(TSX / STATS) -- MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins managed just three hits and two walks on Friday night.
But the Marlins, for the second time in three days, beat a 2016 playoff team despite getting three or less hits. First it was the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. On Friday, it was the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs.
It helps, though, when one of those three hits on Friday was a home run by Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Urena pitched six scoreless innings. To cap it off, the bullpen did its job flawlessly.
Add it all up, and Miami shut out Chicago 2-0 at Marlins Park.
One night after the Cubs routed Miami 11-1, Urena (6-2) held the Cubs to five hits and three walks (with three strikeouts). Relievers Kyle Barraclough, David Phelps and A.J. Ramos completed the shutout. Ramos earned his 11th save of the season.
Urena, who has won a career-high five consecutive decisions, impressed Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant.
"The guy went up to 100 mph with sink," Bryant said.
The Cubs were familiar with Urena going into the game because he had defeated them as recently as June 7 in Chicago. But he looked different this time out.
"They changed their tactic," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Urena and the Marlins. "Their guy (Urena) threw a lot more breaking balls than last time, and he was good with it."
Perhaps that is part of the maturation of Urena, who leads all Marlins pitchers with his six wins.
"We know the power is there," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of Urena's fastball. "But he's pitching more now.
"He's using his changeup. He's using his slider. You still want him to continue to improve, but he's using them, and that makes you think as a hitter."
Stanton's solo homer -- his ninth game-winning RBI this season -- gave Miami a 1-0 lead in the third. He hit a curveball on the outside part of the plate for his 19th long ball of the season, and he also doubled and was hit by a pitch in a 2-for-3 performance as Miami improved to 33-39.
The Cubs (37-36) got a good pitching performance by John Lackey (5-8), who allowed three hits, two walks and two runs, one earned, in six innings. Lackey has lost his past three decisions against the Marlins.
Offensively, Chicago hit into three double plays and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. The Cubs managed just one extra-base hit, a two-out double by rookie right fielder Ian Happ in the first inning. Urena got the next batter, Addison Russell, to ground out to end the threat.
The Cubs threatened again in the fifth. With two outs, Bryant drew a five-pitch walk. Happ, who has six hits in the past two games, singled to put runners on the corners, but Russell struck out looking as Urena escaped again.
"I just focused on putting the ball down in the zone," Urena said. "That's how I can get people out."
Miami extended its lead to 2-0 in the sixth. Dee Gordon blooped a soft single over the shortstop, stole second, advanced to third on catcher Miguel Montero's throwing error. After Stanton was hit by a pitch, Gordon scored on Christian Yelich's sacrifice fly.
"Whatever," Stanton said when asked his reaction to getting hit in the back with that pitch from Lackey. "Do your job, Yelly."
Yelich indeed did his job, and the Marlins emerged with the win, even with very little offensive firepower.
NOTES: Marlins 2B Dee Gordon stole his 28th base, tying him for second place in the National League. ... Miami activated 3B Martin Prado, who went 0-for-3. Prado had been on the disabled list since May 7 due to his second hamstring injury of the year. He hit in the sixth hole because RF Giancarlo Stanton has found his niche is the second spot in the order. ... Miami designated INF Christian Colon for assignment. ... Miami is reportedly shopping starting SS Adeiny Hechavarria, who is on the disabled list due to an oblique injury. The Orioles, Rays and Cardinals are reportedly interested in Hechavarria, who has been replaced by rookie SS J.T. Riddle. Miami could also turn to SS Miguel Rojas when he gets healthy. ... With SS Addison Russell and RF Ian Happ each going 4-for-5 on Thursday, it was the first time since 1913 that the Cubs had two players age 23 or younger each collect at least four hits in a game. ... Chicago entered the weekend 29th in the majors in batting average (.239).
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Rays rout Orioles to move four games over .500
(TSX / STATS) -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays moved four games above .500 for the first time in nearly two years, surging past the Baltimore Orioles with an easy 15-5 win on Friday night at Tropicana Field.
The Rays (40-36) jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the first three innings and reset their season high for scoring, getting home runs from Derek Norris, Shane Peterson and Logan Morrison.
The slumping Orioles (35-38) matched a dubious major league record by allowing at least five runs in 20 straight games -- the first team to do so since the 1924 Philadelphia Phillies.
"We feel good about where we are at," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "It was nice to see us cash in and capitalize on those runs and not leave the guys on base."
Tampa Bay roughed up starter Ubaldo Jimenez (2-3), who didn't survive the third inning. Rays starter Chris Archer (6-4) threw six innings, not needing his best stuff to win his second straight start.
The Rays got four RBIs each from Evan Longoria and Peterson, who was called up before the game and had a two-run home run.
"Anytime we get a win and you have a chance to help the team, it's awesome, especially at the big-league level," said Peterson, whose four RBIs were a career high. "You go out there and try to do too much, next thing you know, you look up and you're not there anymore. For me, it's just do what I can do, do the best I can do and whatever happens, happens."
Tampa Bay hasn't been four games over .500 at any point since July 1, 2015, but has now won three of four games on their current homestand. Morrison's home run was his 22nd, extending his team lead as he makes a case for the All-Star Game.
"We're going to go as far we let ourselves go," Morrison said.
The Rays set their season high with 14 runs by the fifth inning, with unlikely stars leading the way. Norris, potentially being designated for assignment this weekend, had three hits, including a two-run home run.
Jimenez allowed nine runs on seven hits before his early exit. He walked the first two batters on 10 pitches, advanced them with a wild pitch and saw both score on a two-run single by Longoria. Morrison followed with an RBI triple and scored on an infield groundout for a 4-0 lead.
"It's tough. Sucks the air out of you a little bit," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of the rough start. "Our guys got back in it at 4-2, just couldn't get any shutdown innings. You walk seven or eight guys and hit somebody. I think we had the same number of hits they had (11 each)."
Archer gave up two runs on three hits in the second, but Longoria's sacrifice fly extended the lead to 5-2 in the second. Peterson hit a two-run home run in the third, and then Norris did the same to chase Jimenez.
"Command," Showalter said. "Never really had it. We're trying to squeeze every out we can out of him, to try to take some load off the bullpen. We couldn't get him through any type of length of an outing. You come out and walk the first two guys, it doesn't bode well."
Jonathan Schoop's two-run double in the fourth cut Tampa Bay's lead to 9-4, but the Rays got five more runs in the fifth off reliever Miguel Castro. Castro came in with the bases loaded and all three runs scored, first on a bases-loaded walk to Longoria, then back-to-back infield errors.
Peterson's sacrifice fly made it 14-4.
NOTES: The Orioles got RHP Darren O'Day back from the 10-day disabled list, and he pitched a scoreless eighth inning. RHP Gabriel Ynoa was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room. ... The Rays placed OF Colby Rasmus on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to June 19, with left hip tendinitis. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was back in the dugout after missing Wednesday's game for the birth of his first grandchild. Bench coach John Russell had stepped in Wednesday.
The Rays (40-36) jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the first three innings and reset their season high for scoring, getting home runs from Derek Norris, Shane Peterson and Logan Morrison.
The slumping Orioles (35-38) matched a dubious major league record by allowing at least five runs in 20 straight games -- the first team to do so since the 1924 Philadelphia Phillies.
"We feel good about where we are at," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "It was nice to see us cash in and capitalize on those runs and not leave the guys on base."
Tampa Bay roughed up starter Ubaldo Jimenez (2-3), who didn't survive the third inning. Rays starter Chris Archer (6-4) threw six innings, not needing his best stuff to win his second straight start.
The Rays got four RBIs each from Evan Longoria and Peterson, who was called up before the game and had a two-run home run.
"Anytime we get a win and you have a chance to help the team, it's awesome, especially at the big-league level," said Peterson, whose four RBIs were a career high. "You go out there and try to do too much, next thing you know, you look up and you're not there anymore. For me, it's just do what I can do, do the best I can do and whatever happens, happens."
Tampa Bay hasn't been four games over .500 at any point since July 1, 2015, but has now won three of four games on their current homestand. Morrison's home run was his 22nd, extending his team lead as he makes a case for the All-Star Game.
"We're going to go as far we let ourselves go," Morrison said.
The Rays set their season high with 14 runs by the fifth inning, with unlikely stars leading the way. Norris, potentially being designated for assignment this weekend, had three hits, including a two-run home run.
Jimenez allowed nine runs on seven hits before his early exit. He walked the first two batters on 10 pitches, advanced them with a wild pitch and saw both score on a two-run single by Longoria. Morrison followed with an RBI triple and scored on an infield groundout for a 4-0 lead.
"It's tough. Sucks the air out of you a little bit," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of the rough start. "Our guys got back in it at 4-2, just couldn't get any shutdown innings. You walk seven or eight guys and hit somebody. I think we had the same number of hits they had (11 each)."
Archer gave up two runs on three hits in the second, but Longoria's sacrifice fly extended the lead to 5-2 in the second. Peterson hit a two-run home run in the third, and then Norris did the same to chase Jimenez.
"Command," Showalter said. "Never really had it. We're trying to squeeze every out we can out of him, to try to take some load off the bullpen. We couldn't get him through any type of length of an outing. You come out and walk the first two guys, it doesn't bode well."
Jonathan Schoop's two-run double in the fourth cut Tampa Bay's lead to 9-4, but the Rays got five more runs in the fifth off reliever Miguel Castro. Castro came in with the bases loaded and all three runs scored, first on a bases-loaded walk to Longoria, then back-to-back infield errors.
Peterson's sacrifice fly made it 14-4.
NOTES: The Orioles got RHP Darren O'Day back from the 10-day disabled list, and he pitched a scoreless eighth inning. RHP Gabriel Ynoa was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room. ... The Rays placed OF Colby Rasmus on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to June 19, with left hip tendinitis. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was back in the dugout after missing Wednesday's game for the birth of his first grandchild. Bench coach John Russell had stepped in Wednesday.
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Marlins thwart Scherzer's no-hit bid, jolt Nationals
(TSX / STATS) -- MIAMI -- Max Scherzer was nearly unhittable.
The Washington Nationals right-hander had a no-hitter and a shutout through 7 1/3 innings, retiring 18 consecutive batters.
"That was probably the best I've seen him," Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton said. "Balls were zooming. He was mixing his speeds and angles."
Fortunately for Miami, it caught a couple of breaks and rallied to defeat Washington 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Marlins Park.
Scherzer (8-5) had his attempt at a third career no-hitter broken up by backup catcher A.J. Ellis, who hit a comebacker for an infield single with one out in the eighth inning.
Ellis, who is batting just .204, didn't hit the ball particularly hard, but the ball bounced off Scherzer's glove, and shortstop Trea Turner couldn't make the play in time.
"I thought I had it," Scherzer said. "When I looked at my glove, it was empty."
And the Marlins, suddenly, had hope.
"That was the little crack left in the door for us," Stanton said. "The best teams capitalize on those opportunities."
The Marlins did just that.
After Ellis, pinch-hitter J.T. Realmuto reached on a two-out fielding error credited to first baseman Adam Lind, who could not come up with Turner's low throw. A good throw or clean catch there would've ended the inning.
Instead, the next batter, Dee Gordon, was hit by a pitch that struck his foot to load the bases, and Miami got on the board on a high wild pitch by Scherzer.
That tying run was scored by pitcher Jose Urena, who was used as a pinch-runner for Ellis.
"We've used Jose (as a pinch-runner) before," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "It's not the best scenario to have your pitcher running because who will replace those innings if he were to go down? But you are trying to win a game."
Stanton then gave Miami the lead with an RBI single that scored Realmuto. Gordon was thrown out at the plate by left fielder Ryan Raburn to end the threat.
Stanton's single was nearly caught by Raburn, who came up with the ball on a short-hop.
"I got good barrel on it, and it just kept going and going," said Stanton, who produced his eighth game-winning hit of the season. "I waited that one out, and luckily it just skipped on him."
Scherzer went eight innings and allowed two hits and two runs, both unearned. He also hit two batters.
He fanned 11 batters, marking his sixth consecutive game with double-figure strikeouts, a Nationals record and a career best for Scherzer.
Nationals catcher Jose Lobaton said he felt Scherzer was "running out of gas" at the end. Scherzer disagreed, saying, "I had stuff in the tank."
Dusty Baker, Washington's manager, sided with Scherzer.
"He was still throwing 95, 96 (mph)," Baker said. "He looked strong. He gave up a cheap hit. It was his game. Who would you bring in who was throwing better than him?"
Early on, Scherzer had two minor hiccups. Miami's Christian Yelich drew a five-pitch walk in the first inning, and Derek Dietrich was hit by a pitch in the second. After that, Scherzer retired those 18 consecutive batters.
The Marlins (32-38), though, hung in and evened its season series against the Nationals, 3-3. Kyle Barraclough (3-1) earned the win in relief, and A.J. Ramos pitched a scoreless ninth for his 10th save.
Washington (43-29), which completed a 4-3 road trip, scored its only run in the fifth on a solo homer by Raburn, his first long ball of the year.
The homer was allowed by Miami starter Dan Straily, who was otherwise outstanding but got a no-decision. He allowed just three hits, one walk and one run in six innings, striking out six.
Straily has allowed just one run in the past two games, covering 12 1/3 innings, and is 19-12 since the start of last season.
"Coming into today, I was thinking it would be a tight game," said Straily, who has 22 strikeouts and just four walks in his past four games. "Today was real close to being a special day for (Scherzer). I'm happy we were able to catch some breaks and take the win.
"It just shows you how fast things can turn."
NOTES: Nationals RF Bryce Harper went 0-for-4 and had his career-best 13-game hit streak snapped. ... Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon (neck stinger) returned after missing one game. ... Nationals CF Michael Taylor (illness) was a late scratch. ... Washington rested C Matt Wieters, 1B Ryan Zimmerman and 2B Daniel Murphy. ... Marlins 3B Martin Prado (hamstring) could return as soon as Tuesday when the New York Mets pay a visit. ... Marlins SS Adeiny Hechavarria (oblique) is set to return in early July. ... LHP Trevor Rogers, the Marlins' first-round pick last week, is expected to sign for a $3.4 million bonus. ... Starting Thursday, Miami will host the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs in a four-game series. ... Washington returns home to face the Cincinnati Reds. Washington will start RHP Stephen Strasburg (8-2) against Cincinnati RHP Luis Castillo, a former Marlins prospect who will make his major league debut.
The Washington Nationals right-hander had a no-hitter and a shutout through 7 1/3 innings, retiring 18 consecutive batters.
"That was probably the best I've seen him," Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton said. "Balls were zooming. He was mixing his speeds and angles."
Fortunately for Miami, it caught a couple of breaks and rallied to defeat Washington 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Marlins Park.
Scherzer (8-5) had his attempt at a third career no-hitter broken up by backup catcher A.J. Ellis, who hit a comebacker for an infield single with one out in the eighth inning.
Ellis, who is batting just .204, didn't hit the ball particularly hard, but the ball bounced off Scherzer's glove, and shortstop Trea Turner couldn't make the play in time.
"I thought I had it," Scherzer said. "When I looked at my glove, it was empty."
And the Marlins, suddenly, had hope.
"That was the little crack left in the door for us," Stanton said. "The best teams capitalize on those opportunities."
The Marlins did just that.
After Ellis, pinch-hitter J.T. Realmuto reached on a two-out fielding error credited to first baseman Adam Lind, who could not come up with Turner's low throw. A good throw or clean catch there would've ended the inning.
Instead, the next batter, Dee Gordon, was hit by a pitch that struck his foot to load the bases, and Miami got on the board on a high wild pitch by Scherzer.
That tying run was scored by pitcher Jose Urena, who was used as a pinch-runner for Ellis.
"We've used Jose (as a pinch-runner) before," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "It's not the best scenario to have your pitcher running because who will replace those innings if he were to go down? But you are trying to win a game."
Stanton then gave Miami the lead with an RBI single that scored Realmuto. Gordon was thrown out at the plate by left fielder Ryan Raburn to end the threat.
Stanton's single was nearly caught by Raburn, who came up with the ball on a short-hop.
"I got good barrel on it, and it just kept going and going," said Stanton, who produced his eighth game-winning hit of the season. "I waited that one out, and luckily it just skipped on him."
Scherzer went eight innings and allowed two hits and two runs, both unearned. He also hit two batters.
He fanned 11 batters, marking his sixth consecutive game with double-figure strikeouts, a Nationals record and a career best for Scherzer.
Nationals catcher Jose Lobaton said he felt Scherzer was "running out of gas" at the end. Scherzer disagreed, saying, "I had stuff in the tank."
Dusty Baker, Washington's manager, sided with Scherzer.
"He was still throwing 95, 96 (mph)," Baker said. "He looked strong. He gave up a cheap hit. It was his game. Who would you bring in who was throwing better than him?"
Early on, Scherzer had two minor hiccups. Miami's Christian Yelich drew a five-pitch walk in the first inning, and Derek Dietrich was hit by a pitch in the second. After that, Scherzer retired those 18 consecutive batters.
The Marlins (32-38), though, hung in and evened its season series against the Nationals, 3-3. Kyle Barraclough (3-1) earned the win in relief, and A.J. Ramos pitched a scoreless ninth for his 10th save.
Washington (43-29), which completed a 4-3 road trip, scored its only run in the fifth on a solo homer by Raburn, his first long ball of the year.
The homer was allowed by Miami starter Dan Straily, who was otherwise outstanding but got a no-decision. He allowed just three hits, one walk and one run in six innings, striking out six.
Straily has allowed just one run in the past two games, covering 12 1/3 innings, and is 19-12 since the start of last season.
"Coming into today, I was thinking it would be a tight game," said Straily, who has 22 strikeouts and just four walks in his past four games. "Today was real close to being a special day for (Scherzer). I'm happy we were able to catch some breaks and take the win.
"It just shows you how fast things can turn."
NOTES: Nationals RF Bryce Harper went 0-for-4 and had his career-best 13-game hit streak snapped. ... Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon (neck stinger) returned after missing one game. ... Nationals CF Michael Taylor (illness) was a late scratch. ... Washington rested C Matt Wieters, 1B Ryan Zimmerman and 2B Daniel Murphy. ... Marlins 3B Martin Prado (hamstring) could return as soon as Tuesday when the New York Mets pay a visit. ... Marlins SS Adeiny Hechavarria (oblique) is set to return in early July. ... LHP Trevor Rogers, the Marlins' first-round pick last week, is expected to sign for a $3.4 million bonus. ... Starting Thursday, Miami will host the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs in a four-game series. ... Washington returns home to face the Cincinnati Reds. Washington will start RHP Stephen Strasburg (8-2) against Cincinnati RHP Luis Castillo, a former Marlins prospect who will make his major league debut.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Reds seek pitching consistency against Rays
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(TSX / STATS) -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Cincinnati Reds' struggles this season can be linked to injuries that have pressed far too many rookies into major roles.
As they close out a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday afternoon, they'll seek a consistency on the mound they haven't seen enough of in 2017.
"The one thing you have to do to learn how to pitch here is throw the ball over the plate," said Cincinnati manager Bryan Price, pointing out his staff was second in the National League in walks and last in ERA. "A lot of that comes from our inexperience, our youth. ... We have to judge our pitchers that way. Base on balls, you can't defend it and it jacks up pitch counts. ... It's something that just can't be an acceptable part of what we do in this organization."
On Tuesday night, there were four walks by starter Amir Garrett, who gave up six runs and was out by the fourth inning. The Reds on Wednesday go with right-hander Tim Adleman, who has given up just eight earned runs in his last five starts, but has only two wins to show for it.
On Friday, he took a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers, giving up two runs in six innings but hurting himself with four walks.
"Unfortunately in the last two to three years, it's been a huge, huge issue for us," said Price, a former pitching coach who has been saddled with injuries for much of the first half of this season.
The Rays benefitted from those walks Monday, allowing them to win a game when they gave up 13 hits while getting only eight hits themselves.
To escape with a series win against a Reds team they've historically struggled against, the Rays turn to converted reliever Erasmo Ramirez, who has struggled of late, giving up 10 runs to Detroit in a loss on Friday. His season ERA has ballooned from 2.92 to 5.17 over his last four starts, where he is 0-2 with a 10.06 ERA, putting him at risk to be sent back to a struggling bullpen.
Tampa Bay could bring back second-year pro Blake Snell, who is 4-0 with a 2.84 ERA since being sent down with his own struggles. He has 53 strikeouts in 38 innings and could replace Ramirez if he can't get back on track soon.
The Rays haven't struggled with walks, but their bullpen has been a consistent problem, giving up four runs in the final two innings of Monday's loss, then three more in the final two innings of Tuesday's win.
Closer Alex Colome has been a rare exception to the bullpen issues, but even he couldn't get a third out Tuesday, giving up three hits to put the tying run on base in a game that was 6-2 in the eighth.
One more issue to be resolved: solving the roof at Tropicana Field, which led to three defensive miscues by Rays outfielders, leading to extra-base hits and two earned runs.
"I don't care who we are facing right now, we need some wins badly and we need to get them abundantly," Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb said.
(TSX / STATS) -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Cincinnati Reds' struggles this season can be linked to injuries that have pressed far too many rookies into major roles.
As they close out a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday afternoon, they'll seek a consistency on the mound they haven't seen enough of in 2017.
"The one thing you have to do to learn how to pitch here is throw the ball over the plate," said Cincinnati manager Bryan Price, pointing out his staff was second in the National League in walks and last in ERA. "A lot of that comes from our inexperience, our youth. ... We have to judge our pitchers that way. Base on balls, you can't defend it and it jacks up pitch counts. ... It's something that just can't be an acceptable part of what we do in this organization."
On Tuesday night, there were four walks by starter Amir Garrett, who gave up six runs and was out by the fourth inning. The Reds on Wednesday go with right-hander Tim Adleman, who has given up just eight earned runs in his last five starts, but has only two wins to show for it.
On Friday, he took a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers, giving up two runs in six innings but hurting himself with four walks.
"Unfortunately in the last two to three years, it's been a huge, huge issue for us," said Price, a former pitching coach who has been saddled with injuries for much of the first half of this season.
The Rays benefitted from those walks Monday, allowing them to win a game when they gave up 13 hits while getting only eight hits themselves.
To escape with a series win against a Reds team they've historically struggled against, the Rays turn to converted reliever Erasmo Ramirez, who has struggled of late, giving up 10 runs to Detroit in a loss on Friday. His season ERA has ballooned from 2.92 to 5.17 over his last four starts, where he is 0-2 with a 10.06 ERA, putting him at risk to be sent back to a struggling bullpen.
Tampa Bay could bring back second-year pro Blake Snell, who is 4-0 with a 2.84 ERA since being sent down with his own struggles. He has 53 strikeouts in 38 innings and could replace Ramirez if he can't get back on track soon.
The Rays haven't struggled with walks, but their bullpen has been a consistent problem, giving up four runs in the final two innings of Monday's loss, then three more in the final two innings of Tuesday's win.
Closer Alex Colome has been a rare exception to the bullpen issues, but even he couldn't get a third out Tuesday, giving up three hits to put the tying run on base in a game that was 6-2 in the eighth.
One more issue to be resolved: solving the roof at Tropicana Field, which led to three defensive miscues by Rays outfielders, leading to extra-base hits and two earned runs.
"I don't care who we are facing right now, we need some wins badly and we need to get them abundantly," Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb said.
