The Bottom Half

Now You Know

The last time two pitchers born in Los Angeles squared off as starters was July 25, 1992, when Mark Gardner and Bob Ojeda met. The most matchups of L.A.-born starting pitchers:

*--* Met L.A. Pitchers Dates 3 Dock Ellis vs. Tom Griffin June 10 1969; July 24, 1970; May 7, 1974 3 Bob Ojeda vs. Mark Portugal July 16, 1990; May 21,1991; April 15, 1992 2 Dan Larson vs. John Urrea July 23, 1977; August 7, 1977 2 Dock Ellis vs. Bill Singer May 9, 1969; August 15, 1976 2 Jim McGlothlin vs. Bill April 8, 1970; August 1, 1971 Singer 2 Dock Ellis vs. Wayne Simpson May 1, 1970; August 21, 1971 2 Mark Portugal vs. Dennis May 12, 1986; May 3 1987 Rasmussen 2 Bob Ojeda vs. Dennis August 30, 1988; May 14, 1989 Rasmussen, 2 Mark Gardner vs. Bob Ojeda July 11, 1991; July 25, 1992

*--*

Source: mikemav.com

**

Minor League Report

RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES

Class A; California League

It hasn’t been the best of seasons for the Quakes. They finished the first half tied for fourth in the South Division with Lancaster at 32-38, and are in last place at 18-23 in the second half. But there have been a couple of bright spots. Nick Adenhart, a 19-year-old right-hander, is ranked as the organization’s sixth-best prospect by Baseball America. A 14th-round draft choice in 2004, Adenhart is 4-1 for the Quakes with a 3.76 earned-run average in seven starts. In all, he has 14 wins -- the most in the minors. He was 10-2 with a 1.95 ERA at class-A Cedar Rapids. Shortstop Sean Rodriguez, 20, a third-round pick in 2003, provides the power. He is batting .304 with 21 homers and 70 runs batted in.

*

CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS

Class A; Midwest League

It also has been a struggle for the Kernels, who play in the Western Division. They finished the first half in sixth place at 31-39 and are in fifth place at 18-23 in the second half. Timely hitting is the big problem -- they are 2-12 in extra-inning games. The club’s only .300 hitter is shortstop Hainley Statia, 20-year old native of Curacao. A ninth-round pick in the 2004 draft, he is batting .304. Right-hander Tommy Mendoza, a fifth-round pick in 2005, who is ranked as the organization’s 10th-best prospect by Baseball America, is 8-6 with a 4.32 ERA. Right-hander Robert Mosebach, a ninth-round pick in 2005, also is 8-6 and has a 3.07 ERA.

--BOB CUOMO

**

IT’S A FACT

* Then: It was a struggle, but on July 3, 1988, John Dopson of the Montreal Expos defeated the Atlanta Braves, 9-2, despite giving up 15 hits.

* Now: Jake Westbrook yielded 15 hits -- most in the majors this season -- and got the win in Cleveland’s 7-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night.

*

ONE UP, ONE DOWN

FIRST BASE

* Up: Justin Morneau, Minnesota -- Consistent hitter with slugging percentage around .500.

* Down: Richie Sexson, Seattle -- A miserable week for the lanky home-run hitter.

SECOND BASE

* Up: Mark DeRosa, Texas -- Slugging over .800 this week and hurting the Angels.

* Down: Jorge Cantu, Tampa Bay -- Struggling since infield mate Julio Lugo became a Dodger.

THIRD BASE

* Up: Maicer Izturis, Angels -- Red hot since brother Cesar was traded to Chicago.

* Down: Brandon Inge, Detroit -- About the only weak spot for a tough Tigers team.

SHORTSTOP

* Up: Tomas Perez, Tampa Bay -- Julio Lugo’s replacement is tearing it up for Devil Rays.

* Down: Julio Lugo, Dodgers -- Tough week in L.A. since the deal, not even playing short.

OUTFIELD

* Up: Nick Markakis, Baltimore -- Rookie is hovering near a .500 batting average.

* Down: Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle -- Toughest out in the majors is making pitchers look good.

CATCHER

* Up: A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox -- He’s had a hot bat since his May brawl.

* Down: Ramon Hernandez, Baltimore -- Batting less than .200 and Orioles traded his backup.

PITCHER

* Up: Roger Clemens, Houston -- Seven innings. Nine Ks. No runs. Looks like the Rocket is back.

* Down: Jermaine Van Buren, Boston -- 108 ERA? Wasn’t that last week’s high temperature?

--MICHAEL BECKER