New York Yankees 9, Tampa Bay 5: The Bronx Bombers took two out of three from the Rays, A-Rod clubbed No. 598, and the best team in the majors roughed up Tampa’s best starter, David Price (seven earned runs in five innings). The real story is who will replace Andy Pettitte in the Yanks’ rotation for the next month and change. Jake Westbrook? Ted Lilly? Roy Oswalt? Dan Haren? Brett Myers? We hope it isn’t the last guy. Myers is a fraud and a bully and will crumble in the face of the NY media.

Minnesota 7, Chicago White Sox 6: Turning point for the Twinkies? Minnesota hammered Chicago closer Bobby Jenks for four runs in the ninth as the Twins took three of four from the AL Central-leading White Sox. Delmon Young, who had the game-winning hit, capped a solid series in which he went 6-for-16 with 5 RBI. The White Sox could use Frank Thomas down the stretch. Probably Ron Karkovice, too.

St. Louis 5, Los Angeles 4: Dammit. The Cardinals took four straight from the Dodgers and once again lead the NL Central. St. Louis scored two in the ninth off LA closer Jon Broxton to maintain a 1/2 game lead over the Reds. The only time we root for the Cardinals is when Adam Wainwright is pitching (fantasy, duh). When do Dodgers fans begin to worry? Fourth place in the NL West, 5.5 games back of San Diego and two of their best players, Man Ram and Russell Martin, are banged up. The guess here is Joe Torre won’t return if the Dodgers miss the playoffs.

Cleveland 7, Detroit 2: The Indians swept the Tigers? Four games in a row? Really? The Tribe have the 3rd worst record in the AL and have been in a free fall since that ALCS loss to the Red Sox in 2007. Even though it’s only July, that’s a tough sweep to stomach for the Tigers, who could have taken over first place in the Central with a split.

Atlanta 11, Milwaukee 6: All-Star hero Brian McCann hit a grand slam. Here’s an old video of David Justice wearing something that could pass for a half shirt.