Around the Majors: Berkman comes off the DL

1) Yesterday’s scores–

AL
Twins 9, Indians 0
Redsox 2, Tigers 1
Whitesox 2, Royals 1
Devil Rays 6, Yankees 2

NL
Brewers 6, Cubs 5
Mets 7, Phillies 5
Braves 9, Astros 3
Padres 8, Cardinals 3
Pirates 6, Diamondbacks 2

2) Standings–

AL EAST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Orioles          18    9  .667   -      9-7    9-2   16-06 01-01 01-02 WON  1
Redsox           16   12  .571   2 1/2  6-4   10-8   11-10 03-01 02-01 WON  3
BlueJays         16   13  .552   3      5-6   11-7   12-10 00-00 04-03 LOST 1
Yankees          11   18  .379   8      7-10   4-8   09-14 00-00 02-04 LOST 3
Devil Rays       11   18  .379   8     10-8    1-10  08-16 00-00 03-02 WON  3

AL CENTRAL      WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Whitesox         21    7  .750   -     11-3   10-4   00-00 18-04 03-03 WON  5
Twins            16   11  .593   4 1/2  9-5    7-6   00-00 12-09 04-02 WON  1
Tigers           12   15  .444   8 1/2  6-8    6-7   02-04 10-11 00-00 LOST 3
Indians          11   16  .407   9 1/2  3-8    8-8   00-00 09-13 02-03 LOST 1
Royals            7   21  .250  14      2-12   5-9   00-00 05-17 02-04 LOST 3

AL WEST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Angels           17   11  .607   -      8-5    9-6   02-01 04-04 11-06 WON  4
Rangers          15   14  .517   2 1/2  6-9    9-5   06-06 00-00 09-08 WON  3
A's              13   15  .464   4      7-8    6-7   04-05 02-01 07-09 LOST 3
Mariners         12   16  .429   5      4-10   8-6   00-00 06-06 06-10 LOST 5

NL EAST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Braves           17   11  .607   -     10-5    7-6   13-09 04-02 00-00 WON  2
Marlins          15   10  .600     1/2  8-6    7-4   12-09 02-01 01-00 LOST 1
Nationals        15   13  .536   2      7-6    8-7   10-12 00-00 05-01 WON  1
Mets             15   14  .517   2 1/2 11-5    4-9   12-11 03-03 00-00 WON  2
Phillies         12   17  .414   5 1/2  6-7    6-10  09-15 02-01 01-01 LOST 2

NL CENTRAL      WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Cardinals        18    9  .667   -      8-6   10-3   02-04 16-04 00-01 LOST 1
Brewers          14   13  .519   4      8-6    6-7   00-00 12-10 02-03 WON  7
Cubs             12   15  .444   6      6-5    6-10  00-00 10-11 02-04 LOST 5
Astros           11   16  .407   7     10-5    1-11  01-05 10-11 00-00 LOST 3
Pirates          11   16  .407   7      3-9    8-7   00-00 08-11 03-05 WON  3
Reds             10   17  .370   8      7-6    3-11  04-02 06-15 00-00 LOST 7

NL WEST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Dodgers          17   10  .630   -      9-5    8-5   01-02 02-00 14-08 LOST 1
Diamondbacks     17   12  .586   1     11-5    6-7   00-03 02-02 15-07 LOST 1
Giants           14   13  .519   3      8-6    6-7   00-00 04-02 10-11 LOST 2
Padres           15   14  .517   3     10-4    5-10  00-00 05-03 10-11 WON  4
Rockies           6   19  .240  10      5-6    1-13  01-02 00-00 05-17 LOST 8

3) Today’s schedule–

AL
A’s (Barry Zito, 5.84) at Yankees (Carl Pavano, 4.24), 7:05
Mariners (Jamie Moyer, 3.53) at Redsox (Matt Clement, 4.00), 7:05
Whitesox (Orlando Hernandez, 2.70) at BlueJays (David Bush, 4.97), 7:07
Twins (Johan Santana, 3.29) at Devil Rays (Dewon Brazelton, 5.61), 7:15
Royals (Denny Bautista, 4.55) at Orioles (Sidney Ponson, 6.67), 7:35
Indians (Cliff Lee, 4.34), at Rangers (Pedro Astacio, 4.50), 8:05
Tigers (Wilfredo Ledezma, 6.55) at Angels (Kelvim Escobar, 2.77), 10:05

