Today’s trip shows us southpaws taking over the world, a pitcher ready to ditch Interleague play, a slugger with a five-hit game, a reminder that you can’t steal first base and lots more.

Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore had four hits, a triple, homer and seven RBIs.  It makes me wonder how the leadoff hitter can get on base four times in a game where his team scores 10 runs and he only ends up with one run scored, which came on his homer.  I hope the rest of the lineup is ashamed.

Cubs closer Kerry Wood struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 3-2 win and picked up his 26^th save.  Wood is already in the team record book with the top three seasons of SO/9 IP ratio and could join the all-time saves leaders if he picks up seven more between now and the end of the season.

Dodgers pitcher Derek Lowe allowed one run and fanned seven in 6.2 innings to even his record at 10-10.  It’s no surprise that Lowe won his first start since the Dodgers acquired Greg Maddux.  In 2006, Lowe went 9-3 after the team picked up Maddux.  Mike Maddux has had a successful career as a pitching coach and there’s little doubt brother Greg could do the same thing if he so desired once his playing days are over.

Giants second baseman Eugenio Velez had a hit, a run, an RBI and a stolen base.  At the beginning of the year I thought Velez had the potential to be a fantasy star due to his speed.  But he then went out and proved the old adage that you can’t steal first base.  He’s batting .222 for the season but he does have 12 steals.  With regular playing time down the stretch he could still end up with 20+ stolen bases.

Nationals closer Joel Hanrahan notched a two-inning save to end the team’s 12-game losing streak.  Most people don’t know who Washington’s closer is, since the team has needed one so infrequently since dealing Jon Rauch to the Diamondbacks.  Hanrahan set a franchise record, becoming the first pitcher to notch a two-inning save since the team relocated from Montreal.

Blue Jays third baseman Marco Scutaro had four hits, a double, homer, three runs and four RBIs.  With 392 at-bats this season, Scutaro has enjoyed the second-most playing time in his seven-year career in the majors.  He’s got a .350 OBP and can play 2B, 3B and SS.  He’s a nice guy to have on a roster.

Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado had a five-hit game with a double and three RBIs.  Since the All-Star break, Delgado has a .303/.403/.588 line in 144 plate appearances.  And he’s accomplished that with a .293 BABIP.  Meanwhile, the Mets have won nine of their last 10 games, taking advantage of a soft spot in the schedule that had them face Washington, Pittsburgh and Atlanta.

Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb threw seven shutout innings and fanned eight batters en route to his 19^th win of the season.  He’s now posted wins in six straight starts and is unbeaten in his last eight decisions.  Two of his losses this year have come in Interleague play.  Against the National League he’s 19-2.  He’s on pace for 24 wins which would be the most in the majors since Bob Welch won 27 in 1990.

Twins shortstop Nick Punto had two hits, a double and both runs scored for Minnesota in its 2-1, 12-inning win over the Angels.  It was his sixth multi-hit game in his last eight contests.

A’s starter Greg Smith hurled six scoreless innings to notch his sixth win of the season.  Did you know the A’s now have an all-lefty rotation?  Joining Smith are Dallas Braden, Dana Eveland, Gio Gonzalez and Dan Meyer.  Can anyone think of an all-southpaw starting rotation since the advent of five-man rotations?