For some reason, I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get Joe Girardi\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s comments about possibly pulling C.C. Sabathia in the late innings of his start against Tampa Bay on Saturday, April 10 with a no-hitter intact because of his rising pitch count out of my head.\u00c2\u00a0 I understand that high pitch counts, especially early on in the season, can result in injury.\u00c2\u00a0 But I think it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been taken to an all-new ridiculous level and I no longer blame just management or managers and them simply trying to protect themselves.\u00c2\u00a0 I blame the pitchers too.<\/p>\n
On Sunday night, Adam Wainwright gave the Cardinals exactly what they needed after playing 20 innings the night before against the Mets.\u00c2\u00a0 Wainwright went out and tossed a complete-game and gave the bullpen the night off.\u00c2\u00a0 He gave up three runs early on in the second inning, but took care of the rest and allowed just three hitters to reach safely (a hit, a walk and a hit batter) from the third inning on.\u00c2\u00a0 He finished up by retiring the final 11 hitters that he faced and needed 107 pitches (75 for strikes) for the entire night.<\/p>\n
Keep that in mind when I also tell you that Wainwright\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s counterpart, John Maine, lasted five innings on the night when his club certainly could have benefited from him going seven or eight.\u00c2\u00a0 Instead, Maine, who could (and maybe should) be on his way out of the rotation, threw 99 pitches through four innings and 115 (70 for strikes) for five.\u00c2\u00a0 No pitcher is going to have success throwing 25 pitches per inning or close to it.\u00c2\u00a0 The Cardinals did not score over the first four, but finally got to him in the fifth when Colby Rasmus touched him up for a three-run home run that tied the game up.<\/p>\n
This has been Maine, probably since the beginning, with the occasional glimpse of a great performance where he is actually economical in the number of pitches he throws.\u00c2\u00a0 When he throws one of those gems, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s probably more frustrating more than anything else because he shows he can do it.\u00c2\u00a0 He just can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do it 25 to 30 times a year.<\/p>\n
Is it that pitchers are afraid to pitch to contact?\u00c2\u00a0 Is it that they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know any other way except to constantly nibble and are unable to find a way to put a hitter away?\u00c2\u00a0 Are they babied in the minors?\u00c2\u00a0 How many pitchers actually know how to fight through a tough inning from the sixth inning or later, and do they know that the end is near and sometime soon the manager will call to the pen?\u00c2\u00a0 Is it some or all of the above?<\/p>\n
Oliver Perez was throwing a great game for the Mets on Friday night and was working with runner on second and pitch count at 97.\u00c2\u00a0 He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in control.\u00c2\u00a0 Jerry Manuel pops out of the dugout and heads to the hill.\u00c2\u00a0 On the Mets\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 broadcast on SNY, play-by-play announcer Gary Cohen, one of the best in the business, thought perhaps Manuel was going out to help get him through a couple more hitters.\u00c2\u00a0 Keith Hernandez was quick to point out that the call was already made to the pen.<\/p>\n
Perez was not even given a chance to plead his case or fight to stay in.\u00c2\u00a0 In this one particular case, I would not have been upset at all if Perez screamed and yelled and had shown up his manager in order to stay in game.\u00c2\u00a0 Instead, with a look of relief on his face, he high-fived the infielders and headed off for the dugout.<\/p>\n
After a hit batter and walk and one more call to the pen, Felipe Lopez hit a grand slam to put the Cardinals in front, 4-1.<\/p>\n
In this case, Perez was still the best option.\u00c2\u00a0 He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d gotten through the early innings and was turning in one of those \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good Ollie\u00e2\u20ac\u009d performances.\u00c2\u00a0 Instead of being worried about not getting the loss, they should have let him finish what he started.<\/p>\n
Often, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll hear announcers say that a pitcher seemingly got stronger as the game went on.\u00c2\u00a0 This statement or other versions drive me to the brink of hurling something at the radio or television.\u00c2\u00a0 No one is going to get stronger as they continue to perform physical act.\u00c2\u00a0 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll grant you that a pitcher may become more effective as the game goes along, but not stronger.<\/p>\n
I am not piling on the Mets, although it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s pretty easy to do right now.\u00c2\u00a0 I have noticed several pitchers early on this season that have reached 90+ pitches in the fifth or even before getting to the point where they might qualify for the win.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, the Brewers staked starting pitcher Doug Davis to a 10-0 lead after the first half inning.\u00c2\u00a0 Davis did not make it through five, giving up five runs on 11 hits and a walk over four and two-thirds innings.\u00c2\u00a0 He threw 107 pitches, and yes, I agree that it certainly seems as if he was not afraid to pitch to contact.<\/p>\n
Also on Sunday, the Yankees completed a sweep over the Rangers with 5-2 win.\u00c2\u00a0 Rich Harden threw 94 pitches over three and two-thirds before being removed.\u00c2\u00a0 Harden\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s teammate, Scott Feldman lasted only two and a third innings and threw 73 pitches.<\/p>\n
I could go on and on as I scour through the boxscores of the first two-plus weeks of the season, but my point is made.<\/p>\n
You never know when a pitcher is going to go the distance and there have been several complete-game efforts this season.\u00c2\u00a0 But when it happens, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s throw a parade and salute an effort like Mitch Talbot\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s when he goes the full nine like he did on April 17 against the White Sox with just 97 pitches.\u00c2\u00a0 Job well done!<\/p>\n
Sugar\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Observations\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n
Going smokeless\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I have read a lot on the internet in the last week or so about major league baseball cracking down once again on players, managers and coaches using smokeless tobacco, and the player\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s association\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s supposed willingness to discuss it during future collective bargaining talks.\u00c2\u00a0 MLB instituted a ban in the minors in the early 1990\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, but I can assure you that usage continues down on the farm and likely during games.<\/p>\n I have seen several minor league players over the years try to quit in their own way and it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t easy.<\/p>\n Cause for concern?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n In looking at the boxscores and recaps from Monday\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s games (April 19), I came across something that might be cause for concern for MLB.\u00c2\u00a0 The Mariners, Nationals, and Blue Jays all had their smallest crowds in the history of their ballparks.<\/p>\n 14,528\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Safeco Field\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 vs. Orioles<\/p>\n 12,473\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Nationals Park\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 vs. Rockies<\/p>\n 10,314\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Rogers Centre\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 vs. Royals<\/p>\n Glenn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s thoughts on Jorge\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/strong><\/p>\n Jorge Cantu\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s streak of collecting a hit and RBI came to an end at 10 in a row on Friday, April 16 when he went 1-for-5 without an RBI.\u00c2\u00a0 Going into Tuesday\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s series opener at Houston, Cantu has hit safely in 13 in a row and has 16 RBIs.\u00c2\u00a0 I emailed Marlins\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 broadcaster Glenn Geffner (one of the best in the biz) over the weekend and he shared his thoughts on the streak.<\/p>\n Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what Glenn had to say\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/em><\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know there has been debate\u00c2\u00a0among the many “experts”\u00c2\u00a0in the blogosphere over how significant an accomplishment this is.\u00c2\u00a0 Did Jorge hit in 56 consecutive games?\u00c2\u00a0 No.\u00c2\u00a0 Did he hit 800 home runs?\u00c2\u00a0 No.\u00c2\u00a0 Should ESPN have been breaking into live programming to show his every at-bat?\u00c2\u00a0 Certainly not.<\/p>\n But, to me, any time you do something that has never been done before in the history of the game, that is a significant feat.\u00c2\u00a0 I don’t buy the argument being advanced in some circles that the RBI is an insignificant statistic because it is dependent on what other people in your lineup do.<\/p>\n Virtually everything you can accomplish individually in baseball is based, on some level, on what other people do.\u00c2\u00a0 That is why, despite being a series of one-on-one encounters, baseball is the ultimate team sport.\u00c2\u00a0 You can’t throw a perfect game if your defenders don’t have a perfect night.\u00c2\u00a0 You can’t go 7-for-7 unless other people in your lineup get on base enough to get you to the plate seven times.\u00c2\u00a0 You can’t hit three grand slams in a game unless you come up with the bases loaded at least three times.\u00c2\u00a0 Cantu is a run producer.\u00c2\u00a0 He knocks in runs (195 over the last two seasons).\u00c2\u00a0 That’s what he does.\u00c2\u00a0 He has a knack for putting the bat on the ball, getting runners in from third base and, no matter how coincidental some would suggest clutch hitting is, delivering big runs late in games, including four walk-off game-winners last year and one already this season.<\/p>\n All of that has to count for something.\u00c2\u00a0 If 10 consecutive games with an RBI to begin a season is not an accomplishment, why hasn’t anyone else ever done it before?\u00c2\u00a0 Some have argued that this is some kind of random achievement.\u00c2\u00a0 No, it’s certainly not neatly wrapped like 300 wins or 3,000 hits.<\/p>\n But that’s the beauty of baseball.\u00c2\u00a0 Players often have the chance, due to their own greatness or even circumstance, to do things that have never been done before in the game.\u00c2\u00a0 And four years from now, when someone knocks in a run in each of his team’s first six games, people will\u00c2\u00a0reflect back upon what Jorge Cantu did back in 2010 the same way Bob Feller’s name gets mentioned any time a starter goes into the 5th inning without allowing a hit on Opening Day, or\u00c2\u00a0Wayne Nordhagen’s\u00c2\u00a0name gets mentioned any time someone hits a grand slam then comes up a second time with the bases loaded.\u00c2\u00a0 That’s what makes baseball such a great game.<\/p>\n Does this streak send Jorge Cantu to Cooperstown?\u00c2\u00a0 Of course not.\u00c2\u00a0 But it certainly deserves to be celebrated, and it is silly for anyone\u00c2\u00a0to try to diminish an achievement that is unprecedented in the history of the game.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n Thanks, Glenn.\u00c2\u00a0 Good stuff!<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Welcome to the Show!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The Mets called up prospect Ike Davis from AAA-Buffalo on Monday and he made his debut on Monday night at home against the Chicago Cubs.\u00c2\u00a0 Davis, who had a terrific spring with the big club, hit .364 (12-for-33) with three doubles, 2 home runs and 4 RBIs in 10 games with Triple-A Buffalo (International League).<\/p>\n Through Monday, April 19 — 27 players have made their big league debuts\u00e2\u20ac\u00a69 position players and 18 pitchers.\u00c2\u00a0 Davis is the fifth Mets\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 player to debut in 2010.<\/p>\n 2010 Debuts<\/p>\n C\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Drew Butera\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Twins\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 9, 2010<\/p>\n INF\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Scott Sizemore Tigers\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 5, 2010<\/p>\n OF\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Austin Jackson Tigers\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 5, 2010<\/p>\n OF\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Jason Heyward Braves\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 5, 2010<\/p>\n INF\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Ruben Tejada\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Mets\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 7, 2010<\/p>\n 1B\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Ike Davis\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Mets\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 19, 2010<\/em><\/p>\n OF\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Allen Craig\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Cardinals\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 8, 2010<\/p>\n C\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Bryan Anderson\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Cardinals\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 15, 2010<\/p>\n OF\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 John Raynor\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Pirates\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 8, 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Alex Burnett\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Twins\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 8, 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Sergio Santos\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 White Sox\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 8, 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Tyrone Ross\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 A\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 7, 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Kanekoa Texeira\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Seattle\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 6, 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Bobby Cassevah\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Angels\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 9, 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Francisco Rodriguez\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Angels\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April, 15 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 David Herndon Phillies\u00c2\u00a0 April 5, 2010<\/p>\n LHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Jonny Venters\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Braves\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 17, 2010<\/p>\n LHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Jesse English\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Nationals\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 5, 2010<\/p>\n LHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Raul Valdes\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Mets\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 11, 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Jenrry Mejia\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Mets\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 7, 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Ryota Igarashi\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Mets\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 8, 2010<\/p>\n LHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Hisanori Takahashi\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Mets\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 7, 2010<\/p>\n LHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 James Russell\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Cubs\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 5, 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Mike Leake\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Reds\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 11, 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Logan Ondrusek\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Reds\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 5, 2010<\/p>\n RHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Carlos Monasterios\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Dodgers\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 5, 2010<\/p>\n LHP\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Jordan Norberto\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Arizona\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 April 6, 2010<\/p>\n – End –<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For some reason, I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get Joe Girardi\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s comments about possibly pulling C.C. Sabathia in the late innings of his start against Tampa Bay on Saturday, April 10 with a no-hitter intact because of his rising pitch count out of my head.\u00c2\u00a0 I understand that high pitch counts, especially early on in the season, can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":719,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4235],"tags":[330,222,3145,524,389,874,3885,6204,6202,6200,6207,3910,6201,432,344,529,6203,6205,5656,6206],"class_list":["post-4379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-top-stories","tag-adam-wainwright","tag-bullpen","tag-c-c-sabathia","tag-cardinals","tag-colby-rasmus","tag-complete-game","tag-counterpart","tag-gems","tag-high-pitch","tag-joe-girardi","tag-maine","tag-mets","tag-occasional-glimpse","tag-pitchers","tag-pitches","tag-reason","tag-ridiculous-level","tag-strikes","tag-success","tag-tampa-bay"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/719"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4379"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4379\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}