Games from May 22:

Texas Rangers 3 - Seattle Mariners 1
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 2-for-4: single to right, fly out to left, ground out to second (force), single to center. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Minnesota Twins 9 - Chicago White Sox 2
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a defensive replacement in right in the top of the 8th.   He did get one at bat in the bottom of the 9th: he grounded out to the pitcher. [Nikkan Sports]

San Francisco Giants 6 - Milwaukee Brewers 4
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in right and batted first.  He went 2-for-4: triple to right, strikeout swinging, ground out to third, RBI double to right (run scored), walk. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Charlotte 5 - Durham 2 (AAA)
Hideki Matsui (DUR) was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 0-for-4: ground out to first, fly out to center, fly out to right, strikeout swinging. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Pawtucket 5 - Norfolk 3 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the bottom of the 6th and gave up a run (unearned) over two innings of work.  He got the win and is now 1-1 on the year.  Tazawa also recorded his second blown save of the year.  Final line: 2 IP, 28-20 NP-S, 9 BF, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Gwinnett 3 - Rochester 1 (AAA)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) started at second and batted eighth.  He went 0-for-2: pop out to the catcher in foul territory, walk, ground out to short. [Nikkan Sports]

===

The latest on Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS), from CBSSports.com:

Matsuzaka shifted to 60-day DL: Boston starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Tuesday as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. Matsuzaka was recently shut down from his minor-league rehab assignment after developing pain in his neck that restricted his movement when he pitched. He reportedly had a cortisone injection on Sunday. Matsuzaka's move cleared an additional spot on the 40-man roster. 

===

Yu Darvish's (TEX) next start will come against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 27.

Games from May 18:

Seattle Mariners 4 - Colorado Rockies
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batter third.  He went 2-for-4: ground out to short, single to left, single to center (stole second and advanced to third on throwing error E2, run scored), ground out to first. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Texas Rangers 4 - Houston Astros 1
Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th, with the Rangers up 4-1, and retired the side in order.  Final line: 1 IP, 13-8 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports] 

Minnesota Twins 11 - Milwaukee Brewers 3
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in center and batted second.  He went 2-for-4: single to left, RBI double to center, ground out to the pitcher, ground out to second. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Durham 6 - Pawtucket 5 (AAA) [Nikkan Sports]
Hideki Matsui (DUR) started in left and batted fourth.  He went 0-for-3: pop out to third, strikeout swinging, walk, ground out to first.  Matsui also threw out Alex Hassan at home plate on a fly out to left in the top of the 2nd. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the bottom of the 7th and allowed four runs (none earned) over 1.2 innings of work.  He took the loss (including his first blown save) and is now 0-1.  Final line: 1.2 IP, 34-22 NP-S, 12 BF, 4 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Fresno 5 - Round Rock 2 (AAA)
Yoshinori Tateyama (RRE) entered the game in the top of the 8th and tossed two shutout innings in relief.  Final line: 2 IP,  21-18 NP-S, 7 BF, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Memphis 9 - Las Vegas 6 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the top of the 8th and did not allow a run over an inning of work.  Final line: 1 IP, 14-10 NP-S, 4 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Rochester 5 - Louisville 3 (AAA)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) started at second and batted first.  He went 1-for-4: fly out to right, single to left (run scored), ground out to short, walk (run scored), ground out to third (force). [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Brad Penny signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.  From the SF Chronicle's John Shea:

Brad Penny is a Giant again. Well, at least he’s a Giants minor-leaguer. The pitcher who  went 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA in six September starts for the 2009 Giants, signed a minor-league deal and will report to extended spring training on Monday.

The Giants see him as a possible reliever. Brian Wilson is done for the season, and Guillermo Mota is serving a 100-game drug suspension.

