MLB: June 2012

[mhendo]

Now i'm incredibly annoyed with myself.

I'm in San Francisco, and the wife and i were thinking about going to tonight's game, but opted instead for tomorrow's day game.

Bummer!

[Tom Scud]

Huh. Astros make history.

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

Originally Posted by Jas09

Eh, so have the Reds. Let's all give it up and start rooting for the Cubs? They could certainly use the help...

Ha....no. The Reds "successes" are more of a distant memory. The Cards won it all just last season!

Originally Posted by Asimovian

There's rooting for the underdog, and then there's throwing away your vote...

[RTFirefly]

Originally Posted by etv78

Yes he did. (surprised me too)

Considering there have been just 22 perfect games in the history of MLB (and that's counting all the way back to 1880, so a couple of those teams don't exist anymore), it's not all that surprising. Most teams haven't had a perfect game in their franchise's history.

The collection of pitchers who've managed the feat is rather interesting, because it goes all the way from the game's greats and near-greats to guys who would have hardly been remembered but for their one perfect moment.

[Tom Scud]

Originally Posted by RTFirefly

Considering there have been just 22 perfect games in the history of MLB (and that's counting all the way back to 1880, so a couple of those teams don't exist anymore), it's not all that surprising. Most teams haven't had a perfect game in their franchise's history.

The collection of pitchers who've managed the feat is rather interesting, because it goes all the way from the game's greats and near-greats to guys who would have hardly been remembered but for their one perfect moment.

Also, five of those 22 have been in the last 3 years (and there should have been a sixth). It's to the point where you have to wonder if there's something systematic going on. Even the late 60s only saw 3 in 4 years (the second-biggest cluster on that list).

[Tom Scud]

Just for yucks (and to answer for myself the question of whether Halladay was a hall of famer if he never pitched another inning), I looked at the Active WAR leaders. Amusing that Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt are tied at 23rd.

Also, there are 4 players from the Astros organization on that list (the most of any organization); of those, two of them were given away with zero compensation (Johan Santana, rule 5 draft, and Bobby Abreu, expansion draft). The Indians and Yankees both have 3 players on the list (Thome, Ramirez, Sabathia for Indians; Pettitte, Jeter, Rivera for Yanks); Braves, Phillies, Mariners, A's each have 2.

7 of the players have played for the Yankees.

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by Tom Scud

Also, five of those 22 have been in the last 3 years (and there should have been a sixth). It's to the point where you have to wonder if there's something systematic going on.

There is: hitting is at its lowest levels in more than 20 years, and overall . Some randomness and dumb luck is involved because these are such rare events, so the better indication may be the increase in no-hitters. There have been 20 no-hitters since the start of the 2007 season. By comaprison there were 21 no-nos from the start of 1994 through the end of 2006.

[garygnu]

I'm not too much of a baseball fan, but I do follow the Giants enough to say I'm not terribly surprised Matt Cain pitched a perfect game. Hell, he was one hit/error from doing it earlier this year (Apr. 13 vs Pirates).

Congrats, Matt! You're a total stud, and now the world knows it. (Can we finally put him at the Ace spot?)

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by Marley23

There have been 20 no-hitters since the start of the 2007 season. By comaprison there were 21 no-nos from the start of 1994 through the end of 2006.

Even more extreme, SI pointed out that there have five no-hitters already this season and 14 in the last two seasons plus 2.5 months.

[ElvisL1ves]

Is is safe to call the Steroid Era over now?

[Mister Rik]

Originally Posted by Marley23

Even more extreme, SI pointed out that there have five no-hitters already this season and 14 in the last two seasons plus 2.5 months.

Not to mention 2 perfectos already this year (or was that already mentioned?)

The Mariners announcers were commenting the other night that Safeco Field has already been the scene of two no-hitters this season. Somebody (and I'm blanking on who now) pitched a perfecto against the M's earlier this season, and then the combined no-hitter against the Dodgers last week.

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by Mister Rik

The Mariners announcers were commenting the other night that Safeco Field has already been the scene of two no-hitters this season. Somebody (and I'm blanking on who now) pitched a perfecto against the M's earlier this season, and then the combined no-hitter against the Dodgers last week.

