Larry's thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs up

Derrek Lee, Cubs: All the best to Lee and especially his 3-year-old daughter Jada, who is fighting an illness that has resulted in a loss of vision. Lee has left the Cubs for the remainder of the season to be with Jada.

Thumbs down

Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Some things never change — the Rays are the first team in the 162-game era to have nine consecutive 90-loss seasons, and just the second in history.

Ex-Mariner of the week

David Bell, Brewers: The day after his dad, ailing Royals manager Buddy Bell (growth on his tonsil), urged Bell to stay with his team rather than fly to be with him, David had a homer, two singles, a walk and three RBI in a Milwaukee win.

Quote

"If Frank gets a base hit, it takes five hits to score him." — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, tweaking former Sox DH Frank Thomas after praising his performance in Oakland this season.