Yankees 4 - Rays 2 (Game 1)
- James Shields pitched 7.1 innings and allowed 4 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. On the bright side, he did strike out 7 batters. After this game the Rays were 2.5 games behind the Red Sox for the AL Wildcard.
- Hector Noesi threw 55 pitches in his MLB debut as a starter. He ended up pitching 2.2 innings with 2 earned runs on 4 hits and 1 walks. Over 24.2 innings at Triple-A this season he had a 3.28 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 9 walks.
- Desmond Jennings hit a 2-run homer to give him ten on the season. Just think how much more he could have helped owners and the Rays, had he come up earlier in the season.
- Derek Jeter went 2-3 with 2 runs and a walk. He's batting .298/.356/.385 on the season and with a strong finish he can have his 12th season with a .300 average.
- W: Luis Ayala (2-2), L: James Shields (15-12), SV: Mariano Rivera (44)
- HR: Desmond Jennings (10), Eduardo Nunez (5)
- SB: B.J. Upton (31), Brett Gardner (46), Eduardo Nunez (20, 21)
Yankees 4 - Rays 2 (Game 2)
- CC Sabathia was unsuccessful in his bid to get his 20th win. He pitched 7.1 innings with 2 earned runs allowed and 6 strikeouts. His ERA is now a smooth 3.00 over 237.1 innings with 230 strikeouts and 61 walks.
- Jeremy Hellickson allowed 2 earned runs over 7 innings, also in a no-decision. He walked 4 and struck out 3 batters. His 2.90 ERA over 183 innings with 116 strikeouts and 67 walks might just be enough to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
- Lucky for the Rays, the Red Sox also lost tonight, so they didn't lose too much ground in the race for the AL Wildcard, but time is not on their side as the season ends in a week.
- Jorge Posada hit a pinch-hit 2-run single in the 8th inning to put the Yankees ahead for good. Coming into this game he had a .269/.343/.466 batting line against RHP with a 116 OPS+.
- Sean Rodriguez went 2-3 with a solo shot. The SS is hitting a limp .225/.319/.366 this season with 8 homers, 25 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.
- W: David Robertson (4-0), L: Jake McGee (3-2), SV: Rafael Soriano (2)
- HR: Sean Rodriguez (8), Kelly Shoppach (9), Robinson Cano (27)
White Sox 8 - Indians 4
- Mark Buehrle received his 12th win, after he pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 earned runs. He gave up 4 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. His ERA is 3.72, which if he can keep it under 4.00, will be the fourth time he's done so in the last five seasons.
- Ubaldo Jimenez gave up 4 earned runs over 7 innings, which is pretty much par for the course for him this season. He did add 7 strikeouts, so there's that. A stat that should surprise no one, his xFIP the last three seasons: 3.59, 3.60, 3.67.
- Alejandro De Aza went 2-5 with 2 RBI and a stolen base. He has a .324/.384/.537 batting line over 147 plate appearances.
- Brent Morel went 2-4 with a double, homer, 3 RBI, and 2 runs. He has 7 RBI over his last six games.
- W: Mark Buehrle (12-9), L: Ubaldo Jimenez (10-12)
- HR: Alexi Ramirez (15), Alex Rios (12), Brent Morel (9), Travis Hafner (13)
- SB: Alejandro De Aza (11); CS: Jason Donald (2)
Angels 7 - Blue Jays 2
- Dan Haren pitched 8 innings of 1-run ball for his 16th win. He allowed 4 hits with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. His ERA since the All-Star break this season has been 3.94. It was 2.61 prior to the break.
- Dustin McGowan continued his come back with 8 strikeouts and no walks over 5 innings. He gave up 2 runs on 5 hits. It was only his third start back in the majors since 2008.
- Peter Bourjos has himself a full day as he went 3-4 with a triple, homer, RBI, 3 runs, and a stolen base. The defensive minded CF is batting .272/.325/.444 this season.
- Vernon Wells went 2-5 with a homer, 4 RBI, and 3 runs. His batting line is a sad .225/.256/.424 this season.
