Master Index of Archived Threads


O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Frayed Knot Jul 29 2013 08:51 PM

Some good series starting tonight. - Pittsburgh behind Francisco Liriano smacked around the Cardinals in what may be the biggest series for the Pirates in a couple of decades. That's four straight losses for the Cards who coming off a sweep by the Braves and they lead Pitt by just 1/2 game now. At some point this ridonculous BAw/RiSP that Cards have been putting up has to come down to earth; they're tops in the league by like 50 points or more!! - Rays beat the Sawx in what is just a one-game make-up from last week so they re-take 1st place. Those two have been trading places for the last few days. I think I'd find the Rays easier to root for if it wasn't for closer Fernando Rodney with his askew hat and his arrow-shooting routine if/when he closes out a game - Braves and Rox are locked in an 8-8 tie in extras. Rox led 5-0 at one point but had to get one in top 9 to send it on. Braves didn't use Kimbrel for the save in the 9th (and paid for it) I believe because he was used in all three StL games over the weekend. - Texas got 1 in the 8th and 2 in the 9th to beat the Angels 4-3 in a series between two teams heading in the wrong direction. Starting today, Oakland had a 6 and 13 game lead on those two teams who were at the top of most pre-season picks. The news that Pujols will probably miss the remainder of the season is just piling on to what the Angels have been doing this year.

Frayed Knot Jul 30 2013 07:54 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Four of the nine games last night were won via walk-offs and three separate saves were blown: Walden for Braves, Fieri for Angels (two solo HRs) and Chapman for the Reds (2R HR). Makes Parnell's somewhat shaky 9th ending with Giancarlo's ground-out almost seem like a walk in the park by comparison. Almost. - Jason Giambi's walk-off HR for Cleveland made him the oldest player ever to do that, breaking Aaron's mark by about six weeks. - The Braves finally won that game vs Colorado in the 10th on an Adrelton Simmons triple. A triple? When was the last time you saw a walk-off triple? Did he really get to 3rd before Uggla (running from 1st) got home? And on a hit to LF why are you even running to 3rd in the first place? - That Pittsburgh/StL series is a five-gamer, including a DH today. Last time those two teams met while having the two best records in the NL? ... 1971

Frayed Knot Jul 31 2013 07:18 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

* Pittsburgh Pirates = Best record in Majors = 1-1/2 game lead on StL after sweeping them in DH on Tuesday. One would think that the Pirates would at least have their long sub-.500 streak kicked although where they are now (64-42) is just 4 games better than where they were at this point last season when they finished ... four games under .500, so it's not in the bag yet! Cardinals have now lost six straight. * Yanx lost on a 2-out/9th inning single out in LA after I hit the sack. Always nice to wake up to that news. And remember the fuss about Jeter and his 1st AB HR? (1st AB that is if you don't count the first comeback) ... well that HR remains the only ball he's gotten out of the infield in 12 ABs. Other than the HR he has nine ground-outs and two infield hits (neither were errors but both makable). * Steven Strasburg was sailing along in Detroit tied 1-1 in the 6th until an Alex Avila 2-out Grand Slam. At least somebody can beat that team. Maybe we would have had better success facing their good pitchers instead of getting limited to one run at a time by the back of their staff and assorted call-ups.

MFS62 Jul 31 2013 07:43 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Frayed Knot wrote: * Yanx lost on a 2-out/9th inning single out in LA after I hit the sack. Talk about mixed emotions. I would rather any game between those teams be ended by huge, flaming, balls of shit falling from the skies. But all things considered, I'm ok with that outcome. Later

Frayed Knot Jul 31 2013 05:05 PM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

The Nationals continue to have trouble with everyone not named the Mets. This afternoon they loaded the bases w/no outs and the 1st inning against Verlander who has been quite un-Verlander-like lately - but then got just one run out of it. Four innings later it was 10-1 Tigers and Gio Gonzalez was being yanked off the mound.

Mets – Willets Point Aug 01 2013 09:52 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Have you ever seen an unassisted double play? How about an unassisted double play by the left fielder?

