Top 5: Oakland tops list of best teams

The Oakland Athletics are the top team in baseball two weeks into the season.

A's players ​have accumulated more Box-Toppers points than any other team (10.0), closely followed by the Atlanta Braves (9.7). The A's also lead the American League West with an 8-2 record. The Braves lead the National League East with an 8-1 record.

The A's are led by first baseman Brandon Moss, who has been Player of the Game in two Oakland wins and has 3.0 Box-Toppers points. The Braves are led by pitchers Paul Maholm (3.0 Box-Toppers points) and Mike Minor (2.0 Box-Toppers points).

411Top 5 Teams 
1Athletics10.0
2Braves9.7
3Rangers8.7
4Nationals8.2
5Dodgers8.0

Top players for Thursday, April 11

Prince Fielder of the Tigers is Thursday's Player of the Day. Fielder drove in four runs and got two hits and two walks in four plate appearances in the 11-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Bryce Harper of the Nationals is National League Player of the Day. Harper went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs in the 7-4 win over the White Sox.​

Fielder receives two Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Harper receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. 

All of Thursday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive one Box-Toppers point:

411ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB4.0Tigers Prince Fielder 1B202420  00.000000
 4.0Rangers 0000000  Joe Ortiz (W, 1-0)2.000002
NL3.0Nationals Bryce Harper LF322220  00.000000
 2.2Orioles 0000000  Brian Matusz (W, 1-0)0.200002
 2.0Athletics Josh Donaldson 3B422212  00.000000
 2.0Dodgers Juan Uribe PH111100  00.000000
 2.0Giants 0000000  Sergio Romo (S, 6)1.010002

Top players for Wednesday, April 10

Brandon Moss of the Athletics is Wednesday's Player of the Day. Moss went 3-for-5 with five RBIs, a homer and a triple in the 11-5 win over the Angels.

Rookie outfielder A.J. Pollock of the Diamondbacks is National League Player of the Day. Pollock hit two homers and went 3-for-5 with 4 RBIs in the 10-2 win over the Pirates.

Moss receives two Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Pollock receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. It is the first time in the 2013 season that a batter was named Player of the Day over a pitcher. And in fact, a batter also beat out all pitchers to be named NL Player of the Day, so no pitchers receive Box-Toppers bonus points Wednesday.

All of Wednesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive one Box-Toppers point:

​

410ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB6.0Athletics Brandon Moss 1B423520  00.000000
NL5.0Diamondbacks A.J. Pollock CF533402  00.000000
 4.0Royals 0000000  Wade Davis (W, 1-0)5.040036
 3.2Braves 0000000  Mike Minor (W, 2-0)5.250014
 3.1Rays 0000000  Matt Moore (W, 2-0)5.110065
 3.0Cardinals Matt Carpenter 2B524201  00.000000
 3.0Giants Buster Posey C523300  00.000000
 3.0Blue Jays Mark DeRosa PH, 1B211310  00.000000
 3.0Phillies Laynce Nix PH111200  00.000000
 3.0Orioles 0000000  Darren O`Day (W, 1-0)1.000002
 2.0Astros Chris Carter DH523201  00.000000
 1.0Nationals Ian Desmond SS423001  00.000000
 1.0Dodgers Carl Crawford LF422111  00.000000

Top players for Tuesday, April 9

Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn is Tuesday's Player of the Day. Lynn struck out 10 over six  innings in the 5-1 win over the Reds.

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers was American League Player of the Day. Cabrera hit a three-run homer and went 4-for-5 in the 7-3 win over the Blue Jays.​

Will Venable of the Padres was National League Batter of the Day. Venable went 2-for-3 with a homer and a three-run triple in the 9-3 win over the Dodgers.​

Lynn receives two Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Cabrera receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Venable receives 1.5 points for NL Batter of the Day.

All of Tuesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive one Box-Toppers point:

409ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB9.0Cardinals 0000000  Lance Lynn (W, 1-0)6.0411110
AL6.0Tigers Miguel Cabrera 3B534400  00.000000
 5.0Yankees Robinson Cano 2B624500  00.000000
 5.0Astros Marwin Gonzalez SS333220  00.000000
BAT5.0Padres Will Venable RF322421  00.000000
 4.0Athletics Brandon Moss 1B413400  00.000000
 4.0`Nationals 0000000  Gio Gonzalez 5.041127
 3.1Rangers 0000000  Nick Tepesch (W, 1-0)7.141135
 3.0Phillies Michael Young 3B423200  00.000000
 3.0Giants Brandon Crawford SS321311  00.000000
 2.0Cubs David DeJesus CF523201  00.000000
 2.0Braves 0000000  Kris Medlen (W, 1-1)7.031021
 1.0Pirates Starling Marte LF522201  00.000000
 1.0Royals Alcides Escobar SS413100  00.000000

Top players for Monday, April 8

Braves pitcher Paul Maholm is Monday's Player of the Day. Maholm pitched seven innings, striking out seven and allowing one hit, no runs and three walks in the 2-0 win over the Marlins.

Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz is American League Player of the Day. Buchholz threw seven shutout innings and struck out eight in the 3-1 win over the Orioles.​

Travis Hafner of the Yankees is American League Batter of the Day. Hafner hit a three-run homer and went 2-for-3 in the 11-6 win over the Indians.​

Jay Bruce of the Reds is National League Batter of the Day. Bruce went 4-for-5 in the 13-4 win over the Cardinals.​

Maholm receives two Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Buchholz receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Hafner receives 1.5 points for AL Batter of the Day. Bruce receives 1.5 points for NL Batter of the Day.

All of Monday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive one Box-Toppers point:

408ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB10.0Braves 0000000  Paul Maholm (W, 2-0)7.010037
 9.0Mets 0000000  Matt Harvey (W, 2-0)7.031129
AL8.0Red Sox 0000000  Clay Buchholz (W, 2-0)7.030048
BAT6.0Yankees Travis Hafner DH332420  00.000000
 5.0`Pirates 0000000  Justin Wilson 3.000002
 4.1Mariners 0000000  Joe Saunders (W, 1-1)6.160015
 4.0Royals 0000000  Ervin Santana (W, 1-1)8.081117
 3.1`Giants 0000000  Santiago Casilla (H, 1)1.100002
 3.0Brewers 0000000  Marco Estrada (W, 1-0)7.052216
BAT2.0Reds Jay Bruce RF524110  00.000000
 2.0Rangers Mitch Moreland 1B313100  00.000000

Top players for Sunday, April 7

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson is Sunday's Player of the Day. Masterson threw seven innings, struck out eight and gave up two hits, three walks and no runs in the 13-0 win over the Rays.

Braves pitcher Tim Hudson is National League Player of the Day. Hudson struck out seven over 6 2/3 innings in the 5-1 over the Cubs.​

Billy Butler of the Royals was American League Batter of the Day. Butler hit a grand slam homer and drove in seven runs in a 9-8 win over the Phillies.​

Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals was National League Batter of the Day. Carpenter went 3-for-5 and drove in three runs in the 14-3 win over the Giants, the day the Giants received their World Series championship rings.

Masterson receives two Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Hudson receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Butler receives 1.5 points for AL Batter of the Day. Carpenter receives 1.5 points for NL Batter of the Day.

All of Sunday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive one Box-Toppers point:

407ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB10.0Indians 0000000  Justin Masterson (W, 2-0)7.020038
 8.0Red Sox 0000000  Jon Lester (W, 2-0)7.050006
 7.0Athletics 0000000  Brett Anderson (W, 1-1)6.0520210
NL6.2Braves 0000000  Tim Hudson (W, 1-0)6.231127
BAT6.0Royals Billy Butler 1B412710  00.000000
 6.0Rangers Ian Kinsler 2B323410  00.000000
BAT4.0Cardinals Matt Carpenter 2B533302  00.000000
 4.0Yankees 0000000  CC Sabathia (W, 1-1)7.040034
 3.1Dodgers 0000000  Hyun-Jin Ryu (W, 1-1)6.132226
 3.0Diamondbacks Eric Hinske PH111200  00.000000
 3.0Twins 0000000  Glen Perkins (S, 2)1.000002
 2.0Rockies Jonathan Herrera SS413200  00.000000
 2.0Reds 0000000  Aroldis Chapman (S, 2)1.010002
 1.0Mets Ruben Tejada SS221010  00.000000
 1.0`White Sox 0000000  Chris Sale 7.053327

Top players for Saturday, April 6

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was Player of the Day. Kershaw pitched seven innings, struck out nine and gave up only two hits and a walk in the 1-0 win over the Pirates.

Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ was American League Player of the Day. Happ struck out six and allowed one hit over five innings in the 5-0 win over the Red Sox.​

Albert Pujols of the Angels was American League Batter of the Day. Pujols homered twice and drove in three runs (and walked three times) in the 8-4 win over the Rangers.

Michael Cuddyer of the Rockies was National League Batter of the Day. Cuddyer went 3-for-4 with a homer and 4 RBIs in the 6-3 win over the Padres.​

Kershaw receives two Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Happ receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Pujols receives 1.5 points for AL Batter of the Day. Cuddyer receives 1.5 points for NL Batter of the Day.

All of Saturday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive one Box-Toppers point:​

406ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB13.0Dodgers 0000000  Clayton Kershaw (W, 2-0)7.020019
AL7.1Blue Jays 0000000  J.A. Happ (W, 1-0)5.110036
 6.1Rays 0000000  Alex Cobb (W, 1-0)7.040036
BAT5.0Angels Albert Pujols DH222330  00.000000
BAT4.0Rockies Michael Cuddyer RF413400  00.000000
 3.0Braves Justin Upton LF533202  00.000000
 3.0Tigers Miguel Cabrera 3B424110  00.000000
 3.0Nationals Wilson Ramos C422310  00.000000
 3.0Mets John Buck C201400  00.000000
 3.0Phillies Kevin Frandsen PH101300  00.000000
 3.0Twins 0000000  Josh Roenicke (W, 1-0)3.010012
 3.0White Sox 0000000  Donnie Veal (W, 1-0)1.000002
 2.0Diamondbacks Paul Goldschmidt 1B532201  00.000000
 2.0Athletics 0000000  Grant Balfour (S, 1)1.000001
 1.0Cardinals Pete Kozma SS413100  00.000000

Top players for Friday, April 5

​Zack Greinke, making his Dodgers debut, was Friday's Player of the Day. Greinke struck out six over 6 1/3 innings in a 3-0 win over the Pirates.

Rays pitcher Matt Moore, who struck out eight over six innings in the 4-0 over the Indians, was American League Player of the Day.

Eric Hosmer of the Royals was American League Batter of the Day. Hosmer went 4-for-5 with three RBIs in the 13-4 win over the Phillies.​

Greinke receives two Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day. Moore receives 1.7 for ​AL Player of the Day. Hosmer receives 1.5 points for AL Batter of the Day. There was no NL Batter of the Day because no NL batters were named Player of the Game in Friday's 15 games.

All of Friday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive one Box-Toppers point:

405ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB10.1Dodgers 0000000  Zack Greinke (W, 1-0)6.120006
AL10.0Rays 0000000  Matt Moore (W, 1-0)6.020028
 9.0Tigers 0000000  Drew Smyly (S, 1)4.000005
 8.2Athletics 0000000  Dan Straily (W, 1-0)6.2522011
 7.1Braves 0000000  Mike Minor (W, 1-0)7.151107
 7.0Reds 0000000  Homer Bailey (W, 1-0)6.020036
 6.0Diamondbacks 0000000  Wade Miley (W, 1-0)6.051118
 5.0Giants 0000000  Barry Zito (W, 1-0)7.030034
BAT4.0Royals Eric Hosmer 1B524311  00.000000
 4.0Mariners Franklin Gutierrez CF533302  00.000000
 4.0Orioles Chris Davis 1B412500  00.000000
 3.0Rockies 0000000  Jeff Francis (W, 1-0)6.051115
 2.0Rangers 0000000  Tanner Scheppers (W, 1-0)1.000001
 1.0Marlins Placido Polanco 3B513200  00.000000
 1.0Red Sox Jonny Gomes PH, DH010020  00.000000

Top players for Thursday, April 4

Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee, who threw eight scoreless innings, struck out eight and gave up only two hits, was Thursday's Player of the Day. Lee led the Phillies in a 2-0 win over the Braves. Lee earns 2 Box-Toppers points.

Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, who struck out nine over six innings in a 3-1 win over the White Sox, was American League Player of the Game and earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points.

