Diamond Rundown – Edition Twelve

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

Ichi-rare : On Monday, Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzukistole his 30 ^th base of the season.  It was the eighth consecutive season Suzuki stole 30 or more bases matching a feat previously accomplished by only Rickey Hendersonwho also stole at least 30 bases in his first eight seasons in baseball.  Suzuki is the 28 ^th player to steal 30 or more bases in eight seasons since 1901.

Thick as Thieves : The Boston Red Sox stole six bases for the second time this season on Tuesday becoming the first team since the Cincinnati Reds and Florida Marlins in 2002 to steal six or more bases in two games.  The last time a team stole six or more bases in a game three times in a season was 1992 when the Milwaukee Brewers did it five times.

Notable Quotable I: “I made it through.  I’m going to have to sleep in this uniform though.”  New York Mets interim manager Jerry Manueljoking after he lost his first game as Willie Randolph’s replacement.  The joke stemmed from a comment made by GM Omar Minayawho stated he waited to fire Randolph at the hotel because he thought it would be disrespectful to fire him while he was in uniform.

They Call Me Mr. “TIMMS” : Tigers outfielder Marcus Thameshit a home run for the fifth straight game in their 5-1 win over the Giants.  The home run was Thames eighth consecutive hit for a home run — a team record.  The eight consecutive hits that were home runs was the longest streak since Mark McGwirehad 11 straight home run hits in 2001.

Fleet Feet File : Twins outfielder Carlos Gomezhad two bunt singles in their 11-2 win over the Nationals on Wednesday.  The two infield hits brought Gomez’s season total to 29 infield hits for the season.

Who Needs Enemies? : Oakland pitcher Joe Blantonfell to 3-10 after his shortest outing since May 25, 2005.  One of the finishing blows to Blanton’s day was delivered by his close friend/former teammate Dan Haren.  Not only did the Diamondbacks pitcher outpitch Blanton, Haren hit a bases-clearing double with the bases loaded before Blanton was removed.  Blanton became the earliest 10-game loser in Athletics history.

Minus One : On Thursday, the Atlanta Braves recorded their 22 ^nd straight one-run road loss to set a new Major League record previously held by the Milwaukee Brewers.  Down 4-2, Atlanta scored two in the top of the ninth but Rangers shortstop Michael Younghit a walk-off single off of Jeff Bennettto score Ian Kinslerand give the Rangers the win.

Notable Quotable II : “It wasn’t nerve-racking at all.  I got a little nervous… but I knew I had Torres out there and we would be in pretty good shape.”  Brewers manager Ned Yostafter his team nearly blew an 8-1 lead in the ninth against the Blue Jays on Thursday.  Toronto got a two-run homer from Lyle Overbayand a grand slam from Joe Inglettbefore Yost inserted replacement closer Salomon Torresinto the game.  Torres gave up an infield single and then struck out Matt Stairsto end the game and collect his 10 ^th save. 

Déjà vu : Behind home runs by Ramon Hernandez, Alex Cintronand Aubrey Huff, the Baltimore Orioles completed their first Interleague sweep since 2005.  The Orioles beat the Astros on Thursday by a score of 7-5 at Camden Yards to complete the three-game sweep.  Their last Interleague sweep was also against the Houston Astros at Camden Yards.

Jinx : Despite going 4-for-4 with a double, a run and 2 RBI in their 4-2 win over the Yankees, Jolbert Cabrerabecame the fourth Reds shortstop to land on the 15-day disabled list after dislocating his finger.

Turnaround : Washington Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukeshad the best night of his career on Friday.  Dukes went 5-for-6 with a game-tying homer in the eighth and a walk-off single in the 12 ^th to beat the Texas Rangers.  Dukes went 1-for-26 at the start of the season and his average was at .038 on May 20.  After Friday’s game, Dukes was hitting .270.

Gunslinger : Kansas City Royals backup catcher Miguel Olivothrew out two runners in Friday’s game against the Giants.  This season, Olivo has thrown out nine of 15 baserunners.

Notable Quotable III : “Hang with it.  Glad we won.  Hey, no one feels sorry for you in this game.  Do it again in five days.  Maybe you’ll get one then.”  Padres pitcher Greg Madduxwho got a no decision despite pitching seven innings and giving up just one run on five hits and four strikeouts.  Reliever Heath Bellgave up a home run to Tigers second baseman Placido Polancoto tie the game in the eighth.  The Padres scored four in the bottom of the eighth to reward Bell’s miscue with a win.  For Maddux, it kept Detroit on his list of the seven teams that he has never beaten.

(Un)Wild : Phillies pitchers might not have notched a win in five consecutive games but there is a silver lining — no Phillies pitcher has thrown a wild pitch in 23 consecutive games.  They are the only team to not throw a wild pitch in 20 or more consecutive games this season and it is the second streak of 20-plus games without a wild pitch by the Phillies this season.

Twice Is Nice : Chicago Cubs outfielder Jim Edmondsbelted two home runs in the fourth inning of the Cubs 11-7 win over the White Sox on Saturday.  The Cubs scored nine runs in an inning that featured back-to-back homers by Edmonds and Mike Fontenotat the beginning of the inning and Aramis Ramirezand Edmonds at the end of the inning.  Edmonds is only the third player in Cubs history to hit two home runs in an inning joining Sammy Sosaand Mark Bellhorn.

Dazzling Debut : Reds starting pitcher Daryl Thompsonmade his Major League debut at Yankees Stadium and helped Cincinnati to a 6-0 win over the Yankees.  Thompson pitched five shutout innings and gave up four hits, four walks and two strikeouts.

Doing It All : Indians ace C.C. Sabathiaproved that it isn’t just National League pitchers that can hit.  On Saturday, Sabathia blasted a 440’ homer — the second of his career — and raised his lifetime average to .300.  Sabathia also pitched seven innings and gave up just one run on five hits, a walk and 10 strikeouts.  The Indians won 7-2 over the Dodgers in 11 innings.

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia For Vlad : Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrerocontinued his dominance of the Philadelphia Phillies.  Guerrero helped his Angels sweep the Phillies while blasting three homers in the first two games and extending his hitting streak against the Phillies to 16 straight games on Sunday.  In his career, Guerrero has hit more home runs against the Phillies (32) than any other team.

Revenge Is Sweet : In 1999, the Philadelphia Phillies made Joe Saunderstheir fifth round pick but after a tough negotiation were unable to sign him.  Saunders never forgot and was able to pick up his 11 ^th win against the team that let him get away on Saturday. 

A Number of Firsts : Colorado Rockies outfielder Willy Taverasstole a base in his fourth consecutive game on Saturday for the first time in his career.  It was Taveras’ 35 ^th steal in 37 tries this season and 15 ^th consecutive without being caught.  In addition, his National League leading 35 ^th steal is a career high for Taveras.

Stopper : Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitehas a way of ending losing streaks.  When Pettite pitches after a Yankees loss, he is 75-37.  He notched his 75 ^th win after a Yankees loss on Sunday when he pitched six shutout innings in the Yankees’ 4-1 win over the Reds.

Duck On A Pond : St. Louis’ Aaron Mileswent 5-for-6 but failed to pick up an RBI or score in the Cardinals 5-3 loss to the Red Sox in 13 innings on Sunday.  Since 1956, no Cardinal player has ever gotten at least five hits without scoring or knocking in a run.  Miles is the first Major Leaguer since Curtis Grandersonon September 18, 2005 to get at least five hits and not score or knock in a run.

Notable Quotable IV : “I don’t want to act like a big wig.  I’m not Roger Clemens or Nolan Ryan where I’m in a position to tip my hat.  But I definitely hear it.”  Oakland’s Justin Duchschererafter receiving a standing ovation on his way to the mound in the eighth inning of their 7-1 win over Florida.  Duchscherer raised his record to 8-4 and lowered his ERA to an American League low 1.99.  In 2008, he is 4-0 in June and 6-0 at home.

Cleveland Targets? : Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsleyhit two Indians batters in the first three innings on Sunday.  The Indians have been hit a major league high 54 times following a 2007 season where they set a franchise record with 80 hit batsmen.

Notable Quotable V : “They’re idiots.  It’s like Lee Elia said: ‘Eighty-five percent of the people work, the other (bleeps) come out here.’”  White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzinskito the Chicago Sun-Times about the fans at Wrigley.  The Cubs swept the White Sox and raised their record to a Major League best 48-28.  The Cubs have won 14 in a row at home and are 32-8 at Wrigley this season.

Numbers Game
4: Angels reliever Scot Shieldsbecame the first Angels pitcher since Chuck Finleyto strike out four in one inning on Saturday when Philadelphia’s Shane Victorinoswung and missed at a wild pitch and reached base.
26: Currently, the Kansas City Royals have had at least one double in 26 consecutive games through Sunday’s action.
31: Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollinsstole four more bases this week without getting caught.  He is a perfect 17-for-17 this season and has not been caught in 31 straight steal attempts.
100: The Pittsburgh Pirates became the first team in Major League history to lose 100 Interleague games after getting beat by the Blue Jays 8-5 on Sunday.
116: The Texas Rangers closed out the week with a 5-3 win over the Nationals.  It was the 116 ^th consecutive game that the Rangers scored a run dating back to August 21, 2007.  The last time they were shut out was by Johan Santanaand Joe Nathanby the Twins on August 19, 2007.
150: Brewers outfielder Ryan Braunpicked up the 150 ^th RBI of his career on Tuesday in his 182 ^nd Major League game.  Braun became the fastest player to reach 150 RBI since Walt Dropoof the Boston Red Sox in 1951.
522: On Saturday, Oakland’s Eric Chavezachieved the 522 ^nd extra base hit of his career in their 6-4 loss to the Marlins.  The extra base hit moved Chavez past Reggie Jacksonfor second in extra base hits in Athletics’ history.  The team leader in extra base hits is Mark McGwirewith 563.
2000: Detroit’s Edgar Renteriaposted his 2000 ^th career hit on Tuesday.
$1,060,000: The signing bonus received by the 32 ^nd overall pick of the 2008 draft Jake Odorizzi.  Signed by the Milwaukee Brewers, Odorizzi was 14-0 with a 0.08 ERA in 89 2/3 innings as a member of Highland HS in Illinois.  He also hit over .400 and set a school record with 15 homers.

Grand Slams
Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Soxvs. Pittsburgh (6/19)
Joe Inglett, Torontovs. Milwaukee (6/19)
Carl Crawford, Tampa Bayvs. Chicago Cubs (6/19)
Troy Glaus, St. Louisvs. Boston (6/21)

Walk-Off Archive
Single:  Kevin Millar, Baltimorevs. Houston (6/18); Michael Young, Texasvs. Atlanta (6/19); Elijah Dukes, Washingtonvs. Texas (6/20); Brian McCann, Atlantavs. Seattle (6/21)  
Double:  Kurt Suzuki, Oaklandvs. Florida (6/20); Gabe Gross, Tampa Bayvs. Houston (6/21)  
Triple:  None 
Home Run:  Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubsvs. Chicago White Sox (6/20); Kevin Youkilis, Bostonvs. St. Louis (6/22)
Error:  Jason Michaels(reached on John McDonald’s fielding error) , Pittsburghvs. Toronto (6/20)