9 RBI day
1. The “Lone” Leader: The Los Angeles Dodgers, simply put, are on a roll. With another win yesterday, they increased their Wild Card lead to two games over the Phillies. With just three games left to go in the season, that is huge. Thursday’s win over the Rockies was, well, unique. LA won 19-11 in the highest scoring game the majors has seen this season. Their win was prompted by a previously unheard-of name: James Loney. Loney drove in a team-record 9 RBIs, more than anyone in a single game this season. He broke the NL rookie record for single game RBIs. Loney hit two homeruns, a grand slam and a two-run shot, as well as a two-run double. His efforts gave the Dodgers their 15th win in 19 games against the Rockies this season. Taking away those games, this team is only .500.
2. Twin Leaders: The Minnesota Twins, who have been so good the second half of the season, have done what once seemed impossible. They tied the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central division lead. The Tigers, once easily the best team in baseball, have fallen off while the Twins have won game after game. Two months ago on this day the Twins were 10.5 games back while the Tigers were in command. But since that date Detroit has gone 25-31 while the Twins have posted a 36-21 record. Yesterday the Tigers fell 8-6 to the Blue Jays as Kenny Rogers had his worst start in a month. But the Twins, fueled by a ninth-inning homerun by Joe Mauer to tie it up, won in extras against the Royals. That handed Kansas City its 100th loss of the season. The Devil Rays are the only other team that mathematically can reach that mark.
3. It’s getting closer: The St. Louis Cardinals need a wake-up call. The team has virtually wrapped up the division title by mid-September, but with a bevy of losses lately they’ve forfeited this lead. They lost again yesterday, and they only have a half-game lead over the Astros, who have won nine games in a row. They lost 9-4 to the pitiful Brewers yesterday, with Jason Marquis’ ERA increasing to over 6.00. This team needs to win their next three games, all against Milwaukee, or they’ll be in big trouble.
4. SD keeps their lead: The Padres needed a win to avoid a tie at the top of their division, and they got it. San Diego beat Arizona 12-4, keeping their one-game lead. Their offense got three homers and Jake Peavy struck out 7.
5. Pedro out for the year: First it was the toe, then it was the hip, then it was the right calf. And now, finally the left calf is the injury that will keep Pedro Martinez out of the postseason. He has a torn tendon in his left calf that does not require surgery but will keep him out of the lineup for the playoffs.
