Quite a weekend already as the Houston Astros spoiled Tony LaRussa’s strategy for the second consecutive series.

Remember Tony took Matt Morris out of a 1-0 game in the eighth inning last weekend against Houston only to see the bull pen blow the game after a valiant 100 pitch effort by Morris.

Fast forward to Friday night, Morris has a 2-1 lead over the Astros going into the ninth, La Russa leaves his ace in to finish the game even though his pitch count has exceeded 110 (he finished with 119).

Morris gets two outs, gives up a single to Lance Berkman, then Jeff Kent, my MVP candidate in the NL, smacks a two run homer to win the game 2-1.

What’s a genius to do? Wait for Jason Isringhausen to get better, then let him pitch the ninth, until then, pray that Steve Kline can can be the closer.

More news ahead.The Expos warmed the home crowd in San Juan by blasting David Cone in his second start of the year. Cone’s success in a major league rotation is iffy at best, but he deserves a couple of more outings before calling it a career.

Tomo Ohka, the fiesty Japanese hurler, pitched a gem for Montreal, he is a keeper this year.

Randy Johnson must have something wrong with his arm or back. Last week, I reported that he was fooling with the scoreboard radar gun to give a few extra miles to his fastball. Well, he has always dominated Milwaukee. Last night, they got him for 10 runs in 4.6 innings pitched. Johnson may have lost the movement on his 94 MPH fastball because he is throwing too many split finger pitches. If so, he’s not the first victim of the split.

The A’s are human. Tim Hudson goes through stretches where he overthrows the ball and loses his spots in the strike zone. Teams that are patient make Hudson bring the ball up. Cleveland and the Red Sox used to do this to him regularly.

Micah Bowie stayed in the game to pitch to Tim Salmon with the A’s still in the game, Chad Bradford was ready, and you know the rest. Salmon hit a two run homer, the game was effectively over, then Bradford came in. I said last month the toughest transition from an experienced manager to a rookie manager would be handling the bull pen. Growing pains are expected, not feared with Ken Macha.

Terrence Long ripped a shot off Francisco Rodriguez to bring the A’s to within one run in the eighth, but they let it get away.

Tonight it’s Angel killer John Halama against Mickey Callaway who pitched well in his only start. This will be a game of bull pens. Where has Ricardo Rincon been lately? A’s are hoping for Fikac to Foulke to get it done, Angels Donnelly to Percival, good match up.

Ryan Drese versus Gil Meche in Seattle. Looks like a high scoring game, but maybe Meche will pitch better tonight than he did last week in Arlington. Arm injuries are tough to come back from, and Meche needs more time to be sharp.

Giants are cruising. Not wasting pitches against the Dodgers because the Dodgers don’t have a dynamite offense. Ainsworth was awesome and Reuter effective. Bonds went deep and the Big Cat Andres Gallarraga got a big hit, with a solid bull pen, it is happening right now in SF.

Kevin Brown may get a chance today, but the weather is so rainy this one looks like a rain out, we’ll see.

Paul Wilson kept the ball in the yard in Cincy. The Phillies couldn’t and blew a ninth inning lead in a ball park where no lead is safe. Let’s see how healthy Kevin Millwood is today coming back from a groin strain. This park is not made for Jimmy Haynes, a fly ball pitcher, who opposes Millwood.

Kris Benson versus Kerry Wood, now that is a pitching match up. This should be a low run game especially with the weather in the Midwest.

How would Richie Sexon look in a Diamondback uniform? Arizona needs hitting and Milwaukee needs young pitching. Seems like a match.

Russ Ortiz tries to build on his last start, he is now the ace of the Braves staff.

Can 296 be far off for Roger Clemens, he gets the Devil Rays again today in NY.

Good young lefty going for ChiSox today, Josh Stewart, he may be a number three in their rotation next season if Colon sticks around otherwise he could be a two.

KC has power arms. Jeremy Affeldt may be the best of the bunch. Runelvys Hernandez is making me a believer. Three good starts even though they were against non hitting teams, it’s still the majors and you have to put the ball where you want it.

Will they be sitting in the new seats atop the Green monster in Boston today, if anyone reads this in the Hub City let me know what it looks like.

Terrific weeknd of baseball. Even if it is only April 12th.