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Leading Off
What's happening in the world of Major League Baseball.
April 2007
Monday April 30, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:55AM EST on April 30, 2007
Detroit hosts Baltimore tonight at Comerica Park and Jeremy Bonderman starts the first of a three-game series. The young right-hander has won 14 games the past two seasons, and he's pitched well this year but has no decision in five games. Third baseman Brandon Inge has likewise struggled, notching a .122 batting average in a brutal April. Inge broke out Sunday belting a walkoff homer in a 3-for-3 day. Bonderman could use that kind of support tonight, as the team so far has produced a 2.25 run average when Jeremy takes the mound.
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Saturday April 28, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 12:58PM EST on April 28, 2007
Though it's still April, the Yankees are in a must-win situation this afternoon as they host the Red Sox. Friday night the Bronx Bombers lost their seventh in a row and it was ugly. With a 4-2 lead in the fourth, Andy Pettitte allowed the tying run on a walk, then wild-pitched his way to a 4-5 deficit. Afterward, New York scored no more. Adding salt to the wound, in a non-save, no-pressure outing, Mariano Rivera gave up four runs in the ninth. His ERA is 12.15. Yes, it's early in the season, but the Yankees need to find some answers soon.
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Friday April 27, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 12:01PM EST on April 27, 2007
Down early, Arizona came back to beat San Diego again last night, 7-4. The team had stunned the Padres on Wednesday, overcoming Jake Peavy's sensational 16-strikeout gem to win 3-2 on Stephen Drew's dramatic two-out homer in the bottom of the ninth. This time, the Diamondbacks fell behind but tied it after two, then rode the strong arm of Livan Hernandez to victory. He gave up three runs in the first, but settled in and allowed only four hits through seven to claim the win. Tony Clark had his second two-homer game of the season to power Arizona's offense.
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Thursday April 26, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:15AM EST on April 26, 2007
In a wild affair at Jacobs Field, the Indians slipped by the Rangers in extra innings last night. With one out and two men on, Jhonny Peralta slapped a first-pitch RBI single in the bottom of the 11th to plate Victor Martinez and seal the victory. Seven Indians pitchers combined to strike out 19 Rangers, led by starter C.C. Sabathia who cruised until allowing five earned runs in the sixth. Once again, Tribe fans braved chilly 40s temperatures (well at least 13,843 did) to cheer their team to victory.
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Wednesday April 25, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:00AM EST on April 25, 2007
Tampa Bay beat New York 6-4 last night, sweeping the Yankees and moving ahead of them in the AL East standings. Behind their best pitcher, Scott Kazmir, the Rays stayed in the game long enough to rally in the bottom of the seventh for the go-ahead runs. Carl Crawford provided the firepower with a two-out grand slam and Tampa's bullpen secured the victory. Kazmir allowed just one earned run in 6-2/3 innings, scattering five hits.
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Tuesday April 24, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:14AM EST on April 24, 2007
Philadelphia, finally, is showing signs of life. Last night the team put together 20 hits and destroyed Houston pitching. Jimmy Rollins led the way with two singles, a triple and a home run, needing just a double for the cycle. Chase Utley added a homer and pitcher Adam Eaton got the job done over six innings, allowing four earned runs while striking out seven. The Phils touched up Astros' starter Chris Sampson for 14 hits and seven runs, then chased reliever Dave Borkowski for another four.
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Monday April 23, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:42AM EST on April 23, 2007
Atlanta won a see-saw battle Sunday in New York, and the two NL East powers remain at the top of the standings. New second baseman Kelly Johnson powered the Braves to the win, going 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs. John Smoltz dueled old friend Tom Glavine, but gave up five earned runs in a disastrous sixth inning. Down 6-3, the Braves charged back to tie in the seventh on an Edgar Renteria homer, then took the lead in the eighth on Johnson's second blast of the afternoon.
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Friday April 20, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:43AM EST on April 20, 2007
Dan Haren grabbed his first win of the season in a fine pitching performance as Oakland won two in a row from their arch rival Angels of Anaheim. Haren outpitched LA ace John Lackey and the A's put together just enough offense to best the Angels. After Jason Kendall and Marco Scutaro opened the third inning with singles, Lackey walked Shannon Stewart to load the bases. That's when Nick Swisher and Eric Chavez singled home two runs. Chavez added a second RBI, driving home Shannon Stewart in the fifth. ... (more)
Wednesday April 18, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 12:18PM EST on April 18, 2007
The fans at U.S. Cellular Field booed Sammy Sosa every time he came to the plate last night. He silenced them with a three-run blast in the eighth inning, leading the Rangers to an 8-1 win over the White Sox. The homer came after Mark Teixeira was intentionally walked, making it that much sweeter. Sosa had not played in Chicago since 2004, his last year with the Cubs. Also homering for Texas were Brad Wilkerson and Ian Kinsler. Robinson Tejeda got the win, tossing a three-hitter over seven innings at the Sox.
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Tuesday April 17, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 12:38PM EST on April 17, 2007
Ivan Rodriguez had a grand slam on a six-RBI night to lead Detroit over Kansas City at Comerica Park. Young pitching aces Justin Verlander (Tigers) and Zack Greinke (Royals) faced off, but Greinke left the game after seeing eight batters and allowing Pudge's grand slam. The next Royals pitcher, Jason Standridge fared little better, giving up five runs in the next three innings. While Detroit scored in the bottom first, Verlander had to wait over 30 minutes and started the second stale, allowing three KC doubles and two runs. Afterward, the talented right hander dazzled the Royals, striking out six.
