Yankees and Pitchers Batting Bore At Wrigley

Though it was just another game, albeit one between the Yankees and Chicago Cubs there was something really irritating about this afternoon's game. Like a gnat buzzing around your ear; one that just won't leave you alone. Think Joba and midges.

Perhaps it was losing 3-1 to the mediocre Cubs. Perhaps it was losing to starter Doug Davis who entered the game without a win and an ERA around 6.00. Perhaps it was seeing Freddy Garcia struggle early. Perhaps it was seeing the Yankees hitters do nothing all day. Perhaps it was listening to Michael Kay drone on about irrelevant topics. Perhaps it was watching the pitcher bat. Perhaps it was watching the pitcher bunt with one out already. Perhaps, no, definitely it was all of those things combined.

Interleague play starts the DH/non-DH, harder to manage the NL, double switch BS conversation every year. There's NOTHING fun about watching a pitcher bat, except for the occasional, "oh wow he got a hit" for any pitcher, which is most pitchers, hitting around .130. It's boring. It dulls the senses. It's the trap defense in hockey, the old four corners offense in the pre-shot clock era in college basketball, and the option play in football all rolled into one. BORING. PREDICTABLE. HAS TO GO!

As for the game itself, Garcia put the Yankees in an immediate whole in the 1st inning. He walked the lead off man Kosuke Fukudome, which is never a good way to start any inning. Starlin Castro doubled to make it a 1-0 game and two batters later Aramis Ramirez singled for a 2-0 lead.

Three straight hits by Castro, Blake DeWitt, and Ramirez produced a third run in the 3rd inning, but Garcia escaped further trouble by getting out of a two on, no out jam. Meanwhile, the Yankees offense did nothing against Davis, who hadn't won a game since May 5 in an injury plagued 2010 season.

The Yankees didn't have a hit until Robinson Cano's two out single in the 4th and didn't pose a real threat until an inning later. Eduardo Nunez reached on an infield single, but Brett Gardner grounded out, putting Garcia up with one on and one out. Not wanting to tax the bullpen that early, Joe Girardi stuck with his pitcher, who laid down the previously mentioned, ridiculous one out bunt. Nick Swisher walked to put two aboard, but Curtis Granderson struck out on a 3-2 pitch out of the zone.

The Yankees finally got on the board in the 8th and knocked Davis out in the process. When Swisher reached on a one out double, Mike Quade went to left-hander Scott Marshall to face Granderson. The move worked as Granderson struck out again, but switch-hitter Mark Teixeira singled from the right side to get the Yankees off the schneid. Quade then called on closer Carlos Marmol, who struck out Alex Rodriguez to end the frame.

The Yankees had one more shot in the 9th when Russ Martin drew a one out walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Jorge Posada pinch-hit for Nunez, but was called out on strikes for the second out. Gardner kept the Yankees alive with a single, but pinch-hitter Chris Dickerson went down swinging to end the game.

And now we have the idiots from Fox and ESPN the next two days debating the DH, pitchers, and droning on.

Around the Horn - 5/28

Josh Hamilton's rise back from the depths has been well documented and that rise continues this season. Last night, playing against his original organization, the Tampa Rays, Hamilton belted a grand slam and drove in 5 runs in the Rangers 12-6 win.

Franklin Gutierrez hit a grand slam in the Indians 8-2 win over the White Sox. The Indians were also credited with a triple steal. With the bases loaded, Jamey Carroll was picked off 1st Base, but got into a run down. Eventually all runners were safe with David Dellucci scoring. Which just goes to show you that official scoring rules definitely need to be changed.

Indians DH Travis Hafner could be headed to the DL with a bad shoulder.

Mark Teahen hit a game tying inside the park 3-run home run for the Royals in the bottom of the 9th, but the Royals still lost their 8th straight. Michael Cuddyer's 12th inning single gave the Twins a 4-3 win. Teahen's temporary heroics gave Joe Nathan his first blown save of the year.

Jeremy Bonderman was breezing along with a 2-0 shutout against the Angels, but LA tied it with 2 runs in the 8th and won it on Gary Matthews Jr.'s RBI single in the bottom of the 9th. Ervin Santana allowed just 3 hits in picking up the complete game win.

