Around the Horn (5/31)

It's been a while since we went Around the Horn, but here goes...

Matsuzake gets diced up

Dice-K has been roughed up lately, though its pretty much gone unnoticed because of the Red Sox success. The righty struggled with gastro problems and the Rangers last week, giving up 5 runs in 5 innings, but picked up the win.

Last night the Indians hammered the Diceman to the tune of 6 runs and 12 hits in just 5 2-3 innings. Since his 1st 3 starts, Dice-K has a 5.64 ERA, but has gone 6-1. The Red Sox have averaged more than 8 runs in each of those games.

Does he throw a slowey ball?

The Minnesota Twins are beginning to rival the old LA Dodgers for stud pitching prospects. Here comes another one in the person of Kevin Slowee. The 6'3" righty has been tearing up the International League this year, striking out 57 batters in 64 1-3 innings. And get this, he's only walked 5 batters (his K/BB ratio last season was 151/22). With a 6-2 record and an amazing 1.54 ERA, the Twins realized it was time to kick Ramon Ortiz and Sidney Ponson to the curb.

He still can't make it there

Had a good laugh the other night seeing the Giant's Armando Benitez meltdown at his old home, Shea Stadium. Benitez balked, not once, but twice, with the 2nd allowing Jose Reyes to come home with the tying run. Carlos Delgado then finished off Benitez's night in style with a walk-off HR.

Update - 5/31 9:30 pm - The San Francisco Chronicle learned that Benitez is on the verge of being dealt to the Florida Marlins.

His average won't change much

Matt Bush was the San Diego Padres 1st round pick in 2004 as a shortstop. But he's looked more like a pitcher when it comes to hitting. So the Padres are going to make him one.

Bush hit just .221 through 2006 and was batting just .204 this season when then the Pads front office decided to make the switch. Bush was a dominant pitcher in high school and is said to be "ecstatic" about the switch.