Braves 5 Phillies 0

WP: Derek Lowe (3-3) LP: Cliff Lee (2-3)

Just perusing the scoreboard, it looks a one-sided pitcher's duel. A deeper glance shows not only Derek Lowe's (6 IP, 2 H, 4 K, 1 BB) bid to get past his recent DWI, but a bid for a no-hitter broken up by Shane Victorino. After Placido Polanco's ground-rule double Lowe was yanked with a blister on his right foot. Perhaps more impressive but over-shadowed was a 16-strikeout (career-high) effort by losing pitcher Cliff Lee, who let up nine hits and three earned runs. Once Lowe left, the Atlanta bullpen picked up where Lowe had been most of the night. Thanks to the aforementioned ground-rule double, the Phils never scored in the 7th and Braves pitching has not let up a run in 28 innings.

Brave Pen

Eric O'Flaherty 1 IP (H,5) 3 K

Jonny Venters 1 IP (H,8) 2 K

Craig Kimbrel 1 IP, 1 K, 1 BB

The first five Braves starting line up hitters, each managed an RBI tonight.

Alex Gonzalez went 3-5 with an RBI

The Phillies are certainly missing their heart and soul, 2B, Chase Utley. Utley (knee) will begin an extended spring training assignment tomorrow. Kyle Kendrick will pitch tomorrow for the Phils in place of Roy Oswalt (back), who was placed on the 15-disabled-list. Scott Mathieson will take Oswalt's spot in the meantime.

Rays 6 Orioles 2

WP: James Shields (3-1) LP: Zach Britton (5-2)

HR: Johnny Damon (5), Brandon Guyer (1), Derrek Lee (3)

After being swept by the O's in the first series of the season, the Rays and James Shields ( 7.1 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 K) had a bit of a chip on their shoulders. Between Sam Fuld and Brandon Guyer, Rays fans are saying, Manny who? Despite striking out twice, nothing can spoil the kind of night Guyer had. A former fifth-round pick of the Cubs, homered and drove in the first two RBI's of his career in his first at-bat in the bigs. Evan Longoria (2 R, 2 H) registered his first multi-hit game of the season. Rays right-hander, Brandon Gomes has not given up a hit (1 BB) in his first 2.1 innings-pitched.

Rays shine

Johnny Damon 1-5, 1 R, 2 RBI

B.J. Upton 2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI

Casey Kotchman 2-2, 1 RBI

Ben Zobrist 1-3

Astros 3 Pirates 2

WP: Wandy Rodriguez (2-3) LP: Chris Resop (1-1) S: Mark Melancon (1)

HR: Neil Walker (4)

The baseball god's stepped in for the Wandy Rodriguez. Heading into the top of the eighth inning, the Stros had received a great showcase from Rodriguez. Those same gods were nearly as thoughtful to Paul Maholm, who deserved the win as well, at least didn't get strapped with the loss. Hunter Pence (2-4, 2 RBIs) and Carlos Lee (2-4, 1 RBI) were the Astros to save the day. Is Melancon picking up the first save of his big-league career, a historic moment? For now, with Brandon Lyon (shoulder) out, its at least historic to the Astros May of 2011 installment. Jason Bourgeois, who went 3-5 (12) jacked a bag, while Michael Bourn (13) stole two bases continuing their civil war for the league-lead in stolen bases. After going hitless in his first two games back (broken hand), Clint Barmes, is now on a four-game hitting streak.

Random Pirates

Brandon Wood 2-3

Ross Ohlendorf (shoulder strain) is being sent on a rehab assignment

Jose Tabata (hamstring), after missing four games, went 0-4 in his first game back.

Cardinals 6 Brewers 0

WP: Jaime Garcia (4-0) LP: Randy Wolf (3-3)

HR: Yadier Molina (2)

Outside of a score-less eighth inning (1 BB, 1 H), most MLB pitchers would settle for, Jaime Garcia (2 SHO this season) was phenomenal tonight. "This is definitely one of the greatest days of my short career," Garcia said. "It was real exciting out there." Garcia, who took a no-hitter into the eighth and went the distance, allowed only two-hits, walked the aforementioned batter, and struck-out eight Brewers. Randy Wolf (5 IP, 7 H, 6 ER), let up more than two runs in a start for the first time in six starts. Mike McClendon shut down the Cardinals offense, going three innings, yielding no-hits, striking-out five St. Louis batters and walking none.

In The Red

Albert Pujols 1-3, 3 RBI

Ryan Theriot 1-2, 2 R

Colby Rasmus 2-3, 1 R

Matt Holliday, 1-3, 1 RBI

Reds 5 Cubs 4

WP: Edinson Volquez (3-1) LP: Matt Garza (1-4) S: Francisco Cordero (5)

HR: Jay Bruce (7)

Jay Bruce hit a three-run shot in the top of the 4th off the still nominal Matt Garza (6 IP, 5 ER, 7 K, 2 B) and Brandon Phillips had his second nifty play in less than a week. Edison Volquez who was not exactly dominant (5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K's), managed to squeak a win from the Wrigley faithful. Seven of the 9 Reds hitters to start the game, got a hit tonight. The Reds are on a three-game winning streak.

Blue Jays 7 Tigers 4

WP: Jesse Litsch (3-2) LP: Phil Coke (1-5) S: Frank Francisco (2)

HR: Adam Lind (7)

Adam Lind is a approaching his career high 14-game hitting streak, as tonight he made it eleven games. More than just a hitting streak, Lind (2-5, 2 RBI's, 2 R's), despite striking out twice and leaving four on base, is leading what is gradually becoming a balanced Toronto baseball club. Perhaps approaching as the next Mike Maroth, Phil Coke (5 K's, 0 BB), who pitched just well enough to last six innings, was tagged for 11 Jays hits. The other man sharing the rubber, Litsch, set a new career-high with nine strike-outs, scattering four hits and giving up only one run in 6.1 innings pitched. Every Jays hitter had at least one hit tonight.

Corey Patterson went 3-5, 2 RBI's

J.P. Arencibia went 2-4, 2 RBI's

Juan Rivera went 3-4, 1 RBI

Birds Nearing Return To The Wild

Reports say, Aaron Hill and Jose Bautista are still on track to return this Sunday. Ricky Romero (scratched from his Thursday start at Tampa Bay) is expected pitch against the Tigers on Saturday.

Twins 9 Red Sox 2

WP: Scott Baker (2-2) LP:Tim Wakefield (0-1)

HR: Trevor Plouffe (3), Adrian Gonzalez (3), J.D. Drew (2)

Deduct the two mistakes noted just above and Scott Baker (8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 8 K) was untouchable, tossing his fourth straight quality start in a row. Add in the fact that the Twins were not falling for the 44-year-old knuckleballer, Wakefield (4.1, 9 H, 6 ER, 4 BB), who yielded to a much more controlling (4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER) Alfredo Aceves. Trevor Plouffe certainly had one of the best nights of his life. Just recently recalled from Rochester (AAA), Plouffe made the most of his Friday night, going 2-4, with a HR, three runs scored, RBI and one walk. Only Alexei Casilla (0-4) had a problem with Wakefield, the rest of the Twins starting nine, notched 12 hits, sending Fenway folk home groaning. On a positive note, Jacoby Ellsbury (2-4), extending his hitting-streak to 15 games.

Twin Killing(s)

Denard Span 2-5, 2 RBI

Michael Cuddyer 2-4, 2 R,1 BB

Danny Valencia 2-5, 2 RBI

Nationals 4 Marlins 2

WP: Drew Storen (2-2) LP: Mike Dunn (2-2) S: Sean Burnett (4)

HR: Mike Stanton (6)

A pitching match-up between Jordan Zimmermann (6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER) and Ricky Nolasco (7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 11 K) turned into a match up of low-budget bullpens. For instance, Tyler Clippard, managed to strike-out as many batters (6) as Zimmerman in two innings-pitched. Drew Storen, though he nearly gave up Stanton's second HR of the night, (0.51 ERA) came in and gave up only two hits in 1.2 innings. That kept the Marlins down long enough for Sean Burnett to earn his fourth save of the season, and first since April 12th. Without a doubt, three guys, making a total of a little less than two-million dollars, all of a sudden (0.41 ERA in last eight games), looks like one of the tightest bullpens in baseball.

Nats in Miami

Jerry Hairston Jr. 3-3, 1 RBI

Jayson Werth 0-2, 1 R, 3 BB, 1 SB

Mets 6 Dodgers 3

WP: Ryota Igarashi (2-0) LP: Hiroki Kuroda (3-3) S: Francisco Rodriguez (8)

HR: Rod Barajas (6), Ike Davis (7), Jason Pridie (3)

Sure, each club in the stadium represents the dying portions of four major coastal baseball organizations. The Mets and Dodgers both have their well-publicized monetary issues, mostly due to poor decision making at the top, whether it be socially driven or not. Regardless, there is plenty of talent to go around, so how about some ball? Andre Ethier's clipped the 30-game hitting-streak, leaving him just one game shy of the franchise (Willie Davis) record. Unfortunately, his starting pitcher (Kuroda, 5.2, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 HR) didn't bring the same attitude. Kuroda, intentionally walked Ike Davis in order to pitch to Jason Pridie, who proceeded to hit a three-run shot to put the Mets on top for good. One bright spot for L.A. would be Kenley Jansen, recently called up to replace Jonathan Broxton (Bone spur, right elbow), managed to strike-out three of the five batters he faced in the eighth inning.

Mighty Mess

Jonathan Niese 5.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Jose Reyes 3-4 (2 3B) 2 R, SB

Jason Bay 2-4, 1 RBI

Ike Davis 1-3, 2 R, IBB

Yankees 4 Rangers 1

WP: Ivan Nova (3-2) LP: Matt Harrison (3-4) S: Mariano Rivera (12)

HR: Curtis Granderson 2 (10)

Set aside his home stadium advantage, can anyone believe Granderson has hit three-times as many home runs than Adrian Gonzalez? The real story tonight was Ivan Nova ( 7.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R) who managed quite the balancing act, going nearly eight innings in a very warm Arlington, TX. More impressive was that he only struck-out one, logging 16 (of 20 in play) ground-outs. Some would say, Rangers lefty, Matt Harrison bounced back from his last start, allowing four hits, three runs in 6.1 innings-pitched. Despite a throwing-error and the five walks Harrison gave up, it was the long balls given to Granderson that did in the Rangers. Dallas walks away 1-2 against major market sports tonight.

Rangers Wrap

Cody Eppley has given up only three hits and 1 run in 6.2 IP to start his major-league career.

Elvis Andrus had his 11-game-hitting streak came to an end

Closer, Neftali Feliz returned from the D.L., but was not used, while C Taylor Teagarden was sent back to Round Rock.

Athletics 3 Royals 2

WP: Gio Gonzalez (4-2) LP:Sean O?Sullivan (1-2) S: Brian Fuentes (8)

HR: Alex Gordon (3)

Gio Gonzalez (7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 6 K) is used to all eyes on board, waiting for another quality start. On the other hand, former third-round pick of the Angels, Sean O'Sullivan (89 pitches, 8 IP, 5 H, 3 ER) has had less-pressure to deal with, especially now in royal blue, and its showing as he's thrown three straight quality starts. With a lack of power in either line-up, both pitchers took advantage of the hype-machine splurging on the debut of the much talked about Royals first-basemen, Eric Hosmer. Hosmer (.439, 3 HR at AAA in 2011) went 0-2 (2 BB, SB, 2 K) in his major-league debut, as the Athletics managed a three-run 5th to edge the hometown Royals.

Angels 2 Indians 1

WP: Fernando Rodney (1-1) LP: Justin Germano (0-1)

Arguably one of the most exciting pitching box score of the night. Slide over Justin Masterson (7 IP , 9 H, 1 ER, 5 K) you're officially old news as Tyler Chatwood (8 IP has out-dueled you) Of course, don't go dropping Masterson for former second-rounder Chatwood (4.08 ERA after the fact), as Chatwood was a bit shaky at times. Chatwood walked five Indian batters. While Masterson didn't allow a free pass. However, considering Cleveland (21-10) has been hotter than Emmanuelle Chriqui in a two-piece, what Chatwood did to Masterson and the Indians tonight should have some of you adding him to your watch list. Lost in translation is all the Torii Hunter owners, who settled for just one RBI, on a game-winning RBI ground-rule double in 11th inning.

Padres 4 Diamondbacks 3

WP: Sam Demel (1-2) LP: Chad Qualls (1-2)

A battle of middle of the staff pitchers spawned an extra-inning affair. No, the man of no-hit infamy, Armando Galarraga (4.1, 3 H, 2 ER, 6 BB) didn't fare as well as Padres starter Tim Stauffer (6 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K). Worse for Galarraga is a night of six walks now puts him on the hot-seat for removal from the starting rotation. To be continued... The real drama started in the bottom of the ninth, when Heath Bell, was denied his 42nd consecutive save (tied for franchise record) due to a Chase Headley's (1-2, 2 RBI) throwing-error. However, it was Headley who came back to draw his fourth walk of the game, and win the game for San Diego. Padres lead-off hitter Will Venable went 3-5, and knocked in a run.

Snake Bitter

Juan Miranda 2-3, 1 R, 2 BB

Gerardo Parra 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB

Chris Young 0-6, 4 LOB

Stephen Drew 1-4, 1 BB

Mariners 3 White Sox 2

WP: Felix Hernandez (4-2) LP: Matt Thornton (0-3)

HR: Carlos Quentin (7)

Though Phil Humber (7.1, 3 H, 2 ER) came up shy of the complete game King Felix (9 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) managed, he did manage to stave off the Mariners offense, which is more than Matt Thornton can say. Thornton let up more hits than Humber in only 1.2 innings pitched. Still it was a ninth-inning single to ninth-place hitter Brendan Ryan that left the Ozzie with little to say. Apparently it's something nice or nothing at all these days for Guillen. Guillen's last tweet as of publishing? "Thanks nike town seattle very good people so great"

Milton Bradley had a Milton Bradley kind of night, 1-4 (1 RBI) and one ejection.

After burning up his former teammates and a 1-3 (1 RBI) night, Justin Smoak is 8 for his last 15 at bats.

Giants 4 Rockies 3

WP: Brian Wilson (1-1) LP: Felipe Paulino (0-2)

HR: Troy Tulowitzki (8)

Despite walking five Giants hitters Ubaldo Jimenez (6 IP, 2 H 1 ER, 5 BB, 7 K) kept things tightly-wound and managed to get the game into the hands of his bullpen. Matt Cain (7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 K, 2 BB) on the other hand, who almost as solid, kept things under control, allowing the Giants bullpen to come out on top. After an eighth-inning game-tying two-run double by Nate Schierholtz, Freddy Sanchez knocked in the game-winning run in the ninth and the Giants celebrated Willie Mays' birthday in style.

Cloudy Rockies

Chris Iannetta 2-4, 3 LOB

Todd Helton 2-4, 2 LOB

Rafael Betancourt 1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER

Felipe Paulino 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER