And That Happened

Cubs 3, Braves 2: It’s understandable that the Braves lost given all of yesterday’s activity. Half the team was probably pissed that Glavine was released and the other half was wondering if they were going to be traded. As it was, Jeff Francouer struck out with the bases loaded in the sixth, killing the Braves’ chances to break things open. Francoeur, however, was not released. Later, in the eleventh inning, Derek Lee tagged up at first and made it to second on a routine fly to left field to set up the winning run. Left fielder Matt Diaz, however, was not released. Finally, despite the loss, Bobby Cox was not fired.

Brewers 9, Marlins 6: Marlins’ reliever Hayden Penn issued three straight bases loaded walks in the fifth inning, which is something you don’t see every day. Walked a guy when he came in too. It’s the kind of thing that makes me wish there was a 12 hour cooling off period before post game interviews, because I’ve always wanted to ask pitchers who have those kinds of outings whether they simply refused to groove a few pitches just to get one over or if they tried but simply couldn’t. You know Penn won’t talk about it in the locker room a half hour later, but he might the next morning. Except by the next morning, no one really cares that much.

Rays 9, Royals 0: Jeff Niemann shut the Royals down with authority (CG, SHO, 2 H, 9K). Brian Bannister was shelled (3.2 IP, 9 H, 8 ER). Such balance appeals to me for some strange reason.

Rangers 4, Yankees 2: Mark Teixeira missed the game with a bruised right ankle following that hard slide into Andrus I mentioned yesterday. Minor correction: “grit” and “fire” is completely canceled out by “ice pack” and “disabled list.” Don’t get yourself injured. It can only hurt the ballclub.

Red Sox 10, Tigers 5: Not as close as the score indicates, as the Beckett no-hit the Tigers into the seventh and all five of the Tigers runs (a) came after they were trailing 10-0; and (b) were unearned due to three errors. Curtis Granderson hit a bases-loaded triple, which some people think is the most exciting play in baseball. Great moments in enforcing unwritten rules: Gerald Laird tried to break up the then-in-progress no-hitter by laying down a bunt in the sixth. The next time he was up, Beckett hit him. The Sox were up 4-0 then so I suppose it’s not inconceivable that Laird could hide behind the “I was just trying to get something going” argument, but it was probably a close enough call to where Laird had to expect he’d get plunked.

Indians 10, Twins 1: Cliff Lee in 2008 form, goes eight innings, giving up a single run and jawing hard at Carlos Gomez after Gomez flied out in the fifth which almost started a fight. Lee has a 2.96 ERA on the season but his record stands at 3-6. Jhonny Peralta, back at short following Asdrubal Cabrera’s injury, hit a three-run homer.

Athletics 5, White Sox 3: Bobby Crosby and Landon Powell hit back-to-back homers in the fourth and Josh Outman scattered seven hits over six and two thirds on a cold night in Chicago.

Angels 8, Blue Jays 1: Jered Weaver (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 10K) is hot of late, having given up a single earned run each of five of his last six starts.

Reds 9, Cardinals 3: Johnny Cueto was strong over six innings and Laynce Nix homered twice with four RBIs. Bad news for the Cardinals, as Kyle Lohse left after pitching only two innings due to tightness in his forearm. Alabama here we come?

Astros 6, Rockies 4
: Hunter Pence had a solo homer and two RBI singles, and the Astros have won five of six.

Dodgers 1, Diamondbacks 0: Four Dodgers pitchers, led by Chad Billingsley, shut out the Dbacks. Their lead in the West is now a season-high nine and a half games.

Mariners 3, Orioles 2: Ichiro’s hitting streak is now at 27 games. Luke Scott hit another homer for Baltimore, and is currently putting up the quietest .323/.399/.661 season we’ve seen in a long time.

Phillies 5, Padres 1: J.A. Happ shut the Padres down over seven and then handed it off to J.C. Romero. They should probably trade for R.A Dickey or CC Sabathia so they can go all initials on the opposition. Romero was making his first appearance since his Hall of Fame-destroying PED suspension.

Mets-Pirates: Postponed. I never meant 2 cause u any sorrow. I never meant 2 cause u any pain.

Giants-Nats: Postponed. I only wanted 2 one time see u laughing. I only wanted 2 see u laughing in the purple rain.


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dtro
14 years ago

Looks like your boys got McLouth. Congrats on now having a competent offensive outfielder.

Kelly
14 years ago

I have to ask: What is it like to be a Pirates fan?  Last year, you had Jason Bay and Nate McClouth and now you have Nyger Morgan and Brandon Moss and I only know this because I watched the Zach Duke/Johan Santana duel on MLB.tv.  At one point, they were showing some “Pirates Fan Clubhouse Thingamabob” (it’s official name) and they had a scorecard from a game against the Cubs from like 2007 or 2006 hanging there….except I think the Pirates lost the game.  THAT is your fan attraction?  I’m just lost, what it’s like to always have “prospects” and rarely have “players.”

And this is from a Cubs fan who, in 1991 watched your stud outfield of Bonds/Van Slyke/Bonilla absolute destroy Shawn Boskie in my first trip to Wrigley and distinctly remember thinking, “Man, I wish I was a Pirates fan.”

Joe
14 years ago

Beckett couldn’t afford to be too obvious following the Bobby Abreu fracas. 

I think until recently the Pirates didn’t even have prospects, just lousy $2 million veterans.  Perhaps now they are following the Tampa Bay route.

Jeremy
14 years ago

Beckett threw several pitches to Laird before hitting him, in fact I think he hit him on a two strike count.  If you were going to hit him to send a message, wouldn’t you do it first pitch?

ElBonte
14 years ago

Highlight of the Marlins/Brewers game: Marlins pull of the rare mid-AB pitching change that wasn’t for any (apparent) injury.  Hayden Penn does his best Jorge Julio impression.