Raise the Bar

Braves Update:
The Braves took the early lead on Sunday, but a diasterous sixth inning gave the Nats the lead and they never looked back. Chipper Jones hit his 25th homerun in the first inning but was unable to get runs home in the seventh when the Braves really needed him. Mark Teixeira hit his 11th homerun as a Brave in the eighth, but it wasn't enough in their 7-4 loss. The Braves really were looking for their first four game winning streak since mid-July especially going into an important series with the Mets on Monday. But maybe their inability to get the sweep against the Nats will turn into a beating of the Mets. Catch all the action starting at 7:10 PM/est on SS.

Games behind NY Mets in NL East: 8.5
Games above .500: 3
NL Wild Card Leader: San Diego Padres

Braves Notes: Edgar Renteria returned to the lineup on Saturday for the first time since reinjuring his ankle in Cincinnati...Buddy Carlyle was announced as the starter for Tuesday's game against the Mets

NASCAR Update:
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s Chase chances went up in smoke long before his engine blew with seven laps to go while running in third, but the race summarized his season. One filed with hope and promise, dedication and determinination throughout all of the off the track affairs. But like most of his season, a great start didn't provide a great finish. A dejected Earnhardt, Jr. congratutlated whoever won (Jimmie Johnson) while graciously thanking his team and assuring his fans that his team would still work hard to bring home a win in the final 10 races. But for the second time in three seasons Junior will be on the outside looking in. Maybe his transfer to Hendrick Motorsports next season will create different results.
Race Results Points Standing Chase Drivers

Rumors are swirling that 2007 Indy 500/IRL champ Dario Franchitti will be moving over to the #40 Chip Ganassi Car for 2008 thus bumping David Stremme from the ride.

Travis Kvapil will drive the #88 Ford for Yates Racing next season. Also announced, Robert Yates will step down as owner of RYR and has named his son Doug as his successor. The team will be renamed Yates Racing.

News & Notes: Josh Beckett and Chien Ming Wang became the first pitchers to get 18 wins this season...Curtis Granderson joined an elite group of players on Sunday after collecting his 20th steal to go along with his 20 HRs, doubles and triples this season. He joins Willie Mays and Frank "Wildfire" Schulte as the only players in Major League histroy to achieve that. Unfortunately for his team, the Tigers, they lost 14-7 to the Seattle Mariners...With the Brewers 10-5 win over the Reds, they were able to take over the lead in the NL Central...The Giants got beat on all ends of the field in their 45-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. To top things off they also lost Eli Manning, Osi Umenyoria and Brandon Jacobs to injury before the game was over...Congratulations to Roger Federer and Justine Henin on their US Open wins this weekend...And finally, the IRL proved why its the most exciting league in motorsports on Sunday. Dario Franchitti went into Sunday just 3 points ahead of Scott Dixon, meaning whoever won the race would also win the Championship. Franchitti had just a bit more gas than Dixon picking up his first IRL championship in a season that saw him win the Indy 500 while also flipping in two consecutive races. Congrats Dario!

Check this out: It's season finale "My Boys" Monday. If you've missed an episode you can catch up here. Or check out Andy's in car camera here. Or watch some bloopers here. Don't forget to catch the hour long season finale at 10 PM/est on TBS.

It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate