Aussie updates (9 July 08)

A couple of bits and pieces in the news today:

• Grant Balfour pitched today against the Yankees, in a non-save situation. He kept up his hot form. He came in to pitch in the bottom of the 6th inning, with the Rays trailing 2-0. He faced the core of the Yankees top-dollar lineup, and he fared pretty well. He was off to a flyer, striking out Bobby Abreu on an 88mph change/sinker. Next up was the almighty Alex Rodriguez. Balf made short work of him too, striking him out on four pitches. Things didnt go totally according to plan, and Jorge Posada hit a single in the next atbat. But all was ok, as Balf drew a ground into force out from Wilson Betemit. He left the game after this inning, having thrown 11 of his 16 pitches strikes, and regularly hitting 95mph on the radar. The Rays went on to lose 5-0, but they are still 3 games ahead of the Red Sox in the AL West.
• It looks like Ryan Rowland-Smith's time as a starter is over for now. The News Tribune is reporting that he will return to the bullpen this week. The Mariners are fielding injuries to key pitchers Erik Bedard, Felix Hernandez and JJ Putz, so there is likely to be some more tinkering going on in their roster in coming weeks. Meanwhile, RRS has posted another blog talking a bit about his second outing, check it out at prolebrity.com.
• Phil Stockman, who hasnt pitched since being returned to AAA Richmond Braves, is recovering from a strained left hamstring