MLB Gives Geeks a New Toy

Machines might be able to do this job better

(NEWSER) - Joe Mauer smashed a ball to left field in the 11th inning Friday, and it landed fair, a foot inside the line. But it won’t show up on any box score, because umpire Phil Cuzzi, standing just 10 feet away, ruled it foul. It’s just one of several blown calls in this postseason, and as the errors pile up, some are wondering: Do we really need umpires—or could a machine do the job better? More»

Indians trade away 2008 Cy Young winner

(NEWSER) - The Phillies will get pitcher Cliff Lee from the Cleveland Indians, Fox Sports reports. In return for the 2008 Cy Young winner and outfielder Ben Francisco, Philadelphia will trade Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald and Lou Marson to the Indians. More»

(AP) - Chicago White Sox ace Mark Buehrle has set a major league record by retiring 45 straight batters. Coming off a perfect game in his last start against Tampa Bay, Buehrle retired the first 17 Minnesota Twins batters he faced tonight to break the record of 41 set by San Francisco's Jim Barr in 1972 and tied by Chicago reliever Bobby Jenks in 2007. Buehrle's streak ended with a walk to Alexi Casilla on a close call with two outs in the sixth. Denard Span followed with a single to break up the no-hitter. More»

(NEWSER) - White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle retired 27 consecutive Tampa Bay Rays today for a perfect game and a 5-0 win, the Chicago Tribune reports. There were a couple of dicey moments, particularly in the ninth inning, when center fielder DeWayne Wise barely caught a drive by Gabe Kapler destined for the stands, the AP adds. It’s the first perfect game since Randy Johnson’s in 2004, and the 16th since 1900. More»

(NEWSER) - Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a car crash early this morning, the Los Angeles Times reports. Hours after the 22-year-old rookie delivered six shutout innings against Oakland, his car was sideswiped by a minivan running a red light. Two others in Adenhart’s vehicle were dead at the scene, and another died later at a hospital. The driver of the minivan fled on foot, but was picked up after a police search. Today's game has been postponed, the AP adds. More»