with everybody, and people joke about it and everything, and you got outside people coming in, like family members, asking questions,” Hanrahan said. “It’s nice not to see your name in there and then it is also flattering to see your name in trade rumors, too — that teams are interested in you and other teams feel like you can help them in the playoff race. That’s always fun, too, but it’s one of those things you can’t worry about. You just go out there and pitch.”
Around the Ballparks:
- Corey Hart’s x-ray on right wrist came up negative, his MRBI showed just a thumb bruise. Doesn’t appear to be DL, but he may be out few days
Ned Colletti says Dodgers are serious buyers–With the trade deadline nearing, general manager says he has been on the phone and actively trying to improve the team. -LATimes
In yesterday’s Mariners/Red Sox game, Chone Figgins got into a fight, not with the Sox but his own Manager, Don Wakamatsu. After he got pulled in the fifth inning for not hustling, they exchanged words and it got pretty heated. You can watch the video here if you missed it.
The long comeback of Rockies Pitcher Taylor Bucholz is almost complete. After undergoing Tommy John in 2008, he is set to be activated today before the game vs the Phillies.
Jim Leyland not excited to trade away Tigers’ prospects -freep.com
Roy Halladay- 8 scoreless innings last night is the 7th time Halladay has pitched 7+ innings & allowed 0 ER, most in majors.
Phillies have posted consecutive shutouts for 2nd time this season. Last time they had 2 such streaks in a season was 1986.
Joe Mauer: 1st HR since July 6. All 5 HR this season have come on road. Mauer hit his 5th HR in his 13th game last season.
Orlando Hudson diagnosed with strained right oblique, which tends to linger and send player to the DL.
The Nationals exercise team option and will Jim Riggleman as the manager for 2011.
The A’s sign catcher Kurt Suzuki to a four-year, $16.25 M extension.
Pedroia thinks he won’t need to make a minor league rehab stint. “The Red Sox need me more than the PawSox.” (via @ESPNJoeyMac)
Choo activated from the DL. Aaron Laffey onto 15-day DL with left shoulder fatigue.
Largest win pct improvement (NL) entering thurs:
2009 2010 Dif.
Padres .463 .591 .128
Mets .432 .516 .084
Reds .481 .552 .071
Nationals .364 .432 .068
Braves .531 .585 .054
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10 + Wins and ERA under 2.00 thru 20 starts:
2010- Josh Johnson 10W, 1.61 ERA
2000- Pedro Martinez 14W, 1.40 ERA
1998 Greg Maddux 12W, 1.57 ERA
1997- Pedro Martinez 12W, 1.80 ERA
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San Diego Padres Pitching Staff-MLB Rank(Entering Fri):
ERA- 3.30 (2nd)
Pen’ ERA- 2.87 (1st)
Shutouts- 12 (2nd)
Opp AVG- .239 (2nd)
Strikeouts- 750 (3rd)
Road ERA- 3.75 (3rd)
Here are some pictures I took from the game last night.
Heath Bell about to record his ML leading 28th Save.
Paul Maholm facing Adrian Gonzalez in the 1st inning.
Matt Latos during BP.
News and Notes
Just a few news and notes from last night before I head to the ballpark this afternoon. =)
- Starting pitching comparison (through 19 starts)
D. Gooden (NYM) G. Maddux (ATL) J. Johnson (FLA)
YEAR: 1985 1995 2010
RECORD: 12-3 12-1 10-3
ERA: 1.78 1.71 1.62
Josh Johnson hasn’t given up more than 3 + ER since May 8th.
- Reds, Edison Volquez took the mound yesterday for the first time since June 1, 2009. (Rehab process and suspension for violating MLB’s performance enhancing drug policy.)
He went 6.0 IP, 3H, R, ER, 2BB, 9K, WP- (1-0)
- HotStove- Dodgers could look to move Matt Kemp
- Baseball should retire Roberto Clemente’s No. 21. -StarTelegram
- Pirates went 10 for 21 with RISP in last nights game vs Houston (12-6 W) It was the first time the bucs have had 10 hits with RISP since Aug 9, 2005 at Colorado.
- Ever wonder what the Pirates visitors clubhouse looks like? @alysonfooter (media for the Houston Astros) took a video. It’s pretty cool. Check it out here
- AJ Burnett embarrassed after cutting hands during clubhouse tantrum -MLBFanhouse
Burnett (since June 1st) 8 Starts:
RECORD: 1-6
ERA: 8.10 (Highest ERA in MLB since June 5th)
IP/START: 4.2
OPP AVG: .306
HR ALLOWED: 10
- Wainwright carries cards, stays perfect at home -ESPN
Wainwright this season at home:
10 starts, 10-0, 1.31 ERA, .193 opp avg
- Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre undecided about managing next year -ESPN
- Red Sox, Lowell: Sox won’t release me -ESPN
- Which Pirates pitchers are getting taken advantage of most by basestealers? Here are the Stats: Throwing out runners 101 -BucsBits
- Royals Eric Hosmer has been promoted to Double-A. He hit .354, 29(2B), 6(3B), 7HR, 51 RBI in High-A.
