Enviouspundit

Ed Morrissey has a think piece over at AIP. I’m pulling the same two edited graphs that Glenn Reynolds used to tease Captain Ed’s piece.

Right now, the United States has responded to a lack of demand for its Treasuries through a questionable and disturbing method: we’re buying our own debt. That allows the yields to remain low, but buying our own debt is somewhat akin to creating your own credit card….What would a world with the United States in the second financial tier of nations mean? We would have significantly less foreign investment, to start, and that has other implications besides just the impact to our economy. We rely on economic engagement with other nations as a not-inconsequential portion of our national security and foreign policies.

The answer is simple and presumes an understanding of the current climate in Washington. The US is to borrow a popular phrase “too big to fail.”

This is not to suggest that President Obama and Congress are right to continue spending and buying up our own debt. But it explains the mindset that declares such behavior to be wise fiscal policy. Summarized best as:

Yes, let’s take out a HELOC to pay off our credit cards, then get cash advances from our credit cards to pay the credit line. That’ll work.

Despite good news, we are not out of the woods.

Mid-season fodder has one chance, maybe to get picked up. The quirky show with an interesting cast failed to make the most of it. From what I saw, I enjoyed. This of course means we have to link the video that got me to watch the dang things to begin with.

Note to television producers everywhere, while cop show footage and Sabotage works to lure me to the set, it’s unlikely that this combination has been effective on the rest of society in fifteen years, quite possible longer.

On an entirely unrelated note: the suggestion appearing in this space three and a half months go, regarding the missing element for Lie to Me, was in part implemented. (We get results!) The addition of Mekhi Phifer has balanced out the largely theoretical aspects of criminal investigation provided by Roth’s character. The chemistry between the duo works well.

My hope is that the producers will allow the growing tension between Lightman (Roth) and his associate, Dr. Gillian Foster (Kelli Williams), to continue to simmer rather than become a plot turning device. A comparable card was effectively played in the season finale, which should produce adequate tension in the office (of the non-sexual variety) to drive the show through the autumn commitment Fox made to it.

Finally, an observation. I never actually tuned in to see The Unusuals, opting instead to download the episodes and watch them via Apple TV. I’m curious to see how much demand from viewers like me would trip a partial season pick up. Productions costs being what they are, it would probably be a sizable number. At some point, and it is not far off, that’s how these decisions will be made. No more Nielsen numbers but digital downloads instead will drive decisions. I can live with that.

Recaps reprinted courtesy Gary Williams

AAA: Pawtucket (19-14, 2nd INT North, 4 GB) was shutout by Toledo (Tigers) 8-0 as the PawSox were blanked for the 2nd consecutive game. LHP Kris Johnson (L, 2-4) gave up 5 runs on 6 hits and a BB with 4 K’s in 4.2 innings of work. Meanwhile, 1 day after being limited to 1 hit, the PawSox managed just 7 off Mud Hen pitching. LF Chip Ambres went 2-3 (single, double) and a BB, while DH Sandy Madera went 1-2 with 2 BB’s.

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RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-0, 0.00) makes his third rehab start for the PawSox in the series’ finale tonight at 7:00 EDT. RHP Ruddy Lugo (2-3, 4.50) is Toledo’s scheduled starter.

AA: Portland (16-15, 3rd EAS Northern, 1.5 GB) had their game against New Britain (Twins) suspended by rain. The game will be completed this afternoon at 4:35 EDT. In the regularly-scheduled contest, RHP Adam Mills (1-1, 9.00) will face LHP Ryan Mullins (0-5, 5.79).

C Mark Wagner has been activated off the DL. There is a report that OF Ryan Kalish has been promoted from Salem and that 1B Lars Anderson may be sidelined with an undisclosed injury.

A+: Salem (18-16, 1st CAR Southern, 1 G) topped Potomac (Nationals) 7-6 as SS Kris Negron’s 3-run blast in the 7th capped a 4-run rally that erased a 5-3 Nat lead. Negron stepped to the plate with 2 outs and a run in stroked a high fly that carried over the leftfield wall to give the Sox a lead they would not relinquish. The Nats pulled to within a run in the bottom of the 9th, but LHP Derrick Loop (S, 4) struck out Stephen King swinging with the potential tying run on base to end the game. Salem banged out 15 hits in the game, with 2B Jonathan Hee, DH Ryan Kalish, and CF Che-Hsuan Lin getting 3 hits apiece. C Ty Weeden went 2-4 (single, double) and BB with an RBI and a run scored. LHP Jose Capellan started and went 5+ innings, allowing 5 runs on 7 hit and 3 BB’s with 3 K’s.

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After taking 2-of-3 from the Nats, the Sox move on to Winston-Salem (White Sox) for the first of 3 games against the Dash. RHP Seth Garrison (2-2, 6.67) is scheduled to start against RHP Charles Shirek (5-0, 3.41).

A: Greenville (20-14, 1st SAL Southern, 1 G) routed Augusta (Giants) 11-2 as 1B Anthony Rizzo cracked 2 HR’s and RHP Casey Kelly (W, 5-0) remained perfect on the season with 6 shutout IP. Rizzo slammed solo HR’s in the 1st and 7th innings and scored 4 times, and C Tim Federowicz went 4-5 to lead the offense. LF David Mailman went 2-4 (single, triple) and scored twice, while SS Oscar Tejeda doubled to drive in a pair and scored twice. Kelly allowed just 2 hits and struck out 3 as he retired 18 of 20 batters faced.

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RHP Caleb Clay (1-2, 4.70) gets the start in the opener of a 3-game series at home against Rome (Braves) tonight at 7:00 EDT. The Braves counter with RHP Ezekiel Spruill (6-0, 1.91).

If you’ve never seen PROTRADE and you are a sports fan, a trial is in order. But make sure to play the pick’em, featuring a look at Bull Durham, the classic minor league baseball movie.

AAA: Pawtucket (19-13, 2nd INT North, 3.5 GB) lost to Toledo 1-0 in 10 innings as the PawSox wasted a brilliant performance by RHP Clay Buchholz. Buchholz was dominant, tossing 8 shutout innings and striking out 11 while giving up just 4 hits. He threw 91 pitches – 71 for strikes. The Mud Hens won it in the last of the 10th when they scored on an RBI single with no outs off LHP Billy Traber (L, 1-2). C Dusty Brown singled for the PawSox’ only baserunner in the entire game off Toledo pitching. CF Jonathan Van Every went 0-4 with 3 K’s.

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LHP Kris Johnson (2-3, 5.53) will face LHP Lucas French (2-2, 2.91) in game 3 of the series tonight at 6:30 EDT.

AA: Portland (16-15, 3rd EAS Northern, 2 GB) was blanked by Trenton (EE) 5-0 as RHP Ryan Pope (W, 2-2) combined with RHP Kanekoa Texeira on a 1-hitter. RHP Ryne Lawson (L, 0-1), who was activated by the Sea Dogs earlier in the day, gave up 3 runs on 5 hits and 4 BB’s while striking out 2 in 4.2 IP. RHP Richie Lentz’s early season struggles continued as he was touched for 2 runs on on 2 hits and 2 BB’s with 2 K’s in 2 innings of relief. Lentz is now sporting a 5.40 ERA in 7 appearances, though he has struck out 14 in 10 IP. 1B Lars Anderson collected the only hit of the game for the Sea Dogs with a 4th inning single.

