Giants' Tim Lincecum, pitching a no-hitter, is top player for Saturday, July 13

Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum, pitching a no-hitter against the Padres, is Saturday's Player of the Day.

Lincecum struck out 13 and allowed only four walks in the 9-0 win. 

Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez is American League Player of the Day. Hernandez threw eight scoreless innings in the 6-0 win over the Angels. 

Lonnie Chisenhall of the Indians is AL Batter of the Day. Chisenhall hit a grand slam in the 5-3 win over the Royals. 

Alfonso Soriano of the Cubs is National League Batter of the Day. Soriano homered and went 2-for-5 in the 6-4 win over the Cardinals. 

Notable: Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke and Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez are the 14th and 15th players with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points this season. Both were top players in their games Saturday. Greinke (CG 0R 2H 9K in the 1-0 win vs. the Rockies) earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.7 for the season, putting him in 12th place overall. Hernandez, the AL Player of the Day, earned 1.7 Box-Toppers points, giving him 10.4 for the season, putting him in 13th place overall. 

Lincecum receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Hernandez receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Chisenhall and Soriano each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Saturday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point: 

713	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	18.0	Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Tim Lincecum (W, 5-9)	9.0	0	0	0	4	13
	15.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Zack Greinke (W, 8-2)	9.0	2	0	0	1	9
AL	5.0	Mariners	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Felix Hernandez (W, 10-4)	8.0	7	0	0	0	4
	4.0	Athletics	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			A.J. Griffin (W, 8-6)	8.0	6	0	0	1	3
	4.0	`Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			John Lannan	8.0	4	1	1	1	3
	4.0	Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Craig Kimbrel (S, 26)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3
BAT	3.0	Indians	Lonnie Chisenhall 3B	4	1	2	4	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Fernando Rodney (S, 22)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	3.0	Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Will Harris (W, 2-0)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	2.2	Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Casey Janssen (S, 18)	0.2	0	0	0	0	2
	2.0	Rangers	Nelson Cruz RF	5	2	4	1	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Twins	Pedro Florimon SS	2	1	1	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jason Grilli (S, 29)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.1	`White Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Nate Jones	1.1	2	0	0	0	2
	1.0	Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Steve Cishek (W, 3-4)	1.0	2	0	0	0	2
BAT	0.0	Cubs	Alfonso Soriano LF	5	2	2	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

D-Backs' Patrick Corbin takes top spot in Box-Toppers points; Indians' Corey Kluber tops players for Friday, July 12

Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin takes over the top spot among players in Box-Toppers points, while Indians pitcher Corey Kluber is Friday's Player of the Day.

Corbin (6.2IP 1R 10K) was top player in the 2-1 win over the Brewers, earning 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 14.4 for the season. He moves from third to first place in Box-Toppers player standings (see the updated top 10 list on the home page), passing both Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers (13.4) and Justin Masterson of the Indians (14.4). It is the first time Corbin has led in Box-Toppers points this season and the first time since May 18 that someone other than Cabrera or Masterson has led in Box-Toppers points. It is also the first time a National League player has led since April 23 (Matt Harvey of the Mets).

Kluber, Friday's Player of the Day, pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings, striking out eight, in the 3-0 win over the Royals. 

Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio is National League Player of the Day. Nicasio threw seven scoreless innings in the 3-0 win over the Dodgers. 

Adam Jones of the Orioles is American League Batter of the Day. Jones homered, drove in three runs and went 3-for-4 in the 8-5 win over the Blue Jays. 

Buster Posey of the Giants is NL Batter of the Day. Posey drove in five runs in the 10-1 win over the Padres. Earning 1.5 Box-Toppers points for being NL Batter of the Day, Posey now has 6.0 Box-Toppers points for the season, surpassing the 5.5 he scored in 2012. 

Kluber receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Nicasio receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Jones and Posey each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Friday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point: 

712	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	9.2	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Corey Kluber (W, 7-5)	7.2	3	0	0	3	8
NL	6.0	Rockies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Juan Nicasio (W, 5-4)	7.0	3	0	0	1	3
	5.2	Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Patrick Corbin (W, 11-1)	6.2	7	1	1	2	10
BAT	5.0	Orioles	Adam Jones CF	4	3	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Astros	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jarred Cosart (W, 1-0)	8.0	2	0	0	3	2
	5.0	Mariners	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Joe Saunders (W, 8-8)	7.0	5	0	0	2	5
	4.0	Reds	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Bronson Arroyo (W, 8-7)	7.0	3	1	1	1	3
	4.0	Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Koji Uehara (S, 8)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3
BAT	3.0	Giants	Buster Posey C	4	0	2	5	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Vin Mazzaro (W, 5-2)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	2.1	Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Joe Kelly (W, 1-3)	5.1	3	1	1	2	4
	2.0	Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Hiroki Kuroda (W, 8-6)	5.0	6	0	0	2	5
	1.0	Tigers	Torii Hunter RF	4	2	2	1	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Marlins	Derek Dietrich 2B	4	2	2	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Cubs' Edwin Jackson, Indians' Danny Salazar top players for Thursday, July 11

Cubs pitcher Edwin Jackson is Thursday's Player of the Day. Jackson pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up only three hits, in the 3-0 win over the Cardinals.

Indians pitcher Danny Salazar is American League Player of the Day. Salazar allowed one hit over six innings and struck out seven in the 4-2 win over the Blue Jays. This was Salazar's Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has been Player of the Game. He is the 3,223rd player to debut on Box-Toppers since stat-keeping began in 1995.

Freddie Freeman of the Braves is National League Batter of the Day. Freeman, who was voted by fans to the All-Star Game in the Final Vote Thursday (and was also Box-Toppers' choice for the Final Vote), went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs in the 6-5 win over the Reds. 

Alejandro De Aza of the White Sox is AL Batter of the Day. De Aza homered and went 3-for-5 in the 6-3 win over the Tigers. 

Standings update: Rays pitcher Matt Moore rises to fourth place and Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner rises to sixth place in Box-Toppers player standings after both were Players of the Game Thursday. Both players earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point. Moore (7.1IP 10K in 4-3 win vs. Twins) now has 13.1 Box-Toppers points. Bumgarner (7IP 6K in 4-2 win vs. Padres) now has 11.7 Box-Toppers points. (See the updated top 10 player list on the home page.)

