Were it not for the pesky fourth inning, fans at the New York Mets game would have left the stadium last with their heads a little higher, knowing that their team had held on to the division lead with a victory over the Florida Marlins. However, a huge 5-run spurt in the bottom of the fourth paid dividends for both the Marlins and the Phillies.

Damion Easley’s 3-run pinch hit home run in the seventh wasn’t enough to put the Mets back in control, as the Marlins now sit in third place in the NL East by only 1.5 games. Dan Uggla’s home run in the eighth was the Marlins’ capstone that kept them very much alive in the division.

Despite the game going on down on the field, there was much discussion about potential off the field moves to be mad as the trade deadline looms. The name that was discussed the most by both teams? Manny Ramirez. The Boston slugger has been named in trade talks with both the Mets and Marlins who are believed to be close to a three-way deal to bring Manny to Florida with Pittsburgh’s Jason Bay landing with the Red Sox.

Look for many moves to be made today as teams in contention (such as the Marlins and Mets) look to add a spark to their lineups for the stretch run towards the playoffs.

“Guys and Dolls”, one of Broadways most popular shows, is returning to the big stage after 17 years. The Director, Des McAnuff, says that the show is on schedule to open next spring and that this will be the fifth Broadway revival of “”Guys and Dolls”" since it originally premiered in 1950.

“Guys and Dolls” tells the story of New York gamblers and the Salvation Army crusaders who try to reform their ways. The last Broadway performance of the musical was in 1992 and starred Nathan Lane and Peter Gallagher. It ran about three years before leaving broadway.

Much speculation has been thrown around regarding the role of “Guys and Dolls” in setting up a battle of classic musicals this spring, the primary competitor being a revival of West Side Story, which will open in February. Also opening next year are commercial revivals of “Brigadoon” and “Godspell”.

Classic musicals generally do well in revivals. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” was one of the biggest hits of this past season in its first Broadway revival ever. It grossed over $900,000 last week alone - filling to 99.8 percent capacity.

It will be great to see “Guys and Dolls” back on the big stage, Broadway tickets for the event are sure to be among the best sellers of the new season. It will be interesting to see how the theatre-goers react to the battle between classic musicals.

It’s not every day that you see a team give up five plus runs in their opponent’s last at bat, watching the game slip out of their hands in the process, but for the second time in two weeks, a Mets game ended with drama… and not the kind that Mets’ fans wanted.

Despite pulling out to a 3-2 lead in the 8th inning, the Mets were unable to hold on as a blown save resulted in a 7-3 loss last night in Dolphins Stadium. A strong start by John Maine ended in the fifth inning due to shoulder stiffness.

Despite Maine’s early efforts, the Mets’ bullpen was not able to hold on for four plus innings of relief as reliever Joe Smith blew the save in the eighth inning giving up two quick runs. Scott Schoeneweis then allowed the Marlins to pile on, by giving up three insurance runs before the inning was over - resulting in a missed opportunity for the Marlins to stave off the surging Marlins.

Lost in the shuffle was a 2-for-4 performance by Fernando Tatis, which included a triple and two RBIs. As for Florida, their 14 hits were spread out, but included multiple-hit performances by Hanly Ramirez, Josh Willingham, Cody Ross, and John Baker.

With the loss, the Mets lose ground and lead the division over Philadelphia and now Florida, by a-half-game and one game, respectively.

Yesterday’s Red Sox/Yankees game was yet again another great example of why this rivalry is the best in all of sports. With their backs against the wall, down 2-0 in the series and one loss away from allowing the Yankees to tie them for second place in the division, the Red Sox found a way to pick up the 9-2 win and salvage the series.

Jon Lester, the big lefty ace-of-the-future went seven strong innings allowing two runs against the potent Yankees’ offense. He struck out eight, while walking only one. Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz were in the lineup together for the first time in nearly two months as the league’s leading 3-4 combination made their presence known. Ramirez went 3-for-5 with two doubles, and three RBIs, while Ortiz went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs of his own.

For the Yankees, both Alex Rodriguez, and former Boston stand-out, Johnny Damon went 2-4 and contributed to the Yankees’ only productive inning (the 5th).

This truly is one of the great rivalries in any sport. If you have the change to get out and watch either of these teams, you should make it a priority. NY Yankees tickets would be a particularly wise investment, with this being the final season in Yankee Stadium.

Last week’s five most popular events on Select A Ticket really come as no surprise when you see what they are:

1. New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox — naturally the biggest rivalry in town draws the most attention!
2. Lion King — summertime is a great time to bring the kids to a Broadway show
3. Wicked — one of the most popular Broadway musicals is still drawing the crowds
4. Jonas Brothers — the teen sensation that’s sweeping the nation, local boys from Jersey too!
5. South Pacific — the classic tale brought back to Broadway after many years

So there you have it, be sure the come back next week to see what makes the list… any guesses?