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After taking 2-of-3 from the Thunder, the Sea Dogs move on to New Britain (Twins) for the first of 4 games against the Rock Cats tonight at 6:35 EDT. RHP Adam Mills (1-1, 9.00) goes up against RHP Jay Rainville (1-1, 4.73).

A+: <a href=” Salem“>Salem (17-16, T1st CAR Southern, .5 G) dropped a 4-2 decision to Potomac (Nationals). RHP Kyle Weiland (L, 1-3) had another rough outing, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits and 2 BB’s with 4 K’s over 5 innings for work. 3B Jonathan Hee drove in both Sox’ runs with a 7th inning double, scoring 1B Michael Jones (BB) and CF Che-Hsuan Lin (BB).

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The two clubs meet in the rubber match of the series tonight at 7:05 EDT when LHP Jose Capellan (2-1, 6.15) is opposed by RHP Bradley Meyers (3-0, 1.16), who hasn’t allowed a run in his last 20.2 IP.

A: Greenville (19-14, 1st SAL Southern, 1 G) edged Augusta (Giants) 4-3. SS Oscar Tejeda smacked a solo HR and 3B Will Middlebrooks went 1-3 with a BB and 2 runs scored to lead the Drive to victory. 1B Anthony Rizzo and 2B Ryan Dent both contributed RBI singles. RHP Bryan Price (W, 3-1) went 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits (including a HR) and 2 BB’s while striking out 2 and committing a balk. RHP Leandro Marin (H, 1) and LHP Lance McClain (S, 2) blanked the GreenJackets over the final 3 innings.

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RHP Casey Kelly (4-0, 1.15) gets the start in the series’ finale tonight at 7:00 EDT. The GreenJackets will counter with RHP Mike Loree (1-3, 3.90).

Thank you, Christian Toto.

Largely on the advice of Mr. Toto I gave last year’s Greg Kinnear drama a chance. And in addition to a spectacular performance from Kinnear, the film prompted a serious examination on my part of one of the fallacies in mainstream conservatism. First the film, then the filler.

Kinnear carries the film, as he essentially must, it’s the tale of an obsessive inventor’s descent into the well of righteous indignation. He can neither let go of his pain, nor can he acknowledge the pain he is inflicting on others. He is called to a purpose. Ford is Goliath and he is David, struggling against the behemoth in memoriam of the inventors whose work was stolen, dreams smashed and lives destroyed by the other bigs out there.

While you always want Dr. Kearns to win, his obstinacy is uncomfortable as he sacrifices those aspects of his life that seemed to matter to him, to prove that he was wronged. It makes for remarkably compelling filmmaking, and is worth the place in your netflix queue.

Onto the political ramifications. “Flash of Genius” illustrates the inequities of the marketplace in a post-industrial world. Hear me out, this is not heresy. Ford, a private company, uses legal means to deny a citizen the fruits of his innovation. This is an inequity that the market allows. One that the film cites in referencing the inventor of the FM Radio – Edwin Howard Armstrong – who when RCA got his patent to the FM radio “jumped to his death from the thirteenth floor window of his New York City apartment.” Kearns like Armstrong had fallen victim to the deep pockets and limitless will of a corporation with little regard to trivialities, like the law.

Conservatives, in particular fiscal conservatives, turn a blind eye to much of the market’s malfeasance arguing that the market will shake itself out. But will it? Prior to the film, how many Americans had heard of Robert Kearns? How many knew the Ford Motor Company?

The film evoked a recollection of a very old Robert Heinlein short story called “Let There Be Light” – a good, but not great telling of the invention of a fictional new energy source and the effort that the existing energy industry engaged in to prevent the new invention from reaching the public. It feels remarkably similar to the the actual events in subsequent decades to steal clever ideas from their creators.

Further it illustrates one of the great difference from then to now. Free market fiscal conservatives will often argue that the market churns up inefficiencies and brings us newer, better means of allocating our scarce resources. They’ll cite – as I have – the rapid disappearance of the domestic buggy whip industry upon the onset of the automobile as proof that good ideas triumph over bad ones. But in our current environment would they?

Let’s say that by some miracle of Fringe’s alternate reality portal and a Star Trek singularity event, we find ourselves in 1897 with our modern regulatory-minded Congress and a still vibrant buggy whip industry throughout Kentucky. The pioneering work on a horseless carriage has concerned the forward thinkers at US Buggy Whip, Inc. and they have hired a team of K Street lobbyists to ensure that the nascent industry has as many hurdles blocking their entrance to the personal vehicle segment of the transportation sector of the economy. The lobbyists work feverishly to ensure that the Detroit based horseless carriage developers have to submit their product to numerous safety requirements. After all, almost all regulation grows out of the all too frequently expressed idea that public safety is jeopardized by unregulated behavior. As a result, even with the efficiencies and innovations of the the assembly line, car makers still have trouble competing with horse drawn carriages, thus preserving the buggy whip industry.

Incredulous are you? Should not you be.

Consider the current sad sorry state of affairs in DC. Which segment of the population are being bailed out? A) Voters
B) Taxpayers
C) The needy
D) The Connected

If you guessed anything other than D, please consult an objective purveyor of reality. The needy might find some dollops of assistance trickle down to them, but their security is not guaranteed by numerous bailouts. Nor are taxpayers, who are being called upon to foot the bill for the largesse Washington chooses to dole out. And voters, who count both the needy and taxpayers among them, frequently both, certainly are not seeing the benefit.

Which suggests that despite the machinations of our legislative branch, our democracy is fairly sound. We’re not voting ourselves bread and circuses from the public coffers. Not yet at least.

However, how else can one account for the rescues sent to numerous banks, financial institutions, and automakers, companies that have significant sway in DC as they hire lobbyists to promote legislation favorable to their clients. This is why Doug and Cindy Martin (fictional hypothetical couple conjured up for illustrative purposes, any resemblance to real people living or dead is unintentional, yadda, yadda, yadda) won’t get a bailout when Citi forecloses on their mortgage, but Citi can get plenty of help from the government so they need not file for bankruptcy. And who will be funding the bailout Citi gets? None other than Doug and Cindy Martin.

How on earth is this conceivably equitable? Large firms have excess money to buy influence, enabling them to receive aid, funded by the people whose lack of means ensures they do not get a real say in the process. But what’s truly ugly is that these firms, having been rescued from their massive obligations then put the screws to people struggling to make ends meet. Sound outrageous? It should.

Hop in the way back machine and let’s take it back almost two millennia. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant. Jesus told this parable to illustrate the folly of an unforgiving spirit. Let’s use The Message’s paraphrase:

At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?”

Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.

“The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.

“The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.

“The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’

“The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.

“The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”

Wouldn’t a more charitable response from those receiving the assistance of the federal government be to offer assistance to those who are struggling? Not under fiat of the state, but in recognition that “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” They having been forgiven much are behaving as the ungrateful servant in choking the life of one who owes him far less than he has already been forgiving.

