Blue Jays 7 - Indians 1

- Brett Cecil delivered 6 innings of 1-run (unearned) ball for his 2nd win of the season.  He gave up 6 hits with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts.  Cecil has now allowed 9 earned runs in 20.1 innings, since coming back up to the bigs with a 18/8 K/BB. 
- Carlos Carrasco lasted 3 innings, before being pulled, as he gave up 5 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks.  All of the damage came in the 3rd inning as Carrasco lost his ability to miss bats and the plate (wild pitch).  He came into this game with a  5.74 home ERA and pitched like too. 
- Eric Thames went 3-5 with a 2-run homer.  It was his 4th homer and 7th RBI since coming back up in late June. 
- Travis Snider went 1-3 with a double, run, and walk.  That's his 7th extra base since coming back up (7 games).
- W: Brett Cecil (2-4), L: Carlos Carrasco (8-6)
- HR: Eric Thames (4)

Yankees 1 - Rays 0

- CC Sabathia threw a complete game shutout with only 4 hits and 1 walk.  He struck out 9 batters to give him a K/BB of 42/6 over his last four starts (31.2 innings).  He enters the break with a MLB high 13 wins and a 2.72 ERA. 
- James Shields pitched his 7th complete game of the season, in a losing effort.  Like Sabathia, he only gave up 4 hits with 1 walk, but an unearned run came around to score in the 7th.   He struck out 5 batters    in what was his third loss in a row.  In a totally related note, Shields has the 3rd worst run support in the AL per 9 innings.
- B.J. Upton led the game with 2 hits, both singles.  He's hitting .239/.325/.427 on the season. 
- Alex Rodriguez has a torn meniscus in his right knee that will require surgery.  He's expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.  What a wasteland third base has been this season in fantasy leagues.
- W: CC Sabathia (13-4), L: James Shields (8-7)
- CS: B.J. Upton (8), Sean Rodriguez (3)

Red Sox 8 - Orioles 6

- In the people have never heard of us duel, Mitch Atkins and Kyle Weiland both gave up 6 earned runs in no-decisions.  Weiland accomplished the feat in 4 innings, while Atkins needed just 1.2.
- Alfredo Aceves pitched 3 perfect innings with  4 strikeouts, in relief of Weiland for the win.  Jeremy Guthrie was a shade off as he pitched 3.1 innings and allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts.  Guthrie took the loss and now leads MLB in that category with 12.  First one to 20 losses, Guthrie (3-12) or JA Happ (3-11)?
- Mark Reynolds and Vladimir Guerrero left this game due to being hit on the hand by pitches.  Thankfully, both of the x-rays came back negative.
- Derrek Lee went 1-4 with a 2-run homer and 3 strikeouts.  Lee has been on a bit of a tear lately as he has 3 homers in his last 5 games. 
- Dustin Pedroia was one of three Red Sox batters to go yard off of Atkins in the 2nd inning.  Pedroia also hit a double and scored 3 runs.  On the season he's batting .284/.395/.442.
- W: Alfredo Aceves (4-1), L: Jeremy Guthrie (3-12), SV: Jonathan Papelbon (20)
- HR: Derrek Lee (9), Dustin Pedroia (11), Kevin Youkilis (13), Marco Scutaro (4)
- CS: Robert Andino (2)

Twins 6 - White Sox 3

- Anthony Swarzak held the White Sox to just 1 run over 6 innings.  He gave up 4 hits with 2 walks to go with a season high 5 strikeouts.  It was only his 4th start this season as this was a spot start for the injured Scott Baker.
- Jake Peavy gave up 5 earned runs over 4.1 innings on 10 hits and 2 walks.  In his last three starts (16.1 innings) he has given up 14 earned runs with a 10/6 K/BB.  At least he's healthy, right?
- Matt Capps nailed down the save with only 1 hit allowed in the 9th.  It was his first save opportunity since giving up 4 earned runs in a blown save, over a week ago.
- Joe Mauer went 1-4 with a run from the DH spot.  He's only caught three games in a row once since coming back.
- Paul Konerko went 2-4 with an RBI.  The Final Vote winner from the AL is hitting .319/.390/.564 this season.
- W: Anthony Swarzak (2-2), L: Jake Peavy (4-3), SV: Matt Capps (15)
- CS: Rene Tosoni (1)

