Sunday’s streaking starting pitchers
By JASON LOGAN
Streaking
Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds (15-10, 4.57 ERA)
Arroyo just keeps on rockin’ during the second half of the season. The part-time song smith is 8-3 in 12 starts with a 2.82 ERA since the All-Star break. He is undefeated in the past six trips to the mound.
Arroyo’s success can be attributed to tinkering with his grip on his sinker. In his most recent start against the Brew Crew, the right hander didn’t allow an earned run in seven innings of work. He is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA in three appearances versus Milwaukee this season.
Derek Lowe, Los Angeles Dodgers (14-11, 3.40 ERA)
Los Angeles has padded its lead over the NL West thanks in part to Lowe’s four straight victories. The righty has given up just two earned runs on 14 hits over those games and comes into Sunday following a seven-inning, one-run performance against Pittsburgh.
Lowe will be a free agent this offseason and his recent play has grabbed the attention of many clubs trying to beef up their rotation. This could be the last time Lowe faces the rival Giants in the blue and grey. He is 5-1 in his last six starts versus San Fran.
Slumping
Braden Looper, St. Louis Cardinals (12-13, 4.06 ERA)
Looper is trying hard to pick up his first win in almost a month, but it seems it just isn’t in the Cards. The right-handed hurler is 0-3 in his last four trips to the hill and is just 3-6 in his last 11 starts.
St. Louis’ sluggers have provided an average of under three runs of support in those last four games. Looper has an ERA of 4.94 over this span. He is 0-2 with 2.37 ERA in three starts versus Chicago.
Andy Pettitte, New York Yankees (13-14, 4.57 ERA)
Hey Andy, no pressure.
Pettitte takes the mound for the final game in Yankee Stadium Sunday and it could come at a worst time. The veteran pitcher is coming off a career-worst fifth straight loss and is 1-7 in his last 10 starts.
The lefty has a hefty 6.90 ERA over the past five games. Although, he does have a 1.32 ERA and a 2-0 mark in his two starts versus the Orioles this season.
Baseball Today
SCOREBOARD
Baltimore at New York Yankees (8:05 p.m. EDT). Andy Pettitte will pitch for New York in the final regular-season game at 85-year-old Yankee Stadium. Fans will be allowed to walk on the field hours before a pregame ceremony highlighting the ballpark's rich history.
STARS
Saturday
- Manny Ramirez, Dodgers, hit two homers and drove in five runs to help Los Angeles beat San Francisco 10-7.
- Roy Halladay, Blue Jays, worked six innings to earn his 19th win and keep Toronto's slim playoff hopes alive with a 6-3 victory over the Red Sox.
- Robinson Cano, Yankees, hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning and New York staved off postseason elimination with a 1-0 victory over Baltimore.
- Garret Anderson, Angels, homered and drove in three runs to help Los Angeles beat the Rangers 7-3.
- Ryan Doumit, Pirates, drove in three runs with a pair of triples in the first two innings and Pittsburgh held off Houston 6-4.
- Chris Young, Padres, allowed just two hits in seven innings and hit the first home run of his career to lead the Padres over the Nationals 6-1.
CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN
The Chicago Cubs clinched their second straight NL Central title Saturday, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 behind Ted Lilly's seven innings at rocking Wrigley Field.
The 41,597 fans jammed into the old neighborhood ballpark were ready to party as they watched the Cubs earn back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since they participated in three straight World Series from 1906-08.
CELEBRATION
The Tampa Bay Rays kept things simple, clinching the first playoff berth in franchise history on their own. Carlos Pena hit a two-run double and Scott Kazmir rebounded from the worst start of his career to pitch six scoreless innings Saturday, helping the AL East leaders wrap up at least a wild-card spot with a 7-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
SIXTY SAVES
Francisco Rodriguez recorded his 60th save Saturday night in Los Angeles' 7-3 victory over Texas. Originally, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Friday he was going to give Rodriguez the next two games off. Scot Shields closed out Friday's win, but Rodriguez retired Nelson Cruz to preserve the lead in his 67th save opportunity.
OOPS
Stephen Drew turned an embarrassing moment into a winning one. One pitch after thinking he had drawn a walk, Drew hit a two-out, two-run homer in the top of the ninth and the Arizona Diamondbacks ended their 11-game road losing streak with a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night.
STATS
New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez struck out seven to move within eight of tying former Boston teammate Curt Schilling for 14th place on the career strikeout list with 3,116. - Houston's Lance Berkman singled up the middle in the ninth to end a career-worst slump of 0-for-27 that helped drop his average from .338 on Sept. 1 to .315.
FAMILIAR FACE
Georgetown University coach John Thompson III was a pregame visitor before the San Diego Padres beat the Washington Nationals 6-1. He was an assistant coach at Princeton when Chris Young played basketball and baseball, and head coach when Will Venable played both sports there.
SPEAKING
"We're looking at the big picture and it's nice to get in. We expected to get in and be in this spot and we're going to enjoy it tonight and probably a little bit in the morning" -said Cubs closer Kerry Wood, who's been with the team longer than any other current player, after Chicago clinched the NL Central with a 5-4 win over the Cardinals.