Baseball

A clear sign that your bullpen is pitching well is when, with two outs in the ninth inning with no one on base and two outs, the closer is summoned from the bullpen, just to get some work.

At the beginning of June, the Colorado Rockies were in the basement of the NL West, a comfortable place for them, sitting at 20 and 29, 13.5 games out of first.

At the end of June, the Rockies were only 7.5 games back of first, and only 1.5 games out of the NL wild card.

Many things were positive for the Rockies in the month, so let's take a look into some specific numbers that helped Colorado climb the mountain in the standings.

It’s funny how things have changed. A little over two months ago Mets skipper Jerry Manuel had all but officially denounced Ryan Church as an everyday player. There were rumblings that Church would eventually be traded. For the next month or so Church fell out of the limelight, rarely earning a start in right field.

The Mariners signed Guillermo Pimentel on Thursday, effectively stealing him from the Rangers.

It may have proved that the Mariners aren’t committed, at least not to the hell-or-high-water extent that the previous members of front office were committed to their own specialized recipe for success, to defense.

Actually, perhaps the proper characterization is that the team has actually acquired a philosophy and stopped hiding from the evolution of baseball scouting.

The 2010 schedule won't be officially announced until sometime in September, but the Associated Press has obtained at least a portion of the schedule, including the date of the first outdoor game in Minneapolis in twenty eight seasons.

Target Field is set to open on April 12, 2010 when the Minnesota Twins take on the Boston Red Sox. This was released:

Target Field has a target date.

In my humble opinion, baseball, more than any other sport, lends itself to historical analysis and the reliving of its greatest moments. Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier and the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" immediately come to mind.

Record breaking moments, amazing streaks, and heroic postseason plays are often times retold to the point they become legendary.

For something completely different today, I decided to watch the Toronto Blue Jays play baseball. How unlike me.

The Jays took on the New York Yankees in the Bronx, and I settled into my couch and took notes. For your reading pleasure, I have put them in chronological order. Enjoy!

Pregame

-The sky looks angry today. So does my cat.

-A.J. Burnett pitches for the Yankees and Brian Tallet goes for the Blue Jays.

MLB betting: Jays Try To Keep Up With Streaking Yankees

For a guy with a 22-17 career record, a 3.23 ERA, and twice as many strikeouts as walks, Zachary Britton sure doesn't get a lot of attention. 

A third-round pick who puts up the kind of numbers that Britton has usually is considered a top-level prospect. Yet somehow, Britton couldn't even crack the organization's top 10. Some bemoan his lack of strike-throwing ability, while others say he doesn't work deep enough into games.

But the facts speak clearer than any opinions. When Britton is on his game, he is one of the best that the Orioles have to offer.

A.J Hinch was the President of Player Developement, before he was hired as head coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bob Melvin lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to thier first divison title in five years when he was hired, before he was fired by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Many people were puzzled by why this happened, wondering why this would help the falling Arizona Diamondbacks record. Look at AJ Hinchs Record with the Diamondbacks compared to Bob Mevins this season.