It’s a pipe dream, I know. Company’s have responsibilities to shareholders and investors, and not to the community in which they operate. To expect them to abandon the business practices that have served them these many years, to become good neighbors, is akin to expecting a tiger not to maul you when you climb into his pen at the zoo. No matter the munificence of these corporations, they cannot cloak themselves in the fabric of respectability and shed their essential function in this world, to turn a profit. And while there is nothing wrong with profit, profits obtained in morally dubious ways, such as strangling those who are struggling to pay their debt, when your hopelessly humongous debt has been paid by another, is not a hallmark of a capitalist society I wish to claim as my own.

Whatever it is, big government, big business, big labor, big media, when it grows so large that it no longer cares about the regular people, people who labor and toil often in support of these bloated behemoths, that institution is ripe for corruption and decay. And a further weakening of the underpinnings on which it rests. Conservatives have a responsibility to their fellow citizens to demand a restoration of morality in the boardroom. It may not help. It probably won’t happen. But the current situation is untenable, and it is we, the people, who must vanquish the corrupt forces imperiling our Republic.

Monday and Tuesday recaps reprinted courtesy Gary Williams

AAA: Pawtucket (18-12, 2nd INT North, 4.5 GB) earned a split of their 4-game series with Columbus (Indians) after beating the Clippers 9-1 Monday. The PawSox battered Clipper pitching for 20 hits, with RF Sean Danielson getting 5 hits including his first HR of the season. 1B Paul McAnulty had 4 hits, including 2 doubles and a 2-run HR, while LF Chip Ambres and C Dusty Brown chipped in with 3 hits apiece. RHP Michael Bowden (W, 2-1) allowed a run on 4 hits and a BB with 2 K’s, and RHP Randor Bierd, just recalled from XST, worked 2/3 of an inning before LHP Chris George closed it out by retiring the side in order in the 9th with 2 K’s.

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Pawtucket (19-12, 2nd INT North, 3.5 GB) edged Toledo (Tigers) 2-1 Tuesday, the PawSox’ 9th win in their last 11 games. RHP Enrique Gonzalez (W, 5-1) pitched 8 solid innings, allowing no runs on 4 hits and 4 BB’s while striking out 8. RHP Fernando Cabrera (S, 5) struggled in the 9th, surrendering a solo HR to 3B Mike Hessman. But with the tying run on 2nd, Cabrera reached back to strike out both SS Brent Dlugach and C Dusty Ryan to end the game. The PawSox scored their runs on back-to-back doubles by DH Chip Ambres and LF Chris Carter in the 1st, and Ambres’ SF in the 3rd, scoring RF Sean Danielson who walked to leadoff the inning. 2B Travis Denker stroked 2 singles to lead Pawtucket’s 5-hit attack.

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RHP Clay Buchholz (2-0, 1.33) looks to remain perfect on the season when he gets the start in game 2 of the series this morning at 10:30 EDT. He’ll be opposed by RHP Eddie Bonine (0-0, 3.00).

AA: Portland (15-14, 2nd EAS Northern, 1 GB) defeated Trenton (EE) 5-3 Monday, in the opener of a 3-game series against the Thunder. RHP Chad Rhoades (W, 2-0) earned the victory after tossing 2 scoreless innings in relief of LHP Felix Doubront. LHP Dustin Richardson (H, 1) allowed a run on 3 hits in 2 innings of work, while RHP Bryce Cox (S, 2) pitched a scoreless 9th for the save. The Sea Dogs were outhit 7-6 but took advantage of 2 BB’s and 2 HBP’s to plate 2 runs in the 6th, which provided the ultimate margin of victory. C Juan Apodaca had 2 hits (single, double) and scored twice to lead the Portland offense. SS Argenis Diaz went 1-4 with a BB, an RBI, and a run scored.

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OF Aaron Bates was named Eastern League Player-of-the-Week for the week ending May 10. Bates batted .520 (13-25) with 4 doubles, a HR, 10 RBI, 7 runs scored, 2 BB’s, and a .800 SLG PCT.

Portland (16-14, 2nd EAS Northern, 1 GB) defeated Trenton (EE) 6-1 Tuesday, the Sea Dog’s 3rd consecutive victory and 2nd in a row over the Thunder. RHP Junichi Tazawa (W, 4-2) hurled 6 innings and was charged with just an unearned run on 3 hits and a BB with 7 K’s. RHP’s Blake Maxwell, Chad Province, and TJ Large each then contributed a scoreless inning apiece. RF Reid Engel led the Sea Dogs with 3 hits, including a solo HR in the 2nd. DH Jon Still cleared the bases with a 3rd-inning triple, while 3B Jorge Jimenez went 2-4 with a BB, and RBI and a run scored.

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The Sea Dogs will try to sweep the Thunder when the two clubs meet in the series’ finale tonight at 7:05 EDT. RHP Ryne Lawson (0-0, 3.00) faces RHP Ryan Pope (1-2, 5.47).

A+: Salem (17-15, T1st CAR Southern, 1.5 G) bopped Potomac (Nationals) 7-1 Tuesday as RF Ryan Kalish stroked 3 hits, including his 5th HR of the year. Kalish finished 3-5 with 2 runs scored to lead the Sox’ 10-hit attack. LF Jason Place and 1B Michael Jones each drove in a pair of runs, while C Luis Exposito went 1-3 with a BB. RHP Eammon Portice (W, 2-3) allowed a run on 3 hits and 3 BB’s while striking out 7 in 6 IP. RHP Ryne Miller and LHP Jose Alvarez combined to blank the Nats over the final 3 innings.

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RHP Kyle Weiland (1-2, 8.57) gets the start in game 2 of the series this morning at 11:00 EDT while the Nats counter with RHP Jeff Mandel (3-1, 2.43).

A: Greenville (17-14, 2nd SAL Southern, 1 GB) lost to Augusta (Giants) 9-5 Monday. RHP Brock Huntzinger (L, 2-1) had a tough outing, giving up 6 runs on 7 hits and 3 BB’s while striking out 6 over 5-and-a-third IP. The Drive were outhit 12-8, with CF Pete Hissey (single, double, R) and RF Mitch Dening (single, double, BB) leading the way. DH Kade Keowen homered, his 2nd round-tripper of the season.

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Greenville (18-14, T1st SAL Southern, .5 G) snapped a 2-game losing streak with a 7-2 Tuesday victory over Augusta (Giants). LF Kade Keowen hit his 2nd homer in as many games, his 3rd of the year, while driving in a pair, while SS Oscar Tejeda (1-3, BB) and 3B Will Middlebrooks (single, SF) also drove in 2 runs each. CF Mitch Dening went 2-4 as the Drive, who scored their 7 runs on just 7 hits, were aided by 4 GreenJacket errors. LHP Fabian Williamson (W, 3-1) earned the win in relief of RHP Hunter Strickland. Williamson relieved Strickland with 1 out in the 5th and allowed a run on 2 hits and 2 BB’s while striking out 5 in 2.2 IP. LHP Mitch Herold (S, 1) tossed 2 scoreless innings to preserve the win.

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Game 3 of the series is this afternoon at 4:00 EDT when RHP Bryan Price (2-1, 1.89) goes up against RHP Mike Loree (1-3, 3.90)

A very, very old gamer magazine ad had copy that read:

Kirk: Spock, I thought you were dead?

Spock: I rebooted.

