MLB

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Alex Rodriguez returned to the Yankees line-up with a bang.  Justin Verlander continued his amazing resurgence.  Cole Hamels finally got a notch in the win column.  Aramis Ramirez left with an injury. Let’s take a look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games.

New York (AL) vs. Baltimore

I have been one of the biggest critics of Barry Zito over the past two years, but I am very impressed with the 20009 Zito. It was a joy to watch him pitch last night against the Dodgers.His performance reminded me of his great days in Oakland where he was often very dominant.

Zito only gave up one run in six innings and struck out five batters. He got his first win of the year and is now 1-2 with a respectable 3.57 ERA.

Going into their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates today, the Mets have won five straight, and spirits are high for the fan nation in Queens. I have decided that now would be an excellent time to take a look at the Mets starting lineup on an individual basis and evaluate each player’s performance with a grade and an explanation.

1) Jose Reyes

Grade: B-

Chris Coghlan is going to have to learn on the job.

Florida Marlins starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez was sent to the DL with a shoulder injury, and instead of calling up a pitcher, Florida will roll with an 11-man pitching staff and look to Coghlan to provide a spark.

The 23-year-old is a natural second baseman who also has experience at third base, but he is going to see time in left field. The last time he played in the outfield on a regular basis?

This article originally appeared on Fantasyfootballmaniaxs.com.

It has been an exciting past week in baseball, to say the least.  We have seen the bust of Manny Ramirez, as the Los Angeles star will be suspended for 50 games.  Also, Alex Rodriguez returned to the Yankees’ lineup and knocked a three-run bomb against the Birds of Baltimore. 

The Cardinals, Blue Jays and Orioles can teach us a whole lot about lovin’.  This article of mine first ran in 2 Magazine

Cardinal

Characteristics: Many amorous cardinal couples enjoy singing duets before renewing their quarter-mile-high-club memberships. It has been hypothesized that their singing helps to synchronize reproduction.

It's not even because Manny Ramirez wears Los Angeles Dodger blue (OK, that's part of it).

In news I'm sure you'll hear from my fingers first, Ramirez has tested positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). 

Although his agent, that bastion of credibility and integrity Scott Boras, tried at first to spin it away with a story about a prescribed medication for a personal ailment, I'm beginning to think that might not be the case.

Right off the bat, hCG is a female fertility drug.

When the Minnesota Twins traded for Delmon Young prior to last season, everybody thought the team was bringing in a hitter with big power potential. The assumption was rightfully so; Young had hit .288 with 13 homeruns and 93 RBI with the Rays and was just barely 21-years old.

In his first season with the Twins, Young hit .290 with 10 homeruns and 69 RBI. The numbers weren't bad; Young upped his average from the year before and also struck out 22 fewer times. Yet the expectations that the homerun totals would rise with age caused most to be critical of Young and the trade.