Around the Horn - 5/20

Quite a night for the Red Sox Jon Lester. The cancer survivor had already been the winning pitcher in last year's World Series clincher, but last night he accomplished something for his own game- a complete game no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals. Lester threw a career high 130 pitches, issuing 2 walks while striking out 9 as the Sox won 9-0. He walked the lead off man, Estaban German to start the 9th, but retired Tony Pena Jr. and David DeJesus on ground outs, and struck out Alberto Collaspo to seal the deal. He was mobbed his teammate and coaches while a jubilant Fenway Park crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Evan Longoria's 2-run home run in the 13th inning gave the Rays a 7-6 win over the A's. Daric Barton tripled in a run in the bottom of the 13th, but was left stranded at 3rd.

Howie Clark, A-Rod's "HA" guy, singled in the game winner in the Twins 7-6 win over the Rangers in 12 innings. Joe Mauer tied the game off of closer C.J. Wilson in the 9th with an RBI single.

Alfonso Soriano didn't drive in any runs, but rookie stand out, Geovany Soto came through with an inside the park 3-run home run against the Astros. Replays showed the Soto's should have been called a home run (seems to be an epidemic of this going on), but he made it the hard way anyway. The Cubs won it 7-2.

Yorvit Torrealba's 2-run double in the bottom of the 6th rallied the Rockies to a 4-3 win over the Giants. Jason Grilli earned his first win since being acquired by Colorado.

Blake DeWitt came up with a walk off RBI single in the Dodgers 6-5 win over the Reds. Adam Dunn homered for the 5th straight game for Cincy.

Tim Redding and 3 relievers shutout the Phillies 4-0. Lastings Milledge drove in 2 runs for the Nationals.

The Cardinals banged out 16 hits in an 8-2 win over the Padres. Red hot Ryan Ludwick hit his 4th home run in the last 3 games, and Albert Pujols smacked a pair.

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Not Ever Lastings

The Mets finally gave up on highly touted prospects Lastings Milledge, sending him to the Washington Nationals yesterday for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church. Milledge's name had been mentioned in the past for 'A' list players such as Dontrelle Willis, but on- and off-field transgressions upset GM Omar Minaya and manager Willie Randolph.

The final straw may have occurred during the 2nd to last game of this past season, when the Mets were battling the Phillies for 1st place. Milledge and Jose Reyes went over the top in home run celebration dances and the next day the Mets were clobbered by the Florida Marlins, eliminating from a chance at the playoffs. While it obviously wasn't a cause and effect situation, there was thought that Milledge didn't take things seriously enough.

Nat's GM Jim Bowden is certainly not afraid of taking on players with questionable or bad reputations. Dmitri Young was released by the Tigers during their run to the World Series in 2006 and won the comeback player of the year award for the Nats in 2007.

If Milledge can still show off all of the tools rather than being a tool, Bowden will have gotten him and given up next to nothing. Schneider is a very good defensive catcher, but hit just .235 this past season. Church is an average hitter, who is most likely best suited as a 4th outfielder.

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Thursday's Rumorfest and Some Facts

Apparently no one told the Seattle Mariners that they would be calling up Adam Jones to be the every day right fielder. Word came out earlier in the week that Jones would be up, Jose Guillen would move to left, Raul Ibanez to DH, and Jose Vidro to the bench. Except the M's have no plans to do that right now. "I haven't heard anything about Jones coming up," manager John McLaren said. "I haven't heard anything about it at all."

The Mets have fired hitting coach Rick Down. This guy just takes a beating in the Big Apple, having been fired 3 times combined between the Mets and Yankees. Rickey Henderson has been added as a full-time coach, but there's no official word as to his exact position (playing in the clubhouse card games?).

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the A's are ready to scrap their plans to have Mike Piazza back behind the plate because the preparation is taking too long. The A's would then likely try to deal Piazza.

The New York Post is reporting that the Mets will recall Lastings Milledge this week and install him as the every day left fielder for the time being.

Roy Oswalt has told the Houston Astros that he would waive his no-trade clause if moving him would be in the best interest of the team. You can bet there will be a big time bidding war for Oswalt's services. Source.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that the Indians and DH Travis Hafner have agreed on a 4 year contract extension worth $57 million.

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