1. One Crazy Night: If you like great pitching matchups or low-scoring contests, then the Phillies-Cardinals game last night was not for you. The Cardinals came into the game with five consecutive losses, and they needed a win against the weak Phillies at home. But unfortunately, Jeff Weaver was pitching for them. Weaver has maintained a consistent 6+ ERA all season, and last night was no different. He allowed 7 runs to the Phils, including a lead-off homer to Jimmy Rollins. After the 5th inning the Phillies were up 8-2, but the Cards stormed back to knock Brett Myers out of the game. Suddenly the Phillies lead had disappeared and the Cardinals had made it an 8-7 game. But then Philadelphia put the game away with a 5-run eighth, including a hit by Chase Utley to extend his hitting streak to 34. the hit was initially ruled an error, but it didn’t matter anyway because Chase added a single in the ninth. The final tally was 16-8, with St. Louis losing yet another game. They are still 3.5 up on the second place Reds, who have lost four in a row themselves.
2. Here we go: It’s August now, which means it’s time for another run by the Houston Astros. They won their 3rd game out of 4 last night to put themselves within 7.5 of the division leading Cardinals. Brandon Backe had one of his better starts as the team bested San Diego 7-1. Despite playing without stud first baseman Lance Berkman, the Astros were able to put some runs on the board. Craig Biggio, who amazingly is still playing, hit two homers to bring his season total to 13. For the Padres, this is their fifth loss in their last six games. They still have held onto the division lead, but who knows what will happen in the West.
3. Pitching beats pitching: When the Angels and the A’s get together, you know you’re in for a low-scoring contest. Both teams have won with great pitching despite awful hitting. A series between the teams has now wrapped up, and the A’s won this important divisional battle. Last night (amazingly) Esteban Loaiza did not get shelled! He won the game, only his fourth win of the year. Just imagine where the A’s would be without Loaiza, who is allowing a .322 batting average to opposing hitters. But he came up big in a big game last night, and Oakland now has a 1.5 game lead over their Anaheim rivals.
4. Bad Decision: The Indians traded away aging closer Bob Wickman in part because they wanted to see what youngster Fausto Carmona could do. Well now they’ve seen, and they would probably like that trade back. Carmona has allowed 9 runs in his last 3 appearances, losing each time out. He gave up another Boston Red Sox ninth-inning win yesterday, with Mark Loretta doubling to win the game. The Red Sox and the Yankees both won yesterday, and they are still virtually tied for the AL East lead. The Yankees have crushed Toronto to basically put them out of the race.
5. Ailing pitchers: A variety of pitchers are out with a variety of injuries, and Full Count is here to give you the scoop. Kris Benson, who has been mediocre in his first year with the Orioles, will likely be headed for the 15-day DL. But Chan Ho Park is in much bigger trouble. He will need a blood transfusion to treat intestinal bleeding that has plagued the Padres starter lately. Don’t expect him to pitch for a few weeks. Francisco Liriano won’t be put on the DL, though he missed his start last night with an elbow issue. But–ready to be shocked?–there is some good news for one pitcher. Kerry Wood, who has been injured nearly his entire life, has opted to forego surgery on his shoulder. But it’s still unlikely that he will pitch the rest of the year.