- Post All-Star break blog about Erik Kratz and his choice to stay with the Pirates -Isthisthingon
- Jeff Bagwell reflects after his first game at hitting coach -twitvid
Happy 70th Birthday to Joe Torre!!!!
All-Star Break Stats (League & Team Leaders) Pt 1 (AL)
2010 American League Leaders:
AVG
- J. Hamilton TEX .346
- M. Cabrera DET .346
- J. Morneau MIN .345
ERA
- D. Price TB 2.42
- C. Buchholz BOS 2.45
- C. Lee TEX 2.64
HR
- J. Bautista TOR 24
- J. Hamilton TEX 22
- M. Cabrera DET 22
WINS
- D. Price TB 12
- C. Sabathia NYY 12
- J. Lester BOS 11
RBI
- M. Cabrera DET 77
- V. Guerreto TEX 75
- A. Rodriguez NYY 70
K
- J. Weaver LAA 137
- F. Hernandez SEA 131
- J. Lester BOS 124
BALTIMORE ORIOLES:
AVG
- Nick Markakis .308
- Adam Jones .276
- Miguel Tejada .276
HR
- Ty Wigginton 14
- Adam Jones 14
- Luke Scott 12
RBI
- Ty Wigginton 45
- Adam Jones 39
- Miguel Tejada 35
WINS
- David Hernandez 4
- Matt Albers 3
- Jeremy Guthrie 3
ERA
- Jeremy Guthrie 4.77
- Brian Matusz 4.77
- Kevin Millwood 5.77
K
- Kevin Millwood 84
- Brian Matusz 80
- Jeremy Guthrie 57
BOSTON RED SOX:
AVG
- Adrian Beltre .330
- Kevin Youkilis .293
- Dustin Pedroia .292
HR
- Kevin Youkilis 18
- David Ortiz 18
- Adrian Beltre 13
RBI
- Kevin Youkilis 57
- David Ortiz 57
- Adrian Beltre 55
WINS
- John Lester 11
- Clay Buchholz 10
- John Lackey 9
ERA
- Clay Buchholz 2.45
- Jon Lester 2.78
- John Lackey 4.78
K
- Jon Lester 124
- John Lackey 68
- Clay Buchholz 64
NEW YORK YANKEES:
AVG
- Robinson Cano .336
- Brett Gardner .309
- Nick Swisher .298
HR
- Mark Teixeira 17
- Robinson Cano 16
- Nick Swisher 15
RBI
- Alex Rodriguez 70
- Mark Teixeira 60
- Robinson Cano 58
WINS
- C.C. Sabathia 12
- Phil Hughes 11
- Andy Pettitte 11
ERA
- Andy Pettitte 2.70
- C.C Sabathia 3.09
- Phil Hughes 3.65
K
- C.C Sabathia 104
- Phil Hughes 91
- Andy Pettitte 87
TAMPA BAY RAYS:
AVG
- Carl Crawford .321
- Evan Longoria .300
- Ben Zobrist .285
HR
- Carlos Pena 18
- Evan Longoria 13
- Carl Crawford 11
RBI
- Evan Longoria 61
- Carlos Pena 54
- Carl Crawford 50
WINS
- David Price 12
- Matt Garza 10
- James Shields 7
ERA
- David Price 2.42
- Jeff Neimann 2.77
- Matt Garza 4.05
K
- James Shields 109
- David Price 100
- Matt Garza 86
TORONTO BLUE JAYS:
AVG
- Fred Lewis .276
- Vernon Wells .265
- Alex Gonzalez .259
HR
- Jose Bautista 24
- Vernon Wells 19
- Alex Gonzalez 17
HR
- Jose Bautista 56
- Alex Gonzalez 50
- Vernon Wells 49
WINS
- Brett Cecil 8
- Shaun Marcum 7
- Ricky Romero 6
ERA
- Shaun Marcum 3.44
- Ricky Romero 3.71
- Bret Cecil 3.97
K
- Brandon Morrow 111
- Ricky Romero 108
- Shaun Marcum 88
CHICAGO WHITE SOX:
AVG
- Alex Rios .305
- Paul Konerko .299
- Alexei Ramirez .274
HR
- Paul Konerko 20
- Carlos Quentin 19
- Alex Rios 15
RBI
- Paul Konerko 63
- Carlos Quentin 61
- Alex Rios 49
WINS
- Freddy Garcia 9
- John Danks 8
- Mark Buehrle 8
ERA
- John Danks 3.29
- Gavin Floyd 4.20
- Mark Buehrle 4.24
K
- Jake Peavy 93
- Gavin Floyd 90
- John Danks 86
CLEVELAND INDIANS:
AVG
- Shin-Soo Choo .286
- Austin Kearns .270
- Johnny Peralta .252
HR
- Shin-Soo Choo 13
- Russell Branyan 10
- Travis Hafner 8
RBI
- Shin-Soo Choo 43
- Jhonny Peralta 39
- Austin Kearns 38
WINS
- Mitch Talbot 8
- Fausto Carmona 8
