Indians 10 - Tigers 3
- Ubaldo Jimenez made his Cleveland debut with 8 innings pitched and 3 earned runs allowed. He struck out 6 batters with 1 walk and 6 hits. Jimenez has 13 strikeouts to 4 walks over his first 13 innings as a member of the Tribe.
- Rick Porcello got rocked for 8 earned runs over 3.2 innings on 11 hits. After a string of six straight starts with 3 earned runs or less, this was not what the Tigers needed as they try to maintain their lead with in the AL Central.
- Jason Kipnis stayed hot with a 5-5 effort that included a double, homer, 3 RBI, and 4 runs. He's hitting.295/.358/.656 over his first 67 plate appearances. Makes you wonder why he didn't come up sooner.
- Kosuke Fukudome went 3-5 with two doubles and a RBI. He has 5 doubles since joining the Indians at the end of last month.
- W: Ubaldo Jimenez (7-9), L: Rick Porcello (11-7)
- HR: Jason Kipnis (6)
Yankees 9 - Angels 3
- Ivan Nova had a quality start with 6 innings pitched and 3 earned runs allowed. He didn't have the best command as he struck out none and walked 3 batters, to go with his 5 hits given up. With a 3.85 ERA over 112.1 innings this season, Nova has been one of the Yankees better starters.
- Garrett Richards was tattooed for 6 earned runs over 5 innings on 6 hits and 2 walks. He staked the Yankees to a 3-run lead to start the game and things went south from there. Over 141 innings at Double-A this season, he had a 3.06 ERA with a 6.38 K/9 strikeout rate and 2.55 BB/9 walk rate.
- Curtis Granderson went 2-3 with two homers, 4 RBI, 3 runs, and walk. A center-fielder with 30 plus home run power, that takes walks, and hits for average… it's been a fantastic fantasy season for Granderson and his owners.
- Robinson Cano went 3-4 with a double, triple, homer, 2 RBI, and 2 runs. He's not putting up the monster numbers he did a season ago, but with a .299/.346/.519 bating line, he's been pretty damn good.
- W: Ivan Nova (11-4), L: Garrett Richards (0-1)
- HR: Peter Bourjos (5), Curtis Granderson (30, 31), Robinson Cano (19)
- CS: Peter Bourjos (5)
Orioles 6 - White Sox 4
- Philip Humber pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 earned runs on 11 hits and 1 walk. He got a no-decision for his trouble as he gave up 2 homers and the White Sox stayed 4 back in the division. Over his last 5 starts (26.1 innings), Humber has given up 22 earned runs with 20 strikeouts and 7 walks.
- Tommy Hunter was marginally better as he pitched 6.2 innings with 4 earned runs on 7 hits. He saw a 4-run lead disappear on him as he fell apart in the 6th and 7th innings. It was his 2nd start and 3rd appearance as a member of the Orioles.
- Another day, another game Adam Dunn goes hitless (0-4 w/ 3 strikeouts).
- J.J. Hardy went 4-5 with a solo shot. The short-stop is hitting .275/.321/.519 this season with 21 homers and 54 RBI. Those RBI numbers would probably be even better, if the Orioles could find a legit leadoff hitter.
- W: Mike Gonzalez (2-2), L: Jason Frasor (2-2)
- HR: J.J. Hardy (21), Adam Jones (21), Nolan Reimold (7)
Blue Jays 8 - A's 4
- Gio Gonzalez took the loss, after he allowed 4 earned runs over 5 innings. He didn't have his best stuff as he walked more batters (5) than he struck out (4). Then again, maybe the Blue Jays were stealing signs, which we learned Wednesday might be more of an issue that previously thought in Toronto. Either way, Gonzalez must do something about this walk rate of his, that is now over 4.0 BB/9 for the third straight season.
- Henderson Alvarez pitched 5.2 innings with 3 earned runs allowed and took a no-decision. He gave up 8 hits with just 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. With Carlos Villanueva on the DL, Alvarez came up from Double-A to make this start. In 88 innings this season at that previous level he had a 2.85 ERA with 66 strikeouts and 17 walks.
- Jesse Litsch got a 2.2 inning save with 1 earned run on 2 hits, no walks, and 2 strikeouts. Those worrying about the Jon Rauch/Frank Francisco situation should analyze elsewhere.
- Brett Lawrie went 2-4 with a double, grand slam, and 2 runs. Over his first 18 plate appearances he has 4 singles, 2 doubles, and 2 homers with no walks and 5 strikeouts.
