The Toronto Blue Jays just finished a game above .500 on their trip. Finishing anywhere near the break-even mark on their upcoming 10-game stretch on the road would be quite an accomplishment for the Kansas City Royals.
Toronto tries to continue its home field dominance of the Royals as this three-game series begins Tuesday night.
After getting outscored 7-1 to begin the series, the Blue Jays (65-62) avoided a third straight loss to Oakland on Sunday with a 1-0 victory. Luis Perez allowed one hit over six innings in his first big league start, and Jose Bautista hit his major league-best 36th homer to cap Toronto's 4-3 trip.
"When you can win more than you lose on the road it's a good thing," manager John Farrell told the Blue Jays' official website.
Royals manager Ned Yost would definitely take similar results as his club opens a stretch of 17 of 20 on the road, including stops in Cleveland and Detroit on this trip.
"It's not just us," Yost told the Royals' official website. "Look at a lot of other teams and see how many teams are playing .500 or better on the road. I guarantee at least half of them aren't."
The Royals are 19-39 on the road and have lost 21 of 28 in Toronto, which has won 10 of 15 at home.
Brandon Morrow (9-7, 4.41 ERA) faces Kansas City (52-76) for the second time this season in the series opener. The right-hander gave up two hits in six innings of a 3-2, 11-inning road loss June 6.
Just like in that game, Morrow did not allow a hit until there were two outs in the fourth inning of his last start, Wednesday's 5-1 victory at Seattle. He struck out a season-high 12 while yielding three hits in six innings.
Morrow has fanned 10 or more four times this season, and he leads the majors with 10.45 strikeouts per nine innings.
Royals scheduled starter Bruce Chen (8-5, 4.17) can't match Morrow's velocity, but the results have been impressive. The veteran left-hander will try to win four consecutive starts for the first time in his career after pitching six strong innings in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over New York.
"Whenever you have a good defense, it makes you want to throw strikes, so I went out there and challenged guys," Chen told the Royals' official website.
He is 3-2 with a 3.40 ERA in seven starts against Toronto, with none since 2005 while with Baltimore.
Chen gets his first look at Bautista, who is 11 for 21 (.524) with three homers and four RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.
Bautista went 4 for 13 with an RBI as these clubs split a four-game series in Kansas City from June 6-9.
Blue Jays first baseman Adam Lind, who was 5 for 14 (.357) with two homers and seven RBIs during that series, is questionable after getting hit on the right wrist by a pitch in Saturday's 5-1 loss.
Billy Butler and Alex Gordon were a combined 18 for 51 (.353) with three homers and 14 RBIs on the Royals' 2-5 homestand that ended with Sunday's 6-1 loss to Boston, but they are 15 for 71 (.211) lifetime in Toronto.
Butler is hitless in six at-bats versus Morrow, while Gordon is 1 for 5.
2011年8月23日星期二
2011年8月22日星期一
Royals have seen enough of Lester
Kansas City, Mo. - Jon Lester loves to face the Kansas City Royals.
Lester curbed the Royals on three hits for six-plus innings and Jason Varitek tripled for the first time in more than four years as the Boston Red Sox won 6-1 on Sunday.
"My stuff at times was good and at other times I was trying to do too much, overthrowing the ball a little bit," Lester said.
Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals, including a no-hitter on May 19, 2008.
Carl Crawford and Darnell McDonald hit solo home runs for the Red Sox. McDonald replaced Jacoby Ellsbury, who missed his second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday.
The Red Sox took 3 of 4 from the Royals although other starters David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew were also out with injuries.
"It's nice to know when those guys are out you have other guys to fill in and do a good job," Lester said. "That's big for us, a confidence-booster definitely. Guys that filled in those spots did a good job."
Varitek's two-out triple rolled to the right-center fence, allowing Jed Lowrie to score in the fifth to break a scoreless deadlock. Lowrie led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a Crawford ground out. Varitek's triple was his first since June 24, 2007 at San Diego off Jake Peavy.
How did it feel?
"Not so good," said Varitek, who was icing both knees at his clubhouse stall. "I'm just spacing them out. With two outs, it didn't look like it's something I shouldn't have any problem getting to (third)."
Red Sox manager Terry Francona joked "speed never takes a day off."
"It's not like Jacoby and Carl, trust me," the 39-year-old Varitek said.
"It's not often you see Tek get a triple," Lester said.
McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Royals rookie left-hander Danny Duffy (3-7). Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.
Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.
Duffy gave up two runs on five hits in six innings, while striking out three and walking two. He has lost four August starts since a July 31 victory at Cleveland.
Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas' single for the only run off Lester. He was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters.
"It's nothing unexpected from him," Lester said of Bard's performance. "He's done it since he's been up here. It's big to have a guy like that in our bullpen. That's what he's done all year. It makes your job a little easier as a starter, knowing you have those guys down there."
Lester curbed the Royals on three hits for six-plus innings and Jason Varitek tripled for the first time in more than four years as the Boston Red Sox won 6-1 on Sunday.
"My stuff at times was good and at other times I was trying to do too much, overthrowing the ball a little bit," Lester said.
Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals, including a no-hitter on May 19, 2008.
Carl Crawford and Darnell McDonald hit solo home runs for the Red Sox. McDonald replaced Jacoby Ellsbury, who missed his second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday.
The Red Sox took 3 of 4 from the Royals although other starters David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew were also out with injuries.
"It's nice to know when those guys are out you have other guys to fill in and do a good job," Lester said. "That's big for us, a confidence-booster definitely. Guys that filled in those spots did a good job."
Varitek's two-out triple rolled to the right-center fence, allowing Jed Lowrie to score in the fifth to break a scoreless deadlock. Lowrie led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a Crawford ground out. Varitek's triple was his first since June 24, 2007 at San Diego off Jake Peavy.
How did it feel?
"Not so good," said Varitek, who was icing both knees at his clubhouse stall. "I'm just spacing them out. With two outs, it didn't look like it's something I shouldn't have any problem getting to (third)."
Red Sox manager Terry Francona joked "speed never takes a day off."
"It's not like Jacoby and Carl, trust me," the 39-year-old Varitek said.
"It's not often you see Tek get a triple," Lester said.
McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Royals rookie left-hander Danny Duffy (3-7). Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.
Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.
Duffy gave up two runs on five hits in six innings, while striking out three and walking two. He has lost four August starts since a July 31 victory at Cleveland.
Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas' single for the only run off Lester. He was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters.
"It's nothing unexpected from him," Lester said of Bard's performance. "He's done it since he's been up here. It's big to have a guy like that in our bullpen. That's what he's done all year. It makes your job a little easier as a starter, knowing you have those guys down there."
2011年8月20日星期六
Moreland's homers help Rangers past White Sox
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Mitch Moreland clobbered two home runs and drove in five runs to lead the red-hot Texas Rangers to a 7-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
Texas have won seven of their last eight games and maintained their six game lead at the top of the American League West ahead of the Los Angeles Angels, who beat Baltimore 8-3.Chicago dropped five games behind the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers after the loss.
Chicago built an early 3-0 lead and White Sox starter Jake Peavy was cruising until getting roughed up in the fourth inning when Michael Young led off with a single, the Rangers first hit of the game, and scored on a double by Nelson Cruz.
Moreland then hit a three-run blast to give the Rangers a 4-3 lead.
"Huge, real huge," Texas manager Ron Washington told reporters. "Once Mitch caught one, we got energized and started going from there."
Chicago capitalized on a two-base throwing error in the fifth inning to tie it 4-4, before Josh Hamilton led off the sixth inning with a solo home run and Moreland put the game out of reach with a two-run homer.
Moreland has been nursing a sore hamstring that kept him out of the lineup on Thursday.
"It was fun, a good night," Moreland told reporters.
"The hamstring felt fine today, we were good to go."
Peavy took the loss giving up seven runs on six hits in six innings while reliever Yoshinori Tateyama replaced Texas starter Matt Harrison in the fifth and pitched 2-2/3 innings without giving up a hit to get the win.
"I just got behind him (Moreland) twice and challenged him, and he won both," Peavy told reporters. "I just have to make better pitches."
Texas have won seven of their last eight games and maintained their six game lead at the top of the American League West ahead of the Los Angeles Angels, who beat Baltimore 8-3.Chicago dropped five games behind the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers after the loss.
Chicago built an early 3-0 lead and White Sox starter Jake Peavy was cruising until getting roughed up in the fourth inning when Michael Young led off with a single, the Rangers first hit of the game, and scored on a double by Nelson Cruz.
Moreland then hit a three-run blast to give the Rangers a 4-3 lead.
"Huge, real huge," Texas manager Ron Washington told reporters. "Once Mitch caught one, we got energized and started going from there."
Chicago capitalized on a two-base throwing error in the fifth inning to tie it 4-4, before Josh Hamilton led off the sixth inning with a solo home run and Moreland put the game out of reach with a two-run homer.
Moreland has been nursing a sore hamstring that kept him out of the lineup on Thursday.
"It was fun, a good night," Moreland told reporters.
"The hamstring felt fine today, we were good to go."
Peavy took the loss giving up seven runs on six hits in six innings while reliever Yoshinori Tateyama replaced Texas starter Matt Harrison in the fifth and pitched 2-2/3 innings without giving up a hit to get the win.
"I just got behind him (Moreland) twice and challenged him, and he won both," Peavy told reporters. "I just have to make better pitches."
2011年8月19日星期五
A new deal
Jeff Francoeur signed with the Kansas City Royals in the offseason hoping for a chance to prove that he could be an everyday player. He agreed to a contract extension Thursday because he succeeded.
The Royals announced the two-year extension shortly before opening a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox. It should keep the 27-year-old right fielder with the club through the 2013 season, when those within the organization expect the youngest roster in the majors to be competing for championships.
“We have enough pieces in place, and hopefully guys to come, that hopefully this will turn around quick. We’re in a division where you don’t have to win 95, 96 games a year,” Francoeur said. “We’re in a good division to hopefully finish this season strong and play well next season. And for me, I want to be a part of that, I do. I want to be part of when this thing turns around and Kansas city starts winning again. I want to say I was here.”
It’s been a while since someone said that in baseball’s backwaters.
Kansas City hasn’t finished better than third in its division since 1995, and that includes a stretch of three consecutive seasons from 2004-06 in which the franchise lost 100 games. But with the arrival of general manager Dayton Moore, the Royals began to restock the farm system and add some key free agents.
The Royals announced the two-year extension shortly before opening a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox. It should keep the 27-year-old right fielder with the club through the 2013 season, when those within the organization expect the youngest roster in the majors to be competing for championships.
“We have enough pieces in place, and hopefully guys to come, that hopefully this will turn around quick. We’re in a division where you don’t have to win 95, 96 games a year,” Francoeur said. “We’re in a good division to hopefully finish this season strong and play well next season. And for me, I want to be a part of that, I do. I want to be part of when this thing turns around and Kansas city starts winning again. I want to say I was here.”
It’s been a while since someone said that in baseball’s backwaters.
Kansas City hasn’t finished better than third in its division since 1995, and that includes a stretch of three consecutive seasons from 2004-06 in which the franchise lost 100 games. But with the arrival of general manager Dayton Moore, the Royals began to restock the farm system and add some key free agents.
2011年8月18日星期四
A-Rod may not be activated Thursday
MOOSIC, Pa. — With cameras flashing for every at-bat, A-Rod the minor-leaguer moved closer to joining the Yankees.
Alex Rodriguez, though, might not be ready to join the big-league lineup.
Rodriguez played his final minor-league rehabilitation game on Wednesday, before joining the AL East-leading Yankees in Minnesota. Rodriguez might not be activated when the series opens Thursday. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday Rodriguez told him his right knee still felt "tentative" prior to the start. Rodriguez had surgery last month for a torn meniscus.
"Our plans right now are still to bring him to Minnesota (on Thursday) if everything goes OK," Girardi said prior to the Yankees' game in Kansas City. "We may not activate him. We may have him just go through some things for a couple of days and wait a couple of days to activate him."
