And That Happened

Padres 4, Dodgers 0: Cory Luebke allows only three hits in six innings to the undead Dodgers. San Diego pushes its lead over San Francisco to two games because . . .

Diamondbacks 3, Giants 1:   . . . Daniel Hudson allowed only five hits. The Padres and Giants open up a huge four-game series in San Diego tonight. Your mother and I have discussed it, and you have our permission to stay up late. But you still have to finish your homework, Buster.

Rockies 9, Reds 2: Sixth straight win, though this one comes with a cost: Aaron Cook broke his fibula on a Joey Votto comebacker. Carlos Gonzalez extends his hitting streak to 16 games.

Phillies 10, Marlins 6: Philly was up 10-0 in the seventh before Nate Robertson was allowed in to pitch and promptly gave up six runs. Given that the Marlins let him go after a similarly awful game in late July, I can only assume that this outing was intended to be some sort of shot at redemption or something. Well, redemption is overrated.

Braves 9, Pirates 3: I guess the Braves can score against baseball’s worst pitching staff.  Just as Charlie Manuel was probably a bit pissed to have to use his closer in a game the Phillies once led 10-0, I bet Bobby Cox was a tad cheesed off that he had to bring Billy Wagner into a game the Braves led 9-1 heading into the ninth.

Brewers 8, Cardinals 1: Tony La Russa used three pitchers and made double switches and stuff in the seventh inning, when the score was 7-1 and there was no one on base or anything. If I could be anyone, it would be a Cardinals beat writer who just found out he won the lottery before this game so I could ask La Russa with a straight face: “Really, Tony, WTF?”

Tigers 5, White Sox 1: Jeremy Bonderman threw three-hit ball over eight innings. It was a quickie too: the game took just two hours, four minutes.

Twins 4, Royals 3: Zack Greinke vs. the Twins this year: 0-4 with an 8.18 ERA.  Minnesota ups its lead to 5.5 games. For Chicago: it’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there.

Angels 4, Indians 3: I thought sixteen innings of Indians and Angels baseball is the kind of thing that was outlawed by the Geneva Convention. This one could have ended in regulation but Fernando Rodney blew his fourth save in twelve chances.

Rangers 8, Blue Jays 1: The Rangers rapped out 16 hits. There were dueling Molinas. The Rangers used two pitchers named “Darren.” For I think the first time this year I have occasion to write the name “Rzepczynski.” Just a solid game all around from a useless baloney perspective.

Mets 3, Nationals 2: Even better than a knuckleball pitcher shutting down the opposition: a knuckleball pitcher getting a couple of base hits. R.A. Dickey (6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER) (2 for 2, R).

Yankees 3, Orioles 2: Hit this one up yesterday afternoon. It occurs to me, in light of Posada being out with concussion stuff, that there is no law of nature that demands the Yankees be in first place. At some point, aren’t there enough bullet holes in this team that they have to worry about taking on water?

Red Sox 11, Rays 5: Well, if the Rays lose I don’t suppose the Yankees take on water. Two homers and a four for five night for Marco Scutaro. And hey — Tim Wakefield made $500K!

Athletics 4, Mariners 3: Coco Crisp homered and drove in three. The A’s have won four of six since. Gio Gonzalez got his fourth straight win.

Astros 4, Cubs 0: Brett Myers was on point (7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 8K). In other news, we’re getting very near the point of the season where I can’t think of a damn thing that interests me about a game between a couple of non-contenders that aren’t bad enough to be trainwreck-interesting.