The Toronto Blue Jays made Tyler Thornburg’s Major League debut a rough one.  Johan Santana helped to put owners’ minds at ease.  Lance Lynn struggled.  Let’s take a look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games:

1. Clay Buchholz – Boston Red Sox – Starting Pitcher – He got the win, but it certainly wasn’t a pretty outing.  In 6.0 IP he allowed 5 ER on 9 H and 1 BB, striking out 3.  He had allowed a total of 5 ER over his previous four outings (31.0 IP) and still has now won 4 straight starts.  Considering he faced the same team in back-to-back outings, we can write this one off a little bit.  I would still continue to run him out there as his bounce back from his early season struggles should continue.
2. Daniel Hudson – Arizona Diamondbacks – Starting Pitcher – We all had to think that a matchup with the Mariners would help him get things on track and heading in the right direction.  However they rocked him for 7 ER on 10 H and 2 BB, striking out 6, over 4.0 IP.  It’s the second time in three starts where a weaker offense has roughed him up (the A’s got him for 6 ER in 1.2 IP).  Opponents are teeing off on him this season, with a 24.4% line drive rate, which helps to explain his .317 BABIP and 64.4% strand rate.  I wouldn’t give up hope and I would expect him to right the ship, but I also wouldn’t be willing to give up a lot to get him.

More Quick Thoughts:

• John Mayberry Jr. went 2-4 with 1 HR, 2 RBI and 1 R while starting in LF for the Phillies last night.  It gives him HR in three straight games and four of his past five.  Over the five games he’s gone 8-21 with 4 HR, 10 RBI and 4 R.  Obviously he’s not going to keep up this pace, but he has shown some pop before (15 HR in 296 AB in ’11).  Considering that he entered the day with a 27.4% fly ball rate, the potential is there for the power to continue to improve.  Ride him while he’s hot and getting AB.
• After a couple of poor outings since his no-hitter, Johan Santana bounced back strong by tossing 6.0 shutout innings against the Orioles.  He allowed 4 H and 2 BB, striking out 5.  While it’s one start, we can probably put all the questions about the number of pitches he threw in the no-hitter behind us.
• With Jose Valverde apparently unavailable to close it was Phil Coke called upon to shut the door on the Cardinals.  He got the job done, with a perfect inning including 1 K.  That said, Joaquin Benoit still figures to get the bulk of the chances if Valverde can’t go.
• It was a poor outing for Lance Lynn, allowing 5 ER on 9 H and 2 BB, striking out 4, over 5.0 IP.  After striking out 23 over his previous 13.1 IP, I think all owners can give him a pass.  He’ll look to bounce back against the Royals.
• After missing a few games Nick Swisher was back in the Yankees lineup, going 2-3 with 2 RBI.  He’s a “cheap” source of power that has value in all formats, so get him back in your starting lineup.
• Cody Ross came off the DL to go 1-3 with 1 HR, 1 RBI and 1 R.  Given the injuries in the Red Sox outfield he is nearly a lock for everyday playing time.
• Huge game for Logan Morrison, who went 3-5 with 1 HR, 5 RBI and 1 R.  His other two hits were doubles.  Considering he had just 3 RBI in June entering the day, it certainly is a nice sight for fantasy owners.
• With a lefty on the mound the Pirates moved Jose Tabata into the leadoff spot and he struggled, going 0-5.  While he had been playing well, it’s safe to say that Alex Presley should be back atop the Pirates order today.  With that said, you also don’t want to get too excited about Josh Harrison’s performance, having gone 3-5 with 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 R and 2 SB.  It’s hard to imagine him getting regular playing time in the outfield.
• Luke Hochevar tossed a gem for the Royals, allowing 0 ER on 5 H and 4 BB, striking out 6, over 7.2 IP.  Of course, it came against the Astros so we have to take it with a little bit of a grain of salt (especially with the walks).  While that hasn’t been a problem all year, he had allowed 13 ER over his previous 18.0 IP and came in with a 6.27 ERA and 1.49 WHIP.  He’s easily forgotten.
• Tyler Thornburg pitched well early in his Major League debut, but eventually the Blue Jays caught up to him and launched 4 HR.  He finished going 5.1 IP allowing 5 ER on 7 H and 0 BB, striking out 2.  He has potential, but there has been a lot of talk that his ultimate home could be in the bullpen.  Outside of deep NL formats, he can probably be forgotten right now.
• John Axford was at it again, allowing back-to-back home runs (Colby Rasmus and Jose Bautista), blowing his fourth save of the season.  At this point it’s only a matter of time before he’s out of the job and stashing Francisco Rodriguez would definitely be prudent.
• It was a blown save for Arolodis Chapman, who allowed a walk-off 2 R home run to Asdrubal Cabrera (2-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R).  I don’t think anyone is worrying about Chapman however, are we?
• Carlos Marmol once again got the job done as the Cubs’ closer, allowing 1 BB with 1 K in his inning of work to earn his fourth save.  I wouldn’t get too excited, as he still is struggling with his control (1 BB in each of his past 3 outings).  If he continues to struggle with his control, things will go south in a hurry.  Just keep that in mind (those who have read the site know I have never been his biggest fan).
• Coco Crisp was in the leadoff spot for the A’s and he went 2-3 with 1 R and 3 SB.  He now has 4 multi-hit games in his past five games and in his past 6 he’s gone 10-21 with 3 RBI, 3 R and 5 SB.  Obviously we’d like to see a few more R, but it’s hard to argue with the production.  He should be able to continue to improve his production (.228 BABIP), so look to buy low on him.
• The Angels offense continues to be the Mike Trout (4-4, 4 R), Albert Pujols (2-3, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R) and Mark Trumbo (3-5, 5 RBI, 2 R) show.  Trumbo now has 16 RBI in his past 10 games and 8 in his past 4 games.  The trio needs to be ridden hard while they are producing.
• Josh Hamilton returned to the Rangers lineup and went 2-5 with 2 RBI and 2 R (including a triple).  It’s like he never missed a game, isn’t it?
• Edinson Volquez (5.0 IP, 6 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 6 K) has now walked at least 4 batters in four straight starts and five of his past six.  Better pitchers park or not, you are eventually going to struggle when you do that.  Considering he’s allowed 6 ER in two of his past three starts, we can see it happening.  It’s hard to trust him right now.