Nationals' Scherzer tries to keep Marlins down
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(TSX / STATS) -- MIAMI -- The Washington Nationals (43-28) and host Miami Marlins (31-38) play the rubber game of their three-game set on Wednesday, and the visitors figure to have a big advantage with Max Scherzer on the mound.
Scherzer, the Washington Nationals' star who will face fellow right-hander Dan Straily, has been dominant this season with an 8-4 record and a 2.26 ERA.
But he has been even better lately, posting a 1.21 ERA in his past three starts (2-1).
Making matters even scarier for the Marlins is the fact that Scherzer has been better on the road than at home this season. He is 6-1 with a 1.84 ERA while allowing 31 hits in 58 2/3 innings away from Nationals Park.
He is also 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA in five career starts at Marlins Park.
In his past five games this season, Scherzer has struck out 58 batters. He has an active streak of five consecutive games striking out at least 10 batters.
"It's a cool accomplishment -- that's not easy to do," Scherzer told the media after his last start. "You have to be on your game. Your pitches have to be sharp every time out."
Scherzer has been on his game pretty consistently this year. Even in his losses, he has not been bad, allowing a total of 11 earned runs in those games.
This year, he has yet to face the Marlins, who are counting on Straily -- their most consistent starter -- to give them a chance to steal a win.
Straily, 19-12 since the start of last season, is 5-4 with a 3.58 ERA this season. The sixth-year major-leaguer is on pace to have the lowest ERA of his career. His 1.12 WHIP and his 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings would also be career bests.
But in three career games against Washington -- all starts, Straily is 0-1 with a 5.19 ERA. He has allowed three homers in those three games.
The Nationals scored five runs against Straily in 3 1/3 innings when they met at the start of this season in a Washington home game.
Then again, Straily has been a much better pitcher at home than on the road this year. He is 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA at home. On the road, he is 2-3 with a 4.93 ERA.
Straily is coming off a 5-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves, allowing four hits and no walks in 6 1/3 innings Friday.
"I was able to control my fastball more than anything," Straily told the media after that game in which he struck out eight batters. "That's something I was frustrated with (in previous starts). I was focused on that, and it comes down to fastball command.
"Once I get that, my other stuff plays a lot better."
As for the offenses in Wednesday's game, Washington would seem to have the edge based on their overall performance this season.
After posting a 12-3 victory Tuesday, the Nationals boasted 3-4-5-6 hitters -- the middle of their order -- that drove in 10 runs.
Bryce Harper, the three-hole hitter and team star, is the tone-setter, and Marlins manager Don Mattingly is highly aware, walking him intentionally on one occasion Tuesday.
After all, Harper is batting .315 with 18 homers and 55 RBIs, and is on a career-best 13-game hit streak.
"He plays all sides of it," Mattingly said of Harper. "He runs the bases. He plays good defense. It's just not about him hitting homers."
(TSX / STATS) -- MIAMI -- The Washington Nationals (43-28) and host Miami Marlins (31-38) play the rubber game of their three-game set on Wednesday, and the visitors figure to have a big advantage with Max Scherzer on the mound.
Scherzer, the Washington Nationals' star who will face fellow right-hander Dan Straily, has been dominant this season with an 8-4 record and a 2.26 ERA.
But he has been even better lately, posting a 1.21 ERA in his past three starts (2-1).
Making matters even scarier for the Marlins is the fact that Scherzer has been better on the road than at home this season. He is 6-1 with a 1.84 ERA while allowing 31 hits in 58 2/3 innings away from Nationals Park.
He is also 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA in five career starts at Marlins Park.
In his past five games this season, Scherzer has struck out 58 batters. He has an active streak of five consecutive games striking out at least 10 batters.
"It's a cool accomplishment -- that's not easy to do," Scherzer told the media after his last start. "You have to be on your game. Your pitches have to be sharp every time out."
Scherzer has been on his game pretty consistently this year. Even in his losses, he has not been bad, allowing a total of 11 earned runs in those games.
This year, he has yet to face the Marlins, who are counting on Straily -- their most consistent starter -- to give them a chance to steal a win.
Straily, 19-12 since the start of last season, is 5-4 with a 3.58 ERA this season. The sixth-year major-leaguer is on pace to have the lowest ERA of his career. His 1.12 WHIP and his 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings would also be career bests.
But in three career games against Washington -- all starts, Straily is 0-1 with a 5.19 ERA. He has allowed three homers in those three games.
The Nationals scored five runs against Straily in 3 1/3 innings when they met at the start of this season in a Washington home game.
Then again, Straily has been a much better pitcher at home than on the road this year. He is 3-1 with a 2.27 ERA at home. On the road, he is 2-3 with a 4.93 ERA.
Straily is coming off a 5-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves, allowing four hits and no walks in 6 1/3 innings Friday.
"I was able to control my fastball more than anything," Straily told the media after that game in which he struck out eight batters. "That's something I was frustrated with (in previous starts). I was focused on that, and it comes down to fastball command.
"Once I get that, my other stuff plays a lot better."
As for the offenses in Wednesday's game, Washington would seem to have the edge based on their overall performance this season.
After posting a 12-3 victory Tuesday, the Nationals boasted 3-4-5-6 hitters -- the middle of their order -- that drove in 10 runs.
Bryce Harper, the three-hole hitter and team star, is the tone-setter, and Marlins manager Don Mattingly is highly aware, walking him intentionally on one occasion Tuesday.
After all, Harper is batting .315 with 18 homers and 55 RBIs, and is on a career-best 13-game hit streak.
"He plays all sides of it," Mattingly said of Harper. "He runs the bases. He plays good defense. It's just not about him hitting homers."
Nats pound Marlins, Harper's hitting streak at 13 games
(TSX / STATS) -- MIAMI -- Bryce Harper, bare-chested in the Marlins Park visitors' locker-room, revealed a wicked sunburn on his arms and upper torso.
Similarly, the middle of the Washington Nationals' lineup -- with Harper in the three-hole -- is also red hot, combining to drive in 10 runs in a 12-3 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night.
Harper, who had a two-run single, extended his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games as Washington (43-28) snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 4-2 on this road trip.
On the pitch before his single, Harper tried to get a two-out bunt hit, hoping to drive in the runner from third with the surprise play.
"I don't hit (Edinson) Volquez well," Harper said of his 1-for-12 career stat-line against the Marlins starter entering Tuesday. "If I can lay a bunt down and knock in a run ... But it worked out to get a base knock and score two."
Almost everything the Nationals offense did worked out on Tuesday. That's especially true with the middle of the order. After Harper, Washington's 4-5-6 batters were, in order, Ryan Zimmerman (three RBIs), Daniel Murphy (two RBIs), and Stephen Drew (three RBIs).
Gio Gonzalez, a native of Miami Dade County, benefited from the support and improved his record to 7-1, allowing six hits, two walks and three runs in seven innings. He struck out eight and beat Miami for the first time since 2014.
Harper said he is rooting for Gonzalez to make this year's All-Star Game. The game is set for Gonzalez's hometown at Marlins Park on July 11.
"He's been great," Harper said. "I'm hoping Gio pitches like that the rest of the first half, and he gets the start here. That would be incredible."
Gonzalez said one of his friends in the stands was hit by a bat that left the grasp of Marlins first baseman Justin Bour in Tuesday's fifth inning. Gonzalez's friend was OK after getting hit in the head, and Bour gave the fan a bat as a souvenir.
"My buddy was the one that got hit," Gonzalez said. "It's good to have friends, but put them somewhere safe. ...
"He's OK -- he has a tough, solid noggin. Next time, if my friends are in the front row, they will all be wearing helmets."
On the field, Gonzalez's main worry was Miami's Marcell Ozuna, who hit a two-run homer and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. The homer was Ozuna's 19th of the season for Miami (31-38).
Volquez (3-8), who entered the game 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA in his past four starts, took the loss. He allowed five hits, five walks and six runs in 4 2/3 innings.
He was especially wild in the third, and it cost him. He walked Michael Taylor and Trea Turner. That duo combined to execute a double steal on a close call on Taylor at third base. Harper then lined his single to center to give Washington a 2-0 lead.
Miami closed its deficit to 2-1 in the fourth. Ozuna singled and scored on a one-out double to the left-field corner by J.T. Realmuto. Ozuna, who ran past the stop sign put up by third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez, scored on a head-first dive.
Washington scored four times in the fifth to take a 6-1 lead. Taylor started the rally with a double, and he scored on Brian Goodwin's two-out single on a 3-2 pitch. After Harper was walked intentionally, Zimmerman drilled a two-run double to left, and Drew capped the rally with an RBI single.
"That inning," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said, "(Volquez) just couldn't get the last out."
Ozuna's two-run, two-out blast to left cut Miami's deficit to 6-3 in the bottom of the fifth. Ozuna hit a 3-2 pitch from Gonzalez.
Murphy, who is hitting .377 on the road this year, slugged a solo homer in the eighth -- his 12th of the season -- and Washington added five runs in the ninth, including RBI singles by Zimmerman and Murphy and a two-run double by Drew.
"They put you in a box in many ways," Mattingly said of Washington's lineup. "They can go left-right. Their record is the way it is because they can do some things."
NOTES: LHP Braxton Garrett, Miami's top prospect, had elbow surgery on Tuesday. RHP Tyler Kolek, Miami's second-rated prospect, had elbow surgery last year. ... Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon, who suffered a neck stinger while making a diving catch on Monday, missed Tuesday'sgame. ... Miami rested 3B Derek Dietrich, a lefty hitter, against left-hander Gio Gonzalez. ... Nationals RHP Max Scherzer, who will start Wednesday's series finale, is 2-3 at home but 6-1 with a 1.84 ERA on the road. Overall, he is 8-4 with a 2.26 ERA. In five career starts at Marlins Park, he is 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA.
Similarly, the middle of the Washington Nationals' lineup -- with Harper in the three-hole -- is also red hot, combining to drive in 10 runs in a 12-3 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night.
Harper, who had a two-run single, extended his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games as Washington (43-28) snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 4-2 on this road trip.
On the pitch before his single, Harper tried to get a two-out bunt hit, hoping to drive in the runner from third with the surprise play.
"I don't hit (Edinson) Volquez well," Harper said of his 1-for-12 career stat-line against the Marlins starter entering Tuesday. "If I can lay a bunt down and knock in a run ... But it worked out to get a base knock and score two."
Almost everything the Nationals offense did worked out on Tuesday. That's especially true with the middle of the order. After Harper, Washington's 4-5-6 batters were, in order, Ryan Zimmerman (three RBIs), Daniel Murphy (two RBIs), and Stephen Drew (three RBIs).
Gio Gonzalez, a native of Miami Dade County, benefited from the support and improved his record to 7-1, allowing six hits, two walks and three runs in seven innings. He struck out eight and beat Miami for the first time since 2014.
Harper said he is rooting for Gonzalez to make this year's All-Star Game. The game is set for Gonzalez's hometown at Marlins Park on July 11.
"He's been great," Harper said. "I'm hoping Gio pitches like that the rest of the first half, and he gets the start here. That would be incredible."
Gonzalez said one of his friends in the stands was hit by a bat that left the grasp of Marlins first baseman Justin Bour in Tuesday's fifth inning. Gonzalez's friend was OK after getting hit in the head, and Bour gave the fan a bat as a souvenir.
"My buddy was the one that got hit," Gonzalez said. "It's good to have friends, but put them somewhere safe. ...
"He's OK -- he has a tough, solid noggin. Next time, if my friends are in the front row, they will all be wearing helmets."
On the field, Gonzalez's main worry was Miami's Marcell Ozuna, who hit a two-run homer and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. The homer was Ozuna's 19th of the season for Miami (31-38).
Volquez (3-8), who entered the game 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA in his past four starts, took the loss. He allowed five hits, five walks and six runs in 4 2/3 innings.
