Nine innings, nine items to get you going. Ladies and gentleman of the Stew, take a sip of morning Juice.
1. Just plane cool: In Kansas City's 100-plus-degree heat, Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander struck out nine over 7 2/3 innings, leading the way in a 2-1 victory against the Royals that put his team into first place in the AL Central on Sunday. Then, like any rock star or secret agent, Verlander chartered a private jet and flew a party of All-Stars ? including teammates and K.C. right-hander Aaron Crow ? to Phoenix for All-Star festivities.
Verlander said older players took him on private flights to the All-Star game and he recalls how thrilling that was.
"I'm in a situation now where thankfully I can afford to do something like that," he said. "When I've had it done for me in the past, other teams or other teammates have taken care of me. The tide's turned and I'm able to take care of some guys. I've never forgotten those times."
2. Errant: In a scoreless tie with two outs in the seventh inning, All-Star James Shields of the Tampa Bay Rays made a poor decision: To try and pick off All-Star Robinson Cano at third base after a throwing error by All-Star B.J. Upton put him 90 feet from scoring. Well, as long as Shields doesn't compound the mistakes by throwing the ball away for an error...
That run was all All-Star lefty CC Sabathia needed, and the Yankees won 1-0.
3. Oh, sure, now you score: The Phillies teased All-Star Cole Hamels ?� teased everyone ? by unloading on the Braves in a 14-1 victory. All-Star Rauuuuuul Iba�ez had six RBIs, probably his last for July.
4. Almost ... there: The Bucs didn't finish the half in first place, but they are 47-43 and just one game back in the NL Central after drubbing the Cubs 9-1. All-Star Andrew McCutchen, who finally got picked for the All-Star team, drove in five.
5. Counsell is leading the witnesses: All-Star Craig Counsell might be in an 0-for-28 rut, and he might be living off World Series appearances from another lifetime, but he stuck around long enough to get the deciding sacrifice fly in the Brewers' 4-3 comeback victory against the Reds.
6. All-Star franchise: The Dodgers had a three-game shutout streak stopped, but still managed to beat the Padres 4-1 behind two homers by All-Star Andre Ethier and All-Star Ted Lilly. Still, it's like All-Star Capt. Smith re-arranging the deck chairs on a giant, sinking metaphor.
7. Major pwnage: Behind All-Star Anthony Swarzak, the Twins beat the White Sox 6-3 for their 29th victory in 36 games against Chicago. All-Stars Drew Butera and Jason Repko got the Twins' offense a-goin' with RBIs.
8. Angels in the something or other: The Los Angeles Angels remain one game behind the first-place Rangers in the AL West after a 4-2 victory against Seattle. All-Star Dan Haren allowed two runs and came within an out of a complete game. All-Star Mark Trumbo hit a home run. All-Star Alberto Callaspo hit a key two-run double in the eighth to help gain a sweep.
9. Last game of the half: All-Star Pablo Sandoval was picked for the All-Star game and he extended his hitting streak to 21 games in the Giants' 4-2 victory against the Mets. All-Star Brian Wilson's beard was a little shaky, but he got three strikeouts to put away the NYMets.
OK, take 5, All-Stars!
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