Yankees 4 - Reds 2 (Game 1)

- Freddy Garcia gave up 2 runs (0 earned) over 7 innings on 3 hits and 1 walk.  He is among the biggest surprises in the first half for me.  I didn't expect him to have a 3.30 ERA this far into the season.  Then again, maybe a 3.30 ERA isn't what it was a few seasons ago.
- Mike Leake pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 earned runs in a loss.  He was doing fine through the first five innings, but gave up a 2-run homer to Jorge Posada in the 6th.  Since coming back up from the minors, he has a 23/6 K/BB ratio in 41 innings.
- Eduardo Nunez went 1-4 with a double and is now batting .247/.297/.388 on the season.  Not much of a drop off from Jeter, if you ask me.
- W: Freddy Garcia (6-6), L: Mike Leake (6-4), SV: Mariano Rivera (19)
- HR: Jorge Posada (7)
- CS: Eduardo Nunez (3)

Reds 10 - Yankees 2 (Game 2)

- Johnny Cueto held the Yankees to just 1 run over 7 innings in a win.  He gave up just 2 hits with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts.  The lone run came on a Nick Swisher homer.  Cueto has a 1.63 ERA and has now pitched at least 7 innings in his last five starts.
- Brian Gordon got knocked around for 4 earned runs in his 5 innings.  He gave up only 5 hits, but 3 of them were homers.  It was only his second start start of the season.
- Chris Heisey went yard three times with 5 RBI and 4 runs from the leadoff spot.  Hopefully this performance earns him more playing time as his at-bats have been in flux for most of the season.  The outfielder is batting .273/.333/.492 on the season. 
- W: Johnny Cueto (5-2), L: Brian Gordon (0-1)
- HR: Nick Swisher (8), Chris Heisey (6, 7, 8), Jonny Gomes (9)
- SB: Drew Stubbs (22); CS: Jonny Gomes (3)

Pirates 5 - Orioles 4

- Kevin Correia pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 earned runs in a win.  He gave up 9 hits with 1 walk and a season high 5 strikeouts.  If 5 strikeouts seems low to be a season high, well then you don't know Kevin Correia (not that you should).
- Zach Britton took the loss after he went 6 innings and allowed 5 runs (3 earned).  He gave up 7 hits with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts.  He has now given up 5 earned runs over his last 17.1 innings with 15 strikeouts and 5 walks. 
- Koji Uehara struck out the side in the 8th.  He's sporting a 2.45 ERA this season.
- J.J. Hardy went 2-5 with a double, 2 RBI, and a run.  He's now batting .304/.366/.532 this season with 7 homers and 15 RBI this month.
- W: Kevin Correia (9-6), L: Zach Britton (6-5), SV: Joel Hanrahan (20)

Braves 5 - Blue Jays 1

- Brandon Beachy was dominant in his returned to the mound from an oblique injury as he struck out a season high 11 batters.  He allowed 1 earned run in 6 innings on 2 walks and 4 hits, one of which was a Jose Bautista solo homer.
- Jo-Jo Reyes gave up two 2-run homers in 5.1 innings for a loss.  He gave up a total of 5 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.  He has now given up 4 homers in his last 2 starts (11.2 innings).  With a career 1.35 HR/9 rate, this is shouldn't come as a big surprise.
- Dan Uggla went 1-4 with a 2-run homer and 2 strikeouts.  He's hitting .177/.240/.329 and has shown little signs of turning things around lately. 
- Brian McCann went 2-4 with a 2-run homer and is now batting .305/.380/.523.  One of my favorite players in the game today and a guy that constantly shows up on my fantasy teams, despite the fact that I often have to overpay to get him.
- W: Brandon Beachy (2-1), L: Jo-Jo Reyes (3-6)
- HR: Jose Bautista (22), Brian McCann (13), Dan Uggla (10), Brooks Conrad (3)
- SB: Yunel Escobar (3)

