Last Night's Action: Dramatic -- but different -- wins

-Mets 1, Cubs 0: It took ten innings before Jose Valentin's RBI single plated the game's first, and deciding run. With the win, the Mets avoided a sweep at home to the Cubs, which would have been harmlessly embarassing. Instead, they saw John Maine pitch another dominant outing (even if the Derrek Lee-less Cubs don't send up a credible lineup) and make a case for a prolonged stay in the starting rotation. With Orlando Hernandez and Steven Trachsel struggling, Maine could be the third starter in the playoffs. Or he could be looking in if these two starts against weak lineups are flukes.

-Yankees 8, Rangers 7: Jason Giambi's two-run homer in the ninth put the Yankees ahead for the final time in a topsy-turvy game. A short-handed bullpen (working without Kyle Farnsworth) couldn't contain Texas, except for Mariano Rivera, who earned the save. The Yankees now lead the wild card race, which seemed almost impossible two weeks ago before they swept the White Sox.