Ethier's third homer against the Braves in the past week, this time a 3 run shot giving the Dodgers a 5-4 walkoff win.

Ethier digs that Atlanta pitching. You guys need to go on a run and win that division away from Philly.

There's a better chance of pigs flying out of my ass than there is of that happening.

So are you promising to shit winged bacon if the Braves win the East?

Just because something has been done forever doesn't mean it isn't fucking stupid.

God this link from Simmons, agree with him that it's a really fun read:

25 things you didn't know about baseball - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Wakefield had a setback, probably out until around September 1. Bowden is the likely candidate to replace Smoltz as he's pretty much lined up with Smoltz. Tazawa is also in AAA, but he's still learning things like how to pitch from a windup.

On the plus side, that was by far the worst pitching matchup of the series and Joba looks pretty bad.I love how Sox fans are now responsible for the actions of players on the field. (And ftr, I don't blame Pedroia for being mad considering the previous pitch went over his head. It's not like he charged the mound or -god forbid- the Sox retaliated in the next inning.)

Smoltz has been DFA'd. Now perhaps he'll kick ass somewhere in the NL, like Lugo.

Not sure exactly how much this failed experiment cost the Sox - about $8 million?

Jason Giambi was released also and someone claimed Alex Rios off Waivers. I wonder if a trade gets worked out for Toronto which would be a god send for them.

$5.5 million, actually. At 42, I would think his playing days are pretty much at an end.

That was his base salary, but he also got incentives for every day he was on the roster. After looking it up, it looks like $125,000 for the first day, $35,000 every day after that, and then another $500k if he made it to the end of the season. So that's about $1.5 million plus the $5.5 base. It makes sense why they pulled the plug and weren't willing to let him hang around the bullpen.

Aah, didn't see the rest of it. Yeah, can see why they said goodbye to him.

Tonight before the Marlins game in Philadelphia, the Phillies will induct Harry Kalas onto the Phillies Wall of Fame.

Kalas to be inducted into Wall of Fame | phillies.com: News

That (any) team would be retarded to offer anything in a trade. He's still a decent player, but Toronto has to just let him go to be out from that contract (he is set to earn salaries of $9.7 million in 2010, $12 million in 2011, $12 million in 2012, $12.5 million in 2013, and $12.5 million in 2014). Shocking that any team even did that (watch it be the Red Sox) - absolute gift for the Blue Jays.

Remember 2 offseasons ago when SF was considering trading Lincecum or Matt Cain for Rios? Thank god that didn't happen.

I can't believe someone claimed Rios. Seriously a wtf moment.

Probably the Mets, cause they "like the amount of games he plays."

Peace out, Rios. Hope JP doesn't manage to flub this one up...(who am I kidding, though?)

So does the team who picks him up off waivers assume the full salary? Not sure how this works even before the trade deadline.

Disappointing about Rios. The guy has all the physical tools and I really thought if anybody could get him going at the plate it would be Cito and his staff. Here's hoping the switch flips for him in the next couple years and he figures out how to fully utilize the talent at his disposal. Ah the days when he looked like he'd be the perfect fit in the 3 spot to compliment Wells in the cleanup spot.

sigh.

Yes. :( I was hoping for Lincecum!!

At least he's still an ok fit in the 6th spot to compliment Wells in the 7th spot.

Yes.

Full salary yes. In August there is "revocable" waivers where a team can trade with the (lowest ranked) claiming team, pull the player back or just allow him to go (almost never happens). If a player makes it through unclaimed they can then be traded to any team. If the player is claimed the first time and pulled back the team can try and stick him through again (on "irrevocable" waivers), but anyone claimed there automatically goes to the new team. So as long as Toronto isn't dumb, the new team will get Rios and his entire contract on Tuesday.

Good pitchers duel in Boston, aided by the RS being 3 for last 39 RISP and hacking all night and letting Burnett stay in thru 7 2/3 despite walking 6. David Ortiz also 0 for his last 18. We've already DFA'd one baseball legend today....

