I've Lost That Loving Feeling

In the early part of the 2009 season there was no way you could realistically believe that the Yankees were a championship caliber team. The bullpen was in shambles. The hitting was inconsistent. The team seemed uninspired (except for some pie shots). But, the key to things staying steady and eventually improving was the starting rotation.

CC Sabathia was, well, CC Sabathia. A.J. Burnett had his ups and downs, but there were more ups than downs. Chad Gaudin stepped up to the point where he was actually being considered for a playoff start. And of course there was the Yankee of all Yankees, Andy Pettitte, doing his Pettitte best.

Things started out well this season despite an inconsistent offense and a prolonged slump by Mark Teixeira. But as we near the beginning of September this team is back to not looking like a championship caliber team. All you have to do is look at the starting pitching to figure that out.

And I repeat, CC Sabathia is, well, CC Sabathia. And then things go kind of off track.

Phil Hughes has had his struggles in the 2nd half, but he's still a 15 game winner. A 15 game winner with an innings limit that has about 30 innings left.

A.J. Burnett is about as lost as Hansel and Gretel were and he may just get baked by the witch. I'm tired of hearing from the YES and WCBS-AM announcers about how good his stuff is. Granted, he gets run support, but the White Sox Freddy Garcia, who does not have a lot left in the tank, is 11-5!

Andy Pettitte is the worrysome one. He threw 25 pitches off the mound yesterday, but didn't push off with any kind of resistance and didn't exactly sound upbeat when interviewed on Michael Kay's radio show. Without Pettitte the Yankees aren't going very far if they hang on and make the playoffs.

The pleasant surprise has of course been Dustin Moseley. But Dustin Moseley is not a household name just yet.

So what happens next: Chad Gaudin will not be in the rotation this year and Sergio Mitre blew his chance.

As expected, the Dodgers today placed Ted Lilly on waivers. You can bet the Yankees have an interest, but you can also bet another team lower in the standings is likely to claim him. Another possibility could be Lilly's teammate Hiroki Kuroda, a Japanese veteran who has just three years of MLB experience.

Looking at the list of pending 2011 free agents, there are no other pitchers out there substantially better than what the current staff is made up of. Perhaps a flier on Livan Hernandez, but that's unlikely.

Ideally, Pettitte gets physically healthy, Burnett gets mentally healthy, and the Yankees gear up for number 28. Without it, you can forget a serious run at a back to back title.

On a non-pitching note, don't be surprised if the Yankees were to claim a veteran catcher (if he's put out there), such as Brad Ausmus. Though Ausmus doesn't hit, his defensive skills and game calling are superior to Francisco Cervelli's.

Photo courtesy of NY Daily News

The Pennant Race - 8/7

The Phillies came into today leading the Marlins by 2.5 and the Mets by 3. All three were involved in action this afternoon, with the Phillies and Marlins going head to head.

The Mets pen blew another lead for Johan Santana, but David Wright saved the day with a walk off 2-run home run for a 5-3 Mets win. Meanwhile the Marlins shut out the Phillies 3-0, after getting a big boost from rookie starter Chris Volstad.

Manny Ramirez homered this afternoon for the fourth time in 24 at-bats as a Dodger.

The Red Sox claimed Brian Giles off of waivers and have 48 hours to swing a deal. Where exactly Giles would play remains to be seen.

The Phillies claimed lefty set up man Scott Eyre off waivers from the Cubs and sent minor league pitcher Brian Schlitter (watch the typos) to Chi-town to complete the deal.

The Phillies have reportedly passed on free agent Freddy Garcia, feeling the veteran right-hander couldn't help them this year.

Chad Bradford made it through waivers and was dealt from the O's to the Rays for a player to be named later.

The Rockies were awarded Livan Hernandez after claiming the right-hander off of waivers from the Twins. The two teams couldn't work out a deal so the Twins decided to let him and his contract go.

The Pennant Race - 8/7

The Phillies came into today leading the Marlins by 2.5 and the Mets by 3. All three were involved in action this afternoon, with the Phillies and Marlins going head to head.

The Mets pen blew another lead for Johan Santana, but David Wright saved the day with a walk off 2-run home run for a 5-3 Mets win. Meanwhile the Marlins shut out the Phillies 3-0, after getting a big boost from rookie starter Chris Volstad.

Manny Ramirez homered this afternoon for the fourth time in 24 at-bats as a Dodger.

The Red Sox claimed Brian Giles off of waivers and have 48 hours to swing a deal. Where exactly Giles would play remains to be seen.

