Around the Horn - 7/29

The Cubs and Brewers started their big 3-game series last night with left-handers Ted Lilly and CC Sabathia facing off. The lead seesawed back and forth with the Brewers' Russell Branyan hitting a game tying home run in the 8th. The Cubs prevailed in the 9th when Derek Lee doubled in a run and Mark DeRosa followed with an RBI single. The Cubs now lead the Brewers by 2 games in the NL Central.

The Mets have to be concerned after John Maine left yesterday's game with the Marlins with shoulder stiffness. They have to be even more concerned with a bullpen that flat out stinks. They blew 2-0 and 3-2 leads before losing 7-3 to the Marlins.

Greg Maddux's winless streak finally ended at 14 games when the Padres topped the 1st place Diamondbacks last night, 8-5. It was career win number 351.

Neither the Dodgers or Rockies could gain ground on the Dbacks as they both lost as well. The Dodgers nearly rallied from a 7-0 deficit to the Giants, but lost 7-6. But Joe Torre has a new fan. The Rockies had an early 3-0 lead but fell to the Pirates 8-4.

The Angels put a six spot on the board against Dice-K and hung on to beat the Red Sox 7-5. The Angels are 4-0 against the Sox this month.

The Blue Jays beat the Rays 3-1 behind 7 stellar innings from A.J. Burnett. The right-hander, who struck out 10, will not be dealt before the trade deadline, according to GM J.P. Ricciardi.

The Twins got back to a 1.5 games of the White Sox behind a complete game shutout by Kevin Slowey. The 4-game series continues tonight with rookies Clayton Richard and Glen Perkins squaring off.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Braves right-hander Tim Hudson may have to undergo season ending Tommy John surgery.