Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead.You Oughta Know ...
That the Phillies calmed a lot of nerves this weekend. The reigning world champs haven't looked quite like themselves for most of the season, but they had plenty of reason to be optimistic after completing a three-game sweep of the Mets Sunday.
Philadelphia entered the series with a 13-22 record at Citizens Bank Park, but won three straight at home against a hated rival. That wasn't the only positive sign. Jimmy Rollins, who has been slumping all season, belted a leadoff homer against New York ace Johan Santana in the 2-0 sweep-clinching win and Brad Lidge, who has blown six saves this year, struck out the side to lock up the victory.
If a sweep of the Mets wasn't enough to warm hearts in the City of Brotherly Love, then the life shown by Rollins and Lidge should be, particularly since the Phils had lost 14 of 18 heading into the series.
"Winning three games, the way we did, and kind of putting our foot down and saying, 'Hey, you know what? It's time for us to make the right move and get headed in the right direction' -- that was big," center fielder Shane Victorino said. "Our starting staff did a wonderful job."From the Trainer's Room ...
Randy Johnson is headed for an MRI after straining his left (pitching) shoulder in the Giants' 7-1 loss to the Astros. Johnson first appeared to tweak his shoulder when he struck out hitting in the third inning. He went out to pitch in the fourth, but there was a noticeable drop in velocity and he surrendered two home runs before being pulled from the game.
"It was very scary," catcher Bengie Molina said. "He usually throws 89, 90, 91 (mph), and all of the sudden you see this guy throwing 82. We just hope and pray nothing happened to him seriously and he's OK for his next start.''Numbers Game ...
Ricky Nolasco tossed eight shutout innings and struck out 12 in the Marlins' 5-0 victory over the Pirates. Nolasco, Florida's Opening Day starter, was demoted to the minors on May 22 with a 2-5 record and a 9.07 ERA. He returned to the majors on June 7, and since then he's 4-1with a 1.54 ERA. Looks like Josh Johnson has some competition for the title of Marlins ace.
In Their Own Words ...
"I guess it's the product of the fact we've played so many close games. Even though we're emotionally drained after the ninth, we go out and work at it. I feel very fortunate we were able to hold it together and come out with a victory." -- Dodgers manager Joe Torre. Los Angeles coughed up a five-run lead in the ninth inning against San Diego, but went on to win anyway in the 13th, pushing their major-league-best record to 52-30.
Advance Scouting ...
Two of the biggest All-Star snubs in the American League face off Monday night in Anaheim when the Angels' Jered Weaver takes on the Rangers' Kevin Millwood (10:05 PM ET). Los Angeles and Texas enter the game tied for the lead in the AL West, and both teams are 7-3 in their last 10, with the Rangers having won five straight, including a weekend sweep of the Rays.
