Posted on July 29, 2006 by Andrew Flynn
Overnight Dispatches
From Rotoworld:
Johnny Estrada delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the top of the 11th inning against the Astros tonight in an 8-7 Diamondbacks’ win. The Astros had already used five pitchers by the time the 11th started, so the club brought in Andy Pettitte to make his first relief appearance since 1998. Luis Gonzalez promptly doubled off the left-hander, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on Estrada’s fly out to left. That made a winner out of Tony Pena and allowed the D’Backs to move within one and a half games of division-leading San Diego.
Carlos Quentin homered again on Friday, this time delivering a pinch-hit, two-run shot off Astros reliever Chad Qualls. Quentin had all of nine homers in 318 at-bats in the minors, but he has four in just 16 big league at-bats thus far. He’s a good enough hitter that a hot streak like this can’t be ruled out, but those basing expectations on Quentin’s first week in the majors will be disappointed. Still, if the Diamondbacks trade an outfielder before Monday’s deadline, Quentin could have value in mixed leagues the rest of the way.
Dave Roberts went 2-for-3 with a walk and a pair of stolen bases as the Padres lost to the Rockies 3-1 on Friday. Roberts is batting .293 with 30 steals in 76 games for the Padres. The batting average is a career-best, and he’s got a chance to match his career-high of 45 steals in a season.
Chipper Jones is again day-to-day after aggravating a strained left oblique in Friday’s game, for which he was removed from Friday’s game in the sixth inning. The Braves let Chipper rush his return on Wednesday, though he actually wanted to return on Tuesday. He’ll probably give it another try this weekend, but he could be day-to-day for quite some time.
Jose Reyes went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and a walk as the Mets defeated the Braves 6-4 on Friday. Reyes looked fantastic in June while posting a 1038 OPS, but he’s cooled considerably in July. The homer was his first of the month and the RBI his eighth, both of which would be season-lows if the month ended today. He should bounce back shortly, particularly as he distances himself from an injury to his pinkie finger suffered on July 7.
Jeff Kent is expected to miss at least another 10 days to two weeks with a strained oblique. Kent is eligible to return Wednesday, but he won’t be ready then. The Dodgers are using Willy Aybar and Ramon Martinez at second base.
Moises Alou is making his first start tonight since leaving Saturday’s game with a strained left hamstring. He’s batting third against the Pirates.
Despite surrendering seven walks, Carlos Marmol managed to hold the Cardinals to three runs — two earned — in 5 1/3 innings and win on Friday. Marmol, who left his previous start with a right hand contusion, struck out five. He’s 4-4 with a 4.39 ERA, but that’s come with 40 walks and a 1.54 WHIP in 53 1/3 innings. He can’t be trusted in NL-only leagues.