Red Sox 4 - Tigers 3 (Game 1)
- Clay Buchholz took a no-decision, after he pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 1 walk. He worked with a 2-run lead into the 6th, but a solo shot from Brennan Boesch and a RBI single from Jhonny Peralta tied things up. With the two homers he gave up today. Buchholz's HR/9 is 1.36, a career high.
- Andrew Oliver also pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 earned runs in a no-decision. He walked three, struck out three, and also allowed 2 homers. It was his season debut and it showed as he navigated in and out of traffic early for much of his start.
- David Ortiz smacked a pinch-hit homer off of Jose Valverde to put the Red Sox ahead for good. He's now hitting .306/.378/.559 on the season. We've yet to hear any of that "what's wrong with Papi?" chatter this season.
- Ryan Raburn went 0-4 with 3 strikeouts as the team's second baseman. He should continue to see time there with the departure of Scott Sizemore.
- W: Matt Albers (1-2), L: Jose Valverde (2-2), SV: Jonathan Papelbon (10)
- HR: Dustin Pedroia (4), Mike Cameron (3), David Ortiz (11), Andy Dirks (2), Brennan Boesch (4)
- SB: Jacoby Ellsbury (10), Dustin Pedroia (11, 12), Kevin Youkilis (1)
Tigers 3 - Red Sox 0 (Game 2)
- Justin Verlander pitched 7.2 shutout innings with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. That's now just 5 strikeouts in his last two starts (13.1 innings) combined. Tough to complain though as he did hold the Red Sox to just 4 hits.
- Josh Beckett gave up just 2 earned runs over 6 innings, but took the loss as he was out-dueled by Verlander. He allowed the two runs in the first inning and settled in after that. He walked a season high 5 batters, but also struck out 5 batters.
- Brennan Boesch went 1-4 with a double and a run. He's hitting .260/.323/.402, which is pretty close to his batting line from last season.
- W: Justin Verlander (5-3), L: Josh Beckett (4-2), SV: Jose Valverde (12)
Blue Jays 13 - White Sox 4
- Ricky Romero held the White Sox to 2 runs over 7 innings, for the win. He walked 2 and struck out 5 as he continues to lower his ERA. That's now nine out of his eleven starts in which he's allowed 2 or fewer runs. Increased usage of his fastball could help explain the jump in his strikeout rate.
- John Danks was torched for 9 earned runs in just 4 innings on 9 hits and 1 walk. Can it get any worse? He gave up a homer to Edwin Encanacion of all hitters and that was after serving up a grand slam to Aaron Hill. He's now 0-8 with a 5.25 ERA. The support group for him will meet in the comments below.
- Carlos Quentin just keeps on mashing as he knocked out his 13th homer of the season. This is impressive to hitters not named Jose Bautista.
- Corey Patterson went 4-5 with his 4th homer, 3 RBI, and 2 runs. He's hitting .301/.333/.477, which is impressive for the at times tempting Patterson.
- W: Ricky Romero (5-4), L: John Danks (0-8)
- HR: Carlos Quentin (13), Ramon Castro (2), Corey Patterson (4), Aaron Hill (1), Edwin Encarnacion (1)
- SB: Juan Pierre (9), Rajai Davis (15)
Rays 7 - Indians 0
- Jeremy Hellickson tossed 7 shutout innings at the Indians, en route to his 6th win. He allowed 3 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts, much better command than in his previous start. With a 2.80 ERA, he's everything the Rays hoped for.
- Justin Masterson found himself facing a lefty heavy lineup and nature took its course as he gave up 6 earned runs in 5 innings. For those unaware, Masterson struggles against lefties and dominates righties.
- Evan Longoria went 2-3 with a double, 2 runs, and 2 walks from the leadoff spot. Joe Maddon is crazy like a fox when it comes to filling out his lineup card.
- W: Jeremy Hellickson (6-3), L: Justin Masterson (5-3)
- HR: John Jason (3)
- SB: B.J. Upton (10); CS: Evan Longoria (1)
Angels 6 - Twins 5
- Dan Haren registered a quality start with 3 earned runs allowed over 6 innings. He gave up 10 hits with 1 walk, but managed to come out of things relatively unscathed. A better team probably would have pounded him. He only struckout 2, which was a season low.