- W: Casey Janssen (4-0), L: Gio Gonzalez (9-10), SV: Jesse Litsch (1)
- HR: Josh Willingham (19), David DeJesus (8), Brett Lawrie (2)
Rays 8 - Royals 7
- Felipe Paulino held the Rays to 1 run over 5 innings with 3 hits, 4 walks, and 1 strikeout. While it wasn't pretty, he did his job. As an Astros fan, it's disheartening to see Paulino starting to figure it out on a different team, but MLB's worst team does have Clint Barmes to show for it… (sigh).
- Wade Davis pitched 6.1 innings with 4 earned runs on 6 hits and 1 walk, in a no-decision. His record remains 8-7 with 4.60 ERA, which is not what most of his owners expected after his useful rookie debut last season.
- Aaron Crow and Joakim Soria combined to blow a 4-run lead and the game in the 9th inning. Crow started things off by giving up back-to-back singles, which prompted the call for Soria. He picked up where Crow left off by giving up a double, ground out, single, strikeout, and eventual game deciding triple to Sam Fuld. It's Soria's second blow save over his last 6 games and 7th blown save this season.
- Johnny Giavotella went 2-4 with a triple, RBI, and run. He's the new 2B for the Royals and his name is fun to say.
- Melky Cabrera went 2-3 with a double, homer, 5 RBI, and a run. The CF is now batting .306/.339/.471 this season.
- W: Jake McGee (1-1), L: Joakim Soria (5-5), BSV: Joakim Soria (7)
- HR: Melky Cabrera (14), Matt Joyce (16)
- SB: Alcides Escobar (16)
Mariners 4 - Rangers 3
- Jason Vargas held the Rangers to 3 earned runs over 7 innings on 6 hits and 4 walks with 3 strikeouts. He wasn't very sharp as you can tell by his walks/strikeouts and the 2 homers he gave up. Vargas is now 7-10 with a 4.01 ERA, which is about the best one can hope for with him on their team.
- Derek Holland pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits and 5 walks with 7 strikeouts. He came into this game with a 5.55 home ERA, which is much higher than his 3.42 road ERA.
- Neftali Feliz struck out 2 in a perfect 9th inning. That should help ease of the recent worries about his performance, then again it was the Mariners.
- Mike Carp went 2-4 with a 2-run homer and a walk. That's his 2nd homer in his last four games and 4th homer since coming back up on July 19th. For the season he's batting .310/.370/.491 over 127 plate appearances.
- Ian Kinsler went 2-3 with a double, homer, 2 RBI, a run, and 2 walks. The 2B is hitting .240/.351/.435 this season with 18 homers and 21 stolen bases.
- W: Jason Vargas (7-10), L: Koji Uehara (1-2), SV: Brandon League (27)
- HR: Mike Carp (4), Ian Kinsler (18), Josh Hamilton (14)
- SB: Ichiro Suzuki (30), Nelson Cruz (8)
Twins 5 - Red Sox 2
- Nick Blackburn pitched 6.2 innings and allowed just 1 run (unearned), in a no-decision. He struck out 4 and walked 2, in what could have been a win for him. Coming into this game, Blackburn had a 5.32 ERA at home this season.
- Jon Lester allowed 4 earned runs over 7.1 innings, for his 6th loss of the season. Uncharacteristically he walked more batters (5) than he struck out (4). It's the first time he's given up 4 earned runs or more since May 30th.
- David Ortiz went 2-3 with a solo shot and a walk. Papi is hitting .298/.386/.555 this season and we haven't had the "what's wrong with Papi" talks. Instead we've had the "why is Papi pissed about 1 RBI" talks.
- W: Glen Perkins (4-2), L: Jon Lester (11-6), SV: Joe Nathan (9)
- HR: David Ortiz (23)
- CS: Ben Revere (6)
Phillies 9 - Dodgers 8
- Chad Billingsley pitched 4.1 innings and allowed 5 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits and 3 walks. He struck out none as he showed little command of his pitches. After the no-decision, his record remains 10-9 with a 4.17 ERA, 120 strikeouts, and 61 walks over 144.2 innings.
- Vance Worley was roughed up for 6 earned runs over 4 innings, also in a no-decision. He gave up 7 hits and 3 walks with 6 strikeouts. Coming into this game with a 2.35 ERA, .247 BABIP, and 79.6|PERCENT| strand rate over 13 starts, he was probably due for some regression.
