Smoltz, Teixeira Lift Braves Past Mets

Sport re-evaluates its pay structure

(NEWSER) - Looking at baseball, you’d think the country wasn’t in a recession—clubs are charging exorbitant ticket prices and shelling out tens of millions of dollars on top free agents. Will the bubble ever collapse? Probably not, writes Nate Silver for Esquire. MLB is, after all, a legally protected monopoly. But more importantly, the sport already has taken steps to add a dose of reality its out-of-control pay structure. More»

(AP) - Desperate to stay in the playoff race, the New York Mets brought back Johan Santana early and he delivered, pitching a three-hitter that led them over the Florida Marlins 2-0 on a rainy day today, the AP reports. Nearly 2 hours later, the Mets pulled into a tie with Milwaukee for the NL wild card when the Brewers lost 7-3 to the Chicago Cubs. More»

(NEWSER) - Mark Kotsay knocked in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning with a two-out RBI double, and the Atlanta Braves edged the Oakland Athletics 3-2 Friday night for their eighth straight home victory. The loss was a season-high fourth in a row for the A's, who have dropped six of seven on their current nine-game road trip. More»

Phillies' three home runs help beat the Braves, 5-0

(NEWSER) - Cole Hamels pitched his first career shutout, Ryan Howard homered and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 5-0 last night. Pedro Feliz and Shane Victorino also homered and drove in two runs each for Philly, who lead the majors with 59 homers. Hamels (5-3) gave up just four hits, struck out six and walked two in his first complete game of the season. More»

Atlanta hits three solo homers to support lefty in 8-6 win over Phillies

(NEWSER) - Tom Glavine pitched 5 2-3 effective innings to earn his first win for Atlanta in six years and the Braves held on for an 8-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night. Chipper Jones, Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson each hit solo homers and Brian McCann drove in three runs to support Glavine (1-1). More»