Darwin Barney, one of the worst hitters in the majors, just homered off Adam Wainwright, one of the best pitchers in the majors. The three-run shot puts the Cubs up 4-3 over the Cardinals at the end of six innings. It was Barney’s sixth home run of the season, and he’s now slugging .341.
Last night I drove to Cambridge for my 30th college reunion. I was out of touch with baseball visiting with Duncan O’Brien, Jeff Wu, Dory Altmann, Marlene Rehkamp, John Kelly, and Constance Martin. Dory, my former roommate, and I were having a drink at his hotel after the party, and noticed a wild celebration going on in the Reds game. I didn’t think they clinched anything worth celebrating, then noticed Homer Bailey threw a no-hitter. It was one of those game where Bailey pretty much had to throw a near perfecto to win, and the Reds only managed one run off A.J. Burnett and the Pirates as Cincinnati won 1-0. Bailey walked one and struck out ten, lowering his road ERA to 2.41. Bailey really does pitch in the wrong home park, as 21 of the 26 home runs he allowed came at home. His ERA on the road is the second lowest in the National League behind Jordan Zimmermann.
I suppose it was a fitting end to the Pirates chance of finishing the season over .500. The no-hitter gives them 81 losses with just five games to play. It looks like they’ll record their 20th losing season after competing for a playoff spot into August. It’s a remarkable collapse.
I also missed the end of Darwin Barney‘s errorless streak.
Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton hit a grounder up the middle in the bottom of the eighth inning which was fielded by Barney, but he made a wild off-balance throw to Anthony Rizzo at first base which allowed a run to score. It wasn’t an easy play, so Upton was credited with a hit, but Barney was given an error because the run scored. That’s rough. You can watch the play here.
I’m not a huge fan of errorless streaks, since the awarding of errors is somewhat subjective. Barney, however, owns an excellent UZR, one of the best in the majors, and a lack of errors certainly helps that.
Darwin Barney hits a two-run home run on a 1-2 count with two outs in the bottom of the ninth as the Cubs beat the Padres 8-6. The first half of the game belonged to the Padres as Carlos Quentin hit two home runs to drive in four runs, while Chris Denorfia homered to drive in two more. The Padres led 6-3 in the middle of the fifth, but walks hurt San Diego as four Cubs drew bases on balls in the bottom of the fifth, two of them driving in runs. Tony Campana used his speed in the eighth to tie the game.
The Padres lost six in a row and nine of ten on this road trip.
Darwin Barney just made a great play on a pop. The Mets lead the Cubs 7-4 in the top of the fifth in a game that might get stopped due to rain, and had runners on first and third. Jose Reyes popped a ball up behind and to the right of the first baseman on the outfield grass. The ball was not that high, and Barney raced over, made a snow cone catch, and as he fell toward the ground, opened and closed his glove to settle the ball in his pocket before he hit the ground.
Barney’s hitting well and fielding well. That play showcased his excellent range.
Darwin Barney went two for three for the Cubs Monday afternoon, raising his batting average to .290, scoring two runs. The rookie hasn’t done two much until today, but his minor league DNA indicates he might be a high BA, low OBP hitter. He might not be the fittest at the position, especially if he keeps insisting on a group hug and singing, “I love you, you love me,” at the end of every game. The Cubs defeat the Astros 5-4.