# MLB: April 2011 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 1, 2011, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712 "2011-04-01T02:42:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 18
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/341 "2011-04-26T17:47:15Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > What’s the record for most Ks per 9 innings–13? 14? Maybe 15? Even for a one-inning-max reliever, striking out all the batters you face seems a bit excessive as an expectation. Single game: 20 (Clemens, and a few others?) Single season: 13.4 (Randy Johnson, 2001) Career: Randy Johnson, 10.6 ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/342 "2011-04-26T18:13:52Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > What’s the record for most Ks per 9 innings–13? 14? Maybe 15? Even for a one-inning-max reliever, striking out all the batters you face seems a bit excessive as an expectation. > [@jsc1953](#): > > Single season: 13.4 (Randy Johnson, 2001) For relief pitchers, it’s a bit higher. Not sure if it’s an absolute record, but both Brad Lidge and Billy Wagner have struck out 14.9 per 9 in a season. ---
**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:** [April 26, 2011, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/343 "2011-04-26T19:09:26Z")
So I have high standards. Sue me. 😃 Stop raining on my Broxton hate. My team is going to suck like a Hoover this year and the bright light at the end of the tunnel is likely the headlight of an on-coming train. I need someone visible to pin the blame on, and since I think Broxton is a washed-up pile of garbage anyway, he gets the nod. Mind you, I’ll spit on McCourt when I pass him on the street, but I don’t see him on the tube every day. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/344 "2011-04-26T19:17:06Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > For relief pitchers, it’s a bit higher. Not sure if it’s an absolute record, but both Brad Lidge and Billy Wagner have struck out 14.9 per 9 in a season. Last year Marmol struck out 16 per, which was the highest ever with a 50 inning minimum. I’m prepared to say that his stuff borders on the theoretical limit for avoiding contact, although Craig Kimbrel is at 16.2 for his (30 inning) career thus far. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/345 "2011-04-26T19:49:04Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Yeah, that blown save was Jamey Carroll’s fault not Broxton’s. He did what he was supposed to and induced the soft ground ball, Carroll just failed to pick it up. That said, Broxton is starting to lose his stuff. He used to consistently throw 95+, now he is sitting around 93. He usually starts the season with lower velo, but this is a big drop. He is starting to wear out. Awww, I miss Jamey Carroll. He is so tiny, I always thought he may have been a leprechaun. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/346 "2011-04-26T19:51:34Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Awww, I miss Jamey Carroll. He is so tiny, I always thought he may have been a leprechaun. Carroll has been solidly consistent for the Dodgers since he joined us. Last night was…unfortunate. But I enjoy watching him play. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2011, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/347 "2011-04-26T19:54:35Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Single game: 20 (Clemens, and a few others?) Clemens has done it twice (1986, 1996) and Kerry Woods once (1998) in a nine inning game. ---
**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:** [April 27, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/348 "2011-04-27T02:07:13Z")
Anyone see the end of the White Sox - Yankees game? Brent Lillebridge saved the game for Chicago twice in the bottom of the 9th with two great catches in right field. Both were well-hit, especially Cano’s rocket, and he got to both of them to get the outs. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/349 "2011-04-27T02:38:54Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Anyone see the end of the White Sox - Yankees game? > > Brent Lillebridge saved the game for Chicago twice in the bottom of the 9th with two great catches in right field. Both were well-hit, especially Cano’s rocket, and he got to both of them to get the outs. I just saw that highlight on Baseball Tonight. He came in as a defensive replacement. Those were both spectacular plays. The M’s finally gave King Felix some offense. Justin Smoak hit a homer in his first game back off the bereavement list (his dad died.) ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/350 "2011-04-27T04:00:43Z")
It’s getting to the end of April and there aren’t any teams that have completely shit the bed as there usually is. The worst record is the Astros 8-14. The only weak division is the NL Central with a 64-72 record. All three of the AL divisions are within 2 games of .500. The Rockies are best at 16-7 against a weak schedule, but 13 of their games have been on the road. The Marlins are 15-7, with 14 games at home. I’m liking the Rockies with 16 wins despite a team batting average of .238. Last years batting champion, Carlos Gonzales, is hitting .214. May’s schedule is a lot more challenging, but with a lot more home games. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/351 "2011-04-28T20:08:34Z")
