David Price pitched Wednesday at Tampa Bay for a noon ET first pitch and struggled in the third inning as the Red Sox lost to the Rays, 4-0. The Sox couldn’t get their bats going. Playing in a noon game after a late game the night before is tough, particularly on the visiting team, and it showed with the Sox. David pitched pretty well overall though except for the third. He threw 6.1 innings, gave up nine hits, four earned, with one walk and 10 K’s. He had the fastball clicking after the third and was hitting 94-95. Not David’s best, but I thought he pitched pretty well outside of the third. David dropped to 8-5 and now has a 4.74 ERA. He still has a super strikeout to walk ration with 120 K’s against 25 walks almost a 5:1 ratio. David threw 103 pitches Wednesday with 67 for strikes and 36 balls. His next outing is against the Texas Rangers, whom he had trouble with at Texas a week ago. Really got pounded there, but he’ll be at Fenway, so hoping for better result. David will pitch this coming Tuesday, July 5th, @ 7:10 PM ET/6:10 PM CT. He’ll go against A.J. Griffin of the Rangers. Griffin is 3-0 with a 2.93 ERA. Will have a report Wednesday.
Tyler Beede was outstanding on Wednesday for the Richmond Flying Squirrels in their 2-0 victory over the Akron RubberDucks, the Cleveland Indians Double A squad. Tyler went 7.2 innings, threw 101 pitches with 63 for strikes, gave up two hits, 0 runs, with one walk and nine K’s. It was a masterpiece. The Richmond broadcasters were saying this could be Tyler’s last game in Richmond as he could very well get called up to the Sacramento River Cats, the Giants’ triple A team. Tyler had a perfect game going through 5.2, before giving up a ground ball single to left field. He was terrific. Tyler’s fastball was hitting 94-95, and his off speed stuff, his curve and his change up, were sensational. His location was phenomenal and the movement on his balls with his curve, his fastball and his change made him virtually un-hittable. Manager Miguel Ojeda pulled Tyler in the eighth with a man on and two outs and Tyler was visibly upset. He had his glove over his mouth and he was yelling something in his glove. But Miguel made the right move.
Brian Snitker, who was named the Atlanta Braves interim manager about a month or so ago, has really paid his dues and earned his right to manage a big league team. He spent many years in the minors managing the A, AA, and AAA affiliates of the Braves. Terry Collins, the manager of the Mets, who’s done a super job for the Mets, and paid his dues just like Snitker, told Snitker that minor league ball is not as much about winning as it is about development. Snitker is doing well for the Braves; they are playing better baseball, and his experience in the minors, like Collins’, is paying off. It could pay off as Snitker, if the Braves keep improving, could be named the permanent manager after the season.
That’s what Ojeda was doing with Tyler. He’s taking the development approach. I’m a big believer in controlling a starter’s pitch count, at every level of play, and particularly in college and the minors. The majors too, for that matter. Tyler had throw 103 pitches and Ojeda was protecting him. Tyler may not have liked it, but it was the right move by Ojeda. Tyler will benefit from his manager’s protecting his arm for the future. Super performance by Tyler. I’ll keep you posted on whether Tyler gets called up to Sacramento. Tyler is now 5-4 with a 2.71 ERA. Interestingly, Tyler said he found a grip on his curve ball that he hadn’t used since high school and it really worked for him.
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Sonny goes tonight at home against the Pirates. Sonny is 3-6 with a 5.03 ERA, but had a good outing against the LA Angels last Sunday going six innings, allowing only two runs, with one walk and three K’s. Really think Sonny is just getting his arm back in form after the trapezius injury. he suffered in May. Important start for Sonny. tonight. The A’s are actually 7-3 in their last 10 games, so they’re playing better ball. They are 35-44 and 15.5 back of the Rangers in the AL West, so they have a major mountain to climb, but they’ve been competitive and super right fielder Josh Reddick is back in the lineup after being on the DL for a while with a broken thumb, so that really helps the hitting. The A’s have been hit hard with injuries but are battling.
If there are any new commits, will have it here. Will have a report on Sonny tomorrow. Carson pitches tomorrow night (Saturday) at home for the Birmingham Barons. Will let you know on that. Dans is hitting .254 for the Mississippi Braves right now. Will keep you posted on Dans as well. Pedro had a tough night at the plate last night for the O’s at the Seattle Mariners. Tony back at Triple A Fresno for the Houston Astros organization. Would love to see Tony get another shot.
Quick note: Dansby was 4 for 5 last night for the Mississippi Braves against the 49-28 Jackson Generals in a Braves’ 6-5 victory. Dans had a triple and an Ribeye.
Philip Pfeifer was traded from the Dodgers to the Braves yesterday. Great to see Pfeif in a Braves uniform.
. Have a great fourth and I’ll be in touch.
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Enjoy the little known facts such as Tony Gwynn’s success at the plate during 1990’s versus Braves superstar pitchers Maddox, Glavine, Smoltz.
Today’s Open Championship already in play so I did not get my prediction registered. Interesting start with Zach Johnson and Phil Michelson recent champion golfers of the year on the lead. Glued to the action.