Posted on July 27, 2006 by Andrew Flynn
Overnight Dispatches
Rich Aurilia missed the cycle by a double and scored three runs Wednesday against the Astros. Aurilia continues to destroy lefties. He’s batting .361 with nine homers in 97 at-bats against them this year. It’s right-handers he shouldn’t be playing against. He’s hitting .239 with four homers in 159 at-bats versus righties after striking out in both at-bats against them tonight.
Adam Dunn went 4-for-4 with two doubles off Andy Pettitte Wednesday in the loss to the Astros. Since manager Jerry Narron continues to insist on dropping Dunn in the lineup against lefties, that all resulted in one RBI and one run scored. Dunn, who hit fifth tonight, is batting .302 with 11 homers, nine doubles and 26 walks in 126 at-bats against lefties this season. Meanwhile, even the Jaws of Life couldn’t pry Ken Griffey Jr., who is practically 0-for-the-month, out of the third spot in the order.
Armando Benitez took his sixth blown save and his second loss after giving up two runs in the ninth Wednesday against the Nationals. Benitez has blown consecutive chances after converting seven straight. Still, the Giants won’t consider pulling him from the closer’s role. He has a 2.63 ERA despite his occasional stumbles, and it’s not like there’s anyone in the bullpen with much of a case for taking over.
Ryan Langerhans went 3-for-3 with a double and was walked intentionally Wednesday against the Marlins. Langerhans was 0-for-17 since the break before collecting two hits yesterday. With five hits in two games, he might be on his way to earning himself more playing time in left field.
Brandon Webb was charged with six runs — four earned — in six innings in Wednesday’s loss to the Phillies. Two errors led to two unearned runs in the first. Webb also gave up a three-run homer to Chase Utley in the second and a solo shot to David Dellucci in the third. He pitched three clean innings after that, but the damage was done.
John Maine extended his scoreless streak to 17 innings with seven shutout frames Wednesday in a no-decision versus the Cubs. Back-to-back outstanding performance from Maine, though it does have to be noted that this and the shutout against the Astros have come against the two worst offenses in baseball. Maine struck out seven today, including the side in his final inning of work. He allowed three hits and walked three. Maine may have himself a permanent rotation spot now, and since he’ll probably face the NL’s third worst offense (Florida) next week, he has to be owned in NL-only leagues.
Mark Mulder threw three simulated innings and a total of 122 pitches, including warmups, on Wednesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. If Mulder feels good in the aftermath of this session, the next step could be throwing batting practice. Mulder is on the DL with a strained shoulder. The Cardinals hope he will be healthy enough to rejoin the rotation in early August.
Manager Felipe Alou said that Moises Alou will likely only start one game during the series against the Nationals, according to the Giants website. Alou has been hampered a nagging hamstring injury. Alou, who has missed the past two games due to a strained hamstring, isn’t expected to play until Friday at the earliest. Alou was hurt on Saturday, and though he was used as a pinch-hitter the following day, he’s not feeling much better now than when he got hurt. A stint on the DL can’t be ruled out.
Chipper Jones returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing three straight games with a strained side muscle, according to the AP. Jones was 0-for-3 at the plate, ending his 20-game hitting streak.