End for Thome? Jim Thome, 41, signed with Philadelphia last fall, looking for one more chance at his first World Series title. But after batting .111 (2-for-18 with two singles, three walks and 10 strikeouts), he landed on the DL because of another back issue. Sadly, this could be the end of his Hall of Fame career.
Heavy on the homers After hitting 39 homers and stealing 40 bases last year, Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp entered the weekend with a major league-leading 12 homers and just two stolen bases. "Everybody was laughing when he said, 'Why not 50/50?'" Dodgers veteran Jerry Hairston said. "He could do it, but he's hitting so many home runs, he's not going to be on first base."
Lynn, Lohse save Cardinals With Chris Carpenter (shoulder injury) out indefinitely and Adam Wainwright struggling in his return from Tommy John surgery, the Cardinals owe their early success to other pitchers, namely Lance Lynn and Kyle Lohse. After making 10 postseason relief appearances last October, Lynn has been a revelation as a starter, going 5-0 with a 1.60 ERA. Lohse, who was 4-0 with a 1.62 ERA entering Friday's start, is in the final year of a four-year, $41 million contract.
