Arizona's Drew, Seattle's Beltre Hit for Cycle; Lee Wins 20th

Players of the Day from Monday, September 1, 2008 American League Adrian Beltre provided a highlight for the suffering fans of the Seattle Mariners, going 5-for-6 and hitting for the cycle in Seattle's 12-6 win over Texas. Beltre drive in 3 runs and scored five times. His solo home run was his 24th of the season. The win didn't do anything for the Mariners. They have been hopelessly out of the pennant race since June. It did, however, aid the first place Angels, reducing their magic number for clinching the division to 8. Notes: The idle Twins tied the White Sox in the Central, as Chicago took one on the chin from Cleveland, 5-0, as Cliff Lee won his 20th game against just 2 losses. It was his 4th complete game and second shutout of the season. Besides being the leading candidate for the AL Cy Young award, Lee should also get Comeback Player of the Year. Last season, in 16 starts, he compiled a 5-8 record with a 6.29 ERA. Lee is the first major league pitcher to win 20, beating out Arizona's Brandon Webb, who is stuck on 19. National League Stephen Drew went 5-for-5, drove in a run and scored 3 times, hitting for the cycle as Arizona downed St. Louis, 8-6. The win kept Arizona 2 1/2 ahead of the Dodgers in the West. Notes: Elsewhere, the Mets beat Milwaukee, 4-2, while Philly was losing to the Nats, 7-4, giving New York a 2 game edge in the standings. Chicago suffered a 3-0 setback to Houston, but still lead the Brewers by 4 1/2 in the Central.