Doc was dominant again last night, out lasting Rich Harden and going 8 Innings while giving up just one run. A lil bit of offense from Stewart and Rios was all that was needed to wrap up a 2-1 win and move within 4 games of Tampa bat and 2.5 of Boston.
Halladay struck out 9 last night and now has 71 for the season to lead the AL, all that concern about low strikeout rates can thankfully be shelved. His strikeout lead is obviously partly a function of his pitching more innings than anyone else, but his k/9 is also a robust 7.17. Burnett and Marcum incidentally are joint 4th in the K list with 65 equal with Beckett and just behind Sabathia and Vazquez.
Elsewhere Gregg Zaun is on the DL with an elbow owie and Curtis Thigpen is up for another cup of coffee and some big league per diem ... The Indians turned a triple steal last night the first for over 20 years against the White Sox ... and in the minors, in front of just 1961 spectators David Price pitching for Vero Beach beat a re-habbing Pedro Martinez and St Lucie 2-0. Price went six gave up just two hits and struck out 9 with no walks. This is extremely impressive even is St Lucie do have a .212 winning percentage and are 6-19 away from home. "The kid is amazing," Martinez said "He has an amazing arm and knows how to use it.". Before his injury Price said he wanted to make the Majors by the All Star break, I expect we'll see him in September.
Game Afternoon: Litsch against Eveland 3:35 ET
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