The Closer: OK, For One Night, We Don't Despise You

Notes from a day in baseball:

• 1. But Will You Boo Me, To-morrrrrrow? Hey wait a minute, what's that odd sound coming out of Yankee Stadium? Cheers ... for Alex Rodriguez? ("Dogs and cats, living together ... mass hysteria!"). A-Rod had three hits, among them a home run, as his 1-for-24 effort prior to Friday was forgotten for one day. Yankees 6, Tigers 4. Randy Johnson wins No. 15. Oh, and Jim Leyland was ejected for violating New York's new outdoor no smoking policy. Or it may have been for arguing balls and strikes.

• 2. Astros Go To The Whip. Craig Biggio had a home run and Andy Pettitte had seven strong innings to get the win as Houston won its sixth straight, 5-3 over the Brewers.

• 3. They're Not Booing, They're Saying "Boooomer!" The Red Sox got two big breaks on Thursday: Toronto outfielder Alex Rios actually knocked Alex Cora's fly ball into the stands for a home run — this was an incredibly amusing play to watch — and the team traded David Wells to the Padres. Well, the second one may or may not work out. It all adds up to a 6-4 win over the Blue Jays.

• 4. Birdland. Chris Duncan. Scott Rolen. A five-game lead in the NL Central. Those are the key words and letters for this morning. Breathe ... breathe ...