When A-Rod does rejoin the roster, he could be the designated hitter and not start right away at third base.
"That's a possibility," Girardi said. "That's something I'll definitely consider. Let's get through tonight and get him to Minnesota tomorrow, and we're going to take a look at him."
Rodriguez walked twice and committed an error for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre through the first four innings Wednesday. He was in an 0-2 hole against Durham starter, and top Tampa Bay prospect, Matt Moore before he worked a walk in the fourth.
Rodriguez, who has 626 career homers, struck out looking against reliever Joe Bateman in the sixth. And he let a ball scoot through his legs in the first inning. Unlike Tuesday vs. Durham, he might play the entire game on Wednesday.
Which would be just fine by the Scranton crowd, certainly. After all, he attracted an announced total of 10,408, the largest crowd of the season.
Rodriguez was the last player off the field during pregame warmups, and tossed a ball into the stands as he jogged into the dugout. He was cheered by a huge crowd in Yankees gear that had lined up outside PNC Field hours before the gates opened.
Girardi said he would make a decision to activate A-Rod after watching the 36-year-old Rodriguez work out. "Just watching him run, watching him move around and see what he says, how he feels," Girardi said.
The Yankees will begin a four-game series Thursday night against the Twins. They went into Wednesday night's game one game ahead of Boston in the AL East.
They'll be careful not to rush A-Rod.
"A couple of days, if you rush it, could cost you a couple of weeks," Girardi said. "You can end up hurting something else. That's why we want to take a look at him with our own eyes tomorrow and see how far he is away and see if he's ready for tomorrow."
Girardi said Rodriguez told him he felt good but was "tentative."
"And I don't think that's so abnormal. He ran probably 3½ weeks tentative. And you can kind of get used to running a certain way. He's been this way for probably the last eight weeks now. He has to get that out of his mind."
The rehabilitation game was Rodriguez's fourth, after playing two over the weekend in Dunedin, Fla., for the Class A Tampa Yankees. He was the DH for two games vs. the Dunedin Blue Jays, and homered in his first at-bat on Friday night.
Rodriguez lined a single to right, before flying out to left, and popping up to second on Tuesday.
Alex Rodriguez, though, might not be ready to join the big-league lineup.
Rodriguez played his final minor-league rehabilitation game on Wednesday, before joining the AL East-leading Yankees in Minnesota. Rodriguez might not be activated when the series opens Thursday. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday Rodriguez told him his right knee still felt "tentative" prior to the start. Rodriguez had surgery last month for a torn meniscus.
"Our plans right now are still to bring him to Minnesota (on Thursday) if everything goes OK," Girardi said prior to the Yankees' game in Kansas City. "We may not activate him. We may have him just go through some things for a couple of days and wait a couple of days to activate him."
When A-Rod does rejoin the roster, he could be the designated hitter and not start right away at third base.
"That's a possibility," Girardi said. "That's something I'll definitely consider. Let's get through tonight and get him to Minnesota tomorrow, and we're going to take a look at him."
Rodriguez walked twice and committed an error for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre through the first four innings Wednesday. He was in an 0-2 hole against Durham starter, and top Tampa Bay prospect, Matt Moore before he worked a walk in the fourth.
Rodriguez, who has 626 career homers, struck out looking against reliever Joe Bateman in the sixth. And he let a ball scoot through his legs in the first inning. Unlike Tuesday vs. Durham, he might play the entire game on Wednesday.
Which would be just fine by the Scranton crowd, certainly. After all, he attracted an announced total of 10,408, the largest crowd of the season.
Rodriguez was the last player off the field during pregame warmups, and tossed a ball into the stands as he jogged into the dugout. He was cheered by a huge crowd in Yankees gear that had lined up outside PNC Field hours before the gates opened.
Girardi said he would make a decision to activate A-Rod after watching the 36-year-old Rodriguez work out. "Just watching him run, watching him move around and see what he says, how he feels," Girardi said.
The Yankees will begin a four-game series Thursday night against the Twins. They went into Wednesday night's game one game ahead of Boston in the AL East.
They'll be careful not to rush A-Rod.
"A couple of days, if you rush it, could cost you a couple of weeks," Girardi said. "You can end up hurting something else. That's why we want to take a look at him with our own eyes tomorrow and see how far he is away and see if he's ready for tomorrow."
Girardi said Rodriguez told him he felt good but was "tentative."
"And I don't think that's so abnormal. He ran probably 3½ weeks tentative. And you can kind of get used to running a certain way. He's been this way for probably the last eight weeks now. He has to get that out of his mind."
The rehabilitation game was Rodriguez's fourth, after playing two over the weekend in Dunedin, Fla., for the Class A Tampa Yankees. He was the DH for two games vs. the Dunedin Blue Jays, and homered in his first at-bat on Friday night.
Rodriguez lined a single to right, before flying out to left, and popping up to second on Tuesday.
2011年8月17日星期三
Red Sox Settle For Split Against Rays
BOSTON — All things considered, the Boston Red Sox had to consider themselves fortunate to split Tuesday’s day-night double-header with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Red Sox, playing both games without the injured David Ortiz and Marco Scutaro and resting a banged-up and sore Kevin Youkilis in the second game, collected only six hits on the day. With three hits in each game, they won the first 3-1 and fell 6-2 in the nightcap.
“We didn’t get a lot of hits today. Fortunately, we ended up getting a win in the first game, but they pitched us tough all day and the guy tomorrow will be real tough, too,” Boston manager Terry Francona said, looking ahead at facing David Price in Wednesday’s series finale.
Both James Shields and Jeff Niemann pitched three-hitters against the Red Sox, marking the fewest hits Boston has had in a double-header since collecting five in Baltimore way back on Sept. 2, 1974.
The split dropped the Red Sox a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the AL East. The Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 9-7 on Tuesday night.
Jacoby Ellsbury homered in both games, backing Jon Lester’s seven strong innings in the opener and then connecting for his career-best 22nd in a second game that saw the Red Sox turn a triple play but also help the Rays to five of their runs with fielding mishaps.
After the second game, Francona announced Ortiz will miss an undetermined amount of games because of bursitis in his right heel.
“He got an MRI and it showed the bursitis in his heel,” the manager said. “We’re going to get him out of his spikes for a couple of days, get him in a little bit of a walking boot, just to kind of alleviate some of the pressure.”
As far as how long Ortiz will be out, Francona said, “We’ll keep re-evaluating him, I’m sure, every couple of days, but we want to get him off that for a little while.
“It’s not going to be a DL but we’re going to have to keep him out there for a little bit and we don’t know what that (length of time) is.”
The highlight of a second game in which Erik Bedard fell to 0-1 in his third start with Boston (4-8 overall) was an around-the-horn triple play started by third baseman Jed Lowrie in the fourth inning.
With runners on first and second, Sean Rodriguez grounded to Lowrie. Lowrie stepped on third, threw to second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who then relayed on to Adrian Gonzalez to complete the club’s first triple play since John Valentin turned one by himself against Seattle July 8, 1994.
“At the time of the game, it’s a big play in the game,” said Francona. “It’s first and second, nobody out, they’ve got a chance to extend (the lead) and all of a sudden the inning’s over. We get off the field and it really cuts into the pitch count, probably gets him an extra inning to pitch.
“It was fun to watch.”
Lester improved to 12-6 and Jonathan Papelbon posted his 23rd straight save in the day game, while Jason Varitek homered in the night game. Bedard yielded just one earned run in six innings in Game 2.
“Pretty good,” Francona said. “Again, spinning that breaking ball really well. We didn’t help a lot at times. It’s not always just errors, it’s maybe the extra opportunities, things like that, but he’s continuing that progression of getting stronger, getting that pitch count up. He just fires strikes, with all his pitches.”
The Red Sox, playing both games without the injured David Ortiz and Marco Scutaro and resting a banged-up and sore Kevin Youkilis in the second game, collected only six hits on the day. With three hits in each game, they won the first 3-1 and fell 6-2 in the nightcap.
“We didn’t get a lot of hits today. Fortunately, we ended up getting a win in the first game, but they pitched us tough all day and the guy tomorrow will be real tough, too,” Boston manager Terry Francona said, looking ahead at facing David Price in Wednesday’s series finale.
Both James Shields and Jeff Niemann pitched three-hitters against the Red Sox, marking the fewest hits Boston has had in a double-header since collecting five in Baltimore way back on Sept. 2, 1974.
The split dropped the Red Sox a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the AL East. The Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 9-7 on Tuesday night.
Jacoby Ellsbury homered in both games, backing Jon Lester’s seven strong innings in the opener and then connecting for his career-best 22nd in a second game that saw the Red Sox turn a triple play but also help the Rays to five of their runs with fielding mishaps.
After the second game, Francona announced Ortiz will miss an undetermined amount of games because of bursitis in his right heel.
“He got an MRI and it showed the bursitis in his heel,” the manager said. “We’re going to get him out of his spikes for a couple of days, get him in a little bit of a walking boot, just to kind of alleviate some of the pressure.”
As far as how long Ortiz will be out, Francona said, “We’ll keep re-evaluating him, I’m sure, every couple of days, but we want to get him off that for a little while.
“It’s not going to be a DL but we’re going to have to keep him out there for a little bit and we don’t know what that (length of time) is.”
The highlight of a second game in which Erik Bedard fell to 0-1 in his third start with Boston (4-8 overall) was an around-the-horn triple play started by third baseman Jed Lowrie in the fourth inning.
With runners on first and second, Sean Rodriguez grounded to Lowrie. Lowrie stepped on third, threw to second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who then relayed on to Adrian Gonzalez to complete the club’s first triple play since John Valentin turned one by himself against Seattle July 8, 1994.
“At the time of the game, it’s a big play in the game,” said Francona. “It’s first and second, nobody out, they’ve got a chance to extend (the lead) and all of a sudden the inning’s over. We get off the field and it really cuts into the pitch count, probably gets him an extra inning to pitch.
“It was fun to watch.”
Lester improved to 12-6 and Jonathan Papelbon posted his 23rd straight save in the day game, while Jason Varitek homered in the night game. Bedard yielded just one earned run in six innings in Game 2.
“Pretty good,” Francona said. “Again, spinning that breaking ball really well. We didn’t help a lot at times. It’s not always just errors, it’s maybe the extra opportunities, things like that, but he’s continuing that progression of getting stronger, getting that pitch count up. He just fires strikes, with all his pitches.”
2011年8月16日星期二
Latest Pennsylvania Sports
Arizona (Collmenter 7-7) at Philadelphia (Halladay 15-4), 7:05 p.m.
St. Louis (C.Carpenter 8-8) at Pittsburgh (Karstens 9-6), 7:05 p.m.
CARDINALS-PIRATES
Doumit hits 3-run homer to lead Pirates past Cards
PITTSBURGH (AP) Ryan Doumit went 4 for 4 and hit a tiebreaking three-run home run to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals last night.
Doumit's homer in the fourth inning off Jake Westbrook (9-7) snapped a 1-1 tie and helped Pittsburgh break its three-game losing streak. The switch-hitting catcher matched a career high with his sixth four-hit game.
St. Louis, which had won three of its last four, fell 5½ games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central. The Brewers were hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers last night.
Xavier Paul, who homered, and Neil Walker each had two hits for the Pirates, and James McDonald (8-6) pitched 5 2-3 uneven innings to end his three-start winless streak. McDonald allowed two runs and six hits while walking two and striking out four.
DRAFT DEADLINE
Cole and Pirates agree at $8 million
NEW YORK (AP) UCLA pitcher Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a minor league contract with an $8 million signing bonus.
Cole had been among 23 first-round draft picks facing a midnight deadline to reach agreements with major league teams.
Scott Boras, Cole's agent, also negotiated a $7.5 million signing bonus for high school outfielder Bubba Starling with the Kansas City Royals, and a $7.4 million, four-year major league contract for Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon with the Washington Nationals. Starling was the fifth overall pick and Rendon sixth.
