Ethier's third homer against the Braves in the past week, this time a 3 run shot giving the Dodgers a 5-4 walkoff win.

Ethier digs that Atlanta pitching. You guys need to go on a run and win that division away from Philly.

There's a better chance of pigs flying out of my ass than there is of that happening.

So are you promising to shit winged bacon if the Braves win the East?

Just because something has been done forever doesn't mean it isn't fucking stupid.

God this link from Simmons, agree with him that it's a really fun read:

25 things you didn't know about baseball - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Wakefield had a setback, probably out until around September 1. Bowden is the likely candidate to replace Smoltz as he's pretty much lined up with Smoltz. Tazawa is also in AAA, but he's still learning things like how to pitch from a windup.

On the plus side, that was by far the worst pitching matchup of the series and Joba looks pretty bad.I love how Sox fans are now responsible for the actions of players on the field. (And ftr, I don't blame Pedroia for being mad considering the previous pitch went over his head. It's not like he charged the mound or -god forbid- the Sox retaliated in the next inning.)

Smoltz has been DFA'd. Now perhaps he'll kick ass somewhere in the NL, like Lugo.

Not sure exactly how much this failed experiment cost the Sox - about $8 million?

Jason Giambi was released also and someone claimed Alex Rios off Waivers. I wonder if a trade gets worked out for Toronto which would be a god send for them.

$5.5 million, actually. At 42, I would think his playing days are pretty much at an end.

That was his base salary, but he also got incentives for every day he was on the roster. After looking it up, it looks like $125,000 for the first day, $35,000 every day after that, and then another $500k if he made it to the end of the season. So that's about $1.5 million plus the $5.5 base. It makes sense why they pulled the plug and weren't willing to let him hang around the bullpen.

Aah, didn't see the rest of it. Yeah, can see why they said goodbye to him.

Tonight before the Marlins game in Philadelphia, the Phillies will induct Harry Kalas onto the Phillies Wall of Fame.

Kalas to be inducted into Wall of Fame | phillies.com: News

That (any) team would be retarded to offer anything in a trade. He's still a decent player, but Toronto has to just let him go to be out from that contract (he is set to earn salaries of $9.7 million in 2010, $12 million in 2011, $12 million in 2012, $12.5 million in 2013, and $12.5 million in 2014). Shocking that any team even did that (watch it be the Red Sox) - absolute gift for the Blue Jays.

Remember 2 offseasons ago when SF was considering trading Lincecum or Matt Cain for Rios? Thank god that didn't happen.

I can't believe someone claimed Rios. Seriously a wtf moment.

Probably the Mets, cause they "like the amount of games he plays."

Peace out, Rios. Hope JP doesn't manage to flub this one up...(who am I kidding, though?)

So does the team who picks him up off waivers assume the full salary? Not sure how this works even before the trade deadline.

Disappointing about Rios. The guy has all the physical tools and I really thought if anybody could get him going at the plate it would be Cito and his staff. Here's hoping the switch flips for him in the next couple years and he figures out how to fully utilize the talent at his disposal. Ah the days when he looked like he'd be the perfect fit in the 3 spot to compliment Wells in the cleanup spot.

sigh.

Yes. :( I was hoping for Lincecum!!

At least he's still an ok fit in the 6th spot to compliment Wells in the 7th spot.

Yes.

Full salary yes. In August there is "revocable" waivers where a team can trade with the (lowest ranked) claiming team, pull the player back or just allow him to go (almost never happens). If a player makes it through unclaimed they can then be traded to any team. If the player is claimed the first time and pulled back the team can try and stick him through again (on "irrevocable" waivers), but anyone claimed there automatically goes to the new team. So as long as Toronto isn't dumb, the new team will get Rios and his entire contract on Tuesday.

Good pitchers duel in Boston, aided by the RS being 3 for last 39 RISP and hacking all night and letting Burnett stay in thru 7 2/3 despite walking 6. David Ortiz also 0 for his last 18. We've already DFA'd one baseball legend today....

