Haren Outduels Sabathia, Angels Creeping on Rangers

Dan Haren was the better pitcher Saturday night when his Los Angeles Angels stomped the New York Yankees by a score of 6-0 in Anaheim, bringing the Halos to within 1 1/2 games of the American League West-leading Texas Rangers.

Haren tossed an impressive four-hitter for his fifth career shutout, retiring 18 straight batters at one point. The three-time All-Star righty struck out seven and walked none for the 13th time in his 31 starts the season, marking the fifteenth time in his career he'd lasted nine whole innings.

Kevin Face-Muff Ruins Haren's Debut

Thanks a lot, Kevin Youkilis.

Dan Haren's debut in an Angels uniform was cut short on Monday night thanks to a line drive to the fore arm from Kevin "I-have-a-mound-of-pubes-on-my-face" Youkilis in the 5th inning.

The former Diamondbacks pitcher struck out eight batters and had only given up two runs before leaving the game with the injury. He was credited with the loss, as the Halos were trailing 2-1 when he left the game. Boston ultimately won the contest 6-3.

What's That Sucking Sound?

Oh, it's just the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Coming off the worst road-trip in franchise history with an 0-9 record capping a 10-game skid, the team managed a walk-off home victory Friday against the Colorado Rockies.

And it's not like this is the first time they've sucked all season. The D'Backs 20-34 start marked the second-worst in the team's 13 years in the league, one-upping only the 17-37 record that kicked off their inaugural 1998 season. Those were the days.

Dan Haren, Jose Valverde Have New Unis

The NL West champion Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Dan Haren from the Oakland Athletics Friday, trading closer Jose Valverde to the Houston Astros in two different moves surrounding 12 players.

Along with Haren, the A's shipped righty Connor Robertson to Arizona for six guys: left-handers Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland and Greg Smith; infielder Chris Carter; and outfielders Aaron Cunningham and Carlos Gonzalez.

The 27-year-old Haren, who was 15-9 with a 3.07 ERA last season, joins 2006 Cy Young award winner Brandon Webb in a rotation that hopes to see an older than dirt, but healthy Randy Johnson in 2008.

The highly-animated Valverde, who saved 47 games in 54 opportunities last year, will resume closer duties in Houston, replacing the inconsistent Brad Lidge, who was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies last month.

The D'Backs received reliever Chad Qualls, infielder Chris Burke and right-hander Juan Gutierrez from the Astros in return for the 2007 big league saves leader.

[MLB.com]

2007 All-Star Starters Named

Jim Leyland chain-smoked all night and finally decided on a starter for the American League. Dan Haren - the smoking hot Oakland Athletics ace who boasts an AL-leading 2.30 ERA with a 10-3 record. Ah, let's not forget the Grizzly Adams neck beard.

After dropping his first two starts of the season, Haren knocked off ten straight victories before losing his last one against the Seattle Mariners Friday night.

It's Been A Good Month

Ladies and gentlemen, your Pitchers of the Month.

National League

San Diego Padres right-hander Jake Peavy put together the best month of his career in May, going 4-0 with an almost non-existent 0.79 ERA, and allowed only three earned runs in five starts.

Even more impressively, the Pads won all five of those starts and were tied for first place in the NL West entering Monday's play. The result? An NL Player of the Month Award.

Peavy is 7-1 overall this season with an NL-leading 1.68 ERA. He leads the majors with 92 strikeouts and a 0.98 WHIP while ranking second in wins.


American League

Oakland Athletics righty Dan Haren was honored with his first American League Pitcher of the Month Award after going 3-0 in six May starts and compiling a 1.67 ERA.

Haren is undefeated in games where the A's score at least two runs has become quite the workhorse, tossing at least seven innings in eight starts this season. His 1.64 ERA was the lowest in the league entering play on Monday.

The 26-year-old fanned 37 batters in the month, striking out a season-high nine Devil Rays on May 4th. Peavy strung together three wins to polish off the month and improve his record to 6-0 on the season.

More NL vote-getters
Chris Young
Trevor Hoffman
John Smoltz
Cole Hamels
Francisco Cordero

More AL vote-getters
Fausto Carmona
Chad Gaudin
Boof Bonser
Justin Verlander
John Lackey
Kelvim Escobar
Paul Byrd
A.J. Burnett
J.J. Putz

[Past Pitchers of the Month]