The Phillies claimed lefty set up man Scott Eyre off waivers from the Cubs and sent minor league pitcher Brian Schlitter (watch the typos) to Chi-town to complete the deal.

The Phillies have reportedly passed on free agent Freddy Garcia, feeling the veteran right-hander couldn't help them this year.

Chad Bradford made it through waivers and was dealt from the O's to the Rays for a player to be named later.

The Rockies were awarded Livan Hernandez after claiming the right-hander off of waivers from the Twins. The two teams couldn't work out a deal so the Twins decided to let him and his contract go.

The Unreliables

Starting pitching has troubled the Yankees more than any other issue this season. The bullpen is a close second. Both let the Yankees down last night in the Minnesota Twins 6-5 win at the Metrodome. After taking the first 2 games of the series, the Yankees dropped the final two and ended the road trip 3-4 to fall back under .500 (28-29).

Andy Pettitte blew three separate leads before Kyle Farnsworth lost the game in the 8th inning. Michael Cuddyer lead off the decisive inning with a double, his 9th hit in 18 at-bats in the series. Nick Punto delivered a perfect pinch-hit sacrifice bunt to move Cuddyer to 3rd and Delmon Young brought him home with a double to right. It was his 3rd RBI double of the game.

Alex Rodriguez lead off the 9th with a single up the middle off closer Joe Nathan, but Hideki Matsui bounced into 4-6-3 double play to erase any hopes. Jason Giambi then lined out to center as Nathan recorded his 15th save.

The Yankees got right to Twins starter Livan Hernandez in the 1st inning. With Derek Jeter aboard via a single, A-Rod belted a 2-outm 2-run home run for a 2-0 lead. It was his 8th home run of the season and #526 for his career.

Young's first double cut the lead in half and then the Twins speed tied it up in the 3rd. Carlos Gomez singled to right and advanced all the way to 3rd Base on Pettitte's errant pick-off attempt. Alexi Casilla then brought him with a safety squeeze which he also beat out for a single.

The Yankees took the lead back in the 6th, built on a single by Jason Giambi and a double by Chad Moeller. Melky Cabrera's broken bat single brought home one run and Johnny Damon singled through the right side to score Moeller for a 4-2 Yankees lead.

The Twins came right back though in their half of the 6th on an RBI single by Cuddyer and another RBI double by Young. A-Rod gave the Yankees their final lead when he doubled leading off the 7th, moved to 3rd on a wild pitch and scored ahead of a throw home on Giambi's grounder. But Pettitte would have none of it and served up Joe Mauer's first home run of the season to tie the game once again. Then the game fell into the giant hole that is the Yankees 8th inning relief.

Notes and News

Johnny Damon extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Derek Jeter is 5-13 in his last 3 games, but was thrown out last night by Cuddyer trying to stretch a single into a double.

A-Rod continues to love the Metrodome. He was 8-20 (.400) with a home run, 3 doubles, and 6 RBI.

Jorge Posada played in another extended spring training game and remains on track to be activated this week.

Jeff Karstens appeared to be close to returning to the team as a long man in the pen/spot starter, but he's back on the DL with a strained groin.

LaTroy Hawkins will have his suspension appeal hearing today.

June 2, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	2	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0		5	15	1
Minnesota	0	1	1	0	0	2	1	1	X		6	13	0

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	5	0	2	1	0	0	2	.293
Jeter, SS	5	1	3	0	0	0	3	.279
Abreu, RF	5	0	0	0	0	0	4	.292
Rodriguez, 3B	4	2	3	2	1	0	1	.300
Matsui, DH	4	0	1	0	1	0	3	.328
Giambi, 1B	5	0	2	1	0	0	2	.250
Cano, 2B	4	1	1	0	0	0	5	.220
Moeller, C	4	1	1	0	0	2	3	.254
Cabrera, CF	4	0	2	1	0	0	2	.270
Totals	40	5	15	5	2	2	25
BATTING 2B: Jeter (8, Hernandez), Moeller (4, Hernandez), Rodriguez (12, Hernandez). HR: Rodriguez (8, 1st inning off Hernandez, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Damon 2; Jeter 4; Rodriguez 7; Matsui; Giambi 2; Cano; Moeller 2; Cabrera 2. RBI: Rodriguez 2 (23), Cabrera (25), Damon (26), Giambi (28). 2-out RBI: Rodriguez 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cano; Jeter; Giambi; Matsui; Abreu; Cabrera. GIDP: Damon; Matsui. Team LOB: 10. FIELDING E: Pettitte (1, pickoff).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Pettitte	7.0	10	5	4	0	2	1	4.21
Farnsworth (L, 0-2)	1.0	3	1	1	1	1	0	4.44

