Scale of the Day: G Flat Lydian

The intervallic content of the G Flat Lydian Scale.

Baseball Post: 3-picks - New York (Queens), Oakland, Cleveland

May 31
Brandon Webb (8-0) (ARI) vs. Pedro Martinez (5-1) (NYM)
This one looks to be a true battle of aces. Webb is the first starter in the majors to reach 8 wins and Martinez would have hit that same mark if not for a soft relief staff in Flushing Meadows. This one looks like the pitching matchup of the week.
update: final score - ARI 0, NYM 1 (13 innings) - W - Duaner Sanchez, L - Jason Grimsley
This was an excellent game with both of these aces dueling to a dead heat of scoreless innings. Brandon Webb extended his streak of consecutive scoreless innings pitched to 25 with a some stellar defensive work from Eric Byrnes as he robbed a struggling Carlos Delgado with an outstanding play up against the wall. Pedro Martinez worked much deeper into this one than I expected given his "fragile" pitching arm. He must be at full strength. That should put the rest of the NL East on notice.
Brandon Webb: 7.0IP, 4H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 5SO, 0HR - ND
Pedro Martinez: 8.0IP, 5H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 8SO, 0HR - ND
June 1
Boof Bonser (1-0) (MIN) vs. Barry Zito (4-3) (OAK)
Rookie Boof Bonser gets a tough assignment for his third major league start as he heads out to the west coast to face the former Cy Young Award winner from Planet Zito. Looking at the Twins and Athletics offense this year I'd have to favor the veteran in this one.
update: final score - MIN 0, OAK 4 -- W - Barry Zito, L - Boof Bonser
This was a quick game - less than two hours. Which is what happens when Zito is on top of his game with 7 shutout innings. This one was well pitched with no base on balls allowed for either side. Kiko Calero and Huston Street came out of the pen to complete the shutout. Bonser wasn't bad despite giving up 3 homeruns. He was kust completely outmatched by the veteran as Zito rang up his 1,001st carreer strikeout.
Boof Bonser: 7.0IP, 5H, 4R, 4ER, 0BB, 5SO, 3HR - L
Barry Zito: 7.0IP, 4H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 5SO, 0HR - WJune 2

Jered Weaver (1-0) (LAA) vs. Jason Johnson (3-4) (CLE)

The Angels finally took my advice and called up the "other" Weaver. Though I'm a little stunned they didn't just swap Weaver for Weaver in the starting rotation and start with a clean slate. That 0.00 ERA is from just one career start in the big leagues. As is the 1-0 record.
update: final score - LAA 10, CLE 3 -- W - Jered Weaver, L - Jason Johnson
Jered looked like the real deal in his second career start in the majors. Two starts, two wins and a career ERA of 1.35. That's excellent news for the Angels. (That's excellent news for my ERA/WHIP trailing fantasy team.) If Bartolo Colon returns to ace form after his rehab starts this could really turn around that struggling rotation. It may light a fire under his big brother to pull that 6.64 season ERA down. But one look at his -138.2 Win Percentage Accumulation for the season tells me that the older Weaver needs to be pulled from that rotation altogether.
Jered Weaver: 6.1IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 8SO, 0HR - W
Jason Johnson: 5.0IP, 3H, 4R, 4ER, 4BB, 4SO, 1HR - L

(Graphs by Fangraphs)

Scale of the Day: G Lydian augmented 5

The G Lydian augmented 5 Scale as one would find it on any conventionally tuned, equal tempered instrument.

Scale of the Day: D Flat Ionian

The D Flat Ionian Scale as one would find it on any conventionally tuned, equal tempered instrument. It is also known as the "D Flat Major Scale."

