Word just game down that AJ Burnett has been suspended six games for throwing at Nelson Cruz during Tuesday night's game.

Missing in the edict handed down from Major League Baseball is Vicente Padilla's suspension. He was fined an undisclosed amount AKA was slapped on the wrist.

There might have been intent with Burnett, but you can't tell me that there wasn't with Padilla throwing twice at Teixeira.

One of the biggest starts of the Yankees season takes place right about now as Chien-Ming Wang returns to the starting rotation. If Wang can find his stride and return to what he was two seasons ago, everything changes. Interesting Thursday matinee in the Bronx...


(UPDATE)
Well he went 4.2 innings and gave up five runs. His first two innings of work went well, but something fell off and everything was up to the Ranger hitters...Really didn't swing you one way or another. Only problem is that his next start is against Boston...

The Pirates have reportedly traded OF Nate McLouth to the Braves for three prospects. Atlanta somehow got McLouth without giving up any front-line prospects, mainly P Tommy Hanson or OF Jordan Schafer.


In Pittsburgh, McLouth was hitting .256 with 9 HR and 34 RBI so far this year. This trade certainly helps an inept offense which has scored just 226 runs. To put that into perspective, it is 14 runs less than the Mets have scored. That's saying something.

Retired Head Coach Tony Dungy and the now officially retired Rodney Harrison are expected to be announced as the newest additions to the NBC Football Night in America studio team.

Dungy, who is probably the most liked person in football today did a great job in contributing to the pre-game show for NBC's coverage of Super Bowl 43.

Harrison, known for being one of the dirtiest players in the game on the field, is also known for being charismatic and personable off the field.

With Jerome Bettis' departure, and Cris Collinsworth's move to the booth, there is room for both guys to join up.

It was a tale of two very different baseball games for the New York teams last night. The Yankees cruised to a 12-3 victory over the Rangers, while the Mets lost to the Pirates 3-1, with their ace on the mound.


-For the Mets, this is one of those games they CANNOT lose. I realize Johan Santana is not going to pitch a perfect game every time out, but simple math tells you, your ace on the hill going against a terrible team should equal a win. But that's why they play the games.

More on the Mets tonight as I am sure Barry will have a lot to say about the team that is trying to at the very least split a 4-game series with the lowly Pirates.


---The results were much different in the Bronx last night as the Yankees ripped the Rangers 12-3. After giving up a 3-run home run to Nelson Cruz in the third inning to immediately lose the lead the Yanks had given him, AJ Burnett settled down nicely as he and the bullpen did not give up another run.

The offense was ignited by Mark Teixeira who was hit twice. During their big 7-run inning, Teixeira took out SS Elvis Andrus in what would have been an inning ending double play at second base. Instead, the Yankees were able to add five more runs and really blow it open.

Nice to see both Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada, after Jorge had committed an error to end the Yankees' streak at 18 consecutive games without an error, hit home runs as well...


MLB One Liners:

-Roy Halladay continues to dominate, as he struck out 14 Angels and won his ninth game of the year.

-Ichiro extended his hitting streak to 26 games.

-Reports are out now that Rangers OF Josh Hamilton could miss two months with a sports hernia.



---Meanwhile on the ice, the Penguins finally got a win, as the beat the Red Wings at home, 4-2.

Baseball writer, Joel Sherman got it 100% correct in his article in the NY Post today. The headline says it all. Link to the story is below.


Mark Teixeira Article in NY Post Today

With the Stanley Cup Finals on an off-night and the NBA Finals not yet underway, baseball took center stage tonight.


There were plenty of milestones to celebrate tonight as the Yankees wrapped up their four-game series in Cleveland and a very successful seven-game road trip.

Joba Chamberlain, who was one of the main topics on our show earlier tonight, had the longest start of his career (eight innings) and showed command with all of his pitches.

Tonight also marked the 18th consecutive game without an error, which sets an all-time record.

Other positive notes from the game included:

-Nick Swisher's bat coming to life (2-4 with a double and 2 RBI)

-Mariano with a quality 1-2-3 ninth inning which included two nice defensive plays by the closer.


--The Bronx Bombers come home to start a three-game series against Texas beginning tomorrow night.


---Meanwhile out in Pittsburgh, the Mets caughed one up. After leading pretty much the entire game, the team imploded in the eighth inning, giving up five runs. JJ Putz took the loss as he continues to struggle.

This is the type of game that hurts to lose. Playing one of the worst teams in the league and with all of the injuries that the team has endured, they MUST take advantage of the soft schedule while they can.


MLB Notes:

---Ichiro has extended his hitting streak to 25 games, tieing the Mariners-record that he, himself set.

---Indians OF Grady Sizemore may need surgery on his inflamed elbow which could cause him to miss much more than the 15 days that he would, being on the disabled list.

THE GOOD:

New York Yankees
A-Rod's return has continued to pay dividends as Mark Teixeira has been on an absolute tear. Chien-Ming Wang seems to be getting closer to being at least a shell of his former self. Seventeen straight games without an error isn't bad either.

