- Giants went a disappointing 3-3 this week, though they are still 8-4 and on top of the NL West. They suffered a very tough loss in the rubber game on Sunday, as Zito's 7.1 scoreless innings (before the home run anyway) went to naught thanks to a Manny Ramirez 2 run homer that gave the Dodgers a 2-1 win. They will play the Padres in a 3 game set starting Monday and then a daunting stretch ensues afterwards - Cardinals, Phillies, and Rockies. This will be a true test of where the Giants stand among the elite teams of the NL.
- Ubaldo Jimenez throws a no-hitter against Atlanta on Saturday, the first in Rockies history. This guy is good, folks.
- A scoreless marathon in St.Louis: The Mets and Cardinals battled to the 20th inning on Saturday, a game in which the Mets won 2-1 thanks to runs in the top of the 19th and 20th inning. To summarize quickly, the game featured:
- 7 shutout innings from both Johan Santana and Jaime Garcia, who took a no-hitter into the 6th inning.
- Both teams left a combined 35 runners on base (22 of them from the Cardinals). The teams batted a combined 1 for 27 with runners in scoring position.
- The Cardinals left the bases loaded not once, not twice, but three times: in the 10th, 12th, and 14th.
- 46 of 50 available players were used in the game.
- Felipe Lopez, the Cardinals 3rd baseman, pitched a scoreless top of the 18th, highlighted by a 10-pitch battle with the opposing pitcher at the plate. Kyle Lohse, a starting pitcher, played three innings in the outfield and made several key catches for the Cardinals.
- Joe Mather, an outfielder, would pitch both the 19th and the 20th for the Cardinals, surrendering a run in both frames and taking the loss.
- Francisco Rodriguez blew a save in the 19th inning, as Molina drove home Pujols with 2 outs to tie the game at 1 and send it to the 20th.
- Mike Pelfrey, a starting pitcher, earned a save in the bottom of the 20th.
- Wainwright was the hero tonight, as he saved the Cardinals bullpen by pitching a complete game for the victory. In the end, I guess you can say that the Cardinals made the right sacrifice by electing to not use their starting pitchers on Saturday.
- Closer drama, continued:
- Fuentes to the DL, Rodney in as closer for the Angels.
- Gonzalez to the DL, Jim Johnson in as closer for the Orioles, although he's already blown a save against the A's.
- Frasor out as closer for the Blue Jays, Gregg in.
- Qualls blew two saves in consecutive games this week against the hated Dodgers.. he's still closing as of now though.
And for other news:
- Sharks appear headed to another playoff choke... I don't even want to go into this one. They're trailing 2-1 in the series now.
- NBA playoffs are underway.. I'm not much of an NBA fan though.
- 49ers acquire Ted Ginn Jr. from the Dolphins for a 5th round (?) pick.
- Europe is covered in ash, flights are delayed thanks to ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland.
- Whales have six-packs.
- Soccer is still lame.
- I didn't get a chance to zipline.. apparently you had to line up at like 7am just to reserve a spot.
i agree soccer is lame.
ReplyDeletei agree whales have six-packs and then some.
ReplyDelete