Just when the Milwaukee Brewers thought it was safe to come up for air, the Chicago Cubs picked up the hammer and whacked them on the head sending them back underground.

The Brewers had already completed a 6-0 manhandling of the Houston Astros and were waiting in their clubhouse for the final results of the Cub game against Cincinnati.  The Reds were leading 6-4 going into the bottom of the ninth with their most effective releif pitcher (an oxymoron) David Weathers on the mound.  All the big Tennessee plow horse had to do was get three Cubs and Milwaukee would be tied at the top of the NL Central division once again.

But Weathers, who looks like he holds his Miller High Life a lot better than he holds opponents refused to cooperate.  After issuing a walking the leadoff hitter Ryan Theriot, Weathers then surrendered a single to Derrick Lee before serving up a two-run game tying triple to Aramis Ramirez.

Pinch-hitter Darryl Ward was walked intentionally, setting up a first and third, no one out scenario and Mark DeRosa coming to the plate.  DeRosa had gone four for four in this game so it was no shock when he bounced one off of Weathers glove out of reach of second baseman Brandon Phillips for the game winner.  Pat Hughes nearly fell out of the Cubs radio booth but was saved when he had to grab Ron Santo and prevent him from jumping.

The comeback may be a high point for the Cubs this season and the confidence gained from this game may be the nudge they needed to take the division.  Compared to the Brewers, the Cubs have better starting pitching and a stronger more stable bullpen.  The Brewers rely on offense, primarily from young stars Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, J.J. Hardy, Rickey Weeks and Corey Hart to get the job done.  The Brewers starting pitching south of Ben Sheets is spotty and inconsistent while their bullpen is shaky and sometimes unreliable.

This will go down to the last couple of games, but the Cubs, who have $300 million payroll, probably will pull it out.

The Brewers have been a great story this year, even though they blew a big division lead with a terrible August (see 1990 White Sox for details.)  Here's hoping they find a way to get it done.  Not so much as a shot at the Cubs, but more because America needs to see these kids play on the big stage. 

Lighting Round

• The White Sox crawl out of last place into the sunshine of fourth place with an eleven run fifth inning last night.  The Sox have now won 4 out of 5.  Why couldn't they start hitting in June?  The Sox send Pink Gavin Floyd to the mound tonightagainst the Royals.
• The Dallas Cowboys, who the Bears meet Sunday at Soldier Field, are seriously interested in former Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson.  It is assumed that if signed, Johnson will spill his guts about the Bears defense like a Patriots assistant with a cam corder.  So, it is safe to assume that the Cowboys want Tank for the memories. (Be here all week, folks, try the veal.)
• Speaking of the Patriots, Bill Belichick says he will cooperate fully with the NFL by turning over all video and notes from Spygate.  Even as we speak, Patriot interns are at Office Depot buying paper shredders.
• 
  Jeff Fisher gets four more years with the Titians.  Fish is the face of that franchise and a tremendous individual, so it comes as no surprise.  I think after this contract expires, he may have eyes on a front office chair.  And on a personal note, there is no coach better in the NFL at "coach speak" than Jeff Fisher.
  
• The O.J. burglary attempt story just keeps getting juicier.  Ever the opportunist to capitalize on getting PR and sticking it to the man who allegedly killed his son (with whom he had a distant, if not non-existent relationship with) Fred Goldman is demanding that all of the alleged stolen O.J. memorabilia be turned over to him.  One of the men who helped Simpson in the hotel room invasion says he wouldn't be surprised if this whole situation was orchestrated by Goldman (which doesn't excuse O.J.'s conduct, but is interesting none the less.)  Our firends at Bugs & Cranks have an interesting take on all this as well.
• Is Isiah Thomas O.J. Simpson waiting to happen?
• A big night for the Big Skirt.
• 
  The NBA tells Joey Crawford to come back, but to curb his enthusiasm.
• In college football, Georgia coach Mark Richt is so concerned about Coach Satan and the Crimson Tide, he's closed practice for the first time in his seven-year tenure as head coach.  Now you are beginning to see the impact of Nick Saban's return to the SEC.
• Former Notre Dame Quarterback Demetrius Jones says he left Notre Dame when he realized head coach Charlie Weis was lying to himand just letting him be the starter until Jimmy Clausen was ready.  Jones situation probably will be a sore spot when Weis hits the road to recruit.
• As we told you the other day, just send the Heisman trophy to the engraver with Darren McFadden's name now and make it easier later.
• Taking a lesson from the No Fun League, the SEC fines Kentucky $25k for not being able to control their crowd after their upset of Louisville.  Okay, let's get this straight.  Kentucky wins a rare big football game against an nationally ranked intrastate rival and can't control 70,000 people who have been drinking bourbon since 7am that morning.  Memo to Mike Slive: The national guard couldn't have kept them off the field.
• The miracle continues for Buffalo tight end Kevin Everett.  He can now move both hands.
• T ennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl has filed for divorce from his wife of almost 25 years.  Women's basketball coach Pat Summitt filed for divorce from her husband six months ago.  I know Bruce wants to copy the blueprint of the women's program, but this is a little extreme even for him.
• ESPN has signed Mike Tirico to replace Dan Patrickfor two of three hours each day on ESPN radio.  The final hour of the blcok will be hosted by Stephen A. Smith which means most ESPN affiliates in the Midwest, South  and Northwest will begin their afternoon shows an hour early.  If ESPN forces Smith on affiliates (and they have used strong arm tactics before) there will be a mass revolt.  His brand of conversation will not be successful anywhere outside of Philly and New York.
• One of the leading regrets of Generation Y: Getting a tattoo.  One of the leading booming markets created by Generation Y: Having them removed. Think before you ink, people.
• Your moron who forgot to call the digging hotline and ruptured a gas line story brought to you by Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• If you like Pina Coladas, getting lost in the rain, if you're not into yoga, but into champaign. . .
• If you happen to visit South Lake Union, Washington, make sure you ride the SLUT.
• The horny woman from Match Game is horny no more.  Richard Dawson moves to the on-deck circle.
  
• We all can just get along: The ACLU comes to the rescue of disgraced Senator Larry Craig.
• Today's list:  MLB Power Rankings from SI.