JML update: Games of Sept. 23

On the ups: Ryan Braun (Brewers) went 2-4 with a run scored in Milwaukee’s 3-2 win over the cubs.

On the downs: Jason Marquis took his second straight loss in three bad outings. He gave up all six runs (five earned) in 4.2 innings, allowing six hits and five walks (although he did strike out six). If he’s trying to build interest on the free agent market, he’s going about it the wrong way. He’s dropped four of his last five decisions to put his record at 15-12 and increasing his earned run average from 3.47 to 3.98.

Pareve: John Grabow (Cubs) pitched a perfect ninth inning — fanning Braun on a called third strike — against the Brewers. Sam Fuld (Cubs) got into the  game as a pinch runner. Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox) was 0-4 with a walk in Boston’s 9-2 victory over Kansas City. Over the last six games, Youk is 3-24, dropping his batting average from .316 to .302. Maybe he’s still  suffering the effects of those back spasms that kept him out for three games. Ian Kinsler (Rangers) entered the 9-8 win over the As as a defensive replacement. The Dallas Morning News ran this piece on his recent struggles.

Ian Kinsler didn’t duck when asked if joining the 30-30 club is on his mind.

Sure, it is. Only a select group of players have hit 30 homers and stolen 30 bases in the same season. Kinsler sits one shy in each category from joining the elite group.

But he isn’t swinging for the fences in each at-bat. And he isn’t pressing to reach base so he can start running toward a 30th stolen base.

Kinsler is simply stuck in another slump during an up-and-down season – one marked by plenty of production and inconsistency.

Texas dropped another game to the Red Sox in the wild card race.

DNP: Gabe Kapler (Rays), Brad Ausmus (Dodgers), Aaron Poreda (Padres), Craig Breslow (As), Scott Feldman (Rangers)

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