Two New York ships passing in the night ...

AL East (Pee-Wee Wanninger Division):

Boston lost again in Toronto, this time by a 4-3 score as Eric Gagne blew the lead in the 8th on a bases-loaded double by Russ Adams. The Red Sox lead in the division is now just 2 1/2 games over the Yankees and they lead Cleveland and Los Angeles by just 1/2 games for best record in the AL. The Red Sox won their season series against both of those teams.

The Red Sox magic number is still 9. It is just 4 to clinch a playoff spot. Toronto will be eliminated if they lose tomorrow or the Yankees win.

New York kept on rolling as Mike Mussina, who was tossed to the scrap heap earlier, threw seven shutout innings and gave up only three hits. The Yankees cruised 12-0 at home over the Orioles.

Tampa Bay did not win. See below.

AL Central (Vito Valentinetti Division):

Detroit was leading Cleveland 4-1 in the third and then ... Travis Hafner hit a three-run homer off of Justin Verlander to tie it. Victor Martinez and Franklin Gutierrez homered in the sixth off of Verlander and the Indians won 7-4 at home.

Cleveland leads Detroit by 6 1/2 games and its magic number is 5.

Minnesota and Kansas City were the other winners in the division.

AL West (John Montague Division):

The Angels played a slightly more calm game against the Devil Rays Tuesday night and still won, 2-1.

Seattle almost blew all of an 8-2 lead, but held on for a win at Oakland 8-7.

Los Angeles has a magic number of 4 and could clinch a playoff spot as early as Thursday.

AL Wild Card (Dave Collins Division):

New York leads Detroit by 4 1/2 games.

Wednesday's pitching matchups with postseason implications:

Nate Robertson (Detroit) vs C.C. Sabathia (Cleveland), Felix Hernandez (Seattle) vs Dan Meyer (Oakland), J.P. Howell (Tampa Bay) vs Ervin Santana (Los Angeles), Brian Burres (Baltimore) vs Andy Pettitte (New York), Clay Buchholz (Boston) vs Jesse Litsch (Toronto).

NL East (Rico Brogna Division):

The Mets have seemingly turned an easy stroll into the playoffs into a scary and grim trek through a swamp filled with nasty creatures that take on the visage of the Washington Nationals. The Mets led 7-3 in the fifth and then gave up five runs and lost 9-8.

The Phillies are now just 1 1/2 games back after a 7-4 win at St. Louis that took 14 innings and 5:04 to complete. The Cardinals used an NL record 28 players and 11 pitchers (Wellemeyer, Johnson, Wells, Springer, Flores, Franklin, Isringhausen, Percival, Falkenborg, Maroth, Jimenez) on the mound. Two other pitchers were used as a pinch hitter (Adam Wainwright) and pinch runner (Joel Pineiro).

Atlanta used seven pitchers in a 4-3 win over Florida and one pitcher got a win, one pitcher got a save, and the other got holds. It was sort of like AYSO, everybody gets a trophy!

NL Central (Ted Savage Division):

The Milwaukee Brewers took over the yellow jersey by .0003 after knocking off Houston at Minute Maid Park 9-1 thanks to a Johnny Estrada grand slam. Ben Sheets left after one inning with a tight hamstring. The Brewers lead by one game in the AILC.

The Cubs lost at home to the Reds 5-2 as Aaron Harang ran his record to 16-4. Cincinnati would be eliminated Wednesday if they lose to the Cubs.

The Pirates lost. See below.

NL West (Steve Finley Division):

Arizona got four runs in first against the Giants and Micah Owings threw a shutout. Arizona won 5-0.

San Diego remained one game back with a 5-3 win at home over the Pirates.

The Rockies swept a day-night doubleheader over the Dodgers 3-1 and 9-8. The last one came on a 2-out walkoff homer by Todd Helton off of Takashi Saito. While the loss didn't eliminate the Dodgers, the Rockies performed the baseball equivalent of Lloyd the Bartender welcoming Jack Torrance to the permanent staff.

NL Wild Card (Andy Ashby Division):

San Diego leads Philadelphia by 1 1/2 games.

Wednesday's pitching matchups with postseason implications:

Mike Pelfrey (New York) vs Matt Chico (Washington), Tom Shearn (Cincinnati) vs Ted Lilly (Chicago), Dave Bush (Milwaukee) vs Juan Gutierrez (Houston), Jamie Moyer (Philadelphia) vs Adam Wainwright (St. Louis), Barry Zito (San Francisco) vs Doug Davis (Arizona), Ian Snell (Pittsburgh) vs Tall Chris Young (San Diego)