Cincinnati 10 – Houston 4
- W: Homer Bailey (1-0), L: Brett Myers (1-2)
- HR: Fred Lewis (1), Jay Bruce (6)
- SB: Jason Bourgeois 2 (11), Hunter Pence (2), Chris Heisey (2)
- CS: Jonny Gomes (2)
- Homer Bailey made a successful return to the mound, allowing only one run and four hits over seven innings. Bailey struck out seven and walked only one and should be universally owned.
- Jay Bruce has gone 9-for-25 (.360) over his last seven games with three home runs.
- Jason Bourgeois is now 12-for-22 (.545) over his last seven games with no strikeouts, three walks and six steals.
- Brandon Lyon found out he has a tear in his rotator cuff but it won't require surgery. Expect him to be on the shelf for awhile and I'd drop him in most mixed leagues with a short bench. Carlos Lee should return sometime this weekend.
Detroit 6 – New York 3
- W: Rick Porcello (2-2), L: A.J. Burnett (4-2)
- HR: Brennan Boesch (2)
- Derek Jeter sat with a sore hip and while the Yankees missed his red hot bat, the absence of his poor-to-mediocre fielding was actually missed. Substitute Eduardo Nunez committed two errors in his place, one of which led to two unearned runs.
- Rick Porcello remained hot, giving up two earned runs over seven innings. He now has a 2.03 ERA over his last four games with a 20:5 K:BB rate. There's a good chance he isn't owned in mixed leagues.
- Eric Chavez suffered a small break in his foot which pressed Alex Rodriguez into duty.
New York 5 – San Francisco 2
- W: Mike Pelfrey (2-3), L: Jonathan Sanchez (2-2), S: Francisco Rodriguez (7)
- HR: Carlos Beltran (5), Mike Fontenot (2)
- SB: David Wright (8), Scott Hairston (1)
- CS: Emmanuel Burriss (1)
- Francisco Rodriguez made this an interesting game by loading the bases in the ninth before striking out Miguel Tejada and inducing a ground ball from Buster Posey to end the game.
- I wasn't a believer in Carlos Beltran and he's doing his best to prove me foolish. Over his last five games he's gone 8-for-21 (.380) while smacking two homers. His days of running are done as he hasn't attempted a stolen base yet.
St. Louis 6 – Florida 3
- W: Jason Motte (1-0), L: Josh Johnson (3-1), S: Eduardo Sanchez (3)
- HR: Lance Berkman (10)
- SB: Hanley Ramirez (6)
- CS: Chris Coghlan (4, now 2-for-6 in the SB department, Juan Pierre-lite), George Laird (1 – I'm guessing a sign was missed here)
- Lance Berkman continues to swing a hot bat after a four-RBI day and now leads all of baseball with 32 RBI.
- Eduardo Sanchez was a tad wild, walking two batters but earning his third save. He looks like the closer to own at this point but we all know that could change at any point. Very quietly, Jason Motte threw another scoreless inning lowering his ERA to 1.23. Don't forget about him quite yet.
- Yes, Josh Johnson is human. He has his worst outing of the season, surrendering five runs (thanks Mike Dunn) over 7.1 innings. Immediately drop him.
Los Angeles 11 – Boston 0
- Joel Pineiro (1-0), John Lackey (2-4)
- HR: Mark Trumbo (6)
- SB: Erick Aybar 2 (7), Howie Kendirck (3), Vernon Wells (1)
- CS: Mark Trumbo (1)
- It's scary when John Lackey gives up eight earned runs over four innings…and it's his second-worst outing of the early season. His problem? From what I can see, he's giving up far too many flyballs and not inducing enough groundballs. His career GB:FB ratio is 1.21:1 yet after Thursday it's .47:1. Yes, for every groundball he gives up there have been over two flyballs.
- Joel Pineiro has been outstanding since returning to the rotation. Conversely from Lackey, he holds a 2:1 GB:FB ratio and has given up only one earned run over his first two start (12.1 innings); just don't expect a ton of strikeouts.
- All of the Halos had their way – Peter Bourjos scored four runs, Erick Aybar went 4-for-6, Bobby Abreu had three RBI – yet Jeff Mathis went 1-for-4 raising his batting average to .194. Why Hank Conger (.308 with three homers) isn't an everyday fixture is beyond me.
- Both Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler hit the DL for the Red Sox.
Tampa Bay 3 – Toronto 1
- W: David Price (4-3), Kyle Drabek (2-2), S: Kyle Farnsworth (6)
- SB: Mike McCoy (2)
- David Price was filthy, holding the Jays to one unearned run over 8.2 innings. He struck out 10 and allowed four hits – all singles. Side note – he's been belting some homers during batting practice this week too.
- The Rays didn't attempt a stolen base in this game and I'd guess that's the first time it's happened this season.
- Johnny Damon recorded his 2,600 hit, surpassing the great Steve Garvey. Interesting question for you, and I'm not saying yes or no on my part: If Damon puts in two more "decent" seasons after this one, is he a Hall of Famer?
- Slumping…yes Yunel Escobar is. He's now 14-for-79 (.177) over his last 19 games.
Cleveland 4 – Oakland 3 (Final 12)
- W: Chad Durbin (2-1), L: Craig Breslow (0-2), S: Chris Perez (9)
- SB: Mark Ellis (4)
- CS: Austin Kearns (1)
- Brett Anderson went nine strong innings, giving up only two earned runs.
