Just In From the Desert

Another bummer of a game offensively, although Justin Masterson did lower his ERA to 14.54 and Shin-Soo Choo did launch this solo homer that had the vendors beyond the outfield lawn ducking for cover.

Hot Corner:  Lonnie Chisenhall (.333) took his turn in the spring platoon and proceeded to ring up a pair of Ks in his only two trips.  Chiz Kid will have to start mashing to win the starting spot.

#5:  Scottie Barnes (0.00), who the media don't want you to believe is competing for the 5th spot, pitched two scoreless frames, allowing two hits and fanning a pair.  No matter what anyone tells you, everyone is competing.  If Barnes finishes the spring with an ERA under one and all of the other possibles struggle, he will be in the rotation.

Left Of Center:  Matt LaPorta (.000) played the entire game, although I think just about everyone (including Matt) wishes that he had not.  Matty went 0-for-4 with 2 Ks and is now hitless in 10 spring at bats.  Felix Pie (.250) started in center (remember that CF is where he will be playing) and fared a bit better, singling in three trips.  Pie has flashed the leather that he is known for, so even a middling spring offensively will likely earn him a spot.

Somewhere Out There:  Russ Canzler (.308) doubled in a run in the 7th and continues to show a bat that might be big enough to stick.  Ezequiel Carrera (.300) & Fred Lewis (.167) were each 0-for-1.

Bench Me:  Jose Lopez (.556), the (cough) former all-star, laced a sharp single in three trips and is looking more and more like a guy that Manny Acta will want as his utility man.  Andy LaRoche (.500) went 0-for-1 with a walk and a run scored, but is not getting a lot of PT.

Mightier Than the Sword:  Jeremy Accardo (3.00) overcame three straight singles to begin the 9th, limiting the damage to one run and ending the inning with a strikeout.  Hector Ambriz (2.25) surrendered a leadoff jack in the 8th, but sent the next three down 1-2-3, including a punch out of his own.

Remember, kids, to spring ahead tonight, which means that the games will generally be @ 4:05p from now on. Tomorrow's slate features split squad action with Kevin Slowey facing the Rangers and David Huff taking on the Angels.  The latter will be carried on the MLB Network.

Cheers.