THT Daily: Yankees Clinch AL East Title
Major League News for September 21
Yesterday’s Results
Today’s Games
Standings
Game of the Day
Yesterday’s Home Runs
Player News
Stats
Yesterday’s Results
American League MIN 8 BOS 2 (Recap and Boxscore) Twins score 4 in 8th, 3 in 9th. TB 4 BAL 2 (Recap and Boxscore) Wigginton hits 2-run HR in bottom 8th. TOR 3 NYA 2 (Recap and Boxscore) Yankees clinch the AL East title. DET 6 CHA 2 (Recap and Boxscore) Tigers stay in 1st place! LAA 3 KC 0 (Recap and Boxscore) The OC with all three RBIs. OAK 4 CLE 3 (Recap and Boxscore) Bradley and The Big Hurt lead the way. SEA 6 TEX 3 (Recap and Boxscore) 84 degrees and clear in Arlington. National League FLA 6 NYN 3 (Recap and Boxscore) Willis with 2 HRs, 8.33 IP PHI 6 CHN 2 (Recap and Boxscore) Myers with CG Win. ATL 7 WAS 3 (Recap and Boxscore) Only 19,000 in attendance. HOU 7 CIN 2 (Recap and Boxscore) Luke Scott with HR and Triple. MIL 1 STL 0 (Recap and Boxscore) Jenkins with walk-off HR. SF 7 COL 4 (Recap and Boxscore) Alou with PH HR in 7th. PIT 6 LAN 4 (Recap and Boxscore) Sanchez with four more hits. ARI 8 SD 2 (Recap and Boxscore) Edgar Gonzalez coming around?
Today’s Games
Visitors Home Starts (EDT) CLE - Sabathia C.* (11-10, 3.26) OAK - Harden R. (3-0, 3.86) 3:35 pm DET - Robertson N.* (13-12, 3.68) BAL - Benson K. (10-11, 4.54) 4:05 pm MIN - Santana J.* (18-5, 2.77) BOS - Beckett J. (15-10, 5.02) 7:05 pm FLA - Sanchez A. (8-3, 2.90) NYM - Martinez P. (9-6, 4.03) 7:10 pm SEA - Woods J.* (5-3, 4.19) CWS - Vazquez J. (11-9, 4.70) 8:05 pm SF - Morris M. (10-14, 4.79) MIL - Bush D. (11-11, 4.53) 8:05 pm STL - Carpenter C. (15-6, 2.79) HOU - Pettitte A.* (13-13, 4.37) 8:05 pm ATL - Smoltz J. (13-9, 3.71) COL - Kim B. (8-11, 5.30) 8:35 pm ARI - Webb B. (16-6, 2.92) SD - Williams W. (9-5, 3.69) 10:05 pm PIT - Youman S.* (0-1, 4.32) LAD - Billingsley C. (5-4, 3.32) 10:10 pm
Standings
The graphics next to each team are called “sparklines.” They depict each team’s performance over the last month. Each “up” bar is a victory and a “down” bar is a loss. There are horizontal lines for home games and red bars represent games decided by two runs or less. “PWins” is short for Projected Wins, based on each team’s Run Differential, and is often a better measure of a team’s true strength. Other team graphs and stats can be found on our Team Page.
