Dueling Bullingers

I got an email from Boof Brittain last night as follows:

Subject: Bullinger
Message: So who gets it? Marshall, Willis or both?

Easy question.

Here are Dontrelle’s numbers:

2-2/3 Innings, 10 Hits, 7 Earned Runs, 2 Walks

That’s an ERA of 23.33 and a WHIP of 4.44. That WHIP number is not even a good ERA.

Dontrelle’s supposed to be one of the premier pitchers in the NL, a centerpiece keeper for the Falkuhns, and a primary reason (along with the non-performing Gagne and the semi-performing Barry) the Falkuhns are a lot closer to the Pecklers in the standings than the Cartel. He was the runner up for the Cy Young award last season with 11 first place votes. He’s not supposed to be a Bullinger, but YTD he’s 6.22 ERA and 1.576 WHIP. Congratulations, you’ve won yourself a Bullinger.

I got to witness Sean Marshall’s performance first hand yesterday. He gave up 5 in the first, and got the final out of the inning with the bases full. He snuck through the second after having 2 get on base with one out. The Giants finished him off in the fourth, as Dusty left him in to give up 9 earned runs. On top of that ridiculous number, we particularly like the 5 walks he gave up. Final figures:

3-2/3 Innings, 9 Hits, 9 Earned Runs, 5 Walks.

That’s a 22.09 ERA and 3.78 WHIP. Those are slightly lower than Dontrelle, but more raw numbers. Ugly. The Lickers picked this promising rookie up off the scrap heap, and their faith won them a Bullinger.


As for yesterday’s game, it was a picture perfect day on the bay, and except for Barry, the Giants were swinging. Randy Winn and Steve Finley look locked in. Finley laced a triple with the bases loaded, #7 on the season. Niekro is swinging better (it wouldn’t take much) and even Mike Matheny is hitting the ball in the clutch a bit. This better continue, because Moises is out until July, which is letting opposing pitchers pitch around Barry.

Jamey Wright looked pretty good yesterday, better than I’ve been giving him credit for. The only runs he gave up were when he was tiring in the 8th. The bullpen has gotten some needed rest this week. Tonight it’s Matt Morris, who we need to pitch better. Hopefully he’ll follow the cues of Lowry and Schmidt and get back on track for the Dodgers.

Final note: Juan Pierre is the coolest looking player in the majors. Lots of guys wear the high socks, but his pants are baggy and he’s got thin legs which give him the look of those speedster Negro Leagues players from the 30’s. You look at him and you imagine some guy with a name like “Speedway Jones.” Bully for him. (Sorry, I've been all over the web looking for a picture of him in a Cubs uniform that does him justice. If you see one, email it to me and I'll put it here.)