Notables:
-Javier Vazquez hit three straight batters, tying a ML record. If you backed Vazquez during the preseason, it's safe at this point to say you were wrong.
-Albert Pujols added to his resume for MVP with a stellar day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with his 40th and 41st home runs. You'll never hear me chastise you for taking him as a number one overall pick.
-David Price was again in a fantastic pitchers matchup against C.C. Sabathia but the hitters got the last word. I'm guessing the hitters saw this movie before and thus got some wood on the ball tonight. Price ended up the win and improved to 18-6.
-Ichiro Suzuki got his 10th straight 200-hit season which was overshadowed by Jose Bautista's 50th home run. In case you haven't been paying attention, it's been a few years since we've seen the 50 mark eclipsed. Shaun Hill and the bullpen combined for a shutout against the Mariners.
-Juan Uribe, two homers, six RBI. 'Nuff said.
-Dallas Braden one-hit the Rangers which is not an easy task.
-Madison Bumgarner went seven shutout innings with nine Ks and only one walk. The wind was blowing out in SF too; his ERA is now at 3.06.
-Hiroki Kuroda went eight innings allowing only one run en route to his 11th win.
Save Chances:
-Kevin Gregg, converted (35). I talked about him earlier this year; this is his norm and last year was the anomaly.
-Joakim Soria, converted (41). Top-5 closer for sure next year.
-Hong-Chih Kuo, converted (10). You might say he's filthy, as his strikeout of the side indicates.
-Juan Gutierrez, converted (11). Two walks, a hit and an earned run. He's been good over the second half though.
Tough Days:
-Ryan Dempster gave up nine runs over 1.2 innings and wasn't pitching at home.
-C.C. Sabathia gave up seven earned runs, his worst outing as a Yankee.
Stolen Bases:
-Jarrod Dyson (pickup?!?) (5), Yuniesky Betancourt (2), Trevor Crowe 2 (18), Rafael Furcal (22), Daniel Descalso (1), Garrett Jones (7), Adam Kennedy (12), Corey Hart (7), Ryan Spilborghs (4), Carlos Gonzalez (25), Kelly Johnson (12)
Caught Stealing:
-Will Venable (7)
Home Runs:
-Marcus Thames (12), Albert Pujols 2 (40, 41), Jose Bautista (50 – what were the odds on him leading the majors in homers during the preseason?), Juan Uribe 2 (21, 22 – raise your hand if you saw this coming…), Mike Morse (13), Roger Bernadina (11), Danny Espinosa (6 – he'll be on everyone's sleeper list next year), Buster Posey (16), Cody Ross (12), Mike Aviles (7), Kila Ka'aihue (5), Corey Hart (30), Rickie Weeks (28), Prince Fielder (31), Carlos Gonzalez (35), Kelly Johnson (25), Stephen Drew (14), Chris Young (26),