THT Daily: Young Arrives

Major League News for August 29

Yesterday’s Results
Today’s Games
Standings
Game of the Day
Yesterday’s Home Runs
Top Minor League Performances
Player News
Stats

Yesterday’s Results
American League
CLE     6  TOR     4    (Recap and Boxscore)
OAK     9  BOS     0    (Recap and Boxscore) Classic Big Hurt: 3 BB, HR
SEA     2  LAA     0    (Recap and Boxscore) See below

National League
FLA     4  MIL     2    (Recap and Boxscore) Johnson: 8.2 IP, 2 R
NYN     8  PHI     3    (Recap and Boxscore) Howard: 47th HR
PIT    11  CHN     6    (Recap and Boxscore)
ARI     7  SD      4    (Recap and Boxscore) Branyan: 2 HR; Byrnes: 2 2B, HR
LAN     6  CIN     5    (Recap and Boxscore) CIN: 4th straight loss

Today’s Games
Visitors                           Home                                Starts
CHC - Zambrano C. (14-5, 3.31)     PIT - Maholm P.* (6-10, 4.82)         7:05
PHI - Myers B. (9-6, 4.23)         WAS - Armas T. (8-9, 5.05)            7:05
DET - Robertson N.* (11-10, 4.10)  NYY - Wang C. (15-5, 3.81)            7:05
TOR - Chacin G.* (6-3, 6.32)       CLE - Sabathia C.* (9-8, 3.30)        7:05
SF - Schmidt J. (10-7, 3.23)       ATL - Hudson T. (10-10, 4.82)         7:35
TB - Fossum C.* (6-5, 4.91)        CWS - Garcia F. (12-8, 4.99)          8:05
BAL - Lopez R. (9-13, 6.03)        TEX - Millwood K. (12-9, 4.73)        8:05
MIL - Ohka T. (4-3, 4.42)          HOU - Oswalt R. (10-8, 3.23)          8:05
FLA - Olsen S.* (10-7, 4.42)       STL - Mulder M.* (6-6, 6.77)          8:10
KC - Redman M.* (7-8, 5.85)        MIN - Garza M. (1-2, 6.59)            8:10
NYM - Trachsel S. (13-5, 5.00)     COL - Kim B. (7-9, 5.18)              9:05
SD - Young C. (9-5, 3.77)          ARI - Gonzalez E. (3-5, 5.32)         9:40
BOS - Beckett J. (14-8, 5.21)      OAK - Saarloos K. (6-6, 4.66)        10:05
LAA - Weaver J. (9-1, 1.92)        SEA - Washburn J.* (7-12, 4.37)      10:05
CIN - Milton E.* (8-7, 5.22)       LAD - Hendrickson M.* (1-6, 4.79)    10:10

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     77  52 .597    0.0   75      2      
BOS     71  60 .542    7.0   68      3      
TOR     69  62 .527    9.0   68      1      
BAL     59  71 .454   18.5   57      2      
TB      52  79 .397   26.0   53     -1      
American League Central
DET     82  49 .626    0.0   80      2      
MIN     76  53 .589    5.0   73      3      
CHA     76  54 .585    5.5   75      1      
CLE     61  69 .469   20.5   71     -10     
KC      47  85 .356   35.5   49     -2      
American League West
OAK     75  56 .573    0.0   69      6      
LAA     69  63 .523    6.5   68      1      
TEX     67  65 .508    8.5   69     -2      
SEA     62  69 .473   13.0   63     -1      

National League East         Pwins Diff
NYN     80  49 .620    0.0   75      5      
PHI     65  65 .500   15.5   65      0      
FLA     64  66 .492   16.5   64      0      
ATL     61  68 .473   19.0   67     -6      
WAS     55  75 .423   25.5   55      0      
National League Central
STL     69  60 .535    0.0   66      3      
CIN     67  65 .508    3.5   64      3      
HOU     63  68 .481    7.0   65     -2      
MIL     62  69 .473    8.0   58      4      
CHN     54  77 .412   16.0   53      1      
PIT     51  81 .386   19.5   56     -5      
National League West
LAN     69  62 .527    0.0   70     -1      
SD      66  65 .504    3.0   66      0      
SF      65  66 .496    4.0   66     -1      
ARI     64  67 .489    5.0   64      0      
COL     61  69 .469    7.5   66     -5      

