Tigers 2 - Twins 1
- Doug Fister was masterful in his 7 shutout innings of the Twins. He gave up just 3 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. He has now allowed 1 earned run or less in his last five starts with 36 strikeouts and 4 walks.
- Scott Diamond pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits and 4 walks. In his four starts since coming back up, he has 16 strikeouts and 10 walks over 23.1 innings. He had a 5.56 ERA over 123 innings at Triple-A this season.
- Delmon Young was 2-4 with a RBI. Coming into this game he was batting .297/.305/.465 as a member of the Tigers (101 at-bats). While that's somewhat better than his batting line with the Twins, it's hard to get excited about anyone with a .305 OBP.
- Joe Benson went 1-3 with a double and stolen base. The CF hit .285/.388/.495 with 16 homers and 13 stolen bases this season over 472 plate appearances at Double-A.
- W: Doug Fister (8-13), L: Scott Diamond (1-4), SV: Jose Valverde (43)
- SB: Joe Benson (1)
Blue Jays 6 - Orioles 5
- Tommy Hunter pitched 6.1 innings with 6 runs allowed (4 earned) on 9 hits, two of which were homers. He didn't issue any walks and struck out 5 batters, so there's that. This has been a nightmare season for Hunter and all of the Orioles pitchers.
- Dustin McGowan returned to the mound as a starter with 3 innings pitched and 4 earned runs allowed. He had previously pitched in relief as he comes back from shoulder surgery. He was able to induce 6 ground balls to 3 fly balls, which bodes well for future success.
- Adam Loewen went 2-3 with a solo shot. It was his first career homer in the bigs as he tries to find success as a position player. Formerly he was a pitcher, for those not keeping up with the careers of failed prospects.
- Nick Markakis was 2-4 with a double, two RBI, and a walk. The RF is batting .284/.348/.406 this season with 15 homers and 68 RBI.
- W: Joel Carreno (1-0), L: Tommy Hunter (3-4), SV: Frank Francisco (14)
- HR: David Cooper (2), Adam Loewen (1)
- SB: Kyle Hudson (2), Chris Davis (1)
Rays 9 - Red Sox 1
- James Shields allowed just 1 earned run over 8.1 innings for his 15th win. He had 5 strikeouts and 3 walks as he nearly threw 12th complete game this season. While he won't win the AL Cy Young, Shields' 2.70 ERA over 226.1 innings with 211 strikeouts is very impressive.
- Jon Lester pitched 4 innings and allowed 4 earned runs, in what was an uncharacteristically bad start. He stuck out just 2 batters with 3 walks and 8 hits allowed. Only twice this season has Lester not pitched at least 5 innings.
- B.J. Upton went 4-4 with a grand slam, 3 runs, and a walk. A monster game from Bossman Junior as he now stands at 20 homers and 27 stolen bases.
- Ben Zobrist went 1-5 with 2 RBI. Zorilla is having an under-rated season with a .271/.354/.461 batting line, 15 homers, 16 stolen bases, and 79 RBI.
- W: James Shields (15-10), L: Jon Lester (15-7)
- HR: Marco Scutaro (6), B.J. Upton (20)
Indians 7 - White Sox 3
- Ubaldo Jimenez allowed 2 earned runs over 6 innings for his 9th win. His command was shaky as he walked 5 batters and struck out just 2 batters, but he was able to limit the White Sox to just 3 hits. After starting out with just one quality start in his first four starts with the Indians, Jimenez has had four quality starts in a row.
- Zach Stewart pitched 5 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. While he flirted with a no-no last time out, this more in line with what to expect from Stewart. Over 58.1 innings this season he has a 4.63 ERA and 2-4 record.
- Addison Reed struck out 1 batter as he pitched a perfect 9th inning. He's a fun reliever to watch, if you get the chance. He topped out at 96 mph with an 86 mph change-up, and 82 mph slider.
- Carlos Santana went 1-5 with a double and 2 RBI. The catcher is batting .232/.345/.429 this season.