Greg Smith continues to impress for the A's. He tossed 6.2 shutout innings last night in the A's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays. It snapped the Jays 5-game winning streak. Frank Thomas had to leave the game with a strained quad.

The Mariners blew a 3-0 lead to the Red Sox, but snapped their 7-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory. Jose Lopez singled in the game winner off of Mike Timlin in the bottom of the 9th. Yunikesky Betancourt may be facing disciplinary actions by the Mariners after throwing a 9th inning tantrum when he was pinch-hit for.

Johan Santana is a good cure for what ails ya. Santana went out and got a much needed win for the Mets, 5-3 over the division leading Marlins.

Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff hit back-to-back home runs off of former Yankees prospect Charlie Manning to give the Padres a 4-2 win over the Nationals.

The Brewers overcame a strong outing by the Braves' Tim Hudson and rallied late from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2. Mike Cameron's 9th inning sac fly capped the comeback.

After scoring 20 runs the night before, the Phillies put up 7 in the first two innings against the Rockies last night and held on for a 7-4 win.

The Jay Bruce ERA began in Cincinnati in a big way. Talk about a memorable debut- 3-3 with a double, 2 singles, 2 walks, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, and a stolen base. And a post-game double shaving cream pie in the face celebration. The Reds won 9-6 over the Pirates with some help from red hot Adam Dunn who homered and drove in 4.

After 10 no-decisions, Shawn Chacon has won 2 straight. The right-hander pitched the Astros to an 8-2 win over the Cardinals. Hunter Pence was 5-5 with a couple of ribbies.

The Cubs scored 3 times in the 7th to beat the Dodgers 3-1. Hiroki Kuroda took a tough loss after a well pitched game. The Japanese media was excited about this one with Kuroda facing fellow countryman Kosuke Fukudome. Fukudome drove in the Cubs final run.

Bengie Molina hit a 3-run home run and Jose Castillo added a solo shot as the Giants beat Dan Haren and the Diamondbacks 6-3. Tim Lincecum improved to 7-1 with 7 K's in 7 innings.

Around the Horn - 5/28

Josh Hamilton's rise back from the depths has been well documented and that rise continues this season. Last night, playing against his original organization, the Tampa Rays, Hamilton belted a grand slam and drove in 5 runs in the Rangers 12-6 win.

Franklin Gutierrez hit a grand slam in the Indians 8-2 win over the White Sox. The Indians were also credited with a triple steal. With the bases loaded, Jamey Carroll was picked off 1st Base, but got into a run down. Eventually all runners were safe with David Dellucci scoring. Which just goes to show you that official scoring rules definitely need to be changed.

Indians DH Travis Hafner could be headed to the DL with a bad shoulder.

Mark Teahen hit a game tying inside the park 3-run home run for the Royals in the bottom of the 9th, but the Royals still lost their 8th straight. Michael Cuddyer's 12th inning single gave the Twins a 4-3 win. Teahen's temporary heroics gave Joe Nathan his first blown save of the year.

Jeremy Bonderman was breezing along with a 2-0 shutout against the Angels, but LA tied it with 2 runs in the 8th and won it on Gary Matthews Jr.'s RBI single in the bottom of the 9th. Ervin Santana allowed just 3 hits in picking up the complete game win.

Greg Smith continues to impress for the A's. He tossed 6.2 shutout innings last night in the A's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays. It snapped the Jays 5-game winning streak. Frank Thomas had to leave the game with a strained quad.

The Mariners blew a 3-0 lead to the Red Sox, but snapped their 7-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory. Jose Lopez singled in the game winner off of Mike Timlin in the bottom of the 9th. Yunikesky Betancourt may be facing disciplinary actions by the Mariners after throwing a 9th inning tantrum when he was pinch-hit for.

Johan Santana is a good cure for what ails ya. Santana went out and got a much needed win for the Mets, 5-3 over the division leading Marlins.

Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff hit back-to-back home runs off of former Yankees prospect Charlie Manning to give the Padres a 4-2 win over the Nationals.

The Brewers overcame a strong outing by the Braves' Tim Hudson and rallied late from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2. Mike Cameron's 9th inning sac fly capped the comeback.

After scoring 20 runs the night before, the Phillies put up 7 in the first two innings against the Rockies last night and held on for a 7-4 win.

The Jay Bruce ERA began in Cincinnati in a big way. Talk about a memorable debut- 3-3 with a double, 2 singles, 2 walks, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, and a stolen base. And a post-game double shaving cream pie in the face celebration. The Reds won 9-6 over the Pirates with some help from red hot Adam Dunn who homered and drove in 4.

After 10 no-decisions, Shawn Chacon has won 2 straight. The right-hander pitched the Astros to an 8-2 win over the Cardinals. Hunter Pence was 5-5 with a couple of ribbies.

The Cubs scored 3 times in the 7th to beat the Dodgers 3-1. Hiroki Kuroda took a tough loss after a well pitched game. The Japanese media was excited about this one with Kuroda facing fellow countryman Kosuke Fukudome. Fukudome drove in the Cubs final run.

Bengie Molina hit a 3-run home run and Jose Castillo added a solo shot as the Giants beat Dan Haren and the Diamondbacks 6-3. Tim Lincecum improved to 7-1 with 7 K's in 7 innings.

Around the Horn - 4/1

The Yankees may have been rained out yesterday, but plenty of other teams did get their seasons under way.

American League

Wild one in Cleveland, that saw the Indians blow a 7-2 lead against the Chicago White Sox before winning 10-8. Mark Buehrle lasted on 1.2 innings and allowed 7 runs as the Tribe hammered him. The bad news for Cleveland- catcher Victor Martinez injured his hamstring and was sent for an MRI. So far he's listed as day-to-day. White Sox slugger Jim Thome homered twice.

It only took Miguel Cabrera two at-bats to his first AL home run, but Justin Verlander blew a 3-0 lead and the Detroit Tigers lost to the Kansas City Royals 4-3 in 11 innings. The victory made it a successful debut for new manager Trey Hillman. But Hillman lost spark plug David DeJesus to an ankle injury.

The Tampa Bay Rays have a modified name and are hoping to reach .500 for the first time. They got off to a good start yesterday with a 6-2 win against the hapless Baltimore Orioles.

Former Oriole Erik Bedard gave up just 1 run in his Seattle Mariners debut. But the left-hander issued 4 walks in 5 innings. Seattle pulled out a 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers.

The Twins ruined Torii Hunter's homecoming with a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. New Twin Livan Hernandez went 7 strong innings and Hunter went 0-4 in his return to the homer dome.

National League

Johan Santana's NL debut was a successful one. The much sought after left-hander allowed just 3 hits and struck out 8 in 7 innings. David Wright drove in 3 runs at the Mets rolled over the Florida Marlins 7-2.

Jake Peavy matched up against Roy Oswalt last night as the San Diego Padres and the Houston Astros met. Peavy allowed just 3 hits in 7 innings and the Padres blanked the 'stros 4-0.

Break up the Nationals. The Washingtonians improved to 2-0 with an 11-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. One night after christening their new ball park with a Ryan Zimmerman walk-off win, the Nats scored 5 runs in the top of the 9th with the help of 4 doubles.

Brandon Webb picked up his first win as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-2. The Dbacks slugged 3 home runs.

Great starting pitching and bad closing marked the Chicago Cubs-Milwaukee Brewers game. Carlos Zambrano and Ben Sheets put up goose eggs in front of the Wrigley faithful into the 7th inning. The Brewers finally got to Kerry Wood in the 9th for 3 runs, but Kosuke Fukudome gain instant fan favorite status with a game tying 3-run HR off of Eric Gagne. The Brewers got Gagne off the hook in the 10th the game winning run.

Joe Torre's LA debut was a triumphant one as the Dodgers thumped Barry Zito and the San Francisco Giants, 5-0. Zito once again proved what a mistake the Giants made signing him by giving up 4 runs in 5 innings.

