Keith's Sports Journal: Foul Ball: Halladay Deals, Sweeps, & It's 1990 All Over Again for Pittsburgh

Florida 3 San Francisco 6: Matt Cain took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before finally surrendering a hit. No matter as Cain and the Giants were able to pick up the win and sweep the Marlins. Mark DeRosa broke out his slump with a 2-for-4 and two RBI performance. Nate Schierholtz went 3-for-3 with a home run to provide offense for the Giants.

Fredi Gonzalez Quote: The Marlins manager was quite impressed with the Giants pitching staff. From the AP recap, “We probably faced the toughest pitching staff as a whole, starters and bullpen,” Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “The old saying that good pitching beats good hitting—you saw it this series.” That's right baby, the Giants pitching staff is that good.

Pittsburgh 11 Chi Cubs 1: The Pirates are finally on the right side of an lopsided victory. After being blown out in several games this season, the Pirates offense unleashed and swept the Cubs for the first time in four years. Lastings Milledge and Garrett Jones provided their best Barry Bonds/Andy Van Slyke impressions against the Cubs by combining for seven RBIs. It's like 1990 all over again for the Pirates.

Boston 11 Anaheim 6: Dice-K gave up four runs in the first inning, but it didn't matter as the Red Sox scored five runs in the 5th and four in the sixth to beat the Angels and sweep them. Victor Martinez homered and drove in two runs. Despite struggling early, Dice K was able to pick up the victory. I guess he forgot to throw the gyroball in the 1st inning.

Texas 13 Kansas City 12: This game is almost too crazy to describe. The Rangers jumped out to a 8-0 lead before blowing it and then coming back with two runs in the eighth inning and holding onto the lead in the ninth inning for the victory. There were seven total home runs hit in the game, including two by Vladimir Guerrero. Vlad knocked in four runs, including three of them with two-outs. This game brought back memories of the Palmeiro/I-Rod/Juan Gonzalez Texas days.

Chi White Sox 0 Toronto 2: Dana Eveland shut down the White Sox in seven innings (two hits, zero runs, four walks, three strikeouts) to pick up the fifth straight victory for the Blue Jays. Former Giants outfielder Fred Lewis knocked in both runs for the Blue Jays, while the good folks at McCovey Chronicles weep.

Ozzie Guillen Quote: Ozzie compares his team to the Chicago weather. From the AP recap, "We were a little anxious at the plate,” Guillen said. “We look like the weather in Chicago. “Play very good one day, very bad the next and then very good and then get cold.” Good bless, Ozzie.

Washington 3 Atlanta 2: The Braves were damn near no-hit for a second time this season. Natinals pitcher Scott Olsen took a no-hitter into eighth inning until Braves' David Ross hit a clean single with one out. Willie Harris' pinch-hit single in the ninth gave the Nationals the victory.

Quick Rant: Want another reason why pitcher's wins are completely irrelevant? Scott Olsen pitched seven 1/3 innings giving up two hits, two runs, one walk, and eight strikeouts, but didn't pick up the victory. So Olsen took a no-hitter into the eighth inning gave up a couple of runs and didn't earn the victory. He pitched a spectacular game, but no one will know about it because he didn't earn the victory. Wins for pitchers is becoming more irrelevant by the day in my mind. End of rant.

Philadelphia 7 St. Louis 2: Roy Halladay went seven innings giving up seven hits, two runs, three walks and striking out nine to pick up sixth victory of the year. Jayson Werth homered and knocked in three runs.

Create a Caption: It's okay Mike, you team flat sucks this year.