- Ryan Madson converted a save for the third time in the last three days. This one came with a 2-run lead that was cut to 1 on a Juan Rivera field's choice.
- Matt Kemp went 4-5 with a double, RBI, and 2 runs. He's hitting a svelte .320/.394/.574 this season with 26 HRs, 85 RBI, and 29 stolen bases.
- Hunter Pence went 1-4 with a 2-run homer and walk. He has 3 doubles, 3 homers, and 9 RBI since joining the Phillies
- W: Kyle Kendrick (7-5), L: Blake Hawksworth (2-3), SV: Ryan Madson (22)
- HR: Ryan Howard (25), Hunter Pence (14), Juan Rivera (8)
- SB: Jimmy Rollins (27), Matt Kemp (30)
Pirates 9 - Giants 2
- Jeff Karstens improved to 9-6, after he pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 earned runs on 8 hits. He struck out 9 batters and walked none as he lowered his ERA to 3.04. Coming off a disaster outing (3.1 IP, 9 ER), this was a great effort to right the ship.
- Jonathan Sanchez allowed 4 earned runs over 4.1 innings, in a loss. He gave up 4 hits with 4 walks and 6 strikeouts. Combined with his last start, he's pitched 9 innings with 9 earned runs, 10 strikeouts, and 6 walks, since coming off the DL.
- Andrew McCutchen went 1-1 with a 2-run homer, 4 runs, and 3 walks. The CF is hitting .274/.379/.473 this season with a potential 25/25 season on the horizon (he's 16/19 now).
- W: Jeff Karstens (9-6), L: Jonathan Sanchez (4-7)
- HR: Andrew McCutchen (16), Pablo Sandoval (13)
- SB: Andrew McCutchen (18, 19), Andre Torres (14)
Braves 6 - Marlins 2
- Tim Hudson held the Marlins to 2 earned runs over 7.1 innings on 6 hits and 1 walk with 7 strikeouts. After Anibal Sanchez staked the Braves to a 5 run lead, it was hard for him to mess things up and he didn't. Hudson hasn't given up more than 3 earned runs since late May, a span of 12 starts.
- Anibal Sanchez was lit up for 5 earned runs over just 1.2 innings on 7 hits. It was by far the shortest outing of this season for him as he needed 52 pitches to get just 5 outs. He's now 6-6 with a 4.00 ERA.
- Young prospect Arodys Vizcaino was called up from the minors to help in the Braves bullpen. Between double and triple-A he had 63 strikeouts and 17 walks over 56.2 innings. In this game, he got 2 outs with 2 walks and a strikeout.
- Dan Uggla extended his hit streak to 31 games as he went 3-5 with 2 RBI. He's batting .224/.289/.428 on the season.
- Logan Morrison went 2-4 with a solo shot and stolen base. He was back in LF for this one, after his 1 game stint at 1B.
- W: Tim Hudson (12-7), L: Anibal Sanchez (6-6), SV: Jonny Venters (4)
- HR: Logan Morrison (17)
- SB: Jose Constanza (3), Logan Morrison (2)
Reds 3 - Rockies 2
- Mike Leake improved to 10-7 as he pitched 7.1 innings and allowed 2 earned runs on 11 hits and 1 walk. Things could have been much worse for him as there were runners on constantly when he was on the mound. He has now allowed 3 earned runs or less over his last 5 starts.
- Kevin Millwood made his 2011 debut with 7 innings of 3-run ball on 6 hits and 1 walk with 6 strikeouts for the Rockies. In true Millwood fashion all the runs came via home runs as Edgar Renteria, Jay Bruce, and Joey Votto all took him deep.
- Troy Tulowitzki went 2-4 with a solo homer… when he's hot, he's hot. That's his 3rd homer this month and second in as many days. With a strong finish, I don't see why he can't win the NL MVP award this season.
- W: Mike Leake (10-7), L: Kevin Millwood (0-1), SV: Francisco Cordero (21)
- HR: Troy Tulowitzki (23), Edgar Renteria (4), Joey Votto (18), & Jay Bruce (23)
- SB: Seth Smith (5), Eric Young Jr. (10); CS: Paul Janish (2)
Padres 9 - Mets 5
- Aaron Harang improved to 11-3 as he pitched 5.2 innings and allowed 3 earned runs. He gave up 10 hits and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts, so things certainly could have been worse. Fortunately, he was staked to an early 5-run lead and was able to coast most of the way. Harang came into this game with a 4.63 road ERA over 44.2 innings this season.
