SB Nation - Neftali Feliz

Down on the Farm: John Manuel's Top 20 Prospect for 2010

raygu — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:00:27 -0000

Yesterday Baseball America's John Manuel posted his Top 20 prospects for 2010 over at SI.com. Here is his top 20 list with his write up on his number 4 prospect Desmond Jennings.

What he'll be: Jennings has many similarities to current Rays center fielder B.J. Upton, but his hitting track record is more consistent.

1. Stephen Strasburg, WAS

2. Jason Heyward, ATL

3. Michael Stanton, FLA

4. Desmond Jennings, TB

5. Jesus Montero, NYY

6. Brian Matusz, BAL

7. Pedro Alvarez, PIT

8. Neftali Feliz, TEX

9. Buster Posey, SFG

10. Madison Bumgarner, SFG

More after the jump:

11. Carlos Santana, CLE

12, Justin Smoak, TEX

13. Domonic Brown, PHI

14. Casey Kelly, BOS

15. Jeremy Hellickson, TB

16. Kyle Drabek, TOR

17. Alcides Escobar, MILW

18, Aaron Hicks, MIN

19. Dustin Ackley, SEA

20. Martin Perez, TEX

Fantasy Baseball: Early AL Closer Watch.

Ian, yo — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:04:26 -0000

More photos » by Kathy Willens - AP

8 months ago: New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera delivers to a member of the Phillies AAA club during a spring training baseball game at the Yankees minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, March 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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We've seen a lot of trade rumors and trade analysis as of late and there really hasn't been any mention of the many teams with closer situations. We will check back in after a few months and see if anything has changed, but this is how things are looking as of now.

AL East

Yankees- I think we all know this answer. Mo' should be one of the top closers in the game again. One day, he may fall apart, but for a player of his caliber, he may retire before than happens. Next in line: Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Mark Melancon.
Red Sox- Jonathan Papelbon. In 2009, Papelbon posted a 1.85 ERA, which would lead you to believe he had a successful season. If you look at the peripheral stats, you'd see that Papelbon had an FIP of 3.05 and while he kept his K/9 above 10, he posted a BB/9 over 3 for the first time since his rookie season where he threw only 34 big league innings. I wouldn't be surprised to see Papelbon traded with the closer in waiting in Daniel Bard likely getting more work in the later innings. Next in line: Daniel Bard, Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen.
Orioles- Mike Gonzalez. The Orioles signed Gonzalez to be their closer and I can't really see anyone challenging him for the job this year. Next in line: Jim Johnson, Kam Mikolio.
Blue Jays- Jason Frasor. While there is nothing concrete in Toronto, I think Frasor will be the guy in 2010. Frasor saved 11 games in 2009 and ended the season with an FIP of 2.99 and a K/BB of 3.50. I think if the season were to begin today, Frasor would be the man, but he could lose it fairly easily. Next in line: Scott Downs, Jeremy Accardo.
Rays- Rafael Soriano. The Rays either didn't seem confident or have other plans for J.P Howell in 2010. After trading prospect Jesse Chavez to Atlanta, the Rays are set at closer with Soriano. If he were to get hurt (which he does somewhat often) I would think Wheeler is the next on the list with Howell being the late inning lefty. Next in line: Dan Wheeler, J.P. Howell and Grant Balfour.

AL Central

Twins- Joe Nathan. See Mariano Rivera. Next in line: Jon Rauch, Pat Neshek, Matt Guerrier, Jose Mijares.
Tigers- Joel Zumaya. Currently the Tigers depth chart lists Zumaya as the closer. He's always been thought of as the closer of the future, but the Tigers have never really given him an extended look due to durability concerns. If made a closer, Zumaya could be a top level closer but he'll have to get his walks under control for that to happen. Next in line: Ryan Perry, Daniel Schlereth, Casey Fien, Phil Coke.
White Sox- Bobby Jenks. As we speak, Jenks seems to be the closer and is listed as such on the depth chart. Matt Thornton is the better pitcher, but experience could be key here. I still think Thornton ends up with the job at some point. Next in line: Matt Thornton, J.J. Putz.
Indians- Kerry Wood. Wood struggled in and there are a few more guys in waiting that could make this one of the more interesting (aka: avoidable) closer situations in 2010. Next in line: Chris Perez, Rafael Perez.
Royals- Joakim Soria. One of the more talented relievers in the game. He was hampered by injuries a bit in 2009 and still saved 30 games with a 2.21 ERA. I don't see him going anywhere. Next in line: Juan Cruz, Kyle Farnsworth.

AL West

Angels- Brian Fuentes. Didn't have the greatest season, but the Angels paid him to close, so I don't see him doing anything else. Next in line: Fernando Rodney, Kevin Jepsen.
Rangers- Frank Francisco. Francisco spent time on and off the DL in 2009 and the Rangers bolstered their bullpen by adding Chris Ray and Darren Oliver, making the closer role available to C.J. Wilson, Chris Ray, Francisco or fireballer Neftali Feliz. If the Rangers decide not to prepare Feliz to start, he could very easily become an elite closer. Next in line: Chris Ray, C.J. Wilson, Neftali Feliz.
Mariners- David Aardsma. The Mariners seem to be pushing for a playoff berth in 2010 by trading away Brandon Morrow for Brandon League and prospect Johermyn Chavez. League brings a big time GB% (which fits in with Seattle's league leading defense.) While I do think Aardsma will be the closer and will be successful, I wouldn't totally rule out a trade of one of the young, power arms in Seattle's pen. Next in line: Mark Lowe, Brandon League, Shawn Kelley, Joshua Fields.
Athletics- Andrew Bailey. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year is likely to be the closer for the A's in 2010, but that's what we thought about Brad Zeigler in 2009. I still see Bailey as the closer, however. Next in line: Brad Ziegler, Joey Devine, Michael Wuertz, John Meloan.

Braves Re-Acquire Jeff Francoeur... in the form of Melky Cabrera

gondeee — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:32:36 -0000

More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

For better or worse, Melky Cabrera is now a member of the Atlanta Braves.

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This is going to be a trade that's talked about for some time, along with the moves the Braves have made over the past year. If there is one constant in the moves the Braves have made in the past year, it is all about trimming money from the payroll.

In today's deal the Braves sent Javier Vazquez and his one-year $11.5 million salary to the Yankees along with Boone Logan and his $1.5 million likely arbitration figure. In return they get a rookie left-handed pitcher in Mike Dunn, an A-ball prospect in Arodys Vizcaino (two no-cost players), and outfielder Melky Cabrera, who will likely make around $3 million in arbitration. Ryan Church was scheduled to make around $4 million in arbitration, but by most accounts he's a better player than Cabrera. He's certainly not as highly thought of, but when healthy he hits for much more power than Cabrera likely ever will.

This begs the question, "did we trade away Jeff Francoeur (.743 career OPS) last year to acquire the better Ryan Church (.787 career OPS), only to release Church, and trade for Melky Cabrera (.716 career OPS), who is likely not as good as Francoeur?" Seems to me that the Braves end up on the short end of that outcome. Of course Cabrera is probably still "projectable" as a major leaguer, but how long did we say that about Francoeur?

There are two ways in which this trade will look good. First is in the money we will save and have available to potentially get a free agent bat that we've been needing. A rough total of the Braves salaries for next season currently comes to around $80 million (we only have one arbitration eligible player left, that's Peter Moylan). That would leave us with around $15 million to spend on a big bat... a nice sum, which should get us a good bat. The second way this trade will look good is if Arodys Vizcaino pulls his own version of Neftali Feliz in two or three years. We could also use him to acquire that big bat via trade, that would be an alternate way in which the trade would look good.

As it stands now, the Braves pattern the past year has been to strip salary. Kelly Johnson and Ryan Church were non-tendered, instead of being paid around $4 million a piece. Boone Logan was swapped for the cheaper Mike Dunn. Tim Hudson was re-signed at a more affordable salary than the now-traded Javier Vazquez. Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito will make less than Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez.

All of this salary conservation has led up to this final purge from the books, and now the team must make a move that brings a big bat here, and they should have the salary room to do so. Perhaps with $15 million to spend, they can aim higher than Johnny Damon or Xavier Nady, and zero in on Jason Bay or Matt Holliday. For some fans, that's the only way the team will win them back after another tumultuous off-season of questionable moves.

Down on the Farm: Part 2 of Interview with Adam Foster from Project Prospect

raygu — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:00:16 -0000

Here is the part 2 of the two part interview with Adam Foster from Project Prospect. Foster and the guys over at Project Prospect recently posted their top 15 catching prospects, so head on over to Project Prospect and check out their top 15 rankings.