That’s the prism I choose when looking at J.J. Abrams’ outstanding new Trek picture. to

Well into its fifth decade, Star Trek had lost most of its momentum. The films of the eighties reduced to an every other one’s a good one recollection and the television series feeling flatter due to the grinding weight of its final two entrants. With enough baggage to overly burden the Queen Mary, J.J Abrams and his writers radically redefined the Star Trek popular culture franchise using a time travel story which was as one of the character’s remarks “cheating.” But when you pull off something brilliant, sometimes you have to rig the test.

The good is too numerous to mention. The cast: stellar. The effects: magnificent. The progression is swift and only bogs down once. The requirements of expository dump never fail to bring drama to an unfortunate pause. Most of all, in spite of the documented lapses of science (in science fiction?! I’m shocked, shocked) the story never fails to entertain.

Dwelling on the hinge of destiny, Star Trek explores how fated we are to our callings. Some are destined to be the captain of a starship. If Abrams and company are suggesting such a theme, could that over arcing message potentially portend future directions in either of Abrams popular television shows, LOST and Fringe, shows that dabble with the idea of destiny in rather explicit terms.

The trailer for Fringe’s finale is pregnant with destiny’s rumblings. Walter, with the mysterious Observer, searching for something he feels fated to find. Olivia meeting with William Bell, who adds “I’ve been waiting for this.” In both instances, the characters are moving in directions both of their choosing, while propelled by fate. In the center, Peter will wrestle with the path he will tread. I am super eager for tonight’s episode.

Meanwhile, on the island, fate and destiny have been thrust to the forefront with parallel storylines. Locke, destined to be someone special, or so he thinks, is asserting his position of leadership. While thirty years earlier his fellow castaways are hurtling towards the mysterious incident in the series’ penultimate season finale, airing on Wednesday. LOST’s grappling with destiny seems far more obvious than Fringe’s given the repetition of the theme by so many of its characters in its five year run.

Three stories, one central force. All dabbling with the idea of destiny. Sounds like a reason to add a gratuitous Echo & the Bunnymen video.

Fate, up against your will, baby.

Saturday and Sunday recaps reprinted courtesy Gary Williams

AAA: Pawtucket (17-11, 2nd INT North, 5.5 GB) had their 7-game winning streak broken after losing to Columbus (Indians) 7-2 Saturday. LHP Kris Johnson (L, 2-3) started and went 5+ innings, allowing 6 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits and 2 BB’s with 2 K’s. Former ML RHP Kirk Saarloos (W, 2-4) tossed 7 nifty innings, allowing 1 run on just 2 hits before handing a 7-1 lead over to his bullpen. The game was knotted at 1-1 when the Clippers scored 6 runs in the last of the 6th off Johnson and RHP Marcus McBeth. DH Paul McAnulty had 2 of the PawSox 3 hits in the game, a double and a solo HR. LF Chip Ambres singled for their only other hit.

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Pawtucket (17-12, 2nd INT North, 2.5 GB) dropped their second straight to Columbus (Indians), 4-1 Sunday. LHP Zach Jackson (W, 1-2) combined with 2 relievers to 3-hit the PawSox. Former Sox farmhand LHP Rich Rundles (S, 1) preserved the win with 2 scoreless innings. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka tossed 4 scoreless innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 BB’s with no K’s. He threw 58 pitches – 37 for strikes. The only PawSox run came on a solo HR by CF Jonathan Van Every in the 1st.

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The Red Sox purchased the contract of RHP Daniel Bard [Ed-Congrats on making the show to my fellow Tar Heel alum!], who will be added to the Sox’ active roster to replace LHP Javier Lopez who was DFA.

AA: Portland (14-14, T2nd EAS Northern, 2.5 GB) held on to beat New Britain (Twins) 8-7 Saturday. The Sea Dogs scored 7 runs over the final 3 innings to erase a 3-1 deficit and took an 8-3 lead heading to the 9th. The Rock Cats then clawed back against RHP Bryce Cox scoring 4 times before Cox struck out SS Steve Tolleson with the potential tying run on 2nd to end the contest. RHP Richie Lentz (W, 1-0) picked up the win in relief with 2 scoreless innings. RHP Jarrod Plummer started and worked the first 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits with 5 (!) BB’s and 4 K’s. The Sea Dogs banged out 12 hits in the game, led by DH Aaron Bates (2 singles, double, BB, 2 R) and RF Reid Engel (single, 2 doubles, R, 3 RBI). SS Argenis Diaz singled twice and scored 2 runs, while 2B Ryan Khoury went 1-3 with 2 BB’s and 2 runs.

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A+: Salem (15-15, T2nd CAR Southern, 2 GB) lost twice to Lynchburg (Pirates) Saturday after dropping the completion of Friday’s suspended game 12-5, then losing the regularly-scheduled game 10-2.

Game 1: Friday’s game was halted by rain in the 4th inning with Lynchburg on top 8-5. The clubs picked up the game yesterday afternoon with the Hillcats extending their lead while holding the Sox to just 1 hit over the final 5 innings. LHP Jose Capellan (L, 2-1) was torched for 8 runs on 6 hits (including 2 HR’s) while walking 4 and striking out 2 over just 2-and-a-third IP. LF Jason Place had 3 of the Sox’ 7 hits in the game.

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Game 2: The Hillcats pounded Salem pitching again as they strafed RHP’s Seth Garrison (L, 2-2) and Ryne Miller for 10 runs over 6 innings – though 2 Sox errors didn’t help either. The Sox had 8 hits in the game, including a solo HR by C Ty Weeden. SS Kris Negron and 2B Luis Segovia had 2 hits apiece.

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Salem (16-15, 2nd CAR Southern, 1 GB) snapped a 5-game losing streak with a 7-4 win over Lynchburg (Pirates) Sunday. The Sox trailed 4-3 in the last of the 7th when they scored twice to take a 5-4 lead. They added some insurance in the 8th on 2B Jonathan Hee’s 2-run double. LHP Kyle Fernandes (W, 1-0) hurled 3 scoreless innings in relief to record the victory. RHP Dave McKae started and gave up 4 runs on 6 hits and a BB with 4 K’s in 6 IP. The Sox banged out 15 hits in the game, including 3 each by Hee and CF Ryan Kalish. DH Michael Jones doubled twice, while LF Chih-Hsien Chiang went 2-4. Hillcat 3B Pedro Alvarez earned the Golden Sombrero with 4 K’s in 4 AB’s. Alvarez went 3-11 in the series with a homer and 4 RBI and is batting .214/.328/.417 through 102 AB’s on the season.

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The Red Sox had the day off yesterday before traveling to Potomac (Nationals) for the start of a 3-game series against the Nats this morning.

A: Greenville (17-13, T1st SAL Southern, .5 G) lost to Savannah (Mets) 6-2 Saturday to split the 4-game series with the Sand Gnats. RHP Caleb Clay (L, 2-2) surrendered 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 BB’s while striking out 1 in 5+ IP. The Drive managed 8 hits in the game – 7 singles and a double – with 1B Anthony Rizzo and SS Oscar Tejeda driving in the only Drive runs in the game.

