Friday's first pitch

Leading Off
You want the definition of an ace? Check out Justin Verlander.
He's got the record to prove it (12-6 with a 3.43 ERA, an American League leading 186 whiffs.). He's got the stuff to prove it, whipping two 98 mile-per-hour fastballs past Jason Bay in the eighth inning Thursday.
However, the true test for an ace is what Verlander did Thursday. His TIgers teammates had been thumped by the Boston Red Sox and faced a sweep. Their lead in the American League Central was vanishing.
But when he took the mound it was game, set match.
Each of Verlander's past five wins have come after losses.
Now, that's an ace

Regional Roundup

• There are great ways to see artwork in Philadelphia. Check out the Art Museum for Monets and Renoirs. Or watch Cliff Lee pitch. Jimmy Watch: 0-for-4, walk, strike out. .244.


• Speaking of aces, former Orioles great Mickey Tettleton caught his fair share: Dave Stewart, Bill Gullickson (20 game winner), and Kenny Rogers. He also had one memorable season with the Orioles.


• Adam Dunn is back in Cincinnati.


• Rockies manager Jim Tracy has good things to say about Pirates management. He must be Jeff Frantz' hero.

Best of Rest

• CC Sabathia looked primed for the post season.


• Skip Schumaker has made a successful transition to second base.


• Jerry Crowe brings up a good point in his column. How many of Vlad Guerrero's home runs have come on pitches outside of the strike zone?


• JP Ricciardi collects bad contracts like Larry King collects wives.


• The Marlins have a new twist on an old phrase, "Go with West young men."


• Greg Zaun wants to be the Jamie Moyer of catchers.

Batter's Eye

• Jerry Remy has an important message. And not just for Red Sox fans.

Today in history
1958 -- Vic Power of the Cleveland Indians stole home twice, in the 8th and 10th innings, in a 10-9 win over Detroit. He had only three steals all year.

1987 -- Oakland's Mark McGwire set a major league rookie record with his 39th homer of the season to help the A's to a 7-6, 12-inning victory over the California Angels. McGwire gave the A's a 5-3 lead in the sixth when he hit the two-run homer off Don Sutton.

1998 -- Baltimore's Chris Hoiles became the ninth major leaguer and first catcher to hit two grand slams in one game against the Cleveland Indians. Hoiles homered in the third inning off Charles Nagy and in the eighth against Ron Villone to lead the Orioles to a 15-3 victory.

The Closer
Bronson Arroyo has a solid resume as a middle-of-the rotation guy. He's averaged 12 wins a season since 2004. He's got a World Series ring.
And he recently cleared waivers.
It's no secret the Yankees are watching him.
So his shutdown performance Thursday was probably a very good audition.