- Bobby Abreu went 0-5 with 4 strikeouts for the Golden Sombrero. His .360 slugging percentage is the lowest since his first taste of the majors back in '96.
- W: Dan Haren (16-9), L: Dustin McGowan (0-1)
- HR: Vernon Wells (24), Peter Bourjos (12), Eric Thames (11)
- SB: Maicer Izturis (9), Peter Bourjos (22)
Orioles 6 - Red Sox 4
- Tommy Hunter pitched 6.2 innings and allowed 4 earned runs, in a no-decision. He gave up 9 hits to go with a walk. His ERA is now a robust 4.86 over 79.2 innings this season.
- Josh Beckett was torched for 6 earned runs over 7.1 innings for his 6th loss of the season. Fortunately for him and the Red Sox, the Rays lost both of their games with the Yankees and their lead for the AL Wildcard actually grew a 1/2 game. Who would have thought that Red Sox fans would be rooting for the Yankees to keep them in the playoffs?
- Jim Johnson pitched a perfect 9th inning for his 9th save of the season. With a 2.66 ERA, he's quietly getting the job done for the O's.
- Mark Reynolds went 2-4 with two homers, 3 RBI, and 2 runs. Does anyone else know that he now has 36 homers?
- Carl Crawford went 3-4 with a double, triple, 2 RBI, and a run. The big off-season free agent acquisition is hitting .259/.295/.410 on the season.
- W: Clay Rapada (2-0), L: Josh Beckett (13-6), SV: Jim Johnson (9)
- HR: Mark Reynolds (35, 36)
- SB: Robert Andino (12), Matt Angle (10)
Tigers 6 - Royals 3
- Max Scherzer pitched 5 innings and allowed 2 earned runs with 5 strikeouts, in a no-decision. His road ERA this season is now 5.23, which is much larger than his 3.66 home ERA. By the way Tigers fans, do want to face the Red Sox or the Rays in the first round of the playoffs?
- Doug Fister pitched 3 innings, in relief of Scherzer and received his 10th win. The plan is to keep 2nd starter spot open, in case the team gets home field advantage and decides to pitch Scherzer at home (see his above ERA) or go with Fister on the road.
- Felipe Paulino struck out 8 batters over 5 innings, also in a no-decision. As an Astros fan it pains me to see him start to produce like I knew he could when he was in Houston. At least there's always Clint Barmes to dream on… oh wait, he's an impending free agent.
- Victor Marinez went 2-5 with 3 RBI. To my surprise he's played 105 games at DH this season. As long as he stays eligible at the catcher spot, his fantasy value will remain steady.
- Don Kelly went 3-5 with a double, homer, 2 RBI, and 2 runs. He played 1B, while Miguel Cabrera got the day off.
- W: Doug Fister (10-13), L: Kelvin Herrera (0-1), SV: Jose Valverde (47)
- HR: Don Kelly (6)
- SB: Austin Jackson (21), Alcides Escobar (25)
Mariners 5 - Twins 4
- Michael Pineda allowed 2 earned runs over 4 innings, in a no-decision. It was his last start of the season as the team has decided to cap his innings at 171 innings. He finishes the season with a 3.74 ERA, 173 strikeouts, and 55 walks.
- Kevin Slowey was up to Kevin Slowey things as he pitched 6.2 innings and allowed 5 earned runs on 6 hits. His 6.54 ERA over 53.2 innings… more time and maybe he'd be keeping John Lackey company for the worst ERA.
- Denard Span (concussion) was activated from the DL and went 0-3.
- Michael Cuddyer, Chris Parmelee, and Trevor Plouffe all had three hits. Cuddyer is batting .285/.350/.461 this season as one of the few fantasy bright spots on this Twins team.
- W: Cesar Jimenez (1-0), L: Kevin Slowey (0-7), SV: Brandon League (36)
- SB: Brian Dinkelman (2)
Rangers 3 - A's 2
- C.J. Wilson pitched 6 innings and allowed 2 earned run with 8 strikeouts, in a no-decision. In the AL he ranks 8th innings pitched (221.1), 6th in strikeouts (206), 7th in ERA (2.97), and 14th in WHIP (1.18).
- Brandon McCarthy kept the good times rolling with 7 innings of 1-run ball. He didn't walk anyone, but he only had 1 strikeout. He has now allowed 1 earned run or less in three of his last four starts.
- Ian Kinsler went 2-4 with a solo shot and a stolen base. He's at 30 homers and 26 stolen bases, so there's still time for him to go 30/30 if he can swipe 4 more bags between now and next Wednesday.
- W: Koji Uehara (2-3), L: Grant Balfour (4-2), SV: Neftali Feliz (29)
- HR: Ian Kinsler (30), Josh Hamilton (24)
- SB: Ian Kinsler (26), David Murphy (10), Scott Sizemore (4), Cliff Pennington (14); CS: Jemile Weeks (11)
Reds 2 - Astros 0
- Bronson Arroyo had a complete game, shutout on 6 hits, no walks, and 2 strikeouts against the lowly Astros. With one more good start, he can hopefully get his ERA below 5.00.
- Wandy Rodriguez recorded his 1,000 career strikeout as he struck out 4 batters over 7 innings of 2-run ball. His xFIP over the last four seasons has ranged from 3.55 to 3.70… pretty consistent if you ask me.
- Brandon Phillips went 3-4 with a run. He's batting .297/.348/.454 on the season with 18 homers, 81 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.
- W: Bronson Arroyo (9-12), L: Wandy Rodriguez (11-11)
- HR: Miguel Cairo (8)
- SB: Brandon Phillips (12)
Cubs 7 - Brewers 1
- Matt Garza pitched a complete game with 1 run allowed (0 earned) on 6 hits, 1 walk, and 10 strikeouts. That brings him to 189 strikeouts over 191 innings pitched on the season. His home ERA this season is 2.46, which is in stark contrast to his 4.74 road ERA.
- Randy Wolf was knocked around for 6 earned runs over 6 innings on 10 hits and 1 walk. Over the last month, he's had three starts with at least 5 earned runs allowed.
- Starlin Castro went 2-3 with a double, RBI, run, and 2 walks. He now needs 1 more hit to reach 200 for the season.
- Geovany Soto went 3-4 with a RBI and run. The catcher is batting a disappointing .228/.310/.414 this season.
- W: Matt Garza (9-10), L: Randy Wolf (13-10)
- HR: Marlon Byrd (9)
Padres 4 - Rockies 0
- Anthony Bass pitched 5 shutout innings with just 2 hits allowed and 1 walk issued. It was his second start of the season. Over 69.2 innings at Double-A he had a 3.75 ERA with 62 strikeouts and 21 walks.
- Aaron Cook allowed 4 earned over 5 innings with a surprising 8 strikeouts. With a 6.03 ERA, you can stick a fork in him… he's done.
- Eric Young Jr. went 2-4 with a stolen base. That's 3 stolen bases over his last four games and six over the last ten days.
- Anthony Rizzo went 2-4 with a RBI. He hit .331/.404/.652 over 413 plate appearances at Triple-A with 26 homers and 101 RBI.
- W: Anthony Bass (2-0), L: Aaron Cook (3-10)
- SB: Eric Young Jr. (24), Chris Iannetta (6)
Diamondbacks 8 - Pirates 5
- Wade Miley pitched 5 innings and allowed 2 earned runs for his 4th win. He has now allowed 2 earned runs or less in 5 of his last 6 starts.
- Ross Ohlendorf imploded for 7 earned runs over 2 innings on 7 hits and 2 walks. It's doubtful that he's on any fantasy rosters right now as he's sporting a 8.29 ERA.
- Derrek Lee went 3-4 with a homer, 2 RBI, and run.
- W: Wade Miley (4-2), L: Ross Ohlendorf (1-3), SV: J.J. Putz (43)
- HR: Derrek Lee (19), Ryan Ludwick (13), Miguel Montero (18)
- SB: Willie Bloomquist (19), Aaron Hill (19), Chris Young (21), Lyle Overbay (2), Gerardo Parra (14); CS: Aaron Hill (7)
Nationals 7 - Phillies 5
- John Lannan pitched 5 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 8 hits and a walk. In 16 starts against the Phillies he has a 5.81 ERA, all time.
