Indians' Justin Masterson, who tops players for Sunday, June 30, takes back Box-Toppers points lead

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson is Sunday's Player of the Day and takes back the lead in player Box-Toppers points this season.

Masterson threw a complete game shutout, striking out eight, in the 4-0 win over the White Sox. He earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 13.7 for the season (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). He takes the lead back from Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers (with 12.4 points), who only took the lead from Masterson on Friday. 

Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez is National League Player of the Day. Gonzalez pitched seven shutout innings and struck out seven in the 13-2 win over the Mets. 

David Lough of the Royals is American League Batter of the Day. Lough homered and went 4-for-4 in the 9-8 win over the Twins. This was Lough's Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has been Player of the Game. He is the 3,214th player to make his debut since Box-Toppers stats were first recorded in 1995.

Jeff Mathis of the Marlins is NL Batter of the Day. Mathis hit a walk-off grand slam in the 6-2 win over the Padres. 

Notable: Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, Player of the Game in the 3-2 win over the Reds (6.2IP 0R 8K), is the 11th player this season to reach 10.0 Box-Toppers points. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 10.0 for the season.

Masterson receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Gonzalez receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Lough and Mathis each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Sunday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

630	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	10.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Justin Masterson (W, 10-6)	9.0	6	0	0	1	8
	10.0	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			C.J. Wilson (W, 8-5)	7.0	3	1	0	3	10
NL	9.0	Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Gio Gonzalez (W, 5-3)	7.0	3	0	0	2	7
BAT	7.0	Royals	David Lough RF	4	4	4	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	7.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Stephen Fife (W, 3-2)	7.0	4	0	0	1	5
	7.0	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Tony Watson (W, 2-1)	3.0	0	0	0	0	4
	6.2	Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Yu Darvish (W, 8-3)	6.2	4	0	0	4	8
	3.0	Athletics	Jed Lowrie SS	4	2	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Madison Bumgarner (W, 8-5)	7.0	4	1	1	3	5
	3.0	Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kevin Gregg (S, 13)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
BAT	2.0	Marlins	Jeff Mathis C	4	1	1	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Rays	Jose Lobaton C	3	0	3	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Braves	Brian McCann C	3	2	2	1	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Orioles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jim Johnson (S, 28)	1.0	1	0	0	0	2
	1.0	Red Sox	Jonathan Diaz PR	0	1	0	0	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Cardinals' Adam Wainwright tops players for Saturday, June 29, rises to 9th place in Box-Toppers points

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright is Saturday's Player of the Day and rises to ninth place among players in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season (see updated top 10 list on the home page).

Wainwright pitched a complete game, struck out eight and gave up only one run in the 7-1 win over the Athletics. 

Wainwright earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 10.7 for the season. He is the 10th player to reach 10.0 or more Box-Topers points this season.

Chris Davis of the Orioles is American League Player of the Day. Davis homered twice and drove in five runs in the 11-3 win over the Yankees. 

Hanley Ramirez of the Dodgers is National League Batter of the Day. Ramirez homered, drove in three runs and went 3-for-4 in the 4-3 win over the Phillies. 

Wainwright receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Davis receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Ramirez receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.

All of Saturday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

629	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	8.0	Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Adam Wainwright (W, 11-5)	9.0	5	1	1	2	8
AL	7.0	Orioles	Chris Davis 1B	3	3	2	5	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	6.0	Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jacob Turner (W, 2-0)	9.0	7	1	1	1	7
	5.0	`Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Esmil Rogers	6.0	6	0	0	1	6
BAT	4.0	Dodgers	Hanley Ramirez SS	4	2	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Joe Blanton (W, 2-10)	7.0	3	2	2	2	6
	4.0	`Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Alex Torres	2.0	0	0	0	1	3
	3.0	Braves	Freddie Freeman 1B	3	3	1	2	2	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Cubs	Alfonso Soriano DH	5	1	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Reds	Shin-Soo Choo CF	4	2	3	1	2	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Indians	Jason Kipnis 2B	3	1	2	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Twins	Justin Morneau 1B	3	1	2	2	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Francisco Liriano (W, 7-3)	6.0	7	1	1	1	6
	2.0	Rockies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Rafael Betancourt (W, 2-3)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.0	Mets	Marlon Byrd RF	3	2	1	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

 ` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Cabrera retakes Box-Toppers points lead; Braves' Julio Teheran tops players for Friday, June 28

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers takes over the top spot among players in Box-Toppers points for the season after being American League Player of the Day Friday. (See updated top 10 player standings on the home page.)

Meanwhile, Braves pitcher Julio Teheran is Friday's overall Player of the Day. Teheran struck out 10 and gave up no runs over six innings in the 3-0 win over the Diamondbacks. 

Cabrera is Friday's AL Player of the Day after hitting two homers, driving in three runs and going 4-for-4 in the 6-3 win over the Rays. Cabrera earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 12.4 for the season. Cabrera rises from eighth place to first, passing previous leader Justin Masterson of the Indians, who has 11.7 points.

This is the fourth time this season that Cabrera has taken the Box-Toppers points lead. Most recently, he took the lead from Masterson on June 1, only to lose it again on June 14. Cabrera has passed his Box-Toppers points total for 2012, when he had 11.7. Though he was voted AL most valuable player in 2012, he finished third among AL batters in Box-Toppers points, behind leader Adrian Beltre of the Rangers, with 13.5. In addition, the 12.4 Box-Toppers points Cabrera has scored only halfway through 2013 is already the fourth-most points he has scored in any of his 11 seasons. In 2009, he scored 16.5 points with the Tigers, in 2007, he scored 15.0 with the Marlins and in 2006, he scored 13.0 with the Marlins.

Delmon Young is Friday's National League Batter of the Day. Young drove in six runs, homered and went 3-for-6 in the 16-1 win over the Dodgers. 

Teheran receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Cabrera receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Young receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.

All of Friday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

628	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	11.0	Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Julio Teheran (W, 6-4)	6.0	4	0	0	1	10
AL	6.0	Tigers	Miguel Cabrera 3B	4	3	4	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.1	Orioles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kevin Gausman (W, 1-3)	4.1	3	0	0	0	4
	5.0	Royals	Eric Hosmer 1B	4	3	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Indians	Jason Kipnis 2B	4	4	3	2	3	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Rockies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jhoulys Chacin (W, 7-3)	8.0	3	0	0	3	3
BAT	4.0	Phillies	Delmon Young RF	6	1	3	6	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Athletics	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Bartolo Colon (W, 11-2)	8.0	6	1	1	1	5
	4.0	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ryan Reid (S, 1)	3.0	2	0	0	1	4
	3.0	Mariners	Jason Bay LF	1	2	1	1	3	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Vinnie Pestano (S, 6)	1.0	0	0	0	1	3
	3.0	Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Koji Uehara (S, 4)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	2.2	Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Martin Perez (W, 2-1)	6.2	6	0	0	1	3
	2.0	Padres	Will Venable RF	5	1	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Nationals	Ian Desmond SS	4	2	2	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Angels	Erick Aybar SS	3	1	2	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Box-Toppers endorses fans' AL All-Star picks but rips up the NL lineup

Fans seem to be doing a good job so far of voting for an American League All-Star team that makes sense, according to Box-Toppers statistics.

But the National League team that fans are picking could use some wholesale changes to better coincide with position leaders in Box-Toppers points.

There's still time to correct those mistakes. Voting for the All-Star Game closes this week, July 4. The All-Star Game is July 16 at Citi Field in New York.

Box-Toppers stats agree (or largely agree) with eight of the nine AL position players currently leading in voting for the All-Star Game. However, Box-Toppers only agrees with two of the eight NL vote leaders. In the chart (at right), the fan vote leaders are listed, followed by their current rank by position in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season, followed by a Box-Toppers judgment of fans' selections.

Box-Toppers stats indicate the biggest snubs are:

• Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks should be top NL first baseman. He leads among NL first basemen in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season (8.7) and also leads his position in points over the 2012 and 2013 season (13.2). Current fan voting leader, Joey Votto of the Reds, is 14th among NL first basemen in Box-Toppers points in 2013 (1.5)  and ninth place over the combined 2012 and 2013 seasons (6.7). As of June 23, Votto led in fan voting among NL first basemen with 2.7 million votes. Goldschmidt was in second place with 2.3 million.

• Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies should be among the top NL outfielders. He leads all NL batters in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season (9.5) and also leads all NL batters in points over the combined 2012 and 2013 seasons (18.7).  Two of the current fan voting leaders for NL outfield do not rank very highly in their position in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season: Carlos Beltran of the Cardinals ranks 33rd and Justin Upton of the Braves ranks 45th. Gonzalez ranks fourth in fan voting for NL outfield with 2.1 million votes. Beltran has 3.5 million, Upton has 2.5 million and Bryce Harper of the Nationals has 2.4 million.

In the chart at right, Box-Toppers gives its judgment as either "Good" (these are the players Box-Toppers stats would deem worthy of an All-Star start), "OK" (these are not necessarily the most worthy players, but they are among Box-Toppers points leaders in that position) or "Should be's" (these are players Box-Toppers stats would deem unworthy of the honor and suggesting a substitute who is leading or is among the leaders in Box-Toppers points).

In the American League, Box-Toppers suggests only one substitute: Adam Jones of the Orioles, vote leader among AL outfielders should be replaced with Yoenis Cespedes of the Athletics. Jones ranks 19th among AL outfielders in Box-Toppers points for 2013 while Cespedes is the leader. 

In the National League, Box-Toppers can only endorse two of the fans' selections: Brandon Phillips of the Reds at second base and Bryce Harper of the Nationals in the outfield.

Here are AL All-Star voting leaders as of June 23. 

Here are NL All-Star voting leaders as of June 23. 

The chart below shows Box-Toppers points leaders by position so far through the 2013 season. The columns to the right look at players over the longer run, seeing who is leading in Box-Toppers points for the combined 2012 and 2013 seasons. 

The chart also includes Box-Toppers points leaders among starting, middle relief and closing pitchers, even though fans don't get to vote on those. 

Here is how the Box-Toppers All-Star teams stand as of today:  

	ALL-STAR VOTE LEADERS
	AL PLAYERS	TEAM	RANK BY POS.	BOX-TOPPERS JUDGMENT
1B	Chris Davis	bal al	1	Good
2B	Robinson Cano	nyy al	1	Good
SS	J.J. Hardy	bal al	3	Good
3B	Miguel Cabrera	det al	1	Good
CA	Joe Mauer	min al	2	Good
OF	Adam Jones	bal al	19	Should be Yoenis Cespedes, OAK
OF	Mike Trout	ana al	5	Good
OF	Nick Markakis	bal al	6	OK
DH	David Ortiz	bos al	3	OK
	NL PLAYERS	TEAM	RANK BY POS.	BOX-TOPPERS JUDGMENT
1B	Joey Votto	cin nl	14	Should be Paul Goldschmidt, ARI
2B	Brandon Phillips	cin nl	1	Good
SS	Troy Tulowitzki	col nl	5	OK, but should be Everth Cabrera, SD
3B	David Wright	nym nl	12	Should be Pedro Alvarez, PIT
CA	Yadier Molina	stl nl	8	Should be Brian McCann, ATL
OF	Carlos Beltran	stl nl	33	Should be Carlos Gonzalez, COL
OF	Justin Upton	atl nl	45	Should be Matt Holliday, STL
OF	Bryce Harper	dc nl	2	Good

RANK BY POS: Where the player ranks by fielding position in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season. 