Phil Humber for the White Sox. Not the last time someone's going to have to ask who threw that one. On the other hand Cain has come close to a no-hitter a few times before and he's been great this year.

[Ichbin Dubist]

Originally Posted by Marley23

Phil Humber for the White Sox. Not the last time someone's going to have to ask who threw that one. On the other hand Cain has come close to a no-hitter a few times before and he's been great this year.

And, weirdly, R.A. Dickey threw a 1-hitter with no walks on the same day, that one hit being a infield hit misplayed by David Wright that could conceivably have been called an error (although I doubt very much that MLB will overturn the call, and they shouldn't).

He's also struck out 50 and walked 3 in his last 5 starts and hasn't given up an earned run in the last 32+ innings. How many high school kids are trying to figure out how to throw a knuckleball right now?

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by Ichbin Dubist

And, weirdly, R.A. Dickey threw a 1-hitter with no walks on the same day, that one hit being a infield hit misplayed by David Wright that could conceivably have been called an error (although I doubt very much that MLB will overturn the call, and they shouldn't).

I expected that hit would be a borderline call, but when I watched this morning it wasn't. The ball was hit directly at Wright, he went to barehand it, and it bounced off him. Should've been an error but I'm sure it won't be overturned. But I can tell you that this same exact thing has happened before. On my birthday in 2004 I saw Jason Schmidt throw a one-hitter for the Giants against the Cubs. The only hit was an infield single in the fifth. That's still the best pitching performance I've seen in person and I was sure it was the best in the majors that night. Then I got home and discovered Randy Johnson had just finished a perfect game against the Braves.

[Southern Yankee]

It's only two starts, but should Mets fans be worried about Santana's post-No-No performance? He went 134 pitches during his gem, but he's coming back from a big injury. The two games since have been pretty bad (5 innings each, 6 and 4 earned runs.) It's probably too early to really worry, but it's be a shame he hurt himself again.

[mhendo]

Just got back from an afternoon at Miscellaneous Telecommunications Company Park, where we watched the Astros beat the Giants 6-3.

It was, of course, never going to be as exciting as last night's game, and the real damage was done in the top of the 3rd inning. After getting Wandy Rodriguez to ground out, Barry Zito had the following results against the next four hitters:

BB
BB
BB
HR

One hit and four runs. The Giants pulled a couple back when Belt belted one into San Francisco Bay, but it wasn't enough.

Still, there's no way to complain about a sunny afternoon at that ballpark. The weather was great, the view out over the Bay is fantastic, and even the outrageous food prices are offset a little by the $5 concession credit that comes with each ticket.

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

Reds win again, and Joey Votto is becoming the best hitter in baseball.

[RickJay]

Originally Posted by FoieGrasIsEvil

Reds win again, and Joey Votto is becoming the best hitter in baseball.

And that AFTER signing the huge contract.

Of course he already was pretty elite.

[RTFirefly]

Originally Posted by mhendo

Just got back from an afternoon at Miscellaneous Telecommunications Company Park

I've given up on trying to keep track of all the corporate ballpark names, and can't see any reason to refer to ballparks by anything besides [Team Name] Park/Field or [City Name] Park/Field unless a ballpark still sports its pre-naming-rights-era name.

I can understand why stadium owners (or team owners that have purchased the right to do so) sell naming rights: money. What I don't understand is why anyone who's not in on the gravy train goes along with the game. I'm thinking newspaper sportswriters in particular. I'll give TV and radio broadcasters a pass, since it may well be part of the broadcast contract to refer to the ballparks by their naming-rights handles, but no such arrangement can apply to sportswriting. I suppose a team could kick a writer out of the sportswriters' box, but that would be the extent of it.

[RTFirefly]

On a more pleasant note, I'm looking forward to tonight's Yanks-Nats game. Go Nats!!

[mhendo]

Originally Posted by RTFirefly

I've given up on trying to keep track of all the corporate ballpark names, and can't see any reason to refer to ballparks by anything besides [Team Name] Park/Field or [City Name] Park/Field unless a ballpark still sports its pre-naming-rights-era name.

