The Closer: Say L To The A, Y'all

Rick Chandler|published: Wed 16th August, 10:15 2006

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Notes from a day in baseball:

• 1. Just Think How Insufferable Tommy Lasorda Is Going To Be Now. The last time the Dodgers were this good, the U.S, was still embroiled in the Spanish-American War, and Al Capone had yet to be born. It was 1899, and Beano Cook was considering retirement. With their 4-0 win over the Marlins on Tuesday, the Dodgers won their 17th game in their past 18 tries. Now brace yourselves, because we're going to say "Grady Little" in the same sentence as "best streak in 107 years." (Actually, the team was called the Brooklyn Superbas in 1899, when they had a 20-1 stretch). Rookie Chad Billingsley gave up three hits over seven innings and struck out nine. He's 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA since the All-Star break.

• 2. Come On Kids Let's Flip Our Lidge. Medals, baked goods and gold-embossed certificates of merit to the brave fans at Minute Maid Park who endured the entire 18-inning Cubs-Astros tussle on Tuesday. Matt Murton finally ended the misery contest with a two-run single in the 18th to win it for the Cubs, 8-6 over the Astros. (He had also tied it in the ninth with a home run). Wait, the Diamondbacks and Rockies also went 18? Sweet Fancy Moses.

• 3. The Adventures Of Robinson Cano. Or, When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again, Hurrah, Hurrah. Johnny Damon's game-tying homer off of LaTroy Hawkins (who else?) and Cano's run-scoring double in the seventh sent NY to a 6-3 win over the Orioles. The Yankees are three games ahead of the Red Sox, who lost to Detroit, 3-2.

• 4. Halladay For Strings. The AL's first 15-game winner? Josh Bec Roy Halladay. The Blue Jays topped the Devil Rays 4-3, as Halladay went to 15-3. It was TB's seventh straight loss (ouch).

• 5. Insert Evil Laugh Here. Well, our plan to get the Cardinals back on The True Path is working perfectly. Not long after we expressed our disgust with the Redbirds, they bounce back with a 5-0 win over the Reds, Chris Carpenter throwing a four-hitter. We put a reverse jinx on ourselves! (And possibly pulled a muscle).

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