(Didn’t have much time for this set, alas.)

Padres 4, @Cubs 2: If it wasn’t for the two pitching changes, you could say the Pads’ 2-out, 4-run rally in the 8th happened quickly: With 2 on already, it went RBI single, pitching change, first-pitch tying passed ball, walk, pitching change, RBI single, steal, RBI single, and at last, the always-defensible frustration plunking of Carlos Quentin.

• All kidding aside … Travis Wood took a tough loss, reaching 2-2 with a 2.50 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 6 starts. His ERA in 4 “not-wins” is 2.93.
• Travis also pulled off the second twirler’s burglary of the young season; there were but 3 all last year. In the opposing dugout was the other 2013 yegg, Andrew Cashner.
• Thanks to the fine efforts of Shawn Camp and Brad Brach in this contest, the ROOGYs claimed an early 11-10 lead in the always-hilarious “walked-the-only-guy(s)-they-were-brought-in-to-face” battle. The LOOGYs dominated the competition last year, 61-37. I see TBS summer filler potential.

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Nationals 2, @Braves 0: On the heels of his 1-hit, 1-0 shutout of the Reds, Jordan Zimmermann stiffed Atlanta for 8 innings on 2 hits, a single by Justin Upton in the 1st and a double in the 3rd by Paul Maholm. Continue reading →

For all you squeaky wheels….

Giants 2, @D-backs 1: “It seems like every time I leave one of those up it’s getting crushed right now,” said J.J. Putz. Well, there’s “up,” and there’s “thigh-high roller in the geographic center of the QuesTec zone.” Good luck getting that pitch past those thighs. Panda’s 15 for 29 with RISP so far.

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In Oakland Sunday afternoon, the Orioles screwed up two bunt plays in the 10th and lost, the run scoring on an overthrow at third base. They probably would have lost even if A’s third-base coach Mike Gallego had not been allowed to get so close to his runner, while alerting him to the overthrow, that he stepped on the foul line (which is fair territory) just afterwards, while the play was still on.

Did Gallego violate the rules?

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Here’s a unusual list of players, with a healthy dose of HOFers, including some all-time slugging leaders. Plus … some other players.

But there is a common thread that connects only these players, among all those to play their entire careers since 1901.

1. Hank Aaron
2. Babe Ruth
3. Willie Mays
4. Jimmie Foxx
5. Rogers Hornsby
6. Ron Fairly
7. Phil Cavarretta
8. Waite Hoyt
9. Jay Johnstone
10. Elmer Valo

Hint: think Thomas Wolfe.

Congratulations to Nomar’s Ghost and Richard Chester who teamed up to identify the players on the list as those to play in 20 or more seasons, starting and ending in the same city, but with a different franchise.

@D-backs 3, Rockies 2 (10): Patience at the plate usually pays off, but don’t tell that to the Rockies right now. They drew 7 walks from Arizona starter Wade Miley in his 4.1 innings, including 4 in the opening frame, but didn’t score off him.

A start with 7+ walks in 13 outs or less, but no runs, hadn’t happened in more than 50 years. But we’ll get to that.

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This post is for voting and discussion in the seventeenth round of balloting for the Circle of Greats. This round adds those players born in 1954. Rules and lists are after the jump.  Continue reading →

Robin Yount becomes the 16th member of the High Heat Stats Circle of Greats, appearing on an impressive 73% of the ballots, far ahead of anyone else. More on Robin and the voting after the (caped crusader-like) jump. Continue reading →

Sanchez, Sanchez everywhere, but that’s not where we start….

@Nationals 1, Reds 0: Jordan Zimmermann used just 91 pitches in his first career shutout, allowing a single in the 3rd and a walk in the 8th, neither man advancing. It’s the first 1-hitter in Washington Nationals history.

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@Diamondbacks 3, Rockies 2: Jorge De La Rosa tries to bury a 1-2 cutter under the hands, but Goldy locks onto the signal and catches it just right. Watch the side-view replay from the 0:47 mark — then forget about beating him inside with hard stuff. That’s your NL first-base leader in OPS+ & runs created. Continue reading →