All New Opel Corsa in Depth

After its spectacular world premiere in London, the fourth generation of the popular Opel Corsa now takes to the road. With the newcomer, Opel remains true to its role as a trendsetter. Based on the successful example of the Astra and Astra GTC, the distinctively different coupé-like three-door and family-friendly five-door Corsa models are tailor-made for different types of customers. Since 1982, over 9.4 million units of the predecessor models have been sold in Europe. The new Corsa will again be produced in Zaragoza (Spain) and Eisenach (Germany). Both the three- and five-door versions will be available at dealerships in October 2006 and are expected to again reach top sales figures.
The new Corsa has everything it needs to get there: exciting design with sporty, athletic contours, a newly-developed chassis for safe and agile cornering, a new high-quality interior with plenty of space and feel-good ambiance, as well as high-tech features new to this class such as a heated steering wheel and curve light. The integrated carrier system “Flex-Fix” makes its world premiere on a production car, and the Corsa Sport newly-developed high-tech variable progressive power steering is new in the segment.

Its response is already very direct during straight-ahead driving and increases up to a steering-wheel angle of 90 degrees, which is reminiscent of a sports car's steering precision. The feedback curve enables the response ratio to increase again at greater steering-wheel angles, reducing the effort needed for maneuvering.


A Stunning Design to Fall in Love With

The three-door Corsa’s body is stretched tautly over its technology like a muscle shirt on a bodybuilder, with athletic contours, muscular shoulders and a coupé-like roof line. This look is emphasized by the side-window graphics reminiscent of the Astra GTC, forming a large, stretched arch from the A-pillar to the rear. Pronounced fenders over the rear wheels highlight the Corsa’s powerful, sporty stance. The three-door Corsa only shares the five-door’s front fenders, bumper, headlamps, hood and A-pillar.

In the family-friendly five-door model, the long roof line and generous window surfaces indicate additional headroom and visibility for the rear passengers. The side window line resembles that of the five-door Astra, but has a different C-pillar transition to the rear window that gives it its completely unique look.

While both body versions have the same length and height (3999 / 1488 mm), there is a small difference in their width (3-door: 1713 mm, 5-door: 1737 mm). Thanks to the long wheelbase (2511 mm) and wide track (front / rear: 1485 / 1478 mm), both Corsa versions have distinctively sporty proportions. The up to 17-inch wheels are placed at the body corners leaving a very short rear overhang. The designers successfully created a well-proportioned car while maintaining a compact base area. This is enhanced by the front overhang, which has a remarkably short appearance despite elaborate measures for pedestrian protection.

The stylish interior design with high-quality materials and clever new features creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Turn buttons for climate control, radio and lighting are backlit. Piano-lacquer finish used in selected equipment variants on the center console with a matching finish on the steering wheel spokes and air-conditioning vent rings is of a much higher quality than normal in this class. Numerous large and small storage compartments offer plenty of space for stowing all kinds of items.

Distinctive cars for different buyers

Opel aims to return to the top of the small car segment, which is the second largest in Europe with over 20 percent of all passenger car sales. Customers can already look forward to highest-quality equipment lines that also convey driving fun with colors and exclusive finishes.

For instance, the Edition equipment: The fresh colors of the seat upholstery and door panels harmonize perfectly with the instrument panel’s colored surface in subtle grey, exciting red or elegant blue. Be it the entry-level Corsa, Edition, Sport or Cosmo, the Corsa range has the perfect combination for every taste and budget. The newcomer can be further individualized thanks to special equipment packages, innovative options and many features that customers can choose from according to their tastes and preferences.

Exclusive sportiness

The Corsa Sport holds a special position in the model range. For maximum agility, it boasts exclusive power steering with variable-progressive feedback curve for the first time. The sports chassis is lowered by 18 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear, while the closer gear ratios add an extra burst of acceleration. In addition, the Corsa Sport interior features high-quality elements including a matte-chrome console and perforated
leather-trimmed steering wheel. Its exterior boasts details such as dark-tinted headlamps, 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/55 R 16 tires, and a chrome sports exhaust pipe.

Individual settings saved on car key
Be it modern or classical: whatever their musical tastes, the new Opel Corsa can easily memorize each driver’s favorite radio station. And that’s just one example of how the newcomer can be personalized. Up to five different drivers can save their individual settings for the infotainment system, electronic climate control, and on-board electronics and activate them via the car key. New comfort options also ensure that Corsa passengers feel right at home.

These include a power panorama sunroof that also lets in plenty of light when it is closed, and for the colder months a heated steering wheel - new in this class - as well as optional Quickheat, which warms the interior air stream via electric heating elements after a cold start until engine water circulation can warm the passenger compartment.

Opel again leads the way in flexible innovations

The Corsa is an all-rounder, be it for leisure, sport or family use, and is always a star performer. Thanks to its clever innovations, it can adapt to and meet the transport and comfort needs of its owners far better than most other vehicles. One of these innovations is the novel flexible integrated rear carrier system “Flex-Fix”. It stows away almost invisibly into the rear bumper, can easily be pulled out as needed and carry up to two bicycles. In typical Opel style – like the Zafira’s “Flex7” multivariable seating system – the integrated carrier system “Flex-Fix” also provides full on-board functionality, eliminating the need for cumbersome assembly, dismantling or storage of parts.

Other practical features include the height-adjustable “DualFloor” and luggage compartment cover which can be easily stowed away. The stable cargo floor can be set in two height positions, allowing horizontal partitioning of the luggage compartment as well as a flat load floor to the front seat backs when the rear seat backs are folded forward and load floor is in the higher position. The higher position also facilitates loading and unloading. Storage volume up to the luggage compartment cover, which can be stored vertically behind the rear seats, is 285 liters, and 300 liters to the top of the rear seat back. If the 60:40-split rear seat back is folded down, storage volume increases to 700 liters and to a considerable 1100 liters if the car is loaded to the roof. The rear seat backs can also be inclined by 7.5 degrees, which provides exactly the few centimeters of space that are often missing to fit in a bulky piece of luggage, such as a folded-up stroller.

Low consumption gasoline engines, powerful and efficient diesel units

At its market launch, the Corsa is available with three gasoline and two common-rail turbo-diesel engines, which all feature ECOTEC four-valve technology. They cover an output range of 60 to 90 hp. Soon after the start of sales, a new 125 hp, 1.7 CDTI with diesel particulate filter as standard will follow as the interim top-of-the-line unit. At 2300 rpm, this engine produces 280 Nm of torque, giving the Corsa impressive propulsion power.

Low fuel consumption is also a trademark of modern Opel diesels. The new Corsa with the 90 hp, 1.3 CDTI engine needs only 4.6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (MVEG mix test cycle). Modern technology such as the TWINPORT system also ensures higher fuel efficiency in gasoline engines. The 1.2-liter, 80 hp Corsa with Easytronic needs only 5.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (MVEG-mix test cycle).

In addition to the five and six-speed transmissions (combined with the two more powerful diesel engines), and the automated Easytronic manual gearbox (option for the 1.2-liter gasoline unit), the Corsa 1.4 is also available with a four-speed automatic transmission.


Newly-developed chassis for dynamics with high reserves

Excellent driving dynamics, outstanding handling – it is that easy to describe the goal Opel/GM engineers set when designing the fourth-generation Corsa. Thanks to a completely new architecture, they were able to create the best conditions for this right from the start. In addition to the stiffer body, the Corsa features a new short front subframe, allowing for optimum chassis geometry, and a torsion-beam rear axle with three roll-rate levels. Depending on the engine, these provide an ideal alignment to the different front axle loads.

