Won 10-5 yesterday, but a little concerned about two things: T.J. as our third starter, and the status of Brian Miller. In 4.1 innings, Pecoraro allowed eight hits, five earned runs, giving up two homers, walking none and K’ing two. He’s throwing strikes, but he’s having trouble getting guys out. Steven Rice did a nice job out of the ‘pen though, going 4.2 and allowing no runs on two hits with one walk and five K’s.
Conrad Gregor with a huge two-run shot to break a 5-5 tie in the top of the sixth. Didn’t get to watch the whole game, but will watch tonight. I have emailed Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean to see if he has any information on closer Brian Miller. Brian was shaking his arm out in the Presbyterian game last week, so I’m a little worried he’s been overworked and has a sore arm. Hope it’s not a problem. As I wrote last week, he threw 70 pitches against Florida earlier this season and that concerned me very much at the time. Hope it’s no big deal. But a closer throwing 70 pitches is almost unheard of. I know he doesn’t throw that hard and he’s a workhorse, but it is concerning. I’ll let you know when I find out something. Corbin may say something about it tonight on his radio show. Tony was two-for-four yesterday and is now hitting .404. Made some incredible defensive plays Saturday Night.
So we won the SEC regular season and will play our first game in the SEC tournament at Regions Park in Hoover, Al. on Wed., May 22, versus the winner of the 8-9 game. Right now that would be the Florida-Texas A&M winner, which would be a tough game. Florida gave us trouble at our place earlier this season, though we took two out of three. Sunday’s game was up in the air after we lost Friday and won Saturday, and was called after seven innings because of the travel rule on Sundays. Spence Navin has just worked a walk to give us a 5-4 lead when they called the game. But that game was definitely in the balance and could have gone the other way if it wasn’t called. We always have wars with the Gators. A&M is a pretty good team too.
We’re now 45-6 overall and 24-2 in the SEC. UNC lost two of three to Georgia Tech over the weekend, so we should be No.1 in all polls. A lot of work left to do though. Alabama comes to town Thursday-Saturday, then the SEC tournament next week. Alabama games not televised, but will be on the website: www.vucommodores.com
Pedro went two-for-four yesterday with an RBI against the Mets. He doubled and hit the game winning RBI single for the Bucs. Really like how Pedro’s bat is heating up. Bucs now 21-16 on the season, 2.5 back of the Cards and 1/2 game back of Reds. Play Milwaukee at home for four beginning tonight. Mike Minor goes tonight for the Braves @ the Dbacks. Braves lost three in a row to the Giants after taking the first game Thursday Night. Need to get it back together. The Giants are a very good team and are in the World Series mix as are the Braves, but have to start playing better. Braves at 21-16 and lead the Nationals (20-17) by a game. Mike has been super all year. Will have a report on Mike tomorrow.
Dave goes Wednesday Night in Tampa against the Red Sox and John Lester, who is 5-0 with a 2.73 ERA, so Dave and the Rays will be in another war. I really liked the way DP pitched on Thursday against R.A. Dickey of the Blue Jays. Really pitched well, and as usual, was a warrior on the mound. Rays have now won five in a row and are at 19-18, four and a half back of Yankees (23-13), who are doing a tremendous job this season without the services of Jeter, A-Rod, Tex and Curtis Granderson. Tex and Granderson should be back in the next couple of weeks and A-Rod and Jeter expected back after the All-Star break. Joe Girardi is one of the best managers in baseball. Orioles at 23-15 are second, and Sox are 22-16 in third. Rays host Sox for three beginning tomorrow night, then go to Baltimore over the weekend. Doesn’t get any easier,. but that’s the way it is and you have to play the teams on your schedule. Should be an awesome week and hopefully productive.
Mike Baxter got a hit yesterday for the Mets in three plate appearances. Mike playing well when he gets his opportunities. Ryan Flaherty didn’t play yesterday, but does a nice job for O’s. Sonny pitched extremely well Saturday Night for the Sacramento Rivercats against Nashville in a 5-2 victory. Sonny should be in the majors this season at some point; August, maybe sooner.
Brandt played well yesterday shooting a final round 70. He was going along pretty well, but bogeyed 16 and 18. Tiger with the win after Sergio’s meltdown. Brandt not playing the next two weeks. Will play in the Memorial, May 30-June 2; three weeks. I wish he’d play more. Brandt said in SI golf before the Masters that he wants to win majors. Well, if he wants to do that he needs to play. The reason he won the FED Ex Cup last year was because he was playing a lot. The U.S. Open is June 13-16 and he’s playing the week before in Memphis, so that’s good. Maybe he’ll find a consistent game and be ready for the Open at Merion Golf Club, one of America’s most famous courses, June 13-16. Luke playing this week at HP Byron Nelson.
We play Belmont tomorrow night at 6:30 CT at home. Will be televised on the website.