30-run game is Hall worthy
Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s bat is going to the Hall of Fame, complete with the outdated “Atlanta Braves” inscription under his name and the number 18, which the Texas Rangers catcher no longer wears, written on the end.
Rangers play-by-play announcer Eric Nadel’s scorecard, scribbled all over in blue and red ink and pencil, is also going to Cooperstown. So is manager Ron Washington’s lineup card, filled with inexperienced hitters, and the ball Wes Littleton used to earn a save with a 27-run lead.
The Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., wants to display all the items. That’s how unbelievable Wednesday’s game was, a 30-3 Texas win over the Baltimore Orioles.
“It was amazing,” Washington said. “I don’t think we’ll ever experience anything like that again. … I don’t think the odds are good. We never thought this would happen.”
Webb set on Cy Young
Now that his scoreless streak is over, Brandon Webb is setting his sights on something else: a second straight Cy Young Award.
Webb’s string ended at 42 innings Wednesday night when he gave up a run in the first against Milwaukee. He went on to pitch the N.L. West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks to a 3-2 win.
Webb was nowhere near Cy Young contention when he dropped three straight decisions to fall to 8-8 on July 20. But the 28-year-old righty has won six straight starts – including three complete-game shutouts – and has helped carry the surprising young Diamondbacks.
Dodgers pick up Wells
David Wells is back in the pennant race with a new team: the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Wells and the Dodgers agreed to a contract Thursday and he plans to make his first start for Los Angeles on Sunday against the Mets.
Wells, 44, was designated for assignment by his hometown San Diego Padres on Aug. 9 and placed on release waivers Aug. 13.
Clearing the bases
The Detroit Tigers traded slumping outfielder Craig Monroe and cash to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named. … Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals was 0 for 3 before being removed in a double-switch, ending his streak of homering in five consecutive games.