He was especially wild in the third, and it cost him. He walked Michael Taylor and Trea Turner. That duo combined to execute a double steal on a close call on Taylor at third base. Harper then lined his single to center to give Washington a 2-0 lead.
Miami closed its deficit to 2-1 in the fourth. Ozuna singled and scored on a one-out double to the left-field corner by J.T. Realmuto. Ozuna, who ran past the stop sign put up by third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez, scored on a head-first dive.
Washington scored four times in the fifth to take a 6-1 lead. Taylor started the rally with a double, and he scored on Brian Goodwin's two-out single on a 3-2 pitch. After Harper was walked intentionally, Zimmerman drilled a two-run double to left, and Drew capped the rally with an RBI single.
"That inning," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said, "(Volquez) just couldn't get the last out."
Ozuna's two-run, two-out blast to left cut Miami's deficit to 6-3 in the bottom of the fifth. Ozuna hit a 3-2 pitch from Gonzalez.
Murphy, who is hitting .377 on the road this year, slugged a solo homer in the eighth -- his 12th of the season -- and Washington added five runs in the ninth, including RBI singles by Zimmerman and Murphy and a two-run double by Drew.
"They put you in a box in many ways," Mattingly said of Washington's lineup. "They can go left-right. Their record is the way it is because they can do some things."
NOTES: LHP Braxton Garrett, Miami's top prospect, had elbow surgery on Tuesday. RHP Tyler Kolek, Miami's second-rated prospect, had elbow surgery last year. ... Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon, who suffered a neck stinger while making a diving catch on Monday, missed Tuesday'sgame. ... Miami rested 3B Derek Dietrich, a lefty hitter, against left-hander Gio Gonzalez. ... Nationals RHP Max Scherzer, who will start Wednesday's series finale, is 2-3 at home but 6-1 with a 1.84 ERA on the road. Overall, he is 8-4 with a 2.26 ERA. In five career starts at Marlins Park, he is 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA.
Cobb earns win as Rays turn back Reds' rally
(TSX / STATS) -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays bullpen struggled again, but Cincinnati Reds rookie starter Amir Garrett was bad enough it didn't matter Tuesday.
Tampa Bay's bats stepped up and the Rays held on for a 6-5 win over Cincinnati at Tropicana Field.
The Rays (38-36) had been 8-16 this season against left-handed starters, the second-worst winning percentage in the American League.
Their bats came through early and often after a disappointing 7-3 loss on Monday night. The Reds (30-40) lost whatever momentum they had from breaking a tie score in the eighth to win the night before.
Down 6-3 in the ninth, the Reds made it interesting with three hits and two runs off closer Alex Colome to put the tying run on base with two outs, but Colome got Scott Schebler out to record his 20th save of the season.
Rays starter Alex Cobb (6-5) gave up eight hits, but held the Reds to two runs in seven innings for his third straight quality start.
"I thought he showed some pretty good command with his fastball," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "When he has command of his fastball, he can mix in the curveball and he's thrown some good changeups tonight, so that was great."
Garrett (3-6) didn't survive the fourth and raised his season ERA to 7.41, among the highest in the National League.
"(He) wasn't real smooth mechanically," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "The bottom of the lineup hurt him -- he walked (Taylor) Featherston a couple of times, a two-out homer to (Jesus) Sucre ... those are guys you've got to be able to get out to manage a ballgame."
Cobb only allowed two hits in his final four innings, one of them officially a double on a defensive miscue when a ball went off the glove of leftfielder Corey Dickerson, who had two big hits at the plate for Tampa Bay.
One night after the Rays bullpen gave up four runs in the final two innings of a tie game, there was another scare, with Cincinnati getting a run in the eighth.
Colome then gave up a solo home run to Joey Votto with two outs in the ninth -- Votto's 20th this year -- to cut the lead to 6-4. Colome gave up a double to Adam Duvall and an RBI single to Eugenio Suarez to put the tying run on base before Schebler's out.
Two Rays outfielders combined for three defensive miscues that resulted in extra-base hits and two of Cincinnati's three runs.
With two outs in the eighth, Tucker Barnhart hit a triple that got past a sliding Peter Bourjos in center field, allowing a run to score to cut the lead to 6-3. Another run scored after a triple dropped between Bourjos and Dickerson in the third and when Barnhart hit a double off Dickerson's glove in the sixth.
After falling behind 2-0 in the third, the Rays tagged Garrett for three runs each in the third and fourth for a 6-2 lead.
Dickerson, continuing to make a case to be an All-Star, had an RBI single to start the scoring in the third, then a solo home run -- his 16th this season -- to finish the scoring in the fourth.
In between, the Rays got a clutch two-run, two-out single from Logan Morrison in the third inning, and a two-run home run by backup catcher Jesus Sucre -- his third this year -- to start the scoring in the fourth. Garrett, who came in with an 11.17 ERA in his last four starts, managed to make that worse, leaving after six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings.
"The command wasn't there," Price said. "Too many mistakes."
Cobb had trouble getting third outs early in the game, as the Reds had six two-out hits in the first three innings, but got only two runs from them.
Tucker Barnhart and Devin Mesoraco had back-to-back singles in the second for a 1-0 lead, and Rays outfielders Dickerson and Bourjos both pulled up on a deep fly ball from Adam Duvall, allowing it to drop for a triple. Eugenio Suarez followed with an RBI single for a 2-0 lead.
"I don't care who we are facing right now, we need some wins badly and we need to get them abundantly," Cobb said.
NOTES: Rays SS Tim Beckham did not play Tuesday after being hit in the left hand by a pitch Monday and leaving the game early. He's listed as day-to-day but would likely rest Wednesday with a day off Thursday. Tampa Bay played Daniel Robertson at short on Tuesday and he had a hustle double. ... Reds RHP Homer Bailey, on the disabled list all season recovering from elbow surgery and making his third rehab start for Triple-A Louisville, gave up two earned runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings on Monday night. ... Reds RHP Asher Wojciechowski, designated for assignment Sunday, cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Louisville. He went 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in six appearances for the Reds after being cut by the Diamondbacks in March.
Tampa Bay's bats stepped up and the Rays held on for a 6-5 win over Cincinnati at Tropicana Field.
The Rays (38-36) had been 8-16 this season against left-handed starters, the second-worst winning percentage in the American League.
Their bats came through early and often after a disappointing 7-3 loss on Monday night. The Reds (30-40) lost whatever momentum they had from breaking a tie score in the eighth to win the night before.
Down 6-3 in the ninth, the Reds made it interesting with three hits and two runs off closer Alex Colome to put the tying run on base with two outs, but Colome got Scott Schebler out to record his 20th save of the season.
Rays starter Alex Cobb (6-5) gave up eight hits, but held the Reds to two runs in seven innings for his third straight quality start.
"I thought he showed some pretty good command with his fastball," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "When he has command of his fastball, he can mix in the curveball and he's thrown some good changeups tonight, so that was great."
Garrett (3-6) didn't survive the fourth and raised his season ERA to 7.41, among the highest in the National League.
"(He) wasn't real smooth mechanically," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "The bottom of the lineup hurt him -- he walked (Taylor) Featherston a couple of times, a two-out homer to (Jesus) Sucre ... those are guys you've got to be able to get out to manage a ballgame."
Cobb only allowed two hits in his final four innings, one of them officially a double on a defensive miscue when a ball went off the glove of leftfielder Corey Dickerson, who had two big hits at the plate for Tampa Bay.
One night after the Rays bullpen gave up four runs in the final two innings of a tie game, there was another scare, with Cincinnati getting a run in the eighth.
Colome then gave up a solo home run to Joey Votto with two outs in the ninth -- Votto's 20th this year -- to cut the lead to 6-4. Colome gave up a double to Adam Duvall and an RBI single to Eugenio Suarez to put the tying run on base before Schebler's out.
Two Rays outfielders combined for three defensive miscues that resulted in extra-base hits and two of Cincinnati's three runs.
With two outs in the eighth, Tucker Barnhart hit a triple that got past a sliding Peter Bourjos in center field, allowing a run to score to cut the lead to 6-3. Another run scored after a triple dropped between Bourjos and Dickerson in the third and when Barnhart hit a double off Dickerson's glove in the sixth.
After falling behind 2-0 in the third, the Rays tagged Garrett for three runs each in the third and fourth for a 6-2 lead.
Dickerson, continuing to make a case to be an All-Star, had an RBI single to start the scoring in the third, then a solo home run -- his 16th this season -- to finish the scoring in the fourth.
In between, the Rays got a clutch two-run, two-out single from Logan Morrison in the third inning, and a two-run home run by backup catcher Jesus Sucre -- his third this year -- to start the scoring in the fourth. Garrett, who came in with an 11.17 ERA in his last four starts, managed to make that worse, leaving after six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings.
"The command wasn't there," Price said. "Too many mistakes."
Cobb had trouble getting third outs early in the game, as the Reds had six two-out hits in the first three innings, but got only two runs from them.
Tucker Barnhart and Devin Mesoraco had back-to-back singles in the second for a 1-0 lead, and Rays outfielders Dickerson and Bourjos both pulled up on a deep fly ball from Adam Duvall, allowing it to drop for a triple. Eugenio Suarez followed with an RBI single for a 2-0 lead.
"I don't care who we are facing right now, we need some wins badly and we need to get them abundantly," Cobb said.
NOTES: Rays SS Tim Beckham did not play Tuesday after being hit in the left hand by a pitch Monday and leaving the game early. He's listed as day-to-day but would likely rest Wednesday with a day off Thursday. Tampa Bay played Daniel Robertson at short on Tuesday and he had a hustle double. ... Reds RHP Homer Bailey, on the disabled list all season recovering from elbow surgery and making his third rehab start for Triple-A Louisville, gave up two earned runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings on Monday night. ... Reds RHP Asher Wojciechowski, designated for assignment Sunday, cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Louisville. He went 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in six appearances for the Reds after being cut by the Diamondbacks in March.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
After public outcry, Florida city moves Confederate statue
Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — City workers on Tuesday started moving a Confederate statue called “Johnny Reb” from a park in the heart of downtown Orlando, Florida, to a nearby cemetery, following renewed public outcry that it is a symbol of racism and white supremacy.
The city workers started taking apart the statue, which has been in Orlando since 1911. Unlike other cities where Confederate statues have been removed, there were no protesters at the site Tuesday morning. Police squad cars had closed off access to streets leading to the statue.
Once the monument is disassembled, a new base will be built for it. It will be reassembled and re-erected in a Confederate veterans section of a municipal cemetery not far from where it had stood in Lake Eola Park, city spokeswoman Cassandra Lafser said in a statement.
The whole process will likely take six weeks. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has estimated the cost at $120,000.
City officials are working with historians on an inscription for the statue that will put the monument “in proper historical perspective,” Lafser said.
The statue has been in Orlando since 1911, and it has been at the park in the heart of downtown Orlando since 1917.
A time capsule was discovered inside the old base, but it’s not clear when it was put there or what’s inside it. The box will be stored safely and opened sometime in the future, Lafser said.
Other cities in Florida, as well as the nation, have been faced with questions about what to do with Confederate statues in public places.
City officials in St. Augustine told local media that they’re paying close attention to the national debate because they have two Confederate statues in a plaza near two civil rights statues. Last fall, Gainesville residents debated whether to move “Old Joe,” a 112-year-old statue of a Confederate soldier next to a county government building. Officials eventually decided it would cost too much to move it.
On Wednesday, the Hillsborough County Commission is scheduled to discuss the removal of a Confederate memorial that sits in front of the county’s courthouse.
___
Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — City workers on Tuesday started moving a Confederate statue called “Johnny Reb” from a park in the heart of downtown Orlando, Florida, to a nearby cemetery, following renewed public outcry that it is a symbol of racism and white supremacy.
The city workers started taking apart the statue, which has been in Orlando since 1911. Unlike other cities where Confederate statues have been removed, there were no protesters at the site Tuesday morning. Police squad cars had closed off access to streets leading to the statue.
Once the monument is disassembled, a new base will be built for it. It will be reassembled and re-erected in a Confederate veterans section of a municipal cemetery not far from where it had stood in Lake Eola Park, city spokeswoman Cassandra Lafser said in a statement.
The whole process will likely take six weeks. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has estimated the cost at $120,000.
City officials are working with historians on an inscription for the statue that will put the monument “in proper historical perspective,” Lafser said.
The statue has been in Orlando since 1911, and it has been at the park in the heart of downtown Orlando since 1917.
A time capsule was discovered inside the old base, but it’s not clear when it was put there or what’s inside it. The box will be stored safely and opened sometime in the future, Lafser said.
Other cities in Florida, as well as the nation, have been faced with questions about what to do with Confederate statues in public places.
City officials in St. Augustine told local media that they’re paying close attention to the national debate because they have two Confederate statues in a plaza near two civil rights statues. Last fall, Gainesville residents debated whether to move “Old Joe,” a 112-year-old statue of a Confederate soldier next to a county government building. Officials eventually decided it would cost too much to move it.
On Wednesday, the Hillsborough County Commission is scheduled to discuss the removal of a Confederate memorial that sits in front of the county’s courthouse.
___
Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Citing water losses, Florida insurer approves rate hikes
By GARY FINEOUT
Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s state-created property insurer, contending that it is dealing with a flood of suspicious water-related claims and lawsuits, is asking state regulators to raise rates for thousands of homeowners next year, including those in the most heavily-populated areas.
The board that oversees Citizens Property Insurance voted unanimously Tuesday to raise homeowner rates an average 5.3 percent and commercial accounts by an 8.4 percent average.
Citizens has more than 451,000 customers, many of them living near the coast or in south Florida. The corporation was created by state legislators to act as the state’s insurer of last resort when Floridians cannot get coverage from private companies.
The proposed rate hikes vary by the type of policy purchased and location, but the rate hikes will fall hardest of homeowners in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties who will pay as much as 10 percent more a year. Residents in other coastal counties such as Collier, Santa Rosa and Pinellas, however, will see their rates go down.
Citizens officials assert they have to raise the rates to cover rising costs associated with water damage claims that are not connected to weather events such as hurricanes or tropical storms. Florida has avoided major damage from hurricanes for more than a decade.
Citizens is also putting in place other programs, including putting a limit on how many water damage claims homeowners can file over a three year period and a $10,000 cap on how much the company it will reimburse homeowners for water-damage repairs. A homeowner, however, can avoid the cap if they agree to participate in a new Citizens-run program that links them to specific contractors.
“These proposed rate increases and product changes are critical for Citizens’ efforts to bring some relief to a market that is being made increasingly expensive by unnecessary litigation and out-of-control water loss claims,” said Chris Gardner, chairman of the Citizens board. “Unfortunately, we are making it more expensive for many of our customers to own a home.”
Citizens and others in the insurance industry have pushed for legislators to change state law regarding the ability of homeowners to sign over insurance benefits to contractors who do home repairs. They say this practice results in lawsuits and that the work is sometimes done before adjusters can inspect the damage.
While some in Florida’s business community have suggested these rising claims are fraudulent, Citizens officials and top regulators have stopped short of backing up those accusations.
The Florida Legislature wrapped up its session this year without passing the bill to deal with these “assignment of benefits” that was being pushed by the insurance industry. Some senators including Sen. Gary Farmer, an attorney from Fort Lauderdale, have said the water-damage related lawsuits have been driven by Citizens practice of refusing to pay legitimate claims quickly.
Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s state-created property insurer, contending that it is dealing with a flood of suspicious water-related claims and lawsuits, is asking state regulators to raise rates for thousands of homeowners next year, including those in the most heavily-populated areas.
The board that oversees Citizens Property Insurance voted unanimously Tuesday to raise homeowner rates an average 5.3 percent and commercial accounts by an 8.4 percent average.
Citizens has more than 451,000 customers, many of them living near the coast or in south Florida. The corporation was created by state legislators to act as the state’s insurer of last resort when Floridians cannot get coverage from private companies.
The proposed rate hikes vary by the type of policy purchased and location, but the rate hikes will fall hardest of homeowners in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties who will pay as much as 10 percent more a year. Residents in other coastal counties such as Collier, Santa Rosa and Pinellas, however, will see their rates go down.
Citizens officials assert they have to raise the rates to cover rising costs associated with water damage claims that are not connected to weather events such as hurricanes or tropical storms. Florida has avoided major damage from hurricanes for more than a decade.
Citizens is also putting in place other programs, including putting a limit on how many water damage claims homeowners can file over a three year period and a $10,000 cap on how much the company it will reimburse homeowners for water-damage repairs. A homeowner, however, can avoid the cap if they agree to participate in a new Citizens-run program that links them to specific contractors.
“These proposed rate increases and product changes are critical for Citizens’ efforts to bring some relief to a market that is being made increasingly expensive by unnecessary litigation and out-of-control water loss claims,” said Chris Gardner, chairman of the Citizens board. “Unfortunately, we are making it more expensive for many of our customers to own a home.”
Citizens and others in the insurance industry have pushed for legislators to change state law regarding the ability of homeowners to sign over insurance benefits to contractors who do home repairs. They say this practice results in lawsuits and that the work is sometimes done before adjusters can inspect the damage.
While some in Florida’s business community have suggested these rising claims are fraudulent, Citizens officials and top regulators have stopped short of backing up those accusations.
The Florida Legislature wrapped up its session this year without passing the bill to deal with these “assignment of benefits” that was being pushed by the insurance industry. Some senators including Sen. Gary Farmer, an attorney from Fort Lauderdale, have said the water-damage related lawsuits have been driven by Citizens practice of refusing to pay legitimate claims quickly.
Trial set date in murder-for-hire case of law professor
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — One of the men accused of killing a Florida university law professor is heading to trial.
WCTV reports a judge on Tuesday set a January trial date for Sigfredo Garcia, who authorities say gunned down Daniel Markel in his garage nearly three years ago.
Three people were charged with killing the Florida State University law professor and Toronto native, who was known internationally.
Katherine Magbanua pleaded not guilty to a charge of helping to orchestrate the plot and is awaiting trial. A third defendant, Luis Rivera, has already pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Rivera got seven years added to a 12-year sentence he was already serving in federal prison for an unrelated charge.
Police say the killing was sparked by a bitter divorce and family squabbles.
WCTV reports a judge on Tuesday set a January trial date for Sigfredo Garcia, who authorities say gunned down Daniel Markel in his garage nearly three years ago.
Three people were charged with killing the Florida State University law professor and Toronto native, who was known internationally.
Katherine Magbanua pleaded not guilty to a charge of helping to orchestrate the plot and is awaiting trial. A third defendant, Luis Rivera, has already pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Rivera got seven years added to a 12-year sentence he was already serving in federal prison for an unrelated charge.
Police say the killing was sparked by a bitter divorce and family squabbles.
Marlins rally in ninth for 8-7 win over Nationals
(TSX / STATS) -- MIAMI -- Enny Romero's neck whipped around in an instant.
The Washington Nationals reliever had just thrown an 0-2 fastball that was clocked at 97 mph on its way to the plate before making contact with the bat of Marcell Ozuna, the Miami Marlins left fielder who is having an All-Star-caliber season.
Ozuna rocketed that pitch into the gap in left-center field for a bases-loaded, two-out, walk-off single in the ninth as Miami rallied from an early six-run deficit and defeated Washington 8-7 on Monday night at Marlins Park.
"That's sweet," said Ozuna, who leads Miami with a .327 batting average. "I said, 'OK, stay short and put the ball in play,' and that's what I did."
He did quite a bit more than that, and the Marlins (31-37) twice tied Washington with homers -- a grand slam by Justin Bour in the third and a solo shot by Giancarlo Stanton in the seventh. It was the 18th homer of the season for both Stanton and Bour, tying them with Ozuna for the team lead.
Washington (42-28) was led by Bryce Harper, who also hit his 18th homer, and Anthony Rendon, who hammered his 13th before leaving due to a neck stinger. He is listed as day-to-day.
Miami's winning rally started with a two-out, four-pitch walk drawn by Dee Gordon, who stole second base for his 27th swipe of the season.
Gordon advanced to third on a Stanton infield single that bounced off the knee of Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy, who could have ended the inning had he fielded the hard shot cleanly.
That became a huge play when Ozuna hit his shot that was ruled a single because that was all that was required to earn the win.
It was sweet redemption for the Marlins, who lost on walk-off hits by the Atlanta Braves' Brandon Phillips on Saturday and again on Sunday.
Miami's bullpen was strong on Monday, however, as five Marlins relievers combined to allow just one run in six innings. A.J. Ramos (2-3) pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the win.
Romero (2-3) took the loss in another rough night for a Nationals bullpen that is the worst in the league in numerous categories.
"These guys have been giving up runs," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of Washington's bullpen. "When you get into their bullpen, you never know what's going to happen ... but you know you have a chance to score some runs."
As for the starting pitchers, neither lasted long in the first meeting of the two clubs since the season's opening series in Washington in April.
In his first start since returning from the disabled list due to a finger injury, Miami left-hander Justin Nicolino worked just three innings. He gave up Harper's two-run homer in the first inning and Rendon's solo shot in the second.
Washington built the lead to 6-0 in the third on a run-scoring double by Murphy and a two-run single by Michael A. Taylor.
However, the Marlins immediately battled back against Nationals starter Tanner Roark, who beat Miami on April 5.
This time, Miami scored six times in their half of the third. J.T. Riddle tripled in Derek Dietrich and later scored on Gordon's RBI groundout to trim the deficit to 6-2.
Bour then tied it 6-6 by clubbing his third career grand slam, launching a 2-2 changeup from Roark into the right-field bullpen.
"You get a six-run lead and give it up -- that's pathetic on my part," Roark said. "I felt good, I just pitched bad.
"This one hurt, but it's a long season."
Despite Roark's poor performance, Washington's offense kept up the pressure in fifth. Stephen Drew, who replaced Rendon midway through the game, doubled to score Ryan Zimmerman, giving the Nationals a 7-6 lead.
"Drew came in and did a great job," Washington manager Dusty Baker said after Rendon was hurt diving for a ground ball.
Stanton tied the score 7-7 in the seventh by hitting an opposite-field homer off of former Marlins pitcher Jacob Turner, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion.
"This was a great game to be a part of," Bour said. "We were down six runs but never really out of it. This is a great time to be a Marlin. We're having fun."
NOTES: Miami optioned RHP Drew Steckenrider (0-1, 5.40 ERA in four games) to Triple-A New Orleans. ... Marlins 3B Martin Prado (hamstring) and SS Adeiny Hechavarria (oblique) are expected to return to the majors after a few more minor-league rehab games. ... Washington's 3-4-5 hitters in Monday's lineup -- RF Bryce Harper, 1B Ryan Zimmerman and 2B Daniel Murphy -- all lead NL All-Star voting at their positions. ... Of Harper's 18 homers, just two have come against left-handers, including one on Monday against Justin Nicolino. ...Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez will start on Tuesday against his hometown team. Gonzalez, a native of Miami Dade County, is 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA in four career starts at Marlins Park. ... Three other Nationals players have South Florida ties: OF Brian Goodwin played at Miami Dade College, CF Michael A. Taylor grew up in Fort Lauderdale, and SS Trea Turner is from Boynton Beach.
The Washington Nationals reliever had just thrown an 0-2 fastball that was clocked at 97 mph on its way to the plate before making contact with the bat of Marcell Ozuna, the Miami Marlins left fielder who is having an All-Star-caliber season.
