Pennant Pulse Game of the Day:
A furious ninth-inning rally by the Phillies (79-59) fell just short in an 8-7 loss to the Nationals. Trailing 8-2 entering the final frame, Philadelphia struck for five runs in the ninth on the strength of a Matt Stairs pinch-hit grand slam but saw their rally end when Ryan Howard hit into a game-ending double play with the tying run on third base. The loss inspired a rant by manager Charlie Manuel about the team's recent struggles against sub-.500 teams and cut Philadelphia's NL East lead to five games over Florida (75-65).
The Pulse of the Races:
American League: John Lackey tossed a five-hitter and the Angels (84-55) increased their AL West lead to five games over the idle Rangers (79-60) with a 3-0 win against the Mariners. . . For the third straight day, the Tigers (75-64) were bested by the AL-worst Royals as Kansas City completed the sweep with a 7-5 victory. . . Minnesota (70-70) failed to make up ground on Detroit in the AL Central however, losing 3-2 in Toronto. The Twins remain five and a half games back in the division.
National League: Nick Johnson paced the Marlins offense with four RBI in a 10-5 win over the Mets, wrapping up a 5-1 road trip for Florida. . .The Braves offense made up for an off-night from Derek Lowe by roughing up Roy Oswalt in a 9-7 Atlanta (72-68) victory. The win moves Atlanta within eight games of the Phillies in the NL East. . . The Rockies (81-60) used a five-run third inning to complete a four-game sweep of the Reds and finish up a franchise-best 9-1 homestand. Colorado moves within two games of the Dodgers (83-58) in th NL West and extended its wild card lead to four and a half games over the Giants (76-64).
Forward Pulse:
It will be Hiroki Kuroda on the mound opposite Matt Cain for the opener of a three-game set between the Dodgers and Giants in San Francisco. Scheduled LA starter Randy Wolf was scratched from the start due to elbow issues. . . The Rangers send Kevin Millwood to the mound against the Mariners in the first of nine consecutive home games for Texas. . . .The Marlins send ace Josh Johnson to the mound Friday night against the Nationals.
Inside Pulse:
Jarrod Washburn is just 1-2 with a 6.64 ERA since joining the Tigers in a trade deadline deal the Mariners. . . . Rockies righty Ubaldo Jimenez had his next start pushed back from Saturday to Tuesday due to a hamstring injury. Colorado is expected to call up 23-year-old prospect Esmil Rogers to pitch Saturday in San Diego. . . . Texas is 44-25 at home and just 35-35 on the road this season, heading into a nine-game homestand that includes a crucial three-game set with the division-leading Angels.