MLB Weekly Capsule

MLB Weekly Capsule

5/3-5/9/2009

Author:  Matt Gerwitz

http://www.BaseballDailyNews.com, U. S. Sports Media, Inc

ST. PETERSBURG (5/3) - The Boston Red Sox can't seem to find a way to stop their division rivals from Tampa Bay, and Sunday afternoon it was the Rays' LF Carl Crawford that hurt them. Crawford was a masterful thief reaching base on all five at-bats, then stealing six bases with an effort that made it look easy. His accomplishment makes him the MLB leader with 17 stolen bases, and only the fourth player in the modern era to steal six in a single game. Eddie Collins did it twice for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1912, Otis Nixon stole six in 1991, and Eric Young in did it 1996. For the game, the Rays stole a club record eight bases en route to a 5-3 win at Tropicana Field.

CINCINNATI (5/6) - Cincinnati shortstop Paul Janish was called upon Wednesday night to do something he hasn't done since college: take the pitcher's mound. Entering the ninth inning, the Reds were down 10-3 en route to a 15-3 loss, and manager Dusty Baker was blowing through an already exhausted bullpen. Having played a fourteen inning contest against Florida on Monday, the team was faced with a seven day stretch in front of them. Not wanting to tax any more of his relievers, Baker brought Janish to the mound to pitch the ninth. He allowed five hits and five runs, including a homer by Prince Fielder, walked none and struck out two. Janish was the first player position to pitch for the Reds since Lenny Harris in 1998.

LOS ANGELES (5/7) - The L.A. Dodgers are off to a red-hot start including 13 straight home wins, but they'll have to keep things going without LF Manny Ramirez in the lineup. The City of Angels was rocked today with the news that Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games under the MLB's drug testing policy. The 50 game suspensions are handed out for a first offense, meaning Ramirez had not previously failed a test for banned substances. Currently batting .348 with six home runs and 20 RBIs, the Dodgers' most popular player begins his suspension immediately and won't return to the field until sometime in July. Jaun Pierre is expected to replace Ramirez in left field.

BALTIMORE (5/8) - New York Yankees fans have been waiting since early March for the return of Alex Rodriguez, all the while wondering if he would still be the same player. Between his March hip surgery, new allegations of steroid use, and personal problems at home, questions about A-Rod's readiness to play abounded. He answered those questions on his very first pitch Friday night against Orioles' right-hander Jeremy Guthrie. He turned a fastball in the high 90s into a three-run homer in the first, leading the way to the Yank's 4-0 win. Though A-Rod went 0 for 3 the rest of the night, the early home run set the tone for the rest of the game. CC Sabathia did his part from the mound throwing a complete game that included just four hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts.

MILWAUKEE (5/9) - Chicago Cubs pitcher Chad Fox was called up from Iowa on Wednesday and given a spot in the bullpen, only to leave Saturday's game with pain in his throwing elbow. The veteran right-hander has struggled with injury since being part of the Marlins' 2003 Championship team. Last year he was sidelined with ulnar neuritis after only three plate appearances. Fox was placed on the 15 day DL and will seek the opinion of several doctors and specialists. He has not ruled out ending his pro career.

Source: http://www.BaseballDailyNews.com, U. S. Sports Media, Inc