Brad Lidge comes on to close out the Braves with a 5-2 lead. He gives up a single to Renteria to start the inning. Update: Andruw Jones breaks his bat and grounds out to third. The bat grounded out to shortstop. Renteria is at second with one out. Update: Francoeur grounds out to second, moving […]
Posted by David Pinto at 9:45 pm | Games | Permalink | 5 Comments
September 30, 2006
LaRoche Clips Astros
Adam LaRoche greets Trever Miller with a home run, tying the game at two. Twenty four of LaRoche’s thirty two home runs came with the bases empty. Update: With men on first and third in the top of the ninth, Orland Palmeiro knocks in the go-ahead run for the Astros with a single. Still no […]
Posted by David Pinto at 9:16 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
First Inning Cycle
The Royals hit for the cycle in the first inning against Detroit as Gathright doubles, German singles, DeJesus triples and Sweeney homers to put the Royals up 4-0 before an out is recorded. A win by the Tigers tonight settles the AL Playoff picture. A loss puts travel plans off until tomorrow.
Posted by David Pinto at 8:48 pm | Games | Permalink | 2 Comments
September 30, 2006
Pettitte out Bunting
Andy Pettitte attempts to bunt the ball with two strikes, but the ball hits his back foot. Pettitte heads to first, but Bobby Cox comes out and asks for an appeal to the third base umpire. The ump indicates Pettitte bunted at the ball before it hit him, and therefore Pettitte strikes out. The Astros […]
Posted by David Pinto at 8:44 pm | Games | Permalink | 1 Comment
September 30, 2006
Long Day at Wrigley
The Colorado Rockies left the Cubs in the dust early today, scoring eight runs in the first three innings. But the Chicago picked up one in the fourth, then scored eight more over the last four scheduled innings and wind up tying the Rockies at 9. Quite a comeback, but rain came in the eleventh […]
Posted by David Pinto at 8:14 pm | Games | Permalink | 2 Comments
September 30, 2006
Pedro Cuffed
In addition to Pedro’s calf injury, doctors also diagnosed him with a torn rotator cuff: Pedro Martinez has a rotator cuff tear that will sideline him for eight months, possibly to the All-Star Break next season, GM Omar Minaya announced today. The ace already had been sidelined for the postseason with a left-calf tear. Minaya […]
Posted by David Pinto at 7:45 pm | Injuries | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Yankees Lose, Win Home Field Advantage
The Yankees lost 6-5 to the Blue Jays this afternoon as Jeff Karstens stayed in one inning too long. He was fine through six innings, but gave up two hits and his defense allowed a batter to reach on an error. The bullpen came in and allowed Rios to clear the bases with a triple. […]
Posted by David Pinto at 7:26 pm | Division Races | Permalink | 4 Comments
September 30, 2006
The Other Three-Way Tie Dies
The Padres and Dodgers both win, Los Angeles 4-2 over San Francisco and the Padres 3-1 over the Diamondbacks. Congratulations to both southern California teams on reaching the playoffs! David Wells finally wins one for San Diego, and it’s the clincher. He allowed four hits and a walk through six innings, all singles. And it […]
Posted by David Pinto at 6:51 pm | Division Races | Permalink | 5 Comments
September 30, 2006
Felix Finishes Fine
Felix Hernandez ends a disappointing season on an up note, defeating the Texas Rangers on seven innings of four hit ball. He struck out five and walked none, just falling short of a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio (176/60). That should give Mariners fans plenty of hope for coming seasons.
Posted by David Pinto at 6:16 pm | Games | Permalink | 2 Comments
September 30, 2006
Looking Bad for the Phillies
Mike Cameron hits a two run homer in the top of the fifth to give the Padres a 2-0 lead over the Diamondbacks. Cameron’s done a great job of getting on base in September, with a .393 mark coming into the game. The Giants scored one in the bottom of the fourth on a Lance […]
Posted by David Pinto at 5:24 pm | Division Races | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Getting Wood on the Ball
Jason Wood doubles with one out in the bottom of the ninth to put the tying run in scoring position. Wood hasn’t played in the majors since 1999 but is 5 for 9 for the Marlins this season. Reed pinch runs and goes to third on a passed ball. Update: Ramirez grounds back to Gordon, […]
Posted by David Pinto at 5:03 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Here’s to You, Mr. Robinson
The Nationals made it official that Frank Robinson manages his last game for Washington tomorrow. He deserves a lot of credit for keeping that franchise going when others were trying to tear it apart. I wonder who else goes? I’m actually surprised there haven’t been more firings announced.
Posted by David Pinto at 4:56 pm | Management | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Alou Resigning?
Felipe Alou is sending mixed messages from San Francisco. On one hand: “I believe I was the perfect man to make a transition when Dusty was let go,” Alou said before the Giants played the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. “And I also believe I am the perfect guy now for the transition again.” On the […]
Posted by David Pinto at 4:51 pm | Management | Permalink | 1 Comment
September 30, 2006
The Death of a Three-Way Tie
The St. Louis Cardinals come back with three runs in the bottom of the 8th. Pujols couldn’t hit a multi-run homer, but he did single to start the inning and before you know it the Cardinals loaded the bases with none out. That set up a one-out Spiezio triple to clear the bases and knock […]
Posted by David Pinto at 4:23 pm | Division Races | Permalink | 1 Comment
September 30, 2006
MVP
I’m listening to an MVP discussion on Fox. How can they leave Carlos Beltran out of the discussion?
