In a game that featured the two top teams in the AL, the Angels were out to prove their one game series in NY was not the real deal.



They made their statement in a hurry. After Saunders escaped the first without allowing a run, the Halos romped on Andy Pettitte. They whacked his ball all over the field. Vlad Guerrero started the scoring with his scorching double to right center. He settled for a 2-4 line that included 2 Runs and that 1st inning Rib. 

 
Another 2-4 guy that has gone fairly unnoticed in Kansas City was Billy Butler. Butler and the Royals did the Yanks a favor by dispatching of the Red Sox 12-9. Butler rapped out a 2-4 day that included  a walk, 2 runs and 2 RBIs. He’s batting over .300 and has 85 Ribs on the year. Nice job Billy!  The Royals are playing hot baseball to end the year, winning 11 of last 14.

The Twins were hoping they could pick up a little ground on the idle Tigers and separate themelves from the White Sox. The White Sox threw a Roy Hobbs kid on the mound trying to slow down the Twinkies. Daniel Hudson made his MLB debut after making a


miraculous climb through A ball, AA, AAA and the Major Leagues all in 2009! He had great stuff but it ain’t easy being easy. Orlando Cabrera ignited the Twins with his 2-4 day collecting a triple, 3 Runs and 2 RBIs. The Twins got to within 2 1/2 of Detroit.

After their last meeting wtih the A’s the Rangers were hoping not to meet the same fate. Last week was full of chances for the Rangers to gain ground and they could only stumble. Not this time. They pasted the A’s with a 10-3 lashing behnd David Murphy’s 3-4 performance. He picked up 2 Runs, 2 RBIs and had 2


walks in the Rangers must have victory. They’re still breathing.. but barely. With the win the Rangers have a winning record for the 2009 campaign. Can they make something happen?

In another must have game, the Braves were able to win for the 9th time in their last 11 as they make a strong push to the finish line. Hoping to take a bite out  of the Wild Card lead they headed to the Big Apple. A win would shave off a half game and keep them alive. No problem. The Mets are a pushover this year with a


mediocre 38-38 record at home. What happened to these guys? With a big bomb from Chipper Jones and a very solid game from Martin Prado, the Braves were on cruise control behind Derek Lowe who picked up his 15th W of the year. Prado had a 3-4 game that included 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Martin collected 3 hits in the first 3 innings to set the pace! If they stay hot, the Braves have an outside chance. 

 

It should come as no surprise that the big production games came from those that have little meaning. It’s a case of good hitters facing either lower level pitching or teams without spirit. The perfect recipe for guys like Mark DeRosa who spoiled the debut of interim Astros Skipper Dave Clark with a big game in Houston. It would have been a nice story to see the Astros buck up and fend off the NL Central powerhouse Cardinals… but, sadly. Well. Maybe next year.
DeRosa cracked two HRs enroute to a 3-4 day and feasted on 4 Ribbys and a couple Runs.

Posting nearly identical
numbers for the Cubs is Mr. Daily Delivery; Derrek Lee. How many times can we put this guy in a YH article. He’s just been scorching to end his year. Lee’s 3-4 day was filled with


numbers. He had 3 Runs a Tater a Walk and 4 RBIs to give him 107 on the season! That’s a career high for Derrek.. 

 
With all of those numbers it’s funny that Yesterday’s Hitter came from the first game in the lineup, San Diego at Pittsburgh. It was also the longest campaign of the day, stretching 11 innings before deciding the winner. No fault of Chase Headley’s that this game lasted as long as it did. He was spectacular.

Chase rapped out 3 doubles, a Home Run, scored two times and gobbled up 2 Ribs… including the game winner in the 11th inning. He came to the plate 6 times and 5 times he delivered the goods. That’s good enough for me. Congratulations Chase Headley… You are Yesterday’s Hitter!