Minnesota	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Gomez, CF	5	1	1	0	0	1	3	.280
Casilla, 2B	4	0	1	1	0	0	1	.328
Mauer, C	4	2	2	1	0	0	1	.319
Morneau, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	.303
Cuddyer, RF	4	3	3	0	0	0	0	.258
Monroe, DH	3	0	1	1	0	0	1	.238
a-Punto, PH-DH	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.264
Young, LF	4	0	3	3	0	0	0	.273
Harris, SS	4	0	1	0	0	2	3	.249
Macri, 3B	3	0	1	0	0	0	2	.500
b-Lamb, PH-3B	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.250
Totals	35	6	13	6	1	3	13
a-Hit a sacrifice bunt for Monroe in the 8th. b-Walked for Macri in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Young 3 (10, Pettitte, Pettitte, Farnsworth), Macri (1, Pettitte), Cuddyer (7, Farnsworth). HR: Mauer (1, 7th inning off Pettitte, 0 on, 2 out). TB: Gomez; Casilla; Mauer 5; Cuddyer 4; Monroe; Young 6; Harris; Macri 2. RBI: Young 3 (18), Casilla (14), Monroe (19), Mauer (22). 2-out RBI: Young; Mauer. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Harris; Morneau; Casilla; Macri 2; Gomez. S: Punto. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING CS: Young (3, 3rd base by Farnsworth/Moeller). FIELDING Outfield assists: Cuddyer (Jeter at 2nd base). DP: 2 (Harris-Morneau, Casilla-Harris-Morneau).

Minnesota	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Hernandez	6.0	13	5	5	1	1	1	4.81
Reyes	0.1	0	0	0	1	0	0	2.50
Guerrier (W, 3-1)	1.2	1	0	0	0	1	0	3.00
Nathan (S, 15)	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1.46

Hernandez pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

WP: Hernandez, Reyes.
Pitches-strikes: Pettitte 94-64, Farnsworth 21-13, Hernandez 107-65,
Reyes 12-6, Guerrier 20-13, Nathan 11-8.
Ground outs-fly outs: Pettitte 15-4, Farnsworth 1-0, Hernandez 9-8,
Reyes 1-0, Guerrier 3-0, Nathan 2-1.
Batters faced: Pettitte 31, Farnsworth 6, Hernandez 31, Reyes 3,
Guerrier 5, Nathan 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Reyes 1-1, Guerrier 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Gary Darling. 1B: Jerry Meals. 2B: Bill Miller.
3B: Chris Tiller.
Weather: 70 degrees, dome.
Wind: Indoors.
T: 2:54.
Att: 20,168.

The Unreliables

Starting pitching has troubled the Yankees more than any other issue this season. The bullpen is a close second. Both let the Yankees down last night in the Minnesota Twins 6-5 win at the Metrodome. After taking the first 2 games of the series, the Yankees dropped the final two and ended the road trip 3-4 to fall back under .500 (28-29).

Andy Pettitte blew three separate leads before Kyle Farnsworth lost the game in the 8th inning. Michael Cuddyer lead off the decisive inning with a double, his 9th hit in 18 at-bats in the series. Nick Punto delivered a perfect pinch-hit sacrifice bunt to move Cuddyer to 3rd and Delmon Young brought him home with a double to right. It was his 3rd RBI double of the game.

Alex Rodriguez lead off the 9th with a single up the middle off closer Joe Nathan, but Hideki Matsui bounced into 4-6-3 double play to erase any hopes. Jason Giambi then lined out to center as Nathan recorded his 15th save.

The Yankees got right to Twins starter Livan Hernandez in the 1st inning. With Derek Jeter aboard via a single, A-Rod belted a 2-outm 2-run home run for a 2-0 lead. It was his 8th home run of the season and #526 for his career.

Young's first double cut the lead in half and then the Twins speed tied it up in the 3rd. Carlos Gomez singled to right and advanced all the way to 3rd Base on Pettitte's errant pick-off attempt. Alexi Casilla then brought him with a safety squeeze which he also beat out for a single.

The Yankees took the lead back in the 6th, built on a single by Jason Giambi and a double by Chad Moeller. Melky Cabrera's broken bat single brought home one run and Johnny Damon singled through the right side to score Moeller for a 4-2 Yankees lead.

