Dodgers top Arizona on game-ending balk
May 31, 2010
LOS ANGELES (AP)—A blunder on the basepaths nearly cost the Los AngelesDodgers. But they got lucky with an even bigger mistake by the ArizonaDiamondbacks.
A balk by Esmerling Vasquez(notes) allowed Casey Blake(notes) to score the winning run inthe bottom of the ninth, giving the Dodgers a 5-4 victory Monday night.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Chad … AP – May 31, 9:55 pm EDT Demonstrators protest Arizona&… AP – May 31, 8:55 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 1; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100601/capt.c985eb5c50af4a97a9bff127a0760429-c985eb5c50af4a97a9bff127a0760429-0.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=71&yc=1&wc=268&hc=298&q=70&sig=Osg.PAHLRkHNMWUs935WrQ--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 2 Ari-LAD Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance Arizona 4 LA Dodgers 5 Mon, May 31 – Final Arizona at LA Dodgers Tue, Jun 1 – 10:10 pm ET Arizona at LA Dodgers Wed, Jun 2 – 3:10 pm ET
The inning began with a walk to James Loney(notes) and a broken-bat single byBlake. Loney made a break for third base with Augie Ojeda(notes) charging in for apossible bunt, but was tagged out in a rundown after Ojeda retreated back towardthe bag.
“I don’t know what he was thinking,” Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. “Wehad some good momentum going and that play just took the wind out of oursails.”
Russell Martin(notes) worked the count to 2-2 before second base umpire Tim Tschidasignaled balk after some frantic gyrations by Blake and Dodgers third base coachLarry Bowa. Blake removed his helmet and jogged home.
“I saw what he did,” Arizona manager A.J. Hinch said. “He flinched, bothof his legs buckled, and he balked. It was pretty plain and simple to see, so Ididn’t talk to anybody.”
Jonathan Broxton(notes) (3-0) pitched the ninth to earn the victory. Starter ChadBillingsley(notes) was watching the game in the video room when he saw Vasquez’s balk.
“That was quite a ninth inning and quite a way to win the game,” he said.
Vasquez (0-1) took the loss. The last-place Diamondbacks dropped theirseason-high eighth in a row.
“This team sorely needs a win, and losing this way is just excruciating,”Hinch said.
The last time a game was won on a balk was Sept. 9, 2008, when TaylorBuccholz of Colorado balked in Kelly Johnson(notes) of Atlanta in the 10th inning,according to Stats LLC. Johnson is now with the Diamondbacks.
Rodrigo Lopez(notes) took a four-hitter and a 4-2 lead into the eighth, when theDodgers tied the game on a double error by Johnson. He booted a grounder byAndre Ethier(notes) in the hole and then threw it past first base, allowing RafaelFurcal(notes), who singled, and Matt Kemp(notes), who doubled, to score.
“He made an error at a really bad time. He’s been very sure-handed and he’sdone a nice job for us,” Hinch said. “It’s a killer.”
Ethier returned to the Dodgers after missing the previous 15 games becauseof a broken right pinky finger. He went 0 for 4 playing with a splint on thefinger and a foam pad near the knob of the bat for cushioning.
“It’s timing,” Torre said. “His rhythm isn’t there right now. I thoughthe was trying to pull the ball a little bit more.”
The Diamondbacks got the go-ahead run on second in the ninth with one outagainst Broxton, but he struck out Adam LaRoche(notes) and Chris Young to end theinning.
Justin Upton’s(notes) two-run homer off Billingsley gave Arizona a 2-0 lead in thefirst. The ball hit the top of the right field wall and went over.
Arizona added two runs in the second on solo homers by Young and ChrisSnyder(notes), with both going into left field.
“I got some fastballs up and they got it in the air and they left theballpark. You can’t do anything about it,” Billingsley said. “Even after thosetwo innings, I still knew I had good stuff, so I stayed with my game plan andjust kept being aggressive.”
Manny Ramirez(notes) led off the fourth with his 550th career homer, leaving theDodgers trailing 4-1. It was his second homer in as many nights and just hissecond since April 15. The Dodgers’ second run came on Kemp’s RBI single in thethird.
Lopez allowed six hits and four runs in eight innings, while striking outfour and walking one.
“We lucked out,” Torre said. “Lopez pitched a hell of a ballgame.”
Billingsley gave up four runs and six hits in eight innings. He struck out aseason-high 11 and walked none. The right-hander was erratic while facing hisfirst 13 batters, a stretch in which he gave up a double and three homers andstruck out seven.
