The Day in Review

I just finished watching the NBA Finals, and let me say it was a great series. Tonight's blowout and Game Four's historic comeback should do wonders arousing interest in the sport, just as the Detroit-Pittsburgh intensity helped hockey. I'm a baseball guy, but at least those sports are starting to make sense to me...

Injury News:

• Jose Reyes singled and was removed for a pinch runner due to a stiff hamstring. I don't know how severe it is, but as a Reyes owner I'm a bit concerned.
• In other shortstop news, Rafael Furcal is going to be out until at least the All Star Break. This isn't a break for Furcal owners who have seen his return date pushed back weekly.

Notable Performances:

• Andy Pettitte struck out nine over seven scoreless. Unless he does well, the Yankees will fall too far out of contention to make a legitimate push for another ace, so this was encouraging. Jason Giambi homered twice and could surprise everyone if this surge continues.
• Manny Parra looked solid as predicted, while Ryan Braun launched two. The Brewers are creeping up in the NL Central and have the fewest injury issues, so they could join the race.
• The White Sox put up 16 against the Pirates, and Javier Vazquez picked up the win despite a largely disappointing outing against what should have been a breeze. Offensively, Orlando Cabrera was the catalyst, going three for four with a homerun and three RBIs of his own.
• Mark Ellis had two homers and is an asset in deep leagues. It was part of a fifteen run affair by the A's against Brandon Webb. If Webb's injury concerns weren't real, this should have been a picturesque outing; however, his velocity is down and something isn't right. Hopefully it passes, though the interim could be ugly.

That's what you need to know about the day.