NL
Phillies (Cory Lidle, 4.88) at Cubs (Mark Prior, 3.75), 3:20
Dodgers (Brad Penny, 3.27) at Reds (Paul Wilson, 5.25), 7:10
Rockies (Joe Kennedy, 7.94) at Marlins (Dontrelle Willis, 1.29), 7:35
Astros (Roy Oswalt, 3.29) at Braves (John Smoltz, 3.22), 7:35
Mets (Victor Zambrano, 5.81) at Brewers (Doug Davis, 4.79), 8:05
Padres (Darrell May, 4.26) at Cardinals (Jeff Suppan, 3.23), 8:10
Pirates (Oliver Perez, 7.11) at Diamondbacks (Javier Vazquez, 5.11), 9:40
Nationals (Tomo Ohka, 4.50) at Giants (Noah Lowry, 5.60), 10:15

4) Yesterday’s HR–

Aramis Ramirez–#5
Jason Bay–#5
Gary Sheffield–#4
Matt LeCroy–#4
Jimmy Rollins–#4
Brian Giles–#4
Mike Piazza–#3
Morgan Ensberg–#3
Adam LaRoche–#3
Michael Barrett–#3
Alex Sanchez–#2
Carlos Guillen–#2
Jason Bartlett–#2
Mark Grudzielanek–#2
Jack Wilson–#2
Tony Graffanino–#1
Ronny Cedeno–#1
Wes Helms–#1
Chad Moeller–#1
Jose Castillo–#1

5) HR leaders–

AL
1) Alex Rodriguez–10
2) Miguel Tejada–9
T3) Brian Roberts–8
T3) Mark Teixeira–8
T5) Manny Ramirez–7
T5) Vladimir Guerrero–7
T5) Paul Konerko–7
T5) David Ortiz–7
T5) Richie Sexson–7
T10) Jason Varitek–6
T10) Melvin Mora–6
T10) Mike Sweeney–6
T10) Steve Finley–6
T10) Alfonso Soriano–6

NL
T1) Derrek Lee–8
T1) Troy Glaus–8
T1) Adam Dunn–8
T1) Cliff Floyd–8
5) Jose Guillen–7
T6) Albert Pujols–6
T6) Jim Edmonds–6
T6) Jeff Kent–6
T6) Phil Nevin–6
T6) Wily Mo Pena–6
T6) Milton Bradley–6
T6) Pat Burrell–6
T6) Ryan Klesko–6

*–hit 1 yesterday

6) Mike Piazza tied Albert Belle for 51st place on the all time HR list, with 381. He also had 4 hits in the game.

After 7 RCAA/.860 OPS and 4 RCAA/.806 OPS seasons, Piazza is off to a .407 SLG, .300 OBA, .707 OPS, -3 RCAA start in his first 25 games. He has a .943 career OPS, compared to his league average of .771, and 434 RCAA in 1615 games.

Correction from yesterday–On Wednesday, the Orioles beat the BlueJays, 5-1. They didn’t lose, 1-0.
Clarification from Wednesday–The Whitesox’s streak of consecutive games with the lead is just the record from the start of the season.

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1) The Astros will activate CF Lance Berkman from the DL today.

After 55 RCAA/.982 OPS and 40 RCAA/.927 OPS seasons, Berkman hit .566 SLG, .450 OBA, 1.016 OPS, 69 RCAA in 160 games. He hasn’t made his 2005 debut yet and Berkman has a .980 career OPS, compared to his league average of .777, and 254 RCAA in 775 games.

Berkman’s 236 RCAA over the past 4 years ranks 8th in the past half century for ages 25-28–

RCAA    
1    Mickey Mantle               322   
2    Frank Thomas                320   
3    Barry Bonds                 319   
4    Hank Aaron                  256   
5    Manny Ramirez               250   
6    Willie Mays                 246   
7    Jeff Bagwell                239   
8    Lance Berkman               236   
T9   Todd Helton                 228   
T9   Frank Robinson              228

2) The Cardinals activated P Bill Pulsipher from the DL, called up Brad Thompson and sent Ps Carmen Cali and Jimmy Journell to the minors.

Pulsipher has a 5.17 ERA/-33 RSAA in 105 career games, including a 10.13 ERA/-2 RSAA in 4 games in 2005. He hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2001.

Cali has a 10.45 ERA/-8 RSAA in 14 career games, including a 15.00 ERA/-4 RSAA in 4 games in 2005.

Journell has a 7.43 ERA/-5 RSAA in 12 career games, including a 10.38 ERA/-3 RSAA in 5 games in 2005.

3) Mariners C Dan Wilson’s torn ACL could keep him out for the rest of the season.

