This edition of the Nightcap is big into sophomoric humor.
Notables
• Jeremy Bonderman is a real pitcher again! Today's line: 7 IP, 7 K, 0 BB. Only a third of his balls in plays were grounders -- and the new Bonderman is more a flyball pitcher than previously -- but it's nice to see Bonderman return to something like his old form. He had a 4.35 xFIP before today's excellent performance.
• Was Ubaldo Jimenez's performance today great? He only allowed 1 R in 8 IP, but he also only had 4 K. As Jack Moore of FanGraphs notes, his performance would typically generate something closer to 4 runs. Yet, Jimenez has been doing this all season. This is one of the those things that C & C Music Factory was always talking about.
• Despite conceding a HR, Randy Wells posted an excellent line tonight: 6 K, 1 BB. Three other notes here, too. One: Wells' ERA was 1.50 points above his xFIP coming into today (5.15 vs. 3.65). Two: only 6 of Wells' 21 balls in play were on the ground. That's weird, considering his 46|PERCENT| groundball rate this season. Three: Wells threw 128 pitches today. Ick.
• R.A. Dickey is on fire, people! He had 7 K against only 2 BB in 6 IP today. He was averaging over 6 K/9 entering play this evening. Now he's got five wins. Question: does R.A. stand for "Really Awesome"? IDK, America! (Actually, it doesn't. It stands for Robert Alan.)
• In just his sixth career start -- and first appearance of the season -- Anthony Lerew racked up 7 K against only 2 BB and 3 H in 6 IP. One caveat: it was against the Astros.
Caution, Warning
• Bronson Arroyo recorded 6 BB against only 1 K en route to allowing just 1 R in 7 IP. Also, his K:BB on the season coming into today was 47:31. Yeesh.
• John Lackey got his eighth win today, making him 8-3 on the season. Please note, however: he is NOT an
• I don't know if this point belongs in this section but... Ben Francisco DHed for Philly today in the Bronx. Raul Ibanez played left field. Is that a good idea? My guess is, no. But who am I?
Stolen Bases
• Rajai Davis (25), Shin-Soo Choo (11), Justin Upton (10), Dustin Pedroia (6), Josh Hamilton (5), Darnell McDonald (4 & 5), Chase Utley (4), Wilson Valdez (2), Omar Vizquel (2), Clint Barmes (1), Kevin Kouzmanoff (1).
Caught Stealing
• Jason Kendall (6), Andrew McCutchen (6), Carl Crawford (5), Vladimir Guerrero (3), Chris Young (2), Kevin Youkilis (1).
Save Chances
• Andrew Bailey, blown. He actually just gave up a fly ball with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth. He struck out the next batter. Whaddaya want from a guy?!?
• Bobby Jenks, converted. Blah blah blah.
• Francisco Rodriguez, converted. He just straight up struck out three dudes. Also, he allowed a hit. But mostly he struck those dudes out.
• Billy Wagner, converted. That's 1 K and nothing else.
• Neftali Feliz, converted. See Billy Wagner's comment for how Feliz handled his bidness.
• Joakim Soria, converted. He's the Mexicutioner. Duh.
Closer, Non-Save
• Francisco Cordero pitched an inning with his Reds up by a score of 7-1. He recorded a K.
• Manuel Corpas pitched a 1-2-3 inning with Colorado up 5-1 against the Twins.
• Carlos Marmol pitched in the same game as Andrew Bailey above there. Like Bailey, he also only pitched 0.2 IP. He somehow got a W out of it.
• Jonathan Papelbon conceded 2 H but also got 2 K. Sox won by three runs.
Non-Closer Outing
• In case you didn't notice, George Sherrill is back after about three weeks on the DL.
Lineup-ology
• With Rafael Furcal on the bereavement list, Jamey Carroll played short. Second baseman Blake DeWitt batted leadoff.
• Troy Tulowitzki was hit on the wrist by a pitch in Thursday's game, and the soreness may keep him out of Friday's series opener against the Brewers. He was replaced by Jon Herrera.
• Conor Jackson played left and batted second for the A's today -- against righty Randy Wells, no less.
• Alex Rodriguez DHed today and batted fourth. Ramiro Pena played third base and "batted" ninth.
• Brooks Conrad started at third base and batted second. Joe Pawlikowski is probably confused about one of those things.
The Young and Potentially Restless
• Travis Schlichting made his second relief (and overall) appearance of the season for the Dodgers. He's not a great prospect or anything, but if you try and say his name fives times fast, you might break your mouth.
• The heartwarming tale of Daniel Nava continues! Today: 3-for-4 with 2 2Bs.
• Pirate Update! Jose Tabata: Played LF / Batted 1st / 1-for-3 with a BB. Neil Walker: 2B / 2nd / 2-for-4 with a HR. Pedro Alvarez: 3B / 6th / 0-for-4 with 3 K.
• Carlos Santana went 2-for-5 with 2 2Bs and a K. No SBs against, either.
• Alexi Ogando had 4 K in 2.1 IP. My friend Danny has been writing him love letters after seeing him at a Triple-A game.