Diamond Rundown – Edition Eleven

Facts, figures and other tidbits from the eleventh week of the ’08 major league baseball season.

Notable Quotable I: “He’s intense, I’m intense, and it probably didn’t help it was 1,000 degrees out there.”  Doug Mientkiewiczof the Pirates on Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnsonwalking toward home plate because he was unhappy with Mientkiewicz who stepped out of the batter’s box twice after Johnson threw a pitch that nearly hit him.  Both players exchanged words and the benches cleared but things quickly returned to normal.  The Pirates beat the Diamondbacks 5-3 on Monday.

Third Time, No Charm : Tigers pitcher Dontrelle Williswas demoted to Class A by Detroit the day after he became the third player since 1956 to give up eight or more earned runs on three hits or less.  On Monday’s 8-2 loss to the Indians, Willis gave up eight earned runs in 1 1/3 innings on three hits and five walks – a feat previously accomplished by Randy Johnsonand Kerry Wood.

Still RED Hot : Despite giving up three earned runs for the first time this season, Reds starting pitcher Edinson Volquezpicked up his ninth win on Monday in the Reds 9-4 win over the Marlins.  Volquez gave up three runs on three hits and five walks in six innings which raised his ERA to 1.56 and brought his record to 9-2.

Streakin’ : Rangers shortstop Michael Youngextended his Major League-best hitting streak to 23 games on Tuesday before finally taking an “0-for” on Wednesday against the Royals.

Johnny Walker Red : Reds starter Johnny Cuetobecame the first Reds pitcher since Steve Averyon June 29, 1999 to walk eight in one game.  He also gave up multiple home runs for the sixth time in 14 starts in their 10-0 loss to the Cardinals on Wednesday.

No K-onsolation : On Wednesday, Phillies ace Cole Hamelstied a Major League season high and set a National League season high with 13 strikeouts against the Marlins.  Hamels gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in eight innings but got a no decision when Marlins second baseman Dan Ugglahit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth off of Tom Gordonto give the Marlins a 6-2 win.

Two-Sport Star? : Before Wednesday’s Astros-Brewers game in Houston, some members of the Houston Texans football team took batting practice to raise money for charity.  While the Texans raised $30,800, offensive tackle Eric Winstonraised eyebrows by blasting several home runs into the upper deck in right field.  Impressed by the display, Astros manager Cecil Cooperjoked his team would be willing to sign Winston – if he could hit a curveball.

Notable Quotable II : “I told him yesterday, ‘No more home runs off me,’ then he hit a home run.  I don’t think he listened.  Oakland’s Justin Duchschereron Yankees first baseman Jason Giambiwho hit a home run off of Duchscherer for the third time in his career.  The Athletics won 8-4 but Duchscherer gave up his first home run in seven starts.

No Support : On Thursday, Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogersmade his fourth consecutive start of at least seven innings and less than two earned runs without earning a decision.  Rogers went eight and gave up one run on four hits and a walk but was not around in the ninth to get the decision when Miguel Cabrerawon it with a walk-off homer.  The Tigers beat the White Sox, 2-1.

Billy Blows : Mets closer Billy Wagnerblew his third consecutive save for the second time in his career when the Arizona Diamondbacks scored two off of Wagner in the ninth and won 5-4 in 10 innings on Thursday.  It was Wagner’s fifth blown save in 18 chances.

Sweeping In Chicago : What happens when the team with the best home record in the National League – the Chicago Cubs – plays the team with the worst road record in baseball – the Atlanta Braves?  The Cubs raised their home record to 29-8 and dropped the Braves to 7-24 after the completion of a sweep of Atlanta on Thursday.  The Cubs won 10-5, 7-2 and 3-2 in 12 innings.

Home Sick : Not only were the Braves swept by the Cubs, they lost 3-2 in 12 innings on Thursday when Jeff Ridgwayhit Reed Johnsonwith the bases loaded to force in the winning run.  The loss marked the Braves 21 ^st consecutive one-run loss on the road – a Major League record.

Triple Perfect : In Thursday’s Phillies-Marlins game, three Philadelphia players continued to stay perfect.  First, Jimmy Rollinsextended his consecutive steals streak to 26 when he stole his 12 ^th consecutive base of the season.  Second, Brad Lidgecontinued to be flawless in converting saves in a Phillies uniform with his 18 ^th consecutive without a blown save.  Finally, Jamie Moyercontinued his mastery of the Marlins by winning for the ninth time in nine starts after throwing eight innings of two-hit ball.

Saving Andy : Yankees closer Mariano Riverais approaching a unique record.  On Thursday, he saved an Andy Pettitevictory for the 52 ^nd time in his career in their 4-1 win over Oakland.  The Major League record of most saves of another player is currently held by Dennis Eckersleywho saved 55 of Bob Welch’s wins when they played for the Athletics.

Running Wild : The Phillies potent offense put up 20 runs for the second time this season.  It was the most runs scored by a visiting team at Busch Stadium and the first time since 1900 that the Phillies scored 20 or more runs twice in a season since 1900 when they did it three times.

Notable Quotable III : “I had a lot of good memories here in Toronto and that’s just one more to add to the collection.  I wish my wife and my family could have been here to see it.  I expected people to clap but I didn’t know it was going to be as special as that.”  Cubs outfielder Reed Johnsonon the reception he received from the Blue Jays fans in Toronto.  Johnson was a fan favorite when he played in Toronto up until last season.  He even received a nice round of cheers after hitting a three-run homer in the second that helped his Cubs win 6-2 over the Blue Jays on Saturday.