Oakland's Josh Reddick was American League Batter of the Day. He went 2-for-3, homered and drove in four runs in the A's 8-2 win over the Mariners. Reddick earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points.

Washington's Jason Werth was National League Batter of the Day. He hit a three-run homer and went 2-for-4, leading the Nationals in a 6-1 win over the Marlins.​ Werth earns 1.5 Box-Toppers points.

All other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive one Box-Toppers point:​

404ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB14.0Phillies 0000000  Cliff Lee (W, 1-0)8.020008
AL7.0Royals 0000000  Jeremy Guthrie (W, 1-0)6.051119
 7.0Cubs 0000000  Travis Wood (W, 1-0)6.010024
 7.0Padres 0000000  Eric Stults (W, 1-0)5.030027
BAT5.0Athletics Josh Reddick RF322400  00.000000
 4.0Orioles Chris Davis 1B312400  00.000000
 3.0Blue Jays J.P. Arencibia C423200  00.000000
BAT3.0Nationals Jayson Werth RF422301  00.000000
 2.0Reds Todd Frazier 3B322100  00.000000
 1.0Yankees Brett Gardner CF312111  00.000000
 1.0Twins Josh Willingham LF311211  00.000000

Top players for Wednesday, April 3

Mets pitcher Matt Harvey, who gave up only one hit over seven innings, struck out 10  and allowed no runs in an 8-4 win over the Padres, was Box-Toppers Player of the Day for Wednesday. He earns 2 Box-Toppers points.

Rangers pitcher Alexi Ogando, who pitched 6 1/3 innings and struck out 10 in a 4-0 win over the Astros, was American League Player of the Day. He earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points.

Athletics shortstop Jed Lowrie homered and double twice in the 6-2 win over the Mariners. He was American League Batter of the Day, earning 1.5 Box-Toppers points.

​Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips hit a three-run home run in the 5-4 win over the Angels. He was National League Batter of the Day, earning 1.5 Box-Toppers points.

Here are Wednesday's Players of the Game:​

403ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB14.0Mets 0000000  Matt Harvey (W, 1-0)7.0100210
AL11.1Rangers 0000000  Alexi Ogando (W, 1-0)6.1400110
 9.2Pirates 0000000  Wandy Rodriguez (W, 1-0)6.220016
 7.0Nationals 0000000  Gio Gonzalez (W, 1-0)6.020025
 5.0White Sox 0000000  Jake Peavy (W, 1-0)6.042106
 5.0`Indians 0000000  Ubaldo Jimenez 6.031126
 4.2Braves 0000000  Paul Maholm (W, 1-0)5.260016
BAT4.0Athletics Jed Lowrie SS313310  00.000000
 3.0Rays Matt Joyce PH, LF222100  00.000000
BAT2.0Reds Brandon Phillips 2B311311  00.000000
 2.0Rockies Michael Cuddyer PH, RF211201  00.000000
 2.0Twins Eduardo Escobar SS101200  00.000000
 2.0Diamondbacks 0000000  Josh Collmenter (W, 1-0)5.041125
 2.0`Giants 0000000  Chad Gaudin (H, 1)2.010001
 1.0Red Sox Daniel Nava DH312110  00.000000

Results for Tuesday, April 2

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, who was one out away from pitching a perfect game against the Astros, was Tuesday's Player of the Day, earning 2 Box-Toppers points. Darvish gave up one hit in 8 2/3 innings, striking out 14 and walking none in the 7-0 win, racking up a huge Box-Toppers game score of 21.2.

Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner, who gave up only two hits over eight innings in a 3-0 win over the Dodgers, was National League Player of the Day, earning 1.7 Box-Toppers points.​

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, who went 2-for-3 with two home runs, was AL Batter of the Day, earning 1.5 Box-Toppers points.​

Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez, who went 2-for-5 with a homer, was NL Batter of the Day.​

Here are Players of the Game for Tuesday:​

402ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB21.2Rangers 0000000  Yu Darvish (W, 1-0)8.2100014
NL12.0Giants 0000000  Madison Bumgarner (W, 1-0)8.020006
 9.0Mariners 0000000  Hisashi Iwakuma (W, 1-0)6.021107
BAT3.0Orioles Matt Wieters C322220  00.000000
 2.0Indians 0000000  Justin Masterson (W, 1-0)6.031145
 1.2Cardinals 0000000  Jaime Garcia (W, 1-0)5.221144
BAT1.0RockiesC Gonzalez LF522202  00.000000