The Twins came right back though in their half of the 6th on an RBI single by Cuddyer and another RBI double by Young. A-Rod gave the Yankees their final lead when he doubled leading off the 7th, moved to 3rd on a wild pitch and scored ahead of a throw home on Giambi's grounder. But Pettitte would have none of it and served up Joe Mauer's first home run of the season to tie the game once again. Then the game fell into the giant hole that is the Yankees 8th inning relief.

Notes and News

Johnny Damon extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Derek Jeter is 5-13 in his last 3 games, but was thrown out last night by Cuddyer trying to stretch a single into a double.

A-Rod continues to love the Metrodome. He was 8-20 (.400) with a home run, 3 doubles, and 6 RBI.

Jorge Posada played in another extended spring training game and remains on track to be activated this week.

Jeff Karstens appeared to be close to returning to the team as a long man in the pen/spot starter, but he's back on the DL with a strained groin.

LaTroy Hawkins will have his suspension appeal hearing today.

June 2, 2008

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	2	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0		5	15	1
Minnesota	0	1	1	0	0	2	1	1	X		6	13	0

NY Yankees	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	5	0	2	1	0	0	2	.293
Jeter, SS	5	1	3	0	0	0	3	.279
Abreu, RF	5	0	0	0	0	0	4	.292
Rodriguez, 3B	4	2	3	2	1	0	1	.300
Matsui, DH	4	0	1	0	1	0	3	.328
Giambi, 1B	5	0	2	1	0	0	2	.250
Cano, 2B	4	1	1	0	0	0	5	.220
Moeller, C	4	1	1	0	0	2	3	.254
Cabrera, CF	4	0	2	1	0	0	2	.270
Totals	40	5	15	5	2	2	25
BATTING 2B: Jeter (8, Hernandez), Moeller (4, Hernandez), Rodriguez (12, Hernandez). HR: Rodriguez (8, 1st inning off Hernandez, 1 on, 2 out). TB: Damon 2; Jeter 4; Rodriguez 7; Matsui; Giambi 2; Cano; Moeller 2; Cabrera 2. RBI: Rodriguez 2 (23), Cabrera (25), Damon (26), Giambi (28). 2-out RBI: Rodriguez 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cano; Jeter; Giambi; Matsui; Abreu; Cabrera. GIDP: Damon; Matsui. Team LOB: 10. FIELDING E: Pettitte (1, pickoff).

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Pettitte	7.0	10	5	4	0	2	1	4.21
Farnsworth (L, 0-2)	1.0	3	1	1	1	1	0	4.44

Minnesota	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Gomez, CF	5	1	1	0	0	1	3	.280
Casilla, 2B	4	0	1	1	0	0	1	.328
Mauer, C	4	2	2	1	0	0	1	.319
Morneau, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	.303
Cuddyer, RF	4	3	3	0	0	0	0	.258
Monroe, DH	3	0	1	1	0	0	1	.238
a-Punto, PH-DH	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.264
Young, LF	4	0	3	3	0	0	0	.273
Harris, SS	4	0	1	0	0	2	3	.249
Macri, 3B	3	0	1	0	0	0	2	.500
b-Lamb, PH-3B	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.250
Totals	35	6	13	6	1	3	13
a-Hit a sacrifice bunt for Monroe in the 8th. b-Walked for Macri in the 8th.
BATTING 2B: Young 3 (10, Pettitte, Pettitte, Farnsworth), Macri (1, Pettitte), Cuddyer (7, Farnsworth). HR: Mauer (1, 7th inning off Pettitte, 0 on, 2 out). TB: Gomez; Casilla; Mauer 5; Cuddyer 4; Monroe; Young 6; Harris; Macri 2. RBI: Young 3 (18), Casilla (14), Monroe (19), Mauer (22). 2-out RBI: Young; Mauer. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Harris; Morneau; Casilla; Macri 2; Gomez. S: Punto. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING CS: Young (3, 3rd base by Farnsworth/Moeller). FIELDING Outfield assists: Cuddyer (Jeter at 2nd base). DP: 2 (Harris-Morneau, Casilla-Harris-Morneau).

