Diamond Rundown – Edition Twenty

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

Making the Rounds : St. Louis’ Joel Pineiromade his first career start against the Marlins on Monday and pitched seven innings to pick up his first win against Florida in their 4-2 win.  In his nine year career, Pineiro has wins over 26 of the 30 Major League teams in 71 career wins.  The only teams he is winless against — the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners.

The House That Nathan Built : Minnesota’s Joe Nathangave a gift of $500,000 to his alma mater, Stony Brook University in New York to build Joe Nathan Field.

Firsts : Cincinnati’s Chris Dickersonand Adam Rosalesbecame the fourth and fifth Reds players to get their first career hit this season in Tuesday’s 5-1 win over the Pirates.  Dickerson and Rosales joined Jay Bruce, Paul Janishand Johnny Cuetoto collect their first career hits this season.

Off to the Reyes-es :  Jose Reyesof the Mets stole his 40 ^th base of 2008 in Tuesday’s 4-3 win over the Nationals.  It marked the fourth season the Reyes reached 40 steals.  He is the first player in Mets’ history to steal 40 bases or more in four seasons breaking a tie with Mookie Wilsonwho stole 40 bases in three seasons with the Mets.

According to Elias I : Boston’s Dustin Pedroiabecame the first player in Red Sox history to get five runs and five hits in the same game in Tuesday’s 19-17 win over the Rangers, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Oops! : Philadelphia’s Pat Burrell— often removed for defensive purposes late in the game — made his first error since September 22, 2007 in their 4-3 loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday.  It was a stretch of 122 games without an error for Burrell who also has 11 outfield assists this season.

Wild Inning : The Astros scored six runs in the sixth inning in their 6-2 win over the Giants on Wednesday.  They did it on just two hits, four walks (one intentional), three hit batsmen and two sacrifice flies off of Barry Zitoand reliever Billy Sadler.  Zito, Sadler and the Giants hit three batters in one inning for just the 35 ^th time in Major League history.

Snapped I : Seattle’s Ichiro Suzukiwent 0-for-6 in their 10-7 win over the Angels in 12 innings on Wednesday.  The hitless game ended Ichiro’s 17-game hitting streak.

Runs on Empty : The Oakland A’s scored two runs in a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.  It was the 15 ^th consecutive game the A’s scored four or less runs, a team record.

Back ⁴ :  Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirezand Juan Uribeof the White Sox hit back-to-back-to-back-to-back homers in the sixth inning to tie a Major League record on Thursday.  The quartet became the sixth foursome to accomplish the feat in Major League history.  The White Sox beat the Royals 9-2.

According to Elias II : In the same game, Carlos Quentinwas hit by a pitch for the sixth consecutive game by Kansas City’s Kyle Daviesto become the only player since 1920 to get hit in six consecutive games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Snapped II : Oakland’s Brad Ziegler— two days after breaking Mike Torres’ club record — gave up the first run of his career after 39 scoreless innings which was a Major League record to start off a career and tied a Major League record for relievers set by Cleveland’s Al Bentonin 1949.  The run gave the Rays a lead in the ninth but the A’s battled back to tie the game only to lose 7-6 in 12 innings on Thursday.

Notable Quotable I : “The people were saying ‘Why didn’t he pitch against [CC] Sabathia?’  Sheets is every bit of what Sabathia is.  The guy started the All-Star game.  A matchup like that is what a competitor loves to do.”  San Diego’s Jake Peavywho tuned into a local radio show after Wednesday’s game to hear someone accusing him of avoiding pitching against Tim Lincecumand CC Sabathia.  Manager Bud Blackpushed Peavy’s August 1 start against Lincecum back a day because he had thrown 127 pitches in the previous start and he thought Peavy should take an extra day’s rest.  The change in the rotation also caused Peavy to face Ben Sheetson Thursday instead of Sabathia on Wednesday.  The Padres won 3-2 and Peavy went to 9-8 allowing one run and four hits in seven innings.

Historical Sweep I : The Braves and Cubs have been playing each other since 1876.  The Chicago Cubs beat the Braves 11-7 on Thursday to complete the first sweep of the season series in their history.

