Daily Leaders 5/24/11

Bats

1.  Carlos Quentin, CWS; 3 for 5, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R:  Ozzie had Quentin in the three hole last night, a move that payed off big time.  His knee is fine after missing a few games, the cocksucker.

2.  ^Carlos Gonzalez, COL; 3 for 8, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB, 3 R:  Cargo is officially heating up.  He double cheesed in the first game of a twin bill, and while he, and the rest of the Rox, were stymied in the night cap, his swing from last year was definitely making an appearance.

3.  David DeJesus, OAK;  3 for 4, 2 HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R:  David doubled his 2011 homer total with his performance last night.  That just proves that there's only one Jesus in California, and his name is Matt Kemp.

4.  Alex Avila, DET; 2 for 4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R:  Avila, like that rat bastard Asdrubal Cabrera, already has more dingers than he did all of last year.  I'd love to give you a reason why, but I save all my baseless, unfounded steroid accusations for Jose Bautista.

5.  Curtis Granderson, NYY; 4 for 5, 2B, RBI, R, SB:  Second in the Majors in home runs, Granderson proved last night just how vital he has been so far to the Yanks.  He didn't go deep, but drove in the tying run, stole second and scored the winning run in the 9th.  Good looks, Curtis.


Arms

1.  Nick Blackburn, MIN; CG, 7 H, 2 ER, 6 K, W:  That's five straight starts with 2 ER or less for Blackburn, who has won his last three decisions.  Too bad Minnesota is playing so terribly right now or he'd have the record to match his respectable 3.20 ERA and 1.31 WHIP

2.  Jair Jurrjens, ATL; 7.2 IP, 6 H, BB, 4 K, W:  The Guru hates this guy, even though MLB The Show predicted he'd win 25 games and the Cy Young.  His low K/9 is the Guru's bugaboo, but usually he takes simmed video game seasons as gospel, so I'm not sure where his beef is.

3.  Ricky Nolasco, FLA; 8.1 IP, 7 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K, W: The new and improved Consistent Rick remained unbeaten last night after shutting down the Giants.  Traditionally a second half guy, if he can get on a roll before the All-Star break, I'll be a happy man.

4.  Joe Saunders, ARI; 8 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K, W:  Saunders won his first game since Sept. 21, 2010, and nearly ended Dexter Fowler's life in the process.  Actually, after the play at the plate it seemed that Saunders got the worst of the collision, but he stayed in for eight strong innings.

5.  Ryan Dempster, CHC; 7 IP, 7 H, ER, BB, 5 K, W:  A nice bounce back after a rocky start in Miami last week, but then again, pitching against the Mets will allow you to do that.  He's had a good May, and he too has been a little better in his second halves the last three years.