MY BASEBALL BIAS

Here are some moves and news from around AL EAST -

• On Wednesday, the Orioles sent Jon Knott back down to AAA-Norfolk and recalled Brandon Fahey. Fahey will primarily play SS and 2B.

• The Blue Jays optioned pitcher Ty Taubenheim back down to AAA-Syracuse when A.J. Burnett came off of the DL today.

• B.J. Upton (bad hammy) returned to the diamond today for the Ray’s class-A affliliate Vero Beach. He played five innings at 2B and went 0-3 at the plate. He is expected to rejoin the D-Rays sometime next week.

• Brendan Donnelly will not be coming of the DL as expected on Monday reports the Boston Globe.

That’s all for now!

Chicago White Sox 5, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1
W: Vazquez (4-5) L: Kazmir (5-4)
Box

Vazquez helps White Sox sweep Devil Rays [AP]

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New York Yankees 8, Baltimore Orioles 6 - Top 8/(Susp.)
THE GAME HAS BEEN SUSPENDED.
SITUATION: 4 RUNS IN, D JETER ON SECOND, 2 OUTS CURRENT
SCORE: NY YANKEES 8, BALTIMORE 6
VIA PETEABE: “The game gets picked up on July 27 before the scheduled game between the teams at Camden Yards.”
Box

Rain suspends Yankees-Orioles until July 27 [AP]
Sorting through a soggy mess [Roch Kubatko]

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Toronto Blue Jays 5, Minnesota Twins 8
W: Silva (6-8) L: Frasor (1-3) S: Nathan (15)
Box

Big Hurt finally gets his milestone [Globe and Mail]
Toronto blows leads to spoil Thomas’s big day [Globe and Mail]

Today’s Games - 6/29

Texas Rangers @ Boston Red Sox, 7:05 PM ET
TEX: Wright (1-1, 7.43 ERA) vs. BOS: Wakefield (7-8, 4.52 ERA)

Oakland Athletics @ New York Yankees, 7:05 PM ET
OAK: Kennedy (2-5, 3.98 ERA) vs. NYY: Mussina (3-5, 4.98 ERA)

Tampa Bay Devil Rays @ Cleveland Indians, 7:05 PM ET
TAM: Jackson (1-8, 7.39 ERA) vs. CLE: Westbrook (1-3, 7.08 ERA)

Los Angeles Angels @ Baltimore Orioles, 7:05 PM ET
LAA: Escobar (9-3, 2.81 ERA) vs. BAL: Burres (3-2, 3.36 ERA)

Toronto Blue Jays @ Seattle Mariners, 10:05 PM ET
TOR: McGowan (4-3, 4.83 ERA) vs. SEA: Washburn (6-6, 4.09 ERA)

AL EAST STANDINGS for Friday, June 29th

Shea Hillenbrand/1B - LA Angeles

According to NY Newsday the Yankees are in ’serious talks” to acquire Hillenbrand.

Shea Hillenbrand could become the next righthanded hitter to play first base for the Yankees. The team is engaged in serious talks to acquire the 31-year-old who is about to be dumped by the Angels, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The Yankees considered signing Hillenbrand as a free agent in the offseason, but he signed with the Angels for one year and $6.5 million. Hillenbrand said yesterday that he was told he would be designated for assignment tomorrow; after that the Angels would have 10 days to trade or release him. The Angels are Hillenbrand’s fourth team since 2004.

Hillenbrand is batting .254 with three home runs and 22 RBIs. He told The Associated Press he is looking to play every day, which he certainly could for the Yankees, who are using Miguel Cairo at first base after injuries to Jason Giambi and Doug Mientkiewicz.

There does not figure to be a hot market for Hillenbrand, so the Yankees and Angels will likely haggle over money and what the Yankees will give up for him. Figure on a minor prospect.

Get the deal done.  The Yankees have been playing like sh*t, they have nothing to lose.

Frank Thomas became the 21st player in baseball history today to hit 500 home runs, joining an exclusive club which has all but cemented his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Carlos Silva served up the meatball on a 1-2 count in the top of the first inning. Thomas’ shot went an estimated 396 feet.

Here is a list of the 500 Club:

1. Hank Aaron - 755
2. Barry Bonds* (15) - 749
3. Babe Ruth- 714
4. Willie Mays - 660
5. Sammy Sosa* (13) - 601
6. Frank Robinson - 586
7. Ken Griffey, Jr.* (21) - 584
8. Mark McGwire - 583
9. Harmon Killebrew - 573
10. Rafael Palmeiro - 569
11. Reggie Jackson - 563
12. Mike Schmidt - 548
13. Mickey Mantle - 536
14. Jimmie Foxx - 534
T15. Willie McCovey - 521
T15. Ted Williams - 521
T17. Ernie Banks - 512
T17. Eddie Mathews - 512
19. Mel Ott - 511
20. Eddie Murray - 504
21. Frank Thomas* (13) - 500

Players in Bold are still active. 

Congratulations Frank!

Wednesday’s Results

Today’s Games - 6/28

Toronto Blue Jays @ Minnesota Twins, 1:10 PM ET
TTOR: Burnett (5-6, 4.00 ERA) vs. MIN - Silva (5-8, 3.98 ERA)

New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles, 7:05 PM ET
NYY: Wang (7-4, 3.51 ERA) vs. BAL: Cabrera (6-8, 4.98 ERA)

Tampa Bay Devil Rays vs. Chicago White Sox, 7:10 PM ET
CHW: Vazquez (3-5, 4.15 ERA) vs. TAM: Kazmir (5-3, 4.13 ERA)

OFF DAY: Boston Red Sox

AL EAST STANDINGS for Thursday, June 27th

ANSWER: After the All-Star break

QUESTION: When Curt Schilling is supposed to return to the Red Sox rotation.

Schilling will continue his throwing program…

“Basically the program stays what it is and he will be reevaluated on Monday at home, with the hope that things are progressing to the point where he can throw,” manager Terry Francona said. “He can throw now, but I think they want him to reach certain levels with testing. All the things we said the other day remain true. We want him to be able to finish the season being a consistent, good pitcher. That’s why we’re trying to use good judgment.”

As always, keep your eye on these here internets for more updates on Schilling.  He’ll no doubt update us through his own personal 38 pitches website.

According to Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun, no one is currently being interviewed for the managerial job in Baltimore.

…new president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said he’ll continue to evaluate Trembley through the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31, so the manager search will come to an abrupt stop. The one candidate to replace Trembley, Joe Girardi, turned down the Orioles. Nobody else is being interviewed.

I thought going after Girardi was a bit of a panic move by the organization. It all happened way to fast. The Orioles fired Perlozzo, hired MacPhail to be their new COO and went after Girardi all in a matter of days. I thought the negotiations with Girardi were rushed and not well thought out.

According to executive vice president Mike Flanagan, Trembley