- R.A. Dickey gave up 5 runs (3 earned) over 6 innings for his 11th loss. Four runs scored between the 2nd and 3rd innings and that ultimately did him in. His ERA is now 3.75, which is probably much closer to his true talent level than the 2.84 ERA he posted last season.
- Jesus Guzman went 2-4 with a RBI, 2 runs, and 2 stolen bases. Is there anything this guy won't do? He's hitting .350/.389/.585 over 131 plate appearances with 5 homers, 30 RBI, and 6 stolen bases.
- Will Venable went 4-5 with two doubles, a triple, a RBI, and 3 runs. The RF is hitting .270/.340/.385 this season with 21 stolen bases.
- Josh Thole went 4-5 with a double and 2 runs. The backstop is hitting .269/.354/.349 over 274 plate appearances this season… not the worst batting line in the world for a second catcher in a NL league.
- W: Aaron Harang (11-3), L: R.A. Dickey (5-11)
- SB: Jesus Guzman (5, 6), Aaron Cunningham (1), Angel Pagan (23)
Cubs 4 - Nationals 2
- Rodrigo Lopez allowed 2 runs (1 earned) over 5.2 innings as he evened his record to 3-3 on the season. He gave up 5 hits with no walks and 4 strikeouts. He has a 4.78 ERA over 52.2 innings this season for the Cubs.
- Ross Detwiler pitched 5 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts. It was only his third start in the majors this season as the Nationals try to see what the 25 year old can give them down the stretch and potentially into next season.
- Jayson Werth went 2-4 with a solo homer and is now batting .226/.332/.387. This has been a pretty disappointing season for the former Philly.
- Reed Johnson went 4-4 with a solo homer. The scrappy OF is batting .340/.381/.562 over 177 plate appearances this season.
- W: Rodrigo Lopez (3-3), L: Ross Detwiler (1-2), SV: Carlos Marmol (25)
- HR: Jayson Werth (14), Reed Johnson (5), Geovany Soto (12), Alfonso Soriano (20)
- SB: Tony Campana (14)
Brewers 5 - Cardinals 1
- Randy Wolf held the Red Birds to just 1 run over 8 innings for his 9th win of the season. He gave up just 5 hits with no walks and 1 strikeout. The lone run came via an Albert Pujols sac-fly and after that it was smooth sailing as only 2 batters reached base over his final 6 innings.
- Jake Westbrook fell to 9-6 after he pitched 8 innings and allowed 3 earned runs. With little to no run support it's tough to win, even when you pitch like this. Westbrook's 4.74 ERA isn't what owners expected when he finished last season with a 3.48 ERA after the All-Star Break after his trade to STL.
- Prince Fielder went 1-2 with a double, 2 RBi, a run, and a walk. He's hitting .304/.419/.569 with 26 homers, 87 RBI, and 73 runs.
- W: Randy Wolf (9-8), L: Jake Westbrook (9-6)
- SB: Ryan Braun (21)
Diamondbacks 6 - Astros 3
- Josh Collmenter pitched 7 innings of 2-run ball as the D-Backs back into a tie for first in the NL West. He gave up 4 hits with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts as the Astros put up much less of a fight in this one as they did the night before. Collementer is now 7-7 with a 3.51 ERA, 69 strikeouts, and 20 walks over 105 innings.
- Henry Sosa, who joined the Astros via the Jeff Keppinger trade with the Giants, lost his club debut as he allowed 4 earned runs over 6 innings on 6 hits and 3 walks. He was shaky from the start as Willie Bloomquist, the D-Backs first batter, took him deep. This season between San Fran, Houston, Double, and Triple-A he has 77 strikeouts, 32 walks, and a 4.53 ERA over 89.1 innings.
- Jose Altuve got another hit and is now batting .329/.350/.395 over 81 plate appearances.
- Justin Upton went 3-4 with a double and run. The NL MVP candidate is batting .300/.374/.552 with 23 homers, 72 RBI, 74 runs, and 15 stolen bases.
- W: Josh Collmenter (7-7), L: Henry Sosa (0-1), SV: David Hernandez (10)
- HR: Willie Bloomquist (4)
- SB: Justin Upton (17), Kelly Johnson (12)