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Monday April 16, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:21AM EST on April 16, 2007
The entire team donned No. 42 jerseys, then banged out 13 hits and nine runs to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day. The result? An historic night in which the LA Dodgers dominated their west coast rivals, the San Diego Padres. In honor of Jackie's legendary base-stealing talent, the Dodgers stole five bases in the victory. On the mound, a strong six-inning, seven strike out performance by Randy Wolf kept the Padres in check.
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Saturday April 14, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 6:17PM EST on April 14, 2007
Chicago gave Cincinnati a chilly reception Saturday thanks to temps in the 40s and a three-hitter tossed by Rich Hill. The lefty Hill limited the Reds two three singles over seven innings and the Cubs' offense came to life for their first home win. Derrek Lee cleared the bases with a double in the seventh after Alfonso Soriano and Ryan Theriot had hits that finished off Cincinnati starter Bronson Arroyo. Exhibiting a strong defense, the Cubbies turned a pair of crucial double plays.
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Friday April 13, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:56AM EST on April 13, 2007
Brandon Inge, batting .107, led Detroit to victory in Toronto by going 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs. Mike Maroth scattered nine hits over six innings and fireballer Joel Zumaya pitched two scoreless to pick up the save in Detroit's win. Another Tiger in a slump, Gary Sheffield, ended an 0-for-16 streak with a sharp first-inning single. By matching Minnesota's win over Tampa Bay, the Tigers stayed tied atop the AL Central.
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Thursday April 12, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:21AM EST on April 12, 2007
Young Felix Hernandez stole the show last night at Fenway Park. The big right-hander, a tender 21 years old, out dueled Daisuke Matsuzaka, leading Seattle to a shutout win over Boston. Hernandez kept Red Sox hitters off balance with a high-90s fast ball and assorted offspeed pitches, including a baffling slider. Dice-K, Boston's talented Japanese hurler making his Fenway debut, pitched and fielded well, but was no match for Hernandez. The Mariners' starter allowed one single by J.D. Drew in the bottom of the eighth, and no runners all night past first base.
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Wednesday April 11, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 12:52PM EST on April 11, 2007
Snow joke. Cleveland and the LA Angels will play again today at Miller Park in Milwaukee...though 10 inches of new snow is expected. Their series was moved to the Brewers' home field after the white stuff had both teams sitting around Cleveland for days on end. C.C. Sabathia led the way for the Indians, allowing just one earned run and striking out seven. Best of all, 19,000 showed up to watch the 7-6 Cleveland win at the neutral, retractable-roof site.
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Tuesday April 10, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:35AM EST on April 10, 2007
The NL's team from New York celebrated its home opener Monday afternoon with a muscular comeback win over fading Philadelphia. The Metropolitans plated seven in the bottom of the 8th. Big-talking Phils shortsop Jimmy Rollins made a key error in the inning to the delight of New York fans. Philadelphia's bullpen let down starter Cole Hamels who pitched six solid innings. For the Mets, Carlos Delgado had three hits and a pair of RBI's. Last year's MVP, Ryan Howard, powered a three-run homer to deep right for the Phillies. ... (more)
Monday April 9, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:12AM EST on April 9, 2007
In the most dramatic way possible, Alex Rodriguez lifted his team to victory Saturday before cheering fans in Yankee Stadium. His two-out, walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth gave New York a 10-7 win over Baltimore. A-Rod was down to his last strike before the heroics that saw fans going crazy in the Bronx. For once, the crowd was on his side, roaring their approval and demanding a curtain call.
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Friday April 6, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:48AM EST on April 6, 2007
Matsuzaka fever is sure to hit a new pitch after the hurler's sensational debut in Kansas City. Dice-K led Boston to a convincing 4-1 win in chilly weather Thursday afternoon. But the near-mythic young star from Tokyo surpassed even his own hype in a playoff-like atmosphere... striking out double-digit Royals and scattering six hits over seven complete innings. The Red Sox faithful have to be thrilled.
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Thursday April 5, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:33AM EST on April 5, 2007
The Brewers beat the Dodgers last night 4-3 in a home victory that gives the team a good start to the new season. Decent starting pitching from Chris Capuano, strong relief from Derrick Turnbow and Brian Shouse, shut down L.A.'s attack...the Dodgers scoring just four runs in their first two games. Brewers' favorite Prince Fielder joined Kevin Mench with a long ball off Los Angeles starter Randy Wolf. Picked by most experts to win the NL West, the Dodgers will regroup behind starter Jason Schmidt tonight at Milwaukee's Miller Park.
Tuesday April 3, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 9:48PM EST on April 3, 2007
Tom Glavine tossed a six-hitter to lead New York by World Champion St. Louis on the road. The 41-year-old lefty notched his 291st career win, silencing the celebrating crowd at Busch Stadium. The Mets' potent offense did its part in the form of a two-run double by Carlos Delgado (off Cards' ace Chris Carpenter). RBI's by Mets Carlos Beltran and Paul Lo Duca added to New York's hit parade.
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