A big reason why the Boston Red Sox have won two World Series in the last five years is because a bunch of arms in the bullpen are rested after they've pitched two or three days in a row.

The Braves do have that luxury—as Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez are closers. Both have been very good this year, but Cox has for years depended too heavily on his most reliable relievers.

Saturday afternoon's game in Washington was a prime example.

I didn't have any problem with Cox taking out Tommy Hanson after seven strong innings, in which he allowed only three hits, no walks, and the scoreless streak ended at 26 when Adam Dunn launched a solo home run to right in the seventh.

Boone Logan pitched a perfect 1.2 innings the day before. The trio of Moylan, Soriano and Gonzalez had pitched at least one inning in each of the two previous games.

In the seventh inning, Cox had Moylan and Eric O'Flaherty warming up in the bullpen just after Dunn had closed the gap to 3-1. Hanson quickly settled down and retired the next three hitters to get out of the seventh without any further damage, finishing with 105 pitches, about 70 percent of which were strikes.

Moylan had pitched the two previous games, while O'Flaherty hadn't worked on Friday, and thrown only four pitches on Thursday, retiring the only batter he faced.

I screamed while listening to the webcast when it was Gonzalez who came in to start the eighth, facing the bottom of the Nats order.

Four batters later, Gonzalez exited after giving up a single and two walks to load the bases, with Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn up next.

I was screaming again, but knew that Bobby Cox would call in Moylan to try to get Zimmerman to hit a ground ball for a double play. Zimmerman hit a ground ball, but up the middle for a single to tie the game at three.

Cox finally brought in O'Flaherty with two runs in and two runners still on. Dunn and Josh Willingham followed with RBI singles before retiring the last two hitters as the Nats took the lead 5-3.

Cox should have brought in O'Flaherty to start the inning. The Nats still would have likely pinch-hit Ronnie Belliard for Anderson Hernandez, and Josh Bard for the pitcher. O'Flaherty still would have been in the game if it got past Nyjer Morgan and Nick Johnson (two lefties) that Cox would have still had Gonzalez ready if Dunn came up in the eighth.

The rested lefty would've been the better choice, and I believe would have gotten through the eighth with the Braves still leading.

If it was me, the ninth would have been Gonzalez closing, as Rafael Soriano wasn't sharp on Friday, despite getting the save. Using your closers for the bottom of the order instead of saving them, if necessary, for the middle of the order (especially Adam Dunn) would have been the more prudent move.

Moylan, Soriano and Gonzalez had been used in four of the previous five games of the Braves winning streak, only getting rest on Monday's off-day and Wednesday's blowout of Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, Manny Acosta, he of the 97 mph fastball and 2.84 ERA, had only thrown one inning since the Yankees left town last Thursday night. The same was true for Kris Medlen, as the only game each had pitched since June 25 was one inning each in the 11-1 victory on Wednesday.

If the Braves really are going to make a run at the playoffs this year, which they could conceivably do, Bobby Cox has to stop overusing his favorite arms in the bullpen and spread the work around a bit more to some other relievers to give his best guys more regular rest.

Cox has pushed a lot of the right buttons lately, but his stubborn, old-school approach to managing a bullpen cost the Braves a shot at getting back to .500. It cost Tommy Hanson a perfect 5-0 record in his best start this season, and ended the Braves winning streak at five, instead of giving Derek Lowe a chance to extend it to seven on Sunday.

While it was only the second time this season the Braves lost a game they were ahead in after 8 innings (the other was a loss at New York in 10 innings in which a blown call at third cost the Braves the lead), this one falls on Cox, despite the fact that the relievers called on didn't get the job done.

Now, the Braves have to win on Sunday to avoid losing a series they should be trying to sweep.

Seven innings of one-run ball from your starter, a solid performance from your offense, and your normally shut-down eighth and ninth inning guys are coming in to finish the job.

Just the recipe that had won the Braves five straight before today.

Accredit it to arm fatigue, lack of focus, the Nationals' offense, or whatever you want. It's still a heartbreaker to blow a lead late, especially when your team's 30-1 (I believe that's right), when leading after seven.

Personally, I say it falls on the fact that Moylan, Gonzalez, and Soriano (although he did not pitch today) have all worked for three and four consecutive games.

I don't care how effective they've been, all are less than two years removed from major surgeries and, although they need to be stretched out in order to be effective later in the season, they HAVE to be given a day off every once in a while.

Last night should've been the indicator for Cox and friends when Moylan and Soriano each got, to an extent, roughed up.

Granted, Gonzo struck out the side, but none of these guy's should've gone today.

Yes, they're one of the best trios you'll find in baseball, but Medlen, Logan (pitched July 3rd), and Acosta are all competent enough to hold a two-run lead. I don't think they should be relegated to pure mop-up roles.

A better balance is needed. Period.

Some of you are going to say "That's why the [maternal inter-courser] needs to get fired," to which I say, "chill."

Bobby Cox didn't get to where he is because he's an idiot.

This probably was an experiment to check their effectiveness, but I just don't think a game of this magnitude (I consider it a pretty big deal when you're trying to get to .500 in a tight division) should be the place.

No one knows what would've happened, but I think that if Acosta and Logan are pitching the eighth, I'd be writing about the Braves' sixth straight win right now.

Tomorrow's game has just become a big deal.

The Braves NEED to win in spectacular fashion in order to start a swell of momentum against the hot Cubs and Rockies.

The difference between being one and two games under .500 is huge when you have seven games against two upper-echelon teams on the road.

Finally, Ramirez addressed the media and returned for the first time since he was suspended 50 games for juicing it up and violating baseball’s drug policy. Just released of banishment, Ramirez is still a darken mystery on the majors, as no details have being uncovered.

Sure, fans accepted an apology and amazingly welcomed him back as if he has never committed shame. Ramirez is the biggest sham on baseball, even commissioner Bud Selig and dense fans haven’t quite figured out the message.

Sorry folks, you were tricked and betrayed by the same fraudulent outfielder that made a fool of you, waiting weeks later to address the media of his outrageous scandal. I call it the biggest scandal in baseball because loyalist admired Ramirez, and he vowed to us, insisting that he was the purist hitter in baseball, right?

Sadly, we believed Ramirez, confident that he constituted purity and trusted that he had never used any substances to enhance game.

Rather than using tangible artistry and natural strength, in our minds MANNY IS BEING MANNY, though he has tricked us and was a juicer who abused his body and the game.

Cheating isn’t a habit I advocate, but since it is a forgiving country and people seem to be in denial about the infractions, I dare say Manny endures the lovable and sympathetic feeling. Shameful fans predicate idolatry to a cheater who violated etiquettes, staining the majors of his toxic steroid holocaust, shame on them.

Yes, credit Ramirez for apologizes. For once, he responded to his heinous juice bust, wearing tented shades and his well-known trademark dreadlocks in a usual ponytail. Before a swarm media circus, Ramirez talked briefly about using performance enhancers, uncomfortable addressing fraud that has tarnished a legacy and Hall of Fame electee.

He doesn’t earn my vote, and shouldn’t earn yours as a devoted fan, the same people who welcomed him back with a warm reception, allowing Ramirez to elude a crime when he should have being evicted.

Part of the blame goes to the Dodgers, who are supporting and flattering him, ignoring that he has ever used a drug to increase his level. With the ownership and his teammates applauding his return, it enkindled fans to damn-near throw a surprising and foolish Mannywood block party at Petco Park.

Wasn’t it the same hostile environment with a swarm of bees two days ago, which caused a delay to remove the harmful insects? Wasn’t it the same hostile environment of fans whose barbarous chants obnoxiously petrified Barry Bonds? They were the same unsympathetic fans that harassed Bonds by tossing syringes in left field a few years ago.

Doesn’t Manny deserve the same kind of greeting? After all, MANNY WAS BEING BARRY, perhaps the remote difference is that he has never committed perjury and never appeared in front of congress. But just like the rest, Ramirez belongs on Capital Hill, rather than in the Hall.

Although Ramirez apologized, he refused to respond to questions asked about steroids and never gave specifics. He was vague at the news conference, addressing the issue and plans to move on.

The infractions will haunt Ramirez, of which steroids will shamelessly smudge his images because fans braced the cartoonish left fielder as the game’s shrewdest hitter and exalted him as an icon.

An icon to eulogized in the game of baseball is Albert Pujols, who has being in constant debates on chances of winning the triple-crown in his phenomenal seasons with St. Louis.

Go figure, the Dodgers shares gratitude more than disregard because Ramirez’s contract expires at the end of the season. Since the suspension, it is not understandable as the Dodgers partake in sympathy.

Just think, Ramirez is earning counterfeit cash with the Dodgers. True, he is one of the greatest hitters in the game, well, only if we known. At one point, owner Frank McCourt was upset when it revealed Ramirez had tested positive for performance enhancers, after he was given $45 million.

Still, the Dodgers are enablers more than enforcers, admiring and celebrating his return as if he never perpetrated a real sham on teammates and fans.

Joe Torre was surprised of the warmth reactions at Petco Park. Fans in Dodger blue gave a standing ovation to Ramirez in his first at-bat, cheering and bracing Mannywood. And of course, there were fans that booed, but the shameful cheers were louder.

Despite going hitless, 0-for-3 with a walk, Ramirez will always be loved be Dodgers fans and people in general. The Mannywood campaign is back, at Dodger Stadium when he returns home in his first game since serving his punishment, more like a regardful punishment.

While in his time away, images were considered to plunge into infamous shame.

But the punishment and drugs made him famous as he was the biggest celeb in San Diego. Thousands of Dodgers fans chanted “Manny!” “Manny!” “Manny!” In a sold out ballpark to see Shameful Manny, isn’t 42,217 enough and 27,000 giving a standing ovation enough?

Trust me, there was a few heckles as some chanted “Manny Roid-mirez!” But they don’t realize the Dodgers were potent without him. Their strong depth led them to the best record in the majors. Andre Ethier and Juan Pierre each have hit effectively without Manny. But that doesn’t matter, the point is, Manny sellout crowds.

Simply, it’s as if he has done no wrong.

