10 posts tagged “mlb”
Thursday April 19th - Vincent Padilla fails to secure his first win of the season, however it's Feldman that records the loss. The Indians win 6-4. Sammy Sosa strokes his forth homer.
Friday April 20th - The Rangers get lit up by the Athletics 16-4. McCarthy earns his 3rd loss.
Thursday April 19th - Astros win 8-6 over the Reds, and their record is now 8-6. Brad Lidge is awarded the win. Wheeler records the save (3). Luke Scott and Jason Lane hit a home run. Woody Williams gives up 6 runs over 6 innings.
Friday April 20th - Astros win 6-5 over the Brewers. Craig Biggio hits a grand slam to help seal the victory. Chad Qualls earns the save. Astros sit atop the division with a record of 9-6. Definitely an improvement after they stumbled out of the gates.
OTHER THOUGHTS -
Thursday April 19th
- A-Rod launches his 10th homer of the season. He now has 26 RBIs on the season and in all fairness he committed his second error on the season.
Friday April 20th
- A-Rod hits two more home runs to lead the entire MLB with 12. Yankees still lose.
Major League Baseball, the organization, the players, the owners and fans will be remembering Jackie Robinson this weekend. It was 60 years ago that Jackie first crossing the chalk lines and entered in the great American game. Specifically picked to combat the vile slurs and spits of the hatred in the hearts of men Jackie expressed composure and grace on the baseball diamond. His efforts not only integrated the game of baseball but all helped expand the cause for civil rights.
And let it be said that Jackie Robinson wasn't just a historical figure, representing the first African American player in the MLB. He was an amazing athlete and a great player.
It's been 60 years since Jackie took the field and America is still struggling with the evil of racism (evident with the major news coverage of the week, Don Imus).
May God grant us the endurance to expand equality and grace to every person.
Both the Rangers and Astros had the evening off. The Astros have a 3-5 record while the Rangers are 1 game under .500, 4-5.
OTHER THOUGHTS:
1. One time 21 game loser Mike Maroth is sitting well with a 2-0 record. Most are predicting the Angels to take it all this year, but I have a feeling about these Tigers. Great rotation, good bull-pen, ability to score runs, excellent defense. Solid. And they are 6-3 after last nights 5-4 win over the Blue Jays.
2. John Smoltz and the Braves lost a tough game last night to the Nationals of all teams. Smoltz pitched a good game but the Braves failed to score any runs and Smoltz-y recorded his first loss.
The Rangers threw up 12 runs last night, which was able to hold up against the 9 the Devil Rays scored. Kenny Lofton went 3-3, including a home run. An impressive victory. 12 runs off 12 hits...equals great at bats.
The 'stros now have a record of 3-5, after winning last night 3-0 over the Cubs. The Cubbies are still winless at home.
OTHER THOUGHTS:
A-Rod hit his 6th home run last night. Granderson of the Tigers went 2-3 with 2 stolen bases. I recently picked him up on my fantasy team. I'm hoping to steal some points through the SB category.
Here is a link to Sports Illustrated's MLB photos of the week: CLICK HERE. Below is my favorite for this past week.
Friday - Win 2-0 over the Red Sox. R. Tejeda pitches 7 strong innings.
Saturday - Win 8-4 over the Red Sox. Millwood is credited with the win and Sosa hits his first homer of the season.
Sunday - Loss 3-2 by the Red Sox. David Ortiz hits two home runs. Padilla records second loss.
Monday - Win 8-4 over the Devil Rays. McCarthy records his first victory of the season. Rangers are now 3-4. Kinsler goes 4-4 on the day. The Rangers were able to chalk up 15 hits in the game.
Friday - Loss 4-2 by the Cardinals. Again failing to score more than 2 runs.
Saturday - Win 5-1 over the Red Birds. Oswalt is credited with the win and Carlos Lee his his first homer of the season.
Sunday - Return to losing for with a 10-1 shlacking by the Cardinals. Can't score runs.
Monday - Win 5-3 over the Cubs. Lidge is offically demoted from the closer position. Chad Qualls wins his first of the season. Wheeler gets his first save as the offical closer.
OTHER THOUGHTS:
Friday - Fransico Rodriguez tallies his 3rd save.
Saturday - D. Willis of the Marlins wins his second game. A-Rod goes 3-4 with 2 homers and 6 RBI's. John Lackey wins his second game. Josh Willingham of the Marlins is a single shy of hitting for the cycle.