Gone Cyclin’ : Atlanta’s Mark Kotsaywent 5-for-5 and became only the second player since the Braves moved to Atlanta to hit for the cycle in their 11-7 loss to the Cubs on Thursday.  He also picked up his 1,500 ^th career hit in the game.  Kotsay’s cycle was the first by a Brave since Albert Hallon September 23, 1987.

Historical Sweep II : The Dodgers swept a four-game series with the Phillies on Thursday with a 3-1 win.  It was their first four-game sweep of the Phillies since July 1962.

Notable Quotable II : “I’ve been a catcher, a broadcaster, a coach, a manager — I can’t remember him throwing a wild pitch.  You never see it.”  Yankees manager Joe Girardiafter the Yankees lost 4-3 to the Royals on Friday when the Royals scored a go-ahead run when closer Mariano Riverathrew a wild pitch and Esteban Germanscored.  It was Rivera’s first wild pitch of the year and second in the last six seasons.

Cy Young Day? : First, Cleveland’s Cliff Leebecame the first American League pitcher to win 17 games in a 3-2 win over the Angels on Friday.  The win pushed Lee’s record to 17-2 with a 2.43 ERA.  Not to be outdone, Arizona’s Brandon Webbbecame the first Major League pitcher to win 18 games in a 12-2 win over the Astros later that night.  Webb went to 18-4 with a 2.85 ERA.

Let Me Tell Ya ‘Bout Jac(K) Cust :  Oakland’s Jack Custended a streak of 19 consecutive games with a strikeout in style on Friday going 3-for-3 with two homers and three RBI in their 6-4 win over the White Sox.  The 19 consecutive games with a strikeout was a club record held previously by… Jack Cust!

Notable Quotable III : “To be honest with you, when they first called me in, I thought they were calling me in to pitch.”  Seattle’s Ichiro Suzukithrough his interpreter after he was brought in to be a fifth infielder in the ninth inning before the Mariners intentionally walked Mark Lamband moved Suzuki back to right.  The Twins won on a walk-off sacrifice fly to left by Brian Buscherfor a 7-6 win on Saturday.

Snapped III : Arizona’s Stephen Drewwent 0-for-4 on Saturday in their 11-5 win over the Astros which ended his 17-game hitting streak.

A Giant Youth Movement : San Francisco’s Matt Palmermade his Major League debut in his first start on Saturday.  Palmer lasted just 2 1/3 innings  and gave up six runs in their 11-5 loss to the Braves.  He was the 15 ^th Giant to make their Major League debut — the first team since the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954 to have 15 players debut before September.

Extra!  Extra! : The Baltimore Orioles had 12 extra-base hits in their 16-8 win over the Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday.  The 12 extra-base hits were the most by any team in the history of Comerica Park.  Also in the game, Melvin Morawent 5-for-6 with two doubles, two home runs, six RBI and four runs scored.  Mora was the first Oriole since Miguel Tejadaon June 1, 2005 to have four extra-base hits in the same game.  The 14 total bases by Mora was the highest this season by any player, tying Cleveland’s Kelly Shoppachwho notched 14 total bases on July 30.

Gone Streakin’ :  Garret Andersonof the Angels was given the day off on Sunday and finished the week with a 20-game hitting streak still alive.  Anderson is only the third player this season and first player not on the Rangers to hit safely in 20 straight games.

Stopper : San Francisco’s Tim Lincecumwent to 12-2 following a Giant loss on Sunday.  He also lowered his road numbers to 9-1 with a 1.88 ERA with a 7 2/3-inning outing where he gave up one run on three hits in their 3-1 win over the Braves.

More on Linecum : Lincecum is 17-0 with a 3.13 ERA when the Giants support him with three or more runs.

Double Up : Toronto’s Alex Rioswent 5-for-6 with four doubles in their 15-4 win over the Red Sox on Sunday.  Rios became the third player in team history to hit four doubles in a game joining Shannon Stewartand Damaso Garcia.  He was also the third player in Blue Jays’ history to get five hits in a game twice joining Frank Catalanottoand George Bell.