Tigers 2 - Royals 1

- Justin Verlander pitched 7.2 innings and gave up 1 run (unearned) on 6 hits and no walks.  That's now 7 straight games that Verlander has allowed 1 or fewer runs.  Oh and he also struck out 9 batters today.
- Jeff Francis recorded a quality start with 6 innings pitched and 2 earned runs allowed.  He gave up 4 hits with just 1 walk to go with a season high 6 strikeouts.  Whatever it is that's coming out of Francis' arm this season, it isn't gas.  His fastball is averaging just 85 mph.
- Eric Hosmer went 1-4 with a double and caught stealing.  This needs a little explaining… Down 1 run in the bottom of the 9th he lead off the inning with a double. He then got caught stealing 3rd for the 2nd out of the inning. 
- W: Justin Verlander (12-4), L: Jeff Francis (3-10), SV: Jose Valverde (24)
- SB: Casper Wells (1), Chris Getz (17); CS: Eric Hosmer (2)

Rangers 2 - A's 0

- Matt Harrison threw 7.2 innings of shutout ball with 6 hits, 1 walk, and 7 strikeouts.  This was one of Harrison's best starts this season as he didn't allow an extra base hit and worked deep into the game.  He enters the break with a 7-7 record and 3.04 ERA.
- Trevor Cahill gave up 2 earned runs over 7.2 innings on 5 hits and 2 walks.  A 2-run homer by Adrian Beltre in the 6th was the lone damage done.  Cahill's command has waned at times this as his walk rate has creeped up towards 4 BB/9. 
- Jemile Weeks went 1-4 with a strikeout.  The youngster is batting .287/.313/.402 in just 122 at-bats this season.
- Adrian Beltre went 1-3 with a 2-run homer.  His 71 RBI are second in the AL
- W: Matt Harrison (7-7), L: Trevor Cahill (8-7), SV: Neftali Feliz (18)
- HR: Adrian Beltre (19)
- CS: Coco Crisp (9)

Angels 4 - Mariners 2

- Dan Haren struck out 8 batters as he pitched 8.2 innings and allowed 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks.  After a 2-run single from Adam Kennedy in the first inning, he was lights out.  Haren has a 2.61 ERA and a 115/20 K/BB in 134.1 innings this season, but yet he's not an All-Star.
- Felix Hernandez pitched 7 innings of 2-run ball on 6 hits, 1 walk, and 6 strikeouts.  He took a no-decision as the game was tied on a 2-run homer from Mark Trumbo in the 4th inning.  He has now given up homers in back-to-back games for the first time all season. 
- Mike Trout went 0-3 with a strikeout and finishes his 3 game stint 1-9 with a walk, 2 runs.
- Alberto Callaspo went 3-4 with a double, 2 RBI, and 1 run.  The third baseman is hitting .281/.355/.356 this season.
- W: Dan Haren (10-5), L: David Pauley (5-3), SV: Jordan Walden (20)
- HR: Mark Trumbo (17)
- SB: Brendan Ryan (6), Erick Aybar (18); CS: Adam Kennedy (2)

Marlins 5 - Astros 4

- Chris Volstad registered a quality start with 6 innings pitched and 3 earned runs allowed.  He gave up 7 hits with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.  That's now quality starts in 4 out of his last 5 starts (the other start was a real stinker).  LHB this season against Volstad: .318/.384/.589 with a 37/25 K/BB.
- Wandy Rodriguez was knocked around for 4 runs in the 4th inning, en route to giving up 5 earned runs over 5.1 innings.  He issued a season high 5 walks to go with 5 hits and 3 strikeouts.  He enters the break 6-6 with a 3.52 ERA. 
- Emilio Bonifacio went 3-3 with a walk, 2 runs, and 3 stolen bases.  Runners are now 21/24 in stolen base tries off of Astros catcher Carlos Corporan. 
- Mike Cameron went 1-3 with a 2-run homer and a walk.  It was his first hit as a member of the Marlins, after being released by the Red Sox in late June.
- W: Chris Volstad (5-8), L: Wandy Rodriguez (6-6), SV: Leo Nunez (25)
- HR: Hunter Pence (11), Mike Cameron (4)
- SB: Emilio Bonifacio (14, 15, 16), Hanley Ramirez (15)