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It’s Hypocritic oath day here in the land of Ennui and poppies. And Megan McArdle puts one in the wheelhouse. I am morally obliged to comment. First Ms. McArdle:

Here’s what I don’t understand though: how come the Obama girls benefit from leaving the DC public school system? Surely, if it doesn’t make any difference, the Obama girls would do just as well in ordinary, democratic, thoroughly American public schools as in an elitist Quaker institution. Wouldn’t it bring wonderful diversity to both the school, and the Obama daughters, to have the children of the president rubbing shoulders with the children of the district’s more ordinary residents? What is it about the Obama girls that enables them, nearly uniquely, to benefit from school choice?

The answer may lie somewhere within this piece.

It boils down to the sentiment expressed at the 20 second mark. And reiterated at the 40 second mark.

The President need not worry about consistency or even propriety. He won. The rest of us can grab ourselves a big ole plate of shut up.

In all seriousness, this hypocrisy that Ms. McArdle points out is the fundamental building block of Washington. Teacher’s Unions could care less about where the President’s daughters are educated, as long as his stance on vouchers is okay with them. And despite his acknowledgment that the District’s public schools will hinder his daughters’ educations, the educations of other children, children of people who likely voted for Obama, will not be elevated. The supporters who write checks are more valuable than the supporters who vote you see, and for them the hypocrisy is fine. Foolish consistencies are hobgoblins after all and this, this is merely politics, as usual, still alive and kicking, even after the first 100 days of hope and change.

News that the hand-wringing, chattering classes had been briefed about the latest indignation that prompts the hand-wringing and chattering before it happened illustrates the serious lack of transparency in our government. So take a moment and think about whatever your favorite neighborhood politician has promised, whether its universal health care, legalized pot or that the border will be defended. Now remember these people will say anything to get re-elected.

What’s worse is their opponents who are promising to keep government out of health care, keep pot illegal and make sure the border stays opened just want to get elected, not necessarily implement what they are telling you they think is so crucial to America.

They know what you want to hear.

They whisper a honeyed spell into your ear and lead you to the ballot box.

And then they do whatever they want to do.

Even this latest kerfuffle is just an excuse to bludgeon the Democrats for the benefit of the Republicans. Only in reasserting the constitutional authority mandating limited federal power will the positions in Congress cease to be the plums that all the worst elements of society crave. Only the vigilance of the electorate can keep out careerist hacks hell bent on enriching themselves.

Yes, Senator Dodd, I’m talking about you.

Daily recaps reprinted Courtesy Gary Williams. We’ve got a week’s worth of recaps. First up, however, sad news for Red Sox fans. The Little Professor, Dom Dimaggio, has passed away. DiMaggio is was the youngest of the three DiMaggio brothers to play in the Major Leagues. He was 92 years old.

Onto the recaps

AAA: Pawtucket (10-10, 3rd INT North, 6.5 GB) dropped their 4th in a row after being shutout by Gwinnett (Braves) 2-0 on May 1st. RHP Michael Bowden (L, 1-1) and two relievers only allowed 3 hits, but the PawSox managed only 5 themselves off Braves’ pitching. Bowden pitched 6+ innings and was relieved by RHP Marcus McBeth after the first 2 batters reached in the 7th. McBeth then gave up a single and a 2-run double that provided the margin of victory. SS Gil Velazquez‘ double was the only XBH among the 5 PawSox hits.

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Pawtucket (11-10, 2nd INT North, 6.5 GB) snapped a 4-game losing streak Saturday with an 8-5 win over Gwinnett (Braves). With 2 away in the bottom of the third, the PawSox took advantage of an error by SS Diory Hernandez to score 7 unearned runs of RHP Jerome Gamble (L, 0-3). The key blow was C Carlos Maldonado’s 3-run HR to left. Pawtucket then held on for the win as Gwinnett pounded PawSox pitching for 15 hits, including 4 by Hernandez. RF Chris Carter had 2 hits, including a HR, and drove in 2 runs, while SS Gil Velazquez went 1-3 with a BB and also drove in a pair. DH Mark Kotsay went 1-5 with an RBI and a K. RHP Enrique Gonzalez (W, 3-1) got the win despite allowing 4 runs on 11 hits and 2 BB’s with 4 K’s. RHP Daniel Bard (S, 4) allowed 2 hits in an otherwise scoreless IP.

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3B Ivan Ochoa was been placed on the DL on 4/29 with an undisclosed injury and INF Iggy Suarez was added to the PawSox roster from Portland to replace him.

Pawtucket (12-10, 3rd INT North, 6.5 GB) blanked Gwinnett (Braves) 1-0 behind a combined 5-hitter from RHP Clay Buchholz (W, 1-0) and 3 relievers. Buchholz pitched 5.1 innings and allowed 2 hits and 2 BB’s while striking out 6. He threw 93 pitches – 58 for strikes – and had 1 WP. RHP Jose Vaquedano (H, 1), LHP Billy Traber (H, 3), and RHP Marcus McBeth (S, 2) then limited the Braves to 3 hits over the final 3.2 IP. The PawSox themselves were held to just 3 hits by the Braves and the only run of the game was scored in the 4th when RF Sean Danielson singled, moved to 3rd on a pair of WP’s, and then scored on an INF single by LF Chip Ambres.

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Pawtucket (13-10, 3rd INT North, 6.5 GB) won their 3rd straight after edging Toledo (Tigers) 2-1. LHP Kris Johnson (W, 2-2) wasn’t razor-sharp but did manage to go 5.2 innings and gave up a run on solo HR to DH Ryan Roberson among the 4 hits he allowed while walking 2 and striking out 3. RHP Rocky Cherry (H, 1), LHP Chris George (H, 2), and RHP Daniel Bard (S, 5) combined to hold the Mud Hens scoreless over the final 3.1 innings. DH Rocco Baldelli went 0-3 in his first rehab appearance, but drive in the first PawSox run with a SF in the 3rd. C Dusty Brown doubled to lead off the 4th and later scored on an single by SS Gil Velazquez. LF Chip Ambres went 2-4, including a double, to lead the club.

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In addition to adding Baldelli to their roster, the PawSox placed INF/DH Jeff Natale on the DL with an oblique strain and activated C/DH Sandy Madera.

Pawtucket (14-10, 3rd INT North, 5.5 GB) blanked Toledo (Tigers) 4-0 as Daisuke Matsuzaka made his first AAA rehab appearance. Matsuzaka started and went 2.2 innings scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 BB’s while striking out 5. He threw 47 pitches – 29 for strikes before handing the game over to RHP’s Charlie Zink (W, 1-3) and Fernando Cabrera (S, 3) who combined to complete the shutout with 6.1 innings of scoreless relief. LF Chris Carter had 3 of the PawSox’ 6 hits in the game, including a double and an RBI. SS Iggy Suarez walked and doubled to drive in a run, while DH Rocco Baldelli went 0-4 with 3 K’s but did score a run.

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Pawtucket (15-10, 2nd INT North, 5 GB) nipped Toledo (Tigers) 2-1 in a classic pitchers’ duel between RHP’s Michael Bowden and Dontrelle Willis (L, 0-1), for their 5th consecutive win. Bowden stated for the PawSox and went 6.2 innings, allowing only an unearned run on a hit and 4 BB’s with 2 K’s. RHP’s Marcus McBeth (W, 2-0) and Daniel Bard (S, 6) closed out the victory with 2.1 scoreless innings, with Bard striking out 4 in an inning-and-a-third. Willis, making his second start for the Mud Hens while recovering from an anxiety disorder, went 7.2 innings and gave up 2 runs on 5 hits and 4 BB’s while striking out 4. 3B Angel Chavez cracked a 2-out solo HR in the last of the 7th to break a 2-all tie. LF Chip Ambres doubled twice and scored on C Dusty Brown’s basehit in the 6th.

