Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
Carlos Lee, Milwaukee Brewers 0 for 5, 1 BB, 2 K, 7 LOB When your cleanup hitter goes 0 for 5 and leaves 7 on base, you ain’t gonna win.
Carlos Lee, Milwaukee Brewers
0 for 5, 1 BB, 2 K, 7 LOB
When your cleanup hitter goes 0 for 5 and leaves 7 on base, you ain’t gonna win.
I never thought I’d say this but: Thank you, Indiana! Here’s the scenario: Going into the last game of the season, Illinois still had a magic number of one. Either they had to win or Purdue had to lose in order for them to win the Big Ten title. Well, I went to the game … Continue reading “Illinois Takes Big Ten Title!”
I never thought I’d say this but:
Thank you, Indiana!
Here’s the scenario:
Going into the last game of the season, Illinois still had a magic number of one. Either they had to win or Purdue had to lose in order for them to win the Big Ten title.
Well, I went to the game against Iowa and it just wasn’t happenin’ for the Illini. Iowa jumped out to a quick 7-1 lead. The Illini had their chances. Two innings in a row they loaded the bases (once with no outs) but couldn’t capitalize.
And it wasn’t like they weren’t hitting the ball hard either. Most of the time though, it was hit hard at a defender. In one frustrasting inning, each batter hit a hard rope only to be snared by a Iowa fielder for consecutive outs.
Final Score: Iowa 7 Illinois 1
But here comes the Good News part. Last place Indiana defeated Purdue 6-0. The score was announced over the PA after the game. That put Illinois at 20-12 and Purdue at 17-11.
It’s not how Illinois wanted to win it all but I like how shortstop Toby Gardenhire put it:
“This isn’t exactly the way we wanted to win it, but we won a lot of games early to put ourselves in this position.”
Unfortunately, UI starter Aaron Saving didn’t have his stuff today.
This Iowa runner is getting dangerously close to getting booted from the game. He was out on a fielder’s choice and the umpire ruled he interfered with the throw to first for the attempted DP. The ump ruled it a DP. This guy argued for a good minute or so and was not happy.
This kid was awesome. In between innings, he managed on his own to lead a cheer and get at least 3 sections of fans to participate. In his high-pitched voice, he would yell, “I-L-L!” and the rest of us would respond with “I-N-I!”
Kid, I hope you’re back next year!
Toby Gardenhire rounding third to score Illinois’ only run.
The team celebrating their Big Ten title.
Sunday games at home include a really neat promotion. After the game, kids get to go on the field and play wiffleball with the Illinois players. This is immensely popular with fans and has been nationally recognized in NCAA baseball as one the best promotions in college baseball.
Next up is the Big Ten Tournament at Illinois Field this weekend.
…and saves me a buck. The Sox went with Brandon McCarthy in his major league debut. All said, he didn’t too bad allowing 2 runs in 5 1/3 innings and striking out six. The Sox could expect good things from this kid. I’ll put him on my Rookie Watch. Offensively, the Cubs have rookie Jason … Continue reading “Prior Lifts Cubs, Saves Them From Sweep”
…and saves me a buck.
The Sox went with Brandon McCarthy in his major league debut. All said, he didn’t too bad allowing 2 runs in 5 1/3 innings and striking out six. The Sox could expect good things from this kid. I’ll put him on my Rookie Watch.
Offensively, the Cubs have rookie Jason Dubois to thank for the win. He had a key 3-run homer in the 6th.
Well, it looks like I owe Teddy B a buck.
Kyle Davies from Atlanta made the most of his first appearance in the majors. He shut down Baltimore in five innings and got the win. He struck out six and walked three. He’s on my Rookie Watch.
Kyle Davies from Atlanta made the most of his first appearance in the majors. He shut down Baltimore in five innings and got the win. He struck out six and walked three.
He’s on my Rookie Watch.
Ezequiel Astacio, Houston Astros 1 2/3 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 4 HR Yikes, the Rangers feasted on Astacio for 4 homers in 1+ innings and didn’t stop there in their 18-3 rout of the Astros. Texas ended up with 8 homers for the game.
Ezequiel Astacio, Houston Astros
1 2/3 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 4 HR
Yikes, the Rangers feasted on Astacio for 4 homers in 1+ innings and didn’t stop there in their 18-3 rout of the Astros. Texas ended up with 8 homers for the game.
Keith Ginter, Oakland Athletics 1 for 1, HR, 1 run, 5 rbis Ok, I defy you to find a linescore like this in recent history! For those wondering, this comes thanks to two sac flies and a 3-run homer.
Keith Ginter, Oakland Athletics
1 for 1, HR, 1 run, 5 rbis
Ok, I defy you to find a linescore like this in recent history! For those wondering, this comes thanks to two sac flies and a 3-run homer.
I guarantee a lot of fantasy team owners with Vladimir are making this exact same face as they read about his injury. Vlad jammed his shoulder while trying to avoid a tag at home plate during a game against the Dodgers yesterday. Reports confirmed that he indeed jammed his left shoulder but as of yet … Continue reading “Vlad’s Jammed”
I guarantee a lot of fantasy team owners with Vladimir are making this exact same face as they read about his injury. Vlad jammed his shoulder while trying to avoid a tag at home plate during a game against the Dodgers yesterday.
Reports confirmed that he indeed jammed his left shoulder but as of yet there is no idea how long he will be out.
To add possible injury to injury, Jarrod Washburn left early with tightness in the same game.
Today’s University of Illinois baseball game is being billed as “Dog Day Afternoon”. It says in part: Bring your dog to the park and receive free admission for yourself and your four-legged friend Yes, and don’t forget to bring your pooper scoopers. And I’m sure your dogs will behave just fine with a hundred other … Continue reading “Promo Idea Best Left on the Drawing Board”
Today’s University of Illinois baseball game is being billed as “Dog Day Afternoon”. It says in part:
Bring your dog to the park and receive free admission for yourself and your four-legged friend
Yes, and don’t forget to bring your pooper scoopers. And I’m sure your dogs will behave just fine with a hundred other dogs in a small enclosed area.
I attended the Illini game last night and it wasn’t pretty. They lost their fifth in a row and their magic number remains at two. With three games left against Iowa this weekend, they need to win the next two to clinch the Big Ten title. Brian Blomquist took the loss last night and it … Continue reading “Another Illinois Loss: Now I’m a Bit Worried”
I attended the Illini game last night and it wasn’t pretty. They lost their fifth in a row and their magic number remains at two. With three games left against Iowa this weekend, they need to win the next two to clinch the Big Ten title.
Brian Blomquist took the loss last night and it was evident he didn’t have his stuff. Iowa exploded for a 7-run inning in the fourth which pretty much sealed up the game though Illinois did make it interesting by scoring a few in the later innings.
Final score: Iowa 12 Illinois 9
As seen here, Iowa used the hit and run pretty frequently.
Iowa starter Jeff Maitland held Illinois in check until the 6th inning when he was pulled for a reliever.
Maybe it’s me but Iowa has the ugliest road uniforms. Talk about dingy looking.
A frustrated Illini Coach Itch Jones walking off the field after not scoring any runs.
Seems to me I remember when Coach Jones came on board with the Illini years ago, his nickname was “Itchy”. For some reason, the Athletic Dept at the U of I thought that “Itchy” was unsavory or something. So they decreed to change his nickname to the much more acceptable “Itch”.
Whatever.
We moved back behind the plate towards the end of the game. This is probably the worst seat in the park and it ain’t too bad. We stood next to these guys who were riding the umps really hard. I had to admit the home plate ump was pretty inconsistent with his balls and strikes.
Tonight there is a twi-night doubleheader and tomorrow an afternoon game. It sure would be nice if they could sweep tonight and play tomorrow “just for the fun of it”.
Abreu? Hall of Fame? I never considered the thought. But Baseball Musings makes the case that Bobby Abreu may be HOF material. So I looked up his stats and I must admit his stats do warrant attention. Six straight years with 20+ homers (and certainly on his way to a seventh). Six years with 20+ … Continue reading “Abreu HOF Material??”
Abreu? Hall of Fame?
I never considered the thought.
But Baseball Musings makes the case that Bobby Abreu may be HOF material. So I looked up his stats and I must admit his stats do warrant attention.
Six straight years with 20+ homers (and certainly on his way to a seventh). Six years with 20+ steals (again on his way to a seventh). Three 100 rbi seasons and four 100 run seasons. And maybe overlooked, six straight years with 100+ walks.
He is probably the best chance at a 40-40 season in the MLB right now.
I’ll be watching Bobby a little closer now.