Buchholz happy with start - Boston Globe
28 May 2012, 1:06 am
It was a sentiment that grew from Buchholz’s command of his repertoire - fastball, curveball, cutter and, most notably, his changeup. “He went after guys, threw strikes,’’ said catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. “He was able to throw ...

First-pitch attack works for Fresno Grizzlies leadoff hitter Justin Christian - Fresno Bee
27 May 2012, 11:40 pm
Grizzlies leadoff hitter Justin Christian, the man of the moment again, feasted on an inside fastball Sunday that wasn't so fast nor too far inside. He crushed a homer over the left-field wall on the first pitch he saw as Fresno knocked around ...

Bedard throws Cubs a curveball - CBS Sports
27 May 2012, 10:36 pm
As the game went on, he leaned away from his fastball and more on the curve. "I always feel good using the curve in any count," Bedard said. "That just happened to be when I wanted it." --3B Pedro Alvarez's three-run home run -- deep to right-center ...

Yu Darvish must learn how to strike - ESPN
27 May 2012, 9:53 pm
The temperature had nothing to do with his second consecutive subpar performance. His struggles, like always, centered around his fastball command -- and, perhaps, a stiff back, a cold or a virus. This much is certain: When Yu commands his ...

Detroit Tigers 4, Minnesota 3: Miguel Cabrera's two-run shot leads to sweep - Detroit Free Press
27 May 2012, 8:41 pm
Would you throw him a third straight fastball if you had him down 0-2 with a runner on base in the top of the ninth? Or would you throw him a breaking ball and try to make him chase it? “As a catcher, calling a game against him, it’s tough ...

Cincinnati Reds' Todd Frazier hits home run and loses bat against Colorado Rockies' Jamie Moyer - New York Daily News
27 May 2012, 8:41 pm
The Reds were nursing a 5-2 lead. Moyer, not known for his fastball, laid one over the meat of the plate and Frazier crushed it - while losing his bat. The replay shows Frazier's top hand is off the bat before contact is even made. On the follow ...

Royals claim opening fastball tournament - Cape Breton
27 May 2012, 8:12 pm
The Royals doubled the Chant’s Funeral Home Cardinals 8-4 in the championship game on Sunday at St. Anthony Daniel Ball Field. Ryan Jenkins led the offence with two doubles, while R.J. Barrett hit a double and a single. Robert Bernard held the hot bat ...

Red Sox notes: Not bad for Clay Buchholz this time - Union-News & Sunday Republican
27 May 2012, 6:25 pm
"I thought he deserved the win. His changeup looked really good, and his fastball was explosive,'' manager Bobby Valentine said after Boston's 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay at Fenway Park. Buchholz allowed eight hits and two runs in seven innings.

W2W4: Yankees at Athletics (May 27) - ESPN
27 May 2012, 11:01 am
Both of Sunday’s starters, Hiroki Kuroda and Tom Milone, rank among the pitchers who most frequently leave their fastball in a danger spot over the middle of the plate height-wise. Kuroda’s rate of fastballs thrown to that area typically is around one ...

Fastball at Hague finishes Chicago - Observer-Reporter
27 May 2012, 1:21 am
PITTSBURGH - Matt Hague was hit by a pitch from Rafael Dolis with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates sent the Chicago Cubs to their 11th straight loss with a 3-2 victory Saturday night. Hague took a 96 ...