Around the NL Central: August 14 Edition

News:

The Pirates have placed Derrek Lee on the 15 day DL retroactive to August 10 due to a fractured wrist.  Lee had seen limited playing time since August 3. 

Brandon Phillips was out of the Reds' lineup for the fourth straight game yesterday, but is likely to make his return today.  Phillips had been ailing after being hit in the elbow by a pitch last Tuesday. 

In Carlos Zambrano news, he has now been placed on the "disqualified list" by the Cubs, which basically means he has been suspended for at least 30 days without pay and won't be eligible to return to the team until the eleventh of September.  The Chicago Tribune has a nice rundown of all Zambrano's antics over the years and Chicago GM Jim Hendry called Atlanta GM Frank Wren to apologize for Zambrano throwing twice at Chipper Jones.  In other news, there has been no news of Doug Melvin receiving a similar call from the Cardinals after Ryan Braun was thrown at twice.

Yesterday's Games:

The Brewers won a pitching duel against the Pirates 1-0.  Marco Estrada threw five one-hit innings.  You can find our recap here.

The Cubs beat the Braves 8-4.  Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney both had great games with each going 4-5.  Each scored a run and Starlin drove in two while Barney drove in one.  Tyler Colvin went 2-5 with a double, a triple, and two runs scored and Carlos Pena drove in a couple of runs.  Randy Wells gave up eight hits in five innings, but only allowed two runs. 

The Reds creamed the the Padres 13-1.  The Reds didn't do a whole lot special and hit a meager seven home runs.  Miguel Cairo and Ryan Hanigan both hit two and Joey Votto, Todd Frazier, and Jay Bruce each hit one.  I'm not going to both taking the time to run down all the RBIs and runs, so feel free to check out the linked boxscore for that.  Homer Bailey went seven innings and gave up just the one run while striking out seven.

The Astros lost to the Dogers 6-1.  Jimmy Paredes had a couple of hits and a stolen base while JD Martinez drove in Jason Bourgeois for Houston's lone run.  Wandy Rodriguez gave up five runs, two of which were earned, in six innings while striking out three.

The Cardinals lost to the Rockies 6-1.  Rafael Furcal was the only Cardinal to reach base twice, via a hit and a walk.  David Freese drove in Matt Holliday for the lone St. Louis run.  Jaime Garcia didn't have his best outing, allowing five runs (including a three run homer to Carlos Gonzalez) in five innings on six hits and four walks.

Updated Standings:

Today's Matchups:

The Reds and Dontrelle Willis (0-2, 3.41) face Wade LeBlanc (0-2, 4.55) and the Padres.

Matt Garza (5-9, 3.81) and the Cubs take on Brandon Beachy (5-2, 3.43) and the Braves.

The Brewers have Shaun Marcum (10-3, 3.62) taking the mound against the Pirates who are sending out Charlie Morton (9-6, 3.56).

The Astros have Jordan Lyles (1-6, 4.88) against Hiroki Kuroda (7-14, 3.01) and the Dodgers.

Edwin Jackson (8-8, 4.07) gets the call for the Cardinals as they play against the Rockies, who have Esmil Rogers (6-1, 5.85) pitching.