MLB Headlines

"The Carlos Quentin" hit a solo shot in the fifth, and his three-run blast in the bottom of the ninth proved to be the game-winner for Chicago. Quentin leads the league with 26 home runs, and now has 76 RBI. His acquisition is looking like a genius move by Chicago GM Ken Williams. Alexei Ramirez, another "under the radar" addition by Williams, scooped a ball to first on the run to make an out that should be one of the season's better highlights. Jul. 23 - 6:03 pm et

The surgery, which was performed by Cardinals team physician Dr. George Paletta, included decompression and transposition of the ulnar nerve. Pujols has been a Tommy John candidate for several years now, but the ligament damage in his elbow has never impacted his game offensively. The surgery he underwent today won't affect his availability for spring training. Oct. 13 - 5:20 pm et

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Hafner "has already been examined by at least two doctors since the end of the season to try and determine why the strength in his right shoulder has not returned to normal." An MRI exam revealed no major labrum or rotator cuff damage, but the newspaper notes that "there has been speculation that Hafner could be experiencing a nerve problem in the shoulder." Oct. 13 - 11:49 am et

The Dodgers scored five times in the first off Jamie Moyer on their way to getting their first victory of the NLCS. The only excitement afterwards came when Kuroda threw at Shane Victorino's head in the third. Given that Manny Ramirez had practically demanded his pitchers avenge him and Russell Martin had been brushed back in the first, it appeared to be a clearly intentional act from Kuroda, one that should have gotten him thrown out of the game. Of course, that didn't happen. The benches cleared after Victorino grounded out in his at-bat, and Ramirez had to be restrained by four men when he wanted a piece of someone. However, no ejections were issued and there were no further incidents. Game 4 of the NLCS will be played Monday. Joe Blanton and Derek Lowe are due to start. Oct. 12 - 11:31 pm et

Agent Scott Boras had already tossed around the idea of a five-year, $85 million deal earlier this week, and even that sounded like a stretch. Ramirez would be 42 at the end of a six-year contract so it's hard to see any team biting. He's more likely to land a three, maybe four-year deal. Oct. 12 - 9:40 am et

The ALCS heads back to Boston at 1-1. Upton managed to get the job done in the 11th, but only because it was Fernando Perez on third base and J.D. Drew made a bad throw home on the fly to shallow right. The Rays got the leadoff man on in the inning because umpire Sam Holbrook called a pitch that had just been strike three to Mark Kotsay with two on in the 10th ball four to Dioner Navarro. The Rays caught another break on a ball to Ben Zobrist that was clearly a strike, helping Zobrist walk, and on an extremely borderline check-swing call on what could have been strike three to Jason Bartlett. The Rays' real hero tonight, though, was Dan Wheeler, who pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. Because of quality work from both bullpens, a game that saw seven homers over 4 1/2 innings featured none during the last 6 1/2 innings. Oct. 12 - 1:59 am et

He'll be starting on short rest then, but he'd be able to come back on regular rest in Game 7 if the series goes that far. Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda will also be able to start Games 5 and 6, respectively, on normal rest, so the move makes a lot of sense. Clayton Kershaw and Greg Maddux will spend the entire series in the pen. Oct. 11 - 8:27 pm et

Matsuzaka walked the bases loaded in the first, but he was outstanding after that. The no-hitter concluded when he gave up back-to-back hits to start the seventh, giving the Rays a great chance to at least tie up a 1-0 game. However, he pitched out of the jam. After the Red Sox added an insurance run in the eighth, Dice-K allowed two more singles to start the bottom of the inning. The Red Sox went to the bullpen, and Hideki Okajima got Carlos Pena to fly out on a 3-0 pitch. Justin Masterson took over then and induced a double-play ball from Evan Longoria. Jonathan Papelbon tossed a scoreless ninth to finish it. Game 2 will be played Saturday. Josh Beckett and Scott Kazmir will pitch. Oct. 11 - 12:05 am et

Victorino has nine RBI through six postseason games. He also made a terrific catch in center to end the seventh inning today. Had he not run down Casey Blake blast to the wall, it would have gotten the Dodgers within one and put the tying run on second or third. The NLCS will now head to L.A., with play set to resume on Sunday. Jamie Moyer and Hiroki Kuroda are the scheduled starters. Oct. 10 - 8:18 pm et

The Dodgers were up 1-0 three batters into the game, as Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez hit back-to-back doubles. Hamels remained shaky in the inning, but he pitched out of further trouble and was terrific over the rest of the night. The Phillies got all of their runs in the sixth, with a Rafael Furcal error setting up a two-run homer for Chase Utley. After Ryan Howard struck out, Pat Burrell hit the second homer of the inning to knock Derek Lowe from the game. Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge pitched scoreless innings after Hamels departed, finishing off the victory. Game 2 will be played Friday afternoon. Chad Billingsley and Brett Myers are the scheduled starters. Oct. 9 - 11:05 pm et