PHILLIES-BUSH
Dave Bush signs minor league deal with Phillies
PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Phillies have signed right-hander Dave Bush to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Bush made 17 appearances three starts for the Texas Rangers before being released July 6th. He was 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA.
The 31-year-old Bush then signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs and went 1-2 with a 6.14 ERA in five starts for Triple-A Iowa.
Bush is 56-69 in eight seasons with Toronto, Milwaukee and Texas. He was the winner in Game 3 of the 2008 division series for Milwaukee, against Philadelphia.
STEELERS-POUNCEY
Steelers C Pouncey makes quick rise to line leader
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) With all the injuries, position battles and chaos of shuffling players around the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line, the team considers itself fortunate to have a stable Pro Bowl anchor in the middle.
Even if this pillar of stability is only three weeks removed from his 22nd birthday.
Taken with the 18th pick of last year's draft, Maurkice Pouncey so impressed the Steelers early during training camp of his rookie year that he won the starting job at center. Almost immediately, Pouncey developed into one of the best of the league at his position.
Forget the sophomore slump, his teammates say. Still the second-youngest of the 90 players in Pittsburgh's camp, Pouncey has gone from 20-year-old draftee to respected, reliable team leader in a matter of 16 months.
"He's the spark on our offensive line," guard/center Doug Legursky said. "He's going to lead us."
He's being depended on to do just that for a unit that will have different starters at three of the four other positions from last season's Super Bowl team.
PENGUINS-CROSBY
Penguins still playing waiting game with Crosby
PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins have no plans on rushing star Sidney Crosby back to the ice.
General manager Ray Shero says it's too early to tell if Crosby will be ready when training camp begins next month. The former MVP hasn't played since being diagnosed with a concussion in January. He missed Pittsburgh's final 48 games, including a loss to Tampa Bay in the playoffs.
Crosby has spent the summer working out in Canada and Shero says the 24-year-old is "progressing well." Shero acknowledges Crosby continues to deal with symptoms related to the concussion, but added the issues have not forced him to stop training.
Shero expects Crosby to return to Pittsburgh a week before camp opens and says Crosby won't play until he is "100 percent."
KENTUCKY-BACK TO CLASS
Former 'Cats return to campus thinking academics
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Several former Kentucky stars currently in the NBA have returned to the campus that has become the lightning rod for the one-and-done rule under coach John Calipari. And they're not just planning to work out.
Washington Wizards point guard John Wall, Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Los Angeles Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe who all turned pro after one season with the Wildcats say they are considering using the NBA lockout as a chance to take a few classes.
Bledsoe says he wants to complete his education because he can't play basketball all his life.
The trio is part of a group of former UK standouts playing two exhibition games against the Dominican Republic national team Calipari is coaching in an upcoming Olympic qualifying tournament.
LITTLE LEAGUE-PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania reaches LLWS
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) Pennsylvania is heading to the Little League World Series after defeating New Jersey.
Wyatt Koch hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth, helping lead Keystone Little League of Clinton County, Pennsylvania, to a 5-2 win over the Paramus, New Jersey, team yesterday in Bristol, Connecticut.
Pennsylvania finished the tournament 6-0, winning the Mid-Atlantic Championship. The team now returns home for the Little League World Series, which starts Thursday in nearby South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The scoring came quickly yesterday after a scoreless 3 innings were rain-delayed Sunday.
The New Jersey team pulled within one run in the top of the fifth with a two-run homer from Nick DeNigris.
But Pennsylvania closer Tyler McCloskey added a run in the top of the sixth and Alex Garbrick followed with an RBI.
St. Louis (C.Carpenter 8-8) at Pittsburgh (Karstens 9-6), 7:05 p.m.
CARDINALS-PIRATES
Doumit hits 3-run homer to lead Pirates past Cards
PITTSBURGH (AP) Ryan Doumit went 4 for 4 and hit a tiebreaking three-run home run to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals last night.
Doumit's homer in the fourth inning off Jake Westbrook (9-7) snapped a 1-1 tie and helped Pittsburgh break its three-game losing streak. The switch-hitting catcher matched a career high with his sixth four-hit game.
St. Louis, which had won three of its last four, fell 5½ games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central. The Brewers were hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers last night.
Xavier Paul, who homered, and Neil Walker each had two hits for the Pirates, and James McDonald (8-6) pitched 5 2-3 uneven innings to end his three-start winless streak. McDonald allowed two runs and six hits while walking two and striking out four.
DRAFT DEADLINE
Cole and Pirates agree at $8 million
NEW YORK (AP) UCLA pitcher Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a minor league contract with an $8 million signing bonus.
Cole had been among 23 first-round draft picks facing a midnight deadline to reach agreements with major league teams.
Scott Boras, Cole's agent, also negotiated a $7.5 million signing bonus for high school outfielder Bubba Starling with the Kansas City Royals, and a $7.4 million, four-year major league contract for Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon with the Washington Nationals. Starling was the fifth overall pick and Rendon sixth.
PHILLIES-BUSH
Dave Bush signs minor league deal with Phillies
PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Phillies have signed right-hander Dave Bush to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Bush made 17 appearances three starts for the Texas Rangers before being released July 6th. He was 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA.
The 31-year-old Bush then signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs and went 1-2 with a 6.14 ERA in five starts for Triple-A Iowa.
Bush is 56-69 in eight seasons with Toronto, Milwaukee and Texas. He was the winner in Game 3 of the 2008 division series for Milwaukee, against Philadelphia.
STEELERS-POUNCEY
Steelers C Pouncey makes quick rise to line leader
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) With all the injuries, position battles and chaos of shuffling players around the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line, the team considers itself fortunate to have a stable Pro Bowl anchor in the middle.
Even if this pillar of stability is only three weeks removed from his 22nd birthday.
Taken with the 18th pick of last year's draft, Maurkice Pouncey so impressed the Steelers early during training camp of his rookie year that he won the starting job at center. Almost immediately, Pouncey developed into one of the best of the league at his position.
Forget the sophomore slump, his teammates say. Still the second-youngest of the 90 players in Pittsburgh's camp, Pouncey has gone from 20-year-old draftee to respected, reliable team leader in a matter of 16 months.
"He's the spark on our offensive line," guard/center Doug Legursky said. "He's going to lead us."
He's being depended on to do just that for a unit that will have different starters at three of the four other positions from last season's Super Bowl team.
PENGUINS-CROSBY
Penguins still playing waiting game with Crosby
PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins have no plans on rushing star Sidney Crosby back to the ice.
General manager Ray Shero says it's too early to tell if Crosby will be ready when training camp begins next month. The former MVP hasn't played since being diagnosed with a concussion in January. He missed Pittsburgh's final 48 games, including a loss to Tampa Bay in the playoffs.
Crosby has spent the summer working out in Canada and Shero says the 24-year-old is "progressing well." Shero acknowledges Crosby continues to deal with symptoms related to the concussion, but added the issues have not forced him to stop training.
Shero expects Crosby to return to Pittsburgh a week before camp opens and says Crosby won't play until he is "100 percent."
KENTUCKY-BACK TO CLASS
Former 'Cats return to campus thinking academics
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Several former Kentucky stars currently in the NBA have returned to the campus that has become the lightning rod for the one-and-done rule under coach John Calipari. And they're not just planning to work out.
Washington Wizards point guard John Wall, Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Los Angeles Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe who all turned pro after one season with the Wildcats say they are considering using the NBA lockout as a chance to take a few classes.
Bledsoe says he wants to complete his education because he can't play basketball all his life.
The trio is part of a group of former UK standouts playing two exhibition games against the Dominican Republic national team Calipari is coaching in an upcoming Olympic qualifying tournament.
LITTLE LEAGUE-PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania reaches LLWS
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) Pennsylvania is heading to the Little League World Series after defeating New Jersey.
Wyatt Koch hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth, helping lead Keystone Little League of Clinton County, Pennsylvania, to a 5-2 win over the Paramus, New Jersey, team yesterday in Bristol, Connecticut.
Pennsylvania finished the tournament 6-0, winning the Mid-Atlantic Championship. The team now returns home for the Little League World Series, which starts Thursday in nearby South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The scoring came quickly yesterday after a scoreless 3 innings were rain-delayed Sunday.
The New Jersey team pulled within one run in the top of the fifth with a two-run homer from Nick DeNigris.
But Pennsylvania closer Tyler McCloskey added a run in the top of the sixth and Alex Garbrick followed with an RBI.
2011年8月15日星期一
Cubs halt Uggla's streak and rally from 4 down to top Braves
ATLANTA -- The Chicago Cubs stopped Dan Uggla's 33-game hitting streak and rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Atlanta Braves 6-5 on Sunday.
The Braves led 4-0 through five innings and 5-4 through six, but Carlos Pena hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh for Chicago.
Uggla went 0-for-3 with an RBI, ending the longest hitting streak in the majors in five years.
His best chance to extend the streak came in the fifth, but second baseman Darwin Barney made a diving catch of his fly ball in shallow right field.
Uggla grounded out to shortstop against Jeff Samardzija in the seventh in his final at-bat. He didn't come up in the ninth, when Carlos Marmol earned his 28th save. The Cubs have won 11-of-14, including 2-of-3 from the Braves.
• Diamondbacks 5, Mets 3: At Phoenix, Justin Upton homered, Paul Goldschmidt doubled twice and Arizona earned its sixth consecutive win. Diamondbacks starter Jason Marquis, acquired in a July 30 trade from Washington, was hit on the right shin by a line drive in the third and left the game one inning later with a broken shinbone.
• Brewers 2, Pirates 1: At Milwaukee, Nyjer Morgan hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to help Milwaukee complete a three-game series sweep. The Brewers now have won all eight games against the Pirates this season and 12 straight over the last two years at Miller Park.
• Cardinals 6, Rockies 2: At St. Louis, Albert Pujols hit the longest home run at six-year-old Busch Stadium and St. Louis overcame an injury to starter Edwin Jackson with stellar bullpen work. Yadier Molina had three hits, a walk and two RBI for St. Louis, which remained five games behind NL Central-leading Milwaukee with 42 games to go, six of them against the Brewers.
Pujols' two-run drive in the first was estimated at 465 feet.
• Padres 7, Reds 3: At Cincinnati, San Diego scored four runs in the third inning Sunday off an ailing Dontrelle Willis, who left during the rally with a sore forearm. Willis (0-3) left during the four-run rally, shaking and flexing his pitching hand. .
• Giants 5, Marlins 2: At Miami, Ryan Vogelsong pitched into the eighth inning to earn his career-high 10th win and San Francisco hit four home runs.
• Dodgers 7, Astros 0: At Los Angeles, Hiroki Kuroda pitched seven strong innings, Justin Sellers hit a three-run drive for his first major league homer and the Dodgers finished a sweep of the three-game series.
American League
• White Sox 6, Royals 2: At Chicago, Brent Lillibridge hit a three-run homer, John Danks pitched six strong innings and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals.
• Rangers 7, Athletics 6: At Oakland, Calif., David Murphy hit a tiebreaking RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning, helping the Rangers finish off a three-game series sweep.
• Mariners 5, Red Sox 3: At Seattle, Charlie Furbush allowed just one run in a career-best seven innings, leading Seattle to the victory.
• Orioles 8, Tigers 5: At Baltimore, Nick Markakis homered and drove in four runs, and Jo-Jo Reyes allowed four hits over six innings to earn his first win with Baltimore.
• Blue Jays 5, Angels 4: At Toronto, Edwin Encarnacion hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to lift Toronto to the win. Yunel Escobar walked to begin the 10th against Fernando Rodney (2-5). Mark Teahen struck out and Jose Bautista walked before Hisanori Takahashi came on to retire Adam Lind. Encarnacion followed with a base hit up the alley in left-center, scoring Escobar with the winning run as Encarnacion's teammates ran out and mobbed him at second base.
Jon Rauch (5-3) pitched one inning for Toronto.
Bautista hit his major league-leading 34th homer and Eric Thames also connected for the Blue Jays, who had lost six of 10 coming in. Rookie Brett Lawrie hit a tying RBI double in the ninth.
