• Kyle Lohse (P-STL)

  Kyle Lohse's scheduled Sunday start against the Rays is in some question, according to Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. Lohse skipped his usual between-starts bullpen session on Thursday, a result of some shoulder soreness that has plagued him for a couple of weeks. He still intends to make his next start, but the Cardinals are preparing for the alternate possibility by not using rookie Mike Parisi. If Lohse can't go, Parisi will get the start. "We're holding [Parisi], because Lohse was a little achy, just in case we need him for Sunday," La Russa said after Thursday's 11-5 loss to the Pirates. Lohse downplayed the discomfort. "I've just been a little sore the last couple starts," he said. "We're just taking precautions to make sure it doesn't get any worse. It's just been a little rough getting loosened up. But once I get going, it's all right."

• Jason Isringhausen (P-STL)

  Jason Isringhausen found holding onto a one-run lead in the eighth to be just as trying as collecting a save. Isringhausen was charged with four runs, three earned, and his sixth blown save of the year in an 11-5 loss to the Pirates. Now the right-hander is left wondering not only how to get right, but what his future holds. "I don't know what we're going to do," Isringhausen said. "I wish I could say that I was hurt, that my arm was falling off or that I couldn't land. But I can't do that. The people that are standing there at home plate tell you what the end result should be. I'm not getting any swings-and-misses, so that's saying something about my stuff. I feel healthy, but maybe my healthy is not good enough."

• Cole Hamels (P-PHI)

  Cole Hamels pitched the first complete game shutout of his young career. Hamels was in complete control the whole game and limited the Braves to 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6. Hamels, 5-3, threw 86 of 120 pitches for strikes and lowered his ERA to 2.89 on the year. Hamels also chipped in with 2 hits to raise his average in 25 at-bats to .320 on the year. Hamels will look for win #6 next Tuesday at Washington.

• Pedro Feliz (3B-PHI)

  Pedro Feliz continues to knock in the runs and play a solid 3B for the Phillies. Feliz was 2-4 Thursday with a HR, 2 rbi's and a run scored. Feliz now has 6 HR's, 18 rbi's and is batting .241 on the year.

• Ryan Howard (1B-PHI)

  Ryan Howard is currently riding a 7-game hitting streak and slowly improving on his average. Howard was 1-3 with a HR on the night, is now batting .185 and has 9 HR's and 22 rbi's on the season.

• Shane Victorino (OF-PHI)

  Shane Victorino is back in the #2 hole and doing what he does best. Victorino was 1-5 on the night but the lone hit was a 2-run HR, his first HR on the year. Victorino is batting only .227 but his presence in the order and in RF make him valuable.

• Jimmy Rollins (SS-PHI)

  Jimmy Rollins is the key sparkplug to the Phillies engine and makes everything happen. Rollins was 2-4 Thursday night with a run scored and his 4th stolen base of the season. Additionally, Rollins started a double-play while sitting on the ground after a hard hit ball knocked him off his feet. Rollins is batting .299 on the season and looking strong.

• Geoff Geary (P-HOU)

  Geary left yesterday's game with a strained groin. He will be reevaluated today. He is day-to-day.

• Darin Erstad (OF/1B-HOU)

  Erstad will get some starts in the outfield and at first base during interleague play because Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee will be used as the DH.

• Rafael Betancourt (P-CLE)

  Cleveland manager Eric Wedge pulled Betancourt yesterday after Betancourt loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning and the Indians ahead of Oakland, 4-1. Masa Kobayashi came in, issued a wild pitch, and then struck out Mike Sweeney and Ryan Sweeney to save a 4-2 victory for Aaron Laffey. Wedge did not commit when asked if Kobayashi has become the new interim closer.

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