Frayed Knot Aug 01 2013 10:35 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Have you ever seen an unassisted double play? How about an unassisted double play by the left fielder? COOL!!! Also from last night: Texas won its third straight game from the Angels - all via walk-off HRs Monday - Game-tying solo HR from Piersynzski then, two outs later, the game winner from Geovany Soto Tuesday - 3R 10th inning HR from Leonys Martin Wednesday - Leadoff 9th inning HR by Beltre

Mets – Willets Point Aug 01 2013 10:41 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Upon reflection I'm thinking that it's less "Gomes making a great play" and more "Gomes sassing Raul Ibanez." Either it way it's pretty awesome.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 01 2013 07:43 PM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Jonathan "I Didn't Come Here For This" Papelbon on to save a 1-0 Cole Hamels lead in the 9th gives up 4 straight singles to lead off the inning and walk, Phils down 2-1 now in the bottoim of the 9th and the local natives are gonna drown him in the Schuykill.

Frayed Knot Aug 01 2013 08:38 PM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

BoSox down 7-1 early and then 7-2 heading into the 9th ... score 6 in the 9th to win it 8-7 Daniel Nava started the 9th off with a walk then ended it with one of the longest singles ever - a bases-loaded walk-off to the "triangle" area in Fenway.

Edgy MD Aug 02 2013 06:06 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

That's good baseball. That's the way you do it, too. You're down big in the late innigns, go up there taking.

Frayed Knot Aug 02 2013 06:56 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Helps when the leadoff guy gets walked on four pitches. The other crazy part is that the Mariners brought in their closer (Wilhelmsen) to start the inning. Guess someone will blame the subsequent collapse on him being out of his role. Nava - Walk Lavarnway - Single Holt - Double (1 RBI) Ellsbury - Walk (5 pitches) * Wilhelmsen out - Oliie Perez in * Victorino - Single (2 RBI) Pedroia - Single (1 RBI) Ortiz - Strikeout * Perez out - Yoervis Medina in * Gomes - Single (1 RBI) Drew - Walk Nava - Single for the GW RBI, although if he needed three he could have had them Also last night, the Cardinals took out their frustrations on the Pirates 13-0 but, unfortunately for them, it only counts for one game and they still lost four of five in the series and go forward trailing by 1-1/2 games.

Frayed Knot Aug 02 2013 07:07 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Jonathan "I Didn't Come Here For This" Papelbon on to save a 1-0 Cole Hamels lead in the 9th gives up 4 straight singles to lead off the inning and walk, Phils down 2-1 now in the bottoim of the 9th and the local natives are gonna drown him in the Schuykill. After Papelbon blew the top of the 9th close-out, SF closer Sergio Romo then came in to try and close the bottom of the 9th He promptly loaded the bases with no outs (E-5, Bunt Single, HBP) He then got out of it and the Giants won 2-1: Nix - Pop-out; Ruiz - Short Fly; Kratz - Ground Out

metirish Aug 02 2013 07:14 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Aug 02 2013 07:27 AM

To add to the mix in Philly, Lidge was paraded before the game, he retired as a Phillie to huge cheers. Those huge long term contracts to closers have to be some of the worst business in sports.

Frayed Knot Aug 02 2013 07:25 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

I don't know that closer contracts are any worse as a whole than others--especially in this era with the ARod, Pujols & Josh Hamilton deals staring teams in the face--they just seem to go from one extreme to the other faster than anyone else to where even relatively short-term deals (2-3 years) can get pear-shaped in a hurry. Papelbon's been good in Philly just like he was in Boston. It's just that I think teams tend to exaggerate the gap between good closers, or at least "proven" closers, and others not yet proven. Then, if the closer goes south he becomes what should be the lowest paid guy on your team: a replacement level reliever (Jose Valverde, Frank-Frank). Or if the team goes south (Philly) you're stuck with a luxury that's not really doing you much good. Papelbon's other problem is that he's got a big mouth but that would be true no matter where he was or how he was pitching.

