Project Mayhem:
- Nyjer Morgan and his Nats teammates were involved in a bench clearing brawl with the Marlins. Morgan took out Marlins catcher Brett Hayes on Tuesday night because he apparently doesn't understand the concept of sliding at home plate. In retaliation, Chris Volstad hit Morgan with a pitch in the 4th inning. Morgan took his base and then stole 2nd and 3rd base in a 14-3 game. In the 6th inning, Volstad threw behind Morgan and then it was on like Donkey-Kong. Morgan flipped his bat and charged Volstad. He threw something that I can only describe as a Superman Punch, before getting decked by Gaby Sanchez. At that point it was a free-for-all, as coaching staff and players from both sides meet to discuss the topic with their fists. Morgan was ejected and left shouting profanities to the crowd as he left the field. If you haven't seen the video of this yet, just turn on MLB Network and wait.
Oh No-lasco:
- Ricky Nolasco will finally have season ending surgery to fix the torn meniscus in his right knee. He had been trying to pitch through the injury, but ultimately sanity won out. Why he was even allowed to try to pitch with a torn meniscus is beyond me.
Cuban Missile:
- Aroldis Chapman got a win after he pitched a clean 7th inning with 2 strikeouts. He was clocked a 104 mph... Keep him away from the Guitar Hero please.
Count Manny:
- Manny Ramirez made his debut for the White Sox and went 1-3 with 1 strikeout. I read something about him seeing a barber to trim his dreadlocks this weekend. Oh Manny...
Notables:
- Carlos Carrasco made his 2010 debut for the Indians and did alright, against the White Sox. He struck out 4, walked 1, gave up 2 homers, and allowed 3 earned runs in 7.1 innings in a no-decision. In 150.1 innings at triple-A, he had a 3.65 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 133/46 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
- Brett Anderson took a loss, after he pitched 6 innings and allowed 1 unearned run to the Yankees. He allowed 4 runs total and is now 3-6 with a 3.17 ERA. A.J. Burnett pitched opposite him and got the win. Burnett struck out 8 and allowed 3 earned runs over 6 innings.
- Jon Lester struck out 10 batters and improved to 15-8 with a win over the Orioles. He allowed 5 earned runs over the first 2 innings, but settled in and was good from there. The Red Sox bats bailed him out from a loss with a 6-run 7th inning, after Lester had just come out of the game.
- David Price was dealing against the Blue Jays last night. He allowed only 1 earned run over 8 innings (a solo shot by John Buck) and struck out 7 batters. He's now 16-6 with a 2.92 ERA.
- Shaun Marcum pitched opposite Price and took a no-decision, but not because he didn't pitch well. He allowed 1 earned run over 6 innings and also struck out 7 batters.
- Tommy Hunter allowed 2 earned runs over 5.2 innings to the Royals, in a win, his 12th. He walked 4 and struck out 3, but remained girthy.
- Max Scherzer was the chocolate to Francisco Liriano's peanut butter Wednesday night. Scherzer pitched 9 innings, allowed 1 earned run, and struck out 9 Indians batters, in a no-decision. Liriano pitched 7 innings, allowed 0 earned runs, and struck out 7 Tigers batters, also in a no-decision. "Wins are overrated" is my mantra.
- Jason Vargas took a loss after he pitched 7 innings and allowed 3 earned runs to the Angels. Vargas is now 9-8 with a 3.55 ERA and has been plenty useful this season in AL only leagues this season.
- Hunter Pence went 2-2 with a 3-run homer and 2 walks against the Cardinals. Pence is batting .331 with 9 homers and 35 RBI since the All-Star break. The Cardinals have lost 13 of their last 16, while the Astros have won 9 of their last 11... As an Astros fan, this pleases me very much.
- Tom Gorzelanny took a Jose Tabata liner off his right hand and had to leave the game against the Pirates. Gorzelanny had pitched 2.2 scoreless innings up to that point. He had X-rays after the game that showed no fracture. He's scheduled to have a MRI on Thursday.
- Clayton Kershaw struck out 11 batters and walked just 2, in a loss to the Phillies. Roy Oswalt got the better of Kershaw and his Dodgers teammates, as he pitched 6.1 shutout innings with 6 walks, 6 strikeouts, and only 1 hit allowed. Oswalt is now 10-13, while Kershaw is 11-9. Both share a 3.01 ERA.
- Mat Latos struck out 10 D-Backs hitters and held them to just 1 run over 6 innings, but took a no-decision. Again, "wins are overrated" is my mantra.
- Tommy Hanson was firing darts against the Mess Mets last night. He gave up 1 hit over 7 shutout innings with 3 strikeouts and 1 walk. He's 9-10 with a 3.60 ERA this season.
- Jason Heyward is heating up again. Wednesday he went 4-4 with 2 doubles and a RBI. His .284 batting average is the highest it's been since early June. Over his last 11 games he's batting .533 with 4 homers and 12 RBI.