I agree.

One thing i like about my own team is that, even though the ballpark is pretty new, it's still called Oriole Park, rather than some corporate name. Even then, though, most people i knew when i lived in Baltimore referred to it simply as Camden Yards most of the time, and i think that is even better than Oriole Park at Camden Yards, which is the official name.

[etv78]

Did Camden Yards get its name the same way Fenway Park did? (geography)

[DCnDC]

Originally Posted by etv78

Did Camden Yards get its name the same way Fenway Park did? (geography)

It's built on the site of a railway center on the old B&O called "Camden Yard". "The warehouse" was an actual warehouse used to store freight, now housing the team's offices. The station still exists and is still in use.

[Marley23]

Just to confirm, the appeal on the one hit in the Mets-Rays game was denied. It was the wrong call, but that wasn't going to get reversed.

[Enuma Elish]

I'm a Brewer fan and my team is on the fast road to suckitude. I know there have been injuries. Many injuries. But dropping 3 games to Kansas City when it could just as easily been a sweep does not bode well.

[Mister Rik]

Originally Posted by RTFirefly

I've given up on trying to keep track of all the corporate ballpark names, and can't see any reason to refer to ballparks by anything besides [Team Name] Park/Field or [City Name] Park/Field unless a ballpark still sports its pre-naming-rights-era name.

I think the Mariners did reasonably well selling their stadium's naming rights to Safeco - at least it was a company that has actually been an "official Mariners sponsor" since the team's inception, and as such was a name fans were accustomed to hearing frequently. "Microsoft Field" or "Starbuck's Park" just wouldn't feel the same.

[RickJay]

The Blue Jays have now had three starting pitchers leave their starts with injuries in seven days.

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by Marley23

Just to confirm, the appeal on the one hit in the Mets-Rays game was denied. It was the wrong call, but that wasn't going to get reversed.

I have to disagree. That was going to be called a hit most of the time. It sure wasn't a terrible call.

Originally Posted by RickJay

The Blue Jays have now had three starting pitchers leave their starts with injuries in seven days.

That blows, which 3?

[Mister Rik]

*sigh* It appears that, after a couple weeks of encouraging signs, the Mariners bats have gone back to sleep.

[Southern Yankee]

The Yankees beat the Nats in 14. They've won 8 in a row, and 11 out of the last 12.

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by Southern Yankee

The Yankees beat the Nats in 14. They've won 8 in a row, and 11 out of the last 12.

And oddly are only gaining a little lead over the Os and Tampa.

The pitching has been excellent. The bullpen has been especially good and that was without Mo and Robertson. Amazing really.

The hitting is getting better but still feels a little off. It hurts Gardner won't be back for quite a time.

[Yorikke]

...And so it begins in Seattle. Two Mariner homers in Lincecum's first inning. Sigh.

[DCnDC]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

And oddly are only gaining a little lead over the Os and Tampa.

The Yankees are really hot right now, and the O's don't have another division series until late next month. It's not going to be easy for them, with another series against the Nationals, then the Mets, and two series against the Dodgers and two against Cleveland. They get a break at the end with Detroit and Minnesota, but the Tigers aren't exactly a pushover either.

If it's still tight then, it should be a pretty good battle to the end. Everyone in the division is going to beat each other up pretty good. It's kinda nice to have an unpredictable AL East for the first time in quite a long time.

[mhendo]

I don't think anyone's posted this baseball-related news from about a week ago.

The thugs charged with beating a Giants fan at Dodger Stadium have been ordered to stand trial. There are apparently jailhouse recordings of them discussing the crime, including ways to push the blame off themselves.

If they're as guilty as they sound in that story, i hope they do plenty of time.

[mhendo]

The great pitching continues this year, with Jason Hammel and Ervin Santana both throwing 1-hit shutouts today.

I watched the Baltimore/Atlanta game, and Hammel was great, getting through 9 innings in 103 pitches. Santana took one less, doing it in 102. If you can average under 12 pitches an inning, you're doing pretty well.