NOTES: The Dodgers won via a walk-off balk for just the second time since1969 and the first since beating the Mets 4-3 on Roger McDowell’s 12th-inningbalk on May 28, 1989. … The Dodgers closed the month with a 20-8 record, theirsecond-best May in club history behind the 1962 team’s 21-7 mark. … Ramirez’shomer was his 1,813th RBI, moving him past Frank Robinson and into solepossession of 18th place on the career list. … The Diamondbacks didn’t allowany runs in the first inning for the first time since May 26, ending a five-gamestreak.
Rangers LHP Holland likely headed to DL
May 31, 2010
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—Texas Rangers left-hander Derek Holland(notes) is likely headedto the disabled list because of mild inflammation in his left rotator cuff.
The pitcher left in the second inning of his start Sunday night inMinnesota. Holland returned to Texas and was examined Monday by team physicianDr. Keith Meister.
The Rangers made no official move Monday, an off day. They open a three-gameseries Tuesday in Chicago against the White Sox.
Meanwhile, Holland will remain in Texas and won’t throw again for at leastthree to five days.
Right-hander Pedro Strop(notes) could join the Rangers in Chicago. Tommy Hunter(notes), atTriple-A Oklahoma City since being slowed in spring training by a left obliquestrain, could start when Holland’s next turn comes up.
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Athletics take 3 of 4 in Detroit
May 31, 2010
DETROIT (AP)—Rajai Davis(notes) scored twice and Trevor Cahill(notes) continued to pitchwell as the Oakland Athletics beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Monday.
The win was Oakland’s third of the four-game series and fifth out of sevenduring their ongoing 10-game trip. Detroit has lost five of six.
DETROIT- MAY 31: Justin Verlan… Getty Images – May 31, 4:34 pm EDT DETROIT- MAY 31: Trevor Cahill… Getty Images – May 31, 4:34 pm EDT
DETROIT- MAY 31: Special Memor… Getty Images – May 31, 2:47 pm EDT
DETROIT- MAY 31: Detroit Tiger… Getty Images – May 31, 2:46 pm EDT
Oakland Athletics' Kurt Su… AP – May 31, 2:40 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 4; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/ad/fullj.130d6a432ceeb1ac790e7e85ddbfe7f1/130d6a432ceeb1ac790e7e85ddbfe7f1-getty-97588518lh003_oakland_athle.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=648&hc=720&q=70&sig=M9cgCXw5.fqTO32MuYl9lg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/51/fullj.4e1de8f5e0ca08f906e8376aeb3ebfe0/4e1de8f5e0ca08f906e8376aeb3ebfe0-getty-97588518lh002_oakland_athle.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=142&yc=1&wc=379&hc=421&q=70&sig=Msmt0JO5nDh743vL_1T68Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/19/fullj.d6b767a884af153ce91df58118e1360f/d6b767a884af153ce91df58118e1360f-getty-97588518lh001_oakland_athle.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=568&hc=631&q=70&sig=_JBeCYMRJ9x_pnVAn6cpRw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100531/capt.8460e67b3c2648729b788a466900877f-8460e67b3c2648729b788a466900877f-0.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=83&yc=1&wc=245&hc=272&q=70&sig=B.PbprREW1iltVKIcUd8SA--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 5 Oak-Det Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance Oakland 5 Detroit 4 Fri, May 28 – Final Oakland 6 Detroit 0 Sat, May 29 – Final Oakland 2 Detroit 10 Sun, May 30 – Final Oakland 4 Detroit 1 Mon, May 31 – Final
The start of the game was delayed by 2 hours and 42 minutes due tothreatening weather, although no rain fell until more than an hour after thescheduled start. It started to rain again with Detroit batting in the bottom ofthe eighth, leaving the stadium almost empty by game’s end.
Cahill (4-2) won his third straight start, allowing one run on five hits in6 1-3 innings. He has allowed three runs in 19 innings in his winning streak, anERA of 1.42.
Andrew Bailey(notes) got the final four outs for his 11th save.
Justin Verlander(notes) (5-4) took his second straight loss, giving up three runson six hits and a walk in seven innings. He struck out eight.
Verlander appeared out of rhythm when the game finally began, allowing hitsto the first three batters. Davis led off with a single and scored on DaricBarton’s(notes) double. Barton took third on Ryan Sweeney’s(notes) single and scored when KurtSuzuki(notes) grounded into a double play.
Detroit nearly got on the board in the fourth, but Gabe Gross(notes) threw BrennanBoesch(notes) out at the plate to end the inning.
Kevin Kouzmanoff(notes) made it 3-0 with an seventh-inning RBI single after takingtwo curveballs that Verlander obviously thought should have been strike three.Verlander and Tigers manager Jim Leyland argued with home-plate umpire Laz Diazafter the play and again after the innning, though neither was ejected.
Austin Jackson(notes) pulled the Tigers within 3-1 with a two-out, pinch-hit singlein the seventh, but Johnny Damon(notes) flew out to end the inning.
In the eighth, Davis singled, stole second and third, then scored whenSweeney beat out a possible double-play grounder.
NOTES: Oakland pitcher Dallas Braden(notes) entertained the fans during the longrain delay with a running dive across the tarp, while Barton borrowed a newsphotographer’s camera to take pictures of the stadium and crowd. … Because ofthe weather, the stadium observance of the National Moment of Remebrance at 3 pmcame with the fans standing on the concourse, watching the rain. … Oakland won16 games in May, the most in that month since going 18-9 in 2001.
Angelelli, Taylor win Grand-Am Race at Lime Rock
May 31, 2010
LAKEVILLE, Conn. (AP)—Max Angelelli and Ricky Taylor won the Memorial DayClassic on Monday at Lime Rock Park, a race highlighted by a first-lap accidentinvolving two of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series premier Daytona Prototypeentries.
Angelelli and Taylor, co-driving the No. 10 SunTrust Racing Ford/Dallara,finished 4.791 seconds ahead of Ran Dalziel and Mike Forest, driving the No. 8Corsa Car Care BMW/Riley.
The most compelling drama came at the beginning of the two-hour, 45-minuterace.
Just seconds after the green flag dropped, the No. 01 driven by Memo Rojashad hard contact in Turn 1 with the reigning champion entry, the No. 99 drivenby Jon Fogarty.
The No. 01, co-driven by Rojas and Scott Pruett, is owned by Chip Ganassi,who won the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday with Dario Franchitti and finished secondin the Coca-Cola 600 with Jamie McMurray. The first lap wreck ruined a potentialrecord-setting day for the No. 01.
The goal no longer was winning a record fourth consecutive Rolex Series raceand expanding the championship points lead. Instead, it became keeping the caron track long enough for Rojas and Pruett to earn valuable driver championshippoints.
Rolex Series rules mandate a driver must be in the car for at least 30minutes to earn points.
Rojas got his half-hour mostly by sitting in the pits after the crash, whichsheared the front end off the No. 01. Pruett pieced together his requirement viashort stints interspersed by repairs.
The incident resulted in a drive-through penalty for Fogarty, due to whatwas deemed “avoidable contact” by officials.
The No. 01 ended up last in the 26-car field, shaving the championshippoints lead for Rojas and Pruett from 21 to seven (155-148) over Dalziel andForest.
The production-based GT class was won by John Edwards and Adam Christodoulouin the No. 68 MazdaSpeed Motorsports Development Mazda RX-8.
Morrow, Lind lead Blue Jays past Rays
May 31, 2010
TORONTO (AP)—By trying not to do too much, Brandon Morrow(notes) ended up with hisbest start of the season.
Morrow pitched seven strong innings, and the Toronto Blue Jays threw out thepotential tying run at the plate in the ninth to preserve their 3-2 victory overthe Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
Toronto Blue Jays starting pit… The Canadian Press – May 31, 10:28 pm EDT Toronto Blue Jays right fielde… AP – May 31, 10:22 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Matt Garza(n… Getty Images – May 31, 10:19 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Matt Garza(n… Getty Images – May 31, 10:19 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Jose Bautist… Getty Images – May 31, 10:19 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Shawn Camp(n… Getty Images – May 31, 10:19 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: The Toronto … Getty Images – May 31, 10:18 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Edwin Encarn… Getty Images – May 31, 10:18 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Fred Lewis(n… Getty Images – May 31, 10:18 pm EDT
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitche… AP – May 31, 8:45 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Adam Lind(no… Getty Images – May 31, 8:41 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Evan Longori… Getty Images – May 31, 8:41 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Matt Garza(n… Getty Images – May 31, 8:41 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Brandon Morr… Getty Images – May 31, 8:41 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Edwin Encarn… Getty Images – May 31, 8:41 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Brandon Morr… Getty Images – May 31, 8:41 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Matt Garza(n… Getty Images – May 31, 8:40 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Edwin Encarn… Getty Images – May 31, 8:40 pm EDT
TORONTO – MAY 31: Aaron Hill(n… Getty Images – May 31, 8:40 pm EDT
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YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 20 TB-Tor Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance Tampa Bay 2 Toronto 3 Mon, May 31 – Final Tampa Bay at Toronto Tue, Jun 1 – 7:07 pm ET Tampa Bay at Toronto Wed, Jun 2 – 7:07 pm ET
Morrow, who didn’t allow his first hit until there were two outs in thesixth, said he succeeded by taking a little off his pitches.
“I’ve had better stuff, meaning a nastier slider or a better fastball,”Morrow said. “But I think this is probably my best game in terms of makingpitches, not trying to throw that nasty curveball and instead just flipping itin for a strike.”
Rays manager Joe Maddon, whose team has lost six of eight, noticed thedifference in Morrow.
“He was a little bit softer than normal,” Maddon said. “It looked like hewas trying to tone it down a bit to throw more strikes. He pitched fine. Hedidn’t have, for me, no-hit stuff going into the sixth inning. We just weren’tvery fortunate to that point.”
Evan Longoria(notes) tripled off Kevin Gregg(notes) with one out in the ninth. Carlos Pena(notes)walked, but Longoria was thrown out trying to score on John Jaso’s(notes) grounder toshortstop for the second out.
Maddon said he did not want to make Jaso bunt, so he sent Longoria to makesure Toronto, playing with the infield in, could not turn a game-ending doubleplay.
Gabe Kapler(notes) ended it by grounding into a fielder’s choice, giving Gregg his14th save in 16 chances.
Adam Lind(notes) hit a two-run home run for Toronto.
Morrow (4-4) left to a standing ovation when he was replaced after Jaso’sleadoff single in the eighth. He gave up one run and three hits, walked two andstruck out one.
“My last five outings, the times I’ve backed off a little and reallyfocussed on keeping the ball down, keeping it to the corners, I’ve pitchedbetter,” Morrow said. “I’ve calmed myself down and relaxed and made my pitchesinstead of overthrowing and trying to strike everybody out.”
Left-hander Scott Downs(notes) came on and struck out pinch-hitter Kapler, thengave up an RBI triple to B.J. Upton(notes).
Righty Shawn Camp(notes) came on to face pinch-hitter Willy Aybar(notes), who scored Uptonwith an RBI grounder. Sean Rodriguez(notes) followed with a single but Camp got out ofit when Ben Zobrist(notes) grounded out.
Rodriguez ended Morrow’s no-hit effort with an infield single, touching thebase just before Lyle Overbay(notes) caught a bouncing throw from shortstop AlexGonzalez. Rodriguez was picked off by catcher Jose Molina(notes).
Morrow issued leadoff walks to Upton in the third and Pena in the fifth, butgot double plays both times, spearing a hard comebacker from Jaso to start a1-6-3 double play in the fifth.
“It was one of those nights where things were falling for them and thingsweren’t falling for us,” Jaso said. “We hit a lot of balls hard throughout thegame.”
Zobrist singled up the middle to begin the seventh but was erased on CarlCrawford’s(notes) fielder’s choice. After Longoria flied out, Pena launched a drive todeep center that Vernon Wells(notes) hauled in with a leaping catch up against thewall.
“If that ball went over the fence, that’s a whole different ball game rightthere,” Jaso said.
Lind hit a two-run homer to left off Matt Garza(notes) (5-4) in the first, hiseighth, and first since May 21.
“He hit a good pitch,” Garza said. “It was a fastball down and away andhe just went and got it.”
The Blue Jays, who lead the major leagues with 89 home runs, finished Maywith a club-record 54 homers. That’s the most by any team in a single monthsince Atlanta hit 55 in May 2003. The major-league record for home runs in amonth is 58, set by Baltimore in May 1987 and matched by Seattle in May 1999.
“They beat us with the home run,” Maddon said. That’s their game.”
Toronto made it 3-0 in the fifth when Fred Lewis(notes) doubled, took third on awild pitch and scored on Aaron Hill’s(notes) bloop single.
Garza came in 5-3 with a 2.19 ERA in 11 previous starts against Toronto buthas lost to the Blue Jays twice this season. The right-hander, winless in fivestarts, allowed three runs and a season-high 10 hits in 6 1-3 innings. He walkedtwo and struck out three.
“It’s a lot of what you saw last year where we didn’t score enough runs forhim and, all of a sudden, his record isn’t what people would expect of him,”Maddon said. “He got off to a great start, wins-wise. We just haven’t scoredhim enough runs lately.”
Garza gave up five runs and eight hits in five innings of a 6-5 home loss tothe Blue Jays on April 23.
NOTES: Toronto optioned RHP Josh Roenicke(notes) to Triple-A Las Vegas after thegame, clearing a spot for LHP Brian Tallet(notes), who will come off the 15-day DL tostart Tuesday. … Rays C Kelly Shoppach(notes), out since April 11 following rightknee surgery, went 1 for 3 with a two-run single in the first game of his rehabassignment at Triple-A Durham. … Rays SS Jason Bartlett(notes) (right hamstring)missed his second straight game and will not start in this series, Maddon said.If he improves, Bartlett could come off the bench. … Tampa Bay OF Matt Joyce(notes)(right elbow) returned from his rehab assignment and was optioned to Triple-A.… Toronto OF Travis Snider(notes), out since May 15 with a sore right wrist, hasresumed swinging but has not begun hitting, manager Cito Gaston said. …Attendance was 11,335.
Angels continue mastery of Royals
May 31, 2010
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—There were no late-game heroics, no wild celebrations.Just a methodical performance by Ervin Santana(notes), rare production from the bottomof the lineup and another win over Kansas City.
After a winning-but-tumulutuous weekend, this was just what the Los AngelesAngels needed.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim&… AP – May 31, 3:12 pm EDT LAA-KC Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance LA Angels 7 Kansas City 1 Mon, May 31 – Final LA Angels at Kansas City Tue, Jun 1 – 8:10 pm ET LA Angels at Kansas City Wed, Jun 2 – 8:10 pm ET
Santana pitched seven strong innings, the bottom three hitters combined forsix hits and the Angels avoided any drama by roughing up Luke Hochevar(notes) early onthe way to a 7-1 win over the Royals on Monday.
“Right now we’re just trying to focus,” said Santana, 21-1 since 2008 whenlasting seven innings. “We know that everything will be OK, so we’re justtrying to get everybody together.”
Los Angeles won its previous two games in dramatic fashion, getting awinning grand slam from Kendry Morales(notes) against Seattle on Saturday, a three-rungame-ender by Kendrick on Sunday.
The Angels were a bit more subdued following Kendrick’s winner, waiting onthe grass to congratulate him after watching Morales, the team’s home run andRBI leader, break his leg during the previous day’s at-the-plate swarming.
Handshakes and high-fives were all the Angels needed against Kansas City, ateam they’ve beaten 10 of the last 11 times.
Mike Napoli(notes) hit a two-run homer, Juan Rivera(notes) and Maicer Izturis(notes) each hadsolo shots off Hochevar (5-3), and Howie Kendrick(notes) had two RBIs to help LosAngeles kick off a season-long 14-game road trip with its fifth win in sixgames. Napoli, Kendrick and Michael Ryan(notes), the Nos. 7-9 hitters, went a combined6 for 10.
“I’m not asking them to be Superman, just get into their normal game,”Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “There’s been a lot of guys who haven’t beenmaybe as crisp as they can be and we got contributions from a lot of them.”
The Royals didn’t put up much of a fight, going 1 for 8 with runners inscoring position and striking out 11 times to lose for the sixth time in ninegames. Kansas City has scored two runs in three games after a season-high 20-hitoutburst against Boston Friday night.
Santana (5-3) had something to do with it.
The right-hander had a shaky start to the season, but has been superb overthe past month or so, allowing six earned runs with 28 strikeouts in 29 innings.
Santana limited the damage of seven hits against the Royals, allowing arun-scoring double by Jason Kendall(notes) in the fifth inning and little else to winhis fourth straight start. He struck out six.
“His slider, I don’t know if you’d call it devastating, but it was justshort of devastating,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.
Hochevar had also been on a roll, pitching eight strong innings againstTexas to back up a complete-game win over Cleveland.
This time, he just put the Royals in a hole.
Rivera ended an 0-for-21 slump in the second inning off the right-hander,lifting a 2-0, down-the-middle fastball over the Angels bullpen in left for asolo homer, his seventh. Kendrick made it 2-0 with a run-scoring double twobatters later and the Angels kept chipping away at Hochevar.
Izturis added a slicing solo shot in the third inning that dinged off thefoul pole in left, Erick Aybar(notes) had a run-scoring double in the fifth andKendrick added an RBI single in the sixth to make it 5-1.
Hochevar gave up five runs on nine hits in seven innings. He had allowed twohomers in his previous 60 innings.
“What’s on my mind is making quality pitches, down in the zone,” Hochevarsaid. “When you get the ball up, that’s what happens.”
Napoli sealed it in the eighth inning with his eighth homer, a two-run shotoff Victor Marte(notes) for his third hit.
NOTES: Scioscia said Morales’ broken leg is still too swollen for surgeryand he hopes to have a definitive answer in the next week or so. … Royals DHJose Guillen(notes) broke an 0-for-15 skid with a single off Scot Shields(notes) in the ninthinning. He had struck out his previous eight at-bats at Kauffman Stadium. … Agrounds crew member made a nifty tackle from behind after a fan ran out onto thefield during the seventh-inning stretch.
Nats rip Astros 14-4, Oswalt gets tossed
May 31, 2010
HOUSTON (AP)—Carlos Maldonado(notes) and Ryan Zimmerman(notes) hit three-run homers offChris Sampson(notes), long after Roy Oswalt(notes) was ejected, and Washington put togetherthe highest scoring inning in Nationals’ history for a 14-4 win over the HoustonAstros on Monday.
Washington Nationals pitcher L… AP – May 31, 2:39 pm EDT Was-Hou Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance Washington 14 Houston 4 Mon, May 31 – Final Washington at Houston Tue, Jun 1 – 8:05 pm ET Washington at Houston Wed, Jun 2 – 8:05 pm ET
Zimmerman and Adam Dunn(notes) drove in four runs apiece and both chipped in duringa nine-run seventh, the team’s biggest inning since relocating from Montrealbefore the 2005 season.
Rookie Luis Atilano(notes) (5-1) allowed three earned runs on six hits in 6 2-3innings, his longest outing of the season.
Dunn broke a 1-all tie with a three-run double off Oswalt in the third.Oswalt (3-7) gave up more than three earned runs in a start for the first timethis year.
And then Oswalt lost his cool after missing the strike zone with a 2-2 pitchto Josh Willingham(notes). He turned his head toward the first base line and yelledsomething. It was unclear if Oswalt was snapping at home plate umpire Bill Hohnor chastising himself, but Hohn took off his mask and barked back to the mound.
The Astros ace responded, “I ain’t talking to you!” Hohn ejected Oswaltanyway, catcher Humberto Quintero(notes) confronted the umpire and Houston manager BradMills(notes) came out to join the conversation.
Oswalt has acknowledged his frustration with the Astros’ dismal start andabout two weeks ago, his agent asked the Astros to try and deal him. He walkedto the dugout as Mills argued with Hohn.
Gustavo Chacin(notes), a left-hander recalled from the minors on Friday, replacedOswalt. In the bottom of the third, Chacin homered down the right-field line,his first hit in eight career at-bats.
The Nationals tacked on another run in the fifth, then blew it open in theseventh.
Jeff Fulchino(notes) relieved Chacin and gave up a leadoff walk to Nyjer Morgan(notes).Zimmerman doubled to center and Morgan scored on Dunn’s infield single.Willingham walked to load the bases and Desmond drove in two with a single foran 8-2 lead.
Washington was just getting started.
Sampson relieved Fulchino, and Maldonado homered off the left-field foulpole. Maldonado’s contract was just purchased by Washington last week, afterIvan Rodriguez(notes) was injured.
Cristian Guzman(notes) and Morgan singled to keep the inning alive, and Zimmermanhomered to right for a 14-2 lead. Washington reached its highest run total sincea 14-6 win in Colorado on May 13.
Houston scored two runs off Altilano in the bottom of the seventh, andAlberto Gonzalez(notes) relieved.
NOTES: Oswalt was ejected for the first time since getting tossed twice in2004. Hohn ejected him once that season, for hitting Chicago Cubs’ C MichaelBarrett(notes) with a pitch. … Washington manager Jim Riggleman moved regular leadoffman Morgan to the No. 2 spot in the lineup. Morgan came in hitting .202 in May(20 of 99). “He’s not been getting on base leading off, so really just tryingto get him a different feel,” Riggleman said. … Brian Moehler(notes) (0-2, 7.29 ERA)will start Thursday’s series finale in place of Bud Norris(notes), who’s on thedisabled list with bursitis and right biceps tendinitis. … Two fans ran acrossthe outfield and were apprehended by security personnel at different points inthe game. The first fan came out of the right-field stands in the seventh andclimbed over the center-field wall. The next fan ran across the outfield fromthe opposite side of the field in the eighth.
