And That Happened

A's 11, Twins 2: It's been said that even though it's typical for pitchers to come back a year or so after having Tommy John surgery, you really don't get your touch and feel for pitching back for almost two years. Francisco Liriano had better hope that's true, because if it's not, it means that he has simply lost whatever mojo he had back in 2006. Liriano was rocked by the A's to the tune of .2 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 ER, and now has an ERA north of 11. In other news, Big Hurt makes his triumphant return to the A's. Of note is the fact that Mike Sweeney got his first start at 1B last night, which may indicate that it is Jack Cust -- not Sweeney -- who will be odd man out as a result of the Thomas signing. And to think; it was less than a year ago when Cust was the one getting all of the love.

Tigers 8, Rangers 2: Here's a great example of what three games against the Rangers can do for a team: when the Tigers woke up on Tuesday morning, they were on a pace to score 664 runs for the year. As they wake up this morning, they are on a pace to score 838. Also worth noting: the Tigers have yet to play a game with Cabrera at first and Guillen at third since Leyland's grand unveiling of his new defensive alignment.

Angels 7, Red Sox 5: Emergency starter Justin Masterson -- making his Major League debut as a result of the Boston barf-o-rama -- pitched wonderfully (6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER). Javier Lopez and Manny Delcarmen (a combined 0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 ER) didn't, however, allowing the Angels to rally late.

Astros 5, Reds 2: We live in a fast moving age. Evidence: Johnny Cueto (7 IP, 8 H, 5 ER) has gone from spectacular to solid to sub-par in the space of exactly three weeks.

Phillies 3, Brewers 1: Jamie Moyer on Tom Gordon after the game: "He looks like the guy that I saw as a starter in Kansas City, eons ago," Moyer said. "He looks like the guy that I saw as a teammate in Boston." Quick show of hands: how many people remembered that Jamie Moyer pitched in Boston? Liars.

Rockies 4, Cubs 2: I've frequently wondered how often teams phone in these Thursday afternoon getaway day games. This one -- played before both teams had to get on airplanes --lasted 2:18. Hmmmm.

Nationals 10, Mets 5: It took a couple of years, but Felipe Lopez (2-4, salami, 6 RBI) finally does something to prove that Krivsky screwed up the Kearns trade. Meanwhile, Aaron Heilman (.1, 3 H, BB, 2 ER, allowed 2 inherited runs to score) may have purchased a first class ticket on the DFA express.

Indians 9, Royals 6: A Scorpion, being a very poor swimmer, asked a Turtle to carry him on his back across a river. "Are you crazy?" exclaimed the Turtle. "You'll sting me while I'm swimming and I'll drown." "My dear Turtle," laughed the Scorpion, "if I were to sting you, you would drown and I would go down with you. Now where is the logic in that?" "You're right!" cried the Turtle. "Hop on!" The Scorpion climbed aboard and halfway across the river gave the Turtle a mighty sting. As they both sank to the bottom, the Turtle resignedly said: "Do you mind if I ask you something? You said there'd be no logic in your stinging me. Then why did you do it?" "It has nothing to do with logic," the drowning Scorpion sadly replied. "It's just my character."

Indians 2, Royals 0: Brian Bannister pitched like Maddux again (6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER) but unfortunately for him it was late-career Maddux rather than 1995 Maddux. Cliff Lee, on the other hand, pitched like 1966 Koufax (CG shoutout, 3 H, 9K). On the season Lee is 4-0, 0.28 ERA with 29K and 2 BB in 31.2 IP. Um, Wow.

Braves 7, Marlins 4: It was Chipper Jones' birthday, and he had this to say: "I always feel like I need to do something cool on my birthday," the third baseman said. "Hit a homer or have three hits. I would have taken either one, to be honest. Today, I got 'em both. It was awesome." Chipper Jones on his birthday:

2008: 3-3, HR, RBI
2007: 1-6, 2B
2006: on the DL
2005: 1-2, 2 BB
2004: on the DL
2003: 1-4
2002: 2-3, RBI
2001: 2-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI
2000: day off
1999: 1-5
1998: 4-5, 2B, 3 R, RBI
1997: day off
1996:4-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI
1995: season hadn't started yet due to players' strike.