http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/joe_saunders/4044 Recent articles about Joe Saunders en-us After sweeping the New York Yankees, the Oakland Athletics have dropped their first two games against the Seattle Mariners. Joe Saunders and Felix Hernandez pitched gems on Friday and Saturday night, Both pitchers dominated the Athletics at the Coliseum; Saunders allowed just one run and five hits through seven innings, while King Felix struck out eight through seven scoreless innings. Tomorrow the A’s will try to to avoid being swept themselves at home for the first time this season. They were last swept by the Angels at the Coliseum from September 3-5 of last year. Oakland will face Seattle right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma, another tough pitcher who is currently 7-1 with a 1.79 ERA this season. His earned run average ranks 2nd in the AL while his 0.82 WHIP is the best in the league. A’s hitters will have to improve their numbers against Iwakuma. Cespedes is one of the only hitters with any success, going 2-for-4 with a home run against the righty. Bartolo Colon will take the mound for... Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:04:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/athletics_vs_mariners_sunday_preview/13844756 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/athletics_vs_mariners_sunday_preview/13844756 Athletics vs. Mariners: Sunday Preview http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/athletics_vs_mariners_sunday_preview/13844756 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Andy Pettitte (4-3, 4.17 ERA) looks to take the lead, and career win 250, in game 3 of the series against Joe Saunders (4-5, 5.20 ERA) tonight. Pettitte struggled in his return from the DL his last time out against the Indians, allowing four runs in 4 2/3 innings. He allowed only one run through the first four frames, but he admitted to battling fatigue after a rough fifth. The veteran Saunders is 10-1 with a 2.18 ERA at Safeco Field in his 15 career games and 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA this year in six starts. Saunders held the White Sox to one run in 6 1/3 innings Monday. Notes on the game. Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang exercised an out clause in his Minor League contract on Friday and was granted his release. He was 4-4 with a 2.33 ERA in nine starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. “His numbers were good,” Joe Girardi said. “His velocity was down a little bit. We had a lot of 87s and 88s, I think, and at this time we just didn’t really have space for him.” Game kicks off at 4:10 PM (ET) on YES Sat, 08 Jun 2013 11:49:51 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/preview_yankees_mariners_60813/13790522 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/preview_yankees_mariners_60813/13790522 Preview: Yankees @ Mariners (6/08/13) http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/preview_yankees_mariners_60813/13790522 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/d/2d91458dfad2ae0ff55df5de16b43a90b615d6dd/mini/Yankees_Pettitte_pitches_edd6.jpg Raul Ibanez hit a two-run homer and Joe Saunders pitched into the seventh inning to lead the Seattle Mariners over the slumping Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Monday night. The White Sox have lost seven straight games, their longest slide since dropping seven in a row in September 2011. Tom Wilhelmsen, who had blown three of his last four save opportunities, gave up a two-out RBI single to Adam Dunn in the ninth but earned his 13th save. Saunders (4-5) returned to his winning ways at Safeco Field, allowing one run and five hits in 6 1-3 innings with one walk and five strikeouts. Saunders is 10-1 at the Mariners' ballpark. The lone loss came in his previous home start against Texas on May 24, when he gave up eight runs in five innings. Chicago won its previous eight games in Seattle, but even the formerly friendly venue and a starting pitcher with a history of success against the Mariners couldn't stop the losing streak. John Danks (0-2) allowed four runs - three earned - and seven hits in six innings, Tue, 04 Jun 2013 02:08:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mariners_4_white_sox_2/13756277 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mariners_4_white_sox_2/13756277 Mariners 4, White Sox 2 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mariners_4_white_sox_2/13756277 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The one word that best describes the career of Joe Saunders is solid. He’s an eight-year MLB veteran who has an average career stat line, but has always given his team a chance to win ballgames. In his glory days with the Los Angeles Angels, he won 33 games over two seasons, a stretch in which almost every number he posted was completely average. He has never struck out more than 114 batters