Jackson receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Salazar receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Freeman and De Aza each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Thursday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point: 

711	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	9.0	Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Edwin Jackson (W, 6-10)	7.0	3	0	0	0	5
	8.1	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Chris Capuano (W, 3-6)	6.1	6	0	0	0	8
AL	8.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Danny Salazar (W, 1-0)	6.0	2	1	1	1	7
	6.1	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Moore (W, 13-3)	7.1	3	3	3	2	10
	4.0	Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Madison Bumgarner (W, 10-5)	7.0	4	2	2	1	6
	3.2	Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Steven Wright (W, 1-0)	5.2	3	0	0	2	3
BAT	3.0	Braves	Freddie Freeman 1B	4	0	3	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.2	Orioles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Miguel Gonzalez (W, 7-3)	6.2	4	1	1	2	4
	2.0	Diamondbacks	Paul Goldschmidt 1B	1	2	1	0	3	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jonathan Papelbon (S, 20)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1
BAT	1.0	White Sox	Alejandro De Aza CF, LF	5	2	3	1	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Yankees	Lyle Overbay 1B	3	1	1	2	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Pirates' Francisco Liriano, Angels' C.J. Wilson top players for Wednesday, July 10

Pirates pitcher Francisco Liriano is Wednesday's Player of the Day. Liriano pitched seven shutout innings, striking out six, in the 5-0 win over the Athletics.

Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson is American League Player of the Day. Wilson struck out six over seven innings in the 13-2 win over the Cubs. 

Prince Fielder of the Tigers is AL Batter of the Day. Fielder homered, drove in three runs and went 3-for-4 in the 8-5 win over the White Sox. 

Placido Polanco of the Marlins is NL Batter of the Day. Polanco went 3-for-5 and drove in three runs in the 6-2 win over the Braves. 

Liriano receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Wilson receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Fielder and Polanco each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Wednesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point: 

710	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	8.0	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Francisco Liriano (W, 9-3)	7.0	4	0	0	1	6
AL	7.0	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			C.J. Wilson (W, 9-6)	7.0	4	1	1	0	6
	5.0	Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ivan Nova (W, 4-2)	8.0	5	1	1	2	6
BAT	4.0	Tigers	Prince Fielder 1B	4	2	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Red Sox	David Ortiz DH	3	2	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Mets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Zack Wheeler (W, 3-1)	7.0	3	1	1	3	5
	4.0	`Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Esmil Rogers	6.0	4	1	1	3	7
	3.0	Orioles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Wei-Yin Chen (W, 4-3)	7.0	3	1	1	3	4
	3.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kenley Jansen (W, 3-3)	2.0	1	0	0	1	3
BAT	2.0	Marlins	Placido Polanco 3B	5	1	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Gio Gonzalez (W, 7-3)	7.0	6	1	1	2	5
	2.0	`Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jeremy Hellickson	6.0	6	3	3	0	8
	1.0	Reds	Shin-Soo Choo CF	4	2	3	0	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Cardinals	Matt Carpenter 2B	3	1	1	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Rockies	Corey Dickerson PH	1	1	1	0	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Box-Toppers deems Freeman, Uehara most worthy candidates for All-Star Final Vote

Red Sox closer Koji Uehara and Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman are the players most deserving to be voted to the All-Star Game in the Final Vote, according to Box-Toppers statistics.

Major League Baseball's All-Star Final Vote process gives fans the chance to select the final player on each All-Star team. Fans choose from a list of five players from each league who were either not selected by fans in general voting (which ended July 4) or selected by All-Star team managers to fill out the rosters.

Box-Toppers deems Freeman most worthy of earning the Final Vote in the National League. Of the 10 players on the Final Vote ballot, Freeman has the most Box-Toppers points with 5.0. He has the second-most Box-Toppers points of any NL first baseman, behind only Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks (8.7). 

Uehara narrowly earns Box-Toppers' endorsement in the American League. He has 3.0 Box-Toppers points, tied with Rangers relief pitcher Tanner Scheppers. However, Uehara breaks the tie because he has more total Box-Toppers points over the past three seasons (5.0 to 3.0).

Though by Box-Toppers standards, Uehara is the top AL player on the Final Vote ballot, he does rank only 56th among AL pitchers in Box-Toppers points for the season. Scheppers ranks 61st. Even among AL closers, Uehara ranks 13th.

The American League choices are all relief pitchers and are all a little weak in terms of Box-Toppers points. In fact, one player, Tigers relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit has 0.0 Box-Toppers points this season and earned only 1.0 last season.

The National League choices, by contrast, are all batters, and seem a little more interesting, exciting and substantial choices. Rookie sensation Yasiel Puig of the Dodgers is on the list. While his stats for his brief time in the majors are impressive (batting over .400 with eight homers since his June 3 debut), he has earned only 1.5 Box-Toppers points, the fewest of any Final Vote candidate in the National League.

Box-Toppers is set up to determine the players who most help their team win the most games. Top players from the winning team of each game are determined by a formula using standard box score statistics. These top players earn 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game. Among each day's top players, bonus points are awarded for the top players and batters of the day in each league. Players accumulate points through the season to provide a data point for comparison, such as determining which players are most worthy as All-Stars.

Voting on the final candidates ends on Thursday. Fans can vote online.

	FINAL VOTE CANDIDATES
	AL PLAYERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Koji Uehara	pi cp	bos al	3.0
2	Tanner Scheppers	pi mr	tex al	3.0
3	Steve Delabar	pi mr	tor al	1.0
4	David Robertson	pi mr	nyy al	1.0
5	Joaquin Benoit	pi mr	det al	0.0
	NL PLAYERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Freddie Freeman	1b	atl nl	5.0
2	Ian Desmond	ss	dc nl	4.5
3	Adrian Gonzalez	1b	lad nl	3.0
4	Hunter Pence	rf	sf nl	2.0
5	Yasiel Puig	rf	lad nl	1.5

BTP: Box-Toppers points

Brewers' Wily Peralta, Rangers' Adrian Beltre top players for Tuesday, July 9

Brewers pitcher Wily Peralta is Tuesday's Player of the Day. Peralta pitched a complete-game, three-hit shutout in the 2-0 win over the Reds.

Adrian Beltre of the Rangers is American League Player of the Day. Beltre hit two home runs, drove in five runs and went 4-for-4 in the 8-4 win over the Orioles. 

Justin Upton of the Braves is National League Batter of the Day. Upton homered and went 3-for-5 in the 6-4 win over the Marlins. 

Standings update: Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright rises to sixth place among players in Box-Toppers points for the season (see the updated Top 10 list on the home page).  Wainwright (7IP 1R 9K) was Player of the Game in the 9-5 win over the Astros, earning 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 11.7 for the season. Wainwright and Peralta had identical 8.0 Box-Toppers game scores, but Peralta broke the tie and earned Player of the Day honors (and an extra Box-Toppers point) because he had more innings pitched.

Peralta receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Beltre receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Upton receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.

