Carlos Silva allows one run to the Pirates over 7 innings to improve his record to 8-0. It is the best start to a season by a Cubs pitcher since Ken Holtzman went 9-0 in 1967. Ryan Theriot scores four times for Chicago.

ByTom

Carlos Silva allows one run to the Pirates over 7 innings to improve his record to 8-0. It is the best start to a season by a Cubs pitcher since Ken Holtzman went 9-0 in 1967. Ryan Theriot scores four times for Chicago.

As had been expected for months, the Washington Nationals select catcher Bryce Harper with the first overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft. While only 17, Harper has been playing in junior college for the past two years and has outrageously dominated older competition. The Nationals announce that they plan to move him to the outfield, but expect arduous negotiations with agent Scott Boras. Selecting second, the Pirates take Texas high school pitcher Jameson Taillon. 18-year-old shortstop Manny Machado is the third pick, by the Orioles, in a draft that is skewed towards very young talent.

ByTom

As had been expected for months, the Washington Nationals select catcher Bryce Harper with the first overall pick in the 2010 amateur draft. While only 17, Harper has been playing in junior college for the past two years and has outrageously dominated older competition. The Nationals announce that they plan to move him to the outfield, but expect arduous negotiations with agent Scott Boras. Selecting second, the Pirates take Texas high school pitcher Jameson Taillon. 18-year-old shortstop Manny Machado is the third pick, by the Orioles, in a draft that is skewed towards very young talent.

The Nationals announce the team is donating the hat Stephen Strasburg wore in his major league debut to the Hall of Fame. The 21 year-old rookie right-hander struck out 14 batters in Washington’s 5-2 victory over Pittsburgh.

ByTom

The Nationals announce the team is donating the hat Stephen Strasburg wore in his major league debut to the Hall of Fame. The 21 year-old rookie right-hander struck out 14 batters in Washington’s 5-2 victory over Pittsburgh.

The Baltimore Orioles end a ten-game losing streak and give interim manager Juan Samuel his first victory as a major league skipper when they defeat Boston, 4 – 3, in 11 innings. Nick Markakis bloops a single to score Cesar Izturis from second base, making David Hernandez a winner.

ByTom

The Baltimore Orioles end a ten-game losing streak and give interim manager Juan Samuel his first victory as a major league skipper when they defeat Boston, 4 – 3, in 11 innings. Nick Markakis bloops a single to score Cesar Izturis from second base, making David Hernandez a winner.

Major League Baseball is investigating an injury to under-performing Mets pitcher Oliver Perez, who was placed on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right knee on June 5th; he is 0-3, 6.28 this season. The suspicions come because the injury is very convenient to the Mets: Perez has refused an assignment to the minors, and manager Jerry Manuel has stated that he will not use him in games that have not already been decided. Had the injury not appeared, the Mets would have had to choose between two equally unpalatable options: release Perez and swallow the remainder of his $12 million a year contract; or waste a valuable roster spot on a player who cannot contribute to the team.

ByTom

Major League Baseball is investigating an injury to under-performing Mets pitcher Oliver Perez, who was placed on the disabled list with tendinitis in his right knee on June 5th; he is 0-3, 6.28 this season. The suspicions come because the injury is very convenient to the Mets: Perez has refused an assignment to the minors, and manager Jerry Manuel has stated that he will not use him in games that have not already been decided. Had the injury not appeared, the Mets would have had to choose between two equally unpalatable options: release Perez and swallow the remainder of his $12 million a year contract; or waste a valuable roster spot on a player who cannot contribute to the team.

The surprising Blue Jays keep giving their main rivals trouble. In tonight’s game against the Yankees, the Jays’ bullpen pitches 6 scoreless innings and Aaron Hill drives in Edwin Encarnacion with a single against Chad Gaudin in the 14th inning for a 3 – 2 win. Vernon Wells and Alex Gonzalez hit solo homers, bringing Toronto’s major league-leading home run total to 96. For the Yankees, the struggling Mark Teixeira goes 0 for 6 with 5 strikeouts to see his batting average fall to .215.

ByTom

The surprising Blue Jays keep giving their main rivals trouble. In tonight’s game against the Yankees, the Jays’ bullpen pitches 6 scoreless innings and Aaron Hill drives in Edwin Encarnacion with a single against Chad Gaudin in the 14th inning for a 3 – 2 win. Vernon Wells and Alex Gonzalez hit solo homers, bringing Toronto’s major league-leading home run total to 96. For the Yankees, the struggling Mark Teixeira goes 0 for 6 with 5 strikeouts to see his batting average fall to .215.

Rookie pitcher Mike Leake allows only an unearned run in 7 innings as the Reds defeat the Nationals, 5 – 1. Leake, who is now 5-0, is the first starting pitcher in team history to go undefeated in his first 11 starts, and the first since Santo Alcala in 1976 to win his first five decisions.

ByTom

Rookie pitcher Mike Leake allows only an unearned run in 7 innings as the Reds defeat the Nationals, 5 – 1. Leake, who is now 5-0, is the first starting pitcher in team history to go undefeated in his first 11 starts, and the first since Santo Alcala in 1976 to win his first five decisions.

2010 – The Orioles, owners of the worst record in the major leagues at 15-39, dismiss manager Dave Trembley and replace him on an interim basis with third base coach Juan Samuel.

ByTom

2010 – The Orioles, owners of the worst record in the major leagues at 15-39, dismiss manager Dave Trembley and replace him on an interim basis with third base coach Juan Samuel.

Armando Galarraga presents the lineup card at home plate to Jim Joyce

ByThis Day in Baseball

The day after he loses a perfect game on a blown call, Armando Galarraga presents the lineup card at home plate to Jim Joyce, the ump who made the infamous call. In a display of outstanding sportsmanship, applauded nationwide, the two shake hands, and when the pitcher walks away, the apologetic arbitrator pats the Venezuelan right-hander on the shoulder.

A day after Jim Joyce called Jason Donald, who is obviously out, safe with two outs in the ninth inning, ruining Armando Galarraga’s bid for a perfect game, Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm issues a proclamation stating the Tigers right-hander indeed pitched a perfect game against Cleveland, dismissing the blown call by the first base umpire. Additionally, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich) reports she is lobbying baseball commissioner Bud Selig to declare Galarraga’s performance a perfect game, and long-time U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-Mich) says he is planning to introduce a resolution in Congress asking MLB to overturn the call.

ByBaseball

A day after Jim Joyce called Jason Donald, who is obviously out, safe with two outs in the ninth inning, ruining Armando Galarraga’s bid for a perfect game, Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm issues a proclamation stating the Tigers right-hander indeed pitched a perfect game against Cleveland, dismissing the blown call by the first base umpire. Additionally, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich) reports she is lobbying baseball commissioner Bud Selig to declare Galarraga’s performance a perfect game, and long-time U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-Mich) says he is planning to introduce a resolution in Congress asking MLB to overturn the call.