Padres 5 - Red Sox 1

- Clayton Richard won a rain shortened game, after he pitched 5 innings and allowed just 1 run.  He gave up 8 hits and issued 2 walks to go with his 2 strikeouts.  It's Richard's first win in over a month.  It should be noted that his road ERA coming into this game was 6.33, while his home ERA was/is 2.25.
- John Lackey only lasted 3.1 innings, after giving up 5 earned runs. The majority of the damage was done in the 4th inning when with the bases loaded he did the following: walk a batter, hit a batter, throw a wild pitch, & give up a single.  If that sequence of events sounds awful, it's because it was. 
- Adrian Gonzalez went 4-4 with a RBI.  He's hitting .359/.410/.609 this season and is really, really, really good.
- Anthony Rizzo went 0-2 with a run, walk, and strikeout.  The promising slugger is batting just .158/.347/.368 this season.
- W: Clayton Richard (3-9), L: John Lackey (5-6)
- HR: Will Venable (1)
- SB: Jason Bartlett (13), Orlando Hudson (11); CS: Orlando Hudson (1)

Rays 6 - Brewers 3

- David Price held the Brewers to just 2 runs over 8 innings with 10 strikeouts for his 8th win.  He gave up 5 hits with just 1 walk and lowered his ERA to 3.51 in the process.  His K/BB ratio is now 104/21 in 110.1 innings, which is pretty damn impressive.
- Shaun Marcum, who had and is dealing with a hip flexor issue, pitched only 3 innings, before being removed from the game.  He gave up 2 earned runs on 2 hits and 1 walk.  The runs he gave up came on a Kelly Shoppach 2-run homer in the 2nd inning.  No word on what the plans are for his next start.
- Prince Fielder went 2-4 with a run and is now batting a healthy .306/.426/.608 in a contract year.
- W: David Price (8-6), L: Marco Estrada (1-5)
- HR: Kelly Shoppach (4), Elliot Johnson (3)
- SB: Sam Fuld (16); CS: Corey Hart (4)

Tigers 7 - Dodgers 5

- Slick Rick Porcello pitched 4.2 innings and allowed 5 earned runs on 9 hits and 1 walk.  After a promising start to the season, he has given up 11 earned runs in his last 7.2 innings to boost his ERA to 4.50.
- Ted Lilly collected 8 strikeouts, but had similar results to Porcello with 6 earned runs in 4.2 innings.  Five of those six runs came from homers he gave up to Casper Wells, Magglio Ordonez, and Miguel Cabrera.  This will happen from time to time for a fly ball pitcher like Lilly.
- Matt Kemp went 3-3 with a triple, RBI, run, 2 walks, and a stolen base.  He's now 20/21 on the season and could push for a 40/40 season.  In your opinion, what're the odds of him reaching that level of success?
- Brennan Boesch went 2-5 with a double, 2 runs, and 2 strikeouts.  The OF is now batting .300/.359/.485.  We've seen him do this before, but can he maintain it this time around?
- W: Al Alburquerque (4-1), L: Ted Lilly (5-7), SV: Jose Valverde (17)
- HR: Casper Wells (3), Miguel Cabrera (15), Magglio Ordonez (2), Don Kelly (2)
- SB: Matt Kemp (21)

Indians 4 - Rockies 3

- Josh Tomlin had a quality start with 3 earned runs allowed in 6.1 innings.  He gave up 5 hits with no walks and 3 strikeouts.  All 3 of the earned runs came from Ty Wigginton homers - solo shot & 2-run shot. 
- Jason Hammel allowed 4 earned runs over 6 innings, in a loss.  He had issues with his command as he walked 5 batters to go with his 4 strikeouts.  Oh where, oh where, has his strikeout rate gone?  Oh where, oh where could it be?  It was 7.14 K/9 last season and is down to 4.88 K/9 this season.
- Ty Wigginton went 2-4 with 2 homers, 3 RBI, and 2 runs.  He's batting .266/.322/.489 and is eligible at 1B, 2B, and 3B - that'll position flexibility can be helpful.
- W: Josh Tomin (9-4), L: Jason Hammel (4-7), SV: Chris Perez (18)
- HR: Ty Wigginton (8, 9), Travis Hafner (7)
- SB: Cord Phelps (1); CS: Carlos Santana (2)

