Thoughts on a professional hitter with a 23-game hitting streak, why you shouldn’t manage for a statistic, a home run hitter on pace to accomplish a feat not done by either Aaron or Mays, a pitcher who is 4-0 since re-joining his playoff-contention team in early August and lots more.

Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano gave up an unearned run in five innings and recorded five strikeouts and a win.  Since returning to the majors in early August, Liriano is 4-0 with 20 strikeouts in 23.2 innings.  That’s a nice mid-season acquisition and it certainly trumps picking up Ken Griffey.

White Sox outfielder Ken Griffey had two hits, a homer, three runs, three RBIs and two walks.  The homer came in his second at-bat of the game, meaning he went 44 at-bats before connecting for his first home run with Chicago.  It was one of four home runs in the game by the White Sox.

Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks had three walks and three runs scored.  After walking just 7.7 percent of the time in 2006, Weeks posted a 16 percent mark last year and sits at 11.6 percent in 2008.  Unfortunately, he sits with a 14.1 percent line drive rate and a .278 BABIP which has translated into a .229 average this season.

Orioles center fielder Jay Payton had two hits, two runs, a walk and a stolen base.  Early injuries ruined what once promised to be an outstanding career, but Payton is in his 11^th season now.  He doesn’t do anything particularly well at this point, but he won’t embarrass you in center field, so there’s that.

Indians outfielder Franklin Gutierrez delivered a three-run homer as part of a five-run eighth inning to lift the Tribe to a come-from-behind win.  I thought this was going to be a break-out season for Gutierrez but his .234/.278/.382 line says otherwise.  He’s been below average at home and dreadful on the road.  Away from The Jake he’s posted a .204/.232/.328 line in 142 plate appearances.

Phillies pitcher Brett Myers tossed a complete-game shutout with nine strikeouts.  Since returning from a stint in the minors Myers is 3-1 with five straight quality starts.  His ERA, which stood at 5.84 before the demotion, is now 4.71 for the season.  Hopefully this is the end of the messed-up portion of Myers’ career and he can go back to the developing ace starter he seemed to be in 2005 and 2006.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter had three hits, a homer, two runs and two RBIs.  Since the All-Star break, Jeter is batting .336 with a .387 on-base percentage.  A loss would have left the Yankees tied with the Blue Jays for third place.  I think Yankees fans have accepted the fact that they won’t make the playoffs this year, but are they really ready to be in fourth place? (Ed. Note: NO!!)

Angels designated hitter Garret Anderson had an RBI infield single in the ninth inning to win the game and extend his hitting streak to 23 games.  Anderson’s career-best is a 28-game hitting back in 1998.  Anderson is batting .365 in 96 at-bats during his current streak.

Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey pitched a complete game.  He allowed three runs in nine innings and threw 108 pitches.  The Mets shaky bullpen allowed Pelfrey to do what he should have done - go nine innings.  If closer Billy Wagner was available, he would have come on to pitch the ninth inning for the meaningless 3-run save.  I’d like to think the Mets will learn a lesson and stop managing for a statistic even when Wagner returns but I think we all know that won’t happen.

Rangers third baseman Travis Metcalf had three hits, two home runs and three RBIs.  ESPN shows him as un-owned in 100 percent of its leagues.  He went hitless in his first 16 at-bats in the majors but has done a nice job since then.  He has nine hits and four home runs in his last 26 at-bats.

Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo allowed one run in seven innings to pick up his 11^th win of the season.  Arroyo has frustrated owners all season, but he’s been just fine as long as the opponent isn’t the Astros.  Arroyo is 0-3 with 16 earned runs in 16 IP against Houston.  Against the rest of baseball, he’s 11-7 with a 4.88 ERA.

Cardinals catcher Jason LaRue had a double, a homer, two runs and three RBIs.  The Cardinals are 16-16 when their backup catcher starts a game.  I’m not sure if that’s good, bad or normal but my guess is if your backup catcher can help keep you in the game, that’s not too shabby.

Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Dunn had a homer, two runs, three RBIs and two walks.  His home run was a three-run blast in the first inning that helped Arizona recover from an early 4-0 hole against Jake Peavy.  People always want to point to Dunn and talk about strikeouts and low average but do you realize he’s on pace for his fifth consecutive 40-homer season?  That’s something that neither Hank Aaron nor Willie Mays ever did in their careers.

Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe had two hits, three RBIs and a walk.  Since the All-Star break Hawpe has been on fire, posting a line of .393/.449/.672 in 136 plate appearances.  He’s actually been a very good hitter since the beginning of June.  Since then, he’s batting .336/.421/.635 in 278 plate appearances.

Giants closer Brian Wilson gave up three runs in the ninth inning to blow the save but picked up the win when San Francisco scratched out a run in the bottom of the inning.  Everyone complains about cheap saves but there’s quite a few cheap wins, too.  But, that’s an inevitable conclusion when you try to force a team accomplishment on an individual.