Sunday's MLB action was highlighted by the Dodgers sweeping the first place Padres in San Diego behind 7+ quality innings from Chad Billingsley.
Here are the rest of my thoughts after reviewing Sunday's boxscores:
Billingsley shut out the Padres for 7+ innings, allowing only 5 baserunners and striking out 6. Billz threw first pitch strikes to 19 of the 26 batters he faced, and induced 11 ground ball outs. The win was his 4th of the season and he lowered his ERA to just over 4.00. i think Rick Honeycutt's job is safe with the way Clayton Kershaw and Billz has been pitching lately.
Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera blew a 2 run lead in the 8th inning, as they combined to give up 5 runs, 4 came on a grand slam by Twins outfielder Jason Kubel. I can't remember the last time Mo blew a save.
The Blue Jays somehow scored 5 runs on 3 hits to defeat the Rangers on Sunday. Jose Bautista hit his 10th HR of the season in the 6th inning, a 3-run shot, to back the quality start of Brandon Morrow. Morrow held the Rangers to 2 runs on 8 hits and a walk, while striking out 8.
The Cardinals lost to the Reds for the 2nd time in 3 games, and have lost 3 of their last 4 series, including getting swept by the Astros earlier in the week. A common theme in the losing streak is Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday not hitting. Pujols went 0-3 on Sunday, while Holliday went 1-4. Pujols has gone 8-29 so far this season-not bad-but he has to be disappointing some owners. Holliday, on the other hand, has gone 4-14 and is certainly not performing like a late first round, or early second round, pick.
Mariners starter Cliff Lee pitched well enough to win, but the Mariners bats could only muster one run on 6 hits vs the Rays on Sunday. Lee gave up 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk, and struck out 10. GM Jack Z will get plenty for him at the trade deadline.
More roto thoughts after the jump
Indians starter Jake Westbrook hurled a complete game on Sunday, limiting the Orioles to one run on 9 hits, a walk, and 8 strikeouts. Westbrook induced 15 ground ball outs in the game.
Rockies starter Jeff Francis pitched a gem in his first start after returning from the DL. He gave up one run in 7 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 walks and striking out 6. Francis is a must pickup in NL-only and deeper mixed leagues.
With the news the closer Huston Street won't be back until sometime in June, the Rockies are counting on Manny Corpas to fill the closer role, and he did just that on Sunday. Corpas only needed 8 pitches to close out the Nationals for his 2nd save of the season.
After the game, the Nationals announced they are calling up future closer Drew Storen. Storen is a must pickup in keeper leagues, but won't have much value until he is actually closing games in Washington. Current closer Matt Capps is having a fine season, so Storen will probably be pitching the 7th inning to start out. He does have value in leagues which count holds.
It appears the Phillies are going to activate SS Jimmy Rollins on Monday, so be sure to get him in your lineup.
The Diamondbacks have had to deal with a horrific bullpen this season, and now their best starter, Dan Haren, is not pitching up to expectations. The Braves teed off on Haren, as he gave up 7 runs, 6 earned, in 4+ innings. Haren allowed 8 hits, two were HRs, and 3 walks and only struck out two. Haren's ERA sits at 4.83, and fantasy owners have to be concerned. i would give Haren one more start to see if he can turn it around before benching him.
The Braves have been searching for a consistent leadoff hitter all season. On Sunday, they had second baseman Martin Prado leading off and he responded with 4 hits, 2 of which were HRs, and drove in 3 runs. Prado is having another fine season for the Braves as he is hitting .323-.369-.465 for the season.
Angels starter Joel Pinero pithched a complete game shutout vs the A's on Sunday. He allowed 4 hits and a walk, while inducing 15 ground ball outs.
The A's recently called up DH Jack Cust to help their struggling offense. The A's lineup on Sunday included 5 guys hitting ,250 or lower.
Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco held the Mets to three runs, two earned, in 6 innings on Sunday for his 4th win of the season. Nolasco allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and struck out 3. I own Nolasco in several 5 x 5 leagues and am disappointed with his K totals so far.