With the division lead on the line, the Mets once again found timely hitting, and were able to dismiss the Phillies with a 3-1 win last night at Shea Stadium. The victory gives the Mets sole possession of first place in the National League West division for the time-being as we head into the final weekend of July.

Carlos Delgado was the hero for the Metropolitans, driving in two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to seal the victory. Delgado broke a 1-1 tie, as the two pitchers for the Mets and Phillies, Oliver Perez, and Jamie Moyer, respectively each had fantastic outings allowing only one run a piece over seven plus innings.

Jayson Werth provided the sole offensive spark for Philadelphia with a solo home run in the seventh inning.

The Mets, who now stand at 55-47, are set to kick off a weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals in Queens, while the Phillies take their 54-48 record back to Veteran’s Stadium to host the Atlanta Braves. This final season in Shea Stadium is being overshadowed by Yankee Stadium’s swan song, but don’t pass up on the opportunity to see a game in this historic ballpark. Grab some Mets tickets today!

For over 20 years, Jill Santoriello has been working feverishly to adapt one of her favorite books into a Broadway-worthy stage version, and her dream has finally been fulfilled. Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities is set to open at Al Hirschfeld Theatre on September 18th.

Santoriello, who wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the show says that A Tale of Two Cities is a lavish production set against the extravagant backdrop of the French Revolution. Previously, the show was staged at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida, where it found solid reviews and sold-out crowds, before it was picked up by a New York City company who will be helping it transition to Broadway.

Despite the long, long process of creating, pitching, and selling her musical, Santoriello says it was all worth it. “It’s been a long journey”, she said, “It meant so much to me, I always felt that one day I would succeed.”

Before the show officially opens on Broadway, you can catch preview performances beginning on August 19th. This show is sure to be hit, so buy Broadway tickets online now for A Tale of Two Cities.

“Wow!” was undoubtedly the most common word uttered after last night’s Mets game, in which the Philly’s found a way to win - and regain the division lead - with a six-run ninth inning. After mounting a 5-2 lead going into the final inning, Mets fans had to feel confident in their bullpen to close the game out and maintain the team’s lead in the National League East. However, the Phillies had other plans as they mounted one of the best come back of the year to take the game 8-6.

A small rally in the ninth wasn’t enough to regain the lead for Mets as they mounted one run in the home half of the inning. If there was a star in this game, it was Shane Victorino whose 2-4 performance included a home run in the 6th inning that help the Phillies stay alive in the final innings.

A game like this only reiterates the notion that the National League East is going to go down to the wire this year as we are looking at what could one of the most parity-filled years in memory. There’s definitely a lot of baseball left, and it could easily come down to the final week for four of the six Major League divisions.

Despite being plagued by injuries coming out of the All-Star break, the Yankees are still going strong with an eye on their goal - winning the American League Eastern division. As anyone with NY Yankees tickets can tell you, injuries can happen and losses can happen, and you can’t always prevent injuries, but you can prevent losses.

Monday night, the Yankees not only prevented a loss, but did so in a very convincing manner, defeating the Twins 12-4 in the Bronx. Derek Jeter led the way with a go-ahead single in the 3rd inning that drove in Jose Molina, as well as a solo home run in the 8th that capped of the Yankees 12-run offensive explosion in support of Sidney Ponson’s nine hit, three run effort.

Also homering for the Yankees were Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano, with their 21st and 8th home runs of the year, respectively.

The sole stand-out for Minnesota was Alexi Casilla, whose three-for-five evening at the plate accounted for two of the Twin’s four RBIs and a run scored.

The two teams will face-off again today with revenge on the mind of the Twins, while the Yanks look to extend their second-half streak.

With the anticipation of success at the box office for Mama Mia!, as well as the recent success of Rent, Hairspray, and Chicago; comes the announcement of another Broadway-to-Hollywood film adaptation. Last week it was announced that Wicked could soon be seen on the silver screen.

The film has been optioned to Universal pictures, where its ultimate fate is still undetermined, though it is now very likely that the film will be made. However, Donna Langley, Universal’s CEO told Variety that it may be a while before the project begins, stating “Our goal now is absolutely to make the Wicked film, but… Marc and Stephen Schwartz are very mindful of the right timing. But we’re dying to do it.”

Wicked, which tells the classic Wizard of Oz tale from the perspective of the Wicked Witch, is one of the most popular Broadway shows of the 21st century and the most popular stage show of the past few years, and I am sure it would make the leap from stage to screen seamlessly.

Here’s hoping that Universal doesn’t sit on this project too long for it to make the huge splash that it deserves to make. In the meantime, grab some Broadway tickets and see Wicked on stage in New York, Chicago, or a city near you.