The Boston Red Sox continued their mastery over the AL Central, beating the White Sox 6 – 2. The win give the BoSox an 18 – 7 record against the AL Central. Chicago lost Jose Contreras for the rest of the season while he was trying to cover 1st on a Jacoby Ellsbury grounder.
The California Angels pounded the New York Yankees once again. Vlad Guerrero triggered a 8 run 8th inning with a HR starting the onslaught. The Angels won 11 – 4.
Tampa Bay came back again, beating the Seattle Mariners in 11 innings 8 – 7. The Rays tied their franchise record for total wins, 70. The Rays stayed 3 1/2 games up on Boston.
The Minnesota Twins took sole possession of 1st place with their 7 – 3 win over the KC Royals. Francisco Liriano looked very good again in his 2nd start back from the DL. The Twins are 1/2 game up on the Pale Hose in the AL Central.
Philadelphia Phillies starter Brett Myers did not like being told “boom…Outta Here” by manager Charlie Manual after 7 2/3 strong inning, arguing with his skipper on the mound and in the dugout during the Phillies 4 – 2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. All seemed calm after the game from all parties.
The New York Mets used huge rookie contributions to stay within 1 game of NL East leaders, the Philadelphia Phillies. Mets outfielder Daniel Murphy ( pinch hit 2 run HR) and starter Brian Stokes (5 2/3 innings, 6 Ks) helped the Mets to the 8 – 6 win over the Florida Marlins.
The St Louis Cardinals playoff hopes got a slight bit brighter with their 12 – 3 win over the NL Central leading Chicago Cubs. Troy Glauss, who was previously hitless against the Cubbies, hit 2 HRs and had 5 RBIs. St Louis’ win puts them 6 games behind the Cubs.
The Milwaukee Brewers gained a game in the standings by beating the Washington Nationals 6 -0. The win marks the 1st time since 1992 that the Brewers has back to back complete game shutouts by their pitching staff. The Brewers are now 4 games behind the Cubs.
The Arizona Diamondback’s playoff push may have taken a monstrous blow Saturday. 2nd Baseman Orlando Hudson broke his wrist attempting a tag. Hudson could be gone for the year. The Atlanta Braves used a 7 run 6th inning to top the D-Backs 11 – 4.
The Los Angeles Dodgers missed a golden opportunity to take sole possession of 1st place in the NL West Saturday, losing to the San Francisco Giants 3 – 2 in 10 innings. Jeff Kent gave the Dodgers the lead with a solo HR in the top of the 10th. Captain Fake Tan aka Jonathan Broxton quickly blew that lead when he had a wild throw home on a squibber, loaded the bases and allowed a line drive through the drawn in infield for a blown save. Manny “I Love LA” Ramirez had 3 more hits for the Dodgers. The win came on the Giants 50th Anniversary in San Francisco which Barry Bonds attended.
Michael Phelps won, what is likely the 1st of many Gold Medals setting a blazing world record of 4:03.84 in the 400M Individual Medley (IM consists of all 4 swimming strokes, freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly).
The Men’s Volleyball team overcomes shock and sadness to win their 1st match of the Olympics.
Dara Torres became the oldest competitor in Olympic swimming to win a medal, when at age 41, the US 4×100 freestyle team took home silver. Torres won her 10th Olympic Medal in her 5th Olympic competition.
US sprinter Tyson Gay feels good in 1st full workout in Beijing.
Denver Broncos linebacker Louis Green was carted off the field in a violent collision in the 1st quarter of Denver’s 19 – 16 loss to the Houston Texans.
Multi-year Multi-Million dollar RB Ryan Gran has a hamstring injury that is causing concern for the Packers.
Brett Favre was a huge hit in his 1st practice with the Jets.
Sports Vortex guest Paul Kuharsky has a nice story on David Garrard and his 1st full off season as starting QB.
The Los Angeles Lakers signed their 2nd round draft pick Sun Yue, who is currently playing for the Chinese Olympic Basketball Team.
The Maine Sports Blog 