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by DCnDC

The Yankees are really hot right now, and the O's don't have another division series until late next month. It's not going to be easy for them, with another series against the Nationals, then the Mets, and two series against the Dodgers and two against Cleveland. They get a break at the end with Detroit and Minnesota, but the Tigers aren't exactly a pushover either.

If it's still tight then, it should be a pretty good battle to the end. Everyone in the division is going to beat each other up pretty good. It's kinda nice to have an unpredictable AL East for the first time in quite a long time.

Odd stat of the day related to the Yanks' win streak:

They "are hitting just .253 during the 8-game win streak." (US Presswire)

[Asimovian]

Originally Posted by DCnDC

The Yankees are really hot right now, and the O's don't have another division series until late next month. It's not going to be easy for them, with another series against the Nationals, then the Mets, and two series against the Dodgers and two against Cleveland. They get a break at the end with Detroit and Minnesota, but the Tigers aren't exactly a pushover either.

You lost me somewhere. Who has two more series against the Dodgers?

[DCnDC]

Originally Posted by Asimovian

You lost me somewhere. Who has two more series against the Dodgers?

The Orioles. A 2-game series at home at the end of this month then 4 in LA the next week.

[mhendo]

Originally Posted by DCnDC

The Orioles. A 2-game series at home at the end of this month then 4 in LA the next week.

If by "Dodgers" you mean "Angels."

[DCnDC]

Right. Sorry got my LA teams mixed up.

[RickJay]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

Odd stat of the day related to the Yanks' win streak:

They "are hitting just .253 during the 8-game win streak." (US Presswire)

I'm not seeing what's odd about that.

If they were hitting .153, that'd be something.

[RickJay]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

I have to disagree. That was going to be called a hit most of the time. It sure wasn't a terrible call.

That blows, which 3?

Brandon Morrow; straing oblique muscle, out for at least four weeks
Kyle Drabek, torn rotator cuff, out until late 2013/2014
Drew Hutchison, unknown elbow injury, return date unknown

That leaves only Ricky Romero and Henderson Alvarez. They're scrambling to find replacements.

[mhendo]

Originally Posted by RickJay

I'm not seeing what's odd about that.

Especially since, as of today, .253 also happens to be the exact batting average of the American League for the 2012 season.

The Yanks have restricted their opponents to 2.25 runs per game over their winning stretch (18 runs in 8 games). If you can produce league-average hitting, and give up two and a quarter runs per game, you'll have a pretty damn good season.

[mhendo]

After dropping the first game of the series, the Orioles shut the Braves out for 18 straight innings to take the series 2-1. Woohoo!

[Rysto]

Originally Posted by mhendo

Especially since, as of today, .253 also happens to be the exact batting average of the American League for the 2012 season.

Yeah, but the winning percentage for the league over that time is probably close to .500 (would be exactly .500 if not for interleague).

Putting together an 8-game winning streak with average offense is mildly interesting to me, anyway.

[Southern Yankee]

Originally Posted by Rysto

Yeah, but the winning percentage for the league over that time is probably close to .500 (would be exactly .500 if not for interleague).

Putting together an 8-game winning streak with average offense is mildly interesting to me, anyway.

9 game!

[wolfman]

The entire AL central is under 500 at home right now. I 'm not exactly what that portends, but I doubt it a good thing.

[silenus]

Man, Dee Gordon can run.


Of course, it was to get away from Matt Kemp after he (Gordon) drove in the game-winning run in extra innings against the White Sox.

[Asimovian]

Originally Posted by silenus

Man, Dee Gordon can run.


Of course, it was to get away from Matt Kemp after he (Gordon) drove in the game-winning run in extra innings against the White Sox.

Would have been nice if we'd only had to win the game once instead of twice due to inexplicably bad umpire calls.

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by Rysto

Yeah, but the winning percentage for the league over that time is probably close to .500 (would be exactly .500 if not for interleague).

Putting together an 8-game winning streak with average offense is mildly interesting to me, anyway.

Pretty much my thought. Thank you.

Love the 9 straight, but looks like Yanks won't gain a game today as all the AL East won again if Boston holds their current lead.