Blue Jays 5 - Red Sox 4

- Ricky Romero won his 15th game, after he pitched 8 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 earned).  He struck out 4 batters with 1 walk and 6 this allowed.  He has now allowed exactly 3 earned runs in 4 of his last 5 games.
- John Lackey had a rare good start as he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed 2 earned runs on 7 hits and 1 walk.  It was only the second time since the All-Star break that he's allowed less than 3 earned runs. 
- Edwin Encarnacion went 2-3 with a RBI, run, and walk.  E5 is batting .279/.337/.464 this season with 16 homers and 51 RBI.
- Kevin Youkilis went 1-3 with a run and walk.  It hit was his first in a week as he's sidelined by a hip injury lately.
- W: Ricky Romero (15-10), L: Daniel Bard (2-8), SV: Frank Francisco (15)
- HR: Adrian Gonzalez (26)
- SB: Brett Lawrie (7)

Tigers 6 - White Sox 5

- Brad Penny pitched 6 innings and allowed 5 runs, but only 1 of them was earned, as he took a no-decision.  He issued 3 walks to go with 3 strikeouts and 8 hits given up.  At home this season Penny has a 4.18 ERA, which is more than 2 runs lower than his 6.39 road ERA. 
- Dylan Axelrod made his MLB starting debut with 2 earned runs allowed over 6 innings, in a no-decision.  He struck out 8 batters with 2 walks and 6 hits given up.  Over 91.1 innings at Triple-A this season, he had a 3.34 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 21 walks.
- Jose Valverde converted his 44th save on the season by striking out the side in the 10th inning.
- Alex Avila hit a pinch-hit 2-run homer in the 9th inning to tie the game.  The backstop has a .301/.392/.527 batting line this season.
- Carlos Guillen went 3-5 with 2 RBI and a run.  He knocked in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning to put the Tigers up for good.  It was just his 26th game of the season.
- W: Phil Coke (3-9), L: Sergio Santos (4-5), SV: Jose Valverde (44), BSV: Sergio Santos (6)
- HR: Alex Avila (19), Carlos Guillen (3), Ryan Raburn (14)
- SB: Juan Pierre (26), Alejandro De Aza (9), Brent Morel (4)

Angels 4 - A's 1

- Jered Weaver lowered his ERA to 2.40 (2nd best in the AL) as he pitched 7 innings and allowed just 1 earned run.  He uncharacteristically only had 1 strikeout to go with his 2 walks and 6 hits allowed.  He has now allowed just 2 earned runs over his last 2 starts (15 innings), after allowing 13 earned runs in his previous 2 starts (11 innings).
- Rich Harden allowed 3 earned runs over 5.1 innings for his 3rd loss.  he gave up 7 hits with 1 walk and 1 strikeout.  He actually had a shutout going into the 5th inning, but a Bobby Abreu double and Mark Trumbo homer changed all that.  Speaking of which…
- Mark Trumbo went 2-4 with a 2-run homer and stolen base.  I find it hard to believe that people will vote for him as the AL ROY when he has a .295 OBP, but those 27 homers and 82 RBI will help him.
- Brandon Allen went 2-4 with a double.  The 1B has a .230/.290/.425 batting line over 161 plate appearances.
- W: Jered Weaver (17-7), L: Rich Harden (4-3), SV: Jordan Walden (31)
- HR: Mark Trumbo (27), Josh Willingham (26)
- SB: Mark Trumbo (9)

Royals 7 - Twins 3

- Luke Hochevar continued to find success as he pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 earned runs for his 3rd win in his last 4 starts.  He struck out 3 batters with 2 walks and 5 hits given up. 
- Liam Hendriks made his second start of the season with a disastrous 5 earned runs allowed over 5 innings.  Over 49 innings ad Triple-A this season he has a 4.56 ERA with 30 strikeouts and only 3 walks. 
- Ben Revere went 1-4 with a run, walk, and 3 stolen bases.  The speedy CF now has 30 stolen bases over 415 plate appearances.  If he could get his OBP over .300, maybe he'd make a run at 50 stolen bags.
- Salvador Perez stayed hot with a 2-4 effort that included a double, 2 RBI, and a run.  He has a hit in 17 of his last 19 games.
- W: Luke Hochevar (11-11), L: Liam Hendricks (0-2), SV: Greg Holland (3)
- SB: Ben Revere (28, 29, 30), Michael Cuddyer (9), Jeff Francoeur (21), Alcides Escobar (24)

Rangers 9 - Indians 1

- It was the good Derrek Holland that showed up as he allowed just 1 earned run over 7 innings for his 14th win of the season.  He struck out 6 batters with 6 hits allowed and just 1 walk. 
- David Huff was knocked around for 8 runs (3 earned) over 4 innings as he took his 5th loss.  Over 107 innings at Triple-A this season he had a 3.87 ERA with 66 strikeouts and 30 walks. 
- Josh Hamilton went 1-4 with a grand slam, 2 runs, and a walk.  The reigning AL MVP is batting .296.346/.526 this seson.
- Mike Napoli went 2-4 with a 2-run homer.  The catcher has a .410 OBP this season, which would be 3rd highest in the AL, if he had enough plate appearances to qualify.
- W: Derek Holland (14-5), L: David Huff (2-5)
- HR: Lonnie Chisenhall (7), Ian Kinsler (29), Josh Hamilton (21), Mike Napoli (26)
- SB: Craig Gentry (17, 18)

Orioles 6 - Rays 2

- Jeremy Guthrie struck out 10 batters as he pitched 7 innings of 2-run ball.  He has now allowed 3 earned runs or less in each of his last 5 starts with 30 strikeouts and 14 walks over that time.
- Wade Davis gave up 4 earned runs over 6.1 innings on 7 hits.  All of the runs came on two homers, one of which was a 3-run knock.  Davis has been useful to fantasy owners this season at home, where he has a 3.58 ERA.  On the road, he has a 5.40 ERA.
- Matt Moore made his MLB debut and was greeted rudely by Matt Wieters who took him long for a 2-run homer.  In Moore's defense, Wieters has been red hot lately with a homer in each of his last 3 games. 
- Chris Davis played 3B and went 2-4 with a double, homer, 3 RBI, and a run.  With five more games at the hot corner, he'll have played 20 games there and qualify at both corner infield spots in most leagues next season.
- W: Jeremy Guthrie (8-17), L: Wade Davis (10-9), SV: Jim Johnson (6)
- HR: Matt Wieters (20), Chris Davis (5), Nolan Reimold (10)

Mariners 2 - Yankees 1

- Ivan Nova pitched 7.1 innings and let the Mariners batters do the rest.  He ended up giving up 1 earned run on 5 hits, 4 walks, and 5 strikeouts.  He still hasn't lost in the majors since June 3rd.
- Jason Vargas held the Yankees to just 1 run over 6.2 innings on 3 hits and a walk.  The lone run came via a Nick Swisher homer.  His fastball say around 88 mph, which is higher than the 87 mph he's averaged this season. 
- Miguel Olivo struck out 4 times for the Golden Sombrero.
- This game ended on  a Luis Rodriguez homer. He went 3-5 for the game with two double for his other knocks.
- HR: Nick Swisher (23)
- SB: Ichiro Suzuki (40); CS: Kyle Seager (1)

Braves 4 - Marlins 1

- Randall Delgado allowed just 1 run over 5 innings, in a no-decision.  He gave up 4 this with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts as the team took the lead in the 7th inning, an inning after he was out of the game.  Over 25 innings this season in the bigs, he has given up 9 earned runs with 17 strikeouts and 11 walks.
- Ricky Nolasco took his 11th loss, after he pitched 7 innings and allowed 4 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks.  He has one quality start over his last 6 starts.  At least he's consistently mediocre these days, so he's not teasing owners.
- Jason Heyward went 0-3 and is now batting .221/.314/.383.  The off-season can't come fast enough for him.
- Alex Gonzalez went 2-3 with a 3-run homer that put the Braves ahead for good in the 7th inning.  The SS is batting .238/.268/.360 over 571 plate appearances with 13 homers and 53 RBI.
- W: Eric O'Flaherty (2-4), L: Ricky Nolasco (10-11), SV: Craig Kimbrel (44)
- HR: Greg Dobbs (8), Alex Gonzalez (13)

Cardinals 3 - Pirates 2

- Edwin Jackson struck out 5 batters with no walks as he pitched 6.2 innings of 2-run ball.  He has now allowed 2 earned runs or less in 7 of his last 8 starts… pitching in the NL helps.
- Charlie Morton pitched 7 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 3 walks.  He struck out 6 batters as he took his 10th loss.  Say what you will about the change in his mechanics, but he has improved his ground ball rate (59.1|PERCENT|) significantly.
- Derrek Lee went 3-4 with a double and RBI.  Coming into this game he was hitting .345/.373/.655 with the Pirates (55 at-bats).
- Yadier Molina went 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI.  The catcher is batting .295/.333/.448 this season, which really helps in leagues that count batting average.
- W: Edwin Jackson (12-9), L: Charlie Morton (9-10), SV: Jason Motte (7)
- SB: Chase D'Arnaud (10); Rafael Furcal (5)

Phillies 1 - Astros 0

- Roy Halladay turned in a complete game shutout to clinch a playoff birth for the Phillies.  He gave up 6 hits with 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.  With a 2.34 ERA over 219.2 innings and 211 strikeouts, he's going to be on almost every NL Cy Young ballot.
- Bud Norris took his 10th loss as he pitched 7 innings and allowed 1 earned run on 4 hits and a walk.  I have to wonder if he's starting to tire this month as his strikeout rate is just 5.59 K/9 this month, this after he had a K/9 over 9 for most of the season.
- Placido Polanco went 1-4 with the only run batted in for the game.  The 3B is batting .276/.332/.340 and has 38 strikeouts to 36 walks over 471 plate appearances.
- Ryan Howard struck out twice to put him at 165 for the season, second most in the NL.
- W: Roy Halladay (18-5), L: Bud Norris (6-10)
- SB: Jordan Schafer (19), Jose Altuve (6)

