Atomic RoadRunners

Brad Hawpe was 2-for-4 with a home run as the Rockies won their seventh consecutive game. The Rockies defeated the Brewers 4-2. Hawpe’s fifth-inning double gave the Rockies a one-run advantage. He would later add a home run in the seventh for some additional insurance. Hawpe has a hit in every game this month and now sits fifth in the National League with 45 RBI. (Rotoworld)

Shairon Martis allowed just two runs over seven innings, but was handed a no-decision in an eventual 4-2 extra-inning loss to the Reds on Wednesday night. Martis allowed just two hits — the only damage came on a Jay Bruce two-run homer in the second inning. He fanned one and walked two in the no-decision. He’s allowed just three runs over his last two starts. Martis is still 5-1, but hasn’t won since May 13. Like his fellow rotation-mate John Lannan, Martis can be effective when he pitches to contact and lets his defense do the work behind him. His 5.04 ERA is probably an accurate reflection of his abilities at the moment, though. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

John Baker is likely to sit out Wednesday and Thursday’s games after being cut near the left eye by Albert Pujols’ backswing on Tuesday night. Baker should be fine in the long run — he attempted to stay in the game Tuesday night — but look for Ronny Paulino to start at catcher the next couple of days, with Wes Helms going behind the plate in an emergency situation. (Rotoworld)

Casey Kotchman was able to take infield practice and job for the first time since injuring his shin, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The Braves are hoping that Kotchman will be available early on the nine-game road trip they start Friday in Baltimore. He is eligible to come off the DL on June 16. (Rotowire)

Chase Headley went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a double in the Padres’ win over the Dodgers Wednesady. The double was nearly his first in a month, his last coming May 13. He is 13-for-67 in those 22 games with a home run. Not exactly typical No. 6 hitter production. (Rotowire)

Bengie Molina homered and drove in three runs, Brian Wilson struck out the side for his seventh straight save, and the San Francisco Giants defeated the error-prone Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 on Wednesday. Wilson struck out the top of the Diamondbacks’ order — Felipe Lopez, Ryan Roberts and Justin Upton — to record his 16th save in 19 chances and lock up the victory for Barry Zito (3-6), who went five shaky innings. Wilson might not always have a 1-2-3 inning, but he has been among the top NL save leaders the last two seasons and has averaged a strikeout per inning. Wilson continues to pass as a viable Fantasy RP.

One night, the Atlanta Braves might count on Mike Gonzalez to get the last three outs. The next night, Rafael Soriano could be the one handling the crucial job. The Braves have two overpowering pitchers at the back end of their bullpen, and manager Bobby Cox doesn’t need to worry about which one should be the closer. He just uses them both. Gonzalez has eight saves and Soriano five, making the Braves the only NL team that has two relievers with at least five saves. (There are three in the AL.) “I don’t mind it at all,” said Gonzalez, who started the season as the full-time closer. “When you’ve got an arm like Soriano’s, you’ve got to take advantage of it. If you can mix and match, you should mix and match. I’d be doing it, too.” Cox makes his call based on who’s coming to bat for the opposing team in the final two innings. Gonzalez is a lefty and Soriano a right-hander, which gives the manager plenty of flexibility to decide who should pitch the eighth when the Braves are ahead, and who gets the ball in the ninth when the official save is on the line. “I’m just playing the innings, that’s all,” Cox said before Wednesday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, praising Gonzalez and Soriano for their unselfishness. “It takes team performers in order to do that.” While Gonzalez is normally the closer, Cox has flipped the roles three times this season – and it’s worked every time, including Tuesday’s 4-3 win over the Pirates. Gonzalez pitched a scoreless eighth and Soriano finished up for the save.

Cox can hardly go wrong the way both guys have pitched in recent weeks. Over their last 10 appearances before Wednesday, Gonzalez had given up one run in 10 1/3 innings, with 12 strikeouts, while Soriano was even more dominant with 15 strikeouts and just one run allowed over 11 2/3 innings. Overall, Gonzalez was 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 27 innings. Soriano was 1-0 with a 0.98 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 27 2-3 innings. This situation severely limits each player’s Fantasy value since we won’t be able to predict when the save opportunities will come for each. If only one were closer, they’d be a nice No. 2 Fantasy option. Together, each is worth less than that. (CBS Sports)

Cubs optioned 1B Jake Fox to Triple-A Iowa. Fox would make for a fine corner platoon player and pinch-hitter, but the game no longer values that species. The Cubs don’t feel comfortable playing him at third base, and there’s no playing time available at first base. Fox will almost certainly return to Chicago at the end of the month to DH in American League parks. Despite his gaudy Triple-A numbers (a .423 BA, 17 homers and 50 RBI), Fox only got 12 at-bats during the past two weeks with the Cubs. He’ll continue to work on his defensive shortcomings at Triple-A, but ideally an American League team will turn him into a full-time DH. (Rotoworld)

Razzball’s Grey had a nice write up:

After scorching AAA and fields of Iowa’s prized corn to the tune of .423/17 HR/50 RBIs, Jake Fox got sent back down in favor of Aaron Miles after a measly 12 ABs.  Why?  Because, supposedly, he can’t field.  Or in his words  “I’m short, fat and fighting against a little athleticism issues“.  If I lived in Chicago, I’d print shirts that said “Crazy Short, Fat, and Unathletic….Like a Fox!”  I’d also print “Milton Bradley – Unsafe for Ages 2+” (He’s fine with babies) and “I’ll Fight You Zambrano y Mano”.

STANDINGS through 06.10.09