Who Is This Guy?

Seven = the number of games Kyle Lohse has strung together in way of victory. Holy crap, it's like it's not even the same guy out there.

He is 10-2 with a 3.67 ERA on the season, reaching double digits in wins for the first time since 2003, which also happens to be his last winning season; a 14-11 mark for the Minnesota Twins. Lohse's ERA is a solid 2.44 since May 24th, after surrendering five runs on 11 hits over four innings against the surging Detroit Tigers for the no-decision in his last outing.

Venezuelan Heat Update

Yes, the New York Yankees are still mulling over the idea to pursue a trade for Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana.

Righty phenom Phil Hughes and center fielder Melky Cabrera would still likely be part of a three-player package needed to obtain the two-time Cy Young Award winner, who faces free agency after this season.

Hank Steinbrenner says, "I'm still leaning towards doing it. There's others leaning not to do it. There are some others that are leaning to do it also."

Thanks for clearing that up, Hank.

[ESPN]

Check out this post on Epic Carnival to see who will be testifying before the House of Pain in a couple weeks.

It's Miller Time

Hey, that's totally legit. Reggie's not on the comeback trail... But Andrew is!

The Detroit Tigers recalled the promising, young lefty from a rehab assignment Friday, one day after the club optioned the contract of struggling righty Zach Miner to the AAA Toledo Mud Hens.

Miller, the sixth pick in last year's June draft, started two games for the Hens and accumulated a 9.00 ERA over six innings. None too impressive, but the rookie went 5-4 with a 4.42 ERA for the Tigers before landing on the DL Aug. 5th with a strained left hamstring.

Miner was 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 24 appearances, including one start, and will get the nod tonight when the Tigers face Roger Clemens and the New York Yankees in the opener of a four-game series at Comerica Park.

[SI.com] | [The Detroit Tiger Weblog] | [Tigers on Top]

Roger Clemens is 44 Years Old

As the New York Yankees' rotation woes continue, Roger Clemens looked all but ready for big league action last night.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner allowed three runs and six hits in 5.1 innings while pitching for the Double-A Trenton Thunder against the Portland Sea Dogs. Of course, he thought he did awesome.

"So far so good," he said.

He threw 64 of 102 pitches for strikes and struggled a bit with his control, walking the bases loaded in the first inning and walking in the tying run in the sixth.

Clemens walked four, struck out five, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch. He gave up four extra base hits, including three doubles and a triple. Sweet performance.

In fact, he would have been the losing pitcher but the Thunder tied the game at 3-all in the ninth and won 4-3 in the 10th inning. By that time, about 95% of the record crowd had left, with most walking out after giving the Rocket a standing O when he was pulled for his pitch count.

After Clemens threw two balls to start the game, one heckler yelled "Come on! Throw a strike!"

If all goes well... Clemens could hop into New York's rotation Monday or Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays - one of his former teams.

However, if he wishes for more work, Roger might choose to make another minor league start, maybe for the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, before returning to the big leagues June 2nd or 3rd at Boston, his original club. Which would be perfect. Especially against Curt Schilling.

[Bloomberg]

Mets Give Brian Lawrence Minor League Deal

After passing his physical with flying colors on Wednesday, Brian Lawrence was signed to a one-year, minor league contract by the New York Mets.

Optioned then released by the Colorado Rockies, Lawrence will report to extended spring training in St. Lucie and will join the AAA New Orleans Zephyrs sooner or later.

With Orlando Hernandez on the DL nursing a shoulder injury, adding Lawrence provides New York with an insurance arm for call-up if necessary. The 31-year-old went 0-2 with an 8.91 ERA in three starts for the AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox this year after spending parts of five big league seasons with the San Diego Padres from 2001-05.

Lawrence hasn't pitched in a major league situation since going 5-17 in 2005, though he was a 15-game winner in '04.

[MLB Trade Rumors] | [Surfing the Mets]

Willy Aybar Update

For those of you concerned or intrigued by the Willy Aybar situation, it turns out he has a rather serious substance abuse problem.

The backup third baseman's agent, Luis Valdez, told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that Aybar is in Boston with his brother trying to deal with "drinking and drugs" before backpedaling minutes later, saying that he wasn't sure if the troubled young man was involved with anything other than alcohol.

As of right now, Aybar is on the disabled list with a sprained right hand, which he is supposed to be rehabbing with the club. He instead has been a no-show and in turn was suspended indefinitely.

Sexy Baseball-Playing Marine Alert!

Good news.

After pain-staking research (a heads up by Maryland Orioles' Fan) we have updated "Because Lizzy Loves Men In Uniform" with a photo of Cooper Brannan, the 22-year-old wounded marine who was given a minor league deal by the San Diego Padres.


[CNNsi]