Schrockstar § Galaxy of Stars

It had been 5 years since Cincinnati had even won a game in Los Angeles; Homer Bailey and Brandon Phillips broke that defeated streak Friday with 7 strong innings of 4-hit ball and all 3 RBIs powered by the second basemen.  Now, thanks to Joey Votto and Bronson Arroyo's heroics on Sunday, they have a series victory in LA. The MVP front-runner drove in three runs - including a go-ahead, opposite-field HR in the 6th - while starting pitcher Arroyo earned his 14th win, tying him with Chris Carpenter for 3rd-most in the NL. Speaking of the Cardinals, the Reds maintain a  3+ game lead over STL with 38 games remaining in 2010.

The instra-state rivalries will heat up next year with the Crossroads Classic, featuring Indiana's top four basketball programs going head-to-head in Indianapolis. Starting in 2011, Indiana University will play Notre Dame (after 69  previous contests) and Purdue will match-up against NCAA runner-up Butler. In 2012, IU will play BU and ND plays PU.