Red Sox 5 - A's 3

- Clay Buchholz received his first win of the season, after he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed 1 earned run.  It wasn't all roses as he gave up 6 hits and issued 4 walks.  His control has been off to start the season with a walk rate above 6.0 BB/9. 
- Gio Gonzalez allowed 4 runs over 6 innings, but was able to strikeout 9 batters and walk just 1.  In his first three starts he had struck out 14 and walked 12, so hopefully this is a sign of things to come. 
- Jed Lowrie, you can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him.  The A's could not and he made them pay with a homer and 2 RBI.
- W: Clay Buchholz (1-2), L: Gio Gonzalez (2-1), SV: Jonathan Papelbon (3)
- HR: J.D. Drew (1), Kevin Youkilis (3), Jed Lowrie (3), Coco Crisp (1)
- CS: Carl Crawford (2)

Tigers 3 - Mariners 2

- Rick Porcello turned in a great performance with 6.2 innings of 1-run ball.  He struck out 6 and walked 1, which is probably the baseline for any pitcher facing the Mariners.
- Erik Bedard has now made four starts and none of them were useful to owners.  He hasn't pitched past the 5th inning once.  He has allowed at least 3 earned runs in all of starts.  And he's up to 7 homers allowed and counting.
- Adam Kennedy filled in for Justin Smoak, who is dealing with the death of his father.  He went 2-4 with a homer from the three hole.  Isn't your best hitter supposed to hit 3rd in the lineup?
- W: Rick Porcello (1-2), L: Erik Bedard (0-4), SV: Jose Valverde (4)
- HR: Ryan Raburn (2), Adam Kennedy (1)
- CS: Austin Jackson (1)

Rays 4 - White Sox 1

- Wade Davis pitched 7 innings of 1-run ball for his second win of the season.  He struck out 2 batters, which puts his strikeout rate at 3.42 K/9.  He has stated that he's trying to trade in some of his velocity for more command of his pitches and it seems to be working. 
- Philip Humber had his first bad start of the season as he gave up 4 earned runs in 5.1 innings. 
- Adam Dunn (.175/.327/.375) went 1-3 with a walk and strikeout, while Alex Rios (.183/.266/.239) went 0-4.
- Kyle Farnsworth nailed down his 4th save of the season with a perfect 9th inning.  The Rays bullpen has the best ERA in the AL at 2.57. 
- W: Wade Davis (2-2), L: Philip Humber (1-2), SV: Kyle Farnsworth (4)
- HR: Carlos Quentin (4), John Jaso (1)

Orioles 5 - Twins 4

- Zach Britton bounced back from his start against the Indians (5 earned in 6 innings) with a quality start.  Maybe more noteworthy than Britton's success, is the Twins lack of offense.  They have scored the fewest runs in all of baseball and have the lowest wOBA at .272.  Missing Joe Mauer (leg), Justin Morneau (flu), and Delmon Young (flu) have hurt this offense significantly.
- Nick Blackburn gave the Twins 7 innings, but it came with 5 earned runs in the first four innings and then three scoreless after that.  He struck out 4 and walked 1, which is his best K/BB ratio this season.
- Michael Cuddyer hit his first homer of the season, in a 1-3 effort with 2 runs.  It was his 6th game at first base.  He's still stuck at four games played at 2nd base, for those of you tracking his eligibility. 
- W: Zach Britton (3-1), L: Nick Blackburn (1-3), SV: Kevin Gregg (2)
- HR: Michael Cuddyer (1), Vladimir Guerrero (3), Matt Wieters (3)

Yankees 6 - Blue Jays 2

- In his first start of the season, Bartolo Colon was in rare form, giving the Yanks 6.2 strong innings of 2-run ball.  He had only 8 base runners and struck out 7 batters.  As long as he keeps the Yankees in games and eats up innings (he's good at eating), he should rack up a fair amount of wins.  In 12 starts last season for the White Sox he had a 4.19 ERA, better than you might think. 
- For the third time this season, Brett Cecil was only able to go 5 innings.  This time he ceded 5 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks.  It's early, but his ground ball rate is hovering around 31|PERCENT|, down from the 44|PERCENT| he posted last season.
- Derek Jeter went 0-5 with a RBI and is now batting .219/.282/.234.  Here are his ground ball rates from the last four seasons: 56.1|PERCENT|, 58.3|PERCENT|, 57.0|PERCENT|, & 65.7|PERCENT|.  This season it's up to 72.2|PERCENT|, which is the highest in all of baseball. 
- Edwin Encarnacion (E5) went 1-3 at DH, which will apparently be his new home for the foreseeable future.  This means it'll be harder for the struggling Juan Rivera to get at-bats now. 
- W: Bartolo Colon (1-1), L: Brett Cecil (1-2), SV: Rafael Soriano (1)
- HR: Curtis Granderson (6), J.P. Arencibia (3)
- SB: Nick Swisher (1); CS: Alex Rodriguez (1)