Baseball Post: 3-picks - San Diego, Toronto, Toronto

May 28
Mark Mulder (5-2) (STL) vs. Jake Peavy (3-5) (SD)
Don't let that 3-5 record throw you. Peavy has pitched well enough to be 5-3, 6-2 even. That team working behind him has let him down. Even when he puts in an outstanding 16 strikeout performance in his last home start against the Braves and John Smoltz. Mulder, on the other hand, has the complete package working for him. He's a solid pitcher with a solid team working behind him. And it doesn't hurt that El Hombre is spotting him some run support.
update: final score - STL 8, SD 10 -- W - Jake Peavy, L - Mark Mulder, SV - Trevor Hoffman
Well, it wasn't a 16 strikeout effort by Peavy this time around but he did come out with a win despite allowing 6 runs in just 5 innings of work. This one was offense heavy - a little surprising given the caliber of starting pitching and the big ballpark this one was played in.
Mark Mulder: 4.1IP, 10H, 8R, 8ER, 1BB, 3SO, 3HR - L
Jake Peavy: 5.0IP, 9H, 6R, 6ER, 0BB, 6SO, 2HR - WMay 29
Matt Clement (4-4) (BOS) vs. Roy Halladay (6-1) (TOR)
That ERA graph certainly seems to favor Halladay in this one. That's where my money would be for this particular contest. But those bats could have the last word. Anything that helps the Jays pick up some ground in that AL East sounds good to me.
update: final score - BOS 6, TOR 7 -- W - BJ Ryan, L - David Riske
The great Toronto closer was the pitcher of record when the go-ahead, and game winning, run scored in the bottom of the 8th. Justin Speier
was credited with a blown save for the Jays after allowing a run in just two-thirds of an inning of work. Halladay had pitched well and would have picked up credit for the win if not for that shaky middle relief. Toronto has great starters and a top shelf closer. Is there a problem bridging from one to the other? The win keeps Toronto within 2 and a half games of the top of the division. Clement didn't last long - giving up 6 runs in just 3 and a third and that "blown save" kept him from getting charged for the loss.
Matt Clement: 3.1IP, 7H, 6R, 6ER, 2BB, 0SO, 2HR - ND
Roy Halladay: 7.0IP, 7H, 3R, 3ER, 0BB, 2SO, 2HR - NDMay 30
Josh Beckett (7-1) (BOS) vs. Gustavo Chacin (5-1) (TOR)
Gustavo Chacin comes off the DL just in time to face Boston's hottest starting pitcher. It's too bad AJ Burnett is still recovering from his injury and unable to face his former Marlin team mate from last year. I'm rooting for Chacin in this one as he's one of the more interesting starters in the American League this season and on his way to being a consistent force for years to come.
update: final score - BOS 5, TOR 8 -- W - Gustavo Chacin, L - Josh Beckett, SV - BJ Ryan
It's good to have Chacin back in the rotation again. And with a little help with great offense from Vernon Wells and Troy Glaus he managed to kick the Beckett. Josh only lasted 4 and two-thirds as he allowed 7 runs over that span - but managed to fan 7 hitters as well.
Josh Beckett: 4.2IP, 10H, 7R, 7ER, 1BB, 7SO, 4HR - L
Gustavo Chacin: 5.0IP, 4H, 2R, 2ER, 4BB, 1SO, 0HR - W(Graphs by Fangraphs)

Scale of the Day: E Flat Mixolydian mapped to the Square-root-of-2 1% wide

The E Flat Mixolydian mapped to the Square-root-of-2 1% wide Scale.

Scale of the Day: E Flat Mixolydian 2% narrow

The E Flat Mixolydian 2% narrow Scale.

Baseball Post: Pythagorean Win Projections for the NL Central

The NL Central is a crowded (6 teams) and fascinating division in major league baseball this year. The Cincinnati Reds are turning out to be an unexpected success story and Prince Albert of the St. Louis Cardinals is easily the player to watch in either league. This is the Cardinals division for the taking and I think they've got a shot at the championship this year. Let's see if the Pythagorean Win Projections agree.