The Braves led 4-0 through five innings and 5-4 through six, but Carlos Pena hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh for Chicago.
Uggla went 0-for-3 with an RBI, ending the longest hitting streak in the majors in five years.
His best chance to extend the streak came in the fifth, but second baseman Darwin Barney made a diving catch of his fly ball in shallow right field.
Uggla grounded out to shortstop against Jeff Samardzija in the seventh in his final at-bat. He didn't come up in the ninth, when Carlos Marmol earned his 28th save. The Cubs have won 11-of-14, including 2-of-3 from the Braves.
• Diamondbacks 5, Mets 3: At Phoenix, Justin Upton homered, Paul Goldschmidt doubled twice and Arizona earned its sixth consecutive win. Diamondbacks starter Jason Marquis, acquired in a July 30 trade from Washington, was hit on the right shin by a line drive in the third and left the game one inning later with a broken shinbone.
• Brewers 2, Pirates 1: At Milwaukee, Nyjer Morgan hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to help Milwaukee complete a three-game series sweep. The Brewers now have won all eight games against the Pirates this season and 12 straight over the last two years at Miller Park.
• Cardinals 6, Rockies 2: At St. Louis, Albert Pujols hit the longest home run at six-year-old Busch Stadium and St. Louis overcame an injury to starter Edwin Jackson with stellar bullpen work. Yadier Molina had three hits, a walk and two RBI for St. Louis, which remained five games behind NL Central-leading Milwaukee with 42 games to go, six of them against the Brewers.
Pujols' two-run drive in the first was estimated at 465 feet.
• Padres 7, Reds 3: At Cincinnati, San Diego scored four runs in the third inning Sunday off an ailing Dontrelle Willis, who left during the rally with a sore forearm. Willis (0-3) left during the four-run rally, shaking and flexing his pitching hand. .
• Giants 5, Marlins 2: At Miami, Ryan Vogelsong pitched into the eighth inning to earn his career-high 10th win and San Francisco hit four home runs.
• Dodgers 7, Astros 0: At Los Angeles, Hiroki Kuroda pitched seven strong innings, Justin Sellers hit a three-run drive for his first major league homer and the Dodgers finished a sweep of the three-game series.
American League
• White Sox 6, Royals 2: At Chicago, Brent Lillibridge hit a three-run homer, John Danks pitched six strong innings and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals.
• Rangers 7, Athletics 6: At Oakland, Calif., David Murphy hit a tiebreaking RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning, helping the Rangers finish off a three-game series sweep.
• Mariners 5, Red Sox 3: At Seattle, Charlie Furbush allowed just one run in a career-best seven innings, leading Seattle to the victory.
• Orioles 8, Tigers 5: At Baltimore, Nick Markakis homered and drove in four runs, and Jo-Jo Reyes allowed four hits over six innings to earn his first win with Baltimore.
• Blue Jays 5, Angels 4: At Toronto, Edwin Encarnacion hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to lift Toronto to the win. Yunel Escobar walked to begin the 10th against Fernando Rodney (2-5). Mark Teahen struck out and Jose Bautista walked before Hisanori Takahashi came on to retire Adam Lind. Encarnacion followed with a base hit up the alley in left-center, scoring Escobar with the winning run as Encarnacion's teammates ran out and mobbed him at second base.
Jon Rauch (5-3) pitched one inning for Toronto.
Bautista hit his major league-leading 34th homer and Eric Thames also connected for the Blue Jays, who had lost six of 10 coming in. Rookie Brett Lawrie hit a tying RBI double in the ninth.
2011年8月12日星期五
MLB: Uggla claims Braves milestone
Uggla is on the longest hitting run by any player in the majors this season, and his homer off Carlos Zambrano in the second inning took him past Rico Carty's Atlanta record, set in 1970.
Atlanta also saw Freddie Freeman, Chipper Jones and Jose Constanza hit home runs in the trouncing, as they brought up a fifth straight win.
After giving up five home runs, 30-year-old Venezuelan Zambrano was reported to have retired from baseball.
Cubs manager Mike Quade said on www.mlb.com: "His locker is cleaned out. He's gone.
"I don't know what else to make of that. I'm running a ballgame and I've got 24 guys that I care about, so I didn't have time to speak to him. But I come in here and see an empty locker, I figure he's decided he's had enough."
The Braves became the fourth team in the majors to reach 70 wins this season but they trail the Philadelphia Phillies by seven-and-a-half games in the National League East.
The Phillies had a rare off night, losing 4-2 to the Washington Nationals for whom Livan Hernandez pitched six and two-thirds near-perfect innings and drove two key runs with RBI singles.
NL West front-runners the Arizona Diamondbacks edged the New York Mets 4-3 in Phoenix, while NL Central leaders Milwaukee crushed the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2. For the Brewers, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder went deep in the eighth inning.
Milwaukee are four games ahead of the St Louis Cardinals who were 6-1 winners over the Colorado Rockies, while the Florida Marlins, who had been on a seven-game losing run, rebounded in fine style by beating the San Francisco Giants 2-1.
The Cincinnati Reds notched up a third straight win, defeating the San Diego Padres 5-3, aided by a three-run homer from Jay Bruce in the eighth inning.
The game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros remained deadlocked until the 10th inning, when Matt Kemp banjoed the RBI single which secured a 1-0 success for the Dodgers.
American League Central leaders Detroit secured a 5-4 win against the Baltimore Orioles, despite JJ Hardy thwacking two big ones for the hosts.
The Cleveland Indians, three games sour, kept up the pressure on the Indians with a 3-2 success against the Minnesota Twins.
The Texas Rangers, top of the AL West, thrashed the Oakland Athletics 9-1, and the second-placed Los Angeles Angels overcame the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 with a homer from former Toronto favourite Vernon Wells.
Five solo home runs steered the Tampa Bay Rays to their 5-1 win over the New York Yankees, with Casey Kotchman, Kelly Shoppach, Elliot Johnson, Evan Longoria and Johnny Damon all scoring against CC Sabathia to secure a fifth straight victory.
The Kansas City Royals prevailed by the same margin against the Chicago White Sox, with Billy Butler and Melky Cabrera both homering.
Boston hold a two-game lead over the Yankees atop the AL East following a 6-4 win against the Seattle Mariners, which contained home runs from David Ortiz, Jed Lowrie and Josh Reddick. Reddick hit a two-run homer for the Red Sox in the sixth inning which saw the ball clatter the windows of the Hit It Here Cafe high in right field.
Atlanta also saw Freddie Freeman, Chipper Jones and Jose Constanza hit home runs in the trouncing, as they brought up a fifth straight win.
After giving up five home runs, 30-year-old Venezuelan Zambrano was reported to have retired from baseball.
Cubs manager Mike Quade said on www.mlb.com: "His locker is cleaned out. He's gone.
"I don't know what else to make of that. I'm running a ballgame and I've got 24 guys that I care about, so I didn't have time to speak to him. But I come in here and see an empty locker, I figure he's decided he's had enough."
The Braves became the fourth team in the majors to reach 70 wins this season but they trail the Philadelphia Phillies by seven-and-a-half games in the National League East.
The Phillies had a rare off night, losing 4-2 to the Washington Nationals for whom Livan Hernandez pitched six and two-thirds near-perfect innings and drove two key runs with RBI singles.
NL West front-runners the Arizona Diamondbacks edged the New York Mets 4-3 in Phoenix, while NL Central leaders Milwaukee crushed the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-2. For the Brewers, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder went deep in the eighth inning.
Milwaukee are four games ahead of the St Louis Cardinals who were 6-1 winners over the Colorado Rockies, while the Florida Marlins, who had been on a seven-game losing run, rebounded in fine style by beating the San Francisco Giants 2-1.
The Cincinnati Reds notched up a third straight win, defeating the San Diego Padres 5-3, aided by a three-run homer from Jay Bruce in the eighth inning.
The game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros remained deadlocked until the 10th inning, when Matt Kemp banjoed the RBI single which secured a 1-0 success for the Dodgers.
American League Central leaders Detroit secured a 5-4 win against the Baltimore Orioles, despite JJ Hardy thwacking two big ones for the hosts.
The Cleveland Indians, three games sour, kept up the pressure on the Indians with a 3-2 success against the Minnesota Twins.
The Texas Rangers, top of the AL West, thrashed the Oakland Athletics 9-1, and the second-placed Los Angeles Angels overcame the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 with a homer from former Toronto favourite Vernon Wells.
Five solo home runs steered the Tampa Bay Rays to their 5-1 win over the New York Yankees, with Casey Kotchman, Kelly Shoppach, Elliot Johnson, Evan Longoria and Johnny Damon all scoring against CC Sabathia to secure a fifth straight victory.
The Kansas City Royals prevailed by the same margin against the Chicago White Sox, with Billy Butler and Melky Cabrera both homering.
Boston hold a two-game lead over the Yankees atop the AL East following a 6-4 win against the Seattle Mariners, which contained home runs from David Ortiz, Jed Lowrie and Josh Reddick. Reddick hit a two-run homer for the Red Sox in the sixth inning which saw the ball clatter the windows of the Hit It Here Cafe high in right field.
Royals Prospects: How good will KC be in a couple years?
This is the second part of the analysis I started yesterday. (BTW: This is personal post #1,500 on UFR.) I decided to determine how good KC’s prospect class was coming into 2011 and compare it to other seasons for the Royals as well as other teams. This is all based upon Baseball America’s top-100 and it goes back to 1990. I think you will find the results interesting.
In yesterday’s post, I explained how I arrived at a point system to reflect how good a particular prospect class is. Kansas City (2011) has 574 prospect points. That’s nearly 300 points better than the next best KC group since 1990. The next question was just how good it was with respect to all the teams in the majors.
As it turns out, KC in 2011 has the #1 prospect class based upon this way of measuring in the 22 years Baseball America has published a top-100. Only one other group is even remotely close – Arizona, 2006.
Here are the top-16 (those with 400+ points in a season)
In yesterday’s post, I explained how I arrived at a point system to reflect how good a particular prospect class is. Kansas City (2011) has 574 prospect points. That’s nearly 300 points better than the next best KC group since 1990. The next question was just how good it was with respect to all the teams in the majors.
As it turns out, KC in 2011 has the #1 prospect class based upon this way of measuring in the 22 years Baseball America has published a top-100. Only one other group is even remotely close – Arizona, 2006.
Here are the top-16 (those with 400+ points in a season)
2011年8月11日星期四
Royals: Perez for Pres
Obviously, I would have wanted to have talked about the debut of Salvador Perez on the back of a Royals’ victory – and, like anyone watching the game, I thought that was in the bank. Although Soria blew the save (his seventh) and Tampa Bay scored five in the ninth to win by one, the truth is five of KC’s six pitchers did not do their job last night – and Perez’ heroics just weren’t enough to overcome it.
Note: My second post today covers the Royals’ prospects from the beginning of the season.
Perez did all he could, including a hit, a run and an RBI. He drove the left-fielder to the wall on his last at bat. Additionally, he blocked half dozen or so balls that would have gone to the back stop and he picked two runners off base.
COOL FACTOID: Perez’ two pick offs are the first two for the Royals’ catchers this entire season!
I’m not sure if Yost is right, but he stated he thought it was the first two attempts at pick offs this year. Actually, that wouldn’t have been correct no matter what because Perez’ first attempt was at second base and he came within a whisker of getting an out. The second try was successful at first and the third try was successful at third.
But, that’s not all, at one point in the game he had five putouts in seven batters – and by putouts I mean he caught pop ups. Coming into the game, KC’s catchers had a total of 17 caught balls for outs on the season. As I said, Perez caught five in seven batters.
He’s going to be a special player. I think that’s obvious.
Pitching
Paulino started and went five innings. You could say he did his job as he only allowed one earned run. But, he was lucky. He allowed three hits and four walks and only struck out one. Additionally, they hit a lot of hard balls that KC defenders caught.
Collins pitched a third of an inning and allowed two hits, a walk, a wild pitch and a run. Coleman pitched 1.2 innings and allowed only a walk. He did his job.
Holland pitched one inning, allowing two hits a walk and a run. Crow didn’t get anyone out, allowing two hits. And, of course, Soria pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowed both inherited runners to score, gave up three hits of his own and three runs… to take the blown save and the loss.
Fielding
Giavotella had a very good game until the fateful bottom of the ninth. He was 2/4 with a triple, a single, a run scored and an RBI. But, he had two errors in the ninth and that led directly to the loss. My opinion is the first error was as much the fault of Hosmer as Gio. I’m not sure what’s up with the swinging swiping motion Hosmer has at first on balls in the dirt. Doesn’t the ball get there just as fast if you hold the glove out and… aren’t you less likely to “bat” the ball rather than catch it? Not that I’m a professional first baseman in the majors, but you don’t see other first basemen do it as much as he does. At least I don’t think so. And, that motion might have contributed to the error. IMO, it did.
The second JG error was on a throw in an attempt to prevent the winning runner from reaching third on a triple. The throw was bad and the rest is history.
Hitting
Cabrera had two sacrifice flies and a three run homer (top of the ninth) as well as a double. His five RBIs tied a personal high. He had five RBIs on three other occasions, including one last month. Interestingly, his team’s record when he has had three RBIs is 12-2, four RBIs 5-0 and it was 3-0 on five RBIs before last night’s horrible collapse in the bottom of the ninth.
On the other side of things, Alex Gordon continues to have trouble hitting the ball – especially in Tampa. He’s now 1/48 in his career in Tropicana Field. And, he’s also only two for his last 24 at-bats overall.
COOL FACTOID: Gordon’s hitting woes are immediately on the tail of a 7/9 stretch. Who can figure?
And, Butler was 0-5 for the game, including his final at bat (strike out) in which all three pitches were almost dead center of the plate. He’s one for his last 21 (single). He’s better than Gordon at Tropicana in his career (12/67, .179), but it’s noteworthy that he has never scored a run in Tampa.
Note: My second post today covers the Royals’ prospects from the beginning of the season.
Perez did all he could, including a hit, a run and an RBI. He drove the left-fielder to the wall on his last at bat. Additionally, he blocked half dozen or so balls that would have gone to the back stop and he picked two runners off base.
COOL FACTOID: Perez’ two pick offs are the first two for the Royals’ catchers this entire season!
I’m not sure if Yost is right, but he stated he thought it was the first two attempts at pick offs this year. Actually, that wouldn’t have been correct no matter what because Perez’ first attempt was at second base and he came within a whisker of getting an out. The second try was successful at first and the third try was successful at third.
But, that’s not all, at one point in the game he had five putouts in seven batters – and by putouts I mean he caught pop ups. Coming into the game, KC’s catchers had a total of 17 caught balls for outs on the season. As I said, Perez caught five in seven batters.
He’s going to be a special player. I think that’s obvious.
Pitching
Paulino started and went five innings. You could say he did his job as he only allowed one earned run. But, he was lucky. He allowed three hits and four walks and only struck out one. Additionally, they hit a lot of hard balls that KC defenders caught.
Collins pitched a third of an inning and allowed two hits, a walk, a wild pitch and a run. Coleman pitched 1.2 innings and allowed only a walk. He did his job.
Holland pitched one inning, allowing two hits a walk and a run. Crow didn’t get anyone out, allowing two hits. And, of course, Soria pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowed both inherited runners to score, gave up three hits of his own and three runs… to take the blown save and the loss.
Fielding
Giavotella had a very good game until the fateful bottom of the ninth. He was 2/4 with a triple, a single, a run scored and an RBI. But, he had two errors in the ninth and that led directly to the loss. My opinion is the first error was as much the fault of Hosmer as Gio. I’m not sure what’s up with the swinging swiping motion Hosmer has at first on balls in the dirt. Doesn’t the ball get there just as fast if you hold the glove out and… aren’t you less likely to “bat” the ball rather than catch it? Not that I’m a professional first baseman in the majors, but you don’t see other first basemen do it as much as he does. At least I don’t think so. And, that motion might have contributed to the error. IMO, it did.
The second JG error was on a throw in an attempt to prevent the winning runner from reaching third on a triple. The throw was bad and the rest is history.
Hitting
Cabrera had two sacrifice flies and a three run homer (top of the ninth) as well as a double. His five RBIs tied a personal high. He had five RBIs on three other occasions, including one last month. Interestingly, his team’s record when he has had three RBIs is 12-2, four RBIs 5-0 and it was 3-0 on five RBIs before last night’s horrible collapse in the bottom of the ninth.
On the other side of things, Alex Gordon continues to have trouble hitting the ball – especially in Tampa. He’s now 1/48 in his career in Tropicana Field. And, he’s also only two for his last 24 at-bats overall.
COOL FACTOID: Gordon’s hitting woes are immediately on the tail of a 7/9 stretch. Who can figure?
And, Butler was 0-5 for the game, including his final at bat (strike out) in which all three pitches were almost dead center of the plate. He’s one for his last 21 (single). He’s better than Gordon at Tropicana in his career (12/67, .179), but it’s noteworthy that he has never scored a run in Tampa.
2011年8月10日星期三
Rays' Longoria knocks in 4, Shields shuts out Royals
St. Petersburg, FL —
Evan Longoria hit a homer and drove in all four runs to back James Shields' fourth shutout of the season, as the Tampa Bay Rays blanked the Kansas City Royals, 4-0, in the second test of a four-game series.
Shields (11-9), who gave up six hits, posted consecutive winning starts for the first time since winning three straight from June 14-24. He struck out eight and walked three in his eighth complete game of the season. The right-hander improved to 6-2 lifetime against Kansas City.
"We really feed off our defense and there were so many good moments tonight," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "As a starting pitcher, you have to be jacked up about all the stuff our defense did tonight."
The game lasted just 1 hour and 53 minutes, setting the Tampa Bay record for the shortest nine-inning game.
Jeff Francis (4-12) allowed four runs on five hits over seven innings for the Royals, who have lost the first two games of this series and four of five overall. He struck out four and walked zero.
The Rays got on the board in the first inning. Desmond Jennings was hit by a pitch and Johnny Damon reached on a bunt single. The runners then pulled off a double steal and Longoria followed with a two-run single to center.
Kansas City had plenty of chances to score. In the third, the visitors put men on first and second with nobody out. Alcides Escobar fouled out on a bunt and Alex Gordon grounded into a double play to end the threat.
The Royals put men on first and second with two outs in the fourth. This time around, Johnny Giavotella struck out swinging.
Shields had to work his way out of trouble for a third straight inning in the fifth. With men on first and second and one out, Gordon struck out swinging and Melky Cabrera grounded out to keep it 2-0.
Francis retired 15 straight batters prior to Jennings' leadoff single in the sixth. Jennings was caught trying to steal second, but Damon singled to right. Longoria followed with a two-run homer to left-center field to make it a 4-0 game.
"You take Longoria out of their lineup and we're still playing," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "But, obviously, you can't do that."
Shields pitched a perfect ninth to close out his sixth career shutout.
Game Notes
The Rays have taken three of five from the Royals this season...Shields has 13 career complete games...Rays first baseman Casey Kotchman had an eight-game hitting streak snapped...Kansas City went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded five.
Evan Longoria hit a homer and drove in all four runs to back James Shields' fourth shutout of the season, as the Tampa Bay Rays blanked the Kansas City Royals, 4-0, in the second test of a four-game series.
Shields (11-9), who gave up six hits, posted consecutive winning starts for the first time since winning three straight from June 14-24. He struck out eight and walked three in his eighth complete game of the season. The right-hander improved to 6-2 lifetime against Kansas City.
"We really feed off our defense and there were so many good moments tonight," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "As a starting pitcher, you have to be jacked up about all the stuff our defense did tonight."
The game lasted just 1 hour and 53 minutes, setting the Tampa Bay record for the shortest nine-inning game.
Jeff Francis (4-12) allowed four runs on five hits over seven innings for the Royals, who have lost the first two games of this series and four of five overall. He struck out four and walked zero.
The Rays got on the board in the first inning. Desmond Jennings was hit by a pitch and Johnny Damon reached on a bunt single. The runners then pulled off a double steal and Longoria followed with a two-run single to center.
Kansas City had plenty of chances to score. In the third, the visitors put men on first and second with nobody out. Alcides Escobar fouled out on a bunt and Alex Gordon grounded into a double play to end the threat.
The Royals put men on first and second with two outs in the fourth. This time around, Johnny Giavotella struck out swinging.
Shields had to work his way out of trouble for a third straight inning in the fifth. With men on first and second and one out, Gordon struck out swinging and Melky Cabrera grounded out to keep it 2-0.
Francis retired 15 straight batters prior to Jennings' leadoff single in the sixth. Jennings was caught trying to steal second, but Damon singled to right. Longoria followed with a two-run homer to left-center field to make it a 4-0 game.
"You take Longoria out of their lineup and we're still playing," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "But, obviously, you can't do that."
Shields pitched a perfect ninth to close out his sixth career shutout.
Game Notes
The Rays have taken three of five from the Royals this season...Shields has 13 career complete games...Rays first baseman Casey Kotchman had an eight-game hitting streak snapped...Kansas City went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded five.
2011年8月6日星期六
Boesch delivers winning run for Tigers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For the second time this week, the Tigers lost a three-run lead in the late innings, and then Brennan Boesch rescued them.
Boesch singled in pinch-runner Andy Dirks from second base with one out in the 10th inning Friday night. That broke the tie the Royals had created by scoring three runs off the unfortunate Rick Porcello in the seventh.
Jose Valverde pitched a perfect 10th, and the Tigers won, 4-3.
On Tuesday night, Joaquin Benoit gave up two homers in the eighth to Texas to lose a three-run lead. In the bottom of the inning, Boesch hit the winning homer through the rain.
"This is the most fun I've had playing baseball in a long, long time," Boesch said. "Playing for the division right now is very emotional, and it's very fun to play in these kind of games."
And referring to his late-game hits this week, Boesch said, "I've just been feeling real confident in those situations. You're not going to get it done every time, but it sure feels good when you do."
The first two batters of the Royals' seventh, Billy Butler and Eric Hosmer, hit balls that could have been the 12th and 13th ground-ball outs in a shutout performance by Porcello.
Boesch singled in pinch-runner Andy Dirks from second base with one out in the 10th inning Friday night. That broke the tie the Royals had created by scoring three runs off the unfortunate Rick Porcello in the seventh.
Jose Valverde pitched a perfect 10th, and the Tigers won, 4-3.
On Tuesday night, Joaquin Benoit gave up two homers in the eighth to Texas to lose a three-run lead. In the bottom of the inning, Boesch hit the winning homer through the rain.
"This is the most fun I've had playing baseball in a long, long time," Boesch said. "Playing for the division right now is very emotional, and it's very fun to play in these kind of games."
And referring to his late-game hits this week, Boesch said, "I've just been feeling real confident in those situations. You're not going to get it done every time, but it sure feels good when you do."
The first two batters of the Royals' seventh, Billy Butler and Eric Hosmer, hit balls that could have been the 12th and 13th ground-ball outs in a shutout performance by Porcello.
2011年8月5日星期五
Royals Call Up 2B Johnny Giavotella
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have purchased the contract of Johnny Giavotella from Triple-A Omaha.
The club announced the move after a 9-4 victory Thursday night over the Baltimore Orioles.
Giavotella, a second-round pick in 2008 out of the University of New Orleans, hit .398 in June and .383 in July in the Pacific Coast League.
His season totals with Omaha include a .338 average with nine home runs, 33 doubles, two triples, 73 RBIs and a .479 slugging percentage.
The club announced the move after a 9-4 victory Thursday night over the Baltimore Orioles.
Giavotella, a second-round pick in 2008 out of the University of New Orleans, hit .398 in June and .383 in July in the Pacific Coast League.
His season totals with Omaha include a .338 average with nine home runs, 33 doubles, two triples, 73 RBIs and a .479 slugging percentage.
2011年8月4日星期四
Hochevar sharp into 8th; Royals beat Orioles 6-2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Luke Hochevar took some time to reflect during the All-Star break. He's pitched like an All-Star since then.
Hochevar pitched neatly into the eighth inning, Billy Butler homered and drove in four runs and the Kansas City Royals beat the Orioles 6-2 Wednesday night.
Hochevar (8-8), the first player picked in the 2006 draft, is 4-0 in his past seven starts and has matched the longest winning streak of his career. He also set a personal high for wins in a season, having gone 7-13 in 2009.
"It gave me time to sit down and look at the things I wanted to do," Hochevar said of his time off. "I just looked down the road, what I wanted things to look like in a month and the things I needed to do to get there. Just really keeping the game simple and let things come to me instead of just trying so hard, just play the game instead of working at it."
"I'm just going out and trying to execute quality pitches and try to keep it as simple as possible and just make good pitches really, changing speeds, keeping guys guessing, not being predictable," he said. "You can do those things, but if you're not executing, they're good enough hitters to square the ball up. That's really where my focus has been, making quality pitches."
Hochevar allowed one earned run and four hits in 7 1-3 innings. He struck out seven, walked one and retired 16 straight batters during one stretch.
Hochevar is 3-0 with a 2.70 earned run average in his past four starts.
"Hoch has been on a roll since the All-Star break," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He was terrific. He pitched up, pitched down, pitched in, pitched out. He's refined his approach and simplified it."
Jeremy Guthrie (5-15) yielded six runs on eight hits in seven innings. He leads the majors in losses.
Hochevar gave up a run in the first when Adam Jones doubled with two outs and scored on Vladimir Guerrero's single, but did not allow another hit until the eighth.
"We didn't mount much offense," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "That was the story of the game. Hochevar really picked it up from the third inning on. You'd like to see us mount a little more offense. That seems to happen when Jeremy pitches."
Butler had a sacrifice fly in the first inning and hit a three-run homer in the seventh. His 13th homer came on a 3-0 pitch after Manny Pina doubled for his first big league hit and Alex Gordon singled.
"It was down the middle, thigh high," Butler said. "If it's not in that spot where I'm looking, I'm not swinging. What you do on a 3-0 pitch is you're looking to do damage. If not, you take it."
Alcides Escobar's triple in the second scored Yamico Navarro and Chris Getz, putting the Royals up 3-1. Escobar and Gordon each contributed three hits.
The Orioles got unearned run in the third when Hochevar committed a throwing error on a pickoff attempt, allowing Robert Andino to advance to third. He scored on J.J. Hardy's sacrifice fly.
After Matt Wieters singled and Pie doubled in the eighth, Greg Holland replaced Hochevar. Holland hit Andino to load the bases with one out, but struck out Hardy and retired Nick Markakis on a ground out to end the inning.
Holland picked up his first career save in his second opportunity.
NOTES: Yost said struggling rookie 3B Mike Moustakas would not be in the lineup Wednesday or Thursday as he worked with hitting coach Kevin Seitzer on his stroke. Moustakas is hitting .194 with one home run in 41 games. "It's mechanical more than anything else," Yost said. "But he's pressing a little bit at the plate, trying to get results, which makes it worse." Pina, who was called up Sunday, made his big league debut and went 2 for 4. ... The Orioles optioned veteran LHP Mark Hendrickson, who was 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in seven relief appearances, to Triple-A Norfolk. The move opened up a roster spot for LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, who joined the club after being claimed off waivers Monday from Toronto. The Orioles agreed to terms with RHP Willie Eyre pending a physical. Eyre would be assigned to Norfolk. Eyre, 33, is 5-6 with a 5.14 ERA in 92 big league games. ... Rookie LHP Zach Britton, who starts Thursday for the Orioles, has struggled mightily in past two starts, losses to the Red Sox and Yankees. In those two starts, he has allowed 13 runs on 13 hits and three walks in one inning. He got just two outs July 8 at Boston and retired only one Yankee Saturday. Britton has recorded one win in his past 13 starts. ... LHP Jeff Francis starts the series finale for the Royals. Francis is coming off his best start of the season, holding the Indians to four hits in eight scoreless innings Friday.
Hochevar pitched neatly into the eighth inning, Billy Butler homered and drove in four runs and the Kansas City Royals beat the Orioles 6-2 Wednesday night.
Hochevar (8-8), the first player picked in the 2006 draft, is 4-0 in his past seven starts and has matched the longest winning streak of his career. He also set a personal high for wins in a season, having gone 7-13 in 2009.
"It gave me time to sit down and look at the things I wanted to do," Hochevar said of his time off. "I just looked down the road, what I wanted things to look like in a month and the things I needed to do to get there. Just really keeping the game simple and let things come to me instead of just trying so hard, just play the game instead of working at it."
"I'm just going out and trying to execute quality pitches and try to keep it as simple as possible and just make good pitches really, changing speeds, keeping guys guessing, not being predictable," he said. "You can do those things, but if you're not executing, they're good enough hitters to square the ball up. That's really where my focus has been, making quality pitches."
Hochevar allowed one earned run and four hits in 7 1-3 innings. He struck out seven, walked one and retired 16 straight batters during one stretch.
Hochevar is 3-0 with a 2.70 earned run average in his past four starts.
"Hoch has been on a roll since the All-Star break," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He was terrific. He pitched up, pitched down, pitched in, pitched out. He's refined his approach and simplified it."
Jeremy Guthrie (5-15) yielded six runs on eight hits in seven innings. He leads the majors in losses.
Hochevar gave up a run in the first when Adam Jones doubled with two outs and scored on Vladimir Guerrero's single, but did not allow another hit until the eighth.
"We didn't mount much offense," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "That was the story of the game. Hochevar really picked it up from the third inning on. You'd like to see us mount a little more offense. That seems to happen when Jeremy pitches."
Butler had a sacrifice fly in the first inning and hit a three-run homer in the seventh. His 13th homer came on a 3-0 pitch after Manny Pina doubled for his first big league hit and Alex Gordon singled.
"It was down the middle, thigh high," Butler said. "If it's not in that spot where I'm looking, I'm not swinging. What you do on a 3-0 pitch is you're looking to do damage. If not, you take it."
Alcides Escobar's triple in the second scored Yamico Navarro and Chris Getz, putting the Royals up 3-1. Escobar and Gordon each contributed three hits.
The Orioles got unearned run in the third when Hochevar committed a throwing error on a pickoff attempt, allowing Robert Andino to advance to third. He scored on J.J. Hardy's sacrifice fly.
After Matt Wieters singled and Pie doubled in the eighth, Greg Holland replaced Hochevar. Holland hit Andino to load the bases with one out, but struck out Hardy and retired Nick Markakis on a ground out to end the inning.
Holland picked up his first career save in his second opportunity.
NOTES: Yost said struggling rookie 3B Mike Moustakas would not be in the lineup Wednesday or Thursday as he worked with hitting coach Kevin Seitzer on his stroke. Moustakas is hitting .194 with one home run in 41 games. "It's mechanical more than anything else," Yost said. "But he's pressing a little bit at the plate, trying to get results, which makes it worse." Pina, who was called up Sunday, made his big league debut and went 2 for 4. ... The Orioles optioned veteran LHP Mark Hendrickson, who was 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in seven relief appearances, to Triple-A Norfolk. The move opened up a roster spot for LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, who joined the club after being claimed off waivers Monday from Toronto. The Orioles agreed to terms with RHP Willie Eyre pending a physical. Eyre would be assigned to Norfolk. Eyre, 33, is 5-6 with a 5.14 ERA in 92 big league games. ... Rookie LHP Zach Britton, who starts Thursday for the Orioles, has struggled mightily in past two starts, losses to the Red Sox and Yankees. In those two starts, he has allowed 13 runs on 13 hits and three walks in one inning. He got just two outs July 8 at Boston and retired only one Yankee Saturday. Britton has recorded one win in his past 13 starts. ... LHP Jeff Francis starts the series finale for the Royals. Francis is coming off his best start of the season, holding the Indians to four hits in eight scoreless innings Friday.
2011年8月3日星期三
Major League Baseball Power Rankings Week 18: An Overview – Part 5
Minnesota Twins held on to their 20th spot this week despite an ordinary performance. Their pitching’ staff, especially Carl Pavano (6-8) has been wayward and this needs to be sorted out sooner than later if the Twins aim to avoid the last spot in the American League Central division. Minnesota is currently four games ahead of last placed Kansas City Royals.
Twins have lost ten of their 19 games after the All-Star break and have not managed to win any series except a four-game series against the Royals at home. Minnesota has managed just one win in the last four games and may be ousted from the top 20 teams if this lacklustre show continues.
Minnesota have three tough series ahead with the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. A lot of hard work needs to be done.
Colorado Rockies are now 51-58 for the season and are struggling in the National League West division. Even though the Rockies are placed third in their division, they are ten games behind San Francisco Giants and nine games behind second placed Arizona Diamondbacks. Colorado is in tough contention with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the third spot with the latter just 1.5 games shy of toppling the former.
Rockies are satisfied after trading the experienced Ubaldo Jimenez in an attempt to strengthen their bull-pen with top prospects but this could prove to be risky moves as the Rockies do not have any solid starter around whom they can build a rotation. Although Jimenez was 6-9 with the Rockies thus far this season, his experience was immense and that is why he was rated as the most significant commodity in the transfer market.
After a lacklustre start to the second half, the Rockies have now shown improvement and are 3-3 in their last six games. They have the Phillies to tackle now and it would be interesting to see how the Rockies manage them without ace pitcher Jimenez.
The Washington Nationals made an exit from the top 20 this week, slipping three places from 19 to 22. A six-game losing-streak can be cited as the major cause of this dip.
In 16 games so far after the midsummer classic, the Nationals have won just six games while ten have ended in disappointment. Their debacle was initiated by two consecutive losses to the Dodgers before being swept 3-0 by the Florida Marlins at home.
Three of their six wins have come from their last three games and the Nationals have two relatively easier series to play before they take on the Phillies on road. They have a chance to improve from their last position in the NL East with a deficit of just 1.5 games from the Marlins.
The Oakland Athletics have slipped to 49-60 after a mixed start to the second half of the season. They are 10-7 thus far in the stretch and have impressed in bits.
The Athletics have won all three series played at home after the midseason break and their stature will be tested when they take on the two American League heavyweights, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox on the road in August.
The A’s do not have anything more than personal glory to play for and they are now more likely to experiment the young blood to prepare for their next campaign.
Twins have lost ten of their 19 games after the All-Star break and have not managed to win any series except a four-game series against the Royals at home. Minnesota has managed just one win in the last four games and may be ousted from the top 20 teams if this lacklustre show continues.
Minnesota have three tough series ahead with the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. A lot of hard work needs to be done.
Colorado Rockies are now 51-58 for the season and are struggling in the National League West division. Even though the Rockies are placed third in their division, they are ten games behind San Francisco Giants and nine games behind second placed Arizona Diamondbacks. Colorado is in tough contention with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the third spot with the latter just 1.5 games shy of toppling the former.
Rockies are satisfied after trading the experienced Ubaldo Jimenez in an attempt to strengthen their bull-pen with top prospects but this could prove to be risky moves as the Rockies do not have any solid starter around whom they can build a rotation. Although Jimenez was 6-9 with the Rockies thus far this season, his experience was immense and that is why he was rated as the most significant commodity in the transfer market.
After a lacklustre start to the second half, the Rockies have now shown improvement and are 3-3 in their last six games. They have the Phillies to tackle now and it would be interesting to see how the Rockies manage them without ace pitcher Jimenez.
The Washington Nationals made an exit from the top 20 this week, slipping three places from 19 to 22. A six-game losing-streak can be cited as the major cause of this dip.
In 16 games so far after the midsummer classic, the Nationals have won just six games while ten have ended in disappointment. Their debacle was initiated by two consecutive losses to the Dodgers before being swept 3-0 by the Florida Marlins at home.
