Panda gives Giants early edge

Pablo Sandoval's 3 home runs and a sub par outing from Justin Verlander led a an 8-3 Giants win in Game 1 of the World Series.  Quintin Berry had a pinch hit appearance against Tim Lincicum, and grounded out.  "Q" is likely to sit again tonight, as the Giants throw another lefty, Madison Bumgarner, in game 2.

Brummett waived & claimed

The Phillies have waived Tyson Brummett, and he has been claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays, where he joins Anthony Gose, Jay Happ, Kyle Drabek, Travis d'Arnaud, and Tuffy Gosewisch.    They are becoming the BlueClaw Jays!

The Brewers have added Jesus Sanchez to their 40-man roster.

Verlander's gem moves Tigers to 3-0

The Detroit Tigers beat the Yankees, 2-1 Tuesday night behind a solid effort from Justin Verlander to take a 3-0 lead in the ALCS.  While not quite at his best, Verlander threw 132 pitches and stopped the Yankees cold, giving up just 3 hits in 8.1 hard fought innings.  Quintin Berry was 1 for 3, and reached base in the 5th inning on an error.    "Q" then stole second base and scored what proved to be the winning run on a hit by Miguel Cabrera.  The Tigers go for the sweep tonight in game 4.

Berry, Tigers push Yanks to the brink

Sunday in New York, Quintin Berry was 1 for 3, a double and scored the first run of the game in the 7th inning, as the Detroit Tigers beat the Yankees, 3-0 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series.  The Tigers head home and will have Justin Verlander set to go in game 3 on Tuesday.

In San Francisco, the St Louis Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the National League Championship Series with a 6-4 win over the Giants.  They will play game #2 tonight.

Tigers take game 1 from Yanks

The Tigers survived a scare in the Bronx Saturday night as the Yankees rallied for 4 in the 9th to tie the game, but Detroit won in 12, 6-4.  Quintin Berry got into the game last , and was 0 for 2.  Berry should be in the line up this afternoon with the Yankees throwing a right hander.

Tigers, Giants advance

The Detroit Tigers are heading back to the American League Championship Series thanks to another knockout performance from Justin Verlander, who threw a complete game, 4-hit shut out to eliminate the A's, 6-0 in Oakland last night. Quintin Berry (3 for 10 in the series) had a double, a walk, and scored a run for the Tigers, who will face the winner of the Yankees-Orioles game 5 showdown in New York tonight.

In Cincinnati, the Giants completed the comeback from down 2 games to beat the Reds and advance into the National League Championship Series.  Buster Posey had the big hit, a grand slam home run to top off the 6-run inning that gave San Francisco the 6-4 victory.  The Giants will play the winner of Nationals-Cardinals do or die game tonight in D.C.

Brown has MRI

Domonic Brown was to have an MRI on his injured right knee in Philadelphia Thursday.  Domonic played through some discomfort in the latter part of the season, and the test is a precaution to make sure there is no ligament damage.  The Phillies ecpect him to be ready to go for spring training.

I have not heard of the results of this test as yet.

Phils name Nichols for pitching coach spot

The Phillies have named original Lakewood pitching coach Rod Nichols as their new pitching coach for 2013.  Former IronPigs manager Ryne Sandberg has been named the new third base coach, and Steve Henderson will take over as the hitting instructor.

Berry plays key role in Tigers game 1 win!

The Tigers won game 1 of their divisional series with the Athletics, 3-1, behind great pitching from Justin Verlander.  Quintin Berry had 2 hits, including an infield hit that allowed a rally to continue and the Tigers to score the go ahead run!  "Q" also stole a base, but probably sits in game 2 with Oakland throwing lefty Tommy Milone.

On Friday, Michael Bourn was 1 for 5 with an RBI for the Braves in their wild card loss to the Cardinals.  As of now, Michael has no contract for next year and as soon as the playoff end, the bidding for his services will begin!

