Tagged: Michael Cuddyer
Minnesota Mauler
Geez, it seems like whenever we highlight somebody here at MLBlogs they tend to go on a tear for a few days. Like Matt Wieters. Wow! One of many game winners yesterday that continue to build the excitement toward the certain drama we’ll see in the post season.
Matt gets a little taste of the walk off mania.
Speaking of walk offs. How about the controversy in Fenway? The topsy turvy game in Boston looked good, then bad, then good, then bad.. no matter which team you were rooting for. Scioscia and his boys were crying spilled milk over the balls and strikes and neglected to get the outs they needed. Result? Alex Gonzalez hits the little game winning blooper in the bottom of the 9th. On paper Alex might be a consideration for YH. I mean, the line looks good; 2-3 3RBI and a walk off hit. But, when you see the hit.. you’re like.. nawww! : )
See what I mean.. that’s kinda ugly.. but, then again.. sure was pretty : )
Across the way in the AL East the Yankees were dealing with the loss of their Field General; Jorge Posada. No worries guys. Completely shut down on offense for 7 innings, the Bronx Boys came roaring back on Hideki Matsui’s 2 run bomb to tie it and “Posada Replacement” Francisco Cervelli’s game winning hit in the 9th!
He doesn’t look too excited does he? You’d think he was just named YH or something ; )
Naww Frankie.. ya gotta do more than that. I mean Everth Cabrera basically did the same as you and he had 3 times your hits, going 3 for 6 to your 1 for 1. He also ruined the slim chance that Justin Upton’s perfect game (5 for 5) might get him in the mix. Unfortunately, Justin’s 5 hit game produced exactly One Rib. Slim Pickings and probably how he stays so thin. Beef up boy!
Did I say perfect? I love perfect lines for hitters. Two more for you. Joey Votto had the proverbial Vin Scully line. 2-2, 2walks, 2 runs (including the game winner). Again, pretty thin on production. Good game though. Sad thing is almost nobody’s watching : (
On a bigger stage, in fact THE biggest crowd in daytime history at Dodger Stadium, it was Manny’s Bobblehead Day. Trouble was Manny and a host of regulars took the day off. Not Ronnie Belliard who jumped (that’s his jump… chuckle) at the opportunity and proved he is a top calibre pick up for LA. Ronnie was responsible, in one way or another, for each run the Dodgers scored. He was 3-3 with 1RBI and 2 runs scored in the 3-1 LA win, keeping them 5 games above the Rockies.
Which takes us to the front runners in yesterday’s action.
Cody Ross put together a big game to keep the Marlins in the hunt for at least the weekend. Cody’s 3-4 2RBI day extended his hitting streak to 11 games. The Best in the NL.
With the Giants finally falling, the Marlins are now only one game back of 2nd in the Wild Card. Good news for Florida; they play the Reds. Giants play LA. Bad news for Florida; Rockies play the D-Backs. Could be over this weekend.
One team that is definitely still in it… and chomping at the bit for this coming weekend’s action… the Minnesota Twins. They are on a 6 game roll and have Detroit coming to town on Friday!
Michael Cuddyer was a big part of the win yesterday that kept the fires stoked for the Twinkies. Tasked with replacing the offensive firepower normally provided by Justin Morneau, Cuddyer came through with a very productive 3-4 day that included his 26th HR and 3RBIs. He also scored twice as the Twins rolled along 7-3. Will they keep up the suspense this weekend? Let’s hope so.
Yesterday’s Hitter – Michael Cuddyer
’09 Statistics
| Avg | HR | RBI | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| .274 | 26 | 78 | 79 |
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!
Josh Hamilton – Rangers
It was a tough decision for today’s pick as several players had big impacts in their team’s win. However, the combination of Josh Hamilton’s escape from his power failure and the very valuable ground Texas gained on both the Angels and the Red Sox was the deciding factor. After nearly coming out of a black hole the night before and losing to the Blue Jays, the Rangers took 2 in Texas. Josh Hamilton keyed the sweep by driving out 2 big HRs in game 2 of the Double Dip. Hamilton had gone 23 games and 99 at bats since his last HR. He powered a 435ft solo shot to break out of his home run slump. Click Here!
Honorable Mention; Jorge Posada, Todd Helton, Michale Cuddyer
Yesterday's Hitter! 