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The Nightcap (What a Dickey! Edition)

This edition of the Nightcap is big into sophomoric humor.

Notables

Jeremy Bonderman is a real pitcher again! Today's line: 7 IP, 7 K, 0 BB. Only a third of his balls in plays were grounders -- and the new Bonderman is more a flyball pitcher than previously -- but it's nice to see Bonderman return to something like his old form. He had a 4.35 xFIP before today's excellent performance.

• Was Ubaldo Jimenez's performance today great? He only allowed 1 R in 8 IP, but he also only had 4 K. As Jack Moore of FanGraphs notes, his performance would typically generate something closer to 4 runs. Yet, Jimenez has been doing this all season. This is one of the those things that C & C Music Factory was always talking about.

• Despite conceding a HR, Randy Wells posted an excellent line tonight: 6 K, 1 BB. Three other notes here, too. One: Wells' ERA was 1.50 points above his xFIP coming into today (5.15 vs. 3.65). Two: only 6 of Wells' 21 balls in play were on the ground. That's weird, considering his 46|PERCENT| groundball rate this season. Three: Wells threw 128 pitches today. Ick.

R.A. Dickey is on fire, people! He had 7 K against only 2 BB in 6 IP today. He was averaging over 6 K/9 entering play this evening. Now he's got five wins. Question: does R.A. stand for "Really Awesome"? IDK, America! (Actually, it doesn't. It stands for Robert Alan.)

• In just his sixth career start -- and first appearance of the season -- Anthony Lerew racked up 7 K against only 2 BB and 3 H in 6 IP. One caveat: it was against the Astros.

Caution, Warning

Bronson Arroyo recorded 6 BB against only 1 K en route to allowing just 1 R in 7 IP. Also, his K:BB on the season coming into today was 47:31. Yeesh.

John Lackey got his eighth win today, making him 8-3 on the season. Please note, however: he is NOT an

• I don't know if this point belongs in this section but... Ben Francisco DHed for Philly today in the Bronx. Raul Ibanez played left field. Is that a good idea? My guess is, no. But who am I?

Stolen Bases

Rajai Davis (25), Shin-Soo Choo (11), Justin Upton (10), Dustin Pedroia (6), Josh Hamilton (5), Darnell McDonald (4 & 5), Chase Utley (4), Wilson Valdez (2), Omar Vizquel (2), Clint Barmes (1), Kevin Kouzmanoff (1).

Caught Stealing

Jason Kendall (6), Andrew McCutchen (6), Carl Crawford (5), Vladimir Guerrero (3), Chris Young (2), Kevin Youkilis (1).

Save Chances

Andrew Bailey, blown. He actually just gave up a fly ball with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth. He struck out the next batter. Whaddaya want from a guy?!?

Bobby Jenks, converted. Blah blah blah.

Francisco Rodriguez, converted. He just straight up struck out three dudes. Also, he allowed a hit. But mostly he struck those dudes out.

Billy Wagner, converted. That's 1 K and nothing else.

Neftali Feliz, converted. See Billy Wagner's comment for how Feliz handled his bidness.

Joakim Soria, converted. He's the Mexicutioner. Duh.

Closer, Non-Save

Francisco Cordero pitched an inning with his Reds up by a score of 7-1. He recorded a K.

Manuel Corpas pitched a 1-2-3 inning with Colorado up 5-1 against the Twins.

Carlos Marmol pitched in the same game as Andrew Bailey above there. Like Bailey, he also only pitched 0.2 IP. He somehow got a W out of it.

Jonathan Papelbon conceded 2 H but also got 2 K. Sox won by three runs.

Non-Closer Outing

• In case you didn't notice, George Sherrill is back after about three weeks on the DL.

Lineup-ology

• With Rafael Furcal on the bereavement list, Jamey Carroll played short. Second baseman Blake DeWitt batted leadoff.

Troy Tulowitzki was hit on the wrist by a pitch in Thursday's game, and the soreness may keep him out of Friday's series opener against the Brewers. He was replaced by Jon Herrera.

Conor Jackson played left and batted second for the A's today -- against righty Randy Wells, no less.

Alex Rodriguez DHed today and batted fourth. Ramiro Pena played third base and "batted" ninth.

Brooks Conrad started at third base and batted second. Joe Pawlikowski is probably confused about one of those things.

The Young and Potentially Restless

Travis Schlichting made his second relief (and overall) appearance of the season for the Dodgers. He's not a great prospect or anything, but if you try and say his name fives times fast, you might break your mouth.

• The heartwarming tale of Daniel Nava continues! Today: 3-for-4 with 2 2Bs.

• Pirate Update! Jose Tabata: Played LF / Batted 1st / 1-for-3 with a BB. Neil Walker: 2B / 2nd / 2-for-4 with a HR. Pedro Alvarez: 3B / 6th / 0-for-4 with 3 K.

Carlos Santana went 2-for-5 with 2 2Bs and a K. No SBs against, either.

Alexi Ogando had 4 K in 2.1 IP. My friend Danny has been writing him love letters after seeing him at a Triple-A game.