- Johnny Cueto pitched 6 innings of 1-run ball against the Brewers. He struck out only 2 and was left with a no-decision that ultimately went to the Cuban Missile.
- Ian Desmond went 3-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI in the mayhem that was the Nationals/Marlins game. With a .281 batting average, 9 homers, 56 RBI, and 14 stolen bases, Desmond is having himself a nice little rookie campaign.
- Tim Lincecum snapped his 5-game losing streak with a win over the Rockies. It wasn't easy though, as Ubaldo Jimenez fired 8 innings and allowed only 2 earned runs with 10 strikeouts. Timmay pitched 8 innings and allowed only 1 earned run with 9 strikeouts. This is the kind of game I enjoy as a baseball fan... two great pitchers facing teams in the playoff hunt.
Save Chances:
- Rafael Soriano, converted (40). Struck out 1 in a scoreless 9th.
- Brian Wilson, converted (38). Pitched a clean 9th.
- Jonathan Papelbon, converted (34). Struck out 1 in a clean 9th.
- Neftali Feliz, converted (34). Pitched a clean 9th.
- Billy Wagner, converted (31). Pitched a clean 9th.
- Mariano Rivera, converted (28). Struck out 1 in a scoreless 9th.
- Carlos Marmol, converted (25). Walked 3, but also struck out 3 of the 4 batters he got out. His K/9 is over 16.0 this season... that's just dumb.
- Brandon Lyon, converted (11). Struck out 1 in a clean 9th.
- Fernando Rodney, converted (8). Struck out 2 in a clean 9th.
- Juan Gutierrez, converted (6). Pitched a scoreless 8th. His ERA this season is 5.96... barf.
- Chris Sale, converted (1). He walked 2 and struck out 2 in a scoreless 9th.
Other Closer Outings:
- Andrew Bailey got 2 outs, 1 via strikeout.
- Matt Capps pitched a scoreless 9th with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.
- Ryan Franklin pitched a scoreless 8th.
- Matt Lindstrom pitched a clean 7th with 1 strikeout. He's going to be eased into more high leverage situations in the coming games.
- Joel Hanrahan pitched a clean 8th with 2 strikeouts.
- Brad Lidge pitched a scoreless 9th with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.
- Hong-Chih Kuo got 2 outs and allowed 1 unearned run.
- Hisanori Takahashi walked 1 in a scoreless 8th.
- Francisco Cordero pitched a scoreless 9th.
- Drew Storen pitched 1.1 scoreless innings with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.
- Leo Nunez pitched a clean 8th.
Non-Closer Outings:
- Sergio Santos allowed 1 hit in a scoreless 8th.
- Joba Chamberlain struck out 2 in a scoreless 7th.
- Kerry Wood walked 1 and got 2 outs.
- Daniel Bard struck out 1 and allowed 1 earned run in 2 innings in of work.
- Alfredo Simon pitched 1.2 innings, walked 2, struck out 2, and allowed 3 earned runs.
- Scott Downs got 2 outs, walked 1, and struck out 1.
- Darren Oliver pitched 1.2 scoreless innings.
- Philip Humber pitched 2.2 scoreless innings with 2 strikeouts, in relief of Bryan Bullington.
- Gil Meche pitched a scoreless 9th with 1 strikeout.
- Jon Rauch picked up a win after he pitched a clean 10th.
- Kevin Jepsen pitched a clean 8th with 2 strikeouts.
- Brian Sweeney pitched a clean 9th with 1 strikeout.
- Sean Marshall walked 1, struck out 3, and allowed 1 unearned run in the 8th.
- Ryan Madson allowed 1 unearned run in the 8th.
- Joe Thatcher struck out 2 in a clean 7th.
- Ryan Webb pitched a clean 8th.
- Aaron Heilman pitched a scoreless 8th with 1 strikeout.
- Bobby Parnell pitched a scoreless 7th.
- Jonny Venters walked 1, struck out 2, and allowed 1 earned run in the 8th.
- Jeremy Jeffress pitched a scoreless 8th... someone to watch in keeper leagues.
- Nick Masset pitched a clean 8th with 1 strikeout.
- Brian Sanches pitched a scoreless 9th with 1 strikeout.
Tough Days: I am Jack's Bruised Ego
- Scott Olsen allowed 9 earned runs and only got 5 outs to start the game... yikes! And this was before the brawl even took place.
- Chris Volstad allowed 6 earned runs over 5 innings. Someone added him in one of my NL only leagues last night, after the fight. I think this gives their team more street-cred than mine... I'll figure out a way to correct this.
- Luke Gregerson or someone impersonating him, got no outs and allowed 3 earned runs. His ERA is now a fat 2.97 on the season. I think some of the bad D-Backs bullpen karma rubbed off on him.