	2013 SEASON				2012-13 SEASONS
AL	PLAYER	TEAM	BTP		PLAYER	TEAM	BTP
First base	Davis, Chris 2478	bal al	6		Davis, Chris 2478	bal al	18
Second base	Cano, Robinson 2092	nyy al	4.5		Kipnis, Jason 2933	cle al	9.5
Shortstop	Drew, Stephen 2210	bos al	4.5		Hardy, J.J. 2071	bal al	10.2
Third base	Cabrera, Miguel 1776	det al	10.7		Cabrera, Miguel 1776	det al	22.4
Catcher	Arencibia, J.P. 2781	tor al	5.5		Mauer, Joe 1869	min al	14
Outfield 1	Cespedes, Yoenis 3008	oak al	4.5		Trout, Mike 2949	ana al	14.5
Outfield 2	Johnson, Kelly 2018	tb al	4.5		Hamilton, Josh 2332	ana al	11.5
Outfield 3	Nava, Daniel 2740	bos al	4.5		Cespedes, Yoenis 3008	oak al	10.5
Designated hitter	Encarnacion, Edwin 2098	tor al	5.7		Butler, Billy 2330	kc al	15.2
Starting pitcher 1	Masterson, Justin 2462	cle al	11.7		Verlander, Justin 2112	det al	30.8
Starting pitcher 2	Sale, Chris 2806	chi al	10.7		Hernandez, Felix 2064	sea al	27.4
Starting pitcher 3	Buchholz, Clay 2363	bos al	10.1		Sale, Chris 2806	chi al	26.4
Starting pitcher 4	Iwakuma, Hisashi 3048	sea al	9.7		Darvish, Yu 3003	tex al	25.8
Middle reliever	Tazawa, Junichi 3151	bos al	4		Chen, Bruce 1170	kc al	8
Closing pitcher	Perkins, Glen 2506	min al	6		Rodney, Fernando 1803	tb al	11
NL
First base	Goldschmidt, Paul 2935	ari nl	8.7		Goldschmidt, Paul 2935	ari nl	13.2
Second base	Phillips, Brandon 1691	cin nl	5		Phillips, Brandon 1691	cin nl	14.5
Shortstop	Cabrera, Everth 2625	sd nl	4.5		Cabrera, Everth 2625	sd nl	7.5
Third base	Alvarez, Pedro 2817	pit nl	5.2		Freese, David 2710	stl nl	14.2
Catcher	McCann, Brian 2179	atl nl	6		McCann, Brian 2179	atl nl	12
Outfield 1	Gonzalez, Carlos 2460	col nl	9.5		Gonzalez, Carlos 2460	col nl	18.7
Outfield 2	Harper, Bryce 3011	dc nl	5.9		Braun, Ryan J. 2300	mil nl	16
Outfield 3	Pollock, A.J. 3142	ari nl	4.7		Holliday, Matt 1836	stl nl	15.7
Starting pitcher 1	Corbin, Patrick 3027	ari nl	11.4		Kershaw, Clayton 2494	lad nl	31.5
Starting pitcher 2	Miller, Shelby 3134	stl nl	11.4		Lynn, Lance 2992	stl nl	27.1
Starting pitcher 3	Harvey, Matt 3075	nym nl	11		Bumgarner, Madison 2753	sf nl	25.4
Starting pitcher 4	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	lad nl	10.7		Strasburg, Stephen 2736	dc nl	25.4
Middle reliever	Collmenter, Josh 2863	ari nl	5		Collmenter, Josh 2863	ari nl	7
Closing pitcher	Chapman, Aroldis 2826	cin nl	6		Chapman, Aroldis 2826	cin nl	20
AL top pitcher	Masterson, Justin 2462	cle al	11.7		Verlander, Justin 2112	det al	30.8
AL top batter	Cabrera, Miguel 1776	det al	10.7		Cabrera, Miguel 1776	det al	22.4
NL top pitcher	Corbin, Patrick 3027	ari nl	11.4		Kershaw, Clayton 2494	lad nl	31.5
NL top batter	Gonzalez, Carlos 2460	col nl	9.5		Gonzalez, Carlos 2460	col nl	18.7

BTP: Box-Toppers points

What are those numbers after players' names?

Despite bad week, St. Louis Cardinals still top Box-Toppers team rankings

Despite being the Major League's most lackluster team of the week, the St. Louis Cardinals are still atop Box-Toppers team rankings for the eighth straight week. 

The Cardinals picked up only 1.0 Box-Toppers point over the week, but still have accumulated 63.2 points, the most of any team this season. 

However, their lead narrowed over the second-place team, the Boston Red Sox. Last week, the Cards led by 8.2 points and this week they lead by 4.2 points. The Red Sox picked up 5.0 Box-Toppers points over the week and have 59.0 for the season. 

The top team for the week, the Los Angeles Dodgers, picked up 8.9 points in the past week, giving them 45.6 points for the season, putting them in 16th place overall. 

The Dodgers and last week's top team, the Toronto Blue Jays were Box-Toppers' preseason World Series picks. Both teams started slow but have improved in June. The Blue Jays, with 46.5 points, are now in 15th place overall. 

The Texas Rangers were the American League's top team of the week, picking up 6.5 Box-Toppers points, giving them 55.6 for the season. They jump from seventh to fourth in team rankings.

Box-Toppers' top team, the Cardinals, are tied with the Pirates for the best winning percentage in baseball at .615. The Pirates, however, are in sixth place in Box-Toppers rankings. The Cardinals are led by pitchers Shelby Miller (11.4 Box-Toppers points), Lance Lynn (9.4) and Adam Wainwright (8.7).

Box-Toppers' top AL team, the Red Sox, also have the best winning percentage in the AL, .593. The Red Sox are led by pitcher Clay Buchholz (10.1 Box-Toppers points), designated hitter David Ortiz (5.2) and pitcher Jon Lester (4.7). 

627	Top 10 Teams	BTP	BTP/wk	Last week rank
1	Cardinals	63.2	1.0	1
2	Red Sox	59.0	5.0	2
3	Tigers	56.2	2.7	4
4	Rangers	55.6	6.5	7
5	Reds	55.6	2.0	3
6	Pirates	55.3	5.0	5
7	Athletics	54.2	4.0	6
8	Nationals	51.5	4	9
9	Indians	51.3	4.5	10
10	Braves	49.9	2.0	8

Rangers' Derek Holland (CG 0R 2H) is top player for Thursday, June 27

Rangers pitcher Derek Holland is Thursday's Player of the Day. Holland threw a complete game, two-hit shutout in the 2-0 win over the Yankees.

Cubs pitcher Matt Garza is National League Player of the Day. Garza struck out 10 over seven innings and gave up only one run in the 7-2 win over the Brewers. 

Ryan Flaherty of the Orioles is American League Batter of the Day. Flaherty went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs in the 7-3 win over the Indians.  This was Flaherty's Box-Toppers debut, the first time he was named Player of the Game. He is the 3,211th player to debut since Box-Toppers began in 1995.

Matt Kemp of the Dodgers is NL Player of the Day. Kemp was 2-for-4 in the 6-4 win over the Phillies.

Standings update: Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin rises to second place among players in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season (see updated top 10 list on the home page).  Corbin (7IP 6K ND) was Player of the Game in the 11-inning, 3-2 win over the Nationals. Corbin earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 11.4 for the season. He now leads all NL pitchers in Box-Toppers points and trails only Indians pitcher Justin Masterson, who has 11.7 Box-Toppers points.

Holland receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Garza receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Flaherty and Kemp each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Thursday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

627	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	12.0	Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Derek Holland (W, 6-4)	9.0	2	0	0	2	7
NL	6.0	Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Garza (W, 3-1)	7.0	8	1	1	1	10
	5.0	`Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jered Weaver	7.0	4	1	1	2	6
	3.0	Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Koji Uehara (S, 3)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	3.0	Mets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			LaTroy Hawkins (W, 3-1)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
BAT	2.0	Orioles	Ryan Flaherty 2B, 3B	3	1	2	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	`Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Patrick Corbin	7.0	5	2	2	2	6
	2.0	Twins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Samuel Deduno (W, 4-2)	7.0	5	1	1	1	3
BAT	1.0	Dodgers	Matt Kemp CF	4	2	2	1	0	2			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Athletics' A.J. Griffin, Blue Jays' R.A. Dickey both throw 2-hit shutouts; Griffin wins top player honor for Wednesday, June 26

Athletics pitcher A.J. Griffin is Wednesday's Player of the Day. Griffin pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout in the 5-0 win over the Reds.

Griffin and Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey (top player in the 3-0 win over the Rays) had identical Box-Toppers game scores of 12.0. Both pitched complete game, two-hit shutouts. But Griffin won Player of the Day honors by virtue of the fact that he struck out more batters than Dickey—Griffin struck out seven and Dickey struck out six. Despite the small difference in strikeouts, Griffin earns twice as many Box-Toppers points as Dickey—Griffin earns 2.0 for being Player of the Day, while Dickey gets 1.0 for being Player of the Game.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is National League Player of the Day. Kershaw struck out seven over eight innings in the 4-2 win over the Giants. Kershaw rises to fourth place among players in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season (see top 10 standings on the home page). Kershaw picks up 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day, giving him 10.7 for the season.

Adrian Beltre of the Rangers is American League Batter of the Day. Beltre went 3-for-5 with two doubles in the 8-5 win over the Yankees.

Delmon Young of the Phillies is NL Batter of the Day. Young hit a two-run home run and went 2-for-4 in the 7-5 win over the Padres. 

Standings update: Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann rises to sixth place among players in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season (see top 10 standings on the home page). Zimmermann (7IP 2R) was Player of the Game in the 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 10.7 for the season.

Griffin receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Kershaw receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Beltre and Young each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Wednesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

626	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	12.0	Athletics	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			A.J. Griffin (W, 6-6)	9.0	2	0	0	2	7
	12.0	Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			R.A. Dickey (W, 7-8)	9.0	2	0	0	1	6
	8.0	`Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Scott Kazmir	7.0	1	1	0	1	4
	7.0	Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			John Lackey (W, 5-5)	7.0	8	2	2	0	12
NL	6.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Clayton Kershaw (W, 6-5)	8.0	4	2	2	1	7
	4.0	Mets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Shaun Marcum (W, 1-9)	8.0	4	0	0	2	2
	4.0	`Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jeanmar Gomez	5.0	3	1	0	2	5
	2.2	`Royals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Luis Mendoza	6.2	5	2	2	1	6
BAT	2.0	Rangers	Adrian Beltre 3B	5	2	3	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Angels	Mike Trout CF, LF	5	2	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
BAT	2.0	Phillies	Delmon Young RF	4	2	2	2	0	2			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Marlins	Placido Polanco 3B	4	2	2	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jordan Zimmermann (W, 11-3)	7.0	3	2	2	2	4
	2.0	`Astros	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jose Cisnero (H, 4)	1.0	0	0	0	1	2
	0.0	Cubs	Anthony Rizzo 1B	4	0	2	2	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

White Sox' Chris Sale (8IP 13K) tops players for Tuesday, June 25, rises to 4th place in Box-Toppers points

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale is Tuesday's Player of the Day and rises to fourth place among players in Box-Toppers points.

Sale struck out 13 over eight innings but earned no decision in the 5-4 win over the Mets. Sale earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 10.7 for the season (see the updated top 10 player list on the home page). 

Rickie Weeks of the Brewers is National League Player of the Day. Weeks homered twice, drove in four runs and went 3-for-4 in the 9-3 win over the Cubs. 

Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox is American League Batter of the Day. Pedroia went 3-for-5 and drove in four runs in the 11-4 win over the Rockies. 

Sale receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Weeks receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Pedroia receives 1.5 for being AL Batter of the Day.

All of Tuesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

625	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	9.0	`White Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Chris Sale	8.0	4	3	3	2	13
NL	6.0	Brewers	Rickie Weeks 2B	4	3	3	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Moore (W, 10-3)	6.0	4	1	1	6	11
	4.0	Cardinals	Allen Craig LF	5	2	4	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
BAT	4.0	Red Sox	Dustin Pedroia 2B	5	2	3	4	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Angels	J.B. Shuck LF	5	2	3	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Pirates	Brandon Inge RF	3	2	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			A.J. Ramos (W, 2-2)	2.0	1	0	0	0	3
	3.0	Nationals	Adam LaRoche 1B	4	1	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kyle Kendrick (W, 7-4)	8.0	7	2	2	0	6
	2.0	Braves	Jason Heyward RF	4	1	2	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Athletics	Josh Donaldson 3B	4	2	2	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Orioles	Alexi Casilla 2B	3	1	1	3	0	2			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.2	`Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Hiroki Kuroda	6.2	5	3	2	1	6
	1.0	Dodgers	Hanley Ramirez SS	4	1	2	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Rays' Jeremy Hellickson, Dodgers' Kenley Jansen top players for Monday, June 24

Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson is Monday's Player of the Day. Hellickson threw seven shutout innings and gave up only one hit in the 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen is National League Player of the Day. Jansen earned the save, pitching one inning and struck out three in the 3-1 win over the Giants. 

