San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy announced before the start of Tuesday's gave at Pittsburgh that pitcher Barry Zito, demoted to the bullpen a week ago, will return to the starting rotation Wednesday night against the Pirates.
Zito, who is 0-6 with a 7.53 ERA, is in the second year of a seven-year, $126 million contract. He did not make any relief appearances.
Zito is only the third pitcher since 1956 to have an 0-6 record by May 1. The other two were Texas' Dave Stewart in 1984 and Detroit's Mike Maroth in 2003.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
A game to remember
When someone mentions the anniversary of an event, the reaction often is:
"Wow! Was it that long ago?"
That's how I felt when I heard that 10 years ago today, Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood tied the major-league record by striking out 20 batters in a nine-inning game.
I happened to be home from work that Wednesday and tuned in to WGN on cable to watch the broadcast of the game with the Astros. Wood was making only his fifth start for Chicago but already was drawing a lot of attention as possibly the next pitching sensation. (Plus, I'd lucked into getting him on my Rotisserie League team.)
On May 6, 1998, he seemed to validate the predictions by pitching one of the great games in history. The only hit by Houston was Ricky Gutierrez's bouncer that Cubs shortstop Jeff Blauser couldn't quite handle. Wood also hit Craig Biggio with a pitch, but other than that, the Astros didn't reach base.
Going into the top of the ninth inning, Wood had recorded 18 strikeouts, one short of the National League record first set in the modern era by Steve Carlton. When Bill Spiers swung at the third strike for No. 19, I remember shouting the news to my wife, who didn't care.
Biggio hit a grounder for the second out, and the Wrigley Field crowd booed him. Then Derek Bell strode to the plate.
Pittsburgh fans know Bell for his career-ending "Operation Shutdown" during spring training in 2002, when he said he wasn't going to give his full effort if he was going to be competing for a job. That followed a season in which he hit .173, so the Pirates said goodbye and ate the remainder of his two-year contract (which turned out so badly that it helped get GM Cam Bonifay fired).
Facing Wood in '98, Bell made another ignominious place in baseball history for himself by becoming Kerry's 20th strikeout victim. That tied the record set twice by Roger Clemens … yeah, I know, but we're not going to get into any of that.
During WGN's postgame interview, I thought I saw Kerry Wood giving a bit of a nervous shake, which was understandable considering that he wouldn't turn 21 for another month. His future seemed as bright as a pitcher could have, especially when he copped Rookie of the Year honors for '98, also setting a new record (since broken) for most strikeouts per nine innings during the season.
After Aug. 31, though, he pitched only once more in 1998, a five-inning stint against the Braves in the playoffs. And after that, he didn't pitch in the majors again until May 2, 2000.
A seemingly endless series of arm problems has sapped the promise of immortality that Wood showed on May 6, 1998. He still is with the Cubs, entering this season as the team's closer, an indication that the team still has faith in his abilities.
But anyone who watched his gem of a decade ago has to be disappointed that he didn't have more one-hitters or 20-strikeout games in his right arm.
"Wow! Was it that long ago?"
That's how I felt when I heard that 10 years ago today, Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood tied the major-league record by striking out 20 batters in a nine-inning game.
I happened to be home from work that Wednesday and tuned in to WGN on cable to watch the broadcast of the game with the Astros. Wood was making only his fifth start for Chicago but already was drawing a lot of attention as possibly the next pitching sensation. (Plus, I'd lucked into getting him on my Rotisserie League team.)
On May 6, 1998, he seemed to validate the predictions by pitching one of the great games in history. The only hit by Houston was Ricky Gutierrez's bouncer that Cubs shortstop Jeff Blauser couldn't quite handle. Wood also hit Craig Biggio with a pitch, but other than that, the Astros didn't reach base.
Going into the top of the ninth inning, Wood had recorded 18 strikeouts, one short of the National League record first set in the modern era by Steve Carlton. When Bill Spiers swung at the third strike for No. 19, I remember shouting the news to my wife, who didn't care.
Biggio hit a grounder for the second out, and the Wrigley Field crowd booed him. Then Derek Bell strode to the plate.