Nationals 2 - Mariners 1

- John Lannan held the Mariners to just 1 run over 5.2 innings to even his record to 5-5.  He gave up only 3 hits with no walks and 3 strikeouts.  That's now 6 straight starts in which he has allowed 2 or fewer runs.  He has 18 strikeouts and 12 walks over that time span (39 innings) - not exactly the best command.
- Erik Bedard pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 runs (unearned) on 3 hits and 2 walks.  He struck out a season high 10 batters and looked like the pitcher the Mariners through they were getting when they traded for him. 
- Danny Espinosa went 2-4 with a RBI, run, and 2 strikeouts.  His .790 OPS leads all rookies. 
- W: John Lannan (5-5), L: Erik Bedard (4-5), SV: Drew Storen (18)

Angels 6 - Marlins 5

- Joel Pineiro allowed 4 earned runs over 6 innings in a no-decision.  He gave up 8 hits with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts.  I find it tough to trust a pitcher who barely strikeouts out 4 batters per nine innings, but when Pineiro is getting ground balls and limiting the walks, he's effective.
- Brian Sanches gave up 4 earned runs in just 2.1 innings on 7 hits and 1 walk.  A relief pitcher, he stepped into an emergency start for the team. 
- Torii Hunter injured his ribs after he slammed into the wall, attempting to make a catch.  The X-Rays came back negative and he's thought to be day-to-day for now.  At the plate he went 1-3 with a RBI and run.
- Bobby Abreu went 2-4 with a homer, 2 RBI, 2 runs, a walk, and a stolen base.  The 37 year old is batting ..292/.403/.390 and is still a solid player in leagues that use OBP.
- W: Jordan Walden (1-1), L: Burke Badenhop (1-1), SV: Michael Kohn (1)
- HR: Maicer Izturis (4), Bobby Abreu (3)
- SB: Bobby Abreu (11), Howie Kendrick (7)

Mets 3 - A's 2

- Gio Gonzalez pitched 7 innings of 1-run ball with 8 strikeouts in a no-decision.  He gave up 4 hits with just 1 walk in what was one of his best starts of the season.  In his last two starts (13 innings) he has 18 strikeouts and just 3 walks.  It looks like Gonzalez has put that 7 walk game against the White Sox behind him.
- R.A. Dickey was a smidge better as he pitched 8 innings and allowed 1 run with 9 strikeouts.  He gave up just 3 hits with 1 walk to help lower his ERA to 3.95.  The lone run came on a Kurt Suzuki solo shot in the 5th inning.  I find it odd that his road ERA is 3.18, yet his home ERA is 4.69 this season, considering how spacious Citi Field is.
- Justin Turner was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the 13th inning to win the game.  A walk-off hit by pitch is a crummy way to decide a game, but then again this Mets team lost on a walk-off balk earlier this season, which is even worse.
- Hideki Matsui went 0-4 with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks for the Golden Sombrero.  He's hitting .221/.296/.352 this season.
- W: Bobby Parnell (2-1), L: Brad Ziegler (2-1)
- HR: Kurt Suzuki (5)
- SB: Coco Crisp (22), David DeJesus (1), Justin Turner (6), Carlos Beltran (3)

Astros 5 - Rangers 3

- Colby Lewis pitched 7 shutout innings with only 3 hits, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts.  Unfortunately, the Neftali Feliz couldn't nail down the save to preserve Lewis' win.  In his last two starts (13.2 innings) he now has 18 strikeouts and 4 walks.  Now if he can just get a hold of his gopheritis.
- Brett Myers had his second consecutive quality start with 6 innings and 2 earned runs allowed.  He struck out 6 batters with 2 walks and 1 homer - a Nelson Cruz solo shot.  If he can string together a few more outings like this, he might have some trade value yet.
- Neftali Feliz blew a 2-run lead and then gave up 2 more runs, en route to a 4-run 9th inning.  After giving up 3 earned runs in the first two months of the season, Feliz has now given up 7 earned runs in the month of June. 
- Matt Downs homered off of Feliz in the 9th inning for his 5th homer of the season.  Five homers isn't much, but on the Astros, it's the third most on the team.  When/if Jeff Keppinger gets traded, it'll be interesting to see how Jason Bourgeois and Downs are used at second base.  Downs is hitting .282/.387/.577 in just 78 at-bats.
- W: Mark Melancon (5-1), L: Neftali Feliz (0-1), BSV: Neftali Feliz (4)
- HR: Matt Downs (5), Nelson Cruz (17)
- SB: Ian Kinsler (15); CS: Josh Hamilton (1)

