MLB Blog Buzz

Leesburg, Georgia …. What’s Going on Down There?

garlicfriesandbaseball — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:50:39 +0000

Who ever heard of Leesburg anyway? The name kept going through my head all week as I was anxiously awaiting the results of this year’s American idol winner. Philip Phillips is one of the two finalists. Philip is from Leesburg. Where have I heard that name before? And then it hits me ~ our very own Buster Posey is from Leesburg, GA. A quick search on Wikipedia confirmed it. But for Pete’s sake, the total population of Leesburg according to the last census is only 2,965, so I can’t help but wonder what the heck they’re feeding those kids down there. Or maybe it’s something in the water. Whatever it is the place is oozing with talent.

Buster’s sister, Samantha, is on the Valdosta State Softball team that just won the 2012 NCAA Division II National Softball Championship this year. Well it appears they’re doing something right in Leesburg. Maybe the rest of the country should take note. I mean, what’s the odds of having these (and who knows how many others) like-able, humble kids make it to the big time, at the national level, from a little podunk town in Georgia.

So hats off to the parents, teachers and townsfolk of Leesburg, GA. Send some more our way. Let’s spread, whatever it is you’ve got, around a little bit!

‘American Idol’ Is Phillip Phillips’ To Lose (mtv.com)

Sale Leads Sox to Shutout

Matt Adams — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:06:53 +0000

The Mayor may have been bored, but we were entertained. On a night where the Chicago Police Department was being honored for their work, Mayor Rahm Emanuel made the big screen at The Cell and he didn’t look to happy to be there. That’s ok, … [visit site to read more]

Sale Leads Sox to Shutout - Southside Showdown - Southside Showdown - A Chicago White Sox Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

D-backs Show Improvement In Win Over Dodgers

J. Levi Burnfin — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:06:00 +0000

Image: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

visit site to read more]

D-backs Show Improvement In Win Over Dodgers - Venom Strikes - Venom Strikes - An Arizona Diamondbacks Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Jeter ties, A-Rod big flies and Pettitte glides Yanks to an 8-3 win

William Tasker — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:53:11 +0000

The New York Yankees took the rubber game of a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, 8-3, as a trio of the Yankees' "old men" had big nights. Alex Rodriguez hit two homers in his first two at bats, Derek Jeter had three singles and tied Paul Waner for fifteenth all time on the hit list and Andy Pettitte gave up two solo homers and little else in seven innings of work. Curtis Granderson also hit a homer in the first inning, his fourteenth of the season. Will Smith's major league debut could not have gone much worse for Kansas City. (click “view full post” to read more)

Cubs’ Bats Misfire in 5-1 Loss to Astros

Andrew Denny — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:04:36 +0000

This game could be summed up in 4 words: Runners In Scoring Position. The Cubs were 0-9 with RISP in what was a 1-run ball game until

Cubs’ Bats Misfire in 5-1 Loss to Astros - Cubbies Crib - Cubbies Crib - A Chicago Cubs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Colorado Rockies break losing streak, avoid sweep in Miami

David Martin — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:32:00 +0000

Alex White kept his team in the game with a 6 inning performance.

On Wednesday night in Miami, the Colorado Rockies won 8-4, giving them their first win in three months.

So, it wasn't three months, but that is what it seems like. In reality, the win is just their fourth since embarking on a west coast road trip that was eight games long. That trip made the Rockies go from within striking distance, to fans looking for something to strike.

Wednesday night was one of those games that makes the people who follow this team so frustrated. It was so easy. It went too well. The starting pitching performed. Alex White gave up four runs in six innings of work. He struck out three and walked one while giving up eight hits.

From an outsider's perspective, a starting pitcher going six innings while giving up four runs doesn't seem like a great night. However, based on the way the pitching situation has gone for the Rockies over the past couple of weeks, it was a phenomenal start simply because White made it six innings.

Again, White showed significant improvement from his short debut in 2011. The 23-year-old has done a good job of maturing on the job. The team has to be happy with one number in particular. One walk. That means White is attacking the strike zone and forcing the opposition to swing the bat. Over the course of May, when the Rockies have seemingly dropped game after game after game after game, the main stat that jumps out is the number of walks the club has given up. White has stayed away from that mold in his last two outings, pounding the strike zone and challenging batters.

The pitching was good, but it coupled with an offense that didn't quit.