Minnesota	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Hernandez	6.0	13	5	5	1	1	1	4.81
Reyes	0.1	0	0	0	1	0	0	2.50
Guerrier (W, 3-1)	1.2	1	0	0	0	1	0	3.00
Nathan (S, 15)	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1.46

Hernandez pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

WP: Hernandez, Reyes.
Pitches-strikes: Pettitte 94-64, Farnsworth 21-13, Hernandez 107-65,
Reyes 12-6, Guerrier 20-13, Nathan 11-8.
Ground outs-fly outs: Pettitte 15-4, Farnsworth 1-0, Hernandez 9-8,
Reyes 1-0, Guerrier 3-0, Nathan 2-1.
Batters faced: Pettitte 31, Farnsworth 6, Hernandez 31, Reyes 3,
Guerrier 5, Nathan 3.
Inherited runners-scored: Reyes 1-1, Guerrier 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Gary Darling. 1B: Jerry Meals. 2B: Bill Miller.
3B: Chris Tiller.
Weather: 70 degrees, dome.
Wind: Indoors.
T: 2:54.
Att: 20,168.

Yankees vs. Twins - June 2

Andy Pettitte tries to pick up another win after a loss tonight in the finale of the Yankees 4-game series with the Minnesota Twins. It's also the end of this brief road trip and 4-3 looks better than 3-4. Livan Hernandez (6-2) gets the start for the Twins.

El Duque's kid brother hasn't had fun facing the Yankees in the past, going 0-3, 6.08 in 4 career starts. No one has come close to facing Livan as much as Bobby Abreu, who played in the NL for his entire career before coming to the Yankees.

Here's the complete break down of the Yankees vs. Hernandez:

Abreu 19-67 (.284) 2 HR 6 RBI
Betemit 5-12 (.417) 1 HR 2 RBI
Cano 1-3
Damon 0-9
Giambi 1-9
Jeter 5-12 (.417) 1 RBI
Matsui 2-2 1 HR 3 RBI
Moeller 3-12 1 HR 1 RBI
Posada 3-10 1 HR 3 RBI
A-Rod 8-13 (.615) 2 HR 8 RBI


Pettitte is 8-5, 3.52 in 17 career starts against the Twins.

Cuddyer 2-8
Gomez 0-3
Harris 6-10
Mauer 1-2
Monroe 1-8
Morneau 0-2
Punto 1-3
Redmond 2-3 1 RBI
Young 7-11 1 RBI

Here's tonight's lineup courtesy of Peter Abraham:

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Moeller C
Cabrera CF

Yankees vs. Twins - June 2

Andy Pettitte tries to pick up another win after a loss tonight in the finale of the Yankees 4-game series with the Minnesota Twins. It's also the end of this brief road trip and 4-3 looks better than 3-4. Livan Hernandez (6-2) gets the start for the Twins.

El Duque's kid brother hasn't had fun facing the Yankees in the past, going 0-3, 6.08 in 4 career starts. No one has come close to facing Livan as much as Bobby Abreu, who played in the NL for his entire career before coming to the Yankees.

Here's the complete break down of the Yankees vs. Hernandez:

Abreu 19-67 (.284) 2 HR 6 RBI
Betemit 5-12 (.417) 1 HR 2 RBI
Cano 1-3
Damon 0-9
Giambi 1-9
Jeter 5-12 (.417) 1 RBI
Matsui 2-2 1 HR 3 RBI
Moeller 3-12 1 HR 1 RBI
Posada 3-10 1 HR 3 RBI
A-Rod 8-13 (.615) 2 HR 8 RBI


Pettitte is 8-5, 3.52 in 17 career starts against the Twins.

Cuddyer 2-8
Gomez 0-3
Harris 6-10
Mauer 1-2
Monroe 1-8
Morneau 0-2
Punto 1-3
Redmond 2-3 1 RBI
Young 7-11 1 RBI

Here's tonight's lineup courtesy of Peter Abraham:

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Moeller C
Cabrera CF

Around the Horn - 5/13

Pitching was the name of the game in Cleveland last night as the Blue Jays and Indians split a doubleheader. Both teams won by 3-0 margins as all four starting pitchers were on their game. In the opener, Fausto Carmona and A.J. Burnett locked horns in a scoreless duel until the 6th when David Dellucci provided the Indians with an RBI single. One inning later Asdrubel Cabrera smacked a 2-run home run to put the game out of reach. Carmona finished with his second career complete game shutout.

The two teams went scoreless in the night cap after the Jays Shaun Marcum pitched 2-hit ball thru 8 innings and Indians starter Cliff Lee's scoreless 9 innings lowered his ERA to 0.67. The Jays finally put 3 on the board in the 10th to gain the split. Cabrera topped off his night with an unassisted triple play.

The Twins took 3 of 4 from the Red Sox with a 7-3 win. Livan Hernandez got roughed up early, but then settled in to improve to 6-1. Clay Buchholz couldn't hold a 3-0 lead as Craig Monroe and Delmon Young drove in 2 runs each. Monroe had 6 RBI in the final 2 games of the series.

Crazy one in Arlington; Seattle blew 5-0 and 6-5 leads, then the Rangers blew a 4-run lead in the 9th. Ruben Vazquez finally settled things with a walk off home run in the bottom of the 10th for a 13-12 Rangers win. Earlier in the game Vazquez exchanged words with M's reliever Ryan Rowland-Smith after Vazquez took exception to Rowland-Smith's reaction to his strikeout (imagine if it were Joba). That lead to Baseball Tonight's John Kruk delivering the line of the night. "Neither of those guys is good enough to be yelling like that."

The Angels snapped a 4-game losing streak by out scoring the White Sox 10-7. Vlad Guerrero homered and drove in 4 runs to help Nick Adenhart pick up his first major league win.

The Nationals embarrassed the Mets 10-4 on a career night for Odalis Perez. And that was just at the plate. The veteran left-hander turned a so-so outing for his first win of the year, but he was 3-3 with 2 RBI, a run scored, and a sacrifice. Lastings Milledge had his first two RBI against his former mates.

The Pirates and Braves split a twinbill in Pittsburgh. Zach Duke and company blanked the Braves 5-0 in the opener. Freddy Sanchez drove in 3 runs and Adam LaRoche homered. Tim Hudson dominated the nightcap as the Braves earned a split with an 8-1 win. Brian McCann and Mark Kotsay drove in 3 runs each.

The Cubs pounded the Padres 12-3 to boost Carlos Zambrano's record to 6-1. Alfonso Soriano homered and is 6-10 in his last 2 games.

The Astros moved 5 games over .500 and Roy Oswalt won his 4th straight in Houston's 7-3 triumph over the Giants. Lance Berkman homered and his 3 hits have him batting .393.

The Reds held off the Marlins 8-7. Jeff Keppinger and Brandon Phillips homered to help Aaron Harang win his second game.

Around the Horn - 5/13

Pitching was the name of the game in Cleveland last night as the Blue Jays and Indians split a doubleheader. Both teams won by 3-0 margins as all four starting pitchers were on their game. In the opener, Fausto Carmona and A.J. Burnett locked horns in a scoreless duel until the 6th when David Dellucci provided the Indians with an RBI single. One inning later Asdrubel Cabrera smacked a 2-run home run to put the game out of reach. Carmona finished with his second career complete game shutout.

The two teams went scoreless in the night cap after the Jays Shaun Marcum pitched 2-hit ball thru 8 innings and Indians starter Cliff Lee's scoreless 9 innings lowered his ERA to 0.67. The Jays finally put 3 on the board in the 10th to gain the split. Cabrera topped off his night with an unassisted triple play.

The Twins took 3 of 4 from the Red Sox with a 7-3 win. Livan Hernandez got roughed up early, but then settled in to improve to 6-1. Clay Buchholz couldn't hold a 3-0 lead as Craig Monroe and Delmon Young drove in 2 runs each. Monroe had 6 RBI in the final 2 games of the series.

Crazy one in Arlington; Seattle blew 5-0 and 6-5 leads, then the Rangers blew a 4-run lead in the 9th. Ruben Vazquez finally settled things with a walk off home run in the bottom of the 10th for a 13-12 Rangers win. Earlier in the game Vazquez exchanged words with M's reliever Ryan Rowland-Smith after Vazquez took exception to Rowland-Smith's reaction to his strikeout (imagine if it were Joba). That lead to Baseball Tonight's John Kruk delivering the line of the night. "Neither of those guys is good enough to be yelling like that."

The Angels snapped a 4-game losing streak by out scoring the White Sox 10-7. Vlad Guerrero homered and drove in 4 runs to help Nick Adenhart pick up his first major league win.

The Nationals embarrassed the Mets 10-4 on a career night for Odalis Perez. And that was just at the plate. The veteran left-hander turned a so-so outing for his first win of the year, but he was 3-3 with 2 RBI, a run scored, and a sacrifice. Lastings Milledge had his first two RBI against his former mates.

The Pirates and Braves split a twinbill in Pittsburgh. Zach Duke and company blanked the Braves 5-0 in the opener. Freddy Sanchez drove in 3 runs and Adam LaRoche homered. Tim Hudson dominated the nightcap as the Braves earned a split with an 8-1 win. Brian McCann and Mark Kotsay drove in 3 runs each.

The Cubs pounded the Padres 12-3 to boost Carlos Zambrano's record to 6-1. Alfonso Soriano homered and is 6-10 in his last 2 games.

The Astros moved 5 games over .500 and Roy Oswalt won his 4th straight in Houston's 7-3 triumph over the Giants. Lance Berkman homered and his 3 hits have him batting .393.

The Reds held off the Marlins 8-7. Jeff Keppinger and Brandon Phillips homered to help Aaron Harang win his second game.

Around the Horn - 4/12

Jake Peavy wasn't lights out like he was in his first two starts, but the Padres right-hander picked up his third win in San Diego's 7-5 victory over the Dodgers. LA has lost 4 in a row.

Nelson Figueroa hadn't won a major league game since 2004, but that's all changed now. The newest Met retired the first 14 batters he faced en route to a 4-2 win over the Brewers. Jose Reyes finally stole his first base, but had to leave the game with hamstring tightness.

Albert Pujols homered and drove in 4 runs in the Cardinals 8-2 thumping of the Giants. The Cards off to an 8-3 start while the Giants had their 4 game winning streak snapped.

Tim Hudson tossed 8 innings of 3-hit ball and the Braves sent the Nationals to their 8th straight defeat, 3-0. Yuniel Escobar hit his 2nd home run.

Jason Bay's home run was the lone run in the Pirates 1-0 win over the Reds.

Eric Byrnes, Orlando Hudson, and Justin Upton each homered in the Diamondbacks 8-2 win over the Rockies. Brandon Webb gave up 4 hits in 8 innings to improve to 3-0.

Pat Burrell homered and drove in 3, and Brett Myers went 8 innings in the Phillies 5-3 win over the Cubs.

The Marlins hit 6 home runs, including a pair by Jeremy Hermedia in their 10-6 win over the Astros. With the loss, Roy Oswalt dropped to 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA.

The Indians have to be wondering what's up with C.C. Sabathia. Injury? Contract on his mind? Whatever the answer, Sabathia is now 0-2, 11.57 after the A's pounded him en route to a 9-7 win. Joe Blanton picked up his first win for the A's.

The Tigers won their second game, 5-2 over the White Sox. Dontrelle Willis had to leave after only 2 batters when he fell after delivering a pitch. The early diagnosis was a hyper extended knee and he'll be going for an MRI.

The Rays rallied from a 5-2 deficit to hand the Orioles their third straight defeat, 10-5. Carlos Pena homered twice and drove in 6 runs. The winning pitcher? Al Reyes. Double tasered in the morning, winner at night.

Lyle Overbay drove in 3 runs and Vernon Wells (.341) added a pair of RBI in the Blue Jays 8-5 win over the Rangers. Josh Hamilton had 4 RBI for Texas.

Livan Hernandez improved to 3-0, combing with Jesse Crain and Joe Nathan on a 5-0 blanking of the Royals. Justin Morneau homered off of Gil Meche, who dropped to 0-2, 7.13.

Raul Ibanez hit a pair of home runs off of Jered Weaver in the Mariners 8-5 win over the Angels. Felix Hernandez allowed his first earned runs of the season in picking up the win.

Around the Horn - 4/12

Jake Peavy wasn't lights out like he was in his first two starts, but the Padres right-hander picked up his third win in San Diego's 7-5 victory over the Dodgers. LA has lost 4 in a row.

Nelson Figueroa hadn't won a major league game since 2004, but that's all changed now. The newest Met retired the first 14 batters he faced en route to a 4-2 win over the Brewers. Jose Reyes finally stole his first base, but had to leave the game with hamstring tightness.

Albert Pujols homered and drove in 4 runs in the Cardinals 8-2 thumping of the Giants. The Cards off to an 8-3 start while the Giants had their 4 game winning streak snapped.

Tim Hudson tossed 8 innings of 3-hit ball and the Braves sent the Nationals to their 8th straight defeat, 3-0. Yuniel Escobar hit his 2nd home run.

Jason Bay's home run was the lone run in the Pirates 1-0 win over the Reds.

Eric Byrnes, Orlando Hudson, and Justin Upton each homered in the Diamondbacks 8-2 win over the Rockies. Brandon Webb gave up 4 hits in 8 innings to improve to 3-0.

Pat Burrell homered and drove in 3, and Brett Myers went 8 innings in the Phillies 5-3 win over the Cubs.

The Marlins hit 6 home runs, including a pair by Jeremy Hermedia in their 10-6 win over the Astros. With the loss, Roy Oswalt dropped to 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA.

The Indians have to be wondering what's up with C.C. Sabathia. Injury? Contract on his mind? Whatever the answer, Sabathia is now 0-2, 11.57 after the A's pounded him en route to a 9-7 win. Joe Blanton picked up his first win for the A's.