All of Tuesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

709	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	8.0	Brewers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Wily Peralta (W, 6-9)	9.0	3	0	0	4	6
	8.0	Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Adam Wainwright (W, 12-5)	7.0	5	1	1	1	9
AL	7.0	Rangers	Adrian Beltre 3B	4	2	4	5	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	6.1	Athletics	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Dan Straily (W, 6-2)	6.1	2	1	1	3	7
	6.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ricky Nolasco (W, 6-8)	7.0	4	1	1	0	5
	5.0	White Sox	Dayan Viciedo LF	4	2	3	4	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Padres	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Eric Stults (W, 7-7)	9.0	4	1	1	3	5
	4.0	Mets	Marlon Byrd RF	4	2	2	4	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Chris Archer (W, 3-3)	6.0	3	1	0	0	2
	3.0	Red Sox	David Ortiz DH	5	3	4	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
BAT	3.0	Braves	Justin Upton LF	5	3	3	2	0	2			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Cubs	Alfonso Soriano LF	3	2	2	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Cole Hamels (W, 4-11)	8.0	6	1	1	1	4
	3.0	Royals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			James Shields (W, 4-6)	7.0	5	1	1	2	5
	3.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ubaldo Jimenez (W, 7-4)	6.0	5	0	0	2	4

Dodgers' Zack Greinke (7IP 0R 7K) tops players for Monday, July 8

Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke is Monday's Player of the Day. Greinke pitched seven shutout innings, allowed only two hits and struck out seven in the 6-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Justin Smoak of the Mariners is American League Player of the Day. Smoak went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs in the 11-4 win over the Red Sox. 

Jean Segura of the Brewers is National League Batter of the Day. Segura went 3-for-3 in the 4-3 win over the Reds. 

Greinke receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Smoak receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Segura receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.

All of Monday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

708	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	10.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Zack Greinke (W, 7-2)	7.0	2	0	0	2	7
	6.0	Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			John Lannan (W, 2-3)	8.0	4	0	0	2	4
	5.0	Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Garza (W, 5-1)	7.0	5	2	1	0	6
AL	3.0	Mariners	Justin Smoak 1B	4	2	3	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			David Carpenter (W, 2-0)	2.0	1	0	0	0	2
	3.0	`Mets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Carlos Torres	2.0	1	0	0	0	2
	3.0	Royals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Greg Holland (S, 21)	1.0	1	0	0	0	3
BAT	2.0	Brewers	Jean Segura SS	3	1	3	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Athletics	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Bartolo Colon (W, 12-3)	7.0	7	1	1	1	5
	2.0	Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Drew Smyly (W, 4-0)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.0	Rangers	Ian Kinsler 2B	5	0	2	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Rays	Ben Zobrist 2B	4	1	2	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	0.0	Rockies	Wilin Rosario C	4	0	2	2	0	2			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

D-Backs' Patrick Corbin, Indians' Michael Brantley top players for Sunday, July 7

Diamondbacks pitcher Patrick Corbin, Sunday's Player of the Day, rises to third place among players in Box-Toppers points for the season.

Corbin struck out 10 over eight innings in the 6-1 win over the Rockies. He earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 13.4 for the season, moving him from fifth to third place for the season.  Corbin now leads all National League pitchers in Box-Toppers points, passing Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (who also was a Player of the Game Sunday.)

Michael Brantley of the Indians is American League Player of the Day. Brantley hit two home runs, drove in five runs and went 3-for-4 in the 9-6 win over the Tigers.

Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals is NL Batter of the Day. Zimmerman hit a grand slam in the 11-7 win over the Padres. 

Standings update: Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (8IP 1R in 4-1 win vs. Giants) earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 12.7 for the season. However, Kershaw remains in fourth place in Box-Toppers points and actually falls to second place among NL pitchers, after he was passed by Box-Toppers Player of the Day Patrick Corbin of the Diamondbacks.

Notable: Cardinals pitcher Lance Lynn is the 14th player this season with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points. Lynn was a Player of the Game (7IP 7K in 3-2 win vs. Marlins) and earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point, giving him 10.4 for the season.

Corbin receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Brantley receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Zimmerman receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.

All of Sunday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

707	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	12.0	Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Patrick Corbin (W, 10-1)	8.0	3	1	1	1	10
	10.0	Mets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jeremy Hefner (W, 4-6)	7.0	2	1	1	1	8
AL	7.0	Indians	Michael Brantley LF	4	3	3	5	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.2	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jered Weaver (W, 3-4)	6.2	5	0	0	2	6
	5.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Clayton Kershaw (W, 8-5)	8.0	3	1	1	1	3
	4.0	Blue Jays	Colby Rasmus CF	4	2	3	3	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			David Price (W, 3-4)	9.0	8	1	1	0	5
	4.0	Athletics	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jesse Chavez (S, 1)	4.0	3	0	0	1	4
	3.1	Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jonathan Pettibone (W, 5-3)	5.1	5	1	1	1	6
BAT	3.0	Nationals	Ryan Zimmerman 3B	4	2	1	4	1	2			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	`Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Carlos Villanueva	4.0	3	1	1	1	5
	3.0	`Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Neal Cotts (H, 7)	1.0	1	0	0	0	3
	3.0	Orioles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jim Johnson (S, 30)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	2.0	Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Lance Lynn (W, 11-3)	7.0	7	2	2	1	7
	1.0	Mariners	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Joe Saunders (W, 7-8)	7.0	6	1	1	0	2

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Bumgarner, Moore top players for Saturday, July 6, both rise in Box-Toppers Top 10 player list

Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner is Saturday's Player of the Day and rises to eighth place among players in Box-Toppers points for the season.

Meanwhile, Rays pitcher Matt Moore, American League Player of the Day for Saturday, rises to third place in Box-Toppers points for the season. 

Bumgarner struck out nine over seven innings in the 4-2 win over the Dodgers. He earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 10.7 for the season, moving him into eighth place in player standings (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). 

Moore pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the 3-0 win over the White Sox. He earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 12.1 for the season, moving from 10th place to third place in player standings  (see the updated top 10 list on the home page.)

Jay Bruce of the Reds is National League Batter of the Day. Bruce went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs in the 13-4 win over the Mariners. 

Brian Dozier of the Twins is AL Batter of the Day. Dozier hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs in the 6-0 win over the Blue Jays. This was Dozier's Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has been named Player of the Game and he is the 3,219th player to debut since Box-Toppers record-keeping began in 1995.