Friday night’s return of Manny Ramirez from a 50-game suspension due to testing positive of banned substances was a sign of the times where a majority of baseball fans have collectively said, “I love the game and this is what it is, Play Ball!“

Ramirez had the luxury of playing in San Diego where Dodger fans from all over southern California could show up and support their star left fielder.

Things might have been different in New York or Philadelphia, but the fact that a park like Petco that averages 24,000 a game was nearly sold to a capacity of 48,000 is a testament to just how forgiving we have become.

The excessive crowd was also a further example of how likeable a baseball character Ramirez is. But what about the other superstars of the game who have been ripped and crucified? Is it all about being likeable and fun loving, which means you get a free pass?

We started to see the community of baseball fans be forgiving with players like Jason Giambi and Andy Pettitte when they came forward and admitted their use of PED’s. It was like the fans just didn’t want to be lied to. Come forward and tell the truth, and all will be okay.

At the same time, we still held grudges against greats like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and recently Alex Rodriguez. Is it because they weren’t likeable guys? Possibly, Bonds was very private and said a lot of things that rubbed fans wrong.

Bonds also has doubt in fans minds with his claims that he unwillingly took the PED cream, which fans don’t like because they feel their being lied to.

McGwire had the baseball world in his hands just a decade ago, but his decision to not talk about the past under oath in a nationally televised forum stamped him a user in the fans minds.

Maybe if had just admitted it, the fans may have given him a pass, but it was still early in the media‘s game of investigative journalism that news rooms everywhere thought we wanted to hear.

Rodriguez has the handicap of not being a likeable guy to many because of his overall attitude. Beyond being a prima donna, he has his show-pony home run trot, doesn’t perform in the postseason, and then when finally coming clean with his use of PED’s it only after he was caught and the news was going public.

His time frame of claimed usage also raised brows. He just happened to get tested positive in the only session they tested. Okay? Just tell the truth and get a pass.

Manny Ramirez however, gets that automatic pass. He hasn’t said anything about what he did and says he’s moving on, and we all have said, “Okay Manny, great to have you back, go mash the ball.”

And that’s it! There is no outcry, and for some reason I’m okay with that, time to move on just like Manny.

The media crammed everything down our throats so much over the last decade and turned a story into a sensationalized national phenomenon that grew more and more to the point that our National Government got involved. Are you kidding? A hearing for steroids in baseball?

A situation that should have been addressed by Major League Baseball in it’s rules years before McGwire bashed 49 home runs as a skinny rookie in 1987, was not addressed because MLB loved the power source and surge in the aftermath of the disastrous strike that cancelled the World Series. Not even World Wars cancelled the Series, but greed could.

Baseball looked the other way, and then took action when forced to but still cowardly put the blame on the players. Watching Bud Selig cringe at Barry Bonds chasing Hank Aaron’s record when he was just as guilty was a perfect portrait of who Selig really is. Silently black-balling Bonds really showed what kind of character Bud Selig truly has.

I believe many of us have all come to a time where we’re just tired of it and Manny, along with his likeable personality, is the beneficiary of our weakened, exhausted state of anger.

Bochy has frustrated fans all season long with his in-game decisions. He also irritates fans with his starting lineups. Bochy is known as a manager who likes to pay veterans, and this is probably why youngsters like Nate Schierholtz did not get a lot of playing time in the beginning of the season. Bochy seems to always not know when to pull a starter or a reliever, and that has cost his team many games this year already. The Giants are winning in spite of Bochy's poor managing skills.

2. Barry Zito

Zito is 4-8 with a 4.82 ERA this season and continues to struggle as a Giant. The women in the Bay Area do not care that he sucks as a pitcher because they consider him to be a hottie and a very handsome man. Zito is frustrating to watch because he always seems to be very hittable and gives up a lot of homers. When he loses, he doesn't seem to get too angry and the media doesn't bash him too much since he is so media-friendly and never turns down an interview.

3. Brian Wilson

Wilson is not one of the elite closers in the majors, and he blows a lot of winnable games. He has cost his team victories this season by giving up home runs and throwing wild pitches at the most inopportune times. His reality show "Life of Brian" has not endeared himself to Giants fans at all. Fans don't care about you playing video games and air hockey if you blow leads and saves.

4. Bob Howry

Howry was a terrible pick-up by GM Brian Sabean. Howry did not pitch too well with the Cubs before signing with the Giants during the offseason. Howry is not a strikeout pitcher and always seems to walk batters at the worst time. He either has control issues or is afraid to throw strikes and is  respecting the hitters too much. I don't trust him in the late innnings at all. Howry recently gave up a homer to Colby Rasmus earlier this week in extra innings that cost the Giants a game in St. Louis.

5. Fred Lewis

Lewis makes me miss Barry Bonds in left field. Lewis is a strikeout machine and will strike out if he has two strikes on him usually. He is a terrible left fielder and has cost his team many games with stupid plays in the outfield. This guy should be traded because he needs a change of scenary. He is still young and can probably be a good fourth outfielder for a team.

The result was a sweeping success that it became part of the baseball season each year, scheduled for midsummer. 

The Midsummer Classic provided fans a unique opportunity to see the best and brightest from either league competing against one another, an opportunity that could only have taken place in the World Series. 

Nonetheless, the World Series only provided the fans with a chance to see the two best teams of the game compete against one another. This was not necessarily a guarantee that the greatest players would be competing against one another. Indeed, the Midsummer Classic provided that opportunity. 

It was always a thrill for baseball fans to watch a Whitey Ford challenge a Hank Aaron or a Willie Mays, or a Bob Gibson challenge a Carl Yastrzemski.

Up until 1997 with the introduction of Interleague play, American League and National League teams never clashed in the regular season. It was one of the reasons why the Midsummer Classic was much more than a friendly exhibition, and the fans recognized that too. 

If anyone has doubts about the Midsummer Classic being treated as anything but an exhibition, remember Ray Fosse!!! Remember Pete Rose ramming into Ray Fosse to breakup a tag at the plate for the game-winning run in the 1970 All Star Game propelling the National League to victory!!! Yes, it was an exhibition...but Ray Fosse's career would never be the same after that great collision.

If anyone needed further proof of how the Midsummer Classic was seen as anything but an exhibition, examine the popularity of fan voting!!!  In 1947, fans were given the right to vote for the eight non-pitching starters for either side. 

Instantly, this new feature for the Midsummer Classic became the source for dubiousness. Although Cincinnati was not the only franchise attempting to be dubious, Cincinnati was the most successful in the 1950s.

The Cincinnati Enquirer would print already marked all star ballots in their sunday editions with all 8 starting positions filled with Cincinnati Reds. So, all Cincinnati fans had to do was rip out the ballot from the paper and submit it. And they could submit these ballots as many times as they wanted with each sunday edition!!! 

In 1956, this campaign successfully sent Reds into 5 of the 8 starting positions. In 1957, with an even more aggressive campaign, the Reds had 7 of the 8 starting positions. The lone position not filled by a Red was first base, which was won by the ever-so-popular Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals. 

The results of the 1957 vote angered Commissioner Ford Frick that he removed two of the seven Cincinnati Reds from the starting lineup: Gus Bell (CF) and Wally Post (RF).  In fact, Frick dismissed Post from the team completely, but he kept Bell on the roster as a reserve for the National League. 

In addition, Frick took the vote away from the fans...an edict that did not get reversed until 1970. 

To the fans, the All-Star Game was also about opportunity...opportunity to see their favorite stars compete with the game's greatest. An exhibition?  No way!

Talk about extraordinary feats! The All-Star Game has had plenty of those over the years.

In the second All Star Game ever (1934), one of the greatest pitching feats occurred.  New York Giants pitcher Carl Hubbell had the ball to start for the National League.  After walking the first two hitters he faced, he proceded to strike out the next five batters in a row: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin. All five batters would be future Hall-of-Famers. 

Hubbell's feat was only matched one other time: Fernando Valenzuela in 1986.  Valenzuela struck out Don Mattingly, Cal Ripken Jr., Jesse Barfield, Lou Whitaker, and Teddy Higuera in succession. 

However, of the five batters he whiffed, only Ripken has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Thus, Hubbell's feat in 1934 edges out all to current date.

The 1971 All Star Game in Detroit featured a unique display of power hitting.  The American and National League combined for six homeruns. All six were hit by six different players, all of whom were future Hall of Famers [Johnny Bench, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Reggie Jackson, Harmon Killebrew, and Roberto Clemente].

Bo Jackson had the performance of a lifetime at the 1989 All Star Game.  He led off the first inning for the American League with a towering 448-foot homerun and then proceeded an inning later to steal a base becoming the only ballplayer since Willie Mays to accomplish hitting a homerun and stealing a base in the same All-Star Game.

From 1963 to 1985, the National League single-handedly dominated the Midsummer Classic, registering a record of 21-2 over the American League during those years. The National League was aided for half of that period of time with perhaps the greatest starting outfield ever, an outfield you can only dream about for the ultimate Fantasy League team: Hank Aaron (LF), Willie Mays (CF), and Roberto Clemente (RF)!!!

The All-Star Game was a tremendous spectacle. But, that all changed in 1997 with the introduction of Interleague play. The Midsummer Classic lost its luster. 

American League and National League teams were competing against one another in regular season games, which took away from the majesty of the Midsummer Classic. 

To put the harmful effect of Interleague play in perspective, the 1999 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees marked the first time ever in Major League Baseball history that the two teams competing in the Fall Classic had clashed in the regular season that year!

From 1997-2002, the All-Star Game fizzled into a ridiculous circus fest with managers working diligently to get all 27 players into the game at some point, even for only one at-bat or a half-inning of defensive work. 

This blew up in baseball's face at the 2002 All-Star Game in Bud Selig's backyard, Milwaukee. With the game tied after 11 innings, Bud Selig suspended the game as a tie because both teams had run out of players. 

This marked the lowest point in All-Star Game history. It prompted Selig to act something out...a new campaign. The winner of the All-Star Game would host the World Series rather than undergo a rotation each year between the two leagues. 