- Brad Hawpe went 0-4 with 4 strikeouts for the Golden Sombrero... not the debut Rays fans were hoping for.
- Russell Branyan went 0-4 with 4 strikeouts and also earned the Golden Sombrero. He's batting .235 on the season.
- Kelly Johnson went 0-4 with 4 strikeouts, he too received the Golden Sombrero... Mat Latos will do that.
Lineup-ology/Injuries: I am Jack's Distended Roster
- Activated from the 15-Day DL: Dennys Reyes, Matt Lindstrom, Edgar Renteria, Wilson Ramos, Dan Runzler, Ian Kinsler, Cristian Guzman, Damaso Marte, Lance Berkman, Leo Rosales, Brian Moehler, Oscar Salazar, Jeff Keppinger, Josh Fields, David DeJesus, Luke Hochevar, Jeff Suppan, Gil Meche, Russ Springer, Taylor Buchholz, Jason Bulger, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Brian Stokes, Eric Patterson, & David Purcey.
- Called Up/Recalled: Chris Stewart, Brad Hawpe, Chad Moeller, Scott Proctor, Freddie Freeman, Lucas Duda, Max St. Pierre, Brian Esposito, Gregory Infante, Paul Hoover, Chris Hatcher, Corey Luebke, Corky Miller, Danny Espinosa, Rocco Baldelli, Justin James, J. C. Boscan, Jorge Sosa, Robert Andino, Ryan Webb, Pedro Strop, Jenrry Mejia, Mat Gamel, Carlos Villanueva, Jeremy Jeffress, Jonathan Albaladejo, Greg Golson, Kenshin Kawakami, Brandon Allen, Carlos Rosa, Tony Abreu, Jose Morales, Trevor Plouffe, Robbie Weinhardt, Carlos Carrasco, Henry Villar, Wesley Wright, Darren Ford, Tyler Flowers, Alejandro De Aza, John Bowker, Lucas May, Matt Pagnozzi, Nick Stavinoha, Yonder Alonso, Carlos Fisher, Dustin Richardson, Jeremy Hellickson, J.P. Arencibia, Matt Downs, Brian Bogusevic, Michael Dunn, Ross Wolf, Nolan Reimold, Jensen Lewis, Brandon Snyder, Jordan Brown, Dioner Navarro, Desmond Jennings, & Chris Nelson.
- Interesting Names From Expanded Rosters: Brad Hawpe, Freddie Freeman, Danny Espinosa, Jenrry Mejia, Mat Gamel, Jeremy Jeffress, Brandon Allen, Carlos Carrasco, Tyler Flowers, Yonder Alonso, Jeremy Hellickson, J.P. Arencibia, Nolan Reimold, & Desmond Jennings.
- Guys I'd Actually Think About Adding in a Mixed League: Brandon Allen (already hit a grand slam), Jenrry Mejia (only if he starts), Jeremy Hellickson (only if he starts), Desmond Jennings (if you're desperate for steals).
- We can discuss any names I might have missed or guy(s) you're high on in the comments section.
Home Runs:
- Paul Konerko (33), Carlos Gonzalez (30), Adrian Beltre (24), Matt Holliday (24), Chris Young (23), Hunter Pence (21), Alex Rios (20), J.D. Drew (18), Hideki Matsui (18), Shane Victorino (16), Alexei Ramirez (16), Mike Stanton (15), Yuniesky Betancourt (15), John Buck (15), Kevin Kouzmanoff (13), Miguel Tejada (11), Alberto Callaspo (10), Sean Rodriguez (9), Neil Walker (9), Marco Scutaro (8), Jimmy Rollins (7), Cameron Maybin (7), Mitch Moreland (5), Ryan Hanigan (5), Will Nieves (3), Brandon Allen (1), & Brad Davis (1).
Stolen Bases:
- Juan Pierre (53), Rajai Davis (40), Chone Figgins (34), Nyjer Morgan (32 & 33), Elvis Andrus (28), Hunter Pence (17), Jimmy Rollins (16), Shin-Soo Choo (16), Eric Young Jr. (13), Sean Rodriguez (11), Julio Borbon (11), David Murphy (11), Starlin Castro (7), Michael Cuddyer (6), Daric Barton (6), Kosuke Fukudome (6), Michael Saunders (4), Jason Donald (4), Willie Harris (4), Eduardo Nunez (2), John McDonald (2), Brian Bogusevic (1), & Chris Carter (1).
Caught Stealing:
- Carl Crawford (10), Jason Heyward (6), Jason Bartlett (6), Chase Headley (5), Drew Stubbs (4), Franklin Gutierrez (3), Buster Posey (2), Alejandro De Aza (1), Jayson Nix (1), John McDonald (1), Kila Kaaihue (1), & Ramon Santiago (1).