Nationals 2 - Rockies 0

- Jordan Zimmermann tossed 6.1 shutout innings with 4 hits, no walks, and 6 strikeouts.  That's now 3 out of his last 4 and 4 out of his last 6 starts that he has allowed 0 earned runs.  I think it's safe to say he's over that TJ Surgery he had back in '09.
- Jhoulys Chacin pitched 7 innings and allowed just 1 earned run on 4 hits and 1 walk.  Hooray for only walking 1 batter!  In his last three starts (16.2 innings), Chacin had walked 15 batters.  He enters into the break with a 3 game losing streak, a 3.16 ERA, and serious command issues with LHB.
- Cole Garner went 0-4 with 4 strikeouts for the Golden Sombrero, which begs the issue, who the hell is Cole Garner?
- Ian Stewart went 2-3 and is now 4-19, since coming back up to the bigs. 
- Jayson Werth went 0-3 and saw only 7 pitches at the plate as he continues to struggle.  He's hitting .215/.320/.363 this season… Ouch.
- W: Jordan Zimmermann (6-7), L: Jhoulys Chacin (8-7), SV: Drew Storen (23)
- HR: Rick Ankiel (3)
- CS: Roger Bernadina (2)

Phillies 14 - Braves 1

- Cole Hamels held the Braves to just 3 hits and 2 walks over 8 innings for 1 earned run, in a win.  Part of his improved success this season is attributed to a cutter that he is using more this season, in comparison to last.  Hamels enters the break with an 11-4 record and 2.32 ERA. 
- Derek Lowe pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 earned runs on 10 hits and no walks.  He hasn't worked very deep into games this season with only two starts going into the 7th inning.  Other than that, it's been more of the same for Lowe this season.  He enters the break with a 5-7 record and 4.30 ERA.
- John Mayberry Jr. went 3-5 with three doubles, 4 RBI, and a run.  He's filling in at CF, while Shane Victorino deals with a hand injury. 
- Raul Ibanez went 2-5 with a homer, 6 RBI, and 2 runs.  He's hitting .241/.287/.416 on the season.
- Chase Utley went 2-5 with 2 runs and 2 stolen bases.  His legs seem to be getting stronger and stronger as he's showing more speed than he did in seasons past. 
- W: Cole Hamels (11-4), L: Derek Lowe (5-7)
- HR: Raul Ibanez (12)
- SB: Chase Utley (7, 8)

Pirates 9 - Cubs 1

- Paul Maholm pitched 7.1 innings of 1-run ball on 4 hits, no walks, and 8 strikeouts.  A nice BABIP and strand rate have his ERA running low at 2.96, but he really hasn't pitched much differently than his career numbers.  Either way, the Pirates enter the break 4 games above .500 and 1 game back of the divisional lead… Only in the NL.
- Ramon Ortiz was knocked around for 6 earned runs over 4 innings of work.  It was his 2nd start of the season, after pitching 99.1 innings in triple-A.  Odds are your team isn't as desperate for starting pitching as the Cubs are.
- Andrew McCutchen went 1-2 with a 3-run homer and 5 RBI.  After everyone and their mother complained about him being left off the All-Star Game roster, not only has he been invited, but you and your mother have been invited too.  At last count, 16 players have bowed out of the game and more probably did while I wrote this.  This time it counts!
- Neil Walker went 3-4 at the plate with two doubles, a triple, a RBI, and 2 runs.  The young second baseman is batting .264/.329/.398 this season.
- W: Paul Maholm (6-9), L: Ramon Ortiz (0-2)
- HR: Andrew McCutchen (14)

