We’re at the half-way point of the 2013 campaign and one of this season’s best kept secrets is the fine crop of rookie hurlers this year.
Don’t know about Jose Fernandez or Julio Teheran? Here’s your opportunity to find out.
This post is for voting and discussion in the twenty-third round of balloting for the Circle of Greats. This round begins to add those players born in 1949. Rules and lists are after the jump. Continue reading
Homer Bailey recorded the first no-hitter of the 2013 season tonight, dispatching the Giants on 109 pitches, 74 for strikes. Bailey allowed just a single batter to reach base, on a walk to Gregor Blanco leading off the 7th inning. Joey Votto provided the only offense the Reds would need with a first inning sac fly, with Brandon Phillips adding insurance tallies with a 2-run HR in the 6th inning.
More after the jump.
@Mets 5, D-backs 4 (13): The Mets rallied to tie in the 9th, and after falling behind, they won it with 2 hits off Josh Collmenter, who’s held same-handers to a .216 average in his career, and was 4-0 in extra innings this year. But before Andrew Brown’s first game-winner (the rare 2-out walk-off-from-behind in extra time), the inning turned on two Arizona decisions — one from the skipper, and one in the heat of play.
Around the time of Dennis Eckersley‘s conversion from starter to closer, relief pitching underwent a reinvention. Gone were the Gossage/Fingers types, so-called “relief aces,” who were counted upon to shut down the opposing team at a crucial time, typically for more than merely three outs. In their place came closing specialists, high-octane guys that entered the game, (hopefully) recorded their three outs and called it a night. This has been commonplace for more than two decades.
Nowadays, fans wait with bated breath when their team’s 9th-inning guy ventures on past his typical assignment. For good reason too.
On Sunday, David Lough (pronounced “low”) became the 11th player with 4 extra-base hits in a game while batting 8th. Here are some notes on those games. (All game distinctions mentioned are since 1916, the searchable era.)
Indians 4, @White Sox 0: He might not have known it, but while Justin Masterson was finishing the shutout, the door to 1st place swung open when Detroit lost in Tampa. Masterson fanned the first two in the 9th, then two got aboard, and suddenly the insurance run Cleveland got in the top of the frame loomed large, at least for his chance to finish. When Alex Rios looked at strike three, the Indians slipped into the big chair along with the stuttering Tigers atop the AL Central.
Blue Jays 6, @Red Sox 2: Two HRs by Jose Bautista (including his 200th) led Toronto back to .500, but the other story was two insanely aggressive dashes by Boston, each cut down at the plate with no outs, a 2-0 deficit and good sticks coming up.
This wasn’t how things were supposed to be for the New York Yankees. The All-Star cavalry was supposed to return to buoy what is an otherwise uninspiring roster of 30-something misfits. Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira were supposed to return to spell the likes of Vernon Wells and Lyle Overbay in a spirited 2nd half sprint to the playoffs. But that’s not exactly how things have worked out in the Bronx. Teixeira’s now done for the year thanks to surgery, Granderson played in 8 whole games before hitting the DL again, and the entire left side of the infield has fewer at-bats than All-Star appearances.
I’m done sulking, so here’s a few updates on Friday’s games:
@Rockies 4, Giants 1: Jhoulys Chacin was the latest to stymie the tumbling Giants, yielding just 3 hits in 8 innings for his 2nd straight scoreless start, handing the champs their 5th straight loss and 10th in 12. A 2-run shot off Barry Zito in the 3rd ran the lead to 3-0 lead and Michael Cuddyer‘s club-record hit streak to 25 games; and before that buzz had quite passed, Wilin Rosario‘s wall-scraper pumped it up again.