Angels 4 - Rangers 1

- Jered Weaver is pitching like he wants a Cy Young trophy on his mantle.  Wednesday he tossed a 1-run complete game at the Rangers.  He struck out 8, walked none, and allowed 6 hits.  Only one runner reached in the last three innings.  He and Dan Haren are becoming quite the tandem.
- After allowing only 1 earned run in each of his first three starts, Matt Harrison finally ran into a bit of trouble with the Angels.  He allowed 3 earned runs in 6.2 innings on 4 hits and 3 walks.  It was his third straight start in which he's allowed a homer run.  His improved ground ball rate should serve him well in Texas.
- Elvis Andrus went 2-4 and extended his hitting streak to 5 games.  I'll get back to you when he takes his next walk. 
- Vernon Wells hit his first homer of the season. It's his fourth extra base hit in his last five games for the struggling left-fielder.
- Erick Aybar went 0-4 in his return from the DL (ribs).  He hit 9th with Maicer Izturis shifting to DH and Bobby Abreu getting the day off.  It'll be interesting to see how Mike Scioscia distributes the playing time among Aybar, Izturis, and Alberto Callaspo.
- I hope my Astros put in a claim for Brandon Wood.  What do they have to lose?
- W: Jered Weaver (5-0), L: Matt Harrison (3-1)
- HR: Howie Kendrick (6), Vernon Wells (1)
- SB: Maicer Izturis (3), Mark Trumbo (2)

Indians 7 - Royals 5

- Justin Masterson moved to 4-0, after he held the Indians to 2-runs over 6 innings.  He put on 11 base runners, but the Royals were never able to fully take advantage.  His ground ball rate is up to 63.8|PERCENT|, second highest in the AL, behind Brett Anderson.  Against lefties, he has 10 strikeouts and 4 walks, which is promising as that has been one of his weaknesses. 
- Luke Hochevar went 5 innings with no hits or walks allowed, but unraveled in the 6th inning giving up 4 runs on 5 hits and a walk.  The Royals bullpen leads the AL in innings pitched (61.2) and batting average against (.299). 
- Jeff Francoeur went 2-4 with a homer and 3 RBI.  He has a hit in 15 of his 17 games this season and a walk in 3 of his last 4.  Jeff Francoeur taking walks, what is going on?
- Travis Hafner stayed hot with two more hits.  He's batting .351/.406/.632 and is a big reason the Indians are out to quick start. 
- W: Justin Masterson (4-0), L: Luke Hochevar (2-2), SV: Chris Perez (6)
- HR: Jeff Francoeur (3)

Phillies 4 - Brewers 3

- Chris Narveson, like Luke Hochevar, cruised through 5 innings, but ran into trouble in the 6th.  A Placido Polanco 3-run homer tied the game and left Narveson stuck on 1 win, despite a 2.19 ERA.  Narveson's ground ball rate is up a bit this season (45.5|PERCENT|), but his walk rate is up too (4.01 BB/9).  Against the Phillies he struckout 4 and walked three. 
- Cliff Lee also took a no decision with 6 innings pitched and 2 earned runs allowed.  He struck out only 1, which is a bit surprising.  The last time he did that was on August 10th, 2008, back when he was with the Indians.
- Shane Victorino hit his second homer of the season with 1 walk and 2 runs. With a .370 OBP this season, he's been all that the Phillies could ask for from the leadoff spot. 
- Ryan Madson received his second win, after a scoreless 8th inning.  Now don't go kicking any chairs, alright? 
- W: Ryan Madson (2-0), L: Brandon Kintzler (1-1), SV: Jose Contreras (4)
- HR: Jonathan Lucroy (1), Shane Victorino (2), Placido Polanco (2)

Nationals 8 - Cardinals 6 (Game 1)