Here are the current standings for the division with total win projection based on current win percentage:

NL Central Current Standings Projection based on current win % Cardinals 31-16 .660 107-55 Reds 27-20 .574 93-69 Astros 25-23 .521 84-78 Brewers 24-23 .511 82-80 Cubs 18-28 .391 63-99 Pirates 14-33 .298 48-114

And based on the current season totals for runs scored and runs allowed here are the Pythagorean Win Projections:

NL Central Pythagorean Win Projections
Cardinals	102-60	.629
Reds	85-77	.526
Brewers	77-85	.474
Astros	76-86	.470
Pirates	66-96	.408
Cubs	56-106	.345

I actually hope that the Brewers do something to allow fewer runs because I'm pulling for them to do better than .500 for the first time since 1992. This is very much the Cardinals division to take and the Reds may have a shot at the wild card if they can stay consistent. I look forward to seeing the Astros collapse if these projections turn out to be correct. And things do look grim for the Cubs.

Scale of the Day: E Flat Mixolydian augmented 4 1% narrow

The E Flat Mixolydian augmented 4 1% narrow Scale.

Baseball Post: 3-picks - Boston, Minnesota, Minnesota

May 25
Doug Waechter (0-2) (TB) vs. Josh Beckett (6-1) (BOS)
With just 6 games scheduled (typical for a Thursday as so many teams travel for the weekend series) the most interesting matchup is between two teams that surprisingly have a bit of bad blood between them. Waechter will be looking for his first win of the season and he's up against the former Marlin (there's a lot of those scattered around this year) who has been outstanding so far.
update: final score - TB 1, BOS 4 -- W - Josh Beckett, L - Doug Waechter, SV - Jonathan Papelbon
This one was well pitched on both sides. Though the Red Sox pitching staff had much better control as they issued just one base on balls through nine innings versus five walks from the D-Rays through eight. But these Rays are developing some serious experience points as they grow into a competitive force where as the Red Sox are competing for this year. Eventually the Tampa Bay pitching staff will settle in and gain that confidence and consistency that marks the elite clubs of this division.
Doug Waechter: 5.1IP, 11H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 3SO, 0HR - L
Josh Beckett: 6.0IP, 4H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 7SO, 0HR - WMay 26
Felix Hernandez (3-5) (SEA) vs. Francisco Liriano (2-0) (MIN)
The recent shake up in the Twins starting rotation has given Liriano a shot at being a regular in the starting rotation. I think he's a pretty good upgrade for the Twins and long overdue for this shot. King Felix will be working to confront his difficulties on the road.
update: final score - SEA 1, MIN 3 -- W - Francisco Liriano, L - Felix Hernandez, SV - Joe Nathan
King Felix actually pitched much, much better than his previous starts (even the starts that resulted in a win) despite getting the loss in this one. The combination of Liriano's outstanding work (along with the rest of the Twins staff) and the near total lack of run support made this one more of a Mariners loss than a Felix Hernandez loss -- even if he's the one ultimately charged. I mean, one RBI from Yuniesky Betancourt? What does it say when your only RBI comes from the guy hitting ninth in the batting order?
Felix Hernandez: 7.0IP, 5H, 3R, 3ER, 1BB, 8SO, 1HR - L
Francisco Liriano: 5.0IP, 4H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 6SO, 0HR - WMay 27
Jamie Moyer (2-4) (SEA) vs. Boof Bonser (0-0) (MIN)
The great veteran "crafty" lefty takes on the Boof as he puts his 1.50 ERA on the line in just his second start in the majors. Boof is another addition to the new-look Twins starting rotation. And it's just so much fun to say: "Boof." I want to know what he was drinking when he legally changed his name.
update: final score - SEA 5, MIN 9 -- W - Boof Bonser, L - Jamie Moyer, SV - Juan Rincon
Despite a healthy bit of run support for Jamie Moyer - notably a big 3-run home run from under-rated talent Raul Ibanez -- Boof Bonser picked up his first major league win on just his second career start (also his first decision) with a healthy 9-spot on the board to prop up his 4 earned runs allowed. There was also that triple play turned against the Mariners in the 8th inning. An impressive feat. Though I've been looking at that footage a few times and it looks like it was a regular double-play with a bonus out at the end thanks to some incredibly poor base running from Carl Everett. Aside from violating the rule about "not making the 1st or 3rd out of an inning at third base" his inability to get back to the bag before the long throw from first base after getting two outs is exactly the kind of mental breakdown I would expect from this bad off season pickup. His bat does not cancel out the negatives he brings to this team.
Jamie Moyer: 6.0IP, 11H, 8R, 7ER, 0BB, 2SO, 2HR - L
Boof Bonser: 5.0IP, 8H, 4R, 4ER, 1BB, 5SO, 1HR - W(Graphing by Fangraphs)

Scale of the Day: E Flat Mixolydian 3% wide

The E Flat Mixolydian 3% wide Scale.

Scale of the Day: E Flat Mixolydian augmented 4 2% wide

The E Flat Mixolydian augmented 4 2% wide Scale.

The Amoeba Infection

Here in California there's a peculiar strain that affects certain bloggers with periodic bouts of "Amoeba Runs." Symptoms often include multiple indentations on the forearm from carrying around plastic CD holder cases around the open pit of rabid CD collectors and a state of delirium from the anticipated hours of sonic rewards. This past weekend HurdAudio took to Hollywood for a long overdue case of the Amoeba Runs.

Eric Dolphy (with Booker Little): Far Cry
One of the last recordings for both Dolphy and Little before they were taken from this life. I've already given this one more than a few spins. Great group: Eric Dolphy - alto saxophone, bass clarinet, flute, Booker Little - trumpet, Jaki Byard - piano, Ron Carter - bass, Roy Haynes - drums. The first two tracks are Byard compositions that intrigue me: "Mrs. Parker of K.C. (Bird's Mother)" and "Ode to Charlie Parker." I look forward to giving this one plenty of ear time.

Then I hit the Wayne Horvitz bin and had a chance to catch up with some of his recent work.

Wayne Horvitz: Film Music 1998 - 2001
I gave this one a casual listen today. There's some beautiful work on this one. All of it very brief. Some of the beauty seems amplified by the brevity. Sometimes the shortness cheats one of the chance to dwell in some of these sonic textures. I'll need to give it a more focused listening.

Robin Holcomb/Wayne Horvitz: Solos
Solo piano pieces performed alternately by this couple. After just one casual listening I was struck by the Wayne Horvitz performance of "Armageddon" by Wayne Shorter and the fantastic "Before the Comet Comes" composed and performed by Robin Holcomb.

Wayne Horvitz/The Four Plus One Ensemble: From A Window
This is such an interesting group of players. Their first disc was incredible and I really can't explain why I didn't get this disc much earlier.

Wayne Horvitz/Pigpen: Halfrack
The inaugural Pigpen release. Now my Pigpen collection is complete. This was a group with great chemistry and smart compositions.

Wayne Horvitz/Zony Mash: Farewell Shows - Seattle, WA
The end of the Zony Mash era was reason enough to leave Seattle. Well... just kidding. But I was there for the entire Zony Mash period and this band meant a great deal to me.

Wayne Horvitz: Sweeter Than The Day - Live at the Rendezvous, Seattle 2004
This is essentially an acoustic version of Zony Mash. The studio CD of Sweeter Than The Day is a real gem in its own right. But these guys were something special live.

Guy Klucevsek and the Bantam Orchestra: Stolen Memories
Klucevsek on accordion, two of the Parkins sisters on strings (Sara Parkins - violin, Margaret Parkins - cello) and Achim Tang on bass. Yeah!

