And That Happened

Marlins 5, Braves 3: I already dealt with this one yesterday, but the picture says it even better than I did.

Diamondbacks 4, Cardinals 3: Same old story for the Cards: blown lead late by a bullpen that has gone from "suspect" to "convicted" and by now has become institutionalized like Brooks Hatlen in Shawshank.

Giants 9, Rockies 2: 36 year-old rookie Scott McClain -- who has launched nearly 300 dingers in his minor league career -- hit a homer and drove in three. This was doubly good news for the Giants inasmuch as (a) they won the game; and (b) McClain's success effectively scuttles the lawsuit he was surely pursuing against the steroid-abiding Giants for keeping him down for so long.

Tigers 9, Angels 6: And if you really want to talk lawsuit, how about the Mike Hessman situation? Ever since he posted a 1.000+ OPS in a measly 21 at bats five years ago, his teams keep giving him chances to play despite the utter absence of any other evidence establishing him as a legitimate major leaguer. Yeah, he hit a homer in this one, but how about the teams suing him for misrepresentation or fraud? See Rick? It's easy to play that game.

Rangers 1, Mariners 0: The Rangers play a home game in two hours, eleven minutes. They've had some innings last that long this season.

Mets 9, Brewers 2: I'd make up some clever doggerel a la "First we'll use Spahn and then we'll use Sain . . ." but I can't find anything that rhymes with Sabathia.

Red Sox 5, Orioles 4: There are a lot of lazy managers hanging around these days. In the Cards-Dbacks game, pitching coach Dave Duncan was ejected. In this one, O's hitting coach Terry Crowley was thrown out. Why were La Russa and Trembley too busy to go up and take the heat for their guys?

White Sox 4, Indians 2: The game story has six paragraphs discussing Bobby Jenks' five-out save like it was landing a man on the moon or something. Dude threw ten pitches. I got really sick of Rich Gossage's crusty old school act around Hall of Fame induction time this year, but I really do wish that he'd find the AP writer responsible and explain what being a relief ace is all about.

Blue Jays 5, Twins 4: Then there's the two-inning WTF? Joe Nathan blew the save in the bottom of the ninth, but Gardenhire sent him right back out there to pitch the tenth, resulting in a 45-pitch night for the Twins' closer.

Nationals 9, Phillies 7: They have served no other purpose, but I suppose the Nats will sleep well this winter if they manage to be the spoiler in the NL East this year. Ryan Zimmerman got a double and a homer. Because he was so close to hitting for the cycle, the Nats are currently protesting the scoring decisions that had him flying out in the third, walking in the fifth, and flying out in the eighth.

Pirates 6, Reds 5: Pirates manager John Russell on the status of Freddy Sanchez: "He had an MRI Tuesday. We'll monitor him. If it gets ouchy, we'll sit him a couple of days." Ouchy?

Astros 4, Cubs 0: And they laughed when Ed Wade acquired Randy Wolf at the deadline. Well, they're still laughing because the deal still doesn't make any sense, but a shutout against the best team in the game is a shutout against the best team in the game.

Yankees 8, Rays 4: A-Rod's homer was reviewed by instant replay. It's like we're in the future or something.

Dodgers 6, Padres 4: They've now won five after dropping eight. Now they start over again with Arizona and San Diego for the next six games. Weird schedule. Weird team. I couldn't say right now whether they'd be dangerous or whether they'd be cupcakes if they made the playoffs.

A's vs. Royals: Postponed due to a lack of interest and/or rain. To be rescheduled for reasons that are not quite clear at a time when no one will be watching.