September 1st is Saturday, and things are heating up everywhere...

- The Phillies have taken 3 straight from the Mets, cutting New York's National League East lead down to 3.

- The Red Sox have dropped 2 in a row to the Yankees. Boston leads New York by 6.

- Ben Sheets came off the DL today for the Brewers and promptly led Milwaukee to a 6-1 victory over the Cubs

- Out west, the Angels completed a sweep of the Mariners, putting some distance between the first and second place clubs

- Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels announced today the club has activated INF/OF Jerry Hairston, Jr. from the 15-day disabled list and has placed INF Travis Metcalf on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain

- The Oakland A’s today announced that right-handed pitcher Esteban Loaiza has been claimed on waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers.  To take his spot on the roster, the A’s have selected right-handed pitcher Colby Lewis from Triple-A Sacramento. I don't really get the Dodgers thinking on this one. Talk about bailing the A's out of a contract.