Fantasy Baseball Box Score Breakouts: 4/5/10

Here’s a look at the unheralded players who played well yesterday.

Placido Polanco, Philadelphia Phillies
Polanco hit just 10 HRs last year, but started out with a bang going 3-for-4 with a grand slam and six RBI. Hitting between Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley doesn’t hurt.

Ivan Rodriguez, Washington Nationals
Pudge went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles. I’m not sure how much he has left in the tank, but this was a nice start.

Colby Rasmus, St. Louis Cardinals
Colby went 2-for-4 with two runs, a HR, and 2 RBI. He’s hitting fifth in the lineup behind Matt Holliday.

Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
Molina got off to a strong start going 2-for-4 with a grand slam. He hit just six HRs last year, so savor this one.

Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox
Often overlooked because of the lack of K’s (three in seven innings yesterday), Buehrle made his owners smile with seven scoreless innings. He earned the win and posted a WHIP of 0.57.

Ryan Doumit, Pittsburgh Pirates
Doumit looked healthy going 2-for-4 with two runs, a double, a HR, and 3 RBI. He hit clean-up.

Zach Duke, Pittsburgh Pirates
Duke got Pittsburgh off to a strong start by holding the Dodgers to two runs in five innings for the win.

Vernon Wells, Toronto Blue Jays
Wells appeared healthy going 3-for-4 with a HR and 3 RBI.

Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Brewers
Gomez went 4-for-5 with two runs, a HR, and a SB for the Brew Crew. He hit well this spring and got off to a great start. He has the talent. He just has to cut down on mistakes and play with confidence.

Franklin Morales, Colorado Rockies
Morales gave up a run, but earned the save filling in for Huston Street.

Marlon Byrd, Chicago Cubs
Byrd hit a three-run HR off Derek Lowe. He’s batting fifth in the lineup and it’s nice to see him carry his 2009 power to Chicago.

Casey Kotchman, Seattle Mariners
Hitting third for the M’s, Kotchman went 2-for-4 with a double and four RBI. With Ichiro and Chone Figgins setting the table, he could have plenty of RBI opportunities.

Potent Middle Relievers:
Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals:  1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks
Danny Herrera: 1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks
Jensen Lewis, Cleveland Indians: 1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks
J.J. Putz & Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox:  1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks each
Brendan Donnelly, Pittsburgh Pirates: 1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks
Sean Marshall, Chicago Cubs:  2-2/3 IP, 0 Runs, 5 Ks
Takashi Saito, Atlanta Braves:   1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks
Aaron Heilman:  1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks
Sammy Gervacio:  1 IP, 0 Runs, 2 Ks

Trouble Watch :
Ryan Franklin gave up two runs on three hits in one inning of work.
Jason Frasor blew a save giving up two runs on four hits in one-third IP.