Fake Teams: Aside from the AFL, what prospects that you have seen this year made the biggest leap forward? Step back?

Adam Foster: James Darnell is a guy who I went well out of my way to see this year. His swing really impressed me at Minor League Spring Training. He's very athletic with a good chance of sticking at third base. And his power potential is outstanding.

Some of my colleagues who are really into college statistics pointed Darnell out as a guy who may have fallen further than he should have in the draft - he wasn't healthy his junior season. Then I bumped into Darnell's Cape Cod League coach in Phoenix one night and he said he wanted Darnell over Justin Smoak on his Cape team.

I'm not saying that Darnell is a lock to become a superstar. But he's one of the best prospects in baseball. And people who aren't giving him that kind of recognition probably haven't done their homework.

As far as guys who took a step back, unfortunately Tim Alderson was a different pitcher this year than last. He lost some movement on his fastball. And his pinpoint accuracy left him. There are guys who chose to give up some velocity to gain movement. Alderson may have gone the opposite direction in 2009, I'm not sure. But even though his curveball is already a plus pitch, he wasn't giving High-A or Double-A hitters much trouble last season. He definitely has elite control. I just don't think he's a big league pitcher without outstanding command.

More after the jump:

Fake Teams: I read in your Rising Stars game chat that you and your colleagues are not as high on the Phillies outfield prospect Domonic Brown. What are your reasons?

Adam Foster: Guys who are outstanding fast-twitch athletes can become overrated in a hurry. People like to assume that they're athletic enough to do things that other players can't. In Brown's case, there's some false information floating around that he's an elite defender. He has a very good arm and he's fast, but he doesn't get good reads or take good routes. Those skills can't really be learned. So it's highly unlikely that he'll be more than an average defensive right fielder.

Additionally, he's really not very coordinated - compared to his peers. My first reaction when I saw him bat was that he looked awkward. He gets in a crouch to try to shrink down his big strike zone (Brown is 6-foot-5). And while he has a lot of bat speed, is patient, and recognizes pitches well, he's not going to be an above-average contact hitter. There's not much he can do about that. He doesn't have very good bat control.

Keep in mind that Brown is an elite prospect. He's in the 99^th percentile for his class. I'm just dissecting the heck out of him here. If you compare him to the other guys who are at the head of the class, I don't think he stands out as one who's going to become a star. He's very good and a likely bet to become an average big leaguer. But there are a dozen or so hitters out there who I see as better prospects than him.

Fake Teams: What players who underwhelmed in 2009 do you expect to jump back into the limelight in 2010?

Adam Foster: Reese Havens is a good one to start with. He moved to second base in the Arizona Fall League and looked solid at the position. He's a polished, well-rounded hitter who can play up-the-middle defense. He was a first rounder. And had a successful junior season in college - I'd be more confident in him if he was better his sophomore year, though. His baseball resume puts him in elite company. I'll be surprised if he doesn't break out in 2010.

Don't sleep on Jon Niese and Kevin Mulvey. They are solid bets to turn into useful big league starters. You could also end up looking like a genius if you snatch up Kellen Kulbacki cheap now that a lot of people have forgotten about him. Nick Noonan was one of the youngest players in High-A and has a lot of potential. Ivan De Jesus may not be a fantasy stud, but if you play in a deep dynasty or sim league, don't forget about him - and I'm sure you haven't ;).

Fake Teams: What prospects do you feel who should be getting more press based on their talent/performance?

Adam Foster: Josh Bell is just starting to get the attention he deserves. I guess you lose some street cred when you get traded for a reliever. But the Dodgers are clearly working under the win-now model, so I wouldn't hold it against him. He can play third base and has a lot of power. If Pedro Alvarez and Brett Wallace can't stick at third - and they probably won't - then Bell starts looking like a pretty good pick for the best "true" third base prospect in the minors. I'll have to compare my video of him and Darnell this offseason, though.

Brandon Snyder is another guy who has the resume to turn into a solid big leaguer. But you don't hear much talk about him. I'm a big Drew Cumberland believer. Matt Sweeney is a breakout guy. Lorenzo Cain has fallen out of the spotlight but I still see a lot of potential in him. Che-Hsuan Lin gets lost in the Red Sox depth of athletic hitters. Jaff Decker gets overlooked largely due to some old scouting biases.

