Oakland Athletics pass San Francisco Giants to top Box-Toppers team rankings

The Oakland Athletics picked up 6.0 Box-Toppers points over the week, regaining their spot atop Box-Toppers team rankings.

Top 10 teams

Here are Box-Toppers' Top 10 teams, through the games of Thursday, June 19. The column BTP shows the number of Box-Toppers points players on the team have accumulated so far this season. The column BTP/wk shows have many points teams have accumulated during the past week.

619	Teams	BTP	BTP /wk	Last  wk  rank
1	Athletics	52.9	6.0	3
2	Giants	51.9	0.0	1
3	Brewers	49.6	5.2	5
4	Dodgers	49.5	6.7	7
5	Blue Jays	49.4	2.0	2
6	Angels	48.0	3.0	4
7	Cardinals	46.5	6.0	11
8	Marlins	45.1	1.0	6
9	Mariners	45.0	4.0	10
10	Royals	44.6	7.0	20

BTP: Box-Toppers points

Athletics players have accumulated 52.9 Box-Toppers points this season through Thursday, June 19. They pass the top team for the previous three weeks, the San Francisco Giants, now in second place with 51.9 Box-Toppers points. The Athletics were the top team in Box-Toppers rankings the week of May 22—this is the third week this season they have been the top team.

The Athletics are led by pitcher Scott Kazmir (9.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked eighth among all players) and third baseman Josh Donaldson (6.5 Box-Toppers points, ranked third among American League batters).

The Athletics also have baseball’s best winning percentage (.616).

The Giants, despite being the only team to earn no Box-Toppers points during the past week, fell only to second place in team rankings. They still rank as the top overall National League team for the fourth week in a row.

The Giants are led by pitchers Madison Bumgarner (10.5 Box-Toppers points, sixth place in Box-Toppers player rankings, fourth place among NL pitchers) and Tim Hudson (6.7 points, 13th place among NL pitchers).

The Giants also have the best winning percentage among NL teams (.597).

Last week’s top American League team, the Toronto Blue Jays, fell from second to fifth place among all teams after picking up 2.0 Box-Toppers points during the past week. The Blue Jays have 49.4 points for the season and rank second among AL teams.

The Kansas City Royals were the hottest team of the past week, picking up 7.0 Box-Toppers points, giving them 44.6 for the season. They rise from 20th to 10th place in Box-Toppers team rankings.

The Royals rose into the top 10 list this week along with the St. Louis Cardinals (rising from 11th to seventh). Two teams fell from the top 10: The Washington Nationals (falling from eighth to 11th) and the Chicago White Sox (falling from ninth to 15th).

The lowest-ranked team is the Arizona Diamondbacks with 33.9 Box-Toppers points—they picked up 2.0 points during the past week. Last week’s lowest-ranked team, the Tampa Bay Rays, picked up 6.1 Box-Toppers points, giving them 36.5 points, and rising to 28th place from 30th.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Mets' Zack Wheeler, 3-hit shutout, tops players for Thursday, June 19, Kazmir rises to 8th in Box-Toppers rankings

Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler is Thursday’s Player of the Day. Wheeler pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits and striking out eight, in the 1-0 win over the Marlins.

Rays pitcher Chris Archer is American League Player of the Day. Archer pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out eight, in the 5-0 win over the Astros.

Pitchers earned Player of the Game honors in all 12 games played Thursday. No batters earned National League or American League Batter of the Day honors Thursday because no batters earned Player of the Game honors.

Notable: Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir rises to eighth place in season Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Thursday (see the updated top 10 player list on the home page). Kazmir (7IP 8K W in the 4-2 win over the Red Sox) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 9.7 for the season. He ranks third among AL pitchers.

Wheeler receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Archer receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day.

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

Box-Toppers watches the daily performances of selected star players and Box-Toppers points leaders. To see how they performed Thursday, click here.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

619	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	13.0	Mets	Zack Wheeler (W, 3-7)	-	-	-	-	-	-		9.0	3	0	0	1	8
AL	9.2	Rays	Chris Archer (W, 4-4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.2	3	0	0	2	8
	9.0	Braves	Gavin Floyd (W, 2-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	2	0	0	1	6
	7.0	Athletics	Scott Kazmir (W, 9-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	2	2	0	8
	6.0	Padres	Jesse Hahn (W, 2-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	5	1	0	2	7
	4.2	Phillies	David Buchanan (W, 3-3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.2	4	1	1	1	4
	4.0	`Twins	Yohan Pino	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	5	2	2	1	7
	4.0	Brewers	Yovani Gallardo (W, 5-4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	5	1	1	0	4
	4.0	Tigers	Joe Nathan (S, 14)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	3
	3.0	Indians	Justin Masterson	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	1	1	3	5
	2.0	Yankees	David Phelps (W, 3-4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	6	2	2	2	7
	2.0	Pirates	Justin Wilson (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	1

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

Nats' Zimmermann pitches shutout, tops players for Sunday, June 8

Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann is Sunday’s Player of the Day. Zimmermann pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only two hits and striking out 12 in the 6-0 win over the Padres.

Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez is American League Player of the Day. Hernandez pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out 15 in the 5-0 win over the Rays. Hernandez did not pick up the win because he left the game with the score tied 0-0.

Hernandez earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 8.8 for the season, rising to fifth place in Box-Toppers player rankings (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). He is in second place among AL pitchers, behind Masahiro Tanaka of the Yankees (10.7 Box-Toppers points).

Chris Carter of the Astros is AL Batter of the Day. Carter hit a grand slam and scored two runs in the 14-5 win over the Twins.

There was no National League Batter of the Day Sunday because no NL batter earned Player of the Game honors.

Notable: Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir rises to seventh place in Box-Toppers season player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Sunday (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). Kazmir (7IP 0R 7K W in the 11-1 win over the Orioles) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 8.7 points for the season. He moves up to third place among AL pitchers in Box-Toppers points.

