Category: Linescores of the Day

Goose Eggs Galore

Four different pitchers qualify for today’s Linescore of the Day. They are Johan Santana, Kip Wells, Livan Hernandez, & Lee Gardner. The first three hurlers threw up seven scoreless innings, and Lee Gardner pitched 2/3 of a scoreless frame notching his first major league save at age 32.

Let me talk about the feel good story of the day first. Lee Gardner made the Florida Marlins roster by not allowing an earned run in spring training. Gardner has had two previous cups of major league coffee with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Last year he saved 30 games in Triple-A Toledo, Detroit Tigers. Just before the 2007 season the Florida Marlins acquired Jorge Julio to be the team’s closer. Julio blew his first save opportunity and loaded the bases Sunday, getting only one out on a hard-hit drive to left, before giving way to Gardner. Lee got Carlos Ruiz to pop out on his first pitch and then struckout Michael Bourn on three pitches to preverve the two run Fish win, 6-4.

I know just about every starter going up against the Nats might be a Linescore of the Day guy, but Livan Hernandez of the Arizona Diamondbacks was lights out on this Easter Sunday against Washington. Livan allowed three hits and three walks, while working seven innings of scoreless ball. Arizona beat Washington 3-1.

Here’s another feel good story, Kip Wells. Wells was once a hot-shot prospect with the Chicago White Sox. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he had a couple of good years, before falling to 8-18 in 2005. Then last year he had some arm trouble, only starting nine big league games, with an ERA over 6.00. This season the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals grabbed Kip off the scrap heap. All Kip Wells did in his first start under pitching coach Dave Duncan was to allow no runs, one hit, one walk, while striking out seven, over seven innings of work against the Houston Astros. The Cardinals plated seven runs in the last two games to ice it, 10-1.

The last Linescore of the Day guy was to be expected, although I didn’t want to admit it, was Johan Santana. Santana was matched up against John Danks, in his major league debut, and my beloved White Sox. Johan worked on his change alot more in the preseason to prepare him for the new year. Whatever he did, worked, as he didn’t work up a sweat, allowing one hit, walked three, and struckout nine, over seven innings. The Twins got all the runs they needed when Justin Morneau connected for a 4th inning three run big fly, final score 3-1.

AROD MVP

Alex Rodriguez 3 for 4, 1 BB, 1 2B, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs, 4 runs, 1 WALKOFF GS, .389 BA

The Bronx is a tough place to play baseball. The House that Ruth Built was the setting for Saturday’s heroics. The New York Yankees were center stage. The Yankees, you either love them or you hate them. The highest paid baseball player was at the plate. The richest millionaire on a team of millionaires. Alex Rodriguez, you either love him or you hate him. There is always the pressure you must come through when you are the best, it is what is supposed to happen, you are supposed to come through, always. You are expected to win championships, always.

But sometimes circumstances get in the way of what is supposed to happen. Alex Rodriguez was traded to the Yankees. It was a match made in heaven, the best player money could buy, going to the best team money could buy. But sometimes money is not enough. And when championships did not happen, disappointment set in. The NY press & the Yankee fans took it out on ARod, after all it was his fault.

On this early spring Saturday when all things were possible Alex stepped into the batter’s box with the bases loaded. All eyes were on him, the weight of the world was on his shoulders. George Steinbrenner’s team trailed the Baltimore Orioles with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, as reliever Chris Ray hurled the sphere plateward.

This time the Mighty Casey did not strike out, it happened as it is supposed to happen, Rodriguez connected on a mammoth drive, that kept carrying, back, back, back, GONE over the centerfield fence. The statues of Yankee greats did not seem to mind the interruption as Yankee Stadium erupted in jubilation.

Maybe it’s too early, but the chanting has begun… MVP MVP MVP
along with… LET’S GO YANKEES!!!
Things have a way of happening the way they are supposed to… World Championship 27

Daisuke Matsuzaka: 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K (Win)

Much as it pains me to fulfill the hype, I have to give Matsuzaka credit for an well pitched debut. Behind his effort, Boston defeated KC 4-1. Will we see less media coverage of Dice-K now that he’s made his first MLB start? Don’t count on it.

Kudos to his opponent, Zack Greinke from KC. who pitched a fair game, too. He allowed two runs, one earned, in seven innings with seven strikeouts. He’s had some media coverage as well for very different reasons. I’m pulling for Greinke (who happens to be the very first Baseball Zealot Linescore of the Day almost 2 years ago when he pitched six scoreless innings) to have a good season and despite the loss, this is a good start.

I’m giving it to a pair of catchers today.

Josh Bard: 4 for 5, 2B, 2 runs, rbi

Bard helped put some offense on the board. San Fran pitching didn’t need much as Peavy and Co. combined for a shutout.

Russell Martin: 3 for 5, 2B, HR, 2 runs, 2 rbi

Unfortunately for Martin, he did his damage in a losing cause as LA lost a close one to Milwaukee. Martin’s batting #2 in the lineup and it seems he likes it their so far.

Special mention goes to the Pirate starter Ian Snell. The Pirates won yesterday but he did not. That said, Snell mustered 11 strikeouts in six innings allowing only one walk.

Milwaukee’s Ben Sheets shuts down the Dodgers

Edgar Renteria: 2 for 5, 2 HR, 2 runs, 3 rbis

Renteria is making his early run for the Homerun crown as he helps Atlanta defeat the Phils 5-2. His power will most likely fade but who knows, we may be looking at a 15-20 homerun season from him.

Hanley Ramirez 4 for 6, 2 2B. 4 runs, 1 rbi, 2 SB

Jose who? Ramirez is a fantasy leaguer’s dream with 4 hits, 4 runs and 2 stolen bases. He’s out to dispel any sophomore jinx right out of the box.

Jose Contreras: 1 IP, 7 H, 8 runs, 7 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (Loss)

The Sox starter lasted only an inning and now has an ERA of 63.00. It will take a few starts to get that baby down again.

Adam Dunn: 2 for 4, 2 HR, 2 runs, 3 rbis

“One” Adam Dunn had Zambrano’s number for opening day. Twice. Is he really a number 2 hitter?

and finally last but certainly not least…

Ben Sheets: 9 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

The cornerstone of Brewers rotation did what every Brewer fan hoped he would. His talent is certainly there as evidenced by what he did against LA. Staying healthy is the key. If he does, watch out!

6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K (Win)

SD starter Chris Young solved the problem that is Albert Pujols and therefore shut down the Cardinal offense. Pujols was 0 for 4 with 4 left on base.

As much as I like Albert, the Cardinals need to get away from the hero mentality. As we see in game 3, when Pujols doesn’t hit, Cardinals don’t win.

As good as Pujols is, he can’t do it all. The others need to step up if the Cardinals have any chance of winning.