April, 2007 | The Baseball Zealot

4/21/07 Linescore of the Day: Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels: 9 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 15 K (Win)

The Phils’ Cole Hamels is said to be rather flaky (he broke his pitching hand in a bar fight in 2005) but maybe that’s what fuels outings like these. I went in to my APBA rookie draft planning to draft him with my first pick. I chickened out and ended up taking Nick Markakis instead.

Maybe Hamels would have been a better choice.

By the way, the Phillies dropped Jimmy Rollins to the third spot for this game, the first time he’s hit there since August of last year. Fantasy owners take note.

4/19/07: BACK TO THE CELL

No sense crying over spilled beer My sister-in-law asked me, what it was like to miss seeing Buehrle’s no-hitter. “Was it like missing a really big sale at Nordstrom’s?”, she asked. “No, bigger”, I replied. “How about if I didn’t really have tickets to see Oprah?”, “No, bigger!” I then felt my eyes starting to … Continue reading “4/19/07: BACK TO THE CELL”

No sense crying over spilled beer

My sister-in-law asked me, what it was like to miss seeing Buehrle’s no-hitter. “Was it like missing a really big sale at Nordstrom’s?”, she asked. “No, bigger”, I replied. “How about if I didn’t really have tickets to see Oprah?”, “No, bigger!” I then felt my eyes starting to get watery. That’s when it hit me, I’m a guy! Guys don’t talk about their feelings. We just bury them under beer. So I wasn’t gonna cry over spilled beer. I went out to the Cell to watch some baseball. Who knows, maybe I’d catch another no-hitter, the very next night.

It was a good game, wish the Sox fans would leave the booing of Sammy to the Cub fans. Joe Crede busted up a three-three tie with an RBI single, Rob Mackowiak hit a two run shot, and Bobby Jenks closed it out for a 6-4 winner over Texas. Scott Feldman the losing pitcher for the Rangers serves up alot of meatballs, don’t grab him for your Fantasy Team.

4/19/07: LINESCORE OF THE DAY – AROD

AROD

Alex Rodriguez 1 for 5, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 1 run, 1 GAME OVER

In the top of the 9th there was a chopper to ARod that he had to wait on as a runner passed in front of him, by the time he got the ball & sidearmed it over to firstbase the runner beat it out, but because his throw was high, and this is NY, and this is ARod (not Derek Jeter), Rodriguez was credited with an error that put the Yanks down 6-2. Alex was 0-4 up to that point, with two strikeouts.

Then came the bottom of the 9th. Cleveland closer Joe Borowski retired the first two hitters before Josh Phelps cut it to 6-3 with a solo shot. Then Jorge Posada dribbled one up the middle, Johnny Damon walked, Derek Jeter delivered an RBI single, and Bobby Abreu followed suit. Which brought up Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte had told Alex to be ready cuz he might get one more at bat. That premonition came to fruition as ARod stepped to the plate. And was he ever ready to crush the 1-0 offering high & deep over the centerfield fence for a walkoff home run! The fans went crazy! As did Rodriguez & his Yankee teammates! He knew it as soon as he connected, looking over to his dugout, and tossing his bat aside upon contact. He is the first hitter in AL history to reach the ten homer plateau in his first 14 games. After being interviewed on the field about his accomplishments, he tossed his batting gloves into the stands of screaming fans.

The next day at Fenway ARod hit two more home runs, but the bullpen couldn’t hold it and the Yanks lost to the Bosox. So far though Rodriguez’ home run totals for the year remind alot of folks of the Bambino’s, he has more homers at this point than alot of TEAMS!

Baseball Zealot Radio Show #20: The First Couple Weeks of 2007

Todd talks about the Pirates’ moderate success so far and we both go heathen on the MLB’s implementation of 42 on Sunday. There’s some mention of White Sox fans during the show but I totally wash my hands of it. Nope, don’t look at me. Enjoy the show. Here’s the iTunes linky.

Todd talks about the Pirates’ moderate success so far and we both go heathen on the MLB’s implementation of 42 on Sunday.

There’s some mention of White Sox fans during the show but I totally wash my hands of it. Nope, don’t look at me.

Enjoy the show.

Here’s the iTunes linky.

Mark your calendar… Illini Baseball adding some Wednesday Games

The University of Illinois baseball team has added 3 games to the schedule to make up for games canceled for inclement weather. The first was this past Wednesday’s game and it was pretty sparsely attended. Additional Games 4/18 // Robert Morris // 6 p.m. 4/25 // Blackburn // 6:30 p.m. 5/2 // Greenville College // … Continue reading “Mark your calendar… Illini Baseball adding some Wednesday Games”

The University of Illinois baseball team has added 3 games to the schedule to make up for games canceled for inclement weather.

