If somebody asked you to pick the polar opposite of Carlos Zambrano, the answer would have to be Jon Garland.
The lanky righty beared down in several big situations during
tonight's disappointing defeat. Garland struck out Eric Chavez to get out of an early two-on, two-out jam. He stranded Travis Buck at third after a lead-off triple by fielding his position perfectly twice, and then ended the following inning by snagging a rocket right back at him off Chavez's bat.
Each time, his reaction was the same: head down, stone face, and back to the dugout with a slow, deliberate gait. He's
often criticized for showing no emotion, but that's Grade-A grinder material going unrecognized. It's a shame he doesn't have a "W" for the effort.
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Was it just me, or was WGN's gun off tonight? I can't recall Jon Garland cracking 90 with a fastball. Usually he sits at a comfortable 91. Alan Embree was blowing it by Sox hitters at 94. Bobby Jenks threw a fastball that registered at 89, then followed it up with a 90-m.p.h. cutter.
It's possible the radar gun readings were correct, considering Ozzie Guillen's concerns about velocity during spring training. It's just hard to believe these guys were throwing harder in 20-30 degree weather.
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Darin Erstad is 0-for-3 over the last two games in situational hitting... situations. That happens. But what doesn't need to happen is constant hyping of his supernatural ability to move runners over, do all the little things, play team baseball, etc., because when he doesn't deliver, then the excuses come out.
And Darrin Jackson talks way, way, waaaaaaaaaaaay too much. Numerous times, I told the MLB.tv feed to shut up, and that's not healthy. It's also unfair, because I'm not the one who should appear nuts.
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Minor league round-up:- Charlotte 3, Syracuse 1
- Ryan Sweeney hit his first homer of the year and also added a double. He struck out in his other two at-bats.
- Jerry Owens was thrown out by Sal Fasano for his first unsuccessful attempt of the year. Luis Terrero did steal his first base, but also committed an error.
- Heath Phillips pitched out of a few jams with somewhat of a typical line for allowing no runs: 5 2/3 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K
- Fasano homered off Boone Logan, who gave up the only Sox run. He still earned the save.
- Winston-Salem 12, Myrtle Beach 3
- Aaron Cunningham went deep for the first time on the season
- Micah Schnurstein went 4-for-5 with four RBI, including a three-run inside-the-park homer.
- Victor Mercedes had three RBI, on a two-run double and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded.
- Justin Cassel pitched six scoreless innings, giving up three hits, one walk, and striking out four.
- Kannapolis 8, Rome 5
- Chris Carter homered for the second straight game.
- Brandon Allen and Archie Gilbert broke it open in the fifth with a pair of two-run doubles.
- Birmingham vs. Mobile PPD