MLB Sprites

- Dallas Braden was perfect on Sunday. The Bolt mentioned him as a key figure in the A's season, but we couldn't have foreseen this. His 109 pitch outing is the 19th Perfect Game in MLB History. Braden celebrated the feat on Mothers' Day with his Grandmother, who was in attendance. Sadly, the media and even Braden's Grandmother had to tie up this brilliant piece of baseball history with the travesty that has been "A-Rodrunsacrossthepitchersmound-Gate". As much as I have personally told A-Rod to stick it myself at times (through the TV), I think perhaps the evening should have been more about Braden's accomplishment, baseball history and a tribute to Braden's late mother. Congratulations to Dallas Braden on pitching perfectly, not on sticking it to anyone else.

- Mark Teixeira once again has said good riddance to April. Tex already has 4 HR, 13 RBI and a .342 avg in 9 games this month, after another horrendous April. Just in case anyone was worried....

- Something HAS TO be wrong with Josh Beckett. After a decent 6th start, Beckett threw another bomb in Fenway over the weekend, getting knocked around by the Yankees, or moreso knocking around some Yankees (he hit multiple batters). His ERA after 7 starts is 7.42. Luckily for Boston, John Lester seems to be starting to figure it out, but they aren't going anywhere with out Beckett.

- What's even more impressive about Braden's perfecto is that it came against the team with the best record in the Major League. The Tampa Bay Rays have now fallen victim to consecutive Perfect Games: Braden's, as well as Mark Buerhle's from last season. All the credit to Ubaldo Jimenez for no-hitting the Atlanta Braves, but to go perfect against a team like the Rays is as spectacular a feat as you're likely to see.

- Rumor has it Ken Griffey Jr. missed an opportunity to be used as a pinch hitter, because he had gone back into the club house and fallen asleep. A player close to Griffey noted that he hadn't been sleeping well, so he wasn't surprised at the accident. He suggested Griffey easily could have been awoken if needed. I am very likely to believe this is the case, as what manager would simply let a player sleep if he really did need him to hit. Griffey has been at this game a long time. I think he can wake up and go right to hitting. In all, I don' think it should be too big a deal. (The way they are reacting on TV, I guess this IS a big deal?)

- Starlin Castro has already lived a roller coaster of a Major League career. The young Short Stop prospect of the Cubs hit a home run in his first at-bat over the weekend on his way to a 6 RBI debut. The same Starlin Castro made his Wrigley debut this evening, going 0-2 with 2 walks and a strikeout, and making THREE errors.

- Here is a great article on espn.com by Jim Caple about players methods of breaking in gloves (most notably the use of the microwave). Kids, please make sure an adult is present to supervise, if you plan to microwave your glove.

- Just watched the very end of an 11 inning Rays/Angels game. Joe Maddon tried the always-fun 5 player infield with a runner on 3rd and 2 out in the 11th. Maddon has the luxury of Ben Zobrist on his line-up card. Zobrist moved from Center field to play infield, just to the short stop side of 2nd base. Sadly, we didn't get to see it at work, as Juan Rivera took 1-2 pitch deep into Center Field. Short-right-center fielder Gabe Kapler was able to get out and make the play, but the ball was well deep enough to score Kendry Morales on a sac fly to win the game.

- Steve Strasburg is in AAA now, with his MLB debut within view on the horizon. I don't really have anything to say about Strasburg until I get to watch him pitch. For that experience I am excited.

- The Mariners need a bat. They are one of the many teams that really should be taking a look at Jermaine Dye.

- Jody Gerut hit for the cycle Saturday. It doesn't seem we care too much about cycles these days. I didn't hear much about it. It's really just a fun statistical thing. I, personally, would rather hit 4 HR than one of each. But it's something, so congrats to Jody.

- When Nelson Cruz returns form the DL this week, the Texas Rangers will finally have their entire line-up in tact for a game this season. That frightening line-up is as follows: 2B Ian Kinsler, 3B Michael Young, LF Josh Hamilton, DH Vladimir Guerrero, RF Nelson Cruz, 1B Justin Smoak, C Matt Treanor, SS Elvis Andrus, CF Julio Borbon (in some order).

-APT