The Wally Backman-Miami Marlins intrigue continues - MLB

A couple of random tweets relating to the first managerial death watch of the season:

Jeffrey Loria on Mike Redmond: “I’m not interested in palace intrigue. We’ve got games to win. Period.” #Marlins

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) April 21, 2015

That’s not exactly an affirmation or a vote of confidence. Or a denial that Redmond is, indeed, on the hot seat. Also:

Was told Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria last week at Citi Field quizzed people who know Wally Backman about his managerial readiness.

— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) April 21, 2015

I think Jeff Loria is still paying Ozzie Guillen. Heck, he may still be paying Jack McKeon, Fredi Gonzalez and Joe Girardi. That he’d fire Redmond so early in the season and go with Mr. Firecracker Wally Backman wouldn’t be terribly shocking at this point, would it?

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols passed Willie Mays for fifth place on the career home run list, hitting No. 661 on Friday night against Texas.

The 40-year-old Pujols connected for a solo homer with two outs in the fifth inning. He sent Wes Benjamin‘s fastball on a 1-2 count over the wall in left field.

Pujols has hit five homers this season. He tied Mays last Sunday at Colorado.

It is only Pujols’ second home run since Aug. 4. He now trails only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Alex Rodriguez (696).

Pujols has one more season left on his contract with the Angels after this year.

Benjamin was the 428th different pitcher Pujols homered against in his career. Only Bonds has homered against more pitchers (449).