Three of their six wins have come from their last three games and the Nationals have two relatively easier series to play before they take on the Phillies on road. They have a chance to improve from their last position in the NL East with a deficit of just 1.5 games from the Marlins.
The Oakland Athletics have slipped to 49-60 after a mixed start to the second half of the season. They are 10-7 thus far in the stretch and have impressed in bits.
The Athletics have won all three series played at home after the midseason break and their stature will be tested when they take on the two American League heavyweights, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox on the road in August.
The A’s do not have anything more than personal glory to play for and they are now more likely to experiment the young blood to prepare for their next campaign.
2011年8月2日星期二
Cardinals back up Gast in win
Springfield Cardinals left-hander John Gast delivered yet another fine start, bulldogging his way through six innings.
Then, minutes after he registered a much-needed strikeout on his 102nd pitch, a rapid sequence of events -- keyed by the team's newly installed cleanup hitter -- made him a victor.
Aaron Luna, down from Triple-A Memphis a day after Alex Castellanos was traded, fed a six-run rally in working a two-out walk that got the bat into Zack Cox's hands, sending the Cardinals to a 7-1 victory against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Cox's single broke a 1-all tie and Eric Duncan's three-run home run three batters later punctuated a night in which the Cardinals had more to thump their chests about than manager Pop Warner's unconventional lineup of seven left-handed batters, five in row.
"Or six from the bottom up, if you count (leadoff man Jim) Rapoport ," Warner said proudly.
His reaction was understandable as the team beat right-hander Jake Odorizzi, the gem of four Milwaukee Brewers acquired by the Kansas City Royals in the Zack Greinke offseason trade.
The Cardinals treated a Hammons Field crowd of 5,372 to their sixth win in seven games and also pulled to within two games of the Texas League North Division-leading Naturals with 33 games left on the schedule.
And they did it with Luna arriving less than two hours before the first pitch, the result of a delayed flight out of Memphis.
"I hit in the cage and was ready to roll," Luna said. "I'm coming down here trying not to do too much and help these guys."
In losing Castellanos in the big-league club's trade to acquire Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal, the Cardinals lost a .319 hitter with 19 home runs -- ideal protection between power hitters Matt Adams and Cox.
But Luna, voted a 2010 Texas League All-Star starting outfielder despite playing a reserve role all year, may foot the bill. Not only did he hit 10 home runs in Memphis, but he has a knack for getting on base.
He showed it Monday, working Odorizzi for 17 pitches in three plate appearances, including a six-pitch walk that set up Cox.
"He's going to give you a complete at-bat," Warner said.
Luna's walk was part of a wild series of events in which, at one point, Naturals manager Brian Poldberg reversed his decision -- he took a step out of the dugout with lefty reliever Brendan Lafferty in the bullpen -- to let Odorizzi face Cox, a .380 hitter in July.
Springfield clearly needed a boost, after Paulo Orlando's spectacular throw from deep right field eliminated Rapoport at third base after a flyout, a double play that nearly ruined the sixth.
"I'm glad he went," Warner said. "You want them to make a play on you."
Adams then singled and then Luna drew the walk.
"I didn't see it," Gast said of Orlando's play on Rapoport. "But we were thinking that we were going to have to start over."
Gast (3-1) did his part by outdueling Odorizzi (3-1), who had already faced Springfield twice and had a win against the Cardinals two weeks ago.
He ended a fifth-inning threat -- Orlando hit a one-out triple -- by striking out Nick Francis on his first curveball of the night, and escaped a sixth-inning jam by striking out Theriot, running in an inside fastball.
Overall, Gast used his fastball, both for effect and for strikeouts.
"I was just trying to go with my bread and butter," Gast said.
Then, minutes after he registered a much-needed strikeout on his 102nd pitch, a rapid sequence of events -- keyed by the team's newly installed cleanup hitter -- made him a victor.
Aaron Luna, down from Triple-A Memphis a day after Alex Castellanos was traded, fed a six-run rally in working a two-out walk that got the bat into Zack Cox's hands, sending the Cardinals to a 7-1 victory against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
Cox's single broke a 1-all tie and Eric Duncan's three-run home run three batters later punctuated a night in which the Cardinals had more to thump their chests about than manager Pop Warner's unconventional lineup of seven left-handed batters, five in row.
"Or six from the bottom up, if you count (leadoff man Jim) Rapoport ," Warner said proudly.
His reaction was understandable as the team beat right-hander Jake Odorizzi, the gem of four Milwaukee Brewers acquired by the Kansas City Royals in the Zack Greinke offseason trade.
The Cardinals treated a Hammons Field crowd of 5,372 to their sixth win in seven games and also pulled to within two games of the Texas League North Division-leading Naturals with 33 games left on the schedule.
And they did it with Luna arriving less than two hours before the first pitch, the result of a delayed flight out of Memphis.
"I hit in the cage and was ready to roll," Luna said. "I'm coming down here trying not to do too much and help these guys."
In losing Castellanos in the big-league club's trade to acquire Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal, the Cardinals lost a .319 hitter with 19 home runs -- ideal protection between power hitters Matt Adams and Cox.
But Luna, voted a 2010 Texas League All-Star starting outfielder despite playing a reserve role all year, may foot the bill. Not only did he hit 10 home runs in Memphis, but he has a knack for getting on base.
He showed it Monday, working Odorizzi for 17 pitches in three plate appearances, including a six-pitch walk that set up Cox.
"He's going to give you a complete at-bat," Warner said.
Luna's walk was part of a wild series of events in which, at one point, Naturals manager Brian Poldberg reversed his decision -- he took a step out of the dugout with lefty reliever Brendan Lafferty in the bullpen -- to let Odorizzi face Cox, a .380 hitter in July.
Springfield clearly needed a boost, after Paulo Orlando's spectacular throw from deep right field eliminated Rapoport at third base after a flyout, a double play that nearly ruined the sixth.
"I'm glad he went," Warner said. "You want them to make a play on you."
Adams then singled and then Luna drew the walk.
"I didn't see it," Gast said of Orlando's play on Rapoport. "But we were thinking that we were going to have to start over."
Gast (3-1) did his part by outdueling Odorizzi (3-1), who had already faced Springfield twice and had a win against the Cardinals two weeks ago.
He ended a fifth-inning threat -- Orlando hit a one-out triple -- by striking out Nick Francis on his first curveball of the night, and escaped a sixth-inning jam by striking out Theriot, running in an inside fastball.
Overall, Gast used his fastball, both for effect and for strikeouts.
"I was just trying to go with my bread and butter," Gast said.
2011年8月1日星期一
Royals, Soria bounce back with 5-3 victory over Indians
CLEVELAND | Well, hey, it wasn’t going to happen twice in a row, right?
Joakim Soria rebounded from his worst outing in two months Sunday afternoon by closing out a 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians that allowed the Royals to head home buoyed by a winning road trip.
“I wanted the ball big-time today,” Soria admitted. “I was hoping to have the situation to get in the game. It worked today.”
Sunday’s success came after Soria surrendered four runs Saturday night in the ninth inning in a 5-2 loss — including a two-out, three-run walkoff homer by Matt LaPorta. This time, Soria got the job done for his 13th save in his last 14 opportunities.
“That just happened (Saturday) night,” manager Ned Yost said. “He made good pitches, and he got hit. Today, he made good pitches, and he got us through it.”
Danny Duffy started in place of Kyle Davies, who was scratched prior to the game because of a sore shoulder. Duffy, 3-4, got the victory after working five-plus innings before Louis Coleman, Tim Collins and Greg Holland provided the bridge to Soria.
Duffy said he got a heads-up Saturday to be ready to pitch.
“I’m pretty microwaveable,” he said. “You give me 30 minutes, and I’ll be ready. Today was a really good win. Our bullpen ate four great innings, and we ended up winning this road trip.”
The victory enabled the Royals to win the three-game series and complete a 4-3 trip that began with a four-game split in Boston. It marked their first winning road trip since going 3-2 through Detroit and Minnesota during April 8-13.
“Two wins against Boston in Boston is really good,” Yost said. “Coming here and winning two out of three and with a chance to take all three of them — I thought we played great baseball the whole road trip.”
The Royals have won eight of their last 12 and made Soria’s job easier by picking up a run with two outs in the top of the ninth when Alcides Escobar capped a 14-pitch at-bat against reliever Tony Sipp by lining an RBI single into center.
“When it got to 3-2,” Escobar said, “every pitch was a fastball. No breaking pitches. All fastballs middle outside. The last one was high. It was ball four if I don’t swing at it. But, wow, that’s the best at-bat in my career.”
Escobar’s single scored Chris Getz, who reached on a two-out single and stole second.
“Esky had some fan yelling at him the whole time who was pretty annoying,” left fielder Alex Gordon said. “So it felt good to see him come through. Our whole bench was fired up about it.”
The Royals got homers from Jeff Francoeur and Gordon while building leads of 3-0 and 4-2 against Cleveland starter Fausto Carmona, who fell to 5-11 after allowing four runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings.
“We were coming off a tough loss,” Gordon said, “and it almost seemed like the same game until we started adding runs like we couldn’t do (Saturday) night. There was nothing bigger than Esky’s hit. That gave Soria more than one run to close with.”
The Royals led 3-2 when Gordon opened the eighth inning with a walk. Melky Cabrera followed with a slicing double to left that moved Gordon to third, but the Indians opted to stay with Carmona.
Billy Butler’s line drive into right-center turned into a sacrifice fly when it held up long enough for Kosuke Fukudome to run down.
Cleveland got that run back in a hurry after Ezequiel Carrera opened the bottom of the inning with a pinch-double against Holland. Carrera went to third on a wild pitch and scored when pinch hitter Travis Hafner grounded to short.
Holland struck out the next two hitters. Escobar’s single made it 5-3 before Soria pitched around a one-out walk by getting Carlos Santana to ground into a game-ending double play.
“Baseball is like that,” Soria said. “You lose one day, but the good part of baseball is you always have the next day to redeem yourself.”
Inside
Kyle Davies is scratched from his start Sunday because of a sore shoulder. | B5
Joakim Soria rebounded from his worst outing in two months Sunday afternoon by closing out a 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians that allowed the Royals to head home buoyed by a winning road trip.
“I wanted the ball big-time today,” Soria admitted. “I was hoping to have the situation to get in the game. It worked today.”
Sunday’s success came after Soria surrendered four runs Saturday night in the ninth inning in a 5-2 loss — including a two-out, three-run walkoff homer by Matt LaPorta. This time, Soria got the job done for his 13th save in his last 14 opportunities.
“That just happened (Saturday) night,” manager Ned Yost said. “He made good pitches, and he got hit. Today, he made good pitches, and he got us through it.”
Danny Duffy started in place of Kyle Davies, who was scratched prior to the game because of a sore shoulder. Duffy, 3-4, got the victory after working five-plus innings before Louis Coleman, Tim Collins and Greg Holland provided the bridge to Soria.
Duffy said he got a heads-up Saturday to be ready to pitch.
“I’m pretty microwaveable,” he said. “You give me 30 minutes, and I’ll be ready. Today was a really good win. Our bullpen ate four great innings, and we ended up winning this road trip.”
The victory enabled the Royals to win the three-game series and complete a 4-3 trip that began with a four-game split in Boston. It marked their first winning road trip since going 3-2 through Detroit and Minnesota during April 8-13.
“Two wins against Boston in Boston is really good,” Yost said. “Coming here and winning two out of three and with a chance to take all three of them — I thought we played great baseball the whole road trip.”
The Royals have won eight of their last 12 and made Soria’s job easier by picking up a run with two outs in the top of the ninth when Alcides Escobar capped a 14-pitch at-bat against reliever Tony Sipp by lining an RBI single into center.
“When it got to 3-2,” Escobar said, “every pitch was a fastball. No breaking pitches. All fastballs middle outside. The last one was high. It was ball four if I don’t swing at it. But, wow, that’s the best at-bat in my career.”
Escobar’s single scored Chris Getz, who reached on a two-out single and stole second.