1 for his last 19

Reverse jinx works and Ortiz singles! Then JD Drew lines out. Bottom 9.

Pulled this from USAToday regarding Monday's Giants-Dodgers game:

As a bonus, Dave Dravecky will be on hand Monday for the 20-year anniversary of his famed comeback game. He overcame cancer and beat the Reds 4-3 on Aug. 10, 1989. Then he won his next start, but it ended badly. He broke his arm and eventually had to have it amputated.

I was at that comeback game and it was amazing. Took a friend to his first baseball game that day. People were jumping out of their seats and cheering every strike Dravecky threw. Pete Rose got himself thrown out. I must say, it was a very good day.

As more and more teams deny claiming Rios, I have a sinking feeling about the Pirates claiming him. It would make no sense whatsoever, but neither did the Matt Morris trade.

I can't believe a team claimed Alex Rios and his contract.

Alfredo Aceves isn't this good.

Yankees fans ooohing and booing on a pitch up and in when a HBP would have loaded the bases in a tied extra inning game. PING: Easy Mac.

What kind of bullshit is this in the Braves game? Umpire calls a strike, and McCann throws out a runner at 2nd, but then the umpire changes it and says it's a walk.

For some reason, I love that Madonna song, "Holiday" ;)

I turned the game off in frustration a few minutes ago and I still have no idea what went on there or what possible justification there could be for changing the call.

Different regime. I know we were linked to him. Too much money but he would work in left. Hopefully not us though.

I'm gonna take a wild guess & figure that's when Bobby got tossed.
And according to the box score, Jurrjens was ejected after he had been relieved?

Just to be that guy:

It's an A-Bomb for AAA-RODDD

I wasn't aware a balls-and-strikes call COULD be changed except on a swing appeal.

As far as Rios goes, I wouldn't be shocked if the Tigs put a claim on. He'd be perfect here sans the contract, he is what we need. I wonder if they'd take Magglio back and some other stuff and they can just cut Maggs before he hits his options.

Dreaming on my part.

Dola hat trick: MLBTR is saying it looks like it's the White Sox who claimed Rios. Interesting.

I'd be shocked if the Jays don't just pull a Padres and say "Great, you can have him!"

What an incredible game that was. Big win in the series for the Yankees and they have a good advantage tomorrow with Sabathia vs. Bucholz the day after both bullpens were used up in a 15 inning game.

Yep, that's when Bobby got tossed. If Jurrjens did get tossed (I missed it), then it was after he was relieved.

I hate it that A-Rod hits all his homers in non-clutch situations ;)

Ehhh... it was close but I don't know if I'd call it incredible. The Red Sox were just horribly inept on offense and the Yankees weren't much better. Other than JD Drew's catch there really weren't many good plays.

Bullpen wise I don't even know at this point either. I guess we send down Tazawa and recall Doubront maybe? or a Hunter Jones? There's absolutely no way they can pull Buchholz before 6 no matter how bad he's doing.

And I was planning to go to bed early for an 8am playoff soccer game tomorrow. Sooooo depressing haha.

A-Rod can't hit in the clutch just like Tony Romo can't play in the playoffs. :)

It seems like the umpire was claiming that he said "ball", but accidentally motioned strike. If so, he made two mistakes, because that was clearly a strike.

So are you claiming that Tony Romo can play in the playoffs ;).

Otherwise that statement makes no sense. :p

Sigh. I hope whoever that asshole is who ran onto the field on a 1-2 count, he "trips" and "falls" down a staircase or two.

Asshole.

Like I said a few weeks ago. Once the starters are gone, pitchers duels are over and you're just seeing inept offense.

Braves managed a comeback and we're now in extra innings in LA.

Rangers beat the Angels 11-6 in Anaheim to pull within 3 1/2 of the division lead, and 1 behind the Red Sox in the wild card.

3 run HR from Ryan Church! Braves up 9-5 in the 13th.

What a great comeback. They really need this one.

