And That Happened

Tigers 7, Twins 2: I’ve seen a lot of “well, whaddaya expect, Pavano sucks” comments floating around the internet since last night’s loss, but it’s all from New York people who can’t get his time in Gotham out of their heads. Sure, he got knocked around last night, but before that he had owned the Tigers this season, going 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA. It wasn’t his night, no, but the outcome wasn’t preordained. Give Detroit the credit for doing what had to be done. And it is all but done, no? Three games back with four games to play? Sorry, Twinkies, I think it’s over.

Marlins 5, Braves 4: Speaking of over. Sixteen freakin’ strikeouts by Ricky Nolasco. Sixteen! If only the Braves had listened to Mike Schmidt. But they could have won! A dramatic comeback in the ninth, only to be short-circuited by Matt Diaz’s total brain lock at third base with the bases loaded in the ninth. Either run home or don’t go, Matt. At least there’s dignity in being gunned down at home. Dying at third base is an empty death.

Phillies 10, Astros 3: And now we’re talking really over. As in the NL East race, which the Phillies have now clinched. Brade Lidge was brought in to pitch the last out of the ninth with a seven run lead. I’d call that “baby steps” but to do so would be an insult to babies everywhere. This is more like it.

Rockies 10, Brewers 6: And really, given how they’re playing (i.e. not on fire, but better than L.A., St. Louis and Philly) they kind of have to be your NL favorites, no?

Reds 6, Cardinals 1: I’m supposed to be writing a preview of whichever NLDS the Cards are a part of, and as I sit here right now, I can’t picture doing it without using the word “stanky.”

Blue Jays 12, Red Sox 0: Even stankier, though to be fair, the Sox trotted out a AA lineup the day after clinching the wild card. Still, thank goodness Pouliot is writing the Anaheim-Boston preview, because I wouldn’t know what to say. Let’s all tip out hats to Roy Halladay, who probably had more annoying crap to deal with this season than any other superstar. He plays for an imploding organization who left him dangling in the breeze for over a month, and then when it didn’t happen, he got to read all kinds of stuff talking about how he’ll never be more valuable, and just wait for the decline, and all of that. Screw that, he said, and went and shut down the Sox (CG SHO, 3 H). Again, sure, it was almost all second stringers, but dominant is dominant.

Indians 5, White Sox 1; White Sox 1, Indians 0: Eric Wedge bids adieu to Progressive Field with the split of the doubleheader. I basically got fired nearly a year ago, so I know from playing out the string in October. Contrary to the gloomy game recaps, my guess is that he rather enjoyed the day. Sure, it will weigh on him later, but once you hear the rumors about the axe coming down, it’s something of a relief to actually have it happen. In other news, I heard a rumor that Shapiro had a line on a new manager. I can’t mention any names until the deal is official, but I think it will be as soon as the candidate gets off the other line with that guy who is interested in a set of white walls.

Rays 5, Orioles 3: “You’re saving your really good lies for some smarter cop, is that it? I’m just a donut in the on-deck circle. Wait until the real guy gets here. Wait until that big guy comes back. I’m probably just his secretary. I’m just Montel Williams. You want to talk to Larry King. I’ve been a murder police for ten years. If you’re going to lie to me, you lie to me with respect. What is it? Is it my shoes? Is it my haircut? Got a problem with my haircut? Don’t you ever lie to me like I’m Montel Williams. I am not Montel Williams. I am not Montel Williams!” In other news, I’m done thinking of new ways to describe the Orioles’ suckitude. Here on out, it’s only “Homicide” quotes.

Pirates 4, Cubs 0; Pirates 8, Cubs 2: Charlie Morton throws a four-hit shutout in the first game. Donnie Veal got in another third of an inning in the second. Nice job getting him some work, Russell. The Pirates need only split their remaining four to avoid 100 losses. I’m kind of rooting for them.

Nationals 7, Mets 4: Justin Maxwell came in as a pinch runner, hung around for a plate appearance and hit a walkoff grand slam on K-Rod’s 37th pitch of the game. Jerry Manuel after the game: “We’re just not a good team right now.” You don’t say, doc?

Royals 4, Yankees 3: Derek Jeter led off the first with a homer, which I’m pretty sure makes him a felon or a fraud or a war criminal of some kind. Joba Chamberlain was booed off the field following 3+ lackluster innings. He’s 0-4 with 8.42 ERA in his last eight starts, and at this point I don’t see the Yankees putting much if any trust in him in the postseason. I think he was jerked around a bit in the second half, but really, at some point you gotta pitch regardless of how the bosses are doin’ you.

Padres 5, Dodgers 0: Clayton Richard tosses a one-hitter over seven and then the bullpen closes the door. Torre: “We certainly don’t want to finish the season on a bum note because momentum-wise it doesn’t help you in the postseason.” Sorry Joe, the bum note has already been played. All that’s left to determine is how long you all sustain it. Pirates and Padres. Wow.

