Game Recap

Kevin Slowey was magnificent in spring training, but once the games actually counted, he seemed to lose the momentum he had gained in camp.

In both of his first two starts, Slowey gave up five runs while failing to record an out past the sixth inning.

After watching tape of his second start, Slowey worked to correct a mechanical flaw he had found and the results were nearly instantaneous.

After shutting down his second opponent in a row on Saturday, Slowey looks every bit the pitcher who cleaned up in the Grapefruit League.

It's amazing how quickly things can go south.

Just one out from a crisp 4-2 victory Friday night, Mariano Rivera surrendered a two-run homer to Jason Bay, and the New York Yankees went on to lose the first game of this three-game set against the Boston Red Sox.

Then, just one out from taking a 6-1 lead to the fifth inning Saturday afternoon, A.J. Burnett gave up a grand slam to Jason Varitek, and New York went on to lose a marathon 16-11 contest.

Game of the Day: Boston Red Sox 5, New York Yankees 4 (11 innings)

Albert Pujols has accomplished much already in his career. Last night, he added yet another accolade to that long list.

For the first time in his career, he stole a base in his third consecutive game. That base, coupled with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate, helped the Cardinals sneak past the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Friday.

He's long been regarded as "aggressive" on the base paths. Sometimes that results in great, heads-up ball playing but other times it results in being greedy and getting caught on the basepaths.

The Los Angeles Dodgers flew down to Houston riding high after sweeping their opening homestand against the Giants and Rockies, and having won a total of eight straight games. The Astros help bring them back to Earth taking the first two games of the series before the pitching of Chad Billingsley (pictured above) prevented a sweep in the final game.

Manny Ramirez continued his torrid batting, going 5-for-12 with five RBI. It wasn't enough however, as the Dodgers struggled to deliver in the clutch, a measly combined 3-for-29 with runners in scoring position.

Blue Jays fans received bad news on Thursday when Toronto placed rookie starter Ricky Romero (right oblique) and closer B.J. Ryan (left trapezius) on the 15-day disabled list.

Romero has looked great so far this season, going 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA in three starts. The struggling Ryan has a pair of saves, but has also blown two other save opportunities, and owns an 11.12 ERA.

I was exhausted as I looked out the window on the train ride home. As a die-hard baseball fan, I had just been through an absolute whirlwind. The day of my baseball-loving life.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 was a very special day for me. I was privileged enough to make my first trip with my friends and family to the new Yankee Stadium.

Tough loss for Houston. They battled but just couldn't mount an attack against the duo of Billingsley and Broxton.

Wandy Rodriguez pitched another great game and is one of three pitchers in the majors with four quality starts. The offense couldn't string any hits together.

Hitting line:
Matsui 0-3, Sac bunt
Tejada 2-4, 2B
Berkman 0-4, GIDP, K
Lee 0-4, 2 K
Blum 0-3, BB, K
Erstad 1-4, K
Rodriguez 0-2, BB, GIDP
Bourn 1-2, BB, SB
Wandy Sac Bunt
Michaels 0-0 HBP
Pence 0-1, (lined out on a hard hit ball to short)

4/23/09 - Felix Hernandez pitched seven shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite the Mariners netting three errors on defense, having a catcher playing 1st base, and Yuni Betancourt still shading 3rd base instead of playing short stop, the Mariners won the April afternoon game, 1-0.

In the first inning, Hernandez pitched through the order in three outs, striking out BJ Upton looking and Evan Longoria swinging. The bottom of the first was led off by Ichiro hitting a lead-off homer to give the Mariners a one run lead.