The Brewers beat the Phils

It seems that it will be difficult for the Phillies to clinch the National League East this weekend at Miller Park. The Brewers beat the Phils on Friday, as left-hander Cliff Lee allowed nine hits and seven runs in six innings.

Philadelphia's magic number remains four. The Phillies got something offensively at the early time. Ryan Howard knocked in a pair of runs in the fourth inning and right-hander Brad Lidge appears to have lost his closer's job again. He replaced Lee in the seventh inningq and gave up a run on two hits.

Blues term with veteran Darryl Sydor

The St. Louis Blues signed veteran defenseman Darryl Sydor, who is a two-time Stanley Cup winner, to a one-year contract. "He's a proven winner who brings valuable leadership to our blue line and will be a positive mentor for our younger defensemen."said team president John Davidson.

Sydor has played for five NHL clubs during his 18 NHL seasons. He started 2008-09 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but was traded to the Dallas Stars early in the season and finished 12 assists and 18 penalty minutes in 73 games. He had won the Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999 and Tampa Bay in 2004. In 1,244 regular-season games, he has 98 goals and 401 assists with 710 PIM.

Jeff Samardzija will replace Lilly

Ted Lilly quit the match on Wednesday because of the tendinitis in his left shoulder, and Jeff Samardzija will replace him and walk in his second Major League start in the Cubs' series finale against Milwaukee Brewers. Lilly underwent arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder in late July, and has struck out 36 in 47 innings in that stretch since he turned back on Aug. 17. Hope he will show up on the field with his Cubs jersey soon.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Rich Harden, who was going to have pitched on Monday against the Brewers but was omitted to give him a chance to rest, will start this weekend against the Giants.Samardzija made his first Major League start on Aug. 12 against Phillies, giving up seven runs on eight hits while striking out four. This right-hander was the Cubs' fifth-round pick in 2006, and has split this season between the big league team and Triple-A Iowa.

Gonzalez leaves the game with hamstring

After sparking a four-run go-ahead rally, left fielder Carlos Gonzalez left Tuesday's series opener against the Padres due to his left hamstring. Gonzalez opened the first inning with a triple into the right-center alley, and returned to the field in the top of the second, fielding one ball from center fielder Tony Gwynn Jr.

Gonzalez entered the game hitting .277 with 12 home runs and 16 steals. The temperature at that time was 48 degrees, and rain began falling in the second inning, which possibly leads to Gonzalez's hamstring.

Chris Volstad will return to Marlins

Right-hander Chris Volstad threw a 50-pitch on Saturday, and then manager Fredi Gonzalez declared that he is ready to return to the field. "It went well," Gonzalez said. "He'll go back into the bullpen. We won't use him Sunday, and then Monday is an off-day. On Tuesday, we can use him."

Saturday's simulated game obviously convinced Gonzalez that Volstad is back truely. However, the Marlins won't need him until Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies. "That's why we did it today," Gonzalez said. "We felt like we could get through these next two games without him having to pitch."

Maple Leafs' Gustavsson has undergone minor surgery

Rookie goalie Jonas Gustavsson underwent minor surgery on Tuesday, spending only a few hours in a Toronto hospital. After a strenuous round on the exercise bike, Gustavsson felt a little bit dizzy last weekend at the team physical.

"We're just lucky it happened when he was put under stress," said coach Ron Wilson,"because otherwise it can be difficult to detect."Gustavsson returned to the game immediately the day after feeling uncomfortable but doctors has already noticed the problem.

Chipper will miss a few more games

The Braves managed to win several games without Chipper Jones in their lineup this weekend in St. Louis, and they may spend a few more days without their veteran third baseman.

Jones missed Tuesday night's series opener against the New York Mets with the strained left groin which he suffered during the ninth inning of Saturday's game against the Cardinals. When he played with approximately 50-60 percent effort on Tuesday afternoon, he still felt uncomfortable. "When I can get it to 75-80 percent and just kind of temper it, I'll get back in there," Jones said. He also said it is hopeful that he will be able to return to the Braves' lineup within the next few days. We look forward to seeing him playing on the field in his baseball jersey again.

Glaus was sidelined by strained muscle

After suffering a strained left muscle in Saturday's game against the Braves, Troy Glaus was still in serious pain on Monday. Obviously Glaus was unavailable both the two days, and he will probably continue to be out of service for the future. If he had become much better, he would have started in Monday's win over Florida.

Generally a shot keeps a player out of action for two or three days, thus it's difficult to image Glaus playing before the weekend. It has been an extremely frustrating year for Glaus. He underwent shoulder surgery shortly before Spring Training's beginning, and the rehabilitation took him well into the second half of the season. Then, after he began playing Minor League rehabilitation games, the back spasms suffered him a lot once again. He has made 18 Major League plate appearances with six strikeouts this year.

Battle for Coyotes continues

The NHL made its case for keeping the Coyotes in Phoenix for the upcoming season in United States bankruptcy court.The hearing before Judge Redfield T. Baum postponed without a decision on whether Jim Balsillie, the Research in Motion executive, could take part in an auction for the Coyotes. There was no immediate news on when the judge will rule on the issues. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly were both in attendance in the court.

Balsillie's camp told Baum it would even be willing to move the club during the season. "You want to talk about disruption of families and players and the fan base," League attorney Shepard Goldfein said. "I don't think that's ever happened. I'm not aware it's ever happened."

Boucher announced his retirement

Veteran defenseman Philippe Boucher has announced his retirement, which has brought an end to a 17-year NHL career. Boucher has collected one goal and three assists in nine postseason games. His final NHL game was the opener of the Stanley Cup Final against Detroit Red Wings. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank my teammates, my coaches and the organizations I played with over the years. I am going to miss being with the boys."said Boucher.

After the 1992-93 season, Boucher went on playing 748 regular-season games for the Sabres, Kings, Stars and Penguins, collecting 94 goals and 300 points.

Glenn Healy resigns from NHL Players Association

Glenn Healy resigned from the National Hockey League Players Association last week, and after three days Executive Director Paul Kelly was fired. Healy said his credibility was destroyed by a report and comments by Interim Executive Director Ian Penny, including criticism of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

"Based on what occurred in the Executive Board Meeting in Chicago, including the presentations made, all of which were accepted and endorsed by the Executive Board, my reputation and credibility with the players has been irreparably harmed and compromised. I can no longer continue to move forward believing that I have the trust of the players."said in Hearly's resignation letter. Healy played 14 NHL seasons with four different teams, and worked as a broadcaster before joining the Association in 2008.

Chase Utley is back in lineup

Chase Utley was back in the Phillies' lineup last Sunday after missing Saturday's game because of his broken right foot. Now fans can wear the utley jersey supporing him in the match. Shane Victorino was also out of the game at Minute Maid Park because of his broken left knee. Victorino has been suffering a lot this season, and the pain aggravated during the game against the D-backs. He left Saturday's game after flying out to right field.

"He's been playing, but at the same time it keeps hurting him. Evidently he's have a hard time keeping his backside down."said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. It is reported that the Phillies recalled outfielder John Mayberry Jr. and right-hander Kyle Kendrick on that day. Both of them joined the team in order to play in the final two games against the Astros.

Center fielder Nyjer Morgan was injured when stealing third base

It is reported that the Nationals' center fielder Nyjer Morgan has lost for the season because of his broken left hand. During the game aganist Cubs, Morgan got his hand hurt when sliding into third base. He will fly to Baltimore on Friday to see a specialist to check his situation carefully.

"I'm happy for the opportunity to play, but not happy to see my teammate get hurt," Harris said. "Nyjer was having one hell of a season. He was our sparkplug. He came over here and we started to play better. You hate to see anyone get hurt." Morgan, being acquired from the Pirates on June 30, was a major force in the leadoff spot. In fact, Morgan was the one who cheered the team up in the first inning against the Cubs. The Nationals have not decided who will replace Morgan on the roster.