Around The Majors- Tuesday Special

Just when you thought all the races were clear, right? The rest of the season now calls for cloudy with a chance of surprise, or for some Queens team disappointment and utter collapse. Let's get to the regular stuff done here at ATM today on SOS2.

Monday Recap
This was probably a game Detroit had to have. Cleveland scored 3 in the 8th to tie it and then won it 6-5 on a solo homer by Casey Blake off of Zach Miner. Johnny Peralta had 3 RBI's for the Tribe, who now leads Detroit by 5.5 games. The Tigers are now 3.5 games behind the Yankees for the Wild Card, New York held on to beat Baltimore 8-5. Abreu and Mientkiewicz each drove in 2. The Yankees are now 3.5 games behind Boston for the AL East lead, the Red Sox were shut down for one run over the complete game by Dustin McGowan as Toronto won 5-1. It was the Frank Thomas show for the Jays as he hit 3 homers and drove in all the runs. Javy Vazquez struck out 13 and Josh Fields homered and drove in 4 as the White Sox ripped the Royals 11-3. Minnesota scored twice in the 9th off of Joaqin Benoit as the Twins edged the Rangers 5-4. Figgins, Cabrera, and Kotchman each drove in 2 as the Angels nipped the Rays 10-7. Delmon Young drove in 3 for Tampa. Jose Lopez hit a big 3 run homer as the Mariners defeated Oakland 4-0.
BK Kim allowed 9 runs over 4 innings as the Braves mauled the Marlins 11-6. Jeff Francouer and Andrew Jones each drove in 3 for Atlanta. The Mets lead over Philly is now 2.5 as they committed 4 errors in a 12-4 loss to Washington. Church, Pena, Belliard, and Schnieder each drove in 2 for the Nats. Philadelphia had to slug and sweat as they edged the Cardinals 13-11. Ryan Howard homered twice and drove in 5 for the Phils. The Cubs kept their NL Central lead with 3 in the 9th off of David Weathers to win 7-6. Ramirez, Floyd, and DeRosa each drove in 2 for the Cubbies. Milwaukee stayed a game back as Yovani Gallardo threw 8 shutout frames in a 6-0 win over the Astros. The Giants scored 5 in the 8th to slither past the Snakes 8-5. Randy Winn drove in 4 for Frisco. San Diego now trails by only a game in the NL West as they got 2 ribs from Khalil Greene in a 3-0 win over Pittsburgh. The Pads lead the NLWC by 1.5 over Philly and 3 over the Dodgers.

News and Notes
- It's no secret that the Mets are in a state of peril. Pedro Martinez said that he probably won't play again if he suffers another serious injury. Carlos Delgado doesn't know when he'll return from a hip flexor injury. Willie Randolph said that he could go this weekend in Miami. Orlando Hernandez is day to day with a bunion on his right foot. Dinner will be served at 4:30.
- Apparently, towards the end of the season, rookies dress up in some odd costumes on plane rides. Dice-K Matsuzaka and his translator were dressed as Telletubbies. I'm not going to say which one he was, but you could email me (blueguy223@aol.com) for his name. Mike Lowell said he had to dress as a hobo on a team flight when he was a rook. On a recent Orioles trip, Fernando Cabrera was a gorilla, Jeremy Guthrie was a female nurse, and Kurt Birkins was a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.
- Big move for the Phillies as Cole Hamels went off the DL. The Yankees brought up Chase Wright and Tyler Clippard.

Tuesday On Tap
Billingsley and Francis go at Coors in the first of a twinbill. Team rejects David Wells and Mark Redman go in the nightcap. The AL Central showdown continues at The Jake, as Verlander battles Westbrook. Mike Mussina faces Baltimore, and John Maine gets the call to save the Mets in Washington. Jon Lester and AJ Burnett battle in Toronto, Floyd faces Meche in KC, and Harang and Zambrano is a duel to watch at Wrigley. Ben Sheets goes in Houston, Lackey faces Tampa, and Cole Hamels comes back against St Louis. Gorzelanny and Maddux duel in San Diego.

- ATM will be back tomorrow on SOS.