Fantasy Sports

BY ADAM RONIS

I keep waiting for Edinson Volquez to have one bad game. Even one where he goes five innings and allows four runs and it never happens. Not that I'm upset since I own him in two leagues, but I am amazed how great he has been. He pitched a gem in Philadelphia, was good against the Red Sox and was solid at Yankee Stadium tonight. This from a guy who send to Single-A by the Rangers last season. Ok, bad example since the Rangers don't know what pitching means. He went seven innings against a team that won seven straight and allowed seven hits, two runs, one walk and struck out five for his 10th win. The most impressive thing was the one walk since he's had a penchant for walking guys this season. He is 10-2 with a 1.71 ERA.

Joey Votto went 3-for-4 with his 12th homer.

Francisco Cordero picked up save No. 14.

Robinson Cano is 8 for his last 18. Many owners of his have been crying, but be patient. He had a great second half last season and as the Yankees lineup clicks, he will play a big role.

Mike Mussina must think he's 25 again. He went eight innings and allowed 10 hits, four runs, two walks and struck out four. The line could have been better, but Johnny Damon missed a line drive, possibly losing it in the lights. He is 10-5 with a 3.93 ERA.

Jermaine Dye hit his 15th homer.

Nick Swisher went 2-for-3 and has 8 hits in his last 17 at-bats.

Derrek Lee hit his 15th homer.

Just a few blog entries ago, I said to target Aramis Ramirez as a guy who has yet to go on a hot streak. He hit two homers today, including one to win the game in the bottom of the ninth. He has 12 homers and 47 RBIs.

John Danks had a good start and left with the lead, but only went six innings. He allowed five hits, one run, walked none and struck out five in a no-decision.

Kerry Wood pitched a scoreless ninth for his 4th win of the season.

Vladimir Guerrero isn't done just yet. He extended his hitting streak to 11 and looks ready to go on a tear. He went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs. He has 11 homers and 40 RBIs.

Howie Kendrick went 4-for-5 and is hitting .333.

Shane Victorino stole two bases and has 16 and Jimmy Rollins is showing no signs of a bad ankle with his 15th steal.

Chase Utley has no hits in his last 23 at-bats. For some reason, I'm not worried. Just call me an optimist.

Ervin Santana with a phenomenal game on the road and at Philadelphia? What's going on? It's clear Santana is a different pitcher this season. He went seven innings, allowing two hits, one run -- no earned -- two walks and struck out nine. He is 9-3 with a 3.17 ERA.

Roy Halladay threw seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Pirates. He allowed six hits, two walks and struck out seven. He has a 2.90 ERA.

Roy Oswalt went 7 2/3 innings and allowed seven hits, two runs, two walks and struck out five. He is 6-7 with a 4.84 ERA.

Jose Valverde allowed a run, but got his 17th save.

Send a pitcher to Dave Duncan and they usually turn to fantasy gold. At least Kyle Lohse has. He went six innings and allowed six hits, two runs -- one earned -- walked two and struck out four. He is 9-2 with a 3.63 ERA.

Ryan Franklin threw 44 pitches over two innings for his 10th save. He allowed three hits, two walks, one run and struck out one.

Yunel Escobar left the game in the top of the ninth with a strained hip.

Aubrey Huff has quietly had a good season. He went 4-for-5 with two homers and three RBIs. He has 14 homers and 42 RBIs.

Prince Fielder hit his 14th homer.

George Sherrill picked up his 25th save.

I keep saying stay with Matt Cain. He went eight innings, allowed five hits, four runs -- three earned -- one walk and struck out eight. He is 4-5 with a 4.31 ERA.

Ray Durham left the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with a sprained ankle.

Mark Reynolds hit his 16th homer and has 47 RBIs. Sure makes up for the .251 average and 90 strikeouts.

Scott Baker is still not owned in many leagues and he should be. He went six innings and allowed seven hits, one run, one walk and struck out seven in a win over the D-Backs. He is 3-2 with a 3.47 ERA and a 49/10 K/BB ratio.

Carlos Beltran went 3-for-5. Funny to me how Beltran gets immense criticism in New York, yet his numbers are identical to David Wright.

Carlos Delgado hit his 11th homer. Maybe Jason Giambi gave him the thong.

Jeff Baker homered for the fourth straight game. He is hitting .288 with five homers and 20 RBIs.

Troy Tulowitzki returned from the DL and went 0-for-4.

Willy Taveras stole two bases and has 34.

John Maine went 6 2/3 innings and allowed sxi hits, two runs, three walks and struck out six. He is 7-5 with a 3.78 ERA.

Elijah Dukes is taking advantage of his playing time. He went 5-for-6 with a homer and two RBIs and two stolen bases.

Joel Zumaya was activated from the DL.