Results from Monday, April 1

Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija was Player of the Day for Monday's opening day. Samardzija pitched eight innings and struck out nine in Chicago's win over Pittsburgh and earned 2 Box-Toppers points. Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez was American League Player of the Day, leading Seattle to a 2-0 victory over Oakland, and receives 1.7 Box-Toppers points. Mets outfielder Collin Cowgill, who hit a grand slam homer and doubled in New York's 11-2 win over San Diego, was National League Batter of the Day, earning 1.5 Box-Toppers points. And Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who doubled, walked three times and scored two runs in Boston's 8-2 win over the Yankees, was American League Batter of the Day, receiving 1.5 Box-Toppers points.

​Top pitching was on display as teams brought out their number-one starters for opening day. Some of Box-Toppers top scoring pitchers from 2012 earned Player of the Game honors Monday, including:

  • Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who had more Box-Toppers points than any other NL pitcher in 2012, with 20.8.
  • Mariners pitcher Hernandez, who had the second-most Box-Toppers points among AL pitchers in 2012, with 18.7.​
  • Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who had the second-most Box-Toppers points among NL pitchers in 2012, with 20.4.​
  • Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, who led all Box-Toppers rankings in 2012, with 24.8 points.​

​Here are Monday's Players of the Games:

401ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB14.0Cubs 0000000  Jeff Samardzija (W, 1-0)8.020019
 12.0Dodgers 0000000  Clayton Kershaw (W, 1-0)9.040007
AL11.2Mariners 0000000  Felix Hernandez (W, 1-0)7.230018
 7.0Nationals 0000000  Stephen Strasburg (W, 1-0)7.030003
 7.0Tigers 0000000  Justin Verlander (W, 1-0)5.030027
 6.2White Sox 0000000  Chris Sale (W, 1-0)7.270017
 5.0Diamondbacks 0000000  Ian Kennedy (W, 1-0)7.052218
 4.0Angels 0000000  Mark Lowe (W, 1-0)2.000013
BAT3.0Mets Collin Cowgill CF, LF522402  00.000000
 3.0Braves Freddie Freeman 1B413301  00.000000
 3.0`Brewers 0000000  Alfredo Figaro 2.010002
BAT1.0Red Sox Jarrod Saltalamacchia C221031  00.000000

Results from Sunday, March 31, 2013 - Opening day

Astros pitcher Erik Bedard, who pitched 3 1/3 innings in relief, struck out two and earned a save in the win over the Rangers, is Box-Toppers Player of the Day for Sunday, March 31, Opening Day 2013.

Bedard earned 2 Box-Toppers points for being named Player of the Day.

He is the current leader in Box-Toppers points among all players in the 2013 season, as he has 2 points and everyone else has, well, everyone else has zero.

Since no other official games were played Sunday, it might seem a little unfair to automatically give Player of the Day honors to the top player in the only game of the day. But, hey, I didn't make the schedule. ​Box-Toppers is set up to award the best players of each game and of each day. On Sunday that was Bedard in the only game played.

And since it was a light day of results, a little background: Bedard, who has mainly been a starting pitcher, made his Box-Toppers debut on Aug. 6, 2004, pitching for Baltimore. He has 54.2 total Box-Toppers points (including the 2 he earned Sunday). His best season was 2007 with Baltimore, when he earned 17.4 points, finishing fifth among all players and second in AL pitchers, behind only Johan Santana of the Twins. In 2012, he earned 3.7 Box-Toppers points pitching for the Pirates.​

331ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB4.1Astros 0000000  Erik Bedard (S, 1)3.110002

Results for Saturday, March 30, 2013 (Spring training)

Here are results from the final full day of spring training before the season opens for real Sunday night. Reds pitcher Homer Bailey, who pitched six innings and struck out seven as Cincinnati shut out Arizona, was Player of the Day with 11 points. Astros pitcher Michael Foltynewicz, who pitched four innings and struck out seven in relief, was American League Player of the Day with 9 points.  Bryson Myles of the Indians was AL Batter of the Day with 4 points. And Evan Gattis of the Braves was NL Batter of the Day with 4 points.

