April 27, 2008
Duel Afternoon
While I was off at Easter dinner, major league starters took control of a number of games. As mentioned in the previous post, Wang and Sabathia combined to allow one run in Cleveland, with the Yankees scoring the lone tally.
The Red Sox and Rays matched Beckett and Shields, and we can now refer Tampa Bay as the first place Rays. James Shields pitched a shutout, limiting the Red Sox to two hits and one walk. That beats his previous best, a three-hit, one walk shutout of Baltimore on 5/30/2007. Like Wang, Shields had to pitch that well as Beckett struck out thirteen in seven innings, but gave up an earned and unearned run, one on Longoria's third home run of the season. He's now slugging .563.
The win ties the Rays with Baltimore (who lost to Chicago) in winning percentage, although with a lower winning percentage the Red Sox are zero games back.
Ted Lilly and John Lannan locked horns in Washington, as Lannan came out on top 2-0. Lilly pitched six strong innings, striking out seven. Two two out singles in the second plated two runs, and that was the difference in the game. Lannan lasted seven innings, and his four walks and four hits were spread out enough to prevent the Cubs from scoring.
It was a starting duel in Milwaukee as neither Nolasco nor Parra made it through six innings. The bullpens combined to throw 9 2/3 innings, allowing two runs as the Fish took the game in ten innings 3-2. Wes Helms came through once again, hitting a solo home run in the tenth to provide the winning margin.
There was a good duel in Seattle until the eighth, when Felix Hernandez blew a 2-0 shutout. The first four batters reached, with Hernandez leaving with two runs in and two men on. Morrow allowed both runners to score and the King's ten strikeouts in seven innings go to waste. Having not seen the game, I wonder why Hernandez didn't come out sooner. His final pitch count was 115, meaning going into the inning, the Mariners should have had someone ready at the first sign of trouble.
Blanton gave up two runs on eight hits and two walks in seven innings. He takes advantage of Felix's blowup to get the win.
The Webb/Peavy matchup lived up to its billing, at least in runs allowed. Webb allowed just one unearned run over six innings, although it wasn't his strongest performance. He walked four and gave up five hits. Peavy pitched better; seven innings, four hits, three walks, nine strikeouts. Snyder, however, connected for a two run homer, and the Diamondbacks took the game 2-1. Neither bullpen allowed a hit in a combined five innings of work.
The Dodgers and Rockies are tied at two in the bottom of the tenth. Francis and Loaiza each allowed two runs, but the bullpens have yet to be touched for a run. LA has the bases loaded with one out. Quite the afternoon to lower ERAs!
Update: James Loney singles to win the game 3-2 for the Dodgers.
Posted by David Pinto at
06:56 PM
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On a day when most of the hitters apparently decided to skip work and take a nap, the Texas Rangers - yes, the woeful riders of the purple Arlington sage - bashed out a 10-0 victory. Padilla scattered seven hits and Bradley, Botts and Hamilton homered. And they did this on a day when the majors turned back the clock to sub-deadball levels of offense.
Ridiculous as it sounds, the Rangers are not yet completely buried. Thanks to the AL's newfound appetite for parity, they're only 7 1/2 back (assuming the Angels hold onto their lead). Sadly, that's three games worse than any other team in the league.
And the Rays will take on the O's in a couple days... if the Red Sox can just lose their next game and Tampa can win their next one against Baltimore.... the Rays will own first place for a day. I'd love to see that.