News:
The Reds should be getting three different pitchers back off of the DL this week. Starter Homer Bailey and relievers Aroldis Chapman and Sam LeCure have been throwing or will throw in minor league rehab assignments in preparation for a return to the big league roster.
The news isn't as good for the Astros, as reliever Brandon Lyon will be requiring season ending surgery. An interesting aspect to this is that it appears no baseball player has ever undergone the needed surgery before.
Carlos Zambrano still would be willing to waive his no trade clause if the Cubs try to trade him.
Yesterday's Games:
The Brewers lost to the Red Sox, 10-4. You can find our recap here.
The Pirates lost to the Indians, 5-1. Kevin Correia was as solid as ever, going 5.2 innings and allowing just one earned run on four hits and three walks, but he still managed to pick up the loss. The Pirates were only down 2-1 after seven and a half innings before Daniel Moskos allowed three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Garrett Jones was 2-4 and Neil Walker also reached base twice with a single and a walk.
The Cubs beat the Yankees, 3-1. Doug Davis was as good as he's been in a while, lasting 7.1 innings and allowing just one run on three hits and three walks. Starlin Castro was great, going 2-4 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored and Aramis Ramirez was 2-4 with two RBI.
The Reds lost 3-2 to the Blue Jays. The Reds scored a run in both the bottom of the sixth and the bottom of the seventh, but sandwiched in between was a three run half frame for Toronto, two of which came on an Adam Lind HR. Mike Leake took the loss after he pitched seven innings and allowed all three runs in the seventh. Prior to that inning, Leake gave up just two hits through six innings. Jonny Gomes was 2-3, but the Reds only runs came on solo homers from Drew Stubbs and Scott Rolen.
The Cardinals lost to the Royals, 5-4. Outside of a four run third inning, the Cardinals couldn't get any offense going as they lost their seventh in a row. Chris Carpenter managed to go eight innings, though he gave up five runs (four earned) on ten hits. He did strike out seven. The top four hitters in the Cards lineup all scored a run as Lance Berkman had a bases clearing double for three RBI and Matt Holliday also drove in one. Albert Pujols, playing at third again, was 0-4 and had another error.
The Astros beat the Dodgers, 7-3. Brett Myers was fantastic, allowing 3 three runs (2 earned) in nine innings, including two runs in the final frame. The Dodgers manages just four hits and a walk off Myers and struck out six times. Jason Bourgeois, Carlos Lee, Chris Johnson, and Clint Barmes all had multiple hit games. Lee was 3-5 with an RBI and two runs scored while Barmes had two RBI and Brett Wallace scored two runs. Andre Ethier hit a two run homer in the ninth for the Dodgers.
Updated Standings:
| W | L | GB | Last 10 | Streak | |
| Brewers | 39 | 32 | -- | 5-5 | L2 |
| Cardinals | 38 | 33 | 1.0 | 2-8 | L7 |
| Reds | 37 | 34 | 2.0 | 6-4 | L1 |
| Pirates | 35 | 34 | 3.0 | 6-4 | L1 |
| Cubs | 29 | 40 | 9.0 | 6-4 | W2 |
| Astros | 26 | 45 | 13.0 | 3-7 | W1 |
Today's Matchups:
The Brewers hope Randy Wolf (4-4, 3.20) can stop the bleeding as they go against the Red Sox and Jon Lester (9-2, 3.73).
The Cardinals try to stop their own bleeding as Jake Westbrook (6-4, 5.16) faces off against Vin Mazzaro (1-1, 10.80) and the Royals.
Ryan Dempster (5-5, 5.48) and the Cubs take on AJ Burnett (6-5, 4.09) and the Yankees.
The Pirates send Paul Maholm (3-7, 3.12) to the mound to take on Carlos Carrasco (6-3, 4.09) and the Indians.
Edinson Volquez (4-2, 5.48), who has had two good starts since returning from the minors, will attempt to spur the Reds to victory against the Blue Jays and Brandon Morrow (2-4, 5.63)
Wandy Rodriguez (4-3, 3.13) and the Astros take on Rubby De La Rosa (3-0, 3.00) and the Dodgers.