White Sox 4 - Cubs 3

- Jake Peavy pitched 5.1 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 7 hits and 3 walks.  He had a shutout going through 4 innings, before a Starlin Castro RBI single in the 5th.  Peavy had some choice words for catcher A.J. Pierzynski in the clubhouse after being taken out from the game.  It was Peavy's first start since coming off the DL (groin).  I've never had him on any of my teams because he finds the DL with frequency because of his max-effort nature.
- Doug Davis allowed 4 runs (3 earned) in 5 innings for his 6th loss.  He gave up 8 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.  Walks have been an issue for Davis all season as he has 23 free passes in 41.1 innings.
- Carlos Pena went yard yet again.  It was his 5th homer and 8th RBI in his last 7 games.  Always known as a streaky player, ride this hot wave, while it lasts.
- W: Jake Peavy (3-1), L: Doug Davis (1-6), SV: Sergio Santos (14)
- HR: Carlos Pena (14)
- SB: Starlin Castro (10), Alfonso Soriano (1), Tony Campana (7)

Diamondbacks 3 - Royals 2

- Ian Kennedy held the Royals just 1 run over 6 innings for his 8th win.  He gave up 8 hits with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts, en route to lowering ERA to 2.90.  Home runs were a problem for Kennedy last season (1.21 HR/9), but not so much this year as he has given up just 9 in 108.2 innings (0.75 HR/9).
- Jeff Francis had a quality start with 3 earned runs in 7 innings.  He now has a 3.41 home ERA and 6.93 road ERA.  Plan accordingly if you can.
- Mike Moustakas went 2-4 and is now batting .250/.341.333 in just 42 at-bats.  Fellow rookie Eric Hosmer went 1-5 with a triple and RBI.  He's batting .274/.323/.423 in 175 at-bats.
- W: Ian Kennedy (8-2), L: Jeff Francis (3-8), SV: J.J. Putz (19)
- SB: Chris Getz (11, 12)

Giants 5 - Twins 1

- Ryan Vogelsong continued his magical ride as he pitched 7 innings of 1-run ball.  He gave up 4 hits with just 1 walk and 3 strikeouts.  He now has 57 strikeouts and 19 walks in 72.2 innings.  The 33 year old has been a great find for those lucky enough to have him rostered.
- Nick Blackburn took the loss, after he pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and 3 walks.  An Eli Whiteside triple and single did all of the damage as Blackburn was pretty effective against all of the other Giants batters.  It's a thin line between success and failure for the righty. 
- Michael Cuddyer went 2-4 with a run and stolen base.  He has now tied his season high of 7 stolen bases.  If this keeps up, he has an outside shot at a 20/20 season.
- W: Ryan Vogelsong (5-1), L: Nick Blackburn (6-5)
- SB: Alexi Casilla (11), Michael Cuddyer (7), Aaron Rowand (2), Emmanuel Burriss (5)

Phillies 4 - Cardinals 0

- Cliff Lee tossed a complete game shutout with 3 strikeouts.  He gave up 6 hits with just 1 walk as he lowered his ERA to 2.87.  It's his second straight complete game shutout and fourth straight game that he has pitched at least 7 innings.  Considering that Jose Contreras' elbow was acting up, this was just what the Phillies bullpen needed - a night off.  Lee has now won 4 games in a row and 6 of his last 7 starts.
- Kyle Lohse pitched 8 innings and allowed 3 earned runs for his 4th loss.  He gave up 7 hits with no walks and no strikeouts.  A Jimmy Rollins solo shot and Ryan Howard 2-run blast did the majority of the damage.  June has not been kind to Lohse as he has a 5.47 ERA with 9 strikeouts and 4 walks. 
- Ben Francisco and Domonic Brown each went 0-3 at the plate.  Francisco is batting .218/.338/.358, while Brown is batting .206/.278/.392.  The two have left the Phillies searching the trade market for a potential upgrade at the plate to help their often times stagnant offense. 
- W: Cliff Lee (8-5), L: Kyle Lohse (7-4)
- HR: Jimmy Rollins (7), Ryan Howard (16)