Pujols continued his OWNAGE of Odalis Perez (10 for 15 with 5 HR's) and ended this game on a walkoff HR in the 14th.. Cool.. His 7th career walkoff!

Pujols continued his OWNAGE of Odalis Perez (10 for 15 with 5 HR's) and ended this game on a walkoff HR in the 14th.. Cool.. His 7th career walkoff!

Ok, I think I know what happened. That ball collided in mid-air with the ball that Pujols hit off of Lidge last year. The collision knocked the Lidge ball downwards and into the crowd, and knocked tonight's ball straight up, propelling it into a higher orbit.

 

Soon, MLB will realize there's potential for profit here, and will market balls being pitched to Pujols as a means of launching new communications satellites at low cost.

Edited July 14, 200619 yr by CardsJimEdmonds15

On the other hand, one could also look at the 8 for 47 he's put up this season in "Close and Late" situations, with the associated .548 OPS, and then start to wonder.

 

There are what 8 innings before ''close and late''?... that are just as important as risp. He has done his job with men on/risp perfectly fine... his trouble has been with no one on.

Edited July 14, 200619 yr by qwerty

There are what 8 innings before ''close and late''?... that are just as important as risp. He has done his job with men on/risp perfectly fine... his trouble has been with no one on.

I understand how people can say that winning games early by hitting with RISP and so on is going to be equally important, but personally I just can't say I believe it. Why? I'll point to ARod's double play in game 5 against the Angels last year as the prime example.

 

What I think happens with guys like ARod is they beat up on mediocre pitching. This is why he's so much better with RISP...good pitchers allow fewer of those, so ARod's numbers go up a lot then, but he disappoints when he's faced with good pitching. Since closers tend to be pretty decent pitchers, and they make their appearances in close games, ARod's numbers drop then.

 

ARod is a guy who beats up on mediocre pitching and generates you a lot of runs. But if you want him to key a championship run, he can't do it, because when he's faced with good pitching either down the stretch or in the playoffs, he shuts down. That's my theory at least.

So, this Braves pitching staff is abjectly terrible, but I will say this for them...they know how to take a baseball game and turn it into an entertaining evening for folks who don't want to go to sleep.

Edited July 15, 200619 yr by Balta1701

I understand how people can say that winning games early by hitting with RISP and so on is going to be equally important, but personally I just can't say I believe it. Why? I'll point to ARod's double play in game 5 against the Angels last year as the prime example.

 

What I think happens with guys like ARod is they beat up on mediocre pitching. This is why he's so much better with RISP...good pitchers allow fewer of those, so ARod's numbers go up a lot then, but he disappoints when he's faced with good pitching. Since closers tend to be pretty decent pitchers, and they make their appearances in close games, ARod's numbers drop then.

 

ARod is a guy who beats up on mediocre pitching and generates you a lot of runs. But if you want him to key a championship run, he can't do it, because when he's faced with good pitching either down the stretch or in the playoffs, he shuts down. That's my theory at least.

 

 

He has put up a .945 ops in the last three years in close and late situations... and he easily has a .900 ops for his career in that situation,, which is hardly scrubbing it up. He has also been known to be a better hitter in the second half, .100 higher ops after the all star game than before. He has also been great with the bases loaded in his career. There are only a handful of guys who hit rediculously well with men in scoring position... and arod is generally not one of them. You are jumping to conclusions what type of hitter he is based on 48 at bats in close and late situtations... and throw in a couple playoff series. If you want to get a list of everyone who has struggled this season in close and late situations and in the playoffs... you will see many shocking names (vlad and manny anyone?). There is no doubt he is one of the most intiimidating hitters in the game... even more so this upcoming second half.

 

The only reason he isn't the number one player in the game in my opinion is because of the yankees wasting his defense at third. He is the best shortstop on that team... but whatever he does at short jeter may wash out or be worse at third.

If you want to get a list of everyone who has struggled this season in close and late situations and in the playoffs... you will see many shocking names (vlad and manny anyone?).

Yeah I remember Vlad during the playoffs last season, and in the series against us, he was absolutely terrible then, especially when you saw how Paul Konerko was producing at the time.

Stephen Drew called up.

Stephen Drew called up.

 

The Diamondbacks would be better off letting the kids play. Speaking of which, anybody think Homer Bailey gets called up this year?

Now that's interesting Tony..

 

It sure is fun when a certain team starts winning again going on a streak.. It makes me happier

The Diamondbacks would be better off letting the kids play. Speaking of which, anybody think Homer Bailey gets called up this year?

 

No, even though he was throwing gas at the futures game he isn't ready, and with the reds history of rushing pitchers (Ryan Wagner for one) it would be wise to give him till '08.

Jered Weaver has a start pushed back after he's diagnosed with bicep tendinitis. There is no joy in Mudville of LA of Anaheim.

Wakefield might miss time due to back problems.

Wakefield might miss time due to back problems.

Garcia/Vazquez for Papelbon?

Red Sox designated outfielder Willie Harris for assignment.

A future Minnesota Twin? Harris got 45 at-bats in 47 games for the Red Sox and hit .156/.250/.200. He's already said he's not interested in returning to Triple-A Pawtucket. Jul. 18 - 4:23 pm et

Umps won the game for the Yankees tonight...thanks jackasses.

Umps won the game for the Yankees tonight...thanks jackasses.

 

I can honestly say the Mariners got robbed in that one. It was just an ugly game all around to watch from the field, umps and weather.

Umps won the game for the Yankees tonight...thanks jackasses.

And that play wasn't even that close at first, I have no idea how the ump missed that.

Red Sox designated outfielder Willie Harris for assignment.

A future Minnesota Twin? Harris got 45 at-bats in 47 games for the Red Sox and hit .156/.250/.200. He's already said he's not interested in returning to Triple-A Pawtucket. Jul. 18 - 4:23 pm et

 

Who the f*** does Willie Harris think he is? He's proven time and again that he's not good, yet he won't accept a demotion to AAA?

They just showed the sound clip of Melky Cabrera's walkoff homer from last night on Sportscenter. The announcer said, "Melky Cabrera...and the Melkman delivers!"

 

Needless to say, I'm pissed and I might sue.

They just showed the sound clip of Melky Cabrera's walkoff homer from last night on Sportscenter. The announcer said, "Melky Cabrera...and the Melkman delivers!"

 

Needless to say, I'm pissed and I might sue.

yeah, i figured you would know about this already. i was in ny earlier this year, they have t-shirts and stuff with melk man on them. i told some yankees fans the name was taken already. turns out they have never heard of herb.

Who the f*** does Willie Harris think he is? He's proven time and again that he's not good, yet he won't accept a demotion to AAA?

He thinks he's someone that can get a major league contract. And last I remember a ML contract makes more than a minor league contract. Can you blame him?

Anyone hear about Everett? He's been reduced to platooning at DH, and he's been ripping into management lately. Says he doesn't believe in Mike Hargrove -- imagine that!

Who the f*** does Willie Harris think he is? He's proven time and again that he's not good, yet he won't accept a demotion to AAA?

ITS HIS TURN NOW!