Ramirez and Papelbon have given up homeruns close to the same rate as Brad Penny and Penny has an ERA around five
That stat is misleading. Brad Penny got off to a horrible start yielding 5 homers in 17.2 innings during 5 starts with an ERA of 8.66 in the month of April.
As of today he has yielded a total of only 8 home runs on the season and his era is down to 4.93 in 76.2 IP. Since May 1st Penny has allowed only 3 home runs. 1 to Ian Kinsler of the Rangers at Fenway, 1 to Adam Lind in Toronto and 1 to Michael Cuddyer in Minnesota.
Jonathon Papelbon has yielded 3 homers in 29 appearances and 30 innings pitched all year. 1 to Joe Mauer in Minnesota, 1 to Omir Santos of The Mets in Fenway and 1 to Tori Hunter in Anaheim. He has 17 saves (1 BS) with an ERA of 1.80.
AL save leader Brian Fuentes of The Angels (20 saves - 3 BS) has yielded 2 homers in 24 innings pitched with an ERA of 4.07.
Obviously allowing an occasional homer is not productive for any pitcher but the stat has to be examined further than simply the number allowed for the entire season.
wil.