Edgy MD Aug 02 2013 07:33 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Sixth blown save in his last 13 tries. Sounds like he's trying to be all R.A. Dickey, minus the ten-dollar words. http://zozone.mlblogs.com/2013/08/01/papelbon-blows-save-stands-by-comments/ Papelbon Blows Save, Stands By Comments Jonathan Papelbon blew his sixth save in 13 opportunities since mid-June in tonight’s 2-1 loss to the Giants. He got booed pretty good coming off the field. It’s partly because of his performance last night, partly because of his performance the past few weeks and partly because of the comments he made Sunday to MLB.com. Papelbon spoke for nearly eight minutes with reporters in the Phillies’ clubhouse afterward. Here are the highlights: You have blown six saves. Do you have to look at yourself and figure out if something isn’t clicking? No. Not me. I think my ball has life at the plate, which is all I really care about it. If I’m getting hit all over the ballpark with hard hit balls, I have to reassess, but after a night like tonight you just kind of chalk it up to that’s that. I felt like, honestly, I felt all of my pitches were working. I felt good. I felt strong. It was just one of those nights. You were really hearing it from the fans, stemming from the comments you made Sunday. Do you those comments need clarity? I think they speak for themselves. Whether I blow a game or whether I save a game, whatever is happening within the organization, I feel like I’m honest and forthcoming and I’m the same way after games like tonight. I accept things. I don’t shy away from things. That’s just the way I approach it and that’s just the way I go to work on a daily basis. I feel like that’s the best way to go about a day’s work is to just be honest with yourself and be honest with the position you’re in and not try to sugarcoat anything or trying to see something for what it’s not. That’s the way I’ve always been. I go by facts and I stand by what I say. I don’t feel like I said anything that was untrue. Cole said he didn’t sign to lose, either. Did you get feedback from teammates? Did they say, I’m glad you said that? No. What I say and what I do is based on seeing yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and if you’re working hard and if you’re not working hard and being real and not sugarcoating anything, I don’t think. This is the big leagues, this isn’t coach’s pitch. At the end of the day not everyone gets a trophy. You have to look yourself in the mirror and examine yourself if you’re consistently not getting the job done. You make adjustments, it’s a game of adjustments unless you don’t got to make any. It’s pretty simple, really. Did you need to make any adjustments? I think for me this year it’s been a constant adjustment on how to figure out how to go without pitching or pitching in tie ballgames a lot. I think for me more than anything there have been some situations that have come up that have been fairly new for me. I think for me I just try to go out there one day at a time to see how I can get better each day and not necessarily worry about struggling and whatnot. Your strikeout numbers are down this year. (He averaged 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings from 2010-12, but is averaging just 7.78 this season.) Is there an explanation? I think every year is different. Like I said earlier, if I was giving up a lot of home runs or giving up lots of doubles and stuff like that, I would start to make adjustments. But after tonight I just chalk it up to that’s baseball. What about your velocity being down? (His fastball has dipped from 94.8 mph in 2011 to 93.8 mph in 2012 to 92.2 mph this season.) I’m not going out there and trying to blow anybody away. I’m trying to get outs. That’s basically what it boils down to. Did you talk to Ruben or Charlie about comments? I don’t think there is anything to really hash out. Facts are facts and when you look in the mirror at the end of the day, you have to be honest with yourself.

