Karonka

It sounds like a Three Stooges sound effect.

John Karonka was the starting pitcher for Texas yesterday against the Giants. He didn’t seem like all that much, but after allowing a quick run in the second inning, he started mowing them down, and did not allow a Giant baserunner after the third. Unfortunately for Karonka, he was done in by his replacement, “Wrong Way” Feldman, who gave up the winning small ball rally in the eighth: Ellison walk, Alfonzo sacrifice, and a two out single by Vizquel (off Cordero).

Trivia question: Wrong Way Feldman is an obscure reference to a one episode character on an old television show. Anybody got that one?

It was a nice battling pitching performance by Schmidt, who lowered his ERA to 2.73 and likely locked up his role as the Giants’ representative at the all-star game. He wasn’t sharp, but he got the job done. Jeremy Accardo pitched a nice enough ninth for the save, though it was disappointing to see him walk a guy with two outs after getting to a 1-2 count.

There was one brilliant play in the game, though it made none of the web gem listings. With runners at first and second and one out, Karonka bunted down the third base line. Peter Happy charged in from third and threw to Vizquel at third to get the runner there. Vizquel then gunned out the runner at first with Durham covering for the charging Niekro, resulting in your garden variety 5-6-4 double play.

Meanwhile, the Giants’ batting order was:

Winn, Vizquel, Niekro, Durham, Feliz, Finley, Ellison and Alfonzo. Imagine that lineup in October going up against the Red Sox. The best thing you can say is that it’s a pretty good fielding lineup. The Giants starters now have the 2nd lowest ERA in baseball, and it’s a good thing.

Fantistics made the following comment about Carlos Lee today:

Carlos Lee is making himself the top free agent to be this off-season. Lee had another good game at the plate on Thursday in Chicago and thanks to Albert Pujols being sidelined in June Lee is a top candidate for the National League MVP race at the moment.

I remember saying that early this season and one Cool Cat said in the early edition of the BABI News (mid-season issue coming soon?) that it was ridiculous. Maybe so, but let me just say: “Bite me.”

Now that he’s been an Old Rip for 4 days, how many of you has Boof called about Freddie Sanchez?

In that vein, I want to write something here about Felipe Lopez just to piss off Boof. He’s the most overrated keeper prospect in BABI. Boof thinks he’s worth about 8 guys, but you’ve got to extend him next year to probably $12. He’s a nice player, and we took him in the Meat League, even though steals is not a category there. Season totals to date: .271-9-30-22. But his June numbers are only .242-4-11-6. And… he’s a free agent. You could give away half your team for him and end up hearing nothing but “Karonka.”