|STAR|This edition of the Nightcap doesn't include the Seattle/LA Angels game, on account of it's going to last for infinity innings.

The Young and Potentially Restless

• Michael Brantley went only 1-for-4 tonight. But here's some good news: the one hit was a 3B. And here's some more: since his recall at the beginning of August, he's doing this: .299/.346/.393 (.330 BABIP).

• Will Rhymes had 2 K tonight. That's notable because he came into play sporting a 8.7|PERCENT| K rate. He was also slashing .312/.358/.391 with a not-that-crazy .341 BABIP. 

• Danny Espinosa batted leadoff tonight. He went 0-for-4, but

• Prospect Jenrry Mejia started tonight for the Mets -- only his second start of the season. The results weren't ideal: 4.0 IP, 20 TBF, 2 K, 1 BB, 9 GB of 17 BIP (52.9|PERCENT| GB). He conceded 9 H and 6 R -- both of which are probably unlucky.

• Lucas Duda was 0-for-4 with a K, but I'm still cheering for him.

• Mike Minor pitched. He gave up 2 HR -- but he also conceded 12 FB, so it's not entirely unexpected. Line: 5.0 IP, 23 TBF, 4 K, 1 BB, 4 GB on 18 BIP (22.2|PERCENT|). StatCorner had him posting a groundball rate in the low-40s at Double-A, which probably means he's high- or mid-30s in the majors. Just, FYI.

• White Sock Brent Morel was 1-for-3 with a HR. In a world based on merit, he'd probably win the third-base role next year over Mark Teahen and Dayan Viciedo.

• Two Brewers made debuts tonight: Brandon Kintzler and Mark Rogers. The former appears to have a little bit of everything: some swing-and-miss, some control, above-average groundball rates. The latter was actually a first-round pick (fifth overall) in the 2004 draft. He's only 24 and had 111 K in 111.2 Double-A IP, but his control is still a bit on the not-great side of things.

• Dodger Russell Mitchell played in his third major league game ever tonight, going 0-for-3 while playing first. Here was his line at Triple-A this season .315/.363/.535 (.332 BABIP). Of course, that's also in Las Vegas, which is a definite pitcher's park.

• Lars Anderson played in his fourth-ever game tonight, playing first and batting ninth. His line at Triple-A: .263/.343/.430  (.331 BABIP). Curiously, when park-adjusted, that's actually the same as Mitchell's line (above).

Notables

• Fausto Carmona went nutso tonight, pitching a complete game shutout. His line: 9.0 IP, 29 TBF, 7 K, 1 BB, 10 GB on 21 BIP (47.6|PERCENT|). He actually had 6 K in 8.0 IP last time out, too -- albeit with 5 BB. Is he a big-time strikeout pitcher now? Probably not. But if he can get some separation between his Ks and BBs, that's be a nice complement to his groundball stuff.

• Marlin catcher Brad Davis hit a HR tonight, giving him 2 HR and 4 2B in fewer than 50 AB. He's not a power hitter, per se, but his minor league numbers suggest his early success isn't a total fluke.

• Jose Bautista hit 2 HR tonight versus Tampa Bay. It's not even news anymore.

• Carlos Zambrano pitched really well tonight, actually. Line: 8.2 IP, 31 TBF, 9 K, 3 BB, 6 GB on 19 BIP (31.6|PERCENT|). That ties his season high for Ks, something he last did back on April 20th.

• Homer Bailey brought the pain tonight. His line against Pittsburgh: 7.0 IP, 24 TBF, 9 K, 0 BB, 4 GB on 15 BIP (26.7|PERCENT|).

• Jorge De La Rosa brought roughly the same amount of pain as Bailey. Line: 6.0 IP, 23 TBF, 10 K, 0 BB, 5 GB on 13 BIP (38.5|PERCENT|).

• Francisco Cervelli had 3 BB tonight. Evidently because the Rangers are terrified of him.

Stolen Bases

• Rajai Davis (44), Hanley Ramirez (31), Andrew McCutchen (30), Coco Crisp (25, 26, 27), Ben Zobrist (24), Jose Tabata (15, 16), Eric Young (16), Ian Kinsler (12), Emilio Bonifacio (7), Aubrey Huff (6), Ike Davis (3), Esteban German (1), Jai Miller (1).

Caught Stealing

• Nyjer Morgan (17), Juan Pierre (17), Andrew McCutchen (9), Colby Rasmus (7), Everth Cabrera (6), Shin-Soo Choo (6), Shane Victorino (4), Eric Young (4), Ronny Cedeno (3), Jay Gibbons (1).

Kinda Weird Save Chances

• Clay Hensley, converted (1). It's his first save, even though he was actually promoted to the closer role a week ago. Line: 1.1 IP, nothing else.

• Chris Sale, converted (2). Bobby Jenks was busy competing in a hot dog-eating contest, is why Sale pitched.

Mostly Normal Save Chances

• Koji Uehara, converted (8). Line: 1.0 IP, 1 K, nothing else. You can't stop Koji Uehara, you can only to -- well, you know.

• Rafael Soriano, converted (42). Line: 1.0 IP, 3 K, nothing else. That's kinda the best case scenario.

• Billy Wagner, converted (33). Line: 1.0 IP, 1 K, nothing else.

• Carlos Marmol, converted (29). Line: 0.1 IP. Seriously. I'm not joking.

• Francisco Cordero, blown (7). He gave up 4 H and 2 R in only 0.1 IP.

• Brian Wilson, converted (42). Line: 1.2 IP, 2 K, 1 BB.

Closers, Other Appearances

• Drew Storen pitched 0.2 IP with the Nats down 3-1.

• Joel Hanrahan pitched 0.0 IP. But he gave up a hit. And then a fielder's choice with the bases loaded.

• Hong-Chih Kuo pitched 1.0 IP in the Dodgers' extra-inning win at Houston.

• Brandon Lyon pitched 1.0 IP in the same game as Kuo.

• Mariano Rivera pitched 2.0 IP in the Yankers' extra-inning loss at Texas.

Other Relief Appearances

• Oriole David Hernandez had 2 K in 1.0 IP tonight. Here's his line as a reliever: 27.1 IP, 33 K, 8 BB.