I'm still pissed at that asshole who ran on the field. Doubly pissed now, actually.

I think they might ask for something in return but, in the end, they will surrender him just to shed the terrible contract. Maybe they'll get a scrub or two back, just to make it look like they didn't give him away for free (to the common fans, at least).

Talk about a crazy opening half-inning. Torres gets an out, then walks 3 straight batters to load the bases (including something like 10 straight balls) and finds enough control to strike out 2 to escape the jam.

WOW! Yankees win AGAIN over the BoSox. After not being able to beat them before this series, that's 3 in a row and opening up a lead of 5.5 in the standings . The Yankees are REALLY on a roll, winning 6 straight and before this game, 21 of their last 30. And now Tampa is 2 games back of Boston.

Great work by Kawakami after some walks and a real bitch move by Escobar on an attempted steal by the Dodgers.

Sox don't have what it takes this year to get anywhere. Be shocked to see them get the wild card at this point TBH.

Questionable rotation after Beckett and Lester, and they're (not) hitting like a bunch of little leaguers. Too much age in the lineup and way too many easy outs.

I'll believe it when I see it (although two things I definitely see what you're looking at and agree with, and that's that the Red Sox are shockingly poor in the rotation in comparison to years past, and that the Rangers--with some legit pitching for once--actually do have a chance of catching the BoSox).

Been a weird year. Take my Angels for instance. Traditionally pitching strong and weak offensively. This year, they're #1 or #2 in many key offensive categories in the AL--and the pitching is easily the worst it has been in the past decade.

Yes.

That statement made no sense.


Can we just play Baltimore again already? I liked the illusion that we had Major League hitters on our team.

I don't think the rotation is worse than years past (and better than 05/06) - it just looks exacerbated this past week because we're seemingly cycling through every AAAA filler pitcher for long relief and our 5th starter spot is where all the drama comes from. Beckett and Lester (post-May - both have ERA's of ~2.00 since) are easily our best 1-2 combination since 2004. Tim Wakefield is the same Tim Wakefield - seriously his ERA+ has been between 100 and 114 for the past 7 seasons and he's on the DL again in August like clockwork. Brad Penny isn't exciting anyone, but Julian Tavarez started 23 games 2 seasons ago. Buchholz is scuffling, but he started 15 games last year and did worse then. In addition we had 7 other guys start last year in an attempt to find that last starter, guys like Paul Byrd (who we just re-signed apparently), Bartolo Colon (who actually disappeared with 2 months left), David Pauley, Charlie Zink. Check back in a month when we meet the Angels and our rotation will probably look as formidable as ever. It's definitely the 3/4 combination that they're missing. Youk has replaced Ortiz but trading Manny is still killing us - we have 5 #5/6 hitters but no true star who can overcome the rest of the teams ineptitude on nights like the last 2 and kickstart the offense.

I'll say this much for Javier Vazquez, he's as advertised, a definite innings eater. He's thrown at least 98 pitches in all but two starts this season.

Great finish to the series for the Braves. They take 3 of 4 from the Dodgers after a crushing defeat in game 1.

Just got back from that game. Vazquez looked very good.

Wow! Bottom of the 7th, 0-0 between Yanks and Sox and A-Rod goes deep to break a scoreless tie again. A towering shot!

Real men wait until the 9th.

And Martinez comes back with a 2 run blast! :eek:

And Damon comes right back and slams a HR to tie it up at 2!

HOLY SHIT! Teixiera with a back-to-back off of Bard and now it's 3-2 Yanks! :eek:

And Tex gives the Yanks the lead. What a game. Mo in the 9th for the sweep!

hate world. Revenge soon.

If I had any energy I would go Fozzie on a tree at this point. Has there ever been a flyout to right in that new stadium?

REDSOX SUCK!
REDSOX SUCK!
REDSOX SUCK!
REDSOX SUCK!

It's okay, Sox will sweep the Tigs. We can't win in Fenway.

