Newark unable to clinch, blames Swisher

For the third time Newark has been unable to put the division title race away. After dropping two of three to, of all teams, Marietta, Newark now lost their first against Hoboken. Meanwhile, Las Vegas has won 9 straight and closed the gap to 7 1/2 games. With a magic number of one, that would mean that the Rats would have to win all of their remaining games and Newark would have to lose all of theirs, but the situation has still been getting under Newark owner Butch Garretson's skin. Garretson was seen upending garbage cans, sweeping papers and knickknacks off desks in the Sugar Bear office, and physically abusing Nick Swisher. "Lazy bastard doesn't want to work..." Garretson was heard muttering yesterday.

D.C. became the fifth team to clinch a playoff spot yesterday, but still is vulnerable to Hillsborough. The Hitmen are only 1 1/2 games behind with 8 games left to play. Hillsborough can clinch with a win over Arkansas tonight combined with a Tampa loss to Las Vegas.

Remember when Marietta was so far in last place that the 13th place team needed binoculars? Well the Mighty Men are now closer to 11th place than last, separated by 2 games behind 11th place Carolina and 1 1/2 behind 12th place Blue Ridge. The Mighty Men are currently 3 1/2 ahead of last place Team Buddah. New Jersey became the first team to 100 losses this year after their extra-inning loss to Sardine City. There's a good possibility that they'll be joined by 3 other teams in the 100-loss column before next week's season finale.