The Closer: Armed And Dangerous

Notes from a day in baseball:

• 1. This Item Soccer-Free For Your Protection. So isn't this why we follow baseball? Isn't this the reward for slogging through the steroid, labor and criminal issues? Doesn't this boil down to be the essence of the game? What? The beer? OK, you've got a point. But this was still pretty awesome, especially for Twins fans (both of you pay attention!). Jason Kubel, who sustained a horrible knee injury last season that some thought might end his career, came back in a big way, pounding a grand slam in the 12th off of Julian (It Couldn't Happen To A Better Guy) Tavarez, as the Twins beat the Red Sox 5-2. The whole thing capped a great pitching duel between Curt Schilling and Johan Santana, both of whom went eight innings.

• 2. La La Wood Fables. It was all looking so good for the Dodgers just a week ago. But there was trouble on the horizon (ominous music here). Mike Cameron came within one single of hitting for the cycle, and former Dodger Chan Ho Park got the win as the Padres prevailed 9-1 on Tuesday. Also, LA uber-closer Eric Gagne was placed on the 15-day DL due to elbow stiffness. Bummer, dude.

• 3. Stripes. Good news for fans in Detroit: the Tigers are off the endangered list ( with the exception of Dmitri Young, of course). Kenny Rogers won his 199th career game with eight strong innings as the AL Central leading-Tigers beat the Devil Rays 7-1. After losing series to the Yankees, Red Sox and White Sox, Detroit has won four straight and still has the best record in baseball.

• 4. The Adventures Of Robinson Cano. The Indians and Yankees entered Tuesday's game tied for the major league lead in runs at 359, but New York eked ahead after a 1-0 win. Chien-Ming Wang went 7 1/3 innings to get the W, and Robinson Cano homered for the only offense that counted.

• 5. Checkout Time At The Halladay Inn. Not to be outdone, Toronto's Roy Halladay threw a six-hitter to win his seventh straight decision, 7-1 victory over the Orioles. Vernon Wells homered and had three RBI.