Friday's first pitch

Leading Off
Thursday was a ridiculously fun day to be a baseball fan. The action on the field was fantastic.
Here's the AP report:
"Ten major league baseball games were decided by one run Thursday night, the most since a record 11 early in the 2001 season. Thursday night was the 10th time that many teams all won by the smallest possible margin. The record of 11 has happened twice -- April 14, 2001 and July 4, 1918. Aug. 9, 2002 also had 10 teams winning by the minimum.
"Thursday's one-run games were: St. Louis 6, Florida 5; Houston 2, the Chicago Cubs 1, in 13 innings; Colorado 5, Milwaukee 4; Arizona 2, San Francisco 1; Washington 3, Cincinnati 2; the Chicago White Sox 4, Detroit 3; Oakland 4, Minnesota 3; Cleveland 4, Kansas City 3, in 10 innings; Boston 4, N.Y. Yankees 3 and, in the night's only minimum score contest, Texas beat Toronto 1-0. "
Regional Roundup
The Phils, Buccos and Nats won tight contests.

• After Raul Ibanez' big home run, the Phillies passe the test in New York. But now they have another one coming against the Red Sox. Is Ryan Madson the Phillies future closer? In October, would you have ever believed that would be a discussion.


• Baltimore is struggling mightily. The Orioles sent down David Hernadez to make room for Koji Uehara.


• Tom Boswell says these Nats have some redeemable qualities, even if the team might lose 117 games. On Thursday, the team even capitalized on another team's errors.


• The Pirates won it in the ninth. They've become very aggressive on the basepaths.

Best of Rest
The Indians gave the Royals the bird. Sort of. And the Red Sox continue their dominance of the Yankees.

• Zack Greinke pitched well enough to win. But the Royals lost in the 10th when the Indians' Shin-Soo Choo laced a single that hit a bird.


• All of a sudden he's the David Ortiz of old. He bashed another homer as the Red Sox went on to beat the Yankees for the eighth straight time.


• Bob Raissman has a funny critique of Mets and Yankees broadcasters.


• John Maine is headed to the disabled list.


• Jim Leyland is downplaying his return to Pittsburgh.


• Todd Wellemeyer's speed has disappeared.


• Bruce Jenkins looks at the real reason the National League is right when it comes to the designated hitter.


• The Los Angeles Times talks about how important Orlando Hudson has been.


• The A's got a memorable win, rallying from a three-run, eighth inning deficit.


• The Rays have returned to .500. And they're getting Pat Burrell back.


• Things are down in Brewtown.

Batter's Eye

• Cincinnatti Reds general manager Walt Jocketty's loyalty should remain with his club. But how can he not root for division-rival Chicago? His son was drafted by the Cubs. It will be interesting to see if any trades take place between the two organizations.

Today in history
1939 -- The Baseball Hall of Fame was officially dedicated at Cooperstown, N.Y.

1970 -- Dock Ellis of the Pittsburgh Pirates hurled a 2-0 no-hitter in the first game of a doubleheader against the San Diego Padres. Ellis walked eight and hit a batter, and Willie Stargell hit two homers.

1997 -- After 126 years, baseball broke its tradition and played interleague games.

1999 -- Cal Ripken went 6-for-6, homering twice and driving in six runs as the Baltimore Orioles scored the most runs in franchise history with a 22-1 rout of the Atlanta Braves.

The Closer
Today is the 70th anniversary of the dedication of baseball's very special place. The Baseball Hall of Fame. Sure, we know Cooperstown isn't the real birthplace of baseball. And Abner Doubleday had more to do with the Battle of Gettysburg than laying out the diamond. But Cooperstown is quite the magical place. We're heading there later this month and we think you should make a trip too.