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In recognition of the nation's 8.5 percent jobless rate, this week's installment of Starting 9 catches up with some familiar faces who failed to hook on through free agency.

Rickie Weeks hit a three-run homer in the seventh, Seth McClung pitched four scoreless innings in relief and the Brewers rallied to beat the Chicago Cubs 5-1 on Friday night for their fifth straight win and the lead in the NL wild-card race.

Ben Sheets worked six scoreless innings and Ryan Braun was 3-for-5 with a two-run homer to help the Brewers beat the Cardinals 12-0 on Tuesday night.

Geoff Blum hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the sixth inning to help the Astros beat Ben Sheets and the Brewers 5-2 on Tuesday night.

James Loney doubled twice and drove in three runs and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Sunday for their third consecutive series win.

Gil Meche won consecutive starts for the first time this season, Jose Guillen hit a two-run homer and the Kansas City Royals defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Saturday night.

Eric Chavez had three hits and two RBIs to help the Oakland Athletics complete their second consecutive sweep of San Francisco, beating the Giants 5-3 on Sunday.

Josh Banks pitched a six-hitter for his first career complete game and sent the Padres to their fifth win in six games, beating the Giants 5-1 on Saturday to take the series.

Dan Uggla hit a bases-loaded, two-out single in the ninth inning to help the Florida Marlin beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4 on Sunday and sweep a doubleheader.

Pat Burrell hit a two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the Philadelphia Phillies over the San Francisco Giants 6-5 on Friday night.

Rockies-Giants Preview

Randy Johnson did not allow an earned run in five innings, settling down to finish with seven strikeouts and four walks before San Francisco rallied against Arizona's bullpen for a 5-4 victory over the Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Kevin Correia carried a shutout into the eighth inning in one of his best starts yet, leading the Giants past the Cardinals 5-1 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.

Manny Parra earned his first major league victory, delivering a breakout performance in the Milwaukee Brewers' 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.

Mock draft for a 13-team NL-only league, held Feb. 28th 2008

Mariners 5, Giants 3