Rookie adventures
Washington outfielder Bryce Harper has been a rookie star all season.
Arizona's Adam Eaton (no relation to the former Phillie pitcher) arrived in the majors just last week.
But it was Eaton who better flashed the leather Sunday, running down a fly ball by San Diego's John Baker, then whirling and doubling off Andy Parrino with a strike to first in the Snakes' 8-2 loss to the Padres.
Harper managed to catch up to a long drive to the wall by Miami pitcher Ricky Nolasco, but he lost it in the sun, the ball dropped, and Nolasco had a two-RBI double.
Secret weapon
One of the benefits of playing in D.C.: The ceremonial first pitch before the Nats-Marlins game was delivered by CIA director David Petraeus, the former commanding general in Iraq and Afghanistan. We can neither confirm nor deny that he used stealth tech to get the ball home.
Better late
Every run in the Kansas City Royals' 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday was scored in the 10th inning, but it was likely no thrill for the fans who hung around the former Comiskey Park.
Good deal for Cards
St. Louis reliever Edward Mujica pitched a scoreless seventh inning in the Cardinals' 5-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. He has not allowed a run in 18 appearances since coming to the Cardinals in a July 31 trade with Miami. The Fish got 23-year-old triple-A third baseman and former first-round pick Zack Cox, who went to double-A and immediately on the DL.
But it's not like the Marlins saw this coming. Mujica had a 4.38 ERA and two saves over 39 innings and had given up six HRs, allowed 19 runs, and blown four saves.
What does Missouri have over Miami? Is it the Mississippi mystique? Fewer distractions?
Contact Michael Harrington at mharrington@phillynews.com.
This article contains information from the AP.