American League East Pwins Diff NYA 92 60 .605 0.0 90 2BOS 81 71 .533 11.0 76 5
TOR 80 72 .526 12.0 80 0
BAL 66 86 .434 26.0 65 1
TB 58 94 .382 34.0 60 -2
American League Central DET 91 61 .599 0.0 90 1
MIN 90 61 .596 0.5 87 3
CHA 85 67 .559 6.0 85 0
CLE 70 81 .464 20.5 81 -11
KC 58 94 .382 33.0 58 0
American League West OAK 88 63 .583 0.0 81 7
LAA 82 70 .539 6.5 77 5
TEX 77 76 .503 12.0 82 -5
SEA 73 79 .480 15.5 73 0
National League East Pwins Diff NYN 92 59 .609 0.0 87 5
PHI 79 73 .520 13.5 79 0
FLA 75 77 .493 17.5 76 -1
ATL 74 78 .487 18.5 78 -4
WAS 66 86 .434 26.5 65 1
National League Central STL 80 70 .533 0.0 78 2
CIN 74 78 .487 7.0 71 3
HOU 73 78 .483 7.5 76 -3
MIL 69 83 .454 12.0 65 4
PIT 65 87 .428 16.0 67 -2
CHN 62 91 .405 19.5 64 -2
National League West SD 79 72 .523 0.0 79 0
LAN 79 73 .520 0.5 80 -1
SF 75 76 .497 4.0 73 2
ARI 72 79 .477 7.0 74 -2
COL 71 81 .467 8.5 77 -6
Wildcard Standings American League MIN 90 61 .596 0.0 CHA 85 67 .559 5.5 National League LAN 79 73 .520 0.0 PHI 79 73 .520 0.0 SF 75 76 .497 3.5 FLA 75 77 .493 4.0 ATL 74 78 .487 5.0 CIN 74 78 .487 5.0 HOU 73 78 .483 5.5
Game of the Day
The game is definitely a pitchers’ duel when the Fangraphs chart of the game (see below under the box score) lists three double plays and a pickoff as four of the five notable events. It’s that fifth event that won the game for the Brewers, as Geoff Jenkins hits a line drive scorcher into the right field bleachers in the bottom of the ninth, giving Milwaukee a 1-0 win against the Cardinals.
ST LOUIS (0) VS MILWAUKEE (1) - FINAL
ST LOUIS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Miles ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .271
C Duncan lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .304
J Hancock p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Johnson p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
A Pujols 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .328
J Encarnacion cf 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .284
S Spiezio 3b 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .263
P Wilson rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .259
R Belliard 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .237
Y Molina c 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .220
J Suppan p 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .192
a-J Rodriguez ph-lf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .304
Totals 30 0 4 0 1 5 12
a-doubled to deep right for J Suppan in the 8th.
BATTING: 2B - S Spiezio (14, C Villanueva); J Rodriguez (12, C Spurling).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Duncan 1, S Spiezio 1, J Suppan 1,
R Belliard 1. GIDP - A Miles, A Pujols. Team LOB - 5.
FIELDING: E - A Miles (16, ground ball); R Belliard (3, ground ball). DP: 4
(R Belliard-A Pujols-A Miles, R Belliard-A Miles-A Pujols, A Miles-R Belliard-A
Pujols, S Spiezio-R Belliard-A Pujols).
MILWAUKEE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
T Gwynn Jr cf 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 .277
T Graffanino ss 3 0 1 0 1 1 2 .294
P Fielder 1b 3 0 1 0 1 0 3 .276
C Hart lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 4 .286
F Cordero p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
G Jenkins rf 4 1 2 1 0 0 0 .271
J Cirillo 2b 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .321
D Bell 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
D Miller c 3 0 1 0 0 1 2 .251
C Villanueva p 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .111
a-B Clark ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .260
C Spurling p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
K Mench lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .212
Totals 29 1 9 1 2 4 15
a-grounded to first for C Villanueva in the 7th.
BATTING: 2B - D Miller (28, J Suppan). HR - G Jenkins (16, 9th inning off T
Johnson 0 on, 0 Out). S - C Villanueva. RBI - G Jenkins (68). Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - P Fielder 1, C Villanueva 1. GIDP - C Hart 2, J
Cirillo, T Graffanino. Team LOB - 7.
BASERUNNING: SB - T Gwynn Jr (2, 2nd base off J Suppan/Y Molina). Picked Off
- C Hart (1st base, Y Molina).
FIELDING: E - P Fielder (11, ground ball). PB - D Miller. DP: 2 (J Cirillo-T
Graffanino-P Fielder, D Bell-J Cirillo-P Fielder).
----------------------------------------------------
ST LOUIS - 000 000 000 -- 0
MILWAUKEE - 000 000 001 -- 1
No outs when winning run scored.
