# Baseball May 2009 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 1, 2009, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963 "2009-05-01T13:41:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/61 "2009-05-09T22:57:31Z")
Blue Jays break their longest losing streak of the season (2) with a win over Oakland that was much closer than it should have been. If the Rays can hold on to their 9-run lead the Jays will again be in lone possession of first place… on May 9. Wow, more than a month in! Seriously, I never would have expected that. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/62 "2009-05-09T23:01:30Z")
Back on track. The Dodgers get an 8-0 shut-out of the Giants, and Stults goes the complete game. Castro and Pierre were both on fire, and Kemp saved the day twice with amazing catches. This is the way they should be playing every day! ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/63 "2009-05-10T00:51:20Z")
The D-backs are again losing to the Nationals and they should have scored a run except for ANOTHER bad baserunning error. On a chop back to the pitcher you do NOT run from third to home with one out. For a team like the D-backs that doesn’t have a lot of power, you can’t make as many stupid base running mistakes as they’ve done this year. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/64 "2009-05-10T02:12:55Z")
\*\*Bayard. \*\* :👋: 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/65 "2009-05-10T03:08:45Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > OK, **FoisGrasIsEvil** , I commend the Communists for that win. They even kept Pujols off base, which is no mean feat. Somthing tells me that’s not going to happen two nights in a row. > > Unfortunately, I’m supposed to go see Star Trek tonight, so I won’t be able to see the game. But I’m looking forward to plunking myself down on a barstool tomorrow and watching the finale. Pujols, 4 at bats, no hits…you were saying? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/66 "2009-05-10T03:17:38Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Pujols, 4 at bats, no hits…you were saying? > 🙂 All rght, all right. It won’t happen THREE games in a row… Crap. I’m glad I went to Star Trek instead of watching the game. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/67 "2009-05-10T21:53:33Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Pujols, 4 at bats, no hits…you were saying? > 🙂 Well, it was ugly, but it goes down as a W. At least I can show my face around here since they didn’t get swept. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/68 "2009-05-10T23:02:09Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Well, it was ugly, but it goes down as a W. At least I can show my face around here since they didn’t get swept. That was a good game, though. I must say that I am mostly just happy that the Reds are (for now) fielding a competitive team. Only two and a half games out from St Louis in early May? I’ll take it. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/69 "2009-05-11T07:07:14Z")
A Griffey home run sparked the Mariners offense and they snapped their 6-game losing streak 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cards)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/70 "2009-05-11T17:23:02Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Well, it was ugly, but it goes down as a W. At least I can show my face around here since they didn’t get swept. Our announcing team was on the umps for what looked like a pretty generous strike zone and both benches seemed to be barking at them a lot also. According to the Post-Dispatch, it looks like Wainwright’s got a flaw in his delivery in terms of his arm position. The team is optimistic that they once he makes an adjustment he’ll be back to his old form, because he has struggled lately. Hurry back Carp. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/71 "2009-05-11T18:14:13Z")
…and 3 days later, the Royals got swept and their prize closer went on the DL. Still, losing games 4-1, 1-0 and 4-3 is not terrible. Bad offense for a while, but close games will happen and will be lost even by good teams. And the Angels are no slouches to lose to. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/72 "2009-05-12T20:53:10Z")
I hope the Reds pound the DBacks again tonight…we cannot afford to lose ground early on to the likes of the Cubs or the Cards…when is Webb supposed to be back? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/73 "2009-05-13T01:52:50Z")
What a wonderful pitcher Doc Halladay is. It’s a privilege to watch him pitch. 23-12, still in first place. Someone pinch me. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/74 "2009-05-13T02:09:15Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I hope the Reds pound the DBacks again tonight…we cannot afford to lose ground early on to the likes of the Cubs or the Cards…when is Webb supposed to be back? Not soon enough. But you’re going up against Haren, so count this one as a loss! ---
**Author:** ![mske](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@mske](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mske)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/75 "2009-05-13T02:15:23Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > What a wonderful pitcher Doc Halladay is. It’s a privilege to watch him pitch. > > 23-12, still in first place. Someone pinch me. **RickJay** - regardless of how the Jays finish the year (and I am hoping they do well having grown up in Toronto and attending many, many games at Exhibition and SkyDome), assuming Doc wins 20 this year, he’ll be at 151 for his career at age 32. Care to speculate on his chances for 300? It would be a heck of a stretch… ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/76 "2009-05-13T02:15:46Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Not soon enough. But you’re going up against Haren, so count this one as a loss! Dude…isn’t he like 3-3? Not exactly a resounding endorsement, although since Micah Owings is pitching, anything can happen. He’ll probably give up 5 runs pitching and score four himself at the plate! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/77 "2009-05-13T02:25:43Z")
> [@mske](#): > > **RickJay** - regardless of how the Jays finish the year (and I am hoping they do well having grown up in Toronto and attending many, many games at Exhibition and SkyDome), assuming Doc wins 20 this year, he’ll be at 151 for his career at age 32. Care to speculate on his chances for 300? It would be a heck of a stretch… It would be very unusual indeed for a pitcher with that many wins at that age to win 300. It’s not impossible, but it’s not likely. A comparison between Halladay and pitchers similar to him through age 31 yields few satisfying comparisons. Tim Hudson is quite similar, statistically, but Halladay seems to be better at this stage in his career so it’s hard to say if their future expectations are the same, and anyway Hudson is the same age so that doesn’t help us. Don Newcombe was similar in wins and losses but not really in any other way. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/78 "2009-05-13T02:36:46Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Dude…isn’t he like 3-3? Not exactly a resounding endorsement, although since Micah Owings is pitching, anything can happen. He’ll probably give up 5 runs pitching and score four himself at the plate! He’s the best 3-3 pitcher in baseball. I’ll take a 1.84 ERA. Yeah, the D-backs can’t score runs and will probably have another dumb base running error to lose 1-0. [Stats](http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=429717) ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/79 "2009-05-13T04:30:04Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Dude…isn’t he like 3-3? Not exactly a resounding endorsement. Give me a break! Surely you know what an awful measure Wins are of a pitcher’s quality. Don’t you? In the three games he’s lost (before tonight) this year, Haren gave up a total of 4 runs over 19 innings. As far as run support goes, the D-backs scored a grand total of 1 run over those 19 innings. He’s leading all NL starters in WHIP (a better measure than ERA), and the only starter in the whole of MLB ahead of him is Greinke of the Royals. Once again tonight he went out and gave Arizona a quality start, and his teammates could not put a single run on the board while he was on the mound. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963/80 "2009-05-13T14:19:11Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Give me a break! Surely you know what an awful measure Wins are of a pitcher’s quality. Don’t you? > > In the three games he’s lost (before tonight) this year, Haren gave up a total of 4 runs over 19 innings. As far as run support goes, the D-backs scored a grand total of 1 run over those 19 innings. He’s leading all NL starters in WHIP (a better measure than ERA), and the only starter in the whole of MLB ahead of him is Greinke of the Royals. > > Once again tonight he went out and gave Arizona a quality start, and his teammates could not put a single run on the board while he was on the mound. I only saw his record on the Reds website…and I didn’t look any deeper than that. I’d never heard of him before, but he pitched well for the few innings I watched. Still, I’m left wondering…are the Reds for real? They just keep winning games, and it won’t get any easier for the DBacks anemic offense against Johnny Cueto. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-may-2009/494963.md?page=5)