Ozuna rocketed that pitch into the gap in left-center field for a bases-loaded, two-out, walk-off single in the ninth as Miami rallied from an early six-run deficit and defeated Washington 8-7 on Monday night at Marlins Park.
"That's sweet," said Ozuna, who leads Miami with a .327 batting average. "I said, 'OK, stay short and put the ball in play,' and that's what I did."
He did quite a bit more than that, and the Marlins (31-37) twice tied Washington with homers -- a grand slam by Justin Bour in the third and a solo shot by Giancarlo Stanton in the seventh. It was the 18th homer of the season for both Stanton and Bour, tying them with Ozuna for the team lead.
Washington (42-28) was led by Bryce Harper, who also hit his 18th homer, and Anthony Rendon, who hammered his 13th before leaving due to a neck stinger. He is listed as day-to-day.
Miami's winning rally started with a two-out, four-pitch walk drawn by Dee Gordon, who stole second base for his 27th swipe of the season.
Gordon advanced to third on a Stanton infield single that bounced off the knee of Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy, who could have ended the inning had he fielded the hard shot cleanly.
That became a huge play when Ozuna hit his shot that was ruled a single because that was all that was required to earn the win.
It was sweet redemption for the Marlins, who lost on walk-off hits by the Atlanta Braves' Brandon Phillips on Saturday and again on Sunday.
Miami's bullpen was strong on Monday, however, as five Marlins relievers combined to allow just one run in six innings. A.J. Ramos (2-3) pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the win.
Romero (2-3) took the loss in another rough night for a Nationals bullpen that is the worst in the league in numerous categories.
"These guys have been giving up runs," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of Washington's bullpen. "When you get into their bullpen, you never know what's going to happen ... but you know you have a chance to score some runs."
As for the starting pitchers, neither lasted long in the first meeting of the two clubs since the season's opening series in Washington in April.
In his first start since returning from the disabled list due to a finger injury, Miami left-hander Justin Nicolino worked just three innings. He gave up Harper's two-run homer in the first inning and Rendon's solo shot in the second.
Washington built the lead to 6-0 in the third on a run-scoring double by Murphy and a two-run single by Michael A. Taylor.
However, the Marlins immediately battled back against Nationals starter Tanner Roark, who beat Miami on April 5.
This time, Miami scored six times in their half of the third. J.T. Riddle tripled in Derek Dietrich and later scored on Gordon's RBI groundout to trim the deficit to 6-2.
Bour then tied it 6-6 by clubbing his third career grand slam, launching a 2-2 changeup from Roark into the right-field bullpen.
"You get a six-run lead and give it up -- that's pathetic on my part," Roark said. "I felt good, I just pitched bad.
"This one hurt, but it's a long season."
Despite Roark's poor performance, Washington's offense kept up the pressure in fifth. Stephen Drew, who replaced Rendon midway through the game, doubled to score Ryan Zimmerman, giving the Nationals a 7-6 lead.
"Drew came in and did a great job," Washington manager Dusty Baker said after Rendon was hurt diving for a ground ball.
Stanton tied the score 7-7 in the seventh by hitting an opposite-field homer off of former Marlins pitcher Jacob Turner, setting the stage for the dramatic conclusion.
"This was a great game to be a part of," Bour said. "We were down six runs but never really out of it. This is a great time to be a Marlin. We're having fun."
NOTES: Miami optioned RHP Drew Steckenrider (0-1, 5.40 ERA in four games) to Triple-A New Orleans. ... Marlins 3B Martin Prado (hamstring) and SS Adeiny Hechavarria (oblique) are expected to return to the majors after a few more minor-league rehab games. ... Washington's 3-4-5 hitters in Monday's lineup -- RF Bryce Harper, 1B Ryan Zimmerman and 2B Daniel Murphy -- all lead NL All-Star voting at their positions. ... Of Harper's 18 homers, just two have come against left-handers, including one on Monday against Justin Nicolino. ...Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez will start on Tuesday against his hometown team. Gonzalez, a native of Miami Dade County, is 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA in four career starts at Marlins Park. ... Three other Nationals players have South Florida ties: OF Brian Goodwin played at Miami Dade College, CF Michael A. Taylor grew up in Fort Lauderdale, and SS Trea Turner is from Boynton Beach.
Reds beat Rays to end nine-game skid
(TSX / STATS) -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Cincinnati Reds ended a nine-game losing streak Monday night with a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, and how they did it made it even better.
Scooter Gennett hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning and doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth, pulling away instead of letting one get away.
"We really needed to get the monkey off of our back," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "It's one of the most satisfying wins we've had."
The Reds (30-39) had taken a 3-0 lead on Gennett's two-run homer only to see the Rays (37-36) rally to tie it on Daniel Robertson's two-run shot in the seventh.
But Rays reliever Jose Alvarado faced three batters in the eighth and all three scored. Gennett had a leadoff double and scored on Joey Votto's RBI single. Adam Duvall walked, and reliever Danny Farquhar gave up a two-run single to rookie Jesse Winker for a 6-3 Reds lead.
Votto singled again in the ninth off Farquhar and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
"There were a lot of good things," Price said. "There's no quit in this bunch and they came out and played a great game when we really needed to get a win."
Michael Lorenzen (4-2) gave up Robertson's tying home run in the seventh but picked up the win in relief. Jake Odorizzi (4-4) took the loss for Tampa Bay.
"I shouldn't have walked Billy Hamilton. That's the fastest guy in the league," Odorizzi said of the batter immediately preceding Gennett's home run. "I got behind and he barreled it up. When hitters are in control of counts, they can do more damage."
The Rays got a solo home run from Steven Souza -- his second in two games -- to start their comeback in the sixth, but the bullpen couldn't keep it close.
Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning when Scott Schebler crushed a solo home run to right field. The homer was his 19th this season.
Until that shot, Odorizzi had held the Reds scoreless on two hits in the first four innings.
Cincinnati starter Scott Feldman got himself in and out of jams in the early innings, matching Odorizzi in keeping the game scoreless.
Tampa Bay had two singles in the second, but Feldman got Rays newcomer Trevor Plouffe and Robertson out to end the inning.
Mallex Smith had a single in the third but was caught stealing to end the inning. The Rays had the bases loaded with one out in the fourth, only to see Plouffe ground into an inning-ending double play.
Rays shortstop Tim Beckham left the game after being hit on the left hand by a pitch in the fourth inning. Beckham stayed in as a runner but was replaced in the fifth, with Robertson sliding from second to short and Taylor Featherston taking over at second.
Beckham is day to day with a bruise, but X-rays were negative and he hopes to return in the next few days.
"I definitely thought it was worse when it first happened," Beckham said after the game. "I couldn't hardly squeeze my glove so I knew I wasn't going to be able to swing the bat."
NOTES: INF Trevor Plouffe made his Rays debut as the designated hitter, batting seventh and grounding out to the pitcher with two on and one out in the second inning. He singled in the seventh and scored. Plouffe, 31, was acquired from the Oakland Athletics on Saturday after being designated for assignment. Plouffe hit .214 with seven home runs for Oakland this season. To make room for him, the Rays designated INF Mike Martinez for assignment. ... The Reds made four roster moves, placing SS Zack Cosart (strained right quad) and RHP Bronson Arroyo (strained right shoulder) on the 10-day disabled list. With two openings, the Reds recalled rookie OF Jesse Winker from Triple-A Louisville and used him as the DH, batting seventh. Winker hit a two-run single to extend the Reds' lead in the eighth inning. ... The Reds also recalled RHP Ariel Hernandez from Double-A Pensacola.
Scooter Gennett hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning and doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth, pulling away instead of letting one get away.
"We really needed to get the monkey off of our back," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "It's one of the most satisfying wins we've had."
The Reds (30-39) had taken a 3-0 lead on Gennett's two-run homer only to see the Rays (37-36) rally to tie it on Daniel Robertson's two-run shot in the seventh.
But Rays reliever Jose Alvarado faced three batters in the eighth and all three scored. Gennett had a leadoff double and scored on Joey Votto's RBI single. Adam Duvall walked, and reliever Danny Farquhar gave up a two-run single to rookie Jesse Winker for a 6-3 Reds lead.
Votto singled again in the ninth off Farquhar and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
"There were a lot of good things," Price said. "There's no quit in this bunch and they came out and played a great game when we really needed to get a win."
Michael Lorenzen (4-2) gave up Robertson's tying home run in the seventh but picked up the win in relief. Jake Odorizzi (4-4) took the loss for Tampa Bay.
"I shouldn't have walked Billy Hamilton. That's the fastest guy in the league," Odorizzi said of the batter immediately preceding Gennett's home run. "I got behind and he barreled it up. When hitters are in control of counts, they can do more damage."
The Rays got a solo home run from Steven Souza -- his second in two games -- to start their comeback in the sixth, but the bullpen couldn't keep it close.
Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning when Scott Schebler crushed a solo home run to right field. The homer was his 19th this season.
Until that shot, Odorizzi had held the Reds scoreless on two hits in the first four innings.
Cincinnati starter Scott Feldman got himself in and out of jams in the early innings, matching Odorizzi in keeping the game scoreless.
Tampa Bay had two singles in the second, but Feldman got Rays newcomer Trevor Plouffe and Robertson out to end the inning.
Mallex Smith had a single in the third but was caught stealing to end the inning. The Rays had the bases loaded with one out in the fourth, only to see Plouffe ground into an inning-ending double play.
Rays shortstop Tim Beckham left the game after being hit on the left hand by a pitch in the fourth inning. Beckham stayed in as a runner but was replaced in the fifth, with Robertson sliding from second to short and Taylor Featherston taking over at second.
Beckham is day to day with a bruise, but X-rays were negative and he hopes to return in the next few days.
"I definitely thought it was worse when it first happened," Beckham said after the game. "I couldn't hardly squeeze my glove so I knew I wasn't going to be able to swing the bat."
NOTES: INF Trevor Plouffe made his Rays debut as the designated hitter, batting seventh and grounding out to the pitcher with two on and one out in the second inning. He singled in the seventh and scored. Plouffe, 31, was acquired from the Oakland Athletics on Saturday after being designated for assignment. Plouffe hit .214 with seven home runs for Oakland this season. To make room for him, the Rays designated INF Mike Martinez for assignment. ... The Reds made four roster moves, placing SS Zack Cosart (strained right quad) and RHP Bronson Arroyo (strained right shoulder) on the 10-day disabled list. With two openings, the Reds recalled rookie OF Jesse Winker from Triple-A Louisville and used him as the DH, batting seventh. Winker hit a two-run single to extend the Reds' lead in the eighth inning. ... The Reds also recalled RHP Ariel Hernandez from Double-A Pensacola.
Monday, June 19, 2017
Lightning, Panthers unveil Expansion Draft lists
The list of players protected by the 30 NHL teams in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft was unveiled on Sunday. Each team had the option to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie, or eight skaters and one goalie. All players with continuing and effective no-movement clauses had to be protected. All first- and second-year professionals are exempt from selection, as are unsigned draft choices.
Vegas has until 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday to submit its expansion draft selections. The Golden Knights must choose 30 players, one from each team and must take a minimum of 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies from the lists of unprotected players.
The Golden Knights' selections will be revealed at the 2017 NHL Awards and NHL Expansion Draft presented by T-Mobile on Wednesday, June 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The all-in-one event will be broadcast live in the United States on NBCSN and in Canada on Sportsnet at 8 p.m., ET/ 5 p.m. PT.
