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-It was another good night for the Yankees. They improved to 18 games over .500 (58-40) by posting their second consecutive win over Texas 7-4 in Arlington. They fought back from an early two-run deficit with a three-run third. First baseman Andy Phillips atoned for a throwing error with an RBI walk which scored Alex Rodriguez. Miguel Cairo's two out two-run single put the Yanks ahead for good. The following inning, recent waiver pickup Aaron Guiel hit his second home run in two games, connecting for a three-run blow to make it 6-2. Since becoming a Yankee, the ex-Royal has already matched the three homers he had with K.C. in seven less games. Mike Mussina went six allowing three runs and striking out four to improve to 12-3 on the season. Mariano Rivera saved his 24th game.

-The win helped New York keep pace with first place Boston, who got back-to-back homers from Manny Ramirez and Trot Nixon in a 13-5 rout of the A's. While the Bronx Bombers still trail the Red Sox by 2.5 for the division, they're suddenly just a half game behind the White Sox for the wild card. Chicago continued to struggle by dropping their sixth of their last seven- falling to the red hot Twins 4-3. Johan Santana outpitched Jose Contreras to pickup his 12th win and pull Minnesota within a game of the wild card. While the reeling Sox have lost nine of 11 since the All Star break, the Twins improved to 11-2 in that same span. It will be interesting to see if the defending World Champion Sox can recover and stay in the three-team race.

-Meanwhile at Shea, the Mets lost their third straight game. Tom Glavine continued to struggle, giving up eight runs (five earned) including three homers in an 8-6 loss to the Cubs. He allowed back-to-back dingers to Aramis Ramirez and Phil Nevin in the first to put his ballclub in a two-run hole right away. But as the Mets have done so often this year, they cameback to score the next four on a Carlos Beltran solo shot (28) and a second inning three-run HR from super sub Endy Chavez. The Cubs struck back immediately for four in the third. The big blow was a bases clearing two out Henry Blanco double which made it 6-4. Though a Beltran RBI groundout cut it to one, Chicago wasn't done mashing Glavine. Even opposing starter Carlos Zambrano went yard, going opposite field to make it 7-5. A Ramirez RBI single increased the lead to three. The Mets mounted a rally in the ninth but with a run in, it fell short when Paul Lo Duca popped out against Bob Howry to end it, leaving the bases loaded.

-It has to be alarming what's happened lately with Glavine. Reliable for much of the season, the crafty southpaw has begun to show some of his 40 year-old age. While it's true he hadn't gotten smacked around in his past few starts, he has been giving up more hits and not pitching as deep into games. In his last five outings including Tuesday, the former Brave has allowed 22 runs (17 ER) and 40 hits in only 29 innings. That's not going to get it done in October. It's also taxing the Amazin's bullpen, which has been worked a lot. Glavine also hasn't won since June 23. Time for Omar Minaya to consider getting another arm at the deadline? We'll find out in five days.

-For the Cubs, it's been a rough season. At least Ramirez is hot with seven dingers in his last six games. It's got to ease some of Dusty Baker's pain. The big question is who else will leave Chicago at the deadline? A player like Ramirez could get a nice return. So too could injured first base slugger Derrek Lee. They might be able to find a taker for centerfielder Juan Pierre, who has been playing very well as of late. Hopefully for Cubs fans, they'll be able to get a head start on rebuilding this weekend.

-It has now come out that former ESPN baseball analyst Harold Reynolds was accused of sexual harassment by a production assistant. If true, then it explains his sudden dismissal. It would be ashame that Bristol lost such a talented person. But if he was guilty, they really had no other choice. That kind of irresponsible conduct should never be tolerated.

-Devils center Scott Gomez won his arbitration hearing against GM Lou Lamoriello. The affable top center was granted a reward of $5 million. The previous season, he earned slightly over $2.2 million setting career bests with 33 goals and 84 points. It's going to be difficult for Lamoriello to keep him due to the cap situation. If they accept, Gomez' figure will put them over the $44 million cap for next season with Brian Gionta, David Hale and Paul Martin still unsigned. If you're Lou and you already have committed longterm stars Martin Brodeur, Patrik Elias, Jamie Langenbrunner and Colin White, you are not trying to rebuild. But to add to the three Cups they have. Somehow, he's going to find a way to keep Gomez as part of that core. If it means finding a taker for Alex Mogilny and Vlad Malakhov, he will. The guy isn't one of the best executives for a reason. Just watch.

-Team USA Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski trimmed the roster for next month's world championships in Sapporo to 15 by cutting Adam Morrison, Luke Ridnour and Shawn Marion. It will be interesting to see if the Duke coach has better success than his predecessors at making the right selections to build a winner for the summer tournament.

-Make me care about Danica Patrick. I don't care about all the hype because she hasn't won an IRL race yet. Facts are facts. Try telling ESPN.