Astoundingly, this renewed fan interest in the Midsummer Classic beginning in 2003.  While the "This Time It Counts" campaign was a success, the truth of the matter is: IT HAD ALWAYS COUNTED!!! Granted, the World Series was never on the line with the Midsummer Classic prior to 2003. 

But, the Midsummer Classic in the days before Interleague play was always a catchy rivalry between stars in two leagues that never competed against one another unless it was the World Series.

The Midsummer Classic has proven to be the MOST POPULAR All-Star contest among all American professional sports.  Period.

He told them that he was the luckiest man on the face of the earth. He spoke about the great teammates and managers he played with, how blessed he felt for the family he had, and how good the game of baseball had been to him. 

That man was Lou Gehrig, and on July 4, 1939, the man more commonly known as "The Iron Horse," had to walk away from baseball. 

He'd been suffering with what is now known as ALS; a disease that causes muscles to twitch and eventually paralyze the individual. Something as simple as combing one's hair becomes impossible; forget about playing baseball. 

Gehrig never once mentioned all the pain he'd been in or the fact that he couldn't even lace up his own cleats. Doing that would have been giving into the disease, and Lou Gehrig was too much of a fighter to do that. 

For years, Gehrig had protected Babe Ruth in the Yankees' line up. He had taken a backseat to the Great Bambino, but never made a fuss about it. He was a team player, who went out and did his job every day. 

It wasn't as if Gehrig was just an average player. It was somewhat unfortunate for him to be on the Yankees at the same time as Babe Ruth, because if Ruth wasn't there, Gehrig would've been noticed a lot more than he was. 

He won two MVPs, and six World Series championships with the Yankees. However, Gehrig's most impressive stat is probably his 2,130 consecutive game streak, a record that wasn't broken until 1995 by Cal Ripken Jr. 

Gehrig's "Farewell Speech" is one of the most recognizable speeches not only in sports, but in history. He had nothing prepared before he got up to the microphones, he simply spoke from his heart.

What makes his speech so compelling is that he praised everyone from Miller Huggins, to his family, to the grounds crew, because somehow they made his career. 

He ended his speech by saying, "I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for." If that doesn't give you chills or bring a tear to your eye, I don't know what will. Two years later, he was gone. 

70 years later, Major League Baseball is honoring Gehrig and raising awareness for the disease that now bears his name. Gehrig meant so much to baseball, but his impact goes beyond the game, it extends out all over the world. 

Lou Gehrig was a great baseball player, but the words written on his monument really say it all about who he was... "A great man, a great teammate, and a great baseball player."

He's honored today more for being a great man and teammate than anything else. 

If it's any of those reasons, or for any other excuse you just have missed out on the action of 2009 so far, I'll catch you up. You're in for a suprise.

Brandon Inge isn't just defense.

Remember Brandon Inge? Remember how he was only mentioned as a great glove? Remember how he struggled to keep his average above .200? Well, you can just scratch all that.

Yes, you are catching on correctly! Brandon Inge can hit. Knock on wood.

Through July 4, 2008, Brandon Inge was hitting a whopping .215 with five home runs and 21 runs batted. Through July 4, this year, he is just raking. How's .275 with 18 home runs and 52 runs batted for you?

A simple slight change in his batting stance and constant work with hitting coach, Lloyd McClendan, has changed everybody's outlook on Inge

This new Jackson guy is pretty good.

So, do you remember Matt Joyce? You know, the rookie last season who played pretty well in the outfield. Well, the Tigers decided to trade him to Tampa Bay in the offseason. I know, it stinks!

But wait, "Who'd we get in return?", you're asking.

Calm down, I was getting to that. We got Edwin Jackson for Joyce. Yes, that is the same guy that couldn't find a way to win a game early in his career. Yes, it's the same guy who has never lived up to the hype.

Okay, again, scratch all that nonsense. Edwin Jackson, since acquired, has pitched better than most pitchers in not just the American League, but the entire Major Leagues. Jackson is 6-4, with a 2.49 ERA (fifth best in MLB) and nearly a 3:1 K:BB ratio.

Magglio forgot how to hit.

I'm not sure where the old Magglio went, if you find him, let Dave Dombrowski know. Because this guy is on the block in Detroit. I know, your suprised, "What happened?", you ask?

Magglio is no longer that .363 batting champ like 2006 or that 20-30 home run guy. He has become the .261, three home runs and 25 runs batted guy... oh, and that's half way through the season!

It seems Ordonez has gotten old, fast. He is slumping so bad that he cut his wig, back to the way it was back when he was a White Sox. I know! He finally cut his hair! But, it hasn't helped, so don't get too excited.

This massive slump, also has Maggs riding the pine on most nights, as he has almost become the fourth outfielder.

We have an AL Rookie of the Year canidate.

No, I'm not making a 2006 reference to Justin Verlander, but it is similar. Rick Porcello, a 2007 first-round draft pick, has gotten a chance in the rotation this season and has lived up to the hype.

He is 8-5 with a 3.90 ERA through his first 15 career starts. He certainly isn't as good as Verlander was a few years back in his rookie year, but he's close behind.

Porcello hasn't only wow'd Detroit fans. He has been noticed around the country and is getting some consideration for the American League All-Star team.

If Rick keeps pitching the way he is, he will win the A.L. Rookie of the Year award, other potential winners are Elvis Andrus and Matt Wieters.

Did I suprise you? I told you I would. So to avoid more shock in the future, stay tuned into the Tigers the rest of the 2009 season.

In what has turned out to be a tale of two seasons for Berkman, 2009 has been a struggle.  Flirting with the dreaded "Mendoza Line" for the better part of the season, Berkman (a career .300 hitter) has ignited the last ten games improving his average to a respectable .268.

The Astros have battled the Pirates all season in an effort to avoid the NL Central cellar. Suddenly, they find themselves just four games behind the Cardinals for the division lead thanks in large part to their veteran leader.

It is no coincidence the Astros' fortune shifted as Berkman's performance at the plate improved.  With "Bubba being Bubba" the Astros are close to doing what was unthinkable just a few weeks ago—contend for the NL Central title.  They are a "hot hitting" Carlos Lee away from having one of the most potent offenses in the National League outside of the Dodgers.

The Astros and Berkman's season turned on June 25 during an interleague game with the Kansas City Royals.  The burley slugger was hitting at a .230 clip at the time the Astros defeated the Royals 5-4.  Berkman went 3-for-4 with two homeruns and four RBI's and carried the team to victory as he had done so often in 2008.

Since, the Astros have won six of nine games heading into the All-Star break and are now considered buyers rather than sellers with the July 31st trade deadline looming.

If Berkman can stay hot, there are very few reasons why the Astros should not be mentioned in the same breath as the Brewers, Cards and Cubbies with respect to contending for the division title.

Here's how I came up with my cap concept:

Benfry.com has been graphing out the performance of the MLB teams versus their salaries for the last few years. I took an average of the 30 teams' salaries and came up with the mean, first of all.

This year's mean average is $88.5 million. Eighteen of 30 Major League teams are already under this line. It is really only the top seven payrolls that are nowhere close to this mean.

I look at what the salary cap has done for the NFL, which, although there have still been a couple of dynasties, has seen a plethora of different teams appear in the Super Bowl this decade.

I also believe that the NHL has seen a similar pattern emerge since its inception of a cap. The anomaly of having back-to-back repeat matchups in the Cup Final is a testament to building around talent, and not relying on buying the best players because you are in a large market.

I also think that, clearly, having the largest payroll by a 6-to-1 margin over the team with the smallest (Yankees-Marlins) has not consistently produced a champion, which disproves their way of thinking. The last time they even made it to the Fall Classic, they were surprised by (gasp!) the Marlins.

I think that it is reasonable to install a payroll ceiling of $100 million at the outset, with a a floor of $50 million for the first season. As of 2009, 20 out of 30 teams appear to be in that range already, so it is not unreasonable.

After the first year under this system, the cap should be tied to the overall earnings of the Major Leagues on a percentage base (55-60 percent or so).

I understand that there is strong union support against a cap. I am not in this to break the will of the players' union, but really, I think that the major pro sports of the world support their players unbelievably well.

Acting with a little restraint on their potential earnings does not prevent them from putting food on the table.

To sum up:

Beginning season's ceiling: $100 million
Beginning season's floor: $50 million
Second season ceiling: 55-60 percent of league-wide revenues, divided by 30
Second season floor: 45-50 percent of league-wide revenues, divided by 30

Comment away, fervent masses.

Koyie Hill awaits the throw home, before tagging out Jeff Suppan at the plate. (Cubbie Nation)

Click here for the photo gallery from Friday's game

It was yet more walk-off magic for the Cubs Friday, when a bases-loaded walk to Jake Fox sent Ryan Theriot home, and gave the Cubs a 2-1 win in 10 innings. With the win, the Cubs have now closed in to within 2.5 games of the division lead.

Two-and-one-half games. For all the offensive woes, bad personnel choices, shaky bullpen efforts, defensive foibles, and collection of outburst and tirades, the Cubs are 2.5 out to start July and have some reason to be hopeful.

Aramis Ramirez and Reed Johnson are due back on Monday. Angel Guzman the following day. Guys like Soto and Lee are hitting—or at least starting to. Guys like Kevin Gregg, who saved this game, in my opinion, with two innings of stellar bullpen work in relief of Carlos Zambrano, are at least beginning to perform to expectations.

And I suspect most importantly, manager Lou Piniella is finally starting to clear the clubhouse of the bad ju-ju that has been over the club like a fog this season.

And that includes you Ryan Freel, designed for assignment Friday, to free up a spot for newly acquired Jeff Baker. With such quotables as this during his minor-league stint:

“I’d like to think that I can help the team, but apparently they don’t think that. That’s pretty much a conversation I had with somebody up top. Maybe I’ll be designated, traded or released.”

I would have released you that day buddy.

With moves like this, and clearing the air with Milton Bradley, perhaps we can at least look forward to a club that looks a little less tight in the second half, or as Ken Rosenthal put it recently, maybe they'll get over themselves.

Finally, watch for Soriano drama in the coming days, as Piniella suggests shake-ups in the lineup affecting him. Says Piniella:

"I can tell you I have confidence in the young man [Soriano], and I feel he's going to hit. But we are going to make some adjustments with the lineup."

Say what you will about Lou, but he's earning his check this season, if only in having to manage the personalities and egos of this fragile team.

The pitching certainly hasn't blown people away, but there has been improvement. That plus a good crop of young talent gave people hope.

Then the trades started.

First outfielder Nate McLouth was traded to the Atlanta Braves for three prospects. That was a great move for Atlanta, bad for Pittsburgh. McLouth is signed until 2011 and at a good price. He was one of the top players in the lineup, and some players had no trouble expressing their disagreement.

"Wow," second baseman Freddy Sanchez said Thursday of the trade, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I think the biggest thing was the shock factor. It's obviously a tough pill to swallow. Our No. 3 hitter just got taken away, the guy who leads our team in home runs and RBIs, and we were 6½ games out.

There ain't a guy in here who ain't [ticked] off about it," said first baseman Adam LaRoche, according to the report. "It's kind of like being with your platoon in a battle, and guys keep dropping around you. You keep hanging on, hanging on, and you've got to figure: How much longer till you sink?

Well the front office was not done sending starters away for prospects after all of that. They then sent Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett to the Washington Nationals and Eric Hinske to the Yankees. And of course there were some less than happy reactions from the Pirates locker room.

It’s tough for the guys who’ve been here and have seen these trades happen and absolutely do nothing,” Wilson said several hours after the deals were made. “I’ve seen these trades two or three times a year and we still haven’t had a winning season.

How hard is it for people to continue supporting this team? Morgan and Burnett were good players, with a lot of potential.

That Pittsburgh bullpen relied on Burnett. And now that support is gone. You're best overall hitter leaves, and then you're catalyst. And for what? Prospects. Players that may be good.

And honestly, what does that say about the front office's faith in the team? Yeah, they aren't a great team, but when you're only six games out in the CENTRAL division, you still have a chance. And it when you still have a chance, you do not give away stars.

The thing about rebuilding that I don't think Pittsburgh's front office has realized that eventually you are finished with the construction. The four players that have left the team this year are young players. Young players with gobs of talent.

This may be something we see every year. Develop some great players and when there aren't instant results trade them away for next year's stars. I really feel for Pirates fans.

First they can't get a winning season, now they don't even have the luxury of watching their stars play.

Bailey was pitching one of the best games you could imagine.  Through seven innings, he had limited the St. Louis Cardinals to just two hits and was ahead 3-0.

Bailey entered the eighth inning with the dreaded 100-pitch count just in sight.  After giving up a pinch-hit single to Cody Rasmus, he coaxed Brenden Ryan to fly out.  With a man on and one out, Bailey walked Skip Schumaker, giving Dusty Baker something to do besides chew on a toothpick. 

Baker called veteran lefty Arthur Rhodes in to face Jarrett Hoffpauir, who was making his big-league debut at the plate. After walking the rookie on four pitches, Baker did the unthinkable. 

With the bases loaded and the best player on the planet coming up, he brought in David Weathers, who is owned unconditionally by Albert Pujols.

Pujols was batting .500 against Weathers, with a pair of home runs and five RBI. In just a few pitches, the Cardinals went from a 3-0 drubbing to a 4-3 comeback-victory-to-be.

Thank you, Dave Weathers, thank you Dusty Baker.  My heart goes out to you Homer. 

I have probably been the harshest critic of Bailey here at the B/R.  Excuse me while I wipe some of this egg off my face. Yuck.  It really tastes like crap when it is served with humble pie.

On May 24, right here on this very spot, I essentially crucified Bailey, and for that, I am deeply, deeply distraught.  Please accept my apologies Homer and continue to pitch with the Reds.

On a night when the planets were in perfect alignment for Mr. Bailey, all Baker could think about was making a change and playing the percentages.

I am reminded of a quote by former Red pitcher Jim O'Toole who said (and I paraphrase), "If I am pitching a shutout in the seventh inning, there is no way in hell I am coming out."

Of course, when you are an All-Star game starter, it is easier to deal with a nervous manager than it is when you have your own personal path to and from Louisville to Cincinnati.

Bailey should have won the game and had 7.1 innings of shutout ball to brag about.  Instead he is charged with two earned runs and gets no decision.

The crazy thing about it is that if the Reds had won the game (and they had their chance in the bottom of the ninth, with the bases loaded and Brandon Phillips batting), Weathers would have picked up the victory.  Wouldn't that have been ironic?

Hey Dusty, please start looking at the computer and seeing who owns whom before making changes.

Year Established: 1901

City: Chicago

Ballpark: U.S. Cellular Field

League: American League

Division: AL Central

Number of Playoff Appearances: 9

Number of Pennants: 6

World Series Titles: 1906, 1917, 2005

All-Time Teams

Catcher: Carlton Fisk

First Base: Frank Thomas

Second Base: Eddie Collins

Third Base: Robin Ventura

Shortstop: Luke Appling

Outfield: Joe Jackson, Harold Baines, Minnie Minoso

Pitchers: Eddie Cicotte, Ed Walsh, Ted Lyons, Red Faber, Billy Pierce

Bench: Nellie Fox, Paul Konerko, Luis Aparicio

Manager: Al Lopez

Recap:

The easiest players to pick were the pitching staff, Jackson, Appling, and Thomas.

The hardest desicion was at second base. Collins or Fox?

The White Sox have a good pitching staff, definitely in the top 10.

They have a good infield, which is anchored by their middle infielders.

They have a good power hitter in Frank Thomas, and they definitely have a great hitter in Joe Jackson.

They also have a strong outfield, but it wouldn't stand up against the Yankees, Phillies, or Red Sox. They are probably in the top ten.

All in all, the all-time White Sox team is average compared to the others.

Next: Cincinnati Reds

Team Name: Chicago Cubs

Year Established: 1870

City: Chicago

Ballpark: Wrigley Field

Previous Nicknames: White Stockings (1870-1889), Colts (1890-1987), Orphans (1898-1901)

League: National League

Division: NL Central

Other Leagues: National Association (1870-1875)

Number of Playoff Appearances: 18

Number of Pennants: 16

World Series Titles: 1907, 1908

All-Time Team

Catcher: Gabby Hartnett

First Base: Cap Anson

Second Base: Ryne Sandberg

Third Base: Ron Santo

Shortstop: Ernie Banks

Outfield: Kiki Cuyler, Billy Williams, Sammy Sosa

Pitchers: Mordecai Brown, Bruce Sutter, Charley Root, Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith

Bench: Hack Wilson, Jimmy Ryan, Bill Nicholson

Manager: Cap Anson

Recap:

The easiest players to pick were Sandberg, Anson, Santo, Banks, and the pitching staff.

Anson was the first great baseball player and was also a great manager. He is the player/manager of this team.

Banks was arguably the greatest shortstop of all-time. He is the leader of this team.

The Cubs have a good pitching staff and surely rank in the top 10 (maybe five) in that category.

They have one of the best double-play combinations in Banks, Sandberg, and Anson.

If they had this team in real life, they wouldn't have to wait 100 years for a World Series.

(But I guess I don't have much room to talk, it took the Phillies 97 years.)

Next: Chicago White Sox

In addition, starting catcher Jorge Posada was placed on the disabled list a few days earlier on May 5 with a strained left hamstring and he missed 24 days. Legs injuries are severely detrimental to a catcher, both in his time away and quality of play, especially with players at the advanced baseball ages of Posada (37) and Molina (34).

That is why it is important for the Yankees to keep reserve catcher Francisco Cervelli on the major league roster even after Molina returns. Most people will want to send Cervelli down for regular play at the Triple A level, but he can provide the big club an even more vital role by staying on the Bronx.

Before Molina and Posada went down with their injuries, Molina was the starting catcher in four of the prior ten games. In three of those starts, Hideki Matsui was the DH, while Posada was the DH in the fourth Molina start. In the three games Matsui was the DH, Posada pinch hit late in the game.

Both Molina and Posada both played in all four of those games, with no backup in place in case anything happened to the second catcher. Granted, Posada pinched hit late in the game, with the game usually on the line. But, if the game went extra innings and Posada was needed to catch, there is a decent chance an injury could occur.

I base this on Posada’s fragile nature and the overall physical demands of the catching position. A foul tip here, ball in the dirt hitting the wrong spot there, or maybe a play at the plate.

Posada is notoriously shy about blocking the plate, but it still needs to be done and the runner will still try and do his job of dislodging the ball form the catcher, especially that late in the game.

All those instances can wipe involve removing your catcher from the game. And who then will catch? Cody Ransom? He is versatile and physically capable, but right now he is the only Yankee backup infielder. He is needed for that role. Eric Hinske could play infield, but he was never that good defensively at third base in his career.

Most teams carry two catchers, but that is usually workable because the starting catcher play the bulk of the games, with the backup maybe getting a start per week. Based upon usage thus far this season, Molina would be spelling Posada behind the plate 40 percent of the time.

That is too much work for the backup catcher, but the Yankees need that due to a variety of reasons, including Posada’s age, recent injury history and the certain pitchers who like to throw to Molina.

In the 23 games Cervelli has appeared in this season, he has rarely looked overmatched at the plate and even hit his first Major League home run June 24 in Atlanta. That home run broke up a no-hitter in the sixth inning, and propelled the Yankees to begin a seven game winning streak.

He also has several other timely hits (two run single off of Johan Santana on June 14), is a really good defensive catcher with a strong arm and appears to have a great working relationship with the pitchers.

During his abbreviated spring training with the Yankees (abbreviated due to his participation for Italy in the WBC), Cervelli credited Molina with helping him with the major league game.

Most people within baseball would send Cervelli down to Triple A so he can “play every day” and presumably get better. When is playing every day at a lower level allowing a baseball player to “get better?”

Players get better from playing at the highest level, and learning from their mentors.

Just like when Posada was a young player and Joe Girardi took him under his wing for the 1998 and 1999 seasons (two World Series titles by the way), Molina has taken to tutoring Cervelli on the finer points of major league catching.