----------------------------------------------------
ST LOUIS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Suppan 7 6 0 0 1 4 0 4.06
J Hancock 2/3 2 0 0 1 0 0 3.75
T Johnson (L, 0-3) 1/3 1 1 1 0 0 1 4.50
MILWAUKEE ip h r er bb so hr era
C Villanueva 7 3 0 0 1 5 0 3.35
C Spurling 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.42
F Cordero (W, 3-0) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.42
T Johnson pitched to 1 batter in the 9th.
HBP - Y Molina (by C Villanueva). Pitches-strikes: J Suppan 97-61; J Hancock
14-8; T Johnson 5-4; C Villanueva 104-62; C Spurling 16-11; F Cordero 10-6.
Ground balls-fly balls: J Suppan 12-5; J Hancock 2-0; T Johnson 0-0; C
Villanueva 9-7; C Spurling 1-2; F Cordero 1-2. Batters faced: J Suppan 27; J
Hancock 4; T Johnson 1; C Villanueva 25; C Spurling 4; F Cordero 3.
UMPIRES: HP--Mike Reilly. 1B--James Hoye. 2B--Andy Fletcher. 3B--Jerry Meals.
T--2:33. Att--14,242. Weather: INDOORS
The following graph tracks the game’s Win Probability, courtesy of Fan Graphs.
Yesterday’s Home Runs
The following stats are provided by Hit Tracker, which logs the projected distance of each home run (if it were to land uninterrupted at field level) and its “standard” distance, which is corrected for weather conditions. You can read their daily updates at the Hit Tracker Blog.
Hitter Pitcher True Dist. Std. Dist. HR # Ordonez, Magglio DET Garland, Jon CWS 420 428 23 Uribe, Juan CWS Bonderman, Jeremy DET 422 426 19 Burrell, Pat PHI Novoa, Roberto CHC 423 423 26 Ibanez, Raul SEA Tejeda, Robinson TEX 420 423 28 Rodriguez, Ivan DET Cotts, Neal CWS 416 422 12 Williams, Bernie NYY Romero, Davis TOR 419 417 12 Molina, Bengie TOR Henn, Sean NYY 416 415 17 Bradley, Milton OAK Carmona, Fausto CLE 420 414 11 Cruz, Nelson TEX Baek, Cha Seung SEA 416 407 6 Scott, Luke HOU Arroyo, Bronson CIN 409 407 8 Iguchi, Tadahito CWS Bonderman, Jeremy DET 395 405 17 Bautista, Jose PIT Maddux, Greg LAD 407 400 15 Hunter, Torii MIN Hansen, Craig BOS 416 398 28 Drew, J.D. LAD Chacon, Shawn PIT 411 398 18 Alou, Moises SF King, Ray COL 425 397 18 Willis, Dontrelle FLA Perez, Oliver NYM 401 397 2 Ortiz, David BOS Bonser, Boof MIN 423 385 50 Jones, Andruw ATL Ortiz, Ramon WAS 401 385 36 Jenkins, Geoff MIL Johnson, Tyler STL 383 382 16 McCann, Brian ATL Ortiz, Ramon WAS 387 379 21 Willis, Dontrelle FLA Hernandez, Roberto NYM 385 378 3 Francoeur, Jeff ATL Booker, Chris WAS 390 373 26 Wigginton, Ty TB Lopez, Rodrigo BAL 370 369 21 Crawford, Carl TB Penn, Hayden BAL 369 368 18 Zimmerman, Ryan WAS Cormier, Lance ATL 379 364 19 Biggio, Craig HOU Arroyo, Bronson CIN 365 363 20 Bard, Josh SD Gonzalez, Edgar ARI 370 355 8 Utley, Chase PHI Ryu, Jae Kuk CHC 356 340 29
Player News
Player news items are provided by CBS SportsLine.com.
