Haren's Revenge; Drew Steps Up Game

Players of the Day from Wednesday, June 18, 2008 American League The Red Sox earned a 2-1 split in their series with Philadelphia as J. D. Drew went 4-for-5 in Boston's 7-4 win Wednesday. Drew got things started early for the Sox with a three-run homer in the opening frame - his 13th - and followed up with three singles, completing a 4-RBI night. With both Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz out of the lineup, Drew and 3rd baseman Mike Lowell have moved into the 3 and 4 spots in the lineup. While Ortiz is on the 15-day DL, Ramirez took the day off to rest a troublesome hamstring, and should be back in the lineup on Friday. Notes: While the Red Sox nurse their various injuries and their two-game lead over Tampa in the division, the Yankees won their 6th straight (8-5 over San Diego) on Wednesday, and are just 5 1/2 back. In the Central, Detroit has won 8 of their last 9 and are in third place, 6 1/2 behind the White Sox and 2 back of the Twins. The Tigers are still 4 games under .500 (34-38), but after going 17-28 through May 18, they're 17-10 since. National League After seeing ace Brandon Webb demolished by the A's in Tuesday's 15-1 romp, Dan Haren literally took matters into his own hands and single-handedly defeated the A's 11-1, Wednesday night. Haren allowed just 4 hits and one earned run over 7 innings, striking out 8 in the process, but also delivered a key blow with a bases-loaded double in the third inning, which put the D-Backs ahead 8-0. Haren threw 112 pitches as he improved to 7-4 and dropped his ERA to a very respectable 3.26. Notes: It looks like Milwaukee may be about to get serious about the race in the NL Central. With their third straight win - 5-4 over Toronto - on Wednesday, the Brewers have gained to within 6 1/2 of the Cubs and are just 3 behind the Cardinals. Both teams have lost their last two games.