News:
Top prospect Chase d'Arnaud was officially called up by the Pirates. More on him below.
The Cardinals signed their 2011 first round pick, second baseman Kolten Wong.
The Reds activated reliever Aroldis Chapman from the DL.
Yesterday's Games:
The Brewers came back to beat the Twins 4-3. You can find out how by reading our recap.
The Reds lost to the Orioles 5-4 in twelve innings. Edinson Volquez had a poor start, going 4.1 innings and allowing four earned runs on seven hits and five walks. Four other Cincinnati relievers managed to blank Baltimore for six innings before Jose Arredondo allowed a walk off home run to Adam Jones. The Reds had six doubles in this game, including two from Jay Bruce. Bruce, along with Ramon Hernandez, Scott Rolen, and Brandon Phillips all had two hits.
The Pirates beat the Red Sox 3-1. The Pirates are now on a three game winning streak after defeating perhaps the AL's best team, Boston. Paul Maholm allowed just one run in 6.1 innings and five Pittsburgh relievers combined to prevent the Red Sox from scoring the rest of the game. Lyle Overbay both went 2-4 and each had an RBI. Rookie Chase d'Arnaud got the start at second base after being called up and collected his first major league hit, a triple off of Jon Lester, in the fifth.
The Astros lost to the Rays 5-1. The Astros only managed three hits and Wandy Rodriguez gave up five runs in six innings. That's about all you need to know from this one.
The Cardinals lost to the Blue Jays 5-4 after Jose Bautista hit a ninth inning solo home run to take the lead. Matt Holliday was 2-4 with a two run homer, and Colby Rasmus also hit a solo shot. Jake Westbrook came close to a disaster start as he managed to go just 4.1 innings and allowed four runs on ten hits and a walk.
The Cubs beat the Royals 6-4. There were plenty of hits in this game (25 between the two teams) and Starlin Castro and Aramis Ramirez (who scored two runs) each picked up three of them. Carlos Pena was also 2-4 with two runs and an RBI and DJ Lemahieu picked up a couple of hits and a run. Ryan Dempster gave up four runs (just two earned) in six innings.
Updated Standings:
| W | L | GB | Last 10 | Streak | |
| Brewers | 42 | 35 | -- | 4-6 | W1 |
| Cardinals | 41 | 36 | 1.0 | 3-7 | L1 |
| Reds | 39 | 38 | 3.0 | 6-4 | L1 |
| Pirates | 38 | 37 | 3.0 | 5-5 | W3 |
| Cubs | 31 | 44 | 10.0 | 5-5 | W1 |
| Astros | 28 | 49 | 14.0 | 3-7 | L1 |
Today's Matchups:
The Pirates and Jeff Karstens (4-4, 2.54) take on the Red Sox and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (4-2, 4.26)
The Reds face off against the Orioles. Bronson Arroyo (6-6, 4.86) will take on Brian Matusz (1-2, 5.60)
Bud Norris (4-5, 3.26) takes the mound for the Astros against the Rays and Wade Davis (6-5, 4.57)
Carlos Zambrano (6-4, 4.50) will face rookie Danny Duffy (1-2, 5.03) as the Cubs play the Royals.
The Brewers and Twins have one of the better pitching matchups today: Yovani Gallardo (8-4, 4.11) vs. Francisco Liriano (4-6, 4.59)
The Cardinals try to make their way back to first with Jaime Garcia (6-2, 3.19) who will go up against Carlos Villanueva (4-1, 3.17) and the Blue Jays.