And Cervelli needs this mental approach more than anything as he just began catching in 2003 when the Yankees signed him as a non-drafted free agent. The Yankees felt his body type and throwing arm were best suited behind the plate.

I know this goes against the current thinking in major league baseball, but I have always been a "go against the grain" type of guy when it comes to baseball. Not much into going by the book.

For example, why do managers always go to their "eighth inning guy" out of the bullpen when the pitcher who currently in the game is pitching well? Why the need for pitch counts and innings limits? Let the kids throw the ball!

Detroit has held 20 year old pitching phenom Rick Porcello under 100 pitches in every one of his starts this season? Why? To save his arm? Spare me the hyperbole about young pitchers and throwing a baseball.

I was at one of his high school state playoff games where he threw over 150 pitches! By the way, check out who sponsors Porcello's baseball-reference page.

 
Anyway, when Cervelli is kept, who should then go down to Scranton? Nobody.

Veteran pitcher Brett Tomko would need to be designated for assignment (basically released), and go through waivers where he would probably be picked up from another team. Tomko is your 12th pitcher, something I never have liked having on a major league team.

Eleven pitchers (five starter, closer, five relievers) are just fine, especially when you have four of your relievers (Phil Hughes, Phil Coke, David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves) who can pitch multiple innings.

Tomko has only been used five times since June 9 with 8 IP, allowing 8 hits, 8 ER, and 3 HR. Three times were mop up duty and twice was the game was close. Both those times he allowed big innings.

Tomko is expendable, and as I have mentioned before, he really isn't that good of a pitcher.  If the Yankees need a mop-up guy, Nick Swisher is always available. He has beter number than Tomko anyway. 

Go against the tide Brian Cashman and keep Cervelli around. The Yankees will be better off in the long run

In the winter, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made a vow to improve the starting pitching. He brought in the two most attractive names on the market, in CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. While doing so, Cashman almost forgot to re-sign one of their most important players over the last 14 years.

It wasn't until January 26th that the Yankees finally re-signed Pettitte to a one-year, $5.5 million dollar deal with incentives.

How has Pettitte done thus far, being the oldest member of the starting rotation at age 37?

In 11 of his 16 starts, Pettitte has gone at least six innings. Pettitte has also reached seven innings or more six times.

He's already gotten to 97.1 innings, with 66 strikeouts, and he's 8-3 with a 4.25 ERA.

Sabathia has seven wins, as does Burnett. Joba Chamberlain only has four wins, while Chien-Ming Wang has one.

Imagine that, a 37 year old that Brian Cashman nearly didn't bring back to the Yankees, is the current leader in wins for the Yankees pitching staff.

How is that possible?

It's possible because Pettitte is still one of the best gamer's out there. He has grown up in the A.L. East, pitched in every big-game spot, battled every possible adversity; yet still comes across a very humble man. Pettitte has four World Series championships with the Yankees and helped the Houston Astros get to one in 2005.

Pettitte lives for the big game situations.

Last year was one of Pettitte's roughest, especially down the stretch. Pettitte was pitching with a sore arm, an injury nobody knew about except himself. Pettitte didn't take the Carl Pavano route and hide out on the disabled list; he knew the Yankees were in a pennant race with the Rays and Red Sox, so he continued to take the ball on every fifth day.

Following the All-Star break, Pettitte went 4-7 and finished 14-14; some wondered if Pettitte was finished. The Yankees really had no other choice but to reward him for his gutsy efforts in 2008.

In 2009, Pettitte's style isn't like Sabathia, Burnett or Chamberlain; he doesn't throw 93-95 mph and blow it past guys. He averages between 86-90, but relies on movement of his pitches and placement to get people out. He went from striking hitters out with his cutter to relying on a sweeping curve ball, a sharp slider and a good changeup to go along with the cutter that he still throws.

This strategy was successful last season of Mike Mussina, who went 20-9 last year before retiring. Mussina knew he could no longer blow by hitters, so he relied on great movement and changing speeds to fool hitters. Pettitte is taking the same approach in 2009 and thus far, it is paying off.

Because it is paying off, he's having a possible All-Star season. Whether he is chosen to go to St. Louis is debatable, but the Yankees should know no matter how many players they get in free agency or trades, they can't ignore what an old home-grown veteran has done for them thus far.

Again, where would the Yankees be without Pettitte?

Just look back to the 2004 ALCS against Boston in Games five, six, and seven. Bet they would have loved to have had Pettitte then, which is why they haven't made the mistake of letting him go again.

$5.5 million; a sheer bargain for what Pettitte has accomplished.

Returning from his suspension for violating baseball's drug policy, the Los Angeles slugger barely hit the ball out of the infield in the Dodgers' 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night.

He did provide a lot of energy to the team with baseball's best record."- Foxsports.com

I will stop you right there.

Why are we celebrating a cheater? Last night Albert Pujols hit an eighth Grand Slam(his fourth on the year and 10th career beating Stan The Man Musial) to give the Cardinals a 4-3 lead.

Then with it tied 4-4 in the ninth inning Jarret Hoffpauir(making his MLB debut), who walked to load the bases for Albert in the eighth, sent a ball over the head of Edwin Encarnacion to give the Cards a 6-4 lead and the eventual 7-4 win. Ryan Franklin recorded his 20 save.

By the way that's less then K-Rod who has three blown saves and a 2-2 record. Yet have you heard of this? No! Not unless you watched the game, were on the cardinals website(STI Cardinals), or watched MLB tonight(MLB network) at the right time!

This is ridiculous. We cover a cheater instead of the Best Player in The Game! When was the last article about Pujols hitting the Triple Crown(besides the millions here on BR)? This is ridiculous.

Tim Lincecum is also going for the Pitching Triple Crown. Did you hear about that? Most likely not unless you read my article about it!

When you look on the featured stories list this probably won't be there. In fact I will be lucky to get 10 views! That is because by the time this is published there will be five million articles on Manny.

Now it is disgusting that a good informative article is pushed out of view for the view of a article about a cheater.

(Thank you Jack Clark or giving me the motivation to write this article)

Just for this week, I think they should've renamed it The Late Late Late Show.

Anyway, I decided to pass the time by watching Baseball Tonight, which I don't normally watch because I can't stand the analysts. But it was something to do.

After about ten minutes, the Braves-Nationals highlights came on. I wasn't really paying attention; I was checking minor league scores on my computer.

I looked up to see a nice catch by Nyjer Morgan and an upper-deck homer by Adam Dunn, but didn't catch anything in between.

Then I heard "Now, to the seventh inning. Jesus Colome in to pitch for the Nationals..."

I looked up. I've always been a fan of Colome's. No real reason I guess—it's just cool when someone can throw 100 mph sidearm. Plus, the Rays are my second-favorite team, so I like a lot of guys who came up with them.

I hoped to hear that Colome did something good. Instead, I heard:

"And this is Brooks...Conrad..."

Next thing I know, I'm watching Conrad line a 97-mph fastball from Colome into the bullpen in right field.

Upon seeing this, I let out a long "Ohhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!"

Ten seconds later, my mom called my cellphone from two floors away. Apparently I had been so loud, I had woken her up and she thought the house was being broken into.

My response was a rather sheepish, "Uh...no...my second-favorite player hit a home run."

"Why are you making this noise! It's 12:45!"

"...You don't understand. Never mind."

I don't know how many of you were on Bleacher Report last April/May, when I first started writing here. If you're familiar with my work then, you probably know why I would do that.

If you don't, let's get you caught up on why I was so excited.

Brooks Conrad is a second baseman who was drafted way back in 2001. An eighth-round pick of the Astros, the gritty switch-hitter had an excellent college career at Arizona State.

Conrad's advanced skillset is the sort that typically allows a player to move quickly through the low minors.

However, while he hit well in the low minors, the Astros made him spend two and a half years just to get through High-A. He didn't even make it to Double-A until 2004, despite putting up consistent .280/.370/.460-ish numbers, excellent for a second baseman.

The then-24-year-old Conrad hit .290/.365/.475 in Double-A, but not only was he not promoted, the Astros made him start 2005 at Double-A again. Finally getting the call to Triple-A at the end of April 2005, Conrad blasted 21 homers in just 113 games there, hitting .263/.347/.481.

Let's stop for a second.

Now, here's a switch-hitting second baseman who just hit .263 with 21 homers in his first crack at Triple-A. He also has speed (20 steals in 2005) and the ability to play everywhere but short and catcher (and he can play short, he's just a bit stretched rangewise).

Wouldn't you want him on your team? Maybe not to start, but at least as a utilityman, right? Or a pinch-hitter/defensive replacement?

Apparently, the Astros didn't. They sent Conrad back to Triple-A to begin 2006.

He responded by leading the minors in extra-base hits, with 40 doubles, 15 triples, and 24 homers. He also stole 15 bases. He hit .267/.334/.534.

He didn't even get a September callup.

Now, being someone who thinks the Quad-A stereotype is screwing baseball up, I was outraged at this. 

But I was also confused.

See, most Quad-A guys are guys like Jack Cust, who hit a ton of homers but strike out a lot and can't play defense. That's the stereotype. But here's Conrad, who can play six or seven positions, switch-hit, hit for a decent average, draw some walks, steal some bases, and hit a ton of doubles and homers.

That's not the Quad-A stereotype at all. That's the five-tool stereotype.

So why didn't the Astros ever give Conrad a look? I have no idea. I can't comprehend it to this day. 

The best I can figure is that he was old for his levels, but it's not like Conrad took awhile to figure out each level--he basically got stuck at each level for at least a year and a half because the Astros, for whatever reason, didn't feel like promoting him.

He never struggled to hit, aside from a 38-game stretch at Low-A in 2003, so it certainly wasn't for lack of production.

Now, I was extremely disheartened by the Astros' treatment of Conrad, but I can only imagine how he felt about it.

I usually discount things like "heart" and "intangibles" in sports, because they're so often thrown around as ways to explain things, when there's really an obvious more concrete reason.

However, I have noticed that when a player is repeatedly and (usually) undeservedly overlooked, their Triple-A production eventually starts to slide. You can see it with Heath Phillips, John-Ford Griffin, Jon Knott, Mike Hessman, and a number of other guys.

It makes sense that these players get frustrated by their lack of a callup and discouraged by their situation. Therefore, they get distracted from the task at hand.

That's exactly what seemed to happen with Conrad in 2007. Everything that made him so good was still there—it just wasn't there quite as much. Some of the difference is probably in BABIP, but he hit fewer doubles, fewer triples, and fewer homers, he stole fewer bases, and he struck out more.

His .218/.305/.420 line, while it still showed good power and discipline, simply was too weighed down by his 144 strikeouts to look very good.

Given that they didn't value him much through all his good hitting, it made sense that the Astros let Conrad become a free agent. 

I was very excited when he caught on with the A's. Showing seemingly renewed vigor, Conrad tore up spring training, hitting nearly .400 and being one of the final 28 players on the A's roster (they were allowed to keep three extra guys to go to Japan).

I was particularly excited that Farhan Zaidi, A's Director of Player Personnel, said "We definitely see (Conrad) helping us at some point this season."

He didn't break camp with the A's, but Conrad went down to Triple-A and rebounded some. He hit for more average and power but drew fewer walks. 

The A's, scuffling on offense, turned to some other options first (including the punchless Gregorio Petit), but they finally decided to give the then-28-year-old Conrad a big league look on July 21, 2008.

He went 2-for-19 with no walks and nine strikeouts in six games.

Sent back down to the minors, Conrad finished up his season with a career-high 28 homers and a decent .243/.313/.508 batting line.

Baseball Prospectus 2009 wrote, "At 29, his window is closing."

I was compelled to agree. I was still a fan, and still hoped Conrad would catch on somewhere, but that big 2006 was now two years past, and he had a .230 average and .311 OBP since then.

I would've liked to see Conrad stay in Oakland (he certainly would've gotten a longer look this year), but I couldn't blame the guy for looking elsewhere and signing with Atlanta.

In spring training, I kept track of his performance.

He was terrible.

Conrad played in most games, and didn't crack the .100 mark until the last one or two games of the spring.

Since he wasn't in the A's organization anymore, and had dropped off some in 2007-08, I stopped vigorously promoting Conrad to baseball fans everywhere and moved my focus to A's 1B/3B Tommy Everidge (who, seriously, needs to get called up. Now.).

I'd still check in every few games to see how Conrad was doing. He was still the same low-average, low-OBP, high-power bat in April (.250/.308/.472), but then in May, Conrad walked 20 times and hit .291/.422/.488. That was nice, but given his horrible spring, I figured Atlanta had written Conrad off as a guy who couldn't hit big league pitching. 

In June, Conrad didn't hit well at all. He hit .238/.328/.307, with an uncharateristic .069 ISO. At least he walked some.

Overall, Conrad was hitting .259/.356/.413 at Triple-A Gwinnett, which is nice, but I had no idea that anyone other than myself (and presumably Conrad, his family, and his friends) cared.

Well, apparently the Braves did. With Kelly Johnson injured, they called the 29-year-old up today and pinch-hit him against Jesus Colome in the seventh inning.

You know the rest. Conrad's three-run homer propelled the Braves to a 9-8 victory.

That's a hell of a first impression. Now Conrad has to show that his skill set is good enough to send someone else down.

Can he do it? He's capable of it, but he probably doesn't have very long. Just like last year, he may only have 10 or 20 at-bats to show what he can do. These next two weeks will be vital for Conrad. He has the ability to be a good everyday player in the majors, but it's now or never to show that to someone besides me.

But no matter what, Brooks Conrad will always have the night of July 3, 2009 to remember. He got a 97-mph fastball with good movement, down and in, and yanked a no-doubt homer to right field.

For this one night, Brooks Conrad is vindicated. After five years in Triple-A, when people said he couldn't hit big-league pitching, he hit one of the best fastballs in the majors out of the ballpark. 

For this one night, I am vindicated. I am vindicated for pointing at his stats and yelling that he should be a starter in the majors. I am vindicated for ranking him 44th on my top 102 prospects last year, despite the fact that nobody even thought of him as a prospect.

So no, Mom, nobody's breaking into our house. I've just been having a metaphorical argument with all baseball insiders for four years, and for this one night, I won.

So congratulations, Brooks Conrad. Congratulations for proving me (and, I would guess, yourself, if you have any self-confidence) right. I wish you the best of luck for the next two weeks and beyond. Go out there and put together a 10-year big-league career.

Hopefully, tonight will not be the only vindication.

For over half of our country’s existence since declaring Independence from England, baseball has been there along the way and signals part of the American dream that so many immigrants since coming from their homeland have learned to love.

The fact that it remains largely an American sport played mostly within the lands of the Monroe Doctrine, and dismissed in continents like Europe show how American it is more so than any other export America has to offer.

Having said all that, it brings me up to the topic which is baseball mandating all the teams wear their special USA colors on their caps.

I think it’s a great tribute to our country and well deserved for our national past-time to recognize special American holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

If this tradition had been instituted since the inception, or maybe began at the Bi-centennial celebration in 1976, I wouldn’t question anything.

However, I keep going back to Bud Selig patting himself on the back about how baseball has never been better and is making more money than ever before.

He detailed the entire operation and how Major League Baseball properties sales on the Internet has been one of the larger revenue growths in baseball. Baseball teams used to run their own web sites and Selig got them all on the same page.

It sure makes it easier for the fan to follow baseball, that’s for sure. Selig wasn’t trying to be boastful, he was just looking for more approval ratings in his campaign to be called the best commissioner ever.

I don’t mind the special caps being worn and sold in the same fashion that NASCAR does with the special paint schemes to sell die cast cars, but I do mind when they tie in our flag as a way to generate additional revenue.

You know every die hard Red Sox fan who has the ’75 Fred Lynn hat, the St. Paddy’s day green hat, and the traditional navy hat, now has to get the USA Sox hat.

It’s simple marketing and a perfect way to bilk an extra $25 out of the fan for something they don’t have yet, but using the flag, our stars and stripes regardless of how intertwined baseball is with America just doesn’t sit right with me.

It’s not quite in the same class of Michael Jordan and the other Nike contracted Dream Teamers who used the flag to cover the Reebok logo on their sweat suits in the medal ceremony, but for some reason baseball using the flag to boost sales bothers me. If it were a tradition, fine, but it’s not. It’s a scheme to get every dollar out of their fans wallets.

Pure capitalism is part of what makes America so great. But I would have like to have seen New Era, the company that makes the hat, and MLB get together and make a cheaper version in an attempt to get all fans to own the hat, maybe even a giveaway day.

Fourth of July cap day, or something like that, would have been a very nice tribute to the fans of baseball in America who spent their billions of dollars over the last 125 years to make baseball what it is today.

The Braves had been pitching very well lately, but Kenshin Kawakami's first start since taking a liner off his neck was rather forgettable.

He surrendered runs in each of the first three innings, including the first hit and RBI of Washington starter Ross Detwiler's career.

Kawakami couldn't escape seeing the mammoth home run that Adam Dunn hit in the third inning to give the Nats a 4-3 lead.

The 91-mph fastball caught too much of the plate and landed several rows deep in the upper deck in right center field, probably some 500 feet from home plate. 

While Kawakami struggled on the mound, his lineup bailed him out each time. Every time the Nats scored, the Braves came right back.

An RBI single from Matt Diaz in the top of the second inning scored Brian McCann to tie the game at 1-1.

In the third inning, Martin Prado doubled to right and Chipper Jones followed with a double of his own. Jones scored two batters later on a Yunel Escobar RBI single to tie the game at 3-3.

After Dunn's home run in the bottom of the third, Kawakami seemed to settle in a bit. The Braves responded.

The same trio came through again in the top of the fourth for Atlanta. Martin Prado singled, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Chipper Jones drove in Prado with a single to left.

A Brian McCann single moved Jones to second, and then Escobar doubled over Dunn's head in left to score Jones and give the Braves a 5-4 lead.

Kawakami's ill-advised decision to throw to second on a slow chopper by Cristian Guzman with one out in the fifth was the last straw, as instead of two outs and one on, Kawakami was pulled after the throwing error with runners on second and third.

Boone Logan came on in relief and wound up retiring all five hitters he faced in the fifth and sixth innings. However, Josh Bard's groundout scored Josh Willingham from third to tie the score at 5.

After Yunel Escobar and Casey Kotchman worked walks from Jesus Colome in the top of the seventh, Bobby Cox sent the just recalled Brooks Conrad to pinch-hit with two out and two on.

Conrad, who had signed with the Braves as a minor league free agent after the 2008 season, was promoted after Kelly Johnson was placed on the DL earlier in the day with a wrist injury.

The switch-hitter was selected as a International League All-Star, but only had 19 career at-bats in the majors with Oakland last September.

He made his first plate appearance extremely memorable. He turned around a 95-mph fastball low and over the inside corner down the line and into the Nationals bullpen for an 8-5 lead.

Peter Moylan survived some control issues by escaping the seventh allowing only one run, despite giving up a single to Ryan Zimmerman and walking Adam Dunn to start the inning.

The Braves got the run back in the top of the eighth after a Martin Prado double, a walk to Chipper Jones, a sacrifice bunt by Brian McCann and an intentional walk to Yunel Escobar loaded the bases.

Matt Diaz was uncharacteristically patient facing reliever Julian Tavarez and drew a walk to extend the Braves lead to 9-6.

Garret Anderson's liner to right was too shallow to score Jones from third and the Braves couldn't add more, as the left the bases loaded again.

Mike Gonzalez was impressive in striking out the side in the bottom of the eighth. After going quietly in the top of the ninth, Rafael Soriano dug himself a big hole by walking Nick Johnson and Ryan Zimmerman to start the inning and bringing Adam Dunn to the plate representing the tying run.

It seemed as if Soriano was going to escape unscathed as he got Dunn to pop out to Jones at third, and blew a third-strike fastball past Josh Willingham.

However, Cristian Guzman roped a double down the line in right, scoring both runners and making the score 9-8. Josh Bard then rolled over a fastball, grounding out to Casey Kotchman to end the game.

I look at Kawakami's error as a pivotal play in this game. If he takes the sure out at first, instead of trying to get the force at second, there's two outs and one runner on second with the catcher coming up next.

Kawakami had pitched pretty well the previous inning plus, and could have gotten through five innings with a 5-4 lead, thus giving himself a chance to win.

On a night when most of the pitchers who took the mound got hit hard, Logan pitched well in a perfect 1.2 innings of relief.

Soriano's inning was a rare bad one, as he's been great all year, but might benefit from a little rest soon. Bobby Cox, might consider using Manny Acosta and Logan a bit more to give the trio of Moylan, Gonzalez and Soriano a break on occasion.

That late inning trio has been overall excellent all-season. Moylan's ERA prior to tonight's outing had gotten below 4.00 for the first time all season.

Since starting the season giving up five runs in his first two appearances without recording an out, he's had an ERA under 3.00 each month since.

Exclude those two appearances in April, his ERA is under 3.00 for the season...same as Soriano and Gonzalez.

The Braves have a unique situation with two closers. As Joe Simpson mentioned on tonight's broadcast, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez have been very good if not great, and don't let their egos get in the way of who gets the save on the stat sheet.

It's a rare resource to have a left-right combination of hard throwing arms in the bullpen who can close out games.

The Braves' now season-high five game win streak comes at the heels of Bobby Cox pushing a lot of the right buttons.

Martin Prado has slid nicely into the lineup in the No. 2 spot in the order playing second base. Yunel Escobar appears to be healthy, and taken a quick liking to batting fifth behind Brian McCann.

I'm curious though about one thing. When was the last time the Braves got pinch-hit homers on consecutive days?

I don't know, but it's probably happened before. But another more interesting trivia question is: has a team gotten pinch-hit homers from players on consecutive days, who had never hit a pinch-hit home run before?

I'm guessing that the Elias Sports Bureau might have that information somewhere, but I don't.

Nevertheless, the middle of the line-up got it done. Every starter except Jeff Francoeur got at least one hit, and the 2-6 hitters in the Braves lineup went a combined 11-for-20 with 5 BB, 6 RBI, 4 R, and 3 sacrifice bunts.

The Braves hope to ride the suddenly hot bats of Matt Diaz, Martin Prado and Yunel Escobar to another win on Saturday afternoon, as Tommy Hanson goes for his fifth straight win.

Down three runs in the eighth inning, the struggling St. Louis offense managed to load the bases, and then, foolishly decided to pitch to Albert Pujols. Walking him in this situation would have only scored one run.

Throwing a weak pitch right down the middle to him resulted in four. Pujols’s grand slam powered the Cardinals to a dramatic 7-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Redbirds’ pitching was unsteady enough to make any St. Louis area viewer watching it break out in jitters and hives.

Joel Piniero gave up three runs and eight hits in seven innings, and only managed one strikeout. Josh Kinney was predictably terrible. Even Ryan Franklin, usually the Cards’ steadiest pitching hand, showed some up and down inconsistency.

However, it must be said, that, even at their bleakest moments, St. Louis pitching does get the job done a lot more often they don’t.

Pujols drove in five of the team’s runs. This is what any fan of this ball-club has come to expect this season. However, Cardinal Nation did get a surprise gift in this game. The other two of the team’s runs were driven in by rookie second baseman, Jarrett Hoffpauir, in his Major League debut.

His performance tonight was almost good enough to make Cardinals fans forget about the various headaches causes this season by Khalil Greene, Joe Thurston, and, recently, Mark DeRosa.

Ankiel and Duncan were terrible at the plate in this game, like they usually are, but Colby Rasmus continued to impress.

It was a night of dramatic highs and lows, but, in the end, only the score really matters.

The Cardinals have won three games in a row, and they lead their division by one game, so it is going to be difficult for Internet smart-asses like me to criticize them for at least a day.

They play two afternoon games against the Reds this weekend. It remains to be seen how long this sudden gust of momentum that seems to be propelling the Cardinals forward can last.

Dodger fans made the trip south en masse, at times out-vocalizing the home town Padre fans, to welcome back their slugging outfielder from his 50-game banishment for violating baseball's PED rules.

In his first at bat, Manny drew a walk in the middle of a Dodger five-run outburst, which pretty much ended the game as soon as it started.

He grounded out in the second and fourth innings, then ended his evening after popping up to second to finish out the sixth inning.

Juan Pierre came in for Manny in the bottom of the sixth inning and made a fine catch at the wall to close out the eighth inning, robbing Adrian Gonzalez of extra bases.

Afterwards, Manny thanked the many Dodger fans who made the trip to San Diego to support him and the team. 

He said he felt great and looks forward to playing in the game tomorrow afternoon, a game that will be on the FOX Network. Later, Torre confirmed Manny will be in the lineup on Saturday.

Manny praised his teammates and Pierre in particular for all the great work they continue to do, pointing to their offensive ability and professionalism.

Back to the Top

The real star of the night was leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal, who started the game off with a line drive single. For the night, Furcal was 4-for-5 with a double and run scored. He also stole his fifth base of the season.

Strong-Arming the Friars

Dodger starter Hiroki Kuroda picked up his third win on the year, going 5.1 innings conceding four hits and three runs, all earned. He walked two and struck out two throwing 88 pitches, 56 for strikes.

Scott Hairston took him deep for the first Padre run in the fourth. Kuroda could only retire one hitter in the sixth, leaving after Gonzalez doubled home two runs.

Guillermo Mota came on to quell the uprising, then punched out two Pads in the seventh inning. He retired all five batters he faced in the game. Mota has allowed only one run in his last 18 appearances, and none in his last six.

Ramon Troncoso got the first two outs of the eighth inning before walking Hairston. Brent Leach came in to retire Gonzales and turn matters over to the Dodger closer.

Jonathan Broxton collected his 20th save, striking out two of the three batters he faced. Eight of his 10 pitches broke the 100 mph barrier on the San Diego speed gun.

Rest Does Good

Dodger catcher Russell Martin had played two innings over the last three days. The rest seemed to be positive, as he collected two singles and drove in a run in the first and another on a ground out in the third.

Up Next

The next two games will be afternoon affairs, Saturday's start time on the FOX Network at 1:10 PM Pacific and Sunday at 1:05 on KCAL Channel 9.

Saturday, the Dodgers will send Randy Wolf (3-3, 3.61) against San Diego's Josh Geer (1-3, 5.68).

On Sunday, LA's ace Chad Billingsley (9-4, 3.12) will battle Josh Banks (1-0, 3.38).

Let me start off by saying the stadium is absolutely gorgeous. Just from standing outside, you could tell how beautiful the ballpark really is and how much money the Yanks put into it. One little aspect I liked was that the Yankees changed the way of security checks upon entering the stadium. The old way was that there would be a few stations around one area, and you would have to wait in line, and some of the lines got extremely long. Now, the Yankees have many security people spread out over all the entrances, so the lines are extremely short, if at all. There were no lines for security checks on Thursday. 

The biggest difference between the old and new stadium is the standing room, and the "comfort level" of the stadium. What I had always said of the old Yankee Stadium was that you really had to want to go see the game, because someone who didn't care for baseball could not relax at the old stadium. Not that it was a dump, just that it was not a comfortable place to be. First of all, the hallways are much wider, with much more room to walk. Also, there are many "open" areas, such as the tables outside of the Mohegan Sun bar in center field, where it is very convenient to eat. 

The world is changing rapidly, and this became even more evident to me on Thursday. I got home from my summer job (at about 4:00) and asked my dad if we could get some tickets to the Yankee game tonight. Thankfully, he agreed, and 20 minutes and $50 later, (what a bargain) he had tickets to the game. Our seats were in the bleachers, and I have to say, it was possibly the most enjoyable experience of my life. I had a great view of the game, I was right next to the Yankees bullpen, and a few drunk Yankee fans can make any evening enjoyable. 

One thing happened on Thursday that I will never forget. Just as C.C. Sabathia was finishing his warm up tosses in the outfield and heading into the bullpen for a final bullpen session, many fans were calling for catcher Francisco Cervelli to throw the ball into the bleachers, as a courtesy. Thankfully, being the good sport he is, Cervelli tossed the ball into the stands, and after a few crazy bounces, the ball somehow ended up in my hands. It was an experience I will never forget and something that I will always be proud of. 

Those were all of the positives. Now, I want to bring up some of the negatives.

As you are probably well aware of, the Yankees, especially in recent years, have been increasing their ticket prices. In 2009, for the new stadium, the Yankees went completely overboard, charging an insanely high $2500 per seat behind the plate. When the Yankees finally came to the conclusion that even the wealthiest, most dedicated fans weren't paying the money to buy those tickets, they lowered those ticket prices, to an extremely reasonable (sarcasm) $1250. 

This leads me right into my next point of the Yankees having a problem with the words "fan friendly." The Yankees are known to be incredibly strict with letting fans down to the dugout area, and that is something that won't change. In fact, now it is literally impossible. In the old stadium, like the new stadium, you were not allowed to go down to the dugout area. Both stadiums had the lower deck split into two parts. There is the upper part and the lower part.

Even if you were sitting in the upper part of the lower deck, you were not permitted to go down to the lower part, because they would only let people who sat in that area to be in that area. To make sure that this was enforced, security guards would check ticket identification. Now, the Yankees have taken this to a whole new level. In addition to ticket identification, there is a "moat" which consists of a large wall and a staircase that separates the lower and upper sections of the lower deck. 

Though this might sound comical, I do want to highly criticize the food. At first, I ordered the Chicken Fingers and Fries at Johnny Rockets, which cost $10.50. I did think that was a little overpriced, but figured that they probably gave a lot of food. What did I get? Three miniature pieces of luke warm chicken and 17 (I counted them out) french fries. That is almost as disastrous as the Mets collapse in 2007.

Then, later, since that didn't fill me up, I went back to Johnny Rockets (which was a mistake) and ordered a burger and fries. Fries do not come with the burger, so I had to pay separately, and it totaled to $15. The burger was gross. The cheese was disgusting, and the tomato was probably rotten. And later, I would go back and get Carvel Ice Cream (which they didn't manage to screw up) which cost $5.50.

In addition, I bought two souvenir sodas, which cost $12 in total. So, in total, for a burger, fries, chicken and fries, two sodas, (in all fairness, they were huge sodas) and an ice cream, I paid the incredible price of $43. And according to the Yankees, (of course they would never flat out say this) this is the cheap crappy food. The good food is the food at the new steakhouses and gourmet food places at the stadium. That in my mind takes away the essence of a baseball game. It's about kicking back and having fun, not about spending nearly $50 on food that is terrible. 

My last criticism is about the atmosphere of the ballpark. The ballpark is absolutely beautiful, and, as crazy as this sounds, I think that could be part of the problem.

While walking through the halls of Yankee Stadium, I saw numerous fancy food venues, high end stores and many more things. There was even an art store at the stadium. As I walked through the halls, I didn't feel like I was in a ballpark. I honestly felt as if I was in a museum.

In a way, I felt like I was in a Yankee Memorial Museum, that had numerous gift shops, many restaurants, and it happened to have a baseball field. The Yankees have eliminated the desire of watching baseball at a baseball game and have put elements such as food and luxury above it. To me, it is despicable how the Yankees can be poisoning the game like this.

When you think of a baseball game, what comes to your mind? Taking the family out to a game, sitting up in the grandstands, a hot dog with mustard and a cold beer. Do you think of spending $10,000 to take a family of four to a baseball game? Do you think of spending $300 on food, and hundreds more on possible souvenirs? I saw in the Steiner Sports store, they were selling old Yankee Stadium dirt.

Honestly, is that really necessary? Even as a big Yankee fan, I don't see the need to have Yankee Stadium dirt. It is the mere idea of trying to sell dirt that makes me think about what the Yankees are doing to the game. 

Overall, I had a wonderful time at Yankee Stadium. The stadium was georgeous, and I will always remember Thursday because of the ball I caught. Still, I can't stand what the Steinbrenners are doing to the game of baseball. The essence of a baseball game is ruined with all of this gourmet food and $2500 seating. ($2500, $1250, does it really make a difference?) I won't succumb to any of these things that Yankee Stadium has to offer. I'm sticking with the hot dog. But apparently, the hot dog is overpriced and tastes awful. 

Friday night's Cincinnati loss to St. Louis falls into the latter category.

Homer Bailey started for the Reds and had his best outing in the three years that the team has been shuffling him up and down between the big club and the minors.

After a single and a walk to leadoff the game, Bailey was talking to himself on the mound. It had all the makings of another typical Homer start. Albert Pujols stepped into the box. He whiffed.

That was the start of something special. Something Reds' fans had been waiting for since they made him their first pick in the 2004 draft.

Credit Louisville pitcher Justin Lehr for teaching him a split finger. Homer now has two pitches to compliment his 97 MPH fastball.

And everyone of those pitches were dazzling on Friday night. 

The splitter was looking like a fastball until the batters realized it was about 10 MPH slower and dropping to their feet. His benders were knee buckling. He was consistently placing 97 MPH heaters on the corners until the eighth when he ran out of gas.

Homer hit a guy in the fifth, but did not allow another hit until a two-out double in the seventh. Six and two-thirds of no hit ball—not too shabby.

In the eighth inning, with the Reds up 3-0, Bailey allowed a leadoff single to pinch hitter, Colby Rasmus. He got the next guy on a fly ball to Jay Bruce in right, then walked Skip Schumaker.

His brilliant night was done as Dusty Baker called on Arthur Rhodes to retire pinch hitter Jarrett Hoffpauir who was making his debut in a major league batting box.

Rhodes walked him on four pitches. 

Dusty called on the righty David Weathers to pitch to Albert Pujols with the bases juiced.  After a few pitches, some strikes and some balls, Pujols hit a pop up to the right side of the infield.

If only Albert had just hit it with a microgram less power, Joey Votto would have made a sweet rail reaching catch. But, baseball being the game of inches, the ball fell harmlessly into the camera bay.

Next pitch, over the left field fence. Grand slam. 

The Cards led 4-3 going into the home half of the eighth.

Cincinnati had the heart of the order due up. Votto singled, Brandon Phillips singled, Bruce laid down the first sacrifice bunt of his professional career. 

Runners on second and third, one out. Ramon Hernandez lifted a long fly to right. Votto scored. Phillips went to third. Jerry Hairston Jr. struck out to end the inning.

Nick Masset came on to pitch the top half of the ninth. Cardinal catcher, Yadier Molina lined a bullet off of Masset's right bicep. He found the ball and threw to first for the out.

Masset had to leave the game. Danny Herrera came in and quickly got Joe Thurston on a pop to the catcher. Two outs, bases empty. 

Next batter, Rasmus singled to right. Brendan Ryan singled to left.

Leadoff man Schumaker hit a routine grounder to the sure handed Paul Janish at short. He muffed the hop. 

Bases loaded for that guy with the funny name who took the four-pitch walk off Rhodes in the eighth.

Hoffpauir's single off Herrera gave the Cards a 6-4 lead. 

Pujols rubbed it in with a sharp double into the left field corner that tacked on another run. After an intentional walk to bring up the pitcher's spot the inning ended after nine men had come to the plate.

The Reds did tease their fans by loading the bases in the ninth. But it just wasn't in the stars on Friday night as Brandon Phillips took a mighty swing and missed the ball by about a foot.

Notes:

—Edwin Encarnacion did not start but was activated before the game. He entered in the eighth inning after a double switch.

—Willy Taveras walked in the ninth inning for the first time since May 23 (41 days).

—The writer of this article is now going to put his head over the toilet again.

After Jason Marquis dazzled the Dodgers on Tuesday and Jason Hammel pitched nearly as well on Wednesday, De La Rosa matched his teammates pitch for pitch.

With a 5-0 lead after eight innings, and 107 pitches thrown, De La Rosa may have been given a chance to change the Rockies record book, but the bullpen was in desperate need of some work.

That meant that Joel Peralta was given the first two hitters and closer Huston Street was given the last hitter.

Overall De La Rosa's line read eight innings pitched, four hits with four walks and six strikeouts, while not giving up a single run. He was helped out by two ground ball double plays.

The success of De La Rosa epitomizes the recent success of the Rockies. During their hot streak their have been very few concerns with the Rockies.

Wins have come easily and all facets of the game seem to be in sync. Yet, one of the concerns for the Rockies was De La Rosa.

De La Rosa is a hard throwing lefty who has the stuff to be successful in the big leagues. The only problem for him is that he is prone to the big inning. When runners get on, or when the umpire does not give him the calls that he wants, he implodes.

The average fan can easily see him lose his composure at which time his mechanics fall apart he leaves the ball up in the zone, perfect for the opposition to hurt him.

Friday night, however, was a different story. De La Rosa had all of his pitches working. His change up, a pitch that De La Rosa needs in order to be successful, was perfect. He threw it with ease and used it when he needed to make a big pitch.

The biggest measuring stick for De La Rosa, however, was the fact that when runners got on base, he never lost his composure. Instead of forcing pitches and getting out in front of himself, the lefty sat back and let his defense do the work. De La Rosa induced two ground ball double plays and got 14 ground ball outs on the night.

For quite some time most who follow the Rockies have been waiting and wondering when Franklin Morales or someone else will fill in as the fifth starter for De La Rosa.

On Friday, De La Rosa made his critics look silly. Not distracted by the pressure of losing his spot, he made pitches when he needed to and kept hitters off balance with his breaking pitches.

It was a night that should add just a little more confidence to the Rockies clubhouse. After a June in which they set a club record for wins in a month and led all of baseball in victories, they now can feel confident in a strong starting rotation.

With De La Rosa pitching as well as he has been, and solidifying his abilities on Friday, Colorado now boasts one of the strongest rotations not only in the National League, but in all of baseball.

Top to bottom, there is not one starting pitcher that gives the team the feeling that they will not be able to win the game that night.

When a team knows that they have the chance to be in a game every single day, it gives them the confidence boost to scratch out hits and stay focused for the whole game.

From Aaron Cook to Jorge De La Rosa, the Rockies have built the starting pitching staff to get them into the playoffs and possibly beyond.

THE RESULT: Recap and Box Score

It could be that V-Mart is at the crossroads of his career as the injury bug hit him during 2008. If he can remain relatively healthy, then Martinez should put up decent numbers in '09. He's 30; given his track record, I expect Martinez to steal playing time from Kelly Shoppach. He is 1B-eligible, as well.

He managed to flourish even without Barry Bonds in the lineup and put up career-best numbers (33 doubles, 95 RBIs) and hit .292. The question remains whether he can duplicate that success or not. I think not as the Giants went free-agent shopping so he may get some protection in that respect. His numbers should be pretty good but don't expect '08 numbers from Molina.

If he can remain healthy during the '09 campaign, then he can jump into the elite pack of catchers; as it were, he had decent stats for a perennially underachieving Pirates squad (.318, 15 HRs, 69 RBIs). Again, he needs to stay healthy.

8. Mike Napoli, Los Angeles Angels

Good power obviously (20 HRs, 49 HRs), but can he stay healthy? He should play more than 78 games this coming season and you can expect at least 25 HRs from Napoli. If he can hang on to the starting catching gig from Jeff Mathis, he will flourish.

An intriguing player. It helped that he played in the thin air of Colorado, but he hit just as well as he did in Denver (.897 OPS on road, .893 OPS at home). He hit 18 HRs in only 333 at-bats, so that should give you an idea of what his potential is. If the elites are gone when your turn comes up, grab Ianetta.

He is the benefactor of having a decent Rays lineup batting ahead of him, so the pressure wasn't as pronounced. Don't look for true power from him as he is more a contact hitter (.295 BA in '08). But he is only 25 years old, so his numbers can only get better. A good catcher to have on your squad if you're not looking to be overly dependent on catcher production.

Sleepers: Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants (1B and 3B-eligible); John Baker, Florida Marlins; Taylor Teagarden, Texas Rangers; A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox

Tomorrow: First Base