A scheduling mistake by the lake. An entire series was wiped out due to snow, and another one was threatened by rain, so what did the Indians do? Pack their bags and head to Milwaukee for three "home" games against the Angels.
Now this is baseball weather! The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, enjoyed the usual 82 degrees while playing their home opener against the Reds. On the heels of Jose Valverde's fourth save, they stretched their winning streak to five while becoming the first team in the big leagues with six wins -- though fans in Cleveland are probably confused why they couldn't sell out the park.
One of a kind. Alex Rodriguez smacked his fifth dinger in six games into the baggy wall at the Metrodome on Monday. The next time someone says he's no Babe Ruth, or Lou Gehrig, or Mickey Mantle, just nod and agree.
When two hits is too many. Matt Cain's no-hit bid ended in the seventh... as did his chance for the win. The Giants couldn't scratch out a single run against the Padres, though perhaps they could have tried a bit harder.
The Big Unit had a successful rehab start pitching in Single A for the Visalia Oaks in front of what was called a near capacity crowd (what's a matter Unit, can't sell the park out?). Johnson allowed two runs over six innings, while striking out four and walking none. He said the best part of the day was that he got some real work in, including having to play some defense, hold runners, and keep runners in scoring position from coming across the plate. The Unit also answered questions about his status:
"I'm still a good 9-12 innings behind where I'd want to be right now. Most pitchers break camp with 20-25 innings. I have 11 innings now. The radar gun won't light up like it used to be, but my location is great. I haven't walked a batter. I'm pretty happy with how things are going."
According to the Diamondbacks official site, Johnson was at a reported 70% in his start, and since he didn't have any back problems, he's on schedule to return to the majors "perhaps April 18th." Randy will most likely pitch in Triple A on Friday before joining the big club. Luckily for Arizona, they got to beef up their record with a four game series against the Nationals over the weekend, meaning the Unit was hardly missed.
The Diamondbacks came into the season as many people's sleeper team to not only win the division, but to possibly make a run at the World Series. Those sentiments were hastily squelched after Arizona dropped two of three to the NL West bottom-feeding Rockies to open up the year. But man oh man, there's nothing to rekindle your optimism like seeing seeing a four game series on your schedule with the Nationals this year -- a team projected to be "historically bad."
The Diamondbacks have taken the first three of their four games series with the Nats, outscoring their Triple A NL East opponent by an 18-5 margin. And yes, it's way cheesy when someone uses the line "their hitters made ___ look like Cy Young," but seriously, the Nats Punch and Judy lineup made EDGAR GONZALEZ (who's he?) and MICAH OWINGS (come again?) look like aces, and defending Cy Young winner Brandon Webb (pictured) look like, well, Brandon Webb. Matter of fact, the Nats have trailed at least 4-0 in all of their games this year, the first club since 1900 to do so -- which is certainly something to be proud of.
For Diamondback fans, don't get too excited yet -- even if you complete the sweep today. ALL teams should head into a series with the Nats looking to win two of three, or three of four at the least, and anything worse should be considered an embarrassment. As for Nats fans, it's going to be a long season. Just hope Bowden gets some good prospects in return when he starts dismantling the team. Remember, there's always 2010.
Nothing like a pair of rookies seriously having their mettle tested two days into the season. After the disgruntled Byung-Hyun Kim (who's still hoping for a trade) gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th to the Diamondbacks, the Rox came back to rally in the bottom half of the inning. First Todd Helton and Matt Holliday singled before Brad Hawpe grounded into a double-play, leaving Helton on third with two outs and two rookies coming up.
Troy Tulowitzki (pictured), he of 26 career big league hits (and one of the coolest names in baseball), sent a line drive to right field where Eric Byrnes misjudged his dive so badly that the ball bounced off the heal of his glove, resulting in a double (it was initially charged as an error). That was for a guy who struck out on three pitches against Jose Valverde in the loss the night before. Tulowitzki's double brought up Chris Ianetta to the plate, he of 22 career big league hits, with the game-winning run on second. Ianetta sent a sharp ground ball through the hole into left field, and the Rockies won it 4-3. How bout that for Colorado, four hits in an 11th inning rally, including the game-winners by rookies with two outs? Impressive.
Tuesday night's game is also a great reminder of how quickly you need to "turn the page" in baseball. On Opening Day, Eric Byrnes was the hero for Arizona. The next night, he was the goat, and probably cursed under his breath saying he should have caught the "frickin' ball."
Orlando Hudson was seen in the clubhouse after Monday's game relaxing with a Coors ... but it's not what you think. From the Denver Post:
After the game, Arizona second baseman Orlando Hudson requested an autographed ball from Peter Coors, the beer mogul and Rockies minority owner. A two-time Gold Glover wanted Coors' autograph?
"Are you kidding me? You know how big he is?" Hudson said. "He's what, sixth or seventh generation?"
A flattered Coors not only signed a ball, he went into the Diamondbacks' clubhouse to meet Hudson. Said Coors: "I don't ever remember an athlete doing that before. It was pretty cool."
I'm curious if he's strictly a Coors man. Would he ever consider playing for the Cardinals at Busch Stadium? Or how about the Brewers at Miller Park?
Here's a look around the NL West and what final roster moves your team made to prepare for Opening Day:
Diamondbacks: Infielder Brian Barden and utility man Robby Hammock made the squad. Hammock showed promise in '03 and '04, but missed all of '05 because of shoulder surgery. Right handers Dustin Nippert and J.D. Durbin won the final spots in the bullpen. (via East Valley Tribune)
Dodgers: Matt Kemp made the club as the final outfielder, beating out Larry Bigbie and James Loney (who hit .414 in Spring and didn't take the news well), presumably because Kemp's a right-handed hitter while Bigbie and Loney are lefties. Wilson Valdez will replace Rafael Furcal on the opening day roster. Furcal will start the season on the DL retroactive to March 23rd. Rudy Seanez is the final pitcher on the 11 man staff. (via LA Times)
Giants: They're going with a 12 man pitching staff, the seven men in the bullpen will be Armando Benitez, Vinnie Chulk, Kevin Correia, Brad Hennessey, Steve Kline, Jonathan Sanchez, and Jack Taschner. Scott Munter and candidate for the closer job, Brian Wilson, were optioned to Triple A amongst others. Todd Linden made the team as a bench player, Mark Sweeney was placed on the DL to start the year, and Jason Ellison was traded to the Mariners. (via Giants official site and Contra Costa Times)
Padres: Mike Thompson and Kevin Cameron made the final two spots in the bullpen. Cameron is a Rule 5 draft pick from Minnesota. Paul McAnulty will be the final bench player. (via San Diego Union-Tribune)
Rockies: Veteran John Mabry (pictured) beat out Ryan Spilborghs and Alexis Gomez for the final bench spot. Mabry is a left-handed pinch hitter who can fill holes as a corner outfielder and corner infield. Jeff Baker and Steve Finley are the other bench players in the outfield. Manny Corpas and Ramon Ramirez were awarded the final spots in the bullpen as well. (via Denver Post and Rockies.com)
The 24 year old got some good news late on Friday that he would be the Diamondbacks No. 5 starter for the time being, while Randy Johnson is on the DL. The youngster went 16-2 last year splitting time between Double and Triple A, going 10-0 in 15 starts with Triple A Tucson. The best part of the announcement was Owings' reaction to hearing the news:
"I was just kind of speechless," Owings said. "I didn't really know what to say. My mind started racing. It's a great honor. I've worked hard, but I've been very blessed to play this game, and I'm looking forward to joining the team and doing the best I can to help them out."
Owings getting the nod means Dustin Nippert will begin the season in the bullpen. The funny thing is that Owings might not even start the year on the 25 man roster, he could just called up to make the start on Friday against the Nationals. The Diamondbacks rotation to begin the year will be Brandon Webb, Livan Hernandez, Doug Davis, Edgar Gonzalez, and Owings.
