On this date in 1938 – Johnny Vander Meer stuns baseball

by pitching his second successive no-hitter, defeating the

Dodgers 6-0, as Brooklyn plays the first night game ever at

Ebbets Field. In front of 38,748 fans, including spectator

Babe Ruth, Vander Meer strikes out seven and walks eight,

including three walks in the ninth.  

            

                                   

Let’s see if any of our guys delivered a Hall of Fame performance.   

 

Brad Ausmus, C - Los Angeles Dodgers

Since it was Sunday, Brad of course played!  As

I have noted previously, if you want to see a

team’s backup catcher play, you have a great

shot of seeing him on a Sunday.  And per

usual, Brad did quite well, he went 2-for-2, hit

his 2nd double of the year and drove in his 4th

run of the year in the Dodgers victory over the

Rangers.  He also walked and was hit by a

pitch, thus, Brad reached based each time he

came to the plate!!!  He must have been talking

to Youk or something!!!

He raised his average back over .300 to .317. 

Additionally, he threw out his counterpart,

Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who

was trying to steal 2nd in the 8th inning. 

 

 

Ryan Braun, OF, 3B - Milwaukee Brewers

Ryan went 1-for-4, with his lone hit being his

14th double of the year, in the Brewers loss to

the ChiSox. His average fell to .313.

 

Craig Breslow, P – Oakland A’s

Craig didn’t pitch in the A’s loss to the Giants on

Sunday. 

 

Scott Feldman, P – Texas Rangers

Scott earned a well-deserved day of rest. 

                 

John Grabow, P, Pittsburgh Pirates

John earned his 11th hold of the year by

pitching a scoreless 8th inning in the Pirates

win over the Tigers on Sunday. He lowered his

ERA to 3.72. 

               

Gabe Kapler, OF – Tampa Bay Rays

Gabe went 2-for-2, homered in his third straight

game and drove in three runs for Tampa Bay in

their win over the Nats.  Gabe also walked twice

and was caught trying to steal 2nd in the 8th

inning.  He raised his average above the

Mendoza Line once again!

 

Kapler is still batting only .202 (.268 against

lefties), but he has hit three home runs since

last Monday after hitting none in his first 34

games. His pinch-hit homer off Ron Villone on

Friday sparked a 4-3 victory, and his two-run

shot in the sixth off Ross Detwiler on Sunday

tied the game at 4.

 

He earned a Chai 5 for this continued hot

streak.

 

A .291 career hitter against lefties who hit .354

against them last year at Milwaukee, Kapler

acknowledged he’s heard the carping from fans

said he’s thankful Maddon trusted in him.

“Talk radio is an interesting medium,” he said.

 

 

“But I absolutely stunk for a really nice stretch

there.

 

The fact I kept getting the opportunity to

go back on the field, I’m not sure how many

managers would have kept throwing me out

there.

“At the same time, I never believe I can’t get the

job done. I always believe something great is

around the corner.”

“If he was 42, I might have had some doubts,”

 

Maddon said. “But he’s a young man, 33, who

 

keeps himself in great shape. (See the picture

below – especially my female fans)

  

 

 Mrs. Kapler sure seems to like him as well!

 

 

He works his butt off, so it was a matter of time.

On top of that, his track record indicates that’s

what he is like.”

 

There has been at least one homer hit in all 33

 

games this season at Tropicana Field. The only

 

other park in the majors to have a homer streak

 

since from opening day is Yankee Stadium (32

 

games). 

  

Ian Kinsler, 2B – Texas Rangers

Ian went 0-for-4 in the Rangers loss to the

Dodgers on Sunday.  His average continues to

sink and now is at .260.

 

Jason Marquis, P – Colorado Rockies

Jason earned a day of rest. 

  

Scott Schoeneweis, P – Arizona Diamondbacks

Scott is currently dealing with the unexpected loss of  his

wife.  My prayers are with him. 

                 

Kevin Youkilis, 1B, 3B – Boston Red Sox

Youk went 0-for-4, and guess what,  he

walked again!!  He didn’t score or drive

anybody in.  His average fell to .331.

                              

Macher (Big Shot) of the Day  -  Brad Ausmus