The first was this past Wednesday’s game and it was pretty sparsely attended.

Additional Games
4/18 // Robert Morris // 6 p.m.
4/25 // Blackburn // 6:30 p.m.
5/2 // Greenville College // 6 p.m.

So get the word out. They are on the Fighting Illini web site but not on any schedule printed earlier in the year.

I Heart Rich Hill

Can Rich Hill get any better? Not really. MLB says Rich Hill “tossed a gem” and that about says it. They also called it an eight-inning shutout. Considering there have only been two shutouts by pitchers so far this year (Felix and that guy from the Sox), this is about as good as it gets. … Continue reading “I Heart Rich Hill”

Hill's Fantastic ERA

Can Rich Hill get any better? Not really.

MLB says Rich Hill “tossed a gem” and that about says it. They also called it an eight-inning shutout. Considering there have only been two shutouts by pitchers so far this year (Felix and that guy from the Sox), this is about as good as it gets.

I continue to believe that Hill is key to the Cubs’ success at least as far as their pitching goes. Every one of his starts/wins so far this year have come after a Cub loss, usually more than one.

Mark Redman took the hard luck loss for the Braves. Redman entered the game 0-3 with a 12.96 ERA yet allowed only 3 runs in 7 plus innings.

By the way, Ryan Dempster is three for three in saves. Is this the new Demp?

Pizza as a Weapon

I saw this and I thought it was pretty funny. A thrown pizza during a foul ball in the left field stands at Fenway leads to an ejection of a fan. Of course, the broadcasters play it up to the hilt for a good two or three minutes. Check out the video.

I saw this and I thought it was pretty funny.

pizza

A thrown pizza during a foul ball in the left field stands at Fenway leads to an ejection of a fan.

Of course, the broadcasters play it up to the hilt for a good two or three minutes. Check out the video.

Roof gets the run the Illini need against Robert Morris

Last night I went to the University of Illinois baseball game against Robert Morris with my friends Brando and Shawn.

Shawn Roof took some time to chat with us about ball and bat physics

Before the game, Brando and I went down to the left field fence to watch the guys warm up. Shawn Roof gave a wave and came on over. He shook our hands and chatted with us for a few minutes. I congratulated him on their big 18-4 win over Illinois State. He seemed pretty pumped about that. I asked if Robert Morris was going to be an easy win. He shook his head saying they’re taking every game seriously and Robert Morris would definitely not be a “cakewalk”.

Roof also mentioned my blog post about Ryan Hastings heating his bat over the space heater during the cold days. He says their IS a reason for doing this. Doing this, he says, affects how the ball comes off the bat when it is hit. Hmm.. the more you know.

Thanks to Shawn for taking a few minutes of his time before the game. As for Robert Morris not being a “cakewalk”, no truer words were spoken as last night’s game was a hard fought battle.

The Illini took a quick one run lead in the bottom of the 3rd and never relinquished it but Robert Morris kept scoring to make it close. By the end of six, it was 3-2 good guys but RM scored a run in the top of the seventh to tie it 3-3.

Five Pitches. One Run. Without a Ball Being Hit.

Shawn Roof led off the bottom of the 8th. Robert Morris pitcher Chris Murchek plunked Roof in the upper arm and Roof took his base. I leaned over to Brando and said, “Here he goes!”. And Roof stole second on the first pitch. Brando and I wondered to each other will batter Ryan Hastings bunt in this situation? In a lot of situations, it would make sense but Hastings has been good with the stick so I didn’t think he would. Hastings didn’t square for the next pitch, he took it for a strike.

The next pitch, though, he squared for the bunt and the thirdbaseman rushed to cover for the bunt. The key here is that the shortstop didn’t cover third and Roof was banking on that. He stole third easily.

The very next pitch Murchek threw a wild pitch and Roof scored what proved to be the winning run.

Nice hustle by Roof! And give a little credit to Hastings for the faux bunt to draw the thirdbaseman away from the base.

Brian Long came in to pitch a perfect 9th for the save.

Joe Mercurio made the most of his start at catcher

Other highlights: Lars Davis was DH last night which meant New York freshman Joe Mercurio donned the tools of ignorance. It seems to me, whenever Merc gets the chance to play, he makes the most of it. He was 2 for 4 with a double, run and a rbi.