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Pawtucket (16-10, 2nd INT North, 5.5 GB) won their 6th in a row after trouncing Toledo (Tigers) 8-1. RHP Enrique Gonzalez (W, 4-1) pitched 6.2 solid innings, allowing a run on 9 hits with 7 K’s. 2B Travis Denker went 3-3 with a pair of runs scored to lead the PawSox’ 13-hit attack. 1B Paul McAnulty (2 singles, 2 RBI), LF Jeff Corsaletti (2 singles, 2 runs), and SS Iggy Suarez (2 singles, BB, RBI, R) chipped in with 2 hits apiece. 3B Angel Chavez clubbed a 2-run HR in the 3rd, while CF Sean Danielson went 1-4 with a BB and 2 RBI.

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After sweeping the Mud Hens in 4 straight, the PawSox travel to Columbus (Indians) for the start of a 3-game weekend series against the Clippers tonight at 7:05 EDT. RHP Clay Buchholz (1-0, 1.80) will be opposed by former Sox’ RHP Tomo Ohka (2-1, 3.03), who last pitched in the Majors for the Blue Jays in ‘07.

AA: Portland (10-10, 3rd EAS Northern, 1.5 GB) defeated Connecticut (Giants) 7-3 on Friday after the Sea Dogs scored 6 times in the 2nd inning. CF Bubba Bell’s 2-run HR to center capped the rally as Portland also took advantage of 2 Defender miscues. The Sea Dogs banged out 10 hits in the game, with DH Jon Still (single, double, RBI, R) and RF Reid Engel (single, double, RBI, R) leading the way with 2 apiece. C John Otness went 1-3 with a BB and 2 runs scored. RHP Junichi Tazawa (W, 2-2) allowed a run on 2 hits and 2 BB’s while striking out 6 over 5 IP.

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Portland (10-11, T4th EAS Northern, 2.5 GB) lost to Connecticut (Giants) 5-2 on Saturday. RHP Blake Maxwell (L, 0-1) surrendered 4 runs on 8 hits over 5.1 IP while striking out 2 and LHP Dustin Richardson gave up a run on a hit and 2 BB’s in an inning of work. The Sea Dogs collected 8 hits – all singles – in the game, including 2 each by LF Aaron Bates and CF Matt Sheely. Sheely also walked and scored a run. DH Jon Still went 0-1 with 3 BB’s.

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OF Josh Reddick was placed on the DL retroactive to 4/30 due to a strained oblique muscle. OF Matt Sheely was added to the roster from Salem to replace him.

Portland (11-11, 3rd EAS Northern, 2.5 GB) defeated Connecticut (Giants) 3-1 to take 2-out-of-3 from the Defenders in the weekend series. DH Jon Still’s 2-run HR in the 4th was the difference and 2B Ryan Khoury singled home CF Bubba Bell in the 8th with an insurance run to back up an impressive pitching performance by RHP Adam Mills (W, 1-1). Mills went 7 innings and gave up just 1 run on 6 hits with no BB’s and 5 K’s. RHP TJ Large (S, 1) came in with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 out in the 9th and struck out 2B Brock Bond swinging to end the contest.

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Portland (12-11, 2nd EAS Northern, 2.5 GB) came from behind to defeat Binghamton (Mets) 11-6, the Sea Dogs 5th win in their last 7 games. Portland trailed 5-3 heading to the 8th but HR’s from LF Aaron Bates and RF Reid Engel ignited a 5-run rally to take an 8-5 lead. After the Mets made it 8-6 with a run in the last of the 8th, the Sea Dogs added another 3 runs in the 9th on RBI singles by DH Zach Borowiack, SS Argenis Diaz, and C Juan Apodaca. Diaz had a big game, collecting 4 hits and knocking in 4 runs while scoring 1 himself, and Apodaca chipped in with 3 hits as the Sea Dogs banged out 15 hits in the contest. RHP Chad Rhoades (W, 1-0) picked up the win in relief of RHP Jarrod Plummer, who went the first 4 innings, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits and a BB with 5 K’s.

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Portland (12-12, 3rd EAS Northern, 3 GB) lost to Binghamton (Mets) 4-1 as RHP Ryan Coultas (W, 2-1) teamed with RHP Julio De La Cruz (S, 1) to limit the Sea Dogs to a run on 5 hits. LHP Felix Doubront (L, 2-2) didn’t pitch badly himself, allowing only an unearned run on 6 hits and 2 BB’s with 3 K’s over 5 IP. LHP Dustin Richardson surrendered 2 runs on a hit and 2 BB’s in an inning-and-two-thirds. CF Matt Sheely singled twice and doubled for 3 of Portland’s 5 hits, while SS Argenis Diaz went 1-3 with an RBI. Diaz has now hit safely in 6 straight and overall is batting .323/.364/.419 through 62 AB’s on the season.

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Portland (13-12, 2nd EAS Northern, 1.5 GB) edged Binghamton (Mets) 4-3. RHP Junichi Tazawa (W, 3-2) pitched 6 innings and allowed just 1 run on 6 hits and a BB with 3 K’s before turning it over to the Sea Dog bullpen. RHP TJ Large (S, 2) relieved RHP Bryce Cox (H, 2) with 2 away and runners on 1st and 2nd and a run in in the last of the 9th and induced PH Josh Thole to ground out to end the game. The Sea Dogs had 10 hits in the game, including 2 each by CF Bubba Bell (single, double, 2 runs), LF Aaron Bates (2 singles, 2 RBI), and C John Otness (2 singles). DH Jon Still and 1B Lars Anderson both doubled and walked while scoring a run each.

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Portland (13-13, 3rd EAS Northern, 2.5 GB) were defeated by Binghamton (Mets) 9-7 to split the 4-game series with the Mets. The Mets had built a 9-1 lead after 7 innings off RHP’s Blake Maxwell (L, 0-2) and Justin Hedrick. The Sea Dogs attempted to rally, scoring 6 times in the 8th, keyed by a pair of 2-run doubles by DH Jon Still and 3B Ryan Khoury. But on Khoury’s hit, 2B Zach Borowiack was thrown out at home trying to score all the way from 1st and that ended the rally. Portland then got 1-out back-to-back singles by 1B Lars Anderson and LF Aaron Bates to put the tying runs on base in the 9th. But Still flied out to right and C Juan Apodaca grounded into a forceout to end the game. Bates went 4-5 to lead the Sea Dogs’ 12-hit attack, while Khoury and Apodaca had 2 hits each.

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The Sea Dogs return home for a brief 3-game series against New Britain (Twins) beginning tonight at 7:00 EDT. RHP Adam Mills (1-1, 6.20) faces Providence, RI native RHP Jay Rainville (1-1, 2.74).

