A.L. East Recap for 05/08/06

Baltimore Orioles
After a day off to lick their wounds after a brutal beating at the hands of the Red Sox, the Orioles are at home for a 3 game series against the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers seem to have forgotten that they're a mediocre team and they're playing some damned good baseball with a 20-12 record so far this year.

Daniel Cabrera (2-2, 4.73) takes on Nate Robertson (3-2, 3.25) on Tuesday at 7:05, Rodrigo Lopez (1-4, 6.75) takes on Justin Verlander (3-3, 3.68) on Wednesday at 7:05, and Erik Bedard (4-2, 4.54) takes on Kenny Rogers (5-2, 3.28) on Thursday at 7:05

Boston Red Sox
A three game series against the Orioles will boost anyone's confidence, but now with a three game series in New York against the Yankees the Red Sox are going to get to see if their hot streak is for real. Josh Beckett (3-1, 4.86) takes on Randy Johnson (5-2, 5.02) on Tuesday at 7:05, Curt Schilling (5-1, 3.02) takes on Mike Mussina (5-1, 2.35) on Wednesday at 7:05, and Tim Wakefield (2-4, 3.97) takes on Shawn Chacon (4-1, 3.94) on Thursday at 7:05.

David Riske, on the DL with a back strain, will be in Pawtucket for a rehab assignment on Wednesday. He threw a bullpen session on Sunday and says he feels pretty good. David Wells, also on the DL, threw 60 pitches on Sunday and is scheduled to throw another 50-60 on Wednesday. If everything goes according to play Wells could be back in the Red Sox rotation on May 18th.

Abe Alvarez, the man who is likely next in line for a starting job if Lenny DiNardo struggles and Wells doesn't make it back as planned, is on fire in Pawtucket. He is 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA in 41 IP over 7 starts so far this year. He's struck out only 21, but has walked only 12 and allowed 4 HR. In his last time out, on Sunday, he got the win against the Rochester Red Wings by throwing 6 scoreless innings.

Manny Delcarmen was sent back down to Pawtucket so that he can get regular work. Terry Francona seems to have forgotten that he was on the Sox roster. The team did not announce who would be recalled to take his place.

New York Yankees
Randy Johnson has been having a rough season. His first two outings of the year were great, but since then he has been to the mound 5 times and has only one quality start to show for it. He allowed 5 runs in 6.2 IP last time out. That's not too bad considering that he's failed to make it to the 6th in 3 of his last 5 starts. He's 5-2 on the year, but the record is deceiving. He has a 5.02 ERA and has struck out a very un-Unitesque 29 batters in 43 IP. He hopes to get back on track tonight against Josh Beckett, another pitcher who has been struggling.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays
The Rays had a 3-1 lead against the Seattle Mariners last night going into the 7th inning but wound up losing the game 6-3. Casey Fossum had a respectable night allowing 3 runs in 6 IP, but Chad Orvella took the loss by allowing 3 runs in 1.1 innings of work. The middle reliever dropped to 1-4 on the year. Gil Meche got the win for the Mariners and is now 2-2 with a 4.58 ERA. Eddie Guardado got in an inning of work, but it was J.J. Putz who came into the 9th and nailed down the save, his 4th.

Russ Branyan and Carl Crawford each had 2 hit nights and each had a double. Jonny Gomes belted his 12th HR, but it wasn't enough.

Doug Waechter (0-1, 6.46) takes on Felix Hernandez (1-4, 5.40) tonight at 10:05. Tomorrow at 4:35 Scott Kazmir (4-2, 3.43) and Jamie Moyer (1-2, 3.68) get the call.

Toronto Blue Jays
Roy Halladay dominated the Los Angeles Angels last night with a complete game for the 5-1 win. After striking out 6 while walking just 1 and allowing 4 hits, Hallday is 4-1 with a 3.12 ERA for the year.

Shea Hillenbrand saw a game at third as Troy Glaus was given an oppurtunity to rest.

Alex Rios, leading the league with a .384 AVG, went 1-4 with his 7th HR of the year. Bengie Molina also added a HR, his 4th.

Tonight the Jays start a 3 game series against the Oakland A's. Josh Towers (0-6, 10.59) takes on Dan Haren (1-3, 5.27) at 7:07, Gustavo Chacin (5-1, 4.50) takes on Joe Blanton (3-3, 5.70) tomorrow at 7:07, and Ted Lilly (3-2, 3.18) and Kirk Saarloos (1-0, 4.26) finish off the series with a 12:37 game on Thursday.

A.J. Burnett will begin throwing off the mound soon, attempting to make his way back from a second DL stint this year.

Date
Tue 05/09/06, 6:27 am EST

Source

 * mlb.com
 * milb.com
 * cbssportsline.com