The Pennant Race - 9/10

We're back from vacation, tanned, rested, and ready to get back to full posting. The races in four of the six divisions continue to be exciting. The Angels have a magic number of two to clinch the AL West, and the Cubs aren't losing any ground, because the Brewers are losing as much as the Chi-town team.

Things have really gotten crazy out in the NL West. The Dodgers lost eight straight in August before winning their final two of the month. They've since won seven of their first eight games in September to, remarkably, pick up five games on the Diamondbacks. LA has gone from 2.5 games out to 2.5 in front. Last night they trailed the Padres 2-0 in the sixth inning when Manny Ramirez's solo home run ignited a comeback. Andre Ethier drove in four runs, including a back breaking 3-run double in the ninth inning.

The Diamondbacks meanwhile lost for the 12th time in 15 games. Chris Snyder hit a game tying, 2-run home run in the ninth against Giants closer Brian Wilson, but Eugenio Velez singled in the game winner in the home half of the ninth.

The Blue Jays continue to muck up contending team's plans. Yesterday they out pitched and out hit the White Sox in a doubleheader sweep to extend their winning streak to 10 games. A.J. Burnett won his 17th game in the opener, allowing just one hit over seven innings in a 3-1 Blue Jays win.

The Jays won the nightcap 8-2 behind seven strong innings from Jessie Litsch and three home runs. News also got worse for the White Sox, already without Carlos Quentin, when Paul Konerko went down with a sprained MCL. He'll be further evaluated today.

The Twins took advantage of the White Sox double demise with a 7-2 win over the Royals. The victory moved the Twins back to within one game of the AL Central lead. Justin Morneau continued his run at another MVP award with his 23rd home run and RBI, 118 and 119.

When Jason Bay hit a 2-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning last night, it appeared the Red Sox would overtake Tampa for first place in the AL East, but the Rays had more up their sleeve. Dan Johnson took Jon Papelbon deep for a game tying home run in the ninth. One out later, pinch-hitter Fernando Perez and Dionner Navarro stroked back to back doubles to give the Rays a 5-4.

Troy Percival came on in the ninth and faced a two out challenge when pinch-runner Jacoby Ellsbury stole second base and moved to third base on Navarro's throwing error. But Percival got Coco Crisp to pop out to end the game and push the Rays lead back to 1.5 games.

10-8. Important numbers in the NL East. The Mets blew a 5-2 lead to the Nationals and then had to rally from an 8-7 deficit to beat Washington, 10-8. Carlos Delgado went from first half boos to second half chants of 'MVP' with games like last night's in which he slugged two home runs.

The Phillies trailed the Marlins 9-1 before rallying behind Ryan Howard's 41st home run. They fell short though and the Marlins emerged with a 10-8 win, dropping the Phillies 2.5 games behind the Mets.

The Cubbies struggles continue. They led the Cardinals 3-0 last night before Albert Pujols hit a game tying 3-run home run in the sixth inning. The game would remain tied until the ninth when pinch-runner Bo Ryan came home with the winning run on Caesar Izturis' grounder. The victory moved the Cardinals to within 4.5 games of the Brewers in the NL wildcard race.

The Cubs didn't lose any of their lead though as the Brewers rallied back from a 4-1 deficit, only to lose to the Reds, 5-4, in 11 innings. Ray Durham hit the game tying 3-run blast in the seventh. The Brewers remain 4.5 back of the Cubs in the NL Central, while maintaining their 3.5 game lead over the Phillies in the wildcard.

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Around the Horn - 6/17

There was limited action in MLB last night, but there's a full slate on tap tonight. Before the news a recap of last night's action.

A big night for Ryan Howard in the city of brotherly love. He smashed a pair of home runs and legged out a triple in the Phillies 8-2 dismantling of the Red Sox. Howard's 4 RBI came mainly at the expense of Bartolo Colon who left, after a 4 inning, 4-run appearance, with back spasms. Cole Hamels went 7 innings for his 7th win.

The Tigers 6-game winning streak came to a screeching halt when they couldn't hold a 4-3 lead late. Fernando Rodney's first appearance of the season is one he'd like to forget- a 3-run home run surrendered to John Bowker. The Giants won it 8-6.

Carlos Beltran gave Willie Randolph a going away present, 2 home runs to propel the Mets to a 9-6 win over the Angels. Perhaps if Beltran and his teammates had played with fire and desire all year Randolph might still be manager.

The Marlins continued the Mariners misery with a 6-1 win on the left coast. Andrew Miller, who started the season so badly, allowed 1 run over 7 innings to improve to 5-5.

In the lone intraleague game, Jair Jurrjens threw 7.2 shutout innings to beat the Rockies 7-1. Chipper Jones returned to the lineup with a pair of RBI and raised his average to .403.


News

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the Tigers are interested in free agent pitcher Freddy Garcia.

This just in...the Mets are still gutless.

The Indians have signed recently released Morgan Ensberg to a minor league deal.

The Denver Post reports that Troy Tulowitzki could return from the DL this Friday.

The White Sox placed Paul Konkero on the DL with a strained oblique.

The Red Sox are expected to activate Dice-K this weekend.

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Around the Horn - 3/6

Serious news out of Cardinals' camp. Team doctor George Paletta says Albert Pujols has a high grade tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The tear seems to have also caused bone spurs, inflammation and arthritis in the joint. Pujols will need Tommy John surgery if and when the ligament finally gives out.

Rondell White earned the nickname RonDL because of his frequent inactivity due to injuries. Well, pretty soon Moises Alou may be known as Moises DLou. The Mets left fielder didn't even wait until the regular season to make his 1st trip to the disabled list this year. Alou is set to undergo hernia surgery and is out 4-6 weeks. The Mets HAVE to be looking for a right-handed bat.

Bartolo Colon had his 2nd positive bullpen throwing session and is on track to make his first spring start for Boston March 15.

When will the Rays finally cut bait with Rocco Baldelli? Baldelli was too sore to DH today after playing last on Tuesday. Is there such a thing as a hamstring transplant?

According to SI's Jon Heyman, the White Sox and Giants continue to discuss a Joe Crede deal, but so far can't agree on the players involved.

According to a source of Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, White Sox 1st Baseman Paul Konerko can still be had in a trade.

The Mets' Johan Santana bounced back from a rocky 1st outing with a solid 3 inning performance on Wednesday. The ace left-hander allowed a run on 2 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 4.

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Weekend Hot Stove

Chicago White Sox G.M. Kenny Williams categorically denies it, but rumor has it Williams is talking to his Angels' counterpart Tony Reagins about Paul Konerko. When he was acquired the other day, Nick Swisher was told he would playing a lot of centerfield for Chicago, but if Konerko is moved, there's always the possibility Swisher could become the White Sox every day 1st Baseman.

The Texas Rangers have agreed to a 1-year, $3.85 million deal with free agent 1st Baseman Ben Broussard.

The Chicago Cubs sent minor league outfielder Angel Pagan to the Mets for a pair of minor leaguers- 22-year-old reliever Ryan Meyers and 25-year-old outfielder Corey Coles. The Cubs had picked up Pagan from the Mets prior to the 2006 season.

Brian Cashman has said he's perfectly happy with the Yankees 1st Base situation (he also said the same thing about centerfield right before he signed Johnny Damon prior to the 2006 season), with Jason Giambi, Wilson Betemit, and Shelley Duncan sharing the spot. Cashman also feels that Juan Miranda, who played this past season in Double-A, could also play a factor.

How do you say "Lima time" in Korean? We may find out soon since Jose Lima is rumored to be signing with the Kia Tigers of the Korean baseball league.


photo couresy of mlb.com

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