Fake Teams: Who are your top 5 hitting prospects going into 2010? Who are your top 5 pitching prospects going into 2010?

Adam Foster: At the end of the 2009 season, we ranked Jason Heyward, Carlos Santana, Jesus Montero, and Buster Posey as the game's top five hitting prospects with Dustin Ackley, Desmond Jennings, Fernando Martinez and Mike Stanton on the bubble. Those guys will account for the bulk of - if not all - the spots among our top five hitting prospects entering 2010.

We didn't get to see many of baseball's top pitching prospects at the AFL. And I still want to get better reads on some guys. But Stephen Strasburg and Brian Matusz are clearly at the head of this class. Daniel Hudson and Jeremy Hellickson were two of the most impressive pitchers I saw in 2009 - Hudson for his FB and CH movement; Hellickson for his command. Then it's hard not to like Neftali Feliz' stuff. The five guys I've mentioned were our top five pitching prospects when we put together our October top 25 pitching prospect list. Most of them should also be top five on our 2010 list.

I want to thank Adam for taking the time for this interview.

Sunday morning Rangers things

Adam J. Morris — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:47:02 -0000

More photos » by John Froschauer - AP

2 months ago: Texas Rangers starting pitcher Tommy Hunter adjusts his cap during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners of a baseball game in Seattle on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. Hunter was pulled from the game in the inning as the Mariners went on to win 2-1. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

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Last game of the season today. Which I felt the need to mention, since some of you might not be aware of that.

Anthony Andro says Tommy Hunter was tipping his pitches last night, and the Rangers didn't catch any breaks, in losing 2-1 to Seattle.

Pudge Rodriguez, Omar Vizquel, and Andruw Jones all want to come back next season. Pudge and Vizquel, I think could well be back. Andruw, probably not.

Ray Buck has a story on Neftali Feliz, who he says is the Rangers most promising pitching phenom since David Clyde. While it may be nitpicking, I'd take issue with that, as I'm not sure either Clyde or Feliz was more promising than Eddie Correa, who, as I mentioned in the game day thread last night when Tom Grieve compared Feliz to Correa, was younger when he threw his final pitch as a major leaguer than Feliz was when he threw his first pitch as a major leaguer.

Jeff Wilson lists the needs the Rangers have to address for next year, although he indicates most of them will have to be fulfilled from within. Wilson also mentions that the Rangers may look at C.J. Wilson in the rotation next year.

And Jan Hubbard has a piece about how a solid season from the Rangers this year resulted in a lot less talk about how TBIA is keeping the team from succeeding.

Wednesday a.m. Rangers things

Adam J. Morris — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:22:47 -0000

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

2 months ago: Texas Rangers' Michael Young throws his batting helmet after striking out against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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Playing out the string, and guys continue to go down to injury. Marlon Byrd got pulled yesterday after injuring his hip, and Chris Davis missed yesterday's game with a hamstring injury.

Jim Reeves' game story notes that Scott Feldman is running out of gas, with Feldman having his second shaky outing in a row, although Ron Washington scolds Elvis Andrus as well for a mental error that cost Feldman two runs.

Marlon Byrd fell on his face running past first, and then almost collapsed going out to center field, resulting in Craig Gentry coming in and replacing him last night. With just 5 games left, I'd assume that Byrd is going to join Josh Hamilton on the "shut down for the year" list.

That could mean Julio Borbon getting some time in center field, except that Ron Washington says Borbon isn't playing center until the Rangers have clinched second place. Why Washington just doesn't come out and say Borbon isn't going to play center until the last day of the season, I don't know...I have to think there's some real reason that we are getting.

Jim Reeves says that the future of Neftali Feliz -- as starter or reliever -- is a key question for the offseason. He indicates Ron Washington, Mike Maddux, and Andy Hawkins all seem to prefer Feliz out of the bullpen, while Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan see him as a starter.

Reeves also quotes Washington as saying that Feliz could impact "four or five games a week" as a reliever, and the idea of Washington going to Feliz five times a week out of the pen is enough for me to want to see him back in the rotation ASAP.

Derek Holland gets the start today, and he says he wants to end his season on a high note.

T.R. Sullivan writes that the Rangers show promise for 2010, and has a quote from Michael Young about the necessity of re-signing Marlon Byrd, along with Pudge Rodriguez saying he wants to come back to Texas next season.

