The Bubble Burst Edition

Baseball Update:
The Mets avoided the sweep, by taking the night cap of a doubleheader with the Phillies, 6-3. However, the rest of the weekend was all Phillies, including the first game on Sunday, a 6-2 victory. The Phillies sit just two games behind the Mets in the NL East. The Mets did encounter a major setback on Sunday. Closer Billy Wagner managed only 13 pitches in a simulated game before being forced to stop. Manager Jerry Manuel does not expect Wagner to pitch again for the remainder of the season.

The Dodgers collected their eigth straight victory, overtaking the Diamondbacks, 5-3. James Loney had three RBIs in the win, which gave LA a one and half game lead over Arizona in the NL West.

The voice of the Dodgers Vin Scully will return in 2009 for his 60th year as a broadcaster for the team.

If the Rockies were hoping for a repeat of last year, a 7-5 loss to the Astros is certainly not helping their cause. Jack Cassel added four strong innings for Houston after starter Wandy Rodriguez had to leave early with an oblique strain. Jack's younger brother Matt also had quite an exciting day, but I'll get back to that later in the News&Notes section.

Chris Young lost a bid at a perect game with two outs in the eighth after Gabe Kapler launched a solo shot. That was all the offense the Brewers could muster in their 10-1 blowout loss.

Milwaukee added Mike Lamb to the roster after being released on Thursday.

The Reds scored three off of Kerry Wood in the ninth to rally past the Cubs, 4-3. This was Chicago's seventh loss in their past eight games.

Albert Pujols hit a two run homer in his first at bat at the game and that was all the Cardinals needed as they sunk the Fish, 3-1. The win allowed St. Louis to gain ground on the Cubs and Brewers, while picking up the Series win.

Cliff Lee won his 10th straight decision and tacked onto his major league best win total of 21 in the Indians, 3-1 win over the Royals. Victor Martinez drove in all three runs for the Tribe.

The Twins were unable to take advantage of a 3-2 White Sox loss, falling to the Tigers, 7-5. Justin Morneau had four RBIs in the loss.

The news was not good for Chicago. Slugger Carlos Quentin has a broken wrist and will have to undergo surgery to repair it. Quentin suffered the injury after hitting his bat in disgust with his right hand while holding it in his left hand.

The Red Sox are coming on strong just in time for their series with the Rays. And after Sunday's 7-2 blasting of the Rangers, Boston sits just a game and a half out in the East, with a chance to take the divison at the end of the three game set.

The Rays on the other hand are sliding fast. Tampa bay is not really in danger of losing a playoff spot (unless they hope to recreate the 2007 Mets or 1964 Phillies) but their 1-0 loss to the Blue Jays gave Toronto the sweep.

The Rays activated rookie phenom Evan Longoria from the DL after he took batting practice on Saturday and said he felt 100%. Longoria had been out since August 7th after being hit by a pitch and fracturin his right wrist.

The Giants started six rookies and the move paid off as they defeated the Pirates, 11-6. San Francisco scored 10 runs in the fourth and rookie Pablo Sandoval drove in five runs in the win.

Nascar Update:
Jimmie Johnson collected his third victory of the season after winning the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 on Sunday afternoon. The race was originally scheduled for Saturday night, but Mother Nature had other plans.

With the completion of the race, the Chase has been set. Click here to see who's in and who's out.

Congrats to Carl Edwards and Ron Hornaday who picked up wins in the Nationwide Series and Truck Series respectively.

The poor economy is trickling down to the Truck Series in 2009 after Dodge announced it will not factory sponosor any teams in the third teir series.

News&Notes: Tom Brady went down in the first quarter of the Patriots 17-10 win over the Chiefs with a knee injury which could keep him out for the remainder of the season. He was replaced by Matt Cassell who led his team to the win, but can he lead them to the playoffs and beyond?...The Bears ruined the Colts first regular season game in their new digs by beating them, 29-13. It was the first loss in a Sept/October for the Colts in 21 games...The Cowboys routed the Browns, 28-10 while the Eagles blew out the Rams, 38-3...USC remains number 1, while East Carolina moved up to #14 in the AP Poll...Congrats to Scott Dixon on winning his second IndyCar Championship. And to Helio Castroneves on winning PEAK Indy 300...Congrats to Serena Williams on winning her third US Open...Roger Federer and Andy Murray will face off in the Men's final on Monday...Finally, sad news, Western Texas (UTEP) famed Men's Basketball coach Don Haskins had died at the age of 78. His 1966 triumph over the Kentucky Wildcats was the basis of the movie "Glory Road."

Check this out: If you were one of the many who missed this year's VMAs, well...you were smarter than me! Click here for the best of VMA fashions. And here for the worst dressed stars.