Four games and 12 at-bats after being promoted to the bigs, Pirates top prospect Pedro Alvarez finally notched his first major league hit. In the bottom of the fifth inning with a runner on base, Alvarez slugged a ground rule double to drive the run in. Alvarez, a highly touted prospect since 2009 and proven minor-league hitter, can now relax and focus on producing for the struggling Pirates on a consistent basis.
In other news around the league, today was not the day to be a relief pitcher in the major leagues. Setting the tone for the day was the relief corps of the Chicago Cubs. After their starter, Ted Lilly, got whacked for 8 runs (6 ER) they proceded to give up a total of 4 runs in 3.2 IP. Bob Howry was the main culprit, allowing 3 of the 4 runs in just a single inning of work.
Following the Cubs precedent were the relievers of the Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies. The Rays' pen allowed a three-run lead to vanish by giving up 3 runs in the eighth. They continued to attempt to blow the game when they gave up 3 more in the bottom of the 11th inning (luckily they had a 4-run lead). Manager Joe Maddon has Randy Choate, Lance Cormier, and Dan Wheeler to thank for almost giving the game away. The Marlins (who played the Rays) actually outdid the putrid play of the Rays by serving up 5 runs in 4 IP (including 4 R by Jorge Sosa) and ended up losing that slugfest.
To wrap things up let's discuss possibly the worst performing pen of them all: Philadelphia. Jose Contreras, who had been making a strong push for closing duties in recent weeks, began the ninth inning by getting one out and allowing 3 runs to cross. Oft-injured Brad Lidge came in to attempt the bail out, but was unsuccessful as he allowed to more runs to cross tying the game up at 9. In the 10th and 11th, Chad Durbin and Danys Baez would go on to allowed a combined 4 runs and cost the team the game. After leading 9-4 entering the ninth inning, they eventually lost 13-10 in the 11th.
Hopefully Sunday is a bit less troubling for relievers.
And don't forget Carlos Villanueva's choke effort in blowing a 3-run lead in a third of an inning to blow Gallardo's masterful 6 innings against the Rockies.
ReplyDeleteTrue. As well as Alfredo Simon's attempt at blowing a save against San Diego. There were also losses suffered by relievers Zach Braddock (Milwaukee) and Ronald Belisario (LA Dodgers). I would like to go in-depth on each game, however, due to time and length restraints, I cannot.
ReplyDelete