Around The Majors - 5th Edition

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Welcome back to Around The Majors. A place where people all around the world come to find out what has been happening in baseball cities other than their own. What better time to do this than right now... the day the Mets sit atop the NL East.

And with this - we begin.

New York Mets: 6 in a row and jinxing counting. Nothing can stop us now! The Mets, who according to Eli's Sports Bureau are playing like it's 2006, are winning and winning big. In Saturday's game the Mets clobbered the Triple A Pirates for 10 runs on 17 hits leading to their 6th straight victory (a record for Citi Field - no need to confirm that...take my word for it) and look for their 7th in a row, as well as a series sweep, when Livan Hernandez faces Ian Snell on Sunday at 1:10 PM. Mr. Met has been seen smiling more and launching t-shirts quicker and farther than in the beginning of the season, which is always a good sign.

Philadelphia Phillies: The 2nd place Phillies sit .5 games back behind the first place Mets (who by the way have won 6 games in a row and look for their 7th as they face the Pirates...okay, okay, I'll spare you my giddiness). The Phils lost to the Braves in Citizens Bank Park on Saturday with Atlanta's Javier Vazquez allowing two runs and four hits, striking out seven in 7 2/3 innings. "Anytime you win here is a good win," Vazquez said. And Eli From Brooklyn says, "Yes, Javier, a Phillies loss always makes for a good win. Yes, indeed."

And just to mesh these two teams together (literally) - our friends at Amazin' Avenue show us how it is possible to pick up the field in Citizens Bank Park and drop it nicely into Citi Field (with room to spare).



Citi Field has proven to be every bit the homerun graveyard we thought it might be. On the other hand, Citizen's Bank Park continues to produce homeruns at an alarming rate.



No need to wonder why.

Los Angelese Dodgers: Was I the only one who didn't want Manny? Fine, I wanted him but Omar didn't and that's all that matters. Manny Ramirez was suspended for for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy as he was attempting to put the "man" back in Manny (see which drug he used) and got caught doing it. If he was smart he'd blame it on "Cousin Yuri".

Calgary Vipers: Who? The Vipers, who play in the independent Golden Baseball League, said it was prepared to offer a contract to Manny while he sits out his 50 game suspension. No word from Scott Boras, his agent.

Boston Red Sox: On Thursday, the Sox tied a modern major-league record and set an American League mark with 12 runs against Cleveland before making an out in an inning. On Friday, five batters scored before an out was made in the sixth. For some reason, the recent year's Sox look much like the 90' Yankees. Am I the only one?

New York Yankees: A-Rod returned. The ball he hit did not. The first pitch that Alex Rodriguez saw Friday night found its way over the wall for a 3-0 Yankee lead on Baltimore. His return 27 games into the season seemed refreshing for a team that had lost 5 consecutive games leading up to it. If only the Yanks can get they're starting pitching in tact...

In other news... Florida's right-hander Anibal Sanchez (sprained right shoulder) was placed on the 15-day D.L. Philadelphia's Cole Hamels pitched six impressive innings to earn his first win since the World Series on Friday Night. He was hampered by a series of injuries earlier this season. Dontrelle Willis rejoined his Detroit teammates for the first time since going on the disabled list because of an anxiety disorder in spring training. Willis is scheduled to start for the Tigers in Minnesota on Wednesday.

Oh, and the Mets won 6 in a row.