Starting in the NL today, Ike Davis hit a tiebreaking double during a four-run 10th inning, Kelly Shoppach had a two-run homer and the New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-5 for their third straight victory.
Meanwhile the Nationals may hold the lead in the NL East but they sure haven’t been playing like it lately. The last-place Miami Marlins, languishing 19 games back of the NL East leaders, handed the Nats their fifth straight loss last night, 9-0. It's Washington's longest losing streak of the season.
In the AL, Nick Swisher extended his hitting streak with an RBI single and the Yankees handed Ricky Romero his 11th straight loss with a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Phil Hughes won his sixth consecutive decision at Yankee Stadium to improve to 13-11 overall.
The L.A. Angels rallied with two in the bottom of the ninth to beat Boston 6-5. Torii Hunter's sacrifice fly ended it. Albert Pujols hit his 39th and rookie Mike Trout added his 25th homer for the Angels.
Yanks play Toronto this afternoon, Boston’s in L.A. again tonight and promising rookie Matt Harvey will start tonight for the Mets against Philadelphia.
In the U.S. Open in Flushing, both Williams sisters sailed through first round play. The seven-time grand slam champ Venus is returning to the Open after missing last year while battling an autoimmune disease while sister Serena is fresh off a Wimbledon win and an Olympic gold medal. On the men's side, defending champion Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick also easily won their first round matches.
NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr says the league offered a new proposal during negotiations at the NHL offices. The two sides will meet again today to discuss it, after Fehr and the players break it down on their own. The current collective bargaining agreement runs out on Sept. 15 and the NHL has said it will lock the players out if a new deal isn't reached.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press