Games from the 25th:

Rangers 6 - Angels 4
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted fifth.  He went 2-for-4: ground out to second, fly out to center, 2-run homer, single to right.

Mariners 4 - Red Sox 2
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 0-for-5: strikeout swinging, ground out to first, ground out to third, ground out to second, GIDP.

Daisuke Matsuzaka started the game and allowed a run over 6 innings of work.  He was not involved in the final decision.  Final line: 6 IP, 26 BF, 4 H, 4 SO, 5 BB, 1 R, 1 ER.

Hideki Okajima entered the game in the 8th with a runner on first and no out and the Red Sox up 2-1.  Okajima allowed 2 runs to score over his .2 inning outing and suffered his 3rd loss of the season.  Okajima is now 3-3.  Final line: .2 IP, 6 BF, 5 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 2 R, 2 ER.

Twins 10 - Orioles 4
Koji Uehara entered the game in the 8th, with the Orioles down 9-1, and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 5 H, 2 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Cardinals 4 - Cubs 3
Kosuke Fukudome entered the game as a defensive replacement in the top of the 10th.  He finished out the rest of the game 1-for-2: single to right, strikeout.

Philllies 5 - Braves 4
Takashi Saito entered the game in the 9th, with the score tied at 4, and tossed a perfect inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 3 BF, 0 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

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Kazuo Matsui went 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout against the triple-A Salt Lake Bees on the 25th.  Matsui started at second and batted second.

Games from the 22nd:

Rangers 3 - Angels 2
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted sixth.  He went 1-for-3: fly out to center, double to left-center, ground out to the pitcher.

Red Sox 8 - Mariners 6
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  he went 1-for-5: fly out to left, line out to the pitcher, strikeout looking, fly out to left, IBB, infield single.

Hideki Okajima entered the game in the 11th for Boston, with the score tied at 6-6, and picked up his third win by tossing two shutout inning in relief.  Okajima is now 3-4 on the year.  Final line: 2 IP, 9 BF, 2 H, 1 SO, 1 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Twins 5 - Orioles 0
Koji Uehara entered the game in the 8th, with the Orioles down 5-0, and tosses two shutout innings in relief.  Final line: 2 IP, 7 BF, 1 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Dodgers 2 - Mets 0
Hiroki Kuroda started the game for the Dodgers and tossed 8 shutout innings for his 8th victory of the year.  Kuroda is now 8-8.  Final line: 8 IP, 28 BF, 5 H, 4 SO, 1 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Hisanori Takahashi started the game for the Mets and took the loss after allowing 2 runs over 7 innings of work.  Takahashi is now 7-5 on the year.  Final line: 7 IP, 25 BF, 3 H, 5 SO, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 ER.

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A day after making his first appearance since injuring his right shoulder, Takashi Saito told reporters that his shoulder was feeling great and that he needed to remind himself to pitch with authority and not get too caught up in possibility of hurting himself again.

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Kazuo Matsui entered the game in the top of the 7th as a defensive replacement and went 0-for-2 against the Sacramento River Cats on the 22nd.  Matsui took over Troy Tulowitzki's spot in the line-up and took over at second.

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Akinori Iwamura went 1-for-4 with a homer, a run scored, an RBI, and 2 strikeouts against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on the 22nd.  Iwamura started at second and batted second.

Games from the 21st:

Angels 10 - Yankees 2
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted fifth.  He went 1-for-4: fly out to second, GIDP, walk, 2-run homer, fly out to center.

White Sox 4 - Mariners 0
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-3: ground out to third, HBP, ground out to short, single to center.

Orioles 11 - Rays 10
Koji Uehara entered the game in the top of the 12th with two outs and the Orioles down, 10-9.  Uehara shut the doors on the Rays' offense and picked up his first victory of the season when the Orioles scored a run in the bottom of the 12th and another run in the bottom of the 13th.  Final line: 1.1 IP, 4 BF, 1 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Athletics 5 - Red Sox 4
Hideki Okajima entered the game in the bottom of the 8th with 2 outs and the Red Sox tied at 4 and kept the Athletics from scoring in his 0.1 innings of work.  Final line: 0.1 IP, 2 BF, 1 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Cubs 14 - Astros 7
Kosuke Fukudome entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the 8th and walked.  He did not return to the game on defense after the at bat.

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Daisuke Matsuzaka announced that he will be donating $500 to children in need for every strikeout he records this season.

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Takashi Saito held a bullpen session on the 20th and threw about 30 pitches.  Saito told reporters that while he didn't feel any pain, he did feel some discomfort in his right shoulder.  Saito has not pitched in a game since the 11th (vs the Mets) due to pain in the front are of the right shoulder.

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Kazuo Matsui went 2-for-4 with a double, triple, a run scored, and an RBI against the triple-A Sacramento River Cats on the 20th.  He started at second and batted first.

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Akinori Iwamura entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs against the triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs on the 20th and struck out swinging.

Games from the 16th:

Angels 3 - Mariners 2
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted fifth.  He went 1-for-4: double to right, fly out to left, GIDP, fly out to left.  The double in the second was Matsui's first extra-base hit since a homer that he hit on 6/26.

Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 0-4 and end his hitting streak at 14 games: foul out to short, ground out to third, strikeout swinging.

Rangers 8 - Red Sox 4
Hideki Okajima entered the game in the 7th, with the Red Sox down 7-4, and tossed an shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 4 BF, 1 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.  It was Okajima's first outing since 7/6 when he gave up 1 run in 0.2 innings of work.

