On This Date In 1944...

Phil Weintraub of the old New York Giants had 11 RBIs in a game against Goody Rosen and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Weintraub hit a HR, 2 doubles, and a triple. Had he gotten 1 measly single, he would have hit for the cycle. Still, his 11 RBIs are tied for 2nd all-time.

On This Date In 1952...

Al Rosen hit 3 HRs in a game against the Philadelphia Athletics.

Braun Takes Karstens Deep, Then Gets Plunked

Ryan Braun hit his 5th HR of the season tonight - and paid a price for it. In Braun's very next AB, Jeff Karstens hit him square in the back. Braun subsequently took a bigger lead than normal from first (presumably to steal second base) and was picked off.

It reminded me of a similar play that involved my brother his senior year in high school. Zach (that's his name) was taking his lead off first in a playoff game and dove back on a pickoff attempt. He got back in plenty of time, but the first baseman gave him a hard tag. On the very next pitch, Zach informed the first baseman that he was "taking off." True to his word, he did take off and he stole second. I've always liked that story.

Back to the Brewers-Pirates game. Braun would eventually face John Grabow, but it was anticlimactic, as Braun was intentionally walked. Grabow's scoreless innings streak came to an end tonight. He gave up 2 runs in 1/3 of an inning of work. His ERA is now 1.74.

On This Date In 1999...

Shawn Green stole 3 bases in a game against the Anaheim Angels.

Marquis off to a Strong Start

Jason Marquis earned his 3rd win of the season earlier today against the division rival Dodgers. He went 7 1/3 innings, gave up 3 runs on 6 hits and 4 BBs, and had 5 Ks. He was also 1-2 at the plate with 1 run scored and 1 sacrifice bunt.

John Grabow pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief in a win over the Pirates.

Craig Breslow pitched 1 1/3 of scoreless relief for the Twinkies.

Good On Ya, Scott Feldman

In a spot start for the Rangers today, Feldman earned his keep. He went 5 innings, gave up 1 run on 4 hits and 1 BB, and struck out 2. Feldman got the win and also some run support from teammate Ian Kinsler. Kinsler has been teeing off on Baltimore this season, and today was no exception; he went yard twice. That gives him 7 HRs on the year. It also gives him 20 RBIs - from the leadoff spot.

Ryan Braun continued his hot hitting with a 4-6 performance tonight against the Astros. Braun's last hit of the game was a big one. In the top of the 11th, Braun singled up the middle and plated Corey Hart for what turned out to be the winning run. Hard not to see the parallel with what Youkilis and Ausmus did yesterday. Pretty cool.

Youkilis had another great game, going 2-3 with 1 double, 1 BB, and 4 runs scored. His average? A pedestrian .444.

Scott Schoeneweis tossed an inning of scoreless relief. The lefty's ERA is now 2.70.

Gabe Kapler got another hit tonight. Surprise, surprise. It was a double.

Kevin Youkilis: The Greek God of Walk-Off Home Runs

Red Sox-Yankees. Best rivalry in baseball. Bar none. Youkilis and Joba Chamberlain with some history. Bad blood between them after Chamberlain's blazing brushback pitch last summer.

Present day. Red Sox losing 4-2 in the bottom of the 9th. Youkilis singles to center off the nearly flawless Mariano Rivera. Jason Bay ties the game with a home run to deep left center.

Extra innings.

Damaso Marte in relief for the Yankees. Strikes out Nick Green, gets Jacoby Ellsbury to pop up, and strikes out the reigning AL MVP in the 10th.

Bottom of the 11th. Marte still pitching. David Ortiz goes down swinging. Youkilis steps up to the plate. And hits an absolute bomb to left over the Green Monster. Ball game.

It almost seems trivial by comparison, but Brad Ausmus had a big hit of his own tonight against the Rockies. Ausmus delivered in the clutch for the Dodgers with what turned out to be the game-winning hit in the top of the 9th inning. He hit a single through the left side that plated James Loney from second. Looks like this grizzly veteran won't be going into retirement quietly.