Predictable / Death By Squirrel

I know what everyone thought I would write about today, but in an effort to not be predictable and redundant, I will abstain from looking at Trachsel's latest stinker. Instead, I will talk about the danger that is known as the black squirrel.



Squirrels have bitten to death a stray dog which was barking at them in a Russian park, local media report.

Passers-by were too late to stop the attack by the black squirrels in a village in the far east, which reportedly lasted about a minute.

They are said to have scampered off at the sight of humans, some carrying pieces of flesh.

A pine cone shortage may have led the squirrels to seek other food sources, although scientists are skeptical.

The attack was reported in parkland in the centre of Lazo, a village in the Maritime Territory, and was witnessed by three local people.

A "big" stray dog was nosing about the trees and barking at squirrels hiding in branches overhead when a number of them suddenly descended and attacked, reports say.

"They literally gutted the dog," local journalist Anastasia Trubitsina told Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.

"When they saw the men, they scattered in different directions, taking pieces of their kill away with them."

Mikhail Tiyunov, a scientist in the region, said it was the first he had ever heard of such an attack.

While squirrels without sources of protein might attack birds' nests, he said, the idea of them chewing a dog to death was "absurd".

For the love of God and your dog, please make sure you have an ample supply of pine cones in your back yard.

* * *

I think I'm developing a man crush on Phil Humber. He was already my favorite prospect overall for the Mets, but he just keeps nestling further into the cockles of my heart. First, he had another stellar start. Second, he made the expanded roster.

The following players will be added to the roster today: OF Lastings Milledge, OF Ricky Ledee, C Kelly Stinnett, LHP Dave Williams, RHP Brian Bannister and RHP Philip Humber.

Yesterday, Binghamton split a double header with the Connecticut Defenders. In game two, Phil got the start and lasted six innings and gave up two hits, one earned run, and no walks while striking out four. He improved to 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA in the 4-1 victory. Humber now owns a .199 BAA this season with a sub 1.00 WHIP and a more than one strikeout per inning. The rest of the world needs to be very afraid of this kid.

In game one, the Defenders beat the B-Mets 2-0. Kevin Mulvey took the loss despite pitching stellar yet again. Mulvey went six innings and gave up four hits, two runs, no earned runs, and one walk while striking out one. Mulvey is 0-1 with a 1.35 ERA and though he only has four professional starts, you have to be impressed so far.

Tobi Stoner went the distance in a shortened seven inning game and picked up the win in Brooklyn's 3-2 win over Lowell. Stoner gave up four hits, two runs, no earned runs, and one walk while striking out seven.

Oliver Perez will get another start.

Tom Glavine is being given an extra day between starts this time through the rotation, though he said he doesn't feel that he needs one. His turn falls tomorrow, but Oliver Perez will start that day. Randolph said it's being done to keep Perez in the rotation, but pitching coach Rick Peterson said it was a decision geared to keep Glavine fresh. Glavine said he was only told of the move Sunday.

Wow...just wow.

Carlos Delgado's third-inning error on Willy Aybar's grounder set up the first unearned run allowed by the Mets since July 29, a span of 32 games. It's the second-longest streak in club history, according to Elias. The Mets went 38 straight games without an unearned run in 1999.

An entire month without an unearned run? Fucking swell.

Pedro is inching closer.

Martinez last threw in the bullpen on Saturday in Florida, a 37-pitch session that wasn't originally scheduled.

"I felt like I could so I just did it," he said. "Everything's good."

In spring training Martinez was limited to just two starts and seven innings by his foot troubles. But when the season began, he was ready and finished April with a 5-0 record.

"I took a big chance and it paid off," he said. "I'm hoping I can do that again. ... I'll use my experience. Things usually kick in, but it's not easy."