Wilson was placed on 60 day DL on Wednesday.

4) The Pirates activated 2B Jose Castillo from the DL and designated INF Alfredo Amezaga for assignment.

Castillo had 3 hits, including a 3B and a HR, yesterday. After starting his career with -18 RCAA/.666 OPS in 129 games in 2004, he is 3 for 8, with 2 RCAA, in 3 games.

Amezaga has -17 RCAA/.578 OPS in 127 career games, including 1 for 6, with -1 RCAA, in 5 games in 2005.

5) The Diamondbacks called up P Kerry Ligtenberg and designated P Randy Choate for assignment.

After 3.34 ERA/6 RSAA and 6.38 ERA/-9 RSAA seasons, Ligtenberg made his 2005 debut yesterday. He has a 3.57 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.39, and 35 RSAA in 380 games.

After having a 4.62 ERA/-1 RSAA in 74 games, Choate has a 9.00 ERA/-4 RSAA in 8 games. He has a 4.71 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.46, and -3 RSAA in 164 games.

6) The Devil Rays outrighted P John Webb to the minors, where he already was.

Webb had been removed from the 40 man roster when he was designated for assignment on Monday.

7) Nationals LF Terrmel Sledge (hamstring) and P Antonio Osuna (shoulder) will have surgery.

Sledge went on the DL on Tuesday. Osuna went on April 18, retroactive to April 11.

8) The Rockies reached a settlement with P Denny Neagle on his grievance. The team had terminated Neagle’s contract after he was arrested on solicitation charges.

9) Diamondbacks minor league P Darren Oliver retired.

Oliver had a 5.07 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.59, and -48 RSAA in 306 career games.

10) Redsox SS Edgar Renteria had to leave yesterday’s game, after being hit in the finger by a pitch

After 33 RCAA/.874 OPS and -12 RCAA/.728 OPS seasons, Renteria is off to a .349 SLG, .303 OBA, .651 OPS, -5 RCAA start in his first 287 games. He has a .744 career OPS, compared to his league average of .775, and -55 RCAA in 1324 games.

11) According to NY Newsday, the Yankees and Cubs have had trade talks regarding Yankees P Felix Rodriguez.

After 3.10 ERA/8 RSAA and 3.29 ERA/8 RSAA seasons, Rodriguez is off to a 5.40 ERA/-2 RSAA start in his first 11 games. He has a 3.46 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.35, and 40 RSAA in 509 games.

12) Yankees P Paul Quantrill pitched in his 800th career game.

After 1.75 ERA/19 RSAA and 4.72 ERA/-3 RSAA seasons, Quantrill is off to a 4.61 ERA/-1 RSAA start in his first 9 games. He has a 3.75 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.49, and 110 RSAA in 800 games.

13) Dodgers minor league INF Andy Fox retired last week.

Fox had a .662 career OPS, compared to his league average of .777, and -67 RCAA in 776 games.

14) Braves CF Andruw Jones was out of yesterday’s lineup, due to a sore back, and is day to day.

After 13 RCAA/.851 OPS and 0 RCAA/.833 OPS seasons, Jones is off to a .433 SLG, .324 OBA, .757 OPS, -2 RCAA start in his first 27 games. He has a .834 career OPS, compared to his league average of .777, and 79 RCAA in 1318 games.

15) The Rangers called up P Kameron Loe.

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1) Royals P Zack Greinke’s line–7 1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 5 SO.

After starting his career with a 3.97 ERA/7 RSAA, Greinke is off to a 3.38 ERA/3 RSAA start in his first 6 starts. He has a 3.86 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.57, and 10 RSAA in 30 games.

2) Whitesox P Jose Contreras’s line–8 IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 6 SO.

After starting his career with 3.30 ERA/8 RSAA and 5.50 ERA/-16 RSAA seasons, Contreras is off to a 2.60 ERA/8 RSAA start in his first 6 starts. He has a 4.57 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.57, and 0 RSAA in 55 games.

3) Redsox RF Trot Nixon had 4 hits.

After 44 RCAA/.975 OPS and 7 RCAA/.887 OPS seasons, Nixon is hitting .507 SLG, .446 OBA, .953 OPS, 8 RCAA in his first 24 games. He has a .866 career OPS, compared to his league average of .771, and 113 RCAA in 768 games.

4) Redsox P Bronson Arroyo’s line–8 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 8 SO.

Arroyo took a no hitter into the 7th. After a 4.03 ERA/18 RSAA in his full year in the rotation, he is off to a 3.18 ERA/6 RSAA start in his first 6 starts. Arroyo has a 4.49 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.51, and 8 RSAA in 97 games.