The Rockies offense tagged Marlins starter Carlos Zambrano for seven runs on five hits in five innings. The scoring was highlighted by Troy Tulowitzki, the subject of many fans ire, launching a three run homer in the 5th inning. Tulo finished the night with two hits and four RBIs.

Carlos Gonzalez also contributed with two hits of his own, one coming in the form of his third triple of the season. Gonzalez drove in two runs on the night.

With the win in the books, Tulowitzki was smiling from ear-to-ear. It looked as if the weight of the world had been lifted off of his shoulders.

As much as the Rockies have struggled, as much as this 2012 season has turned into a disaster before Memorial Day, this club has a chance to improve. Much like he said in the offseason, Tulowitzki needs to learn how to turn the page on failure. For the majority of his month-long slump, ironically coinciding with the team's slump, Tulo has been trying to do too much. He isn't keeping his weight back and he is trying to pull every pitch into left field. When Tulowitzki is hitting well, he is hitting to right-center field.

The win is the lone bright spot on a miserable day for Rockies fans. With owner Dick Monfort's statements still leaving a bad taste in the mouth's of those who watch the club, the team needed a win. However, the fact remains that it seems that status quo is going to be just fine for these Rockies. It seems clear that change isn't on the horizon and that this team is content to ride out the season with the personnel that they have in place.

Rockies fans would love to be proven wrong. They would love to eat crow in regards to all of the statements that they have made over the past few weeks about the general manager, the manager, or any of the coaches. Fans would love to see this team show fight and claw their way back into respectability.

The road to recovery is going to be a long one, but for now, the team can celebrate a win. They don't have to think about another loss, or another bad outing from a pitcher. Instead, they can be content that for just one day, they are a game closer to at least being respectable.

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The Yankee beat: A-Rod, Granderson, and Hughes

Rob Abruzzese — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:55:05 +0000

A rare, nice, easy win for the Yankees as both Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez were in vintage form in an 8-3 win over the Royals. Tomorrow is an off-day and then they head to Oakland for the weekend. Not such a nice night for the minor league affiliates as all three in action lost tonight.

Here is the link to the recap and graph. Here is the link to tonight’s BBDP. And of course, here is what happened in the Yankees blogosphere.

Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork claimed that Alex Rodriguez is now a middle of the road player and It’s About The Money responded to it. Wonder how people feel after a 2 homer night?
Pinstripe Alley discusses Curtis Granderson‘s defense in center. His current -9.6 UZR is the worst on the Yankees.
The Yankee Analysts analyzes Phil Hughes recent turn around. I’d still like to see him stop giving up homers and go deeper into games.

The Curse of Corey Koskie

Dallin Burgener — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:36:42 +0000

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BBDP May 23: DeLuca makes his (not so) Triumphant return, Flores flourishes

Greg Corcoran — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:18:56 +0000

BBDP MVP: Ramon Flores – 3/5, 3B

Double-A Trenton: L 4-2 vs Akron. L: Mikey O’Brien (1-1)

Shane Brown: 1/4, K (.222)
Corban Joseph: 1/4 (.344)
David Adams; 1/4, R (.209)
Cody Johnson: 1/4, R, HR (11) RBI, K (.291) Did the two things he does best tonight, hit homers, and strike out.
Luke Murton: 1/4, K (.254)
Kevin Mahoney: 2/3, RBI, BB, E (2) (.290)
Yadil Mujica: 1/4, K (.340)
Mikey O’Brien: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (3.65 ERA) Was rolling until the fifth inning, where he let up three runs.
Ryan Pope: 2.2 IP, H, 2 K (5.4 ERA)

High-A Tampa: L 4-5 vs Palm Beach. L: Sneed (0-4)

Ramon “Ray-Flo” Flores: 3/5, 2 R, 3B, 2 K (.274) 17 for his last 41 (.414). He’s on a tear, and it seems he has figured something out at this level.
Kelvin Castro: 1/4, K (.211)
Rob “Seggy” Segedin: 3/5, RBI, K (.301) 12 game hit streak going.
Neil Medchill: 1/5, RBI, 4 K (.273)
Kyle “Higgy” Higashioka: 1/3, R, HR (3), RBI, BB (.200)
Kyle “K-Roll” Roller: 1/4, R, HR, RBI (.216)
Eddy Sosa: 2/4, outfield assist to nab Tartamella at home (.237)
Kramer Sneed: 3 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, BB, 4 K (6.2 ERA)
Evan DeLuca: 1.2 IP, ER, 6 BB, K (4.91 ERA) Made his season debut at this level, and it wasn’t pretty. Looks like they’re gonna work up his innings before sending him to the rotation, although it’s possible he just pitches out of the bullpen now.
Matt Bashore: 1.1 IP, H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (3.86 ERA)
Tom Kahnle: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, BB, 2 K (6.23 ERA) We need to see more of these type of outings from him.

