Curveballs for Jobu

Curveballs for Jobu is Off Base Percentage's daily trip around the ballparks.

Today's honorary bat boy: Andres Thomas




Twins 2, Braves 1. Francisco Liriano is officially back. The Twins' lefty dominated in his rookie season (2006), then had Tommy John surgery and missed the 2007 season. He struggled in '08 and really struggled a year ago-nearly 10 hits allowed per nine innings and a 1.55 WHIP-before returning to his '06 form through this season's first two months. He handcuffed the Braves over eight innings, fanning 11, and in his 12 starts, Liriano's had two hiccups, against Baltimore May 8 and Boston May 20, but the other 10 have been excellent.



Redsox 12, Phiilies 2. When Jamie Moyer broke into the big leagues, women weren't even allowed to brush their teeth, let alone vote. That's why tonight's outcome is so shocking. Moyer's one inning, nine-earned run performance was the worst start of his 59-year career. If you're a left-handed pitcher, you throw 75 miles per hour, you're starting at Fenway Park, and you don't have good stuff and can't locate anything, it's going to be a very short outing.

Royals 6, Reds 5 (11). Wilson Betemit drew a walk; Kyle Farnsworth threw two scoreless innings. I don't know what the hell is going on, but if Breyers Cookies & Cream ice cream isn't still delicious, then I know something is wrong.





Cardinals 5, Diamondbacks 2. I don't know how he did it, but Rodrigo Lopez got Albert Pujols to look silly in three at-bats (strike out looking, infield pop up and ground out). Unfortunately for Lopez, whose career has gone south since an excellent rookie year in 2002, Skip Schumaker and Brendan Ryan are just much better players than Pujols. Schumaker got the scoring started with an RBI-double in the second and Ryan's three-run home run in the seventh helped St. Louis pull away.

Giants 6, Athletics 2. This Tim Lincecum youngster is going to be just fine. The two-time defending Cy Young winner hadn't looked himself in his previous handful of starts, but tonight he pitched eight strong for the win. Buster Posey Watch: 1-for-4, RBI-triple. Season: .461 OBP, 21-for-49 (.428).