Jason Hammel of the Rockies sets a personal best with 8 strikeouts before he runs into trouble in the 6th inning of a game against the Diamondbacks. He departs with a 3 – 2 lead, but the Rockies’ hitters go on a late-game power surge, with Seth Smith, Carlos Gonzalez and Ryan Spilborghs hitting consecutive 7th-inning home runs to seal an 8 – 2 win. The Rockies have won 7 of 8, keeping pace in the surprisingly competitive NL West with the San Diego Padres, who have been making headlines with a sub-3.00 team ERA, and the surging Los Angeles Dodgers, who are 17-7 in May.

Mike Pelfrey pitches the Mets’ third consecutive shutout over the Phillies, 3 – 0 at Citi Field. The Phillies’ hitting woes started even before coming to New York, when they were shut out for eight innings by veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield two days before facing the Mets. The Mets’ own knuckleballer, R.A. Dickey, baffled the Phils in the first game of the series, followed by Japanese rookie Hisanori Takahashi in the second game. The Mets have only swept a series with three shutouts one other time in their history, during their Amazin’ year of 1969, also against Philadelphia.

The Rays are hearing footsteps, as a result of the Yankees’ wins and their own three-game sweep at home at the hands of Boston; they are now 3 1/2 games ahead of New York and 5 1/2 in front of Boston after losing 11 – 3. David Ortiz hits his 10th homer of the season – his 9th in May – against Matt Garza, while Adrian Beltre drives in 6 runs in support of John Lackey’s pitching.

The Yankees take two from the Twins at Target Field. First, in a resumption of yesterday’s game which was suspended by rain with no score, they win, 1 – 0, on a homer by Derek Jeter. They then win the regularly-scheduled game, 3 – 2, on a long ball by Nick Swisher against Jon Rauch in the 9th that gives Andy Pettitte the win. Mariano Rivera saves both wins.

The Padres continue to surprise. Sporting the best record in the National League, their starting pitchers have been outstanding. Today, Jon Garland throws 7 shutout innings before the bullpen takes over from there to defeat the Cardinals, 1 – 0. It is already San Diego’s ninth shutout of the year.

The old Vladimir Guerrero seems to be back, albeit in a new uniform. In a game against the Royals, the Rangers’ DH hits two homers and a double on an inside pitch that almost hits him to lead Texas to an 8 – 7 win. Vlad is batting .347 with 12 homers and 42 RBI in 45 games after an injury-plagued season in 2009 with the Angels.

For once, über-prospect Stephen Strasburg is merely human in a AAA start, giving up 5 hits and 2 runs in 5 innings for Syracuse against Toledo. Before that, he had allowed 4 hits and no runs in his first 18 1/3 innings at the level; even now, he is 3-0, 0.99 with well over a strikeout per inning as he awaits the inevitable call to Washington.

The Angels are shut out for the first time this season, falling 6 – 0 to Brett Cecil. Cecil is the latest Toronto starter to throw a low-hit gem, allowing only two hits; he follows Shaun Marcum, Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero, who have all flirted with no-hitters for the Jays, who are now 27-20 and are surprisingly managing to keep pace with the three juggernauts in the AL East.

Omar Vizquel, who already owns the record for most games played at shortstop, reaches another mark, tying Luis Aparicio’s total for second-most hits at the position, 2764. This year, Vizquel is wearing Aparicio’s uniform number 11, even though it has been officially retired by the White Sox, in tribute to his idol and countryman. The Yankees’ Derek Jeter is first in hits, having himself passed Aparicio earlier this year, and he is steadily adding to his total. The day is doubly sweet for the Sox as they defeat the Indians, 7 – 2, handing Justin Masterson his 11th straight loss dating back to last season.

43-year-old Tim Wakefield gives up no runs in 8 innings as he picks up his first win in almost a year when Boston defeats Philadelphia, 8 – 3. Kevin Youkilis triples, homers and scores three runs for Boston.