Ex-Cardinals Watch 4-30-09: Michel Hernandez 1st Career MLB HR, Jeff Weaver Called Up, Jeff Suppan Great Start

J.D. Drew (Red Sox):
There was some movement in the lineup. J.D. Drew returns after missing yesterday's game with lingering tightness in his left quadriceps. Drew sprinted this afternoon and, "he said he felt better than he thought he would," Francona said.
Boston Globe

Jeff Suppan (Brewers) & Felipe Lopez (Diamondbacks):
Suppan did not pop the mitt like Scherzer did, but he was just as effective. He fell into a quick hole when Arizona leadoff hitter Felipe Lopez hit the game's fifth pitch for his third career leadoff home run, but Suppan allowed that lone run on five more hits in 6 1/3 innings and exited after allowing a one-out double in the seventh inning to Conor Jackson. Mark DiFelice (2-0) recorded the final two outs of the inning.
Brewers Official Site

Jeff Weaver (Dodgers):
Underscoring concern over their pitching, the Dodgers on Thursday went to a 13-man staff, purchasing the contract of Jeff Weaver from Triple-A Albuquerque and activating Cory Wade from the disabled list.
Dodgers Official Site

Julian Tavarez (Nationals):
Reliever Julian Tavarez pitched the ninth inning, and he didn't pitch like he did against the Phillies on Thursday. Again, the walks came back to bite the Nationals. Duncan led off with a free pass. Ankiel then plated Duncan with an RBI double down the left-field line.
Nationals Official Site

Luke Gregerson (Padres):
Gregerson allowed three hits to open the inning, including a pinch-hit, game-tying RBI single to Mark Loretta. Two batters later, Orlando Hudson singled to right field. Brian Giles came up throwing home, as Casey Blake stopped at third base.

But Blake didn't stay there long, as the ball skipped just to the right past catcher Nick Hundley and Gregerson, who was backing up the play, as Blake sprinted home for the go-ahead run.

"That shouldn't happen, when a guy on third is stopped," Black said. "In close games, late in games, you have to make plays."

Gregerson didn't duck reporters after the game, instead answering questions about yet another rocky performance from the bullpen.

"It's a game of failure," he said. "It's how you handle that failure. It's not going to be the last time that I give up two runs in an inning."
Padres Official Site

Michel Hernandez (Rays):
Longoria hit his sixth home run of the season en route to driving in four, Michel Hernandez hit his first career home run and six Rays -- B.J. Upton, Carlos Pena, Pat Burrell, Akinori Iwamura, Longoria and Hernandez -- had multihit games.
Rays Official Site

Ivan Maldonado (Free Agent):
Has now been cut loose by two seperate Triple-A Mexican League teams (Mexico and Monclova). He made a total of 17 relief appearances, posting a 2-2 record and 4.26 ERA. The right-hander allowed 27 hits, 16 runs (nine earned), two home runs, seven walks, and struck out six over 19 innings.