5/28: vs Braves (28-23/12-12 Rd) - Yovani Gallardo (3-4, 3.78) vs Stephen Russell (3-1, 1.77)
Gallardo pitched VERY well, lasting eight innings, striking out 12 and giving up three earned runs (one of which came as a result of a Derrick Turnbow allowed home run). We could not figure out Russell as he just mowed down our hitters, as he has done all year long.
Outcome: Loss, 0-4 - LP: Gallardo (3-5)
5/29: vs Braves - Zach Jackson (4-3, 2.47) vs Tim Hudson (6-1, 1.23)
Jackson pitched almost perfect ball today, and allowed only four baserunners through seven innings. Off of RBIs from both Sean Casey, who doubled, and Rickie Weeks, who homered, we were able to muster up enough offense against a gu y who has almost been unhittable all season long, so I am very impressed with the way we were able to pull this one out. Jeff Gogal pitched a perfect eighth with the strikeout in his first appearance of the year.
Outcome: Win, 2-0 - WP: Jackson (5-3), S: Vazquez (9)
5/30: vs Braves - Ben Sheets (3-6, 4.67) vs M Harrison (2-7, 3.92)
Sheets pitched well again, going six innings and allowing only two runs to cross the plate while striking out nine. We had a very big day hitting, with Juan Rivera going 2-5 with two doubles, a run, and three RBIs. Corey Hart also drew two walks to score to runs in an 0-3 game. Rickie Weeks was 2-3 with two RBIs, and Vinny Rottino also had two RBIs. In the eight spot Polanco continues to impress, as he was 3-3 with two runs scored and a walk.
Outcome: Win, 9-4 - WP: Sheets (4-6)
5/31: vs Marlins - Steve Hammond (1-0, 1.13) vs Josh Johnson (4-3, 2.33)
We had the lead after six innings, but the usually reliable Scot Shields came back down to earth today and gave up four runs to propel them ahead. Placido Polanco was 2-4 with two RBIs and two doubles. Sean Casey and Juan Rivera were also each 2-4 in today's game.
Outcome: Loss, 3-7 - LP: Shields (3-1)
6/01: vs Marlins - Carlos Villanueva (1-4, 3.73) vs Jose Garcia (3-6, 5.60)
Carlos pitched eight innings and gave up only six hits and two runs. Vazquez pitched a perfect ninth to notch his tenth save since becoming the closer. We trailed 2-1 the whole game, but then got three in the bottom of the eighth and held on to the lead from there. Rickie Weeks was 2-4 with two RBIs, and in his first game back at the big league level Jeff Mathis was 2-4 also.
Outcome: Win, 4-2 - WP: Villanueva (2-4); SV: Vazquez (10)
6/02: vs Marlins - Yovani Gallardo (3-5, 3.74) vs Dan Barone (3-4, 2.67)
Gallardo pitched very well, but we again didn't get the lead until the bottom of the eighth so he gained a no decision. He went seven innings, allowed four hits, two runs, and struck out 11 while walking ZIP. Derrick Turnbow, Jeff Gogal, and William Vazquez all pitched very well and were able to to hold the lead close to allow us to come from behind in the bottom of the eighth. Erick Aybar was 2-4 with a run and RBI, Tony Gwynn was 3-4 with a run, Geoff Jenkins was 2-3 with a home run, Juan Rivera was 1-4 with a run and the go-ahead RBI, and Rickie Weeks was 2-4 with a RBI. The bottom of the order didn't do too hot, but as you see the top carried us through this game with 10 of our 11 hits.
Outcome: Win, 4-2 - WP: Gogal (1-0), SV: Vazquez (11)
6/03: vs Marlins - Zach Jackson (5-3, 2.23) vs Chris Volstad (1-6, 4.38)
Jackson had another rough outing giving up six runs through five innings. Five of those runs all came in the second inning in which the Royals had two two-RBI singles. Placido Polanco was 3-4 with three runs batted in and a home run.
Outcome: Loss, 3-7 - LP: Jackson (5-4)
Jay's Thoughts: Well overall it was a pretty good week as we took a series from a good Atlanta ball club and were able to scratch out a split with the Marlins. It would have been nice to take three of four from Florida, but I guess it just didn't work out that way. I am impressed so far with the way we've responded to the changes that took place a few weeks back and our bullpen has been a bit more impressive since changing pitching coaches. We can't seem to gain any ground on the Cubs, as we are still 10 games back, but we have a three game set coming up with the northsiders in this upcoming week.
Top Ten Prospects
1. 3B Evan Longoria (AA): 15 G, 63 AB, 13 H, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 7 BB, 15 K, 1 SB, .206/.286/.349
2. SS Erick Aybar (ML): 55 G, 207 AB, 63 H, 17 2B, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 31 R, 16 BB, 33 K, 4 SB, .304/.373/.401, 13.5 VORP
3. C Neil Walker (AAA): No Stats yet recorded at AAA
4. CF Tony Gwynn (ML): 43 G, 159 AB, 57 H, 6 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 27 R, 26 BB, 26 K, 31 SB, .358/.449/.459, 25.4 VORP
5. 1B Clement Merchant (R): No Stats yet recorded at R
6. 1B Prince Fielder (AAA): 7 G, 25 AB, 7 H, 1 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB, 8 K, .280/.333/.560
7. C Angel Salmoe (A): 54 G, 212 AB, 62 H, 13 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 33 R, 27 BB, 40 K, 1 SB, .292/.371/.429, 14.6 VORP
8. SP Joba Chamberlain (AA): 8 GS, 1-4, 4.17, 41.0 IP, 41 HA, 19 ER, 4 HRA, 7 BB, 43 K, 1.17 WHIP, 4.5 VORP
9. SP Yovani Gallardo (ML): 12 GS, 3-5, 3.64 ERA, 81.2 IP, 65 HA, 33 ER, 8 HRA, 13 BB, 108 K, 1 CG, 0.96 WHIP, 11.2 VORP
10. SP Tim Dillard (AAA): 13 GS, 6-7, 3.86 ERA, 74.2 IP, 84 HA, 32 ER, 4 HRA, 15 BB, 39 K, 1.33 WHIP, 8.6 VORP
Around the League
We have a few trades to report this week. The Nationals and Phillies swapped guys, with the Nationals getting Shane Victorino from the Phillies and the Nationals receiving 3B COry Casto. This was basically just a minor league trade.
In a little bit bigger trade, the Braves traded away Roy Oswalt to his third team in two years, the Cleveland Indians. I don't really understand this trade as the Braves only received Eduardo Perez in return, the 37 year old left fielder. Oswalt is 4-4 this year with a 3.91 ERA. My scouts do tell me that Oswalt has really been declining that past few years, and the Braves may have seen that and decided to get something for him while they could.
Two NL Central teams have made a trade. The Pirates traded OF Craig Wilson to the Cubs, who were in need of a right handed bat off the bench. In return Joe Crede, who has hit .242 so far this season and seen a stint on the DL, will head to Pittsburgh and man the hot corner for the Pirates. Wilson has not played at the big league level yet this season.
AL Player of the Week: RF Manny Ramirez (BOS): 13-25, 5 HR, 12 RBI, .520 AVG, (2x)
NL Player of the Week: 1B Travis Ishikawa (SFG): .476 AVG, 3 HR, 5 RBI, (1x)