There's also a short bit about Japan:

On Japan: "It just didn't work out. He wasn't happy where he was over there. He wanted to come back here. The shoulder or elbow, that's not an issue. He showed it today in the bullpen. We'll make sure he is healthy and make sure he will help us. It'll take a little time. When he thinks he's ready and he thinks he's ready, it'll be a mutual agreement, and we'll have him here to help us."

Games from May 14:

Boston Red Sox 6 - Seattle Mariners 1
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 2-for-4: ground out to second, infield single (deflected by pitcher), ground out to second (force), single to left (run scored). [Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Oakland A's 5 - LA Angels 0
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the top of the 7th, with the Angels down 4-0, and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 16-10 NP-S, 4 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR.  [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

New York Mets 3 - Milwaukee Brewers 1
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Jose Veras in the top of the 8th and grounded out to third.  He remained in the game and took over in center in the bottom of the 8th. [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports, Sponichi]

Columbus 5 - Pawtucket 3 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the top of the 7th inning and tossed two shutout inning.  Final line: 2 IP, 26-18 NP-S, 6 BF, 0 H , 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Tacoma 13 - Round Rock 6 (AAA)
Yoshinori Tateyama (RRE) entered the game in the bottom of the 7th inning and did not allow a run over two innings of work.  Final line: 2 IP, 35-23 NP-S, 8 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 5 - New Orleans 3 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th and tossed two shutout innings in relief.  Final line: 2 IP, 30-17 NP-S, 7 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Sponichi mentions that the Durham Bulls are preparing Hideki Matsui (TBR) merchandise, like t-shirts.

===

Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS) threw forty pitches in the bullpen at Fenway Park on Monday in preparation for his next rehab Triple-A start on May 17.  Matsuzaka also chatted with Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) for about twenty minutes.

===

Yu Darvish (TEX) threw over thirty pitches in the bullpen on Monday in preparation for his next start on May 16 (vs Oakland).

===

The Consul General of Japan in Boston presented the Boston Red Sox with a cherry blossom tree during pre-game ceremonies on Monday.  From the Red Sox's press release:

In honor of Fenway Park's 100th anniversary, the Consul General of Japan in Boston, Takeshi Hikihara, will today present the Boston Red Sox with a cherry blossom tree during the pre-game ceremony before tonight's game against the Seattle Mariners. Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino, Manager Bobby Valentine, and Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will accept the cherry blossom tree on behalf of the organization.

In addition to celebrating Fenway Park's 100th anniversary, the gift also marks the 100th anniversary of Japan's original gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, to Washington, D.C. in 1912. The cherry trees in Washington, D.C. have become a symbol of the warm relations between the two countries. 

Games from May 11:

New York Yankees 6 - Seattle Mariners 2 [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 0-for-4: pop out to third in foul territory, fly out to left, ground out to third (force), ground out to the pitcher.  Ichiro also recorded his 100th career assist in the bottom of the 1st (threw out Robinson Cano at second). [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports]

Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) started the game and gave up two runs on six hits over seven innings of work.  He got the win and is now 3-4.  Final line: 7 IP, 105-59 NP-S, 29 BF, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO, 2 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Milwaukee Brewers 8 - Chicago Cubs 7
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a defensive replacement in center in the top of the 9th.  He went 0-for-2: ground out to third (reach on fielder's choice), pop out to second. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Texas Rangers 10 - LA Angels 3 [Daily Sports]
Yu Darvish (TEX) started the game and gave up three runs on three hits over 5.1 innings of work.  He got the win and improved to 5-1.  Final line: 5.1 IP, 93-57 NP-S, 23 BF, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO, 2 HR. [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports]

Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the top of the 8th, with the Rangers up 10-3, and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line:  1 IP, 22-15 NP-S, 5 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Pawtucket 5 - Columbus 1 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the top of the 7th and retired all three batters he faced.  Final line: 1 IP, 10-7 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Salt Lake 9 - Round Rock 6 (AAA)
Yoshinori Tateyama (RRE) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th and retired the side in order.  Final line: 1 IP, 11-8 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) played in a minor league practice game against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.  He started in left and went 2-for-4: single to center, walk, strikeout looking, strikeout swinging, infield hit.  Matsui also handled two chances in left.

