The Closer: Turns Out There's Some There, There

Notes from a day in baseball:

• 1. Sleepless In Oakland. Maybe if Nick Swisher began dating Paris Hilton, or if Huston Street was a finalist on America's Got Talent, maybe, then, someone would notiice the Oakland A's. All they've done in August is go 12-1, including Wednesday's 4-0 win over Seattle, to open a 6 1/2-game lead over the second-place Angels in the AL West. And if that result surprises you, you've obviously been living in a sealed grotto at the zoo. The A's have won 15 straight over the Mariners, matching the major league record for most consecutive wins over a division opponent.

• 2. David And Goliath. If you're a Red Sox or Yankees fan who can go to only one series this season — a prospect that's a little odd, quite frankly; we're guessing trouble with the law? — then it should probably be the five-game set between NY and Boston at Fenway beginning Friday. It should be quite memorable. David Ortiz's major league-leading 42nd home run, and David Wells' seven-inning pitching, led the Stockings of Red to a 6-4 win over the Tigers. (We'll say "Coco Crisp" now just for the fun of it). Meanwhile, Adam Loewen and four relievers helped the Orioles beat the Yankees 3-2, as Boston climbed to within two games of first-place NY.

• 3. Oops You Did It Again, You Played With My Heart ... . When Bronson Arroyo beats you in August, well, we don't really feel like talking about this. Reds 7, Cardinals 2, Bronson Arroyo ends 10-start winless streak. We shall now ingest an entire bottle of Johnny Drama's Propecia pills.

• 4. Oh, You Phillies. Philadelphia in the wild card hunt? Apparently. Jon Lieber pitched his first shutout in more than five years, Chris Coste hit a two-run homer and the Phillies won their third straight game over the Mets, 3-0.

• 5. Grudzalinik Gubzookik Brown Leads Royals past White Sox. Mark Grudzielanek celebrated his new $4 million, 1-year contract with a three-run homer as the Royals beat the White Sox 10-4.