Brummett debuts!

On Wednesday, the Washington Nationals wrapped up the best record in the NL with a 5-1 win over the Phillies.  In this game Tyson Brummett made his major league debut, throwing the final .2 innings.  Brummett is the 10th former Claw to make his debut this year, and #49 overall, allowing 2 hits and striking out 2.  Justin De Fratus also tossed a scoreless frame and the Phillies lone run was driven in by Darin Ruf with a sacrifice fly, his 10th RBI.  Carlos Ruiz had a double and scored the Phillies' run, and finished the season with a .325 mark, tops ever for a former Claw in the majors!

In Pittsburgh, Michael Bourn had a walk, and scored a run for the Braves in their 4-0 win over the Pirates.  Bourn also stole 2 bases, and his 42 this year leads the National League for the 3rd time in his career!!  The Braves open the playoffs with the wild card game against the Cardinals tomorrow at 5:00PM. ...........In Chicago, Adrian Cardenas got to start for the Cubs, and had 2 walks in 5 plate appearances as the Cubs wrapped up a woeful season with a 5-4 win over Houston in the Astros final game in the National League.  Houston moves to the AL West next season.

In Cleveland, Gavin Floyd ended 2012 on a high note, with 7 shut out innings against the Indians in a 9-0 Sox win.  Gavin (12-12) allowed just 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 6, and running the HomeSide total to 71 for the year!  Jason Donald and Lou Marson combined to go 0 for 5 in the game for the Tribe.......In Toronto, Anthony Gose was 1 for 3, a triple, and scored a run for the Jays in their 2-1 season ending win over Minnesota......In Phoenix, Josh Outman picked up his 3rd hold for the Rockies, throwing .2 innings against the Diamondbacks in a 2-1 Colorado win.


Congratulations to Miguel Cabrera, triple crown winner in the American League!! It was the first triple crown since 1967!!

Ruf hits 2; J.D. walks off!

Tuesday night in Washington, Darin Ruf hit 2 home runs for the Philliles in their 4-2 loss to the Nationals, raising his average to .355 in 31 at bats in this late season audition, probably earning himself an invite to big league camp in the spring!  Domonic Brown (.240) was 1 for 4, and BJ Rosenberg made it through 4 innings in his first major league start.  "Rosie" allowed just 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks, throwing 54 pitches.  Jake Diekman tossed a scoreless 5th inning, despite allowing 2 hits, and Antonio Bastardo gave up a run on a hit and a walk in the 8th.  The Phillies (81-80) end their season tonight against the Nationals.

Another day, another walk off hit, this time it was Jason Donald in the bottom of the 12th inning with his second hit of the game to give the Indians a 4-3 win over Chicago.  Jason had a double and scored a run in his other at bat for the Tribe, while Lou Marson went 0 for 2 for Cleveland.

In Toronto, Anthony Gose had 2 walks and scored a run for the Blue Jays in their 4-3 win over Minnesota.......In Pittburgh,  Michael Bourn was 0 for 3 for Atlanta, as the Braves fell to the Pirates, 5-1.........In Kansas City, Quintin Berry had a hit and scored a run for the Tigers in their 4-2 loss to the Royals.

Rosenberg to make start

The Phillies have tapped BJ Rosenberg to start tonight's game in Washington.  It will be the first major league start for Rosenberg after he made a handful in AAA late this season.

The White Sox have announced that Gavin Floyd (11-11) will start their final game on Wednesday night in Cleveland.

Gose nets game winner!

Monday night in Toronto, Anthony Gose had the game wining hit, a walk off single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Jays a 6-5 win over the Minnesota Twins.


In Washington, Kyle Kendrick won his final outing of the season with 7 shut out innings against the Nationals as the Phillies won, 2-0.  Kendrick (11-12, 3.96) allowed just 4 hits and 1 walk and Darin Ruf drove in both runs with a 2-run triple in the 2nd inning.  Ruf has 9 hits, and 7 RBI in just 27 at bats since his call up!  Justin De Fratus recorded his 5th hold with .2 innings of work, despite allowing a hit and a walk, and Domonic Brown picked up a single and a double, and scored a run for the Phillies.


