Around the Majors: Griffey passes Murray & 550 RCAA

1) Yesterday’s scores–

AL
Whitesox 3, Orioles 2
Royals 7, Devil Rays 5 (7)

NL
Cardinals 10, Dodgers 3
Reds 7, Phillies 5
Giants 6, Astros 3
Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 3

2) Standings–

AL EAST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Orioles          22   12  .647   -     13-9    9-3   16-06 05-04 01-02 LOST 1
Redsox           21   13  .618   1     11-5   10-8   11-10 03-01 07-02 WON  3
BlueJays         19   16  .543   3 1/2  8-9   11-7   12-10 03-03 04-03 WON  3
Yankees          16   19  .457   6 1/2 12-11   4-8   09-14 00-00 07-05 WON  5
Devil Rays       13   23  .361  10     12-12   1-11  08-16 02-05 03-02 LOST 2

AL CENTRAL      WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Whitesox         26    9  .743   -     12-3   14-6   05-02 18-04 03-03 WON  2
Twins            20   13  .606   5      9-5   11-8   04-02 12-09 04-02 LOST 1
Tigers           16   17  .485   9      6-8   10-9   02-04 10-11 04-02 WON  1
Indians          14   19  .424  11      3-8   11-11  00-00 09-13 05-06 WON  1
Royals            9   26  .257  17      3-12   6-14  02-05 05-17 02-04 WON  1

AL WEST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Angels           19   15  .559   -     10-9    9-6   02-01 06-08 11-06 LOST 1
Rangers          18   17  .514   1 1/2  9-12   9-5   06-06 03-03 09-08 LOST 1
A's              14   20  .412   5      7-8    7-12  05-10 02-01 07-09 LOST 5
Mariners         13   21  .382   6      4-10   9-11  01-05 06-06 06-10 LOST 3

NL EAST        WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Braves          21   13  .618   -     13-5    8-8   13-09 07-02 01-02 LOST 1
Marlins         19   12  .613     1/2 12-8    7-4   12-09 04-02 03-01 WON  2
Nationals       18   16  .529   3      7-6   11-10  10-12 00-00 08-04 LOST 2
Mets            18   17  .514   3 1/2 11-5    7-12  12-11 06-06 00-00 LOST 2
Phillies        15   21  .417   7      6-8    9-13  09-15 05-05 01-01 LOST 3

NL CENTRAL     WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Cardinals       22   12  .647   -     12-9   10-3   02-04 16-04 04-04 WON  2
Brewers         17   16  .515   4 1/2 11-9    6-7   03-03 12-10 02-03 WON  2
Cubs           15   18  .455   6 1/2  9-8    6-10  03-03 10-11 02-04 WON  2
Pirates         15   18  .455   6 1/2  3-9   12-9   00-00 08-11 07-07 WON  2
Reds            13   21  .382   9      9-10   4-11  05-02 06-15 02-04 WON  1
Astros          12   22  .353  10     10-6    2-16  02-10 10-11 00-01 LOST 3

NL WEST        WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Dodgers         20   14  .588   -      9-5   11-9   01-02 05-04 14-08 LOST 2
Diamondbacks    21   15  .583   -     14-8    7-7   02-04 03-04 16-07 WON  3
Padres          19   16  .543   1 1/2 10-4    9-12  00-00 09-05 10-11 WON  1
Giants          17   17  .500   3     10-10   7-7   01-02 06-04 10-11 WON  1
Rockies          9   23  .281  10      7-8    2-15  04-05 00-00 05-18 LOST 1

3) Today’s schedule–

AL
BlueJays (Ted Lilly, 9.35) at Indians (Jake Westbrook, 6.69), 7:05
Angels (Bartolo Colon, 2.83) at Tigers (Jeremy Bonderman, 3.47), 7:05
Orioles (Rodrigo Lopez, 4.46) at Whitesox (Mark Buehrle, 3.78), 8:05
Rangers (Ryan Drese, 5.44) at Twins (Joe Mays, 4.88), 8:10
Devil Rays (Doug Waechter, 6.58) at Royals (D.J. Carrasco), 8:10
Yankees (Mike Mussina, 3.60) at A’s (Rich Harden, 1.94), 10:05
Redsox (Jeremi Gonzalez, 4.22) at Mariners (Joel Pineiro, 5.66), 10:05

NL
Cubs (Glendon Rusch, 2.70) at Nationals (Esteban Loaiza, 3.69), 7:05
Reds (Eric Milton, 6.18) at Phillies (Brett Myers, 1.49), 7:05
Brewers (Chris Capuano, 4.04) at Pirates (Kip Wells, 4.53), 7:05
Cardinals (Jason Marquis, 3.26) at Mets (Tom Glavine, 6.87), 7:10
Giants (Kirk Rueter, 4.54) at Astros (Ezequiel Astacio, 9.82), 8:05
Diamondbacks (Brad Halsey, 3.46) at Rockies (Jeff Francis, 4.58), 8:35
Marlins (Josh Beckett, 2.14) at Padres (Adam Eaton, 3.79), 10:05
Braves (Horacio Ramirez, 3.68) at Dodgers (Jeff Weaver, 5.23), 10:40

4) Yesterday’s HR–

Adam Dunn–#9 & #10
Bobby Abreu–#8
Milton Bradley–#8
Chad Tracy–#6
Craig Biggio–#4 & #5
Jose Cruz Jr.–#3 & #4
Ken Griffey Jr.–#4
Todd Helton–#4
Juan Uribe–#4
Morgan Ensberg–#4
Rafael Palmeiro–#3
A.J. Pierzynski–#3
Tony Clark–#3

5) HR leaders–

AL
1) Alex Rodriguez–11
T2) Alfonso Soriano–10
T2) Miguel Tejada–10
T2) Brian Roberts–10
T5) Paul Konerko–9
T5) David Ortiz–9
T5) Mike Sweeney–9
T5) Richie Sexson–9
T5) Tino Martinez–9
T10) Manny Ramirez–8
T10) Mark Teixeira–8

NL
T1) Troy Glaus–10
T1) Derrek Lee–10
T1) Adam Dunn–10**
T4) Albert Pujols–9
T4) Reggie Sanders–9
T4) Ryan Klesko–9
T6) Bobby Abreu–8*
T6) Cliff Floyd–8
T6) Jose Guillen–8
T6) Jeff Kent–8
T6) Corey Patterson–8
T6) Milton Bradley–8*

**–hit 2 yesterday
*–hit 1 yesterday

6) Ken Griffey Jr. passed Eddie Murray into 19th place on the all time HR list, with 505. Griffey also had 3 hits.

After 11 RCAA/.936 OPS and 12 RCAA/.864 OPS seasons, Griffey is hitting .483 SLG, .360 OBA, .844 OPS, 5 RCAA in his first 32 games. He has a .936 career OPS, compared to his league average of .759, and 552 RCAA in 2029 games.

Griffey passed 550 career RCAA. He ranks 6th among CF–

RCAA     
1    Ty Cobb                    1107   
2    Tris Speaker               1054   
3    Mickey Mantle              1009   
4    Willie Mays                1008   
5    Joe DiMaggio                672   
6    Ken Griffey Jr.             552   
7    Duke Snider                 406   
8    Earl Averill                394   
9    Jim Edmonds                 371   
10   Larry Doby                  369 

7) Astros 2B Craig Biggio hit 2 HR.

After 1 RCAA/.763 OPS and 8 RCAA/.806 OPS seasons, Biggio is hitting .535 SLG, .367 OBA, .902 OPS, 7 RCAA in his first 33 games. He has a .809 career OPS, compared to his league average of .756, and 353 RCAA in 2442 games.

8) Reds LF Adam Dunn hit 2 HR and had a BB.

After 9 RCAA/.819 OPS and 52 RCAA/.956 OPS seasons, Dunn is hitting .660 SLG, .426 OBA, 1.087 OPS, 18 RCAA in his first 33 games. He has a .905 career OPS, compared to his league average of .772, and 116 RCAA in 534 games.

9) Diamondbacks CF Jose Cruz Jr. hit 2 HR and had a 2B.

After 1 RCAA/.779 OPS and 2 RCAA/.766 OPS seasons, Cruz has 6 RCAA/1.369 OPS in his first 9 games. He has a .795 career OPS, compared to his league average of .774, and 26 RCAA in 1067 games.

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1) Phillies RF Bobby Abreu tied the team record with his 5th consecutive game with a HR. Abreu tied the mark held by Dick Allen (1969) and Mike Schmidt (1979). Abreu reached base safely all 5 times up–3 H (1 HR), 2 BB.

After 38 RCAA/.877 OPS and 69 RCAA/.971 OPS seasons, Abreu is hitting .547 SLG, .437 OBA, .984 OPS, 18 RCAA in his first 36 games. He has a .931 career OPS, compared to his league average of .778, and 360 RCAA in 1203 games.

2) The Royals placed P Kyle Snyder on the 15 day DL and called up P D.J. Carrasco.

Snyder has a strained shoulder. He has a 5.03 ERA/0 RSAA in 21 career games, including a 4.15 ERA/0 RSAA in 6 games in 2005.

