The R.A. Dickey story has become almost unbelievable as he finished his second consecutive one-hitter yesterday.  That, of course, wasn’t the only story fantasy owners need to know about though.  We saw Mat Latos struggle once again.  We saw Bryan LaHair in the outfield, raising speculation that Anthony Rizzo could be close.  We saw Jerome Williams get beat up again, putting his rotation spot in question.  Let’s look at these and all the rest from yesterday’s games:

1. R.A. Dickey – New York Mets – Starting Pitcher – Did anyone really see this coming?  He threw his second straight complete game 1-hitter, this time allowing 0 R to go along with 2 BB and 13 K.  I know, it was an off night with 2 walks, right?  There are no words to explain what he’s been able to accomplish at this point.  He has now gone 5 straight starts without allowing an ER (42.2 IP).  He has struck out at least 8 in 7 starts, with 71 K vs. 6 BB over that span.  He’s had complete games in three of his past four starts.  On the year he’s now 11-1 with a 2.00 ERA.  This is the type of streak that has rarely been seen and it may be coming from the unlikeliest of sources.
2. Aaron Hill – Arizona Diamondbacks – Second Baseman – He went 4-4 with 1 HR, 1 RBI and 3 R, hitting for the cycle in the process.  He’s now hitting .284 with 8 HR, 28 RBI, 28 R and 6 SB in 236 AB.  He’s not going to be the player that he was back in 2009 (.286 with 36 HR), but he is quickly proving to be a solid fantasy option.  However, there is a concern that he’s getting homer-happy once again, with a fly ball rate of 49.0%.  For now it hasn’t been an issue (he has a 20.4% line drive rate), but it could.  He needs to be monitored closely.

More Quick Thoughts:

• It wasn’t a poor outing from Jake Arrieta as he just made one major mistake.  He finished allowing 4 ER on 6 H and 1 BB, striking out 4, over 7.0 IP.  All of the runs came courtesy of a grand slam off the bat of the resurgent Ike Davis (1-3, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R, extending his hitting streak to 9 games).  While Arrieta took the loss, falling to 3-9, things appear to be heading in the right direction for him.  In deeper formats I wouldn’t write him off.
• Those hoping for Kris Medlen to step into the Braves rotation have got to be disappointed with last night’s performance.  Not only did he relieve Mike Minor (5.2 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 7 K), but he allowed 1 ER on 3 H in his inning of work.  Jair Jurrjens is expected to return from the minor leagues to step into Brandon Beachy’s spot and, unless Medlen’s starting, he’s not going to hold fantasy appeal.
• Just when you think Mat Latos is primed to get things on track he tossed a real stinker against the Indians as he allowed 7 ER on 8 H and 0 BB, striking out 4, over 4.0 IP.  He was pitching on the road, yet he allowed 3 HR.  He has now allowed 16 HR, matching what he allowed in both 2010 (184.2 IP) and 2011 (194.1 IP).  Yes, the home ballpark is part of it but that wasn’t an excuse last night.  No matter what else he does, if he can’t keep the ball in the yard he’s not going to be able to turn the corner.  Hopefully he can right the ship in his next outing against the Twins.
• Scott Rolen returned to the Reds lineup going 2-4 with 2 RBI and playing 3B (Todd Frazier went 0-4 as the DH).  It will be interesting to see how playing time is split, but Frazier could be rendered useless very quickly.  Keep a close eye on the situation.
• Could the Cubs be preparing for the arrival of Anthony Rizzo?  The fact that they played Bryan LaHair (2-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R) in RF certainly indicates it is a distinct possibility.  Keep a close eye on the situation, but now is probably the time to stash Rizzo just in case.
• Jonathan Sanchez looked like Jonathan Sanchez last night against the Astros, except without the strikeouts.  In 6.0 IP he allowed 4 R (3 earned) on 6 H and 4 BB, striking out 3.  He should be ignored in the majority of mixed formats at this point.
• The performance of Brett Myers, in a non-save situation, can’t go ignored.  In just 0.2 IP he allowed 5 ER on 8 H and 0 BB, striking out 0.  It’s just one outing, but he saw his ERA jump from 1.99 all the way to 3.86.
• Geovany Soto came off the DL to go 2-5 with 1 HR, 1 RBI and 1 R.  It’s just one game and, while he has generally disappointed, it’s hard to imagine him not being better than he was earlier in the season (hitting .161).  In two-catcher formats he needs to be monitored.   In deeper one-catcher formats he could hold value, though we’re not there yet.
• We all keep waiting for Henderson Alvarez to get things turned around, but when exactly is going to happen?  He got hammered to the tune of 6 ER on 11 H and 2 BB, striking out 1, over 4.0 innings by the Brewers yesterday.  His high for strikeouts this season (14 starts) is just 4, something he’s done once.  It’s almost impossible to fathom that he has 27 K over 90.0 IP.  That alone makes him unusable.
• Is this going to be the final straw for Jerome Williams?  He allowed 4 ER on 7 H and 3 BB, striking out 1, over just 3.1 IP.  Over his past three starts he’s now allowed 14 ER over 16.2 IP.  He was a nice story early but with his recent struggles, the impending return of Jered Weaver and the success of Garrett Richards, it all could quickly come to an end.  If you have been using him, be sure to have alternatives in place. (Update: According to the Angels website, click here to view, “Angels starter Jerome Williams dealt with shortness of breath following his start Monday night and was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure.”
• Brandon Belt went 2-2 with 1 R and 1 SB giving him a seven game hitting streak (10-22 with 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R and 1 SB).  He appears to finally have entrenched himself at 1B as well making him an intriguing fantasy option.
• Matt Harrison looked good (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K), but it was Jason Marquis who stole the show.  Over 7.0 IP he allowed 2 ER on 5 H and 3 BB, striking out 10, against a loaded Rangers’ lineup (even without Josh Hamilton).  Marquis was awful in Minnesota earlier in the year, but maybe he’s found a home in San Diego?  In three starts he’s posted a 1.86 ERA, though it has come courtesy of a 1.45 WHIP, an unrealistic 9.31 K/9 and an 82.7% strand rate.  In other words, don’t bother.