1 for his last 19

Reverse jinx works and Ortiz singles! Then JD Drew lines out. Bottom 9.

Pulled this from USAToday regarding Monday's Giants-Dodgers game:

As a bonus, Dave Dravecky will be on hand Monday for the 20-year anniversary of his famed comeback game. He overcame cancer and beat the Reds 4-3 on Aug. 10, 1989. Then he won his next start, but it ended badly. He broke his arm and eventually had to have it amputated.

I was at that comeback game and it was amazing. Took a friend to his first baseball game that day. People were jumping out of their seats and cheering every strike Dravecky threw. Pete Rose got himself thrown out. I must say, it was a very good day.

As more and more teams deny claiming Rios, I have a sinking feeling about the Pirates claiming him. It would make no sense whatsoever, but neither did the Matt Morris trade.

I can't believe a team claimed Alex Rios and his contract.

Alfredo Aceves isn't this good.

Yankees fans ooohing and booing on a pitch up and in when a HBP would have loaded the bases in a tied extra inning game. PING: Easy Mac.

What kind of bullshit is this in the Braves game? Umpire calls a strike, and McCann throws out a runner at 2nd, but then the umpire changes it and says it's a walk.

For some reason, I love that Madonna song, "Holiday" ;)

I turned the game off in frustration a few minutes ago and I still have no idea what went on there or what possible justification there could be for changing the call.

Different regime. I know we were linked to him. Too much money but he would work in left. Hopefully not us though.

I'm gonna take a wild guess & figure that's when Bobby got tossed.
And according to the box score, Jurrjens was ejected after he had been relieved?

Just to be that guy:

It's an A-Bomb for AAA-RODDD

I wasn't aware a balls-and-strikes call COULD be changed except on a swing appeal.

As far as Rios goes, I wouldn't be shocked if the Tigs put a claim on. He'd be perfect here sans the contract, he is what we need. I wonder if they'd take Magglio back and some other stuff and they can just cut Maggs before he hits his options.

Dreaming on my part.

Dola hat trick: MLBTR is saying it looks like it's the White Sox who claimed Rios. Interesting.

I'd be shocked if the Jays don't just pull a Padres and say "Great, you can have him!"

What an incredible game that was. Big win in the series for the Yankees and they have a good advantage tomorrow with Sabathia vs. Bucholz the day after both bullpens were used up in a 15 inning game.

Yep, that's when Bobby got tossed. If Jurrjens did get tossed (I missed it), then it was after he was relieved.

I hate it that A-Rod hits all his homers in non-clutch situations ;)

Ehhh... it was close but I don't know if I'd call it incredible. The Red Sox were just horribly inept on offense and the Yankees weren't much better. Other than JD Drew's catch there really weren't many good plays.

Bullpen wise I don't even know at this point either. I guess we send down Tazawa and recall Doubront maybe? or a Hunter Jones? There's absolutely no way they can pull Buchholz before 6 no matter how bad he's doing.

And I was planning to go to bed early for an 8am playoff soccer game tomorrow. Sooooo depressing haha.

A-Rod can't hit in the clutch just like Tony Romo can't play in the playoffs. :)

It seems like the umpire was claiming that he said "ball", but accidentally motioned strike. If so, he made two mistakes, because that was clearly a strike.

So are you claiming that Tony Romo can play in the playoffs ;).

Otherwise that statement makes no sense. :p

Sigh. I hope whoever that asshole is who ran onto the field on a 1-2 count, he "trips" and "falls" down a staircase or two.

Asshole.

Like I said a few weeks ago. Once the starters are gone, pitchers duels are over and you're just seeing inept offense.

Braves managed a comeback and we're now in extra innings in LA.

Rangers beat the Angels 11-6 in Anaheim to pull within 3 1/2 of the division lead, and 1 behind the Red Sox in the wild card.