Baseball Sunday

The quote:

"I didn't recognize him. Twice."

—Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett on manager Joe Maddon, who dyed his normally gray hair jet black in preparation for the team's upcoming Johnny Cash-themed road trip

The stat:

15Straight games with 10 or more hits for the Marlins (a streak snapped Thursday night), the longest such streak since the 1937 St. Louis Browns. Has the trade for Nick Johnson made the difference? "It may not be a coincidence," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Believe it or not, we preach taking pitches, working the count, but haven't seen it."

Top to bottom

1. New York Yankees

Record: 77-45 Last Week: 1

Jeter .543 BA (19-35) in last 8

2. Los Angeles Angels

Record: 73-47 Last Week: 3

Staggering 5.03 ERA since break

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

Record: 73-50 Last Week: 2

Something goes in here please

4. Boston Red Sox

Record: 69-52 Last Week: 6

Ortiz HR in 3 straight this week

5. Philadelphia Phillies

Record: 69-50 Last Week: 4

Pitching pickups paying off

6. St. Louis Cardinals

Record: 70-54 Last Week: 5

Beat Dodgers in tough series

7. Texas Rangers

Record: 68-53 Last Week: 7

Starting critical 9-game road trip

8. Colorado Rockies

Record: 68-54 Last Week: 8