Kyle Blanks of the Padres is NL Batter of the Day. Blanks went 4-for-5 and drove in three runs in the 4-3 win over the Phillies. 

Michael Brantley of the Indians is American League Batter of the Day. Brantley homered and drove in four runs in the 5-2 win over the Orioles. 

Hellickson receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Jansen receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Blanks and Brantley each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

Only four games were played Monday and all four Players of the Game received bonus points. Here are Monday's results:

624	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	6.0	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jeremy Hellickson (W, 6-3)	7.0	1	0	0	4	4
NL	4.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kenley Jansen (S, 5)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3
BAT	3.0	Padres	Kyle Blanks RF	5	1	4	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
BAT	3.0	Indians	Michael Brantley LF	4	1	2	4	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Reds' Mat Latos, Cubs' Anthony Rizzo top players for Sunday, June 23

Reds pitcher Mat Latos is Sunday's Player of the Day. Latos struck out 13 and gave up one run over 7 2/3 innings in the 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs is National League Batter of the Day. Rizzo homered, drove in four runs and went 3-for-3 in the 14-6 win over the Astros. 

Edwin Encarnacion of the Blue Jays is American League Player of the Day. Encarnacion homered, drove in four runs and went 3-for-5 in the 13-5 win over the Orioles. 

Standings update: Mets pitcher Mat Harvey rises to third place among players in Box-Toppers points for the season (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). Harvey (6IP 0R 6K) was Player of the Game in the 8-0 win over the Phillies. Harvey earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 11.0 for the season.

Latos receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Encarnacion receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Rizzo receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.

All of Sunday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

623	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	10.2	Reds	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Mat Latos (W, 7-1)	7.2	6	1	1	2	13
	9.0	Mets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Harvey (W, 7-1)	6.0	2	0	0	1	6
BAT	8.0	Cubs	Anthony Rizzo 1B	3	4	3	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	6.0	`Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Chris Capuano	5.0	4	0	0	0	5
AL	4.0	Blue Jays	Edwin Encarnacion DH	5	2	3	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Rockies	Michael Cuddyer RF	4	1	3	4	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Braves	Brian McCann C	4	1	3	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Mariners	Kendrys Morales PH	1	1	1	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Fernando Rodney (S, 15)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3
	3.0	Pirates	Russell Martin PH, C	2	1	2	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Tigers	Austin Jackson CF	2	3	2	0	3	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Nathan Eovaldi (W, 1-0)	6.0	4	2	2	2	7
	3.0	Royals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Greg Holland (S, 16)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	1.2	`Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Nick Tepesch	5	4	1	1	2	4
	1.0	Twins	Joe Mauer DH, C	4	3	2	0	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Dodgers' Zack Greinke, Tigers' Victor Martinez top players for Saturday, June 22

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke is Saturday's Player of the Day. Greinke struck out eight over eight innings and allowed only one run in the 6-1 win over the Padres.

Victor Martinez of the Tigers is American League Player of the Day. Martinez hit a grand slam and went 2-for-3 in the 10-3 win over the Red Sox. 

Ryan Howard of the Phillies is National League Batter of the Day. Howard hit two home runs and drove in four runs in the 8-7 win over the Mets. 

Standings update: Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin rises to fourth place among players in Box-Toppers season points standings (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). Corbin (8IP 1R ND) was Player of the Game in the 4-3 win over the Reds. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 10.4 for the season.

Greinke receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Martinez receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Howard receives 1.5 for being NL  Batter of the Day.

All of Saturday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

622	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	9.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Zack Greinke (W, 4-2)	8.0	4	1	1	1	8
AL	7.0	Tigers	Victor Martinez DH	3	3	2	5	2	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
BAT	5.0	Phillies	Ryan Howard 1B	4	2	3	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.2	`Brewers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Donovan Hand	4.2	2	0	0	1	3
	4.0	`Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Patrick Corbin	8.0	3	1	1	4	5
	4.0	Rockies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jhoulys Chacin (W, 6-3)	7.0	5	0	0	1	3
	3.2	`Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Sergio Romo	1.2	1	0	0	0	3
	3.1	`Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Chien-Ming Wang	6.1	4	1	0	0	2
	3.0	Indians	Michael Bourn CF	4	1	3	3	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Yankees	Zoilo Almonte LF	2	1	1	3	2	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Astros	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jose Veras (S, 15)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	2.0	Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Joe Nathan (S, 24)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.1	Mariners	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Yoervis Medina (W, 2-2)	2.1	3	0	0	0	2
	1.0	Pirates	Gaby Sanchez 1B	4	2	2	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	White Sox	Jeff Keppinger 2B	3	0	3	1	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Nats' Stephen Strasburg, White Sox' Hector Santiago top players for Friday, June 21

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is Friday's Player of the Day. Strasburg struck out nine and gave up only one run over seven innings in the 2-1 win over the Rockies.

White Sox pitcher Hector Santiago is American League Player of the Day. Santiago gave up one run over eight innings in the 9-1 win over the Royals. 

Shane Victorino of the Red Sox is AL Batter of the Day. Victorino homered, drove in five runs and went 4-for-5 in the 10-6 win over the Tigers. 

Chris Denorfia of the Padres is National League Batter of the Day. Denorfia homered and went 2-for-2 in the 5-2 win over the Dodgers. 

Strasburg receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Santiago receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Victorino and Denorfia each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Friday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

621	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	9.0	Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Stephen Strasburg (W, 4-6)	7.0	5	1	1	0	9
	8.0	Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Garza (W, 2-1)	8.0	4	1	1	2	8
AL	7.0	White Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Hector Santiago (W, 3-5)	8.0	3	1	1	1	5
	7.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Scott Kazmir (W, 4-4)	7.0	5	1	1	0	7
BAT	5.0	Red Sox	Shane Victorino RF	5	1	4	5	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Brewers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Wily Peralta (W, 5-8)	7.0	2	0	0	4	4
	4.0	Athletics	Yoenis Cespedes LF	4	2	2	4	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
BAT	4.0	Padres	Chris Denorfia RF, LF	2	2	2	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Diamondbacks	Jason Kubel LF	5	3	4	1	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Pirates	Jordy Mercer SS	4	2	3	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Blue Jays	Munenori Kawasaki SS	4	1	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Mets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Bobby Parnell (S, 12)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.0	Marlins	Logan Morrison 1B	5	2	2	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Yankees	Zoilo Almonte LF	4	1	3	1	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Rangers	Elvis Andrus SS	3	1	1	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Indians' Justin Masterson tops Box-Toppers rankings, Cards' Miller, Tigers' Cabrera, Rockies' Gonzalez among points leaders

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson leads all players in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season with 11.7 points.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller, who leads among all National League players, is in second place overall with 11.4 points. 

