1. Giants steal one: When is the last time somebody won a major league game with his legs? Before San Francisco Giants rookie Darren Ford did it Tuesday, I'm not sure.
Ford went from first to third after an errant pickoff throw by closer Joel Hanrahan, and then ? after a coy pause with the infield playing tight ? he motored home on a ground ball to second base to score the go-ahead run in the Giants 3-2 victory against the Pirates.
Neil Walker took a wee bit too much time getting the ball to first, and Lyle Overbay's relay home was late and wild.
"[O]nce he just glanced at me and then lobbed it over to first, I just took off and let my God-given talent just take over," [Ford said.]
The Giants probably had no business winning after going 0 for 11 with runners in scoring position.
2. The Marlins are 15-7 ? and in first place: In a 4-2 victory against the Dodgers, the Fish hooked Clayton Kershaw for four runs over 5 1/3 innings, with the big damage coming from Hanley Ramirez (two hits, two runs scored), Mike Stanton (two hits, two RBIs) and a solo deep by Gaby Sanchez. Right-hander Chris Volstad allowed two runs over seven innings. Bright side: Andre Ethier extended his hitting streak to 23 games, a major league record for April.
3. Take your small ball and ... : Manager Ron Roenicke reportedly wants the Milwaukee Brewers to practice the art of small ball (bunting and running and crud like that). But slugging is better, as proven by Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. Each hit a solo home run and the Brewers beat the Reds 3-2. Hey, it worked for Earl Weaver. ... Oh, that was the three-run homer? Well, more guys get to share this way. ... John Axford got his fifth save, so he's OK.
5. Still rocking: The Cleveland Indians, now with a 14-8 record after beating the Royals 9-4, haven't turned into pumpkins yet. Justin Masterson lowered his ERA to 2.18 and WHIP to 1.12, so his 5-0 record is warranted. As long as we're still giving decisions to pitchers.
6. Welcome home, Lance Berkman: New St. Louis Cardinals closer Mitchell Boggs showed he can blow a game just like the old closer, Ryan Franklin, used to. Four hits allowed (including the dagger to Bill Hall), a wild pitch that had tied the score and a throwing error in Houston's 5-4 victory. Couldn't tell which Cards closer was which, could ya'? ... Bud Norris fact: Lowered his ERA to 3.86 with six respectable innings.
7. Blimey, this Britt: Rookie left-hander Zach Britton was gettin' 'er done again for the Baltimore Orioles. He allowed a run and five hits over six innings in a 4-1 victory, helping to keep the Boston Red Sox from climbing back to .500. There were four sacrifice flies in this game, which seems like a lot, yes?
8. Get on your tractor and go: Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said starter Roy Oswalt was physically OK ? not injured ? it's just that his stuff stunk in Arizona's 7-5 victory. That seemed evident in Oswalt's awful three-inning stint: Five runs and six hits with a walk and no strikeouts. Two of the runs scored on a double by pitcher Daniel Hudson. Icky bad!
9. Junk in the trunk: David Ross, the backup to All-Star catcher Brian McCann, hit a pair of home runs in the Atlanta Braves' 8-2 victory against the Padres. Ross is now 4 for 9 with three homers against Aaron Harang. Must be nice to have a spare of such high quality. Also: Jair Jurrjens went the distance for the first time in 95 career starts. A real fan would send him a congratulatory telegram.
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