Baseball

For the first time in years, the Baltimore Orioles are playing a new role in the American League East: the spoiler. 

Now, as a team that was hoping to win 80 games this year, being the spoiler for other teams’ playoff hopes is still a disappointment no matter how you want to word it.

However, the fact that the O’s have been competitive against the likes of the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays is a very positive thing for a team that was beyond terrible for most of this season.

Right-handed pitcher Matt Fox has been claimed by the Boston Red Sox, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Joe Christensen. The Minnesota Twin farmhand was designated for assignment this past Sunday, only two days following a successful MLB debut against the Texas Rangers.

Originally drafted with the 35th overall pick in 2004, Fox has has spent more than six years in the minors and owns a career 3.64 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, according to TheBaseballCube.com.

81-60. That is the best record in the National League to date and it is currently boasted by the 2008 and 2009 National League Champions and 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

What is it that led the Phillies to back-to-back NL championships and has now led them to the National League's best overall record with only 21 games left in the season? The answer is sheer toughness.

Let’s take a look at some of the bigger stories that developed yesterday: 

Three Hot

 Texas Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler

There was a lot to like from the Rangers last night, from their offensive explosion to Derek Holland (5 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K, W), who has a chance to emerge in the Rangers rotation not only for the final few weeks of 2010, but for 2011 as well. 

St. Louis Browns' outfielder Pete Gray played one season in the major leagues. He batted .218, had a .259 on base average, and slugged a mere .261 in 1945. But, Pete Gray might have been the most unique individual to have ever donned a uniform.

Pete Gray didn't have a right arm.

When he was 12 years old, Pete, who was a promising young athlete, slipped while doing farm work.

He fell of the running board of his father's pickup truck, which ran over his right arm, completely crushing it.

Regardless of whether the San Francisco Giants make the postseason, the 2010 campaign has already been a success.

The team is contending into September as it did in 2009, but the lads' chances look much better this time around the bend.

Even if they ultimately fall short of the second season, the squad will improve upon the '09 version's 88-74 record as long as they don't finish in a 10-12 skid.

With what essentially was a three-game sweep at the hands of the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies, the Florida Marlins can officially kiss their last playoff hopes goodbye.

The ship began sailing when Ricky Nolasco went down and now recently with Josh Johnson and his back. JJ might be shut down to avoid any further injury when the team is no longer in the race. 

I have a few choice words for the New York Mets. In particular three specific players that did not partake in a life-changing experience. Those players are Carlos Beltran, Oliver Perez, and Luis Castillo. They recently denied the chance to take part in visiting wounded veterans to thank them for their service.

The choice words: solidarity, brotherhood, camaraderie, unity, and one accord.

One swing of the bat erased 52 nervous hours for the Yankees.

Nick Swisher's two-run, walk-off homer to beat the Orioles, 3-2, on Wednesday afternoon in the Bronx cleansed the palette after a frustrating day by Joe Girardi and the Bombers' offense, and prevented New York from taking a four-game losing streak into an off-day before a tough three-game series in Texas.

A startling trend has emerged in the 2010 Cincinnati Reds campaign: They can’t beat high-quality teams.