text: The Closer: DiMaggio Summer
  8/02/06 10:15am
  • 1. Utley Amazing. OK, we know we're probably getting way ahead of ourselves, but Chase Utley's hitting streak is still pretty exciting, even though it's now coming at the expense of a certain team with birds on its uni tops. The major's longest streak this season continued on Tuesday as Utley had two hits in Philadelphia's 5-3 win over St. Louis. But hey, the Cards stopped Jimmy Rollins' 38-game streak earlier this season.
  • 2. Cycling Update. Detroit's 10-4 win over Tampa Bay equaled the Tigers' win total from last season, but all of that was lost by the fact that Carlos Guillen hit for the cycle. Also, Justin Verlander won his seventh consecutive decision for his 14th win, tops in the majors. Guillen is the third Tiger since 1951 to hit for the cycle.
  • 3. You Do The Math. Bobby Abreu did absolutely nothing in his Yankee debut, but Bernie Williams' tiebreaking, three-run double lifted the Yankees over the Blue Jays 5-1, vaulting New York into first place in the AL East. The Yankees (62-41) hadn't been in first since June 18. The Boston Red Sox (63-42) are two percentage points back.
  • 4. Jeff Cirillo And The Soggy Balls. Jeff Cirillo charged Rockies' management with using illegal, waterlogged baseballs, and then a few hours later his Brewers beat Colorado 1-0 at Coors Field. It was just the fourth 1-0 game in the stadium's 12-year history, but the third this season.
  • 5. Errors In The Outfield. The Los Angeles Angels, who lead the AL in errors, were helped by two Oakland miscues in a 3-2 win, bringing the Angels within a half-game of the Athletics in the AL West.