Wildcard Standings
American League
MIN     76  53 .589    0.0
CHA     76  54 .585    0.5
BOS     71  60 .542    6.0
TOR     69  62 .527    8.0
LAA     69  63 .523    8.5
National League
CIN     67  65 .508    0.0
SD      66  65 .504    0.5
PHI     65  65 .500    1.0
SF      65  66 .496    1.5
FLA     64  66 .492    2.0

Game of the Day

It was a classic pitching duel in Seattle, where the Mariners’ Felix Hernandez beat Kelvim Escobar and the Angels, 2-0. Both pitchers threw complete games and neither one walked a batter. Seattle had lost twenty straight games to its AL West rivals, the longest intradivision losing streak since division play began in 1969.

It was the first career shutout for the twenty-year-old Hernandez. In the last 15 years, there’s been only one other shutout by a pitcher before his 21st birthday, and that was by Kerry Wood, his one-hit, 20-strikeout, 0-walk game against the Astros on May 6, 1998.

LA ANGELS (0) VS SEATTLE (2) - FINAL

LA ANGELS              ab  r  h rbi bb so lob   avg
C Figgins cf            4  0  0  0   0  0   0  .263
M Izturis 3b            4  0  1  0   0  0   1  .310
O Cabrera ss            4  0  1  0   0  0   2  .288
V Guerrero rf           4  0  1  0   0  1   1  .326
G Anderson dh           3  0  1  0   0  0   0  .275
J Rivera lf             3  0  0  0   0  0   1  .298
H Kendrick 1b           3  0  0  0   0  1   0  .317
A Kennedy 2b            3  0  0  0   0  1   0  .264
J Molina c              3  0  1  0   0  1   0  .258

Totals                 31  0  5  0   0  4   5

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - O Cabrera 1. GIDP - J 
Rivera. Team LOB - 4. 
 
FIELDING: Outfield assists - J Rivera (I Suzuki at 2nd base). 
 
SEATTLE                ab  r  h rbi bb so lob   avg
I Suzuki cf             4  0  1  0   0  1   1  .319
C Snelling rf           4  0  0  0   0  2   0  .357
A Beltre 3b             4  1  1  0   0  0   0  .266
R Ibanez lf             3  1  1  0   0  0   0  .282
R Sexson 1b             3  0  2  1   0  0   0  .239
B Broussard dh          3  0  0  0   0  2   3  .292
K Johjima c             3  0  2  1   0  0   0  .294
J Lopez 2b              3  0  0  0   0  2   3  .278
W Bloomquist ss         3  0  0  0   0  2   1  .241
 Y Betancourt ss        0  0  0  0   0  0   0  .301

Totals                 30  2  7  2   0  9   8

BATTING: 2B - R Sexson (26, K Escobar). RBI - R Sexson (88), K Johjima (57). 
2-out RBI - K Johjima. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Lopez 1. 
Team LOB - 4. 
 
FIELDING: E - J Lopez (11, throw). DP: 1 (J Lopez-W Bloomquist-R Sexson). 
 
----------------------------------------------------
    LA ANGELS       - 000 000 000   --   0
    SEATTLE         - 000 200 00x   --   2
----------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS                    ip       h   r  er  bb  so  hr    era
K Escobar (L, 9-12)           8       7   2   2   0   9   0   3.79

SEATTLE                      ip       h   r  er  bb  so  hr    era
F Hernandez (W, 11-12)        9       5   0   0   0   4   0   4.54

Pitches-strikes: K Escobar 106-71; F Hernandez 95-70. Ground balls-fly balls: 
K Escobar 5-9; F Hernandez 17-6. Batters faced: K Escobar 30; F Hernandez 31. 
 
UMPIRES: HP--Chuck Meriwether. 1B--Phil Cuzzi. 2B--Jerry Crawford. 3B--Brian 
Onora. 

T--1:51. Att--28,748. 
Weather: 76 degrees, clear. Wind: 6 mph, right to left.

The following graph tracks the game’s Win Probability, courtesy of Fan Graphs.

image

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.

Russell Branyan hit two homers for the Padres, including a 427 footer to left-center field and a huge 471 foot blast to right field. Branyan’s second homer left the bat at 119.4 mph, and picked up 14 feet from the warm, thin air inside Chase Field.

Hitter                    Pitcher                  True Dist  Std. Dist.  HR #
Uggla, Dan        FLA     Capellan, Jose    MIL        440        459      20
Branyan, Russell  SD      Julio, Jorge      ARI        471        457      14
Thomas, Frank     OAK     Foulke, Keith     BOS        421        437      28
Howard, Ryan      PHI     Mota, Guillermo   NYM        421        436      47
Burrell, Pat      PHI     Maine, John       NYM        396        428      24
Hall, Bill        MIL     Johnson, Josh     FLA        408        422      30
Branyan, Russell  SD      Webb, Brandon     ARI        427        415      13
Phillips, Brandon CIN     Tomko, Brett      LAD        429        411      14
Estrada, Johnny   ARI     Williams, Woody   SD         414        402      11
Pierre, Juan      CHC     Snell, Ian        PIT        384        386       2
Martin, Russell   LAD     Michalak, Chris   CIN        397        385       8
Sizemore, Grady   CLE     Burnett, A.J.     TOR        402        374      20
Byrnes, Eric      ARI     Williams, Woody   SD         382        372      20
Melhuse, Adam     OAK     Foulke, Keith     BOS        376        372       4
Swisher, Nick     OAK     Foulke, Keith     BOS        372        363      28
Bay, Jason        PIT     Guzman, Angel     CHC        347        351      29

Top Minor League Games

The following list, provided by First Inning, includes the top minor league batting (based on Runs Created) and pitching (based on Game Score) performances from yesterday.

ORG LVL PLAYER            POS AB  H 2B 3B HR BB SO  Notes
BOS AA  Brandon Moss       RF  4  4  0  1  0  1  0  .609 OBP during past week
BOS A-  Kristopher Negron  SS  5  3  0  1  0  1  1  3 runs scored
CHW A   Francisco Hernandez C  2  2  0  0  1  1  0   
CLE AAA Jason Cooper       LF  4  3  1  0  1  0  1   
COL A   Cole Garner        LF  4  3  1  0  1  0  0   
LA  AAA Delwyn Young       RF  4  3  3  0  0  1  0  5 RBI
NYM A   Will Vogl          CF  4  3  1  0  1  0  0   
NYY A+  Reegie Corona      SS  5  3  1  0  1  0  0  4 RBI
PHI A+  Gregory Golson     CF  4  4  1  1  1  0  0   
SD  AA  Drew Macias        CF  4  3  0  1  1  0  1  3 runs scored
 
ORG LVL PLAYER             IP   H  R ER SO BB HR  Notes
BOS AA  Thomas Hottovy     7.0  1  0  0  7  2  0   
CHC AAA Jae Kuk Ryu        8.0  5  1  1  7  2  1   
CIN AA  Homer Bailey       6.0  2  0  0  8  0  0  1.44 ERA over past month
DET A   Sendy Vasquez      6.0  3  1  1  9  0  1   
PIT A-  Patrick Bresnehan  6.0  3  0  0  8  1  0  0 ER allowed over last 25 IP
SF  A   Kelvin Pichardo    6.0  3  0  0  6  2  0   
TB  AA  Mitch Talbot       7.2  7  0  0  7  1  0   
TEX AAA Derek Lee          9.0  2  0  0  3  3  0   
TEX AA  Luis Mendoza       7.0  2  1  1  5  1  0   

Player News

Player news items are provided by CBS SportsLine.com.

A Hardball Times Update
Goodbye for now.

Jose Reyes hit his 16th triple of the season Monday after hitting 17 three-baggers last season. Reyes is the first player to have more than 15 triples in consecutive seasons since the Yankees’ Snuffy Stirnweiss had 16 in 1944 and 22 in 1945.

Ryan Howard hit his 47th home run of the season, tying the second-highest total in a player’s “sophomore” year. Ralph Kiner hit 51 in 1947, his second season, and Eddie Mathews had 47 in 1953, his sophomore year. (Source: Elias)

Esteban Loaiza threw seven scoreless innings against the Red Sox, and over his last four starts he’s allowed only one earned run in 30 2/3 innings, for a 0.29 ERA. No other pitcher has allowed as few as one earned run in as many as 30 innings over four starts this season.

Loaiza’s run may remind some of Cory Lidle’s season for the A’s in 2002. Loaiza had a 6.41 ERA in 87 innings before his hot streak began. Lidle had a 5.15 ERA in 113 2/3 innings in 2002, then did not allow an earned run in 38 innings over next five starts, and only one earned run in 45 2/3 innings over his next six starts. (Source: Elias)

Brad Penny (14-7) tied a career-high for victories after overcoming early control problems in Monday’s start against the Reds. He allowed a run and four hits over five innings.

Brandon Webb scattered six hits over 7 1/3 innings and helped the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 7-4 Monday night. Webb (14-5) tied Carlos Zambrano of Chicago for most victories in the National League.

Ben Sheets (4-6) gave up three runs — one earned — and six hits in seven innings with six strikeouts in Monday’s start at Florida.

Freddy Sanchez had three hits in Monday’s game against the Cubs to raise his NL-leading batting average to .349. “Everyone was getting good at bats, putting good wood on the ball,” Sanchez said. “It was good to see everyone hitting the ball well. It was one of those nights where everyone was getting good at bats.”

Grady Sizemore was 3-for-5 with two doubles (46), a home run (20) and an RBI (59) in Monday’s game against the Blue Jays. “If he’s not the best all-around player in the league, he’s near the top,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. “He’s just a great all-around player who works as hard as anyone we have. One thing people don’t see is his mental toughness. And just the way he plays the game, and the effect it has on his teammates. I’ll take him over anybody.”

Boston purchased the contract of first baseman Carlos Pena from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Jon Lester’s (back) roster spot. Also, they transferred Adam Stern to the 60-day DL with a hamstring injury.

When the Red Sox get back to Boston, catcher Jason Varitek and right fielder Trot Nixon both will be close to rejoining the team. Varitek had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Aug. 3, while Nixon has been on the 15-day DL since July 31 with a strained right biceps.

The Red Sox placed rookie LHP Jon Lester on the 15-day DL Monday and sent him back to Boston for further evaluation of his troublesome back. Lester, one of four rookies on the Red Sox pitching staff, originally was slated to start Monday’s series opener at Oakland, but Kason Gabbard took his place in the rotation. Lester almost didn’t take the mound Wednesday night against the Angels in Anaheim, where he beat Kelvim Escobar and threw 96 pitches over five innings. “He came out of that start the other day with his back grabbing at him,” manager Terry Francona said. “We just kind of felt we’d send him back to Boston and get him thoroughly checked. He’s a big part of our future. We’ve asked a lot of him already. We’re a little concerned.”

Diamondbacks outfielder Jeff DaVanon will have season-ending surgery to repair a split tendon in his left ankle. DaVanon was injured sliding into second base against Houston on Aug. 5 and went on the 15-day DL with what initially was thought to be a sprained ankle. When the injury didn’t improve as expected, tests revealed the tendon injury. DaVanon went to Los Angeles on Monday for a second opinion that confirmed surgery was necessary.