- Drew Storen got a four out save with one walk.  With Sean Burnett pitching the 8th and struggling, it appears that Storen has taken over the full time role. 
- Jake Westbrook got lit up by the Nationals for 7 earned runs in just 3 innings.  Dave Duncan must be focusing on Kyle Lohse because while Westbrook's ground ball rate is up to 61.6|PERCENT|, his control is all over the place (6.38 BB/9).  Without his control, the guy is nothing.
- John Lannan turned in another useful performance with 2 earned runs allowed over 5 innings.  It wasn't pretty as he put 10 runners on base and gave up 2 homers.  He's 2-1 with a 3.43 ERA, but a 1.62 WHIP, caveat emptor. 
- Danny Espinosa went 3-5 with 2 runs.  Those picking him up in mixed leagues should temper their expectations when it comes to his RBI potential as he again hit leadoff. 
- W: John Lannan (2-1), L: Jake Westbrook (1-2), SV: Drew Storen (2)
- HR: Laynce Nix (2), Colby Rasmus (3), Albert Pujols (5)
- SB: Ian Desmond (7), Laynce Nix (1), Tyler Greene (4)

Cardinals 5 - Nationals 3 (Game 2)

- Mitchell Boggs got the first save for the red birds, since Tony LaRussa announced the club was no longer going to use Ryan Franklin.  There's a lot to like about Boggs as he has a mid-90s fastball and a 13/3 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season.  I'm still hedging with Jason Motte, in leagues where I can.
- Jaime Garcia stayed undefeated, giving up 3 runs (1 earned) over 5 innings.  That's four straight starts where he's allowed 2 earned runs or less and walked 2 batters or less. 
- Jordan Zimmerman pitched 6 innings and allowed 5 earned runs.  He was doing fine for the first three innings, but ran into trouble in the 4th and 5th.  He now has a 4.32 ERA in innings 4-6, but a 1.00 ERA in the first three innings.  Hopefully he can get better the second time through the lineup as the season moves on.
- Lance Berkman went 3-4 to cap a 4-7 day at the plate with 2 walks.  If I owned him, I'd be looking to sell high as I don't have much confidence in his ability to stay healthy at 35 years old.  Any thoughts as to what you'd accept for him in a trade? 
- W: Jaime Garcia (3-0), L: Jordan Zimmerman (1-3), SV: Mitchell Boggs (1)
- SB: Rick Ankiel (3)

Cubs 2 - Padres 1 (Game 1)

- Matt Garza pitched 6 innings of shutout ball with 9 strikeouts in a no-decision.  He now leads the NL in strikeouts with 34 in 24.2 innings.  His WHIP is up to 1.66, which makes you begin to wonder at bit, but it's still very early and small sample size that his .471 BABIP has control over.  As a Garza owner in multiple leagues, I'm happy he has yet to give up a home run.  Although, now that Wrigley is now his home, that will certainly change soon.
- Dustin Moseley allowed 1 run (unearned) over 6 innings in yet another winless start.  He's got a 1.40 ERA an 1.21 WHIP with four great starts under his belt, but nothing to show for it in the win column.  With an 8/7 strikeout to walk ratio, it could be much worse for his owners.  If nothing else, this has bought him more time as the team's 5th starter. 
- Nick Hundley went 2-6 from the 5th spot in the lineup and continues to be by far the team's best hitter so far at .339/.397/.571.
- W: Jeff Samardzija (1-0), L: Luke Gregerson (0-1), BSV: Carlos Marmol (2)
- HR: Reed Johnson (1)
- SB: Will Venable (4, 5, 6), Orlando Hudson (7), Cameron Maybin (5)

Padres 5 - Cubs 4 (Game 2)

- Aaron Harang has pitched like the Harang-a-tang of old with the Padres this season and it's due in large part to his improved command.  Against the Cubs he struck out 5 and walked none to put him at 21 strikeouts and 5 walks on the season. 
- Alfonso Soriano hit homer number 6 to bring a smile to Chris Liss' face.
- Geovany Soto went all Chris Hansen telling four would be base stealers, "Nice to see you.  Why don't you have a seat over there?"  Chris Denorfia had to be told twice.
- Ernesto Frieri has quietly been dealing in the Padres Pen-itentiary.  In this game he struck out 2 in a scoreless 7th.  He's up to 12 strikeouts and 3 walks in 9.2 innings. 
- W: Aaron Harang (4-0), L: James Russell (1-2), SV: Heath Bell (5)
- HR: Chris Denorfia (2), Cameron Maybin (3), Ryan Ludwick (2), Alfonso Soriano (6)
- SB: Cameron Maybin (6); CS: Chris Denorfia (2, 3), Chase Headley (1), Alberto Gonzalez (1), Reed Johnson (1)

