Sunday, June 14, 2009

The Hot Corner, 6/14 edition

D'Backs manager A.J. Hinch says Dan Haren, who has a 2.20 ERA, deserves to be an All-Star despite his 5-4 record.

Michael Cuddyer will have his finger drained and could be back in the Twins' line-up on Tuesday.

Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley got his N.L.-leading ninth victory over the Rangers today.

Mets ace Johan Santana never looked as bad as he did today against the Yankees.

The Rangers put closer Frank Francisco on the 15-day DL, retroactive to June 4th.

Jered Weaver pitched a five-hit shutout and is now 5-0 at Angel Stadium this season with an ERA of 1.01.

Chipper Jones is now 0-for-21 in his last five games.

Unfazed by trade rumors, Jeff Francoeur says, “If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen.”

The Royals placed Coco Crisp on the 15-day DL, retroactive to Saturday.

Reds manager Dusty Baker says of Brandon Phillips ignoring a take sign, “It’s like the military: You follow orders.”

Dontrelle Willis walked eight and allowed six runs today. Are his days in the rotation numbered?

Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz, who has made five rehab starts, says he's ready.

Ozzie Guillen on Wrigley Field: “Oh, I don’t care if they hate me, the don’t feed my kids,’’ Guillen said of the Cubbie faithful. “They hate me, that’s cool. People, no matter how famous you are, they hate you or they love you. I see the other day they asked [Joe] Crede about the rats [in Wrigley], at least I have something that people can read and write and listen to, but I never put the Cubs fans down, I’ve always admired the Cubs office, I always made my feelings known about Cubs players, about the manager, about Lou [Piniella] now, [general manager] Jim Hendry and the way I respect them, a lot, a lot, but Wrigley Field? I puke every time I go there. I’m just being honest."

Miguel Tejada got his 2,000th hit and Lance Berkman got his 300th HR of their careers.

Cliff Lee throws three-hit shutout

Although he improved to only 4-6 with tonight's 3-0 win over the Cardinals, Cliff Lee, the A.L.'s reigning Cy Young, has pitched very well this season.

Especially, if you ignore his first two starts when he allowed a whopping 11 runs in only 10 innings.

Despite his shaky start to the season, Lee has now lowered his ERA to 2.88 after tonight's three-hit shutout. And he got it done in only 93 pitches.

Excluding his first two starts, Lee's ERA is 2.20.

Except for the run support and blip early in the season, it's as though Lee has picked up from where he left off in 2008.

Bruney, K-Rod escalates during pre-game drills

Yesterday, Yankees reliever Brian Bruney commented about the blown save by Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez on Friday night and his showmanship.

Specifically, Bruney told the Hunterdon County Democrat, "Couldn't have happened to a better guy on the mound, either. He's got a tired act. He gets what he deserves, man. I just don't like watching the guy pitch. I think it's embarrassing."

So, during today's pre-game drills, K-Rod sought out Bruney (or anyone who might be Bruney).

"I saw [K-Rod] walking with attitude and asking guys, 'Is it him?' " [Mets pitcher Mike] Pelfrey said. "The next thing I know, he was in [Bruney's] face."

According to the "nobody," I mean, Bruney, the air has been cleared.

"I probably shouldn't have said what I said [Saturday], but I made that mistake and learned from it. The guy has had a great career. I don't have anything at this point to hang my hat on. I don't have a World Series title like he does. I don't have the save record like he does. For me it was nothing personal against Frankie. I've heard he is a good dude."

Do you believe him?