metirish Aug 02 2013 08:18 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

This is something I have never seen, kudos to the stand in manager for his honesty, EDIT , game FK posted about above. Mariners Accidentally Bring In Wrong Pitcher, Blow Huge Lead With Eric Wedge recovering from a mild stroke, bench coach Robby Thompson has been Seattle's acting manager. Last night, Thompson learned the hard way that managing isn't all sunshine and daisies. Sometimes you have to know your right from your left. The Mariners entered the ninth with a five-run lead over Boston, but closer Tom Wilhelmsen got knocked around, putting the first four batters on base. With a switch-hitter up and a righty on deck, Thompson wanted to bring in righty reliever Yoervis Medina. But he signaled to the bullpen with his left arm, catching himself almost immediately—but the damage was done. The umpires forced the Mariners to bring in lefty Oliver Perez. “If there’s anything there for me, it’s a lesson learned that if you make any motion with either hand, that’s it,” Thompson said. “I didn’t realize that.’’ Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters he wouldn’t have argued had the umpires allowed Thompson to bring in Medina. Perez promptly gave up a two-run single to Shane Victorino. Thompson stuck with him for the righthanded Dustin Pedroia, because lefty David Ortiz was on deck. Pedroia singled home another run. Perez did strike out Ortiz, and Medina finally came on. Single, walk, single, and the comeback was complete, with the Red Sox moving a full game into first place in the AL East. Felix Hernandez, who left after seven innings with a 7-1 lead, is stuck in Seattle through 2019.

Edgy MD Aug 02 2013 08:22 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Now, I had no idea that the manager tapping on his arm was an official announcement of a pitching change. I thought that was merely a signal to the bullpen coach, and the guy wasn't in the game until he entered the field from the bullpen. What if you have two guys warming up who throw with the same* arm? *That is, both of the respective players throwing with arms on the same side of their respective bodies, not literally the same arm.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 02 2013 08:30 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

I never thought it was official either. (And I wouldn't be shocked if the umpire got it wrong here.)

HahnSolo Aug 02 2013 08:43 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

I didn't know it either. I also have a vague recollection that Terry did the same thing last season (no idea who the pitchers or opponents were) but was allowed to bring in the guy he wanted.

Nymr83 Aug 02 2013 09:10 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Not sure what the rule is here but it does seem bizarre for the reasons Edgy stated... what if two righties had been warming? - Jason Giambi's walk-off HR for Cleveland made him the oldest player ever to do that, breaking Aaron's mark by about six weeks. Aaron can't catch a break, juiced up cheaters just keep breaking his records

Frayed Knot Aug 02 2013 09:40 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

Now, I had no idea that the manager tapping on his arm was an official announcement of a pitching change. I thought that was merely a signal to the bullpen coach, and the guy wasn't in the game until he entered the field from the bullpen. I guess it's like when the ump signals to the booth that a switch is in effect as soon as a PH-er starts his walk-up to the plate. The RP coming through the gate could be considered the same thing (not clear from the above exactly where Ollie was when Thompson realized his mistake). Funny part about this whole thing was that the "unwanted" Perez was the closest thing the Ms had to an effective pitcher that inning. Pulling him might have been the bigger sin. What if you have two guys warming up who throw with the same* arm? You do what Ozzie Guillen did during the 2005 WS when making it clear that he wanted the 6' 4"/255 Bobby Jenks rather than the other right-hander who was warming: he signaled for the righty and then held his hands far apart both vertically and horizontally so as to say; 'I want the HUGE guy', not the other one'.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 02 2013 09:51 AM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

I just did a quick search of the official rules (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2013/ ... _rules.pdf) and didn't see anything about this. I'm going to say that I think the umpires were wrong here. I think, as Edgy said, the arm signal is just a message to the bullpen coach, not an official gesture. The manager, when he gets to the mound, would, I assume, verbally say to the umpire, "I'm bringing in Smith to pitch, and he'll replace Jones in the ninth position in the batting order." That's when it would become official. Seattle and Thompson should have filed a protest. (If they didn't, that is.) Or maybe Thompson didn't know about doing that, either. Too bad "Hal the Referee" is dead at the present time.

Frayed Knot Aug 02 2013 04:15 PM Re: O-o-T- S Week of July 29

I saw the film of last night's reliever snafu and the manager (interim mgr actually) raised his left arm for barely a second before immediately realizing his error and switching to the right. For the umps to hold him to that "choice" based solely on that brief gesture seems pretty ridiculous in my mind. All the umps should be trying to do at that point is make sure the switch goes as quickly as possible and to prevent some intentionally misleading move by the defensive team that causes the other side to act on it while the defense pulls a switcheroo. The umps always go out to the mound anyway in those cases so there's no reason not to wait for the mgr to say "I'm bringing in Smith" before considering the change to be official.