There were nine (!) sweeps in baseball during these mid-week series and that wasn't the oddest happening on Thursday.

Prince Fielder hit himself an inside-the-park home run. Those turkey burgers are really helping out. Of course, the incredibly poor acting and decision making by Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios played a significant role. Fielder hit a rocket line drive that jammed itself underneath the outfield wall padding easily visible to the 30,000+ and anyone watching on television. Rios tried to pull off the ol' Hey, I can't find it trick that no one bought, mostly importantly the 1st base umpire. As soon as it was called fair, Rios magically found the baseball.

By then, the fleet of foot Fielder took his frame around the bases in a breezy 16 seconds.

Naturally, being a Ned Yost led baseball team, they nearly blew a 8-0 lead. Brewers 8, Blue Jays 7

*****

Rays Sweep Cubs Carlos Marmol has been filthy all season. Nearly unhittable stuff. Not so much Thursday night in Tampa Bay. Marmol began the 7th inning by walking two straight Rays, and then making sure to balance things out, beaned the next two batters and walking in a run. Scott Eyre relieved Carlos, which was a relief to Carl Crawford who promptly cleared the bases with a grand slam. Rays 8, Cubs 3

Royals Sweep Cards It might not be much of a rivalry anymore, but the forced rivals may have some fresh animosity after Kansas City strolled into St. Louis and sweep the Cardinals. With the Cubs getting swept themselves, Milwaukee went from 8 1/2 down to just 5 1/2 and only trailing the Cards by a few games. Yost will ruin the momentum, don't worry. Royals 4, Cards 1

Yanks Sweep Padres Joba Chamberlain's best outing of the year - 5.2 innings, 4 hits, 1 run and 9 K - gives New York its 7th straight win. The Pinstripes are now seven games over .500, despite that terrible, terrible thing known only as the National League rules. Be strong, Hank. Be strong. Yankees 2, Padres 1