Getaway Game Notes

I’m heading out to the getaway game in a few minutes, but saw a few notes on Fantistics that warrant some comments.

It was a busy day for Lance Niekro, who took Alou's roster spot. Niekro had been with Triple-A Fresno on an injury-rehab assignment (right groin) and hit two home runs in day game at Sacramento, and then jumped in a car and drove to AT&T Park. Niekro said he got the call at about 5:45 p.m. and was in the dugout by the second inning.

I love the idea of playing in a minors-majors doubleheader, but despite hotfooting it to the park, he never made it into the game.

Armando Benitez reported his sore right elbow felt better during a bullpen session Wednesday, although the team's closer probably won't pitch in a game until at least this weekend. He is scheduled for another side session Friday. "I want to be completely healed to try to do my job," Benitez said.

Is the temporary closer Worrell or Accardo? Probably the latter. I can’t believe they still have the former on the roster.

Right-hander Brad Hennessey will start the second game of the doubleheader Saturday at San Diego.

I’m very interested in how Hennessey pitches in a spot start. He’s pitched very well this season, and could be in the rotation next year.

A short item in the Chicago Tribune indicated Brewers leftfielder Carlos Lee told friends he would be interested in playing for the Cubs next year, should he make it to free agency. Lee kept his house here after being traded from the White Sox to the Brewers after the 2004 season. Lee confirmed he made the Cubs comment. ... The item also said Lee is looking for a five-year deal for around $75 million. "I didn't say that," said Lee.

He’d look awfully good here in San Francisco compared to those geriatrics in the Giant outfield.

Michael Barrett's 10-game suspension for punching A.J. Pierzynski ends Friday - just in time for the Cubs' catcher to play in what pro-mises to be an emotionally charged rematch with the White Sox.

Watch out. Now he’s really mad.

Say what you want about the aging catcher, but Mike Piazza has 11 HR this season as a Padre, ranking first in HR for all NL catchers and 2nd in the majors (just 4 behind Ramon Hernandez). He's not going to put up huge numbers, evident in his .264 Avg, .324 OBP, and 31 RBI. But he is on pace to hit about 23 HR this season, which isn't too bad for a "washed-up" catcher.

Phil Nevin has 14 homers and qualifies at catcher. In fact, he qualifies at C, 1B and now OF. (That's an unpaid advertisement.)

Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks made a nice charging play and off-balance throw to get speedy Juan Pierre on an infield dribbler leading off the bottom of the first. Weeks also ranged into shallow right to grab Lee's grounder in the third and throw him out. Weeks also came within a hair of robbing Pierre on a grounder up the middle in the fifth inning.

I think Barry especially liked Weeks for his defense.

The Rocky Mountain News reports that "With 40 RBI, Clint Barmes leads NL shortstops."

Surprising, given he’s been hitting like total crap. I’d probably say it says a lot about the NL shortstops, but 40 RBI’s in half a season isn’t a bad total.

Starter Brett Myers asked for a leave of absence Monday until the All-Star break to resolve personal issues stemming from his arrest Friday in Boston for allegedly hitting his wife on the street. That left the Phillies a starter short and with 24 men on the 25-man roster. They optioned Myers to Class A Clearwater yesterday and placed him on the Temporary Inactive List. He will take care of his personal business, assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, then he will report to Florida to try to get back into game shape for his return, July 14 at the earliest. There is no firm time frame for Myers to head to Florida.

Punchline to the most sexist joke in the world: “Because they f*^%ing deserve it it."

Finally, I saw Patrick O’Bryant play for Bradley against Memphis in the Sweet Sixteen in Oakland. He was clearly Bradley’s best player, but Memphis just had too many big, fast guys, and they killed Bradley. I do remember saying that he looked pretty good, and he’s definitely big. I also remember saying the same thing a few years back during the NCAA tournament about Mississippi State star Erick Dampier.

It’s nice and clear…gonna be a lovely day. I hope the Giants can win their first weekday game of the season.