The newest generation of ABS and ESP systems boasts additional functions. The Corsa’s standard ABS system features electronic brake force distribution, Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Straight-Line Stability control (SLS). The ESP system, which brakes up to four wheels individually when required, was tuned so that it firstly gives complete control to the driver, even at very high cornering speeds, and only progressively applies when there is danger of losing safe control of the car.

The engineers also focused on enhancing the steering system for the new Corsa, giving it a considerably stiffer steering column with height and reach-adjustable steering wheel and higher performance, speed-dependent Electric Power Steering (EPS). The power assistance was increased to 40 to 55 Nm (depending on the engine) to further reduce the steering effort necessary for example when parking. All Corsas with engines from 1.3 liters feature steering with variable feedback curve. The Corsa Sport also offers a segment first: newly-developed steering with variable progressive feedback curve. At 13:1, the system already delivers a direct response during straight-ahead driving. As the steering-wheel angle increases, steering becomes even more direct - 12:1 at 90 degrees - creating a sports car feeling. Variable progression ensures that the response ratio again increases at greater steering angles to enable easy maneuvering and parking.

SAFETEC, the comprehensive safety system

Opel has an integral approach to safety. All active and passive safety systems that contribute to reducing dangers when driving are categorized under one heading: SAFETEC. This includes assisting the driver with innovative features such as Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL), avoiding accidents thanks to advanced chassis and highly-developed support functions such as ABS and ESP, reducing the effects of an accident with extensive restraint systems, and protecting other road-users with features such as adaptive brake lights.

In the event of an accident, Corsa passengers are protected by optimized crash zones and restraint systems specifically adjusted for these zones, including two two-stage front airbags, side airbags for driver and front passenger, and – from Edition – head curtain airbags which deploy like curtains to cover the entire length of the interior. The front passenger airbag can easily be deactivated by a button on the instrument panel.

Not just the occupants, but also pedestrians are protected by a range of up-to-date safety measures. Features include a special low-density foam material in front of the bumper crossmember to lessen the intensity of lower-body impact, and a stiffening of the bumper’s lower section spreads out the load over a larger area, thus limiting force to the knees. The material of the hood, which was especially designed for efficient energy absorption, reduces the severity of head impacts, and the generous space between the hood and the engine provides adequate deformation distance. The fenders’ slotted fittings also deform on impact.

A first in the Corsa class, optional curve and cornering light is a real benefit for active safety. The Corsa’s AFL system is combined with halogen light to keep the price as moderate as possible while retaining all functions. The dynamic curve light reacts to the steering angle and speed of the car, turning the high or low beam headlamps up to 15 degrees outward and eight degrees inward. At speeds below 40 km/h, static cornering light is activated. Depending on turn signal and steering wheel position, the headlamps illuminate intersections and garage driveways.

Other lighting innovations in the Corsa include automatic lighting control and adaptive brake lights, a system which warns following drivers by blinking all three brake lights five times per second in case of ABS braking. If airbags or belt tensioners are activated, the hazard warning lights are automatically switched on.

Source: Opel

New Edition of the Audi Magazine

Audi is blazing new trails in corporate publishing: the first issue of the new Audi Magazine appeared on November 14. The Ingolstadt-based company is engaging top-flight teams for both the illustrations and the copy in the new publication. The new Audi Magazine will focus closely on the brand – while relying on high visual and journalistic quality. “Our goals are ambitious: we want to keep setting the standard in the auto industry with our customer magazine”, said Lothar Korn, Head of Marketing Communications at AUDI AG. Anyone leafing through the new Audi magazine will be caught up in it: by the dynamic photo series, where the product metamorphoses into portraits in bold collages. By elaborate styling and design productions, in which the automobile is viewed through an artistic lens. The accompanying stories are just as captivating, written by renowned journalists.
Graphically and journalistically the magazine will compare favorably with the leading lifestyle titles”, Korn continues. But consistency with the brand image will remain a key factor: “Products, design, our involvement in sport – Audi provides our editorial team with a wealth of exciting topics. So the Audi Magazine can afford to focus very closely on the brand.

The Audi Magazine is enlivened by cross-media networking with Audi tv, the brand-specific TV website. Stories about the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) for instance are complemented here by exclusive live reporting.

The worldwide circulation of the Audi Magazine totals 9 million copies, published up to four times annually in 34 languages. The magazine is subscribed to by Audi customers in 70 countries; Audi fans can also buy the magazine at newsstands.

Source: Audi

Golf 6 photos leaked

Photos of the all-new sixth generation VW Golf have leaked out just a few days prior to its official media release. Set to make its public debut in Paris this October, the hugely important Golf VI represents VW's best selling model as well as one of the best selling models in the world.

The New Mercedes-Benz CLC

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a stand-alone model series in the guise of the new CLC, the compelling entry-level model in the Mercedes-Benz coupé family. The Sports Coupé's design, technology and equipment meet the discerning requirements of young drivers looking for an athletic car that gives an involving drive, while at the same time delivering the hallmark Mercedes quality standards in terms of safety, comfort, environmental compatibility and functionality.


Compared with the previous Sports Coupé, the Mercedes engineers have newly developed or enhanced over 1100 components. Engineering highlights of the CLC include a new direct-steer system for even more agile cornering, state-of-the-art infotainment systems featuring a colour display, Europe-wide DVD or hard-disc navigation and media interface, Parktronic as standard on all modelsas well as an uprated four-cylinder engine that now develops 184 hp and improved fuel consumption compared with the outgoing model.

The compact body dimensions and the muscular lines emphasise the sporty appearance of the new CLC. The Mercedes designers have completely redesigned the front and rear so that the Sports Coupé embodies the contemporary Mercedes design idiom with its distinctive coupé radiator grille featuring a large Mercedes star in the centre, and the new projection-beam headlamps. The S-Class, the luxury CL-Class Coupé and the C-Class provided the stylistic models. The redesigned large tailgate conceals a variable boot with up to 1100 litres of luggage capacity. The new tail lights, the long row of LEDs which make up the third brake light unit and the rear bumper subdivide the rear and emphasise its width.

The interior of the new Mercedes-Benz CLC is akin to a contemporary tailor-made suit -- custom-fit and comfortable. Sports seats with better lateral support than ever, a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, automatic climate control and brushed aluminium trim elements form part of the standard specification. A choice of seat covers in black, alpaca grey and a particularly stylish combination of black and red are available to give the interior its individual colour scheme. The CLC also benefits from having ISOFIX fixtures and Child Seat Recognition as standard.

The CLC Sport comes with new direct-steer system and 18-inch wheels as standard


Mercedes-Benz has put together a Sport model for drivers looking for extra sporting flair. It includes exclusive engineering innovations and equipment extras such as 18-inch light-alloy wheels, wide-base tyres, headlamps with black inner surrounds, sports suspension with lowered body, leather sports steering wheel and dark brushed aluminium trim elements. Another special feature which the CLC inherits from its racing car counterparts is the instrument cluster with red needles for the speedometer and rev counter. Once the engine is switched on, these needles spin once around the dial before returning to their start positions.

The standard specification for the Sport includes a new direct-steer system, which further enhances the agile driving experience of the CLC while adding an important boost to safety. This new feature is based on the speed-sensitive power steering and also offers a variable rack ratio which changes as a function of the steering angle so that the driver only has to turn the wheel slightly when cornering; the Sports Coupé therefore responds far more spontaneously to steering commands and offers even sportier handling. As a result, the direct-steer system also improves handling safety in critical situations -- for instance when taking sudden evasive action -- as the field tests conducted by the Mercedes engineers demonstrate.