Bumgarner receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Moore receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Bruce and Dozier each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Saturday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point: 

706	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	9.0	Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Madison Bumgarner (W, 9-5)	7.0	3	2	2	0	9
AL	5.1	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Moore (W, 12-3)	6.1	5	0	0	2	6
BAT	5.0	Reds	Jay Bruce RF	4	4	2	3	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Wade Miley (W, 5-7)	8.0	5	1	1	1	5
	4.0	Cubs	Alfonso Soriano LF	4	2	2	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Tim Hudson (W, 5-7)	7.0	5	1	1	0	4
	4.0	Royals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Greg Holland (S, 20)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3
BAT	3.0	Twins	Brian Dozier 2B	4	1	2	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Cardinals	Matt Adams PH	1	1	1	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Anibal Sanchez (W, 7-5)	5.0	3	1	1	1	4
	2.1	Astros	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Travis Blackley (W, 1-0)	1.1	0	0	0	0	1
	2.0	Brewers	Logan Schafer LF	4	2	3	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Yankees	Eduardo Nunez SS	3	1	2	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Nationals	Bryce Harper LF	2	0	1	3	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Angels	Chris Iannetta C	4	1	3	1	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Yankees' Ivan Nova, D-Backs' Tyler Skaggs top players for Friday, July 5

Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova is Friday's Player of the Day. Nova pitched a complete game and struck out 11 in the 3-2 win over the Orioles.

Diamondbacks pitcher Tyler Skaggs is National League Player of the Day. Skaggs pitched eight scoreless innings and gave up only three hits in the 5-0 win over the Rockies. 

Kirk Nieuwenhuis of the Mets is NL Batter of the Day. Nieuwenhuis went 4-for-4 with five RBIs in the 12-5 win over the Brewers.

Josh Reddick of the Athletics is American League Batter of the Day. Reddick went 2-for-3 and scored three runs in the 6-3 win over the Royals. 

Notable: Mariners closing pitcher Oliver Perez (Save, 3K in 4-2 win vs. Reds) was Player of the Game for the first time in more than four years. The previous time Perez was Player of the Game was April 15, 2009, when he was a starting pitcher for the New York Mets. In 2004, Perez had 17.0 Box-Toppers points for the season as a starter for the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates. He has 43.1 career Box-Toppers points.

Nova receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Skaggs receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Nieuwenhuis and Reddick each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Friday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

705	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	12.0	Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ivan Nova (W, 3-2)	9.0	3	2	2	1	11
NL	9.0	Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Tyler Skaggs (W, 2-1)	8.0	3	0	0	1	5
BAT	8.0	Mets	Kirk Nieuwenhuis RF	4	3	4	5	2	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	8.0	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jeremy Hellickson (W, 8-3)	7.0	6	1	1	0	9
	7.0	Dodgers	Juan Uribe 3B	5	2	3	7	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	6.0	Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Rick Porcello (W, 5-6)	7.0	5	0	0	2	6
	6.0	Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Mark Buehrle (W, 5-5)	7.0	6	0	0	0	5
BAT	4.0	Athletics	Josh Reddick RF	3	3	2	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Francisco Liriano (W, 8-3)	9.0	4	2	2	4	7
	4.0	`Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Trevor Rosenthal (H, 18)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3
	4.0	Mariners	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Oliver Perez (S, 2)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3
	3.0	Phillies	Humberto Quintero C	3	1	2	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Red Sox	David Ortiz PH	1	1	1	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Rangers	Nelson Cruz RF	5	2	1	4	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Nationals	Wilson Ramos C	4	1	2	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Indians' Justin Masterson still atop Box-Toppers rankings; Tigers' Cabrera, Dodgers' Kershaw, Rockies' Gonzalez among points leaders

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson leads all players in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season with 13.7 points.

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers, in second place overall with 13.4 points, is leader among American League batters. 

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, in third place overall, leads among all National League players with 11.7 points. 

Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies is the leader among NL batters with 9.5 points. He ranks 15th among all players.

Previous player rankings report from June 21. 

What are those numbers after players' names?

How does Box-Toppers scoring work? 

	OVERALL LEADERS	POS	TEAM	BTP
1	Masterson, Justin 2462	pi sp	cle al	13.7
2	Cabrera, Miguel 1776	3b	det al	13.4
3	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	11.7
4	Corbin, Patrick 3027	pi sp	ari nl	11.4
5	Miller, Shelby 3134	pi sp	stl nl	11.4
6	Harvey, Matt 3075	pi sp	nym nl	11.0
7	Sale, Chris 2806	pi sp	chi al	10.7
8	Zimmermann, Jordan 2612	pi sp	dc nl	10.7
9	Wainwright, Adam 2150	pi sp	stl nl	10.7
10	Moore, Matt 2975	pi sp	tb al	10.4
	AL PITCHERS
1	Masterson, Justin 2462	pi sp	cle al	13.7
2	Sale, Chris 2806	pi sp	chi al	10.7
3	Moore, Matt 2975	pi sp	tb al	10.4
4	Buchholz, Clay 2363	pi sp	bos al	10.1
5	Darvish, Yu 3003	pi sp	tex al	10.0
6	Scherzer, Max 2588	pi sp	det al	9.7
7	Iwakuma, Hisashi 3048	pi sp	sea al	9.7
8	Hernandez, Felix 2064	pi sp	sea al	8.7
9	Holland, Derek 2634	pi sp	tex al	7.7
10	Verlander, Justin 2112	pi sp	det al	7.0
	AL BATTERS
1	Cabrera, Miguel 1776	3b	det al	13.4
2	Davis, Chris 2478	1b	bal al	8.7
3	Cano, Robinson 2092	2b	nyy al	7.0
4	Kipnis, Jason 2933	2b	cle al	6.0
5	Encarnacion, Edwin 2098	1b dh	tor al	5.7
6	Butler, Billy 2330	dh	kc al	5.5
7	Arencibia, J.P. 2781	ca	tor al	5.5
8	Donaldson, Josh 3144	3b	oak al	5.5
9	Ortiz, David	dh	bos al	5.2
10	Mauer, Joe 1869	ca	min al	5.0
	NL PITCHERS
1	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	pi sp	lad nl	11.7
2	Corbin, Patrick 3027	pi sp	ari nl	11.4
3	Miller, Shelby 3134	pi sp	stl nl	11.4
4	Harvey, Matt 3075	pi sp	nym nl	11.0
5	Zimmermann, Jordan 2612	pi sp	dc nl	10.7
6	Wainwright, Adam 2150	pi sp	stl nl	10.7
7	Lynn, Lance 2992	pi sp	stl nl	9.4
8	Lee, Cliff 1798	pi sp	phi nl	9.4
9	Bumgarner, Madison 2753	pi sp	sf nl	8.7
10	Latos, Mat 2644	pi sp	cin nl	8.7
	NL BATTERS
1	Gonzalez, Carlos 2460	lf	col nl	9.5
2	Goldschmidt, Paul 2935	1b	ari nl	8.7
3	McCann, Brian 2179	ca	atl nl	7.0
4	Alvarez, Pedro 2817	3b	pit nl	6.2
5	Harper, Bryce 3011	lf	dc nl	5.9
6	Cuddyer, Michael 1826	rf	col nl	5.5
7	Zimmerman, Ryan 2180	3b	dc nl	5.2
8	Phillips, Brandon 1691	2b	cin nl	5.0
9	Carpenter, Matt 2987	2b	stl nl	5.0
10	Freeman, Freddie 2887	1b	atl nl	5.0

BTP: Box-Toppers points

Though no longer leading their division, St. Louis Cardinals remain top Box-Toppers team

Despite falling to second place in their own division, the St. Louis Cardinals remain the top team in Box-Toppers rankings for the ninth straight week.

