The Closer: Kason And The Argonauts

Notes from a day in baseball:

• 1. Heart And Soul. Kason "Not A Typo" Gabbard helped the Red Sox pull themselves up by their own stirrups with a three-hitter over seven innings, as Boston beat the Chicago White Sox 1-0. It was the first major league victory for Gabbard (1-3) and also marked the retiurn of Big Papi Ortiz, who celebrated by going hitless. He got a standing ovation anyway, which is cool.

• 2. Kansas City Star, That's What I Are. (Yodel-eedle-aidy, You Oughta See My Car) ... The Royals' bullpen, which just Monday had surrendered a 10-run inning to the Yankees, blanked that same NY team over 3 1/3 on Tuesday en route to a 5-0 victory. Todd Wellemeyer, who actually pitched all 3 1/3, struck out Derek Jeter with the bases loaded to end the game. How did Mike Mussina fare in his return from the DL? Don't ask.

• 3. Then Came Bronson. We're still enjoying this photo this morning, almost forgetting that the subject, Bronson Arroyo, tossed a three-hitter for his first career shutout, a 3-0 win over the Giants. Ken Griffey Jr. out "indefinitely" with a broken toe, by the way.

• 4. Slip Slidin' Away. The Dodgers continued their return to earth on Tuesday with a 9-0 loss to the Brewers, LA's third straight, as Milwaukee's Doug Davis pitched a four-hitter and Corey Hart drove in a career-high six runs. The Dodgers have been outscored 27-8 in their past three games.

• 5. One Hot Piazza, With The Works. Mike Piazza hit his 417th career home run, and Cla "Not A Typo" Meredith extended his scoreless streak to 27 1/3 innings, as the Padres beat the Rockies 5-4, creeping to within one game of the NL West-leading Dodgers.