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers, who led all players in the last Player Rankings report two weeks ago, is in third place overall with 10.7 points. He still leads among American League batters.

Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies, who ranks at eighth place overall, is the leader among NL batters with 9.5 points.  Previous leader among NL batters, Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks, is now in second place with 8.7 points.

What are those numbers after players' names?

How does Box-Toppers scoring work? 

	2013 LEADERS
	OVERALL LEADERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Masterson, Justin 2462	pi sp	cle al	11.7
2	Miller, Shelby 3134	pi sp	stl nl	11.4
3	Cabrera, Miguel 1776	3b	det al	10.7
4	Buchholz, Clay 2363	pi sp	bos al	10.1
5	Harvey, Matt 3075	pi sp	nym nl	10.0
6	Zimmermann, Jordan 2612	pi sp	dc nl	9.7
7	Iwakuma, Hisashi 3048	pi sp	sea al	9.7
8	Gonzalez, Carlos 2460	lf	col nl	9.5
9	Lynn, Lance 2992	pi sp	stl nl	9.4
10	Lee, Cliff 1798	pi sp	phi nl	9.4
	AL PITCHERS
1	Masterson, Justin 2462	pi sp	cle al	11.7
2	Buchholz, Clay 2363	pi sp	bos al	10.1
3	Iwakuma, Hisashi 3048	pi sp	sea al	9.7
4	Darvish, Yu 3003	pi sp	tex al	9.0
5	Hernandez, Felix 2064	pi sp	sea al	8.7
6	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	det al	8.7
7	Sale, Chris 2806	pi sp	chi al	8.7
8	Moore, Matt 2975	pi sp	tb al	7.7
9	Sanchez, Anibal 2187	pi sp	det al	7.0
10	Cobb, Alex 2916	pi sp	tb al	6.7
	AL BATTERS
1	Cabrera, Miguel 1776	3b	det al	10.7
2	Davis, Chris 2478	1b	bal al	6.0
3	Butler, Billy 2330	dh	kc al	5.5
4	Arencibia, J.P. 2781	ca	tor al	5.5
5	Ortiz, David	dh	bos al	5.2
6	Cano, Robinson 2092	2b	nyy al	4.5
7	Johnson, Kelly 2018	lf	tb al	4.5
8	Nava, Daniel 2740	rf lf dh	bos al	4.5
9	Drew, Stephen 2210	ss	bos al	4.5
10	Raburn, Ryan 2340	rf	cle al	4.5
	NL PITCHERS
1	Miller, Shelby 3134	pi sp	stl nl	11.4
2	Harvey, Matt 3075	pi sp	nym nl	10.0
3	Zimmermann, Jordan 2612	pi sp	dc nl	9.7
4	Lynn, Lance 2992	pi sp	stl nl	9.4
5	Lee, Cliff 1798	pi sp	phi nl	9.4
6	Corbin, Patrick 3027	pi sp	ari nl	9.4
7	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	9.0
8	Wainwright, Adam 2150	pi sp	stl nl	8.7
9	Bumgarner, Madison 2753	pi sp	sf nl	7.7
10	Minor, Mike 2894	pi sp	atl nl	7.0
	NL BATTERS
1	Gonzalez, Carlos 2460	lf	col nl	9.5
2	Goldschmidt, Paul 2935	1b	ari nl	8.7
3	Harper, Bryce 3011	lf	dc nl	5.9
4	Alvarez, Pedro 2817	3b	pit nl	5.2
5	Zimmerman, Ryan 2180	3b	dc nl	5.2
6	Phillips, Brandon 1691	2b	cin nl	5.0
7	McCann, Brian 2179	ca	atl nl	5.0
8	Pollock, A.J. 3142	cf	ari nl	4.7
9	Freese, David 2710	3b	stl nl	4.5
10	Posey, Buster 2745	ca	sf nl	4.5

BTP: Box-Toppers points

St. Louis Cardinals widen dominant lead in Box-Toppers team rankings

The St. Louis Cardinals, atop Box-Toppers team rankings for the seventh straight week, are widening their already dominant lead.

Cardinals players have accumulated the most Box-Toppers points for the season (62.2) and lead the second-place Boston Red Sox (54.0 points) by 8.2 points.

The top team for the week, the Toronto Blue Jays, picked up 7.7 points in the past week, giving them 41.8 for the season, putting them in 16th place overall. 

The Cardinals, which also have the best record in the Majors (47-26) are led by pitcher Shelby Miller (11.4 Box-Toppers points), Lance Lynn (9.4) and Adam Wainwright (8.7). 

The Red Sox, which also have the best record in the American League (44-31) are led by pitcher Clay Buchholz (10.1 Box-Toppers points), designated hitter David Ortiz (5.2) and pitcher Jon Lester (4.7). 

620	Top 10 Teams	BTP	BTP/wk	Last week rank
1	Cardinals	62.2	5.2	1
2	Red Sox	54.0	4.0	2
3	Reds	53.6	4.7	3
4	Tigers	53.5	4.7	4
5	Pirates	50.3	4.5	6
6	Athletics	50.2	2.5	5
7	Rangers	49.1	3.5	7
8	Braves	47.9	4.0	8
9	Nationals	47.5	4.0	10
10	Indians	46.8	5.0	Not ranked

BTP: Box-Toppers points total. Accumulated points of all players on team in 2013 season.

BTP/wk: Box-Toppers points for the team for the past week, through games on Thursday.

Nats' Jordan Zimmermann (8IP 9K) tops players for Thursday, June 20

Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann is Thursday's Player of the Day. Zimmerman struck out nine over eight innings in the 5-1 win over the Rockies.

Zimmermann rises to sixth place in Box-Toppers player season standings (see updated top 10 list on the home page). Zimmermann earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 9.7 for the season.

