Could this be it? Could this be the time we've all been waiting for? What am I talking about? Pat Burrell hit two homers today and went three for four with three RBI. Burrell entered the game batting .196 and the slugger had endured being pinch hit for, double-switched with a pitcher and not even starting. Today he started...and stayed in the game...the whole game. And because of it, the Phillies came from behind and beat the Giants.

Burrell came up in the eighth with the Phillies down a run and hit a shot to left to tie the game. Then in the tenth inning, with Jim Thome on base, Burrell won the game with a two-run homer also to left. Way to go, Pat! We've been waiting for you!

And this kind of production is just in time as the Phillies have really been struggling and needed a big win. The Marlins are breathing down their backs for the wildcard and the Phillies' ace starting pitchers had been knocked around the past few games. Heck, Burrell even went over the Mendoza line with his performance today.


The wealth of amazing rookies this year continues as the Kansas City Royals, desperate and scratching and clawing to stay at the top of their division lost Jose Lima to a muscle pull. When Lima went down, they reached into their farm system and didn't get a turkey. Jimmy Gobble won his second straight start in as many appearances and after two games, has an ERA of 0.78. He didn't walk anyone and let in one run for the game.

What a great lift Gobble's starts have to be for the Royals along with the activation of their only star, Mike Sweeney. The Royals have to hope they hang on and that the White Sox will cool off.