Angels stay hot, defeat Royals 7-1
May 31, 2010
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—Ervin Santana(notes) pitched seven strong innings and the LosAngeles Angels didn’t need any late-game heroics Monday, roughing up LukeHochevar(notes) early on the way to a 7-1 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim&… AP – May 31, 3:12 pm EDT LAA-KC Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance LA Angels 7 Kansas City 1 Mon, May 31 – Final LA Angels at Kansas City Tue, Jun 1 – 8:10 pm ET LA Angels at Kansas City Wed, Jun 2 – 8:10 pm ET
Mike Napoli(notes) hit a two-run homer, Juan Rivera(notes) and Maicer Izturis(notes) each hadsolo shots off Hochevar (5-3), and Howie Kendrick(notes) had two RBIs to help LosAngeles kick off a season-long 14-game road trip with its fifth win in sixgames.
That was more than enough for Santana (5-3).
The right-hander scattered seven hits, allowing a run-scoring double byJason Kendall(notes) in the fifth inning and little else to win his fourth straightstart. He struck out six and has allowed six earned runs the past 29 inningsafter a shaky start to the season.
Pirates end 5-game skid, beat Cubs again
May 31, 2010
PITTSBURGH (AP)—Pinch-hitter Bobby Crosby(notes) singled in the go-ahead run in theeighth inning, Garrett Jones(notes) homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates ended afive-game losing streak by beating the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Monday.
PITTSBURGH – MAY 31: Randy We… Getty Images – May 31, 3:52 pm EDT PITTSBURGH – MAY 31: Ross Ohl… Getty Images – May 31, 3:52 pm EDT
PITTSBURGH – MAY 31: Pitching… Getty Images – May 31, 3:52 pm EDT
PITTSBURGH – MAY 31: Ross Ohl… Getty Images – May 31, 3:52 pm EDT
PITTSBURGH – MAY 31: Ross Ohl… Getty Images – May 31, 3:52 pm EDT
PITTSBURGH – MAY 31: Neil Wal… Getty Images – May 31, 3:52 pm EDT
PITTSBURGH – MAY 31: Kosuke F… Getty Images – May 31, 3:49 pm EDT
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The Pirates were coming off a 1-6 road trip and had lost nine of 11, only tobeat the Cubs for the eighth time in nine meetings dating to the final week oflast season. The Pirates were 6-1 in May against the Cubs but were 5-17 againstthe rest of the NL.
Jones’ ninth homer of the season tied it at 1 in the sixth, and he doubledleading off the eighth against reliever Sean Marshall(notes) (5-2). After LastingsMilledge(notes) grounded out and Ryan Doumit(notes) was intentionally walked, Crosby lined a3-2 pitch by Marshall into center field to score Jones.
Evan Meek(notes) (3-1) pitched a scoreless eighth for the victory, and OctavioDotel(notes) finished up for his 11th save in 13 opportunities by striking out aslumping Ryan Theriot(notes) to end the game. The Pirates won despite scoring threeruns or fewer for the 11th time in 12 games.
Cubs starter Randy Wells(notes) pitched five shutout innings on two days’ restafter failing to retire a batter in his previous start, a 7-1 loss Friday to St.Louis in which he allowed six hits on 16 pitches. Wells left with a 1-0 lead,but that disappeared in three pitches by reliever James Russell(notes) as Jones homeredinto the right-field seats.
Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf(notes), 0-3 this season and winless in 10 startssince Aug. 18, also pitched effectively but didn’t figure in the decision. Hestruck out six, walked two while allowing three hits over seven innings, and amixup by the Pirates’ outfield led to the only run he allowed.
Alfonso Soriano(notes) tripled into the left-center gap with one out in the secondon a fly ball that center fielder Andrew McCutchen(notes) was in position to catch,only to pull up at the last moment to avoid colliding into left fielder RyanChurch(notes). McCutchen could be seen calling for the ball, but Church continued topursue it until he and McCutchen were nearly side-by-side.
Soriano, who came in batting .211 in his previous 12 games, then scored onGeovany Soto’s(notes) grounder.
The Pirates, deficient defensively most of the season, had one of their bestgames in the field. Despite the Soriano fly ball misplay, McCutchen roamed farto his right to slide on his left hip and catch Soriano’s line drive in thesixth inning. In the eighth, third baseman Andy LaRoche(notes) likely prevented a runfrom scoring by making an excellent play on Mike Fontenot’s(notes) two-out grounderwith a runner on third.
