JUST 11-15 GAMES LEFT!

BROOKLYN 3, FROSTBITE FALLS 2

WP: Scott Baker (1-3, 5.36)
LP: Tim Lincecum (14-10, 3.99)
SV: Wagner (7)

Tim Lincecum struck out 10 and took a 2-1 lead into the seventh, but previously-winless Scott Baker punched a soft single under Lincecum's glove as part of a two-run rally, and Billy Wagner fanned pinch-hitter David DeJesus and Michael Young in the ninth to complete a 'six-out save' as the Moabs hung on to win a must-have game on the road in Frostbite Falls.

It was a big moment for Baker, who has been largely forgotten after the club had acquired Yovani Gallardo, and the hoopla attending the revival of Francisco Liriano's career. But, in this spot start, Baker not only held Andrew Hayne's club to two runs, he got the game-winning ribbie off 'The Freak'....how unlikely is that?!?!?

The Squirrels still boast the East's best record (79-61) and, with 12 games left to play, have lined up a pair of lefties (Cole Hamels and Brett Anderson) for their next two jousts with third place (76-64) Brooklyn.

WORCESTER 6, UNITED 5

WP: Heath Bell (9-7, 3.22)
LP: Chad Qualls (2-2, 4.66)

Carl Crawford set a BARB record by collecting six, count 'em, SIX singles in a ballgame, two of the infield hit variety....but, it was Robinson Cano's third hit of the ballgame, a sharp single off Chris Ray, that plated Billy Butler in the bottom of the 10th for a walkoff win that keeps the Eliminators (77-63) not only right in the Eastern race (two games back), but gives them the lead for the wild-card spot.

Crawford's big day lifted the Elims LF to a .332 batting average, one of six regulars in Worcester's lineup hitting .300 or better, and fourth in the league overall. When it comes to batting average, Worcester is king. Will that be enough to ensure them of a playoff berth?

DARWIN 7, CASSELTON 6

WP: Kevin Gregg (2-0, 6.87)
LP: Dennis O'Day (6-2, 2.69)

In the space of four minutes, Ryan Doumit and David Ortiz homered back-to-back off in the eighth to turn a 6-4 loss into a 7-6 score, and eventual Darwin win, as the Unnatural Selections became the latest team to expose the soft underbelly of Casselton's bullpen. Doumit connected one pitch after Yadier Molina had led off the inning with a single vs. Joe Saunders. W

ith no available lefties, Dennis O'Day was brought in for the gassed (115 pitches) Saunders with the score tied, but it didn't stay that way long, as Ortiz hit his 23rd of the year out to give the Finches (70-67) barely alive in the West....12 games out, and 15 to play!

ST. FRANCIS 6, BLACK MESA 3

WP: Randy Wells (5-9, 4.04)
LP: Erwin Santana (5-12, 6.11)

The Holy Cows got on the board early courtesy of Shin Shoo-Choo and Aubrey Huff, and Randy Wells settled down after giving up a 2nd-inning RBI to opposing pitcher Erwin Santana, eventually working into the ninth. Losing at home and likely to finish with the league's worst record, the Anomalies heard lusty booing when 1B Miguel Cabrera's fielding error led to another run.

With the win, the Friards staved off elimination, being ten-and-a-half games back with just 11 to play!

YUMA 1, ARIZONA 0 (12 innings)

WP: Rafael Soriano (5-2, 3.07)
LP: Mike Gonzalez (6-7, 5.43)
SV: Madson (4)

Gavin Floyd pitched brilliantly, scattering four hits in nine innings but had to settle for a 'no-D' in what eventually turned into a heartbreaking loss for the host Thunder, as Nick Markakis and the Yuma Firebirds manufactured a run in the top of the 12th and made it stand up for their BARB-leading 82nd win of the year!

Long-time rivals, GM Ronald Melkonian's squad appeared dazed, for they had just endured a three-game sweep at Yuma's hands and have lost five straight after a brilliant stretch of play had put them just one game behind Central-leading Casselton. With their seventh straight win, the Firebirds have lowered their 'magic number' to single figures. Arizona, meanwhile, is pretty much out of the wild card picture due to their losing streak and must pin their hopes on winning the division outright. A long shot, but they do end the season with a brief two-game joust with
the division leaders....!