National League:
- Prince Fielder (captain) - Brewers - 22 home runs
- Rickie Weeks - Brewers - 15 home runs
- Matt Kemp - Dodgers - 22 home runs
- Matt Holliday - Cardinals - 12 home runs
American League:
- David Ortiz (captain) - Red Sox - 17 home runs
- Adrian Gonzalez - Red Sox - 16 home runs
- Jose Bautista - Blue Jays - 28 home runs
- Robinson Cano - Yankees - 14 home runs
This year is the first time the NL and AL will hit against each other. Two captains got to pick three players from their respected leagues. Both Fielder and Ortiz chose a teammate, the rest are hard hitting All-Stars. The National League players have a total of 71 home runs thus far this season and the American League players have 75.
The teams are not just playing for pride, but are competing for a charity of their choice. The winning captain will get $150,000 for the charity that he selects. In addition to that, he will be able to donate $100,000 in his name to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Most managers get nervous around this time of year because they do not want their big hitters losing that natural swing. Brewers skipper Ron Roenicke is fine with both Fielder and Weeks competing, as long as they do not alter their swing.
As of right now Fielder will use Brewers Triple-A hitting coach Sandy Guerrero as his pitcher in the derby. Guerrero is the same person Fielder used when he won the home run derby in 2009. Weeks said he will either use Guerrero or Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum. My guess is he will use Sveum because I am sure Fielder does not want Guerrero to get too tired in case he makes it to the final round.
This should be an exciting contest, not only considering the players involved, but because what is at stake. Pride and charity, it has a nice ring to it.
Showing posts with label Adrian Gonzalez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adrian Gonzalez. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Gallardo gets pounded in first, lasts only three
Red Sox 12, Brewers 3
W: Wakefield (4-2) L: Gallardo (8-4)
Who would have guessed in a weekend with former aces Shaun Marcum and Yovani Gallardo starting, Randy Wolf would pitch more innings than both of them combined.
Gallardo had an error and gave up six earned runs in the first inning, four of them before a single out was recorded. He gave up a season high eight earned runs in three innings.
Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia led off the first inning with back-to-back singles. After a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, Adrian Gonzalez hit a ground ball to the left of first base. Prince Fielder made a good play on it and sent a perfect throw to Gallardo, who simply dropped the ball as he stepped on first. A routine double play (if the wild pitch and error did not occur) turned into runners on the corners with one run in. Kevin Youkilis made Gallardo pay for the mistake, crushing a three-run home run over the green monster in left field. Four runs, zero outs, and Gallardo's pitch count skyrocketing.
Still in the first, bases loaded, the Red Sox got back to the top of their order. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a two-out ground-rule double that plated two more runs. Finally Gallardo got out of the inning after throwing 45 pitches. His day lost and the Brewers on their way to another losing road series.
The Brewer's offense was no match for Tim Wakefield's famous knuckleball as they struggled mightily all day. Nyjer Morgan and Prince Fielder were the only players to really break through. After Casey McGehee hit a two-out double off the green monster in the second inning, Nyjer Morgan hit a home run to right field that barely cleared the wall. Prince Fielder hit a solo shot to right in the seventh inning.
A 2-5 record on the road trip is not what Milwaukee was looking for, especially when the next couple of weeks are only going to get more difficult. The Brewers look to bounce back against the Tampa Bay Rays Monday night at Miller Park.
W: Wakefield (4-2) L: Gallardo (8-4)
Who would have guessed in a weekend with former aces Shaun Marcum and Yovani Gallardo starting, Randy Wolf would pitch more innings than both of them combined.
Gallardo had an error and gave up six earned runs in the first inning, four of them before a single out was recorded. He gave up a season high eight earned runs in three innings.
Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia led off the first inning with back-to-back singles. After a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, Adrian Gonzalez hit a ground ball to the left of first base. Prince Fielder made a good play on it and sent a perfect throw to Gallardo, who simply dropped the ball as he stepped on first. A routine double play (if the wild pitch and error did not occur) turned into runners on the corners with one run in. Kevin Youkilis made Gallardo pay for the mistake, crushing a three-run home run over the green monster in left field. Four runs, zero outs, and Gallardo's pitch count skyrocketing.
Still in the first, bases loaded, the Red Sox got back to the top of their order. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a two-out ground-rule double that plated two more runs. Finally Gallardo got out of the inning after throwing 45 pitches. His day lost and the Brewers on their way to another losing road series.
The Brewer's offense was no match for Tim Wakefield's famous knuckleball as they struggled mightily all day. Nyjer Morgan and Prince Fielder were the only players to really break through. After Casey McGehee hit a two-out double off the green monster in the second inning, Nyjer Morgan hit a home run to right field that barely cleared the wall. Prince Fielder hit a solo shot to right in the seventh inning.
A 2-5 record on the road trip is not what Milwaukee was looking for, especially when the next couple of weeks are only going to get more difficult. The Brewers look to bounce back against the Tampa Bay Rays Monday night at Miller Park.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Brewers even series against Red Sox
Brewers 4, Red Sox 2
W: Wolf (5-4) L: Lester (9-3) SV: Axford (19)
Randy Wolf was not completely dominate, but that is still better than most pitchers on a good day. He gave up two earned runs on nine hits, but how he pitched out of trouble against the Red Sox was outstanding.
One of the most underrated pitchers, mainly because his bad outings are horrendous, Wolf does not get nearly enough credit. His 3.15 ERA is second best on the team among starters and his 5-4 record can be justified by a huge lack of run support. In eleven games this season Wolf has given up two earned runs or less, while taking a no decision in four of those games. Don't get me wrong, I still believe he is the fourth best pitcher in the Brewers starting rotation, but he is pitching like an ace as of late.
Wolf was not the only star of the game. Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart led off the game with back-to-back home runs. Rickie Weeks caught a break when Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez dropped a foul ball along the first base line. Weeks then crushed the next pitch over the "green monster" in left field, becoming the first person since 1979 to lead off a game with a home run after his foul ball was dropped. The Brewers are the first team since the 2003 New York Yankees to have two lead off back-to-back home run games in a season.
Casey McGehee continues his hot streak with an RBI single after Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder both walked with two outs. George Kottaras homered for the second time in as many games since being called up from AAA Nashville.
John Axford recorded his 19th save of the season with ease. Yovani Gallardo takes the mound next to help the Brewers take the series.
W: Wolf (5-4) L: Lester (9-3) SV: Axford (19)
Randy Wolf was not completely dominate, but that is still better than most pitchers on a good day. He gave up two earned runs on nine hits, but how he pitched out of trouble against the Red Sox was outstanding.
One of the most underrated pitchers, mainly because his bad outings are horrendous, Wolf does not get nearly enough credit. His 3.15 ERA is second best on the team among starters and his 5-4 record can be justified by a huge lack of run support. In eleven games this season Wolf has given up two earned runs or less, while taking a no decision in four of those games. Don't get me wrong, I still believe he is the fourth best pitcher in the Brewers starting rotation, but he is pitching like an ace as of late.
Wolf was not the only star of the game. Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart led off the game with back-to-back home runs. Rickie Weeks caught a break when Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez dropped a foul ball along the first base line. Weeks then crushed the next pitch over the "green monster" in left field, becoming the first person since 1979 to lead off a game with a home run after his foul ball was dropped. The Brewers are the first team since the 2003 New York Yankees to have two lead off back-to-back home run games in a season.
Casey McGehee continues his hot streak with an RBI single after Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder both walked with two outs. George Kottaras homered for the second time in as many games since being called up from AAA Nashville.
John Axford recorded his 19th save of the season with ease. Yovani Gallardo takes the mound next to help the Brewers take the series.
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