AGRI Biz

  Despite Craig Stammen's second consecutive strong start, the lights-out performance of the bullpen, and even Nyjer Morgan's clutch hitting, the Nationals lost 4-3 in a 13-inning thriller to the Dodgers. The loss drops the club back to .500 and saw them squander a chance to beat one of the best pitchers in the National League, Clayton Kershaw. It all came down to the bottom of the 13th inning. The Nationals were down one ...

Watching former Pirate Tom Gorzelanny pitch for the Chicago Cubs the other night against the New York Mets was heartbreaking. And that was in spite of the fact that he lost (two of the four runs scored against him in 5.2 innings were unearned). Gorzelanny is a pitcher in the Ross Ohlendorf-mold: cerebral and skillful, but more prone than the average Pirate to injury. "Overwork" in 2007, his second year, clearly ...

One-tenth of the New York Yankee season is gone. The team is 12-5. One of the greatest surprises of the new season is Brett Gardner. Having been given the starting job out of Spring Training in 2009, Gardner could not hold it. He was unable to show a consistent ability to hit major league pitching last year. But this year, at least so far, Gardner has been fantastic. In yesterday's win over the Los ...

Here’s a look at the unheralded players who played well yesterday. Casey Blake, Los Angeles Dodgers Blake went 3-for-5 with two HRs and three RBI. He's hitting .316.   Chase Headley, San Diego Padres Headley went 3-for-4 with two runs to improve to .379.   Wade LeBlanc, San Diego Padres Wade pitched six scoreless innings allowing three hits to beat the Reds and improve to 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA.   Fausto Carmona, Cleveland Indians  Carmona gave up one run in ...

According to Chad Jennings of the Journal News, Yankees designated hitter Nick Johnson has a stiff back and isn’t expected to play today, but after an off day on Monday should be back in the lineup Tuesday. Johnson, who has been struggling, to hit, was taking extra batting practice Friday and as a result has a stiff back that caused him to miss yesterday’s game. It is a minor injury and ...

Despite the fact that that starting pitcher John Maine said he’s healthy enough to go during his next scheduled start on Tuesday, it might be a good idea for the Mets to call up R.A. Dickey anyways. Here me out on this one, Dickey has been pitching well so far this season for Triple-A Buffalo. His stats: W-L: 2-1, 3.03 ERA, 4 GS, 1 CG, 29.2 IP, 5 BB, 16K. His numbers ...

If you missed the game, or our post about it, here’s what happened: In the top of the third inning of Friday night’s loss to the Angels, with Mark Teixeira at second, Robinson Cano singled to right. Tex came around third and there was a collision at the plate with Texas catcher Bobby Wilson. The consequence was a concussion and an injured ankle. (Click here to view this video). I slowed ...

Is the old Barry Zito back?  Will Clayton Kershaw ever learn to limit his pitch count?  Jayson Werth erupted.  Let’s take a look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games: Pitchers: Barry Zito (8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 10 K, W) - He outpitched Adam Wainwright (8.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 4 K) and has been absolutely fabulous this season.  Early on, ...