Leading Off

Rare Road Wins Punctuate Postseason Start

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:33:54 GMT

The Dodgers and Red Sox both notched convincing victories as visitors Wednesday in Chicago and Anaheim, respectively. Los Angeles homered its way to a 7-2 romp at Wrigley Field, paced by James Loney's grand slam. Starter Derek Lowe pitched six strong innings to get the win. In Anaheim, the visiting Red Sox let Jon Lester quiet the fearsome bats of the LA Angels to post a 4-1 victory to start the AL division series. Lester scattered six hits and struck out seven over seven innings, backed by leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury's 3-for-5 day. The Dodgers try for a 2-0 series lead tonight against the Cubs' ace Carlos Zamabrano.

Brew Crew Nabs NL Wild Card

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:54:14 GMT

For the first time since 1982, Milwaukee is playing in the post season, sending Brewers' fans into a frenzy. The same two players who led the way down the stretch paced the team yesterday. CC Sabathia and Ryan Braun lifted the Brewers over the Cubs 3-1 at Miller Park, then witnessed the Mets final game collapse at Shea Stadium to know their positive playoff status. Sabathia tossed a confident, complete-game 4-hitter and Braun cemented the victory margin with a 2-run homer in the 8th, his 37th of the season. Most Milwaukee fans stayed in the stands to watch New York's loss on the park's big video screen.

Phils Filet Fish, Lead Mets by 1.5

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:05:49 GMT

Jamie Moyer and Brad Lidge pitched Philadelphia past Florida Sunday to take a 1-1/2 game lead in the NL East going into the last week of the regular season. The oldest player in the majors, Moyer (at age 45) ramped up his record against the Marlins to a remarkable 11-1. Moyer left with a 3-1 lead, and the Phillies offense added a couple of insurance runs in the 8th including a 2-run homer by Pedro Feliz. Chase Utley started the scoring with a 2-run shot in the 3rd, his 32nd of the season.

Rays Rout Sox, Lead AL East by Two

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:44:48 GMT

In a true team effort, Tampa Bay turned back Boston 10-3 before a sellout crowd at Tropicana Field last night. Matt Garza gave up two mammoth homers to David Ortiz, but the Red Sox did little else to challenge the team atop the AL East. The Rays, who have never won more than 70 games in a season, will nail down at least a wild card playoff spot if they can win two of four against the Twins in a home series this weekend. Willy Aybar, Fernando Perez and Gabe Gross homered off Tim Wakefield to lead the way for the Rays, with Aybar going 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

Brewers Fire Yost, Still Vie for NL Wild Card

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:02:23 GMT

In an unusual move, Milwaukee fired manager Ned Yost yesterday, replacing him with 3rd base coach Dale Sveum. It's the first time in major league history that a team in serious playoff contention has fired its skipper in September. But the Brewers have lost 11 of 14 games this month and their ownership obviously decided a shake-up was in order. Still, Milwaukee is tied with the Phillies for the NL Wild Card lead. By changing its on-field leadership, Milwaukee is hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s collapse. Will the move work? Stay tuned.

Braves Beat Mets, Chop Lead to One

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:54:21 GMT

Atlanta topped New York 7-4 Sunday, slicing the Mets' lead in the NL East to a single game over Philadelphia. Is it the start of a September meltdown all over again? Well, the loss represents New York's 27th blown save of the season, and their bruised bullpen poses a definite playoff problem for the team from Queens. Sunday, the Braves rallied for five runs in the top of the 9th thanks to a 3-run pinch-hit homer by Greg Norton and a RBI double by Gregor Blanco. In their half, the Mets put two men on base, but closer Mike Gonzalez quelled the comeback for his 11th save in 12 chances.

A-Rod Hitless as Yankees Fall

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:08:47 GMT

Andy Pettitte lasted less than five innings, giving up 10 hits as the Red Sox beat the Yankees 7-3 Tuesday, grabbing the first of a 3-game set in New York. David Ortiz smacked a pair of doubles and Kevin Youkilis delivered a clutch 3-RBI performance at Yankee Stadium. Meanwhile, Alex Rodriguez went 0-for-5, striking out twice and hitting into an inning-ending double play. Boston's Tim Wakefield kept New York hitters off balance just enough through five innings to post a win. Johnny Damon kept the Yankees in the game early with a couple of solo home runs against his former team.

Sox Vs. Yanks: Big Series in Bronx

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:04:08 GMT

The Red Sox visit old Yankee Stadium for the last time tonight in a must-win series for the Yankees. To keep its wild card hopes alive, New York sorely needs a sweep. Ace Andy Pettitte takes the mound against Boston knuckle baller Tim Wakefield. The team from Beantown is 4.5 games back of Tampa Bay, but ahead of Minnesota by 1.5 in the AL wild card race. Taking three of three at home could propel the Yanks back into the post season picture. It's possible. At least they are facing the back end of Boston's rotation: Wakefield, Byrd and Lester.

Red Sox Nip Jays 6-5 in 11

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:50:10 GMT

Boston rallied to defeat Toronto Sunday, gaining a game on AL East leader Tampa Bay. The hard fought extra innings contest included a 3-run homer by Dustin Pedroia, a game-winning solo shot by Jed Lowrie, plus a game-saving catch by left fielder Jason Bay. Making his own game-saving catch was Jacoby Ellsbury who nabbed a hot line drive from Jays' Adam Lind before crashing into a chain link fence at SkyDome. Cut and dazed, Ellsbury stayed in the game. Pacing the Red Sox from the piching mound were starter Daisuke Matsuzaka who struck out eight, and closer Jonathan Papelbon who pitched two full innings to pick up the win.

Zambrano Paces Cubs Past Reds 3-2

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:12:46 GMT

Carlos Zambrano scattered six hits over seven innings, allowed just one earned run, and smacked a homer to lead Chicago over Cincinnati yesterday at Wrigley Field. His 13 win of the season pushed the Cubs' lead to 5.5 games over the Brewers. Held in check by Josh Fogg and the Reds' relief staff, Chicago's hitters scratched out six hits and rode three early runs to a narrow victory. Kerry Wood picked up his 26th save of the season with a scoreless, hitless 9th.