Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Tim Lincecum’s first loss of the year came via a debated balk call that pushed home the go-ahead run. Chris Iannetta, who replaced the injured Troy Tulowitzki in the first, scored on that seventh-inning balk by Lincecum that led the Colorado Rockies past the San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Tuesday. With Iannetta at third base with one out in the seventh inning, Giants catcher Bengie Molina appeared to ask for a timeout with Yorvit Torrealba at the plate. But plate umpire Gary Darling called a balk on Lincecum to score Iannetta for the go-ahead run.

Lincecum (4-1) also allowed Iannetta’s solo home run and an RBI double to Garrett Atkins, but was efficient and got many quick outs the rest of the way. He was tagged for season highs of eight hits and three earned runs, matched his season low with four strikeouts and walked one in seven innings. Lincecum, who also had his third hit in his first eight at-bats with a second-inning single, had allowed only four earned runs over his initial five starts.

Lincecum hadn’t given up a homer in eight starts since Ryan Braun of Milwaukee connected last Aug. 26. The good news is that Lincecum didn’t have a meltdown after the balk and should survive one close loss. His scoreless streak ended at 16 1/3 innings. Continue to start Lincecum in all Fantasy formats. His next scheduled start is for Sunday against the Phillies. (CBS Sports)

After entering the game at third base following Troy Tulowitzki’s injury, Chris Iannetta homered, doubled and walked to help the Rockies beat the Giants on Tuesday. Iannetta scored the only run in the game’s final seven innings on a controversial balk that resulted in Giants manager Bruce Bochy’s ejection. Iannetta played a position other than catcher for the first time in his career after Tulo was hurt. He’s already seeing more time at catcher lately, and he could earn a crack at the starting job if he keeps producing. He’s hitting .324 with two homers and four doubles in 34 at-bats. Iannetta is an outstanding sleeper in deeper leagues. He is a nice offensive talent at the catcher position and should be considered in NL-only leagues at this point. If he ever takes over full time behind the plate, he will be useful in all formats. Don’t count on him ever getting a game at third again, though. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

John Bowker went hitless on Tuesday and is in a 1-for-22 slump. Well, it wasn’t going to last forever. The Giants still have no reason not to play Bowker, but it his slump lasts a couple of more weeks, they could send him down and give Nate Schierholz a try. (Rotoworld)

Jason Marquis surrendered five runs on 10 hits over five innings in a loss to the Brewers Tuesday night. Marquis didn’t give up a home run, but did surrender three doubles and a triple, so he was hit pretty hard. This is about par for the course for him, though, his decent start to the season notwithstanding. It was Marquis’ worst start of the season, but he’s been pretty solid this year and should bounce back. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Corey Hart went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Tuesday’s win over the Cubs. Hart was a home run away from the cycle and raised his batting average to .299. His power numbers are down so far this season, but everything else is the same as last year so just be patient. (Rotowire)

Jose Reyes reached base in all six of his plate appearances in a win against the Pirates Tuesday night. A slump-buster, perhaps? Reyes went 3-for-3 with three walks, and flashed his speed with a triple and a stolen base. He entered tonight’s game with a .272 on-base percentage and just five walks in 22 games this season. Drawing walks is key to Reyes’ success. He is a must-start in all Rotisserie leagues through thick and thin and should be able to reel off some hot streaks to make up for his pedestrian start. If you sat him this week, you really don’t know what you’re doing. Start your studs and let them break out of their slump in your lineup and not on the bench. Reyes is one of your studs. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Dodgers 3B Blake Dewitt had two singles in four at-bats during Tuesday’s game against the Marlins. He has hit safely in all three games (4-for-12) since his recall Saturday when Nomar Garciaparra (calf) went on the 15-day DL. DeWitt has two RBI since his recall. DeWitt is a patient hitter who showed he has decent potential as an everyday major leaguer. However, with bigger prospect Andy LaRoche set to return from his own injury soon, DeWitt might not have Fantasy appeal for long. He’s better left for NL-only leagues. (CBS Sports)

Phillies activated outfielder Shane Victorino from the disabled list. Victorino returns after the minimum 15-day stay with a calf injury. Manager Charlie Manuel has indicated that Jayson Werth will continue to see extended action in the Phillies’ outfield, so Victorino may have to hit well to reclaim his everyday job. Victorino did not start Tuesday, but entered as a pinch-hitter for Geoff Jenkins and went 0-for-1, flying out to center. He moved into centerfield after the at-bat. (Rotoworld)

Braves 3B Chipper Jones, who had back spasms Saturday and missed two games, looked plenty healthy in his return Tuesday at Washington, hitting his eighth home run of the season on an opposite-field shot in the sixth inning. He finished 2-for-5. Jones actually lowered his batting average to .432 despite the good day at the plate, which shows just how well he was swinging the bat before the injury. He looks like he picked up right where he left off, too, so get him back active in Fantasy. (CBS Sports)

The Arizona Republic reports that Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin hasn’t been shocked by the solid start closer Brandon Lyon is off to in 2008. “He’s the type of guy that you can’t tell whether he’s up two runs or down two runs, whether he’s pitching well or struggling a little bit,” Melvin said. “Some guys rely on the emotional aspect, with a lot of gyrations or whatever, but Brandon’s the opposite. He’s got ice water in his veins. It doesn’t surprise me the type of start he’s had.” Lyon has not allowed a run in his past nine outings. With the Diamondbacks looking like an NL powerhouse this season, he should get plenty of save opportunities. He might even be emerging as a No. 1 Fantasy closer, so get him active. (CBS Sports)

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that usual slow starter Mark Teixeira is 14-for-38 (.368) with six extra-base hits and 10 RBI in his past nine games. The Braves 1B hit .203 with five extra-base hits and seven RBI in his first 16 games. When Teixeira heats up, he’s a sight to behold. He has the potential to hit .300 with 40 home runs, and he looks ready to gain some ground on those projections. Get him active if you’re part of the four percent of Fantasy owners who somehow found reason to bench him. (CBS Sports)

Overall Standings

Rank Team                Batting Pitching Total Dif  Behind
---- ------------------- ------- -------- ----- ---- ------
 1   The Pi Train        34.5    35.0     69.5  -1.0 0.0
 2   X-Men               29.0    39.0     68.0  0.5  1.5
 3   Goodfellas          38.5    29.0     67.5  -1.5 2.0
 4   Shoeless Jews       39.5    26.0     65.5  -2.5 4.0
 5   Misogynistic Padres 36.0    27.5     63.5  6.0  6.0
 6   Atomic Roadrunners  22.0    33.0     55.0  0.0  14.5
 7   Stanimals           32.5    18.0     50.5  -0.5 19.0
 8   Get Off Kong!       20.0    26.0     46.0  1.5  23.5
 9   Uncle Lester        9.5     33.0     42.5  -2.0 27.0
 10  Cover Zero          13.5    8.5      22.0  -0.5 47.5  

Yesterday's Stats

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (4/29/08)
Player                        BA HR R RBI   SB
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Blanco, Gregor M. OF ATL  0.0000  0 0   0    0
Dewitt, Blake 3B LA       0.5000  0 0   0    0
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL    0.3333  0 1   2    0
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL     0.6000  0 2   1    0
Iannetta, Chris C COL     0.6667  1 2   1    0
Jones, Andruw CF LA       0.3333  0 1   0    0
Jones, Chipper 3B ATL     0.4000  1 1   1    0
Phillips, Brandon 2B CIN  0.3333  0 1   0    0
Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM     1.0000  0 1   1    1
Ruiz, Carlos C PHI        0.5000  0 2   2    0
Spilborghs, Ryan CF COL   0.0000  0 0   0    0
Teixeira, Mark 1B ATL     0.3333  0 1   0    0
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC      0.2000  0 0   0    0
Victorino, Shane CF PHI   0.0000  0 0   0    0

Atomic Roadrunners Players Yesterday (4/29/08)
Player                       ERA  K S   W WHIP
------------------------- ------ -- - --- ----
Lincecum, Tim SP SF         3.86  4 0   0 1.29
Sanchez, Duaner RP NYM      9.00  1 0   0 4.00