Around the Majors

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• Was that an extension for Orioles manager Dave Trembley -- or a sentence? His first game as a full-fledged manager guaranteed to return in 2008 resulted in a 30-3 defeat to the Rangers, the most runs anyone's allowed since 1900.

• The stories all mentioned what a slump the Rangers had been in. But that was because they faced the great Johan Santana one game, were rained out the next, then faced Erik Bedard the game after that. Then, they got to take out their aggressions vs. Trembley's troops.

• The Devil Rays will pick up manager Joe Maddon's two-year option. Despite the organization's continuing problems, he brings a sense of stability and comfort the Rays don't want to do without.

• Sorry to see it, but Carlos Delgado's career appears to be winding down to its conclusion.

• Don't shoot the Messenger ... he injures himself, anyway. Giants reliever Randy Messenger was said by the San Francisco Chronicle to have hurt himself punching a "plastic object'' in the dugout. I'm guessing it was the water cooler.

• Mike Mussina has been reduced to disputing ball-strike calls while exiting an 18-9 defeat in the second inning. He should consider the possibility he had nothing. And may have little left.

• I have determined what the Yankees need most, and that is to avoid the Angels in the playoffs.

• Although, Angels reliever Scot Shields lately has turned into Scot Yields (9.00 ERA since the All-Star break).

• Advance reports can make for interesting reading. The Yankees' report suggested the Indians' Jhonny Peralta can tend to fall asleep on the basepaths. And lo and behold, Andy Pettitte picked him off first with the bases loaded and the first baseman playing off the bag on Wednesday.

• Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb didn't get anywhere near the attention he deserved for his 42 straight scoreless innings.

• Joel Zumaya's first four pitches back: 98, 98, 97, 99. Not too bad.

• After hitting a home run against Roger Clemens, Young Tiger Cameron Maybin (at 20, he was the youngest ever to homer off Clemens) was asked who is the next-most famous pitcher he's gotten a hit off, and the questioner expected someone far below Clemens. But it turns out that while playing for Class A Lakeland, Maybin had a hit off a rehabbing Pedro Martinez.

• Hasn't Philly suffered enough? Now Cole Hamels -- the one guy they just couldn't afford to lose -- is hurt.

• Defending AL MVP Justin Morneau once looked like he was going to outdo his 2006 season. But though he had 28 home runs through July, he's hit no home runs and had just three RBIs in 73 at-bats in August.

• Good for Fredi Gonzalez benching star Miguel Cabrera after he showed up late, around noon, for a 1 p.m. start. By the looks of things, our guess is Cabrera was out having a lasagna lunch.

• You know who I've decided is a really good player? Orlando Cabrera. Maybe it's me, and I'm way late to that party. But he makes a team win, and I can think of no higher compliment.

• And I don't care Julian Tavarez accused him of peeking at pitches.

• Anyone who doesn't like the Wild Card should take a gander at the NL race, where seven teams have between 64 and 67 wins.