Brewers 4 - Reds 3

- Randy Wolf pitched 7 innings and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits and 4 walks.  Coming off of one of his worst starts of the season (7 ER, 6 IP), this was more what his owners are used to.  Had it not been for Coco Cordero, he would have taken the loss.  As is, he heads into the break with a 3.65 ERA and 6-6 record
- Dontrelle Willis made his season debut with 6 innings of 2-run ball.  He gave up 4 hits with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts.  In Triple-A this season he had a 67/20 K/BB in 75.1 innings with a 2.63 ERA.  He's starting in place of Edinson Volquez, who is in the minors working out his own set of issues.
- Francisco Cordero gave up 2 runs in the 9th inning to blow a 1 run lead and the game.  Hitting Rickie Weeks to load the bases was probably a sign that he didn't have it, but Dusty Baker stuck with him and Craig Counsell hit a sac-fly to end the game.  Aroldis Chapman was lights out in setup of Cordero with 2 perfect innings and 4 strikeouts.  It's Cordero's third blown save in his last four games.  Considering how dominant Chapman has been lately, one would think a change of the guard might be in order, but we're dealing with Dusty Baker here, who is very loyal to his veterans. 
- Zach Cozart went 1-5 and is now 5-16 since coming up earlier this week.  As long as he keeps on hitting, he should be up with the team. 
- W: Kameron Loe (3-7), L: Francisco Cordero (3-3), BSV: Francisco Cordero (5)
- SB: Nyjer Morgan (6)

Cardinals 4 - Diamondbacks 2

- Jaime Garcia won his 9th game after he pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 earned runs.  It could have been worse as he put 9 runners on base via 7 hits and 2 walks.  For now, Garcia's sterling home ERA (0.94) remains intact (his road ERA is 5.67, quite a split).
- Zach Duke struck out just 1 batter over 6 innings of 4-run ball.  The Diamondbacks might think they're contenders to win the NL West (3 games back), but who can take them seriously when they keep running Duke out there every 5th day?  Over 51 innings he has a 5.47 ERA. 
- David Freese went 2-3 with a homer, 3 RBI, and a run.  It was his first homer and only his second extra base hit, since coming off the DL.
- Jon Jay went 2-3 and is hitting .304/.352/.438 on the season.  Playing time will be tougher to come by now that Pujols is back and Berkman is in the OF again.
- W: Jaime Garcia (9-3), L: Zach Duke (2-4), SV: Fernando Salas (16)
- HR: Ryan Roberts (11), David Freese (3)
- CS: Yadier Molina (5)

Dodgers 4 - Padres 1

- Ted Lilly held the Padres to 1 run over 5 innings with 7 strikeouts.  Does he have a problem with stamina this season that we don't know about?  He's only had two games this season with more than 100 pitches.  In this one he threw 85 pitches.  Over the last three seasons he's averaged about 96.9 pitches per start.  This season that number is down to 89.3. 
- Tim Stauffer allowed 3 runs (2 earned) over 6 innings for his 6th loss.  He didn't have any command as he walked a season high 5 batters and struck out just 1.  Fortunately for him, the Dodgers could only muster 3 hits off of him.  He enters the break with a 2.97 ERA and 5-6 record.
- Javy Guerra nailed down his 4th save of the season and second in as many games.  This one wasn't without excitement as the tying run came to the plate with no outs. 
- Andre Ethier went 2-3 with 2 solo shots and a walk.  He's batting .311/.383/.463 on the season. 
- W: Ted Lilly (6-9), L: Tim Stauffer (5-6), SV: Javy Guerra (4)
- HR: Rob Johnson (3), Andre Ethier (8, 9)
- SB: Chris Denorfia (8), Tony Gwynn Jr. (12), Matt Kemp (27)

Giants 4 - Mets 2

- Matt Cain shutout the Mets for 6 innings with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.  Coming into this game, his walk rate was down to a career low 2.24 BB/9.  That can be mostly attributed to his domination of lefties (.187/.257/.271).  That's code for domination.
- Mike Pelfrey also pitched 6 innings, but he gave up 2 earned runs on 8 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts.  With a home/road ERA split of 2.96/6.05, some may have thought about sitting Pelfrey, but this is the Giants we're talking about, who are last in MLB in runs scored at home this season. 
- Nate Schierholtz went 4-4 with a double, RBI, and run.  With Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell not starting, he hit clean-up for the first time this season.  On the season he's batting .293/.343/.464. 
- Justin Turner went 4-5 with two doubles and a RBI.  The Mets 3, 4, & 5 hitters managed 1 hit and 1 walk combined, so Turner didn't score a run.
- W: Matt Cain (8-5), L: Mike Pelfrey (5-8), SV: Brian Wilson (26)
- HR: Nick Evans (1)

By the way, how did we get to 84 players being named to the All-Star Game?  That's 3 more than last year and over 11|PERCENT| of all active players.