Pittsburgh fans know Bell for his career-ending "Operation Shutdown" during spring training in 2002, when he said he wasn't going to give his full effort if he was going to be competing for a job. That followed a season in which he hit .173, so the Pirates said goodbye and ate the remainder of his two-year contract (which turned out so badly that it helped get GM Cam Bonifay fired).
Facing Wood in '98, Bell made another ignominious place in baseball history for himself by becoming Kerry's 20th strikeout victim. That tied the record set twice by Roger Clemens … yeah, I know, but we're not going to get into any of that.
During WGN's postgame interview, I thought I saw Kerry Wood giving a bit of a nervous shake, which was understandable considering that he wouldn't turn 21 for another month. His future seemed as bright as a pitcher could have, especially when he copped Rookie of the Year honors for '98, also setting a new record (since broken) for most strikeouts per nine innings during the season.
After Aug. 31, though, he pitched only once more in 1998, a five-inning stint against the Braves in the playoffs. And after that, he didn't pitch in the majors again until May 2, 2000.
A seemingly endless series of arm problems has sapped the promise of immortality that Wood showed on May 6, 1998. He still is with the Cubs, entering this season as the team's closer, an indication that the team still has faith in his abilities.
But anyone who watched his gem of a decade ago has to be disappointed that he didn't have more one-hitters or 20-strikeout games in his right arm.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Pirates-Giants: Here's what to look for
Here are some trends to keep an eye on this week during the Pirates series at home against San Francisco (Hint: Good shot for Pirates to win series against an equally bad opponent):
Tuesday: Zach Duke (Pittsburgh) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (San Francisco)
Duke has been a hard-luck loser of late. He's had good chances at victories this season but a lack of run support hasn't helped. In four of his six starts he's allowed three runs or less. ... Rich Aurilia is 4-for-6 with a home run and three RBI vs. Duke. ... Sanchez has never started against the Pirates and has had only two short relief outings against them.
Wednesday: Phil Dumatrait (Pittsburgh) vs. Pat Misch (San Francisco)
Dumatrait had a big lead in his last start - his first as a Pirates pitcher - but went only four innings and could not earn the victory. ... Dumatrait has never faced San Francisco. ... Both Dumatrait and Misch are looking for their first major-league victory. Misch has never faced the Pirates.
Thursday: Paul Maholm (Pittsburgh) vs. Matt Cain (San Francisco)
Aurilia had two doubles and two RBI in 14 at bats lifetime against Maholm. ... Maholm won his only career start against the Giants, though he gave up five runs and 11 hits. ... Cain left his last start due to a tight right hamstring.
Tuesday: Zach Duke (Pittsburgh) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (San Francisco)
Duke has been a hard-luck loser of late. He's had good chances at victories this season but a lack of run support hasn't helped. In four of his six starts he's allowed three runs or less. ... Rich Aurilia is 4-for-6 with a home run and three RBI vs. Duke. ... Sanchez has never started against the Pirates and has had only two short relief outings against them.
Wednesday: Phil Dumatrait (Pittsburgh) vs. Pat Misch (San Francisco)
Dumatrait had a big lead in his last start - his first as a Pirates pitcher - but went only four innings and could not earn the victory. ... Dumatrait has never faced San Francisco. ... Both Dumatrait and Misch are looking for their first major-league victory. Misch has never faced the Pirates.
Thursday: Paul Maholm (Pittsburgh) vs. Matt Cain (San Francisco)
Aurilia had two doubles and two RBI in 14 at bats lifetime against Maholm. ... Maholm won his only career start against the Giants, though he gave up five runs and 11 hits. ... Cain left his last start due to a tight right hamstring.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Burnett up, Meek out
Before Sunday's game with the Nationals, the Pirates recalled left-handed pitcher Sean Burnett and designated pitcher Evan Meek for assignment.
Burnett, who was the last roster cut in spring training, excelled at Class AAA Indianapolis just as he did in Bradenton, Fla. this spring. With the Indians, Burnett was 1-1 with three saves and a 1.04 ERA in 17 1/3 innings. This was the first time Burnett worked solely out of the bullpen, something which he will do in Pittsburgh as well.