Sunday -
Monday -
Both teams lost for the third straight time. Niether have been able to pick up a wiin this season. Amazingly both teams had key off-season free agents pitching last night and both failed to win.
I'll give the Astros some credit in that they were finally able to muster more than 2 runs.
Barry Bonds hit his first home run of the season putting just 20 shy of Hammerin' Hank Aaron.
TEXAS RANGERS - another loss. Record is now 0-2. They gave up 13 hits to the Angels. V. Guerrero went 4-4 with a home run.
HOUSTON ASTROS - another loss. Record is now 0-2. Again the Astros failed to put up more than 2 runs. I thought that after spend $100 million on Carlos Lee, that Houston had upgraded their offense. Hopefully this is just an early season slump and they can pull some things together.
The FLORIDA MARLINS won again in impressive manner. I like the way this organization can develop and assemble quality teams.
The PADRES beat the GIANTS in their opener. Jake Peavy out pitched Barry Zito. Personally I would always go with Peavy over Zito. Zito was overpaid in my opinion.
First off, let's talk about the Astros. Roy Oswalt pitched a great 8 2/3 innings last night before giving up a solo home run to a pinch hitter. Just under a 100 pitches, Oswalt looked good, he was in complete control of his pitches. When he left I thought we could chalk one up in the Astros' win column. But with another solo home run in the eight and "Lights Out" Lidge offering up another in the ninth the 'stros opend the season with a very disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now I don't want to take away from the Pirates, but this is a game the Astros should win and should have won. Two runs scored is not enough of a cushion for the Astros who continue to struggle to cross home plate. The final score was 4-2, Pittsburgh.
I didn't get to watch this game last night, which was disappointing. It was supposed to be on ESPN 2 after the MIN/BAL game, but all they showed was post coverage and highlights. The Angels won 4-1. I'm hoping to catch some Rangers tonight.
Other MLB tidbits:
A-Rod had a tough start, committing an error in the field, but redeemed himself, but hitting a home run to put the game out of the Devil Rays' reach. He went 2 for 5. Some have predicted and I hope it's proves true that this will be a monterous season for A-Rod and hopefully he was able to get rid of some early jitters.
The Florida Marlins won 9 to 2 over the Washington Nationals yesterday
Ben Sheets of the Brewers gave up a home run to Jeff Kent, but he was in complete control yesterday.
Kansas City had a big win over the Red Sox's Curt Schilling, 7-1. The Royals lit Schilling up for 5 earned runs.
...and everyone is going to the Series. Yep it's a new year and the possibilities are endless. There is little doubt in my mind that both the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers will be meeting each other in late October to decide it all. I think this year I would like to post the wins and loses of each day for my two teams. This might take some work and there may be days I miss or times, like when I'm at camp that I can't post, but on my return I should get things up to date.
Now a word about my teams. I am adamant that a fan of a team cannot be a fan of the cross town / cross state team as well. For instance, if you declare yourself a Yankees fan you cannot cheer for the Mets in any way. Like wise with the Cubs and White Sox or the Dodgers and Angels. Or even the Cardinals and the Royals. This rule crosses into all professional sports, and do I even have to say college sports as well. NY Giants fans should never root for the NY Jets. You cannot cheer for the Lakers and the Clippers, you must choose one. And if you're from Texas you must choose between the Rockets, the Mavericks and the Spurs. If you root for Florida St., then you must without prejudice dispise Florida and Miami. Texas A&M is detestable to any Texas fan. Yada, yada, yada. I hope you get the point. And none of this rule is in void, just because the two teams might be in different conferences, divisions or leagues.
Now I say all that to set up this dilemnia in my life. While I am a Houston Astros fan I also unabashedly support the Texas Rangers. I break my own rule. I don't know how to reconcile this blanant disregard of my personal standards. But please allow me to explain: More than a Astros or Rangers fan growing up I was a Nolan Ryan fan. When Ryan signed with the Rangers my problem began, even though I had yet to establish this rule for my life (and yours). So I was cheering for the 'stros one day and the Rangers the next.
This is how I have chosen to resolve my troubles. I have decided to cheer for both. Once one team has one a World Series title I will publically direct all my support to the other team. It came real close two years ago when the Astros made it to the World Series, but fell short against the Sox of Chi-town. But this year...things will have to change...they both will make World Series appearances.
On Monday the Astros open against the Pirates.
And the Rangers open against the Angels.
Happy happy joy joy!!!