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves played the first ugly contest of the season, a 12-11 non-pitcher's duel. The Braves blew 3-0 and 4-1 leads and the Pirates squandered an 8-4 advantage. Finally the Braves blew a 9-8 lead in the 9th before their 2-run rally in the bottom of the 9th fell just short. Tom Glavine had a semi-successful return to Atlanta with 5 innings of 2 run (1 earned) ball. Xavier Nady smacked 2 HRs for the Pirates.

Albert Pujols overcame his elbow problems to slug his 1st home run, but the St. Louis Cardinals couldn't fight off the rain too. The Cards 5-1 lead over the Colorado Rockies was washed out by heavy rains. Jeff Francis must be grinning from ear to ear today. He allowed all 5 runs in 1+ innings.

Around the Horn - 4/1

The Yankees may have been rained out yesterday, but plenty of other teams did get their seasons under way.

American League

Wild one in Cleveland, that saw the Indians blow a 7-2 lead against the Chicago White Sox before winning 10-8. Mark Buehrle lasted on 1.2 innings and allowed 7 runs as the Tribe hammered him. The bad news for Cleveland- catcher Victor Martinez injured his hamstring and was sent for an MRI. So far he's listed as day-to-day. White Sox slugger Jim Thome homered twice.

It only took Miguel Cabrera two at-bats to his first AL home run, but Justin Verlander blew a 3-0 lead and the Detroit Tigers lost to the Kansas City Royals 4-3 in 11 innings. The victory made it a successful debut for new manager Trey Hillman. But Hillman lost spark plug David DeJesus to an ankle injury.

The Tampa Bay Rays have a modified name and are hoping to reach .500 for the first time. They got off to a good start yesterday with a 6-2 win against the hapless Baltimore Orioles.

Former Oriole Erik Bedard gave up just 1 run in his Seattle Mariners debut. But the left-hander issued 4 walks in 5 innings. Seattle pulled out a 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers.

The Twins ruined Torii Hunter's homecoming with a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels. New Twin Livan Hernandez went 7 strong innings and Hunter went 0-4 in his return to the homer dome.

National League

Johan Santana's NL debut was a successful one. The much sought after left-hander allowed just 3 hits and struck out 8 in 7 innings. David Wright drove in 3 runs at the Mets rolled over the Florida Marlins 7-2.

Jake Peavy matched up against Roy Oswalt last night as the San Diego Padres and the Houston Astros met. Peavy allowed just 3 hits in 7 innings and the Padres blanked the 'stros 4-0.

Break up the Nationals. The Washingtonians improved to 2-0 with an 11-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. One night after christening their new ball park with a Ryan Zimmerman walk-off win, the Nats scored 5 runs in the top of the 9th with the help of 4 doubles.

Brandon Webb picked up his first win as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-2. The Dbacks slugged 3 home runs.

Great starting pitching and bad closing marked the Chicago Cubs-Milwaukee Brewers game. Carlos Zambrano and Ben Sheets put up goose eggs in front of the Wrigley faithful into the 7th inning. The Brewers finally got to Kerry Wood in the 9th for 3 runs, but Kosuke Fukudome gain instant fan favorite status with a game tying 3-run HR off of Eric Gagne. The Brewers got Gagne off the hook in the 10th the game winning run.

Joe Torre's LA debut was a triumphant one as the Dodgers thumped Barry Zito and the San Francisco Giants, 5-0. Zito once again proved what a mistake the Giants made signing him by giving up 4 runs in 5 innings.

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves played the first ugly contest of the season, a 12-11 non-pitcher's duel. The Braves blew 3-0 and 4-1 leads and the Pirates squandered an 8-4 advantage. Finally the Braves blew a 9-8 lead in the 9th before their 2-run rally in the bottom of the 9th fell just short. Tom Glavine had a semi-successful return to Atlanta with 5 innings of 2 run (1 earned) ball. Xavier Nady smacked 2 HRs for the Pirates.

