A sad showing last night for Tommy Lasorda. The De Podesta-killer threw what had to be the weakest first pitch ever witnessed before this morning’s China/Japan game, far worse than a George W. 55 foot special. Lasorda Sr.’s effort traveled about 15 feet in the air before vearing off in the general direction of the 3rd baseline dugout.

In an unrelated story, Tommy was recently inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Earlier today, Ronnie Lane tried to clarify the relative strengths of the Japanese and Chinese baseball cultures for a curious caller on XM. Japan, Lane assured the listener, “has a baseball system exactly like ours.” Which explains Bobby Valentine’s massive success in Japan, seeing as he’s not had to adapt to anything.

2B Johnathan Schuerholz, son of Atlanta GM John, hit a 2 run HR off the Dodgers’ Franquelis Osorio earlier today, as the Braves erased a 5 run deficit in winning 8-7. ESPN’s Steve Phillips described said shot to left field as “a gift to Mom”. I can only presume Mother’s Day was kind of a drag in the Phillips household.

C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (above) had the decisive blow, a walk-off 3 run HR surrendered by Johnathan “I’ll Show You The” Bronxton.