Rounding the Bases

Baseball Update:
The Cubs continue to slide, falling to the Astros, 9-7 in 11 innings. Geoff Blum hit a game winning 2 run homer in the 11th for Houston, but worse for the Cubs, their starter Carlos Zambrano had to leave after the fifth inning because of arm problems.

On the other side of the coin, we have the surging Indians who are looking to be this year's Rockies, trumping the White Sox, 9-3. Cleveland elected to keep Travis Hafner in the minors.

Meanwhile, the actual Rockies are sitting just five games back of first place in the West with their 6-5 edging of the Giants.

The D'Backs, on the other hand, fell to the Cardinals, 8-2. The loss coupled with Los Angeles' win puts just a game and a half between them.

There may have been a lack of pitching, but there was certainly no lack of offense as the Braves out slugged the Marlins, 16-14. Chipper Jones was a late scratch after twisting his knee during infield practice. You're a gold glove calliber third baseman, you don't need to do drills, keep the knees, obliques, ankles/feet, hands, head, elbows, shoulders, etc... safe!

The Phillies put an end to the Nationals seven game win streak in style, with a seven+ inning shut out performance by ace Cole Hamels. Jimmy Rollins delievered two RBI singles in the win. Unfortunately, the game was not without a scary incident in the third inning when Chase Utley collided with Jesus Flores. Flores had to be carted off the field.

Carlos Delgado punched a three run homer, but it was Endy Chavez that drove in the game winning run in the 10th in the Mets, 6-5 defeat of the Brewers. While Milwaukee picked up a loss they got some good news as well; Ben Sheets is not expected to miss his next scheduled start despite leaving Monday's game early.

Francisco Rodriguez picked up his 54th save, while the Angels decreased their magic number to 8 on their way to beating the Tigers, 5-4. The AL West is only division without a close race. Although the Cubs could join the ranks if they decide to start winning again.

New York is keeping their playoff hopes alive taking out the Rays, 7-2. The win, which was Mike Mussina's 17th of the season, did little in the East, where they still stand 11 games behind, but it helped them keep pace in the Wild Card after the Red Sox drilled the Orioles, 14-2.

Josh Beckett is expected to make his first start since mid-August on Friday.

Nascar Update:
Click here to see who is on the qualifying list for Richmond. (Besides, Joey Logano) And here to see who will be racing against Richard Childress' grandson in the Nationwide Series.

Dario Franchitti is heading back to the IRL next season. He'll move into the #10 Chip Ganassi ride which will be vacated by Dan Wheldon, who is going to Panther Racing. Well, I'm sure he's happy to put this whole mess behind him.

David Stremme has been hired to replace Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman in the #12 Penske Dodge. I'm extremely happy for David, who showed such promise in his Nationwide Series days, but had a bad ride at Ganassi. However, he is a bit of a downgrade from Newman, no?

News&Notes: USC has taken the #1 spot...The Vikings Tarvaris Jackson says he's ready to go on Monday...The Saints will play their scheduled opener at the Superdome on Sunday...The Maple Leafs have dealt Bryan McCabe to the Florida Panthers for Mike Van Ryn...Oh and Mats Sundin is still deciding...Uh-oh, two members of the Jamaican Olympic track team received shipments of performance-enhancing drugs. Good job guys. You know you're not supposed to have this stuff sent to your house or have your name on the box...Tiger Woods has apparently found things to do in his time off. His wife Elin, Woods announced, is pregnant.

Check this out: I may have to start using Lakeland Buses to get to work in the morning if only because they have a strict no cellphone policy. Please people, be considerate, no one really cares about your kid or your annoying boyfriend or your crappy boss or your plans for that client you've been trying to switch to your firm at 7 o'clock in the morning. Text, blackberry away, just put down the phone! Click here for the article.