Giants 3 - Padres 1

- Tim Lincecum allowed 1 run (0 earned) on 4 hits and 2 walks over 7 innings for his 13th win.  He struck out 6 batters as he lowered his ERA to 2.59, 6th best in the NL. 
- Mat Latos struck out 8 batters as he allowed 3 earned runs over 7 innings.  He has a 3.33 ERA since the All-Star break.  Last season it was 3.58 after the break. 
- Carlos Beltran took Latos deep twice for solo shots.  He's batting .298/.386/.524 on the season with 20 homers and 80 RBI.  Just think how many more runs he could have driven in if Cody Ross and Jeff Keppinger had done anything (1-8, 2 strikeouts).
- Jesus Guzman went 2-4 with a double and RBI.  The Jesus is batting .323/.378/.498 with 43 RBI over 251 plate appearances.
- W: Tim Lincecum (13-12), L: Mat Latos (7-14), SV: Santiago Casilla (30
- HR: Carlos Betran (19, 20)
- SB: WIll Venable (26), Cameron Maybin (36), Darren Ford (7); Jesus Guzman (2), Justin Christian (1)

Reds 7 - Cubs 2

- Johnny Cueto had a shutout going in the 4th inning, when he left with a strained right lat muscle.  For the game he pitched 3.2 innings with 3 hits allowed, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts.  He's considered day-to-day for now.  His 2.31 ERA is 2nd best in the NL.
- Casey Coleman was shelled for 6 earned runs over 3.2 innings.  With a 7.06 ERA, he shouldn't be anywhere near fantasy rosters right now.  Ah, the Cubs...
- Chris Heisey went 2-4 with a homer.  Give the guy some steady playing time already.
- Juan Francisco went 2-4 with a double, 2 RBI, a run, and stolen base.  Considering he had 1 stolen base since '09, you shouldn't expect him to keep running.
- W: Sam LeCure (1-1), L: Casey Coleman (2-8)
- HR: Chris Heisey (16), Ramon Hernandez (12)
- SB: Joey Votto (8), Juan Francisco (1); CS: Marlon Byrd (2)

Nationals 2 - Mets 0

- Brad Peacock made his MLB debut with 5 innings of shutout ball.  He issued 3 walks with 2 strikeouts and 2 hits allowed.  Between Double & Triple-A this season he had 177 strikeouts and 47 walks over 146.2 innings.
- Mike Pelfrey took his 12th loss, after he pitched 7 innings and allowed 2 runs (0 earned).  He did so on 6 hits, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts.  Someone who has 98 strikeouts over 184.2 innings just isn't going to find his way onto my fantasy radar.
- Chris Marrero led all hitters in this game with 2 hits.  The 1B hit .300/.375/.449 this season over 546 plate appearances at Triple-A with 14 homers.
- W: Brad Peacock (1-0), L: Mike Pelfrey (7-12), SV: Drew Storen (37)
- SB: Ian Desmond (23), David Wright (12)

Rockies 6 - Brewers 2

- Kevin Millwood allowed 2 earned runs over 6 innings for his 3rd win.  I'm surprised the guy is even in the majors right now.  If he's on any of your teams, please explain yourself i the comments.
- Shaun Marcum was knocked around for 5 earned runs over 5 innings.  He gave up 8 hits and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts.  This was a surprisingly bad start for Marcum at home, where he had a 2.31 ERA at, coming into this game.
- Mark Ellis went 4-5 with a RBI, 2 runs, and stolen base.  Coming into this game he had a .273/.318/.402 batting line with the Rockies.  What did they give up for him again? 
- Wilin Rosario went 1-4 with a homer.  The young catcher hit .249/.284/.457 this season at Double-A with 21 homers, 91 strikeouts, and 19 walks.
- W: Kevin Milwood (3-2), L: Shaun Marcum (12-7)
- HR: Carlos Gonzalez (26), Wilin Rosario (2)
- SB: Mark Ellis (12); CS: Eric Young (3)

Dodgers 3 - Diamondbacks 1

- Clayton Kershaw threw 5 innings of 1-hit ball with no walks and 5 strikeouts, before being tossed from the game.  He was thrown out for hitting Gerardo Parra, who drew attention to himself for celebrating his homer off of Kuo that tied the game, the night before.  Kershaw is 2nd in innings pitched (218.2), 1st in strikeouts (236), 1st in ERA (2.30), and 1st in WHIP (0.98) in the NL.
- Daniel Hudson pitched 7 innings and allowed 2 earned runs, for his 10th loss.  He struckout 4  batters with 3 walks and 5 hits.  Hudson ranks 5th in the NL in innings pitched (210.0).  He has a 2.86 ERA after the All-Star break.
- Matt Kemp stole his 39th base of the season, in a 1-3 effort that included a RBI, 2 runs, and a walk.  He needs 7 more homers and 1 more stolen base to go 40/40.
- Miguel Montero went 2-4 with a RBI.  He's batting .281/.351/.464 this season and leads all NL catchers in WAR.
- W: Clayton Kershaw (19-5), L: Daniel Hudson (16-10), SV: Kenley Jansen
- SB: Matt Kemp (39); CS: Dee Gordon (5), Tony Gwynn Jr. (7)