Lackey shouldn't have been tossed

My morsels for today:

MLB: A strange thing happened Saturday night in Arlington, Texas. Two pitches into his first start of the season, Los Angeles Angels pitcher John Lackey was given the boot by home plate umpire Bob Davidson. Lackey missed the first six weeks of the season because of inflammation in his right elbow. When he finally took to the mound against the Texas Rangers, his first pitch flew behind leadoff batter Ian Kinsler’s head. Lackey’s second pitch plunked Kinsler in the ribs. Davidson, knowing that Kinsler had hit two homers the previous night against the Angels, tossed Lackey without giving him a warning. Crew chief Tim Tschida agreed with Davidson’s decision, saying the second pitch was the clincher. Lackey and Angels manager Mike Scioscia argued that Lackey was rusty, and just trying to come inside on Kinsler. I have to take the Angels’ side on this one. With a tired bullpen and Lackey eager to make his first start of 2009, I seriously doubt Lackey would risk getting tossed by throwing at Kinsler. It just doesn’t make sense.
MLB: There was another strange sight at a first start of the season Saturday night, although it wasn’t at a major league stadium. It was at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, Mich., outside Grand Rapids. Dressed in a camouflage uniform because it was Armed Forces Night, Detroit Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman made his first rehabilitation start outside of extended spring training. He was the winning pitcher for the Class A West Michigan Whitecaps in their 13-6 victory over the Great Lakes Loons in a Midwest League game. A packed house of 10,023 watched the game. Here’s some good news for Tigers fans: Bonderman was sharp in his seven-inning outing. He allowed two runs and six hits (five singles and a double), walked one and fanned four. Of his 94 pitches, 64 were strikes. Bonderman’s 2008 season ended about a year ago because of a circulation problem in his shoulder. He underwent surgery in June.

That’s all for now. See you later.

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