- Vance Worley allowed 4 earned runs over his 6 innings with 6 strikeouts and 2 homers served up. He has walked 3 batters in three of his last four starts, suggesting that his control may be sliding here down the stretch.
- Danny Espinosa went 1-4 with a homer, 2 RBI, and 2 runs. He's still the NL rookie leader in WAR among position players, but will likely lose the ROY award to Craig Kimbrel.
- John Mayberry Jr. went 3-4 with a homer, 2 RBI, 3 runs, and a stolen base. For the month he's batting .333/.325/.471 with 3 homers.
- W: John Lannan (10-13), L: Vance Worley (11-3), SV: Henry Rodriguez (1)
- HR: Danny Espinosa (21), Wilson Ramos (14), John Mayberry Jr. (15)
- SB: John Mayberry Jr. (8); CS: Brian Bixler
Marlins 4 - Braves 0
- Javier Vazquez's come back tour played a home gig as he threw 7 innings of shutout ball with only 2 hits and 1 walk. He struck out 6 and now has his ERA to 3.77. His ERA since the All-Star break has been 2.16, which is less than half of his 5.23, pre-All-Star break ERA.
- Derek Lowe pitched 6.1 innings and allowed 3 earned runs as his ERA lowered to 4.92. Not sure why more aren't making an issue of his decide this season. This is his highest ERA since he was with the Red Sox in 2004.
- Logan Morrison went 2-4 with a solo shot. The OF is batting .249/.328/.470 this season with 22 homers and 71 RBI.
- Mike Stanton went 2-4 with a double and 2 runs. The beast is batting .267/.358/.549 this season. That slugging percentage of his is 5th highest in the NL.
- Javier Vazquez (12-11), L: Derek Lowe (9-16)
- HR: Logan Morrison (22), Brett Hayes (5)
- SB: Emilio Bonifacio (39)
Cardinals 6 - Mets 5
- Jaime Garcia pitched 7.2 innings with 4 runs allowed (0 earned) on 6 hits. He didn't walk any one as he struck out 5 batters. His home ERA this season is 2.55, in comparison to his 4.42 road ERA.
- Chris Schwinden made his third MLB start as he pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 earned runs. He struck out 5 batters with 2 walks and 6 hits allowed. Over 145.2 innings at Triple-A this season he had a 3.95 ERA with 134 strikeouts and 48 walks.
- Albert Pujols went 2-4 with 2 runs. His batting average is now at .305 and as long as he can maintain that and tack on 3 more RBI, he'll have his 11th season with a .300 batting average and 100 RBI.
- David Freese went 2-4 with triple, homer, 5 RBI, and a run. The 3B is batting .293/.339/.437 over 336 plate appearances.
- W: Jaime Garcia (13-7), L: Danny Herrera (0-1), SV: Jason Motte (8)
- HR: Willie Harris (2), David Freese (10)
Giants 8 - Dodgers 5
- Ryan Vogelson won his 12th game after he pitched 5 innings and allowed 4 earned runs. The win is fluky, but he's been great this season with a 2.81 ERA over 172.2 innings with 135 strikeouts and 61 walks.
- Dana Eveland took the loss, after he allowed 5 earned runs one 4 innings on 6 hits and 3 walks. It was his fourth start of the season with the team. With a career 5.61 ERA, I don't know why he continues to find places to pitch at.
- Matt Kemp went 2-4 with a homer, 3 RBI, 2 runs, and a walk. In the NL he ranks 2nd in homers (35), 2nd in stolen bases (40), 4th in OBP (.400), and 2nd in slugging percentage (.569). I'd love for him to somehow get 5 more homers and go 40/40.
- Brett Pill went 3-5 with a double, 2 RRI, and 2 runs. At Triple-A this season he hit .312/.341/.530 over 576 plate appearances with 25 homers and 107 RBI.
- W: Ryan Vogelsong (12-7), L: Dana Eveland (2-2), SV: Brian Wilson (36)
- HR: Matt Kemp (35)
- SB: Emmanuel Burriss (11), Dee Gordon (23); CS: Brett Pill