Bla bla bla

Thought I would write this post while it was fresh in my head.

I was watching Philadelphia at Atlanta, toward the end of the game on a certain network that carries MLB games. Anyway bottom 7, Adam LaRoche in his 11th game back with the Braves, singled to right. I believe Greg Norton was going to PH, but since LaRoche got on, Javier Vazquez, former Expos pitcher instead pinch hit for Eric O'Flaherty. Turns out Javier Vazquez is the league lead in sacrifice hits with 14! Whodathunkit? Not me, as I was not aware he was a good bunter.

In 2004, the last year of the Expos, Livan Hernandez tied (in 5th place) with Kris Benson for most sacrifice hits by a pitcher with 15. The top 4 were all shortstops with Royce Clayton leading with 24. Royce Clayton by the way is now retired. After a stint with the Jays in 2007, the Red Sox picked him up, he signed a minor leagur contract. He was called up in September, and although he did not play, he earned a World Series ring. He retired after that 2007 season.

Back to today's game. The Braves went on to win it in a come from behind walk off fashion in the bottom of the ninth. They were down only 3-2. Garret Anderson singled to right. Matt Diaz sacrifice bunted. Brad Lidge did not field it cleanly, he then threw in the direction of first, where it was very unlikely to be a play. Howard could not get it, that allowed Diaz to get all the way to third, while came in with the tying run. They then walked Adam LaRoche, and kind of sort of unintentionally intentionally walked Greg Norton, who was in for Peter Moylan. Omar Infante was then up. I had a feeling he would end it, and on the first pitch, walk off single to left.

The announcer said how Lidge should have ate the ball after his fielding error. I agree, then it would have been only first and second with no out. Who knows what would have happened then. From my small amount of baseball experience, I have done just that, ate the ball, even on plays where I could have, or should have thrown.

Switching to the Jays at Rays, the announcer said Scott Kazmir leads in the category of most pitches thrown in the first inning on average (not sure if it was the AL or MLB) with 19 I believe it was. I can not look up advanced stats, otherwise I'd try and check. Anyway, his longest outing this year is only 7 IP. And he only did that once, otherwise he is 6.2 or lower. Looks like he is struggling, at 6-7 and 6.50 ERA.
As I write this, Toronto are up 2-0. They scored 2 in the top of the 3rd. They also threatened in the top of the first, but Millar flied out, and Wells struck out swinging. Kazmir threw 21 pitches in the first.

Finally!

Finally back with a new post!

To get me going back on the baseball blog, I'll start with a fairly simple post. Also, in my next post, or second post from now, I'll elaborate on why I have been lazy.

Finally! That was what I was thinking today after getting a base hit after going 0 for 7 in the league I play in. 6 of which were strikeouts, a couple looking for sure. I was stinking it up. That is where the blog post came from. Anyway.

Just finished watching some of the White Sox beating up on the Yankees. Some plays of note.

I started watching the the top of the sixth, after Cano had just walked to load the bases with no outs. Melky Cabrera then lined out to left fielder Carlos Quentin. Alex Rodriguez did not try tagging, I believed he bluffed, to draw the throw, but that was it. The next play was another odd baseball play.

Here is the official scoring: "Jerry Hairston Jr. flies into a force out, left fielder Carlos Quentin to third baseman Gordon Beckham. Alex Rodriguez scores. Jorge Posada out at 3rd. Robinson Cano to 2nd. Jerry Hairston Jr. to 1st." So basically it was indeed a fly ball, but to no man's land behing short, and shy of the left fielder. Kind of like a blooper. Jerry Hairston Jr. bluffed, making it look like he was going to catch it. It then fell in, and he threw to third, just barely getting Jorge Posada out on the force. Had he not bluffed the catch, it would likely have been a base hit, and everyone would have been safe, with the bases loaded still. So basically a good play on his part (Hairston), to get an out, and have runners only on first and second. Not to mention it cost Hairston his hit. Another scenario would have been Jorge Posada being safe at third, with the same bluff play. Then it would have been a hit for Hairston. Only the one run scored. Had he not bluffed, and Posada was safe, who knows what could have happened. After that one run scored, it made it 7-3 in favour of the White Sox.

That play reminded me of one time I was watching a game (on TV), I think it was at Wrigley field, and the left fielder bluffed, as if he was going to catch it, but it was a home run. It fooled the announcers anyway!

I did not see the other outfield assist, however Tim McCarver and the Thom Brennaman broadcasting duo said how outfield assists are at the lowest ever since the early 1900's. That was a stat from Stats Inc from a couple years ago they said, that stil applies.

I just missed a baserunning error by Gordon Beckham. Apparently he rounded third thinking that a ground out (6-3) was the third out, so the first baseman threw to Alex Rodriguez to record the third out. He was mic'd, and Mark Kotsay said something to the effect of we'll let it go, as it was a 6 run inning for the Sox.

In the bottom of the 6th, Jeter made an error, allowing Gordon Beckham to reach safely. Your basic error, a play that should have been made, proving he is human.

Alright, that is all for now.