Ethiers hit streak halfway to DiMaggio (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 02 May 2011 11:51:20 PM. © MLB News Blog

Andre Ethier of the Los Angeles Dodgers has extended his hitting streak to 28 games, putting him halfway toward the record 56-game streak Joe DiMaggio had in 1941. Ethier hit an RBI single in the hole that shortstop Starlin Castro couldn’t make a play on with two out in the fifth inning against Chicago Cubs [...]

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Life And Baseball Go On

post from The Crawfish Boxes on 02 May 2011 11:01:48 PM. © The Crawfish Boxes

Fans check their cell phones during a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets, Sunday, May 1, 2011, in Philadelphia. New York won 2-1 in 14 innings. News broke during the game that Osama bin Laden had been killed. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Usually, after the last notes of the Star Spangled Banner, fans become divided, cheering for their favorite team. But, during the ninth inning of the Mets/Phillies game, a stadium of fans became completely united again.

As the news of the death of Osama bin Laden spread in Citizens Bank Park, fans started chanting, "U-S-A! U-S-A!"

This was a spontaneous outburst of patriotism that transcended team loyalties. The gut reaction after news of this magnitude.

Astros third baseman Chris Johnson summed up the news on Twitter.

@CJAstros23: Bin Laden.... He gone!

Baseball has long been a part of American history, integrated into the country's ups and downs. During America's most challenging periods, people have wondered if we should continue to play ball. The answer has always been a resounding yes.

Early into World War II, baseball grappled with the question of whether or not to continue baseball play. Instead of stopping play all together, leagues decided to continue play, contributing proceeds to the Red Cross or to the war effort.

As WWII progressed, an increasing number of men enlisted or were drafted into the military, and there were not enough players to fill the rosters of the game's minor league teams. The trend threatened the prosperity of the major leagues, and it was feared that the baseball would also lose prominence in American culture. That, of course, didn't happen. As with so many other industries, women filled the void in the American homefront, playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

In 1980, 52 Americans were released after a year of captivity in Iran. Professional baseball gifted lifetime passes to each of the former hostages. It was a way for some to reconnect with their families and with their country.

After the attacks of September 11, 2001, many wondered if it when it would be proper to continue play. The league decided to continue play the weekend immediately following 9/11. At the Cardinals game, Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck recited a patriotic poem about continuing with life during the difficult times. It seemed right that we acknowledge the pain and continue to play on.

Along with our collective crises, we have our own hurts--whether that be illness, unemployment, or loss of a loved one. As with an injured player, we move through the pain. And baseball is there for us. For some, a baseball game is a time to forget their worries for awhile. For others, it offers catharsis.

Life continues, as does baseball.

And that's why baseball is also a part of our happiest moments. Once you're a fan of the game, it's entrenched into your memories.

We remember the thrill of an amazing play and the joy of a team win. We remember good times with family and friends at the ballpark. We remember our child's first baseball game. Baseball is a part of our past.

It seems all together appropriate that baseball be a part of these current events. For those in attendance, the Mets/Phillies game on the evening of May 1, 2011 will be something they will always remember.

Whether in good times or bad, the game has been a part of our past. And it will be a part of our future too.

Life isn't all about baseball, but baseball sure makes life better.

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Braves Defeat Brewers 6-2 Behind Big Nights From
Jair Jurrjens and Alex Gonzalez

post from Talking Chop on 02 May 2011 11:01:48 PM. © Talking Chop

Alex Gonzalez was the offensive hero in Monday night's game.

Jair Jurrjens was great once again tonight. He pitched into the 8th inning for his second straight start and allowed just two runs to a potent Brewers lineup. He allowed seven hits and struck out four. He was opposed by Yovani Gallardo and despite striking out seven Braves batters, Gallardo lasted just five innings.

David Ross scored the first run of the game on a solo home run in the third inning. In 23 at-bats, Ross now has three home runs and eight RBIs. The Brewers battled back in the fourth and took the lead on a 2-run triple from Yuniesky Betancourt. The ball was hit well to center field and Nate McLouth had a chance to make the catch, but he got a bad jump on the ball and missed the catch by inches.

Trailing 2-1 in the 6th inning, the Braves bats came alive. Chipper Jones walked to lead off the inning, Dan Uggla singled, and Freddie Freeman walked to load the bases. Gallardo threw Alex Gonzalez a hanging curveball and he ripped it down the left field line to score all three runners. With Gonzalez on second base, Nate McLouth followed with a bloop RBI-single to left field to make the score 6-2.

The Brewers attempted to mount a rally in the 8th inning. With runners on 1st and 2nd and only one out, Ryan Braun came to the plate. Braun hit the ball to third and Chipper Jones made an impressive play to gather the ball and throw the runner out at first. With left-handed slugger Prince Fielder making his way to the plate, Fredi Gonzalez removed Jurrjens and brought in Eric O'Flaherty to record the final out. He got Fielder to ground out weakly back to the mound, and the threat was erased.

Jurrjens received a standing ovation from the Turner Field crowd as he departed.

Craig Kimbrel came in to close out the game in the 9th inning and struck out two Brewers to clinch the Braves second straight win in the month of May.

The Braves played a complete game tonight and they flashed the leather on multiple occasions. Alex Gonzalez was a human highlight reel at shortstop and both Chipper Jones and Dan Uggla made difficult plays look easy.

MVP(s):

Jair Jurrjens - W, 7.2IP, 7H, 2R, 0BB, 4K

Alex Gonzalez - 2-for-4, 2B, 3RBI

LVP(s):

Yovani Gallardo - 5IP, 9H, 5R, 4BB, 7K

What's Next:

Tommy Hanson will attempt to overcome Ryan Braun and the rest of the Brewers lineup which have pounded him in the past. Marco Estrada will get the start for Milwaukee.

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http://www.talkingchop.com/2011/5/2/2150434/braves-defeat-brewers-6-2-behind-big-
nights-from-jair-jurrjens-and

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Red Sox hand Angels Weaver first loss (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 02 May 2011 10:54:17 PM. © MLB News Blog

Dustin Pedroia fouled off nine pitches in a 13-pitch at-bat against Jered Weaver before lining a go-ahead, two-run single that helped the Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-5 on Monday night. The loss was Weaver’s first of the season. Weaver (6-1) scratched Sunday due to a stomach virus, gave up three runs, [...]

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2011/05/03/red-sox-hand-angels-weaver-first-loss-ap/

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Yanks hand Tigers seventh straight loss (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 02 May 2011 10:52:17 PM. © MLB News Blog

Nick Swisher hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning off closer Jose Valverde and the New York Yankees beat Detroit 5-3 on Monday night, handing the Tigers their seventh straight defeat. The Tigers rallied from a 3-0 deficit, tying it in the seventh on Alex Avila’s second solo home run of the night, but [...]

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Braves 6, Brewers 2

post from Capitol Avenue Club on 02 May 2011 10:11:43 PM. © Capitol Avenue Club

Should have gotten a shutout. Not that I’m complaining about a 6-2 win, but the only two Brewers’ runs scored in the fourth inning on what should have been the inning’s third out. Ryan Braun singled to lead off the inning, stole second, and went to third on a 6-3 groundout. Then, with the infield [...]

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Riggleman's Awful Inning

post from Beyond the Box Score on 02 May 2011 10:04:04 PM. © Beyond the Box Score

Riggleman's Awful InningRecounting Jim Riggleman's heinously awful managing on Saturday in the Nationals' 2-1 loss to the Giants.[...]

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Open Thread 5/2: Braves vs. Brewers #2

Alex Gonzalez is a saint. Braves lead 5-2!

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http://www.talkingchop.com/2011/5/2/2150340/open-thread-5-2-braves-vs-brewers-2

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Another Fantastic Picture From The Andre Dawson
Signing!!!

Another Fantastic Picture From The Andre Dawson Signing!!! In case you missed it, I met up with my buddy Andre Dawson about 10 days ago. If you want to re-read that incredible story, you can do so by clicking here. … Continue reading →

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http://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2011/05/03/another-fantastic-picture-from-the-and
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Braves finally solve Brewers Gallardo (AP)

Alex Gonzalez hit a three-run double to give Atlanta the lead and the Braves finally solved Yovani Gallardo, beating the Milwaukee Brewers 6-2 on Monday night. David Ross hit a homer in the third inning before the Braves knocked Gallardo (2-2) out of the game in the sixth. Gonzalez cleared the bases with his double [...]

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2011/05/03/braves-finally-solve-brewers-gallardo-ap/

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