Zimmermann receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Hernandez receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Carter receives 1.5 for being AL Batter of the Day.

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

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

608	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	19.0	Nationals	Jordan Zimmermann (W, 5-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		9.0	2	0	0	0	12
AL	17.0	`Mariners	Felix Hernandez	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	0	0	1	15
	10.0	Brewers	Yovani Gallardo (W, 4-4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	0	0	1	8
	9.0	Dodgers	Clayton Kershaw (W, 5-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.0	3	1	1	0	9
	8.0	Athletics	Scott Kazmir (W, 7-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	0	0	2	7
	6.1	Angels	C.J. Wilson (W, 7-5)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.1	3	1	1	2	6
	5.0	Dbacks	Chase Anderson (W, 5-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	5	2	2	1	8
	5.0	Cardinals	Jaime Garcia (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	3	0	0	3	4
	5.0	Royals	James Shields (W, 7-3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	6	1	0	2	8
	4.0	Reds	Homer Bailey (W, 7-3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	6	1	1	3	7
BAT	3.0	Astros	Chris Carter DH	4	2	1	4	0	2		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Indians	Cody Allen (S, 6)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	3.0	Marlins	Steve Cishek (S, 14)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	3.0	Giants	Sergio Romo (S, 20)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	1.0	Red Sox	Mike Napoli 1B	4	1	3	1	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Blue Jays' Hutchison, Marlins' Alvarez top players for Tuesday, June 3

Blue Jays pitcher Drew Hutchison is Tuesday’s Player of the Day. Hutchison pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out seven in the 5-3 win over the Tigers. Hutchison did not pick up the win because he left the game with the score tied 0-0.

Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez is National League Player of the Day. Alvarez pitched a complete game shutout in the 1-0 win over the Rays.

Brian Dozier of the Twins is American League Batter of the Day. Dozier homered, went 3-for-3 and drove in two runs in the 6-4 win over the Brewers.

Chris Owings of the Diamondbacks is NL Batter of the Day. Owings homered, tripled and doubled, driving in two runs, in the 4-2 win over the Rockies. This was Owings’ Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has earned Player of the Game honors. He is the 3,347th player to debut on Box-Toppers since record keeping began in 1995. He made his Major League debut Sept. 3, 2013 and was playing in his 72nd game.

Notable: Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir rises to ninth place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Tuesday (see the updated top 10 player list on the home page). Kazmir (6.1IP 10K ND in the 5-2 win over the Yankees) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 7.7 for the season. He ranks fourth among AL pitchers in Box-Toppers points.

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

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

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

603	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	11.0	`Blue Jays	Drew Hutchison	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	3	0	0	0	7
NL	6.0	Marlins	Henderson Alvarez (W, 3-3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		9.0	8	0	0	0	5
	6.0	Nationals	Jordan Zimmermann (W, 4-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	5	0	0	1	4
	6.0	Mariners	Dominic Leone (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		2.0	0	0	0	0	4
	5.0	Astros	Collin McHugh (W, 4-3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.0	2	0	0	2	4
	4.1	`Athletics	Scott Kazmir	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.1	6	2	2	2	10
BAT	4.0	Twins	Brian Dozier 2B	3	2	3	2	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.2	Pirates	Gerrit Cole (W, 6-3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.2	4	1	1	2	6
	3.1	Indians	Nick Hagadone (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.1	1	0	0	0	3
	3.0	Royals	Greg Holland (S, 16)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	2.0	Orioles	Adam Jones CF	5	2	4	1	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
BAT	2.0	Dbacks	Chris Owings SS	4	1	3	2	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	White Sox	Jose Abreu 1B	4	1	2	3	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Reds	Jay Bruce RF	4	2	2	2	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	0.0	Cubs	Nate Schierholtz RF	4	0	3	1	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Mets' Colon, Mariners' Fernandez top players for Wednesday, May 28

Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon is Wednesday’s Player of the Day. Colon pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings and struck out nine in the 5-0 win over the Pirates.

Colon earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 128.4 for his career, moving him into 24th place on Box-Toppers “all-time” list (record keeping began in 1995). He is just ahead of Vladimir Guerrero (128.3 Box-Toppers points).

Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez is American League Player of the Day. Hernandez gave up one run over 8 2/3 innings and struck out nine in the 3-1 win over the Angels.

Hernandez earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 7.1 for the season, moving into eighth place on Box-Toppers season player rankings (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). He is in third place among AL pitchers.

Hernandez also has 129.6 Box-Toppers points for his career, in 21st place on the “all-time” list (record keeping began in 1995), moving past Trevor Hoffman (129.4) and David Ortiz (128.9).

A.J. Pollock of the Diamondbacks is National League Batter of the Day. Pollock doubled twice, went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs in the 12-6 win over the Padres.

Chris Carter of the Astros is AL Batter of the Day. Carter hit two homers and drove in four runs in the 9-3 win over the Royals.

Notable: Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir rose to 10th place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Wednesday (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). Kazmir (CG 1R 8K W in the 3-1 win over the Tigers) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 6.7 for the season. He is in fourth place among AL pitchers.

Colon receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Hernandez receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Pollock and Carter 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.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

528	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	10.1	Mets	Bartolo Colon (W, 4-5)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.1	5	0	0	1	9
AL	9.2	Mariners	Felix Hernandez (W, 7-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.2	4	1	1	2	9
	9.0	Athletics	Scott Kazmir (W, 6-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		9.0	6	1	1	0	8
	7.1	Red Sox	John Lackey (W, 6-3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.1	8	0	0	0	9
	6.0	`Giants	Tim Lincecum	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.0	0	0	0	4	5
	5.1	`White Sox	Hector Noesi	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.1	5	1	1	0	5
BAT	4.0	Dbacks	A.J. Pollock CF	4	3	3	2	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
BAT	4.0	Astros	Chris Carter DH	4	2	2	4	1	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	4.0	Brewers	Khris Davis LF	3	2	2	3	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	4.0	`Blue Jays	Liam Hendriks	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	3	2	2	0	5
	4.0	`Rangers	Joe Saunders	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.0	5	0	0	2	6
	3.0	Yankees	Jacoby Ellsbury CF	5	2	3	3	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Phillies	Ryan Howard 1B	4	1	2	4	1	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Reds	Homer Bailey (W, 5-3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	5	2	2	1	6
	2.0	Marlins	Casey McGehee 3B	5	2	4	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Oakland Athletics, top AL team 6 straight weeks, reclaims Box-Toppers team rankings lead

The Oakland Athletics have regained the top spot in Box-Toppers team rankings.

