
Finally the word VALDEZ seen in a positive light!
Going back to a game from Wednesday night…actually Thursday morning..the Phillies victory over the Reds in 19 innings. The real hero of the game was Phillies IF Wilson Valdez. Thought to have lost his role with the team with the return of 2B Chase Utley from the DL, now perhaps Charlie Manuel can find another use for him…out of the bullpen. He became the first position player since Brett Mayne of the Rockies beat the Braves on 8/22/00 to record a win. He’s now tied for wins with Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter, and has 1 more win than John Danks of the White Sox. Let’s break down the top of the 19th inning….he gets reigning and defending MVP Reds 1B Joey Votto to hit a 395 foot fly ball to dead center for the first out, plunks Scott Rolen (I’m sure whatever Philly fans were left at this point weren’t terribly upset about that), then got hot hitting OF Jay Bruce to fly out, and then pinch-hitter Carlos Fisher to fly out as well to end the game. Wait what? You don’t know who Carlos Fisher is? Probably because he’s a pitcher too. Crazy game…you got a hitter pitching to a pitcher with the game on the line. Wouldn’t you know both teams have to come back out and do it again because they have a Thursday afternoon game at Citizens Bank Park.
INJURY NEWS
Giants C and reigning NL rookie of the year Buster Posey has a broken bone in his lower leg and could possibly be done for the season after a scary collision at home plate Wednesday night against the Marlins.
Angels 2B Howie Kendrick was placed on the DL with a hamstring injury.
Reds SP Homer Bailey left Thursday’s game with the Phillies in the bottom of the 5th with tightness in his right shoulder.
Mets SP RA Dickey left Thursday’s game against the Cubs in the 3rd inning after injuring his right heel covering first base.
Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez sat out Thursday’s game after being hit by a pitch in the foot in the 9th inning of Wednesday’s game.
For the good news….Indians OF Grady Sizemore hopes to return to the lineup on Friday.
Cubs C Geovany Soto hopes to return this weekend.
The Giants called up 1B/OF Brandon Belt.
The Rockies are going to call up rookie SP Juan Nicasio to pitch on Sunday. He has put up some pretty amazing numbers in AA ball this year.
Detroit will call up SP Andy Oliver to pitch Sunday vs Boston. He also has put up good numbers this season in the minors, however, that’s not an offense you want to make your debut against. For fantasy purposes at least.
GAME NOTES
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