Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman spoke for a franchise when asked about the latest exam to be performed on Stephen Strasburg's valuable right arm. "I'm very anxious about that," Riggleman said. Thursday was a day of suspense at Nationals Park as the 22-year-old right-hander underwent his second MRI in less than a week. Read more..
With three straight wins in Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled themselves back into the NL wild-card race. Casey Blake hit a two-run homer and six Dodgers pitchers combined on a two-hitter as Los Angeles beat the Brewers 7-1 Thursday for a three-game sweep. "We've been saying all along, first let's try to put something together and then we'll see where we are," Dodgers... Read more..
Padres right-hander Chris Young has thrown another simulated game as he works his way back from a shoulder injury with the goal of pitching again this season. The 6-foot-10 Young threw 55 pitches in three innings Thursday before the NL West leaders hosted the last-place Arizona Diamondbacks. Young says he felt better as the simulated game progressed. Read more..
Jordan Zimmermann has been recalled by the Washington Nationals to make his first major league start of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals. Zimmermann returned to the big leagues Thursday, just more than a year after having elbow ligament replacement surgery. He last pitched for the Nationals on July 18, 2009, and had the operation on Aug. Read more..
There's something about the Phillies that brings out the best in the Houston Astros. Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven sharp innings, Carlos Lee homered and the Astros beat the Phillies 5-1 Thursday to complete their first four-game sweep in Philadelphia in 11 years. "Houston has been a team that for years has given us problems," Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said. Read more..
LLOYD ELSMORE - In their first year at the National Championships, the International Pacific College (IPC) team from Palmerston North were out to prove they could step up to the competition, and after seeing West City given a hiding in the opening game, they must have been confident. West City, however had other ideas.
West City took the game 17-3, taking advantage of a number miscues made by IPC, but having a few of their own to work on.
"After [Friday morning's] game, we went off feeling rather stiff, rather down," infielder Taka Yokota said. "But having lost, it helped us realize that we can't just walk in and think we've got it made. It helped for us to think that we can begin to win."
Starter Gordon Niemann pitched five innings, allowing three hits and two runs and said he is looking forward to getting back out on the mound again, against whoever the coach puts him out against.
"I felt good today," Niemann said. "We'll do our best, and the Canterbury game is a must win for us."