NOTES: The Cubs sat down Theriot, who was 5 for 35 in his previous eightgames, but he entered the game during a double switch in the eighth. Fontenotstarted at 2B. … Wells became the first Cubs pitcher to start twice in fourdays since Mike Bielecki on June 12 & 15, 1990. … Cubs pitching prospectAndrew Cashner(notes) made his major league debut, retiring Ronny Cedeno(notes) on a pop-up toend the eighth on the only pitch he threw.
Busch Brothers taking charge of NASCAR
May 31, 2010
CONCORD, N.C. (AP)—It’s not that common for siblings to reach the highest level of a professional sport, and when it happens, one of them typically toils in the shadow of the superstar.
That’s been the case the past five years in NASCAR, where the Busch Brothers were never in the same league.
Big brother Kurt hit his peak in 2004, when he won his only NASCAR championship, but his results were up-and-down after that banner season. Then along came Kyle, seven years his junior and a headline maker from the very beginning.
When Kyle raised his game in 2008 to become a title contender, Kurt was off the pace and searching for solutions. When Kurt turned it around and climbed back into the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship last year, Kyle was in a slump that led to the late-season firing of his crew chief.
After five years competing against each other in NASCAR’s elite division, the early hopes of a bitter championship battle between brothers had faded.
My, how things have changed.
The Busch Brothers are finally running at the same level, setting up a potential sizzling showdown over the upcoming long summer stretch of racing.
Kurt Busch completed a two-week sweep of Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday night, closing out the first win for team owner Roger Penske in the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 eight days after claiming the $1 million prize in the annual All-Star race.
Kyle Busch, meanwhile, won the Nationwide and Trucks Series races at CMS over the last two weeks, plus the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series races at Dover earlier in May.
All told, the Busch Brothers have won the last six races spanning NASCAR’s top three series. The lone NASCAR celebration not by a Busch was Martin Truex Jr.’s victory in the Sprint Showdown, an All-Star race qualifier without either brother.
“That’s kind of cool,” Kyle Busch said of the family domination.
Indeed it is, particularly considering how combustible these two drivers are—particularly when racing each other.
Nobody has forgotten the 2007 All-Star race, when hard racing between the two led to an accident that knocked two of the strongest cars out of the event. They were furious with each other following that May accident, and it wasn’t until their grandmother insisted they make peace or risk ruining Thanksgiving dinner that the hardheaded racers resolved their dispute.
That’s right, brothers who passed each other every week in the garage, the motorhome lot and on the track went six months without speaking over an accident in a non-points event.
That was three years ago, and while not much has changed with either Busch’s style—they are both still aggressive, highly focused and often hot-tempered in the race car—they have both gotten smarter.
Kurt, now 31, is showing the wisdom that compliments his talent level.
Although there were flashes of growth over the past few years, it was punctuated late last season when he hung strong in the Chase even after crew chief Pat Tryson announced he was leaving at the end of the season. He admitted after Sunday night’s win that his personal progress was made after realizing the mistakes of his youth.
“I’m not one to go out there with a big flash and a big flare,” he said. “I used to early on. I’d run my head up against the wall. I’d run my race car up against the wall. Reviews came in negative. For me, that’s not how I wanted to be remembered.”
And he didn’t hesitate in choosing Steve Addington, who was fired in October by Kyle Busch, as his new crew chief. Since taking over the No. 2 Dodge this season, Addington has guided Busch to two points wins, the All-Star race victory, and seven top-10s in 13 races.
“What I really enjoy about Steve is the confidence he gives me in the car and the adjustments that he makes,” Kurt Busch said. “I feel like he’s helped me pick up my game because I have to have a fresher outlook on different setups.”
Kyle, who just turned 25, is still a work in progress. His raw talent has never been questioned, but his decision-making isn’t always the best, particularly when he can smell victory. He wrecked out of last week’s All-Star race when he and teammate Denny Hamlin raced each other hard in the closing laps, and a furious Jeff Burton confronted him following the 600 to discuss how aggressive Kyle Busch had been on the final restart.
Hamlin chided his teammate last week as being too immature to win a Cup championship, and Kurt Busch seemed to agree when he wondered if his younger brother shouldn’t have backed down in the All-Star race.
“He’s been running these All-Star races for a few years now, running at a 1,000 percent pace every year,” Kurt said. “It doesn’t take a 1,000 percent pace to win it.”
Maybe Kyle Busch figured that out over the weekend, when he came from two laps down to win the Nationwide Series race and overcame a pit-road disaster while leading the 600 to rally for a third-place finish.
“These are the kind of races that make a championship,” he said after the 600.
If he’s right, and both Buschs are involved, it could be a very exciting time for NASCAR.