FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports the New York Mets claimed Houston Astros RP Doug Brocail, but the Astros took him off waivers. The Astros, who are 12 games out in the division and 7 1/2 games back in the wild card, claim they are still trying to win.

News: According to The Sports Xchange notes: RHP Doug Brocail gave up a three-run home run to Alfonso Soriano on a hanging slider Tuesday. "It didn't bounce," Brocail said of the 1-2 slider Soriano hit for his 20th home run. "As a matter of fact, it acted like the first foul ball, the first fastball that he fouled off. ... It was at 90 mph or 91 mph, so I know I overthrew it. If you watched it on videotape, it looked like a damn heater. I missed my spot. He got it." Soriano's shot to left field was the biggest blow as the Cubs turned a 7-6 deficit into an 11-7 lead with a five-run rally in the seventh before an appreciative Wrigley Field crowd of 40,416.

Analysis: Brocail is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of leagues that use true middle men