Engines: improved fuel consumption

Mercedes-Benz offers four four-cylinder and two six-cylinder engines with power outputs ranging from 122 hp to 272 hp for the new CLC. The 184 hp powerplant in the CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR now develops an extra 20 hp while now returning 36.2 mpg – the equivalent of up to 2.8 mpg more than before. The CLC 200 CDI returns a consumption of 48.7 mpg which is improved by 2.4 mpg over the outgoing model. The CDI models boast operating ranges of over 600 miles on a full tank of fuel (62 litres).


The six-speed manual transmission comes as standard with all engine variants. Mercedes-Benz can also supply a five-speed automatic transmission for the four‑cylinder units, and the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission for the C 230 (7G-TRONIC is standard on the C 350). Sport models also come with gearshift paddles on the steering wheel that the driver can use to select the gears of the automatic transmission manually and make optimum use of the engines’ high power reserves when the driving situation calls for it.

Infotainment: state-of-the-art technology for navigation and musical enjoyment on wheels

The Mercedes engineers have developed a new generation of infotainment units for the CLC, bringing luxury-class cutting-edge technology to the Sports Coupé as of September 2008. Three units are available, offering a superb combination of colour display, twin tuner, speed-sensitive volume control and Bluetooth mobile phone interface. An iPod, USB stick or other external audio devices can now also be connected to the infotainment system. A new universal media interface (optional extra) links these devices to the on-board electronics and the Sports Coupé's control system, allowing the iPod tracks to be displayed in the instrument cluster and on the colour screen in the centre console. Tracks can then be selected conveniently using the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel.

The new Audio 50 and COMAND units come with a Europe-wide DVD or hard-disc navigation system. The LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system, which Mercedes-Benz has upgraded with a new whole-word recognition capability, is fitted as standard if the integrated six-disc DVD changer is specified. LINGUATRONIC enables the driver to conveniently operate the telephone, audio and navigation system.

Success story: Sports Coupé with extensive conquest potential

The new CLC is the successor to a successful Mercedes model that boasts some 320,000 drivers around the world to its name since 2001, 45,255 of which were in the UK. The majority of these were new Mercedes customers. Its high conquest rate of some 70 per cent made the Sports Coupé one of the most successful models in the Mercedes strategic product initiative. With the help of a compelling two-door model, the Stuttgart-based car maker has managed to fire customers' imagination over the long term. Over 40 per cent of buyers opted for a larger Mercedes model after the Sports Coupé and are currently driving an E-Class, CLK or an SLK.

Thanks to its sophisticated design, high-quality equipment and appointments, and enhanced technology, the new Mercedes-Benz CLC offers even more conquest potential than its predecessor. The public will get the chance to take a close look at the Sports Coupé for the first time at dealerships in June 2008.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Introducing the Spyker C8 Spyder: The Automotive Equivalent of the Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove

Powered by 400hp of growling V8 engine this super-lightweight all-aluminum two seat sports car roars to 60mph in less than five seconds and hurtles beyond 180mph, all the while surrounding the occupants in one of the most daring and exotic interiors available on any production car.

Leather from the finest supplier in the motor industry; dashboard instruments uniquely crafted by the master watch-maker Chronoswiss; exposed gear linkage and racing pedal box hewn from solid aluminum billet; the feeling of openness that comes from no windscreen header rail; cruising Fifth Avenue with the roof down.

This is motoring for true individuals.

Source: Spyker Cars N.V.

New Renault Laguna, quality down to the finest details

As of today, New Laguna reveals some of the elements reflecting the work carried out in terms of perceived quality, with particular attention paid to the quality of materials used and the standard of fit and finish in the cabin.
Elegant lines and performance levels place New Laguna fairly and squarely in the full-size category.


Everything about New Laguna has been designed for genuine driving pleasure, offering outstanding ride quality along with best-in-class active and passive safety features.


In tune with the exceptional level of traveling comfort offered, New Laguna’s interior design creates an atmosphere of calm and serenity for all occupants aboard.

New Laguna will be fully revealed on June 4, 2007. In the meantime, everyone interested can as of now sign up for an on-line discovery program where the secrets of the new Laguna’s development will gradually be revealed. This website can be accessed directly at the address: www.worldsports9.blogspot.com

Source: Renault

Mazda to Produce All-New Mazda2 for the Chinese Market

Motor (China) Co. Ltd., Mazda Motor Corporation’s management affiliate for the Chinese market, has announced that Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. (CFMA) will produce the all-new Mazda2 at its plant in Nanjing, China. The announcement was made at a pre-show media event Mazda held on April 19, 2007, in advance of the Shanghai International Motor Show. The Nanjing plant is a joint venture with Mazda’s partners in China, the Ford Motor Company and the Changan Automobile Group.
The all-new Mazda2 is the first of Mazda’s new generation of products to evolve to the next stage. Its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show at the beginning of March 2007 met with great acclaim. Mazda has specifically developed the Mazda2 model that will be produced at the Nanjing plant to suit the tastes of the Chinese market.

The Nanjing vehicle manufacturing plant will have an annual capacity of 160,000 units and will be based on Mazda’s production system. The plant will feature cutting-edge eco-friendliness, efficiency, and an employee-friendly working environment. Manufacturing equipment for stamping, body assembly, painting and final assembly lines has already been installed, and verification trials have begun in line with plans to commence production at the plant by the end of 2007. Adjacent to the vehicle plant, Changan Ford Mazda Engine Co., Ltd., is under the final phase of construction and will commence production soon.

Mazda’s director and senior managing executive officer in charge of China Business, Kiyoshi Ozaki commented at the media event held April 19: “Through the construction of the Nanjing manufacturing and engine plants, Mazda and our partners will not only be able to achieve business growth, but we also expect the plants will contribute to the development of the local community and the Chinese economy.”

Mazda will maintain its pursuit of harmony between driving pleasure and environmental and safety performance, and always strive to be a brand that provides an exhilarating driving experience. In order to achieve our mid-term target of production and sales of 300,000 units in China in 2010, we will continue to offer Zoom-Zoom products to our customers in China.

Source: Mazda

Rolls-Royce builds 3,000th Phantom

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has produced the 3,000th Phantom since the launch of the company in January 2003. It was commissioned by a UK customer through Rolls-Royce Motor Cars of London and has been delivered today. The car’s new owner collected the Diamond Black Phantom from the showroom in Berkeley Square. Mrs Tchenguiz-Imerman, a London based socialite, said that she was delighted with her new car as she accepted the keys from Rolls-Royce Chairman and Chief Executive, Ian Robertson.
Mr Robertson said, “Our home market has always been very special to us. It remains one of the most important for the company and our London dealer in particular has been consistently ranked as one of the top three in the world since we launched the Phantom in 2003. It is fitting that they have sold such a significant car.”

He continued, “An advantage of operating in the rarefied atmosphere of the super luxury segment means that I regularly meet our customers. It has been a pleasure to hand over this car today to someone who is so enthusiastic about the Phantom.”

The order for the 3,000th Phantom built at Goodwood was placed with Stephen Foulds, the Sales Manager for the Rolls-Royce Berkeley Square dealership. To date, Stephen has sold more than 130 Phantoms, making him the most successful Rolls-Royce salesman in the world. He puts his success down to an exceptional product and an excellent location. However, a passion for and deep knowledge of the brand play a significant part in Stephen’s achievement.

