However, Gwynn is performing at a top 75 level, and he played an integral role in the Dodgers’ 6-5 win over Philly Wednesday, tripling in the tying run and then scoring the go-ahead run, one of two runs he scored in the game.

So imagine the surprise when he was actually useful for three starts (16 IP, 14 hits, three earned runs, one homer, five Ks, four walks and a 2-1 record).

However, they had dropped six of their past 10 games heading into a weekend series at home against Toronto. Of course, with Oakland playing even worse lately, the Rangers had actually managed to extend their lead in the AL West despite the mini slump.

But no worries… he’d slow down the next season, right? Only partially correct. Konerko put up another .300 campaign, while again topping 30 homers and 100 RBI.

Well, that rate has plummeted to just 7.86/9 this season, yet he’s emerged as a top 10 starter on the strength of improved control and a higher groundball rate.

The big question is where has Gonzalez’s home run stroke gone? Last year, the shoulder he had repaired in 2010 continued to bother him, but he says that’s fully behind him now. In other words, there’s no reasonable reason why Gonzalez isn’t going yard lately. Let’s hope the doubles barrage is a precursor to some long ball exploits.

The Toronto Blue Jays continue to play well lately, but with both the Rays and Orioles rolling, they have now fallen three back of Tampa Bay and two and a half games behind Baltimore in the AL East. On the plus side, the Yanks have been spinning their wheels, allowing Toronto to slide into third place, a half game ahead of New York.