Lee Konitz Quintet: Peacemeal
I borrowed this one on vinyl a long time ago and it became one of my all time favorites. It only came out on CD a couple of years ago and I've kept an eye out for this one. The extensive Lee Konitz catalogue is huge and rich with great music and this one is something special. Lee Konitz - alto, tenor and Multivider saxophones, Marshall Brown - valve trombone, baritone horn, Dick Katz - acoustic and electric piano, Eddie Gomez - bass, Jack DeJohnette - Drums. Recorded March 20, 1969. Here Lee Konitz records some beautiful arrangements of pieces from the Bela Bartok Mikrokosmos that swing.

Bob Marley & The Wailers: Natty Dread
I've been diggin' the "cover" of this album that Charlie Hunter did for the Blue Note label and decided to visit the original inspiration.

Myra Melford/The Tent: Where The Two Worlds Touch
This is another one I've been meaning to pick up for a long time. Myra Melford is an amazing pianist and her compositional ideas have evolved in some interesting directions over the years.

Mephista: Black Narcissus
A trio of three of the "downtown" NYC improv scene's finest musicians: Sylvie Courvoisier - piano, Susie Ibarra - drums/percussion, Ikue Mori - computer.

John Zorn: Masada Guitars
Solo guitar interpretations from the Masada Songbook performed by Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot and Tim Sparks.


Now that's a good Amoeba run that should hold my ears for some time.

Scale of the Day: E Flat Pythagorean Mixolydian 1% wide

The E Flat Pythagorean Mixolydian 1% wide Scale.

Baseball Post: 3 Picks - San Diego, Minnesota, Chicago (Southside)

May 22
John Smoltz (3-2) (ATL) vs. Jake Peavy (3-4) (SD)
Two of the best starters in the National League opposing each other down in that spacious Petco Park. I'm looking for a pitching duel here.
update: final score - ATL 3, SD 1 -- W - John Smoltz, L - Jake Peavy, SV - Chris Reitsma
This was more than a pitching duel. Jake Peavy strikes out 16(!) and comes away with a loss. That's the most strikeouts in a single game for any Padres pitcher ever and the only run support he gets is a solo home run from Mike Piazza. Smoltz only fanned 5, but he managed to out pitch Peavy where it counts - runs allowed.
John Smoltz: 7.0IP, 6H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 5SO, 0HR - W
Jake Peavey: 7.0IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER, 1BB, 16SO, 1HR - LMay 23
Cliff Lee (3-4) (CLE) vs. Johan Santana (4-4) (MIN)
This one makes for an interesting match up between the ascending Indians against the fading Twins. Though I wouldn't look at Santana and see much fade going on there. Lee should have his work cut out for him in this one. Not that holding down the Twins' offense has been too difficult this year.
update: final score - CLE 5, MIN 6 (10 innings) -- W - Joe Nathan, L - Guillermo Mota
This one looked like Johan Santana's to win until Cleveland managed to rally back into the picture with some runs in the 5th and 6th innings. But they only managed to prolong things for an extra inning as Justin Morneau knocked in the walk off RBI. Cliff Lee seems a bit off of his numbers from last year so far.
Cliff Lee: 5.0IP, 7H, 5R, 5ER, 3BB, 2SO, 1HR - ND
Johan Santana: 7.0IP, 9H, 5R, 4ER, 1BB, 5SO, 1HR - NDMay 24
Dan Haren (4-3) (OAK) vs. Mark Buehrle (5-2) (CHW)
I expect Buehrle to be tough in this one. I'd like to see if Haren is up to the challenge.
update: final score - OAK 2, CHW 3 -- W - Makr Buehrle, L - Dan Haren, SV - Bobby Jenks
This was my kind of ball game. Well pitched on both sides with just a sliver of offense making the difference for the home team. Haren could be the next great A's pitcher after Zito leaves. And the White Sox have great pitching in spades this year.
Dan Haren: 6.0IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 6SO, 0HR - L

Mark Buehrle: 7.0IP, 6H, 1R, 0ER, 3BB, 3SO, 0HR - W(Graphing by Fangraphs)