Posted on September 24, 2006 by Andrew Flynn
Overnight Dispatches
Roy Oswalt, who left his last start with neck spasms, pitched seven innings and allowed three runs and nine hits Saturday against the Cardinals. Oswalt didn’t factor into the decision, but the Astros improved to 11-1 in his last 12 starts.
John Maine won on Saturday despite allowing four runs and walking five in five innings against the Nationals. Maine retired 11 of the first 12 hitters he faced, but after a two-out double in the fourth, he hit a batter and walked the next two, forcing in a run before Nook Logan popped out to end the inning. His struggles continued in a three-run fifth in which he walked two and hit another batter. It was probably the last start of the year for Maine, who should pitch out of the pen a couple of times next week in preparation for his probable postseason role.
Dan Wheeler blew a save Saturday against the Cardinals, but he got the win when the Astros came back in the bottom of the ninth. Wheeler gave up an RBI double to David Eckstein to tie the game at 4 in the top of the inning. The blown save probably won’t cause the Astros to shy away from using him over Brad Lidge in closing situations.
Shane Victorino broke out of a slump with four hits and three runs scored Saturday against the Marlins. Victorino hadn’t had a multihit game since Sept. 9, which uncoincidentally was the day on which he suffered a sprained wrist in a collision. He had been just 5-for-42 since that day.
Jose Reyes reached five times on Saturday, going 3-for-3 with three RBI and two walks. He also swiped his 58th base. It was looking like a lost week for Reyes because of the off days after the Mets clinched, but this will give his owners his lift. He hadn’t stolen a base in two weeks.
Johnny Estrada is frustrated with his lack of playing time since the Diamondbacks called up Miguel Montero. “I’m not happy about this at all,” Estrada said. “At this point, and I know this sounds bad, but I’d almost rather not play. Heck, let the kid (Montero) play. Let him get some games if that’s the direction they’re going to go in and those are going to be their guys next year.” Estrada is expected to be traded in the off season.
Carlos Quentin went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and a walk as the Diamondbacks’ No. 8 hitter on Saturday. Fortunately for the Diamondbacks, Chris Young didn’t begin getting his additional playing time tonight. Quentin collected his first hits in a week and came through with just his third homer since the beginning of August. He’s batting .254 with eight homers in 142 at-bats as a major leaguer.
Chipper Jones returned to action as a pinch-hitter on Saturday and struck out against Jeremy Affeldt with the bases loaded. Jones missed his third straight start because of a sore toe. He might be back at third base on Sunday.
It’s not clear yet if Hong-Chih Kuo or Chad Billingsley will start for the Dodgers next Friday at San Francisco, according to the team’s official site. The most likely scenario is Kuo, but it could hinge on how effectively he pitches in today’s home finals with Arizona. Grady Little said Billingsley will be in the bullpen for the Colorado series which starts Tuesday, another indication that Kuo is the more likely starter in San Francisco. “We’ll see how it looks after we play Colorado,” Little said.
Jason Bay had to go to a hospital Saturday for intravenous fluids due help him deal with a stomach virus, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He missed that day’s game, and his status for today is uncertain.
Dave Roberts hasn’t played the last two nights, in part because the Padres have faced left-handed starters and in part because he’s batting just .197 in September. San Diego is expected to face right-handed opponents for the rest of the regular season, so Roberts will probably be used regularly for the final week.
Jeff Kent will probably start every game the rest of the way despite his sore oblique muscle, Grady Little told the AP. Those starts could be conditionally tied to the Dodgers staying in the playoff hunt, of course; Los Angeles enters today’s play a half-game out in the wild-card race, and 1.5 games behind San Diego in the division. The Dodgers play six road games next week, three at Colorado and three at San Francisco
Derek Lowe could get two starts next week if the Dodgers still are playing meaningful games on the weekend, according to the team’s official site. He’ll start Wednesday in Colorado, then be available Sunday at San Francisco, if needed. Entering today’s play the Dodgers are 1.5 games back in the NL West, and a half game out in the wild card standings.