This marks Burnett's first appearance in the majors since 2004 when he had to undergo Tommy John surgery after going 5-5 with a 5.02 ERA in 13 starts.
Meek was a Rule 5 draft selection by the Pirates over the winter and impressed enough in the spring the team gave him a shot on the 25-man roster. Meek, however, looked overmatched during much of his tenure. He allowed 11 runs and 12 walks in 13 innings. He was scored upon in five of his first six outings, though he did not allow a run in his last three appearances spanning six innings.
Now, Meek must first clear waivers in which all other 29 teams have a chance to claim him. If they do so, they must keep Meek on their major-league roster or offer him back. If Meek clears waivers, a likely scenario, then the Pirates must offer him back to Tampa Bay, Meek's original team. If the Rays wish to take him back, he would not have to go on their major-league roster, the Rays then must pay the Pirates $25,000. However, if the Pirates truly wish to keep Meek in their system, something general manager Neal Huntington expressed Sunday, then the Pirates and Rays must work out some sort of compensation for Meek, either a player or other cash considerations.
Burnett, who was the last roster cut in spring training, excelled at Class AAA Indianapolis just as he did in Bradenton, Fla. this spring. With the Indians, Burnett was 1-1 with three saves and a 1.04 ERA in 17 1/3 innings. This was the first time Burnett worked solely out of the bullpen, something which he will do in Pittsburgh as well.
This marks Burnett's first appearance in the majors since 2004 when he had to undergo Tommy John surgery after going 5-5 with a 5.02 ERA in 13 starts.
Meek was a Rule 5 draft selection by the Pirates over the winter and impressed enough in the spring the team gave him a shot on the 25-man roster. Meek, however, looked overmatched during much of his tenure. He allowed 11 runs and 12 walks in 13 innings. He was scored upon in five of his first six outings, though he did not allow a run in his last three appearances spanning six innings.
Now, Meek must first clear waivers in which all other 29 teams have a chance to claim him. If they do so, they must keep Meek on their major-league roster or offer him back. If Meek clears waivers, a likely scenario, then the Pirates must offer him back to Tampa Bay, Meek's original team. If the Rays wish to take him back, he would not have to go on their major-league roster, the Rays then must pay the Pirates $25,000. However, if the Pirates truly wish to keep Meek in their system, something general manager Neal Huntington expressed Sunday, then the Pirates and Rays must work out some sort of compensation for Meek, either a player or other cash considerations.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Gorzelanny out, Wilson has setback
Pirates pitcher Tom Gorzelanny will miss his next scheduled start Tuesday.
Gorzelanny has been dealing with a strained lower back for the last couple of starts. The injury explains somewhat as to why Gorzelanny has been so erratic the last month. In his last four starts spanning 19 innings, Gorzelanny has allowed 11 runs on 13 hits but walked 20.
He is expected to start Saturday at home against Atlanta.
Also, shortstop Jack Wilson had a setback during his rehabilitation in Florida and will not begin playing in minor league games in Class AA Altoona until some time late next week.
Wilson has missed all but three of the Pirates first 30 games because of his calf injury.
Gorzelanny has been dealing with a strained lower back for the last couple of starts. The injury explains somewhat as to why Gorzelanny has been so erratic the last month. In his last four starts spanning 19 innings, Gorzelanny has allowed 11 runs on 13 hits but walked 20.
He is expected to start Saturday at home against Atlanta.
Also, shortstop Jack Wilson had a setback during his rehabilitation in Florida and will not begin playing in minor league games in Class AA Altoona until some time late next week.
Wilson has missed all but three of the Pirates first 30 games because of his calf injury.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Bad strategy leads to loss
I haven't seen many tactical mistakes from new Pirates' manager John Russell this early in his tenure, but I did during Thursday's 3-2 loss to Washington.
The game was scoreless in the second when Washington put runners on second and third with one out. Russell pulled the infield in with Wil Nieves, the Nationals' No. 8 hitter at the plate.
If the Pirates play back, they allow only one run in the inning as Nieves hit a grounder to second. However, with a drawn-in infield, the ball got past Freddy Sanchez and into right field for a two-run single.
