I smoke invisible cigarette for YOU, God

AL – In the battle of first and second place teams that isn't the Rays and the Red Sox, the Angels got a three-run rally in the 8th capped by a two-run Garret Anderson homer to get a 5-3 win over the A's and push their AL West lead to 4 1/2 games. K-Rod picked up his 33rd save, leaving him one short of John Smoltz's 2003 pre-All-Star Game record. WHOA! PRE-ALL-STAR-GAME RECORDS! PRESSURE'S ON! … Just to show us for the ribbing in the link dumb post, Richie Sexson goes yard in the Mariners 7-6 win over the Jays. Eh, he stil fights like a girl, so I'm not worried about pissing him off… The Rays continue to exploit the power of the Cowbell Kid's Trop mystique, improving to 5-0 this season in Tampa against the Red Sox. The Rays can go for the sweep tomorrow and the two teams don't play again until two series in September, when we can actually care what happens…The White Sox get one of those two-run, two-out 10th inning rallies that usually result in wins, only this time [tension mounts] it did. Oh. Super.

NL – The Phillies build their lead in the East by improving to 4-0 at Mechanical Cow Field in Atlanta, while the Nationals get a grand slam from recent walkoff hero Ronnie Belliard to hold off the Marlins…The Dodgers, only 2 1/2 games out of first in the West despite being five games under .500 get an 11th inning homer by Jeff Kent to top the Astros…The Mets unveil secret weapon Tony Armas, who wins his season debut by virtue of getting some run support…Aaron Cook tosses a five-hit complete game shutout against the Padres to swap places in the West cellar. At least it's upholstered.

Assorted Summer Boredom – Williams sisters (okay, Serena) remain the only hope for a sexy triumph at Wimbledon, as both advance to the semifinals. In transaction news, because that qualifies for action these days, Boom Dizzle is about to sign with the Clip, ditching one mediocre Cali team for another. Meanwhile, a bunch of hockey players signed with hockey teams. Sounds like a good fit.