Thursday's first pitch

Leading Off
Our thoughts and prayers are with Diamondbacks reliever Scott Schoeneweis. His wife was found dead yesterday.
Regional Roundup

• Dave Trembly is trying to figure out new ways to use Chris Ray.


• Hard to believe, but Mike Schmidt really did retire 20 years ago. Paul Hagen looks at how that decision was made.


• Daniel Cabrera has been sent to the bullpen. Is future Nat Stephen Strasburg injured?


• The Pirates toured the White House. We thought only World Champs could do that.

Best of the Rest

• What's going through Manny's mind right now? Does he plan on never speaking again?
• Justin Upton had a big day while his teammates split a doubleheader with the Marlins.


• Is Nick Johnson the answer to the Mets' first base problems? The New York Daily News' John Harper mulls the conundrum that is the New York Mets. One minute they look like world series favorites. The next, they miss third base.


• Despite a slow start to their season, the Rays have signed Joe Maddon to a contract extension.


• Justin Verlander is overcoming frustrations.


• Albert Pujols is a TSN coverboy.


• The Mariners and Angels were locked in a pitching gem Wednesday.


• Cody Ross is now he got benglad ched.

Batter's Eye

• So let me get this straight: Michael Bourn got a base hit, but it won't ever go in the record book? Here's the AP report:
  Houston's Kaz Matsui was out without batting in the first inning of the Astros' game with Milwaukee after the Astros presented an incorrect lineup card to umpire Eric Cooper. The official batting order submitted by the Astros before the game had Matsui batting first, but Michael Bourn led off instead. Manager Cecil Cooper said before the game that Bourn would lead off and Matsui would bat second, a flip-flop from Tuesday's order. Bourn singled to right off Yovani Gallardo, but the hit was nullified when Brewers manager Ken Macha showed the umpires the mistake.

Today in history
1948 -- Joe DiMaggio had two home runs, a triple, double and single to lead the New York Yankees to a 13-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

2000 -- For the first time in baseball history, there were six grand slams in a single day. Anaheim's Garret Anderson hit the record-breaker off Kansas City's Chris Fussell. J.T. Snow of San Francisco, Brian Hunter of Philadelphia, Jason Giambi of Oakland, and Los Angeles' Adrian Beltre and Shawn Green also connected with the bases loaded. The old mark of five was set in 1999.

The Closer
Big Papi, who had been hitting more like Raphael Belliard, went yard Wednesday. It helped the Red Sox earn a second straight win against division leading Toronto. Now that he can breath easy, will Ortiz go on a tear?