Tigers closing pitcher Drew Smyly is American League Player of the Day. Smyly struck out four in two innings and earned the win in the 4-3 win over the Red Sox.

Pedro Alvarez of the Pirates is National League Batter of the Day. Alvarez homered, drove in all of his team's five runs and went 3-for-4 in the 5-3 win over the Reds. 

Evan Longoria of the Rays is AL Batter of the Day. Longoria hit two homers in the 8-3 win over the Yankees. 

Standings update: Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn rises to ninth place in Box-Toppers player season standings (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). Lynn (6IP 1R) was Player of the Game in the 6-1 win over the Cubs. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers for being Player of the Game, giving him 9.4 for the season.

Zimmermann receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Smyly receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Alvarez and Longoria each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Thursday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

620	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	9.0	Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jordan Zimmermann (W, 10-3)	8.0	6	1	0	1	9
BAT	5.0	Pirates	Pedro Alvarez 3B	4	1	3	5	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Lance Lynn (W, 10-1)	6.0	3	1	1	2	6
AL	5.0	Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Drew Smyly (W, 3-0)	2.0	1	0	0	0	4
BAT	4.0	Rays	Evan Longoria 3B	3	2	2	3	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Mets	David Wright 3B	4	2	3	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Angels	Peter Bourjos CF	4	3	3	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Padres	Pedro Ciriaco SS	4	2	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Twins	Oswaldo Arcia RF, LF	4	1	3	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Marlins	Marcell Ozuna PH	1	0	1	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Astros	Matt Dominguez 3B	4	1	3	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Rangers	Ian Kinsler DH	3	1	1	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

D-backs' Josh Collmenter tops players for Wednesday, June 19

Diamondbacks pitcher Josh Collmenter is Wednesday's Player of the Day. Collmenter struck out seven over six scoreless innings of relief in the 3-1 win over the Marlins. Collmenter left with the game tied and so was not eligible for the win.

Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson is American League Player of the Day. Wilson pitched seven shutout innings, giving up only two hits, in the 1-0 win over the Mariners. 

Chris Davis of the Orioles is AL Batter of the Day. Davis hit two home runs, drove in five and went 3-for-5 in the 13-3 win over the Tigers. 

Collmenter receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Wilson receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Davis receives 1.5 for being AL Batter of the Day. No NL batter was Player of the Game Wednesday, so no NL batter receives bonus points.

All of Wednesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

619	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	11.0	`Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Josh Collmenter	6.0	1	0	0	1	7
	10.0	`Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Gio Gonzalez	7.0	2	2	2	2	11
	7.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Chris Capuano (W, 2-4)	6.0	3	0	0	0	4
AL	6.0	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			C.J. Wilson (W, 6-5)	7.0	2	0	0	2	3
BAT	5.0	Orioles	Chris Davis DH	5	2	3	5	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Yankees	Ichiro Suzuki RF	4	2	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Indians	Michael Brantley LF	3	2	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Madison Bumgarner (W, 7-4)	7.0	3	2	2	4	8
	4.0	Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kris Medlen (W, 4-7)	7.0	6	3	1	0	7
	4.0	`Reds	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Tony Cingrani	1.0	0	0	0	0	3
	3.2	Twins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kevin Correia (W, 6-4)	6.2	5	2	2	0	6
	3.0	Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jake Westbrook (W, 3-2)	7.0	2	1	0	3	2
	2.0	Rangers	Leonys Martin CF	3	2	2	1	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Brewers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			John Axford (W, 3-3)	1.0	1	0	0	0	2
	1.0	Rays	Desmond Jennings CF	4	2	2	1	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Blue Jays	Adam Lind 1B	4	1	1	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Red Sox' Felix Doubront, Phillies' Cliff Lee, Mets' Matt Harvey top players for Tuesday, June 18

Red Sox pitcher Felix Doubront is Tuesday's Player of the Day. Doubront pitched eight shutout innings and gave up only three hits (but earned no decision) in the 3-1 win over the Rays.

Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee is National League Player of the Day. Lee struck out nine over eight innings in the 4-2 win over the Nationals. Lee rises to eighth place in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season (see the current top 10 standings on the home page). Lee earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for NL Player of the Day, giving him 9.4 for the season.

Matt Dominguez of the Astros is American League Batter of the Day. Dominguez hit a grand slam and went 2-for-3 in the 10-1 win over the Brewers. 

Standings update: Mets pitcher Matt Harvey rises to fifth place in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season (see the updated top 10 list).  Harvey (7IP 13K) was Player of the Game in the 4-3 win over the Braves, earning 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.0 for the season.

Doubront receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Lee receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Dominguez receives 1.5 for being AL Batter of the Day. No NL batter was Player of the Game Tuesday, so no NL batter receives bonus points.

All of Tuesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

618	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	11.0	`Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Felix Doubront	8.0	3	0	0	0	6
NL	8.0	Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Cliff Lee (W, 9-2)	8.0	5	2	2	0	9
	8.0	Mets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Harvey (W, 6-1)	7.0	3	3	3	3	13
	7.0	`Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Cain	7.0	6	2	2	0	10
BAT	5.0	Astros	Matt Dominguez 3B	3	1	2	5	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.1	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Charlie Morton (W, 1-1)	5.1	3	0	0	0	2
	4.0	Mets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Zack Wheeler (W, 1-0)	6.0	4	0	0	5	7
	3.0	Blue Jays	Edwin Encarnacion 1B	4	2	2	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Twins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Glen Perkins (S, 17)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	2.1	Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jeff Samardzija (W, 4-7)	8.1	7	2	2	1	6
	2.0	Orioles	J.J. Hardy SS	4	1	3	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Athletics	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jarrod Parker (W, 6-6)	7.0	3	2	2	2	4
	2.0	Mariners	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Yoervis Medina (S, 1)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	2.0	Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			David Hernandez (W, 3-4)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.0	Red Sox	Jacoby Ellsbury CF	5	3	3	0	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	0.0	Indians	Mike Aviles SS	4	1	2	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Blue Jays' Josh Johnson tops players for Monday, June 17; Cardinals' Shelby Miller rises to 2nd in Box-Toppers points

Blue Jays pitcher Josh Johnson is Monday's Player of the Day. Johnson struck out 10 over 7 1/3 scoreless innings in the 2-0 win over the Rockies. Johnson, however, exited with the game tied, so earned no decision.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller is National League Player of the Day and rises to second place among players in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season (see updated player standings on the home page). Miller pitched five shutout innings in the 5-2 win over the Cubs. Miller, already leader in Box-Toppers points among NL pitchers, earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being NL Player of the Day, giving him 11.4 for the season. He trails only points leader Justin Masterson of the Indians, who has 11.7 points.

