Friday and Saturday

Well, if you ever wanted to see a game that excited you about the future of the Yankees, this was the one.

Final Score: Yankees 6, Indians 1
WP: Hughes (2-1, 4.64 ERA)
LP: Carmona (13-7, 3.26 ERA)

For the last week or two, the story has been the offense, and it wasn't like they took the day off here. Alex Rodriguez went yard for his 501st career homerun. Bobby Abreu had a 2-RBI night, including a triple in the 8th inning. Another good night at the plate for Robinson Cano, who went 2-for-4; and a very good night for Derek Jeter, who went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

But the story here was two 21-year olds who aren't wasting any time making their presence felt. Phil Hughes bounced back from his previous start with six innings of 1-run baseball, giving up just four hits and walking one while striking out six. His one homerun came on a solo shot in the 5th inning to Josh Barfield.

As if that wasn't great to see, how about two innings of relief from Joba Chamberlain? Two innings, no hits, no walks, four strikeouts. He's a young, fresh arm so maybe it isn't fair to compare... But man, you have to figure there was a group of guys sitting in the bullpen nodding slowly and saying, "Oh wait, so that's what I'm supposed to do? Throw strikes?" There's no other way to say it. Other than Rivera and Vizcaino at his best, Chamberlain has completely outclassed everyone in the bullpen with just four innings of work. And, by the way, did I mention he's 21?

The night ended appropriately with one inning of Mo being Mo. No hits, no walks, one strikeout. The end.

Other scores from last night:

Final Score: Orioles 6, Red Sox 5
WP: Hoey (1-0, 13.50 ERA)
LP: Okajima (3-1, 1.11 ERA)

Take a look at those ERAs on the pitchers of note! Goes to show that the numbers aren't everything in baseball.

Despite the score, this actually was the pitching duel that peope were anticipating. Through seven innings, Bedard and Matsuzaka kept it close, with Bedard holding the 1-0 advantage. Enter the top of the 8th. Two outs, two on for Wily Mo Pena, who hit a single back up the middle to tie the game at one. Two outs, two on, exit Bedard for Chad Bradford. Let the bullpen implosion begin. Bradford couldn't get that last out. Neither could Walker, and by the time Hoey finally shut the door the Red Sox had put together a five-run top of the 8th. 5-1 Red Sox. Ballgame, right?

Head to the bottom of the 8th and Eric Gagne. Of five batters faced, Gagne could only retire one. His relief effort turned into a four-run 8th for the Orioles, knotting the score at 5-5 (Okajima, who allowed an inherited runner to score, was credited with the blown save). After a scoreless 9th from Hoey, the Orioles went on to win it in the bottom of the 9th. Nick Markakis hit a fly ball to CF with less than two outs and Brian Roberts at third. Coco Crisp made the catch, Roberts tagged up, Julio Lugo bobbled the relay throw (but, to be fair, he would have had no shot with Roberts running), and the Orioles won in walk-off fashion.

Final Score: Padres 12, Reds 7
WP: Cameron, K (1-0, 0.82 ERA)
LP: Weathers (2-4, 3.86 ERA)

Did they use every pitcher in the major leagues in this game or what?

Ledezma made the start for the Padres, filling in for David Wells who was cut from the roster this week. As noted in the preview for this game, Ledezma has spent the entire year as a reliever, so you knew he wasn't going to be long for this game. 2.1 innings, but I think the Padres had hoped he wouldn't be as bad as he was. Four runs (three earned), on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Those runs included a solo shot to Ken Griffey Jr. in the 3rd inning. By the time of his exit, it was 4-2 Reds.

But that would change in the fifth on a 3-run homer from Adrian Gonzalez, giving the Padres a 5-4 lead. They tacked on another run in the 6th inning on a solo homerun from Khalil Greene. But the Reds came back to tie it in the bottom of that inning. Jack Cassel was brought up from the minors for this game, with the expectation that Ledezma wouldn't eat up all the innings they would need. Here, in his major league debut, Cassel was solid. He departed with one out in the 6th inning and two on for Cla Meredith. Meredith struggled, and both runs were able to score, knotting the game at 6-6. The Padres were 7-6 heading into the bottom of the 9th in. Trevor in, blown save, Trevor out. 7-7, to extras we go.

