Odds n' Ends

Just a few things sandwiched into one, rather than making a whole post for each.

First, there won't be many times where you'll see a blog mainly dedicated to the Yankees rooting for the Red Sox. But there's no denying that Jon Lester coming back for the Red Sox with a victory is a great story. No matter where the line in the sand is, anyone can cheer for the successes of a guy coming back from a year-long battle with cancer.

Watch out! Even with a 2-2 split in DC this weekend, Colorado is lingering around the top like a bad habit in the NL West. And the previously dominant Padres are entering one of their first prolonged slumps of the season. With their loss last night, the Padres have lost four straight. This is in no way the fault of Greg Maddux, who was in line for a win after going six innings and giving up two earned runs. But the bullpen faltered. Scott Linebrink came into the bottom of the 8th inning and proceeded to cough up four runs, three of them on a homerun from Home Run Derby participant Matt Holliday. The fourth run charged to Linebrink followed after he'd been exchanged for Cla Meredith, on a two-run homer from Brad Hawpe.

The Padres haven't won since chris Young's 1-0 gem of a victory against the Phillies, so it makes sense that San Diego would have to turn to Young as the stopper for this losing streak. Young carries his league-leading 1.85 ERA into Colorado to face RHP Ubaldo Jimenez. Young's only start of the season against Colorado was a victory back on April 20th. He went seven innings and allowed only one earned run on four hits with seven strikeouts.

Control will be a fun thing to watch in Baltimore Tuesday night, as righty Daniel Cabrera takes on Scott Kazmir and the Devil Rays. Cabrera will be attempting to win his first game since June 22nd in Arizona. His last two starts have been no decisions. Cabrera allowed five earned runs in each. Cabrera's one start against the Devil Rays so far this season came on May 10th. He won that game despite giving up six earned runs (including two homers) over six innings.

Yes, in case you were wondering, Daniel Cabrera was the Orioles pitcher who no-hit the Yankees until the 9th inning last season. He has great stuff when it's located well, which unfortunately doesn't happen as frequently as Leo Mazzone must hope.

On the transaction front, the Padres recalled Justin Hampson from AAA-Portland in exchange for LHP Royce Ring.