GUESS THEY AREN'T USED ...

...TO BEING ON THE BASES.
***YANKS BEAT THEMSELVES***
The Yanks had Brad Penny on the ropes a number of times last night, but couldn't put him away. And when they did get on, they didn't stay there. Cano broke for second when a pitch got away from the catcher, but then stopped and tried to go back. Yeah, that always works. Then Posada left 1st too early on, what I pray, was a hit-and-run play. Tell me he wasn't trying to steal. The only one on the team that's slower than Jorge is Gene Monahan, the trainer, and that's because Gene is under doctor's orders.
Then we come to the big play: Andruw Jones got thrown out at home by such a wide margin as to be laughable. Girardi claims it was a "smart play," because it took a perfect throw. No, it didn't. I have always advocated the attitude "make the other team execute the play," that is, if everything has to go right to get you out, make them prove they can do it. That was not the case here. The only way this is a close play, is if rightfielder Casper Wells RUNS the ball into home plate.
A-Rod started the season looking like no one could get him out. Now he's swinging though pitches he should be belting. You can complain about Jeter, Gardner and Posada not hitting, but the Yankee lineup is scary only if A-Rod is hitting line drives.

***AROUND THE LEAGUE***
There is a strong rumor that the Dodgers won't be able to meet the end of May payroll. If that happens, MLB will front the money and take the team away from the battling McCourts.

Milton Bradley has been suspended for one game. I guess this would be news if Bradley HADN'T been suspended, since the words Bradley and suspension spend a lot of time in the same sentence together. This time, he supposedly bumped an umpire with the bill of his cap.

Lance Berkman, who hit .255 with one home run for the Yanks in 106 at bats last year, is hitting .402 with nine home runs in 96 at bats for the Cardinals. Is this a case of another good player unable to perform in New York? Sure seems like it.

The Cleveland Indians still have the best record in baseball, which makes my friend Danny E. very happy. They are currently on a seven-game winning streak.

CP-