Here are the lists for the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning:
Florida Panthers
Protected players
Aleksander Barkov (F)
Nick Bjugstad (F)
Jonathan Huberdeau (F)
Vincent Trocheck (F)
Aaron Ekblad (D)
Alex Petrovic (D)
Mark Pysyk (D)
Keith Yandle (D)
James Reimer (G)
Available players
Graham Black (F)
Tim Bozon (F)
Jaromir Jagr (F)
Jussi Jokinen (F)
Derek MacKenzie (F)
Jonathan Marchessault (F)
Colton Sceviour (F)
Michael Sgarbossa (F)
Reilly Smith (F)
Brody Sutter (F)
Paul Thompson (F)
Shawn Thornton (F)
Thomas Vanek (F)
Jason Demers (D)
Jakub Kindl (D)
Brent Regner (D)
Reece Scarlett (D)
MacKenzie Weegar (D)
Reto Berra (G)
Sam Brittain (G)
Roberto Luongo (G)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Protected players
Ryan Callahan (F)
Tyler Johnson (F)
Alex Killorn (F)
Nikita Kucherov (F)
Vladislav Namestnikov (F)
Ondrej Palat (F)
Steven Stamkos (F)
Braydon Coburn (D)
Victor Hedman (D)
Anton Stralman (D)
Andrei Vasilevskiy (G)
Available players
Carter Ashton (F)
Michael Bournival (F)
J.T. Brown (F)
Cory Conacher (F)
Erik Condra (F)
Gabriel Dumont (F)
Stefan Fournier (F)
Byron Froese (F)
Yanni Gourde (F)
Mike Halmo (F)
Henri Ikonen (F)
Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond (F)
Tye McGinn (F)
Greg McKegg (F)
Cedric Paquette (F)
Tanner Richard (F)
Joel Vermin (F)
Dylan Blujus (D)
Jake Dotchin (D)
Jason Garrison (D)
Slater Koekkoek (D)
Jonathan Racine (D)
Andrej Sustr (D)
Matt Taormina (D)
Luke Witkowski (D)
Peter Budaj (G)
Kristers Gudlevskis (G)
Jaroslav Janus (G)
Mike McKenna (G)
Election software company says system never was compromised
By MIKE SCHNEIDER
Associated Press
DAVENPORT, Fla. (AP) — The chief operating officer of a Florida-based elections-software company says its computer systems were never hacked despite phishing attempts.
VR Systems COO Ben Martin told Florida election supervisors during a presentation Monday that his company’s systems were never compromised.
A leaked National Security Agency report suggested that hackers stole information from VR Systems, which provides voter-registration software. The report said the information was used to send phishing emails to election officials nationwide.
Martin says the information didn’t come from his company. He says VR Systems received a message from a customer last November that the customer had received a phishing email that appeared to be from VR Systems.
Martin says on closer inspection, it was an email trying to appear like it came from the company.
Panther killed by car in Florida; 15th death this year
Associated Press
IMMOKALEE, Fla. (AP) — An endangered Florida panther was struck and killed by a car.
It’s the 11th fatal collision this year, out of 15 total panther deaths.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the male panther’s remains were found Friday east of Immokalee in Hendry County. Officials said the panther was about 3 years old.
Biologists will study the panther’s remains.
Florida panthers once roamed the entire southeastern United States, but now their habitat mostly is confined to southwest Florida. Only about 230 Florida panthers remain in the wild.
Florida governor tries to lure ‘upset’ Connecticut firms
Associated Press
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Florida’s governor says there are “a lot of business people upset” in Connecticut and he’s hoping to persuade them to move to the Sunshine State.
Republican Gov. Rick Scott met Monday with community and business leaders in Norwalk. He made a similar trip in 2015 to lure Connecticut business to Florida as part of an “economic development mission.”
Scott’s visit comes as health insurer Aetna Inc. considers relocating its long-time headquarters from Hartford.
Scott says he would “love every company in Connecticut” to think about moving to Florida, where he says taxes and regulations have been cut since he first took office.
Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s spokeswoman says “it’s no wonder” Scott would look to Connecticut and be “envious” of its’ high quality of life, good schools and skilled workforce.
Phillips drives in winner in 9th as Braves edge Marlins
(TSX / STATS) -- ATLANTA -- Brandon Phillips poked a single through a five-man infield in the ninth inning to produce a walk-off hit for the second straight game and lift the Atlanta Braves to a 5-4 win over the Miami Marlins
The rally began against Miami rookie Drew Steckenrider (0-1) when Johan Camargo reached on a one-out single that third baseman Derek Dietrich could not field. Ender Inciarte lobbed an opposite-field single to left, sending Camargo to third.
The Marlins brought left fielder Marcell Ozuna in for an extra infielder, but Phillips found a hole between shortstop J.T. Riddle and the second-base bag that drove in Camargo with the winning run.
It was the eighth career walk-off hit for Phillips and the 11th time Atlanta has won a game in its last at-bat this season.
The winning pitcher was Jim Johnson (5-1), who pitched a scoreless ninth inning in relief.
Neither starting pitcher received a decision.
Atlanta's Mike Foltynewicz bounced back from his worst outing of the season -- eight runs in 3 1/3 innings against Washington -- to give up two innings over six innings. Foltynewiciz allowed seven hits and two walks, with four strikeouts and received no decision.
Miami's Jose Urena, who was seeking his fifth straight win, pitched six innings and allowed two runs on three hits and two walks, with four strikeouts. Urena retired 12 of 13 batters from the second through fifth innings.
The Marlins broke through for two runs in the sixth inning against Folytnewicz. With one out, Justin Bour ripped an 0-2 pitch just out of the reach of Atlanta shortstop Dansby Swanson to drive in Dee Gordon and Christian Yelich.
Atlanta scored four times in the seventh to take a 4-2 lead. Rio Ruiz had a sacrifice fly, Camargo drove in a run with a pinch-hit single and Nick Markakis added a two-run opposite-field single.
Miami tied the game a 4-4 against reliever Jose Ramirez in the eighth inning. Yelich walked and Ozuna hit a long two-run homer, his 18th, into the visitor's bullpen in left field.
Both teams wasted early opportunities.
Atlanta loaded the bases with no out in the second inning, but the bottom of the order couldn't provide an RBI. Miami had runners on the corners with one out in the third when Giancarlo Stanton struck out into a double play, with J.T. Riddle being erased in a rundown while trying to score from third base.
NOTES: Atlanta LF Matt Kemp returned to the starting line. Kemp left the game on June 14 with left hamstring tightness and missed two starts. ... Miami RHP Jose Urena tied a club record when he hit three batters on Sunday. It was the 10th time it has occurred, the last coming on May 27, 2016, when Adam Conley hit three Braves. ... Miami CF Christian Yelich extended his season-best hitting streak to nine games with a single in the fourth inning. ... Miami 2B Dee Gordon now has an eight-game hitting streak in Atlanta. ... Atlanta manager Brian Snitker was ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Chris Segal in the sixth inning. It was his second ejection of the season.
The rally began against Miami rookie Drew Steckenrider (0-1) when Johan Camargo reached on a one-out single that third baseman Derek Dietrich could not field. Ender Inciarte lobbed an opposite-field single to left, sending Camargo to third.
The Marlins brought left fielder Marcell Ozuna in for an extra infielder, but Phillips found a hole between shortstop J.T. Riddle and the second-base bag that drove in Camargo with the winning run.
It was the eighth career walk-off hit for Phillips and the 11th time Atlanta has won a game in its last at-bat this season.
The winning pitcher was Jim Johnson (5-1), who pitched a scoreless ninth inning in relief.
Neither starting pitcher received a decision.
Atlanta's Mike Foltynewicz bounced back from his worst outing of the season -- eight runs in 3 1/3 innings against Washington -- to give up two innings over six innings. Foltynewiciz allowed seven hits and two walks, with four strikeouts and received no decision.
Miami's Jose Urena, who was seeking his fifth straight win, pitched six innings and allowed two runs on three hits and two walks, with four strikeouts. Urena retired 12 of 13 batters from the second through fifth innings.
The Marlins broke through for two runs in the sixth inning against Folytnewicz. With one out, Justin Bour ripped an 0-2 pitch just out of the reach of Atlanta shortstop Dansby Swanson to drive in Dee Gordon and Christian Yelich.
Atlanta scored four times in the seventh to take a 4-2 lead. Rio Ruiz had a sacrifice fly, Camargo drove in a run with a pinch-hit single and Nick Markakis added a two-run opposite-field single.
Miami tied the game a 4-4 against reliever Jose Ramirez in the eighth inning. Yelich walked and Ozuna hit a long two-run homer, his 18th, into the visitor's bullpen in left field.
Both teams wasted early opportunities.
Atlanta loaded the bases with no out in the second inning, but the bottom of the order couldn't provide an RBI. Miami had runners on the corners with one out in the third when Giancarlo Stanton struck out into a double play, with J.T. Riddle being erased in a rundown while trying to score from third base.
NOTES: Atlanta LF Matt Kemp returned to the starting line. Kemp left the game on June 14 with left hamstring tightness and missed two starts. ... Miami RHP Jose Urena tied a club record when he hit three batters on Sunday. It was the 10th time it has occurred, the last coming on May 27, 2016, when Adam Conley hit three Braves. ... Miami CF Christian Yelich extended his season-best hitting streak to nine games with a single in the fourth inning. ... Miami 2B Dee Gordon now has an eight-game hitting streak in Atlanta. ... Atlanta manager Brian Snitker was ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Chris Segal in the sixth inning. It was his second ejection of the season.
Faria backed by 5 homers as Rays slam Tigers
(TSX / STATS) -- DETROIT -- Jake Faria may be making it look easy but his manager says it isn't.
Faria joined a couple of small lists in the history books Sunday when he took advantage of five Tampa Bay home runs, led by Steven Souza Jr.'s first career grand slam, to become 3-0 after his first three starts in the majors.
Logan Morrison tagged two home runs as the Rays defeated the Detroit Tigers, 9-1. After the game, the Tigers optioned starting pitcher Buck Farmer (2-1) to the minors.
Faria became just the fifth pitcher since at least 1913 to win his first three starts in the majors with one or less runs in at least six innings.
He joined Jeremy Hellickson as the only Tampa Bay pitcher to win his first three starts with a seven-inning outing in which he allowed six hits, walked one and struck out nine with his low-90s fastball and sharp-breaking slider.
Faria joined Andy Rincon (St. Louis, 1990), Wayne Simpson (Cincinnati, 1970), Stu Miller (St. Louis, 1952) and Alex Main (Detroit, 1914) as the only pitchers to win their first three major league starts allowing one or fewer runs while pitching at least six innings.
"Jake Faria just continues to get it done," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I don't think it was very easy for him. There was a lot of 'fell behind.' He didn't get ahead of a ton of hitters like maybe we saw in his previous two starts.
"But he found a way to get back into the count and make pitches. That's pretty telling and shows a lot about a young pitcher, being able to do that.
"It's not the easiest thing in the world to pitch with a big lead. Because everybody's sitting there saying. 'Just throw strikes, throw it over the plate.'
"When you start doing that and not focusing on the pitch that you're trying to attack with, that's when the lead goes from 7-1 to 7-4. Especially with this lineup. They get a couple of guys on base anybody can hit it out of the park."
Detroit now departs for a series at Seattle and then San Diego following a homestand that ended 2-4 and frustrated Tigers manager Brad Ausmus.
"It was a crappy homestand quite frankly," he said. "We gotta play better than this. I gotta manage better, we gotta coach better, we gotta play better, we gotta hit better, we gotta pitch better. Simple. We're not going to make any strides if we keep playing like this.
"We need to play better.
"It's similar to last year. Similar every year I've been here, where we get off to a good start and we kind of tread water for a while.
"We do need to get on that run. We haven't hit it yet. I've been pretty steadfast in saying, as much as I want to go on the run and as frustrating it can be that it hasn't happened, I still believe that it will."
Chase Whitley pitched the eighth and Tommy Hunter the ninth for Tampa Bay.
Morrison's two home runs put him at 21 for the season. His first was a two-run blast to right in the first and the second a solo shot in the seventh.
