MLB Daily Balk 5/21 Plus Why the Mets Shouldn’t Rebuild
If you walk outside, look up to make sure this ball doesn't hit you
Why the Mets Shouldn’t Be Rebuilding, But Renovating
If you look in the book of fans’ favorite words, you find the word “rebuilding” at or near the top of the list. Most fans feel that their favorite team either needs to be winning a championship or dumping their stars for unknown, highly hyped talent for tomorrow. Celtics and Lakers fans and other NBA observers are saying this in that sport and Mets fans in New York have been discussing this for their team.
It’s understandable why Mets fans would be frustrated and want change. With Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes becoming free agents after the season and Francisco Rodriguez needing to finish at least 55 games to have his 2012 option vested the Mets appear to have movable pieces that can return potential building blocks for the future.
Click here for the rest of the column
AL News/Notes
The Rays designated 1B Dan Johnson for assignment and called up OF Justin Ruggiano. They also activated LHP JP Howell. Howell could end up as their closer if Kyle Farnsworth struggles. Justin Upton left Friday’s game with tightness in his glut.
The Indians Travis Hafner‘s injury problems have reoccurred as he was placed on the DL on Friday. Hafner has a strained right oblique. The Tribe brought up Ezequiel Carrera to replace Hafner on the roster.
The Athletics have placed starting pitchers Tyson Ross and Brandon McCarthy on the DL. They didn’t call up a starter so that move is forthcoming.
NL News/Notes
The Phillies have called up top prospect Dominic Brown and he’ll play right field against righties. This will definitely help the Fightins’ struggling lineup.
The Pirates sat Pedro Alvarez on Friday due to his lingering right quad injury.
Mark DeRosa of the Giants tore his tendon in his wrist and his career could be in jeopardy. He doesn’t plan on giving up, however. Torn tendons are tough to comeback from; let’s hope he’s able to.
The Braves gave Jason Heyward a day off on Friday. Heyward is coming off of a shoulder injury and manager Fredi Gonzalez felt like he needed a day off.
Best of Yesterday May 20
| Last Night’s Games | |
| National | |
| Colorado 6 | Milwaukee 7 |
| Interleague | |
| Washington 17 | Baltimore 5 |
| Cincinnati 4 | Cleveland 5 |
| New York (N) 2 | New York (A) 1 |
| Houston 5 | Toronto 2 |
| Chicago (N) 5 | Boston 4 |
| Los Angeles (N) 6 | Chicago (A) 4 F/10 |
| St. Louis 0 | Kansas City 3 |
| Atlanta 0 | Los Angeles (A) 9 |
| Texas 2 | Philadelphia 3 |
| Detroit 1 | Pittsburgh 10 |
| Tampa Bay 3 | Florida 5 |
| Minnesota 7 | Arizona 8 |
| Seattle 4 | San Diego 1 |
| Oakland 1 | San Francisco 2 F/10 |
| Top Aces | ||
| Player | Team | Stats |
| Ervin Santana W (2-4) | LAA | 9 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 7 K |
| Erik Bedard W (2-4) | SEA | 8 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 9 K, 2 BB |
| Jeff Francis W (1-5) | KCR | 7 2/3 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 6 K, 2 BB |
| Roy Halladay W (6-3) | PHI | 8 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 7 K, BB |
| Jo-Jo Reyes | TOR | 7 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 7 K, BB |
| Hitting Heroes | ||
| Player | Team | Stats |
| Wilson Ramos | WAS | 3-4, HR, 2 RBI, 5 R |
| Jayson Werth | WAS | 3-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R |
| Danny Espinosa | WAS | 3-4, HR, 5 RBI, 3 R |
| Kevin Youkilis | BOS | 3-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R |
| Neil Walker | PIT | 2-5, HR, 5 RBI, R |
| Walkoff Winners | ||
| Prince Fielder | MIL | Home Run that hasn’t landed |
What Happened (!!)Yesterday?
The Rangers were able to pull off the double steal of second and home against the Phillies. Elvis Andrus scored during the first inning executed double steal attempt.
The Orioles pitching blew up for the second consecutive night as they have now surrendered 30 runs in their last two games, to the Yankees and Nationals(?!). Yes, that was 17 runs the Nats put on their Beltway rivals on Friday. The Nationals were coming off of two consecutive shutouts in Citi Field by the Mets.
Streaks of the Day
- Tigers Austin Jackson extended his hit streak to 12 games
Top Saturday Matchups
4:05 EDT Reds (Bailey 3-0, 1.89) at Indians (Tomlin 5-1, 2.56)
7:05 EDT Tigers (Scherzer 6-0, 2.81) at Pirates (Correia 5-4, 3.97)
7:10 EDT Rangers (Lewis 4-4, 3.81) at Phillies (Lee 2-4, 3.84)
7:10 EDT Athletics (Anderson 2-3, 3.30) at Giants (Lincecum 3-4, 2.36)
10:05 EDT Braves (Hanson 5-3, 2.35) at Angels (Pineiro 2-0, 1.98)
Yesterday’s Balks: 0