in a season, allows 1.38 base runners per inning and has a career ERA of 4.21. The fact that he averages 6.13 innings per start supports the claim that for all intents and purposes, Saunders’ career is the epitome of a borderline quality start. In a career defined by solid mediocrity, Saunders is having himself an anomaly of a season so far in 2013. Quite simply, he is a Cy Young candidate when he pitches at Safeco Field, but on the road he couldn’t buy a win even with a more lucrative contract than Albert Pujols’. In Seattle, Saunders is 3-0 with a 0.94 ERA and is averaging over seven... Mon, 20 May 2013 19:54:23 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/the_woes_of_safeco_joe/13659088 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/the_woes_of_safeco_joe/13659088 The Woes Of Safeco Joe http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_woes_of_safeco_joe/13659088 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png After holding out for a three-year deal for most of the winter, it appears that Joe Saunders is close to deciding where he’ll pitch in 2013. The Mets are reportedly interested in signing the left-hander to replace R.A. Dickey and fill their vacant spot in the starting rotation. According to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports, Orioles vice president Dan Duquette said today that Saunders is probably going to make a decision this week. The Orioles have also shown interest in retaining Saunders, but don’t have a real sense of whether he’ll be back or plans to sign elsewhere. Saunders is unlikely to get the three-year contract he wants, but will likely sign a one- or two-year deal. The Twins and Padres have also been connected to him besides the O’s and Mets. Saunders, 31, posted a 4.07 ERA and 112/39 K/BB ratio over 174 2/3 innings last season with the Diamondbacks and Orioles. He owns a 4.15 ERA over eight seasons in the majors. Sat, 19 Jan 2013 15:00:37 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/joe_saunders_expected_to_make_decision_soon/12702019 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/joe_saunders_expected_to_make_decision_soon/12702019 Joe Saunders Expected To Make Decision Soon http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/joe_saunders_expected_to_make_decision_soon/12702019 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Left-hander Joe Saunders remains a free agent, but the veteran told Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun that he hopes to re-sign with the Baltimore Orioles. “I’m a pretty patient kind of guy. I’ve always been that kind of guy, to really wait and see how it all plays out,” said Saunders, who was 3-3 with a 3.63 ERA in seven regular season starts with the Orioles after being acquired from Arizona in August. “First and foremost, I’d like to come back to Baltimore and do some great things in 2013. But, from my standpoint, my hands are kind of tied. I pay my agent to do his job and hopefully it all works out.” The Orioles acquired Saunders late last summer from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed reliever Matt Lindstrom. The 31-year-old went on to post an ERA and WHIP of 3.63 and 1.276 over seven starts for the O’s, and he made two strong appearances in the playoffs. Beyond the Orioles, the Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Minnesota Tw... Sun, 06 Jan 2013 05:00:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/orioles_rumors_joe_saunders_wants_to_return_to_baltimore/12588826 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/orioles_rumors_joe_saunders_wants_to_return_to_baltimore/12588826 Orioles Rumors: Joe Saunders Wants to Return to Baltimore http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/orioles_rumors_joe_saunders_wants_to_return_to_baltimore/12588826 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Baltimore Orioles remain in the market for a veteran starting pitcher, and they continue to be in contact with free agent left-hander Joe Saunders, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Kubatko adds that while there’ve been rumors to the contrary, the Orioles are not interested in free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse. Executive vice president Dan Duquette remains in contact with left-hander Joe Saunders’ agent. Some members of the national media keep trying to link the Orioles to Kyle Lohse, but they don't give out big contracts to free-agent pitchers and they'd rather hold onto their first-round pick. The Orioles currently have a projected starting four that includes Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman. Baltimore could use an in-house candidate, Jake Arrieta, Zach Britton, Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter, Steve Johnson or T.J. McFarland, to fill their final rotation slot. Or, the O’s could look to add a... Sun, 30 Dec 2012 05:00:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/orioles_rumors_os_targeting_joe_saunders_not_kyle_lohse/12537829 