– The Chicago Cubs haven’t played the best ball since the All-Star Break, but maybe things are turning around for the club after they knocked off CC Sabathia and division rival Milwaukee 6-4 Monday night. For the second night in a row, Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano propelled the Cubs to victory. Lee went 3 for 5 and knocked in three runs, while Soriano hit his second HR in two games and chipped in three runs scored. Chad Gaudin, who the Cubs acquired in the Rich Harden trade, picked up his second win in two nights. Sabathia (6.2 IP, 9H, 4R, 3K) didn’t take the loss, but it was the first time he hasn’t won a start since being traded to the Brewers.
– The Los Angeles Angels continue to own the Boston Red Sox. With their 7-5 win last night, the Angels have now beaten the BoSox four straight times since the All-Star Break and are 12-1 against them this season. Jered Weaver picked up his ninth win of the year, while the Halos used a six-run sixth to knock the usually stingy Dice-K (5.0 IP, 7H, 6R, 3K) out of the game.
– The New York Yankees won eight straight to start the second half, but have since lost two in a row after the Baltimore Orioles smacked the Bronx Bombers 13-4 on Monday. Four O’s homered off Mike Mussiana, who was looking for his 14th win of the year. Newly acquired Yankee Xavier Nady did homer, however, as well did Johnny Damon.
– With the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, everything stayed the same in the AL East. A.J. Burnett struck out 10, which might help the Jays cause in trading him with the deadline quickly approaching. The Rays are just 5-5 since the All-Star Break.
– How about those Florida Marlins? With a 7-3 win over the New York Mets on Monday, the Marlins are now one game out of first in the NL East. Florida used a five-run eighth to burry their division rivals and will now look to claim part of the East on Tuesday night.
