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2009 MLB American League East Notebook
Maybe it is hard to explain for many but Boston’s sellout streak at Fenway Park reached 500 on June 17 against Florida.
The streak began on May 15, 2003. That’s about the time the Red Sox great run started. That season, Boston lost a memorable seven-game American League Championship Series to New York. But in 2004, the Red Sox overcame a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS against the Yankees to win and then went on to win the World Series.
On Sept. 8 of last year, the Red Sox surpassed the then-Major League record of 455 held by Cleveland. The Indians set the mark from 1995-2001.
Of course, the game became official after the completion of the top of the fifth inning. A message appeared on the scoreboard followed by some of the great moments that occurred during the streak.
Boston’s record is 327-173.
TORONTO
The Blue Jays will go through a triple whammy as soon as June 18. Ace starter Roy Halladay and closer Scott Downs are expected to go on the disabled list because of injuries.
However, the surprise was starter Casey Janssen also landing on the DL. Halladay, the big league’s first 10-game winner is out with a mild groin strain. Downs has a sprained left big toe and Janssen is battling through some inflammation in his right shoulder.
This is going to be a test of the Blue Jays’ depth in their farm system. Once the AL East leaders, they have fallen into third place, one game ahead of the surging Rays.
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BALTIMORE
In their rebuilding mode, the Orioles have at least seen some encouraging signs from their rookie pitchers Brad Bergesen, Jason Berken and David Hernandez.
Through their first 17 starts, the trio has combined to go 6-6 with a 4.47 ERA. That has come in 102 2/3 innings. That’s a pretty good sign because the three of them have averaged just little more than three innings per start.
Bergesen is the most “seasoned” of the three. He is 4-2 with a 3.79 ERA in 11 starts. Berken has struggled the most at 1-3 with a 7.32 ERA in four starts, while Hernandez is 1-1 with a 3.95 ERA in two starts.
TAMPA BAY
We aren’t halfway through the season, but the Rays are trending toward making history. With 105 stolen bases and 90 home runs through their first 66 games, the Rays are on pace to have 200 home runs and 200 stolen bases.
Should they reach those milestones, the team would be only the second in Major League history to do that. The 1996 Colorado Rockies were the first with 201 stolen bases and 220 home runs.
The Rays are on pace to hit 220 home runs and steal 258 bases. It helps when Carl Crawford is leading baseball with 36 stolen bases and Carlos Pena leads the AL with 21 stolen bases.
NEW YORK
As great as it is to have Alex Rodriguez back in the lineup, the Yankees are waiting for him to break through. Rodriguez is still trying to come back from offseason hip surgery and been really scuffling.
He has nine home runs and has walked more times (29) than he has struck out (23). But Rodriguez is hitting a very startling .219. Plus, he’s really not driving the ball. To go with his home runs, he has added just six doubles.
By Kevin Lonnquist
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer
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