Michael Pineda denies pine tar usage, claims it was dirt

New York Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda picked up his first big league win since July 30, 2011 Thursday night in a 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. But all anyone was talking about following his six innings of work during which he threw 94 pitches and struck out seven was the mystery substance on his throwing hand during the first four innings.

NESN broadcasters Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy fueled the controversy, speculating Pineda was doctoring the ball (something Sox starter Jon Lester was accused of last year). Pineda denied the claim. "It's dirt," the 25-year-old said. "Between the innings, I'm sweating too much, my hand. I'm putting dirt — I'm grasping the dirt. I'm not using pine tar." Boston slugger David Ortiz didn't care. “Everybody uses pine tar in the league,” Big Papi revealed. “It’s no big deal at all.” Well, that's interesting. Once close-ups of Pineda's hand were shown during the fourth inning, his hand was clean when he came out for the fifth. Again, interesting. For their part, the umpires' hands were tied. "The Red Sox didn't bring it to our attention, so there's nothing we can do about it," umpire crew chief Brian O'Nora said.

Johnny be good

Moving to football news, 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel reportedly had the highest Wonderlic score for any quarterback prospect in the 2014 NFL draft class.

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