This week's magic numbers
Cliff Lee delivers to the plate during a game against the Mets. (July 4, 2012) Credit: David Pokress
90 – losses the Phillies are on pace for this season, a feat that would make them the first team in history to do so after winning at least 100 the previous year. Is it worse that Cliff Lee is on pace for roughly 1 ¾ wins?
16 – minutes that Friday’s game between the Mets and Braves was delayed when the lights went out at Turner Field. A power outage is nothing new for the Mets, whose 73 homers are the fifth lowest total in the majors.
15 – strikeouts for Francisco Liriano, who still took the 6-3 loss when the A’s Johnny Gomes hit a grand slam. The K total was the most for Twins since Johan Santana whiffed 17 in 2007 before taking his talents to Flushing.
13 – pitches deep into a plate appearance before Kevin Youkilis delivered the winning sacrifice fly in the 14th inning Friday. Youkilis has 15 RBIs in 14 games for the White Sox, one more than he had in his previous 42 for the Red Sox.
10 – games over .500 for the Pirates, who now flash ‘Z” signs – for the alien character, Zoltan, from “Dude, Where’s My Car?” Strange timing. Now that Pittsburgh finally is in first place, they rally around the last letter in the alphabet?
1 – fastball thrown by R.A. Dickey during his 15-pitch inning in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. He didn’t want to throw any, but Carlos Ruiz called for it with two strikes to Mark Trumbo. Dickey was relieved when later whiffed him on knuckler.
