ridin'

Braves Update:
Jo-Jo Reyes picked up his first major league win in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Florida Marlins on Tuesday. Reyes pitched five innings allowing only three hits and one earned run, but his night could have gone differently if not for a spectacular catch by Andruw Jones to perserve the Braves slim 4-3 lead. The Braves didn't just use their gloves they also used their bats picking up 12 hits and four runs, all scored with two outs to get their fifth straight win. The Braves complete their three game series with the Fish tonight at 7:35 PM/est on FSN.

Games behind NY Mets in NL East: 5.5

Games above .500: 5
NL Wild Card Leader: San Diego Padres

Braves Notes: Don't forget to vote for Chipper Jones for the Hank Aaron Award, which celebrates excellence at the plate, here...John Smoltz dedicated his base hit on Monday to long time broadcaster Skip Caray who had returned to the booth after battling health problems earlier this month...Brandon Jones and Joey Devine are expected to rejoin the Atlanta Braves after playing for the AAA-Richmond Braves in Oklahoma City earlier this week.

Baseball Update:
With season nearing a close, a 1 1/2 game lead is the largest in the NL. As such, I'll be dedicating a section of the blog to Baseball news & notes until the final game of the world sereis.

American League Standings:

National League Standings:

(Standings: Foxsports.com)

Baseball Notes: The Boston Red Sox and New York Mets are competing for this years biggest choker award after the Red Sox dropped another game to the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 and the Mets fell 9-8 to the Washington Nationals. The Mets had previously held a 40 minute players only meeting but that didn't stop them from blowing a 7-3 loss. I guess they'll be shaving their heads again. Poor Shawn Green...The Brewers moved into a tie for first in the NL Central after beating the Astros 9-1 on Tuesday, but they did it after ace Ben Sheets left in the second inning with tightness in his leg...Justin Verlander gave up four homeruns in the Detroit Tigers 7-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians. Stick a fork in them, they're done...Texas Rangers Vicente Padilla and Nick Swisher were both suspended by Major League Baseball for their first inning antics during the Rangers and A's Sunday game. Padilla threw a pitch that struck Swisher sending Swisher charging towards the mound. Padilla received a seven game suspension while Swisher got three games...Marlon Anderson was also suspended by MLB, this time it was for only two games for arguing a called third strike on Saturday.

NASCAR Update:

Kasey Kahne officially announced he will be sponsored by Budweiser in 2008. Don't worry, Ray Evernham said it's not a conflict that Allstate will share co-sponsoring duties on the #9 Dodge. Thank goodness for driving responsibly.

Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, David Gilliland, David Stremme and Mark Green all tested tires for Goodyear in COT cars at Daytona.

Speed will broadcast Dale Earnhardt, Jr's announcement on Wednesday. If you're sitting at work, you can also catch the announcement on ESPN360.com. Coverage begins at 1:30 PM/est.

This just in, until last Thursday Martin Truex, Jr. had never been to a starbucks. I didn't know people like that even existed. Check out more from Truex's New York trip here.

Popo in my crib News:
University of Montana cornerback Jimmy Wilson pleaded not guilty to murder charges stemming from the June 3rd death of Wilson's aunt's 29 year old boyfriend Kevin I. Smoot. Wilson is also charged with "personally and intentionally discharg[ing] a riffle." Watch out Jimmy, because the popo are on your tail!

News & Notes: The Atlanta Falcons have signed Byron Leftwich to a 2 year, $7 million deal which would provide much needed help at the QB position...Not to be out done, the Dallas Cowboys signed Tank Johnson to a two year deal just in time for the Boys game against Johnson's former employer, the Chicago Bears...The Division II Gulf South Conference has suspended Delta State's head coach Ron Roberts and Henderson State's head coach Scott Maxfield after Saturday's on field fight in Cleveland...The NHL may make scheduling changes for the 2008 season which would produce a more balanced schedule...And finally, Madison Square Garden will retire its 82 year old boxing ring.

Check this out: So I know a couple of months ago a swore off the CW, but I've change my mind and it's all because of a little show called "Gossip Girl" which premieres tonight at 9 PM/est after "America's Next Top Model." To get a sneak preview of the show click here.

It's been fun blogging with you,

Kate