Here are notable pitchers of the past twenty seasons. They alone have accomplished a seasonal feat that epitomizes pitchers of the current era?

What is this feat?

Hint: these are the only pitchers since 1916 to achieve this feat.

There’s also a part B to the quiz after the jump.

I’m afraid I’ve stumped the panel with this one. It’s a bit complicated to explain – the solution is after the jump

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Braves 3, @Nats 1: Eight straight for Atlanta, capturing the first series in what most see as a 2-team race with a chance at the sweep on Sunday. Last year, the Nats won the season series, 10-8; had that been flipped, the Braves might have avoided the wild-card game.

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@Indians 1, White Sox 0: The first 3-game winner is Justin Masterson, and both he and the Tribe did it in style. Masterson’s 2nd career shutout featured strikes on 81 of 113 pitches in chill and gloom, extending his scoreless streak to 19 innings. The winning run came dramatically in the 9th, from Michael Bourn (1-out double) and Nick Swisher, whose liner on the first pitch after an IBB landed just inside the line for the Indians’ first home win after consecutive rainouts.

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Bryce Harper has all season to move up on this list:

Most Career Regular Season Home Runs Before 21st Birthday
1. Mel Ott 61
2. Tony Conigliaro 56
3. Ken Griffey 38
4. Mickey Mantle 36
5. Frank Robinson 34
6. Al Kaline 32
T7. Bryce Harper, Alex Rodriguez and Andruw Jones 26
T10. Orlando Cepeda and Eddie Mathews 25

Orioles 8, @Red Sox 5: Aceves reflux? Joel Hanrahan, the Proven Closer imported to soothe Boston’s 9th-inning heartburn, had surrendered a leadoff HR, but was one strike away from closing it out with no one aboard. Then Ryan Flaherty singled, and Hanrahan crumpled.

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This post is for voting and discussion in the fifteenth round of balloting for the Circle of Greats. This round begins to add those players born in 1955. Rules and lists are after the jump. Continue reading →

Riding a sudden wave of support near the end of the voting period, Barry Larkin edged out Paul Molitor by a single vote to become the 14th inductee into the Circle of Greats. More on Larkin and the voting after the jump. Continue reading →

I meant to cover all the games, but the ‘Stros wouldn’t stop hitting….

Astros 16, @Mariners 9: The dam burst. By the 2nd inning, Houston had 9 runs, 10 hits and 2 HRs, all more than any of their first 7 games, and equaling their runs total from their last 6 games. A home run in the 4th by the indomitable Jose Altuve gave him three-fourths of the cycle, and gave Houston a 13-0 lead and their highest run count since 2010 (when they scored 18 with no dingers).

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Roy Halladay is struggling. Last season was definitely below par. But, observers were inclined to give Halladay the benefit of the doubt and ascribe his performance to injury and never getting back into rhythm after his return to the lineup. The trouble with that assessment of 2012 is that, rather than rounding into form as the season wound down, Halladay was headed the other direction.

But, “2013 is a new year” went the refrain. With rest and a renewed sense of purpose, it would be the same old Roy again. Except, Halladay had a rough spring with whispers that his old velocity just isn’t there. So far this season, the search party is still looking for the old Roy.

Is this the end of Halladay as the dominant staff ace? Say it ain’t so, Roy!

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Walks in the 9th with the bases empty Monday:

• Aaron Crow, up by 2 runs, 1 out.
• Craig Kimbrel, up by 2 runs, no outs.
• Mitchell Boggs, tied, no outs.
• J.J. Hoover, up by 9 runs, 2 outs. (Oy!)

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