There was no need to bring the infield in that early in the game. It will be interesting to hear Russell's postgame comments as to why he pulled the infield in but the look on his face afterward looked like a man who realized he clearly made a mistake.
The game was scoreless in the second when Washington put runners on second and third with one out. Russell pulled the infield in with Wil Nieves, the Nationals' No. 8 hitter at the plate.
If the Pirates play back, they allow only one run in the inning as Nieves hit a grounder to second. However, with a drawn-in infield, the ball got past Freddy Sanchez and into right field for a two-run single.
There was no need to bring the infield in that early in the game. It will be interesting to hear Russell's postgame comments as to why he pulled the infield in but the look on his face afterward looked like a man who realized he clearly made a mistake.
Pirates-Nationals: Here's what to look for
Here are some trends to keep an eye on this weekend during the Pirates series at Washington against the Nationals (Hint: With little to go on, at least the ballpark is new):
Tonight: Zach Duke (Pittsburgh) vs. Odalis Perez (Washington):
Duke has only had one career start vs. Washington. … Washington's Ryan Zimmerman is 3-for-7 lifetime against Duke. Nick Johnson is 2-for-6 and Lastings Milledge is 2for-3. … Pittsburgh's Jason Bay is only 2-for-9 against Perez but has a team-high three RBI. … Freddy Sanchez is 3-for-5 vs. Perez. Adam LaRoche is 0-for-4 with 3 strikeouts.
Friday: Phil Dumatrait (Pittsburgh) vs. Matt Chico (Washington):
There's not much of a book on either of these guys. This will be Dumatrait's first start since replacing Matt Morris in the rotation and seventh career major-league start. … Zimmerman and Ronnie Belliard are each 2-for-2 with an RBI. Belliard has doubled twice off Dumatrait. … Sanchez is 2-for-6 with a home run and two RBI against Chico. Ronny Paulino is 2-for-4.
Saturday: Paul Maholm (Pittsburgh) vs. John Lannan (Washington):
Milledge has a home run against Maholm and Paul LoDuca is 4-for-9 against the Pittsburgh left-hander and new father. … This will be only Lannan's 12th major-league appearance. He has never faced the Pirates.
Sunday: Ian Snell (Pittsburgh) vs. Tim Redding (Washington):
Milledge is 3-for-5 and Zimmerman is 2-for-8 with two doubles lifetime against Snell. … Bay is one of four active Pirates to face Redding and he is 2-for-7. … Sanchez, LaRoche and Xavier Nady are a combined 0-for-5.
Tonight: Zach Duke (Pittsburgh) vs. Odalis Perez (Washington):
Duke has only had one career start vs. Washington. … Washington's Ryan Zimmerman is 3-for-7 lifetime against Duke. Nick Johnson is 2-for-6 and Lastings Milledge is 2for-3. … Pittsburgh's Jason Bay is only 2-for-9 against Perez but has a team-high three RBI. … Freddy Sanchez is 3-for-5 vs. Perez. Adam LaRoche is 0-for-4 with 3 strikeouts.
Friday: Phil Dumatrait (Pittsburgh) vs. Matt Chico (Washington):
There's not much of a book on either of these guys. This will be Dumatrait's first start since replacing Matt Morris in the rotation and seventh career major-league start. … Zimmerman and Ronnie Belliard are each 2-for-2 with an RBI. Belliard has doubled twice off Dumatrait. … Sanchez is 2-for-6 with a home run and two RBI against Chico. Ronny Paulino is 2-for-4.
Saturday: Paul Maholm (Pittsburgh) vs. John Lannan (Washington):
Milledge has a home run against Maholm and Paul LoDuca is 4-for-9 against the Pittsburgh left-hander and new father. … This will be only Lannan's 12th major-league appearance. He has never faced the Pirates.
Sunday: Ian Snell (Pittsburgh) vs. Tim Redding (Washington):
Milledge is 3-for-5 and Zimmerman is 2-for-8 with two doubles lifetime against Snell. … Bay is one of four active Pirates to face Redding and he is 2-for-7. … Sanchez, LaRoche and Xavier Nady are a combined 0-for-5.
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