It was just three innings of an exhibition game at Chase Field, but the Big Unit showed signs of his former Cy Young self on Thursday night, shutting out San Diego for three innings. Randy allowed just two hits, walking none while striking out five. Checking the boxscore for the game, Johnson was facing a fair amount of guys that will appear in the Padres every day lineup, which is all-the-more reason to celebrate. Even the man of many words was happy with the outing:
"There's a world of difference between how I'm pitching in spring training than the way I was pitching the last two or three months of last year,"
Which is to say getting hammered more than a fraternity pledge on Big Sis night. It's this type of performance that can really get D-Backs fans wet...you know, in the pool out there in right field, and probably makes all those people who picked Arizona to win the division sleep more comfortably.
Johnson for the record says he could be ready to join the big club after three more starts.
In what has become the Arizona Diamondbacks' worst nightmare (or blessed dream?), the pitcher whom they cut in what was the largest buyout in baseball history, has been recently named a starter for an intra-divisional opponent. That's right, Russ Ortiz, who ate himself into oblivion shortly after signing a fatty four-year $33 million contract with Arizona in December '04, grabbed the No. 5 spot in the Giants rotation. Worst of all, Ortiz has looked pitched well this Spring, giving up only six runs in 18 innings, equating to a 3.00 ERA.
I realize this is not a new concept by any means; it's often that our out-of-shape (unless round counts), lazy, and rich athletes underperform one place, only to turn it around somewhere else. But jeez, when was the last time you recall such a highly paid pitcher (with such a high proportion of the contract being paid by the old team) picked up by an opponent within the division, and then showing signs of success?
By my count, the D-Backs and Giants will meet 18 times this year, which should give Arizona a handful of opportunities to avenge the money and space Ortiz wasted. Seriously though, if the Giants are paying Ortiz a shade over 10 grand per start, and the D-Backs are shelling out around $2 million every time Ortiz pitches against them, you would think the least he could do is serve up a couple of gopher balls as a thank you. After all, that's something we know he can do well.
I've always wondered how two Major League teams were able to get along when sharing a spring training facility. Wouldn't you figure that some fighting and bickering goes on, whether it's on the field or behind the scenes?
Well my thoughts have been confirmed -- the Diamondbacks and White Sox share a facility in Tucson, but now Arizona is upset because owner Jerry Reinsdorf (picured) and the White Sox are threatening to leave. Under current conditions, either team can leave the facility only if they provide a replacement team. Should the White Sox leave without providing a replacement team, Pima County could sue them for several million bucks, but Chicago wouldn't be forced to stay.
This news worries the Diamondbacks since a departure by the White Sox would result in less local competition and more traveling. Additionally, the Rockies' facility is located at nearby Hi Corbett Field in Tucson. The Rox can relocate without penalty if the number of teams in the area drops below three.
Therefore, if the White Sox leave, the Rockies could too, which would leave the Diamondbacks as the lone remaining team in Tucson -- which would force them to leave as well. In other words, the Diamondbacks are mad at the White Sox, and the city of Tucson might be too.
Highlights from the day that was ...
The Big Unit had a 
The Diamondbacks came into the season as many people's sleeper team to not only 
Nothing like a pair of rookies seriously having their mettle tested two days into the season. After the 
Orlando Hudson was seen in the clubhouse after Monday's game relaxing with a Coors ... but it's not what you think. From the 
Here's a look around the NL West and what final roster moves your team made to prepare for Opening Day:
The 24 year old got some good news late on Friday that 
It was just three innings of an exhibition game at Chase Field, but the Big Unit showed signs of his former Cy Young self on Thursday night, shutting out San Diego for three innings. Randy allowed just two hits, walking none while striking out five. Checking the 
In what has become the Arizona Diamondbacks' worst nightmare (or blessed dream?), the pitcher whom they cut in what was the largest buyout in baseball history, has been recently named a starter for an intra-divisional opponent. That's right, Russ Ortiz, who 
I've always wondered how two Major League teams were able to get along when sharing a spring training facility. Wouldn't you figure that some fighting and bickering goes on, whether it's on the field or behind the scenes?
