LACKEY KEEPS HIS EYES ON PRIZE IN 10TH WIN.Byline: DOUG PADILLA Douglas ("Doug") Padilla (born October 4, 1956 in Oakland, California) is a former middle and long distance runner from the United States, who won the overall Grand Prix 1985 and the World Cup 5000m race in 1985. Staff Writer CINCINNATI -- The prize for John Lackey's 10th victory appears to be an exhausting 13-day, four-city road trip that will interrupt an otherwise relaxing vacation. The right-hander not only appeared to lock up his first All-Star Game An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league. The players are often chosen by a popular vote of fans of the sport and the game often occurs at the halfway point of the regular season, although this is not the case for some all-star games appearance, he is in line to start the game for the American League American League (AL) One of the two associations of professional baseball teams in the U.S. and Canada designated as major leagues; the other is the National League (NL). after he became the first major-league pitcher to the double-digit victory mark in the Angels' 6-3 victory Wednesday over the Cincinnati Reds. "In my opinion, yeah, he's an All-Star," reliever Scot Shields Scot Shields (b. July 22, 1975, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, with whom he has spent his entire career, serving as their setup man since 2005. said. "He should be up for the starter, too. Watching him game in and game out, there's not a doubt in anybody's mind here. It's all about who (AL manager Jim) Leyland wants to take." Named the Opening Day starter for the first time in his career -- he started a previous opener as an injury fill-in -- Lackey has embraced the role of staff leader and stopper. He was in perfect position Wednesday to end a mini two-game slide. "It's nice to be able to get that done but we've got several guys on this staff capable of doing that," said Lackey (10-4), who gave up three runs (one earned) on three hits in six innings. "We've got a chance to win every night, that's why we're in first place, we've got a pretty well-rounded team." Lackey is not one to brag about his accomplishments when the tape recorders are rolling, so he was modest again when the subject of the All- Star Game was mentioned. "I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. about that," Lackey said. "There's a lot of things that play into that. It will be up to Leyland this year. Whatever he thinks." Because the Angels close out the first half of the season by visiting Baltimore, Texas and New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , Lackey will have to fly across the country after the completion of the series against the Yankees. He will spend two more days in San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden , site of this year's All-Star Game, before finally coming home for a short break before the second half begins. Instead of dreading the awful itinerary, All-Star veteran Vladimir Guerrero Vladimir Alvino Guerrero (born February 9, 1976 in Don Gregorio, Nizao, Dominican Republic), and known in his native Dominican Republic as Miquéas (Spanish for Micah), is a Major League Baseball right fielder who plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. suggested that Lackey embrace his first appearance in the midsummer classic. It is possible Lackey and Guerrero could be joined in the Bay Area by Kelvim Escobar Kelvim Jose Escobar Bolivar [ess-coe-BAR] (born April 11, 1976 in La Guaira, Venezuela) is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004-present). He bats and throws right handed. and Francisco Rodriguez Francisco Rodriguez may refer to:
"I remember the first thing a veteran player told me was to enjoy it and really get caught up in the moment," Guerrero said through broadcaster Jose Mota, who was serving as interpreter. "Try to meet as many players from the other league as possible because you don't know if you're going to get back there. "I hope (Lackey) goes to the All-Star Game. He deserves it. But more than anything enjoy it and get caught up in the moment." Guerrero certainly will be there. He ended an 0-for-14 drought Wednesday in grand style with two doubles and four RBIs. Just how long was Guerrero's hitless slide? He was convinced he was 0 for 16 before his RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in double in the fourth inning against Reds starter Kyle Lohse Kyle Matthew Lohse (born October 4 1978 in Chico, California, name pronounced "lōsh") is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1996 (29th round), Lohse was traded to the Minnesota Twins in 1999 in a deal (3-8). "You know what, after so many years I've gone through the 0-for-16s, 0-for-20s, I know that eventually that if you do what you are supposed to do, swing at your pitch, you're going to get out of it," Guerrero said. "I remember that things eventually come back to me." The Angels went 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position. But Shields and Rodriguez made sure the Angels' poor clutch hitting did not come back to haunt them. Shields pitched two scoreless innings, while Rodriguez closed out the ninth for his 20th save in 21 chances. "If they're rested, those guys have the ability to get you the last nine outs of the game, which is big," manager Mike Scioscia said. "There's some good combos out there in our league, some terrific closers and some terrific setup men, but combining those two, they're tough to beat. They've been incredible." doug.padilla@sgvn.com (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2731 CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1) The Angels' Orlando Cabrera, left, beats the throw to Cincinnati catcher David Ross in the fourth Wednesday. (2) Angels starter John Lackey is the first to reach double-digit victories in the majors this season. Al Behrman/Associated Press Box: ANGELS at CINCINNATI -- Doug Padilla |
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