Around the Horn - 6/29

Pedro Martinez had already received a loud ovation and a video tribute from the Fenway faithful on Tuesday night. Last night he received another loud ovation as he took the mound to face his former team. Pedro returned the favor in kind - he got raked for 8 runs in 3 innings. Pedros' lack of focus was clear in the 1st inning. With two men and none out, David Ortiz hit a comebacker that Martinez fielded cleanly - then froze as he went to throw to 3rd - then froze as he went to second. He finally settled for getting Ortiz at 1st.

It's been well documented that left field in Fenway Park is extremely difficult to play. So why did Mets Manager Willie Randolph put inexperienced rookie Lastings Milledge out there? Milledge misplayed a ball into an extra base hit on Tuesday and dropped a fly ball last night.

Joe Mauer's torrid streak continues. The Twins catcher went 2-3 yesterday, plus a walk, and is 11 for his last 13. He's now hitting .392.

Lou Piniella may not be managing right now, but he still has an influence on some players. Piniella stopped by Yankee Stadium Tuesday night to speak with his former shortstop Alex Rodriguez. Piniella was a father figure to A-Rod in their days in Seattle and they ended up talking until 3 in the morning. A-Rod then proceeded to hit his walk-off game winner yesterday.

The Cincinnati Reds rewarded manager Jerry Narron with a 2 year extension and picked up the option for the 2008 season for GM Wayne Krivsky. The surprising reds are 6 games over .500 and only 1.5 games behind 1st place St. Louis in the NL Central.