Mrs Tchenguiz-Imerman’s Phantom features Black Ash veneer with silver inlay, black leather trim with contrasting stitching and two 12-inch DVD screens in the rear. A discreet plaque in the glovebox acknowledges the car’s special status.

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

And That Happened: Tuesday's scores and highlights

Rangers 11, Indians 9; Rangers 10, Indians 5: Lots of runs, Marlon Byrd went 4 for 4 in the day game, blah, blah, blah, but I wanna talk about something else. As I mentioned before, I'm re-reading Nice Guys Finish Last. I'm being really pokey about it, putting it down, reading other stuff, forgetting it for a week and going back again. It just lends itself to that, ya know? Anyway, a few days ago I read a passage I hadn't thought anything of the first time I read it -- probably because I was a kid -- but that I can't shake. In it, Durocher is lamenting the decline of the playing manager, which is how he began his career. The book was published in 1975, the year Frank Robinson became the Indians' manager. Take it away, Leo:

I get a kick out of reading how difficult it is going to be for Frank Robinson to manage the Cleveland Indians and also serve as their designated hitter. Since when has swinging a bat every half hour or so become so taxing on the brain? My bet is that Frank's very presence in the lineup will give the club a shot in the arm. The Cleveland situation was made for Frank Robinson, and Frank Robinson was made for them. A good baseball city, hungry for a winner. A city which has become predominantly black . . . I always said that when it came to naming the first colored manager, Rule #1 would still apply. It was going to be the man who was in the right place at the right time.


A man of his time, I guess, but no less disturbing to see it written like that. Far more disturbing, however, was how Leo used the Robinson bit to note how he thought that Maury Wills would have become the first black manager: "Maury has everything it takes to make a good one," Durocher writes. Of course, Wills went on to become perhaps the worst manager in the history of baseball with the Mariners a few years later. There's no point to this other than to say that times and people change, it's September, and at some point you really have to quit caring about Indians-Rangers games in which no one decides to pitch.

Red Sox 10, Orioles 0: Clay Buchholz seems to be figuring this Major League stuff out (7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER). Two homers for Pedroia. Papi hit a homer too. If he hits one more, he sets the DH record. The next seven games are at home, however, so we're not likely to see fans holding up asterisk signs for this momentous record. The asterisks would not be for the PED thing, though, because no one really cares about that. They'd be in protest of his status as a full time DH which is an affront to good and true baseball the world over. OK, nowhere in the world but the NL and the Central League, but if everyone else jumped off a bridge would you do it too? Well, would you?!

Cubs 9, Pirates 4: The AP game story referred to the Pirates as "hapless." I think hap-quotient is a lazy post-hoc rationalization for a team's performance. There have been plenty of teams that have won a lot of games with very little hap, and vice-versa. The 1988 Braves? Tons of hap. Lost 106 games. The 1970 Orioles, on the other hand, were a great team, but were almost totally hap-free. You can look it up.

Blue Jays 6, Twins 3: Jon Rauch was tagged with a blown save despite entering the game in the sixth inning. If I were him I'd protest that one, because there was no way he was going to finish that game. Charging a guy with a blown save in a game where he'd never otherwise sniff a save is like charging a guy with robbery when he never got anywhere near the safe.

Phillies 5, Nationals 3: You're not going to believe this, but Brad Lidge almost blew this one in the ninth. Single, ground out, HBP, WP, walk, yanked. The yanking probably came less because he was about to blow the game than it was because the walk was issued to Christian Guzman, who doesn't exactly feature the base on balls in his arsenal. Raul Ibanez hit his 29th and 30th homers, joining Howard, Utley and Werth with 30+ homers. Back in the 80s Donruss would have made a baseball card with all four of them holding bats out over the words "heavy lumber" or something. Do they still do stuff like that? Is Donruss even around anymore? If not, are my Diamond King puzzles worth anything? How about my Ron Darling "rated rookie"? Why am I going on like Andy Rooney?

Marlins 4, Mets 2: Carlos Beltran returns and goes 1 for 4. It seems like he was lost eight years ago, but it was only June. I had forgotten how great a season he was having too (.335/.423/.527). One can only wonder how 2009 could have gone for this team if they had even a scintilla of luck this year.

Time for change: Phillies can't rely on Lidge

Before Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel spoke glowingly of his embattled closer Brad Lidge, saying "I want him to realize how much confidence we have in him."

Lidge repaid his manager by going out and vomiting all over that confidence, allowing a walk, a single, and a hit batter before Manuel went to Ryan Madson to finish off the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

Now the Phillies' closer situation is shrouded in confusion and frustration. Here's what Lidge had to say: "If there's a save situation tomorrow, (Manuel) said he was going to bring me in."

And here's what the manager said: "I'm not saying that he'll close tomorrow, the next day or whatever, but I look at him as a closer."

So what now for the Phillies?

One thing is for sure, they can't rely on Lidge come playoff time. The man who was perfect in 2008 has reverted to the pitcher who was run out of Houston, only worse. Much, much worse.
Lidge is 0-7 with a 7.11 ERA, and has converted saves in only 28 of his 38 opportunities. In 50 2/3 innings this season, he has allowed 60 hits and a whopping 32 walks.

Phillies fans are beating the drum for a change, and they're absolutely right. This is simply too good a team to let one struggling player sink the ship. The offense produces the second most runs in the NL and the starting rotation is solid and deep, with plenty of playoff experience.

Luckily, they have options. Madson would be one possibility. Another would be Brett Myers, who has tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief - including 1 1/3 on Tuesday -- since returning from the disabled list. Even better, he has had extended success in closing, saving 21 games and striking out 83 in 68 2/3 innings in 2007.

Myers, Madson ..... whatever. It's time for a change. The sooner, the better.

********

Daily Dose: Back scratches Lincecum

Tim Lincecum was a last-minute scratch from his Tuesday night start with back pain, so the Giants called up top prospect Madison Bumgarner from Double-A to take his place versus the Padres. Bumgarner was a teenager until last month, but the former first-round pick was 9-1 with a 1.93 ERA at Double-A and handled himself pretty well against the NL's lowest-scoring team, allowing two runs over 5.1 innings.

Bumgarner's numbers as a pro as insanely good, with a 27-5 record and 1.65 ERA, but his 69/30 K/BB ratio in 107 innings at Double-A suggest that he's not quite ready to dominate. He's without question one of the top pitching prospects in baseball and the Giants obviously believed that he was ready for the challenge Tuesday night, but don't count on the young southpaw being a fantasy asset until at least mid-2010.

While the Giants unveil their next stud starter and pray that Lincecum's injury proves minor, here are some other notes from around baseball .....

Over-the-hill veterans like Seattle

First, Ken Griffey Jr. said he was interested in playing another season, perhaps in Seattle. Now, according to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, Mike Sweeney is singing the same song.

"We'll see what happens this winter. I probably won't know if I'll get the opportunity to play for another five months or so. But if I do and it can be in a place where we could all make it work, then I'd love to play another season.''

According to the report, Sweeney was interested in Seattle or Anaheim, though the Angels seem like an unlikely fit.

So it might come down to Seattle, which is apparently a place all the over-the-hill-but-respected veterans want to be. What's next? Jay Buhner coming out of retirement for another season? Mark Langston lobbying for a role in the bullpen?

It just goes to show you they're having fun in Seattle after quickly turning a 101-loss team into a fairly competitive ballclub. In fairness, Sweeney and Griffey have received plenty of credit for their positive veteran presence in the clubhouse, but it takes more than chemistry to win games.

As general manager Jack Zduriencik continues to remake the roster Bill Bavasi left him, he'll have to weigh the worth of having respected guys like Griffey and Sweeney around vs. having guys who can actually still play.