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/orioles_rumors_os_targeting_joe_saunders_not_kyle_lohse/12537829 Orioles Rumors: O’s Targeting Joe Saunders; Not Kyle Lohse http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/orioles_rumors_os_targeting_joe_saunders_not_kyle_lohse/12537829 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Baltimore Orioles are moving on after beating the Texas Rangers in the one-game wild card playoff held tonight in Arlington. Orioles pitcher Joe Saunders gave the Orioles 5 2/3  innings before he handed the game over to the bullpen. Darren O’Day came in and pitched 2 innings giving up only one hit before he was replaced by Brian Matusz. Jim Johnson came in to close out the game and ended up loading the bases with two outs. David Murphy popped up to left field and Nate McLouth was there to catch it for the final out. Adam Jones’ sacrifice fly put the O’s ahead against Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish. Darvish gave up only three runs, two of them being earned but the team couldn’t put up a score to come back against the Orioles stellar pitching. The Orioles added to their score during the top of the ninth inning, adding two more runs off of Joe Nathan. Final score: 5-1 This is the Orioles first appearance in the playoffs since 1997. Fans have said its been a long fifteen years and ... Fri, 05 Oct 2012 23:58:55 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/orioles_defeat_rangers_in_american_league_wildcard_advance_to_alds/11893975 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/orioles_defeat_rangers_in_american_league_wildcard_advance_to_alds/11893975 Orioles defeat Rangers in American League wildcard, advance to ALDS http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/orioles_defeat_rangers_in_american_league_wildcard_advance_to_alds/11893975 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png ARLINGTON, Texas Baltimore will go with left-hander Joe Saunders, who has struggled at Rangers Ballpark, as its starter for Friday's American League wild-card game against the Rangers. Saunders is 3-3 with a 3.63 ERA in seven starts for the Orioles this year since coming over from Arizona in an August trade. He pitched six times in Arlington when he was playing for Los Angeles and was 0-6 with a 9.39 ERA in those games. He doesn't think that matters anymore. "I don't care," Saunders said. "Tomorrow's a new day." Saunders does have postseason experience, pitching for the Angels in 2008 and 2009 and then Arizona in 2010. He's 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in four playoff starts. "Joe's rested, ready to go," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said. "He's obviously experienced, has pitched some in the playoffs and we had a couple of options. I've said many times this year our No. 1 starter is the guy's who's pitching that day. Joe's pitched well Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:19:13 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/orioles_tab_saunders_to_start_vs_rangers/11884780 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/orioles_tab_saunders_to_start_vs_rangers/11884780 Orioles tab Saunders to start vs. Rangers http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/orioles_tab_saunders_to_start_vs_rangers/11884780 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png While the Washington Nationals boast baseball's best team ERA, the pitcher that leads the majors in that category hails from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Joe Saunders looks to continue his impressive start and help the Diamondbacks win a fourth straight game Wednesday night against the slumping Nationals. After recording a 5.93 April ERA a year ago, Saunders (2-1, 0.90 ERA) has been lights out through the first month of this season for Arizona (13-11). The left-hander is limiting opponents to a .186 batting average, has 0.87 WHIP and has gone at least seven innings in each of his four starts. He is coming off one of the best outings of his career, tossing a three-hitter in Friday's 5-0 win in Miami. "He's been great, very consistent," Kirk Gibson said. "He's taken the ball every fifth day and is really dominant with his stuff." Saunders has been at his best in his two outings away from Arizona, having yet to allow a run while yielding seven hits and four walks over 16 inn Wed, 02 May 2012 01:06:24 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/saunders_looks_to_stay_hot_vs_slumping_nats/10699826 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/saunders_looks_to_stay_hot_vs_slumping_nats/10699826 Saunders looks to stay hot vs. slumping Nats http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/saunders_looks_to_stay_hot_vs_slumping_nats/10699826 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/d/4dd9b4cb542e886f243831bb36980ea197179520/mini/99.jpg