BASEBALL TONIGHT EXTRA
By Mark Simon, ESPN Research
Dreams of an unbeaten first week ended on Sunday for the surprising Brewers and Tigers, both of whom lost because their offenses didn't produce much.
The telling sign from Sunday's defeat for the Tigers was Chris Shelton's performance, but he can take heart in knowing that even if he goes hitless in his next 18 at-bats, he'll still be hitting a robust .333. The Tigers' third through sixth hitters were a combined 1-for-15 against a Rangers pitching staff they had handled pretty well earlier in the weekend series.
Likewise, the Brewers were unable to do much against Diamondbacks starter Claudio Vargas and three relievers -- only Corey Koskie (three hits) was able to muster any offense. The D-Backs realized that the best way to beat the Brewers was to avoid playing a close game, and two three-run innings helped take care of that.
Nonetheless, both the Tigers and Brewers impressed greatly in the first week of the season, opening some eyes for fans not only of the respective teams but also around the baseball world.
ELIAS SAYS
As a team, the Tigers didn't hit a home run Sunday. But they still set a record for the most homers (17) by any team in major league history through the first six games of a season.
Complete Elias story
HANK IN A DIFFICULT SPOT
By Buster Olney, ESPN The Magazine | Olney Archive
Henry Aaron has no plans to read "Game of Shadows," but the slugger says Bud Selig is trying to do the right thing.
Aaron is in a brutal position on this whole issue. If he rips Barry Bonds for his alleged steroid use, he'll come off to some as a bitter player, and if he says good things, he'll probably be giving Bonds more credit than Aaron might privately think he deserves.
Complete Olney blog
THE LEFTY SPECIALISTS
By Jerry Crasnick, ESPN Insider | Crasnick Archive
Talk to front-office people and you'll get a wide range of opinions on the importance of carrying a lefty reliever or three. Proponents say that a bullpen stacked with lefties can have an impact on an opposing team's lineup composition on a given night. And with so many game-breaking sluggers hitting from the left side -- from David Ortiz to Carlos Delgado to Barry Bonds -- lefty relievers can provide a nice late-inning comfort zone.
A sampling of Opening Day rosters shows that teams are running the gamut in 2006. With starter A.J. Burnett on the disabled list, Toronto began the season with two lefty setup men and a lefty closer, B.J. Ryan. The Phillies have five righty starters and three lefty relievers: Rheal Cormier, Aaron Fultz and Arthur Rhodes.
In contrast, you can traverse the state of Florida without finding a lefty reliever. Both the Marlins and Devil Rays are going with all-righty pens.
Complete Crasnick story
SUNDAY'S MOTION
Giants rally in the ninth, top Braves.