Yardwork: Joe Maddon Pulls a Ricky Williams
By Tim Ryan
Joe Maddon wore a Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet during his press conference following yesterday’s game as a way of paying tribute to Bucs head coach Raheem Morris, who apparently wears Rays gear frequently, though I have yet to see him at a postgame presser wearing a Rays batting helmet and sporting eye black. I’ve always enjoyed Maddon, generally because he doesn’t usually bore you with cliches and “safe” answers. I full expect to see him in the dugout this Saturday wearing full pads and a Sapp jersey to show his support for the Bucs, who will be hosting the hated Dolphins.
Then there’s boring postgame interviews with guys like Joe Girardi. However, the normally “aw shucks” manager got a little touchy Saturday night with the YES Network’s Jack Curry following AJ Burnett’s latest meltdown, but failed to acknowledge that AJ clearly shouted something along the lines of “that’s bullshit” to Girardi as we walked off the mound in disgust after being lifted in the second inning of a game in which he was on pace to throw 183 pitches had he last six innings. Come on, Joe, you followed an infuriated AJ down the tunnel to look at video to see if a pitch to Joe Mauer was, in fact, a strike? Really? Please. Just tell us you had some choice words for each other in the heat of the moment. As of right now, with Hughes pitching very well, AJ will either pout in the bullpen or be inactive come playoff time. What a mess. There’s just no other way. What scares me is that I’m not sure Girardi and Brian Cashman fully believe that just yet.
Cards 6, Cubs 2 — Despite the win yesterday, the Cards have lost two of three to the Cubs and before that, two of three to the Pirates. They’re making quite a push for postseason glory. Albert went 4-for-5 with a home run. He’s going to look great in a Mets uniform.
White Sox 10, Rangers 0 — Gavin Floyd silenced the Ranger bats for seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits. If the 63-63 White Sox were in the AL East, they’d only be 47 games out of first place.
Brewers 6, Mets 2 — K-Rod rebounded from Saturday’s debacle of a performance against his former team, pitching a mistake-free eighth inning. Surprise, surprise, the Brewers have already started another winning streak. The NL Central is more over than CM Punk.
Giants 6, Astros 4, 11 innings — Brandon Belt says bats go boom. The rookie was 4-for-5 with a 3-run homer. It would nice if the weak-spirited, physically tender Carlos Beltran could make his way back to the field at some point. This isn’t the New York Mets. August and September are no longer vacation months. It’s a division race. Speaking of which, Brian Wilson has been placed on the DL. Ouch.
Nats 5, Phils 4 — Ian Desmond tied it up with a two out homer in the ninth and the Nats won it in the 10th when Jonny Gomes was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Wang allowed two long balls but many of the Phillies were overheard gushing about Wang’s impressive curve.
Yanks 3, Twins 0 — Curtis Granderson had an inside-the-park home run. His numbers continue to look obscene. The man does it all.
Tigers 8, Indians 7 — Austin Jackson made a tremendous throw to nail Fukudome at the plate, completing a double play that ended the game. Now that’s a fun way to finish. For the first time, maybe ever, Jose Valverde’s pumped reaction as he watched the play from behind home plate was more than appropriate.
Braves 1, D-Backs 0 — Arizona has lost five in a row. They had an opportunity to open up a decent lead this past week but, wait for it…. waaaait…. BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEW IT.