The Pittsburgh Pirates passed the Cardinals atop the National League Central division standings and have the best record in baseball (.619), but are still behind the Cardinals in Box-Toppers points, ranking in sixth place overall.

Cardinals players have accumulated the most Box-Toppers points this season, 66.7. Their lead continued to narrow over the second-place team, the Boston Red Sox (64.0). Two weeks ago, they led the Red Sox by 8.2 points and now lead only by 2.7. 

The Red Sox have the second-best win-loss record in baseball, behind the Pirates, at .609 and the best record in the American League.

The Baltimore Orioles are top team of the week, picking up 9.4 Box-Toppers points and rising to eighth place in team rankings. The bulk of those points came when the Orioles this week acquired closing pitcher Scott Feldman from the Chicago Cubs. Feldman has 5.7 points and brings his Box-Toppers points to the Orioles.  (The Cubs, meanwhile, had a net loss of 1.7 points over the week because of the trade.)

The Cardinals lead the Pirates in Box-Toppers points mainly because Cardinals players, especially pitchers, tend to earn bonus points by being top player or batter of the day overall or in their league.

The Cardinals are led by pitchers Shelby Miller (11.4 Box-Toppers points), Adam Wainwright (10.7) and Lance Lynn (9.4). The Pirates, meanwhile, are led by third baseman Pedro Alvarez (6.2 points), pitcher Francisco Liriano (5.0) and pitcher Jeff Locke (5.0). 

704	Top 10 Teams	BTP	BTP/wk	Last week rank
1	Cardinals	66.7	3.5	1
2	Red Sox	64.0	5.0	2
3	Reds	61.1	5.5	5
4	Tigers	60.9	4.7	3
5	Rangers	58.6	3.0	4
6	Pirates	58.3	3.0	6
7	Athletics	58.2	4.0	7
8	Orioles	58.1	9.4	Not ranked
9	Indians	57.3	6.0	9
10	Nationals	56.7	5.2	8

BTP: Box-Toppers points total. Accumulated points of all players on team in 2013 season.

BTP/wk: Box-Toppers points for the team for the past week, through games on Thursday.

White Sox' Jose Quintana, Phillies' Cole Hamels top players for Thursday, July 4

White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana is Thursday's Player of the Day. Quintana struck out 11 and allowed no runs over seven innings in the 3-2 win over the Orioles.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels is National League Player of the Day. Hamels struck out eight over seven innings in the 6-4 win over the Pirates. 

Wilson Ramos of the Nationals is NL Batter of the Day. Ramos homered, drove in five runs and went 3-for-4 in the 8-5 win over the Brewers. 

Yunel Escobar of the Rays is American League Batter of the Day. Escobar went 3-for-5 and drove in three runs in the 7-5 win over the Astros. 

Quintana receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Hamels receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Ramos and Escobar each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Thursday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

704	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	15.0	`White Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jose Quintana	7.0	2	0	0	1	11
	9.0	Athletics	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Dan Straily (W, 5-2)	7.0	1	0	0	3	6
NL	7.0	Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Cole Hamels (W, 3-11)	7.0	5	2	1	0	8
	7.0	Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Justin Verlander (W, 9-5)	7.0	3	0	0	2	5
BAT	5.0	Nationals	Wilson Ramos C	4	1	3	5	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Rockies	Michael Cuddyer RF	3	3	2	3	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			A.J. Ramos (W, 3-2)	2.0	1	0	0	0	4
BAT	3.0	Rays	Yunel Escobar SS	5	2	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Rangers	Adrian Beltre 3B	4	2	3	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Red Sox	Jacoby Ellsbury CF	4	3	3	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Royals	Lorenzo Cain RF	4	1	2	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	`Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ian Kennedy	7.0	6	2	2	2	8
	2.0	Yankees	Ichiro Suzuki CF	5	2	3	2	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Angels	Erick Aybar SS	4	1	3	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Brewers' Kyle Lohse, Astros' Chris Carter top players for Wednesday, July 3

Brewers pitcher Kyle Lohse is Wednesday's Player of the Day. Lohse struck out seven over eight innings in the 4-1 win over the Nationals.

Chris Carter of the Astros is American League Player of the Day. Carter homered twice and drove in all four runs in the 4-1 win over the Rays. 

Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals is National League Batter of the Day. Carpenter homered, drove in three runs and went 3-for-6 in the 12-2 win over the Angels. 

Lohse receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Carter receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Carpenter receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.

All of Wednesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

703	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	8.0	Brewers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kyle Lohse (W, 4-6)	8.0	4	1	1	1	7
AL	5.0	Astros	Chris Carter LF, 1B	3	2	2	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Diamondbacks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Randall Delgado (W, 1-2)	7.0	7	2	2	0	9
	4.0	Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Garza (W, 4-1)	8.0	4	1	1	3	5
	4.0	Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ricky Nolasco (W, 5-8)	7.0	6	2	2	0	7
	4.0	Reds	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			J.J. Hoover (W, 2-5)	2.0	1	0	0	1	4
BAT	3.0	Cardinals	Matt Carpenter 2B	6	3	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Dodgers	Hanley Ramirez SS	5	3	4	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	`Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jon Lester	7.0	6	1	1	1	5
	3.0	Royals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Greg Holland (S, 18)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	2.1	Tigers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Max Scherzer (W, 13-0)	6.1	7	2	2	1	8
	2.0	Orioles	Chris Davis 1B	4	1	2	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Pirates	Pedro Alvarez 3B	4	1	2	3	0	2			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Yankees	Robinson Cano 2B	3	1	2	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.2	Mariners	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Charlie Furbush (W, 2-4)	1.2	0	0	0	0	0

` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Reds' Homer Bailey, pitching a no-hitter, tops players for Tuesday, July 2

Reds pitcher Homer Bailey, who pitched a no-hitter Tuesday, is Box-Toppers' Player of the Day. 

Bailey gave up only one walk and struck out nine in the 3-0 win over the Giants to earn his second career no-hitter. 

Rays pitcher David Price is American League Player of the Day. Price struck out 10 and gave up no runs over seven innings in the 8-0 win over the Astros. 

Kendrys Morales of the Mariners is AL Batter of the Day. Morales homered twice and drove in six runs in the 9-2 win over the Rangers. 

Chris Johnson of the Braves is National League Batter of the Day. Johnson was 3-for-4 in the 11-3 win over the Marlins. 

