Trevor Cahill tossed a complete game shutout at the Royals last night allowing 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 7 in a very efficient 109-pitch performance. This, by the way, is the A’s third CG in a row, the first time that’s been done in Oakland since Gil Heredia, Tim Hudson, and Barry Zito turned the trick nearly 10 years ago. Cahill had a very sharp sinker last night helping him improve to 11-4. 2.72 on the year. Cahill has been good but he’s had the tail wind of a .206 BHIP% which is overdue to correct. That’s allowed him to hold opponents to a .192 OBA which has masked mediocre K (5.5/9) and BB (2.9/9) rates. He’s also working under the tent of a favorable 75.7% LOB%. Enjoy it, and against I am not knocking Trevor, but that .206 BHIP% has to normalize at some point. By the way … Cahill’s ERA in 9 home starts is just 1.88
A.J. Burnett was rocked by the Blue Jays, allowing 8 earned runs in just 4.2 IP on 8 hits, 2 walks and 6 Ks. He allowed a pair of HRs to Wells and Encarnacion. Joe Girardi said Burnett’s fastball flattened out, losing its good sinking action and he couldn’t correct it. Much of the damage came in a wild 5th inning after a strong start to the ballgame by A.J.. Hey, the Jays have some punch out ability offensively and although they came against the Indians and Royals, Burnett had strung together 11.1 scoreless IP heading into last night’s game. We can give him a bit of a pass here. The problem with A.J. is however, that his bad outings have been really bad. In his last 8 games he’s allowed 25 runs in 13.2 IP over 4 of those starts, a 27.43 ERA. His next start comes Sunday against the Red Sox against whom he is 0-1, 10.61 in two starts this year. Over the previous three seasons he was 3-2 4.92 in 9 starts and 56.2 IP against the Red Sox.
The Angels recalled Peter Bourjos from AAA Salt Lake on Monday. Bourjos was listed the Angels, #2 prospect by Baseball America this spring. He was hitting .314/.364/.500 with a .364 BHIP%. His SLG% and 13 HRs is remarkable considering that he has a 28.6% FB% this year. He’s a speed merchant with 27 SBs while being caught just 5 times. Peter’s zone command is coming around (18.7% K rate, but just a 5.7% BB rate) but is a work in progress. Almost any addition progress there will make him a handful. Bourjos is an impact defender in CF but he’s obviously blocked by Tori Hunter for the time being, potentially the remaining 2+ years of Hunters contract. Peter however is pushing the issue as much as he can.
Joe Mauer was unavailable for the Twins on Monday after receiving a cortisone shot in his right shoulder on Saturday. That’s about the usual time frame. The Twins had hoped he’d be available to pinch hit, but my guess is that he is ready to DH, at least, tonight.
There are over 100 player news blurbs posted in the member area each morning, members can read the rest of today's player news by clicking here link:www.fantistics.com/baseball00/. Not a member? Join today link:www.fantistics.com/join/join.php3