Albert Pujols overcame his elbow problems to slug his 1st home run, but the St. Louis Cardinals couldn't fight off the rain too. The Cards 5-1 lead over the Colorado Rockies was washed out by heavy rains. Jeff Francis must be grinning from ear to ear today. He allowed all 5 runs in 1+ innings.

I Think I'm Turning Japanese...

The biggest Japanese export this year is Kosuke Fukudome, and he will reportedly be joining Alfonso Soriano in the outfield for the Chicago Cubs. Fukudome and the Cubs have agreed to a 4-year, $50 million deal. The Japanese start will most likely be the right fielder. Source

Hiroki Kuroda has reportedly agreed with the Dodgers on a 3-year deal in the neighborhood of $30 million. Source

Tadahito Iguchi appears to have found a new team as well. A member of the 2005 WS champion White Sox, Iguchi has agreed to terms on a 1 year deal with the Padres. Source

I Think I'm Turning Japanese...

The biggest Japanese export this year is Kosuke Fukudome, and he will reportedly be joining Alfonso Soriano in the outfield for the Chicago Cubs. Fukudome and the Cubs have agreed to a 4-year, $50 million deal. The Japanese start will most likely be the right fielder. Source

Hiroki Kuroda has reportedly agreed with the Dodgers on a 3-year deal in the neighborhood of $30 million. Source

Tadahito Iguchi appears to have found a new team as well. A member of the 2005 WS champion White Sox, Iguchi has agreed to terms on a 1 year deal with the Padres. Source

Monday Hot Stove

The Diamondbacks are waiting to hear back from the A's on a proposed trade for starter Dan Haren. The Diamondbacks reportedly have offered up to 5 players, including prospects Carlos Gonzalez, Emilio Bonifacio and Brett Anderson. Gonzalez is thought to be the key to the deal. Source

Padres GM Kevin Towers is expecting to hear from Kosuke Fukudome's agent today on a 3-year deal that will be worth at least $10 mill per season. Source

The Reds are a new player in the Erik Bedard sweepstakes, and a member of the organization is confident the teams will get a deal done. Source

The Texas Rangers agreed to a 1-year, $5 million deal with free agent Milton Bradley. Bradley is expected to miss an indefinite amount of time as he recovers from a torn ACL. Source

The Nats reportedly offered either Chad Cordero or Jon Rauch and shortstop Felipe Lopez to the Pads for shortstop Khalil Greene, and were rebuffed. Source

Monday Hot Stove

The Diamondbacks are waiting to hear back from the A's on a proposed trade for starter Dan Haren. The Diamondbacks reportedly have offered up to 5 players, including prospects Carlos Gonzalez, Emilio Bonifacio and Brett Anderson. Gonzalez is thought to be the key to the deal. Source

Padres GM Kevin Towers is expecting to hear from Kosuke Fukudome's agent today on a 3-year deal that will be worth at least $10 mill per season. Source

The Reds are a new player in the Erik Bedard sweepstakes, and a member of the organization is confident the teams will get a deal done. Source

The Texas Rangers agreed to a 1-year, $5 million deal with free agent Milton Bradley. Bradley is expected to miss an indefinite amount of time as he recovers from a torn ACL. Source

The Nats reportedly offered either Chad Cordero or Jon Rauch and shortstop Felipe Lopez to the Pads for shortstop Khalil Greene, and were rebuffed. Source

Mad Max Beyond Fukudome

Kosuke Fukudome is coming to America. The Japanese star is ready to announced he's leaving the Pacific Rim, in the hopes of joining fellow outfielders Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki as MLB stars. The Padres, Cubs, and a 3rd unnamed team are thought to be the favorites to land the 31-yr old. Unlike Dice-K, there is no fee to negotiate with Fukudome. Source

photo courtesy of Japantimes.co.jp

Mad Max Beyond Fukudome

Kosuke Fukudome is coming to America. The Japanese star is ready to announced he's leaving the Pacific Rim, in the hopes of joining fellow outfielders Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki as MLB stars. The Padres, Cubs, and a 3rd unnamed team are thought to be the favorites to land the 31-yr old. Unlike Dice-K, there is no fee to negotiate with Fukudome. Source

photo courtesy of Japantimes.co.jp