- Carl Pavano pitched 8 innings and allowed 5 runs (4 earned), in a loss. He allowed 10 hits with 0 walks and 3 strikeouts. His fringe command has failed him this season as he has an ERA over 5 with 26 strikeouts to 16 walks in 69.1 innings.
- Jordan Walden nailed down his 12th save, but not without some excitement. He entered with a 3 run lead and saw that shrink to just 1 with a runner on third, before getting the final out. Fernando Rodney calls this a clean outing.
- Justin Morneau went 3-5 with 2 RBI, in what was one of his better offensive performances this season. He's clearly not right as his .246/.297/.341 batting line indicates.
- W: Dan Haren (5-3), L: Carl Pavano (2-5), SV: Jordan Walden (12)
- HR: Mark Trumbo (9)
- SB: Russell Branyan (1), Jeff Mathis (1), Alexi Casilla (5), Matt Tolbert (1); CS: Erick Aybar (2)
Rangers 7 - Royals 6
- Alexi Ogando got roughed up for 5 runs in 6 innings on 7 hits and 1 walk. A 3-run homer by Branyan Pena was the death knell to his day. His strand rate still has some regressing to do, considering it was near 92|PERCENT| coming into this game. He didn't take the loss, so he remains undefeated.
- Danny Duffy pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 1 walk. He gave up two homers, but they were no runners on base, so the damage was limited. The 1 walk is encouraging as he walked 9 batters in his first 9.1 innings.
- Joakim Soria blew a 1-run lead in the 9th and eventually the game, when Mike Napoli scored on some aggressive base running. He's lost some life on his fastball and it's wrecking his command, although today he didn't have a problem with walking batters. His ERA is now up to 5.57 and should have owners on edge. Aaron Crow set him up and allowed 2 earned runs over 1.1 innings. His ERA is 1.33, but at least he's striking out over a batter per inning.
- Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, Nelson Cruz, and Mike Napoli all went yard in this game. Young is the only one with a healthy batting average (.335). This lineup will do plenty of damage this season as the Summer months set in.
- W: Arthur Rhodes (3-2), L: Joakim Soria (3-2), BSV: Joakim Soria (4)
- HR: Branyan Pena (3), Ian Kinsler (7), Michael Young (3), Nelson Cruz (10), Mike Napoli (8)
- CS: Andres Blanco (1)
A's 6 - Orioles 4
- Guillermo Moscoso improved to 2-0, despite allowing 4 earned runs in just 5 innings. It was a quiet 1-0 game, until he and Zach Britton had dueling 4-run fifth innings. Moscoso has yet to show the command he had in the minors as he now has 5 walks to 4 strikeouts in just 11 innings.
- Zach Britton got lit up for 6 runs in 5.2 innings on 10 hits, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. This was bound to happen, considering how Britton was and still is barely striking out more batters than he walks. Expect more growing pains to occur, unless he figures out a way to start missing more bats or walk less hitters.
- Andrew Bailey made his 2011 debut with 3 groundouts, while pitching the 7th inning. Brian Fuentes got the save in the 9th as Bailey continues to work his way back.
- Josh Willingham went Hammer Time with a 2-4 effort, a home run, and 4 RBI. His 3-run homer in the 5th put the A's ahead for good. He's now hitting .244/.328/.466 on the season.
- W: Guillermo Moscoso (2-0), L: Zach Britton (5-3), SV: Brian Fuentes (11)
- HR: Josh Willingham (9)
- SB: Mark Reynolds (3), Coco Crisp (16)
Yankees 7 - Mariners 1
- CC Sabathia held the Mariners to just 1 run over 8 innings for his 6th win of the season. The Mariners really had no chance against the rotund righty as he allowed just 5 hits and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts.
- Jason Vargas got touched up for 6 earned runs in his 3 innings as he fell to 3-3. He's actually pitched pretty well this season, but his last two starts has his ERA running at 4.50. Striking out twice as many batters as he walks should make him a productive starter, especially in such a spacious homer park.