- Luis Valbuena went 3-5 with a homer and 2 runs. This is his third stint back up, since being exposed last season with a .193/.273/.258 batting line over 310 plate appearances.
- W: Ubaldo Jimenez (9-11), L: Zach Stewart (2-4)
- HR: Luis Valbuena (1)
- SB: Trevor Crowe (2), Alejandro De Aza (7, 8)
Rangers 8 - A's 1
- C.J. Wilson struck out 11 batters over 8 shutout innings for his 16th win. He walked just 1 batter with 5 hits allowed. Wilson's 3.01 ERA is 7th best in the AL, to go with his 209 innings pitched.
- Josh Outman pitched 4.2 innings and allowed 4 earned runs on 8 hits and 3 walks. A four run fourth inning was the beginning of the end for him. It was his first start since early July, before he was sent back down to the minors.
- Adrian Beltre was 4-5 with a double, two homers, 3 RBI, and 2 runs. He now has 3 homers over his last two games and 7 RBI over his last three games.
- Ian Kinsler went 3-5 with a RBI, run, and stolen base. The 2B is batting .253/.352/.474 this season with 28 homers and 24 stolen bases. A 30/30 season is likely a stretch, but there's still time.
- W: C.J. Wilson (16-6), L: Josh Outman (3-5)
- HR: Eric Sogard (2), Adrian Beltre (22, 23)
- SB: Ian Kinsler (24), Mike Napoli (4), David Murphy (9)
Yankees 6 - Angles 5
- Freddy Garcia gave up 5 earned runs over 5 innings, in a no-decision. He served up 2 homers that led to 4 runs and he threw a wild pitch that led to the other run. He has a 4.91 ERA since the All-Star break.
- Ervin Santana was marginally worse as he pitched 6 innings and allowed 6 runs (5 earned). He too served up 2 homers with 8 strikeouts and 4 walks. He hasn't allowed 5 earned runs since late May against Kansas City. The Angels are 2.5 games back of the Rangers.
- Curtis Granderson went 1-5 with a 2-run homer, his 39th jack of the season. The CF is batting .265/.368/.564 this season and has a good shot at winning the AL MVP.
- Erick Aybar went 4-5 with a run and stolen base. The SS is batting .273/.310/.400 this season with 28 stolen bases.
- W: Cory Wade (5-0), L: Ervin Santana (11-11), SV: Mariano Rivera (40)
- HR: Curtis Granderson (39), Robinson Cano (25), Howie Kendrick (16), Peter Bourjos (11)
- SB: Erick Aybar (28), Bobby Abreu (19, 20); CS: Brett Gardner (13), Alberto Callaspo (1)
Royals 2 - Mariners 1
- Everett Teaford held the Mariners scoreless for 5 innings for his first win this season. He had a 3.34 ERA over 35 innings at Triple-A this season. At 27 yeas of age, he's not considered a prospect.
- Anthony Vasquez allowed 2 earned runs on 7 hits over 6 innings. He didn't walk any batters and registered just 2 strikeouts. After being torched in each of his last three starts, this likely gave his confidence a nice boost.
- Alex Gordon went 2-5 with two doubles and 2 RBI. The LF is 7th in the AL in WAR among position players. He's batting .299/.371/.500 this season with 21 homers, 82 RBI, and 16 stolen bases.
- W: Everett Teaford (1-0), L: Anthony Vasquez (1-3), SV: Joakim Soria (28)
- SB: Brendan Ryan (12)
Nationals 8 - Astros 2
- Stephen Strasburg made his second start of the season as he comes back from TJ surgery. He struck out 4 batters with no walks as he allowed 1 earned run over 3 innings. This was the second dominant outing for the phenom. He'll get the Marlins at home on Friday for his next start.
- Henry Sosa was roughed up for 5 earned runs over just 2.2 innings on back-to-back-to-back homers, among other things. Over his 7 starts for the Astros this season he has a 5.02 ERA with 28 strikeouts, 15 walks, and 5 homers served.