A+: Salem (11-11, T1st CAR Southern) dropped the opener of a 3-game series at Myrtle Beach (Braves) after being shutout 2-0 on Friday. Pelican’s pitching held the Sox to just 2 hits – a single by RF Ryan Kalish and a double from LF Chih-Hsien Chiang – and 4 BB’s. RHP Eammon Portice (L, 1-2) pitched well, allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits and a BB with 8 K’s over 6 IP.

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Salem (12-11, T1st CAR Southern, 1 G) crushed Myrtle Beach (Braves) 10-4 on Saturday as the Sox pounded Pelican pitching for 16 hits. LF Jason Place (2 singles, double) and C Luis Exposito (2 singles, double) had 3 hits apiece and 2B Jonathan Hee 2 hits, including his first HR of the season to lead the Sox. CF Che-Hsuan Lin went 2-3 with a double, 2 BB’s, and 3 runs scored, while 2B Luis Segovia had 2 hits and a SF to drive in a pair. RHP Kyle Weiland (W, 1-2) picked up the win after going 5 innings and allowing 2 runs on 3 hits with 2 K’s.

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C Will Vazquez was placed on the DL retroactive to 4/25 with an undisclosed injury. C Ty Weeden was added to Salem’s roster from XST to replace him. Weeden is returning to action after having missed most of last season with a hand injury.

Salem (13-11, T1st CAR Southern, 1.5 G) shutout Myrtle Beach (Braves) 2-0 as LHP Jose Capellan (W, 2-0) teamed up with 2 relievers to 3-hit the Pelicans. Capellan went 6 innings and permitted 3 hits and 2 BB’s while striking out 5. RHP Jason Rice (H, 2) and LHP Derrick Loop (S, 2) then combined to toss 3 hitless innings of relief, striking out 3. RF Ryan Kalish’s 1st inning solo HR turned out to be the GWH, and SS Kris Negron singled home 1B Zak Farkes in the 3rd for an insurance run. Negron finished the game with 3 hits to lead the Sox’ 7-hit offense. CF Che-Hsuan Lin went 2-3.

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Salem (14-11, 1st CAR Southern, 1 G) defeated Kinston (Indians) 10-9 in a wild game in which both clubs combined for 23 hits. The Red Sox scored 4 runs in the 1st and 5 more in the 3rd to hold a 9-6 lead after 3. RF Ryan Kalish’s 3-run HR in the 1st was the key hit in the 1st inning uprising while the club parlayed a BB, 3 hits, an errant pickoff, a WP, and a SAC to score their runs in the 3rd. Kalish’s 1-out single to center in the 6th scored SS Kris Negron with what proved to be the decisive run. Kalish, along with C Luis Exposito and 1B Jered Stanley led the club with 2 hits apiece. Kalish also walked and drove in 4 runs. RHP Seth Garrison (W, 2-1) was the beneficiary as he went 5 innings and was tagged with 6 runs (5 earned) on 7 hits and 3 BB’s while striking out 3. LHP Derrick Loop (S, 3) came into the game in the 9th with 2 runs in and the tying run on base and got DH Roman Pena looking at a called 3rd strike to end the game.

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Salem (15-11, 1st CAR Southern, 1.5 G) held on to defeat Kinston (Indians) 11-9 as their offense came alive to score in double figures for the third time in their last 4 games. The Sox put up a 7-spot in the 1st as they took advantage of LHP Ryan Miller’s wildness after he opened the game by walking the bases loaded. After plating 2 runs on a ground out and an single, Miller then forced home 2 more runs with BB’s to CF Che-Hsuan Lin and DH Jered Stanley before SS Kris Negron capped the rally with a 2-run single. The Sox then added single runs in the 3rd and 5th before the Indians staged a furious comeback to tie it at 9-all with a pair of runs in the top of 8th. The Sox survived, however, when 3B Jonathan Hee’s 2-out, 2-run double in the bottom of the inning scored 2B Luis Segovia and Negron with the decisive runs. LHP Kyle Fernandes (S, 1) then retired the side in order in the 9th to preserve the win. RHP Ryne Miller (BS, 1)(W, 5-1) picked up the win in relief despite allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and a BB in 1.1 IP. Negron and 1B Zak Farkes led the Sox with 2 hits apiece.

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Salem (15-13, T1st CAR Southern, .5 G) dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Kinston (Indians) as the Indians’ Matt McBride had 5 hits in the DH, including a dramatic 2-out, 2-run HR in the top of the 7th of game 2 to complete the sweep.

Game 1: The Indians blanked the Red Sox 7-0 in the opener as LHP’s Eric Berger (W, 3-1) and Matt Meyer teamed up to 2-hit the Sox. Berger allowed 2 hits and 2 BB’s over 6 IP, striking out 4. Meanwhile Sox RHP Eammon Portice (L, 1-3) was charged with 5 runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings of work, though he did strike out 7. Singles by 3B Jonathan Hee and C Ty Weeden were the only Salem hits in the game.

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Game 2: RF Ryan Kalish’s 2-run homer in the 6th had broken a 1-1 tie, giving the Sox a 3-2 lead heading into the Indians’ last AB in the 7th. But after LHP Kyle Fernandes retired the first 2 batters, he gave up a single to 3B Lonnie Chisenhall. At that point, manager Chad Epperson brought in LHP Derrick Loop (BS, 1)(L, 1-2) who promptly surrendered LF McBride’s blast. The Sox loaded the bases with nobody out in the last of the 7th, but RHP Dallas Cawiezel (S, 3) then retired 2B Jonathan Hee on a flyout to short center, Kalish on popout to Chisenhall, and struck out LF Jason Place looking to end the game. RHP Kyle Weiland started for the Sox and gave up 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 BB’s while striking out 4 over 4 IP. Place and 3B Zak Farkes had 2 hits apiece to lead the club.

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After splitting the 4-game series with Kinston, the Red Sox will host Lynchburg (Pirates) in the first of 3 games tonight at 7:05 EDT. LHP Jose Capellan (2-0, 3.75) goes up against LHP Justin Wilson (2-2, 5.32), ah gare-un-tee!

A: Greenville (12-10, T3rd SAL Southern, 2 GB) lost to Savannah (Mets) 2-1 on Friday to drop 3-of-4 to the Sand Gnats in the series. The Driver were outhit by Savannah 12-2 with the Gnats only 1-13 with RISP and leaving 12 men on base. RHP Stolmy Pimentel started and worked the first 5.2 innings, allowing no runs on 8 hits and 3 BB’s while striking out 2. RHP Hunter Strickland (L, 1-2) was charged with both Savannah runs on 4 hits and 2 BB’s in 3.1 IP. SS Ryan Dent went 2-2 with 2 BB’s and drove in the only Greenville run of the game in the 8th when he singled home LF David Mailman.

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Greenville (12-11, T4th SAL Southern, 2 GB) dropped their 4th in a row after being shutout by Charleston (EE) 2-0 on Saturday. RiverDog pitching held the drive to just 4 hits while striking out 15 in the game, with C Tim Federowicz collecting 2 with a single and a double. DH Michael Almanzar (0-4, 4 K’s) and 1B Anthony Rizzo (0-4, 3 K’s) had especially tough days at the plate. RHP Bryan Price (L, 2-1) took the loss though he pitched well. Price gave up 2 runs on 5 hits and a BB while striking out 5 in 5.1 IP.

