This Is How the First Half Ends Applesauce: Not With a Bang But a Whimper

Meet the Mets

Good news everyone! The Mets went 44-33 in the first half! You know, if you don't include the Cubs or Astros. Yes, after getting swept earlier this year by the 'stros, the Mets capped off a 2-4 run against the Cubs with a lethargic 7-0 loss on Sunday.

Mets prospects were on display in Sunday's Futures Game in Kansas City. Wilmer Flores went 0-2 for the World Team, and Zack Wheeler tossed 2/3 scoreless for the USA team who won 17-5. Toby Hyde thought it was a bit of dud.

Adam Rubin trolls me personally by suggesting that Domingo Tapia could be had in a deal for Ramon Hernandez. Good thing his lobby for player development position was unsuccessful.

Listen to R.A., Tony LaRussa.

Jon Rauch got into a minor car accident on the way home from Sunday's game. If only Duaner Sanchez had been in a monstrous jeep instead of a taxi cab.

Justin Turner's crappy throw behind Santana in Friday's game may have gotten the Mets' ace a little more hurt than first thought. They should just put him in a boot, that worked for Ike.

And I swear, I didn't see Jason Fry's title before I made up the Applesauce one. Really, it was kind of obligatory.

Around the NL East

The Phillies' pen blew another one, it was Raul Valdes' turn this time, as Phily got swept by Atlanta. They finish the first half thirteen games under .500 and 14 games back of the Nationals.

Speaking of, the Nationals pen coughed up three runs in the eighth and ninth innings as Colorado came from behind to win. Jordan Zimmerman's strong start went to waste, but the surprising Nats end the first half 4 games ahead of Atlanta, and 4 1/2 ahead of the Mets.

So the Cardinals beat the Marlins by scoring three in the ninth. Do you even need me to tell you that Heath Bell was involved? Oh, and then Hanley Ramirez pulled an Amare. That's gonna be a fun The Franchise episode.

Around MLB

Billy Hamilton is crazy fast.

Home Run Derby is tonight. Backbackbackbackbackback (make it stop!)

There's so many things wrong with this boxscore. A.J. Burnett is listed as having ten wins and having won a laugher against Tim Lincecum. It also says the Pirates are 11 games over .500. Man, I hope somebody got fired for all those mistakes. But seriously, at this point don't the Giants at least have to consider replacing Lincecum with this guy.

The Sox and Yanks finally played a game in under 3:50. But let's not bury the lede here.

The Angels closed out the first half by shutting out the Orioles behind Brad Mills and four relief arms.

The White Sox closed out the first half by losing a slugfest to the Blue Jays, but they still sit in first place in the AL Central by 3 games.

And we'll wrap things up by taking a look at the worst all-star selections in history. Happy all-star break everybody!