Angels 5, Rangers 0: One-hitters were apparently all the rage out west last night. In this one, it was Matt Palmer and four other relievers who did the trick. And it was a leadoff single in the first inning! And Palmer was basically just a spot starter, taking Weaver’s place so that the Angels could set up the playoff rotation.

Mariners 7, Athletics 0: OK, so maybe 629 was Griffey’s last homer. Although at this rate he may convince someone to give him a job next year. Oh, and Brandon Morrow gave up one hit over eight innings. There’s a lot of talk in the game story about how this helps the Mariners figure out the rotation next year because, boy howdy, how great is it to have a second strong starter after Hernandez. That talk, however, doesn’t really acknowledge that one start does not a strong starter make, especially when it comes on September 30th against Oakland.

Giants 4, Diamondbacks 1: The Giants are now officially eliminated. Brad Penny threw a complete game. Based on how he looked in the middle of the season in Boston — sweaty and tired mostly — I would have bet the lives of my children that he wouldn’t make it past a seventh inning for the rest of his days. Throw him in with Zambrano as a guy who either (a) needs to improve his conditioning; or (b) always, always always pitch in 62 degree weather. Brad: have your agent call Mr. Sabean and get a deal done right now.

A Hardball Times Update
Goodbye for now.

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Kevin S.
14 years ago

Ah, yes, but didn’t the Rockies sweep their first two series?  Perhaps being the hottest team is relevant among equally sucky AAAA teams, though it becomes neutralized upon facing the awesomeness of the Big Boy League.

Or, you know, playoff series are a bunch of random crapshoots, and being the best/hottest team only gives you a small edge over 5-7 games.

YX
14 years ago

My guess would be that John Farrell is in the front of that line.

Jack Marshall
14 years ago

Halliday’s #2, but wouldn’t you say, upon reflection, that David Ortiz leads the list in annoying crap dealt with in 2009? He lands himself in an epic two month slump, with resulting controversies over whether he should be dropped in the order, benched, or even released; then he starts hitting in June, only to have his name illegally leaked as being on the 2003 list, sending him into another bad slump. With all that, he’s managed to maintain his dignity, and get close to 30 homers and 100 rbi.

Craig Calcaterra
14 years ago

Yeah, but Roy’s stuff wasn’t of his own doing. He got thrown out there as a trade chit, and then when he pitched merely well as opposed to otherworldly, he was subject to a bunch of unwarranted bad press. Certainly not as much as Ortiz, but definitely more undeserved.

MJ
14 years ago

Craig, if you are really in the mood to piss people off, write about this story from deadspin about how all world MVP Joe Mauer is caught stealing signs.  Then make an argument how if it were Arod he’d be vilified (a la the toronto game were he yelled mine to distract the 3rd basemen) and if it were Jeter it would be “part of the game”

bmore
14 years ago

I am still an Os fan, but at this point I am an Os fan second and a Homicide fan first. Keep it up.

Jack Marshall
14 years ago

I’ll yield on that point, Craig, though I’m not sure “deserved” is the right term for Ortiz, especially the PED flap, and particularly if his account (that he was taking GNC supplements that rang the alarm) is true,and it could be.

Craig Calcaterra
14 years ago

MJ: I’m going to link it with the headline “Joe Mauer is a Thief!”  Let’s see how they like that crap two days in a row.

Mode: Theif and Lair
14 years ago

like that crap

This this an admission of some kind?

Mode: Theif and Lair
14 years ago

Is*

Travis M. Nelson
14 years ago

Not to nitpick, but it says here that Joba’s 1-3 with an 8.19 ERA in his last eight starts, i.e. since they started monkeying around with his schedule and innings limits.  He pitched pretty well and beat the Red Sox last week, and pitched well in only four innings against Anaheim before that. 

Maybe he needs the comfort of a well-defined role to thrive, as he was 8-3 with a 3.98 ERA before they started messing with him.  In any case, I suspect that you’re right about how little he’ll pitch against the Tigers in the playoffs, at least in any kind of crucial situation.

APBA Guy
14 years ago

The A’ announcers were kind of snickering about how the Mariners passed on Lincecum and took Morrow, Lincecum being a local to Seattle boy and all that.

I think Morrow must have heard them. His split was incredible, and A’s hitters or no, that thing was dropping 12 inches straight down at the last second. With his 95 mph fastball and that split, he looked like Clemens with the Blue Jays.

Still, the Morrow over Lincecum deal is one reason they have a new GM.

Also of note last night, Seattle rookie Michael Saunders turning on A’s reliever Henry Rodriguez’ 99 mph fastball and ripping it into right for a single. Impressive. So was Rodriguez touching 101 and striking out 3.

YankeesfanLen
14 years ago

Where’s George when we need him to get rid of a “Fat Toad”?  Get that certified check ready for Doc next year.  Attendance down 13%, but improved pricing probably nets a 10% revenue increase.
Oh, I forgot expenses- How much for DiMag signs these days?

Jeremy
14 years ago

The Rockies kind of have to be your NL favorites? Um, no. If going into the playoffs hot was that important, the 2007 Rockies would’ve become the first team to win multiple World Series in a single season.