Until a five-run 11th inning for the Padres, including a 2-run second deck shot from Kevin Kouzmanoff. Kevin Cameron, who had worked a scoreless 10th, finished off the 11th to scure the Padres win.

Final Score: Marlins 4, Mets 3
WP: Lindstrom (2-3, 3.88 ERA)
LP: Wagner (1-1, 1.61 ERA)

Brian Lawrence was in line for the win here, after going six innings and allowing two earned runs on eight hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Good effort from him, added to by a welcome bat shot off the bat of a returning Carlos Beltran - a 3-run job that was all the Mets offense yesterday.

Wagner in, blown save, Wagner out. The winning hit came off the bat of last year's NL Rookie of the Year Hanley Ramirez. His 34th double of the season scored Miguel Olivo and Jason Wood to put the Mets down by one. The Mets went quietly in the bottom of the 9th, giving Kevin Gregg his 25th save of the season for the Marlins.

Final Score: Diamondbacks 11, Nationals 4
WP: Hernandez (8-7, 4.85 ERA)
LP: Rivera (4-4, 3.78 ERA)

Here's one of those funny things about baseball. A guy gives up three homeruns in the same inning and still manages to get the W. If you can't win a game after three homeruns in an inning, you know it's not your day.

Matt Chico made the start for the Nationals, and he had one of his not-so-good days. In five innings, he allowed four earned runs, including a two-run shot to Conor Jackson in the first inning. It was his first of two homeruns last night. Jackson would go on to hit a second two-run shot, this time off of Luis Ayala in the 8th inning. Chico was taken off the hook, with the Nats down 4-1 in the top of the 6th. Former Nat Livan Hernandez was still in the game, and he was touched up for three solo homers. The first was from Felipe Lopez to lead off the inning. Nook Logan made the first out. Then, Ryan Zimmerman went yard, and he was followed with a back-to-back shot from Austin Kearns to tie the score at 4-4.

Enter the bullpen. Strange how the Yankees had the opportunity to really celebrate their newest relief pitcher last night, but everyone else had a bullpen malfunction.

Anyway, after a perfect sixth inning from Chris Schroder (he's been great since getting the call-up for the Nationals), the ball was turned over to Saul Rivera in the 7th inning. And Rivera, who has been consistent for the Nats this season, wasn't last night. After recording just one out, Rivera was touched up for four runs, two of them having been inherited by Ray King. King was no better, brought on in relief of Rivera yet unable to get anyone out. Ayala was next, inheriting two runners from King and allowing just one of them to score. He would pick up his own blunders in the 8th inning, however, on the aforementioned 2-run shot from Jackson.

News: Some roster moves from yesterday - Garrett Olson was recalled to pitch today's game against the Red Sox. Left-hander Kurt Birkins was optioned to AAA-Norfolk to make room for him on the roster. To activate Beltran yesterday, the Mets placed Marlon Anderson on the bereavement list. Cassel's place on the Padres' roster was made by OF Scott Hairston, who is on the 15-day DL with a strained left oblique. What is it with Padres and oblique muscles anyway? And LHP Joe Thatcher was recalled from AAA-Portland when Doug Brocail was placed on the bereavement list. Oh, and for those curious? Jerome Williams, released not too long ago by the Nationals, was picked up on a minor league deal by the Twins.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this yesterday, but Roger Clemens is not appealing his suspension, in a surprise move. He served the first game of the five-game suspension last night. No word on how this is going to affect the pitching rotation yet. Joe Torre served his one game suspension last night. He should be back today.

Shawn Hill's scheduled Tuesday start against the Phillies has been pushed back. GM Jim Bowden wants to see Hill control his secondary pitches a bit better before putting him into a major league game. The tentative plan is to have him start Tuesday for Columbus, then pitch him for the Nationals the following Sunday against the Mets. Dmitri Young sat out again last night because of his hamstring problem. He said he was available to pinch hit, but no word on whether he'll get the start today yet.

