Posts belonging to Category Major League Baseball

Bottom 1: Josh Willingham struck out swinging against Mark Buehrle

Bottom 2: Willingham struck out looking against Buehrle

Bottom 6: Willingham struck out looking against Buehrle

Bottom 7: Willingham struck out swinging against Jesse Crain

Bottom 9: Grounded into fielders choice against Sergio Santos

Final Line: 0-for-5, 4 K, 7 LOB

Notes: After fanning in each of his first four at-bats on Sunday, Willingham had the opportunity to be the hero when he stepped up the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning.  With the A’s down one run with runners on first and third and two outs in the inning, Willingham swung at the first offering he saw from Santos, chopping it to White Sox third baseman, Omar Vizquel.  His current average and OPS are classic-Willingham: .228 BA, .717 OPS.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 24

The move to the cleanup spot prompted four strikeouts

Top 1: Juan Rivera struck out swinging against Nick Blackburn

Top 3: Rivera struck out swinging against Blackburn

Top 6: Once again, Rivera struck out swinging against Blackburn

Top 8: Struck out swinging against Matt Capps

Top 11: Four-pitch walk against Jim Hoey

Final Line: 0-5, 4 K, BB

Notes: Serving as the Blue Jays’ cleanup hitter with Adam Lind out of the lineup, Rivera did his best impersonation of Vernon Wells on Saturday when he fanned in four of his five at-bats.  The designated “hitter” is now batting .217 and slugging a dismal .272. Don’t be surprised if he is a repeat offender this season.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 23

I was watching some of the Tampa Bay vs. Cleveland game on Thursday afternoon, when an announcement about an upcoming team promotion sparked inappropriateness at its finest…

Top 1: Jayson Werth called out on strikes against Derek Lowe

Top 3: Werth called out on strikes against Lowe

Top 5: Werth grounds out to third against Lowe

Top 7: Werth struck out swinging against Cory Gearrin

Top 10: Werth called out on strikes against Craig Kimbrel

Final Line: 0-5, 4 K

Notes: Werth’s sombrero lowered his batting average to a painful .226.  Like teammate Ian Desmond, the bearded one struggled mightily against the Braves’ arms on Thursday.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 22

Top 1: Ian Desmond struck out swinging against Derek Lowe

Top 3: Desmond called out on strikes against Lowe

Top 5: Desmond reached on force out against Lowe

Top 7: Desmond struck out swinging against Cory Gearrin

Top 10: Desmond struck out swinging against Craig Kimbrel

Final Line: 0-5, 4K

Notes: Desmond’s golden sombrero on Thursday lowered his batting average to .215 and he has now fanned 37 times compared to only five walks.  Hitting second in the Nationals’ order, Desmond and three-hitter Jayson Werth both notched a sombrero.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 21