Justin Vargas Shuts Out Rays; Josh Collmenter Now 4-1 for Diamondbacks

Players of the Day for Friday, June 3, 2011

American League

The Mariners just may have something going here.

Justin Vargas

Keeping pace with the Rangers with a 7-0 win over Tampa Bay, Seattle finds itself in the unusual position of second place in the AL West.

It's been a while since Seattle was a contender in the division that's been dominated by the Angels and Rangers for the better part of the last decade. It's been ten years since the Mariners even made the playoffs, but this could be the year to end that post-season drought.

Pitching has been strong for Seattle, as evidenced by the four-hit, complete game shutout thrown at the Rays by Justin Vargas - his first career shutout.

Never threatened, Vargas walked one and struck out four, improving his record to 4-3. Seattle remained 1 1/2 games behind the Rangers, who won their third straight, bombing Cleveland, 11-2.

National League

Josh Collmenter

Half way through May, the Arizona Diamondbacks needed another starter in the rotation, so they called on Josh Collmenter, who'd been toiling as a middle reliever, and the rookie has responded quite well.

In his longest outing of the season, Collmenter limited the Nationals to just three hits over seven innings Friday, as Arizona held off Washington, 4-0.

Collmenter walked one and struck out five batters, running his record to 4-1 and keeping the Diamondbacks on pace with the Giants, who lead the NL West by 1/2 game over Arizona.

With 12 games and five starts under his belt, Collmnenter has surrendered just six earned runs in 43 1/3 innings, for an ERA of 1.25 with a 0.67 WHIP. Opposing hitters are batting just .156 against the 6'2" righty.