Lack of close playoff races may provide a September to forget

September 4th, 2008 by We Are Fam-A-Lee
Filed under: Uncategorized    

Lack of close playoff races may provide a September to forget
Major League Baseball will need another wave of historic comebacks or collapses to even come close to the September drama of a year ago.

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Hearing to determine if Pirates-Alvarez contract valid
The Pittsburgh Pirates could be waiting several weeks to find out if first-round draft pick Pedro Alvarez is part of their organization. Meanwhile, Eric Hosmer, who already was playing in the Kansas City Royals system, could have his future hinging on the same decision.

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LaRoche ends slump in Pirates 6-5 win over Reds (AP)

A passed ball gets by Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit, right, allowing a run to score in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, in Cincinnati. Reds' Corey Patterson, left, looks on. Pittsburgh won the game 6-5.

Adam LaRoche didn’t need much to snap his slump. The Pittsburgh first baseman was hitless in 16 straight at bats before coming up with a pair of soft RBI singles to lead the Pirates to a 6-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night. “I wasn’t aware that I was 0-for-16,” LaRoche said. “I’ve been 0-for-16 before, but I had no idea.


Intense preparation fuels success for Quentin
There’s an unwritten rule in major league clubhouses that news reporters should not interrupt a player’s preparation for a game. That’s one reason Chicago White Sox left fielder Carlos Quentin hasn’t gotten the attention his American League-leading 36 home runs might normally warrant.

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Power Rankings: Lincecum moves ahead of Webb
The distinction as the National League’s top pitcher is no longer a runaway. After a pair of subpar outings, Arizona’s Brandon Webb has fallen behind Tim Lincecum of San Francisco in the latest USA TODAY Sports Weekly Power Rankings.

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Marlins recall minor-league HR leader McPherson
Baseball’s home run leader joined the Florida Marlins on Tuesday. Dallas McPherson, who hit 42 home runs for Albuquerque, was recalled from the Triple-A team. Playing primarily at third base but also seeing some time at first, McPherson hit .275 with 98 RBI.

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Zambrano departs early as Astros nip Cubs in extras
Carlos Zambrano left his start with arm problems after five innings Tuesday, and the Chicago Cubs matched their longest losing streak of the year with a 9-7, 11-inning loss to the Houston Astros.

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McDonald’s clutch hit in extras lifts Jays over Twins
John McDonald singled home the go-ahead run in the 11th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Minnesota 5-4 on Wednesday night, posting their eighth straight victory over the Twins.

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Drew hits for cycle, D-backs beat Cardinals 8-6
In black magic marker, a scuffed baseball told the details of the biggest game of Stephen Drew’s career. Five hits and a cycle — the first in Chase Field history.

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