Farmer served up two home runs in the third inning as the Rays jumped out to a 7-1 lead.
Derek Norris lined a flat 1-2 slider over the left-center field fence leading off the inning for his eighth home run. Farmer gave up five hits and a walk plus a hit batter in 2 1/3 innings.
Corey Dickerson singled to left, Evan Longoria was hit by a pitch, Morrison walked and Souza Jr. hit a 2-2 slider over the fence in left center for his first career grand slam and 13th home run this season.
Justin Upton lined a single to center with two outs in the first for Detroit's first run. Alex Avila singled and Miguel Cabrera walked ahead of Upton's hit.
Dickerson singled with one out in the first and one out later Morrison lined a 1-2 pitch off the metal fencing atop the wall in right to stake the Rays to a 2-0 lead.
Longoria belted his 10th home run of the season with one out in the seventh off reliever Chad Bell and was followed on the next pitch by Morrison's second homer of the game.
NOTES: RHP Anibal Sanchez will be brought back from a voluntary minor league assignment Monday night to start for Detroit at Seattle. It's his first start of the season for the Tigers. ... Tampa Bay C Wilson Ramos (ACL surgery) didn't play Sunday after catching back-to-back games for the first time during his rehab stint. "We're getting closer," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "We're getting excited." ... 2B Daniel Robertson is the first rookie Rays middle infielder to have at least two hits and two RBIs in consecutive games since Josh Wilson in 2007. Robertson did so Friday night and Saturday.
Faria joined a couple of small lists in the history books Sunday when he took advantage of five Tampa Bay home runs, led by Steven Souza Jr.'s first career grand slam, to become 3-0 after his first three starts in the majors.
Logan Morrison tagged two home runs as the Rays defeated the Detroit Tigers, 9-1. After the game, the Tigers optioned starting pitcher Buck Farmer (2-1) to the minors.
Faria became just the fifth pitcher since at least 1913 to win his first three starts in the majors with one or less runs in at least six innings.
He joined Jeremy Hellickson as the only Tampa Bay pitcher to win his first three starts with a seven-inning outing in which he allowed six hits, walked one and struck out nine with his low-90s fastball and sharp-breaking slider.
Faria joined Andy Rincon (St. Louis, 1990), Wayne Simpson (Cincinnati, 1970), Stu Miller (St. Louis, 1952) and Alex Main (Detroit, 1914) as the only pitchers to win their first three major league starts allowing one or fewer runs while pitching at least six innings.
"Jake Faria just continues to get it done," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I don't think it was very easy for him. There was a lot of 'fell behind.' He didn't get ahead of a ton of hitters like maybe we saw in his previous two starts.
"But he found a way to get back into the count and make pitches. That's pretty telling and shows a lot about a young pitcher, being able to do that.
"It's not the easiest thing in the world to pitch with a big lead. Because everybody's sitting there saying. 'Just throw strikes, throw it over the plate.'
"When you start doing that and not focusing on the pitch that you're trying to attack with, that's when the lead goes from 7-1 to 7-4. Especially with this lineup. They get a couple of guys on base anybody can hit it out of the park."
Detroit now departs for a series at Seattle and then San Diego following a homestand that ended 2-4 and frustrated Tigers manager Brad Ausmus.
"It was a crappy homestand quite frankly," he said. "We gotta play better than this. I gotta manage better, we gotta coach better, we gotta play better, we gotta hit better, we gotta pitch better. Simple. We're not going to make any strides if we keep playing like this.
"We need to play better.
"It's similar to last year. Similar every year I've been here, where we get off to a good start and we kind of tread water for a while.
"We do need to get on that run. We haven't hit it yet. I've been pretty steadfast in saying, as much as I want to go on the run and as frustrating it can be that it hasn't happened, I still believe that it will."
Chase Whitley pitched the eighth and Tommy Hunter the ninth for Tampa Bay.
Morrison's two home runs put him at 21 for the season. His first was a two-run blast to right in the first and the second a solo shot in the seventh.
Farmer served up two home runs in the third inning as the Rays jumped out to a 7-1 lead.
Derek Norris lined a flat 1-2 slider over the left-center field fence leading off the inning for his eighth home run. Farmer gave up five hits and a walk plus a hit batter in 2 1/3 innings.
Corey Dickerson singled to left, Evan Longoria was hit by a pitch, Morrison walked and Souza Jr. hit a 2-2 slider over the fence in left center for his first career grand slam and 13th home run this season.
Justin Upton lined a single to center with two outs in the first for Detroit's first run. Alex Avila singled and Miguel Cabrera walked ahead of Upton's hit.
Dickerson singled with one out in the first and one out later Morrison lined a 1-2 pitch off the metal fencing atop the wall in right to stake the Rays to a 2-0 lead.
Longoria belted his 10th home run of the season with one out in the seventh off reliever Chad Bell and was followed on the next pitch by Morrison's second homer of the game.
NOTES: RHP Anibal Sanchez will be brought back from a voluntary minor league assignment Monday night to start for Detroit at Seattle. It's his first start of the season for the Tigers. ... Tampa Bay C Wilson Ramos (ACL surgery) didn't play Sunday after catching back-to-back games for the first time during his rehab stint. "We're getting closer," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "We're getting excited." ... 2B Daniel Robertson is the first rookie Rays middle infielder to have at least two hits and two RBIs in consecutive games since Josh Wilson in 2007. Robertson did so Friday night and Saturday.
Friday, June 16, 2017
Rays/Durham Farm Report: Bulls head to Toledo after losing rubber-match vs. Columbus
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LAST NIGHT: The Durham Bulls were held in check by Columbus Clippers’ starter Shawn Morimando Thursday night, as the left-hander threw his first career nine-inning complete game to hand the Bulls an 8-0 loss at Huntington Park. Morimando (5-5) needed just 103 pitches to get through all nine innings, as the 24-year-old limited Durham to five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. The Clippers offense meanwhile struck for three home runs, including a three-run blast in the first inning by Chris Colabello against Durham starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (L, 5-4). Still leading 3-0 in the sixth, former Bulls third baseman Richie Shaffer cranked out his league-tying 14th homer for a 4-0 advantage. Later in the inning, reliever Diego Castillo surrendered a three-run shot to Todd Hankins as the Clippers took a 7-0 lead.
LAST MINUTE REPLACEMENT BURNS BULLS: RHP Adam Plutko was originally supposed to start for Columbus Thursday night, but was scratched late and replaced by LHP Shawn Morimando. The move couldn’t have worked out better for the Clippers, with Morimando tossing a 9-inning, complete game shutout. The dominant outing was a dramatic 180 for Morimando compared to his previous start against the Bulls on May 8, in which he was knocked out after only four innings after giving up eight runs on nine hits.
THE SHUTOUT-ERS BECOME THE SHUTOUT-EES: One night after the Bulls twirled their seventh shutout of the season on Wednesday the Clippers returned the favor Thursday, with the home team tossing their sixth blanking of the year. The back-to-back shutouts marked the first time this season the Bulls were involved in cosecutive games without a run scored for one team.
MORE DEJA VU: The inverse similarities between Wednesday’s and Thursday’s games continue in the home run category as well, as Columbus clubbed three round trippers last night after Durham accomplished the feat the previous evening. It was Johnny Field, Shane Peterson, and Mike Marjama going deep for the Bulls in game two of the series, while Chris Colabello, Richie Shaffer, and Todd Hankins crushed bombs for the Clippers in game three. The three-homer games tied the season high for both the most home runs hit and the most homers allowed by the Bulls in a single game this season.
BIG NIGHT FOR BRETT: Thursday was a rough night at the plate for almost every Bull batter save for Ryan Brett, who finished 2-3 with two doubles in the defeat. The game was easily the best performance for Brett as a Bull this season, marking his first multi-hit game with Durham and his first game with multiple extra-base hits overall. The injury-prone middle infielder has struggled to stay on the field this season, with Brett spending two seperate stints on the DL while playing in only 14 games combined between Charlotte (A+) and Durham.
SHOWDOWN IN THE WEST: The Bulls have had their way with most teams this season while composing a 40-25 record that stands as the top mark in the South Division and the second best recrod in the International League. One place Durham has hit a speed bump however has been with the West Division, with the Bulls’ record standing at 8-8. A major reason for that .500 record is Durham’s 2-5 mark against Columbus, but the Bulls are also just one game over against both Toledo (2-1) and Louisville (2-1). Outside the West Division, the Bulls are 32-17, including a 21-9 mark in their own South Division.
A ROUGH NIGHT (SORT OF) FOR YARBOROUGH: LHP Ryan Yarbrough suffered through arguably his worst outing of the season Thursday, as he allowed a season-high six earned runs on five hits, two homers, over 5.2 innings pitched. The game marked the first start in more than a month for the southpaw that didn’t last at least six innings, while it also tied his season-low for strikeouts with three.
BATTLE FOR JUNE SUPREMACY: By winning two out of three games in their sreies against the Bulls Columbus jumped past Durham for the best record in the IL in June at 9-4, a half game better than the Bulls’ 9-5 start.
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BULLS STARTING PITCHER - LHP BLAKE SNELL (4-0, 2.53) *ON 40-MAN*
GS: 5 // QS: 2 // Team Record: 4-1
Longest Scoreless: 9.0 (6/5 - 6/10)
vs. RHP: .250 // vs. LHP: .241
Home: 3.0, 2.04 // Road: 1-0, 3.14
LAST TIME OUT: Threw a career-best eight innings while allowing one run on five hits, three walks, and seven strikeouts while earning the win in Charlotte on 6/5.
TIME IN TAMPA: Made his 2017 Bulls debut, and struck out 12 batters over 5.1 innings while allowing 1 R on 7 H. 2016: Went 3-5 witha 3.29 ERA in 12 GS totaling 63 IP with Durham...posted a 90/28 K/BB ratio and a .234 BAA.
RING RING: Was called up for a his major league debut in a spot start for Tampa Bay on 4/23 at New York (AL), then called up for the rest of the season on 6/16.
LASTING FINAL IMPRESSION: Struck out a career-high 13 batters in his final start for the Bulls, breaking his previous career-high for a single game of 12 from 2015 with Montgomery.
STRIKEOUTS AND A MILESTONE: Reached 500 MiLB strikeouts on 5/10 vs. Buffalo with 2 strikeouts in the first inning, then added 5 more in that game... Had at least 1 SO/IP in 10-of-11 starts this season... His 90 SO were 1st in the IL and 2nd in MiLB at the time of his promotion... His 12.86 SO/9 IP led the IL.
2015 WITH DURHAM: Allowed 1 ER or fewer in 8-of-9 GS... From the time of his first Triple-A start (7/24) through the end of the season, led IL in opponent's average (.187), ranked 2nd in wins (6), ERA (1.83) and strikeouts (57).
BEST OF THE BEST: Named Baseball America's and USA Today's 2015 Minor League Player of the Year, the third Durham Bulls player to be named the Player of the Year by both publications in the same season (Jeremy Hellickson in 2010 and Andruw Jones in 1996)... Named Tampa Bay's Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season.
2015 OVERALL: COmbined to go 15-4, 1.41 in 25 G, 23 GS between Advanced-A Charlotte, Double-A Montgomery and Durham, the lowest ERA of any minor league pitcher (min. 115 IP) since Justin Verlander's 1.29 ERA in 2005... 1.41 ERA was lowest in Tampa Bay's minor league history (min. 130 IP)... Led all full-season minor leaguers in ERA (1.41) and opponent's average (.182), ranked T-3rd in wins (15) and strikeouts (163), 9th in WHIP (1.02)... His team went 21-4 in games that he pitched (19-4 when he started).
OTHER ACCOLADES: Named to the 2015 US Futures Team... Named to the MLB Pipeline 2015 All-Star team... Named a 2015 Southern League Midseason and Postseason All-Star.
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