The Fish are hitless and witless thru 5 innings against the Mets’ John Maine, while New York is pounding away at Dontrelle Willis (8 runs, 7 earned, 10 hits), with Carlos Beltran slugging a 4th inning, 2-run HR. The Amazins lead, 8-0, and David Wright has extended his 25 game hitting streak, a new club record, with a pair of singles. The Marlins’ TV dudes have reminded us that Cheap Trick will be making an appearance at Saturday’s game, though there’s no truth to the rumor Bun E. Carlos has been terminated for telling Jeffrey Loria to stop requesting “The Flame”.
(UPDATE : Miguel Cabrera singled with none out in the last of the 7th, breaking up Maine’s no-hit bid.)
If Wednesday’s humiliation of Philadelphia’s Charlie Manuel’s wasn’t complete, a Phillies loss to the Nats tonight (they’re trailing 4-1 at RFK after 5 innings) might be the final nail in the manager’s coffin. Brian Schneider’s 3-run HR off Adam Eaton, his first longball of the season, has provided DC with the margin. Earlier today, Brett Myers was moved to the bullpen, with Jon Lieber taking the former’s spot in the starting rotation.
After hitting a 3 run HR in Texas’ 8-1 defeat of the White Sox last night, Sammy Sosa expressed his confidence to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Chris De Luca that the Cubs would someday retire his no. 21.
“I played all of my years with my heart and did the best that I can,” Sosa said. ”Definitely there was a misunderstanding in 2004, but time will heal everything. I had a good conversation with [Cubs president] John McDonough in spring training, and when I want to come back to Chicago, definitely, they are going to open the door for me.”
Delusional Sammy is 0-1 and has walked once this evening, the only Ranger to have reached first against Mark Buehrle, as the White Sox lead, 1-0, thru 4 and 1/3. Earlier, Texas’ Jerry Hairston was tossed after he argued he’d beaten a Joe Crede throw to first. Though it appears Hairston’s helmet tossing was the reason for the ejection, Joey Crawford left a message to say he won’t tolerate any laughing, either.
Cincy is clinging to a 2-1 lead over Houston in the last of the 8th, courtesy of a 4th inning solo HR by Josh Hamilton surrendered by Round Rock Express alumnus Chris Sampson. It was Hamilton’s 4th HR of the young campaign, and I wonder if Steve Phillips still thinks the Reds’ center fielder doesn’t deserve his roster spot?
I just strolled on over to espn.com and I saw in that little box where they promote stories in the MLB section, there’s a double shot of Phillies futility. One story about Myers being sent to the bullpen, and another about how the Phillies are the biggest bust of the year so far. That, mixed in with the Manuel madness story in the headlines makes this the…oh I don’t know…something I guess.
And the Phils tied it at 4 in the ninth, thanks to the heroics of Philadelphia’s newest superstar, Carlos “Lucky” Ruiz, the backup catcher.