Low-A Charleston: L 3-6 vs Savannah. L: Allen (1-3)

Mason Williams: 0/1, R, BB, HBP (.296)
Cito “Cheeto” Culver: 1/2, R, 2 BB, K (.221) Pretty good game batting lefty.
Dante Bichette Jr: 1/4, 2 K (.235)
Tyler Austin: 1/4, RBI, 2 K (.287)
Gary “The Sanchize” Sanchez: 1/3, K (.309)
Ben Gamel: 1/4, 2 RBI (.270)
Angelo Gumbs: 0/4, 2 K (.261)
Casey Stevenson: 1/4, K (.339)
Scottie Allen: 4 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, BB, 2 K (3.94 ERA) Back to his old tricks again. Boo!
Daniel Mahoney: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, K (4.09 ERA)
Phil Wetherell: 1 IP, 0 ER, BB, K (2.31 ERA)
Mariel Checo: 1 IP, H, 0 ER, K (1.8 ERA)

The Farm Report: 5/23/12

Tamar Chalker — Thu, 24 May 2012 01:57:26 +0000

It was a tough day in the minors for the Yankee affiliates, as each team that played lost. In even more disconcerting news, it appears as though Austin Romine may not be ready until at least July. He has been struggling with an inflamed disc in his back since Spring Training, and it looks like the Yankees catching prospect closest to the Bronx is not getting any closer any time soon. Empire State had the day off. Trenton lost to Akron 4-2: Tim Fedroff started the first with a triple to left, scoring on a ground out by Adam Abraham. The Aeros held the 1-0 lead through three innings, but Trenton tied the score with a solo homer from Cody Johnson in the fourth. Akron rallied in the sixth, as Fedroff and Ryan Rohlinger hit back-to-back singles. A sac bunt moved them over and Chun-Hsiu Chen walked the bases loaded. Ben Copeland tripled to center, clearing the bases and giving the Aeros a 4-1 lead. Trenton strung some hits together in the eighth. David Adams hit a one out single and Luke Murton did the same with two outs. Kevin Mahoney grounded a single to center, plating Adams and putting the Thunder behind 4-2, a score that would hold. Mahoney went 2-3 with a RBI. Johnson was hitting the ball hard, going 1-4 with a solo homer. He apparently was robbed of a second homer when the wind kept it in the park. Michael O'Brien threw 5.1 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, two walks and 2Ks. Ryan Pope threw 2.2 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing just one hit and picking up two strikeouts. (click "view full post" to read more)

MLB Blog Buzz

Leesburg, Georgia …. What’s Going on Down There?

Sale Leads Sox to Shutout

D-backs Show Improvement In Win Over Dodgers

Jeter ties, A-Rod big flies and Pettitte glides Yanks to an 8-3 win

Cubs’ Bats Misfire in 5-1 Loss to Astros

Colorado Rockies break losing streak, avoid sweep in Miami

The Yankee beat: A-Rod, Granderson, and Hughes

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The Curse of Corey Koskie

BBDP May 23: DeLuca makes his (not so) Triumphant return, Flores flourishes

Most Commented Posts

The Farm Report: 5/23/12

MLB Blog Buzz

Leesburg, Georgia …. What’s Going on Down There?

Related articles

Sale Leads Sox to Shutout

D-backs Show Improvement In Win Over Dodgers

Jeter ties, A-Rod big flies and Pettitte glides Yanks to an 8-3 win

Cubs’ Bats Misfire in 5-1 Loss to Astros

Colorado Rockies break losing streak, avoid sweep in Miami

The Yankee beat: A-Rod, Granderson, and Hughes

Related Stories

The Curse of Corey Koskie

BBDP May 23: DeLuca makes his (not so) Triumphant return, Flores flourishes

Most Commented Posts

The Farm Report: 5/23/12