Fantasy Baseball Stats and MLB Recaps: April 30, 2011 Edition
A couple of grand slams, a couple of hitting streaks broken, and all kinds of fun around the league last night.
Road team standouts are listed first, followed by home teams.
Indians 9, Tigers 5
1 of 15
W: Chris Perez (1-1)
L: Joaquin Benoit (0-1)
Tigers Standouts
Miguel Cabrera, 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
Ryan Raburn, 2-for-5, 2B, R
Alex Avila, 2-for-2, 2 BB, 2B, 2 RBI
Indians Standouts
Asdrubal Cabrera, 2-for-3, 2 BB, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, SB
Carlos Santana, 1-for-4, BB, HR, 4 RBI
Shelley Duncan, 2-for-4, 2 RBI
Matt LaPorta, 1-for-4, HR
Recap
Carlos Santana hit a walk-off grand slam to give the Indians a victory over the rival Tigers in stunning fashion. The Tribe never led the game until the final bell but helped tie it up with home runs by Matt LaPorta and Asdrubal Sanchez in the seventh. Max Schrezer started the day for Detroit, went six and two-thirds and gave up five runs. Jeanmar Gomez was on the mound for Cleveland and went five and two-thirds, allowing three runs.
Commentary
Walk-off grand slam—that's just fun to read. It's in the same category as cycles and triple plays for rareness, but is probably the most common of the three. For anyone who missed it though, you could tell Santana had launched the ball into a different hemisphere, the second it left the bat.
Blue Jays 5, Yankees 3
2 of 15
W: Ricky Romero (2-3)
L: Freddy Garcia (1-1)
S: Jon Rauch (5)
Blue Jays Standouts
Jose Bautista, 2-for-3, 2 BB, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB
J.P. Arencibia, 2-for-4, HR
Rajai Davis, 1-for-4, BB, R, 2 SB
Yankees Standouts
Robinson Cano, 2-for-3, 2 HR, 3 R
Russell Martin, 1-for-3, BB, 2B, RBI
Recap
Jose Bautista knocked his AL-leading ninth home run of the season as Toronto took the opener of their three-game set in New York. With the exception of two Robinson Cano home runs, Ricky Romero kept the Yankees bats in check, giving up only two runs over six innings while striking out seven. Freddy Garcia started for the Yanks, pitching five and allowing three.
Commentary
Bautista is also leading the AL in batting average, with .372. What's more surprising is that he's got a 30-point buffer between himself and second place (Travis Hafner at .342).
Nationals 3, Giants 0
3 of 15
W: Jason Marquis (3-0)
L: Tim Lincecum (2-3)
Giants Standouts
Aaron Rowand, 2-for-4
Nationals Standouts
Jason Marquis, 9 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 7 K; 1-for-3, RBI
Laynce Nix, 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI
Ian Desmond, 3-for-3, 2 2B, R
Wilson Ramos, 1-for-3, 2B, R
Recap
Jason Marquis pitched a five-hit, complete game shutout as the Nationals took the first game of their series from the Giants. Marquis also helped his own cause by singling in the fifth to drive in Ian Desmond. Tim Lincecum started for San Francisco, pitching seven innings and gave up three runs. Laynce Nix added a two-run shot in the second for the the Nats.
Commentary
Not only does Marquis have a 1.000 winning percentage, but he is currently batting five-for-13 for the season. And that fulfills my quota on dispensing useless statistics for the day.
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Phillies 10, Mets 3
4 of 15
W: Vance Worley (1-0)
L: Mike Pelfrey (1-3)
Mets Standouts
Jason Pridie, 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Ike Davis, 1-for-3, BB, HR
John Thole, 0-for-1, 3 BB, R
Phillies Standouts
Ryan Howard, 2-for-4, 2 HR, 6 RBI
Vance Worley, 6 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 4 BB, 5 SO
Placido Polanco, 2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 R
Jimmy Rollins, 2-for-3, 2 BB, 2 R, SB
Ben Francisco, 2-for-4, BB, 2 RBI
Shane Victorino, 1-for-3, BB, R, SB
Recap
Ryan Howard notched six RBI off of two home runs—one a grand slam—as the Phillies rolled past the Mets. Placido Polanco and Ben Francisco each added two RBI as well, which brought their season totals to 18 apiece. Vance Worley was called up from AAA due to Joe Blanton's injury, and pitched six innings of shutout ball. Mike Pelfrey started for the Mets and allowed four runs over four-plus innings.
Commentary
Impressive outing by the 23-year-old Worley. It's almost a shame that the Phils' rotation has so many stars on it, given that this kid might be as high as a third or fourth starter on a few other teams.
Mariners 5, Red Sox 4
5 of 15
W: Jason Vargas (1-2)
L: Bobby Jenks (1-2)
S: Brandon League (6)
Mariners Standouts
Ichiro Suzuki, 2-for-4, BB, 2 R
Chone Figgins, 2-for-4, BB, 2B, 2 R
Justin Smoak, 1-for-4, BB, 2 RBI
Jack Cust, 1-for-2, 2 BB, 2B, RBI
Miguel Olivo, 1-for-5, RBI, R
Red Sox Standouts
Mike Cameron, 2-for-4, 2 HR
Kevin Youkilis, 1-for-3, BB, RBI
Adrian Gonzalez, 2-for-4, R
Recap
Seattle improved to 7-7 on the road this season by beating Boston Friday night. Daisuke Matsuzaka started for the BoSox, but went only four innings (allowing three runs) before leaving the game with tightness in his elbow. Jason Vargas started for the M's and gave up four runs over seven, acquiring his first win of the year.
Commentary
Justin Smoak has been hot lately, carving two more RBI on the bedpost and totaling ten over the Mariners current four-game win streak.
Marlins 7, Reds 6
6 of 15
W: Javier Vazquez (2-2)
L: Travis Wood (1-3)
S: Leo Nunez (8)
Marlins Standouts
John Buck, 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
Hanley Ramirez, 2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Gaby Sanchez, 2-for-3, BB, R
Emilio Bonifacio, 2-for-5, 3B, 2B, 2 R
Omar Infante, 1-for-4, 2B, SF, RBI
Reds Standouts
Jeremy Hermida, 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Jay Bruce, 1-for-4, BB, HR, 2 R
Paul Janish, 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, R
Ramon Hernandez, 1-for-4, 2B, R
Recap
The Marlins notched their eleventh win in fourteen games as Florida sneaked one out of Cincinnati. Travis Wood had a rough outing, allowing seven runs in just over three innings. Javier Vazquez went six innings for the Marlins, giving up four runs on just four hits. Vazquez also did well at the plate, scoring Wes Helms on a RBI single and scoring a run of his own in the fourth.
Commentary
I'm not ready to declare Hanley Ramirez out of his funk quite yet, although he does have four hits and three runs over the past three games. But given that he's a career .310 hitter, it's really just a matter of time.
Angels 8, Rays 5
7 of 15
W: Ervin Santana (1-3)
L: David Price (3-3)
S: Jordan Walden (4)
Angels Standouts
Mark Trumbo, 2-for-5, HR, 4 RBI
Bobby Abreu, 3-for-4, BB, 2B, 2 R
Howie Kendrick, 3-for-4, 2 R
Erick Aybar, 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, SB
Alberto Callaspo, 3-for-4, RBI, R
Rays Standouts
Mike Joyce, 1-for-3, BB, HR, 3 RBI
B.J. Upton, 1-for-4, HR
John Jaso, 2-for-3, BB, 2 2B
Casey Kotchman, 2-for-4, 2B,
Ben Zobrist, 1-for-3, BB, R, SB
Recap
The Angels nailed 17 hits on Friday—making a total of 38 over the past three games—and took their first game of the series against Tampa Bay. Ervin Santana was awarded with the win for Anaheim, pitching six innings and giving up only one earned run on four hits. David Price's day wasn't nearly as uneventful, as 12 of the Angels' hits came off of him over just four and one-third innings. Mike Trumbo had a two-run blast in the fourth and all-totaled drove in four on the day. Johnny Damon's 16-game hit streak came to an end, as he went 0-for-4.
Commentary
The Angels are currently tied for first in the AL West, but still have two more games against Tampa, four in Boston, then three back in Anaheim against the Central Division-leading Indians. Should be a good indicator of where they're at as far as the AL competition goes.
Cardinals 5, Braves 3, F/11
8 of 15
W: Eduardo Sanchez (1-0)
L: Cory Gearrin (0-1)
S: Trever Miller (1)
Cardinals Standouts
Yadier Molina, 2-for-3, RBI, SF
Daniel Descalso, 1-for-4, 2 RBI, SF
Nick Punto, 1-for-6, 3B, 2 RBI
Braves Standouts
Jason Heyward, 2-for-5, HR
Nate McLouth, 2-for-4, BB, HR
Dan Uggla, 2-for-4, BB, 2B, RBI
Chipper Jones, 1-for-4, BB, 2B, R
Recap
Nick Punto tripled in two runs in the top of the 11th as the Cardinals outlasted the Braves. The Cardinals were down 3-2 in the ninth but, following singles by Yadier Molina and Ryan Theriot, Daniel Descalso hit a sac fly to tie the game. Chris Carpenter got the start for the Cards, went seven innings and gave up three. His counterpart, Tim Hudson, notched a quality start of his own, going six and allowing two.
Commentary
Hard to knock the Cardinals after a win, but why would they ever choose Nick Punto—career .247 hitter—to be their leadoff hitter?
Brewers 5, Astros 0
9 of 15
W: Shaun Marcum (3-1)
L: Brett Myers (1-1)
Brewers Standouts
Prince Fielder, 2-for-3, BB, HR, 2B,
Ryan Braun, 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Yuniesky Betancourt, 1-for-2, 2 BB, HR
Carlos Gomez, 0-for-4, 2 R, 2 SB
Astros Standouts
Brett Wallace, 2-for-2, SB
Michael Bourn, 1-for-3, BB, 2 SB
Recap
Shaun Marcum pitched seven shutout innings as the Brewers rolled past the Astros. The offense for Milwaukee was provided by—who else—Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. The 3-4 hitters for the Brew Crew had back-to-back home runs in the first and each added another RBI later in the game. Brett Myers got the start for Houston, and gave up four runs over six innings.
Commentary
Carlos Gomez might not be the best hiiter in the world, but he's already stolen eight bases on the year, including two last night. If he keeps up the trend, he'll easily break his previous career high from 2008 of 33.
Orioles 10, White Sox 4
10 of 15
W: Jake Arrieta (3-1)
L: John Danks (0-4)
Orioles Standouts
Matt Wieters, 2-for-5, HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R
Brian Roberts, 2-for-4, BB 2B, 3 RBI
Luke Scott, 1-for-4, BB, HR, 2 R
Mark Reynolds, 1-for-4, BB, RBI, 3 R
Robert Andino, 3-for-4, BB, R
White Sox Standouts
A.J. Pierzynski, 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Brad Lillibridge, 1-for-4, HR
Mark Teahen, 1-for-3, BB, 2B, R
Recap
Baltimore found their bats Friday night, as they walked away with the first game of their series with Chicago. Matt Wieters knocked in four, including a two-run shot in the sixth, and Luke Scott blasted a solo shot of his own. The Orioles led 5-4 going into the seventh, but posted five in the frame off an error, two doubles and five walks. Jake Arrieta got the start for the O's, went five innings and allowed three runs in the win. John Danks went six innings, giving up five for the Sox.
Commentary
This game doesn't automatically mean Baltimore's offensive woes are solved, but it's not out of the question, as Baltimore has won three of four. Stay tuned.
Royals 4, Twins 3
11 of 15
W: Blake Wood (1-0)
L: Alex Burnett (0-1)
S: Joakim Soria (6)
Twins Standouts
Danny Valencia, 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI
Jason Kubel, 2-for-4, 2B, R
Luke Hughes, 1-for-4, HR
Royals Standouts
Alex Gordon, 2-for-3, BB, 3B, 2B, RBI
Wilson Betemit, 1-for-4, 2B, R
Brayan Pena, 2-for-3, BB, 2B, R
Recap
The Royals rallied from two runs down to take down the Twins Friday night. Wilson Betemit scored on an errant throw by catcher Drew Butera and Alcides Escobar hit a sac fly to plate the go-ahead run in the eighth. Bruce Chen allowed three runs over five and two-thirds for K.C., while Scott Baker got the start for Minnesota, going six and a third and allowing two.
Commentary
The Twins pitching staff was able to halt Jeff Francoeur's hitting streak at 17 games however, as he went 0-3.
Pirates 3, Rockies 0
12 of 15
W: Kevin Correia (4-2)
L: Jhoulys Chacin (3-2)
S: Joel Hanrahan (8)
Pirates Standouts
Kevin Correia, 6.2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 SO
Garrett Jones, 2-for-4, HR
Andrew McCutchen, 1-for-3, BB, HR
Ronny Cedeno, 1-for-3, 3B, RBI
Rockies Standouts
None.
Recap
Kevin Correia shut down the potent Colorado offense, allowing just three hits in six and two-thirds innings, leading the Pirates to a win over the Rockies. Garrett Jones and Andrew McCutchen backed Correia's performance, each tagging solo shots over the right field wall. Jhoulys Chacin started for Colorado, and allowed three runs over seven innings.
Commentary
Four of Correia's six starts have been quality ones. Two of those starts have been games on the road against potent offenses—the Rockies last night and the Reds last week. His ERA and WHIP (2.90 and 1.09, respectively) will likely go up by the end of the season but, given how impressive he's been thus far, it's hard to predict if they'll jump significantly.
Cubs 4, Diamondbacks 2
13 of 15
W: Carlos Zambrano (3-1)
L: Armando Galarraga (3-2)
S: Carlos Marmol (6)
Cubs Standouts
Alfonso Soriano, 2-for-4, 2 HR
Geovany Soto, 1-for-4, HR
Darwin Barney, 1-for-4, 3B, R
Diamondbacks Standouts
Justin Upton, 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Chris Young, 1-for-3, 2 BB, 2B, R
Recap
Alfonso Soriano had two solo home runs and Geovany Soto added one of his own as the Cubs pulled out a victory over the Diamondbacks. Carlos Zambrano got the start for Chicago and allowed just two runs over six innings. Armando Galarraga pitched seven innings for Arizona, and gave up three. All of Arizona's offense came off of a two-run shot by Justin Upton in the first inning.
Commentary
Nothing's been going as well as the Cubs probably projected at the beginning of the season, so a little optimism is acceptable for Soriano's eighth and ninth home runs this season.
Athletics 3, Rangers 1
14 of 15
W: Trevor Cahill (4-0)
L: C.J. Wilson (3-1)
S: Brian Fuentes (7)
Rangers Standouts
Elvis Andrus, 2-for-4, BB, R
Michael Young, 2-for-5, RBI
Athletics Standouts
Conor Jackson, 2-for-3, 2 2B, R
Daric Barton, 1-for-4, 2 R
Josh Willingham, 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
Recap
Trevor Cahill continued his dominance to begin the season, pitching seven shutout innings against the formidable Texas offense. The Rangers countered with C.J. Wilson, who pitched seven innings himself. While he allowed three runs, only one was earned due to errors by Ian Kinsler and Julio Borbon.
Commentary
Cahill's ERA is 1.88 for the season and has allowed more than one run only once this season.
Dodgers 3, Padres 2
15 of 15
W: Ted Lilly (2-2)
L: Clayton Richard (1-2)
S: Jonathan Broxton (6)
Padres Standouts
Chase Headley, 2-for-4, 2B, R
Orlando Hudson, 1-for-3, BB, RBI, SB
Nick Hundley, 1-for-3, BB, RBI
Dodgers Standouts
Jamey Carroll, 2-for-5, 2B, R
Juan Uribe, 2-for-4, 2B, HR
Matt Kemp, 1-for-4, HR
Andre Ethier, 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Aaron Miles, 3-for-4, 2B
Recap
The Dodgers took round one of their set with the Padres as Ted Lilly pitched six innings and allowed only one run. Clayton Richard went five and two-thirds innings for the Friars, and allowed two runs. Juan Uribe and Matt Kemp each had solo shots for the Dodgers.
Commentary
The one hit streak that remained in tact last night was Ethier's, as he tagged a double in the fifth. I don't think he's going to break the record—not due to lack of talent, my opinion is the record's just too difficult to break—but I'm betting it lasts at least a few more games. My prediction is 31.
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