Seattle purchased the contract of Jon Huber from Triple-A Tacoma and Huber was in uniform for Monday’s game. The 25-year-old right-hander split this season between Double-A San Antonio and Tacoma.

Mariners right-hander Julio Mateo will miss the rest of the season after breaking his left hand before Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. While lifting weights in the Mariners clubhouse, Mateo had a 35-pound weight slip and pin his hand between the weight and the rack. He broke the fourth metacarpal and was placed on the 60-day DL. Mateo’s hand will be placed into a splint for the next few days and be put into a permanent cast Friday. “He’s a big part of the reason the bullpen has pitched as well as it has this season,” manager Mike Hargrove said. “When he’s pitched, he’s pitched when the game has been on the line and in tough situations.”

The Devil Rays recalled top prospect Delmon Young from Triple-A Durham and placed DH Jonny Gomes on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injury on Monday night. Young, the first player selected in the 2003 amateur draft, served a 50-game suspension this season after throwing a bat at an umpire during a minor league game. After returning to Durham’s lineup in June, he hit .318 with eight homers and 57 RBI.

The Cubs activated first baseman Derrek Lee from the 15-day disabled list Monday, and he was in the lineup against the Pirates. To make room for Lee, the Cubs optioned infielder Buck Coats to Triple-A Iowa.

The Blue Jays recalled 2B Russ Adams from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

The Orioles released non-roster OF Tony Alvarez.

Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano has a pair of broken ribs, the result of a car accident several weeks ago he initially didn’t tell the team about. New York GM Brian Cashman said Monday that Pavano has made three rehab starts with the rib injury. He disclosed it to the team Saturday after feeling discomfort in his most recent minor-league outing. “Of course I’m angry,” Cashman said, adding that “it’s extremely frustrating” and “it’s extremely disappointing.” Cashman still hopes Pavano would be able to pitch in the major leagues this season. Pavano is to have another medical checkup Tuesday. “We have had players play with this issue before,” he said.

Reds catcher Javier Valentin agreed to a one-year contract extension through 2007, with a club option for one more season. Valentin and Jason LaRue shared the catching duties last season. Valentin became the top pinch hitter after David Ross developed into the No. 1 catcher this season.

The Reds sent right-hander Mike Burns to the Red Sox on Monday, getting right-hander Tim Bausher and cash in a swap of relievers. Bausher, 27, went 4-3 with a 4.91 ERA in two starts and 35 relief appearances at Triple-A Pawtucket. He was invited to Boston’s camp last spring, and was assigned to the minors March 14.

Nationals outfielder Alex Escobar will have right shoulder surgery in the next week to 10 days and will miss the rest of the season. Escobar had an MRI exam Monday and was checked by a club doctor, who determined the player has a tear in the labrum, something often associated with a dislocation. Escobar was hurt on a headfirst slide into first base in the ninth inning Friday night at Atlanta. Trying to avoid getting doubled off, Escobar scrambled and went awkwardly into the bag, jamming his right arm.

The Pirates designated right-hander Britt Reames for assignment after he gave up five runs and five hits in 1 2/3 innings of a 13-1 loss Sunday to Houston. They have 10 days to trade, release or outright him to the minor leagues.

Tom Gorzelanny, who isn’t likely to pitch again this season, was placed on the 15-day DL on Monday. Gorzelanny tried throwing over the weekend, but was skipped over for a third consecutive start because of the sore elbow.

Pirates closer Mike Gonzalez was placed on the 15-day DL Monday with left elbow tendinitis. Gonzalez (3-4, 2.17 ERA) is 24-for-24 in save opportunities this season — the only pitcher in the majors with no blown saves in so many chances. He has converted 28 save opportunities in a row dating to August 2004, but had elbow discomfort after pitching on three consecutive days last week. Salomon Torres, Damaso Marte and John Grabow figure to share save opportunities at this point.

