Matt Carpenter 4-for-4 for Cards; Casey Kotchman Leads Cleveland Sweep of Royals

Players of the Day for Sunday, April 15, 2012

American League

Casey Kotchman

Cleveland's pitching hasn't been anything special during their three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals, but their bats have had extra sauce, putting up 32 runs on the road against their AL Central foes. After topping KC 8-3 and 11-9 on Friday and Saturday, the Indians put together a 13-7 win on Sunday to even their record at 4-4.

Well-traveled Casey Kotchman spearheaded the Indians' assault, going 3-for-4 with a couple of singles and a two-run homer - his second of the season - as the Cleveland hitters teed off on the Royals. Kotchman rounded the bases for three scores and his two RBI gave him four on the year.

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Cleveland is Kotchman's sixth team since breaking in with the Angels in 2004. He spent 2010 with Seattle and 2011 in Tampa Bay, where he batted .306.


National League

Matt Carpenter

After dropping the opener of their three-game home series with Chicago, 9-5, St. Louis came back with wins on Saturday and Sunday to take the series two games to one maintaining their lead in the NL Central by 2 1/2 games with a 7-3 record.

Sunday's event was highlighted by a breakout performance by rookie first baseman Matt Carpenter who, along with Yadier Molina, filled in for Lance Berkamn. Carpenter did his best Albert Pujols impression, going 4-for-4 with a triple, home run, two singles and five RBI. The Cardinals totaled the 3-7 Cubs, 10-3.

A product of TCU, Carpenter - no relation to Cardinal ace Chris Carpenter - has played a total of 15 major league games, but appears to be a prospect deserving of attention.