MLB Musings:
Red Sox 7, Rays 4. Even though it was only one game, the BoSox have to be pleased with the way they faired without Big Papi. J.D. Drew (2-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 HR) stepped up big and Boston got another solid pitching effort out of youngster Justin Masterson, who is now 2-0 with an ERA of 2.93.
Blue Jays 9, Yankees 3. The headline from this game is obviously Joba Chamberlain’s short outing in his first major league start. Chamberlain only lasted 2.1 innings, walked four and gave up an earned run. The Yankees would have loved to see him last four innings on a 65-pitch count, but the walks eventually did him in. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of progress (if any) he makes in his next start.
Phillies 3, Reds 2. What, no home run for Chase Utley? What a joke. The Phils are hot and Pat Burrell is quietly having himself a solid season, batting .286 with 14 long balls.
Cubs 9, Padres 6. The Cubbies win their ninth straight after blasting three dingers in San Diego. With all the attention Alfonso Soriano is getting at the plate (and rightfully so), not many people have noticed the nice season Geovany Sota is having (.293, 10 HR, 39 RBI). That’s quite a contribution from the first-year starter.
Mets 9, Giants 6. In his first outing coming off the DL, Pedro Martinez picked up his first win, lasting 6.0 innings, yielding three and fanning three. He’s location wasn’t completely there, but he looked solid and the Mets have to be encouraged. This just in: Barry Zito still blows. If he doesn’t get shelled in the first inning, he flirts with disaster until finally imploding. (Last night it was the fifth when he gave up four runs in the Mets’ eight-run rally.)
One note: John Smoltz will have season-ending surgery.
NBA Notes:
John Paulsen had this to say about the Pistons firing head coach Flip Saunders.
This is what GM Joe Dumars had to say:
