This week’s question come from P. N., who asks: I’m an Oakland A’s fan and there’s been a lot of talk lately about how the A’s are leading both leagues in the number of batters hit by pitches. Tim Hudson has suggested that the pitching staff needs to be more aggressive in protecting the hitters….
That was interesting. Four of the National League’s eight–and with the Mets six games out, I guess we have to say "nine"–contenders blew leads in the ninth inning yesterday: The Diamondbacks had the most spectacular implosion, blowing first a six-run first-inning lead, then watching Byung-Hyun Kim serve up back-to-back solo shots to Todd Helton and…