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Stay For A Nightcap! - Father's Day Edition

Indians 5 - Pirates 2

- Justin Masterson went 5 innings and allowed 2 earned runs in a no-decision.  He had 5 strikeouts with 1 walk and 7 hits allowed.  He staked the Pirates to a first inning 2-run lead, but settled down after that.  Masterson remains winless since April 26th.
- What is the baseball world coming to when Jeff Karstens has a 2.54 ERA?  He pitched 7 innings with 2 runs (1 earned) allowed on 5 hits and 2 walks.  He's now walked 14 batters in 78 innings, which is pretty impressive.
- Cord Phelps cracked a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 11th to give the Tribe the win.  It was his first MLB homer and important one at that.
- W: Tony Sipp (3-0), L: Tim Wood (0-1)
- HR: Carlos Santana (9), Cord Phelps (1)
- SB: Andrew McCutchen (14), Xavier Paul (8), Neil Walker (4), Shin-Soo Choo (11); CS: Neil Walker (2), Shin-Soo Choo (4)

Reds 2 - Blue Jays 1

- Bronson Arroyo pitched 8 innings of 1-run ball and evened his record to 6-6.  He allowed 5 hits with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts.  It was probably his best performance of the season and one that he needed, after a series of substandard starts.
- Carlos Villanueva held the Reds to just 2 runs over 7 innings, but took the loss.  A 2-run homer by Miguel Cairo was the lone damage, but all that mattered in this low-scoring affair. 
- Jay Bruce went 2-4 with a stolen base.  The young slugger is batting .285/.356/.524, but hasn't hit a homer since the first of the month.
- W: Bronson Arroyo (6-6), L: Carlos Villanueva (4-1), SV: Francisco Cordero (15)
- HR: Aaron Hill (3), Miguel Cairo (3)
- SB: Jay Bruce (6)

Angels 7 - Mets 3

- Tyler Chatwood pitched 7 shutout innings with 4 hits, 4 walks, and 4 strikeouts.  He's sporting a 3.84 ERA, but with a 43/42 K/BB ratio, exactly how long can that last?
- Jonathon Niese got roughed up for 5 runs (4 earned) in 4 innings of work.  A 3-run triple from Erick Aybar did the majority of the damage in the second inning.  He didn't walk anyone and registered only 3 strikeouts, which matched his season low.
- Vernon Wells went 3-4 with a homer, 3 RBI, and 1 run.  With this effort, he is now above the Mendoza Line with a .202/.241/.344 batting line.
- W: Tyler Chatwood (4-4), L: Jonathon Niese (6-6)
- HR: Vernon Wells (7), Jeff Mathis (2)

Red Sox 12 - Brewers 3

- Tim Wakefield pitched 8 innings and allowed 3 earned runs for his 4th win.  He served up just 3 hits, 2 of which were homers, with 1 walk and a surprising 6 strikeouts.  The strikeouts are a season high for Wakefield, who is now just 3 wins shy of 300.
- Yovani Gallardo got tattooed for 8 runs (5 earned) in just 3 innings.  A 6-run first inning that included a 3-run bomb by Kevin Youkilis and a 2-run double by Jacoby Ellsbury, did the majority of the damage.  Not a good day to pitch in Fenway when the locals were celebrating the Bruins Stanely Cup Championship.  For some reason, Gallardo is prone to the occasional blow ups.
- Dustin Pedroia went 3-4 with a homer, double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs.  Who doesn't love a good laser show in the summer?
- Clay Buchholz was put on the DL with a lower back strain.  Hopefully he didn't make it any worse by hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup in the locker room.
- W: Tim Wakefield (4-2), L: Yovani Gallardo (8-4)
- HR: Prince Fielder (20), Nyjer Morgan (2), Dustin Pedroia (6), Kevin Youkilis (11), Marco Scutaro (2)

Braves 4 - Rangers 2

- Jair Jurrjens allowed just 1 run over 5.1 innings on 8 hits and 2 walks.  After his last 4 earned run outing, this is more like the Jurrjens we've seen all season.  The righty has a 2.11 ERA, which leads the NL.
- Alexi Ogando pitched 5 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits and 1 walk.  After starting out 7-0, he has now taken two straight losses.  One thing that has yet to change for Ogando is his control.  He has just 20 walks in 88 innings.
- Jordan Schafer went 0-3, but he walked once with 2 runs and a stolen base.  To his credit he saw 32 pitches in his four plate appearances.  The stolen base was his first in a week and most likely the only reason he's fantasy relevant.
- W: Jair Jurrjens (9-3), L: Alexi Ogando (7-2), SV: Craig Kimbrel (19)
- SB: Ian Kinsler (14), Jordan Schafer (8), Brian McCann (2); CS: Elvis Andrus (3)