- Nick Swisher went 1-2 with a homer and 2 walks. With all the talk about Jeter's shortcomings, some have failed to notice that Swisher is struggling mightily with a batting line of .210/.330/.309.
- W: CC Sabathia (6-3), L: Jason Vargas (3-3)
- HR: Nick Swisher (3), Justin Smoak (7)
- SB: Robinson Cano (5); CS: Mark Teixeira (1)
Mets 9 - Phillies 5
- Jonathon Niese held the Phillies to 1 run (unearned) over 6.1 innings on 5 hits, 4 walks, and 6 strikeouts. He probably should have suffered a much worse fate, considering he allowed 9 batters to reach base and left the bases loaded to end the 3rd inning.
- Vance Worley got tattooed by the Mets for 8 runs (5 earned) in just 3 innings. He gave up 12 hits, before the exited the game. Since coming up for his second stint with the big league team he has given up 8 earned runs in 8 innings with 4 strikeouts and 4 walks.
- Josh Thole went 3-4 with a double and 3 RBI. Not bad for the 24 year old catcher. He's now batting .230/.302/.270 on the season.
- W: Jonathon Niese (4-5), L: Vance Worley (2-1)
- HR: Raul Ibanez (7)
- SB: Jimmy Rollins (11, 12)
Padres 5 - Nationals 4
- Dustin Moseley pitched 5 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) in a no-decision. He walked and struckout 1 as he remains stuck on 1 win. His command isn't very good, but he gets groundball outs and keeps the ball in the yard.
- Yunesky Maya made his 2011 debut with 4 earned runs allowed in 4.2 innings on 6 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. At 29 years old, he's not a prospect and is viewed as something of a 4/5 starter. Still, he could prove valuable in NL leagues.
- Logan Forsythe went 1-4 with 1 run as the Padres second baseman. He's now started two games in a row there, as O-Dog remains on the DL.
- Wilson Ramos is in an 0-18 slump right now. It's baseball, these things happen.
- W: Luke Gregerson (2-1), L: Drew Storen (4-2), SV: Heath Bell (12)
- SB: Chris Denorfia (4), Roger Bernadina (7), Rick Ankiel (5); CS: Blake Tekotte (1)
Diamondbacks 4 - Astros 2
- J.A. Happ pitched 6 innings of 1-run ball and even hit a home run, but took a no-decision as the Astros bullpen did what they do (implode). There's not much more Happ could have done in this one as it was arguably his best performance of the season when you consider he allowed just 2 hits with 8 strikeouts and 4 walks.
- Josh Collmenter allowed 2 earned runs over his 6 innings with 5 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 4 hits allowed, also in a no-decision. He's now allowed a total of 4 earned runs in his 4 starts this season. It's highly doubtful that he can keep up that level of performance, but he has kept the walks to a minimum.
- Juan Miranda went 1-4 with a RBI as he started at first base for the 4th straight game. Xavier Nady, who also sees time at first base occasionally, started in left and and went 1-4 with 2 RBI. This looks to be how the team will play things now that Russell Branyan is out of the picture.
- W: Aaron Heilman (4-0), L: Jeff Fulchino (1-3), SV: J.J. Putz (16)
- HR: J.A. Happ (1)
- SB: Ryan Roberts (8), CS: Henry Blanco (1)
Brewers 6 - Giants 0
- Yovani Gallardo threw 8 shutout innings for his 7th win of the season. He allowed 4 hits, issued 1 walk, and struckout 5 batters. Gallardo has been on a hot streak lately with 5 earned runs allowed in his last 5 starts (35 innings). His strikeout rate is still down (7.55 K/9) from where it was the last two seasons.
- Matt Cain gave up 5 earned runs in 6 innings on 11 hits, 1 walk, and 6 strikeouts. For the first time in I don't know how long, his ERA (3.88) is not beating out his FIP (3.46) & xFIP (3.76). It's still early, so give it time. Most all of his rate stats are right there with the numbers he posted last season.
- Brandon Belt started in left-field and went 1-3 with a strikeout. See, now that wasn't so bad, now was it Bruce Bochy?
- W: Yovani Gallardo (7-2), L: Matt Cain (3-4)
- SB: Ryan Braun (13)
Cubs 3 - Pirates 2
- Ryan Dempster pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 earned runs, to help earn his 4th win. He struck out 5 with 3 walks, and 4 hits allowed. His April woes seem long ago as he posted a 3.08 ERA in the month of May. He'll need to keep it up, if he wants that 6.00 ERA to look more respectable.
- Jeff Karstens allowed 3 runs (2 earned) over his 5 innings in a loss. He allowed 7 hits with no walks and 4 strikeouts. His strikeout rate has jumped up to 7.15 K/9 this season, so perhaps his 3.58 ERA is legit.
- Aramis Ramirez finally hit his 2nd homer of the season in a 1-3 effort. He saw 4 pitches in 3 at-bats in this game. So much for patience.
- W: Ryan Dempster (4-4), L: Jeff Karstens (3-4), SV: Carlos Marmol (10)
- HR: Aramis Ramirez (2)
- CS: Jose Tabata (4), Darwin Barney (2)
Cardinals 4 - Rockies 3
- Kyle Lohse continues to be one of the biggest surprises this season as he improved to 7-2 with 6 innings of 2-run ball. He allowed 6 hits, just 1 walk, and struck out 6 batters. His control is the big adjustment he's made this season as he's walked 15 batters in 80.1 innings.
- Jhoulys Chacin pitched 6 innings with 4 earned runs allowed for his 4th loss of the season. He struck out 7 with 2 walks and 6 hits allowed, 2 of which were home runs. A 3-run first inning set the tone for the game.
- Fernando Salas nailed down save number 9, after he got 4 outs and allowed 1 earned run with 3 strikeouts.
- Eric Young Jr. went 1-4 with 2 RBI and 2 strikeouts as the team's second baseman and leadoff hitter.
- Allen Craig went 1-3 with 1 strikeout as the Red Birds second baseman. He's up to 7 games played there, which is worth noting if your league requires 10 games before a player gains position eligibility.
- W: Kyle Lohse (7-2), L: Jhoulys Chacin (5-4), SV: Fernando Salas (9)
- HR: Jon Jay (4), Colby Rasmus (4)
Dodgers 8 - Marlins 0
- Clayton Kershaw threw a 2-hit complete game shutout at the Marlins with 1 walk and 10 strikeouts. The second highest game score of the season (92) for Mr. Kershaw. He's been outstanding this season with great command of his pitches and a slider that he has gained greater confidence in. He even went 2-4 at the plate in this game, to help his own cause.
- Ricky Nolasco had one of those Ricky Nolasco days where he gave up 15 hits, en route to 8 earned runs in just 5 innings pitched. Surprisingly he only gave up 1 home run, but then again it was the Dodgers. Per the usual, his ERA is higher than his FIP or xFIP. He's the bizarro Matt Cain in that sense.
- Rafael Furcal went 3-5 with a homer, 3 RBI, and 2 runs. He just came off the DL from a hand injury this week and has 5 hits in his last two games.
- W: Clayton Kershaw (6-3), L: Ricky Nolasco (4-1)
- HR: Rafael Furcal (1)
Braves 2 - Reds 1
- Jair Jurrjens lowered his MLB best ERA to just 1.51 with 8 innings of 1-run ball. He allowed 6 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts, in the win. He's improved his control considerably this season with just 11 walks in 65.2 innings. I bet he still finishes the season with an ERA above 3.00.
- Johnny Cueto was no slouch either as he pitched a complete game with 8 innings and allowed just 2 earned runs. He's now 2-2 with a 2.20 ERA.
- Jay Bruce hit his NL leading 15th homer in a 2-3 effort with 1 walk and 1 strikeout.
- Jordan Schafer went 1-3 with a run and walk as he fills in for the injured Nate McLouth at center.
- W: Jair Jurrjens (7-1), L: Johnny Cueto (2-2), SV: Craig Kimbrel (15)
- HR: Jay Bruce (15), Martin Prado (7)
- CS: Joey Votto (3)