Rats spank Falcons, Byrnes just misses cycle

The Rat Pack administered the biggest ass-whooping of the preseason so far - a 22-6 pounding of the Golden Falcons. Jeff Keppinger went 6-7 with 3 RBIs and a triple. Jim Thome hit two homers and was 4-5 with 5 RBIs. Joe Mauer was 4-6 with 5 RBIs. The Falcons went through ten pitchers, eight of which gave up at least one earned run, surrendering 25 hits and 12 walks overall.

Dan Haren had an impressive outing and Ryan Howard had two homers to lead the Hitmen to a 7-1 drubbing of the D.C. Bushslappers. Haren struck out 10 and allowed 6 hits and one run in 8 innings of work. Howard had 5 RBIs in the game.

Kenji Johjima had two homers and 7 RBIs in the Plunkers' 10-1 win over Team Buddah. Roy Oswalt pitched a complete game 5-hitter and struck out nine to improve to 3-0.

Jarrod Washburn pitched a 3-hit shutout against the Sardines. Washburn struck out 7. Opponent Dallas Braden wasn't quite so impressive, leaving in the second inning after surrendering seven runs and six hits.

Bombers' outfielder Eric Byrnes was one single shy of hitting for the cycle in a 7-4 win over the Mighty Men. Byrnes doubled to lead off the second inning, then homered in the third. He was walked in the fifth inning, then hit the triple in the seventh inning. With one more chance in the ninth inning, Byrnes popped out to the first base side.

The Trade Mill keeps churning

This morning a huge deal was completed between the Arkansas Golden Falcons and the Hillsborough Hired Hitmen. The Falcons sent starter Dan Haren and young outfielder Nick Markakis plus four draft picks (spread out through 2010) to the Hitmen in exchange for sluggers Alex Rodriguez and Adam Dunn, young starters Ian Snell and Jeremy Bonderman and reliever Jonathan Broxton. The move solidifies the Falcons lineup, and makes them once again competitive for the 2008 season. A-Rod will likely fill the DH slot in the Falcons lineup with incumbent David Wright expected to man third base. The Hitmen meanwhile complete their young rotation with Haren, who will likely fill the number two or three spot.

Are there more deals to come? Stay tuned!