Quote:
"It's impossible to look at the standings and see how far back we are. It's a lot." -- Mike Lieberthal of the Phillies, who lost a club-record 17 in April and trail the Braves by 11 1/2
It's a fact: The Padres completed the toughest April schedule in the big leagues, playing 16 of their 25 games against the four 1999 NL playoff teams. The Padres went 9-7 against the Mets, Diamondbacks, Astros and the Braves.
Who's hot: The Astros' Richard Hidalgo went 3-for-3.
Who's not: : The Brewers have not had a winning record in May since going 17-14 in 1988.
On deck: The Cubs' Ismael Valdes, on the DL since March 20 with tendinitis in his right shoulder, will make his first start Thursday.