Athletics players have accumulated 35.9 Box-Toppers points this season, including 5.5 points this past week, rising from third place last week. They pass last week’s top team, the San Francisco Giants, which fell to fourth place overall.

Top 10 teams

Here are Box-Toppers' Top 10 teams, through the games of Thursday, May 22. The column BTP shows the number of Box-Toppers points players on the team have accumulated so far this season. The column BTP/wk shows have many points teams have accumulated during the past week.

522	Teams	BTP	BTP /wk	Last  week  rank
1	Athletics	35.9	5.5	3
2	Marlins	34.9	5.0	4
3	Rockies	34.5	3.7	2
4	Giants	33.7	2.7	1
5	Blue Jays	32.9	8.0	15
6	Angels	32.8	5.4	6
7	Braves	31.3	5.2	9
8	Brewers	31.2	3.0	5
9	White Sox	31.0	6.0	13
10	Cardinals	30.0	6.0	17

BTP: Box-Toppers points

The Athletics have led all American League teams for six straight weeks and previously led all teams the week of May 1. They are led by pitchers Scott Kazmir and Jesse Chavez, both of whom have 5.7 Box-Toppers points each. Kazmir is ranked 13th and Chavez 14th among AL pitchers in Box-Toppers points.

The Athletics also have baseball’s best winning percentage (.638).

The Miami Marlins are the top National League team with 34.9 Box-Toppers points. They are in second place overall, rising from fourth place a week ago.

The Marlins top players are pitcher Jose Fernandez (7.0 Box-Toppers points, but out for the season) and pitcher Henderson Alvarez (5.0 Box-Toppers points). Fernandez is ranked third among NL pitchers and Alvarez is 10th.

The Toronto Blue Jays are the hottest team of the past week, picking up 8.0 Box-Toppers points. They rose from 15th to fifth place in team rankings, with 32.9 Box-Toppers points for the season.

The Blue Jays rose into the top 10 teams along with the White Sox and the Cardinals. The Dodgers, Tigers and Yankees all fell out of the top 10 this week.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

San Francisco Giants, hottest team of the week, rise to top Box-Toppers team rankings

The San Francisco Giants, the hottest team of the past week, have risen to the top of Box-Toppers team power rankings.

Giants players have accumulated 31.0 Box-Toppers points this season, including 7.0 this past week—more than any other team. They rise from fifth place to first, edging past last week’s top team, the Colorado Rockies (30.8 Box-Toppers points).

Top 10 teams

Here are Box-Toppers' Top 10 teams, through the games of Thursday, May 15. The column BTP shows the number of Box-Toppers points players on the team have accumulated so far this season. The column BTP/wk shows have many points teams have accumulated during the past week.

515	Team	BTP	BTP /wk	Last  week  rank
1	Giants	31.0	7.0	5
2	Rockies	30.8	1.5	1
3	Athletics	30.4	5.7	3
4	Marlins	29.9	1.0	2
5	Brewers	28.2	4.0	4
6	Angels	27.4	6.5	15
7	Dodgers	26.9	3.0	6
8	Tigers	26.7	4.0	7
9	Braves	26.1	6.4	16
10	Yankees	26.0	4.7	12

BTP: Box-Toppers points

The Giants are led by pitcher Madison Bumgarner (5.5 Box-Toppers points—ranked 6th among NL pitchers) and left fielder Michael Morse (4.0 Box-Toppers points—ranked 6th among NL batters).

The Giants also have the best winning percentage of any NL team (.643).

The Rockies fell to second overall after a lackluster week in which they picked up only 1.5 Box-Toppers points.

The top American League team for the fifth straight week is the Oakland Athletics. With 30.4 Box-Toppers points, they are ranked third overall, the same spot as last week.

The Athletics are led by pitchers Scott Kazmir and Jesse Chavez, both of whom have 5.7 Box-Toppers points each. Kazmir is ranked fourth and Chavez fifth among AL pitchers in Box-Toppers points.

The Detroit Tigers have the overall best winning percentage in baseball, .667. They rank eighth in Box-Toppers points with 26.7, down from seventh place a week ago.

Last week’s hottest team, the Miami Marlins, was this week’s coldest team. Last week, they picked up 8.5 Box-Toppers points but this week they picked up the fewest points of any team—1.0. With 29.9 Box-Toppers points for the season, they fell from second to fourth overall. Their bad week was compounded by the news that pitcher Jose Fernandez would be lost for the season, recovering from Tommy John surgery. Fernandez has more Box-Toppers points than any Marlins player, 7.0—nearly one-fourth of the team’s total—and ranks fifth among all players this season.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Padres' Robbie Erlin (6.1IP 0R 7K) tops players for Sunday, May 11

Padres pitcher Robbie Erlin is Sunday’s Player of the Day. Erlin pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings and struck out seven in the 5-4 win over the Marlins.

Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir is American League Player of the Day. Kazmir pitched seven scoreless innings in the 9-1 win over the Nationals. Kazmir rises to eighth place in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season. (See the top 10 players for the season on the home page.) He earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 5.7 points for the season.