In Pittsburgh, the Pirates edged the Braves, 2-1.  Michael Bourn (.276) had a hit and a walk and scored the lone run for Atlanta.  The Nationals clinch the NL East with the Braves loss, though both are going to the playoffs.  Another HomeSider headed for the post season is Quintin Berry, as the Tigers clinched their division behind a big game from probable MVP and possible triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera's 4-hit night in a 6-3 win over the Royals.

In St Louis, the Cardinals reduced their magic number to 1, with a 4-2 win over the Reds.  Alfredo Simon (2.66) pitched 2 inning for Cincinnati, allowing a run on 3 hits.  The Cardinals will look to wrap up the final playoff spot in the NL tonight with a win or a Dodgers' loss.

In a wild one in Phoenix, the Rockies took a 13-inning, 7-5 decision from the Diamondbacks.  Josh Outman picked up the win in relief, his first of the year, despite walking 2 hitters in just .2 innings. Outman becomes the 13th different HomeSider to post a major league win this year, and with Kendrick's win added to Outman's, the HomeSide now has picked up 70 wins this year!!  Mike Zagurski came on in the 13th inning with the bases loaded and allowed all 3 runners to score.  Mike (5.54)  has had a tough season for Arizona and is surely facing an uncertain off season.

Cole finishes strong

On Sunday in Miami,  Cole Hamels won his final start of 2012 with a strong 7 innings against the Marlins, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits and 1 walks, and striking out 8 in the Phillies' 4-1 win.  In his last 10 starts of the year, Hamels (17-6, 3.05) went 6-0 with a 2.38 ERA.  His 17 wins are a career high and matches Gavin Floyd's mark set in 2008 for HomeSiders in 1 season, and was #68 for our boys this year!  Antonio Bastardo threw a 1-2-3 8th inning, striking out 2 for his 26th hold of the year.  Carlos Ruiz was 3 for 4, including a double and his 68th RBI, raising his average to .330, which would be the best average of any HomeSider in the majors since we have been sending them!  Darin Ruf (.320) was 1 for 4, and Domonic Brown drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, as well as throwing out a runner at home.

In Cleveland, the Indians exploded for a 15-3 win over the Royals.  Lou Marson was 3 for 4 with a walk, an RBI, and 2 runs scored, and Jason Donald chipped in with a hit, an RBI and 2 runs scored of his own for the Tribe...........In Atlanta, Michael Bourn returned to the Braves' line up after sitting out a week, and had 2 hits, a walk, scored a run, stole his 40th base, and knocked in his 57th of the year as the Braves beat New York, 6-2.  The Braves are still alive in the hunt to catch Washington, trailing by 3 games with 3 games left.  Bourn is 1 stolen base behind Everth Cabrera of San Diego, as he bids for his 3rd NL stolen base crown...............In Toronto, the Yankees beat the Blue Jays, 9-6, to stay tied with Baltimore in AL East race.  Anthony Gose (.222) had a hit and a walk for the Jays...........In St Paul, the Tigers took a 2-1 win to stay on top by 2 games in the AL Central race.  Quintin Berry was 0 for 3, with a successful sacrifice bunt..........In Phoenix, the Diamondbacks beat the hapless Cubs, 7-2.  Mike Zagurski stuck out the only hitter he faced for the Snakes, and Adrian Cardenas had another pinch hit appearance for the Cubs, popping out in the 9th inning.  I am hoping the Cubs will play "A.C." in this final week of the year.


Getting back to Berry's bunt, which is a lost art in the majors these days. but "Q", along with Bourn and Gose can all get it done.  Maybe the former Claws can "bring the bunt back" to the big league game!