Standings update: Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers and Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers were both Players of the Game in their games. Both earned 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game. Cabrera maintains his spot in second place overall in player Box-Toppers points for the season, while Kershaw moves from sixth place to third place (see updated top 10 list on the home page).

Cabrera (HR 3RBI) was Player of the Game in the 7-6 win over the Blue Jays. He now has 13.4 Box-Toppers points and remains leader in points among AL batters. 

Kershaw (CG 4H 0R 8K) was Player of the Game in the 8-0 win over the Rockies. He now has 11.7 Box-Toppers points and passes Patrick Corbin of the Diamondbacks for the lead among NL pitchers. 

Bailey receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Price receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Morales and Johnson each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Tuesday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

702	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	17.0	Reds	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Homer Bailey (W, 5-6)	9.0	0	0	0	1	9
AL	14.0	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			David Price (W, 2-4)	7.0	3	0	0	0	10
	13.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Clayton Kershaw (W, 7-5)	9.0	4	0	0	0	8
BAT	6.0	Mariners	Kendrys Morales DH	5	2	3	6	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.1	`Brewers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Wily Peralta	5.1	3	0	0	2	5
	5.0	Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			John Lackey (W, 6-5)	8.0	6	1	1	1	6
	5.0	Mets	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jeremy Hefner (W, 3-6)	7.0	4	1	1	2	6
	4.0	Athletics	Derek Norris C	3	2	2	3	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jered Weaver (W, 2-4)	7.0	6	1	1	0	5
	3.2	Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jonathan Pettibone (W, 4-3)	5.2	3	1	1	3	6
BAT	3.0	Braves	Chris Johnson 3B	4	2	3	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Yankees	Alberto Gonzalez SS	4	2	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	White Sox	Conor Gillaspie 3B	3	2	2	1	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Tigers	Miguel Cabrera 3B	3	1	1	3	2	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Indians	Carlos Santana C	1	0	0	2	3	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

 ` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Marlins' Jose Fernandez, Rays' Matt Moore top players for Monday, July 1

Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez is Monday's Player of the Day. Fernandez pitched eight scoreless innings, gave up only two hits and struck out 10 in the 4-0 win over the Padres. 

Rays pitcher Matt Moore is American League Player of the Day. Moore gave up no runs over seven innings and struck out nine in the 12-0 win over the Astros. Moore rises to 10th place among players in Box-Toppers points for the season (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). He receives 1.7 Box-Toppers points for AL Player of the Day, giving him 10.4 for the season and is the 12th player this season with 10.0 or more Box-Toppers points.

Robinson Cano of the Yankees is AL Batter of the Day. Cano hit two homers and went 3-for-4 in the 10-4 win over the Twins. 

Todd Frazier of the Reds is National League Batter of the Day. Frazier homered, drove in four runs and went 2-for-3 in the 8-1 win over the Giants. 

Fernandez receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Moore receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Cano and Frazier each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Monday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

701	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	15.0	Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jose Fernandez (W, 5-4)	8.0	2	0	0	1	10
AL	11.0	Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Matt Moore (W, 11-3)	7.0	2	0	0	3	9
BAT	6.0	Yankees	Robinson Cano 2B	4	4	3	3	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
BAT	5.0	Reds	Todd Frazier 3B	3	2	2	4	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Nationals	Jayson Werth RF	5	1	2	5	0	2			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Blue Jays	Mark DeRosa 1B	4	1	1	3	0	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	1.0	Mets	Andrew Brown LF	2	0	1	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Indians' Justin Masterson, who tops players for Sunday, June 30, takes back Box-Toppers points lead

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson is Sunday's Player of the Day and takes back the lead in player Box-Toppers points this season.

Masterson threw a complete game shutout, striking out eight, in the 4-0 win over the White Sox. He earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 13.7 for the season (see the updated top 10 list on the home page). He takes the lead back from Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers (with 12.4 points), who only took the lead from Masterson on Friday. 

Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez is National League Player of the Day. Gonzalez pitched seven shutout innings and struck out seven in the 13-2 win over the Mets. 

David Lough of the Royals is American League Batter of the Day. Lough homered and went 4-for-4 in the 9-8 win over the Twins. This was Lough's Box-Toppers debut, the first time he has been Player of the Game. He is the 3,214th player to make his debut since Box-Toppers stats were first recorded in 1995.

Jeff Mathis of the Marlins is NL Batter of the Day. Mathis hit a walk-off grand slam in the 6-2 win over the Padres. 

Notable: Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, Player of the Game in the 3-2 win over the Reds (6.2IP 0R 8K), is the 11th player this season to reach 10.0 Box-Toppers points. He earns 1.0 Box-Toppers point for being Player of the Game, giving him 10.0 for the season.

Masterson receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Gonzalez receives 1.7 for NL Player of the Day. Lough and Mathis each receive 1.5 for being top Batter of the Day in their league.

All of Sunday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

630	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	10.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Justin Masterson (W, 10-6)	9.0	6	0	0	1	8
	10.0	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			C.J. Wilson (W, 8-5)	7.0	3	1	0	3	10
NL	9.0	Nationals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Gio Gonzalez (W, 5-3)	7.0	3	0	0	2	7
BAT	7.0	Royals	David Lough RF	4	4	4	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	7.0	Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Stephen Fife (W, 3-2)	7.0	4	0	0	1	5
	7.0	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Tony Watson (W, 2-1)	3.0	0	0	0	0	4
	6.2	Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Yu Darvish (W, 8-3)	6.2	4	0	0	4	8
	3.0	Athletics	Jed Lowrie SS	4	2	2	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Madison Bumgarner (W, 8-5)	7.0	4	1	1	3	5
	3.0	Cubs	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kevin Gregg (S, 13)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
BAT	2.0	Marlins	Jeff Mathis C	4	1	1	4	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Rays	Jose Lobaton C	3	0	3	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Braves	Brian McCann C	3	2	2	1	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Orioles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jim Johnson (S, 28)	1.0	1	0	0	0	2
	1.0	Red Sox	Jonathan Diaz PR	0	1	0	0	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Cardinals' Adam Wainwright tops players for Saturday, June 29, rises to 9th place in Box-Toppers points

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright is Saturday's Player of the Day and rises to ninth place among players in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season (see updated top 10 list on the home page).

Wainwright pitched a complete game, struck out eight and gave up only one run in the 7-1 win over the Athletics. 

Wainwright earns 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day, giving him 10.7 for the season. He is the 10th player to reach 10.0 or more Box-Topers points this season.

Chris Davis of the Orioles is American League Player of the Day. Davis homered twice and drove in five runs in the 11-3 win over the Yankees. 

Hanley Ramirez of the Dodgers is National League Batter of the Day. Ramirez homered, drove in three runs and went 3-for-4 in the 4-3 win over the Phillies. 

