Lester 2-Hits Rangers; Stewart, Rockies Bomb Cardinals

Players of the Day for Saturday, June 6, 2009 American League Jon Lester took a perfect game into the seventh inning, and finished with a 2-hitter, both hits by Texas' Michael Young, as the Red Sox corralled the Rangers, 8-1, wresting control of the AL East from the Yankees, who lost to Tampa Bay, 9-7. Lester (5-5) set down the first 19 batters he faced before Young's double in the seventh, and Young had the only other hit, a single in the ninth which moved Elvis Andrus to third. Andruw Jones' sacrifice fly plated Andrus for the only Ranger run. Lester struck out 11 and walked two. The Red Sox lead the yankees by 1/2 game. National League Colorado pounded the punchless Cardinals, 10-1, as third-year infielder Ian Stewart belted a pair of home runs and drove in five for the Rockies. Stewart knocked a three-run homer in the 4th and a two-run shot in the fifth, lifting the last-place Rockies to their third straight win and second in a row over the Cardinals. The two teams are slated for a pair of day games - Sunday and Monday - to complete the four-game series in St. Louis. Stewart's home runs were his 10th and 11th of the season, surpassing his 2008 total (10). His five ribbies upped his total to 32. The loss dropped the Cards 2 games back of Milwaukee in the NL Central. It was the fifth loss in seven games for St. Louis. NOTES: Aaron Rowand extended his hitting streak to 16 games - the longest current streak in the majors - with a pair of singles in San Fran's 5-4 loss to Florida. Rowand began hitting when switched into the leadoff role and has raised his batting average from .246 to .305 during the stint.

Halladay Stymies Yankees; Hawpe, Stewart Crush Astros

Players of the Day for Tuesday, May 12, 2009 American League Roy Halladay continued his dominance over the Yankees, and, ostensibly, the rest of the league, with a 5-hit complete game win as the Blue Jays topped New York, 5-1. Halladay improved to a major league-high 7 wins against just one loss, fanning five while walking none. The only run he allowed came in the 7th inning, when Alex Rodriguez singled home Johnny Damon. Otherwise, he was in complete control, upping his career record against the Yankees is 16-5. Hallady's ERA is a rather pedestrian 2.65, but his WHIP is 1.03 and his strikeout to walk ratio is 7-1 (49-7). Plus, his Blue Jays lead the AL East by a game over the Red Sox. The Yankees are 6 1/2 back. National League The Colorado Rockies pounded Houston 12-1 Tuesday, as Brad Hawpe (left) and Ian Stewart (right) each drove in 5 runs. Hawpe went 4-for-4, singling twice, doubling and knocking a two-run homer while Stewart hit a solo homer and a grand slam. Both players scored twice in the rout, Colorado's second straight win. The Rockies host Houston for two more games at the mile-high launching pad.