The drama started in the bottom of the second. Shortly after NESN footage showed a substance glistening from Pineda's neck, Farrell called for time and asked Davis to check Pineda.

It didn't take long. Davis first asked Pineda to show him the glove and then baseball. Davis then had Pineda turn around, and when Davis put his finger on the side of Pineda's neck, there was ample evidence that there was a brown substance there. Immediately, Pineda was ejected.

"Yeah, in the second inning, it looked from the dugout that there was a substance on his neck," said Farrell. "You could see it. I could see it from the dugout. It was confirmed by a number of camera angles in the ballpark. And given the last time we faced him, I felt like it was a necessity to say something. You know, I fully respect on a cold night you're trying to get a little bit of a grip, but when it's that obvious, something has got to be said."

Baseball sucks to watch anyway. It's only worth it if you are actually playing, otherwise, it's as big a waste of time as golf or curling.

I am a baseball betor for a while now. And i am on + since i find it very easy to catch odds of 3.5- 4 on a team to win / over. It seems there is always a bounce back policy in this game - good teams almost always bounce back from loosing strike.

I started watching the game because of betting, at first i was just looking over pitchers and hitters stats on mlb.com. I slowly learned the game, Last year i even paid mlb.com to get live matches.

I suppose that is strange enough for an european.

doesnt really have too much to do with the cold, its just trying to get extra grip period. although he did use the cold, and not being able to feel the ball, as an excuse. but he has been busted for this before.

teams are only allowed to "mud" the balls before the game. during the game a rosin bag on the back of the pitchers mound is all you are allowed. the extra grip improves control, and you can get more movement on your breaking balls through faster spin. a couple people get caught and suspended every year. it is technically against the rules, but it happens more than one would think.

the funny part, is this same dude was busted with a suspicious substance 2 weeks ago as well, but he wasnt suspended because the sox never lodged an official complaint. they did this time, and the pitcher is facing a suspension.

i would also like to point out that pine tar is an extremely common, and accepted substance used on the bats. batters frequently use a bar of it on their bats before stepping into the on deck circle to warm up before their plate appearance. so it is in every dugout every game. but its against the rules for a pitcher to use it on the balls.

Ic - thanks for those explaining.

Is there a way i could know 50, 10 or even 1 pitchers ( except Pineda ) that does this. I assume everyone does it but on a smaller or larger scale. It would be helpful to know for my betting systems which pitchers/clubs does this more often.

Or everyone does this and it is just a matter how you mask it ?

The only thing wrong is how obvious it was. It's April, all pitchers do something to help grip the ball when it's not warm enough to have some sweat on their hands. Usually sun screen or shaving cream. Pretty much the reason why you'll see a pitcher lick his fingers before grabbing the ball.

Now something like a small piece of sandpaper in the glove... that actually changes the ball and how it travels through the air ;)

If a pitcher licks his fingers before grabbing the ball, he must first wipe them on this pants, shirt, whatever, before handling the ball.

They have people watching closely for that.

You'd think they'd be able to pay for pine tar to be developed in a harder to notice color...

colorless pine tar all around for the multi millionaires

The really disgusting thing is that they banned Charlie Hustle for life for betting on games that he wasn't involved in.

No one deserves to be in the Hall of Fame more than Pete Rose.

I doubt you will find a pitcher that doesn't have some trick.

Justin Verlanders trick is that he is only half human and half chuck norris

Funny thing is that he didn't have the pine tar on his neck in the first, then it was obviously there in the second and he didn't even go to it once. It was like he was daring the sox to call him out on it. Another odd thing is how he was immediately tossed where most people felt he should have to wipe it off and get a warning since it wasn't used. I like Farrell and hate the Yankees but still think it was a weird situation. And now he gets 10 games for it. Something is afoot

he really only looses one start.

Sounds to me like the Yankees need to hire Gaylord Perry as a consultant...

Pirates challenged (force play), call on the field was upheld: Yadier Molina reaches on a fielder's choice out. Matt Holliday to 3rd. Matt Adams out at 2nd. Two out.

Is this a challange like in tennis ?

It it bad when the announcers are awkwardly trying not to mention it because its so obvious.

He deserves what he got.

this is the first year a challenge system has been implemented in baseball, and i believe you only get one for the whole game. and video reviews on close calls have only been implemented for the last 5 years or so. Baseball is still an old fashion the call stands game, that is slowly accepting technology reviews.

We rarely agree cerb. But u are absolutely right.

AS STATED BY FARRELL HIMSELF,

ITS NOT THAT HE WAS USING IT, ITS THAT HE WAS RUBBING IT IN THEIR FACES BY BRAZENLY DISPLAYING IT EVERYWHERE.

BASEBALL IS AN OLD FASHIONED GAME WHERE THE UNWRITTEN RULES ARE OFTEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE WRITTEN RULES.

Ford, love that braves pitching so far this year :)

man, i cant believe it! best pitching start i can remember for any team! and to think we dumped Hudson, and Maholum, and lost Beachey and medlen for the entire year, and minor is making AA rehab starts. thats 5 of our rotation from last year!