Padres catcher Michael Barrett will be placed on the disabled list today, probably, because of concussion-like symptoms. The team plans to recall Pete Laforest from AAA. They've also stated that Jack Cassel will be optioned down to recall a pitcher from AAA (no word on who yet) and replenish their bullpen. There have been a lot of rumors flying around about the Padres claiming Yankee pitcher Kei Igawa off of waivers, but there's been nothing concrete out there. They'd have to work out some kind of trade, I'd imagine, and after posting that $26 million fee for Igawa I'm not sure even the Yankees would want to eat that money unless San Diego put out a strong offer.

As for today...

RHP Mike Mussina (7-7, 4.66 ERA) and the Yankees try to make it two in a row against RHP Paul Byrd (10-4, 4.13 ERA) and the Indians. Moose is coming off of a win against the Royals. He went six innings and allowed just two earned runs on that 6th inning two-run shot to Gload. Very rarely has Moose gone over six innings for the Yankees this season, so I'm sure they'll be happy if they can get that kind of effort from him tonight. With Chamberlain eating two innings last night, the rest of the bullpen should be well-rested. ... That could be a good or bad thing depending on what you think of the rest of the bullpen.

Paul Byrd is coming off of a win in Minnesota aganst the Twins. He pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits and walking one without giving up a run. Mussina and Byrd will be facing their opposing teams for the first time this season.

LHP Garrett Olson (1-0, 3.86 ERA) was recalled from AAA-Norfolk to make this start against RHP Josh Beckett (14-5, 3.31 ERA) and the Red Sox. This will be Olson's third major league start. Both of the previous starts were against the White Sox. In his last major league start, July 15th, Olson earned his first win with five innings of two-run baseball. Both runs came on solo homers.

Beckett is coming off of a win in Seattle. He pitched 6.2 innings while allowing one run on eight hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. Beckett has a 1-1 record in three starts against the Orioles this season. He didn't have his best stuff in his last outing against Baltimore on July 31st. Beckett lasted eight innings, but he allowed five earned runs, including a lead-off homerun to Brian Roberts.

RHP Justin Germano (6-6, 4.30) and the Padres will be up against LHP Bobby Livingston (2-2, 4.46 ERA) and the Reds. Germano is coming off of a no decision against the Giants. His outing ended abruptly at 5.2 innings after a comebacker pulled his thumbnail back. Something to keep an eye on as he pitches this afternoon. This will be Germano's first start this season against the Reds, a team he pitched in two games for in 2006.

Livingston is coming off of a no decision in Pittsburgh on August 4th. He went 5.1 innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks. One of those runs was a solo shot from opposing pitcher Matt Morris. This will be Livingston's first start against the Padres this season.

LHP Tom Glavine (10-6, 4.31 ERA) looks for his 301st win as he and the Mets take on LHP Scott Olsen (9-9, 5.43 ERA) and the Marlins. Glavine picked up his 300th career victory in his August 5th start at Wrigley Field. He pitched 6.1 innings and allowed just two earned runs on six hits with one walk and one strikeout. This will be Glavine's first start this season against the Marlins.

Olsen is coming off of a win on August 5th against the Astros. He went 7.1 innings and allowed three earned runs on six hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. Olsen is 1-1 in two starts against the Mets this season. His last start against them was back on May 27th, a loss. In that one, he lasted just five innings while allowing five runs on six hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. No homeruns in that one.

LHP John Lannan (1-0, 3.71) can't seem to draw any easy assignments. He's gone from facing Ryan Howard and being ejected in his major league debut to facing Ken Griffey Jr. to Barry Bonds in San Francisco with #756 on the line. Lannan now looks to pick up a win against last year's NL Cy Young award winner, RHP Brandon Webb (11-8, 2.92 ERA). Lannan's last outing had to be the most important of his young career. He went toe-to-toe with Barry Zito, picking up a hard luck no decision with seven innings of 1-run ball.

Webb is coming off of a complete game shutout against the Dodgers on August 5th, in which he allowed seven hits and struck out four with no walks. His only start against the Nationals this season back on April 7th was a win. In that one, he went seven innings and allowed just one earned run - a solo shot from Austin Kearns.