The Grandy-Man can't catch a "break"
Curtis Granderson is heading back to the DL in an unfortunate turn of events for the Yankees. After missing the first six weeks of the season due to a forearm fracture Granderson had finally returned to the lineup and was producing. In his first 7 games he had a .269 BA, 4 runs scored, 1 HR, 1 RBI and a SB. Friday night he was hit by a pitch on the left hand and after the game it was revealed that he does indeed have a fractured knuckle and will miss a minimum of four weeks. I would expect to see the return of Brennan Boesch and more playing time for he and Ichiro Suzuki.
AL Hot Shots:
What Did Miggy Do?: Miguel Cabrera extended his hit streak and added to his RBI total with a 1-for-4, 2 RBI performance. He has a ludicrous 57 RBI thru 45 games.
Chris Davis is doing his best to catch Cabrera with his 16th home run of the season on a 3-for-4 night where he also doubled. His slash line of .337/.426/.723 is pretty amazing through 47 games.
John Lackey tossed seven innings while matching his season high of 8 K. He's posted a very nice 2.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 40/11 K/BB ratio thru 39 2/3 IP over his first seven starts for Boston.
John Danks made his first start of the season after dealing with velocity issues after off season shoulder surgery. He fared quite well, though it was against the Marlins, with six-plus innings. The 28-year-old lefty had to settle for a no-decision as his last batter Marcell Ozuna scored after his double which got Danks the hook. He topped out in the low 90s, struck out 5, walked none and allowed 4 hits. He’s more of a wait and see type than a flier type on a sub-par White Sox team.
Chris Young propelled the Athletics to a comeback victory as he hit a go-ahead three-run bomb in the top of the ninth in yet another comeback win for the A's. His average is weak at .189 but his 5 HR, 19 RBI and 5 SB are nice for his limited playing time due to injuries and platooning with Seth Smith. Grant Balfour finished it off for his 10th save.
NL Hot Shots:
Jordan Zimmermann earned his NL Leading 8th victory for the Nats with a solid game over the Phillies. Zimmermann kept the Phillies grounded with only one strikeout he induced a ton of ground ball outs and walked no one. His ERA is at an impressive 1.71.
Danny Espinosa has been playing, not very well, with a bone chip in his wrist. Kudos for being tough, but there's a point when you need to tell someone it hurts, preferably when you're hitting .163 with 40 strikeouts. Espinosa sat Friday and the Nats have called up 2B Jeff Kobernus from Triple-A Syracuse where he hit .333 with a homer, 20 RBI and 21 SB. Kobernus, a Rule-5 pick from Detroit, is able to play multiple positions with great speed and some pop, he could spell a few players a few times a week, or maybe force his way into an everyday 2B role with Espinosa hurt and under-performing.
David Freese returned from another weak injury and knocked in 3 RBI with a double and HR. He's been hot over his last four games, and if he can stop being so fragile he may become a nice asset for owners.
Michael Cuddyer returned from the DL with a 3 RBI night going 2-for-4 with a 2-run double, a solo HR and 2 runs scored.
Rafael Betancourt got a free night to rest as the Rockies got to Tim Lincecum in a 5-0 Win. He will avoid a DL stint and could pitch this weekend.
Quick Hits:
Martin Perez will start Monday in a double-header for the Rangers -- Carlos Quentin finished Friday with a single and two doublesin a 3 for 3 game -- Joe Nathan recorded a one-out save for number 15 -- Garrett Richards got a 5 out save for the Angels with Frieri unavailable -- Francisco Rodriguez came in and shut the door as Jim Henderson was forced to leave with a leg injury -- Carlos Triunfel was recalled from Tacoma as the Mariners have begun cleaning house of under-performers, Robert Andino was DFA'd, Dustin Ackley you are officially on notice.
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