streaking at the break

Baseball Update:
Carlos Beltran slammed his second first inning three run homer in a week as the Mets cruised to their ninth straight victory, 7-0. The Mets are now just a half game back of the NL East leading Phillies heading into the break.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Rays dropped their seventh straight, 5-2 to the Indians. Cleveland, who had lost ten games coming into this series, swept the Rays in four games.

With the Rays' loss, Boston had a chance to recapture the AL East lead and luckily for them, they had Dice-K on the mound. He along with the Sox relief staff held the Orioles to just one run, while the offense produce just enough runs to earn a 2-1 victory. Boston now holds a half game lead.

Ian Kinsler extended his MLB-best hit streak to 25 in the Rangers 12-11 edging of the White Sox. At 25 games, Kinsler is now second, behind Gabe Kapler (28) in Rangers' history.

So far this CC Sabathia trade has worked in the Brewers favor. In two games, the ace has picked up two wins and added a little something-something of his own. Sabathia became the first pitcher to hit a homerun in both leagues in one year since Earl Wilson did it in 1970. Oh, and the Brewers beat the Reds, 3-2. Maybe for next year's homerun derby, there could be a pitchers only component that would include any pitcher that hit a homerun in the past 12 months. Ah, maybe not.

Tim Lincecum eight strong innings were enough to hand Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster his first loss at Wrigley this season, as the Giants avoided a sweep with their 4-2 win.

Also avoiding a sweep were the Dodgers who killed the Marlins, 9-1. Chad Billingsley struck out 13 batters in the win.

In other Dodgers news, they have officially waived goodbye to Dodgertown after terminating their facility use agreement. The Dodgers had spent spring training there for 61 years and will move to Arizona full time in 2009.

The Yankees got some good news, outfielder and DH Hideki Matsui could start rehabing by the end of the week. Of course their game against the Blue Jays didn't go quite as well. A.J. Burnett held the Yanks to just one run in over 8 innings of play, in their 4-1 loss.

Even though he was overlooked for the all-star game, Pat Burrell continued his outstanding first half with his 23rd homer of the season, as the Phils took care of the Diamondbacks, 6-3.

The Nationals held a moment of silence to honor two fans who were killed on Friday on a "team-promoted shuttle bus" that was heading to the game. Both men were allegedly standing on the upper deck of an open top double decker when their heads struck an underpass. While this is an incredibly sad story, why were they standing? And didn't they notice the underpass approaching? Hopefully this will set up policy that will avoid a similiar incident from ever happening again.

Sad news, former Cardinals coach Dave Ricketts died on Sunday at the age of 73. Also passing away this weekend was former Yankees broadcast announcer Bobby Murcer. He was only 62.

All-Star starters were announced. For the AL Cliff Lee will take the mound and for the NL it will be Ben Sheets starting. Also announced, Carlos Marmol will take the spot of reliever Kerry Wood and Justin Morneau will fill out the field of 8 contestants at the homerun derby. Remember to check back on Thursday for all of my All-Star and Homerun Derby scoop.

Red Sox prospect Che-Hasuan Lin was named MVP of the Futures game as the World blanked the US, 3-0.

Nascar Update:
Some unlucky crews were stuck in Chicago a bit longer than they had hoped after construction kept planes from Penske Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, Hall of Fame Racing and others at Midway Airport until early Sunday morning.

With Stewart leaving after the 2008 season, a plumb opening at Joe Gibbs Racing could be filled by one of their own, Nationwide Series driver Joey Logano. Sure you dont' want to give him a full Nationwide Series season mixed in with a couple of Cup dates before you bring him up full time?

Barrack Obama has turned down a sponsorship opportunity with the #49 BAM Racing team. For a small fee, Obama could have had his name on the hood...during qualifying...cause it's not like that team's making the race or at the very least running competitive in that race.

News&Notes: I don't know if you've noticed, I get kind of bored after a story goes more than say three days with little new information, such is the Brett Farve story. But I realize I maybe int he minority, because apparently people do want him back in the NFL next year...Gilbert Arenas is sticking with the Wizards, finalizing a six year deal that could get his $111 million...Speaking of huge deals, Vicncent Lecavalier signed a 11 year, $85 million deal contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning...After 28 years together, Billy Packer will no long be doing NCAA color commentating for CBS.

Check this out: I think next year's Miss USA must pass one simple test, walking without falling. Because this year's contestant in the Miss World Pageant just couldn't handle it. Click here for the video.

It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate