No One Throws Baseballs at Mike Moustakas Intentionally

...Except Jeanmar Gomez I guess.

The Cleveland Indians right-hander has been suspended for five games and also fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball after they concluded he intentionally threw a 92 mph sinker at Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas last Saturday.

It all started in the top of the third inning of Cleveland's 11-9, 10-inning win when Jonathan Sanchez plunked Shin-Soo Choo and the benches cleared. This [allegedly] triggered a reaction from Gomez in the bottom half of the inning. Actually, his first pitch was also a 92 mph sinker, but it was called for a ball. He immediately threw the same pitch an inch to the right and nailed him. Obvious retaliation. This caused another on-field ruckus and delayed the game for several minutes. Gomez, along with Indians manager Manny Acta and hot corner Jack Hannahan (who got real excited during the ordeal) were each ejected.

Of course, Gomez plans to appeal the suspension... Hopefully this doesn't spark the most boring intra-divisional rivalry of all time.

[MLB]

Brewers Sport their Rally Caps, Beat Cardinals in NLCS Opener

It's pretty amazing the way Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder can turn a game around.

The Milwaukee Brewers rallied in the fifth inning of NLCS Game 1 against their bitter division rivals with huge back-to-back hits by Braun and Fielder to come away with a 9-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Braun launched a 463-foot, two-run bomb in the first inning before adding a two-run double during the huge six-run fifth. Fielder followed up with a homer worth two runs before Yuniesky Betancourt capped the comeback with a two-run shot of his own.

While we were honestly hoping for a few plunkings, maybe a bench-clearing brawl, and definitely some more smack-talk from the two sides, all we got was a small stir-up and an umpire's warning to Tony La Russa after Jaime Garcia hit Fielder immediately after Braun's first inning longball.

Brewers ace Zack Greinke, who made some awkward comments regarding Chris Carpenter and his "phony attitude" on Saturday, hinted that there may have been some heckling coming from the opposing dugout on Sunday:

Tony La Russa is Being a Big Baby

Apparently, Tony La Russa has never been to Detroit.

The St. Louis Cardinals manager said Tuesday that the heckling he and his team experienced in Milwaukee during their 8-7, 11-inning victory that night was completely out of control. One fan went as far as to tell him he hoped he would get shingles, which he suffered from for a couple months at the beginning of the season. That's wasn't so nice I guess.

As a result, Miller Park security kicked out several fans near St. Louis’ dugout during the game. La Russa had this to say after the ordeal:

Alex Rodriguez Gets Plunked, Joe Girardi Cries About it

The Cleveland Indians, as good as they were to kick off this season, are attempting to spark a rivalry with the New York Yankees... who have beat them 12 of the last 15 meetings.

The two teams will move right along with their four-game series Sunday afternoon in New York, with the Yankees leading 2-0. The first two contests featured a couple hit batsmen, including Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. Controversial! Tex, who was hit by Jon Lester earlier in the week, was nailed in the right shoulder on Friday by Fausto Carmona. He got super pissed and the benches cleared, with Joe Girardi and Manny Acta enjoying a little face-to-face confrontation.

Get Well Soon, Marlon Byrd

Scary moment at Fenway Park Saturday evening as Marlon Byrd was beaned in the second inning of his Chicago Cubs' 9-3 win over the Boston Red Sox.

After being nailed on the left side of his head by a 92 mph Alfredo Aceves fastball, the center fielder immediately dropped to the ground before jumping up and holding his face near a cut under his left eye. He then walked to the clubhouse and was taken to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he would stay overnight.

Giants vs. Phillies: What a Game

Pitcher's duels are so great.

Picture this... youngster Tim Lincecum: verified strike-out machine and freak of nature vs. Pedro Martinez: future Hall of Famer in vintage form. That's exactly what the world got Thursday night.

Pedro tossed seven impressive innings, fanning a season-high nine batters in his fifth start since signing with the Philadelphia Phillies during the All-Star break. The old school righty surrendered one run and five hits, didn't walk a soul, and threw just 87 pitches in his longest outing since last August with the New York Mets.

Get Well Soon David Wright

According to New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel, David Wright could possibly miss the rest of the season after getting beaned in the head by an unintentional 94 mph Matt Cain fastball in his team's 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.

The All-Star third baseman was hit just above the ear hole in the fourth inning, sending his batting helmet flying. Wright laid there for several minutes before walking off the field with some help from trainers.

Bennett Breaks Soriano, Dempster Rules

Alfonso Soriano could be looking at a six-week vacation after getting nailed in the hand by a Jeff Bennett pitch Wednesday night during the second inning of the Chicago Cubs 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves.

X-rays revealed a break in the superstar leadoff hitter's left hand, leaving him in a splint for three weeks.

On the bright side, this is Ryan Dempster's awesome amazing world, and we are all just riding the dream. The Cubs closer-turned-starter is undefeated (8-0) this season at Wrigley Field and 8-2 overall. He fanned eleven last night and lowered his ERA to 2.81.

[Chicago Tribune] | [Fastball Fans] | [Goatriders of the Apocalypse]

Ichiro Hit By Verlander Pitch, Leaves Game

With a man on first and nobody out in the fifth, Ichiro Suzuki was nailed by a 96-mph Justin Verlander fastball.

The Seattle Mariners All-Star centerfielder limped halfway down the first baseline before being checked on by trainers. He remained in the game, but was pulled moments later after having trouble gaining second on a wild pitch.

Television replays clearly showed the ball hitting Ichiro on the outside of his right knee, but the team says he was hit in the muscle just above the knee and has a bruise on his right thigh. X-rays were negative and he will be evaluated today.

"I just met the guy a few days ago and here I go hitting him," Verlander said. "I hope he's all right. I hate to do it to that guy, he's really nice."

The drilling comes just days after Ichiro avoided free agency by agreeing to a $90 million, five-year contract extension that will keep him in Seattle through the 2012 season.

[Seattle Times]

Sammy Sosa: Shattered Helmet Memories

Sammy Sosa was brained by a Brian Bruney pitch in the sixth inning of part two of the Texas Rangers' double header against the New York Yankees last night.

Bruney's 2-1 pitch nailed Sosa on the side of the helmet, knocking it clear off. The veteran slugger fell to his knees and was evaluated by trainers before walking to the dugout under his own power.

Sosa was taken out as a precaution and will be monitored by team trainers for the time-being. Truthfully, I can't imagine Sosa is any more than shook up. Here's one more look, just for fun.

He was replaced by Victor Diaz.

[Sports Illustrated] | [Lone Star Ball]