“Esky had some fan yelling at him the whole time who was pretty annoying,” left fielder Alex Gordon said. “So it felt good to see him come through. Our whole bench was fired up about it.”
The Royals got homers from Jeff Francoeur and Gordon while building leads of 3-0 and 4-2 against Cleveland starter Fausto Carmona, who fell to 5-11 after allowing four runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings.
“We were coming off a tough loss,” Gordon said, “and it almost seemed like the same game until we started adding runs like we couldn’t do (Saturday) night. There was nothing bigger than Esky’s hit. That gave Soria more than one run to close with.”
The Royals led 3-2 when Gordon opened the eighth inning with a walk. Melky Cabrera followed with a slicing double to left that moved Gordon to third, but the Indians opted to stay with Carmona.
Billy Butler’s line drive into right-center turned into a sacrifice fly when it held up long enough for Kosuke Fukudome to run down.
Cleveland got that run back in a hurry after Ezequiel Carrera opened the bottom of the inning with a pinch-double against Holland. Carrera went to third on a wild pitch and scored when pinch hitter Travis Hafner grounded to short.
Holland struck out the next two hitters. Escobar’s single made it 5-3 before Soria pitched around a one-out walk by getting Carlos Santana to ground into a game-ending double play.
“Baseball is like that,” Soria said. “You lose one day, but the good part of baseball is you always have the next day to redeem yourself.”
Inside
Kyle Davies is scratched from his start Sunday because of a sore shoulder. | B5
2011年7月30日星期六
Reno Aces: May has his day in Reno
All Aces catcher Lucas May needed was a change of scenery.
May started the 2011 season as an Omaha Storm Chaser -- the Kansas City Royals' Triple-A affiliate. His confidence had been shaken after he was cut from the Royals' roster on the last day of spring training. It showed. He struggled, batting .176 in 25 games with Omaha.
That all changed on June 2, when he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks and arrived in Reno to the first-place Aces. Since then, he has rediscovered his confidence and offense. In the 26 games he has played for the Aces as a backup to all-star catcher Konrad Schmidt, his average has almost doubled.
"This team is playing really well and when you surround yourself with the type of guys that we have on our team, it's easier to play that way," May said. "Everyone's confidence is up, which boosts your confidence."
The difference was no more obvious than Thursday's game against the 51s. The Aces trailed 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth inning and had two outs when May stepped to the plate. The result was a game-tying home run and an eventual Aces victory in extra innings.
Aces manager Brett Butler said May has been a solid player on offense and defense for the team. He doesn't have a weakness on defense and has been patient on offense, fitting in well with Aces' veteran lineup.
In his last eight games, May has 10 hits and nine RBIs. Overall, his statistics have nearly doubled in every category since his arrival in Reno.
"Last night he gave us a tie," Butler said. "He just gives us some stability."
May said the biggest difference is playing on a veteran team. While he enjoyed his time in Omaha, it was a young team. Playing with veterans gave the 26-year-old May a chance to observe and absorb their habits.
"Veteran guys know how business is supposed to be done," May said. "So they set it by example. You watch what they do, hear what they say and try to incorporate that in your own game."
Talking with hitting coach Rick Burleson has also helped. May often approaches the coach to discuss the mental aspect of the game, like pitch sequences and specific at-bats. May said that has been important to his success.
"For me the biggest thing about Burly is that he's been there and he's been conversational about the games so he's helped a lot," May said.
While May didn't play in the Friday's game at Aces ballpark, he is still enthusiastic. He loves his new scenery.
"Things that transpired in spring training, confidence might have been down a little bit," May said. "But ever since I got here, the team has welcomed me with open arms and made me feel part of the team, so it's been a lot of fun."
May started the 2011 season as an Omaha Storm Chaser -- the Kansas City Royals' Triple-A affiliate. His confidence had been shaken after he was cut from the Royals' roster on the last day of spring training. It showed. He struggled, batting .176 in 25 games with Omaha.
That all changed on June 2, when he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks and arrived in Reno to the first-place Aces. Since then, he has rediscovered his confidence and offense. In the 26 games he has played for the Aces as a backup to all-star catcher Konrad Schmidt, his average has almost doubled.
"This team is playing really well and when you surround yourself with the type of guys that we have on our team, it's easier to play that way," May said. "Everyone's confidence is up, which boosts your confidence."
The difference was no more obvious than Thursday's game against the 51s. The Aces trailed 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth inning and had two outs when May stepped to the plate. The result was a game-tying home run and an eventual Aces victory in extra innings.
Aces manager Brett Butler said May has been a solid player on offense and defense for the team. He doesn't have a weakness on defense and has been patient on offense, fitting in well with Aces' veteran lineup.
In his last eight games, May has 10 hits and nine RBIs. Overall, his statistics have nearly doubled in every category since his arrival in Reno.
"Last night he gave us a tie," Butler said. "He just gives us some stability."
May said the biggest difference is playing on a veteran team. While he enjoyed his time in Omaha, it was a young team. Playing with veterans gave the 26-year-old May a chance to observe and absorb their habits.
"Veteran guys know how business is supposed to be done," May said. "So they set it by example. You watch what they do, hear what they say and try to incorporate that in your own game."
Talking with hitting coach Rick Burleson has also helped. May often approaches the coach to discuss the mental aspect of the game, like pitch sequences and specific at-bats. May said that has been important to his success.
"For me the biggest thing about Burly is that he's been there and he's been conversational about the games so he's helped a lot," May said.
While May didn't play in the Friday's game at Aces ballpark, he is still enthusiastic. He loves his new scenery.
"Things that transpired in spring training, confidence might have been down a little bit," May said. "But ever since I got here, the team has welcomed me with open arms and made me feel part of the team, so it's been a lot of fun."
Royals 12, Indians 0: Royally slammed (with two videos)
It was baby steps Friday night for the Indians, who got five more hits and made five less errors than they did in their previous game — but it didn't matter as the Indians were trampled, 12-0, by the Kansas City Royals in a game that was basically over after Tribe starter Carlos Carrasco went head hunting in the fourth inning.
The Indians' new and improved offense, featuring newcomer Kosuke Fukudome — three groundouts and a strikeout in his Tribe debut — was a dud. The Indians, who have lost seven of their last eight games and are 1-5 on this homestand, were shut out for the 11th time this season, tying them with the Angels and A's for the most in the American League.
In their last two games, the Indians have been no-hit in one game and shut out in the second. In losing five of the six games on this homestand, the Tribe has been outscored, 26-7.
"This is our team. We're not going to change 10 guys. We already brought one new guy in here," said Manager Manny Acta. "There's no magic switch to hit."
Lefty Jeff Francis, who came into the game with a record of 1-6 and a 5.22 ERA in seven starts since his last win, and with a career mark in three starts vs. the Tribe of 1-2 and a 7.98 ERA, shut out the Indians on four hits over eight innings.
"He threw a lot of strikes, changed speeds and kept us off-balance with that big, slow breaking ball," said ActaThe Royals almost had as many home runs (four) as the Indians had hits (five). Three of the four Kansas City homers came off Carrasco, who in five starts since his last win, June 29, is 0-5 with a 9.13 ERA while giving up 35 hits, including eight home runs, in 232⁄3 innings.
Carrasco also may be facing a suspension for his embarrassing and thoughtless antics in the fourth inning, which nearly triggered a bench-clearing brawl.
After giving up a two-run homer in the first inning to Billy Butler and a solo homer to Alex Gordon in the second, Carrasco gave up a grand slam to Melky Cabrera with one out in the fourth, which gave Kansas City a 7-0 lead.
Cabrera stood at home plate and admired his blast, choosing not to run until the ball had cleared the right-field wall, a bit of showboating clearly noticed by Carrasco.
Butler was the next hitter, and Carrasco threw his first pitch behind Butler's head — and was immediately ejected from the game by home plate umpire Scott Barry.
"He showed his frustration the wrong way," said Acta of Carrasco. "We don't condone those things. He has been talked to. It was a dangerous situation. He's young. He's still learning."
After getting buzzed, Butler started toward Carrasco, who was on his way to the dugout. Catcher Lou Marson and third baseman Jack Hannahan intercepted Butler as the two dugouts emptied. Order was quickly restored — but the game was already out of hand.
Said Carrasco, "I didn't throw at anybody. The ball just got away. I know it looked bad because of the home run."
Asked if he was upset that Cabrera stood at home plate and admired his homer, Carrasco said, "I was upset with myself and Melky, too."
Butler got a measure of revenge by homering for a second time in the game in the eighth inning off reliever Frank Herrmann. Cabrera did get his comeuppance in his next at-bat in the fifth inning when Tribe reliever Chad Durbin's second pitch sent him sprawling into the dirt.
There were no further incidents in the game.
Acta said he didn't have a problem with Cabrera standing at home plate admiring his homer.
"He has a right to do anything he wants," said Acta. "He's been around for a long time. Whether Carlos thought he was showing him up or not, Carlos has to make his pitches."
The Indians never got a runner past second base vs. Francis, who left after eight innings and 115 pitches.
The Indians' new and improved offense, featuring newcomer Kosuke Fukudome — three groundouts and a strikeout in his Tribe debut — was a dud. The Indians, who have lost seven of their last eight games and are 1-5 on this homestand, were shut out for the 11th time this season, tying them with the Angels and A's for the most in the American League.
In their last two games, the Indians have been no-hit in one game and shut out in the second. In losing five of the six games on this homestand, the Tribe has been outscored, 26-7.
"This is our team. We're not going to change 10 guys. We already brought one new guy in here," said Manager Manny Acta. "There's no magic switch to hit."
Lefty Jeff Francis, who came into the game with a record of 1-6 and a 5.22 ERA in seven starts since his last win, and with a career mark in three starts vs. the Tribe of 1-2 and a 7.98 ERA, shut out the Indians on four hits over eight innings.
"He threw a lot of strikes, changed speeds and kept us off-balance with that big, slow breaking ball," said ActaThe Royals almost had as many home runs (four) as the Indians had hits (five). Three of the four Kansas City homers came off Carrasco, who in five starts since his last win, June 29, is 0-5 with a 9.13 ERA while giving up 35 hits, including eight home runs, in 232⁄3 innings.
Carrasco also may be facing a suspension for his embarrassing and thoughtless antics in the fourth inning, which nearly triggered a bench-clearing brawl.
After giving up a two-run homer in the first inning to Billy Butler and a solo homer to Alex Gordon in the second, Carrasco gave up a grand slam to Melky Cabrera with one out in the fourth, which gave Kansas City a 7-0 lead.
Cabrera stood at home plate and admired his blast, choosing not to run until the ball had cleared the right-field wall, a bit of showboating clearly noticed by Carrasco.
Butler was the next hitter, and Carrasco threw his first pitch behind Butler's head — and was immediately ejected from the game by home plate umpire Scott Barry.
"He showed his frustration the wrong way," said Acta of Carrasco. "We don't condone those things. He has been talked to. It was a dangerous situation. He's young. He's still learning."
After getting buzzed, Butler started toward Carrasco, who was on his way to the dugout. Catcher Lou Marson and third baseman Jack Hannahan intercepted Butler as the two dugouts emptied. Order was quickly restored — but the game was already out of hand.
Said Carrasco, "I didn't throw at anybody. The ball just got away. I know it looked bad because of the home run."
Asked if he was upset that Cabrera stood at home plate and admired his homer, Carrasco said, "I was upset with myself and Melky, too."
Butler got a measure of revenge by homering for a second time in the game in the eighth inning off reliever Frank Herrmann. Cabrera did get his comeuppance in his next at-bat in the fifth inning when Tribe reliever Chad Durbin's second pitch sent him sprawling into the dirt.
There were no further incidents in the game.
Acta said he didn't have a problem with Cabrera standing at home plate admiring his homer.
"He has a right to do anything he wants," said Acta. "He's been around for a long time. Whether Carlos thought he was showing him up or not, Carlos has to make his pitches."
The Indians never got a runner past second base vs. Francis, who left after eight innings and 115 pitches.
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