Montario Hardesty Out for the Season

He's torn his left ACL.

Good, now we can keep Chris Jennings and James Davis.

Eff me.

Is It Confusing to Advertise the UFC during a USC game?

Shots from the Shoe.  The Bucks win was dominating and I infer more from the performance than most.  It has been quite some time since OSU has just plain kicked the snot out of a FBS preseason gimme at home.  No repeat of Navy last year or OU the year before.  Outside of one drive in the third quarter (that eventually ended with a takeaway), the defense was overwhelming.  I was particularly impressed with the speed of the linebackers, most notably Andrew Sweat and Tyler Moeller.  I don't know really know what the "star" position is, so I'm gonna call Moeller a linebacker for now. 
Offensively, Ohio State relied on a series of big plays.  In the first half they had 262 yards of total offense, 150 of them on 3 single plays.  Still, it's hard to argue with the results.  Terrelle Pryor looked like Terrelle Pryor.  I saw no evolution in his poor progressions, but the offense seems to have finally adjusted to him.  The pocket moves with him, the safety valves (see Jake Stoneburner) are plentiful and everyone seems aware that he might run at any time. 
The last 8 minutes were awful, like watching JV high school ball, with the exception of Jamaal Berry.  Berry made a strong first impression, even if he didn't seem to have true breakaway speed on his big play.
1 down.  Go Bucks!

Oh, and for those of you who sleep at night, the Tribe won 6-3 in the Emerald City.  Choo with a bases clearing double and a 2-run bomb.  Josh Tomlin wins to even at 3-3.  I still think he belongs in the rotation next year.  Chris Perez saves #17.  He's a keeper.

Lastly, Jhonny Peralta seems to have acquired magical powers in Detroit.  Not only has he equaled his Cleveland season output of longballs in a month with the Kitties, but he played first for like 5 innings tonight.  Ok, ok, Jose Valverde got the win after pitching 3 frickin' innings.  And, true, a team with 3 closers (Rauch, Fuentes, Capps) had to turn to Jesse Crain to blow a save in the 9th.  And then their starter for tomorrow (Nick Blackburn) had to pitch out of the 'pen and gave up the game winning dong to a guy hitting .205.  But still, Jhonny's now a stud.  Ob la di.

Pretty Girl 09.02.10 - Nadine Velaquez

#1 reason not to seal the borders.  (yeah I know, I mean her character.)

Puffs of Smoke

Chapman hits 103 again and snares his 1st MLB win.

Chris Sale scores his 1st MLB save against the tribe.

Whistle Stops

The New Big10 - Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern and Minnesota in one (West) division and Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana and Illinois in the (East) other.  The Bucks and Wolves will still meet annually as the conference will play inter-divisional games during the last week of the season.  Thus, OSU and Michigan would meet in back to back games should they both win their divisions and match up in the new Big10 Championship Game @ Lucas Oil.  Also, check out Nike's 2010 Pro Combat jerseys for the Buckeyes.

Other notable call-ups as rosters expand: Freddie Freeman (1B, Atl), Desmond Jennings (OF, TB), Yonder Alonso (1B, Cin), Rocco Baldelli (OF, TB), Tyler Flowers (C, ChiW), Mat Gamel (3B, Mil) and Cory Luebke (LHP, SD).

Cliff Lee sent back to Texas to have his back examined.  In his last 5 starts Cliff is 0-3 w/ an 8.28.

Mark Prior has thrown 11 innings for the Orange County Flyers of the Golden Baseball League, 22K, 5H, 5BB, 0ER, .135 OBA.  I hope someone gives him a bonafide opportunity next spring.  The story calls him Strasburg 1.0.  ;-j

Mo Manny

He went 1-3 today as the age of Germano ended with another sickening loss.  I like the shot with Omar.

Tickets Punched

As predicted, Carlos Carrasco has been recalled by the Tribe.  In fact, he's pitching right now against the White Sox.  He surrendered a 1st inning bomb to Alex Rios.  1-0 Chicago, top of 3.

Jensen Lewis and Jordan Brown joined Carrasco on the I-71 shuttle.

Other possibilities following Columbus' play-off run: Huff, Laffey, Todd, Wes Hodges, Drew Sutton, Nick Weglarz & Ezequiel Carrera.  If it were me, and it's not, I'd call 'em all up.  Maybe not Huff.  No, not Huff.

ManRam: The Man in Black

The Sox have an appearance policy.  Manny had to cut his hair...

Whistle Stops

Former Buckeye and Twins first round pick Alex Wimmers tossed 5 no-hit innings tonight for the Fort Myers Miracle.  The #21 overall selection walked 1 and struck out 6 in his 3rd pro start, before being pulled for hitting his pitch count.  He has yet to allow a run and has yielded just 2 hits over 10 2/3 innings against FSL batters.

Jared Goedert hits his 27th, but I now hear that he will be playing the role of Jordan Brown this September.  For those of you who have blocked out last season, that means Goedert will not be getting a late season call-up.

Anyone who hasn't seen the highlights of Aroldis Chapman breezing through his 1st three MLB hitters while reaching 103 on the gun needs to do so right now.  He's even more impressive live.

Screw AJ Pierzynski.  Screw the White Sox.  Screw Manny waiting on deck.  I'll be rooting for the Twins this month.  Heck, I'll just be rooting for the Reds.

The Rangers acquire Jeff Francoeur for Joaquin Arias.  Francouer will slide into a lefty/righty platoon with David Murphy.

The NCAA denied Jeremiah Masoli's attempt to circumvent the rule system and play this fall.  Screw Masoli too.  I'm so sick of these idiots.  You know what, take your talent and stuff it.  Try not being dumb enough to get caught next time.  Twice.  Jackass.

Shaun Rogers will not be suspended by the NFL for carrying a loaded semi-automatic weapon into Hopkins.  He will be fined a full game check, about $400k.  Shaun's reasoning for the snafu?  Guns aren't edible so he wasn't really paying attention to it.  Cheers.

Pretty Girl 09.01.10 - Mary Louise Parker

Welll...  She sure ain't shy, that's for sure.  Like I need to tell you to watch Weeds.