Category: Linescores of the Day

5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K (Win)

Imagine what the kid could have done in a complete game. Alas, a high pitch count forced him out.

Kudos to the Twins bullpen for adding seven more Ks in relief.

0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 0 K (Loss)

I wish there was something positive to say about Russ Ortiz’ outing against the Devil Rays or even his current situation with the Orioles. But I am at at a loss.

The linescore tells an ugly story but add to that his team gave him a two-run lead in the top half of the first. Don’t forget there was a wild pitch as well as a walk with the bases loaded.

Russ Ortiz is now 1-16 in his last 22 starts going back to May of last year. He has also allowed 5 homers in his 12 innings with the Orioles.

Andruw Jones wasn’t good enough to play in the All Star game, in a game that counts, but he was certainly good enough to earn Linescore of the Day for his work in last night’s game against the Cardinals. Andruw launched two homers, ripped a double, drove in six, and scored twice, all this plus he’s the greatest defensive centerfielder in the history of the game. Jones is the best player in the game today, period. And for him not to even get into the All Star game was an injustice.

Andruw Jones 5 for 5, 1 2B, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, 2 runs

9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K (Win)

Last year’s NL Cy Young winner had no problems with the Dodgers last night. Carpenter allowed just two hits and no walks in his complete game shutout.

That gives Chris eight wins for the season and he leads all Cardinal starters with a 2.85 ERA. Ironically, Jason Marquis paces the team in wins with his astronomical 5.34 ERA.

3 for 5, 3 HR, 3 runs, 7 rbis

Teixeira picked up where he left off at the end of the break and hit 3 homers with 7 rbis. He has 4 homers in his last two games.

Texas routed the Orioles 15-1. Teixeira had help from Mark Derosa who was 4 for 4 with 3 rbis and 3 runs.

Teixeira is an interesting case study. Last year, he had problems hitting righties. This year however, he is hitting them as well or better.

Or if you’re the type that looks at glass as half-empty, maybe his production against lefties has just declined. No matter how look at it, he getting off to the right start in the second half.

4 for 4, 3B, HR, 2 runs, 3 rbis

I sometimes hesitate to award the LSOTD to a player on a losing team but sometimes it is justified. Today is one of those cases. Alex Escobar who has 23 at-bats this year and only 324 for his career, had a great day in spite of Washington’s loss to the streaking Pads.

Escobar’s 4 for 4 day brings his average up to .435 in his limited role as 4th or 5th outfielder.

By the way, I’m guessing that is a Harrisburg Senators cap he is wearing. I have a Harrisburg cap at home but it’s different than this one. This one is a definite improvement in my opinion.

2 for 5, 3B, HR, run, 7 rbis

Jose Valentin had a grand slam and grand slam triple for total of seven rbis yesterday. Add to that a 5-rbi performance by Cliff Floyd and a handful of runs from other Mets and you get two touchdowns and a field goal. Final score: Mets 17 Marlins 3

Things weren’t always so good for Jose this year. He started out poorly. It took him a couple weeks to get his first hit and he was 3 for 22 for April. Randolph was patient with him and by May he got into his groove (.320).

Valentin is certainly no superstar but he knows his role on the team and his filling it well.

4 for 6, 2 2B, 4 runs, 4 rbis

Irony at its best worst. The smallest crowd since the Nats came to Washington saw the highest scoring game to date. Unfortunately, for those that did show up, it was the Marlins that came up winners, 18-9.

Dan Uggla, a new All-Star pick, was a good reason for this scoring 4 and driving in 4 more.