Orioles 7 - Nationals 4

- Chris Jakubauskas pitched 5 innings and allowed 3 earned runs for his second win.  It was only his third start of the season and he registered 1 walk to 6 strikeouts. 
- Tom Gorzelanny wasn't nearly as sharp as he allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in just 4.2 innings on 10 hits with no strikeouts.  It was his first start since coming off the DL (elbow inflammation).  Judging by this performance, he might still be a bit rusty.
- Michael Morse went 1-4 with a double, RBI, and run.  All the guy does is get extra base knocks.  The Nationals are obviously not pleased with what has happened to Adam LaRoche's shoulder, but seeing this sort of production from Morse has to be encouraging.
- Mark Reynolds went 3-4 with a homer.  That's now 6 homers this month for the slugger.
- W: Chris Jakubauskas (2-0), L: Tom Gorzelanny (2-5)
- HR: J.J. Hardy (8), Mark Reynolds (13), Roger Bernadina (4), Danny Espinosa (13)
- SB: Nolan Reimold (1), Felix Pie (2)

Rays 2 - Marlins 1

- Big Game James Shields was tossing darts again as he threw a complete game.  He allowed 1 run (unearned) on just 4 hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts.  The lone run came on a sac-fly in the first, which was the beginning of the end for the Marlins.  That's now back-to-back complete games for Shields.  Would he be my first option to start the All-Star Game?  No, but he's on the list of guys I'd consider.
- Chris Volstad pitched 7 innings and allowed 1 earned run on 6 hits with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts.  Things could have been much worse as he flirted with danger for the entire 4th inning.  The four walks tie a season high for Volstad, who has done a decent job with his command this season (56/27 K/BB).
- Edwin Rodriguez resigned Sunday morning as manager of the Marlins.  80 year old Jack McKeon will take over.  Hopefully he stays awake for all the games.  I'm serious.
- Casey Kotchman led the Rays with 2 hits and 1 RBI to go with a walk and strikeout.  The first baseman is hitting .345/.407/.471 this season. 
- W: James Shields (7-4), L: Ryan Webb (1-4)
- SB: B.J. Upton (17, 18)

Twins 5 - Padres 4

- Dustin Moseley registered a quality start as he pitched 6.1 innings and allowed 3 runs (1 earned).  He gave up a solo shot in the first and left with runners in scoring position, before the bullpen took over.  Despite calling Petco Park home, he has a better road ERA (2.52), than home ERA (3.70).
- Francisco Liriano struck out 8 batters as he pitched 7 innings and allowed 3 earned runs.  The enigma is lights out against Texas, but allows 3 earned against the Padres… that actually makes sense when you think about Liriano and the season he's had.
- Drew Butera singled in Delmon Young for the game winning run in the bottom of the 9th.  The Twins are now 9-1 in their last 10 games. 
- W: Alex Burnett (2-4), L: Chad Qualls (3-3)
- HR: Alexi Casilla (1)
- SB: Will Venable (12), Rob Johnson (2); CS: Chris Denorfia (5)

Cardinals 5 - Royals 4

- Danny Duffy dominated the Cardinals for 9 strikeouts in 3.2 innings, before a leg cramp forced him from the game.  He allowed 2 earned runs on 6 hits and 1 walk.  The cramps aren't thought to be serious, so he should be able to make his next start. 
- Jaime Garcia went 5.1 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits and 1 walk with 5 strikeouts.  Coming into this game, Garcia had a 0.46 ERA at home, compared to a 5.36 ERA on the road.
- Fernando Salas blew his second save of the season after Alcides Escobar took him deep to start the 9th inning.  He also got the win after Tim Collins served up a homer to Skip Schumaker in the bottom of the inning.
- Albert Pujols went 3-3 with a homer and 2 runs.  More importantly, he left the game with a sprained left wrist after Wilson Betemit ran into him at first base.  To make matters worse, he said his shoulder was sore from the incident.  He'll have tests Monday to determine what if any damage was done. 
- W: Fernando Salas (4-1), L: Tim Collins (3-4); BSV: Fernando Salas (2)
- HR: Alcides Escobar (1), Albert Pujols (17), Skip Schumaker (2)
- SB: Jeff Francoeur (10), Chris Getz (10); CS: Alcides Escobar (5)

Tigers 9 - Rockies 1

- Justin Verlander tossed another complete game, this time with 1 earned run.  He allowed 4 hits with no walks and 5 strikeouts.  The lone run came off of a Ty Wigginton homer, of all things.  Amazingly, Verlander has gone at least 8 innings in his last four starts.  Man's game.
- Aaron Cook allowed 4 earned runs in his 6 innings of work.  It was only his third start of the season, but the first in which he has struck out more batters (4) than he has walked (2).  Coming off a season where his ERA hovered around 5.00 and a shoulder injury, it's hard to trust Cook.
- Charlie Blackmon got another hit.  In related news, the Sun came up.  He's now hitting .378/.391/.400.
- Brennan Boesch went 3-4 with a homer and 3 runs.  In comparison to last season, his slugging percentage is nearly 100 points higher against righties, but 100 points lower against lefties.
- Alex Avila went 2-4 with 2 RBI and a run.  Victor Martinez was out, so he got to bat 5th, rather than his normal 7th or 8th. 
- W: Justin Verlander (9-3), L: Aaron Cook (0-2)
- HR: Brennan Boesch (10), Miguel Cabrera (14), Ty Wigginton (7)