Nelson Cruz of the Rangers is American League Batter of the Day. Cruz hit two home runs, drove in four and went 3-for-4 in the 8-7 win over the Athletics. 

Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins is NL Batter of the Day. Stanton hit two home runs and drove in all three of his team's runs in the 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks. 

Johnson receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Miller receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Cruz and Stanton each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Monday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

617	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	10.1	`Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Josh Johnson	7.1	5	0	0	2	10
	7.0	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jason Vargas (W, 6-4)	7.0	4	2	2	1	9
NL	6.0	Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Shelby Miller (W, 8-4)	5.0	2	0	0	2	5
	6.0	Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Drew Smyly (S, 2)	3.0	0	0	0	0	3
BAT	5.0	Rangers	Nelson Cruz RF	4	2	3	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.2	`White Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jesse Crain (H, 18)	1.2	0	0	0	0	3
BAT	3.0	Marlins	Giancarlo Stanton RF	4	2	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Phillies	Ryan Howard 1B	3	1	3	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Padres	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Nick Vincent (W, 1-0)	2.0	1	0	0	0	2
	2.0	Braves	Freddie Freeman 1B	4	1	3	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Reds	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Aroldis Chapman (S, 18)	1.0	0	0	0	1	2
	1.2	Royals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Aaron Crow (W, 3-2)	0.2	1	0	0	0	2

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Indians' Corey Kluber tops players for Sunday, June 16; Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez now season leader among NL batters

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber is Sunday's Player of the Day. Kluber struck out eight over eight shutout innings in the 2-0 win over the Nationals.

Reds pitcher Alfredo Simon is National League Player of the Day. Simon earned a three-inning save, striking out six, in the 5-1 win over the Brewers. 

Josh Reddick of the Athletics is American League Batter of the Day. Reddick homered and went 4-for-5 in the 10-2 win over the Mariners. 

Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies is NL Batter of the Day. Gonzalez homered and went 2-for-4 in the 5-2 win over the Phillies. With the Batter of the Day honor, Gonzalez rises to sixth place among players in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season (see updated top 10 standings on the home page).  Gonzalez earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points for the honor, giving him 9.5 points for the season. He becomes the top NL batter in Box-Toppers points, passing Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks (8.7). In addition, Gonzalez already has more Box-Toppers points this season than he did in 2012 (9.2).

Kluber receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Simon receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Reddick and Gonzalez each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Sunday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

616	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	9.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Corey Kluber (W, 5-4)	8.0	7	0	0	0	8
NL	7.0	Reds	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Alfredo Simon (S, 1)	3.0	2	0	0	0	6
	6.2	Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Doug Fister (W, 6-4)	7.2	2	2	2	2	7
	6.0	Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Julio Teheran (W, 5-3)	6.0	7	0	0	1	8
	5.0	Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ricky Nolasco (W, 4-7)	7.0	3	1	1	1	4
BAT	3.0	Athletics	Josh Reddick RF	5	2	4	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Chien-Ming Wang (W, 1-0)	7.0	7	0	0	2	5
	2.0	Orioles	Nick Markakis RF	5	3	4	0	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
BAT	2.0	Rockies	Carlos Gonzalez LF	4	2	2	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Pirates	Garrett Jones 1B	3	1	2	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Yankees	Travis Hafner DH	3	1	1	3	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Mets	Kirk Nieuwenhuis CF	3	1	1	3	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Royals	Alcides Escobar SS	4	1	3	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Astros	Jason Castro DH	4	1	2	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Padres	Kyle Blanks 1B	4	1	1	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Mariners' Felix Hernandez, Cubs' Scott Feldman top players for Saturday, June 15

Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez is Saturday's Player of the Day. Hernandez pitched seven shutout innings and struck out eight in the 4-0 win over the Athletics.

Hernandez rises to 10th place among players in Box-Toppers standings for the 2013 season (see updated standings on the home page). Hernandez earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 8.7 for the season. 

Cubs pitcher Scott Feldman is National League Player of the Day. Feldman struck out six over seven innings in the 5-2 win over the Mets. 

Trevor Plouffe of the Twins is American League Batter of the Day. Plouffe hit a two-run homer and went 3-for-3 in the 6-3 win over the Tigers. 

David Freese of the Cardinals is NL Batter of the Day. Freese homered and went 3-for-4 in the 13-7 win over the Marlins. 

Standings update: Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw rises to seventh place among players in Box-Toppers standings for the 2013 season. Kershaw (7IP 8K ND) was Player of the Game in the 5-3 win over the Pirates. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 9.0 for the season. 

Hernandez receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Feldman receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Plouffe and Freese each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Saturday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

615	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	9.0	Mariners	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Felix Hernandez (W, 8-4)	7.0	5	0	0	1	8
NL	8.0	Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Scott Feldman (W, 6-5)	7.0	2	1	1	1	6
	7.0	`Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Clayton Kershaw	7.0	3	1	1	3	8
	6.0	Brewers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Yovani Gallardo (W, 6-6)	6.0	3	0	0	2	5
	5.2	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Alex Torres (W, 2-0)	1.2	0	0	0	0	4
BAT	5.0	Twins	Trevor Plouffe 3B	3	2	3	3	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.1	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Tommy Hanson (W, 4-2)	6.1	5	2	2	1	8
BAT	4.0	Cardinals	David Freese 3B	4	3	3	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Rockies	Wilin Rosario C	4	3	3	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Braves	B.J. Upton CF	4	3	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Padres	Yasmani Grandal C	2	1	1	3	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Blue Jays	Adam Lind 1B	4	2	2	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Nationals	Chad Tracy PH, DH	1	1	1	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Astros	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jose Veras (S, 13)	1.0	0	0	0	1	2
	1.0	Red Sox	Jonny Gomes LF	4	2	2	1	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.