After starting his career with 4.82 ERA/3 RSAA and 4.84 ERA/-2 RSAA seasons, Carrasco will make his 2005 debut by starting today. He has a 4.82 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.56, and 1 RSAA in 80 games (just 2 starts).

3) Royals 1B Mike Sweeney was scratched from yesterday’s lineup, due to a sore muscle in his right side.

After 9 RCAA/.858 OPS and 15 RCAA/.851 OPS seasons, Sweeney is hitting .612 SLG, .374 OBA, .986 OPS, 15 RCAA in his first 34 games. He has a .879 career OPS, compared to his league average of .774, and 147 RCAA in 1060 games.

4) The Angels placed P Kelvim Escobar on the 15 day DL, called up OF Chris Prieto and moved INF Lou Merloni from the 15 to the 60 day DL.

Escobar has a bone spur in his elbow. After 4.29 ERA/9 RSAA and 3.93 ERA/15 RSAA seasons, Escobar is off to a 3.91 ERA/1 RSAA start in his first 4 starts. He has a 4.44 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.67, and 37 RSAA in 338 games.

5) The Twins sent P Scott Baker to the minors and will activate P Juan Rincon from the suspended list.

After 3.68 ERA/9 RSAA and 2.63 ERA/19 RSAA seasons, Rincon is off to a 2.25 ERA/3 RSAA start in his first 12 games. He has a 3.62 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.55, and 24 RSAA in 161 games.

Baker pitched a shutout inning in his only career appearance.

6) The Yankees released P Steve Karsay.

Karsay had been removed from the 25 and 40 man rosters when he was designated for assignment last week.

7) The Devil Rays sent P Dewon Brazelton to the minors and called up P Jon Switzer.

Brazelton has a 5.54 ERA/-30 RSAA in 42 career games, including a 6.43 ERA/-11 RSAA in 8 starts in 2005.

Switzer had a 7.45 ERA/-3 RSAA in 5 games in 2003.

8) Vida Blue pled guilty to charges of failure to complete his probation, from a DWI arrest, and could be headed to jail.

Blue had a 3.26 career ERA, compared to his league average of 3.68, and 89 RSAA in 502 games from 1969-86 (excluding 1984).

9) The Cardinals placed 3B Scott Rolen on the 15 day DL and called up 3B Scott Seabol.

Rolen has a sprained left shoulder and could be out for 6 weeks. After 34 RCAA/.910 OPS and 57 RCAA/1.007 OPS seasons, Rolen is hitting .477 SLG, .347 OBA, .824 OPS, 2 RCAA in his first 30 games. He has a .896 career OPS, compared to his league average of .775, and 248 RCAA in 1225 games.

Seabol was 0 for 1 in 1 game with the 2001 Yankees and went 0 for 1 yesterday.

10) Phillies C Mike Lieberthal had to leave yesterday’s game, after being hit in the finger by a pitch. X-rays were negative.

After 18 RCAA/.825 OPS and -6 RCAA/.783 OPS seasons, Lieberthal is off to a .379 SLG, .324 OBA, .703 OPS, -4 RCAA start in his first 29 games. He has a .789 career OPS, compared to his league average of .776, and 2 RCAA in 1018 games.

11) The Astros released P Brandon Duckworth and called up P Mike Burns.

After 4.94 ERA/-9 RSAA and 6.86 ERA/-11 RSAA seasons, Duckworth is off to a 11.40 ERA/-12 RSAA start in his first 6 games (2 starts). He has a 5.34 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.23, and -56 RSAA in 90 games.

12) The Giants placed P Al Levine on the 15 day DL and called up P Brad Hennessey.

Levine has a strained neck. After 2.79 ERA/15 RSAA and 4.58 ERA/-1 RSAA seasons, he is off to a 7.20 ERA/-2 RSAA start in his first 5 games. Levine has a 3.88 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.67, and 51 RSAA in 412 games.

Hennessey has a 4.75 ERA/-2 RSAA in 9 career games, including a 4.15 ERA/0 RSAA in 2 starts in 2005 (including 1 yesterday).

13) Yankees P Felix Rodriguez had arthroscopic knee surgery.

Rodriguez had just been placed on the DL.

14) The Angels activated C Bengie Molina from the DL and sent SS Dave Matranga to the minors.

After -6 RCAA/.746 OPS and -14 RCAA/.717 OPS seasons, Molina is hitting .581 SLG, .389 OBA, .970 OPS, 3 RCAA in his first 11 games. He has a .694 career OPS, compared to his league average of .771, and -84 RCAA in 611 games.

Matranga is 1 for 6, with a HR, in 7 career games, including 0 for 1 in 1 game in 2005.

