Box Score Tonight: April 17

The theme today will be home runs. Why you may ask? According to fangraphs, runs are up .3 per game, AB/HR is down by 4 and the average home run has traveled 9 feet further than last year. I an here Eckstein yelling sample size, but April is usually the hardest month to hit due to the weather, so one can only expect the run production to increase as the players are adjusting to playing without steroids.

• The Yankees hit 5 solo home runs, with the cluttchiest being Jeter's 8th inning go ahead homer. As noted by ESPN, Joba's swing and miss percentage has fallen from 35% in 2007 down to the mid 20's in 2008 and is so far at a dismal 16% this season. Maybe it's time for him to go back to the bullpen?
• Wild game at Wrigley. Zambrano gives up 7 in 7, along with 3 home runs. Didnt he used to be a sinker ball pitcher? Ludwick hit 2 homers, while soriano hit's the game winner in the 8th.
• Cody Ross ties the game with a 9th inning bomb and the fish win in extras. There is rumor Zimmerman is about to sign an extension worth close to Markakis' 6yr 66million contract. Only difference is that Zim isnt close to the player Markaksi is.
• Phils blow a 7-1 lead to the Padres as WS MVP Cole Hamels continues to struggle
• Pitching duel goes to Paul Maholm and the Pirates over the Braves.
• Somehow Aaron Hill and Marco Scutaro have 4 homers each while alexis rios and matt holliday have none.
  
• O's blow a 7 run lead despite Markakis grand slam
• Ryan Braun hit his first dinger, while Sheffield hit his 500th career blast. If not for the steroids, he would be a HOFer
• Bartolo Colon was pitching a gem, until Ben Zobrist hits a pinch hit grand slam. Surprisingly, Troy Percival is throwing gas, so i dont expect him to lose the closer job anytime soon.
• Meche shuts out the Rangers offense over 6IP. Royals explode for 19 hits led by 5 from Teahen with a homer.
  
• Valverde blows a 1-0 lead in the 9th on a Ramon Hernendez 2 run homer in the 9th. Why wasn't he bunting? Cause i'm sure the bunt is the appropriate move there.
• Angles surrender 7 run in the 8th to the Twins leading to a 11-9 win. Jason Kubel hits for the cycle. What up with all the cycles? Hudson -> Kinsler -> Kubel -> ?
• Verlander had 7K through 4IP and then exploded for 5 runs in the 5th. I've given up on him.
• Manram still no homers. Also hats off to Glenson Rusch for making it back to the bigs after a life threatening blood clot in his lungs.
  
• 1-0 pitching duel as Johnathan Sanchez is outlasting Dan Haren. Both of whom are on Ecksteins fantasy team