Around The Majors- Monday

Yesterday's scores, today's schedule, some news and notes and perhaps other things along the way. Unlike the Tigers, SOS gets off to a fast start on a Monday.

Sunday Scoreboard
-Hideki Matsui's 2 run homer was the only offense in the game as the Yankees blanked the Rays 2-0. Chien-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, and Mariano Rivera combined on a 4 hit shutout as James Shields took the tough luck loss.
-Josh Beckett was torched for 5 runs in 4 2/3 frames and a Frank Thomas grand slam was the big blow as Toronto swept Boston 7-4. Vernon Wells also homered for the Jays as Roy Halladay threw 8 innings for the win.
-Ian Snell struck out 10 over 6 innings, and Xavier Nady homered in Pittsburgh's 9-2 win in Florida. Nate McLouth also drove in 2 for the Pirates.
-Another rookie Red stepped up as Edinson Volquez fanned 8 over 5 1/3 as Cincy fried the Phillies 8-2 at GABP. Ken Griffey hit homer number 594, and Jeff Keppinger homered and drove home 3 in the win. Brett Myers was saddled with the loss.
-Felix Hernandez threw 8 shutout innings, but the closer committee couldn't seal the deal for Seattle. An Aubrey Huff groundout against Eric O'Flaherty made it 2-1 and then a Mark Lowe wild pitch allowed the tying run to score before a Luis Hernandez single gave the first place Orioles a 3-2 win over the Mariners. Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven strong for the Birds.
-John Smoltz and the Braves bullpen outdueled Johan Santana as the Braves beat the Mets 3-1. A Mark Teixeira two run blast off of Aaron Heilman broke the game open, and a late Met rally wasn't enough against Rafael Soriano, who picked up the save.
-Barry Zito allowed 5 runs in as many innings, as a complete game 5 hit shutout from Ben Sheets gave the Brewers a 7-0 win over the Giants. Gabe Kapler and Ryan Braun (go Jews!) homered for Milwaukee.
-The first place Royals got 5 shutout innings out of Brett Tomko and Alex Gordon drove in 2 in KC's 3-1 triumph in Minnesota. Joakim Soria struck out the side in the 9th, and Boof Bonser took the tough lucker for the Twins.
-The Cardinals have won 4 in a row as Kyle Lohse's 7 shutout frames guided St Louis past Washington 4-0. Rick Ankiel homered and drove in a pair for the Redbirds.
-The Cubs got seven strong from Carlos Zambrano, and Marmol and Wood shut the door on a 3-2 Cubs victory over Houston. A Derek Lee solo shot off of Oscar Villarreal proved to be the winner. Alfonso Soriano also went deep for Chicago.
-It was a wild one in Denver. With Colorado up 1-0 after a brilliant performance by Franklin Morales, Manny Corpas gave up a 2 run shot to Mark Reynolds to give Arizona the lead. Brandon Lyon then blew the save in the bottom half when he gave up a solo shot to Brad Hawpe. But then a Stephen Drew solo blast off of Micah Bowie started a 3 run 10th, and Chad Qualls picked up the save in the 5-2 10 inning win for the Snakes.
-Jon Garland allowed 7 runs in 5 innings as the Rangers roughed up the Angels 10-4. Gerald Laird homered twice with 6 RBI for Texas, and Ben Broussard also went deep for the Rangers.
-Cleveland scored 2 in the 7th on a groundout and a bases loaded walk against Joe Blanton to beat the A's 2-1. Cliff Lee allowed just a run in 6 2/3 as Joe Borowski picked up the save.
-Rookie Chin-lung Hu's single off of Trevor Hoffman in the 9th gave the Dodgers a 3-2 win over San Diego. Derek Lowe and Chris Young both had good outings, but it was Takashi Saito who got the save and the best of today's closer clash.
-Justin Verlander allowed 9 runs, the Tigers committed 3 errors, and they still have no wins as they fell at home 13-2 to the White Sox. Nick Swisher led off the game with a homer, Crede and Cabrera each drove in 3, and Carlos Quentin had 4 RBI for Chicago.

Baseball Today
Cole Hamels will face Bronson Arroyo today as the Phillies play the Reds at 12:35. The Cubs and Pirates play at 1:30 as Lilly faces Gorzalanny, Seattle plays Baltimore at 3, Minnesota opens at Chicago at 4, and Cain faces Maddux at 4:30 as the Giants play the Padres. 7pm on ESPN2 has Hammel facing Mussina as the Rays close a 4 game set with the Yankees. Tom Glavine will face Colorado, Dan Haren will face the Dodgers, and Carmona pitches in LA as the Indians play the Angels.

News & Notes
-Curtis Granderson was cleared for baseball activities and could return to the Tigers lineup in 10 days. This is welcome news because they have been "embarrassing" according to manager Jim Leyland. And everyone else...
-Jack Wilson has been plaved on the Pittsburgh DL.
-After Rick VandenHurk's bad start for the Marlins yesterday, he was banished to AA Carolina.
-The Arizona Republic reports that the Snakes and OF Chris Young are close to a long term deal.