Since I last posted before my trip to Spain, there have been a number of noteworthy occurrences in Major League Baseball.
The American League won yet another All-Star Game – by a single run for the fourth year in a row. Manny Ramirez returned from his 50-game suspension. The Nationals fired manager Manny Acta. Jonathan Sanchez threw the season’s first no-hitter. The Braves gave up on underachieving hometown boy Jeff Francouer, and traded him to the Mets for Ryan Church, who hit the foul ball I caught at RFK in 2007. The most exciting news, however, took place the day I returned from my voyage: Mark Buerhle of the White Sox threw a perfect game. The following day, the A’s traded slugger Matt Holliday to the Cardinals, who now have protection for Albert Pujols.
How ‘bout that?
How about the Giants? After beating the Pirates 1-0 in 10 innings on Wednesday night, San Francisco has shut out the opponent 14 times this season. They have kept up the pace with Los Angeles and even picked up half a game over the last eight weeks, closing the gap between themselves and the Dodgers to seven games. Thanks to a 34-15 record at home, the Giants are leading the National League Wild Card race.
How about Adam Dunn’s defense? Dunn is having perhaps his best offensive season ever but has been awful both in the outfield and at first base, making 12 errors in the season’s first four months. His fielding percentage stands at a horrendous .953 at first base, where he has made four errors in just 11 games (10 starts) and an atrocious .947 in the outfield, where he has committed eight errors in 83 games (82 starts). Maybe it’s time for Dunn to realize he’s better off on an American League team where he can DH on a regular basis.
How about those Damn Yankees? As much as I hate to see them win, I have to give Joe Girardi and the Bronx Bombers credit for passing the Red Sox in the American League East, where they hold a 1.5 game lead over their arch-rivals.
O’s Notes
Nolan Reimold has a real chance at winning the Rookie Triple Crown. Named the American League Rookie of the Month for June, he leads A.L. rookies with 10 home runs and 28 walks and is second only to Chicago’s Gordon Beckham in batting average (.286 to .302) and RBI’s (29 to 31). Beckham, along with Orioles teammate Brad Bergesen, are Reimold’s toughest competition for Rookie of the Year. Let’s hope one of the two Birds can show why he deserves the award more than the rest of the pack over the last third of the season.
Coming up next
Keywords: Adam Dunn, Albert Pujols, All-Star Game, American League, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Brad Bergesen, Gordon Beckham, Jeff Francoeur, Joe Girardi, Jonathan Sanchez, Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Acta, Manny Ramirez, Mark Buerhle, Matt Holliday, New York Yankees, Nolan Reimold, Pittsburgh Pirates, PNC Park, Rookie Triple Crown, Ryan Church, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals
