Yardwork: Stephen Strasburg's Inflamed Shoulder
By Tim Ryan
Twins 11, Royals 2: Shocking outcome. Bruce Chen is usually good for at least four more runs. Captain mustachio, Carl Pavano improved to 13-6. Unless you’re legally retarded and call WFAN three times a day, this is kind of nice to see, isn’t it? I never thought he was done when he left New York, but I never expected an Eminem-like recovery. Good for him.
Indians 4, Yankees 1: CC hadn’t lost in 10 starts. Of course he loses his start at the Jake. If you didn’t smell that one coming, your nostrils are snorting Kool-Aid.
Pirates 4, Rockies 2: Is this where Zach Duke makes his run? Nah. But Dotel pitched a clean ninth for his 21st save. If he’s not traded within the next three days, I’ll donate my concern for Ferris Bueller to Stevie Wonder.
Reds 12, Brewers 4: It was crappy starter versus crappy starter in this balanced collision of mediocrity. Both dudes lived up to letdown expectations (actually, Gallarado launched a 2-run shot), but Milwaukee reliever Chris Capuano stole the thunder in the top of the fourth with a tone-setting single, single, hit-by-pitch, walk medley that proved to be less than fruitful.
Phillies 9, Diamondbacks 5: If anyone sees a headline that begins like this – Howard, Werth, Ransom power Phillies… – again this season, I will wear Dark Helmet’s helmet until the ball drops on New Year’s Eve.
Mets 8, Cardinals 2: This one had 5-0 Cards written all over it, which is why I would never bet on baseball. There have to be at least a few souls placing blame on the SNY network because those clowns kept flaunting Wainwright’s gaudy stats over his last five starts. The fix was in. Clearly.
Rays 3, Tigers 2: This is the season where Verlander goes eight, gives up three and takes the loss. This happens every other year. Detroit pitching has certainly been up for the fight, but their lineup is more mysterious than The Missing Link.
Rangers 3, A’s 1 (10 innings): Cliffy pitched 17 innings, or something close to that, and got the no-decision. Of course he did.
Red Sox 4, Angels 2: Lackey was disappointed by the boos. Quite a story.