Running Diary, April 7

My first running diary of the 2012 season. The games I’ll be watching for at least a little while are Phillies-Pirates, Yankees-Rays, Marlins-Reds, Orioles-Twins, and Rockies-Astros. Let’t go.

7:12: Jeff Karstens has given up 2 hits and sac to start the game against the Phils. Uh-oh. Also, the Pirates first basemen is Matt Hague, who is that?

7:13: The Pirates color guy is weak, just about every thing he’s said has been contradicted by the next pitch.

7:14: New game, Rockies-Astros: Jamie Moyer time! Moyer has a grey beard. He just hit the first batter with a 79 mph pitch. Ouch? Oh wait, it was foul.

7:16: Th onscreen graphic says Moyer is the 4th oldest player to appear in an MLB game. Is that right? And oldest starting pitcher on an opining day roster, cool.

7:17: Jordan Schefer just hit a lead off homer off of Moyer, maybe he is too old. I didn’t know you could hit a ball moving that slow that far.

7:18: New game, Yanks-Rays. Speaking of slow, David Price just got Robbie Cano grounding out on a 96 mph fastball. Jeff Keppinger botches the double play chance.

7:19: Joe Madden shifts the infield for A-Rod. Bold move. Let’s see what happens….walk.

7:21: 96 on the black from Price to Teixeria. Nice pitch.

7:22: 3 96 mph fastballs from Price. Outside corner, Inside corner, Outside corner, Tex had no shot.

7:23: New Game: Marlins-Reds. Votto’s up.

7:24: Votto just misses a hanger from Rickey Nolasco. And then swings through a slider for strike 3. My roomate thinks he’s given up after the big contract.

7:25: New game: O’s and Twins: Orioles are wearing awesome unis tonight. Cool hats and orange jerseys.

7:26 Danny Valencia hitting. He pops out but I think he’s going to have a big year.

7:27: O’s announcer just informed us that the first month of the season “can and does have an impact of the rest of the year.” Wow.

7:29: Back to the Marlins game. Mat Latos is on the hill for Cincy. Just induced an easy double play but the Reds announcers are arguing about wether Brandon Phillips’ turn was risky or flamboyant. Wow, again.

7:31: Now the Reds announcers are talking about the smell of the Gold Glove trophy. I kid you not.

7:31: Bathroom break.

7:35: I’m back. Rickey Nolasco grooves an 89 mph fastball right down the middle on a 1-1 count. Scott Rolen decides not to swing.

7:36: New game, Yankees again. Hiroki Kuroda going for NY. Good, I wanted to see him. He’s wearing number 18. There’s a runner on 3rd and 2 down.

7:37: Kuroda JUST misses. Matt Joyce walks. Runners on 1st and 3rd for Ben Zobrist.

7:39:Kuroda has thrown 10 strikes threw his 1st 20 pitches.

7:40: Kuroda tries the old 1st to 3rd move. Crowd boos. Announcers boo.

7:41: Ball 3 to Zobrist was a strike.

7:41: Another walk. Bases are now loaded. Kuroda looks terrible. Luke Scott to the plate.

7:42: Luke Scott has stupid facial hair. Doesn’t stop him from lining a 2 run single to center. I hate that guy.

7:43: Phillies-Pirates game again. Phillies are up 1 as we enter the 3rd. Victorino to lead off.

7:44: Jeff Karstens is funny looking guy.

7:46: New game, the other one was boring: O’s-Twins. Francisco Liriano against Ronny Paulino. Pauliono lines a single off the 1st basemen’s glove. He squared that one up.

7:48: Robert Andino, now hits. THe announcers are talking about Jon Papelbon and game 162. It makes me happy.

7:49: Josh Willingham misplays a routine single into an RBI double. O’s up 2-0. Maybe the Twins won’t rebound from last year as easily as we thought.

7:52: New Game, Astros-Rockies. Lucas Harrell is pitching for Houston. Who is that? He seems like he might be good though.

7:54: Gargo with a double. Maybe Harrell isn’t that good.

7:55: I just figured out split screen on the tv, no I’m going with 2 games at once. Stay with me.

7:56: The Rays announcers are interviewing a Molina in the stands. I have no idea which one. Oh, its Benjie.

7:58: Inning 2 isn’t much better for Hiroki Kuroda. He is struggling.

7:59:Yankees make a circus out of an infield popup. Tex makes the play though.

8:00: Its build a bear day in Pittsburgh, in case you were wondering.

8:00: Carlos Pena singles through the shift. 3-0 Rays.

8:01: Hanley is 0 for the season so far.

8:03: 72 mph pitch from Moyer. Yay.

8:04: Moyer gives up a 2 run bomb to JD Martinez. Um, is he really supposed to be their 2 starter?

8:04: Something tells me this Astros-Rockies game could be a preview of the 2 worst teams in the NL (other than the Mets). The Rockies have no pitching.

8:05: Moyer looks bad in a baseball uniform. He gets Carlos Lee on a 76 mph fastball though.

8:06: Giancarlo Stanton with his 1st RBI of the season. 1-0 Marlins.

8:07 Chris Johnson of the Astros seals a bag. I imagine that’s not hard when the pitcher can’t throw harder than 78.

8:08: Jaime Moyer has now allowed 513 homers in his career.

8:09: Josh Outman apparently pulled his oblique while vomiting after getting food poisoning. In related news, the Astros press box apparently has a comic relief symbol in studio.

8:10: I’m tired and I have stuff to do. The running diary is over. Hope you enjoyed.

-Max Frankel