Chicago

Four Cubs homered Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies, leading to an 11-2 victory and some crazy predictions.

Detroit Tigers starter Zach Miner barely lasted an inning on the mound in last night's game against the Chicago White Sox, giving up four runs by the time he got the hook in the second. Tigers manager Jim Leyland went through four more pitchers after that, but the Sox' early offensive burst carried them to a 7-5 victory.

Dating back to last season, Rex Grossman has now played in 13 straight quarters without an injury—his longest streak since the beginning of the 2004 season. A stretch of game time longer than what his back-up Brian Griese could have ever imagined when he signed his five-year contract in March. It appears Griese is planning to take matters into his own hands.

With the team's ERA skyrocketing, pitching has been one of many low points for the Cubs this season. Manager Dusty Baker seems to have the bullpen on speed dial, frequently going to the pen each game. In an effort to show that they are still trying real hard, the Cubs released transcripts of Baker's emergency calls to the bullpen. Below are selected transcripts of his calls.

The last time Matt Murton hit a game tying homer, the Chicago Cubs played an 18-inning marathon that lasted well over five hours. With his team down 1-0 in the eighth Wednesday, the redheaded left fielder again hit an opposite-field homer to even the score.

Even though Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander has enjoyed a phenomenal season, the rookie has run into difficulties against the White Sox. In fact, half of his six losses this year have come at the hands—or, more accurately, bats—of the South Siders.

The Detroit Tigers seem to be all but a lock for the AL Central division championship. They've dominated their chief competition in the first two games of a key four-game series this week, outscoring the White Sox by a total of 11-1. But anyone familiar with baseball knows that it ain't over until it's over.