Wainwright receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Davis receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Ramirez receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.

All of Saturday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

629	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	8.0	Cardinals	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Adam Wainwright (W, 11-5)	9.0	5	1	1	2	8
AL	7.0	Orioles	Chris Davis 1B	3	3	2	5	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	6.0	Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jacob Turner (W, 2-0)	9.0	7	1	1	1	7
	5.0	`Blue Jays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Esmil Rogers	6.0	6	0	0	1	6
BAT	4.0	Dodgers	Hanley Ramirez SS	4	2	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Angels	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Joe Blanton (W, 2-10)	7.0	3	2	2	2	6
	4.0	`Rays	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Alex Torres	2.0	0	0	0	1	3
	3.0	Braves	Freddie Freeman 1B	3	3	1	2	2	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Cubs	Alfonso Soriano DH	5	1	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Reds	Shin-Soo Choo CF	4	2	3	1	2	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Indians	Jason Kipnis 2B	3	1	2	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Twins	Justin Morneau 1B	3	1	2	2	1	1			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Francisco Liriano (W, 7-3)	6.0	7	1	1	1	6
	2.0	Rockies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Rafael Betancourt (W, 2-3)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1
	1.0	Mets	Marlon Byrd RF	3	2	1	1	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

 ` Denotes that the pitcher had a no-decision in the game and did not pick up a win or a save.

Cabrera retakes Box-Toppers points lead; Braves' Julio Teheran tops players for Friday, June 28

Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers takes over the top spot among players in Box-Toppers points for the season after being American League Player of the Day Friday. (See updated top 10 player standings on the home page.)

Meanwhile, Braves pitcher Julio Teheran is Friday's overall Player of the Day. Teheran struck out 10 and gave up no runs over six innings in the 3-0 win over the Diamondbacks. 

Cabrera is Friday's AL Player of the Day after hitting two homers, driving in three runs and going 4-for-4 in the 6-3 win over the Rays. Cabrera earns 1.7 Box-Toppers points for being AL Player of the Day, giving him 12.4 for the season. Cabrera rises from eighth place to first, passing previous leader Justin Masterson of the Indians, who has 11.7 points.

This is the fourth time this season that Cabrera has taken the Box-Toppers points lead. Most recently, he took the lead from Masterson on June 1, only to lose it again on June 14. Cabrera has passed his Box-Toppers points total for 2012, when he had 11.7. Though he was voted AL most valuable player in 2012, he finished third among AL batters in Box-Toppers points, behind leader Adrian Beltre of the Rangers, with 13.5. In addition, the 12.4 Box-Toppers points Cabrera has scored only halfway through 2013 is already the fourth-most points he has scored in any of his 11 seasons. In 2009, he scored 16.5 points with the Tigers, in 2007, he scored 15.0 with the Marlins and in 2006, he scored 13.0 with the Marlins.

Delmon Young is Friday's National League Batter of the Day. Young drove in six runs, homered and went 3-for-6 in the 16-1 win over the Dodgers. 

Teheran receives 2.0 Box-Toppers points for being Player of the Day. Cabrera receives 1.7 for AL Player of the Day. Young receives 1.5 for being NL Batter of the Day.

All of Friday's other Players of the Game (listed in the chart below) receive 1.0 Box-Toppers point:

628	Score	Team	BATTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	-	-	PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
MLB	11.0	Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Julio Teheran (W, 6-4)	6.0	4	0	0	1	10
AL	6.0	Tigers	Miguel Cabrera 3B	4	3	4	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.1	Orioles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Kevin Gausman (W, 1-3)	4.1	3	0	0	0	4
	5.0	Royals	Eric Hosmer 1B	4	3	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Indians	Jason Kipnis 2B	4	4	3	2	3	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	5.0	Rockies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Jhoulys Chacin (W, 7-3)	8.0	3	0	0	3	3
BAT	4.0	Phillies	Delmon Young RF	6	1	3	6	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	4.0	Athletics	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Bartolo Colon (W, 11-2)	8.0	6	1	1	1	5
	4.0	Pirates	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Ryan Reid (S, 1)	3.0	2	0	0	1	4
	3.0	Mariners	Jason Bay LF	1	2	1	1	3	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	3.0	Indians	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Vinnie Pestano (S, 6)	1.0	0	0	0	1	3
	3.0	Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Koji Uehara (S, 4)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2
	2.2	Rangers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0			Martin Perez (W, 2-1)	6.2	6	0	0	1	3
	2.0	Padres	Will Venable RF	5	1	3	3	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Nationals	Ian Desmond SS	4	2	2	2	0	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0
	2.0	Angels	Erick Aybar SS	3	1	2	2	1	0			0	0.0	0	0	0	0	0

Box-Toppers endorses fans' AL All-Star picks but rips up the NL lineup

Fans seem to be doing a good job so far of voting for an American League All-Star team that makes sense, according to Box-Toppers statistics.

But the National League team that fans are picking could use some wholesale changes to better coincide with position leaders in Box-Toppers points.

There's still time to correct those mistakes. Voting for the All-Star Game closes this week, July 4. The All-Star Game is July 16 at Citi Field in New York.

Box-Toppers stats agree (or largely agree) with eight of the nine AL position players currently leading in voting for the All-Star Game. However, Box-Toppers only agrees with two of the eight NL vote leaders. In the chart (at right), the fan vote leaders are listed, followed by their current rank by position in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season, followed by a Box-Toppers judgment of fans' selections.

Box-Toppers stats indicate the biggest snubs are:

• Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks should be top NL first baseman. He leads among NL first basemen in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season (8.7) and also leads his position in points over the 2012 and 2013 season (13.2). Current fan voting leader, Joey Votto of the Reds, is 14th among NL first basemen in Box-Toppers points in 2013 (1.5)  and ninth place over the combined 2012 and 2013 seasons (6.7). As of June 23, Votto led in fan voting among NL first basemen with 2.7 million votes. Goldschmidt was in second place with 2.3 million.

• Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies should be among the top NL outfielders. He leads all NL batters in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season (9.5) and also leads all NL batters in points over the combined 2012 and 2013 seasons (18.7).  Two of the current fan voting leaders for NL outfield do not rank very highly in their position in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season: Carlos Beltran of the Cardinals ranks 33rd and Justin Upton of the Braves ranks 45th. Gonzalez ranks fourth in fan voting for NL outfield with 2.1 million votes. Beltran has 3.5 million, Upton has 2.5 million and Bryce Harper of the Nationals has 2.4 million.

In the chart at right, Box-Toppers gives its judgment as either "Good" (these are the players Box-Toppers stats would deem worthy of an All-Star start), "OK" (these are not necessarily the most worthy players, but they are among Box-Toppers points leaders in that position) or "Should be's" (these are players Box-Toppers stats would deem unworthy of the honor and suggesting a substitute who is leading or is among the leaders in Box-Toppers points).

In the American League, Box-Toppers suggests only one substitute: Adam Jones of the Orioles, vote leader among AL outfielders should be replaced with Yoenis Cespedes of the Athletics. Jones ranks 19th among AL outfielders in Box-Toppers points for 2013 while Cespedes is the leader. 

In the National League, Box-Toppers can only endorse two of the fans' selections: Brandon Phillips of the Reds at second base and Bryce Harper of the Nationals in the outfield.

Here are AL All-Star voting leaders as of June 23. 

Here are NL All-Star voting leaders as of June 23. 

The chart below shows Box-Toppers points leaders by position so far through the 2013 season. The columns to the right look at players over the longer run, seeing who is leading in Box-Toppers points for the combined 2012 and 2013 seasons. 

The chart also includes Box-Toppers points leaders among starting, middle relief and closing pitchers, even though fans don't get to vote on those. 

Here is how the Box-Toppers All-Star teams stand as of today:  

	ALL-STAR VOTE LEADERS
	AL PLAYERS	TEAM	RANK BY POS.	BOX-TOPPERS JUDGMENT
1B	Chris Davis	bal al	1	Good
2B	Robinson Cano	nyy al	1	Good
SS	J.J. Hardy	bal al	3	Good
3B	Miguel Cabrera	det al	1	Good
CA	Joe Mauer	min al	2	Good
OF	Adam Jones	bal al	19	Should be Yoenis Cespedes, OAK
OF	Mike Trout	ana al	5	Good
OF	Nick Markakis	bal al	6	OK
DH	David Ortiz	bos al	3	OK
	NL PLAYERS	TEAM	RANK BY POS.	BOX-TOPPERS JUDGMENT
1B	Joey Votto	cin nl	14	Should be Paul Goldschmidt, ARI
2B	Brandon Phillips	cin nl	1	Good
SS	Troy Tulowitzki	col nl	5	OK, but should be Everth Cabrera, SD
3B	David Wright	nym nl	12	Should be Pedro Alvarez, PIT
CA	Yadier Molina	stl nl	8	Should be Brian McCann, ATL
OF	Carlos Beltran	stl nl	33	Should be Carlos Gonzalez, COL
OF	Justin Upton	atl nl	45	Should be Matt Holliday, STL
OF	Bryce Harper	dc nl	2	Good

RANK BY POS: Where the player ranks by fielding position in Box-Toppers points for the 2013 season. 

	2013 SEASON				2012-13 SEASONS
AL	PLAYER	TEAM	BTP		PLAYER	TEAM	BTP
First base	Davis, Chris 2478	bal al	6		Davis, Chris 2478	bal al	18
Second base	Cano, Robinson 2092	nyy al	4.5		Kipnis, Jason 2933	cle al	9.5
Shortstop	Drew, Stephen 2210	bos al	4.5		Hardy, J.J. 2071	bal al	10.2
Third base	Cabrera, Miguel 1776	det al	10.7		Cabrera, Miguel 1776	det al	22.4
Catcher	Arencibia, J.P. 2781	tor al	5.5		Mauer, Joe 1869	min al	14
Outfield 1	Cespedes, Yoenis 3008	oak al	4.5		Trout, Mike 2949	ana al	14.5
Outfield 2	Johnson, Kelly 2018	tb al	4.5		Hamilton, Josh 2332	ana al	11.5
Outfield 3	Nava, Daniel 2740	bos al	4.5		Cespedes, Yoenis 3008	oak al	10.5
Designated hitter	Encarnacion, Edwin 2098	tor al	5.7		Butler, Billy 2330	kc al	15.2
Starting pitcher 1	Masterson, Justin 2462	cle al	11.7		Verlander, Justin 2112	det al	30.8
Starting pitcher 2	Sale, Chris 2806	chi al	10.7		Hernandez, Felix 2064	sea al	27.4
Starting pitcher 3	Buchholz, Clay 2363	bos al	10.1		Sale, Chris 2806	chi al	26.4
Starting pitcher 4	Iwakuma, Hisashi 3048	sea al	9.7		Darvish, Yu 3003	tex al	25.8
Middle reliever	Tazawa, Junichi 3151	bos al	4		Chen, Bruce 1170	kc al	8
Closing pitcher	Perkins, Glen 2506	min al	6		Rodney, Fernando 1803	tb al	11
NL
First base	Goldschmidt, Paul 2935	ari nl	8.7		Goldschmidt, Paul 2935	ari nl	13.2
Second base	Phillips, Brandon 1691	cin nl	5		Phillips, Brandon 1691	cin nl	14.5
Shortstop	Cabrera, Everth 2625	sd nl	4.5		Cabrera, Everth 2625	sd nl	7.5
Third base	Alvarez, Pedro 2817	pit nl	5.2		Freese, David 2710	stl nl	14.2
Catcher	McCann, Brian 2179	atl nl	6		McCann, Brian 2179	atl nl	12
Outfield 1	Gonzalez, Carlos 2460	col nl	9.5		Gonzalez, Carlos 2460	col nl	18.7
Outfield 2	Harper, Bryce 3011	dc nl	5.9		Braun, Ryan J. 2300	mil nl	16
Outfield 3	Pollock, A.J. 3142	ari nl	4.7		Holliday, Matt 1836	stl nl	15.7
Starting pitcher 1	Corbin, Patrick 3027	ari nl	11.4		Kershaw, Clayton 2494	lad nl	31.5
Starting pitcher 2	Miller, Shelby 3134	stl nl	11.4		Lynn, Lance 2992	stl nl	27.1
Starting pitcher 3	Harvey, Matt 3075	nym nl	11		Bumgarner, Madison 2753	sf nl	25.4
Starting pitcher 4	Kershaw, Clayton 2494	lad nl	10.7		Strasburg, Stephen 2736	dc nl	25.4
Middle reliever	Collmenter, Josh 2863	ari nl	5		Collmenter, Josh 2863	ari nl	7
Closing pitcher	Chapman, Aroldis 2826	cin nl	6		Chapman, Aroldis 2826	cin nl	20
AL top pitcher	Masterson, Justin 2462	cle al	11.7		Verlander, Justin 2112	det al	30.8
AL top batter	Cabrera, Miguel 1776	det al	10.7		Cabrera, Miguel 1776	det al	22.4
NL top pitcher	Corbin, Patrick 3027	ari nl	11.4		Kershaw, Clayton 2494	lad nl	31.5
NL top batter	Gonzalez, Carlos 2460	col nl	9.5		Gonzalez, Carlos 2460	col nl	18.7

BTP: Box-Toppers points

What are those numbers after players' names?