From Omar Vizquel to Greg Williams

Couple of glitches on the links but come on!  I've only been doing this for three days.


Toronto – 7, Cleveland – 4

Want to start this out right by giving a shout out to the timeless wonder Omar Vizquel.  After coming in as a fifth infielder in the bottom of the 12^th inning, he was able to get his 11,851^st plate appearance in the following half inning.  On his way out of the dugout you could distinctly see manager John Farrell asking Mr. Vizquel to buy him beer.  April 24^th will mark Omar’s 45^th birthday.  Impressive indeed. 

Nice Piece of Hittin’ Kid

Since standing ovations are rarely overrated, let’s take a look at Prince Fielder’s first at bat as a Tiger.  He led off the bottom of the 2nd facing John Lester.

·         Fielder takes an outside fastball for ball one.  (Pitch FX of pitch locations here)

·         Fielder takes a fastball up and in for ball two.

·         Prince takes a questionable strike low and away for strike one.  2-1

·         Fielder cannot hold up on a breaking ball low and away.  2-2

·         Prince takes a breaking ball low and away.  3-2

·         Fielder connects on an up and in fastball for a single.  

Complete Pitch FX of the AB here.

Nice Piece of Hittin’ Kid 2

Starlin Castro got a “hit” which consisted of a pop fly to Steven Strasburg that he apparently could not see in the sun because he ran out of the vicinity, leaving it for Adam LaRoche and or Ryan Zimmerman but neither corner infielder could make the play.  A pop fly to the mound, misplayed by at least one but possibly up to three defensive players is recorded as a hit.  … it’s good to play at home.  Was unable to find the clip so in its place included a clip of a foul ball destroying someone’s beer.  Nice catch buddy.

Don’t Let ‘um Get Away From Ya Kid

Back to Chicago.  Kerry Wood faced Jayson Werth with the bases loaded in the top of the 8^th trying to hold on to a one run lead.  Wood, having walked Adam LaRoche and Ryan Zimmerman in the previous two at bats just needed to get one of last year’s most disappointing players to make an out.  Jayson Werth did all he could.

·         Wood starts by pumping a fastball past Werth right down the middle of the plate.

·         On the next pitch Werth hits a lofty fly ball to right field which would certainly have ended the inning if the Windy City wind did not take it foul.

·         Werth watch a pitch that the crowd certainly thought was strike three but is called ball one.  Xfinity Pitch Track in Chicago agrees so how can we argue.

·         Wood burns a fastball high and in and Werth holds up.  The check down to first confirms.  2-2

·         Wood sails one even higher than the last.  3-2

·         Ball four low.  Tie game.  That was Wood’s third and last walk in 0.1 innings.  Video  

Don’t Let ‘um Get Away From Ya Kid 2

Fantasy Sleeper Edinson Volquez walked in the first Dodger run last night in the top of the 4^th.  James Loney drew the walk which pushed Matt Kemp across the plate.  In the next at bat Volquez forced a “runners fielders choice” which looked more like a “past ball/wild pitch” which catcher Nick Hundley retrieved, fired back to Volquesz who applied the tag on Andre Ethier.  I will not mention that it was a terrible call because Edinson is a class act and went on to walk the next two batters to bring in that lost run for the Dodgers.  Edinson Volquez is gunna Edison Volquez.

Oh, and apparently Clayton Kershaw can only shut down the Padres for three innings with flu like symptoms.  Michael Jordan and his 38 points in 44minutes says Clayton needs to step up his flu game.

The Greg William award goes to:

Great American Ballpark’s outfield fence support.  Chris Heisey, who has been buried yet again on Dusty Baker’s bench, drilled a shot in a pinch hit at bat in the bottom of the 8th to deep center field.  Emilio Bonifacio gave chase but ran out of room colliding with a padded fence support.  Bonifacio walked it off like a man but it is surprising to find out he was not concussed.  For what it’s worth, the Reds TV Broadcaster claimed Heisey will split most of his platoon facing hard throwers and pitchers who work up in the zone.  Apparently he is a good high ball hitter but with only 481 MLB at bats, it is a wonder they can make that type of declaration.