Giants @ Pirates today, the Giants pulled off a classic Little League play: runners at 1B and 3B, R1 takes off and forces the defense to make a play. Fortunately for the Giants, Pittsburgh has a LL defense. 🙂 Catcher threw the ball into CF and R3 trots home (credited with a steal of home). It’s so nice to have Sandoval out of his sophomore slump. 2 nights ago, he makes a beautiful backhand dive to come up with a shot down the 3B line, scrambles to his feet – spits!! – and throws a seed to 1B. (I think I’ve seen him blow a bubble-gum bubble in similar circumstances). Unfortunately, Madison Bumgarner is mired deeply in \*his \*sophomore slump. Posey seems ok. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/352 "2011-04-28T22:54:09Z")
Did Pablo have a slump, or was it just that he was carrying a second Pablo under that jersey? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/353 "2011-04-28T22:56:19Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Did Pablo have a slump, or was it just that he was carrying a second Pablo under that jersey? There does seem to be an inverse correlation between weight and BA. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/354 "2011-04-28T23:00:16Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > There does seem to be an inverse correlation between weight and BA. Prince Fielder heartily disagrees. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/355 "2011-04-29T00:16:34Z")
Tigers got swept at home by Seattle. They were in a position to make a move and just blew up. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/356 "2011-04-29T00:55:46Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Tigers got swept at home by Seattle. They were in a position to make a move and just blew up. Justin Smoak has been smokin’ since he came back. He seems to have reinvigorated the M’s offense. Or was the Tigers pitching just bad? We’ll find out. The Tigers did have to face King Felix, Michael Pineda, and Erik Bedard. I believe Pineda has had a quality start every time out. If he keeps this up, he’ll win AL ROY. Bedard looked like he was still playing in Baltimore. King Felix is the defending Cy Young. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/357 "2011-04-29T01:10:36Z")
> [@Invisible\_Chimp](#): > > Justin Smoak has been smokin’ since he came back. He seems to have reinvigorated the M’s offense. Or was the Tigers pitching just bad? We’ll find out. > > The Tigers did have to face King Felix, Michael Pineda, and Erik Bedard. I believe Pineda has had a quality start every time out. If he keeps this up, he’ll win AL ROY. Bedard looked like he was still playing in Baltimore. King Felix is the defending Cy Young. Bedarad went up against Verlander. that was supposed to be a good matchup. The only ones hitting are Boesch and Cabrera. Austin jackson should be sent down to work his hitting out. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/358 "2011-04-29T01:54:33Z")
Toronto was playing like crap, they go into Texas and just kick the snot out of the defending champs, winning 3 of 4 and frankly Texas was lucky to win the one. Baseball’s a funny game. Jose Bautista, oh my God. Leading the league in batting average, on base, and slugging. And is Toronto getting free air miles to Las Vegas? Here is what they have done in the last three weeks: APRIL 10: McCoy optioned to Vegas, Richmond recalled and then sent back down onthe same day APRIL 12: Designated Purcey. Recalled Janssen, recalled Mills, recalled McCoy APRIL 13: At some point here Davis goes on the DL APRIL 13: Mills back to minors the day after he was recalled APRIL 15: Recalled Perez APRIL 17: McCoy optioned to Vegas APRIL 18: Purcey traded to Oakland for Farquhar, Farquhar optioned APRIL 19: Francisco activated, Litsch optioned APRIL 20: Perez back to minors APRIL 21: Cecil optioned, Woodward promoted from Vegas APRIL 21: Morrow promoted from minors APRIL 22: Davis to minors for rehab APRIL 23: Nix to DL, McCoy back from Vegas; **this is now McCoy’s third separate stint in the majors this year** APRIL 25: Litsch back from Vegas APRIL 28: Woodward to Vegas, Snider to Vegas, Davis probably back, Cooper promoted ---
**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:** [April 29, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/359 "2011-04-29T02:37:43Z")
Ben Zobrist had quite a day today. The Rays played a double-header with the Twins, and Zobrist went 7/10 with 2 home runs, 10 RBI and a stolen base. He had 16 total bases on the day, and 8 RBI in the first game, a Rays record. hey **RickJay** , that was a pretty nice little drag-bunt by Patterson to put Toronto on top in the 9th. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/360 "2011-04-29T16:38:32Z")
When St. Louis signed Lance Berkman, there were questions as to whether Berkman still had it in him or whether the Cardinals were making a mistake. The season is still young, but so far, it sure doesn’t look like a mistake. Latest piece of evidence: last night, Berkman hit two home runs (one from each side) against his old team. I’m liking this Pujols-Holliday-Berkman lineup. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712.md?page=19)