- Ryan Zimmerman went 2-5 with a homer, 2 RBI, and a run. Zimmerman was one of three Nats hitters to take Sosa yard. For the season the 3B is batting .291/.352/.462 with 12 homers and 45 RBI over 375 plate appearances.
- Ian Desmond went 3-5 with a homer, 2 RBI, and 2 runs. The SS has 3 homers this month with just 4 RBI.
- W: Tom Gorzelanny (3-6), L: Henry Sosa (2-4)
- HR: Ian Desmond (8), Rick Ankiel (9), Ryan Zimmerman (12)
- SB: Jimmy Paredes (4)
Marlins 4 - Pirates 1
- Javier Vazquez's comeback tour landed in Pittsburgh as he pitched 6 shutout innings with 7 strikeouts. He issued 2 walks with only 3 hits allowed. Don't look now, but Vazquez is close to getting his ERA below 4.00 and evening his record to .500.
- James McDonald pitched 4.2 innings and allowed 4 earned runs on 5 hits and 4 walks. It was his first non-quality start in almost a month. Coming into this game, he had a 3.26 ERA since the All-Star break this season.
- Gaby Sanchez went 1-3 with a RBI, run, and walk. The 1B is batting .269/.355/.434 this season with 18 homers and 73 RBI over 596 plate appearances.
- W: Javier Vazquez (10-11), L: James McDonald (9-8), SV: Leo Nunez (34)
- SB: Josh Harrison (3); CS: Bryan Petersen (1)
Brewers 3 - Phillies 2
- Yovani Gallardo struck out 12 batters with 1 walk as he received his 16th win this season. He pitched 7 innings with just 2 runs allowed, both via solo homers. The Brewers are only a half game ahead of the D-Backs for home field advantage in the NLDS. Gallardo has a 3.66 ERA, 183 strikeouts, and 57 walks over 194 innings.
- Vance Worley pitched 6.2 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 8 hits and a walk. He did strikeout 7 batters as he took only his second loss of the season. He has a 2.92 ERA over 117 innings.
- Shane Victorino went 1-4 with a solo shot and a stolen base. The leadoff CF is 6th in NL in WAR and has a .295/.371/.516 batting line.
- Ryan Howard went 2-4 with a homer. The 1B is batting .254/.348/.501 this season and is 12th among first basemen in WAR in the NL, below the likes of even Jesus Guzman who has half as many at-bats.
- W: Yovani Gallardo (16-10), L: Vance Worley (11-2), SV: John Axford (42)
- HR: Shane Victorino (16), Ryan Howard (33)
- SB: Shane Victorino (19), Pete Orr (2)
Cardinals 6 - Braves 3
- Jake Westbrook pitched 5.1 innings and allowed 2 earned runs on 5 hits and a walk. His 4.61 ERA has come with just 97 strikeouts and 63 walks over 171.2 innings.
- Tim Hudson was shelled for 6 earned runs over 6 innings on 8 hits and 2 walks. He has now given up 4 earned runs or more in 3 of his last 4 starts.
- Jason Motte converted his 5th save of the season by striking out the side in the 9th inning. He has 4 saves in his last 5 appearances.
- Chipper Jones went 2-4 with a homer and 2 runs. Larry Wayne is batting .283/.353/.489 in this, his 17th season.
- Yadier Molina went 3-4 with a double and 3 RBI. The catcher is batting .295/.333/.448, which is pretty good in leagues that count batting average.
- W: Jake Westbrook (12-8), L: Tim Hudson (14-10), SV: Jason Motte (5)
- HR: Chipper Jones (17)
Rockies 4 - Reds 1
- Drew Pomeranz held the Reds scoreless for 5 innings on 2 hits, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. It was his debut in the majors and a fine one at that. Over 77 innings at High-A he had a 1.87 ERA. At Double-A he had a 1.50 ERA over 24 innings. He's going to be pretty good in time.
- Edinson Volquez allowed 2 earned runs over 5 innings for his 5th loss. He didn't allow any of the runs in the first inning, so at least there's that. It was his first start, since coming back up from the minors. In his 87.1 innings at Triple-A he had a 2.37 ERA with 83 strikeouts and 29 walks.
