JORGE POSADA: STILL HAS GAME!

We've all heard the scouts where Sin City C Jorge Posada is concerned. The much-traveled backstop, we are told, "can't stop the running game" and "inspires no confidence in his pitchers."

Scouts also agree, however, that the switch-hitter is still a potent run producer at his position, and he demonstrated that in spades on Game Day 5, swatting three solo home runs in this first three at-bats, two against losing pitcher Cliff Lee, to hand the Philadelphia Rebels their third loss of the season, dropping Ronald Melkonian's collection of superstars below .500!

Lee also gave up hits to Brandon Philips in each of the Cowboys 2B's first three at-bats, and Philips would finish 5-for-5 on the day, collecting singles from J.J. Putz and Matt Belisle. Along the way, the Cowboys seemingly ran at will on Rebels C Miguel Montero, with Philips swiping a pair along with Alex Rios and surprising leadoff man Gaby Sanchez. All of this offense led to an early exit for Lee (0-1, 10.13) and lots of support for Josh Beckett (1-0, 4.50), who allowed three runs in the first before settling down to get the win. New Cowboys closer Francisco Rodriguez retired the final four hitters to nail down a 6-4 victory and, of course, his second save of the year.

(By the way, the picture shows Jorge and his spouse in a photo op for his charitable foundation. Jorge has a good foundation, by all accounts, and if this photo is any judge, so does his wife. )

In other BARB action:

FROSTBITE FALLS 3, POTTSYLVANIA 0

WP: Cole Hamels (1-1, 1.76)
LP: Joe Blanton (0-1, 2.25)

Repeat after me. Creepers shut out. Rinse and repeat.

OK, that may be a little unfair, but this is the fourth time in their first five games (all of them losses) that the 2009 division champs have been whitewashed. The problem for Pottsylvania is that virtually every regular in their lineup this year declined last year, and it will be some time before the expected resurgence of some of their hitters will affect their BARB performance. It's a tough situation that can't be solved with a few trades, and one that requires patience.

Anyway, Joe Blanton only allowed two earned in eight frames, a quality outing, but Hamels only allowed one hit, a two-out single in the third to new Creepers C John Jaso. Hamels would be allowed to finish the game, fanning ten Creepers, including three straight by LF Brad Hawpe. After five games, Hawpe is arguably the league's most consistent batter, with a .000 average in 14 plate appearances (owch).

BROOKLYN 10, ST. FRANCIS 4

WP: Yovanni Gallardo (1-0, 3.38)
LP: Bronson Arroyo (1-1, 6.39)

Troy Tulowitzki hit a two-run HR in the first, a sac fly in the fifth and a bases-loaded walk from reliever Joaquin Benoit in the eighth to lead the Moabs attack, and Yovanni Gallardo (3 ER) was allowed to work into the eighth courtesy of a four-run outburst against Benoit that put the game hopelessly out of reach, as the Moabs crushed the home team on the road in Kansas.

WORCESTER 3, LOS ANGELES 2

WP: Craig Kimbrel (1-0, 0.00)
LP: Edwin Jackson (0-1, 4.09) SV: Rivera (1)

Rookie Chris Johnson singled off Matt Lindstrom to bring home Billy Butler with the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, and the great Mariano Rivera put his most recent blown save out of his mind long enough to retire the side in the bottom of the frame, using nine pitches to get his first save of 2011 and push the Eliminators over .500 on the road in L.A.