15) The Whitesox sent C-INF Jamie Burke to the minors.

Burke had been removed from the 25 and 40 man rosters when he was designated for assignment on Sunday.

16) The Cardinals sent C Mike Mahoney to the minors.

Mahoney has -2 RCAA/.615 OPS in 21 career games, including 1 game, with no PA, in 2005.

17) Orioles LF Larry Bigbie had to leave yesterday’s game, due to a hamstring injury.

After 14 RCAA/.821 OPS and -2 RCAA/.768 OPS seasons, Bigbie is off to a .315 SLG, .284 OBA, .599 OPS, -5 RCAA start in his first 27 games. He has a .739 career OPS, compared to his league average of .765, and -1 RCAA in 312 games.

18) Whitesox P Jon Garland’s line–8 IP, 8 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 SO.

After 4.51 ERA/-1 RSAA and 4.89 ERA/1 RSAA seasons, Garland is off to a 2.39 ERA/13 RSAA start in his first 7 starts. He has a 4.54 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.55, and 15 RSAA in 156 games.

19) Devil Rays P Scott Kazmir took a pounding–4 IP, 4 H, 5 R/ER, 5 BB, 5 SO.

Kazmir has a 5.06 ERA/-7 RSAA in 16 career games, including a 4.60 ERA/-2 RSAA in 8 starts in 2005.

20) Royals P Jose Lima took a pounding–5 1/3 IP, 7 H, 5 R/ER, 4 BB, 4 SO.

After 4.91 ERA/2 RSAA and 4.07 ERA/1 RSAA seasons, Lima is off to a 6.85 ERA/-13 RSAA start in his first 8 starts. He has a 5.05 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.48, and -89 RSAA in 320 games.

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1) Rockies 1B Todd Helton reached base safely all 5 times up–3 H (1 2B, 1 HR), 2 BB.

After 80 RCAA/1.088 OPS and 78 RCAA/1.088 OPS seasons, Helton is hitting .538 SLG, .448 OBA, .986 OPS, 9 RCAA in his first 32 games. He has a 1.046 career OPS, compared to his league average of .778, and 404 RCAA in 1167 games.

2) Diamondbacks P Ramon Ortiz’s line–6 IP, 8 H, 2 R/ER, 3 BB, 5 SO.

After 5.20 ERA/-20 RSAA and 4.43 ERA/2 RSAA seasons, Ortiz is off to a 6.75 ERA/-5 RSAA start in his first 4 starts. He has a 4.64 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.58, and -10 RSAA in 161 games.

3) Rockies P Shawn Chacon’s line–8 IP, 6 H, 3 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 SO.

After 4.60 ERA/3 RSAA and 7.11 ERA/-14 RSAA seasons, Chacon is off to a 3.28 ERA/8 RSAA start in his first 6 starts. He has a 5.22 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.28, and -7 RSAA in 143 games.

4) Phillies LF Pat Burrell had 4 hits.

After -15 RCAA/.713 OPS and 9 RCAA/.821 OPS seasons, Burrell is off to a .509 SLG, .384 OBA, .893 OPS, 6 RCAA start in his first 32 games. He has a .824 career OPS, compared to his league average of .777, and 55 RCAA in 728 games.

5) Phillies P Jon Lieber took a pounding–5 1/3 IP, 7 H, 6 R/ER, 3 BB, 5 SO.

After 3.70 ERA/5 RSAA and 4.33 ERA/2 RSAA seasons (2002 & 2004), Lieber is off to a 3.31 ERA/6 RSAA start in his first 8 starts. He has a 4.17 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.38, and 31 RSAA in 307 games.

6) Cardinals SS David Eckstein reached base safely 4 times–3 H (1 2B, 1 3B), 1 BB.

After -12 RCAA/.651 OPS and -17 RCAA/.671 OPS seasons, Eckstein is off to a .413 SLG, .411 OBA, .824 OPS, 5 RCAA start in his first 33 games. He has a .707 career OPS, compared to his league average of .764, and -27 RCAA in 600 games.

7) Dodgers P Derek Lowe took a pounding–5 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO.

After 4.47 ERA/6 RSAA and 5.42 ERA/-10 RSAA seasons, Lowe is off to a 2.94 ERA/7 RSAA start in his first 8 starts. He has a 3.79 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.60, and 108 RSAA in 411 games.

8) Cardinals P Chris Carpenter’s line–7 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 SO.

After 5.28 ERA/-7 RSAA and 3.46 ERA/14 RSAA seasons (2002 & 2004), Carpenter is off to a 4.02 ERA/1 RSAA start in his first 8 starts. He has a 4.56 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.60, and 8 RSAA in 188 games.

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