1. Better late than never: His production was about five weeks overdue, but at least Carlos Beltran's breakout came against the right opponent.
The San Francisco Giants key deadline acquisition collected four hits, including the go-ahead home run in the third, and knocked in three to push his new team to a 6-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The critical victory snapped Arizona's season-best winning-streak at nine, and positioned the Giants back to within in five in the NL West.
Also for Beltran, the three runs driven in represented his first multi-RBI game since coming over from the New York Mets on July 28. To get where they want to go, San Francisco is going to need several more performances just like this from the switch-hitting All-Star.
2. Happy 21st: The wins keep adding up for Detroit Tigers all-world ace Justin Verlander, who picked up No. 21 in an 8-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox. The future Cy Young winner has now gone eight straight decisions without a loss. Since May 1, he's 19-2. And to top it all off, this win was Jim Leyland's 500th as Detroit's skipper. Verlander has 104 of those. I think he's pretty good.
3. Risk not rewarded: St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa exhausted his top three relievers to ensure their sweep clinching victory over Milwaukee on Thursday. Unfortunately, that left him short on options late in their 11-8 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
Starter Chris Carpenter didn't help matters, allowing six runs in his six innings. But the Cardinals had evened the score heading to the seventh. That's when Marc Rzepczynski, Arthur Rhodes and Kyle McClellan combined to allow five runs while recording only five outs over the final three innings.
4. Late wake-up call: With six innings complete in Houston, the Milwaukee Brewers found themselves trailing the Astros 2-0. What followed is exactly what you'd expect; the Brewers bats came alive, powered by Prince Fielder and Casey McGehee home runs, and the Astros quietly faded into the night as Milwaukee sealed up the*8-2 victory.
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5. The Gardner did it: New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner made two sensational first inning grabs, helping starter Ivan Nova escape a tough jam. Nova took full advantage of the reprieve, permitting only two baserunners (one hit, one walk) over his final six frames. With the Toronto Blue Jays offense at bay, Gardner played hero once again, cracking a game-tying homer in the third. Later, Robinson Cano singled home New York's third and decisive run in their 3-2 win.
6. At least it was quick: Not exactly the bounce-back performance the Boston Red Sox were looking for after dropping two of three to the Yankees. Their offense could muster only two hits against Derek Holland and two relievers, while the Texas Rangers offense muscled up for three home runs — Ian Kinsler, David Murphy and Elvis Andrus — in a 10-0 clobbering. The only solace for Boston: The game was over in 2 hours, 48 minutes.
7. New high-water mark: For the first time in franchise history, the Philadelphia Phillies climbed to 42 games over .500 with a 5-3 win over the Florida Marlins. Congratulations are in order for their accomplishment. And to make the moment even more special, they did it in front of 21,659 screaming Phillies fans that traveled to Miami.
8. Scrap heap hero: The Colorado Rockies signing of Kevin Millwood appeared to be a desperation move designed to fill out their depleted rotation. And honestly, that's exactly what it was. However, the 37-year-old right-hander has run with the opportunity given to him, and even gained some speed in a 3-0 win over the San Diego Padres.
All right, so maybe his seven shutout innings at Petco Park won't impress you. I doubt his six home runs allowed in 25 innings thrown away from Petco would, either. But when you look at the other options Colorado continues to run out after Jhoulys Chacin, you'll lower your standards quickly.
9. Twins-go-round: The carousel music was blaring in Anaheim, and Los Angeles Angels pitchers were handing out free rides to Minnesota Twins left and right. In total, nine Twins reached via the base on balls, including four with the bases loaded, as Minnesota walked all over the Angels, 13-5.
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