Prospect Prelude: Jeremy Hellickson

Jeremy Kempter — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:58:39 -0000

The front office here at fake teams has given me the call-up.

I’m going to write about minor leaguers and prospects, pre- and post-hype, coming to a big league city soon.

From now until the end of the season, we’re going to run down some kids to consider stashing away as keepers for 2010, assuming you have the room. (And I’m assuming you’re in a keeper league; if you’re not, you’re missing out, big time.) Roster these guys now – let’s also they are available already in Yahoo or whichever site you use – and gauge their value when the hype starts kicking into high gear next spring.

I’m not going to waste your time waxing poetic about Stephen Strasberg or Neftali Feliz or even Brian Matusz. I’m addressing deeper mixed leagues where you need to do your homework to stay ahead of the pack. After all, it’s a lot less expensive to land a player before he becomes a star than after.

Our first installment is on Jeremy Hellickson, a 22-year-old right-hander in the Tampa Bay organization. He was drafted in the fourth round in 2005 out of his Iowa high school.

I actually drafted his teammate Wade Davis heading into this season and waited impatiently as the Rays did their usual foot-dragging to promote their talented youngsters. Needless to say, I dropped Davis, he was immediately scooped up and I’ve been kicking myself ever since.

But, it seems, Hellickson could be better.

Baseball people are split on Hellickson’s potential. His velocity (typically topping out at 93 mph) doesn’t dazzle like Davis’ (95 mph), and he’s not the protypical 6-foot-5 either. (He goes about 6-1, 185 pounds.) He's been compared to Roy Oswalt or Tim Hudson, for his size, and his delivery looks a little like Brad Penny's.

Hellickson can crank it up to 94-95, to be fair, but his 79 mph changeup is more effective when it is coupled with a free-and-easy low-90s fastball because his release looks identical. He works off his fastball, but his change is his out pitch. He also has an above-average curveball, and he is working on a sinker.

The digits that really do Hellickson justice are 2009’s 9-2 record, 2.45 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, .178 BAA, 132 strikeouts, in 114 innings across Double- and Triple-A.

And he’s been rollin’ lately, a regular Hellickson on wheels. Check out the strikeout totals from his last four starts: 10, 10, 12, 9. His walk total during that stretch? Five.

And this isn’t a one-year fluke. In five minor league seasons, he’s got a 37-13 mark, 2.71 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 507 K’s and 100 BB’s in 461 innings.

Of course minor league numbers don’t always translate to the bigs. Just ask Yusmeiro Petit.

But Hellickson’s numbers are so sparkling, they could be scuffed up in The Show and still shine. I mean, if you know how to be that successful, some of it has to translate. Plus, he has been praised for his bulldog mentality and even-keeled maturity.

There’s no telling when the aforementioned slow-moving Rays brass will promote this starter to the major league rotation, seeing that James Shields, Matt Garza, Jeff Niemann, David Price and Wade Davis all stand in the way.

But injuries and trades happen, and right now Hellickson can be had for free (or pretty cheap) and is sure to be in or around the top 10 of most prospect lists next spring.

Angels Magic Number at 7; John Lackey Ties Frank Tanana

Rev Halofan — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:15:02 -0000

More photos » by Mike Fuentes - AP

3 months ago: The Los Angeles Angels' starting pitcher John Lackey throws in the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)

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Final Score in Arlington: Angels 10, Rangers 5

In what might have been his next to last regular season start as an Angel, John Lackey tied Frank Tanana for 4th Place all time in franchise history with his 102nd win under the Halo. And he did it with the Angels' #2 All Time Winner watching in the stands - but on behalf of the opposition. Rangers team president Nolan Ryan (138 Wins as an Angel) saw the Angel bats battle back on behalf of Big John, scoring 7 unanswered runs after being behind 5-3 to start the 6th. That made a loser out of Texas starter Derek Holland.

Finishing up a grueling road trip 3-4, the Angels bats finally awoke. Howie Kendrick was a Double shy of the cycle, his 3 hits in the game highlighted by a solo HR and a bases clearing 3-Run Triple. The Angels hit 4 HR in a rare Arlington day game. Gary Matthews Jr subbed for Bobby Abreu and was 2 for 3 with one of the RBI. Chone Figgins and Juan Rivera had solo HRs. Holland was charged with 6 ER and Texas Phenom Neftali Feliz was charged with 2 ER.

The Angels head home to face the Yankees tomorrow night. John Lackey will celebrate by taking a few teammates to the Cowboys home opener in his luxury suite. What does this mean for Frank Tanana? A solid 5th place all time for now is the worst that could come of a reinvigorated Lackey in the home stretch.

Angels All-Time WINS Leaders:

PLAYER	IP	W
Chuck Finley	2,674+	165
Nolan Ryan	2,181+	138
Mike Witt	1,965+	109
John Lackey	1,492+	102
Frank Tanana	1,615+	102
Mark Langston	1,445+	88
Clyde Wright	1,403+	87
Kirk McCaskill	1,220+	78
J. Washburn	1,153+	75
Dean Chance	1,236+	74

Ervin Santana is 13th All Time with 58 Wins

Jered Weaver is 18th All Time with 50 Wins

Joe Saunders is 21st All Time with 45 Wins

Poll

Panther of the Game:

Howie Kendrick

465 votes

Gary Matthews Jr.

33 votes

498 votes | Poll has closed

Rangers Can't Move Thru Kazmir or Angels

Rev Halofan — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:06:10 -0000

More photos » by Mike Fuentes - AP

3 months ago: Los Angeles Angels' Vladimir Guerrero trots home after a home run against the Texas Rangers in a baseball game during the third inning in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)

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Final Score in Arlington: Angels 2, Rangers

It took Scott Kazmir 3 weeks and 4 starts as an Angel to get his first win with a Halo. His first W lowered the Angels' Magic Number to 9 to win the American League West.

The 6 hits the Angels managed on Friday night were enough. One was a solo HR by Vladimir Guerrero to lead off the 3rd inning. The other was a bloop single by Torii Hunter in the 1st inning that scored Maicer Izturis. Guerrero was in the middle of that, having extended the 1st inning by striking out but reaching first base on a Wild Pitch.

Kazmir allowed 6 hits in 6 IP, striking out 5 Rangers. If there was one blemish, his pitch count of 104 was a little high. Jason Bulger pitched a hitless inning of relief, Kevin Jepsen got into some trouble, lowlighted by a rare Torii Hunter throwing error, but an Andruw Jones fly to the warning track with the bases loaded was pretty much the end of the Rangers' season. Brian Fuentes got his 43rd Save of the season, the 5th most single season in Franchise History.

If there was one bright spot for the Rangers, the phenomenal Neftali Feliz Pwnaged the Angels and should give Texas fans a glimmer of hope for their future after an impressive job of hanging on during a season where they could have easily folded in June, July or August. The almost full house in Arlington served as a reminder that Dallas is the 5th largest media market in the nation and with an owner who has not robbed the team's coffers in place in a few seasons, the Rangers could be more than a late season hold on the Los Angeles champagne of Anaheim.

Poll

Panther of the Game

Vlad Guerrero

41 votes

Scott Kazmir

337 votes

378 votes | Poll has closed

Game 138: Rangers 11, Indians 9

Ryan — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:25:50 -0000

by Mark Duncan - AP

Carlos Carrasco, throwing his Super G ball.

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After the Indians were quickly down 5-1, the offense scored eight more runs, but today the bullpen couldn't keep the Rangers down. Carlos Carrasco again couldn't throw strikes, and had to be pulled after five innings. The right-hander allowed 11 baserunners and two more home runs.

The lineup, meanwhile, solved Tommy Hunter. In his last start against the Indians, Hunter threw 7.2 scoreless innings. Tonight the Indians tagged Hunter for eight hits in 5.1 innings of work. Rangers manager Ron Washington pulled Hunter in the sixth, replacing him with young phenom Neftali Feliz, who in his short career has dominated opposing hitters. But tonight's results seemed to go against the grain, and the Indians plated both of Feliz's inherited runners in the sixth, and scored a run off him in the seventh.

But the Rangers kept scoring runs, and although the Indians tied the game in the sixth, they never relinquished the lead. Marlon Byrd ended Chris Perez's long scoreless streak by blasting a three-run homer in the top of the seventh.

Next Up: Game Two, minutes from now.

via www.fangraphs.com

Highest WPA		Lowest WPA
Travis Hafner	.172	Chris Perez	-.278
Michael Brantley	.160	Carlos Carrasco
Matt LaPorta	.081	Jhonny Peralta	-.190