===

Takashi Saito (ARI) threw thirty pitches at about fifty percent in the outfield at Chase Field on Friday.  He told reporters that his right leg (calf) was no longer giving him problems when he threw.  Saito could toss a bullpen session early next week.  Assuming no setbacks, he might be able to make it back to the MLB roster in two to three weeks.

===

Tsuyoshi Wada (BAL) had TJ surgery on his left elbow on Friday.  And from MLB.com:

Below is a statement from Orioles LHP Tsuyoshi Wada following his left elbow ligament replacement surgery earlier today in Los Angeles with Dr. Lewis Yocum. Wada will not be available for further comment until he begins his rehabilitation in Sarasota, FL, a date that has not yet been set.

"The procedure went as planned and Dr. Yocum felt good about how it went. He predicts a full recovery. I'm glad to have this over with and look forward to beginning my rehabilitation so I can get back to pitching for the Orioles as soon as possible."

===

Via Nikkan Sports, the Associated Press posted an article on Brad Penny and his failure to make it in Japan.  A snip:

"It takes a certain kind of ballplayer to make it in Japan," said author Robert Whiting, who has written several books on Japanese baseball. "I guess Penny wasn't one of those players. It's a sad day when $3 million isn't enough to keep you in Japan."

...

Penny isn't the only former major league player to struggle in Japan. When it comes to playing in Japan, former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Jim Lefebvre, who played here from 1973-1976 summed it up best: "If you want to succeed in Japan, you have to forget everything you learned in the United States and pretend you are a rookie. Do everything they tell you and you just might make it."

Games from May 9:

Seattle Mariners 2 - Detroit Tigers 1
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-3: strikeout swinging, single to center (stole second, run scored), fly out to left. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Chicago White Sox 8 - Cleveland Indians 1
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Adam Dunn in the top of the 9th and struck out swinging. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Cincinnati Reds 2 - Milwaukee Brewers 1
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Taylor Green in the bottom of the 9th and hit a single  to left. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Pawtucket 5 - Rochester 2 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the top of the 8th and retired all three batters he faced.  Final line: 1 IP, 10-7 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 2 - Oklahoma City 1 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the bottom of the 10th and retired the side in order for his third save of the year.  Final line: 1 IP, 17-10 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) wore a double ear flap batting helmet during batting practice on Tuesday.  For Matsui, the double ear flap batting helmet was apparently a first time since elementary school.

On Wednesday, Matsui played in a minor league practice game against the Minnesota Twins and went 2-for-4 with a walk and one RBI: infield single, single to center, walk, ground out to second, ground out to second.

Matsui is scheduled to DH in Thursday's game and could get a start in left on Friday.

If Matsui gets called up to the Majors, his salary will be about US$900,000 (~72M yen).  From the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin:

The Times obtained some details on Hideki Matsui's contract, and the Rays got somewhat of a bargain: If called up to the majors, Matsui will make a salary of about $900,000, well below his previous earnings (he made $4.25-million last season with Oakland, his lowest of his career). While at Triple-A Durham, he will make $10,000 a month, low for a veteran in the minors. He has an interpreter and manager/PR man that also get paid.

===

Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) could get his first regular season MLB start on April 13 (vs NYY).

===

Yu Darvish (TEX) threw thirty-one pitches in the bullpen.  Partway through the session, a staff member also stood in the batter's box (both sides).

Games from May 6:

Seattle Mariners 5 - Minnesota Twins 2
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 0-for-2: ground out to first, walk, fly out to center, walk. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Detroit Tigers 3 - Chicago White Sox 1
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Brent Morel in the top of the 9th inning and walked. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

San Francisco Giants 4 - Milwaukee Brewers 3
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Manny Parra in the top of the 9th inning and grounded out to first.  He did not remain in the game after the inning. [Nikkan Sports]

Cleveland Indians 4 - Texas Rangers 2
Yu Darvish (TEX) started the game and gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits over six innings of work.  Darvish took the loss and is now 4-1 on the year.  Final line: 6 IP, 112-63 NP-S, 28 BF, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 11 SO, 1 HR. [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the 8th inning, with the Rangers down 4-2, and retired the side in order.  Final line: 1 IP, 15-10 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Pawtucket 7 - Scranton/WB 5 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the bottom of the 7th and gave up two runs (both earned) over two innings of work.  Final line: 2 IP, 42-25 NP-S, 11 BF, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR. [Sanspo]

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) is scheduled to play a minor league practice game agaisnt the Minnesota Twins on May 9.

===

There is still no timetable on Takashi Saito's (ARI) return.  He did start throwing off flat ground at the Scottsdale, AZ facilities, but his right calf is still at only about sixty percent.

Games from May 3:

Tampa Bay Rays 4 - Seattle Mariners 3 [Daily Sports, Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-4: line out to right, ground out to short, RBI double to right, ground out to short. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) started at short and batted ninth.  He went 1-for-3: bunt single, fly out to center, ground out to second. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Cleveland Indians 7 - Chicago White Sox 5
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) started in left and batted seventh.  He went 0-for-1: line out to short, walk (run scored), walk, walk. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Toledo 6 - Pawtucket 4 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (BOS) entered the game with a runner on second and two out in the bottom of the 6th.  Tazawa retired all seven of the batters he faced over 2.1 innings of work.  Final line: 2.1 IP, 31-22 NP-S, 7 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) took forty swings during batting practice on Thursday and hit seven over the fence (on his first day of workouts on Wednesday, he took thirty-four swings and hit none over the fence).  He also took twenty swings against a pitching machine and hit five over the fence.

Matsui is slated to wear the number fifty-five, at least during extended spring training and most likely during his stint at Triple-A.

Nikkan Sports mentions that the Rays may give Matsui six to ten plate at bats a day during practice games next week.  And Sasnpo notes his schedule could look something like this: situational batting practice against Double-A pitchers on May 5, five or so at bats during a practice game on May 7, addition of defense on May 8.

===

Daisuke Matsuzaka's (BOS) Triple-A rehab game start on Friday was pushed back to May 7 because of weather conditions (forecast calls for rain).

Games from May 1:

Tampa Bay Rays 3 - Seattle Mariners 1 [Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 2-for-4: double to right, fly out to left, single to right, ground out to second. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Casper Wells in the top of the 9th inning and struck out swinging. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

San Diego Padres 2 - Milwaukee Brewers 0
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in center and batted second.  He went 0-for-3: reaches on fielding error (E6), ground out to the pitcher, ground out to the pitcher, walk. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Round Rock 6 - New Orleans 3 (AAA)
Yoshinori Tateyama (RRE) entered the game in the top of the 8th and tossed two shutout innings for his first save of the year.  Final line: 2 IP, 34-27 NP-S, 8 BF, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Sponichi mentions that Matt Moore might consider giving up the fifty-five if Hideki Matsui (TBR) asks him to.  Until then, he does not plan to think about.

A separate Sponichi article provides the following quotes from former team mate John Flaherty on Matsui:

I saw Hideki running sprints at a public field while driving around in the afternoon. ... [I was in a rush] so I could not stop and talk to him. ... But it made me happy to see a former team mate working hard. ... He is not young anymore, but once he steps into the batter's box, he will do his job.  He will probably have to spend a few weeks in the minors, but once he shows he is ready, he will have another shot at the Majors.  And that will be good news.

The Tampa Bay Rays were pleasantly surprised when about fifty reporters (mostly Japanese) showed up for Matsui's press conference on Tuesday.

===

Junichi Tazawa (BOS) was optioned to Pawtucket on Tuesday.

===

The latest on Tsuyoshi Wada (BAL), from the Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly:

Yocum, the Los Angeles Angels’ team doctor, confirmed the tear and has recommended surgery, according to Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette. Ultimately, the course of action will be determined by the 31-year-old Japan native.

The Orioles' Dr. John Wilckens had recommended only that Wada seek a second opinion. If he has elbow surgery, Wada will be shelved for roughly a year.

Games from April 30:

Tampa Bay Rays 3 - Seattle Mariners 2 [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 3-for-6: infield single, pop out to third, pop out to short, single to left, single to center, ground out to first. [Sponichi]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) entered the game as a pinch-runner for Kyle Seager in the top of the 9th inning.  He remained in the game (took over at short) and went 0-for-1: ground out to third (bunt). [Sponichi]

New York Yankees 2 - Baltimore Orioles 1
Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) started the game and gave up one run on four hits over seven innings of work.  He won the game and is now 2-3 on the year.  Final line: 7 IP, 87-52 NP-S, 24 BF, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO,  0 HR, 1 WP, 1 HBP. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Boston Red Sox 11 - Oakland A's 6
Junichi Tazawa (BOS) entered the game in the top of the 7th with no one on, two out, and the Red Sox up 11-6.  Tazawa faced three batters and could not get anyone out: single, HBP, E5 (fielding error). Final line: 0.0 IP, 13-7 NP-S, 3 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 1 HBP. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Texas Rangers 4 - Toronto Blue Jays 1
Yu Darvish (TEX) started the game and gave up one run (solo homer to Edwin Encarnacion in the bottom of the 4th) on four hits over seven innings of work.  He got the victory and improved to 4-0.  Final line: 7 IP, 97-62 NP-S, 27 BF, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO, 1 HR, 1 HBP. [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Las Vegas 8 - Reno 7 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the bottom of the 9th and tossed a shutout inning for his first save of the year.  Final line: 1 IP, 14-10 NP-S, 4 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

===

The Tampa Bay Rays signed Hideki Matsui to a minor league contract.  A snip:

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed outfielder/designated hitter Hideki Matsui to a minor league contract.  The left-handed hitter will report to extended spring training at the Charlotte Sports Park complex in Charlotte County, Fla.

===

Bobby Valentine told reporters on Monday that Daisuke Matsuzaka's (BOS) next rehab start will likely take place at AAA Pawtucket on May 4 (dependent on the weather).

===

The Journal Sentinel's Todd Rosiak has the following quote from Milwaukee Brewers' manager Ron Roenicke on Norichika Aoki (MIL), taken on April 28:

"We've got three guys right now that I'd like to get in there a lot, and it's going to be tough to do it," Roenicke said. "I want to give (Aoki) more games, too. This guy is really growing on us. It's just trying to figure out how to do it isn't easy."

Games from April 29:

Toronto Blue Jays 7 - Seattle Mariners 2 [Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 0-for-4: fly out to left, fly out to center, ground out to second, ground out to third. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) started at short and batted ninth.  He went 1-for-3: walks, ground out to third, single to left, pop out to third. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Chicago White Sox 4 - Boston Red Sox 1
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) started in left and batted seventh.  He went 0-for-3: ground out to first, fly out to left, ground out to first, walk. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Junichi Tazawa (BOS) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th, with runners on first and second, two out, and the Red Sox down 3-1.  Tazawa allowed one of the two runners to score before retiring Eduardo Escobar for the final out of the inning.  Final line: 0.1 IP, 9-6 NP-S, 2 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Milwaukee Brewers 3 - St. Louis Cardinals 2
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Zack Greinke in the top of the 7th and hit a single to center.  He did not remain in the game for the bottom of the bottom of the 7th. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 5 - Tacoma 2 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game with two out in the top of the 8th and retired the one batter he faced.  Final line: 0.1 IP, 1-1 NP-S, 1 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]