Robby Hammock, who caught Randy Johnson’s perfect game for Arizona on May 18, 2004, was one of two players promoted by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. Hammock was with the club for extended stints in 2003-04, then missed virtually the entire 2005 season due to right shoulder surgery. He spent this season in Triple-A. Outfielder Scott Hairston was promoted for the third time this year.
Mark Grudzielanek, who sustained a groin injury Tuesday, is not expected to return this year, manager Buddy Bell said.
The Royals recalled infielder Angel Sanchez and purchased outfielder Mitch Maier’s contract Wednesday. Both players had been with Double-A Wichita.
Third baseman Miguel Cabrera was scratched from Florida’s starting lineup Wednesday night against the New York Mets because of a sore left shoulder. The Marlins replaced Cabrera by moving Wes Helms from first base to third and inserting Mike Jacobs at first base. Left fielder Josh Willingham moved up from cleanup to the third spot, Helms and right fielder Cody Ross each moved up a spot and Jacobs batted sixth. Cabrera is batting .338 with 25 homers and 110 RBIs.
The Royals recalled infielder Angel Sanchez and purchased outfielder Mitch Maier’s contract Wednesday. Both players had been with Double-A Wichita. Sanchez, who turned 23 on Wednesday, hit .282 in 133 games as Wichita’s shortstop. He takes the roster spot vacated by second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, who sustained a groin injury Tuesday. Manager Buddy Bell said Grudzielanek is not expected to return this year.
Mariners pitcher Jarrod Washburn will probably miss the rest of the season due to a torn right calf muscle. Asked if Washburn is done for the season, manager Mike Hargrove said, “I would think probably. I can’t say for certain, but I would say things are pointing that way.” Team medical personnel told Washburn surgery will not be necessary. Washburn said the healing process is two to six weeks. “I felt a pop and heard a pop. It was loud,” Washburn said. Hargrove said right-handers Joel Pineiro and Travis Chick are candidates to take Washburn’s scheduled turn Sunday in Chicago against the White Sox.
Tigers sent RHP Colby Lewis outright to Triple-A Toledo of the IL on Thursday.
The Royals transferred RHP Brandon Duckworth (elbow) from the 15-day to the 60-day DL.
The Padres placed RHP Doug Brocail (hamstring) on the 60-day DL.
Ryan Klesko was activated Wednesday for what will most likely be his final games with the San Diego Padres. The first baseman-left fielder, who’s making $10 million this year, underwent surgery on his left shoulder in April and hasn’t played this season. He was bothered by soreness in his throwing shoulder late in spring training and started the season on the disabled list. Klesko has been bothered by back, neck and shoulder ailments the past few years. He had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder in September 2003, and has hit only 27 homers since 2004. He hit a career-low nine homers in 2004. Last year, he led the Padres with 18 homers but had a career-low .248 average.Klesko will give manager Bruce Bochy another left-handed bat off the bench.
Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones left Wednesday night’s game against the Washington Nationals with soreness in the second toe on his right foot. Jones returned from the disabled list Tuesday after missing more than two weeks with a strained muscle on his left side. He was 1-for-2 with a double and two runs scored on Wednesday before being lifted for pinch-hitter Willy Aybar in the seventh inning. Jones is day-to-day.
Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz hit his 50th home run of the season on Wednesday night, tying the franchise record that stood since Jimmie Foxx set it in 1938. Ortiz homered off Minnesota’s Boof Bonser over the Boston bullpen in right-center with two outs in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie. He circled the bases to the strains of “Simply the Best” while his teammates applauded from the top of the dugout.
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay left Wednesday night’s game against the New York Yankees in the fourth inning with a strained forearm. After Bernie Williams fouled off a pitch, manager John Gibbons, pitching coach Brad Arnsberg and trainer George Poulis went to mound to see Halladay. Halladay didn’t even attempt one warmup pitch before leaving the field. The Yankees led 1-0. Halladay hasn’t pitched a complete season in three years because of injuries. The 2003 AL Cy Young winner entered Wednesday’s game with a 16-5 record and 3.20 ERA.
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