A First? : Unfortunately, baseball-reference.com’s Play Index only goes back to 1956 but Colorado’s Willie Taverasmight have accomplished something no other player in the history of baseball has.  Taveras became the first player from 1956 to 2008 to steal five bases in one game and not score a run.  He is also the 18 ^th player since 1956 to steal at least five bases and second Colorado player to steal five bases in a game.  Eric Youngstole five bases as a Rockie on June 30, 1996.

The Power of 10 : Yankees starting pitcher Mike Mussinawon his 10 ^th game on Saturday when the Yankees beat the Astros, 8-4.  Mussina extended his American League record by winning at least 10 games for the 17 ^th consecutive season.  He also accomplished 10 wins within 15 starts for the first time in his career.

Rookie Record : Boston’s Jacoby Ellsburyset a club record when he stole two bases on Sunday.  The 32 ^nd and 33 ^rd stolen bases of Ellsbury’s season set a rookie record previously held by Amby McConnellwho stole 31 bases in 1908.  The American League record for steals by a rookie is held by Kenny Loftonwho stole 66 bases in his rookie season with the Indians in 1992.

Incomplete : Florida’s Ricky Nolascotried to end the Marlins streak of games without a complete game on Sunday but was removed with two outs in the ninth after throwing 132 pitches – the most by a Major League pitcher this season.  The Marlins won 9-3 over the Rays but extended their games without a complete game streak to 245 – the second longest in the Major League history.  The longest streak in baseball was stopped earlier this season when the Nationals finally got a complete game from a starter but not before going 261 games from August 31, 2006 to May 31, 2008 without a complete game.

K-K-K-K Club :  Scott Bakerbecame the first Minnesota Twin to strike out four batters in one inning on Sunday in their 4-2 loss to the Brewers.  It was the 50 ^th time in Major League history that such a feat happened.  It is doubtful Baker will ever do it again, only Chuck Finleyhas done it more than once – he did it three times in two seasons.

Iron “Met”-al : Only one player has played every inning of every game for their team this season.  That player is Mets third baseman David Wrightwho played all 18 innings of the Mets doubleheader with the Rangers on Sunday and every inning of the Mets’ 68 games this season.

Numbers Game
21: The Baltimore Orioles hit a double in 21 consecutive games before failing to get a two-bagger in Sunday’s 5-4 loss to the Pirates.   The Orioles hit 29 doubles in the last seven games of the streak and Brian Robertshad 10 doubles in the last 11 games.
150: Boston’s Bartolo Colonnotched his 150 ^th career win against the Orioles on Wednesday.  Colon went 6 innings and gave up one run on five hits and a walk while striking out seven in the Red Sox 6-3 win over the Orioles.  Colon is 4-1 since re-joining the Red Sox rotation.
65: Last year, the Astros managed to steal 65 bases in all of 2007.  On Thursday and Friday, the Astros stole seven bases — three by Michael Bourn, two by Kaz Matsuiand one each by Lance Berkmanand Ty Wiggington— bringing their National League leading total to 72.
200: While Ken Griffey Jr.was hitting his 600 ^th home run in Florida, on the west coast Angels outfielder Torii Hunterhit his 200 ^th home run off of Tampa Bay’s Edwin Jacksonon Monday.  Despite Hunter’s homer, the Angels lost to the Rays, 13-4.
1,653: Boston’s Manny Ramireztook over sole possession of 24 ^th place on the All-Time RBI leaderboard with an RBI on Friday against Cincinnati passing Reds Hall of Famer Tony Perez.
2,000: On Thursday, Giants second baseman Ray Durhamjoined the 2,000-hit club and added one more hit over the weekend to raise his career total to 2,001.
16,003: The number of fans that turned out at Dolphin Stadium to see Reds slugger Ken Griffey Jr.hit his 600 ^th career home run.  The Reds beat the Marlins 9-4 in a stadium not even full to 50 percent capacity on Monday.  Despite their winning record and a league-wide boost in attendance, the Marlins have the lowest average attendance in the Major League.

Grand Slams
Dan Uggla, Floridavs. Philadelphia (6/11)
David Murphy, Texasvs. Kansas City (6/11)
Mike Lowell, Bostonvs. Baltimore (6/12)
Hideki Matsui, NY Yankeesvs. Oakland (6/13)
Kevin Kouzmanoff, San Diegovs. Cleveland (6/14)
David DeJesus, Kansas Cityvs. Arizona (6/15)

Walk-Off Archive
Single:  Ramon Hernandez, Baltimorevs. Pittsburgh (6/14)  
Double:  None 
Triple:  None   
Home Run:  Carlos Beltran, NY Metsvs. Arizona (6/11); Dan Uggla, Floridavs. Philadelphia (6/11); Miguel Cabrera, Detroitvs. Chicago White Sox (6/12); Chad Tracy, Arizonavs. Kansas City (6/13)
Hit By Pitch:  Reed Johnson, Chicago Cubsvs. Atlanta (6/12)
Sacrifice Fly:  Yorvit Torrealba, Coloradovs. San Francisco (6/11)
Error:  Chris Duncan (reached on Tom Gordon fielding error), St. Louisvs. Philadelphia (6/15)