- Jason Hammel got the save on 4 innings of 1-run ball. It was his first save of the season.
- Joey Votto went 1-4 with a solo homer. The reigning NL MVP is batting .320/.427/.553 this season with 28 homers and 94 RBI.
- Eric Young Jr. went 2-4 with 2 runs and 3 stolen bases. He has five stolen bases this month and 21 on the season. If you're looking for cheap speed, check him out.
- W: Drew Pomeranz (1-0), L: Edinson Volquez (5-5), SV: Jason Hammel (1)
- HR: Joey Votto (28), Ty Wigginton (15)
- SB: Eric Young Jr. (19, 20, 21)
Giants 8 - Dodgers 1
- Madison Bumgarner pitched 5 innings and allowed just 1 run on 3 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 8 batters and lowered his ERA to 3.33, in the process. He has a 2.63 ERA since the All-Star break.
- Hiroki Kuroda allowed 3 earned runs over just 4.2 innings for his 16th loss. He has now given up 12 earned runs over his last 16.2 innings. His 3.25 ERA over 183 innings this season and 11-16 record should tell you all you need to know about W/L records.
- Pablo Sandoval went 3-4 with three doubles, a RBI, 2 runs, and a walk. The Panda is batting .301/.346/.510 this season.
- Aubrey Huff went 2-4 with a double, 2 RBI, a run, and a walk. If Brandon Belt has to go play Winter ball in the Dominican Republic, then Huff should have to go with him and chauver him around.
- W: Madison Bumgarner (11-12), L: Hiroki Kuroda (11-16)
- SB: Cody Ross (5); CS: Tony Gwynn Jr. (6)
Padres 7 - Diamondbacks 6
- Wade LeBlanc pitched 5.2 innings and gave up 4 earned runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He helped his cause at the plate going 2-3. After 59.2 innings this season he has a 5.43 ERA. Over 106.2 innings at Triple-A this season he had a 4.30 ERA.
- Josh Collmenter was rocked for 6 earned runs over 4 innings for his 9th loss. He did so on 7 hits and 3 walks with 2 strikeouts. He has a 3.40 ERA over 140.1 innings this season. He's a big reason why the D-Backs rotation has taken a step forward.
- Nick Hundley went 3-4 with a double, homer, 2 RBI, 2 runs, and a walk. The catcher is hitting .283/.350/.477 this season with 8 homers and 26 RBI.
- Collin Cowgill went 1-3 with 2 RBI and a walk. The rookie has a .221/.294/.273 batting line this season.
- W: Wade LeBlanc (3-5), L: Josh Collementer (9-9), SV: Heath Bell (37)
- HR: Nick Hundley (8), Henry Blanco (7)
- SB: Justin Upton (21), Chris Young (20); CS: Aaron Hill (6)
Cubs 10 - Mets 6
- Matt Garza pitched 7 innings with 3 earned runs, in a no-decision. He struck out 4 with 3 walks and 7 hits allowed. He now has 175 strikeouts and 60 walks over 173 innings. A lower BABIP this season (.317) likely would've netted him a much lower ERA this season. As is he has a 3.54 ERA.
- Miguel Batista allowed 4 earned runs over 5 innings, also in a no-decision. The journeyman has a 4.27 ERA this season and is likely not on anyone's roster that's still competing in their league.
- Tyler Colvin went 2-5 with a triple, 3 RBI, a run, and walk. His .153/.209/.316 batting line pretty much sums up Colvin as a player in the majors.
- Carlos Pena went 3-5 with a double, triple, 2 RBI, a run, and walk. The 1B has 143 strikeouts this season, but there's still time for him to break his personal record of 166 strikeouts, if he wants it bad enough.
- W: Ramon Ortiz (1-2), L: Josh Stinson (0-1)
- HR: Jason Pridie (4)
- SB: Tony Campana (20), Angel Pagan (31)