Posted on September 25, 2006 by Andrew Flynn
Overnight Dispatches
Aaron Harang threw a complete game against the Cubs on Sunday, yielding two runs and picking up his 15th win of the season. Harang gave up six hits and no walks while striking out nine. The two runs scored on a pair of solo homers by Aramis Ramirez and Buck Coats. Harang was actually in line for the loss when he finished the top of the ninth, but the Reds scored twice in the bottom of the inning to give him the victory. The right-hander will finish his season against the Pirates.
Clay Hensley evened his record at 11-11 by limiting the Pirates to one run in a 2-1 Padres’ victory on Sunday. Hensley struck out nine and gave up seven hits without walking a batter. The win was his third straight and he’s also posted quality starts in each of his last four outings. The win keeps the Padres 1.5 games ahead of the Dodgers in the NL West race. They’ll get the Cardinals for three games starting tomorrow in a series that will help determine seeding in the NL playoffs. The Padres will then finish their regular season with four games in Arizona.
Hong-Chih Kuo threw seven innings and yielded just an unearned run against the Diamondbacks on Sunday but still wasn’t involved in the decision of a Dodgers’ victory. Kuo struck out eight and walked two while yielding four hits. The left-hander had looked strong against the Cubs and Mets in his first two big league starts, then struggled against the Pirates last week. Still, Kuo was controlling the strike zone and striking out batters at a good clip, so he remained a fine play in NL-only formats. His performance today makes it likely he’ll get the start over Chad Billingsley against the Giants on Friday.
Chuck James gave up six runs on seven hits in five innings against the Rockies on Sunday, but wasn’t involved in the decision of a 9-8 Braves’ loss. The loss, combined with a Phillies’ win, ends Atlanta’s streak of 14 straight trips to the postseason. It was a fantastic run that the record books will look fondly upon, even with just one title during that stretch. James actually left the game with an 8-6 lead, but relievers Macay McBride and Tyler Yates combined to blow the game in the seventh and eighth. Despite two straight ugly outings, keep James active for when he faces the Astros next time out.
Jose Reyes stole a pair of bases against the Nationals on Sunday, extending his major league-leading total to 60 and matching what he finished with in 2005. In addition to matching his total from last season, Reyes has added an additional 21 runs scored, 12 homers, and 22 RBI. The last player to post back-to-back 60 steal seasons was Kenny Lofton, who did so for three straight years from 1992-1994.
Apparently the knee tendinitis that kept Chad Tracy out of Sunday’s game has been bothering him all season, according to the Arizona Republic. “But this is the first time I’ve sat because of it since the first road trip of the year,” said Tracy. He said he’ll undergo extensive testing once the season wraps up to determine whether “anything else needs to be done or not. Damion Easley replaced him at third base today.
Adam Dunn was ejected from Sunday’s game in the first inning for arguing balls and strikes. Dunn has hit a little better lately, but his long slump has obviously gotten to him. Dewayne Wise replaced him in left field against the Cubs.
Chipper Jones is starting at third base Sunday against the Rockies. Jones missed three starts due to a sore toe on his right foot.
Jason Bay, who had Saturday off because of a stomach virus, started Sunday and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. He maybe could have used one more day off. He will get one Monday since the Pirates are off.