Howard produces all the runs
The Phillies were able to take the final game of the three game set last night with a score of the Ryan Howard’s 4, Braves 1. Ryan Howard produced all of the offense for the Phillies as he smashed two home runs, a second inning solo shot and a sixth inning three run bomb. He finished the night going 3-3 with two runs scored and a walk in addition to those four RBI as the Phillies had J.A. Happ cruising to victory. Happ(9-2) went into the eighth inning while allowing only three hits and a run but did walk six in getting his rookie leading ninth victory. Brad Lidge rebounded from a tough outting on Saturday and got the final out of the game to get his 23rd save of the season. Phillies Phandom will have more on this victory and the Phillies for you.
Javier Vazquez did not pitch very badly in this game, but unfortunately two mistakes to Howard ensured him of an L next to his name. Vazquez(10-8) went seven strong innings, but gave up four runs and six hits, but three hits to Howard while striking out seven, his ERA stands now barely under 3 at 2.99. Matt Diaz produced the only run for the Braves in the seventh inning on a solo shot. The Braves Baseball Blog is your place to go for more Braves news and info.
Coghlan celebrates a 3 run shot
Game 1
In the first game of a double header in Miami on Sunday, the Marlins bats were alive early, as they scored seven runs by the end of the third. Those runs were care of two home runs, one solo shot by Ramirez and a three run shot by rookie Chris Coghlan amongst a few other run scoring singles. Chris Volstad(9-9) got the victory after allowing an early run, but then buckled down to go five innings only allowing that one run to get this victory in this one by a score of 10-3.
Rockies starter Aaron Cook just could not do anything against the hot hitting Marlins during the first game of the double dip. Cook(10-5) stressed the bullpen as he could only make it 2.1 innings and was charged with seven runs and three walks on eight hits. Carlos Gonzalez had a nice game for the Rockies as he homered in the first and later added a sacrifice fly to produce two of the three runs the Rockies were able to score in this one.
HanRam looks on during a loss
Game 2
In the second game of the double dip, the Rockies knew they needed to take one game in order to ensure they stayed alone in the wildcard race. Jorge De La Rosa did something not many pitchers can these days and kept the Marlins offense fairly quiet. De La Rosa(11-8) went 5.2 innings and did not give up an earned run, although one unearned in giving up seven hits and striking out 9 during a 7 -3 Rockies win. Carlos Gomez got his second homer of the day with a solo shot in the third and Clint Barmes and Brad Hawpe got in the home run fun with two run homers of their own. Huston Street got his 29th save of the season as he worked 1.1 innings and struck out two allowing no hits.
The Marlins only managed three runs, which is unheard of for them. They did, however get 10+ hits for the thirteenth consecutive game, but unfortunately could not get more than three runs in this one. Emilio Bonifacio, Jorge Cantu and Cody Ross had RBI singles for the Marlins, but it wasn’t enough. Rick VandenHurk(2-2) lasted 5.2 innings but gave up six runs on only five hits and three walks, but with three home runs allowed. FishGuts has more on the doubleheader.
Is he doing the chicken dance?
Jeff Francouer scored the winning run for the Mets yesterday on a Daniel Murphy single and for one day, the Mets got through the loss of their franchise player, David Wright with a 3-2 walkoff win. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, a single to right scored Francouer and Murphy was quoted as saying that Wright was in the Mets thoughts and Prayers. Immediately after the game it was announced Wright was placed on the DL with no timetable for return, so the DL hits continue for the Mets. Francisco Rodriguez(3-4) worked the ninth inning while striking out the side to get the win a day after taking a loss after a nicely pitched game by Mike Pelfrey. Luis Castillo also hit a two run home run for the Mets into the second deck in left, yes, into the second deck and by Luis Castillo. The Real Dirty Mets Blog has all the Mets info you need.
The Giants’ Jonathan Sanchez continues to try to find his rhythm after he got a no hitter a few months back. Sanchez pitched a good game in this one going seven innings allowing only four hits, four walks and two runs, both on Castillo’s home run and got a no decision. Eugenio Velez had an RBI single in the fifth to put the Giants up early and then Randy Winn got an RBI double in the eighth inning to temporarily tie the game, scoring Valez. Sergio Romo(3-2) got the loss as he put the winning run on in the ninth inning but overall worked 1.1 innings and gave up only the one hit and that run scored.
Zimmerman comes up big
Ryan Zimmerman had been given the day off for the Nationals yesterday until he came up in the eighth inning with a chance to tie the game or take the lead. Zimmerman singled in Adam Dunn and then Josh Willingham scored as a lazy throw to the infield cost the Reds the game 5-4. Willingham also homered in the fourth to score Dunn and doubled Dunn in in the sixth. Jorge Sosa(2-1) got the win in relief as he went 1.2 inning sand allowed just one hit and Mike MacDougal got his thirteenth save of the season working 1.1 perfect innings of relief. CenterfieldGate will cover more of this and all the Nats wins.
The Reds were up 4-2 at the end of the fifth inning thanks to another Jonny Gomes home run, who has been on fire.  Gomes home run in this one was a three run shot and added to what Joey Votto had done earlier in the inning with an RBI single. Unfortunately Arthur Rhodes could not hold the lead. Rhodes(0-1) recorded his first loss and blown save of the year working .2 innings and giving up two hits and two runs.
