Newark 9-game win streak snapped in slugfest

Hillsborough won their 6th in a row yesterday, a key 5-3 win over division rival Carolina. Carolina, who had been in first just a couple of weeks ago, is now in third, 4 games back. The Hitmen were outhit in last night's game 11-7, but a 3-run homer by Aubrey Huff and a solo shot by Ryan Howard were the difference. C.C. Sabathia won his 10th game, allowing 1 earned run in 7 innings, while striking out 9. Magglio Ordonez and Vernon Wells were both 3-5 in a losing cause.

Meanwhile, Newark's 9-game winning streak was snapped in an 11-10 loss at the hands of the Ant Slayers. The Ant Slayers were down 8-2 at the end of the 6th inning, but a 3-run 7th put the team back into the game. Newark took one run back in the bottom, making the score 9-5, but Amityville broke the floodgates open, scoring 6 runs in the 8th, capped off by a 2-run Torii Hunter home run. J.J. Putz pitched the last 2 innings to earn his 2nd save of the year. Hunter ended the game 2-3 with 4 RBIs and 2 home runs. Alex Rodriguez was 2-4 in his Amityville debut. Newark holds a 4 1/2 game lead over Marietta in the Hanover.

Vancouver held off a late rally by Arkansas to edge the Falcons 4-3. The Fist got off to a quick 4-0 lead, but the Falcons clawed their way back, scoring one run in both the 6th and 7th inning. J. J. Hardy hit a solo homer to bring the game to within one in the 9th, but Billy Wagner was able to work his way out of the jam to pick up his 20th save.

Matt Cain struck out 12 Buddahs en route to a 7-3 win yesterday. The Animals jumped all over starter Kyle Lohse, scoring 5 runs in the first 4 innings, before chasing Lohse in the 6th. Cain improved to 8-7 on the season.