He might get some mileage out of having one of the two around, but use up two roster spots? Not gonna happen. Personally, I'd stick with the guy who can get away with tickling Ichiro (scroll down), but that's just me.

Make a husband out of A-Rod?

Unless Kate Hudson has taken on a new career as a house sitter (actually, that was her mom), it looks like she's putting some relationship heat on Yankees star Alex Rodriguez .

From MSNBC.com's "The Scoop":

Kate Hudson will make a husband out of New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez yet. The latest update from the land of the clingy involves Hudson's tendency to stay at A-Rod's place -- even when he's traveling with the team.

Make a husband out of A-Rod? Ummm, that already happened. Her name was Cynthia. And we all know how that ended up.

Anyway, if Hudson thinks that moving into A-Rod's pad will make him suddenly become faithful and go ring shopping, she doesn't know much about ballplayers. Guess she never read Ball Four.

********

If you Twitter, and aim to be Almost Famous, feel free to follow me at @Bharks.

Notes from Tuesday's moves and callups

-- The White Sox brought up both Tyler Flowers and Josh Fields to help fill the void left by Jim Thome's departure. Fields' return was never in doubt, but he may not see as much playing time as expected if the White Sox want to see if Flowers is ready to hit in the majors. Flowers, a product of the Javier Vazquez deal with the Braves, batted .302/.445/.548 in 248 at-bats with Double-A Birmingham and .286/.364/.438 in 105 at-bats following a move up to Triple-A Charlotte. His defense behind the plate is subpar, so it's possible that he'll end up being a long-term first baseman or DH. The White Sox, though, intend to continue developing him as a catcher.

-- The Marlins didn't wait until the end of the minor league season to bring back Cameron Maybin, their Opening Day center fielder. He hit .319/.399/.463 in 298 at-bats for Triple-A New Orleans, and it's likely that he would have returned more than a month ago if the penny-pinching Marlins weren't trying to keep him from eventually becoming a super-two player. The Marlins figure to start him against every left-hander and at least the occasional right-hander. He seemed in line for more playing time before Jeremy Hermida bounced back and hit .312/.413/.442 during August.

-- To open up a 40-man roster spot, the Rangers designated Thomas Diamond for assignment. Diamond, the 10th overall pick in the 2004 draft, was shaping up as a fine prospect before blowing out his elbow in the spring of 2007. He missed the season following Tommy John surgery and hadn't returned to form in two years since. This season, he had a 4.20 ERA and a 58/44 K/BB in 55 2/3 innings as a reliever between Double- and Triple-A.

-- As Aaron wrote earlier, both Sean Rodriguez and Kevin Mulvey were included in trades Monday. I just wanted to bring it up again as an illustration of the point I made last week when the Yankees temporarily blocked Boston's move of Chris Carter to the Mets by claiming the outfielder on waivers.

There were seven AL teams that could have interfered with Rodriguez going to the Rays. There were 13 AL teams and five NL teams that could have blocked the move of Mulvey to the Diamondbacks. Not one of them did, even though those two players wouldn't have gotten past any teams had they been on irrevocable waivers.

What we're watching: Hudson returns against Marlins

-- Fresh off a sweep of the Rockies to move into a tie for the wild card lead, the Giants will begin a three-game series in Philadelphia tonight. The opener will feature dueling left-handers in Jonathan Sanchez and Cole Hamels. Sanchez, who pitched poorly enough in the first half to be bounced from the rotation for a time, has gone 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA since his return to starting games. That stretch includes a no-hitter against the Padres and a win over the Phillies. Hamels is winless in his last five starts, though he did shut out the Pirates for eight innings last time out. He's 7-8 with a 4.52 ERA.

-- The assignment facing Minnesota's Jeff Manship in his first major league start would seem to have just gotten a whole lot easier. Now he'll face a demoralized White Sox team that just saw Jim Thome and his 897 OPS against right-handers given away last night. Manship, a Notre Dame product with a decent fastball and a plus curve, is getting a shot in the rotation after allowing four runs over seven innings in five relief appearances. It's left-handed power hitters that figure to provide him with the most problems, and the White Sox no longer have any of them.

Game of the Night

Atlanta vs. Florida - One day later than originally expected, Tim Hudson will make his return from Tommy John surgery tonight against the Marlins. The 34-year-old went 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in his four Triple-A starts, though it's worth noting that International League hitters did bat .320 against him. The Marlins will counter with a rehabbing right-hander of their own in Anibal Sanchez. It will be his third start since returning from his latest round of shoulder woes. He beat the Braves by allowing one run and two hits over six innings in his return from the DL on Aug. 21, but he struggled last week against the Mets, giving up four runs -- two earned -- and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Restoring the rosters: No. 8 - Boston

This is part of a series of articles examining what every team's roster would look like if given only the players it originally signed. I'm compiling the rosters, ranking them and presenting them in a countdown from Nos. 30 to 1.

No. 30 - Cincinnati
No. 29 - Kansas City
No. 28 - San Diego
No. 27 - Milwaukee
No. 26 - Baltimore
No. 25 - Chicago (AL)
No. 24 - Chicago (NL)
No. 23 - Pittsburgh
No. 22 - Detroit
No. 21 - Tampa Bay
No. 20 - New York (NL)
No. 19 - Houston
No. 18 - Oakland
No. 17 - St. Louis
No. 16 - Florida
No. 15 - San Francisco
No. 14 - Texas
No. 13 - Cleveland
No. 12 - Minnesota
No. 11 - Arizona
No. 10 - Los Angeles (AL)
No. 9 - Toronto

The Red Sox miss Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling and Trot Nixon, who would have proven pretty useful even in the twilights of their careers, but a first-rate infield and bullpen gets them the eighth spot here.

Rotation
Jon Lester
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Justin Duchscherer
Clay Buchholz
Justin Masterson

Bullpen
Jonathan Papelbon
Frank Francisco
Hideki Okajima
Daniel Bard
Manny Delcarmen
Rafael Betancourt
Ron Mahay

It's difficult to rate the rotation when Matsuzaka has been a bust this year and Duchscherer has missed the entire season. In 2008, both were among the AL's top pitchers. The Red Sox do have depth behind them in the form of veterans Anibal Sanchez, Carl Pavano and Jeff Suppan and prospects Michael Bowden and Junichi Tazawa.

The bullpen, though, is undeniably a strength. The career batting-average againsts for the top three relievers are .200, .222 and .213. Delcarmen and Betancourt are also under .240. I went with Mahay for the last spot over the aforementioned starters and Cla Meredith. He hasn't pitched well this year, but he's typically been a pretty reliable left-hander.

Interestingly, both Betancourt and Mahay were originally signed as position players by the Red Sox. Betancourt spent three years as an infielder in the system, while Mahay was an outfielder for five years.

Lineup
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
2B Dustin Pedroia
SS Hanley Ramirez
1B Kevin Youkilis
3B Freddy Sanchez
LF David Murphy
DH Nomar Garciaparra
RF Brandon Moss
C Kelly Shoppach

Bench
INF Jed Lowrie
INF David Eckstein
OF Matt Murton
C Dusty Brown

The Pedroia-Hanley-Youkilis combination in the middle of the order would be a site to behold, but the Red Sox scored fewer points for their outfield than any other team ranked this high and the DH spot was another major problem. Garciaparra was really the only option, and perhaps there's still a chance he could post an 800 OPS if he's not constantly getting hurt playing the infield. Moss gets the nod in right for now, since he is a quality defensive outfielder. Murton would still play over him against lefties. By next year, Josh Reddick could prove to be the better player.

Summary
While Dan Duquette doesn't deserve the shunning he's received since being ousted as Boston's general manager, his strengths didn't lie in developing talent. What intriguing players the Red Sox did produce then usually made their marks elsewhere. The farm system has bounced back in a big way under Theo Epstein, and it's currently churning out legitimate players about as frequently as any in baseball. What makes it even more impressive is that the team hasn't had a pick in the top half of the first round since 1998 (Adam Everett, 12th).

Rodriguez, Mulvey are players to be named later

Lots of "players to be named later" have been swapped recently and this afternoon two of them have actually been ... well, named later.

* Sean Rodriguez joins Matt Sweeney and Alex Torres as the third prospect heading from the Angels to the Rays for Scott Kazmir. Rodriguez has split time between second base and shortstop in the minors while hitting .301/.398/.626 with 50 homers in 170 games at Triple-A.

Those numbers are inflated by a hitter-friendly environment and at 24 years old Rodriguez doesn't project as a star, but he's an MLB-ready infielder with good power and represents a nice pickup for Tampa Bay. He seemed destined to never get a great opportunity with the Angels, so the deal works out well for Rodriguez too.

* Kevin Mulvey was part of the big trade that sent Johan Santana from the Twins to the Mets, but now he's headed to the Diamondbacks as the PTBNL for reliever Jon Rauch. Mulvey's stock has dropped since the Santana deal, but at worst he's an MLB-ready fifth starter and was one of the Twins' top dozen prospects coming into the season.

Philip Humber has been dropped from the 40-man roster twice without being claimed off waivers and Mulvey is in Arizona, so Minnesota's return for Santana basically now boils down to Carlos Gomez, Deolis Guerra, and 1.25 seasons of Rauch. Not quite the haul Twins fans had in mind when all the juicy rumors were swirling two offseasons ago.

Penny wanted out of the American League

Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Twins decided against claiming Brad Penny off waivers after they learned that he wanted to go back to the National League.

Instead of the Twins assuming Penny's remaining contract and taking the Red Sox off the hook for about $1.2 million, he was released after clearing waivers and signed what basically amounts to a one-month, $75,000 deal with the Giants.

Minnesota reached out to Penny through Mike Redmond and Carl Pavano, who previously played with him in Florida, and received indications from both the 31-year-old right-hander and his agent that he'd rather avoid another American League team.

Penny spent the first nine years of his career in the NL, going 94-75 with a 4.06 ERA before posting a 5.61 ERA in 24 starts with the Red Sox. On one hand players dictating waiver claims and roster decisions isn't such a great thing. On the other hand it's tough to blame Penny for wanting to flee back to the NL after seeing John Smoltz do the same with (so far) lots of success.

Santana, Perez have 'successful' surgeries

Johan Santana and Oliver Perez each went under the knife this morning, with Santana having bone chips removed from his left elbow and Perez having scar tissue removed from his right knee.

Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek did the honors for both pitchers and afterward the team announced that the surgeries were successful. Obviously. In the long history of professional sports, has a team ever come out immediately after a surgery and said, "Wow, that went horribly"?

Anyway, barring setbacks--which incidentally could be the title of the Mets' season video---both Santana and Perez are expected to be fully healthy for spring training. Santana has four years and $95.5 million remaining on his contract, while Perez is still owed $12 million per season for 2010 and 2011.

First batch of September call-ups includes Giambi

Teams will be calling up players throughout the day as rosters expand to 40 spots, so keep an eye on Rotoworld's player news page for all the latest transactions.

Along with the Brewers bringing back J.J. Hardy once his service time was sufficiently suppressed, here are some of the other noteworthy early moves:

* As expected, Jason Giambi has joined the Rockies' bench after signing a minor-league contract last week. He went 8-for-18 with two homers in a brief stay at Triple-A and will fill the same pinch-hitting role that the Dodgers have in store for Jim Thome.

* Tim Hudson was activated from the 60-day disabled list and will make his season debut tonight against the Marlins, facing big-league hitters for the first time since undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery 12 months ago.

* Brandon Wood is back with the Angels and will no doubt take his usual seat on the bench after hitting .293/.353/.557 with 22 homers in 99 games at Triple-A. He'll be joined by homerless wonder Reggie Willits and catcher Bobby Wilson, who reportedly might end up as the player to be named later in the Scott Kazmir trade.

* Speaking Kazmir, his old rotation spot in Tampa Bay now belongs to Andy Sonnanstine, who's back with the Rays after a two-month demotion to Triple-A. Sonnanstine had a 6.61 ERA in 15 starts with the Rays and then posted a 4.40 ERA in nine starts at Durham, so things could get ugly tonight against the Red Sox.

* Acquired from the Orioles for a PTBNL or cash last week, Joey Gathright will be the Red Sox's pinch-runner and defensive replacement down the stretch. Gathright isn't much of a hitter with a career .262/.327/.303 line, but he's one of the fastest players in baseball, has tons of range in the outfield, and will prove to be a major asset if the Red Sox ever need someone to jump over a car.

Ayala's bad pitching, big mouth is strange combo

Earlier this season Luis Ayala talked his way out of Minnesota by walking into manager Ron Gardenhire's office and complaining about his role, suggesting that he should be the Twins' eighth-inning setup man despite sporting a 4.18 ERA and .306 opponents' batting average in 32.1 innings spent primarily in middle relief.

Here's what Gardenhire said at the time:

When you walk into my office and tell me you don't like your role, and he talked about his contract for next year, you lose me right there. I don't deal with that. We're talking about winning now. That's why he's out the door and another guy's in there to pitch. And it's not because he's a bad guy. His theories are a little different.

After being released by the Twins he eventually signed a minor-league deal with the Marlins, who called Ayala up a couple times and let him go 0-3 with an 11.74 ERA in 10 appearances before designating him for assignment yesterday.

And naturally Ayala is now unhappy with how the Marlins treated him:

It was terrible what they did. I don't know why they called me up if they were going to do this. I think it's a lack of respect. I know it's a business, but for me, it's something they've handled poorly.

In fairness to Ayala, he's more or less an expert on handling things poorly. Since the beginning of last season he's been paid approximately $4 million to go 3-15 with a 5.68 ERA in 115.2 innings, and when not alienating his employers with his performance he's burned bridges with his mouth. Or as Gardenhire put it: "His theories are a little different."

Saltalamacchia '50-50' for season-ending surgery

Jarrod Saltalamacchia revealed yesterday that he's "50-50" to undergo season-ending surgery after leaving a minor-league rehab game over the weekend with reoccurring numbness in his right arm.

Saltalamacchia has been diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, which is described as "a rare condition" that involves a rib pressing against a nerve in his shoulder and causing the pain in his arm that landed him on the disabled list in mid-August.

"I'm not giving up," Saltalamacchia said. I tried 15 days and it didn't get better. It got better but not to the point where I can play nine innings."

Prior to the injury he hit just .236/.293/.375 with an ugly 96/22 K/BB ratio in 83 games, and the former top prospect's lack of development is a big part of why the Rangers' once-impressive catching depth has gone from strength to weakness this season.

Ivan Rodriguez and Taylor Teagarden have split time behind the plate since Saltalamacchia landed on the shelf, but he's still just 24 years old and if healthy will definitely have a chance to reclaim the starting job next spring. However, the success rate for thoracic outlet syndrome surgery is said to be only 50-80 percent.

