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The Nightcap: Friday's Games

Technology has made the following a possibility.

Don't even forget it.

Notables

Jayson Werth and Chase Utley of the Phillies are conducting a long, drawn-out battle to see which of them is awesomer. Tonight, the former went 2-for-4 with a double and homer, while the latter went 2-for-4 with two walks. Verdict: undecided.

Austin Jackson failed to record a hit through 3 ABs tonight in Detroit's postponed game at Cleveland. This marks the first time since April 27th that he's failed to do that.

• What the what? Craig Stammen somehow stuck out eight while walking zero versus Florida today. He also sported only a 3.98 xFIP entering play. What the double what?

• When you talk about Carson Cistulli's man crushes, you talk about Andy LaRoche. The Pittsburgh third baseman went 2-for-5 today and raised his average to .325. Yes, his BABIP is inflated, but his plate discipline is real.

Brett Gardner continued to not strike out.

Philip Hughes: 7 IP, 7 K, 1 BB. The GB|PERCENT| is a little light right now (mid-30|PERCENT|s). That's about all the bad you can say.

Ike Davis and Rod Barajas both had two homers. This might very well be the only thing they have in common.

Starlin Castro hit a home run in his first major league plate appearance -- an opposite-field job that netted him 3 RBIs. He finished 2-for-5 with that homer, a triple, and 6 total RBIs. So, uh, that's a pretty good way to begin a career.

Geovany Soto is batting 3-frigging-62. He's an on-base machine. And where does Lou Piniella bat him? Frigging seventh. That would have been eight, too, if it weren't for Castro's debut.

• What the what? Mat Latos: 8 IP, 9 K, 0 BB. Also, he hit two doub-pieces. Yeah, it was against Houston. But, I mean, that's almost like playing a major league team.

C.J. Wilson pitched a complete game, recording 4 Ks and more groundballs than fly balls and line drive combined. He's good. Get him, if he's available.

Jered Weaver two-hit the Mariners over 7.1 inning. Does that really count as notable, though?

Caution, Warning

Jamie Moyer two-hit the Atlanta Braves, throwing nine innings and recording five strikeouts in the process. Please be advised: this does not constitute a "hot streak." His 73 years of Major League play ought to be weighed more heavily than this one start.

Zach Duke struck out seven in six and a third innings. This is the last time he struck out more than a man per inning: probably middle school or something.

Josh Beckett allowed nine earned runs in five and a third innings. The 8 Ks are nice, but, yeesh, things aren't going so well for Beckett this year.

Aramis Ramirez continues to look b-a-d at the plate. I saw this with mine own eyes. For realz, people.

Felix Hernandez was bad news Friday, walking four and striking out only three over 3.1 innings. Also, he allowed three home runs. In Safeco. That's kinda like seven homers other places.

Save Chances

Leo Nunez, converted. He recorded two Ks in the process.

Ryan Franklin, blown/vultured win. This isn't really fair: Franklin entered a bases-loaded situation with his team down by a single run in the eighth. He threw a wild pitch, allowed a run on it, and then got a ground ball. The Cards scored in the top of the ninth, and he pitched a scoreless bottom of the inning for the win.

Francisco Rodriguez, blown/vultured win. K-Rod gave up a home run to John Bowker in the top of the ninth. Rod Barajas returned the favor to Sergio Romo in the bottom of the inning. Boo-yah!

Kevin Gregg, blown. Wow, that's three in a row now. In this case, the -- uh -- blower's team also got the win. Gregg

Trevor Hoffman, converted. No Ks, but it was only a one-run lead. Good job, old man.

Rafael Soriano, converted. "Rafael Sorianogets buckets": Gus Johnson has never said this... yet.

Jonathan Broxton, converted. OMG! Did you know this was only Broxton's second save of the season?!? And that it was only the second save for any Dodger pitcher?!? In any case, it's not Broxton's fault: he's got 18 Ks in 10.2 IP so far this season.

Other Closer Outings

Bobby Jenks came into Chicago's game versus Toronto in the top of the ninth with the game tied. He allowed a home run. A.J. Pierzynski bailed him out with a homer in the bottom of the inning. Question: how's a guy ever to learn?

Non-Closer Outing

Clay Hensley didn't strike any Natinals out in 0.2 innings. Why's that notable? He'd struck out 22 in 14.2 IP entering play today. Also, Dave Cameron likes him. You've been warned!

Matt Thornton had five strikeouts in two innings of relief after Jenks gave it up smooth to John Buck. Note: Matt Thornton is better at pitching than Bobb Jenks.

Lineup-ology

Luis Valbuena played short, and Mark Grudzielanek second, for the Cleveland Indians. Asdrubal Cabrera is expected back Saturday.

Kevin Cash started at catcher for the Houston Astros. I'm skeptical that this is preferable to starting J.R. Towles.

• Pop quiz: who looks more like a shortstop, Jerry Hairston or Juan Uribe? I'll give you a hint: it's a trick question.

Joe Inglett got the start in right for the Brewers -- which, that says less about Joe Inglett and much more about Corey Hart.

Sean Rodriguez started at second base in place of Ben Zobrist, mostly because the Rays feel bad for other teams and are trying to help them win.


The Young and Potentially Restless

Cole Gillespie continues to play -- and to hit. He went 1-for-3 tonight with his first major-league homer and a walk. He'll probably get semi-regular at-bats until Conor Jackson returns some time next week.

Xavier Paul played left today. He's been doing that lately. He's probably not worth a damn. Not yet, at least.

Shocking Facts

Nick Johnson has twice as many walks as he does hits (24 vs 12). That's weird.

B.J. Uptonlooks much better than he actually is. I mean, he's still a fine player, but he looks like an amazing one