Rockies 10 - Giants 2

- Jorge De La Rosa held the Giants to 2 runs over 7 innings in a win.  He allowed 6 base runners and struck out 6 batters.  He's 3-0 and part of the Rockies healthy and improved pitching staff. 
- Matt Cain got roughed up for 6 earned runs in 4.2 innings.  A three run homer by Ty Wigginton in the second inning did most of the damage.
- Seth Smith went 2-3 with 2 RBI, 3 runs, and a walk.  He had been dealing with a groin injury.
- With no Brandon Belt, the Giants went with Aubrey Huff at 1B and Cody Ross at RF.  It's only a matter of time before Pat Burrell goes ice cold or one of the other outfielders gets hurt and Belt is back up. 
- W: Jorge De La Rosa (3-0), L: Matt Cain (2-1)
- HR: Ty Wigginton (1), Ryan Spilborghs (2)
- SB: Buster Posey (3), Troy Tulowitzki (1)

Marlins 6 - Pirates 0

- Ricky Nolasco was on point, hurling 7 shutout innings with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk.  Nolasco has now walked 2 batters in 27 innings this season.  Wow.  This is the stuff teases are made of.
- Back in your lane Charlie Morton.  He gave up 6 earned runs in 5 innings to the Fish on Wednesday.  10 hits and 3 walks will do it.  To his credit his ground ball rate is up to 67.1|PERCENT|, but with a 0.80 K/BB ratio I'm expecting more starts like this.
- Former NL Rookie of the Year, Chris Coghlan went 2-5 with 3 RBI.  I wish he was a better base stealer.
- The Marlins bullpen leads the NL in ERA (1.74) and batting average against (.177). 
- W: Ricky Nolasco (2-0), L: Charlie Morton (2-1)

Diamondbacks 3 - Reds 1

- Ian Kennedy pitched allowed 1 earned run over 5.1 innings.  This is much better than his last outing, where he allowed 9 earned runs in 3 innings.  On the road in Cincinnati this could have been a disaster, but he only ceded 5 fly balls to the Reds. 
- Bronson Arroyo took the loss, after going 6.1 innings and allowing 3 earned runs.  On the bright side, his excellent command continued as he struckout 8 and walked just 1.  He's now up to 23 strikeouts and 3 walks.  His velocity is a bit down this season, which could be due to his mononucleosis.  Then again, he could be dialing it back to try and get more command of his pitches.  Although at 86.4 mph, I'm not sure how much more he can dial it back. 
- David Hernandez pitched another scoreless inning and has yet to allow an earned run this season in 9.1 innings.
- W: Ian Kennedy (2-1), L: Bronson Arroyo (2-2), SV: J.J. Putz (5)

Astros 4 - Mets 3

- Stop the presses, the Astros have won 2 games in a row.  Bud Norris allowed 3 earned runs over 6 innings in a no decision.  The Astros bullpen and the Mets inability to run the bases took over from there.  Norris put 11 base runners on, but was able to work out of trouble, for the most part.  I'm still convinced that Norris would be a lights out closer, if given the opportunity.  Until then, I'll hope that he develops his change up more or finds another third pitch. 
- R.A. Dickey gave the Mets 8 innings with 4 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks.  Three runs in the 2nd and a Hunter Pence homer in the 8th were the bookends to a decent start. 
- Daniel Murphy went 3-4 with 2 RBI and a run at second base.  He should see all the starts at 2B against righties with Brad Emaus gone. 
- W: Mark Melancon (2-1), L: R.A. Dickey (1-3), SV: Brandon Lyon (4)
- HR: Hunter Pence (2), Daniel Murphy (1)
- SB: Jose Reyes (7, 8)

Dodgers 6 - Braves 1

- Jon Garland turned in a 1-run complete game for the Dodgers' new owner, MLB.
- After starting one of the team's double-headers on Saturday, Derek Lowe pitched 3 innings on three days rest for the Braves.  Maybe it wasn't such a good idea as he gave up 5 earned runs on 9 hits and 1 walk. 
- Jerry Sands went 0-4 with a strikeout in his second game.  I hope he's a star so we can call him "The Sandman."
- Jason Heyward hit 2nd again and went 0-4 with 3 strikeouts, while Nate McLouth hit 8th and went 2-3 with a run.  Don't go getting any stupid ideas Fredi.
- W: Jon Garland (1-1), L: Derek Lowe (2-3)
- HR: Andre Ethier (2)
- CS: Dan Uggla (2), Matt Kemp (3)