The Yankees to price playoff tickets in a relatively reasonable manner

The team that hasn't passed up an opportunity to gouge its fans all year passes up an opportunity to gouge its fans:
The Yankees today announced 2009 postseason ticket pricing for potential games at Yankee Stadium in the American League Division Series, American League Championship Series and World Series. Prices for the vast majority of postseason tickets are less than those that were charged by the Yankees for equivalent seating in the 2007 postseason at the original Yankee Stadium . . .
. . . Regular season ticket prices for full-season ticket licensees (non-Suites) will be replicated for the 2009 American League Division Series (i.e., a Main Level ticket that costs a full-season ticket licensee $60 in the 2009 regular season will cost the same licensee $60 for the ALDS), however, full-season ticket licensees (non-Suites) of $325 Field Level seats may purchase their seats for the ALDS at the lower price of $275 each.

In light of this I can only assume that beer will be $125 a cup and "personal urinal licenses" will be sold at $50 a pop to make up for lost revenue.

The Twins have the dough to sign Mauer. They should do it ASAP.

Twins' president David St. Peter is telling the Pioneer Press that, yes, the money is there:

Joe Mauer, the Twins all-star, Gold Glove winner and batting champion, can become a free agent after next season. Negotiations will begin after this season.

Will the Twins be able to afford Mauer?

"Yeah, we can afford him," team President Dave St. Peter said.

Is Mauer eager to get a new deal done?

"I haven't even thought about it," Mauer said. "I've got enough on my plate right now trying to win a ballgame."

That last quote is the most interesting in that it strongly suggests that Mauer, like a lot of players, is not going to want to be negotiating during the 2010 season. What that means is that, for all practical purposes, the Twins need to extend Mauer this offseason and no later lest (a) distrating and morale-killing trade rumors start flying next summer; or (b) Mauer has the oppotunuty to solicit offers from others next fall.

The smart money still has Mauer staying in his hometown, but if it gets to be spring training and nothing is done, the odds will begin to drop. The Twins don't need the hassle, the bad P.R. or the spectre of the Red Sox or someone driving up the price. They need to get a long term deal done for Mauer this winter.

Brandon Phillips has an enemies list

Brandon Phillips was hit on his wrist during a game against the Nats on August 15th, and claims he has a hairline fracture. Like any normal human being, Phillips has written the perpetrator's name down in permanent marker and has vowed revenge:

"J.D. Martin," Phillips said. "You can look at my hat and his name is in there. I write names in my hat and remember who I need to get .... Not fighting or nothing, but getting back at that dude. You give some hard look at 'em, let 'em know, let 'em see your name.

Pfft. If he was really serious he'd tattoo Martin's name on his knuckles or on his back like DeNiro in "Cape Fear." Or Sideshow Bob in "Cape Feare."

Actually, if he was really serious, he'd be able to remember the names on his enemies list without having to write them all down. Assuming, at least, that he only has a small number of enemies. Which may not be a safe assumption.

Detroit continues to desecrate the corpse of Tiger Stadium

Mel Gibson's death scene in "Braveheart" didn't last this long:

Old Glory still flies in Tiger Stadium's center field, surrounded by foothills of concrete and twisted steel, shards of scrunched up plastic.

The half-gutted carcass of an elevator shaft looms high over the rubble, bearing witness to incomplete destruction, bureaucratic folly, bad timing and the near-total failure of love to fix any of it.

All work stopped weeks ago, without public explanation, amid territorial negotiations between state and city officials over the final tear-down.

The demolition, the article notes, is into its 14th month. It didn't take that long to build the original structure in 1911-12. What an absolute disgrace.

"thanks to reader YankeeFan Len for the link. Here's hoping the same thing doesn't happen to his team's old stadium"

Furcal family forced to evacuate

I have no idea how ballplayers function when stuff happens with their families while they're on the road:

While in Denver on Thursday, Rafael Furcal got an alarming call from his wife. Authorities had issued a mandatory evacuation of their Flintridge neighborhood as the raging Station Fire approached, and she didn't know what to do.

"I tell my wife, 'You know what, get clothes for the kids and take the car and get out of there,'" Furcal said. "Life is more important than anything."

Furcal's house was spared and everyone was alright. Torre didn't start Furcal against the Diamondbacks last night, in part to give him a mental break.

Jerry Hairston takes the blame for Pettitte losing his perfecto

If a guy makes an error that costs his pitcher a perfect game, and the very next hitter laces a single into the outfield, my sense of it is that you can't really dwell on the error, because, hey, the no-no and perfecto would have been gone a minute later anyway. Then again, I don't have to fill column inches in New York:

The ground ball didn't appear to take any sort of bad hop, no matter what the Yankee players were saying afterward. In truth it was the type that Jerry Hairston could field without a bobble 100 times out of 100 under ordinary circumstances.

So maybe the importance of the moment got to him. Then again, Hairston had saved the perfect game only an inning earlier with a barehand play on a slow roller. In any case, when he missed Adam Jones' grounder with two outs in the seventh inning, Hairston perhaps changed the course of history, and Andy Pettitte's karma as well.

There's some sort of third order story like this coming out of every Yankees' game. We pay attention to the sensationalism surrounding A-Rod and all of that, but I think that this is the kind of scrutiny --- 800 words devoted to someone's relatively meaningless error -- that people are really talking about when they talk about the pressure of New York.

This one story? No big deal. 160 of them? Man, that has to get old.

And That Happened: Monday's scores and highlights

Reds 4, Pirates 3; Reds 6, Pirates 3: Darnell McDonald scored on a wild pitch by Jesse Chavez with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to win the first game of the doubleheader. There was no one there. Like, 2000 people. Which is a crime considering how nice a day it was in Ohio yesterday. Sure, it was just a makeup game and sure it was the Pirates, but if there aren't at least a couple thousand more office drones, college students, and other assorted knuckleheads that can make it to a walkable ballpark on a glorious afternoon then our civilization is circling the damn drain.

Diamondbacks 5, Dodgers 3: It had to be kind of hard to play this game while this is looming beyond left field. Arizona managed, however, getting two runs off of James McDonald in the 10th. The Dodgers finish August with a record of 14-15, but hey, they've got reinforcements now. You excited Jim Thome? "I just want to be honest with you. I'd love to come. I want to help you guys any way I can. But playing first base is not something I'm going to be able to do -- maybe in an emergency situation, perhaps." Fear the Dodgers.

Braves 5, Marlins 2: Life comes at you fast. Josh Johnson didn't give up a hit until Matt Diaz singled in the 6th, but he wouldn't survive the seventh inning following a couple of hits from Chipper Jones and Yunel Escobar followed by an Omar Infante triple and a David Ross RBI single.

Blue Jays 18, Rangers 10: Toronto led this game 11-0 at one point but thought it wasn't sporting to embarrass their host in their very home and thus allowed them to make a go of it, watching the lead shrink down to a single run before scoring seven in the ninth. Adam Lind had eight (8) (VIII) RBI in this game. I'm assuming Nolan Ryan had people killed after it was over.

Yankees 5, Orioles 1: Without looking, I'm going to assume that this was Andy Pettitte's best start of the year (8 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 8K) [time passes] OK, I looked, and yes it was his best start of the year. In fact, if you go by game score, it was Pettitte's best start since June 30, 2002, when he threw a three-hit shutout against the Mets.

Rays 11, Tigers 7: If the best trade deadline pickup was Cliff Lee or Adam LaRoche, then the worst is no doubt Jarrod Washburn (5.2 IP, 9 H, 8 ER). Harkins says it best: "Tigers fans must feel like they got hoodwinked."

