Papi Sinks to a New Low
Something is wrong with David Ortiz. Without his partner in crime Manny Ramirez Ortiz has 0 home runs in 130 at bats. But in one extra inning game things got even worse for Papi when he left a small village (12 men) on base.
First inning: strikeout with a man on first (1)
Third inning: flyout with a man on second (2)
Fourth inning: strikeout out with the bases loaded (5)
Sixth inning: strikeout with a man on second (6)
Eighth inning: flyout with first and third (8)
Tenth inning: groundout with a man on first (9)
Twelfth inning: groundout with bases loaded (12)
The last five of those at bats all came with two men out.
Shut Em Out and Hit One Out
Tom Seaver used to say that before every game he'd wish the starting pitcher good luck by saying "shut 'em out and hit one out." There's no way to lose if you do that.
The Milwaukee Brewers Yovani Gallardo took Seaver's advice.
He pitched 8 shutout innings (ok, not as good as a complete game) and hit a home run, becoming the 26th pitcher to hit a homer in a 1-0 win.
Earlier in the year Gallardo became the first pitcher to hit a home runn off Randy Johnson.
If Only He Could Shut Em Out
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Micah Owings is becoming more well-known for his hitting than his pitching.
Owings has pitched poorly in 4 of his 6 starts this year (4.33 ERA isn't terrible though) but his best moment was a pinch hit home run with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning of a 1 run game.
The Reds lost anyway though.
For his career Owings has 6 home runs.
The Next Manny Ramirez?
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett got a lot of credit for his role in the team's reversal last season. His slick defense helped improve the team's run prevention and fuel their turnaround.
But during the 2008 season, Bartlett hit only 1 homer in 454 at abts.
Even in his best power year, 2007, he had only 5 homers in 510 at bats.
So far this season Bartlett has 5 in only 128 at bats.
Welcome Back Joe Mauer
The Minnesota Twins catcher missed all of April with an injury but he's making up for lost time in May. Mauer is batting .438, with 21 hits in 48 at bats. He also has 5 home runs and 15 RBI and an OPS of 1.347.
Welcome Back Dontrelle Willis
After getting demoted last year to try to fix his control and mental problems, things haven't gotten a whole lot better for Dontrelle Willis.
In his first start this year Willis allowed 8 hits and 4 runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Twins.
Cool Picture of the Week
Torii Hunter robbing a home run from Miguel Olivo in a one-run game in the 9th inning.
Annual Salute to Ballplayers' Pink Equipment in Honor of Mothers' Day
Tall Ball
When Randy Johnson (6'10") met up with Daniel Cabrera (6'9") they formed the tallest matchup of starting pitchers in major league history.
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