The Pennant Race - 8/14

NL WEST

A couple of former Red Sox helped influence two National League races last night. Manny Ramirez hit another homer and Nomar Garciaparra hit the walk-off game winner when the Dodgers came from behind to beat the Phillies 7-6. It moved the Dodgers into a first place tie with Arizona in the NL West. It also allowed the Mets to move into a first place tie with the Phillies in the NL East.

Brad Hawpe's 2-run, eighth inning home run snapped a 4-4 tie and was the game winner in the Rockies 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks. Adam Dunn was 1-5 and left four men on base.


NL CENTRAL

Big day for the Cubbies as they swept a twin-bill from the Braves. They won the opener easily, 10-2 behind a combined 7 RBI from Geovany Soto and Jim Edmonds. Pitching took over the nightcap as Rich Harden and four relievers blanked the Braves 8-0.

The Cubs added a half-game to their lead since the Brewers played just one. That one game was another win for CC Sabathia, who improved to 7-0, 1.55 since being traded to Milwaukee. Corey Hart drove in 3 runs and Prince Fielder homered in the 7-1 Brewers rout.

Braden Looper pitched the Cards to a 6-4 win over the Marlins as they too dropped just a half-game in the standings. Troy Glaus was 4-4 and Jason LaRue and Adam Kennedy drove in two runs each.


NL EAST

The Mets drew 11 walks in a 12-0 blowout of the Nationals. More importantly, John Maine is back from the DL and threw 5 innings of 1-hit ball for the win. Rookie Dan Murphy continued to make a big impact with a home run and 3 RBI. He's hitting .467 with 8 RBI in 11 games.


AL EAST

The Rays and Red Sox both were winners and put themselves a game further away from the Yankees. Ben Zobrist's RBI double in the seventh inning snapped a 2-2 tie and gave the Rays a 3-2 win over the A's. Troy Percival walked two hitters in the ninth but escaped unscathed for the save.

The Red Sox pounded the Rangers 8-4 behind Jon Lester with a couple of RBIs each for Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay, and Jed Lowrie.


AL CENTRAL

The White Sox blanked the Royals for the second straight game, winning 4-0 as Mark Buehrle won his 10th game. The win kept them one-half game ahead of the Twins.


AL WEST

The Angels' bullpen had a rare meltdown as they fell to the Mariners, 10-7. Francisco Rodriguez blew his 5th save of the season when he allowed 3 runs in the ninth inning. Mark Teixeira temporarily got him off the hook with his second home run of the game, but the M's tagged Justin Speier for three more in the twelfth. The Angels still maintain a 15 game lead over second place Texas.

Jarrod Washburn and Raul Ibanez were both claimed on waivers yesterday and the Mariners will try to work out a deal for both.

The Padres put pitcher Chris Young on the DL with a strained forearm.