Twins 4, White Sox 1: The White Sox: sinking like whale fall. Not only did Joe Mauer hit a homer, but he stole a base. What's more, as he slid into second, he caught the errant throw after it deflected off of Jayson Nix's glove. Mauer doesn't always drink beer, when he does, he prefers Dos Equis.

Astros 5, Cubs 3: Carlos Lee was 2-4 with a homer and 4 RBI. Rich Harden, who had a busy day of not being traded and everything, gave up five runs on five hits and walked six in five innings.

Angels 10, Mariners 0: Two homers for Vlad, who went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI. Joe Saunders and Trevor Bell allow only three hits which, after what happened to against Zack Greinke on Sunday, was a veritable breakout performance by the M's bats.

Padres 3, Nationals 1: Livan Hernandez does what he was hired to do: pitch a bunch of innings, save the bullpen, and still lose so as not to mess up the whole Bryce Harper thing. OK, maybe that's not the real intention -- Hernandez actually pitched well last night --- but it's a nice little byproduct of his Livanness, no?

Athletics 8, Royals 5: Oakland trailed 4-0 after two innings, but scored five runs in the third and then added three more in the sixth. One of those runs came after when Luke Hochevar allowed Rajai Davis to advance to third while Hochevar was wiping his brow, mistakenly believing that play was dead. Oops.

Arms race in NL West: Dodgers add Thome, Garland; Rockies get Contreras

The Brad Penny pickup set off a chain reaction in the NL West, as the two remaining contenders also picked up pieces before the Monday night deadline to have new acquisitions qualify for postseason play.

The Dodgers landed a potential Hall of Famer in Jim Thome, but right-hander Jon Garland may well prove to be the bigger pickup. That's because even if the Dodgers were willing to sacrifice defense at first base, Thome just isn't much more than an emergency option in the field at this point of his career. He'll be used strictly off the bench for his fourth major league team, at least until the World Series. He's hit .206/.354/.365 in 63 at-bats as a pinch-hitter in his career. Over the last two years, he's 1-for-15.

Garland is the second addition to the Dodger rotation in as many weeks, joining Vicente Padilla. He struggled in his first two months in the NL, but he's amassed a 3.56 ERA in 16 starts since the beginning of June. Also encouraging is his 50/15 K/BB ratio in 78 1/3 innings over the last two months. He figures to replace Charlie Haeger for now, putting him in the rotation alongside Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf. If Hiroki Kuroda can return in a week or two as hoped, then Padilla would likely head to the pen.

The Rockies also wanted Garland, but settled for Jose Contreras, who was 5-13 with a 5.42 ERA in 114 2/3 innings for the White Sox. Surprisingly, they're sending back a decent prospect in Brandon Hynick, who was thought to be a possibility to take over as their new fifth starter. Hynick has a below average fastball, but his splitter is a nice pitch and he displays very good command. He might take over the fifth spot in the White Sox rotation. Contreras will try to help replace the injured Aaron Cook in Colorado. He seems to be on his last legs. but the league switch might do him some good.

Along with acquiring Hynick, the White Sox picked up infielder Justin Fuller for Thome. A 2006 11th-round pick, Fuller has hit .254/.340/.418 in 177 at-bats for high-A Inland Empire this year. He has a quality glove and he bats left-handed, so if he starts to show some offensive ability, he'll get looks as a utilityman. He's a long shot, though. With Thome gone, they'll likely give Josh Fields significant time at DH in September. It could be his last chance with the club.

Daily Dose: Hardy back in Milwaukee

J.J. Hardy is headed back to Milwaukee now that rosters have expanded, but three weeks spent at Triple-A is just enough time to delay his free agency by another year. Rather than being arbitration eligible for the final time next season Hardy is under the Brewers' control through 2011, which should come in handy when trying to trade him this offseason.

Alcides Escobar has started 13 of 17 games at shortstop following Hardy's demotion, but general manager Doug Melvin indicated that the two players will split the position down the stretch. Hardy hit just .246/.279/.415 in 17 games at Triple-A, but it makes sense for the Brewers to give him some action in the hopes that he can build up a bit of additional trade value. Still, expect Escobar to be the primary starter.

While the Brewers slickly gain an extra year of Hardy's services, here are some other notes from around baseball .....

* Much like John Smoltz did a couple weeks ago, Brad Penny signed with a National League team Monday immediately after clearing waivers and being released by the Red Sox. He joins the Giants on what is essentially a one-month, $100,000 deal to replace Joe Martinez as the fifth starter and clearly hopes to follow further in Smoltz's footsteps by turning his awful season around in the weaker league.

Penny went 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA and 89/42 K/BB ratio over 131.2 innings in Boston, including 0-4 with a 9.11 ERA in his final five starts. His fastball has still clocked in at an average of 94.0 miles per hour this season, but it's been one of the least-effective heaters in baseball against AL batters. Don't expect a dramatic turnaround, but he's certainly capable of having some value in NL-only leagues down the stretch.

* As expected, the Diamondbacks placed Chad Qualls on the disabled list Monday after the closer suffered a gruesome-looking dislocated kneecap on the final play of Tuesday night's game. Qualls will miss the remainder of this season and his status for the beginning of next season could be in some doubt. No official fill-in has been named, but rookie Juan Gutierrez is the obvious choice followed by Clay Zavada.

* Kyle Blanks' strong rookie season came to a halt Monday when he was diagnosed with a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot. Blanks blasted 10 homers and 19 total extra-base hits in just 148 at-bats, joining Adrian Gonzalez this year and Milton Bradley in 2007 as the only hitters to produce an Isolated Power above .250 calling Petco Park home. The ballpark limits his upside, but expect 25-plus homers in 2010.

AL Quick Hits: Ichiro Suzuki (calf) was held out of the lineup again Monday, but did take batting practice and shag fly balls before the game ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia (hand) could be headed for surgery after being removed a rehab game Monday at Double-A ... Jarrod Washburn was rocked for eight runs Monday, giving him a 6.81 ERA in six starts with the Tigers ... Tim Wakefield (back) received a cortisone shot Monday and will be evaluated further later this week ... Adrian Beltre is expected to rejoin the lineup Tuesday just three weeks after injuring his testicle ... Carlos Guillen went 4-for-5 with two homers, four RBIs, and three runs Monday ... On the disabled list with complications from past back surgeries, Joe Crede denied reports that he's considering retirement ... Jeremy Bonderman is due to come off the DL when rosters expand Tuesday, but is not a rotation option ... Is there something higher than MVP? Joe Mauer homered, singled, stole a base, and scored twice in a 4-1 win Tuesday.

NL Quick Hits: Rich Harden struggled Monday after the Twins failed to trade for him, giving up five runs on five hits and six walks in five innings ... Lou Piniella said that Geovany Soto will begin to lose playing time to Koyie Hill because of his season-long struggles ... Tim Lincecum's next start has been pushed back one day after he threw a season-high 127 pitches in eight shutout innings Friday ... Carlos Beltran (knee) is scheduled to begin a rehab stint Wednesday at Single-A ... Johnny Cueto threw five innings of one-run ball in his return from the disabled list Monday after going 0-6 with a 10.63 ERA in his previous eight starts ... Jordan Schafer had season-ending wrist surgery Monday, but should be ready for spring training ... Nick Johnson (hamstring) is set to start a rehab assignment Tuesday at Single-A ... Daniel McCutchen hurled a Quality Start in his debut Monday despite serving up a leadoff homer .... Brandon Phillips revealed Tuesday that he's been playing with a fractured wrist for two weeks.