The Boston Red Sox faced off against the Detroit Tigers today in a day-night double-header that saw the Red Sox get fantastic performances out of two rather unlikely players. It all started in game one, when Julian Tavarez twirled a gem against the Tigers, allowing just one run on four hits over his seven innings. Tavarez has thus far been the weak link in an outstanding Red Sox rotation, and even after today's stellar performance he saw his record move to just 2-4 and his ERA drop to a shaky 5.59. Then in game two, Eric Hinske proved the hero (starting in right field in place of the sore-backed J.D. Drew) by making a spectacular (if somewhat reckless) catch that saw him face-plant in the warning track down right field foul line. The play saved two runs
from scoring as the Tigers had runners on second and third with two outs. Later in the game, Hinske hit a two-run homer that put the Red Sox on top of the Tigers and eventually won the game. Curt Schilling was somewhat of a mess on the mound, giving up eight extra-base hits and four walks, yet he managed to hold the Tigers to two runs, which helped Boston stay in the game for good. Surprise bullpen force Hideki Okajima (and his pristine 0.44 ERA) pitched an inning in both games, getting the save in game two. In Cleveland, last year's experimental closer Fausto Carmona (0 saves in 3 opportunities to go along with a 1-10 record) is proving himself to be the Tribe's most valuable starter in '07. For the second time this season, Carmona bested Twin's ace (and reigning Cy Young Award winner) Johan Santana, spinning a 2-0 complete game victory and leading the Indians to first place in the American League Central in the wake of Detroit's loss to Boston. Said Twins center fielder Torii Hunter of Carmona and his nasty sinker: "It was so scary, I thought I was hung over. He was filthy. Even if we were hot right now, he would have cooled us off." Meanwhile, the Twins have lost seven of the last eight and sit below .500 and in fourth place in the Central. On Chicago radio talk-show The Score this morning, Yankees reliever Kyle Farnsworth criticized the contract stipulations of his new teammate Roger Clemens. Of the clause in the Rocket's contract which will allow him to leave the team to see his family when he's not pitching, Farnsworth said "As far as a teammate and a player, I think everybody should be here whether they're pitching or not. You don't see guys who are hurt not sit on the bench. They're always there." While the flame-throwing setup man didn't seem too concerned about the contract causing friction in the Yankees' clubhouse, he's just one of many baseball personalities to speak negatively about the situation, and Clemens hasn't even started playing yet. I'd like to see how players (and the media) react the first time Clemens actually does leave his team, whether to see his family or play in a golf tournament or anything. Later in the day the clubhouse chemistry certainly didn't help New York overcome the White Sox, as the Bombers were defeated 4-1 in the South Side behind rookie starter Matt DeSalvo's first career loss. After three pitchers in the Mets organization were handed lengthy suspensions for positive drug tests in the last seven months (major leaguer Guillermo Mota and two minor leaguers), COO Jeff Wilpon said today that the organization is in discussions about the team's efforts to curb performance enhancer use. "Not to stop the positive tests but to educate the kids so they know what they're doing to their bodies and they know that besides being illegal and against the rules, that it's not good for them," Wilpon said. "They don't need to do it." On the field, the Mets channeled the May 13th Red Sox and rallied for five runs in the ninth inning, including a walk-off base hit by first baseman Carlos Delgado. The Cubs had previously held the Mets to just one run, but closer Ryan Dempster coughed up three hits, two walks, and five runs in his 1/3 of an inning, allowing the Mets to come all the way back and win the game.Video Source: MLB.com