Dom Altobelli (left) goofing off before the game. He got serious when it came to playing the hot corner.

Dom Altobelli was playing thirdbase. He had a hit and a run but he really impressed me with his defense. One grounder in particular that I had given up on he somehow came up with and whipped over to firstbaseman Mike Rohde for the out. He also snared a line drive which could have easily gone for extras.

Here are the photos I took during the game.

Coming up: The Illini are heading to Iowa for a weekend series.

4/18/07 LINESCORE OF THE DAY: MARK BUEHRLE

Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle, W (1-0), 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 2.08 ERA

As a White Sox fan and a HUGE Mark Buehrle fan, where was I??? I was at 40+ Sox games last year, including a series in Pittsburgh and a series at Kansas City. I’ve been a Sox fan since I was 12 years old back in 1968. In 2005 I was fortunate enough to go to Anaheim to see the Sox beat the Angels, winning the A.L. Penant. My favorite Sox hurler has always been Tommy John, being a lefthanded thrower myself, I’ve always had a soft spot for southpaws. The only player’s White Sox tee shirt I own is Mark Buehrle.

My sister-in-law Lisa and friend Debbie were in town, they had tickets to see Oprah, so after they returned from downtown shopping, we all went to my FAVORITE restaurant, Rose Angelis. In retrospect I should have known something was up when NickyV called my cell as we pulled up to the restaurant, NickyV was at the game, but I was on the phone with my brother, and he didn’t leave a message. After filling up on pasta, merlot, bread, and tiramisu, it was time to head home. When I came in the door, Mom asked, “Did you hear about the Sox game?” I said, “No. Don’t tell me anything. I’ve got the game on Tivo”. She said, “Everybody’s been calling you”. So I kinda knew something was up, but had no idea what it was.

I jumped into bed, flipped on the TV, and played the game back on semi-fast-forward, at least between pitches. It was only 1-0, on a Jim Thome solo blast, for a long time, nobody was really doing anything with the bat, but Mark Buehrle was really on his game. Buehrle almost allowed a homer to right, but Jermaine Dye caught the ball as his back was pressed against the wall. Then there was the great flat-footed throw by Juan Uribe to nip a guy at first. Mark walked Sammy Sosa, but then promptly picked him off, his 48th career pickoff. Dye sent a close line screaming meanie over the leftfield wall with the bases loaded after fouling off a ton of 3-2 pitches to give the Sox some breathing room and Thome hit another solo blast late in the contest.

The only time the no-hitter was in doubt was in the 3rd inning when Jerry Hairston, Jr. hit a hard hit grounder, Joe Crede dove to his right, landing on the base, he got up quickly & fired, just getting a head first sliding Hairston at 1st. Jerry argued he was safe, threw his helmut as he entered the dugout, and was tossed.

All of Buehrle’s pitches were working all night long, from his cutter to his change, mixed in with a few curves. Mark challenged Texas’ hitters from start to finish and his control was right there. Everybody was so happy for the popular lefty, who struggled last season. It was kinda funny cuz he mock pointed to the sky with a grin on his face after leaving the mound after retiring the Rangers on nine pitches in the first inning.

It was the first White Sox no-hitter since Wilson Alvarez tossed one against the Orioles in Baltimore in 1991. And it was the first no-hitter thrown in Chicago by a Sox hurler since Joel Horlen in 1967, one year before I became a Sox fan.

I was at the Cell the day before the no-hitter and will be there the day after, who knows what might happen. I might even see a no-hitter.

4/18/07 BONEHEAD PLAY OF THE DAY: ALBERT PUJOLS

Albert Pujols A bit of advice, if you’re gonna try to steal home, keep running! In the top of the 12th against the Giants Albert got a great break off 3rd as he headed toward the plate, Bengie Molina called for the ball, and the startled pitcher Jonathan Sanchez threw it home. Molina dropped the … Continue reading “4/18/07 BONEHEAD PLAY OF THE DAY: ALBERT PUJOLS”

Albert Pujols

A bit of advice, if you’re gonna try to steal home, keep running! In the top of the 12th against the Giants Albert got a great break off 3rd as he headed toward the plate, Bengie Molina called for the ball, and the startled pitcher Jonathan Sanchez threw it home. Molina dropped the throw, but for some unknown reason Pujols stopped running, he’d have been safe if he’d continued to run. But just like Forrest Gump, he stopped running, and we don’t know why. The Cardinal slugger was tagged out easily to end the top of the 12th, of course San Francisco scored the winning run in the bottom of the frame.