5) Tigers P Jason Johnson’s line–7 IP, 8 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 SO.

After 4.18 ERA/3 RSAA and 5.13 ERA/-15 RSAA seasons, Johnson is off to a 3.93 ERA/1 RSAA start in his first 6 starts. He has a 4.92 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.61, and -56 RSAA in 188 games.

6) Indians P C.C. Sabathia took a pounding–4 1/3 IP, 9 H, 5 R/ER, 4 BB, 0 SO.

After 3.60 ERA/13 RSAA and 4.12 ERA/9 RSAA seasons, Sabathia is off to a 2.63 ERA/4 RSAA start in his first 4 starts. He has a 4.07 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.52, and 33 RSAA in 130 games.

7) Twins P Brad Radke pitched a complete game shutout (9 IP, 3 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 8 SO) against the Indians.

After 4.49 ERA/3 RSAA and 3.48 ERA/31 RSAA seasons, Radke is off to a 3.60 ERA/4 RSAA start in his first 7 starts. He has a 4.22 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.69, and 145 RSAA in 326 games.

8) Devil Rays RF Alex Sanchez reached base safely all 4 times up–3 H (1 HR), 1 BB, also 2 SB.

After -15 RCAA/.681 OPS and -7 RCAA/.721 OPS seasons, Sanchez is hitting .538 SLG, .382 OBA, .920 OPS, 4 RCAA in his first 16 games. He has a .699 career OPS, compared to his league average of .766, and -26 RCAA in 381 games.

9) Yankees P Chien-Ming Wang took a pounding–6 IP, 8 H, 5 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 SO.

Wang has a 4.85 ERA/-1 RSAA in his first 2 career starts.

10) Devil Rays P Mark Hendrickson’s line–7 1/3 IP, 7 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 SO.

After 5.51 ERA/-13 RSAA and 4.81 ERA/-8 RSAA seasons, Hendrickson is off to a 3.55 ERA/2 RSAA start in his first 4 starts. He has a 4.79 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.56, and -11 RSAA in 82 games.

11) Pirates P David Williams’s line–7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO.

Williams has a 4.11 ERA/4 RSAA in 46 career games, including a 3.94 ERA/0 RSAA in 5 starts in 2005.

12) Diamondbacks P Shawn Estes took a pounding–5 1/3 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO.

After 5.73 ERA/-26 RSAA and 5.84 ERA/-15 RSAA seasons, Estes is off to a 3.86 ERA/2 RSAA start in his first 6 starts. He has a 4.69 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.34, and -75 RSAA in 258 games.

13) Astros P Brandon Backe took a pounding–5 1/3 IP, 9 H, 7 R/ER, 1 BB, 1 SO.

After 5.44 ERA/-5 RSAA and 4.30 ERA/0 RSAA seasons, Backe is off to a 6.81 ERA/-10 RSAA start in his first 6 starts. He has a 5.39 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.37, and 19 RSAA in 76 games.

14) Braves P John Thomson’s line–9 IP, 3 H, 3 R/ER, 0 BB, 5 SO.

After 4.85 ERA/4 RSAA and 3.72 ERA/13 RSAA seasons, Thomson is off to a 2.85 ERA/6 RSAA start in his first 6 starts. He has a 4.64 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.31, and 39 RSAA in 185 games.

15) Brewers CF Brady Clark had 4 hits (2 2B).

After -7 RCAA/.733 OPS and 1 RCAA/.782 OPS seasons, Clark is hitting .509 SLG, .419 OBA, .927 OPS, 8 RCAA in his first 27 games. Clark currently has exactly 10000 career AB and a .763 career OPS, compared to his league average of .774, and -6 RCAA in 454 games.

16) Mets C Mike Piazza had 4 hits, including a HR.

17) Padres RF Brian Giles had 4 hits, including a HR.

After 45 RCAA/.941 OPS and 30 RCAA/.849 OPS seasons, Giles is off to a .382 SLG, .346 OBA, .729 OPS, -2 RCAA start in his first 28 games. He has a .955 career OPS, compared to his league average of .779, and 373 RCAA in 1230 games.

18) Cardinals P Matt Morris’s line–7 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO.

After 3.76 ERA/7 RSAA and 4.72 ERA/-12 RSAA seasons, Morris is off to a 2.25 ERA/5 RSAA start in his first 4 starts. He has a 3.50 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.27, and 87 RSAA in 210 games.

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