GAME DAY 131!

DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME...!

DARWIN 3, SAN JOSE 0
WP: Dustin McGowan (2-2, 4.81)
LP: Barry Zito (7-10, 4.15)
SV: Hoffman (27)

Barry Zito took a no-hitter into the sixth, but the Finches rallied behind rookie Dustin McGowan, with Placido Polanco doubling home a pair of runs and Darwin (71-59, six games back in the East) cashing in a costly error by SS Jack Wilson for all the runs they would need. McGowan walked six, but fanned seven in six shutout innings, easily the best effort of his young BARB career.

WORCESTER 6, YUMA 5
WP: Chad Cordero (7-2, 3.10)
LP: Rafael Soriano (6-8, 4.08)
SV: Castro (14)

The Elims built an early 5-1 lead, but nearly faltered when rookie Ryan Braun keyed a three-run sixth with his 15th homer of the season. J.J. Hardy, getting a spot start at third, saved the day with a spectacular unassisted double play on a line drive off the bat of Vlad Guerrero, and then led off the bottom of the eighth with a solo homer at the expense of Rafael Soriano, who has struggled in the setup role. With the win, Worcester (77-53) maintained its share of the East lead with hard-charging Frostbite Falls.

ARIZONA 2, BROOKLYN 1
WP: Jered Weaver (5-13, 3.57)
LP: Andy Pettite (6-9, 4.37)
SV: Street (8)

Huston Street, just off the DL, preserved an outstanding effort by Jered Weaver (8 IP, 9 H, 1 run) and D-Back infielders Jose Reyes and David Wright both launched line drives that cleared the fence off Andy Pettite (himself a tough-luck loser) as Arizona (69-61) won its third straight to pull within six games of West-leading Yuma.

S-MART 12, POTTSYLVANIA 1
WP: Tim Wakefield (6-6, 4.72)
LP: Adam Wainwright (3-12, 6.97)

Is anybody hotter than Alex Rodriguez? The Boom Sticks’ infielder homered AGAIN, his 33rd of the year, to make his totals since the All-Star Break 23 round-trippers and 64 ribbies...and, for once, it went his club’s way. The Boom Sticks (50-78) won their fourth straight game in a rout, as Adam Wainwright failed to retire a hitter in the first and staff-saving knuckleballer Tim Wakefield twirled his second straight complete game.

OAKEYLAND 9, LAS VEGAS 3
WP: Aaron Fultz (4-4, 5.82)
LP: Derek Lowe (9-12, 4.08)

Emergency starter Aaron Fultz filled in nicely with six workman-like innings, getting lots of early run support from Jim Thome, whose 20th homer of the season, a grand slam, sent Derek Lowe to the showers. Two pieces of good news for visiting Las Vegas, however: with an eight-and-a-half game lead, a 69-60 mark and just 24 to play, they won’t lose sleep; more importantly, Alfonso Soriano returned to the lineup after a long absence and smacked his 31st homer in the loss. Start printing those playoff tickets!

FROSTBITE FALLS 3, BLACK MESA 2
WP: Brad Penny (8-10, 3.90)
LP: Jon Garland (8-12, 3.54)
SV: Nathan (30)

Brad Penny took a shutout into the eighth, Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer (his 22nd) and Squirrels closer Joe Nathan converted his BARB-leading 30th save as Frostbite Falls (77-53) maintained its share of first place in the East with Worcester by edging the visiting Anomalies. Black Mesa (62-67) still has a shot at finishing at .500 or above with a strong finish, but at 12 and a half games out, better be looking to next year.