News and Notes

The Reds scored three runs in the eighth, and one more in the ninth, to tie the game against the Atlanta Braves and continue their amazing comeback pace.  Unfortunately for the Reds, they occasionally have to deploy relief pitchers, and Nick Masset gave up two hits with two outs in the bottom of the 9th for the stunning Braves win and another vulture win for Billy Wagner, giving Mike his third closer W this week.

Speaking of wins, Jaime Garcia went five innings of shutout baseball against the Marlins, and then immediately lost the decision when Blake Hawksworth loaded the bases to start the 6th.  Thanks bullpen.

While we're on the extended subject of bad bullpens, Boone Logan and Mark Melancon combined to gift Tampa Bay four runs in the 8th inning, which ended up being the final difference after Andy Sonnanstine gave four runs back to the Yankees in the bottom of the 9th for a 10-6 final.

Also, Chris Ray recalled his allegiances by surrendering a game-tying run to the Orioles in the 8th inning.  Baltimore returned the gesture of goodwill by allowing Texas batters to occupy all three bases in the 9th and then serving up a sacrifice fly to Nelson Cruz for the walkoff pop-up.

And Kerry Wood gave up five runs in the 9th to KC for a very Wood-esque BS and L.  Tied 3-3 in the 8th, Esmil Rogers gave up four unearned runs with two outs, for a 7-3 Houston win over Colorado.

Matt Capps gave up a homerun to Tatis but somehow managed to hang onto the win against the Mets, who didn't start or even pinch hit David Wright in what ended up being just a 2-run game.  Brian Fuentes let Paul Konerko hit a homer in the 9th to cut the Angels lead to just one run, but preserved the save.  Bard gave up a run credited to Buchholz in the 9th inning of the Sox-Twins game, and then had men on first and second befor inducing a game-ending grounder from Jim Thome.

All of the runs in the Oakland-Detroit game were scored in the 7th inning or later.  Already down 7-1, Brandon Medders gave up six earned runs all by himself in the 8th inning to let Arizona have a 13-1 victory over SF.  Already down 8-5, the Dodgers Sherrill gave up two more bonus runs to the Padres in the top of the 9th inning.