Diamond Rundown – Edition Eighteen

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

Splash : Pittsburgh’s Nate McLouthhomered in the sixth inning in their 8-4 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday which bounced into the Allegheny River.  It was the 23 ^rd home run to land in the river at PNC Park which was measured at 448 feet.  

Back-to-Back : The Orioles hit back-to-back homers by Kevin Millarand Ramon Hernandezin the second inning in their 13-4 win over the Yankees on Monday.  It was the fourth time the Orioles hit back-to-back homers this season and the third time this season against the Yankees.

Back on Track : San Diego’s Greg Madduxwas the winning pitcher in their 8-4 win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.  It was Maddux’s first win after going 0-5 with nine no-decisions in 14 consecutive starts following his 350 ^th win on May 10 ^th .  In the game, Maddux also passed Phil Neikrofor 10 ^th place with his 3,443 ^rd career strikeout when Conor Jacksonwhiffed in the third.

Notable Quotable I : “That was the fastest home run trot I’ve seen.  I was like, ‘Man, slow down!’”  Tampa Bay’s Matt Garzaon teammate Eric Hinske’s home run which was initially ruled an inside-the-park home run but later found to be a home run because first base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ruled it so.

Been A While I :  Jason Johnsonof the Dodgers made his first start since August 18, 2006 when he was with the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.  Johnson pitched six scoreless innings in their 2-0 win over the Giants to pick up his first win since May 28, 2006 when he pitched with the Indians.

Bittersweet Record :  Cleveland’s Kelly Shoppachhad five extra-base hits — three doubles and two home runs — to tie a Major League record last accomplished by Sean Greenof the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 23, 2002.  It was the second time an American League player accomplished the feat in its’ history.  The only other American League player to accomplish the feat was Lou Boudreauon July 14, 1946 also of the Indians.  Unfortunately, the Indians lost 14-12 to the Tigers.

Been A While II : Florida’s Josh Johnsonwas the winning pitcher in their 7-5 win over the Mets on Wednesday in his fourth start since reconstructive elbow surgery in August ’07.  His last win came on August 28, 2006.  The Marlins are 4-0 since Johnson started.

Dodger Defeat : Arizona’s Brandon Webbpicked up his Major League leading 15 ^th win in their 2-1 win over the Dodgers on Thursday.  Webb went to 15-4 on the season.  He is 8-0 in his last nine starts against the Dodgers and has given up just nine runs in 71 innings over that stretch.

Notable Quotable II : “I wish I can explain it.  Or someone can explain that to e.  It’s hard.  Seeing tremendous defense, tremendous pitching, you go in there and don’t do the job.  It’s disappointing.”  Yankees closer Mariano Riverawho took the loss in their 1-0 defeat against the Angels on Friday.  Rivera gave up a run for the third consecutive time in a non-save situation despite the fact that he is 26-for-26 in save opportunities.

According To Elias : When the Yankees traded for Ivan Rodriguez, they became the first team in Major League history to have seven players with 200-plus home runs on their roster according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Notable Quotable III : “I don’t want to be a disruption to the team and I’ve heard Nick is a little out there so I’m going to stick with 17 and be happy with it.”  Ken Griffey Jr., the newest member of the Chicago White Sox, on wearing no. 17 instead of no. 30 because the number was already worn by teammate Nick Swisher.

Snapped : Seattle’s Jose Lopezand Matt Kempof the Dodgers both saw their 19-game hitting streaks end on Saturday.

Notable Quotable IV : “It’s the same game.”  Boston’s Jason Bayafter his first home run in a Red Sox uniform in their 12-2 win over Oakland on Saturday.

X-Factor :  Xavier Nadyof the Yankees plated a career-high six RBI with a home run, a double and two singles in their 14-9 win over the Angels on Sunday.

Decision Time : Tampa Bay’s Trever Millergot the final two outs in the 10 ^th inning and earned the win when the Rays scored two in the bottom of the 10 ^th in their 6-5 win over the Tigers on Sunday.  The win — Miller’s first since September 30, 2006 — was his first decision after 121 consecutive no decision outings.

Sweepin’ On The Job : Houston’s Randy Wolfpitched five scoreless innings to help the Astros beat the Mets on Sunday by the score of 4-0.  It was Houston’s first sweep of the Mets since September 1993.

Manny Being Manny :  Manny Ramirezof the Dodgers went 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in their 9-3 win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday.  In his first three games with the Dodgers, Ramirez is 8-for-15 (.615) with two home runs, five RBI and four runs scored.

Bullish : The Phillies’ bullpen notched their 24 ^th win of the season on Sunday when Chad Durbinpicked up the win in their 5-4 win over the Cardinals on Sunday night.  Closer Brad Lidgeextended his streak of consecutive saves to 28-of-28 since joining the Phillies despite allowing a home run.

Numbers Game
32: Oakland’s Brad Zieglerextended his scoreless inning streak to start off his career to 32 innings on Friday which is a Major League record to start a career.  Ziegler has the second longest streak amongst relievers in Athletics’ history.
103: Colorado’s Brian Fuentessaved his 18 ^th game of the season with a scoreless inning in the ninth in their 7-4 win over the Pirates on Wednesday.  It was Fuentes’ 103 ^rd career save with the Rockies which set a new club record previously held by Jose Jimenezwho earned 102 saves as a Rockie.
293: Arizona’s Randy Johnsonwon his 293 ^rd career game with a six-inning, one-run outing to help spoil Manny Ramirez’s debut with the Dodgers.  The Diamondbacks won 2-1 over the Dodgers on Friday.
352: San Diego’s Greg Madduxpicked up his 352 ^nd career win and second of the week on Sunday.  Maddux raised his record to 7-0 in 13 starts against the Giants and is now 30-14 in his career against the Giants.  His last loss to the Giants came on June 9, 2003 when he played for the Atlanta Braves.
3000: Seattle’s Ichiro Suzukiachieved his 3,000 ^th professional hit in their 11-10 loss to Texas on Tuesday.  Suzuki notched 1,723 hits in 1,224 games with the Mariners and 1,278 hits in 951 games with the Orix Blue Wave of the Japanese Pacific League.

Grand Slams
Adam Jones, Baltimorevs. NY Yankees (7/28)
Adam Dunn, Cincinnativs. Houston (7/28)
Carlos Lee, Houstonvs. Cincinnati (7/29)
Jim Edmonds, Chicago Cubsvs. Milwaukee (7/31)
Mark Loretta, Houstonvs. NY Mets (8/1)
Mark Teixeira, LA Angelsvs. NY Yankees (8/3)

Walk-Off Archive
Single:  David Murphy, Texasvs. Toronto (8/1)  
Double:  Ramon Vazquez, Texasvs. Seattle (7/29)  
Triple:  None 
Home Run:  None
Sacrifice Fly:  Darin Erstad, Houstonvs. NY Mets (8/2)
Walk:  Carlos Pena, Tampa Bayvs. Detroit (8/3)