THREE UP
Fireworks shot off from behind the center-field wall Monday night at Shea Stadium as the Mets ended nearly two decades of disappointment in their division and days of delay, clinching the NL East for the first time since 1988 with a 4-0 victory over the Marlins.
Braves starter Kyle Davies won for the first time since April 30 as visiting Atlanta beat the Nationals 6-1. Davies had been 0-3 with a 14.40 ERA in three starts since returning from the disabled list on Sept. 1 after being sidelined since May 17 with a torn groin.
Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt allowed two runs and eight hits to continue his mastery over Cincinnati, improving his career record to 17-1 against the Reds. He struck out eight and didn’t walk a batter before leaving in the seventh inning with muscle spasms in his neck.
THREE DOWN
Devil Rays starter Tim Corcoran gave up four runs in six innings in Monday night’s loss to the Orioles, making him 0-9 over his last 13 games, including 12 starts. He is the fourth pitcher–according to Stats Inc.–in the last 50 years to go 0-9 or worse after the All-Star break.
Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon was ejected from Monday night’s game at Toronto by plate umpire Bill Miller for arguing a called strike on teammate Hideki Matsui from the on-deck circle in the fifth inning. It was the first time Damon was ejected this season.
Even with his first four-hit performance this season, Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez is hitting .212 away from Baltimore, the second worst road average in the American League among qualifiers. At home, his .333 average is the 10th best in the league.