New York Mets (Minus Saturday)
Push aside the Mets and their lineup on Saturday afternoon. Despite all of the injuries, this team has continued to win. I know that the schedule has been so easy its funny, but hey, you can only play the teams that are on your schedule. Things defintely pick up toward the middle and end of June.

Zach Greinke
He has been so good, I put him here without an explanation.


Thomas Jones & Leon Washington
Both have made their returns to Jets camp. This doesn't guarentee by any means that either one will be happy and quiet all Summer long through training camp, but at least it is a step in the right direction as both seek new contracts.

Orlando Magic
The run continues. Ever since Dwight Howard called out Stan Van Gundy, things have been wonderful for the Magic. They took out the NBA's 'best team' in six after beating the defending champs in seven. Now it is full speed ahead as Kobe and the Lakers await them.

Detroit Red Wings
For a city and state that is teetering with all the bad automotive and economical news, the Red Wings are once again proving why Detroit is 'Hockeytown'. Up 2-0 on the Penguins and looking for a repeat championship...The last team to repeat as cup winners would be the Detroit Red Wings (96-97, 97-98). If only this franchise didn't play hockey, how much credit it would receive from the rest of the sports world. *sigh*

Syracuse-Cornell Lacrosse Game
I don't even know how to pretend to know lacrosse, but even I can appreciate the national title game last week. Sport at its best.


THE BAD:

John Sterling & Suzyn Waldman
I think I have a better chance of accurately knowing what is happening in a given Yankee game by not listening, rather than listening to these two call a game.

Jake Peavy
Man up and go to the American League if you happen to be traded there.


Puppet Commercials
So much for LeBron Vs. Kobe. The NBA has to be happy with getting at least one in, and Dwight Howard and the 'magical' (sorry) run that they are on has certainly become a story in and of itself.

THE UGLY:

Brett Favre
Putting him here is just too easy, but must be done. Until he officially retires and gives us all the chance to appreciate what he has done, this cat-and-mouse game that he plays each and every off season is beyond old.

Drew Rosenhaus
Can't feel good to be dumped when you are one of the most reputable and established sports agents in the business. Anquan Boldin did just that after Rosenhaus' inability to get a new (bigger) contract or force a trade.

Saturday Afternoon Mets
The lineup card speaks for itself. Carlos Beltran leaving the game early with a stomach bug and Tim Redding starting the game doesn't help.

1. LF Angel Pagan
2. RF Fernando Martinez
3. CF Carlos Beltran
4. 3B Fernando Tatis
5. 1B Daniel Murphy
6. 2B Ramon Martinez
7. C Brian Schneider
8. SS Wilson Valdez


MLB All-Star Fan Voting
I like having a say in things...but as baseball fans, are we serious about Manny Ramirez even being considered as an All Star for the 2009 season?

Here's the cliche that you will hear a billion times over the next few days:


'Do you believe in (the) magic?'

You might have to, now that they have officially taken out Lebron and the Cavs. Dwight Howard's performance tonight was unreal. The battle of Shaquille O'Neal's former teams is offically set.


---The Red Wings drew first blood in the Stanley Cup Finals, beating the Pens 3-1. Two of Detroit's three goals came off of awkward bounces which made things a bit more interesting.


---MLB Notes: Yankees beat Cleveland for a second consecutive night as CC Sabathia returned to his former city.

-Was that the New York Mets or the Binghamton Mets that played in Flushing today?

With the Yankees and Mets winning last night, all New Yorkers can officially start making plans for another Subway Series...Okay that is a definite exaggeration, BUT, it is nice to see both teams (barely) in first place as we head into today's action.

The Yankees opened up their 4-game series with the Indians nicely. They facae Fausto Carmona today and lets all hope that things don't play out like they did the last time the Yankees took on Carmona on a Saturday, (they lost 22-4).

It was nice to see Jorge Posada back in action after a long abscence due to a hamstring injury. It remains to be seen how many games a week he will be able to catch. One thing is for sure...Fransisco Cervelli and Jose Molina are very good back-ups.

As for the Mets, it took them a little more than nine innings to put away the Marlins last night, but they did. Mike Pelfrey was good, against the team that traditionally has his number. The Amazins look to make it four in a row this afternoon.

Before the game, Omar Minaya announced that the Mets have traded Ramon Castro to the White Sox, to make room for Brian Schneider who is returning from the DL. Castro can now collect his checks while only wanting to play a day or two a week in Chicago.

---To many people's surprise, the Lakers put the Nuggets away in game six. Most (including me) thought that this series was defintely going seven. Game six of the Cavs-Magic series is tonight, as the Magic look to copy the Lakers and wrap up their series in six en route to the NBA Finals.


---The Stanley Cup Finals kick off tonight in Detroit. Great move by the NHL moving up the first two games so that they would be played on the weekend. For the first time in over fifty years, there will be Cup Final games on back-to-back days.

PREDICTION: Penguins in Seven