Hank Conger of the Angels is AL Batter of the Day. Conger homered, doubled and drove in five runs in the 9-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Daniel Murphy of the Mets is National League Batter of the Day. Murphy homered, double and drove in two runs in the 5-4, 11-inning win over the Phillies.

Erlin receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Kazmir receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Conger and Murphy 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.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

511	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	8.1	Padres	Robbie Erlin (W, 2-4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.1	5	0	0	0	7
AL	7.0	Athletics	Scott Kazmir (W, 5-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	0	0	0	4
	6.1	Dbacks	Chase Anderson (W, 1-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		5.1	2	1	1	1	6
	5.1	Reds	Homer Bailey (W, 3-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.1	4	1	1	2	6
BAT	5.0	Angels	Hank Conger C	4	1	3	5	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	5.0	Red Sox	John Lackey (W, 5-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	7	2	2	0	9
	4.0	Indians	Nyjer Morgan LF	4	3	3	2	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Royals	Alcides Escobar SS	4	1	2	4	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Braves	Aaron Harang (W, 4-3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	6	2	2	2	9
BAT	2.0	Mets	Daniel Murphy 2B	4	1	3	2	2	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Giants	Angel Pagan CF	3	3	2	0	2	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Brewers	Jonathan Lucroy PH	1	1	1	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Twins	Jared Burton (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.0	Astros	Marc Krauss 1B	4	1	2	2	1	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	1.0	Cardinals	Peter Bourjos CF	1	0	1	1	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-

Colorado Rockies climb to top of Box-Toppers team power rankings

The Colorado Rockies have moved to the top of Box-Toppers team power rankings this week.

Rockies players have accumulated 29.3 Box-Toppers points this season, picking up 7.2 points in the past week to rise from third place a week ago.

The Rockies are led by overall top-ranked player, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (9.1 Box-Toppers points) and second baseman DJ LeMahieu (3.0 points).

Top 10 teams

Here are Box-Toppers' Top 10 teams, through the games of Thursday, May 8. The column BTP shows the number of Box-Toppers points players on the team have accumulated so far this season. The column BTP/wk shows have many points teams have accumulated during the past week.

508	Teams	BTP	BTP/ wk	Last  week  rank
1	Rockies	29.3	7.2	3
2	Marlins	28.9	8.5	5
3	Athletics	24.7	2.0	1
4	Brewers	24.2	2.0	2
5	Giants	24.0	6.0	9
6	Dodgers	23.9	2.5	4
7	Tigers	22.7	7.5	21
8	White Sox	22.5	4.0	8
9	Nationals	22.5	3.0	7
10	Mariners	21.9	7.0	24

BTP: Box-Toppers points

The Rockies are in second place in the National League West, a game behind the San Francisco Giants, with a .595 winning percentage. The Giants are ranked fifth in Box-Toppers rankings, with 24.0 Box-Toppers points.

Last week’s top team, the Oakland Athletics, fall to third place with 24.7 Box-Toppers points after picking up only 2.0 points during the past week. However, the Athletics remain the top American League team in Box-Toppers rankings for the fourth straight week.

The Athletics are led by pitchers Jesse Chavez (4.7 Box-Toppers points) and Scott Kazmir (4.0 points).

The Miami Marlins were the hottest team in the past week, picking up 8.5 Box-Toppers points. They rose to second place overall, from fifth a week ago, with 28.9 Box-Toppers points. 

Last week’s top National League team, the Milwaukee Brewers, fell to fourth place overall, picking up only 2.0 Box-Toppers points during the week. The Brewers have 24.2 Box-Toppers points.

The Detroit Tigers have the best record in baseball with a .667 winning percentage. Tigers players have 22.7 Box-Toppers points, ranked seventh among all teams.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Oakland Athletics supplant Milwaukee Brewers atop Box-Toppers weekly team power rankings

The Oakland Athletics have risen to top Box-Toppers team power rankings for the week.

Athletics players have accumulated 22.7 Box-Toppers points this season, including an American League-high 6.0 points during the past week, to rise from third place last week. This is the third straight week the Athletics have been the top AL team but the first week they have taken the overall points lead.

Top 10 teams

Here are Box-Toppers' Top 10 teams, through the games of Thursday, May 1. The column BTP shows the number of Box-Toppers points players on the team have accumulated so far this season. The column BTP/wk shows have many points teams have accumulated during the past week.

501	Teams	BTP	BTP/ wk	Last week  rank
1	Athletics	22.7	6.0	3
2	Brewers	22.2	4.0	1
3	Rockies	22.1	6.9	6
4	Dodgers	21.4	4.0	2
5	Marlins	20.4	5.7	10
6	Braves	19.7	3.5	5
7	Nationals	19.5	6.0	15
8	White Sox	18.5	3.5	8
9	Giants	18.0	5.0	18
10	Cardinals	18.0	3.0	9

BTP: Box-Toppers points

The Athletics, who have the best record in the AL (.643), are led by pitchers Jesse Chavez (4.7 Box-Toppers points) and Scott Kazmir (4.0).

Last week’s top team, the Milwaukee Brewers, fall to second place overall, but still lead all National League teams, with 22.2 Box-Toppers points. The Brewers, who have the best record in all of baseball (.690) are led by right fielder Ryan Braun (4.5 Box-Toppers points) and pitcher Yovani Gallardo (3.0).

The Colorado Rockies are the hottest team of the past week, picking up 6.9 Box-Toppers points. They have 22.1 overall points, rising from sixth place last week to third place this week, only 0.1 behind the Brewers.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Milwaukee Brewers rise from 2nd to 1st in Box-Toppers team rankings

The Milwaukee Brewers, rising to the top of Box-Toppers team power rankings this week, also have the best record of any team in baseball.

Brewers players have accumulated 18.2 Box-Toppers points this season, including 5.5 during the past week, rising from second place to first in the power rankings. At 16-6, the Brewers also have baseball’s best win-loss record.

Top 10 teams

Here are Box-Toppers' Top 10 teams, through the games of Thursday, April 24. The column BTP shows the number of Box-Toppers points players on the team have accumulated so far this season. The column BTP/wk shows have many points teams have accumulated during the past week.

424	Teams	BTP	BTP/wk	Last week rank
1	Brewers	18.2	5.5	2
2	Dodgers	17.4	4.7	3
3	Athletics	16.7	4.5	4
4	Rangers	16.2	6.0	11
5	Braves	16.2	4.0	5
6	Rockies	15.2	4.0	8
7	Yankees	15.1	3.7	7
8	White Sox	15.0	3.5	6
9	Cardinals	15.0	2.0	1
10	Marlins	14.7	6.5	22

BTP: Box-Toppers points

The Brewers are led by right fielder Ryan Braun, who has 4.5 Box-Toppers points (fifth among all players this season) and starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (3.0 points).

The Oakland Athletics remain the top American League team in Box-Toppers power rankings with 16.7 points. The Athletics are in third place overall, rising from No. 4 last week. The Athletics are led by starting pitchers Scott Kazmir (4.0 Box-Toppers points) and Jesse Chavez (2.7).

The Miami Marlins are the hottest team of the week, picking up 6.5 Box-Toppers points over the past seven days, more than any other team. They rose from 22nd place to 10th with 14.7 Box-Toppers points.

Last week’s No. 1 team, the St. Louis Cardinals, fell to ninth place after picking up the fewest points of any NL team during the past week. Cardinals players earned only 2.0 Box-Toppers points during the week, giving them 15.0 for the season.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Marlins' Henderson Alvarez (CG 0R 2H) tops players for Saturday, April 19; Braun rises to 2nd in Box-Toppers points

Marlins pitcher Henderson Alvarez is Saturday’s Player of the Day. Alvarez pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout in the 7-0 win over the Mariners.

Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer is American League Player of the Day. Scherzer struck out nine over seven innings, allowing only one run, in the 5-2 win over the Angels.

Ryan Hanigan of the Rays is AL Batter of the Day. Hanigan hit two homers while going 3-for-4 and driving in six in the 16-1 win over the Yankees.

Ryan Braun of the Brewers is National League Batter of the Day. Braun hit two home runs—including a go-ahead, ninth-inning, two-run homer—and went 3-for-5 in the 8-7 win over the Pirates. Braun rises to second place in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season. He earned 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, giving him 4.5 for the season. (See updated Top 10 Box-Toppers player rankings for 2014 on the home page.)

Notables: Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir rises to fifth place on Box-Toppers player rankings and Braves pitcher Ervin Santana rises to sixth place after both were Players of the Game Saturday.  (See updated Top 10 Box-Toppers player rankings for 2014 on the home page.)

Kazmir (8IP 5K ND in 4-3 win vs. Astros) earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 4.0 for the season.

Santana (7IP 7K W in 7-5 win vs. Mets) earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 4.0 for the season.

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

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

419	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	11.0	Marlins	Henderson Alvarez (W, 1-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		9.0	2	0	0	0	4
AL	9.0	Tigers	Max Scherzer (W, 1-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	3	1	1	2	9
BAT	7.0	Rays	Ryan Hanigan C	4	2	3	6	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
BAT	5.0	Brewers	Ryan Braun RF	5	4	3	3	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	4.0	Braves	Ervin Santana (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	6	1	1	2	7
	3.0	Blue Jays	Mark Buehrle (W, 4-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	4	0	0	3	3
	3.0	Padres	Eric Stults (W, 1-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	3	1	1	0	2
	3.0	`Royals	Danny Duffy (H, 1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		2.0	0	0	0	1	2
	3.0	Red Sox	Koji Uehara (S, 4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	1	3
	2.0	Cubs	Welington Castillo C	4	2	2	2	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Dodgers	Adrian Gonzalez 1B	4	2	2	2	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	`Athletics	Scott Kazmir	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	6	3	2	0	5
	2.0	Rockies	Jordan Lyles (W, 3-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	5	1	0	1	2
	2.0	Rangers	Joakim Soria (S, 3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.0	Cardinals	Tony Cruz C	4	1	2	2	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

St. Louis Cardinals' hot week puts them atop Box-Toppers team rankings

The St. Louis Cardinals put up more Box-Toppers points than any other team during the past week and are now on top of Box-Toppers team power rankings.

Cardinals players accumulated 7.0 points for the week ending Thursday, April 17, giving them 13.0 for the season. They rose from 13th place in last week’s standings.

Top 10 teams

Here are Box-Toppers' Top 10 teams, through the games of Thursday, April 17. The column BTP shows the number of Box-Toppers points players on the team have accumulated so far this season. The column BTP/wk shows have many points teams have accumulated during the past week.

417	Teams	BTP	BTP/wk	Last week rank
1	Cardinals	13.0	7.0	13
2	Brewers	12.7	4.7	3
3	Dodgers	12.7	4.7	4
4	Athletics	12.2	5.7	7
5	Braves	12.2	5.5	6
6	White Sox	11.5	4.5	5
7	Yankees	11.4	5.7	15
8	Rockies	11.2	3.0	1
9	Giants	10.5	4.5	14
10	Nationals	10.5	2.5	2

The Cardinals are one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central division with a 10-6 record. The Brewers, at 11-5 with the best record in baseball, are in second place on Box-Toppers power rankings with 12.7 points, rising from third place last week.

The Cardinals are led by pitchers Adam Wainwright (4.0 Box-Toppers points) and Lance Lynn (2.0).

The Oakland Athletics are the top American League team, in fourth place overall with 12.2 Box-Toppers points. The Athletics are led by pitchers Scott Kazmir (3.0) and Jesse Chavez (2.7).

Last week’s leading team, the Colorado Rockies, fell to eighth place, scoring 3.0 Box-Toppers points during the week, giving them 11.2 for the season.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Athletics' Scott Kazmir (6IP 0R 9K) tops players for Sunday, April 13

Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir is Sunday’s Player of the Day. Kazmir pitched six scoreless innings and struck out nine in the 3-0 win over the Mariners.

