With the last round of games having been played prior to the All-Star Break, some players bowed out for various reasons - some due to injury and several pitchers, due to having pitched on Sunday to help their teams.
Cole Hamels, Matt Cain, Justin Verlander, C.C. Sabathia and James Shields all were pitchers who ended up playing yesterday, opening the window for replacement All-Stars to come in. Sabathia, who was a replacement himself, will be replaced by Alexi Ogando of the Rangers. Verlander's leave opened up a space for the Mariners' rookie Michael Pineda. Kevin Correia of the Pirates and Craig Kimbrel of the Braves will replace Hamels and Cain. Ricky Romero of the Blue Jays comes aboard to replace Felix Hernandez, who pitched yesterday, also.
Some players will miss the game due to injury - red-hot Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, for example, is on the disabled list due to a hamstring injury. Placido Polanco of the Phillies also will miss the game due to a lingering back injury. The venerable Chipper Jones of the Bravse also will miss the game due to his stay on the disabled list and his upcoming knee surgery.
There'll be quite a few fresh first-time All-Stars at the game this year, that's for sure.
Around the Leagues -
MLB -
NY Yankees 1, Tampa Bay 0 - Sabathia pitches a gem against James Shields, with both men pitching complete games and allowing only one run and eight hits on the entire game.
Toronto 7, Cleveland 1 - Brett Cecil pitched six innings of one-run ball as the Jays' bats lit up the third and fifth.
Florida 5, Houston 4 - Florida takes the sweep on a four-run fourth-inning rally.
Philadelphia 14, Atlanta 1 - Cole Hamels let the Braves have the first run, in the second inning, but shut them down entirely after that as the Phillies' bats came alive.
Boston 8, Baltimore 6 - Despite a six-run second-inning, the Orioles couldn't contain the Red Sox.
Pittsburgh 9, Chi. Cubs 1 - Andrew McCutchen continues to be the brightest star the Pirates have, with a HR and five RBIs.
Washington 2, Colorado 0 - Jordan Zimmerman threw six shutout innings for the Nats, bringing their record to .500 at the break.
Milwaukee 4, Cincinnati 3 - Craig Counsell played hero, hitting the walk-off sacrifice-fly off Reds' closer Francisco Cordero.
Detroit 2, Kansas City 1 - Verlander continues to dominate, picking up his 12th win of the year after seven innings of splendid pitching.
Minnesota 6, Chi. White Sox 3 - The Twins got help from everywhere, with five batters driving in RBIs and Anthony Swarzak keeping the White Sox contained.
St. Louis 4, Arizona 2 - Jaime Garcia let the D-Backs take two in the second, but kept them shut down after that, as the Cards put up four in the first three innings.
Texas 2, Oakland 0 - Matt Harrison threw seven shutout innings as the Rangers swept the A's on Adrian Beltre's sixth-inning HR.
LA Angels 4, Seattle 2 - Dan Haren let the Mariners score early, but kept them to nothing after that, while the Angels bats picked up the slack in the fourth and eighth.
LA Dodgers 4, San Diego 1 - Ted Lilly's strong start combined with Andre Ethier's two HRs to bring the Dodgers a sweep of the Padres.
San Francisco 4, NY Mets 2 - Matt Cain's six shutout innings helped the Giants claim the series victory.
NBA -
The lockout continues, with little news to report.
NFL -
The lockout continues, but the word coming out this morning is that both sides are optimistic and talks are going well. Rumor and speculation suggests a deal may be in place by July 21st and the league year may begin July 28th, with no pre-season or season games being lost.
NHL -
The free agent frenzy over, most teams have opened their developmental camps for their draftees and other young talents.
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