And That Happened

This installment is a little SABR-centric, but that's to be expected.

Indians 4, Giants 1: I left the hotel with a group of SABR folks at around a quarter after five, with the notion of getting some dinner and then catching this game. We got the dinner part in: beer and sandwiches at a serviceable pub near the stadium. As we were eating, dark clouds rolled into downtown Cleveland. We started to calculate the odds of a game happening -- or at least starting in a timely manner -- and came out on the pessimistic side. Some of our group had tickets already and decided to solider on into the ballpark and wait it out. I and a couple of others didn't yet and decided that waiting for the rain to pass didn't sound all that appealing, especially since (1) I'd end up eating the cost of the tickets if the game got rained out; (2) I have tickets for tonight's game already; and (3) I was dead tired anyway and the thought of crawling into bed early actually sounded pretty appealing.

There's also the possibility -- and I shudder to even think it -- that after a day of baseball seminars, baseball exhibits, and casual baseball talk with other baseball fanatics, I was suffering from baseball overload. I think the good night's sleep made that go away, though, because this morning I feel refreshed and ready for a full day geeking out. As it stands, all I missed was Cliff Lee thoroughly dominating the Giants (8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 11K), and it's not like seeing the Giants dominated isn't going to happen again this year.

White Sox 2, Dodgers 0: Can somebody please tell me why Russell Martin has been starting at third base? And speaking of the Dodgers, I remember one other silly thing from yesterday's broadcasters' panel. I can't remember which one it was, but either Russ Schneider or Tom Hamilton, in talking about how the game has changed over the years, cited all of the new stadiums that have come online. Expounding on the point he said (and I'm paraphrasing only slightly) "everyone used to talk about how Dodger Stadium was so special because it was one of the few places that was baseball-only. But I was in Dodger Stadium recently, and you know what? It's a dump. There's nothing special about it other than the fact that Sandy Koufax and Steve Garvey and those guys played there."

Hey, I like the new ballparks as much as the next guy, but that's simply an insane thing to say.

Twins 4, Padres 3: Aaron Gleeman is here in Cleveland. I should totally follow him around and ask him what he thought of the Twins game last night and pass his observations off as my own because the Twins seem to be the one team for which I just can't get it up to make insightful comments. I probably know their roster and system less than any other team's. On any given day I can probably tell you who won what game last night and why with the exception of the Twins games, which just seem to slide right out of my brain the second after I write the recap. I've tried hard to figure out why I can't get into the Twins, and the only thing I can come up with is the dome, and that's really no explanation at all. So yeah, the Twins won, swept the Padres, and now go on to Milwaukee in what looks like will be a pretty awesome series. That is, if I can bring myself to care and force myself to remember.

Tigers 3, Cardinals 2: The only thing less exciting than a bases-loaded walk to win a game: watching a game-winning bases loaded walk in cartoon form via MLB.com on somebody's laptop in the Gold Room at the SABR convention. And before you ask, no, the "Gold Room" does not involve strippers in any way.

A's 5, Phillies 0: Rich Harden was something to behold: 8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 11K, and a big F-You to the cruel fates which have sidetracked his career to injury so many times. If you're an Oakland fan you need to be knocking on wood around now, but Harden has reported for duty for nine straight starts. Philly? If they keep losing they're going to help land Jerry Manuel a permanent job.

Rays 6, Marlins 1: Matt Garza throws a one-hitter and doesn't fight with his catcher. Probably helped that it was a different catcher. I wonder if he was doing those over-exaggerated Nuke LaLoosh nods before each pitch to show that, yes, he intended to throw the pitch that was called rather than shake everything off.

Orioles 11, Cubs 4: You can leave in a taxi. If you can't get a taxi, you can leave in a huff. If that's too soon, you can leave in a minute and a huff. Aubrey Huff? 4-5 with three doubles and two RBI.

Blue Jays 7, Reds 1: I suppose it was too much to expect Edinson Volquez to dominate forever, but getting lit up for seven runs in four and a third was a bit extreme regression-wise. I'm going to see the Reds tomorrow night here in Cleveland, and despite the fact that both the Reds and the Indians are sucking eggs, I'm looking forward to it because I'll get to see Darryl Thompson -- who I'm kinda high on -- and C.C. Sabathia. -- who I've always wanted to see in person.

Astros 7, Rangers 2: Wandy Rodriguez (8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 9K) picked up the Rangers by the neck, threw them down to the ground, and jumped on them. This, by the way, was the only one of the nine games played last night in which the NL team won.

Yankees vs. Pirates: Postponed. This game will remain frozen in time and space until July 10th, when it will be resumed. This is going to work a tremendous hardship on Pittsburgh until then seeing as though I'm pretty sure Jason Bay is required by the rules to remain in the box to finish his at-bat until then.