Kazmir earned a no decision Sunday and did not pick up the win because he left the mound with the game tied 0-0. Kazmir rises to seventh place among players in Box-Toppers points for the season. He earned 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 3.0 for the season.

Brewers pitcher Kyle Lohse is National League Player of the Day. Lohse struck out nine and gave up one run over 8 2/3 innings in the 4-1 win over the Pirates.

Freddie Freeman of the Braves is NL Batter of the Day. Freeman hit a two-run homer and went 2-for-3 and drove in four runs in the 10-2 win over the Nationals. Freeman, who earned 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, rises to fourth place among all players for the season, with 3.2 Box-Toppers points.

Colby Rasmus of the Blue Jays is American League Batter of the Day. Rasmus homered, doubled and went 3-for-4, driving in three runs in the 11-3 win over the Orioles.

Kazmir receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Lohse receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Freeman and Rasmus 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.

Box-Toppers tracks who most helps their team win the most games. Using standard box score statistics, Box-Toppers uses a simple formula to determine a Player of the Game for each Major League Baseball game played. That player is the person who contributed most to his team’s win. Players earn Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Game and can earn bonus points for being Player of the Day or top player or batter in their league for the day.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

413	Score	Team	Player	AB	R	H	BI	BB	K		IP	H	R	ER	BB	K
MLB	13.0	`Athletics	Scott Kazmir	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	2	0	0	0	9
NL	11.2	Brewers	Kyle Lohse (W, 2-1)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.2	4	1	1	0	9
BAT	5.0	Braves	Freddie Freeman 1B	3	2	2	4	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	5.0	Reds	Chris Heisey PH	1	1	1	4	0	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	5.0	Padres	Tyson Ross (W, 1-2)	-	-	-	-	-	-		7.0	6	1	1	1	7
BAT	4.0	Blue Jays	Colby Rasmus CF	4	2	3	3	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	Angels	Ian Stewart 3B	4	2	2	3	1	2		-	-	-	-	-	-
	3.0	`White Sox	Jose Quintana	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.0	5	1	1	2	6
	3.0	Twins	Glen Perkins (S, 3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	3.0	Dodgers	Kenley Jansen (S, 4)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	3.0	Yankees	Shawn Kelley (S, 3)	-	-	-	-	-	-		1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	2.1	Cardinals	Michael Wacha (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		6.1	5	3	3	1	8
	2.0	Phillies	Chase Utley 2B	4	2	3	1	1	0		-	-	-	-	-	-
	2.0	Rangers	Martin Perez (W, 2-0)	-	-	-	-	-	-		8.0	5	0	0	3	2
	1.0	Giants	Brandon Crawford SS	3	1	1	2	0	1		-	-	-	-	-	-

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

Rockies' Nicasio tops players for Saturday, Sept. 28; Cards' Wainwright rises to 2nd in Box-Toppers player rankings

Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio is Saturday's Player of the Day, while Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright rises to second place in Box-Toppers player rankings on the penultimate (and next-to-last) day of the season.

Nicasio pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings and struck out seven in the 1-0 win over the Dodgers. The Rockies spoiled Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke's chance of scoring 20.0 Box-Toppers points for the season. Greinke, who started the game and pitched well (6IP 1R 7K), picked up the loss, earned no Box-Toppers points and ends his season with 19.4 points, falling from second to third place in player rankings. 

Wainwright, meanwhile, passes Greinke in Box-Toppers player rankings, rising from third to second (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). Wainwright (5.1IP 0R 5K in 6-2 win vs. Cubs) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Game, giving him 20.2 for the season. He and Box-Toppers points leader, Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers, are the only two players with 20.0 Box-Toppers points this season (in 2012, there were three). This is Wainwright's highest season total in Box-Toppers points, passing 2010, when he scored 19.7.

Indians pitcher Scott Kazmir is American League Player of the Day. Kazmir struck out 11 over six innings in the 5-1 win over the Twins. Kazmir earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 12.8 for the season and putting him in 29th place in Box-Toppers player rankings.

Brad Miller of the Mariners is AL Batter of the Day. Miller hit two homers, including a grand slam in the 7-5 win over the Athletics. 

Marlon Byrd of the Pirates is National League Batter of the Day. Byrd homered and went 3-for-4 in the 8-3 win over the Reds. 

Notables: Rangers pitcher Dan Haren rises to 52nd place in Box-Toppers rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Saturday. Haren (7IP 0R W in 7-4 win vs. Angels) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.4 for the season. 

Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte earned Player of the Game honors in his final career start. Pettitte (CG 1R W in 2-1 win vs. Astros) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 4.0 for the season, but giving him 138.5 for his career since 1995 (when Box-Toppers record keeping began), putting him in 19th place on the all-time (since 1995) list.

Nicasio receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Kazmir receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Miller and Byrd 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

928	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	8.1	Rockies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Juan Nicasio (W, 9-9)	5.1	3	0	0	1	7
	7.1	Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Adam Wainwright (W, 19-9)	5.1	2	0	0	1	5
	7.0	Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Dan Haren (W, 10-14)	7.0	4	0	0	1	5
AL	7.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Scott Kazmir (W, 10-9)	6.0	6	1	1	2	11
BAT	5.0	Mariners	Brad Miller SS	4	2	2	5	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Andy Pettitte (W, 11-11)	9.0	5	1	1	2	5
	3.1	Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			J.A. Happ (W, 5-7)	7.1	5	1	1	1	4
	3.1	Orioles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kevin Gausman (W, 3-5)	1.1	0	0	0	0	2
	3.1	`Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			A.J. Ramos	1.1	0	0	0	0	2
BAT	3.0	Pirates	Marlon Byrd RF	4	2	3	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	`Brewers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jimmy Nelson	5.0	1	1	1	3	4
	3.0	Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Luis Garcia (W, 1-1)	2.0	2	0	0	0	3
	2.0	Padres	Reymond Fuentes CF	1	1	1	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	`Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Robbie Ross (H, 14)	1.0	0	0	0	1	2
	1.0	White Sox	Marcus Semien SS, 3B	4	1	3	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.

Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw takes over Box-Toppers player rankings lead after topping players for Saturday, Sept. 21

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw takes the lead in Box-Toppers player rankings Saturday after earning Player of the Day honors.

Kershaw pitched seven shutout innings and struck out 10 in the 4-0 win over the Padres. He earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points, giving him 20.7 for the season, rising from third to first place in player rankings (see the top 10 list on the home page). Kershaw passes Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (19.2 Box-Toppers points), who had led since Wednesday.

Kershaw is the first player this season to 20.0 Box-Toppers points (last year, three players broke 20.0). This is the third straight season Kershaw has earned 20.0 or more points (2011: 26.1, 2012: 20.8). Kershaw also broke 100.0 Box-Toppers points for his career. Since his debut in 2008, Kershaw has earned 101.1 Box-Toppers points and ranks 56th among all players since 1995 (when Box-Toppers record keeping began). 

This is the third time Kershaw has led in Box-Toppers player rankings this season. He led briefly in April and again from Aug. 17 to Sept. 6. 

Kershaw had a Box-Toppers game score of 12.0 Saturday, the same as Indians pitcher Scott Kazmir. Both Kershaw and Kazmir won their games, pitched seven innings and struck out 10. But Kershaw was given the nod as overall Player of the Day Saturday because he gave up fewer hits than Kazmir (three vs. four).

Kazmir is American League Player of the Day for his effort in the 4-1 win over the Astros. Kazmir earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for AL Player of the Day, giving him 11.1 for the season, putting him in 40th place overall.

Alerto Callaspo of the Athletics is AL Batter of the Day. Callaspo homered, drove in three runs and went 4-for-5 in the 9-1 win over the Twins.

David Wright of the Mets is National League Batter of the Day. Wright homered and went 2-for-3 in the 5-4 win over the Phillies. 

Notables: Two other players who earned Player of the Game honors Saturday are among the top 50 in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season: 

• Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn rises to 15th place. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game (6.1IP 1R 7K W in the 7-2 win vs. Brewers), giving him 15.1 for the season.
• Blue Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle rises to 48th place. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game (6IP 1R W in 4-2 win vs. Red Sox), giving him 10.4 for the season.

Coming Sunday: Two pitchers in Box-Toppers player rankings top 10 are scheduled to start Sunday:

• Zack Greinke of Dodgers is scheduled to start against the Padres. Greinke is ranked fourth in player rankings with 18.4 Box-Toppers points. 
• Patrick Corbin of the Diamondbacks is scheduled to start against the Rockies. Corbin is ranked fifth in player rankings with 17.4 Box-Toppers points.

However, neither Greinke nor Corbin can catch the new leader Clayton Kershaw (20.7) Sunday, since the most they can earn is 2.0 Box-Toppers points. But both could put themselves in position to pass Kershaw if they have another start in the final week of the season.

Kershaw receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Kazmir receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Callaspo and Wright 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

921	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	12.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Clayton Kershaw (W, 15-9)	7.0	3	0	0	2	10
AL	12.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Scott Kazmir (W, 9-9)	7.0	4	0	0	1	10
	11.1	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Alex Cobb (W, 10-3)	8.1	5	1	1	2	12
	9.0	Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ivan Nova (W, 9-5)	9.0	6	0	0	1	7
	8.0	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			A.J. Burnett (W, 9-11)	7.0	4	2	2	3	12
	5.2	`Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Rick Porcello	6.2	6	2	2	0	9
	5.0	Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Garza (W, 4-5)	8.0	5	1	1	1	5
BAT	4.0	Athletics	Alberto Callaspo 2B	5	2	4	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Angels	Collin Cowgill LF	2	3	2	1	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Mark Buehrle (W, 12-9)	6.0	5	1	1	0	5
	4.0	Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Pedro Strop (S, 1)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3
	3.1	Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Lance Lynn (W, 14-10)	6.1	4	1	1	4	7
BAT	2.0	Mets	David Wright 3B	3	2	2	1	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Diamondbacks	Matt Davidson 3B	4	1	1	3	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.

Marlins' Jose Fernandez takes lead among players in Box-Toppers points; Giants' Petit, nearly perfect, tops players for Friday, Sept. 6

Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez takes the lead in Box-Toppers player rankings for the season after earning Player of the Game honors Friday. 

Meanwhile, Giants pitcher Yusmeiro Petit, who nearly threw a perfect game, is Friday's overall Player of the Day. 

Fernandez pitched seven shutout innings, giving up only one hit and striking out nine in the 7-0 win over the Nationals. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being top player in the game, giving him 19.0 for the season. He moves from second to first in the Box-Toppers player ranking list, passing previous leader Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers (18.7 points), who had led since Aug. 17 (see the updated top 10 player rankings list on the home page). This is the first time Fernandez has led in Box-Toppers points this season. 

Though Fernandez' performance Friday was impressive and his Box-Toppers game score of 13.0 would usually be enough to earn Player of the Day honors, there were three other players who had better scores Friday. 

Petit, who had a Box-Toppers game score of 15.0, is Friday's overall top player. Petit was one strike away from a perfect game in the 3-0 win over the Diamondbacks. He gave up one hit with two outs and two strikes in the ninth inning. He struck out seven in the complete game shutout.

This is Petit's first Box-Toppers Player of the Game honor since Aug. 27, 2009 when he was with the Diamondbacks.

Indians pitcher Scott Kazmir is American League Player of the Day. Kazmir struck out 12 over six scoreless innings in the 8-1 win over the Mets. 

