May 14, 2008
By
Zeldink
Posted at 12:29 pm
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Dodgers (19-19) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0 |
| Brewers (20-19) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 5 | 10 | 1 |
W: Carlos Villanueva (2-4)
L: Brad Penny (5-4)
S: Eric Gagne (10)
Boxscore
Remember the Brewers? You know, the team that I thought would take the division. Well, they’re not doing so hot lately. Or at least they weren’t after dropping below .500 in a terrible losing stretch. But great news for all of you who place your self-worth on preseason predictions (and picked the Brewers): They’re good again!
Carlos Villanueva gave Milwaukee a good start and lead them to their third win in a row, which also gives them a winning record again. And wonder of all wonders, after being removed from the closer’s position less than a week ago, Eric Gagne was back at it, picking up his 10th save, this time in a humdrum fashion. We’ll see how long that lasts.
Manny Parra tries to keep the winning ways rolling tonight when he faces Derek Lowe at 8:05pm EDT.
May 14, 2008
By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:32 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Pirates (19-20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 0 |
| Cardinals (23-18) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
W: Marino Salas (1-0)
L: Ron Villone (1-1)
Boxscore
I meant to write about the Cardinals and their returning to earth yesterday, but couldn’t find the time. It’s a good thing there are games every day.
The Cardinals continued their descent back to expectations, losing to the Pirates in 10. Former Red Kyle Lohse was closer to finding his April doppelganger, but he was still bettered by former Red Phil Dumatrait. Neither starter got a decision, thanks to a game-tying Albert Pujols home run in the 8th.
All that did was send it to extra innings where former Red and Pirate Ron Villone came in for the Cardinals. Villone had been amazing in relief up to this point, but today was not his day. Plus, the Pirates are playing great right now, and there was no stopping the Buccos. Villone gave up four to get the loss.
The two play again tonight, with Paul Maholm for the Pirates and Todd Wellemeyer for the Cardinals, at 8:15pm EDT.
May 14, 2008
By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:25 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Marlins (23-16) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 |
| Reds (17-23) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 5 | 10 | 0 |
W: Edinson Volquez (6-1)
L: Mark Hendrickson (5-2)
S: Francisco Cordero (7)
Boxscore
The Reds won their second game in a row, but lost the services of shortstop Jeff Keppinger.
Keppinger went down with a broken kneecap after fouling off a pitch, and his hitting services will be sorely missed. He was already serving as the backup shortstop, and for once, the Reds are kind of weak on middle infielders. Hey, remember last year when Krivsky signed Alex Gonzalez to a big, three-year contract? Isn’t that the gift that keeps on giving.
Edinson Volquez continued to dominate the league, allowing one run in 6 innings. His ERA now stands at 1.12, which I believe is an increase from before the game. You know things are going well when you allow one run in a start and your ERA goes up.
The Reds go for the series sweep tonight when Bronson Arroyo faces Ricky Nolasco at 7:10pm EDT.
May 13, 2008
By
Zeldink
Posted at 9:33 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Padres (14-25) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
| Cubs (23-15) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | - | 12 | 13 | 0 |
W: Carlos Zambrano (6-1)
L: Randy Wolf (2-3)
Boxscore
Apparently, the Cubs really did miss Aramis Ramirez in the lineup when he missed a few games. After stinking up the joint against crappy teams like the Reds, the Cubs have jumped back into first place thanks to a four-game winning streak that coincides with Ramirez’ return to the lineup. Not that he contributed all 12 runs by himself, but his presence seems to offer better pitches to those around him.
The Cubs scored 6 in the 5th and 5 in the 6th to rout the Padres and give Carlos Zambrano his 6th win. All of that scoring, and just one home run, from Alfonso Soriano.
Thanks to a Cardinals loss, Chicago sits alone in first. Jason Marquis will try to keep them there tonight when he starts against Shawn Estes at 8:05pm EDT.
May 13, 2008
By
Zeldink
Posted at 8:44 am
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|
| Marlins (23-15) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 1 |
| Reds (16-23) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | - | 8 | 10 | 1 |
W: Aaron Harang (2-5)
L: Taylor Tankersley (0-1)
S: Francisco Cordero (6)
Boxscore
Really, the title for the post says it all. Somehow the Reds managed to win a game that all signs indicated they should lose.
- Aaron Harang starting.
- Facing a pitcher with an ERA north of 6.
- Corey Patterson leading off.
- Adam Dunn batting seventh.
- Dusty Baker “managing.”
All conditions were true, yet the Reds won anyway. Patterson had a good game, which undoubtedly helped. He had 4 hits to raise his average above .200. His not out percentage continues to languish below his career average of terrible.
Jeff Keppinger and Brandon Phillips drove in runs and lead the Reds to a comeback win, providing Harang with run support he hasn’t had all year. Of course, Francisco Cordero had to make it interesting when he was called in early in the 8th, but the error by Griffey really just showed again how bad he is in right field. He’s my favorite player, but if the Reds want to win anytime soon, they need to trade him away.
The same two teams play again tonight at 7:10pm EDT when Mark Hendrickson faces Edinson Volquez.