- Ryan Sweeney went 5-for-6 to raise his batting average to .343. He's got potential, I just wish he'd play in a better hitter's park.
- The Indians had 11 hits, yet only one of them – a triple to Lou Marson – was for extra bases. The A's had 11 hits and only two of them – both doubles – were extra base hits. I'm starting to think Oakland is a pitcher's park.
- Andrew Bailey (finally) is throwing to live hitters and may be in line to return within the next few weeks.
Kansas City 9 – Baltimore 1
- W: Bruce Chen (4-1), L: Chris Tillman (1-3)
- HR: Melky Cabrera (3)
- SB: Chris Getz (6), Mike Aviles (7)
- Chen went seven strong innings, allowing only one run while giving up five singles. I remember a time when Chen was the next big thing as far as pitchers go as an up-and-coming prospect in the Braves farm system. Like a fine wine, sometimes things take time to age to their peak.
- Given their lineups and what they've done in the past few seasons how would you have rated the Royals, Padres and Mariners coming into this season. In the same bottom tier, no?
- Chris Tillman's ERA now sits at 7.16 and I'd be shocked if he's not the one who loses his rotation spot when Brian Matusz comes off the DL.
- By the way, some guy named Eric Hosmer was called up. He's only 21 but if you want to throw the dice on a rookie this year, this is your guy. Keep that in mind when placing FAAB bids this weekend.
Atlanta 2 – Milwaukee 1
- W: Jonny Venters (2-0), L: Kameron Loe (2-3), S: Craig Kimbrel (7)
- HR: Martin Prado (3), Eric Hinske (2)
- CS: Nyjer Morgan (2)
- Anyone notice Jonny Venters (besides having Gomes' name) has a lower ERA (0.54) than Kimbrel (1.98)? Both are outstanding relievers and the Braves should love the bullpen for years to come.
- Brandon Beachy is awesome. I really thought Mike Minor was the player to go with for the last rotation spot but Beachy has erased any of my doubts. Side note – Minor has a 1.75 ERA with a 29:6 K:BB ratio at Triple-A Gwinnett. I'd roster him in NL-Only leagues. Beachy now has a 2.98 ERA, 0.97 WHIP with a 45:11 K:BB ration over 42.1 innings. He's also gotten better as this early season has gone on, giving up only four runs over his last four starts (25 innings, 1.44 ERA, 28:4 K:BB ratio). Needless to say, I'm very late to the party.
- Shaun Marcum took a tough no-decision after allowing a solo homer for his only earned run over seven innings. His ERA is now at 2.06.
Philadelphia 7 – Washington 3
- W: Roy Halladay (5-1), L: John Lannan (2-4)
- HR: Shane Victorino (5), Raul Ibanez (3),
- SB: Shane Victorino (7), Jimmy Rollins (7), Alex Cora (1)
- Roy Halladay won again? It shouldn't be shocking at this point although you might say he was throwing rather than pitching tonight. Granted, he racked up 10 Ks but lasted only seven innings after throwing 110 pitches.
- John Lannan lasted only two innings, giving up six runs. He's got a 5.09 ERA but I'd definitely stream him in when the matchup looks good in NL-only leagues. Of course, the Nationals station that broadcasts "Lannan's on the mound, let's turn two!" indicates he's already allowed a baserunner but that's another story.
- In a typical closer situation, Ryan Madson threw a scoreless inning with his team up four. He's now got a 0.75 ERA and I think it's safe in more regular leagues to drop Jose Contreras.
- Darkhorse pick of the week. Keep an eye on Henry Alberto Rodriguez. His control is suspect but you can't deny reading 100 mph on the gun. No, he's probably not going to supplant Drew Storen but could be a nice source of Ks and holds.
Seattle 3 – Texas 1
- W: Jason Vargas (2-2), L: Colby Lewis (2-4), S: Brandon League (9)
- HR: Justin Smoak (5)
- SB: Elvis Andrus (9), Julio Borbon (4)
- Great debate here, who closes once David Aardsma come back, him or Brandon League?
- Justin Smoak is for real; three of his five homers have come at home so grab him if you need any type of 1B or CI help.
- Wouldn't Julio Borbon look good in the Nationals outfield or does that make too much sense?
- Colby Lewis, despite giving up the Smoak homer, struck out 11 and allowed three runs over eight innings. Oddly, the Mariners were 0-4 at home in games Jason Vargas started but won both his starts on the road heading into the game.
Arizona 3 – Colorado 2 (Final 11)
- W: David Hernandez (2-0), L: Matt Belisle (2-2)
- HR: Chris Young (8), Gerardo Parra (2)
- CS: Dexter Fowler (2 – now 2-for-4 in the SB department)
- Huston Street did Jason Hammel owners no justice giving up two solo shots in the bottom of the ninth inning to get the game tied and eventually lose. Hammel tossed seven scoreless innings and lowered his ERA to 2.63.
- Chris Young has been on fire at the plate going 11-for-34 (.323) over his last eight games with three home runs. He recorded a double in the contest also that missed being a home run by literally a few feet.
- Troy Tulowitzki has cooled down and is now 1-for-25 (.040) over his last six games. I'd say buy-low but we all know that isn't going to happen.
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