Bottom 2: Miguel Olivo struck out swinging against Ivan Nova

Bottom 4: struck out swinging against Nova

Bottom 7: struck out swinging against Jamey Wright

Bottom 9: flew out to center against Rafael Soriano

Bottom 11: struck out swinging against Corey Wade

Final Line: 0-for-5, 4 K

Notes: Olivo recorded his third golden sombrero of the season in Wednesday night’s extra-inning game against the Yankees.  In his first sombrero, Olivo accomplished the feat while hitting cleanup for the Mariners.  This time around, the aging backstop did it out of the six-hole.  His second sombrero also came against the Yankees in late July, and he’s now tied with Adam Dunn, Kelly Johnson, Jayson Werth and Grady Sizemore for the league lead. And I wouldn’t rule out it happening again this season considering that his strikeout rate sits at 28%, which is above his career strikeout rate of 26.4%, and he’s already made the most plate appearances of his career.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 115

Top 2: Miguel Olivo struck out swinging against C.C. Sabathia

Top 5: Olivo struck out swinging against Sabathia

Top 7: Olivo struck out swinging against Sabathia

Top 9: Olivo struck out swinging against Mariano Rivera

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: Olivo notched his second sombrero out of the cleanup spot on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, he and the rest of the Mariners were the victims of Sabathia’s best start of the season. How good was it? The big man was perfect through 6 1/3 innings and at one point struck out seven consecutive hitters – he had 14 over seven innings.  The Yankees’ staff went on to fan 18 Mariners.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 78

Top 1: Miguel Olivo struck out swinging against Justin Verlander

Top 4: Olivo struck out swinging against Verlander

Top 6: Olivo struck out swinging against Verlander

Top 9: Olivo struck out swinging against Jose Valverde

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: Hitting in the four-hole on for the Mariners on Thursday night, Olivo stuck out swinging in all four at-bats.  Granted, three were against Verlander, who is about as good as anyone at racking up strikeouts.  It was just one of those days for both Olivo and the Mariners.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 39

Despite reports that Jake Peavy is ahead of schedule in his rehab, Chris Sale is preparing to be the White Sox 5^th starter in 2010…..Sale has begun a conditioning program to build endurance and strengthen his legs…..he needs a defined role headed into 2010…..bouncing between the rotation and bullpen will only stunt his development. [Chicago Breaking Sports]

Kenny Williams has stated that Brent Morel will likely be the White Sox third baseman in 2010…..while he may not have the power of Dayan Viciedo, Morel is a superb defender with gap power…..Ozzie believes he has a better glove than both Joe Crede and Robin Ventura…..Viciedo could potentially fill a void at 1B if they don’t re-sign Konerko or another free agent. [Carrie Muskat/MLB.com]

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I have always considered the stealing of home to be one the most exciting plays in baseball.  Maybe it’s because I grew up watching “The Sandlot,” and had Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez embedded into my memory at an impressionable age, but there’s just something about the accomplishment that makes you rise out of your seat on the couch with anticipation, just as if you were in a seat at the park.  It’s one of those plays that happens so unpredictably fast, that it’s over before anyone knew it even began.

Yet, when Colorado Rockies rookie Chris Nelson stole home in the eighth inning of Thursday’s victory against the Cincinnati Reds, I found myself seated, and more than anything, confused about what had just happened.  A rookie, stealing home—the 1^st of his career, nonetheless—in a tie game, in the heart of a pennant race.  Excweese me? Bacon Powder?

But now, days later and after watching far too many replays, I can’t help but believe that Nick Masset set himself up failure.

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