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Garza's Gem
06/27/2008
BY Nick Nelson

There's never really been any question about the quality of Matt Garza's stuff. The only concerns have surrounded his ability to trust in and command that stuff. He was able to do both yesterday as he pitched the first complete game of his career, a one-hitter against the Marlins.

Garza took a no-hitter into the seventh before Hanley Ramirez hit a leadoff home run to simultaneously break up the bids for a no-no and a shutout. Garza recovered to set down the last nine Marlins in order, and ended up facing just one batter over the minimum in the complete-game gem.

The 24-year-old right-hander struck out 10 in the game, mixing in some nasty breaking balls with a dominating fastball that consistently registered between 93-96 mph. His lone "mistake" in the game, the pitch Ramirez took deep, was a sharp slider that was nearly in the dirt. It's this type of brilliance that made Garza one of baseball's top prospects as he rocketed through the minors back in 2006, and that prompted the Rays to trade for him during the offseason.

Garza caused some panic early in the season when he went on the disabled list due to a nerve problem in his elbow which had reportedly bothered him last year in Minnesota, but he's been very good since returning from the DL, going 6-4 with a 3.21 ERA while allowing only 60 hits over 75 2/3 innings. He'll probably continue have some ups and downs this season, but Garza continues to flash the type of excellent potential that makes him one of the game's more intriguing young hurlers.

A few other league notes to send you into the weekend.

Josh Hamilton is getting bit hard by the injury bug. A couple days ago he had to exit a game against the Astros early due to knee inflammation, and in his return to the lineup on Thursday night he was again forced out early, this time after being hit in the hand by a pitch.

After amazingly driving in 68 runs in his first 60 games, Hamilton has picked up just eight RBI in his last 16 games and it won't help that he's now battling multiple ailments. He should remain productive at the plate, but don't be surprised to see the RBI output continue to tail off.

Edinson Volquez owners can take the right-hander's poor outing on Thursday night -- 4 1/3 innings, six hits, seven runs (five earned), three walks, zero strikeouts -- as an opportunity to sulk, or as an opportunity to sit back and marvel at just how amazing Volquez has been all season up to this point. In 15 starts prior to the loss against the Blue Jays, Volquez had never failed to complete five innings, had never failed to strike out at least one batter, had never allowed more than three runs, had only once allowed more than a hit per inning, and had given up only three home runs over 95 innings. Volquez has turned a corner and has been an absolute godsend for the Reds this season.

Albert Pujols was activated from the disabled list and started at designated hitter for the Cardinals on Thursday. He picked up right where he left off by going 4-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. He isn't getting the type of MVP hype that he usually does because Chipper Jones and Lance Berkman have been so spectacular, but Pujols sports an amazing .484 on-base percentage and is having one of his best seasons.

Sidney Ponson will make his first start as a Yankee today when he faces the Mets in the second game of a doubleheader. Ponson experienced some surprising success with the Rangers this year, going 4-1 with a 3.88 ERA in nine starts. Unfortunately, his off-the-field problems were so grave that even the pitching-starved Rangers couldn't put up with him. The Yankees are desperate enough to give him a chance, but it's tough to imagine that the finicky ownership in the Bronx will put up with too much of that type of behavior, particularly if his performance declines from where it was earlier in the season (which is likely).

AL Quick Hits:
Rich Harden notched 11 strikeouts over eight scoreless inning on Thursday afternoon . Erik Bedard's status for Sunday is still up in the air, and much will depend on how his bullpen session today goes . Jesse Litsch tossed eight innings of one-run ball on Thursday night, improving to 8-4 . Francisco Liriano had a second consecutive poor outing for Class-AAA Rochester on Wednesday night, surrendering five earned runs while striking out only three over 5 1/3 innings . Cliff Lee fanned a career-high 11 batters while picking up his 11th win in a brilliant effort against the Giants on Thursday . Hank Blalock is thought to be about two weeks from returning to the Rangers lineup.

NL Quick Hits:
Ian Snell was placed on the disabled list retroactive to June 24 with an elbow strain . Mark Hendrickson surrendered five runs over 4 1/3 innings on Thursday afternoon and suffered his fourth straight loss . Clayton Kershaw lasted only four innings against the White Sox on Thursday afternoon, allowing just two runs but struggling with his control . One day after announcing that Shawn Chacon was suspended indefinitely after an altercation with general manager Ed Wade, the Astros released the embattled right-hander on Thursday . Alfonso Soriano (broken hand) hopes to return in time to participate in the All l-Star Game . Carlos Zambrano threw off flat ground on Thursday and is scheduled for a bullpen session on Sunday as he works back from a shoulder injury . The Nationals have placed Shawn Hill on the disabled list and it's not clear how long he'll be out.