Posted by David Pinto at 3:42 pm | Awards | Permalink | 2 Comments
September 30, 2006
Brewers Break Through
The Milwaukee Brewers load the bases in the seventh inning, and with two out pinch-hitter Jeff Cirillo singles in two for the first runs of the game. The bad news is that Cirillo pinch hit for Sheets, who struck out seven through six innings without allowing a run. It’s up the Milwaukee pen now. Update: […]
Posted by David Pinto at 3:27 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
To the Victorino Go the Spoils
Shane Victorino stretches a single into a double, then scores from second on an infield hit by Ryan Howard. The Phillies first baseman hit the ball to the right of the first basebman, but right at Uggla in shallow rightfield. Olsen, however, was slow covering (it looked like he thought the ball would get through). […]
Posted by David Pinto at 2:52 pm | Games | Permalink | 1 Comment
September 30, 2006
Too Late Again
For the second day in a row, the Twins mount a comeback in the bottom of the ninth but fall short. Michael Cuddyer hits a three-run homer off Jon Garland, who was trying to earn the shutout. Thornton comes on to get the last two outs and put the Twins chances of winning the division […]
Posted by David Pinto at 2:48 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Suppan Vs. Sheets
Ben Sheets, pitching in the fifth, has allowed five hits so far. Two of those belong to Jeff Suppan, who now possesses a .295 OBA, not bad for a pitcher. Suppan tries to do too much, however, as he’s caught stealing. The game is tied at 0 in the fifth.
Posted by David Pinto at 2:41 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Treanor Triples
Matt Treanor picks up his first career triple in his 341st at bat as he smacks a ball down the line into the rightfield corner. Olsen follows with a single through the drawn in infield to tie the game at three. Wolf continues to get hit. Update: With two out, Wolf walks Uggla to move […]
Posted by David Pinto at 2:31 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Bad Throws
A walk, three singles and two bad throws let the Phillies come back with three runs in the top of the second. With men on first and second, Lieberthal singled to drive in the first run, and the wild throw by the leftfielder allows Mike to end up at second. Nunez follows with another single, […]
Posted by David Pinto at 2:23 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Sheets Gets the Fly Out
Ben Sheets faces Albert Pujols with men on first and third and two out, and Sheets induces the fly out to end the inning. Sheets retired the side on three fly outs, with a single in between each.
Posted by David Pinto at 2:15 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Underway in Florida
The Phillies are batting in the top of the first after a rain delay of about 1/2 hour. Update: Miguel Cabrera draws first blood with a home run to centerfield. His 26th long ball gives the Marlins a 1-0 lead. Update: Willingham follows with a massive home run of his own. Wolf has now allowed […]
Posted by David Pinto at 1:55 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
White Sox Roll
Chicago picked up four hits in the third inning, chasing Matt Garza and scoring four runs in the process. They’ve added another to extend the lead to 5-0 in the fifth. The four doubles collect by White Sox hitters gives the team 288, good for the tenth best doubles season for the team. The 2000 […]
Posted by David Pinto at 1:36 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Phillies Delayed
It’s raining in Miami, delaying the start of the Philies/Marlins game. That’s okay, since Fox is showing the Cardinals while we wait.
Posted by David Pinto at 1:33 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Games of the Day
It’s must win day for the Phillies and the Reds. Philadelphia plays early, and if they lose, both the Padres and Dodgers are in the playoffs. Randy Wolf attempts to shut down the Marlins today. He’s done a poor job of shutting down any team this season, allowing a .371 OBA and a .498 slugging […]
Posted by David Pinto at 10:40 am | Matchups | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Big Unit has Bulging Disk
The New York Daily News presents an excellent roundup on Randy Johnson’s injury. “Nobody knows at what point (the herniated disk) happened,” Cashman said. “I know he didn’t have it last year when he had back stiffness, so it’s something new. It happened at some point this year. I’m assuming recently, but I couldn’t tell […]
Posted by David Pinto at 10:21 am | Injuries | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Bonds and Morris
Andrew Baggarly gives us two stories in on in his Giants notes. The first is Bonds is going to get less money if he signs with the Giants next season: The Giants will have about $35 million to fill holes at first base, second base, third base, two outfield spots and one starting pitcher while […]
Posted by David Pinto at 10:11 am | Management, Pitchers | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Athletics Rotation Takes Shape
Barry Zito will pitch games one and five of the ALDS and Esteban Loaiza game two. If Rich Harden is healthy after Sunday’s start, he’ll go Friday in game 3, otherwise, Dan Haren gets the nod for Oakland.
Posted by David Pinto at 10:06 am | Post Season | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2006
Massive Tie Review and Outlook
To wrap up last night’s NL action, the Dodgers come back against Mike Stanton in the ninth, scoring two runs to take a 4-3 lead. Stanton didn’t get pounded. He gave up two singles and a walk, but a fielder’s choice put a runner at third with two out, and Stanton uncorked a wild pitch. […]
Posted by David Pinto at 8:06 am | Division Races | Permalink | 3 Comments