Monday, Monday

Braves Update:
The Braves seem to be picking up right where they left off after sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend at Turner Field thanks in part to a clutch hit by Jeff Francoeur on Saturday and Buddy Carlyle on Sunday. Carlyle allowed a first inning homerun to Freddie Sanchez but then settled in going 8 innings and allowing only 4 hits. Edgar Renteria had four hits and drove in a run in the 5-1 win. The Braves move onto a series against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. Coverage begins at 7:05 PM/est on SS.

Games behind NY Mets in NL East: 1 1/2
Games above. 500: 8
NL Wild Card Leader: San Diego Padres

Braves Notes: Barring any set backs, John Smoltz should return to the mound on Wednesday. Smoltz had been placed on the DL with shoulder issues.

NASCAR Update:
Tony Stewart pulled out his first win of the season and career win 30 on Sunday at Chicagoland. Stewart and Jimmie Johnson's cars seem to be the class of the field all day until Johnson had a massive tire malfuction which put him into the wall opening up the door for Stewart. DEI had a pretty good run going until 58 laps to go when Dale Earnhardt, Jr. lost his power steering. His teammate, Martin Truex, Jr. later ran into engine problems, relegating the teams to 19th and 39th respectively.
Race Results Standings

Shout outs to: Casey Mears, after taking the pole on Friday, Mears came in fifth on Sunday.

Random Quote: "I'm taking this momentum on vacation. I've got a case of Schlitz that I fully intend on getting to the bottom of the cardboard box tonight, even if have to do it by myself." -Tony Stewart on his win (source)

News & Notes: The Philadelphia Phillies became the first team to hit 10,000 losses after their 10-2 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. The Atlanta Braves would be the next in line for 10,000 standing at over 9600 defeats...Speaking of the Braves, they weren't the only team to bring out the broom this weekend, the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs also swept their series this weekend...Update last weeks blog, Rickey Henderson was named first base coach and Howard Johnson was made the Mets batting coach. I still say Henderson's hiring had something to do with Julio Franco's firing!...In other Mets news, former Brave Tom Glavine picked up his 298th career win on Saturday. Only two more to go...Congratulations to Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell on the wedding this weekend...Also tying the knot, Sarah Gore (Al Gore's youngest daughter) and Bill Lee...Former first lady, Lady Bird Johnson was put to rest on Sunday afternoon in Stonewall, TX. She was buried next to husband President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Lady Bird died on Wednesday at the age of 94...Finally, Harry Poter still has the magic touch after bringing in over $77 million at the US box office and over the weekend. When added with its Wednesday and Thursday gross, Porter made $140 million in just five days.

*Matching Game Answers*
Jason Kidd - Kerry Collins (5)
Teemu Salanne - Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (8)
Dustin Pedroia - Buddy Rice (15)
Sean Avery - Brian McCann (16)
Plaixo Burress - Matt Kenseth(17)

It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate