Monday Morning Minors

I've learned a couple things this week that I'd like to pass on to the Nation.  First is that a passed ball acts the same as an error and can lead to an unearned run.  I figure many of you already knew that, but for some reason I didn't.  I also learned that if a runner tries to stretch a single into a double, overslides the bag and is tagged out, he is given a single.   If the same thing occurs, but the runner overRUNS the bag and is tagged out, he is given a double.  Who knew?

Well if you haven't heard yet, Blez killed Daric Barton.  Ok well so that isn't totally true, he just injured him.  After Barton's interview with Blez, our top offensive prospect was injured in a way that is fairly common for first baseman.  He was receiving a throw on an attempted bunt to third base, and when the throw was up the line, the baserunner ran through Barton's arm, which caused his arm to snap back.  The result was a fracture in his left forearm.  Barton should be out 6-8 weeks, which is unfortunate, but not too bad in the grand scheme of things.

Landon Powell still isn't back after suffering a sprained shoulder on the 17th.  He has been "day-to-day" for quite some time now, but it still isn't believed to be serious.

After missing two weeks with a back strain, starter Ryan Webb came off the DL this week.  The 2006 fourth rounder has had mixed results all season, and this start was no different; 3 1/3 innings, just one run, but no strikeouts and 6 hits. Overall he has a 24:11 K:BB in 39 innings with a 3.46 ERA in Stockton.

Also coming off of the DL was Cliff Pennington, who was back on the 24th after missing 15 days.  The time off apparently hasn't had a positive change on his season, as he has tallied just two hits in his 24 at-bats since.  If we look hard enough for a bright spot, we can point out the home run in his first game back, which is just the first home run of his 2006 season.  

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse here, but I'll throw out updates on Jason Windsor and Jared Lansford's recent starts.  Lansford went seven innings on the 25th and gave up just two hits on five walks and a strikeout.   Don't ask me how he is doing it, because I haven't the slightest clue.

As for Windsor, the 23 year-old right-hander had two starts in the past week, both excellent.  The combined numbers are 11 hits and just one run with two walks and 12 strikeouts in 11 innings.  His ERA in triple-A is better than it was in double-A, and his 22 Ks in 22 1/3 say that it isn't a fluke.

With the bullpen blowing up on a nightly basis, how long until people start calling for Windsor to join the rotation and Saarloos/Halsey to move back to relief?   Would it even be a wise idea?