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Greenville (13-11, T3rd SAL Southern, 2 GB) snapped a 4-game losing streak as the Drive bombed Charleston (EE) 9-0. RHP Casey Kelly (W, 4-0) remained perfect on the season after hurling 5.2 innings and allowing just 2 hits and a BB while striking out 4. LHP Fabian Williamson (S, 2), who Boston picked up from the Mariners’ organization in return for RHP David Aardsma over the winter, pitched 3.1 hitless innings to secure the save. The Drive battered RiverDog pitching for 13 hits, including 4 from 2B Ryan Dent (single, 3 doubles). LF David Mailman doubled twice to drive in 2 runs and 3B Michael Almanzar singled twice and scored a run. RF Pete Hissey went 1-3 with a BB and 2 runs scored.

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Greenville (14-11, T2nd SAL Southern, 2 GB) beat Charleston (EE) 4-2 on Jacqueline Standley Bobblehead Night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. RHP’s Caleb Clay (W, 1-1) and Yeiper Castillo (S, 1) combined to hold the RiverDogs to 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 BB’s while striking out 7. The Drive collected 9 hits in the game and were led by RF Pete Hissey, who went 2-3 with a double, RBI, and a run scored. C Rod Lavarnaway walked and doubled home 2 runs, while LF David Mailman tripled and scored.

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Greenville (15-11, 2nd SAL Southern, 2 GB) bopped Charleston (EE) 9-2, taking 3-of-4 from the RiverDogs in the series. The Drive banged out 13 hits in the game and were led by 2B Zach Gentile who went 3-3 with 3 RBI’s and a run scored. 1B Anthony Rizzo, LF David Mailman, and CF Pete Hissey chipped in with 2 hits apiece, while SS Oscar Tejeda drove in a pair of runs with a double and a SF. RHP Brock Huntzinger (W, 2-0) allowed an unearned run on 4 hits and 3 BB’s while striking out 6 over 5.2 innings. LHP Lance McClain struck out 4 in 1.2 innings of work.

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Greenville (15-12, 3rd SAL Southern, 2 GB) lost a tough one to Savannah (Mets) 6-4 in 10 innings. The Drive held a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the 9th when RHP Hunter Strickland (BS, 2)(L, 1-3) retired the first 2 batters faced. He then struck out 1B Eric Campbell swinging, but the ball got away from C Rod Lavarnaway and Campbell reached 1st. A BB and 2 singles later, the Sand Gnats had tied the game at 4 apiece. Then in the last of the 10th, Strickland surrendered a single and a 1-out, walk-off 2 run HR to 3B Jefry Marte. The Drive were outhit by Savannah, 15-8, with LF David Mailman and 2B Zach Gentile leading the way with 2 hits each. RHP Stolmy Pimentel started and went the first 5 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 9 hits and a BB with 5 K’s.

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Greenville (16-12, 2nd SAL Southern, 1 GB) bounced back from Wednesday’s loss to edge Savannah (Mets) 6-5 in 12 innings. The Sand Gnats tied the game with 3 runs off LHP Lance McClain (BS, 2) in the bottom of the 9th, to spoil a wonderful pitching performance by RHP Bryan Price. But SS Oscar Tejeda doubled with 2 away in the top of the 12th and then scored on PH Zach Gentile’s single to left to break the tie. RHP Felix Ventura then retired Savannah in the bottom of the 12th to preserve the victory. Price had started and went the first 6 innings, allowing only an unearned run on just 2 hits, no BB’s, and 8 K’s. Ventura hurled the final 3.1 innings, blanking the Sand Gnats on 2 hits and 2 BB’s with 2 K’s. The Drive banged out 14 hits in the game, led by DH Michael Almanzar’s 3 hits. 1B Anthony Rizzo, C Tim Federowicz (single, solo HR), and LF David Mailman had 2 hits apiece. Tejeda went 1-4 with 2 BB’s.

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The series continues tonight at 6:30 EDT when RHP Casey Kelly (4-0, 0.70) takes the mound for the Drive. He’ll be opposed by RHP Jeurys Familia (2-2, 1.14).

Brian Wilmer posed the question on Sports Matters last night: Do the revelations about Manny Ramirez change your consideration of his Hall of Fame credentials. So time to tackle it.

Manny’s guilt and flimsy excuse are immaterial, in my opinion, regarding his position as a Hall of Fame baseball player. Her mercurial path through Cleveland, Boston and finally leading him to Los Angeles has included two World Series rings, and a string of consecutive All-Star selections that spans the last eleven seasons. He’s been one of the dominant hitters of this era. Even neutralizing his stats (see Neutralized Batting) produces a career line that would warrant praise in any era.

Leaving out his 80 games in Los Angeles, his first experience in the National League, Manny’s first fifteen and a half seasons of MLB experience yielded the otherworldly batting line of .312/.409/.590 with an OPS just under 1.000. Far beyond the classic slugger with the .300/.400/.500 batting line, Manny’s skill with the bat is the stuff of legend. His consistency is also measured in the similarity between his eight years in Cleveland and his almost eight years in Boston.

Team	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
CLE	.313	.407	.592	.998
BOS	.312	.411	.588	.999

Over 2050 games, such consistently exceptional offensive production indicates Manny Ramirez’ true ability level. And while it is easy to regard his positive test as an explanation for his offensive surge in LA, the inferiority of National League pitching is well documented. Maybe it’s the juice. Maybe it’s not. There’s no crystal clear way to show any measurable benefit because too many other variables are present.

This statistical look should not be inferred as condoning his action. His guilt tarnishes his reputation as a hitter. On top of his frequently frustrating behavior in Cleveland and Boston, which became intolerable outbursts before he was dealt to LA, this positive test likely removes the final Manny apologists among us. However, his talent and ability as demonstrated through his presumptively clean years in Cleveland and his likely clean years in Boston indicate a player worthy of Coopserstown, as did Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Roger Clemens prior to their presumptive dalliances with performance enhancing drugs. If the allegations about Alex Rodriguez using steroids in High School have truth to them, I will revisit my opinion of him.

The entire era of turn of the 21st century baseball is suspect. Too many high profile stars have been implicating in a steady drip of positive tests. Ken Caminiti, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Miguel Tejada, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, and now Manny Ramirez have basked in the unflattering light of accusation. Their choices have served to diminish the game, as have the choices of the owners, agents, union and management who have turned a blind eye and lent tacit approval to the continued violation of the rules of the game. Further, the mainstream media shoulders a fair share of the blame for failing to investigate and report this story early. Their obtuse hypocrisy after the fact has rendered their opinion on this subject to be worthless.

But let’s take it a step further. Is any testing regimen effective? Of course not. Testing only catches users after the fact. Further, baseball’s drug screening mechanism is flawed as it encourages secrecy over transparency. A better mechanism for keeping the game on the level, in my opinion is to make the drugs legal, subject to stringent disclosure. You want to use steroids, you have to submit documentation regarding what you used, how often you used it, and what motivated you to use it. Anyone claiming the players’ right to privacy is being violated remember if you aren’t using you can keep your beloved privacy.

A testing regimen encourages players to find work arounds, whereas sunlight remains the best disinfectant. Increasing MLB’s transparency removes steroids as an issue. Of course Congress will complain, but really, given how few Americans like Congress, they are a fantastic enemy to have.

Cause Manny’s got the juice.