Hit & Run

The Detroit Tigers stunned the Toronto Blue Jays, scoring four runs in the bottom of the ninth to win 5-4. Roy Halladay pitched into the ninth, and was one out away from completing the game when he ran into trouble, giving up singles to consecutive Tigers. He was pulled for a reliever, who promptly gave up a 2-run single to Curtis Granderson. Placido Polanco then singled, and Gary Sheffield walked to load the bases, making way for Magglio Ordonez, who knocked in the winning runs. By the way, Granderson is only the third major leaguer to get 20 HR, 20 doubles, 20 triples and 20 steals in a season. Who’s your Tiger, indeed?

Jamarcus Russell is finally ready to sign on the dotted line. Took long enough. After a months-long holdout, both sides appear ready to finalize this deal. Insert pithy joke about the Raiders and their degenerate fans here.

The Mets are just piling on at this point. They defeated the Braves, 3-2, and after a dreadful showing all season long against the Braves, have won the last 4 games against them. David Wright hit a HR, and Jose Reyes stole his 75th base of the season. Carlos Beltran had an amazing catch the end the game. Oliver Perez won, and Billy Wagner got his 33rd save.

The Phillies, however, kept pace, winning in extra innings against the Rockies, 6-5, thanks to a Ryan Howard double that scored Chase Utley. Whereas the Rockies catcher, Yorvit Torrealba, hit a ball that may or may not have been a grand slam in the 4th inning, Pat Burrell’s 2-run HR in the 7th was a no-doubter. The Phillies are 6 games behind the Mets, and 1.5 games behind the Padres for the Wild Card lead.

Over in the NL Central, the Cubs put a hurting on the Cardinals, as they won 12-3. Aramis Ramirez homered twice, and because the Brewers lost, 9-0, to the Pirates, the Cubs pulled into a tie for the lead in that division. The Cardinals remain 3 games back.

In the NFL, the Bengals beat the Ravens, 27-20, behind Carson Palmer, who threw 194 yards, good for 2 TDs. And the Niners beat the Cardinals, 20-17.