Category: Linescores of the Day

Travis Hafner, Cleveland Indians

4 for 4, 2 HR, 4 runs, 2 rbis

Hafner figured heavily in the Tribe’s victory over the Twins. 

The Homer Happy Detroit Tigers launched seven longballs into the night against the Texas Rangers enroute to a 10-6 spanking. The amazing thing about it is that six of the home runs, all but one were solo shots, were hit through the first four innings all off Ranger starter R.A. Dickey, who’s learning to throw a knuckleball. Magglio Ordonez added a 9th inning solo blast off Brian Shouse, it was Magg’s 2nd of the game. Chris Shelton (#’s 3 & 4 on the year) also hit two out, Brandon Inge, Craig Monroe, & Marcus Thames also did some yard work for the Big Cats. Detroit sits at the top of the baseball world with a 4-0 record under new skipper Jim Leland.

Mark Hendrickson tossed a three hit shutout at the Baltimore Orioles yesterday. The Devil Rays defeated the O’s 2-0. It was Hendrickson’s 2nd career shutout, the first was a rain shortened affair. Mark completed only one game in 2005.

M. Hendrickson (W, 1-0) 9 3 0 0 1 5 0 0.00

Richie Sexson, Seattle Mariners

3 for 5, HR, 5 rbis, run

Sexson’s 5 rbis were the difference in the Mariners’ 10-8 win over the Halos.

Teammate Kenji Johjima hit his second homer in as many days.

Kenji Johjima, Seattle Mariners

1 for 3, 1 HR, 1 rbi, 1 run

The new Seattle catcher made everyone stand up and pay attention when his first MLB hit was a homerun in the opening day game. 

Albert Pujols is ready for the season to start. In today’s game against the NY Mets Albert went yard on three consecutive at bats. A two run homer and two solo shots put the Cards up 5-2. Pujols represented the Dominican Republic in the WBC. All three home runs went over the leftfield wall and he seems primed to defend his MVP Crown. Pujols hit 41 homers, batting .330, with 117 RBI, and 129 runs scored last season for St. Louis. He’s only 26 years old, with the best left to come. Did you know his given name is Jose Alberto Pujols?

Jim Thome the new DH for the World Champion Chicago White Sox is on fire! The fire started Sunday March 26th versus the Kansas City Royals. In that game Thome hit his first two homers of the spring going three for four with three RBI and three runs scored, Sox won 9-7. The next day against the dreaded Cubs Jim hit two more longballs going four for five with three RBI and two runs scored, tie game 4-4. His two homers a day took Tuesday off as Thome was one for four with a double on Tuesday in a 3-1 loss to the D*Backs. But Jim was back on track on Wednesday incredibly hitting two more balls over the wall going two for three with a walk, three RBI and two runs scored besting the Brewers 5-4. I know it’s just spring training, but anytime a guy hits six taters in four games it’s noteworthy. Kenny Williams took a lot of heat trading fan favorite Aaron Rowand for Jim Thome who was injured last year. It was also questioned why Williams would trade for injured Thome and allow Frank Thomas to exit stage left. But who’s laughing now? I predict Thome will hit 40+ homers this season for the Southsiders. GO SOX GO!!!

Greg Maddux, Chicago Cubs

8 IP, 0 runs, 0 earned runs, 4 hits, 0 walks, 4 strikeouts, 13th win (with two starts to go)

Greg Maddux has 17 straight seasons in which he has achieved 15 or more victories. Cubs manager Dusty Baker told Maddux he’d rework his rotation to get Greg an extra start so he’d have a shot at 15 wins this year. Maddux rose to the challenge in his first start of his trilogy toward fifteen, shutting out the Milwaukee Brewers for eight innings, 3-0. The 39 year old veteran left the game after throwing just 78 pitches, with a knot in his back. Interesting to note Mddux lowered his ERA to 4.14, which happens to be his birthdate, mine too. GO MADDUX GO!!!