Frayed Knot

Gary let something slip late in the game tonight that maybe was already public knowledge but I didn't know it ... apparently Keith divorced wife #2 earlier this year.

If this game ever ends, I predict we're going to win it.

Godfather quotes = ALWAYS in style.

Note to Mets: Never do a green uniform thing

[fimg=400]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m6Dc3G4_9zc/T5YpvxoTKxI/AAAAAAAAA7o/v_eunQEVHfk/s1600/godfather00015.png[/fimg] "You give me too much credit kid, I'm not that clever"

While we're on the subject, DBacks GM Kevin Towers is sacked in the first of what will probably be many moves under Arizona's new Capo di Tutti Tony LaRussa Towers said to be "evaluating the opportunity" to take another position within the organization.

I heard something about Bogar possibly being on Houston's list for next year and beyond so, if nothing else, this is a trial run for him.

I had to look up Alfredo Simon just to familiarize myself with him even though he's been kicking around since first signing with the Phillies back in 1999 He went from Philly to SF to Texas to Baltimore. then back to Philly, back to the Rangers, then to the Dodgers before finally surfacing in the majors for the first time in 2008 at the age of 27 on his 2nd go 'round with the Orioles He had token appearances there in '08 & '09 then, after being released and resigned by Bal'mer, pitched two full seasons (some starting, mostly relief) in '10 & '11 before being claimed off waivers by the Reds He pitched fairly decent relief in Cincy for two seasons until, just now at the age of 33, is starting for the first time with excellent results: 13-9, 3.28, 1.17 WHiP. Doesn't strike out a lot (5.8 K/9) but keeps the walks (2.4/9) the and HRs (1.1/9 - even in that park) under control Fairly sudden burst of goodness from a guy entering baseball middle-age-dom.

Bah! 21 CS this year out of 76 attempts for Hamilton. His decent (though hardly great) offensive numbers aside [.267/.304/.380 -- 38 XBHs] his base stealing prowess has been more or less net neutral (72%). Not that the steal pct will keep many writers from simply concluding; "55 steals!!!! that there's an RoY lock!!!" Besides, we're hardly in the position of deciding to sacrifice offense for a (maybe?) better chance of reducing Billy H's running.

PCL - Reno ties up the series 1-1 thanks to a 1st inning GS by Mike Jacobs ... yes, that one! Eastern Lg -- Portland also ties up the series 1-1 via a 7-0 shutout No Sally Lg games last night

So the fucking Yanx are about to lose their 3rd straight series Thursday night and about to be caught by both Toronto & Cleveland when Koji Uehara serves up the game tying and winning HRs to Teixeira & Headley in the Boston/Yanx rubber match. (I wonder if any YLDBs were complaining about Girardi not bunting enough after that one?) That�s 10 HRs allowed by Uehara this season, double his total (in fewer innings) than last year. One of many things that just haven�t repeated themselves for the BoSox in 2014 The Indians, meanwhile, were coughing up a 7-spot to the Tigers in the 11th inning. The fact that the Yanx keep losing�or almost losing�series and yet are still in the race is partly due to the AL contenders knocking each other off a lot lately [just this week saw Tigers-v-Indians & Jays-v-Rays) which gives the whole thing the whiff of no team wanting the WC very much. Angels now have a 5 game lead in the West with Oakland in bigger danger of being caught by Seattle than they are at re-taking the division lead. KC up just a game in the Central w/Cleveland on the fringes Baltimore is the only team cruising to a division title (+9.5 as the weekend games open) But the real races are for the WCs Oakland +2.5 DET +0.5 ______________ SEA -0.5 NYY -4.0 TOR -4.5 CLE - 5.0 Meaningful match-ups this weekend: ChiSox @ Cleveland �- GO TRIBE!! Royals @ Yanx Tigers host SFG -- I'd like to see the Giants pressure the Dodges out west but the Tigers are one of the teams that has to keep themselves above MFY level Blue Jays go to Boston � Sox, you�re out of it. Let's see if Koji can serve up a few late inning bombs to Bautista & Encarnacion Mariners are in Texas Oakland hosting their traditional divisional rivals, the Houston Astros

Ceetar wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Because when somebody with a life to get back to has waited over five hours for the outcome of a game, only to see a guy he never heard of fumble the game away by playing like the minor leaguer he really is, the league is asking more from her fans than she is giving. I disagree. I see, so you want longer games AND lesser quality!

This race is essentially OVAH!, with only the final amounts still in question. Mejia - 23 Familia - 4 Farnsworth - 3 Torres - 2 Valverde - 2 Matsuzaka - 1 Eveland - 1 But this winter looks like it'll provide fertile ground to have the same question all over again, with Bobby Parnell wanting back in on the action. Do you suppose that Bobby preferred to rehab in Florida all year or did he simply not have enough pull to force his way into CitiField the way harvey did?

They should at least start by capping the call-ups. I'd argue for no more than 5, but 3, 5, 7, I don't care, I'm open to compromise but put some limit on it. And if it takes a compromise with the players by expanding the roster by a few spots in early April [oe: see Vic's post above] then it's a win-win as far as I'm concerned. As far as designating--NHL style--a certain amount of not-eligible for that day's game, a rule dictating that only post-Sept 1 call-ups are eligible for that one day in/one day out shuffle would solve most if not all of the shenanigans mentioned here. Anyone else who was on the roster as of Aug 31 can still only be removed via normal DL or DFA channels.

What a ridiculous game in LA yesterday as a 2-0 Dodgers lead after 8 winds up 8-5 Nationals win - LA closer Kenley Jansen is unable to hold the 2-run lead, giving up 2 on a PH/2R HR by Adam LaRoche and later a go-ahead single by Denard Span - Nats closer Soriano returns the favor as Justin Turner's 2-out, game-ending fly ball is dropped by Jayson Werth allowing the tying run to score - Dodgers load the bases w/one out in the bottom of the 10th but can't score (consecutive Ks by A Gonzalez & J Uribe) - Nats leave runners on 2nd & 3rd in top 11 - Dodgers again load the bases w/1 out in bottom 11 but again fail (Butera & Gordon this time) - LaRoche with a 2-run single in the 12th gives the Nats a 5-3 lead - Nats bring in Tyler Clippard to close it out which works right up until Carl Crawford's 2-out/2R HR - Dodgers leave the winning run on 3rd in the 13th - Nats score three times in top 14, triggered by a Justin Turner error, and then close out LA in the bottom half Various oddities - 18 pitchers were use (Wash = 10, LA = 8) Welcome to September baseball - and that doesn't even include the pitcher that Washington used as a PH - The Nats used 15 players in the 9th slot of the lineup: 10 pitchers + 5 PHs - The original Dodgers 2-0 lead was courtesy of a 7th inning Justin Turner 2R HR. This was only after Mattingly had challenged a non-call on a HBP. they lost the challenge so Justin's AB continued. The red-head was in the middle of a lot of this game. - Adam LaRoche went 2-3 w/5 RBIs even though he didn't enter the game until the 9th inning. He didn't start because he was injured. 5:34

That would be Roy McMillan

PCL semi-finals, Game 1: Las Vegas 5 - Salt Lake City 4 Rafael Montero - 4.1 IP, 3 runs, 7 Hits, 4 BBs Gonzalez Germen - Save - 1 perfect inning RBIs: Cory Vaughn (HR), LJ Mazzilli, Cesar Puello, Kevin Plawecki, Brandon Allen AA Eastern League semi-finals, Game 1: Binghamton 8 - Portland 5 Bingo scored 3 in the 8th, then 3 more in the 9th on a TJ Rivera walk-off 3R HR So Atl Lg semi-finals, Game 1: Ashville 8 - Savannah 3 Not a good night for Sand Gnat pitchers Robert Gsellman (5 runs over 5) or Paul Paez 3 earned over 1/3) 12 hits for Savannah but 10 singles = only 3 runs.

Gee - 2.9 Recker - 2.4 Wright - 0.7 Flores - 1.3 Nieuwenhuis - 1.0 den Dekker - 1.0 Herrera - 0.7

Eveland - 0.5 dem Dekker - 1.0 Flores - 1.0 Lagares - 0.5

MFS62 wrote: Flores has not only shown the ability to play short, ... I don't believe this is clear at all. The ability to play there on occasion maybe, but the small sample we've seen doesn't point to an everyday guy.

And Davey is in the 40+ club. Not Buddy though, even if you gave him his whole career.

Do we count that AB as progress?

Well, other than that laser beam of a HR Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play? 14 pitches only for Mejia last night, so I assume he'll be available for inning #9

Pinch-hitters we got. Trustworthy and rested relievers ... not so much.

Speaking of delusional, Michael Kay seems surprised that Carlos Beltran no longer runs particularly well. Gee Micky, do you think being 37 y/o with 23 knee operations behind him might have something to do with that?