Cody Ross hit a go-ahead two-run homer off Cole Hamels in the sixth inning and the Florida Marlins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-4 on Saturday night. The Marlins moved within five games of the NL East-leading Phillies and try to complete the three-game sweep with ace Josh Johnson on the mound Sunday.
Midnight came and went, and the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees were still waiting for someone to score a run. The teams were tied 0-0 through 14 innings as Friday turned to Saturday, with Derek Jeter, Victor Martinez and most every other hitter stuck in the batter's box. Boston ace Josh Beckett and the Yankees' A.J.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have played all night, and are still waiting for someone to score a run. The teams were scoreless through 13 innings as midnight approached Friday. This marked the first time since 1976 that the longtime AL East rivals had gone into extra innings tied 0-0. Boston ace Josh Beckett and the Yankees' A.J.
Even though the New York Yankees finally were able to hit Roy Halladay, they still don't enjoy facing the Toronto ace. Andy Pettitte won for the first time in six starts and Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira and Hideki Matsui all hit solo shots off Halladay, beating the Blue Jays 5-3 on Tuesday night. "He's no fun to face," shortstop Derek Jeter said of Halladay.
The Houston Astros felt like they got lucky against San Francisco ace Matt Cain. Geoff Blum and Kaz Matsui homered and Cain's six-start unbeaten streak was snapped with the Astros' 4-3 win over the Giants on Monday night. "Guys like that have to make mistakes in order for you to beat them," Houston manager Cecil Cooper said.
For 15 minutes Monday, the Baltimore Orioles made Justin Verlander look like one of baseball's worst pitchers. It didn't last. The Detroit ace allowed five runs before getting his second out, but didn't give up another in his eight innings of work, allowing the Tigers to rally for a 6-5 victory.
Arizona Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb had shoulder surgery Monday, putting an end to a difficult season for the usually durable right-hander. Arizona was expected to be a playoff contender this year with Webb and Dan Haren at the front of its rotation. But Webb never pitched again after a no-decision against Colorado on opening day and the Diamondbacks quickly fell off the pace in the NL West.
Astros ace Roy Oswalt will skip his next scheduled start because he still felt pain in his lower back after a bullpen session Monday. Forced to leave his previous outing because of an irritated disk, Oswalt was scheduled to start Tuesday night against San Francisco. After throwing 30 to 40 pitches in the bullpen, he wasn't ready to go.
The Chicago Cubs struck out 14 times, stranded 14 runners and gave up nine walks. They lost ace Carlos Zambrano and slugger Aramis Ramirez to injuries. They blew an early six-run lead, and a three-run lead with two out in the ninth. Thanks to Derrek Lee, they won anyway. Lee led off the 10th inning with a home run Saturday night, and the Cubs beat the relentless but hapless Florida Marlins 9-8.
Chicago Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano has left the game at Florida after three innings because of a stiff back. Zambrano struggled with his control Saturday but departed with the Cubs leading 6-2. He walked three, threw a wild pitch and hit Hanley Ramirez, forcing the NL batting leader from the game with a bruised left knee.
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