Welcome to this week’s edition of “Weekly” hit ground ball. We’re nearing the end of the first period of inter-league baseball, bringing us such mouth-watering local rivalries as Pittsburgh playing Arizona and Colorado taking on Kansas City. Still, even the latter will be more exciting than yesterday’s “dream” F.A. Cup final.

The “bus” effect – Wandy Rodriguez’s win-less streak was highlighted here a couple of weeks ago, so it was good to see him finally get the monkey off his back with a “W” last Sunday. As is so often the case, Wandy then followed this up last night with his second win in a row. The record books may tell you this makes it two wins in his last nineteen appearances, but we’ll let him call it a run of two wins in two.

As one streak begins, another streak ends – Jake Peavy had struck out at least ten batters in his four starts prior to his Wednesday night game against the Reds. His streak was then snapped by Cincinnati, striking out “only” five and not factoring in the decision. Was this change in fortune due to some mechanical problems for Peavy, great at-bats by the Reds, or by me adding him to my fantasy team? I can’t shake the feeling that it could have been the latter (this is why I refuse to pick any of my A’s) so I humbly apologize to Mr Peavy and the Padres organization.

Let’s go to Disneyland! – In an effort to widen their fan base throughout Florida, Tampa Bay staged a three-game series against the Rangers at Disney’s Wide World of Sports (also the Spring Training base for the Braves). The Rays were happy with the way it panned out as attendances increased from one game to the next and the general reaction was very favourable, prompting the possibility that they may repeat the event next season. It also helped that the Rays swept the series: not losing does wonders for your popularity. Credit must go to the Rays’ Front Office for being proactive, going to the fans rather than waiting for the fans to come to them. The venture also showed that the team is moving in the right direction. They certainly wouldn’t have been able to stage a series in Disneyland and not be constantly described as a “Mickey Mouse” ballclub in years past.

Welcome home – While the Rays left their home for a few days this week, Barry Zito returned to Oakland for the first time since his off-season switch across the Bay to the Giants. Zito came bearing gifts, giving up seven walks, as the A’s tagged him for seven runs in four innings while going on to win the series opener 15-3. Zito received a mixed reaction from the A’s crowd, although if he keeps pitching like this I’m sure he will be welcomed back time and again with open arms.

The height of pitching – Major League history was made at the Arizona-Colorado clash on Tuesday. Randy Johnson (6ft 10) and Jason Hirsh (6ft 8 ) combined to become the tallest starting pitcher match-up in history, at 162 inches. Both used their height to good advantage as well, putting in decent starts for their respective teams

The height of arrogance – Johnson and Hirsh may stand tall in stature, but Lastings Milledge stands taller than anyone else, in his own mind at least. Milledge has earned himself a reputation as, how shall we put it, a cocky little git. He memorably received a note on his locker during his time in the Majors last season stating “Know your place, rook. Your teammates”. Milledge has spent this season in Triple A so far, but it’s not been a case of “out of sight, out of mind”. He has upset the Mets hierarchy this week by releasing a rap song containing allegedly offensive lyrics. Sounds like an all too familiar story of high on talent, low on brains. Let’s hope someone can set him on the right track.

Good stories as well! – From one not so great example, to a ballplayer doing something worthwhile. Nick Swisher is hardly the quietest player you will see, but that doesn’t make a bad person by any stretch. Swisher has been growing his hair for nearly a year and (thankfully) he chopped off his locks yesterday. However, this was not a vain exercise in fashion. Swisher’s grandmother died from cancer in 2005 and the hair has been given to a cancer charity that turn human hair into wigs for women living with the illness. Good to see a positive story about a sportsman doing something for others.

Player of the week – There are always several worthy candidates for this award, but few could begrudge Kevin Kouzmanoff from getting the nod this week. Before last Sunday, Kouzmanoff was hitting a paltry .115/.175/.207 on the season. Not good in anyone’s book, but particularly worrying for a young player who had been acquired at the start of the season. During the week, Kouzmanoff raised his batting average by .068, his OBP by .077, and his SLG by 91. Those of you doing the maths will work out that this still only amounts to a .183/.252/.298 batting line, but things are heading in the right direction. His batting line for April was .113/.171/.183 whereas so far in May it is .333/.395/.545. It would have been easy for him to buckle under the pressure of his early struggles, so his fight back deserves a lot of credit.