Jorge Posada became the first Yankee since Bill Dickey to hit grand slams in consecutive games while the Yankees did what contenders are supposed to do against lower-level competition, going 12-4 in their last 16 while playing through A-Rod's sore left hip.

Bobby Cox was presented a bronze plaque celebrating his success and longevity in a pregame ceremony in Arizona last week, then said a long, long goodbye -- winning a three-hour, 53-minute game before taking two of three in Minnesota. Fifteen of Atlanta's next 18 are at home.

Todd Helton is experimenting with contact lenses -- and the Rockies are experimenting with the batting order -- in an attempt to get him back on track. Closer Huston Street is near a return, and it appears Jeff Francis is officially back after his first home victory in two years Sunday.

Former first-round draft pick Kyle Drabek, the prize in the Roy Halladay offseason trade and son of former Cy Young winner Doug, has a plus fastball and a plus curve. He is working on his changeup at Class AA. The Jays plan to remain patient with him despite a need in the rotation.

Stephen Strasburg's 94th pitch in his first start last Tuesday was 99 mph. Get your tickets now -- four of his final five starts before the All-Star break are at home, against the White Sox, Kansas City, the Mets and San Diego. So the Nats eliminated Strasburg's Super Two chances while maximizing his earning power at home. Not bad at all.

Omar Vizquel became the fourth player in major league history to steal a base in four decades when he did it earlier this month. GM Kenny Williams is officially in trade mode: "It's not what I want, but I'm not blind." The team's biggest weakness: "Pick your poison on a given night . . . on and off the field."

Another nice comeback story is playing out in Milwaukee, where Chris Capuano is back in the majors after two years away while recovering from a second Tommy John surgery. Capuano is in the bullpen now, with fellow lefty Manny Parra in the rotation. Newbies be warned: Capuano may have the best pickoff move in baseball.

The D-Backs have enough offense to get it done but have been done in by the bullpen -- a major league-high 7.33 relief ERA, a major league-high 12 blown saves, 12 losses in which they led or were tied entering the ninth inning. Productive Aaron Heilman may step in as closer.