Frogs in the Pros: April 11-17, 2016

Here's a look at how the five MLB Frogs faired the week of April 11-17, 2016:

Jake Arrieta (P/Chicago Cubs) -  Arrieta took to the mound on April 16 in his first home game against the Rockies.  He pitched a great 8 innings, allowing just 5 hits and no runs.  He walked one and struck out 8 before leaving the game after 100 pitches.  The Cubs won 6-2.  Arrieta's ERA is currently 1.23, with a WHIP of .77.  You can see more stats from his 2016 season here.

Matt Carpenter (3B/St. Louis Cardinals) - Carpenter had a good game against Milwaukee on April 11.  He had a triple to deep center in the 2^nd and was brought in on a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Hazelbaker.  Then in the 3^rd, he had an RBI single to get Aledmys Diaz home, as the Cardinals won 10-1.  In the second game of the series, Carpenter lined out in the 1^st.  He was walked in the bottom of the 3^rd and made it to 3^rd base before the inning ended.  He had an error while playing 3^rd base in the top of the 5^th that allowed Ryan Braun to turn a single into a double, and then he struck out swinging in the bottom of the 5^th.  And then in the bottom of the 8^th, he bunt grounded out to the catcher.  Not a great day for Carpenter or the Cardinals overall.  They lost 6-4.  In the final game of the series, Carpenter had a much better game.  He doubled deep to right in the 2^nd to bring in Molina and Garcia.  Then he got on base in the 7^th and was part of a 2-run homer by Hazelbaker.  The Cards won 7-0 to take the series.  On April 15, the Cardinals stayed home for a series against Cincinnati.  The first game of the series saw Carpenter was walked, followed by Hazelbaker getting walked.  Then Matt Holliday hit a homer to center to get Carpenter and Hazelbaker home.  In the bottom of the 2^nd, Carpenter was walked again and made it to 2^nd before the inning ended.  He didn't have any luck the rest of the game, but the Cardinals ended the night with a 14-3 victory.  Game 2 had Carpenter facing Finnegan.  He singled to right field in the bottom of the 2^nd to bring in Moss, and then Piscotty brought him in on a homerun.  He walked in the 4^th, and he managed to get to 2^nd in the bottom of the 6^th.  But he couldn't get back home again, and the Cardinals lost 9-8.  In the final game of the series, Carpenter had a great homerun in the 5^th to tie the game.  The Cardinals managed to score 1 more run in the bottom of the 8^th to get the 4-3 win and take the series.  Carpenter's AVG is currently .250.  For more stats from Carpenter's 2016 season, click here.

Andrew Cashner (P/San Diego Padres) - After talks of being traded floated around last week, Cashner faced the Phillies in his first away game on April 11.  He pitched a great 3 innings, but started struggling in the 4^th.  After giving up a run in the 4^th and 5^th innings, he left the mound with bases loaded in the 6^th.  The Padres were able to hold the Phillies to 3 runs and get the 4-3 win.  Cashner started at home against the Diamondbacks on April 16.  Cashner continued to improve over his season opener stats.  In 6 innings, he allowed 4 hits and just 1 run.  He struck out 5 and walked 2 in a 5-3 victory.  If he keeps improving like this, I'll have no issue welcoming him back to Texas to join the Rangers' pitching staff!  (Picture this: Cashner pitching and Holaday catching....awesome, right??)  His ERA has dropped drastically to 5.40 (thank goodness!) with a 1.47 WHIP.  For more of Cashner's stats, click here.

Brandon Finnegan (P/Cincinnati Reds) -  I got a lot of messages about Finnegan's perfect game against the Cubs that was jinxed by the MLB Twitter page.  Of course they seemed surprised to announce that the streak had ended shortly after they jinxed posted it.  And on top of the no-hitter through 6, Finnegan had an RBI in the top of the 4^th to bring in Brandon Phillips.  Then in the top of the 7^th, he grounded into a fielder's choice to the catcher.  Unfortunately, the Cubs came back in the 7^th and 8^th to win 5-3.  But we're still so proud of Finny!  Of course, he took it all in stride and faced Carpenter and Cardinals on April 16.  As mentioned above, Carpenter singled in the 2^nd inning to bring in Brandon Moss.  Finnegan had some success at the plate, as well, with a single in the top of the 3^rd and a double in the top of the 5^th and ended with him being brought in by Zack Cozart.  The Reds left St. Louis with a 9-8 win.  Finnegan pitched 5 innings and allowed 4 hits and 4 runs (0 earned).  He allowed that homerun by Stephen Piscotty in the 2^nd that brought in Carpenter, but he did manage to strike out 2.  Look for him to start this Thursday against the Cubs again.  Finnegan's ERA is currently 2.04 with a 1.02 WHIP.  For more on Finnegan's MLB season, you can go here.

Bryan Holaday (C/Texas Rangers) -  Holaday is proving himself to be an asset to the Rangers.  On April 12 he was in Seattle to play the Mariners.  He played great from the beginning, with a single that brought in Elvis Andrus.  Then in the 3^rd he was part of a 3-run homer by Adrian Beltre.  And Beltre brought him in again in the 7^th.  The Rangers shut out the Mariners 8-0.  The Rangers returned home for a 3-game series against Baltimore, starting April 14.  Holaday didn't have much luck at the plate, but he helped keep the Orioles to just 3 runs for a 6-3 Rangers win.  And then it was TCU Day!  April 15 saw Frog Fans flocking to the stadium.  While the Rangers lost 11-5, Holaday got on base in the 2^nd after being hit by a pitch, which allowed Desmond to score.  Then Holaday was brought home on a sacrifice fly by Mazara.  But things quickly went downhill for the Rangers in the 7^th, and they couldn't come back for the win.  Holaday's AVG is currently .176.  You can find his MLB stats here.