And That Happened

Phillies 2, Indians 1: If you’ve got to set the record for all time home runs allowed, you’re probably best served, mentally speaking, to do it in a game you win 2-1, which is what Jamie Moyer did last night. The 505th of his career went to Russell Branyan. Number one was hit by Count Campau back in Moyer’s American Association days. There should be an asterisk on that one, though, as Moyer really had no business facing such competition at the time. He was but 17 years old and was pressed into service because so many older players were conscripted to fight the Spanish menace in tropic lands.

Padres 2, Rays 1: As of this past Friday we could still call Mat Latos an overlooked stud. It’s going to be hard to keep the “overlooked” part in there if he keeps this up (7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 8K).

Mets 14, Tigers 6: Look, you’re gonna have these kinds of nights, Tigers. Just suck it up and then send your big ace Justin Verlander out there next time to — what? You mean that was Verlander out there last night? Wow. By the way, I’m going to guess that someone, somwhere will write the “why can’t the Mets hit the long ball?” column this morning as they scored all 14 runs without the aid of a homer,

White Sox 9, Braves 6: I guess Tommy Hanson had to have his worst career start some night. Just too bad it had to happen on a night the Phillies and the Mets both won. Nine runs on thirteen hits in three and two-thirds. Oy vey.

Yankees 9, Diamondbacks 3: When A.J. Burnett got shelled the other night it launched approximately 1,346 DEFCON-1 level articles about what should be done with him and the Yankees, how horrible life was and if there was still a God and everything. Thank goodness Andy Pettitte restored order, because I don’t know if I could take that kind of drama again today. In other news, it must be very exhausting to be part of a fan
base that feels so damn entitled that a single loss or a run-of-the-mill rough patch from a starting pitcher is worthy of such sturm und drang.

Rangers 6, Pirates 3: The Rangers lost big in the courtroom yesterday, but they did much better on the diamond. Thirty-seven days until Steelers camp opens.

Giants 3, Astros 1: Maybe Tim Lincecum just needed that ball to smack him in the shoulder last Thursday in order to knock him back on track. Dude turned in his best outing in a month (8 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 7K), outdueling Roy Oswalt (7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5K).

Cardinals 9, Blue Jays 4: Four homers for the Cardinals (Holliday, Molina, Rasmus, Lopez). Two homers for Jose Bautista, who is now at 20 on the year. Jaime Garcia’s ERA bloats from 1.59 to 1.79. DFA the guy.

Marlins 10, Orioles 4: I’m guessing Hanley Ramirez’s hamstring feels better (3 for 4, 2B, 3 RBI).

Nationals 4, Royals 3: Matt Capps must get bored with simple three-run-lead saves because he always seems to challenge himself by doing things like giving up two runs on four hits in the ninth only to lock it down right after. He’s like a cat toying with a mouse, really.  Or something.

Mariners 2, Cubs 0: Five straight wins for Seattle, three of which have come via shutout. Indeed, the M’s have only given up two runs in the last week.

Reds 4, Athletics 2: Dallas Braden still hasn’t won a game since his perfecto and the A’s are totally skidding, having lost nine of 11. Braden’s description of his day: “Plenty of speed bumps. The car ran pretty good. Turn 1 was good, Turn 2 and 3 had some speed bumps. I got into Turn 4, 5, a couple speed bumps, Turn 6 kind of flattened out. Overall, bumpy track.” Six turns? I hate to stereotype, but if I were a betting man I would have wagered that Braden would have used a NASCAR super-oval analogy as opposed to what appears to be a Grand Prix/Formula 1 kind of thing.

Angels 6, Dodgers 3: The Dodgers are skidding too, having lost five straight. Clayton Kershaw was fantastic his last time out but got beat up for five runs in just under seven innings, relinquishing a 3-0 lead to which he was staked.

Brewers 7, Twins 5: Like Kershaw, Scott Baker had a great outing last time. Like Kershaw, Baker was staked to a 3-0 lead. Like Kershaw, Baker couldn’t hold it. Maybe my favorite random game note of the year in this one: “Brewers’ fourth-round draft pick Hunter Morris was at Miller Park. He said he didn’t have any plans for his $218,700 signing bonus.”

Rockies 2, Red Sox 1: Enjoy that run you got off Jhoulys Chacin, Red Sox, because that may seem like good eatin’ compared to what you get off Ubaldo Jimenez tonight. Now having said that, Jimenez will probably have his worst outing of the year.