American Rick Guttormson, formerly a Mariners prospect who earned 25 saves for the Texas League’s San Antonio Missions in ’04, pitched a no-hitter for Yakult yesterday, as the Swallows beat the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, 6-0.

Guttormson, an alumni of the indie Can-Am League, struck out 9 and walked none in a 139 pitch performance.

The above link, taken from the Daily Yomiuri, was culled from Bob Timmerman’s consistently entertaining The Griddle. Mulling the Royals’ draft plans, Timmerman writes,

Whichever young man gets drafted by the Royals, I am certain that in a matter of weeks, he will meet some misfortune. I’m betting on a dirigble accident. My second favorite is someone contracting one of those diseases that only turn up on “House.”

In light of the Mets’ inability to provide Pedro Martinez with much run support in tonight’s shoddy 5-1 loss to Florida, I do regret sneering at the Cubs’ recent failures against Joe Girardi’s young charges. That said, I think the Fish’s TV schmoes are overstating things just a tad when they declare that Mets fans are “having second thoughts” about having traded away Mike Jacobs.

At Fenway tonight, the Sultan of Sloth took a Travis Lee line drive off his right knee during the 5th inning and had to be helped off the field. No word yet on the condition of those who helped David Wells off the field, but our thoughts go out to them.

Troy Glaus started a game at shortstop for the first time in his big league career, and handled all of three chances. He also hit his 14th homer of the season, a solo shot off Freddy Garcia, as the Blue Jays defeated the White Sox, 8-2. Lyle Overbay and Alex Rios had 3 hits apiece, the latter hitting his 10th HR of ’06 off Garcia.