Aramis Ramirez and the Cubs struck back with a vengeance at the Nationals after a loss on Friday, and pummeled them right back 9-2.

Ramirez had 3 hits, including two 3-run home runs to lead the Cubs. Ryan Theriot also had 3 hits and scored twice.

On the mound, Ryan Dempster was solid on the mound, giving the Cubs 7+ strong innings once again, giving up only 1 run on 8 hits, while striking out 4. Dempster tied his career high with his 15th win of the season, and has an outside shot of picking up 20 wins on the season with some more great performances down the stretch.

Carl Pavano got his 6th total win as a Yankee, giving him a total of about $6.7 million per win since signing a 4-year contract with the Yankees before the 2005 season. After career highs in just about everyhing in 2004, Pavano just made only his 20th total appearance in a Yankees uniform.

It was successful though, as Pavano struck out 5, gave up 3 runs in 5 innings, and helped the Yankees to a 5-3 win over the Orioles. Jason Giambi's 3 RBI were key for the Yankees.


----- Other MLB Scores -----
AL:
Blue Jays 11, Red Sox 0 - Vernon Wells: 4-5, 2 HR, 4 R, 3 RBI ... Jesse Litsch: 6 scoreless IP
Rays 5, White Sox 3 - Akinori Iwamura, Carlos Pena: 2 RBI each ... Jermaine Dye (CWS): 2 solo HR
Tigers 4, Royals 0 - Zach Miner: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 K ... Miguel Cabrera: Solo HR
Indians 8, Rangers 7 - Kelly Shoppach: 2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI ... Ryan Garko: 2-4, 2 RBI
Angels 7, Twins 5 - Mark Teixeira: 3-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB ... Chone Figgins: 3-5, 2 R
Athletics 5, Mariners 1 - Dana Everland: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 7 K, 1 BB ... Bobby Crosby: 3-5, 2 RBI

NL:
Braves 8, Cardinals 4 - Martin Prado: 3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI ... Greg Norton: 1-1, 2 RBI
Phillies 9, Dodgers 2 - Pat Burrell: 3-5, HR, 3 R, 5 RBI ... Chase Utley: 2-3, 2 BB, 3 R
Giants 4, Padres 3 - Barry Zito: 8 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 5 K, 3 BB ... Aaron Rowand: 2-3, 2 2B, RBI
Astros 8, Mets 3 - Lance Berkman: 3-5, 2 R, 4 RBI ... Miguel Tejada: 3-5, R, 2 RBI
Brewers 6, Pirates 3 - Ryan Braun: 2-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI ... Jeff Suppan: 7 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 K, 0 BB
Rockies 7, Reds 6 - Matt Holliday: 1-4, 3-RBI double ... Jay Bruce (Reds): 2-4, HR, 3 RBI
Diamondbacks 7, Marlins 1 - Chris Young: 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI ... Yusmeiro Petit: 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 6 K



----- MLB News/Notes -----

Some guy isn't sure that the Mets are trying, since they've only won 10 of their last 12 games.

Trading Chipper Jones might be the Braves' best hope for the future.



Streakers - In case any team tries to make history, I'm going to list the teams with the longest active winning and losing streaks. Today's streakers:
Indians: 6 wins
Royals: 7 losses