The Tigers won their second game, 5-2 over the White Sox. Dontrelle Willis had to leave after only 2 batters when he fell after delivering a pitch. The early diagnosis was a hyper extended knee and he'll be going for an MRI.

The Rays rallied from a 5-2 deficit to hand the Orioles their third straight defeat, 10-5. Carlos Pena homered twice and drove in 6 runs. The winning pitcher? Al Reyes. Double tasered in the morning, winner at night.

Lyle Overbay drove in 3 runs and Vernon Wells (.341) added a pair of RBI in the Blue Jays 8-5 win over the Rangers. Josh Hamilton had 4 RBI for Texas.

Livan Hernandez improved to 3-0, combing with Jesse Crain and Joe Nathan on a 5-0 blanking of the Royals. Justin Morneau homered off of Gil Meche, who dropped to 0-2, 7.13.

Raul Ibanez hit a pair of home runs off of Jered Weaver in the Mariners 8-5 win over the Angels. Felix Hernandez allowed his first earned runs of the season in picking up the win.

Around the Horn - 4/6

Jake Peavy was our pre-season pick to win a second consecutive Cy Young Award and so far he's making us look good. Peavy pitched a complete game 2-hitter in the Padres 4-1 win over the Dodgers. Peavy, who struck out 8, is 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA.

No matter how good the Mets get they always seem to have trouble with the Braves. Yesterday was no exception. Kelly Johnson blasted a grand slam as the Braves blew away the Mets 11-5. John Maine had a rare bad start for the Mets, allowing 4 runs in 4 innings.

Mike Jacobs followed up his walk-off home run on Friday with a grand slam encore on Saturday. The Marlins beat the Pirates 7-3.

Brewers left-hander Manny Parra no-hit the Giants for 5 innings en route to his 1st major league win. Ryan Braun hit his 1st home run of the year in the Brewers 5-4 victory.

The Cardinals topped the Nationals 5-4 to improve to 4-1 on the season. Adam Wainwright threw 8 solid innings and Yadier Molina knocked in a pair of runs. Nats' Nick Johnson hit his first home run since September 19, 2006.

The Cubs rallied for 5 runs in the 7th to beat the Astros 9-7. Derek Lee went 4-4 and belted his 2nd home run. Astros ace Roy Oswalt gave up 5 earned runs in 6.2 innings.

Brandon Webb improved to 2-0 as the Diamondbacks rolled over the Rockies 7-1. Chris Young homered twice and Justin Upton hit his 3rd of the year.

Paul Bako's 3rd hit of the game in the bottom of the 9th drove in the game winner in the Reds come from behind 4-3 win over the Phillies. Corey Patterson's home run in the 8th tied the game.

The Orioles took their straight game from the Mariners, 6-4. New O, Luke Scott went 3-3 with 2 ribbies and former M, George Sherrill saved his 2nd straight game.

The Blue Jays continue to be a menace to the Red Sox. After winning Friday night's game 6-3, the Jays thumped the Sox 10-2 on Saturday. Sox starter Clay Bucholz was average, but the Sox bullpen was awful, allowing 6 runs. Frank Thomas hit his 514th career home run.

Justin Morneau homered and drove in 4 runs in the Twins 6-4 win over the Royals. Livan Hernandez (2-0) topped Gil Meche as the Royals lost their 2nd straight.

The White Sox ran the Tigers winless streak to 5 with a 5-3 victory. Gavin Floyd threw a solid 6 innings, in outdueling Dontrelle Willis. The D-Train allowed just 1 hit in 5 innings, but walked 7 batters.

Mark Ellis homered and drove in 3 as the A's belted C.C. Sabathia and the Indians, 6-1. Sabathia has allowed 9 earned runs in 10.2 innings so far this season.

Jered Weaver threw 3-hit ball over 7 shutout innings in the Angels 2-1 win over the Rangers. Kevin Millwood fell to 0-2 despite a 1.29 ERA.

* * *

White Sox outfielder Jerry Owens, on the DL with a groin strain, it expected to be out much longer than his eligible April 8th date.

Angels starter John Lackey played catch on Saturday and may be able to begin throwing off a mound next week.

Mets outfielder Moises Alou, recovering from hernia surgery, has begun swinging a bat.

Erik Bedard was scratched from Sunday's start against his former team due to hip inflammation.

B.J. Ryan made his 1st rehab appearance on Saturday for the Blue Jay's Single-A team in Dunedin. Armando Benetiz, looking to work his way back to the majors, struck out all 3 batters he faced in the same game.