Yesterday, the Red Sox had 8 of them.

Prince Fielder's hissy fit in the hallway to the Dodgers clubhouse...

I've been really impressed with him the times I've seen him. Pounds the strikes zone and has good stuff. I need to watch some more before making this statement definitive, but he's one of the best young pitchers I've seen in a long time.

SI

Those were all pop-ups. Cano should have had them :)

Date	Video	Path	Hitter	Hitter Team	Pitcher	Pitcher Team	INN	Ballpark	Type/ Luck	True Dist.	Speed Off Bat	Elev. Angle	Horiz. Angle	Apex	Impact Due To:			Std. Dist.	# Parks
															Wind	Temp.	Alt.

08/09/09

Video

View

Teixeira, Mark

NYY

Bard, Daniel

BOS

8

New Yankee S...

PL

357

99.5

42.3

61.4

144

37

2

0

317

0

Go Rangers :)

They don't look like they have enough but it would be cool if they did

SI

Good to see the Royals making a run at the #1 draft pick. Only 3 1/2 back of the Nationals now. At least they got a win for Greinke.

Lots of gold in this one:




And my personal favorite



SI

We were at that game (Greinke) over the weekend. My wife won the designated driver contest :)

SI

How'd you like the stadium? Fantastic, no?

I'll have a little writeup when I get a chance- actually, I think I should do that for all 5 stadiums I've been to in the last month.

We got there early and got to see the HOF- definite plus. And the stadium looks completely different- the outside has the 'fishbowl' look of the Sprint center for some reason but the inside looks completely new, like a whole new stadium but not really.

SI

I haven't actually been out to see the HOF since it opened up. We have a family friend (Larry Gura) that is in there, so I need to get out there and see his new display.

White Sox got Rios. No trade, just a straight claim so they'll eat the entire salary.

Good that Toronto got that mistake of a contract corrected. But I don't hate this move for the white sox. Rios is still decent and has some upside. Plus they are in a different situation than Toronto, so for them I think it is a fine move as well.

Apparently Reinsdorf is deciding now its ok to spend all his damn money, with all the Phoenix deals, and now spending 100 mil + on Rios and Peavy.

I'm really fucking questioning Kenny Williams brain right now. But I hope it works out.

Dola, but you know what, If he doesnt care about spending the money? why not take a flyer on this kid, maybe he will show some promise still. No one wants to play in Toronto.

The thing is, the Rios of the previous couple of years is well worth the money he has left on his contract. It's just a question of whether his decline this year is an aberration or the start of a trend. The main difference in his batting this year is a drop in his BABIP and a drop in his line drive pct, which are probably related.

*looks at 2005, Alexei Ramirez and Carlos Quentin*

Yeah, despite the whole Frank Thomas fiasco, I'd say KW's earned the benefit of the doubt.

Not that I see us winning the Series again this year or anything, but here's to hoping we win the Central. :)

Please let this happen. :D

I don't know, I still liked Rios. Just dump everyone JP, you should've been gone last year.

The more I'm thinking about it the more I like it.

With that contract, I was fine with Rios being gone, but not at the price of getting absolutely nothing for him. Keeping him probably wouldn't work either, though. So I'm not sure. I think this was a call your bluff situation and his bluff got called and he realized he had to let the kid go.

But no way he did it intentionally.

I'm so sick of JP. But this season's suckage should solidify that he'll be gone for good. Finally.

Good guys vs. the Bums on right now.


Hey JIMGA, Can I join the lynch Bill Hohn club? The SOB just called a guy who was safe by a yard out because... well, I don't know why. Jon Miller is calling it a "not very good call by major league standards", and he is basically the nicest guy in the world.

Bill Hohn is a fucking awful umpire. Two straight fucking blown calls.

Were the Braves playing? :D

Troy Tulowitzki hit for the cycle and went 5-for-5 with 7 RBI tonight. He's a stud.

Fixed. ;)

Welcome aboard, still good seats available although it does seem to be filling up faster & faster.