John

Lackey

Lackey struck out at least six batters for the 12th straight time. With 147 Ks on the season, he’s surpassed his 2004 total in 53 fewer innings (198 1/3 vs. 145). He struck out 151 over 204 IP in 2003, his first full season in the majors.

Lackey gave up four hits and three runs to the first five batters he faced before he relatively settled down. He ended up with seven strikeouts, giving him at least six for the 13th straight start.

Lackey walked six, including Mark Teixeira three times, and he gave up a grand slam to Mark DeRosa. He hasn’t been nearly as dominant since the break, though he did turn in solid outings for wins against the Rays and Red Sox. It’d be nice to see better command against the Indians next time out.

He gave up nine hits and walked three while striking out six. Lackey hasn’t posted a quality start in any of his last five outings, although unearned runs are responsible for three of those. He’s seen his ERA rise from 2.69 to 3.33 during that span.

He fanned eight. Lackey left with a one-run lead, but Brendan Donnelly put two men on while getting just one out in the eighth, and after Francisco Rodriguez came in, a Jose Molina throwing error on a steal attempt allowing the tying run to score. K-Rod ended up doing a terrific job in a game the Angels won in 10 innings, but he was charged with his second blown save anyway.

The ugly outing included the first grand slam he’s surrendered in his career, that going to Richie Sexson. While most AL pitchers have handled the Mariners with ease this season, Lackey 0-2 with a 9.77 ERA in three starts against the club. He has a 2.37 ERA against everyone else.

Lackey walked four and hit a batter, but that the Indians could garner just two hits allowed him to come away without allowing a run. He’s now 4-3 with a 3.06 ERA and hasn’t yielded more than four runs in any outing this season.

Lackey gave up five runs in the fifth before being pulled. He allowed six hits in the inning and 12 in all. His 0-3 record and 7.36 ERA this month suggest that he could be fighting a tired arm. Still, his stuff looked pretty good for four innings tonight. He was able to strike out seven before departing.

Lackey matched his career-high with 10 strikeouts. It was the his fifth career complete game and fourth shutout, his first since a 1-0 win over Tampa Bay on May 7, 2004. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 17 2/3 innings and is now 7-5 with a 2.88 ERA this season. Since Francisco Liriano is again under the innings minimum, only Johan Santana is beating Lackey in ERA among AL starters.

Lackey left with a one-run lead, but that was blown by a struggling Scot Shields in the eighth. The Angels ended up winning in 10 and have now prevailed in Lackey’s last four starts, though he has just one win to show for it. Of course, it’s not anything new for him. Maybe Lackey hasn’t been quite as snake-bitten as Kelvim Escobar, but he should have more than 25 wins for posting a 3.49 ERA in 62 starts over the last two years.