Omar Infante of the Tigers is AL Batter of the Day. Infante went 5-for-6 and drove in six runs in the 16-2 win over the Royals.

Jon Jay of the Cardinals is National League Batter of the Day. Jay went 3-for-4, scored three times and drove in three runs in the 12-8 win over the Pirates.  

Notable: Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee rises to 29th place in Box-Toppers player rankings after earning Player of the Game honors Friday. Lee (8IP 2H 1R 10K W in 2-1 win vs. Braves) earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 11.4 for the season. 

Petit receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Kazmir receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Infante and Jay 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

906	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	15.0	Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Yusmeiro Petit (W, 3-0)	9.0	1	0	0	0	7
	14.0	Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Cliff Lee (W, 12-6)	8.0	2	1	1	0	10
AL	14.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Scott Kazmir (W, 8-7)	6.0	4	0	0	0	12
	13.0	Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jose Fernandez (W, 11-6)	7.0	1	0	0	2	9
BAT	8.0	Tigers	Omar Infante 2B	5	2	5	6	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	7.1	Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Carlos Villanueva (W, 5-8)	2.1	0	0	0	0	5
	7.0	Red Sox	Mike Napoli 1B	3	3	3	4	2	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	6.0	Orioles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Scott Feldman (W, 5-4)	9.0	5	0	0	1	3
BAT	5.0	Cardinals	Jon Jay CF	4	3	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Reds	Joey Votto 1B	2	2	2	2	2	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Athletics	Josh Donaldson 3B	5	3	3	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Angels	Mark Trumbo 1B	4	1	1	3	0	2			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Mariners	Kyle Seager 3B	3	1	1	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Blue Jays	Jose Reyes SS	3	2	1	1	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Padres	Jesus Guzman PH	1	0	1	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Angels’ Jered Weaver, Indians’ Scott Kazmir top players for Wednesday, July 24

Note: Box-Toppers is playing catch-up after time away. These are Box-Toppers results for Wednesday, July 24:

Angels pitcher Jered Weaver is Wednesday’s Player of the Day. Weaver threw eight shutout innings, giving up two hits and striking out nine in the 1-0 win over the Twins.

Indians pitcher Scott Kazmir is American League Player of the Day. Kazmir gave up one hit and one run and struck out seven over eight innings in the 10-1 win over the Mariners.

Nate Schierholtz of the Cubs is National League Batter of the Day. Schierholtz homered and drove in five runs in the 7-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

Eric Hosmer of the Royals is AL Batter of the Day. Hosmer hit two home runs and drove in three in the 4-3 win over the Orioles.

Weaver receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Kazmir receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Schierholtz and Hosmer 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.

Top player from each game

Listed from highest to lowest Box-Toppers game score

724	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	14.0	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jered Weaver (W, 5-5)	8.0	2	0	0	1	9
AL	11.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Scott Kazmir (W, 6-4)	8.0	1	1	0	2	7
	10.2	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Francisco Liriano (W, 10-4)	7.2	2	0	0	3	8
	6.1	Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Garza (W, 1-0)	7.1	5	1	0	0	5
	6.0	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			David Price (W, 5-5)	9.0	5	1	1	0	4
	6.0	Brewers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kyle Lohse (W, 7-7)	7.0	5	1	1	0	6
	5.2	Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Tim Hudson (W, 8-7)	7.2	4	2	2	3	9
	5.0	Rockies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jorge De La Rosa (W, 10-5)	6.0	5	0	0	1	5
	4.0	Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Anibal Sanchez (W, 8-7)	6.0	6	0	0	1	5
BAT	3.0	Cubs	Nate Schierholtz RF	6	1	3	5	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
BAT	3.0	Royals	Eric Hosmer 1B	4	2	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Brandon League (W, 5-3)	2.0	0	0	0	0	1
	2.1	Athletics	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			A.J. Griffin (W, 9-7)	6.1	6	3	3	0	8
	2.0	Cardinals	Matt Adams 1B	4	1	2	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Reds	Joey Votto 1B	4	2	2	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Scott Kazmir, striking out 10, tops players for Thursday, May 9

Indians pitcher Scott Kazmir, who struck out 10 over six innings, is Thursday's Player of the Day. Kazmir allowed only one run in the 9-2 win over the Athletics.​

Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin is National League Player of the Day. Corbin gave up just one run over 6 1/3 innings in the 2-1 win over the Phillies. As NL Player of the Day, Corbin picks up 1.7 Box-Toppers points, giving him 5.4 for the season, moving him up to ninth place among all players in 2013.​

​Brian McCann of the Braves is NL Batter of the Day. McCann homered and went 3-for-5 in the 6-3 win over the Giants.

Oswaldo Arcia of the Twins is American League Batter of the Day. Arcia hit a two-run homer and a triple in the 5-3 win over the Red Sox. Arcia and Alex Gordon, who was Player of the Game in the Royals 6-2 win over the Orioles, had identical Box-Toppers game scores of 2.0 and identical stat lines (4AB 2R 2H 2BI). Arcia was given the AL ​Batter of the Day nod because he had a homer and triple, while Gordon had a homer and a single.

Kazmir receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Corbin receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. McCann and Arcia receive 1.5 each 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:

509	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			Scott Kazmir (W, 2-1)	6.0	5	1	1	0	10
	4.2	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ernesto Frieri (S, 5)	1.2	0	0	0	0	3
NL	2.1	Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Patrick Corbin (W, 5-0)	6.1	4	1	1	2	4
BAT	2.0	Braves	Brian McCann C	5	1	3	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
BAT	2.0	Twins	Oswaldo Arcia RF	4	2	2	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Royals	Alex Gordon LF	4	2	2	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	`Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			David Price	8.0	7	4	2	1	8
	2.0	`Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			CC Sabathia	4.0	1	1	1	1	2
	1.0	Nationals	Ryan Zimmerman 3B	4	1	3	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Mets	Mike Baxter PH	1	0	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.