Teddy Ballgame | The Baseball Zealot

8/31 Linescore of the Day – Randy Johnson @ Felix Hernandez

Randy Johnson, New York Yankees Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners Johnson 7 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 7 Ks Hernandez 8 IP, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 4 walks, 7 Ks What a pitching matchup! These types of ballgames are what baseball is all about. Randy Johnson of the New York Yankees matched up … Continue reading “8/31 Linescore of the Day – Randy Johnson @ Felix Hernandez”

Randy Johnson, New York Yankees
Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

Johnson 7 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 7 Ks
Hernandez 8 IP, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 4 walks, 7 Ks

What a pitching matchup! These types of ballgames are what baseball is all about. Randy Johnson of the New York Yankees matched up against his old mates the Seattle Mariners and phenom Felix Hernandez. The grizzled veteran southpaw against the young gun righthander. This pitching duel played out before a packed Seattle ballpark of 47,447 fans and the game did not disappoint. The five time Cy Young Award winner limited the home team to just three hits over seven innings of work for a 2-0 win. While the 19-year-old sensation allowed the Bronx Bombers two runs in his eight innings on the hill. Rookie Robinson Cano took a Hernandez changeup over the RF wall in the 3rd. Then Gary Sheffiled (the quickest bat in the game today) turned a 98 MPH heater around in the 4th sending it far into the LF stands. The Big Unit will be 42 years old on September 10th, but he still showed a lot of emotion as he pumped his fist and yelled when getting big outs in key moments throughout the game.

WORST OUTFIELDER IN THE GAME

A friend has been touting the White Sox Timo Perez as the worst outfielder in baseball today. But I have to strongly disagree with his assessment. And no I don’t think Timo has pictures of manager Ozzie Guillen. To be fair Perez won a game for the Sox the other day when he threw out a guy at the plate and later delivered the game winning hit. My candidate for the worst outfielder in the game today has to go to the Kansas City Royals Aaron Guiel. Last season Guiel batted .156 with 42 strikeouts in only 135 at bats. This season his numbers are even worse. Aaron has only two hits in 22 at bats for a .091 average, and he’s not even a good fielder.

RATHER BE LUCKY & GOOD

Ever notice how good teams seem to get the breaks? Well the Chicago White Sox are a very good team and were playing a very bad Seattle Mariner team Saturday night. In the bottom of the 8th inning Bobby Jenks was firing 102 MPH pellets at Richie Sexson. There were runners on 1st & 2nd, with two outs, and the White Sox were leading 4-2. That’s when the BIG fellow sent a screamer that landed at the base of the RF wall. Jermaine Dye fired to Tadahito Iguchi, who relayed to the 1st base side of home. A J Pierzynski reached across the plate to tag Ichiro out with the potential tying run. The White Sox held on for a 4-2 winner. GO SOX GO!!!

8/29 Linescore of the Day – Jason Giambi

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees 2 for 3, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 walk New York was trailing the Mariners 4-0 going into the top of the 5th in Seattle when Jason Giambi took things into his own hands. Giambi launched a solo shot off starter Ryan Franklin to get New York on … Continue reading “8/29 Linescore of the Day – Jason Giambi”

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees

2 for 3, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 walk

New York was trailing the Mariners 4-0 going into the top of the 5th in Seattle when Jason Giambi took things into his own hands. Giambi launched a solo shot off starter Ryan Franklin to get New York on the board. Then he hit a three run blast off reliever Matt Thornton in the 6th to give the Bronx Bombers the lead 5-4. The Yankees never looked back winning 7-4. It was Jason’s 2nd straight game with two homers, and this one wasn’t off Greinke.

8/28 Linescores of the Day – Jason Giambi & Jeff Weaver

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees Jeff Weaver, Los Angeles Dodgers 3 for 3, 2 HR’s, 7 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 walk 8 IP, 0 runs, 7 hits, 10 K’s, 0 walks Both of these players deserved Linescore of the Day with asterisks. Jason Giambi’s came against the Kansas City Royals Zack Greinke. Jeff Weaver was … Continue reading “8/28 Linescores of the Day – Jason Giambi & Jeff Weaver”

Jason Giambi, New York Yankees
Jeff Weaver, Los Angeles Dodgers

3 for 3, 2 HR’s, 7 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 walk
8 IP, 0 runs, 7 hits, 10 K’s, 0 walks

Both of these players deserved Linescore of the Day with asterisks. Jason Giambi’s came against the Kansas City Royals Zack Greinke. Jeff Weaver was matched up against Roger Clemens and beat the Houston Astros 1-0. The reason for the asterisks is obvious. EVERYBODY hits Greinke and NOBODY allows Astro runs when the Rocket starts.

8/27 Linescore of the Day – Jermaine Dye

Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox 4 for 4, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 1 BIG assist Jermaine Dye drove in two, scored twice, and his throw to relay man Tadahito Iguchi cutdown the potential tying run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Ichiro was nailed at the plate when he tried … Continue reading “8/27 Linescore of the Day – Jermaine Dye”

Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox

4 for 4, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 1 BIG assist

Jermaine Dye drove in two, scored twice, and his throw to relay man Tadahito Iguchi cutdown the potential tying run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Ichiro was nailed at the plate when he tried to tie things up for the Mariners on a two out double by Richie Sexson. Final result White Sox 4, Seattle 3. GO SOX GO!!!

JUSTIN THOMPSON, COMEBACK DELAYED

Justin Thompson was one of the top young lefthanders in MLB in 1997, but then he hurt his shoulder. Thompson had a 15-11 record with a 3.02 ERA, allowed just 118 hits in 223 1/3 innings, struck out 151, while allowing only 66 walks. The following season with the Tigers he slipped to 11-15, 4.05 ERA, 227 hits allowed in 222 innings, walked 79, but still managed to strike out 149. 1999 was the last time he pitched in the big leagues before shoulder ailments shut him down. His record in 1999 was a dismal 9-11, 5.11 ERA, he let up 152 hits in 142 2/3 innings, he walked 59, but struck out only 83.

Then after six years and four shoulder surgeries he resurfaced. Former Tiger Justin Thompson might not be done, after all. Thompson, 31, had a 3.07 ERA in 14 2/3 innings for Frisco, the Texas Rangers’ Double-A team in the Texas League, and got a callup to the big leagues.

Because of arm problems, Thompson hasn’t pitched in the majors since 1999. After that season, he was traded to Texas in the deal for Juan Gonzalez.

But then I was reading today’s transactions and saw where the Rangers farmed out Justin Thompson after he allowed two home runs in his two appearances, with an ERA of 21.60, four hits, and four earned runs in an inning & two thirds. Thompson was dejected when he got the news of his demotion. But this guy is not a quitter and I wish him luck in his quest for a return to the show!

GOOD FRIDAY

I’m reading the newspaper (actually the Sports section, the only section worth reading) and I notice it’s a BIG sports day in Chicago. The Chicago Bears are playing a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field, the White Sox & El Duque are matched up against the Mariners 19-year-old phenom Felix Hernandez in Seattle, and the Chicago Cubs are playing the Fish from Florida at Wrigley Field. Upon closer inspection I see that hot shot lefty Jason Vargas will be on the hill for the Marlins. I don’t have a ticket for this sold out contest, but that has never stopped me in the past. I call a ticket broker just north of the ballpark, he assures me he has something for me, and I’m on my way. I must have been excited to see this 22-year-old lefty cuz I paid $100 for a $50 ticket. I had a choice of 4th row behind the Cubs dugout for $125 or 15th row on the Marlins side for $100. I chose the $100 ticket so I could get a closer look at Vargas.

It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, the humidity was down, and the wind was blowing in off the lake. The Marlins were taking batting practice. Nothing like it as Bleacher Bums (a richer version from days gone by, as it now costs $25 to sit out there) scrambled for baseballs that would be thrown back if hit by Florida batters during the game. A J Burnett came over to say hello to some friends and was besieged by autograph hounds. Burnett signed about thirty autographs for mostly youngsters before joining his team. I was fortunate enough to wander down the rightfield line to where the visitors pitchers warm up before entering the game. As luck would have it Jason Vargas started throwing a little long toss with a bullpen catcher right in front of me. A little fan shouted for Josh Beckett to toss him a baseball and Josh obliged. When the batting cage came down it was time for me to head to my seat. Lee Smith, the alltime saves leader, threw out the first pitch. Later he would lead the faithful in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. Why isn’t Big Lee in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Before Jason Vargas could take the mound he was staked to a 2-0 lead, and before long it was 7-0. Vargas was a position player in college and picked up two hits and a drive to the warning track in his three plate appearances. But what I really came to see was this kid pitch. Jason was cruising, not allowing a run through the first five frames, before getting knocked out of the contest when the Cubbies made it interesting scoring five times in the sixth. Maybe Vargas was tired or maybe the Cubs hitters finally figured him out. Either way this young southpaw keeps hitters off balance with a breaking pitch that’s about ten miles per hour slower than his 89 mile an hour fastball. The Marlins hung on to beat the Cubs 7-5 and give Jason his 5th win in six decisions. After the ballgame I walked six blocks to one of my favorite restaurants the Chicago Diner. The Chicago Diner is completely vegan unless you ask for cheese. Being a vegan-in-training myself, it was nice being able to enjoy my meal without being concerned with what was in my food. A nice dip in my pool was in order after gorging myself on vegan lasagna.

The Chicago Bears preseason game had gone long enough to once again illustrate that Chad Hutchinson is not the answer to the starting QB question. Hutchinson pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals not too long ago, maybe he should try hockey. Rookie Kyle Orton threw a TD pass and Jeff Blake engineered a game winning drive at the end of the game to make it a good day so far.

Next up was the Chicago White Sox going up against Felix Hernandez. Felix was dominating the Sox hitters (not that difficult to do now a days) and it looked like Yorvit Torrealba’s solo blast might just be enough for a 2-1 Mariner winner. But I’ve seen the Seattle Mariners enough this year to know they have a knack for losing, especially seeing I placed a C-note on them before the season thinking they’d win more than they lost. What was I thinking? But thunder came from an unexpected source as rookie Sox outfielder Brian Anderson gave the White Sox a 3-2 lead sending a hanging breaking ball over the leftfield fence with a runner aboard. Anderson also accounted for the White Sox only tally with his first career homer off a 96 MPH heater that went far into the Seattle night. Willie Bloomquist tripled with two outs in the 8th to plate Torrealba and tie the game at three. Bloomquist squeezed in the Mariners first run of the game. This pitching duel was destined for extra innings. Tadahito Iguchi blasted a two run shot off Everyday Eddie Guardado in the 12th to give the White Sox the win. It was their 17th win in their last at bat this season. Iguchi redeemed himself with the homer to left after failing to bring in the go-ahead-run in the 10th with one out and Anderson on 3rd when Julio Mateo struck out Tadahito. Final score Good Guys 5 – Mariners 3. All I have to say is, it was a good day all around. GO SOX GO!!!

8/24 Linescore of the Day – Mike Jacobs

Mike Jacobs, New York Mets 4 for 5, 2 HRs, 1 2B, 5 runs, 4 RBIs The NY Mets pounded the Arizona Diamondbacks 18-4 and Mike Jacobs was a big part of New York’s attack. Mike is off to a great start in the Bigs, 7 for 13 in his first four games, with 4 … Continue reading “8/24 Linescore of the Day – Mike Jacobs”

Mike Jacobs, New York Mets

4 for 5, 2 HRs, 1 2B, 5 runs, 4 RBIs

The NY Mets pounded the Arizona Diamondbacks 18-4 and Mike Jacobs was a big part of New York’s attack. Mike is off to a great start in the Bigs, 7 for 13 in his first four games, with 4 homers & a double, 9 RBIs & 8 runs, his batting average is .538 & his slugging percentage is 1.538. Not bad for this 39th round draft choice.

ONE GAME WINNING STREAK

I went to the White Sox/Yankee game yesterday at the Cell in hopes of a victory. There was even some laughter as we left the hot dog stand on 35th Street south of the ballyard that this would be the day a one game winning streak would begin for the Southsiders. The reason for thinking another L would appear on this year’s record for the Palehose after the day was through was obvious enough, Randy Johnson versus Jose Contreras. More nervous laughter was uttered after observing Pablo Ozuna, Chris Widger, and overmatched rookie Brian Anderson would be in the Sox starting lineup against The Big Unit. It was a true story of David versus Goliath.

The game started off true to form when Pablo Ozuna after singling to open the contest, stole 2nd, and was picked off after Tadahito Iguchi failed to advance him to third. Of Course the Bronx Bombers scored a run to seemingly put the game away with an insermountable lead of 1-0.

But then came the 4th inning! This would not be an inning you’d have wanted to have missed in the bathroom. Tadahito Iguchi launched a solo homer over the rightfield wall to knot the score at one. Aaron Rowand followed suit with a carbon copy of Tadahito’s blast. And then with two strikes on Paul Konerko, Randy Johnson tried to fool Paulie with a breaking ball, the only fool was Johnson, as Konerko made it back-to-back-to-back jacks deep into the leftfield stands. After a couple of singles Chris Widger of all people sealed the deal with a three run gong to left. After each home run the GO SOX GO Fight Song was played. It was only the 3rd time in White Sox history they’d hit three consecutive home runs, the last time being 5-3-00.

Final score Good Guys 6, Yankees 2. GO SOX GO!!!