Darren Ford

With the calendar changing to September, MLB expands the rosters to a maximum of 40 players (up from 25). Contending teams usually only bring up players that will definitely be needed or veterans to help the club: a third catcher, an extra bullpen arm, and maybe some speed off the bench.

Non-contenders bring up young players to get their feet wet or to audition for the following season. Some teams do a mixture of both. Usually the rosters expand more when the minor league playoff season actually ends (in about a week or so). These extra players can help their respective teams down the stretch and maybe even help the team into the postseason (like David Price did in 2008 in helping the Tampa Bay Rays reach the World Series).

Last night, a few of these call-ups made impacts or made their MLB debuts. In San Francisco, there was a pitcher’s duel between two team’s struggling aces. Tim Lincecum of the Giants and Ubaldo Jimenez of the Colorado Rockies had struggled as of late but put it all together on Wednesday night. Lincecum handled the entire Rockies lineup, except for MVP candidate Carlos Gonzalez. Gonzalez hit a solo homerun in the 4th inning and collected three of the Rockies five hits off Lincecum.

Jimenez carried a no-hitter into the 5th inning, only to see the Giants string together a few hits to tie the game at 1-1. The game would stay tied until the bottom of the 8th inning. Mike Fontenot of the Giants walked and rookie (and just called up) Darren Ford came in to pinch-run (which was his MLB debut). Lincecum sacrificed him to second base. With Andre Torres at the plate, Jimenez uncorked a pitch in the dirt that got a little away from Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo.

Ford took off for third base and Olivo’s throw sailed into the outfield, allowing Ford to score the game-winning run. Brian Wilson closed out the 9th inning for the Giants 2-1 victory. The Giants moved to within three games of the National League West-leading San Diego Padres (who lost for the seventh straight time). Ford made an impression in spring training because of his speed (he stole 37 bases for Double-A Richmond this year) and that is the main reason he was called up (he did not arrive to the ballpark until after the game had already begun).

The Rays and Atlanta Braves brought up a mixture of veterans and young players. The Rays brought up veteran outfielders Brad Hawpe and Rocco Baldelli, and catcher Dionar Navarro. They also recalled rookie Jeremy Hellickson and outfielder Desmond Jennings. Jennings, the speedy outfielder, made his MLB debut last night as the starting right fielder. Jennings did not record a hit but was a part of a pennant race and David Price’s 16th victory.

The Braves brought up veteran pitcher Kenshin Kawakami (to start for the injured Derek Lowe) and reliever Scott Proctor. Rookie lefty reliever Mike Dunn, top prospect Freddie Freeman, and minor league veteran catcher JC Boscan were also promoted. Boscan spent 14 years in the minors (12 with the Braves) and when he plays with the Braves it will be his debut. Freeman made his MLB debut Wednesday night at first base and batted sixth. The 20-year old, immediately thrust into a pennant race, went 0-for-3 though he hit the ball hard in the Braves 4-1 win.

In the NY Mets loss to the Braves, outfielder Lucas Duda also made his MLB debut, starting in left field and batting seventh. Duda, a converted first baseman, is expected to play regularly in left field. In the first inning, Duda made a sliding catch down the left field foul line to rob Brian McCann. Since the Mets are out of playoff contention, the Mets promoted a few more young kids to the majors.

Rookie pitcher Jenrry Mejia returned (he made the club out of spring training but was sent to the minors to start) and was officially named as one of the five starting pitchers (he will replace Pat Misch). Mejia has developed his curveball and changeup to go with his upper 90s fastball. They also promoted rookie catcher Mike Nickeas today.

The NY Yankees, in first place in the American League East, brought up just three players (both of their upper level minor league teams are headed for the postseason). They promoted reliever Jonathon Albaladejo (the International League’s saves record holder), speedy outfielder Greg Golson, and catcher Chad Moeller. It was a good thing that Moeller was promoted. In the bottom of the 8th inning against the Oakland A’s, Jorge Posada pinch-hit for starting catcher Francisco Cervelli. Posada was ejected from the game after arguing balls and strikes. If Moeller was not promoted, it would have been interesting to see who the Yankees would have inserted to catch closer Mariano Rivera in a 4-3 game.

Besides the September callups, yesterday was a big baseball day. Slugger Manny Ramirez made his Chicago White Sox debut, in the White Sox 6-4 comeback win over the Cleveland Indians (one of Manny’s former teams). Ramirez went 1-for-3 in his debut.

Nyjer Morgan sparks controversy

The other big news was the fracas in Miami. Tuesday night, Washington Nationals centerfielder Nyjer Morgan crashed into Florida Marlins catcher Brett Hayes in a collision at the plate (if he had slid, he probably would have been safe in a 0-0 game). That play separated Hayes’ shoulder and infuriated Marlins players because Morgan collided into St. Louis Cardinals rookie catcher Bryan Anderson last week when there was no play at the plate. So on Wednesday, Marlins starter Chris Volstad hit Morgan. Things seemed to be fine, but Morgan promptly stole second and third base in a game that the Marlins led by 11 runs (he also slid hard into each bag). I thought it was fine to steal the bags, especially since the Nationals came back in the game.

Morgan’s next at bat, Volstad threw a pitch behind Morgan, and Morgan charged the mound. Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez pummeled Morgan from behind to try and save Volstad and the benches cleared. The worst part of the whole thing was Morgan’s exit from the game. He taunted the Marlins fans as he was walking to the dugout, further infuriating the players and fans (and I’m sure MLB). This was the fourth incident in over a week for Morgan. The two home plate collisions and he is already appealing a seven game suspension for throwing a ball at a fan in Philadelphia. Expect to see a long suspension for Nyjer Morgan. He is a good, hard-nosed player, but has recently gained an unrespectable reputation.