A's 2 - Giants 1

- Trevor Cahill was dominant as he pitched 8 innings and allowed just 1 earned run to the Giants.  He gave up 5 hits with 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.  Considering that in his last start he walked 7 and struckout none, this might as well be a perfect game.  Hopefully whatever plagued him in his last four starts is over.
- Matt Cain was almost as good as Cahill as he pitched 7 innings and allowed just 1 earned run on 3 hits with no walks and 5 strikeouts.  It's probably worth noting that coming into this game, Cain had a 2.68 ERA at home, but a 4.44 ERA in road games.  Considering the A's stadium plays just as pitcher friendly, it was most likely not a factor in this game.
- Jemile Weeks went 3-4 with a run and a stolen base.  The young rookie is batting .364/.378/.591 in just 44 at-bats.
- Brandon Crawford went 0-3 with a strikeout.  It's probably time for the Giants to find a real short-stop, as Crawford is hitting just .197/.269/.296. 
- W: Trevor Cahill (7-5), L: Jeremy Affeldt (1-1), SV: Brian Fuentes (12)
- HR: Landon Powell (1)
- SB: Jemile Weeks (2)

Mariners 2 - Phillies 0

- Jason Vargas threw a complete game shutout at the Phillies for his 5th win of the season.  He allowed just 3 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts.  Vargas has now gone at least 7 innings in each of his last four starts.  Don't look now, but the Mariners are just a 1/2 game behind the Rangers for the AL West lead.
- Cole Hamels pitched 6.1 innings and allowed 2 earned runs, but was saddled with his third loss.  He didn't walk any batters as he struck out 6, but he also didn't get any run support, which is nothing new.  Hamels left his last start with tightness in his back, but that didn't seem to affect him in this game.
- Ichiro Suzuki went 2-4 with a run as he continues to raise his batting average.  He's now up to a batting line of .277/.326/.334. 
- Dustin Ackley went 1-3 with a triple and a run.  As long as they keep him away from the black hole that is Chone Figgins, he should be fine.
- W: Jason Vargas (5-4), L: Cole Hamels (9-3)

White Sox 8 - Diamondbacks 2

- Philip Humber stayed sharp with 7.2 innings of 2-run ball.  He allowed 7 hits with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts.  He has now won four games in a row and pitched at least 7 innings in 9 of his last 10 starts.
- Josh Collementer pitched 7 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 1 walk.  Two of the hits he served up were homers, but fortunately they were both solo shots.  All five of the homers that Collementer has give up have been solo shots.  He's the new Josh Tomlin in that way.
- Paul Konerko went 1-3 with a homer, 2 runs, a walk, and a strikeout.  The South-Sider is batting .327/.394/.586 and is about as steady as they come.
- Alex Rios went yard for the second straight game.  He's such a tease.
- W: Philip Humber (7-3), L: Josh Collementer (4-3)
- HR: Paul Konerko (19), Alex Rios (6)

Yankees 10 - Cubs 4

- CC Sabathia won his 9th game after he pitched 7 innings and allowed 4 earned runs.  Not his best outing of the season as he struck out just 3.  Speaking of which, Sabathia's strikeout rate (6.63 K/9) is his lowest since 2003 (6.42). 
- Randy Wells went 6 innings and also allowed 4 earned runs.  He took a no-decision after he served up 5 hits with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts.  In his last four starts he has a 8/10 K/BB.  Any way you slice that, it tastes rancid.
- Nick Swisher went 3-5 with a 3-run homer and RBI single.  The homer came in the 8th inning when the score was tied 4-4.  He struggled through April & May, but has turned it on this month with 4 homers and only 10 strikeouts (39 through May).
- W: CC Sabathia (9-4), L: Sean Marshall (3-2)
- HR: Brett Gardner (4), Nick Swisher (7), Alfonso Soriano (14)
- CS: Russell Martin (1)

Dodgers 1 - Astros 0

- Hiroki Kuroda twirled 7 shutout innings with 3 hits, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts.  While he didn't take the loss, he still hasn't won a game in over a month. 
- Bud Norris was just as effective as Kuroda as he pitched 6 shutout innings with just 1 hit, 1 walk, and 5 strikeouts.  That's now twice in his last three starts that Norris has allowed just 1 hit. 
- Dioner Navarro was the only hitter that really did anything of consequence.  He went 2-3 with a solo homer that ended up being the difference in the game. 
- Chris Johnson went 2-4 with two doubles and has started to pick up a little bit of steam lately.  He's registered a hit in 11 of his last 12 games.  Of course he only has 1 walk with 12 strikeouts over that same time span.
- W: Matt Guerrier (3-3), L: Wilton Lopez (1-3), SV: Javy Guerra (2)
- HR: Dioner Navarro (2)
- SB: Matt Kemp (17)