Pinch-hitter Brandon Allen hits a walk-off two-run homer off Los Angeles Angels closer Jordan Walden to give Tampa Bay a 4 – 3 win. Allen’s first hit of the season extends the Rays’ winning streak to five games.

ByTom

Pinch-hitter Brandon Allen hits a walk-off two-run homer off Los Angeles Angels closer Jordan Walden to give Tampa Bay a 4 – 3 win. Allen’s first hit of the season extends the Rays’ winning streak to five games.

In his first start since throwing a perfect game on April 21st, the White Sox’s Philip Humber comes crashing down to earth. He walks leadoff batter Mike Aviles, then yields a career-high 9 runs in 5 innings of work to be tagged with a 10 – 3 loss to the Red Sox. Kevin Youkilis hits a grand slam, while Jarrod Saltalamacchia homers twice to lead Boston. Humber breaks Catfish Hunter’s 44-year-old record of 8 runs allowed in the start after a perfect game. “This game will humble you, man,” Humber states after the shelling.

ByTom

In his first start since throwing a perfect game on April 21st, the White Sox’s Philip Humber comes crashing down to earth. He walks leadoff batter Mike Aviles, then yields a career-high 9 runs in 5 innings of work to be tagged with a 10 – 3 loss to the Red Sox. Kevin Youkilis hits a grand slam, while Jarrod Saltalamacchia homers twice to lead Boston. Humber breaks Catfish Hunter’s 44-year-old record of 8 runs allowed in the start after a perfect game. “This game will humble you, man,” Humber states after the shelling.

Using a home-grown starting lineup for the first time since 1971, New York beats Miami when Heath Bell walks four batters in the ninth inning, including Justin Turner’s 13-pitch at-bat that results in a game-tying bases-loaded base-on-balls, and before giving up a game-winning two-out single to the rookie Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Forty-one years ago, Gil Hodges used a lineup of all former Mets farmhands that included Ed Kranepool, Bud Harrelson, Tim Foli, Ted Martinez, Mike Jorgensen, Duffy Dyer, John Milner, and Jerry Koosman.

ByTom

Using a home-grown starting lineup for the first time since 1971, New York beats Miami when Heath Bell walks four batters in the ninth inning, including Justin Turner’s 13-pitch at-bat that results in a game-tying bases-loaded base-on-balls, and before giving up a game-winning two-out single to the rookie Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Forty-one years ago, Gil Hodges used a lineup of all former Mets farmhands that included Ed Kranepool, Bud Harrelson, Tim Foli, Ted Martinez, Mike Jorgensen, Duffy Dyer, John Milner, and Jerry Koosman.

The game between the Yankees and Rangers features a duel between two Japanese free agent signees, Hiroki Kuroda and Yu Darvish. Darvish gets the upper hand, pitching 8 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out 10 in leading Texas to a 2 – 0 win.

ByTom

The game between the Yankees and Rangers features a duel between two Japanese free agent signees, Hiroki Kuroda and Yu Darvish. Darvish gets the upper hand, pitching 8 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out 10 in leading Texas to a 2 – 0 win.

Chipper Jones homers on his 40th birthday (off Aaron Harang) as the Braves beat the Dodgers, 4 – 3. He becomes the fifth player in major league history to do this, following Bob Thurman, Joe Morgan, Wade Boggs and Tony Phillips.

ByTom

Chipper Jones homers on his 40th birthday (off Aaron Harang) as the Braves beat the Dodgers, 4 – 3. He becomes the fifth player in major league history to do this, following Bob Thurman, Joe Morgan, Wade Boggs and Tony Phillips.

For the first time in major league history, four different pitchers combine to walk four consecutive batters when the Marlins hurlers load the bases and then force in a run in a 2-1 loss against the Mets. Josh Johnson walks Lucas Duda, then Randy Choate issues a free pass to Justin Turner, followed by Steve Cishek’s base-on-balls to Scott Hairston, and finally, Mike Dunn forces home Josh Thole with the tying run with the last of the only walks given up by the Miami staff in the Citi Field contest.

ByTom

For the first time in major league history, four different pitchers combine to walk four consecutive batters when the Marlins hurlers load the bases and then force in a run in a 2-1 loss against the Mets. Josh Johnson walks Lucas Duda, then Randy Choate issues a free pass to Justin Turner, followed by Steve Cishek’s base-on-balls to Scott Hairston, and finally, Mike Dunn forces home Josh Thole with the tying run with the last of the only walks given up by the Miami staff in the Citi Field contest.

The Mets defeat the Marlins, 2 – 1, in a game marking the return of star shortstop Jose Reyes to New York after leaving the Big Apple for Miami as a free agent the previous off-season. Johan Santana strikes out 11 in 6 2/3 innings for the Mets, but leaves the game trailing, 1 – 0, as his teammates have yet to score a run in support of his pitching this year. The Mets score two late runs to win the game, but it is reliever Jon Rauch who gets the W. Before the game, the Mets place two key players on the disabled list, LF Jason Bay who has a broken rib, and starting P Mike Pelfrey, who has swelling in his elbow.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Mets defeat the Marlins, 2 – 1, in a game marking the return of star shortstop Jose Reyes to New York after leaving the Big Apple for Miami as a free agent the previous off-season. Johan Santana strikes out 11 in 6 2/3 innings for the Mets, but leaves the game trailing, 1 – 0, as his teammates have yet to score a run in support of his pitching this year. The Mets score two late runs to win the game, but it is reliever Jon Rauch who gets the W. Before the game, the Mets place two key players on the disabled list, LF Jason Bay who has a broken rib, and starting P Mike Pelfrey, who has swelling in his elbow.

Ivan Rodriguez, who has caught more games than anyone in big league history, announces his retirement after a 21-year career. He was hoping to continue playing this season as well, but found no takers for his services. The Rangers honor him by having him throw the ceremonial first pitch before today’s game; unusually, he throws it from his familiar position behind the plate, with Michael Young catching it at second base and tagging out a phantom baserunner.

ByBaseball

Ivan Rodriguez, who has caught more games than anyone in big league history, announces his retirement after a 21-year career. He was hoping to continue playing this season as well, but found no takers for his services. The Rangers honor him by having him throw the ceremonial first pitch before today’s game; unusually, he throws it from his familiar position behind the plate, with Michael Young catching it at second base and tagging out a phantom baserunner.