Sunday, July 12, 2009

looking around........

Michael Bourn is back on track. The Astros' center fielder is 7 for 16 (.438) the last 4 games, with 2 triples, a home run, 5 RBI, and 5 stolen bases. Mike is hitting .290 and his 32 steals, in 40 attempts, leads the National League.

Ryan Doumit has been activated by the Pirates. This is of note because it will signal the end of regular playing time for Jason Jaramillo. Jaramillo has done well, hitting .255 in 45 games in the first half. "JJ" has had 11 doubles, 3 home runs, 19 RBI and 16 walks (against just 23 strike outs). Doumit should play most of the time now, which was the original plan for the season, but lets see if manager John Russell gets Jaramillo a few more "earned" at bats.

The Phillies won a thriller Saturday, scoring 5 runs in the 9th inning to edge the Pirates, 8-7. Ryan Howard had 3 hits, including a game-tying 3-run monster home run with 1 down in the 9th to tie the game. It was #22 for the big man, who dove in his 64th, 65th and 66th runs with the shot. Ryan also walked twice and was on base all 5 at bats. I almost forgot, he stole a base, too!!! Cole Hamels pitched the first 6 innings. allowing 5 runs on 7 hits, NO walks, striking out 6, and received no decision.

Saturday in Minnesota, Gavin Floyd threw 7.2 innings, keeping the White Sox in the game, and notched the victory when Chicago prevailed, 8-7. Gavin (7-6, 4.44) allowed 5 runs on 8 hits, NO walks, and struck out 7. Floyd seems to have regained the form that helped him to 17 wins last year.

Greg Golson went 10 for 20 over a 5-game stretch ending in the first game Saturday, before absorbing the 0 for 4 in the second game. Greg is hitting .275 in AAA-Oklahoma City, with 29 RBI, and 10 stolen bases for the Texas affiliate.

Lets go back to Thursday night in Reno, where Kevin Howard had 3 hits, including his 7th home run, and a walk, as Las Vegas topped Reno, 5-4 in 10 innings. For Howard, it was his second straight 3-hit game, and he got 2 more Friday, and 2 more Saturday, and is currently on an 8-game hitting streak to the tune of a 14 for 34 (.412). Kevin is now hitting .333 since joining the 51s. Howard and Randy Ruiz (.323) give Las Vegas a "clawesome" 1-2 punch!!

In the meantime, Chris Roberson is not to be outdone. "Robey" also homered Thursday night, the got 2 more hits Friday and tacked on another Saturday. Chris is 16 for 37 (.432) over HIS 8-game hitting streak, with 6 doubles, a home run, 10 RBI and 4 stolen bases. Overall, Roberson is hitting .306 with 20 doubles, 7 triples, 7 homers, 48 RBI and 16 stolen bases for the Diamondback's affiliate.

Going 1 better, Adrian Cardenas has a NINE-game hitting streak going for Midland. Adrian is 14 for 35 (.400) with 4 doubles and 5 RBI, and is hitting .352 for the Rock Hounds.

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