Mets right-hander Pedro Martinez (right calf) left for Florida on Monday morning to begin his rehabilitation at the team’s minor league complex in Port St. Lucie.

John Maine (4-3) pitched 6 1/3 solid innings against the Phillies Monday. He allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks. He was supposed to pitch Sunday, but was pushed back a day when the finale of the three-game set was rained out. “That doesn’t bother me,” Maine said. “You’ve still got to go out there and pitch and warm up the same. You just make the adjustment.”

The Phillies sent INF Danny Sandoval to Double-A Reading to make room for Jeff Conine on the roster Monday.

The Astros recalled utility infielder Eric Bruntlett and catcher Humberto Quintero from Round Rock on Monday and optioned catcher J.R. House and pitcher Chris Sampson to the Triple-A affiliate.

The Bergen County Record reports that Tom Glavine (circulation problem in left hand) felt fine one day after throwing a bullpen session Saturday.

The Astros recalled utility infielder Eric Bruntlett and catcher Humberto Quintero from Round Rock on Monday and optioned catcher J.R. House and pitcher Chris Sampson to the Triple-A affiliate.

The Bergen County Record reports that Guillermo Mota threw two perfect innings, with two strikeouts, against the Phillies Saturday. “He’s got good stuff,” manager Willie Randolph said. “He looks like he’s getting back to where he was (three) years ago when he was setting up for (Eric) Gagne” with the Dodgers.

OF Jermaine Dye has a career-high 38 homers, tying Magglio Ordonez (2002) for the highest total by a right fielder in team history.

Since he was acquired from the Rangers, Francisco Cordero has saved or won 11 of the Brewers’ 14 victories.

SS Bill Hall leads the major leagues with 21 home runs as a shortstop. Hall has hit a career-high 29 homers this season. Robin Yount holds the franchise record for homers at shortstop with 29 in 1982.

C Michael Barrett is batting .325 (110-for-338) as a catcher this season. Rick Wilkins holds the single-season franchise record for batting average by a catcher (.300), which was set in 1993.

Miguel Cabrera is batting .419 (13-for-31) with three home runs, five doubles and 10 RBI in his last eight games.

Los Angeles’ Vladimir Guerrero is hitting .436 (24-for-55) with 15 RBI during a season-high 14-game hitting streak.

Ken Griffey Jr. is batting .400 (18-for-45) during a 12-game hitting streak. He is 8-for-22 with three homers, a triple and a double during his career against Brad Penny, whom he faces Monday against Los Angeles.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that Armando Benitez was available to pitch Sunday after getting over mild elbow irritation and a cold from Saturday. “Everything is fine,” Benitez said.

The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports that Frank Francisco (Tommy John surgery) pitched two scoreless innings for Double-A Frisco on Saturday. He allowed two hits and struck out three. “(Velocity) was good,” manager Buck Showalter said. “Not the 96-97 (mph) he was throwing here, but good.”

The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports that Brad Wilkerson (torn rotator cuff) is getting his rehab going and he hopes to be healthy for next year. “We’re getting pretty aggressive with the rehab,” said Wilkerson. He thinks he’ll be able to start his full off-season strength and conditioning program by Nov. 1, if not before.

LF Luis Gonzalez keeps climbing past some hollowed company on the career doubles list. With his 541st against the Dodgers on Sunday, Gonzo tied Rogers Hornsby for 22nd. He is one behind Harry Heilman and two behind Tony Gwynn.

LHP Les Walrond was the eighth rookie starter for the Cubs this season. He gave up five earned runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Cardinals. Rookies have started 56 games, the second-most in the majors behind Florida’s 72, and entered the game 14-26 with a 5.58 ERA.

SS Ronny Cedeno is considered the team’s 2B of the future, and will move back to that position when SS Cesar Izturis returns from the DL. Izturis went on the DL Aug. 22 with a strained right hamstring.

THT Stats

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Dave Studeman was called a "national treasure" by Rob Neyer. Seriously. Follow his sporadic tweets @dastudes.

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