Frogs in the Pros: May 2-9, 2016

Jake Arrieta (P/Chicago Cubs) -  Arrieta continues to make batters shake in their cleats.  On May 3, he saw the Pirates on the road.  In 7 innings, he allowed 0 runs and only 2 hits.  He walked 2 and struck out 7.  He also hit a single to center in the top of the 2^nd to bring in Ben Zobrist.  The Cubs won 7-1.  On May 8, he made his mama proud and pitched 5 innings at home against the Nationals.  He allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits, with 4 walks and 7 strikeouts.  The Cubs won 4-3, giving Arrieta an amazing 7-0 record, which is rare for any pitcher.  And I'm going to leave it at that, because y'all know I believe the power of the jinx.  You can see the crazy stats below:

Jake Arrieta will go over a full calendar year without a road loss. May 7 in St.Louis was last one

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) May 4, 2016

Greeny with high praise for @Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta.
@JArrieta34 pic.twitter.com/tQXhHuFK7H

— Mike & Mike (@MikeAndMike) May 4, 2016

In Jake Arrieta's last 26 starts, he has more no-hitters (2) than losses (1). pic.twitter.com/Qnf5cVrics

— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) May 8, 2016

Arrieta's ERA is currently 1.13 with a WHIP of .88.  You can see more stats from his 2016 season here.

Matt Carpenter (3B/St. Louis Cardinals) -  Carpenter faced the Phillies at home May 2-5.  In Game 1, Carpenter struck out before being walked twice.  The Cardinals still won the game 10-3.  On May 3, neither team seemed to get it together.  While Carpenter managed a hit, nothing came of it, and the Phillies took the game 1-0.  On May 4, Carpenter was a pinch hitter and saw time at 1^st base for a bit.  He didn't have any luck batting in what ended up another close game between the teams.  The Cardinals squeaked out a 5-4 win in the bottom of the 9^th.  In the final game of the series, Carpenter managed another 2 hits, including a double in the bottom of the 1^st and a single to right in the bottom of the 3^rd.  He never made it all the way home, but the Cardinals did manage to take the series with a 4-0 win.  May 6 began a series against the Pirates.  Carpenter was back at the top of the lineup to start the series.  He had a single in the bottom of the 1^st but didn't have any luck at the plate after that.  He was moved to 1^st base again in the top of the 9^th, in what was a quick 3 up, 3 down.  The Pirates won 4-2.  May 7 was a fantastic game for Carpenter.  After a double to center in the bottom of the 1^st, he was brought in by Grichuk for the score.  And while his next 3 at bats didn't go well, he made up for it with a dramatic bottom of the 9^th walk off homerun to bring in Diaz and get the 6-4 win for the Cards.

It's a walk-off! #STLCards https://t.co/QEjRjm77p7https://t.co/RkcUWsX8hS

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 7, 2016

After a night that hopefully included at least one alcoholic celebration beverage, Carpenter had another great game on May 8^th. He singled to right in the bottom of the 3^rd and was brought in by Moss.  He walked in the 5^th and 7^th and was brought home in the latter by Moss.  He also had a double to right in the bottom of the 9^th and made it to 3^rd before the third and final out of the game.  The Pirates won 10-5.  Carpenter's AVG is currently .256.  For more stats from Carpenter's 2016 season, click here.

Andrew Cashner (P/San Diego Padres) -  Cashner faced the Rockies in San Diego on May 3.  He pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, including a homerun in the 1^st.  He walked 3 and struck out 6.  The Padres won 6-3.  On May 8, Cashner was home against the Mets.  In 5 innings, he allowed 3 runs on 8 hits, including a homerun in the 3^rd.  He walked 1 and struck out 1.  He reached on a bunt single to 3^rd in the bottom of the 3^rd to get on base, but the inning ended before he could get home.  The Padres lost 4-3.  Cashner's ERA is currently 4.93, with a WHIP of 1.50.  For more of Cashner's stats, click here.

Brandon Finnegan (P/Cincinnati Reds) -  Finnegan faced the Giants at home on May 2 and pitched 6 innings.  He allowed 3 runs on 6 hits and struck out 4.  The Giants scored 2 runs early in the top of the 2^nd, and Finnegan was able to hold them at 2 through the 6^th.  It wasn't until he left the game that the Giants scored 6 more for a 9-6 win.  On May 7, the Reds faced the Brewers in Cinncinnati.  Finny pitched a full 5 innings, plus 3 batters in the 6^th.  He allowed 5 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits, and struck out 3.  The Brewers couldn't manage a run until the 4^th, when Ryan Braun hit a homerun, and a fielder's choice to third by Hernan Perez in the 5^th that allowed Yadiel Rivera to make it home.  After Jonathan Lucroy and Aaron Hill hit homers in the top of the 6^th, Finny left the game, but he did manage a single to left in the bottom of the 2^nd that brought Suarez in, so it wasn't all bad for our boy.  The Brewers took the game 13-7, which clearly shows that Finnegan isn't the only Reds pitcher struggling.  Here's hoping Finnegan has better luck this week.  His ERA is currently 4.15, with a WHIP of 1.31.  For more on Finnegan's season, you can go here.

Bryan Holaday (C/Texas Rangers) -  Holaday faced Toronto on the road May 5.  Toronto ran the score up early (11-1 after 3 innings), but Holaday made a great effort in the 9^th and hit a single to left to bring in Moreland.  Unfortunately, the Rangers didn't have enough for the comeback, and they lost 12-2.  On May 7, the Rangers faced the Tigers and had a much stronger game.  Holaday popped out and ground out before hitting a great triple to deep right center in the top of the 9^th.  Delino DeShields was next up and hit a sac fly to right to bring Holaday in and add to the Rangers lead.  The Rangers won 10-5.  Holaday's AVG is currently .174.  You can find his stats here.