Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson had a career night as he hit two home runs and drove in five while going 4-for-4 in a 12-4 rout of the Astros. Johnson hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning off Chris Sampson and a three-run shot in the seventh off Matt Albers.
Ex-White Sox pitcher Brandon McCarthy won for the first time in more than two months as he scattered four hits over 6 2/3 innings as the Rangers beat the Indians 3-1. He threw 90 pitches (50 strikes) and took a shutout into the seventh before Ryan Garko homered.
Curt Schilling pitched seven scoreless innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket, positioning himself to rejoin the Red Sox rotation this weekend. Schilling allowed four hits with four strikeouts against Columbus. He threw 60 of his 77 pitches for strikes.
THREE DOWN
Scott Olsen’s personal struggles continued on the field as the Marlins’ pitcher was tagged for six runs on seven hits and four walks in a 6-3 loss to the Rockies. He dropped to 0-2 with an 11.70 ERA in his last two starts since getting into a scuffle with police on July 21.
Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino had two misplays that aided the Cardinals in the sixth. He dropped Ryan Ludwick’s foul pop. Moments later, Ludwick doubled and Scott Rolen attempted to score. Paulino dropped Jack Wilson’s relay throw, allowing Rolen to score.
Edwin Jackson can’t catch a break. The Devil Rays pitcher gave up just five hits and one unearned run in six innings, but he got no support in a 2-0 loss to the Blue Jays. Jackson lowered his ERA from 7.00 to 6.56, but dropped to 2-11.
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Compiled by Mike Pankow
