Kuzul

Really, MLB?
You’re going to make me take time out of my Future Hall of Fame series to fix your All-Star Rosters?
You guys obviously need help this year. There’s bad, and then there’s not even trying. I mean, really.
No Joey Votto? No Jered Weaver? OMAR FREAKING INFANTE?
Thankfully, I’m giving you a mulligan this year. In fact, I’ll even fix your rosters for you, starting right now.

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Orioles southpaw Brian Matusz pitched shutout ball for seven innings at Fenway Park this afternoon, leading the Baltimore Orioles to a rare win in Boston, beating the Red Sox, 6-1. He held the Red Sox to two hits — one each in the third and fourth innings — while walking three and striking out seven in earning his first win since April 18th. He had lost his last nine decisions.

It was the 13th time in 17 starts Matusz has held an opponent to three runs or less, yet his record is a dismal 3-9. The problem has been his run support — his teammates have scored only one run or were shut out in eight of his starts.

Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel said: “He’s probably been one of our most consistent guys. We haven’t been able to score runs for him, but he’s been able to take us deep into games, with us not playing well behind him, with us not getting base hits, so it was very nice to see us score some runs for him today.”

They didn’t score many for him today off Red Sox starter John Lackey, but they scored enough. Lackey and Matusz took a 2-0 game into the eighth inning, but the O’s scored two runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth to put the game out of reach. Lackey gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits in 7.1 innings. He walked one and struck out seven.

Of Lackey’s outing, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said: “I thought today was the best stuff he’s had all year.”

The Orioles broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the fourth inning against Lackey. Nick Markakis doubled, advanced on Ty Wigginton’s bouncer to second and scored on a wild pitch. Scott Moore added an RBI single.

Baltimore chased Lackey with two runs in the eighth inning. Miguel Tejada led off with a double and advanced to third base on a single by Markakis. He then scored on Wigginton’s bouncer to shortstop, which should have been a double play. But Marco Scutaro looked toward home plate for a force out, ending any chance of a double play, and then bounced the throw to first base. Wigginton reached on the throwing error and Markakis moved to third base. Adam Jones hit a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0, and Lackey was replaced by lefty Dustin Richardson. The O’s added two runs in the ninth inning off Scott Atchison.

Kevin Youkilis homered for the Red Sox in the bottom of the ninth inning to avoid the shutout.

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The Red Sox began the day with a chance to move into first place in the AL East, but fell 1½ games back after New York beat Toronto, 7-6, in 10 innings.

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Francona said Clay Buchholz won’t make a start on Monday or Tuesday night in Tampa. Originally, he was pushed back after straining his left hamstring last weekend in San Francisco. He’s been throwing and running without any trouble, but the Red Sox want to be cautious — they aren’t going to take any chances heading into the second half of the season. Francona said: “I think what worries us is the unexpected moves that happen in a game.” He also said the club may put him on the disabled list.

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Daisuke Matsuzaka will face the Rays tomorrow night and Tim Wakefield is scheduled for Wednesday… that leaves the team needing a starting pitcher for Tuesday. Felix Doubrant will likely be recalled for an impromptu start.

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It was definitely a big week for the league’s corner infielders. The names of Youkilis, Glaus, Konerko, Rolen, Kouzmanoff, and Cabrera were on the tops of all the statistics. The guardians of the baseline spoke with their bats and ruled the diamond.

Martinez, Gardner, Rasmus and Suzuki spent last week blasting the hardball. Injuries and rest days couldn’t put out their fire.

1)       C Victor Martinez Bos

The Red Sox catcher was 12-for-20 with one home run, five RBI, and finished last week with a league best .600 AVG.

V-Mart had a few days off this past week to rest a sore toe. However, the injury didn’t keep Martinez from having a phenomenal week.

Martinez had a career best four doubles with two RBIs and went 5-for-5 on June 1.

2)       OF Colby Rasmus StL

The Cardinals outfielder was 11-for-22 with three home runs, knocked in nine runners, a stolen base, touched the plate himself eight times, and finished last week with a .500 AVG.

Rasmus has benefited from taking swings after Pujols and Holliday.

After having a slump of a month in May, he looks like he found the magic he had at the start of the season. An injury this past Sunday may throw a roadblock on his hot streak.

3)       3B/1B Troy Glaus Atl

The Braves corner infielder was 8-for-26 with four homeruns, sent ten teammates across the dish, touched the plate eight times himself, and finished last week with a .308 AVG.

Glaus had the most homeruns and RBIs this past week.

Fantasy owner might be taking a second look at the once injury plagued Glaus and consider him on their squads.

4)       3B/1B Kevin Youkilis Bos

The Red Sox corner infielder was 12-for-26 with two homeruns, nine RBI, and finished last week with a .462 AVG.

The “Greek God of Walks” did more than take free passes to first base this past week.

Youkilis had a fantastic game on June 5, hitting a homer and earning two doubles. Add that to his five-game hitting streak and I can assure you that Red Sox Nation couldn’t be happier.

5)       1B Paul Konerko CWS

The White Sox first baseman was 6-for-16 with three home runs, eight RBI, and finished last week with a .375 AVG.

Konerko has been battling Jose Bautista for the top spot in home runs recently. The three bombs he let loose this week keeps him in the running.

6)       OF Brett Gardner NYY

The Yankees outfielder was 9-for-17 with one home run, three RBIs, and finished last week with a .529 AVG.

Usually falling back on the ninth spot isn’t a good thing. Gardner however is especially productive at the bottom of the order.

When Gardner took the second spot he had a terrible May. The month of June is already looking better.

7)       OF Ichiro Suzuki Sea

The Mariners outfielder was 13-for-27 and drove in five teammates, four stolen bases, and finished last week with a .481 AVG.

On June 3, he found his wheels and stole three bases.

Suzuki stepped on the dish for his 1,000 run of his career this past Sunday.

8)       3B Scott Rolen Cin

The Reds third baseman was 12-for-26 with two homeruns, nine RBIs, and finished last week with a .462 AVG.

Rolen had a big day on June 1, going 3-for-5 and blasting two into the stands.

9)       3B Kevin Kouzmanoff Oak

The Athletics third baseman was 10-for-25 with three homeruns, six RBIs, and finished last week with a .400 AVG.

The “Crushin’ Russian” came back in a big way after slumping the last two weeks of May.

10)   1B Miguel Cabrera Det

The Tigers first baseman was 9-for-26 with three homeruns, touched the plate seven times, and finished last week with a .346 AVG.

Cabrera has been all over this week’s highlights for the controversial call costing his teammate a perfect game.

What wasn’t in the highlights was Cabrera’s outstanding performance at the plate. He could take a stab at the Triple Crown if he can continue his blazing streak.

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