- Jake Westbrook 5
ERA
- Fausto Carmona 3.64
- Mitch Talbot 3.99
- Jake Westbrook 4.75
K
- Justin Masterson 82
- Jake Westbrook 62
- Fausto Carmona 61
DETROIT TIGERS:
AVG
- Miguel Cabrera .346
- Magglio Ordonez .313
- Austin Jackson .300
HR
- Miguel Cabrera 22
- Brennan Boesch 12
- Magglio Ordonez 11
RBI
- Miguel Cabrera 77
- Magglio Ordonez 56
- Brennan Boesch 49
WINS
- Justin Verlander 11
- Max Scherzer 6
- Jeremy Bonderman 5
ERA
- Justin Verlander 3.82
- Max Scherzer 4.61
- Jeremy Bonderman 4.79
K
- Justin Verlander 110
- Max Scherzer 88
- Jeremy Bonderman 68
KANSAS CITY ROYALS:
AVG
- David DeJesus .326
- Billy Butler .322
- Scott Podsednik .301
HR
- Jose Guillen 15
- Billy Butler 9
- Alberto Callaspo 8
RBI
- Jose Guillen 54
- Billy Butler 46
- Alberto Callaspo 41
WINS
- Brian Bannister 7
- Zack Greinke 5
- Bruce Chen 5
ERA
- Zack Greinke 3.71
- Brian Bannister 5.56
- Kyle Davies 5.57
K
- Zack Greinke 101
- Kyle Davies 60
- Brian Bannister 60
MINNESOTA TWINS:
AVG
- Justin Morneau .345
- Delmon Young .305
- Joe Mauer .293
HR
- Justin Morneau 18
- Jason Kubel 11
- Delmon Young 10
RBI
- Delmon Young 58
- Justin Morneau 56
- Jason Kubel 49
WINS
- Carl Pavano 10
- Kevin Slowey 8
- Scott Baker 7
ERA
- Carl Pavano 3.58
- Francisco Liriano 3.86
- Kevin Slowey 4.64
K
- Francisco Liriano 117
- Scott Baker 95
- Carl Pavano 71
LOS ANGELES ANGELS:
AVG
- Torii Hunter .298
- Erik Aybar .283
- Howie Kendrick .273
HR
- Torii Hunter 15
- Mike Napoli 14
- Kendry Morales 11
RBI
- Torii Hunter 62
- Howie Kendrick 52
- Bobby Abreu 47
WINS
- Joel Pinerio 9
- Jered Weaver 8
- Ervin Santana 8
ERA
- Jered Weaver 3.20
- Ervin Santana 3.76
- Joel Pineiro 3.95
K
- Jered Weaver 137
- Ervin Santana 100
- Joel Pineiro 74
OAKLAND ATHLETICS:
AVG
- Ryan Sweeney .294
- Daric Barton .272
- Rajai Davis .268
HR
- Kurt Suzuki 10
- Kevin Kouzmanoff 8
- Adam Rosales 6
RBI
- Kevin Kouzmanoff 40
- Kurt Suzuki 37
- Ryan Sweeney 36
WINS
- Trevor Cahill 9
- Gio Gonzalez 7
- Ben Sheets 4
ERA
- Trevor Cahill 2.94
- Gio Gonzalez 3.79
- Dallas Braden 3.83
K
- Gio Gonzalez 98
- Ben Sheets 82
- Trevor Cahill 63
SEATTLE MARINERS:
AVG
- Ichiro Suzuki .326
- Franklin Gutierrez .256
- Jose Lopez .240
HR
- Milton Bradley 8
- Franklin Guiterrez 8
- Casey Kotchman 7
RBI
- Jose Lopez 37
- Franklin Gutierrez 36
- Casey Kotchman 29
WINS
- Cliff Lee 8
- Felix Hernandez 7
- Jason Vargas 6
ERA
- Cliff Lee 2.34
- Felix Hernandez 2.88
- Jason Vargas 3.09
K
- Felix Hernandez 131
- Cliff Lee 89
- Jason Vargas 68
TEXAS RANGERS:
AVG
- Josh Hamilton .346
- Vladimir Guerrero 3.19
- Ian Kinsler .310
HR
- Josh Hamilton 22
- Vladimir Guerreo 20
- Michael Young 12
RBI
- Vladimir Guerrero 75
- Josh Hamilton 64
- Michael Young 54
WINS
- Colby Lewis 8
- C.J. Wilson 7
- Frank Francisco 6
ERA
- Colby Lewis 3.33
- C.J. Wilson 3.35
- Scott Feldman 5.32
K
- Colby Lewis 105
- C.J. Wilson 82
- Scott Feldman 63
Around the ballpark
Some updates from last nights games:
- Red Sox beat the Rockies 13 to 11. Dustin Pedroia hit a 2 run homer in the the top of the 10th. He also went 5 for 5 on the night with 3HR 2B 5RBI 4R BB
- Cubs and Mariners went into extras last night as well. The cubs won 3-3 in the 13th. Hernandez went 9IP 5H 2ER 8K.
Cubs Mariners
54 Batters Faced 49
7 Pitchers used 5
225 Pitches 170
The game lasted 4 hours and 2 mins.
- The White Sox have won now 9 straight. (They beat the Braves 2-0 last night)
In their last 14 games they are 11-1 w/ a 2.06 ERA 0.94 WHIP with 76 K and 22B
They are the 1st club to sweep Atlanta since April 29th. They are now only 2 1/2 games back of the Twins in AL C.
Who’s Hot?
Marlon Byrd has a .390 AVG & 8RBI in last 19 games.
Chase Utley in the last 6 games is batting .455 with 6R 8RBI and 10H in 22AB
Jayson Werth in last 6 games is batting .444 with 4R 7RBI and 8H in 18 AB
Carlos Pena has hit safely in his last 14 of 16.
Who’s Not?
Doc Halladay is 0-3 with a 4.09 ERA in his last 3 starts.
Tampa Bay Rays in the month of June:
.258 AVG (9th) 99 R (7th) 4.69 ERA (12th) They have los 6 of 7, 17 of 27 and have dropped from 1st place in the AL E to 3rd.
Last night during the game aparently Lastings Milledge had a heated discussion with Gary Varsho and Bobby Crosby. You can read the full story here
I guess its official. Although the Pirates haven’t annouced it yet. Daniel McCutchen will start against the A’s tomorow. A McCutchen 34 Jersey was spotted in the dugout.
Evan Meek after the game last night: (gave up 2 runs in the 7th)
“Nights like that you try to replay in your head and figure out what went wrong and you just kind of come up blank,” Meek said. “It’s a terrible feeling. That seventh inning is usually mine, and I usually get the job done. That’s a tough loss because it’s a game I think we should have won.”
:-( You can read the whole article here
Today’s Matchup:
Brad Lincoln (Makes his 4th ML Start) vs Ben Sheets
0-1 w/ a 6.50 ERA 18 IP 7K 6BB 2-7 w/ a 4.95 ERA 87.1 IP 61K 37BB
Sheets in 8-8 with a 2.92 ERA career against the buccos
I have yet to see Lincoln pitch in person. I couldn’t make it to his home debut and gave away my ticket the other time he started at home. The other 2 starts have been on the road. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to see him in person soon.
The Pirates have lost 14 Straight games on the road. Please oh pretty please snap that streak tonight!
Any Vin Scully fans out there?
Personally I think he is hands down the greatest broadcaster of all time. When I hear his voice I smile. I love listening to his stories and you learn something new everytime you listen to him. When I lived in LA I had the oppurtunity to listen to him everyday and I never took it for granted. I even met him once in Phoenix, AZ when the Dodgers were playing the Dbacks. It was only for a few seconds I don’t even remember what I said because I was so in awe. Anyways, the reason why I brought him up was because I read this great story in the NY Times. ”Pulling up a Chair with the great Vin Scully” its a must read for all you Scully fans.
Okay, one more thing and I’ll go. I love to ramble if you haven’t noticed. If you missed the post game show with Rocco Demaro last night I highly recommend you listen to the podcast Jay Jaffe of Baseball Prospectus was a guest on the show. “Consider the K” was the article he wrote where he talked about the value of the strikeout from both the hitters perspective and the pitchers perspective. It was Very interesting.
Kristy Robinson
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