There were 16 games played Saturday. One game, the Rays vs. the Tigers, ended in a tie and is not included here. Another game, in which the Yankees played against the non-MLB team from Army was not included because no box score was available. Included in the results is the Player of the Game from the Pittsburgh vs. Altoona Curve game. Altoona won and left fielder Andrew Lambo was Player of the Game.​

330ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB11.0Reds 0000000  Homer Bailey (W, 2-1)6.010017
AL9.0Astros0000000  Michael Foltynewicz 4.010017
 7.0Marlins 0000000  Wade LeBlanc (W, 2-2)4.000003
 6.0Rangers 0000000  Derek Holland (W, 2-1)4.040006
 5.1`Angels 0000000  Tommy Hanson 6.131126
 5.0Orioles 0000000  Miguel Gonzalez (W, 1-1)5.011114
BAT4.0Indians Bryson Myles LF202400  00.000000
BAT4.0Braves Evan Gattis PH, DH111300  00.000000
 4.0Red Sox 0000000  Felix Doubront (W, 2-2)5.060016
 4.0Athletics 0000000  Dan Straily (W, 2-2)5.060005
 3.0Blue Jays Jose Bautista RF332110   0.600000
 2.0Brewers Rickie Weeks 2B211200  00.000000
 1.0CurveAndrew Lambo LF422110  00.000000
 1.0Mariners Brad Miller 3B202100  00.000000

Results for Friday, March 29, 2013 (Spring training)

With opening day this weekend, here are Box-Toppers results from some of the final spring training games from 2013. Pitcher Max Scherzer of the Tigers was Player of the Day. Scherzer pitched six innings and struck out nine to earn 12 Box-Toppers points and lead the Tigers over the Rays. Pitcher Sam Le Cure of the Reds was National League Player of the Day. A.J. Ellis of the Dodgers was National League Batter of the Day. And Alex Gordon of the Royals was American League Batter of the Day.

There were 13 games played Friday. One game, the Astros vs. the Cubs, ended in a 6-6 tie, so it's not included here. Baltimore played a non-Major-League team in a spring training game, that box score is not available, so that game is also not included.​

329ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB12.0Tigers 0000000  Max Scherzer (W, 2-0)6.010029
 8.0Blue Jays 0000000  Mark Buehrle (W, 1-0)5.020005
 8.0`White Sox 0000000  Hector Santiago 3.000005
NL5.0Reds 0000000  Sam LeCure (W, 2-0)1.000004
BAT4.0Dodgers A.J. Ellis C312401  00.000000
 4.0Mets Ruben Tejada SS111310  00.000000
 4.0Yankees 0000000  Andy Pettitte (W, 2-0)6.052106
 3.0Twins 0000000  Cole De Vries (W, 3-0)3.000011
 3.0Giants 0000000  Sergio Romo (S, 1)1.000002
BAT2.0Royals Alex Gordon LF111100  00.000000
 1.0Rangers 0000000  Robbie Ross (W, 3-0)1.010001

Spring training results for March 28

Pitcher Trevor Cahill of the Diamondbacks was Player of the Day for Thursday's spring-training games. Pitcher Clay Buchholz of the Red Sox was American League Player of the Day. Rick Ankiel of the Astros was American League Batter of the Day (it's still difficult to think of the Astros as an AL team after so many years as an NL team). And Will Venable of the Padres was National League Batter of the Day. There were 17 spring-training games played. One game ended in a tie (Baltimore-Tampa Bay), so is not included here. And another box score with the Rangers playing against a non-Major League team, Diablos Rojos, was not available.

A couple of things to note: The Dodgers (split squad) lost a spring exhibition against a non-Major League team, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The Quakes' pitcher, Chris Reed, was named Player of the Game.

Also, there were two pitchers named Players of the Game, Reed and Hyun-jin Ryu of the Dodgers, who did not pick up wins or saves, but were still named Players of the Game.

328ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB11.2Diamondbacks 0000000  Trevor Cahill (W, 2-1)5.2410011
 9.0Cardinals 0000000  Lance Lynn (W, 2-3)6.020005
 8.0Nationals 0000000  Gio Gonzalez (W, 3-0)4.010027
AL8.0Red Sox 0000000  Clay Buchholz (W, 3-0)4.010016
 8.0`Dodgers 0000000  Hyun-jin Ryu 4.000004
BAT5.0Astros Rick Ankiel CF322400  00.000000
 5.0Pirates 0000000  Jeff Locke (W, 2-1)6.040003
 5.0`Quakes 0000000  Chris Reed 3.000013
BAT4.0PadresWill Venable RF111310  00.000000
 4.0Phillies 0000000  Cesar Jimenez (W, 1-0)1.000003
 3.0Brewers Yuniesky Betancourt 2B, 1B423200  00.000000
 3.0Athletics Josh Reddick RF422301  00.000000
 3.0Royals Salvador Perez C312300  00.000000
 3.0Braves 0000000  Paul Maholm (W, 4-1)4.020012
 1.0Mariners Kyle Seager 3B201210  00.000000

Spring training results for March 27, 2013

Another spring practice day for baseball players, another spring practice day for Box-Toppers. Jaime Garcia of the Cardinals was Player of the Day, pitching eight innings and striking out eight. Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals, who went 3-for-4, was National League Batter of the Day. And Nate Tenbrink of the Mariners, who doubled and drove in three runs in his only time at bat, was American League Player of the Day. (This is a relatively rare instance where a batter beats the pitcher for league player of the day honors.) Sixteen spring training games were played on Wednesday, March 27, however one game, the Royals versus the Cubs, ended in a tie and was not included in these results. The games (and the Box-Toppers points) count for real starting Sunday, March 31, when the regular season begins.

327ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB8.0Cardinals 0000000  Jaime Garcia (W, 1-1)8.061108
 7.1Mets 0000000  Jon Niese (W, 2-1)4.020027
BAT6.0Nationals Ryan Zimmerman 3B433401  00.000000
AL4.0Mariners Nate Tenbrink 1B111300  00.000000
 4.0Phillies 0000000  Cole Hamels (W, 3-1)3.010013
 3.0Giants Nick Noonan 2B423200  00.000000
 3.0Marlins Daniel Pertusati LF302401  00.000000
 3.0White Sox Angel Sanchez PR, SS322201  00.000000
 3.0Reds Joey Votto 1B322220  00.000000
 3.0Brewers Hainley Statia 2B322200  00.000000
 3.0Twins Eric Fryer C202300  00.000000
 3.0Angels Kaleb Cowart 3B212200  00.000000
 3.0Blue Jays 0000000  Aaron Loup (W, 1-0)2.020014
 2.1Yankees 0000000  David Phelps (W, 3-3)5.043329
 2.0Athletics Nate Freiman PR, 1B312200  00.000000

Spring training results from March 26

326ScoreTeamBATTERSABRHRBIBBSO--PITCHERSIPHRERBBSO
MLB11.2`Diamondbacks 0000000  Ian Kennedy 6.020018
 6.0Reds 0000000  Johnny Cueto (W, 2-2)6.040015
AL6.0White Sox 0000000  Chris Sale (W, 4-0)4.011105
 4.0`Phillies 0000000  Raul Valdes 3.021105
BAT3.0Royals Brett Hayes C524201  00.000000
BAT3.0Marlins Giancarlo Stanton RF322201  00.000000
 3.0Cardinals Yadier Molina C322210  00.000000
 3.0Rockies Michael Cuddyer 1B311411  00.000000
 3.0Braves Ramiro Pena PH, 2B211300  00.000000
 3.0Athletics Yoenis Cespedes LF221211  00.000000
 2.0Twins Aaron Hicks LF523200  00.000000
 2.0Blue Jays Adam Lind 1B312200  00.000000
 2.0`Giants 0000000  Jeremy Affeldt (H, 2)1.000001
 1.0Braves Jason Heyward RF322000  00.000000
 1.0Cubs Darwin Barney PR010000  00.000000

Taking care of some spring training to get ready for the regular season here at Box-Toppers. Here are results from a spring training day in baseball. Pitcher Ian Kennedy of the Diamondbacks was Player of the Day. Chris Sale of the White Sox was American League Player of the Day. Brett Hayes of the Royals was American League Batter of the Day. And Giancarlo Stanton was National League Batter of the Day. However, no Box-Toppers points are given to any of these players. Since the games are just for practice, tabulating these results are also just for practice.​