Don't let this post get in the way of the previous one
That one's much more interesting, and I want you guys to continue the debate below. But I have a fascinating thing for you.
So Joel Hanrahan threw five innings of two-hit ball for Class AAA Columbus last night, and he's a candidate to join the rotation at some point. But the most amazing thing to happen in that 2-1 victory for Columbus over Durham: Winston Abreu. The reliever came on to replace Hanrahan in the sixth. He faced nine batters. He struck out eight. He threw 41 pitches. Thirty-two of them were for strikes.
"He dominated," GM Jim Bowden said. Abreu, who pitched for Baltimore last season, is a candidate to add depth in the future, Bowden said.
But the real interesting thing: Ran into Jayson Stark from espn.com here, the incomparable reporter/writer/stats guru who's never met a number he couldn't crunch. He did some digging, as he's wont to do. He found that in the majors, over the last 50 years, only one (1) guy had made an appearance of three innings, faced only nine batters and struck out eight of them -- Ron Davis of the Yankees on May 4, 1981, when he struck out eight California Angels.
There are other relievers who have struck out eight in three innings, but with a bunch of junk thrown in. With that in mind, Jayson passes this along: Bruce Chen, then of the Orioles, did just that, but he mixed in five hits, three walks and four runs.
Top four: Nationals 1, Phillies 1, Bergmann looking quite good, and was robbed (I think) by an umpire's call at first. Will probably be dealt with in the $.35 edition.
That's it for this absurd aside. Please go to the post below for what's turning into a fascinating discussion.
(Oh, and to those wondering about Church's benching but Fick staying in the game, I asked Acta that on Sunday, and he had a good explanation, which I'll relay to you later tonight or tomorrow.)
By Barry Svrluga |
April 24, 2007; 7:52 PM ET
Previous: Your "Where Are They Now?" Entry |
Next: Didn't Make the Paper, Vol. VIII
Posted by: Not Manny | April 24, 2007 10:22 PM
Saw Abreu pitch in the spring; he was impressive then too. Why wasn't he given more of a look then?
Posted by: Ray | April 24, 2007 11:16 PM
I couldn't take out Fick because I had no players on the bench.
Also, Fick has earned the respect of his teammates, unlike Church. Fick simply had a brain cramp by paying too much attention to 2nd base.
Church got lazy. It's a no-brainer, 30-yard dash to first base.
Church has been my best player, and my team needs to see that even my best player must hustle.
Posted by: Manny Acta | April 25, 2007 12:08 AM
Anyone feel like changing up the order of the lineup? Church as the #2 hitter, perhaps, after the Belliard experiment? Though that would weaken the lower end of the lineup. Anyone know how Belliard's been doing since he moved up in the order? Discuss...
Posted by: bob | April 25, 2007 12:17 AM
Hey Manny -- unless that's really you, I think you should flag that you're speaking for him. What if he comes by here, he might be irked if he thinks people are spoofing him. Call yourself Manny Acta's Ghost, or ntr Manny Acta, or something.
And I'd love your thoughts on Bob's proposal. I think Church'd be a great 2.
Posted by: Sam | April 25, 2007 10:25 AM
Hey Manny, don't worry about it. It's funnier when you don't flag it. We know you're not you. My favorite was when "God" wrote "watch it" when Barry's ego was getting a little out of hand.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 25, 2007 11:34 AM
Hey its really me... I'm not actually buried in Giants Stadium, I'm hanging out in Cuba with Fidel Castro, Tupac, John Candy and Chris Farley. True Story.
Posted by: Jimmy Hoffa | April 25, 2007 11:54 AM
Say "hey" to Bill Lee for me. I gather that he still does barnstorming tours there.
---
Hey its really me... I'm not actually buried in Giants Stadium, I'm hanging out in Cuba with Fidel Castro, Tupac, John Candy and Chris Farley. True Story.
Posted by: natsfan1a | April 25, 2007 12:20 PM
Is Church really an Alpha Hotel?
Posted by: 6th and D | April 25, 2007 1:54 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I know! It's because Fick isn't an [alpha hotel], isn't it?