Tagged: Atlanta Braves
Rookierific!
Say Hello to one of the hottest hitters on the planet – Derrek Lee. Derrek is in a euphoric state since the birth of his son Dylan and has been terrorizing opposing pitchers. He has blasted 7 HRs in the 10 games since his return to the lineup. He now has 33 HRs and 98 RBIs!
Click Here to see a supremely confident professional hitter going about his business. Did you know that Derrek is the son of a Major League scout? His father and uncle were both top notch professional players overseas. Now ya know! ; )
One of the most admirable talents is the ability to come off the bench in a pinch hit role and deliver. It’s a real art and very difficult to have success. Don’t tell Aubrey Huff. Oh My.. did he come through with shining colors in that very situation. With the Tigers down 5-2 in the bottom of the 9th Aubrey absolutely hammered a 2-0 offering into the right field stands for a game tying Pinch Hit Home Run! Well done Aubrey.. you’re a contender for YH.
Speaking of game tying shots. How about that Michael Cuddyer? 
It wasn’t just any old HR, it was a late inning game tying shot that also happens to be his 100th HR of his career! Way to hammer it Michael. His 2 for 4 night and 3 RBIs keep the Twins alive… but barely. Bummer news… Morneau is out for the rest of ’09 : (
The Yankees were in a knock down battle with the Angels in a mini one game series at the Bronx. Playoff atmosphere was abundant and the play on the field resembled it.
Mark Teixeira had a big night going 3 for 4 with a couple of ribs. He had a big triple that put the Yanks ahead 3-2 in the 5th. His double in the 8th started the go ahead rally when the aggressive Yanks played small ball against Scioscia with a double steal that netted the winning run. The Halos now head to Boston where another playoff atmosphere awaits.
Lets get to the top rung YH guys. How about Colby Rasmus and the drubbing the Cards put on Florida?
I guess Tony Larussa was a tad upset over the sweeping the Braves gave them. The bats came out and Colby’s was a big one. He had a 3-5 night that include a 3 Run shot that just cleared the fence in right. His 15th dong of the year came on an 0-2 count. shame shame on the pitcher. Good game Colby… but you’re not the guy. Close… but no banana.
When your team is in a dreadful funk like the TB Rays, which button do you push as a Manager to try to right the ship? Well… credit Joe Maddon for doing the right thing this time. Albeit too late for the Rays.. it’s a feel good thing in more ways then one.
Rookie Reid Brignac not only got a rare start, he just barely missed setting Rays history. His 4 for 4 night included 3 RBIs. It was his last at bat and he already had his first career HR, a single and a double. He laced a shot down the right field line and for a moment it looked like he might have the triple that would make him the first Rays player to have ever ridden the cycle. But, Markakis is over there and Brignac wisely settled for a double. Still… what a super night for the rook! Congratulations Reid… you’re Yesterday’s Hitter! Watch his day Here!
What a Rook…
A pretty dismal attempt at fame for Yesterday’s Hitters : ) Ah, ok.. a short slate makes it a littler slimmer pickings. No worries though, there were some nice performances at the plate so lets take a look at them.
First off, Kudos to the Rockies on their 7th straight win. The pressure is on Torre and the Dodgers to finish what they started. Although there were no numbers that jump at you, had you been watching the game you’d know that Jason Giambi… yup Jason is loose again… rocked a ball over the rook centerfielders head for a couple of big RBIs in what was a close game. Uh, Game Over. Rocks Win.
Howie Kendrick made a run at YH with his 3 for 3 performance…but, a little skimpy on the production there Howie. One run might do it, but not Yesterday.
How about the line that Yuniesky Betancourt put up for the KC Royals: 2 for 2 with 2 Ribs, 2 Runs and 2 walks to Boot. It’s almost like the old Vin Scully line – “2 Balls, 2 Strikes, 2 on, 2 out, in a 2-2 tie! Oh my!”. Speaking of Oh My.. KC sweeps Detroit? Lucky for the Tigers that the Twinkies were cold bats (Mauer 0-4).
I really like Brian McCann.
He has a sweet swing and seems to have his eye probs behind him. He was a 4 for 5 performer yesterday with 2 Runs scored and 2 RBI. Sad to see that the Braves are likely out of a post season appearance this year. 8 games back with a couple dozen to play.. not good.
I almost tagged Nick Johnson for the YH winner. He had a pretty big day for the Marlins who are still fighting for that playoff birth. They’ve got a slim chance if they keep on this W streak. Nick was a solid 2 for 4 Yesterday. He rapped a big dinger and had 4 RBIs on the day. Very nice job Nick. But, sad to say.. .you’ve been topped by a Rook. Not just any Rook. But a Rook making his Major League Debut! Nationals Shortstop – Ian Desmond!
How about this entry into the Majors? Ian Desmond homered and drove in four runs in his major league debut and the Nationals won 8-7! You think this kid might have an impact in the Nations capitol? It would be nice to see something good happen there : ) Oh, back to Desmond. He has a very nice swing. He picked up his first ML hit in the 4th when he roped a liner to Right Center. But, what impressed me most was how he jumped (and I do me jump!) on a curve ball offering to park a 3 run Bomb into the left field bleachers. Don’t believe me on the jump? Take a look for yourself. Does this kid rotate or what? Click Here!
Yesterday's Hitter! 