Could Have Been a Contender : Seattle’s Raul Ibanezhad his third five-hit game of his career in their 11-8 loss to the Twins on Sunday.  Ibanez was often thrown around as a player with the possibility of being traded at the July 31 deadline.  Ibanez stayed put and is 25-for-62 (.413) with 13 extra-base hits and 20 RBI in the 15 games since the deadline.

Wild Thing : In the same game, Seattle reliever R.A. Dickeythrew four wild pitches in one inning to match a Major League record.

In a Pinch : Three members of the 500-home run club — Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Thomeand Frank Thomas— were all pinch hit for on Sunday.  The White Sox beat the A’s 13-1 in a game where three 500-home run club members were pinch hit for the first time in Major League history.

Notable Quotable IV : “I don’t think I’ve ever done that, even in the Minors.  But I told [pitching coach] Jimmy [Hickey], if we walk [Michael] Young to load the bases, we’re going to walk [Josh] Hamilton.  I just thought that was prudent.  With the kind of year he has been having.  I wouldn’t say it’s spectacular, it’s beyond that.  He very easily could have hit a grand slam there.”  Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddonwho called for Grant Balfourto walk Hamilton intentionally with the bases loaded to force in a run and put the go-ahead run at the plate.  Then, Maddon brought in Dan Wheelerwho struck out Marlon Byrdto give the Rays a 7-4 win on Sunday.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T : More on the intentional walk of Josh Hamiltonwith the bases loaded by the Rays.  It was just the fourth time since 1900 that a team walked a player intentionally with the bases loaded.  Hamilton joined Barry Bonds(’98), Bill Nicholson(’44) and Nap Lajoie(’01) in that rare group.

Numbers Game
12: In the Red Sox 19-17 win over the Rangers on Tuesday, Rangers starting pitcher Scott Feldmanbecame the first player since August 3, 1918 to give up 12 runs and not lose.  Gene Packardgave up 12 runs and took the win in a 16-12 victory by the Cardinals over the Phillies.
36: The Red Sox beat the Rangers on Tuesday by a score of 19-17.  The combined 36 runs tied an American League record set on June 29, 1950 when the Red Sox beat the Philadelphia Athletics 22-14.
54: Colorado’s Willy Taverasstole his 54 ^th base of the season in Friday’s 4-3 win over the Nationals.  Later, Taveras stole his 55 ^th base to extend his club record previously held by Eric Youngwith 53 in 1996.
200: Cincinnati’s Francisco Corderopitched a one-two-three ninth inning for his 23 ^rd save of the season and 200 ^th of his career in their 3-1 win over the Pirates on Thursday.
294: Arizona’s Randy Johnsonpicked up his 10 ^th win of the year and 294 ^th win of his career in their 4-2 win over the Rockies on Tuesday.
2127: The Dodgers beat the Phillies 4-3 with a walk-off single by Andre Ethieron Tuesday.  The win marked manager Joe Torre’s 2,127 ^th career win putting him into seventh on the career wins list amongst all managers.  Torre passed Joe McCarthywho still has Torre by two pennants (8) and three World Series championships (7).

Grand Slams
Lance Berkman, Houstonvs. San Francisco (8/12)
Vernon Wells, Torontovs. Detroit (8/13)
Miguel Montero, Arizonavs. Houston (8/16)
Chris Young, Arizonavs. Houston (8/16)
Jason Giambi, NY Yankeesvs. Kansas City (8/17)
Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Soxvs. Oakland (8/17)

Walk-Off Archive
Single:  Andre Ethier, LA Dodgersvs. Philadelphia (8/12);  Brett Gardner, NY Yankeesvs. Kansas City (8/16)  
Double:  None 
Triple:  None 
Home Run:  Nomar Garciaparra, LA Dodgersvs. Philadelphia (8/13);  Kurt Suzuki, Oaklandvs. Chicago White Sox (8/15);  Andre Ethier, LA Dodgersvs. Milwaukee (8/17)  
Sacrifice Fly:  Brian Buscher, Minnesotavs. Seattle (8/16)