Halladay 2-Hits Yankees; Lohse Strong on Comeback Trail

Players of the Day from Friday, July 11, 2008 American League The New York Yankees would probably prefer that Roy Halladay pitch in another league, or at least another division, because even though the Blue Jays aren't usually part of the pennant race picture, Halladay seems to think he is every time he takes the mound. For the second time in three tries this season, Halladay shut down the Yankees, allowing just two hits in a complete game, as the Blue Jays won, 5-0. Ever the workhorse, Halladay threw 117 pitches, struck out 8 while walking only one batter. The only hits were a single by Alex Rodriguez in the 4th inning and Derek Jeter's 9th inning ground rule double. Notes: Fortunately for the Yankees, the Red Sox and Rays both lost on Friday, so they didn't lose any ground in the standings, currently 6 1/2 behind Tampa Bay and 5 back of Boston. National League Here's a solid candidate for comeback player of the year. In 2007, Kyle Lohse went 9-12 pitching for Cincinnati and Philadelphia, but has found a new home in St. Louis, where he's now 11-2, after shutting out Pittsburgh for 7 innings in the Cardinals' 6-0 win over the Pirates on Friday. Lohse gave up 6 hits and a lone walk while striking out 3, lowering his ERA to a very solid 3.39 and helping the Cardinals retake second place from Milwaukee in the Central. With the Brewers losing and the Cubs winning on Friday, the Cards are 1/2 game better than Milwaukee and 4 1/2 behind Chicago. Notes: The Met won their 7th straight, topping Colorado, 2-1, but Florida and Philly both won, so New York remains tied with the Marlins, 1 1/2 games behind the Phillies.