Ricky Nolasco has been relatively disappointing this season. However, Nolasco reminded everyone of his potential with his performance on Wednesday. Going up against the Atlanta Braves, Nolasco struck out 16 batters — an all-time record for a Florida Marlins pitcher.
Perhaps most impressively, Nolasco struck out nine straight batters. With one more strike out, he would have tied Tom Seaver for the most consecutive strikeouts in a game.
With Nolasco fanning batters left and right, the Marlins were able to beat the Braves by a final count of 5-4. It was a costly lost for the Braves, who lost their second straight …read more

Last season, Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves surprised many by posting one of the best seasons of his big league career. He hit .364 to lead the National League and set career-highs in batting average and on-base percentage.
However, this season hasn’t been as kind to the 37-year-old third baseman. He’s hitting .269 with 16 homers, 64 RBIs and 70 runs. Since the All-Star break, Jones is hitting just .237 in 173 at-bats.
When talking to the Associated Press, Jones strongly hinted that he’d retire after next season if he doesn’t start to play better.
Said Jones to the AP: “If I …read more

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants was recently sidelined due to a sore back. Having not pitched since September 3rd, Lincecum returned on Monday and dominated the Colorado Rockies.
In seven innings, Lincecum gave up only six hits one one earned run while striking out 11 batters. His record on the season improved to 14-5, while his ERA was lowered to 2.30. Lincecum got more than enough support as the Giants beat the Rockies by a final count of 9-1.
Most of the runs were produced by Eugenia Velez and Bengie Molina. Velez had a sacrifice fly in the second inning …read more

Not too long ago, it appeared as if the Los Angeles Dodgers would run away with the NL West. But the Colorado Rockies never gave up and with their seventh straight win, they trail the Dodgers by only two games in the division.
The Rockies latest win came on Thursday when they downed the Cincinnati Reds by a final count of 5-1. After the Reds got up with a run in the first inning, the Rockies got five runs in the third to go up for good. The two big hits for Colorado in the inning were a Jason Giambi two-run …read more

The Arizona Diamondbacks are finishing off a disappointing 2009 campaign. On Sunday, there was more frustration. Despite getting three home runs from Chris Young, the D’Backs got blown out by the Colorado Rockies by a final count of 13-5.
Coming into the game with seven homers on the season, Young was 3-for-3 with three solo shots and two walks. It was a bright spot for an otherwise nightmare season for Young. Even after the homers, he’s hitting just .198 with ten homers, 31 RBIs and 39 runs. As recently as last year, Young was considered one of the better up-and-coming outfielders …read more

The San Francisco Giants have a very strong starting rotation. Recently, it got even stronger when the Giants claimed Brad Penny off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. Although Penny has struggled this season, he was very good not too long ago.
The 31-year-old right-hander will step in and become the team’s number five starter. This year with the Red Sox, Penny had a 5.61 ERA and a record of 7-8. In his last start for Boston, he gave up ten hits and eight earned runs in four innings against the New York Yankees.
Despite his ugly numbers this season, Penny was …read more