Around The Majors- Monday & SoccerScope

In the baseball portion of the post, I'll recap Sunday's games, look at the standings, and go through the news and notes. The rumors will be tonight on sprungonsports.blogspot.com at 3:30 pm eastern. On SoccerScope, the scores, standings and schedules from the past week, the MLS All Star Game, David Beckham's debut, and a preview of the SuperLiga.

Sunday Recap
The Royals took 2 of 3 from Detroit as the defeated the Tigers 5-2. The Yankees scored 10 in the 4th and Shelley Duncan hit 2 home runs as New York mutilated the Rays 21-4. Roy Halladay threw a 3 hitter as Toronto blanked Seattle 8-0. Boston bested the White Sox 8-5, the Angels tamed the Twins 7-2, Jeremy Guthrie and the O's blanked the A's 2-0, and Cleveland downed Texas 8-3.
Florida ripped the Reds 9-3, Washington scored 3 in the 8th to shut out Colorado 3-0, and Woody Williams and Brad Lidge combined on a 1-0 shutout of Pittsburgh. The Brewers edged the Giants 7-5, Yusmeiro Petit and Arizona blanked the Cubs 3-0, and Philly shut out San Diego 9-0. Chip Ambres' first major league hit since 2005 led the Mets past the Dodgers 5-4, and St Louis scored 5 in the 10th to beat the Braves 7-2.

Standings
The Yankees have won 8 of 10 and are 7.5 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East. Cleveland is 1 game back of Detroit for first place in the AL Central. The White Sox have lost 7 of 10 and are tied with the Royals for last place. The Angels are 2 games clear of Seattle in the AL West, and Oakland has lost 8 of 10. The Mets lead Atlanta by 3.5 games in the NL East. Philadelphia is 5 back. The Cubs have won 7 of 10 to get to 3.5 games back of first place Milwaukee in the NL Central. Pittsburgh has dropped 8 of 10. The Dodgers lead the Padres by a game in the NL West. Arizona is 3.5 back, 2 ahead of Colorado, and 9 clear of the Giants who have lost 7 of 10.

News and Notes
- In a tragic story, Tulsa Drillers 1st base coach Mike Coolbaugh passed away last night after being hit in the head with a line drive in Sunday night's game. The 35 year old Coolbaugh was a former ML player with the Cardinals, and will be missed by the Rockies orginization and by all of baseball. The staff at SOS sends out their heartfelt condolences. This should be a lesson that baseball is a dangerous sport, and that all participants in the game should always be careful and be aware of their surroundings at all times.
- Jon Lester has gone all the way back from cancer and will start for the Red Sox tonight against Cleveland. It's a feel good story, and we all wish him well, as long as Boston doesn't win the game.
- Astros ace Roy Oswalt will miss his start on Wednesday becaus of soreness in his upper chest. Matt Albers will start in his stead.
- The Angels recalled Pitcher Joe Saunders from AAA. Minnesota will get a hitting boost, as Rondell White has been reinstated from the DL. Garrett Jones was sent down by the Twins. To make room for Jose Molina, the Yankees designated C Wil Nieves for assignment.
- On tap for tonight, Lester's return will be on ESPN2 at 7pm. Aaron Harang faces Milwaukee, Santana faces Toronto, and Clemens pitches in KC. Maddux faces Francis in Denver, Miller-Buehrle in Chicago, Smoltz-Cain in San Francisco (10:15pm ESPN2), and Gaudin-Colon in LA.

SoccerScope
- A week ago on the 15th, Houston and Toronto ended in a scoreless draw, with Maurice Edu picking up a red card for TFC.
- Yesterday, Brian Ching scored twice as Houston earned a 3-3 road draw at New England. A John Wolyniec goal in the 19th minute led Red Bull New York past DC United 1-0. Fred picked up a red card for the black and red. Eddie Johnson had 2 goals as KC tied Colorado at 2. Jose Burciaga picked up a red card for the Wizards. 2 goals by Guillermo Barros Schelotto was the game's scoring as Columbus blanked Toronto 2-0.
- Thursday on ESPN2, Red Bull New York hosts Chivas at 7pm.
- New England and New York both have 27 points to lead the East, 1 ahead of KC, 2 clear of Columbus, and 3 ahead of DC. Toronto has 19 points, Chicago has 16. Houston has 34 points, 4 ahead of FC Dallas, and 10 clear of Chivas. Colorado has 18 points, Los Angeles has 13, and Real Salt Lake has 9.
- Last Thursday, the MLS All Stars defeated Celtic FC 2-0 in the ASG in Denver. RBNY's Juan Pablo Angel and Juan Toja scored the goals. This is further proof that the level of Soccer is rising here in the US and that MLS is a force to be reckoned with.
- David Beckham debuted for the Galaxy with much fanfare on Saturday. He came on as a sub in the 77th minute in LA's 1-0 loss to Chelsea, and didn't do much but still got a large crowd to come. He's making MLS a household name around the world, and just his presence will elevate the league. The next thing he must do is play very well so the Galaxy (one of the league's marquee clubs) can get back into the playoff hunt. Beckahmania has offically begun.