A Good Day for Pitchers

Niese K/9 is 7+

The Mets finished up a sweep of the Braves on Sunday.  The two staffs combined for 19 strikeouts on the day.  Mike Minor is known as a strikeout pitcher but I was surprised to find Jonathan Niese carries a career K/9 of over seven.  Niese had seven strikeouts in six innings but he was facing the Braves so we can understand why he got a head start on this years’ K/9.  Niese took a no hitter into the 7^th, highlights here.

Nicasio Has Gem Roughed up by Bullpen

If Juan Nicasio throws seven innings of one run ball in the Astrodome, does anyone notice?  Nicasio of the Rockies shut down the AAA Astros striking out four and only walking one. Rex Brothers got the ball in the top of the 8^th and retired the first two before giving up a few hits and watching third baseman Jordan Pacheco throw the ball around.  Here are highlights of Nicasio’s start.

Smardzija Doesn't Disappoint

The rumors of drastic improvement came to fruition for the Cubs’ Jeff Smardzija.  He got through eight and two thirds before the Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman reached on a throwing error by Starlin Castro followed by a home run by Adam LaRoche.  You’d think Dusty Baker was back at the helm with Smardzija’s pitch count up at 110.  Before Zimmerman’s AB Smardzija line was as follows: 8 2/3 inning, 4H, 0BB, 1ER, 8K.

Dusty Baker Weasels Out of Trouble

Speaking of Dusty Baker, we’re about to do a little armchair managing.  The Reds took a 4-2 lead into the top of the 7^th.  It was surprising to see that Baker was going to send Bronson Arroyo out for the 7^th because he seemed to be hanging onto the lead by the skin of his teeth.  To no one’s surprise, Arroyo gave up the lead (hitting the first batter) before Logan Ondrusek was summoned from the bullpen come to put out the fire.  Dusty will sidestep any scrutiny because the Reds came back to win in the bottom of the 9^th after Jay Bruce hit a home run (second on the day) to tie it and Scott Rolen drove inthe game winning run as a pinch hitter.  Things don’t get any easier for the Reds with Homer Bailey on the hill today.

Quick Hitters

Yet another pitcher note, former Lance Lynn threw 6.2solid innings with 8k’s for the Cardinals.

 

Carlos Santana clubbed two HR’s on Sunday.  Guess his knee is feeling better.