- Phillies 11, Mets 10: When a team enters a four-game series against a team six games behind in the standings, one thought has to be, "Let's not get swept." Well, the Mets got swept, and they didn't look good doing it. They put up several fights Thursday, battling back from 5-0 and 8-5 deficits to take a 10-8 lead into the eighth. But Billy Wagner, summoned to pitch an inning early, allowed a home run to Mets killer Pat Burrell in the eighth and then lost the game in the ninth.
The Mets don't get a reprieve as they travel to Atlanta for a weekend series. In the span of four days, they managed to let the Phillies right back in the division race. September doesn't look as fun as it did on Sunday.
- Yankees 5, Red Sox 0: Think the Yankees are ruing their play last week against the Tigers and the Angels? Even with a sweep of the Red Sox, they're still five games back. Add in a win or two from the previous week and things are plenty more interesting. This game seemed unremarkable until Joba Chamberlain threw two balls over Kevin Youkilis' head and got ejected. Was he throwing at him? Chamberlain says no, but his loss of his pinpoint control seems suspicious.
- At the U.S. Open, James Blake finally won a five-set match, beating Fabrice Santoro under the lights at Ashe Stadium. Maria Sharapova also won at night after an uneventful day session that saw Andy Roddick advance.
- Patriots 27, Giants 20: If you like seeing reserves, the last games of the NFL preseason are for you. Eli Manning led a 16-play touchdown drive and then sat on the bench for the rest of the contest. Lawrence Tynes and John Huston each made field goals, for those tracking the placekicker competition.
- Jets 13, Eagles 11: Another money grab goes to the locals. Except for the kickers, this game saw some people playing in an NFL stadium perhaps for the last time.
- Abderdeen 8, Brooklyn 1: Tim Stronach didn't have his A game, and the Cyclones didn't either. They now lead Staten Island by 2 1/2 games.
- Staten Island 8, Hudson Valley 3: Adam Olbrychowski pitched six effective innings as the Baby Bombers helped keep the pressure on the division leaders.
