Thoughts on bug stoppages, Clemens, Rowand, more

Joba Chamberlain allowed a leadoff walk and threw two wild pitches in the eighth inning. AP

1. Plenty of major league games with far less on the line have been stopped due to bug infestations. I can't believe both the Yankees and Indians didn't argue for a stoppage of play Friday night, but especially New York, when it was obvious that reliever Joba Chamberlain was severely compromised by those conditions. It was no different than playing a game in a deluge. Cleveland's pitching was fabulous, but the Yankees must live with knowing that insects helped cause their defeat. No way that should happen in postseason baseball.

2. Down 2-0 in the ALDS, Yankees manager Joe Torre has no choice put to keep a quick hook ready for Roger Clemens in Game 3 and, if he gets there, to use Chien Ming Wang, who is much better at home, on short rest in Game 4 rather than Mike Mussina. Phil Hughes and Mussina should stand ready behind Clemens on Sunday.

3. Phillies center fielder Aaron Roward is due for a huge payday this winter, bigger than contracts handed over to Juan Pierre, Eric Byrnes and Gary Matthews, and given their hands off approach so far, the Phillies don't appear to be the ones forking over the money. The early leader? Milwaukee. The Brewers would love to put Rowand in center and move Ryan Braun, a liability at third base, to left field.

4. Looking for a surprise candidate for the managerial job in Pittsburgh? Don't be shocked to hear Boston pitching coach John Farrell mentioned for the job. Farrell, the former Indians executive, is close with new Pirates GM Neal Huntington, and like Padres manager Bud Black, another alumnus of the top-flight Cleveland front office, is sharp enough to succeed at most any job in or out of uniform.

5. After Walt Jocketty was pushed out of St. Louis -- it was far less "mutual" than presented publically -- he's already taking calls from interested teams. Cincinnati, for one, has interest in adding Jocketty to the front office.