Papelbon's Control Goes On The Lam

Mike Lamb, he of the .213 average and no homers in 94 at-bats, was the latest to victimize the Red Sox closer, who has blown back-to-back saves. That leaves him one short of his mark through all of last season. Papelbon opened the 9th by allowing a single to Delmon Young, who advanced to third on a sacrifice and an uncontested steal. Paps then issued just his fourth walk of the season to Carlos Gomez before surrendering the game-winning hit to Lamb. Suddenly Ian Kennedy don't look so bad: Kei Igawa made his much ballyhooed return to the Yankees rotation and ugly as it was, perhaps it came against the wrong team, as New York seems to be the only team the Tigers can beat with regularity this season. But, hey, he didn't walk anybody! Detroit improved to 4-0 against the Yanks this season despite Todd Jones doing what Todd Jones does and making things more interesting than they need to be in the 9th. Lance Berkman is on a bit of a tear: That is, if you consider batting .750 over the last six games to qualify you for such a thing. Lance went 3-for-4 with a homer in the Astros 7-1 win over the Dodgers to bump up his NL-leading RBI total to 35.

Sexson now just tossing helmets in disgust: Hours after the announcement came down from MLB that he would be served with a 6-game suspension for charging the mound oh-so-daintily Thursday against the Rangers, Richie Sexson did nothing to justify his appeal, going 0-for-4 in the Mariners' ninth loss in 10 games.