Blue Jays 4 - Orioles 2
Koji Uehara entered the game in the 8th with 2 outs and the Orioles down, 4-2.  Final line: 1 IP, 4 BF, 1 SO, 1 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Cubs 4 - Phillies 3
Kosuke Fukudome entered the game in the bottom of the 7th as a pinch-hitter and struck out.  He did not return to the game on defense in the top of the 8th.

Brewers 9 - Braves 3
Kenshin Kawakami entered the game in the 8th, with the Braves down 6-3, and gave up 3 runs over an inning of work.  Final line: 1 IP, 7 BF, 5 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.  It was Kawakami's first appearance since a start on 6/26 against the Tigers where he gave up a run over 7 innings of work.

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Seems Hisanori Takahashi's next start will be moved up from the 19th to the 17th (vs Giants) because Mike Pelfrey slept on his neck wrong during the team's flight into San Francisco.

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Former NPBer Nathan Minchey visited forner Hiroshima Carp teammate Hiroki Kuroda the other day.  Minchey is currently employed as a scout for the Yomiuri Giants.

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Akinori Iwamura went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI against the triple-A Rochester Red Wings on the 16th.  Iwamura started at second and batted second.

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Ryota Igarashi gave up 3 runs (all earned) over 1.2 innings in relief against the triple-A Gwinnett Braves on the 16th.  Final line: 45 (28) NP (S) 11 BF, 1.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 2 HR.

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A limited edition Hideki Matsui vs Ichiro Suzuki t-shirt apparently went on sale at Angels Stadium and quickly sold out at $25 a pop (seems they had about 30 of them in stock).

Games from the 6th:

Royals 3 - Mariners 2
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first. He went 1-for-4: foul out to third, ground out to short, strikeout swinging, single to right.

White Sox 4 - Angels 1
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted fifth.  He went 0-for-3: fly out to right, walks, GIDP, fly out to short.

Rays 3 - Red Sox 2
Hideki Okajima entered the game in the 8th, with the Red Sox down 2-1, and surrendered a run (solo homer) over .2 innings of work.  Final line: .2 IP, 5 BF, 2 H, 0 SO, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 ER.

Cubs 6 - Diamondback 4
Kosuke Fukudome started in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-5: strikeout looking, strikeout swinging, homer to right-center, strikeout swinging, ground out to short.  This was the second time this season that Fukudome has hit homers in back-to-back games.

Braves 6 - Orioles 3
Takashi Saito entered the game in the 8th, with the score tied at 3, and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  He was not involved in the final decision.  Final line: 1 IP, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

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Akinori Iwamura went 1-for-3 with a homer, a runs scored, an RBI, and a walk against the triple-A Louisville Bats on the 6th.  Iwamura started at third and batted second; he was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the 8th.

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Kazuo Matsui went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts against the triple-A Fresno Grizzlies on the 6th.  Matsui started at second and batted first.

Games from the 5th:

White Sox 9 - Angels 2
Hideki Matsui started in left and batted fifth.  He went 0-for-3: ground out to second, fly out to left, ground out to second, walk.

This is the first time this season that Matsui has started in left two games in a row.

Royals 6 - Mariners 4
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-5: infield single, ground out to second, ground out to second, ground out to second, ground out to the pitcher.  Ichiro has now hit safely in 7 straight games.

Rays 6 - Red Sox 5
Daisuke Matsuzaka started the game and gave up 5 runs (4 earned) over 5 innings of work.  He was not involved in the final decision.  Final line: 5 IP, 27 BF, 8 H, 4 SO, 4 BB, 5 R, 4 ER.

Tigers 12 - Orioles 9
Koji Uehara entered the game in the 5th, with the Orioles down 8-7, and gave up 2 runs over an inning of work.  Uehara did not factor into the final decision.  Final line: 1 IP, 7 BF, 3 H, 1 SO, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 ER.

Cubs 9 - Diamondbacks 4
Kosuke Fukudome started in right and batted first.  He went 2-for-3: solo homer, strikeout looking, single to left, walk, walk.

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Terry Francona told reporters after Monday's game that Hideki Okajima had been feeling tightness in his back and was not in any condition to pitch.  Okajima's last appearance was on 6/29.  He was able to pitch in the bullpen on Monday without any problems and should be able to start pitching again beginning on the 6th.

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After his shortest outing of the season, Hiroki Kuroda did some shadow pitching on the 5th in order to check on his form.

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It seems Hisanori Takahashi will spend the rest of his time before the All-Star break pitching out of the bullpen.

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Akinori Iwamura went 0-for-1 with 2 walks in the first game of a double-header against the triple-A Louisville Bats on the 5th.  He started at third and batted second.  Iwamura went 0-for-2 with a walk in the second game of the double-header; he started at third and batted second.

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Kazuo Matsui entered the game as a pinch-hitter (for the pitcher) in the 7th inning of a triple-A game against the Fresno Grizzlies on the 5th and flied out to left.

Games from the 29th:

Mariners 7 - Yankees 4
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 2-for-4: strikeout swinging, RBI single to center, sac fly to left, single to right, ground out to third.

Angels 6 - Rangers 5
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted fifth.  He went 1-for-4: strikeout swinging, single to right, fly out to right, ground out to second.

Athletics 4 - Orioles 2
Koji Uehara entered the game in the 9th, with the Orioles downs 3-2, and allowed a run in an inning of work.  It was Uehara's first appearance since coming off the DL.  Final line: 1 IP, 5 BF, 2 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 1 R, 1 ER.

Red Sox 8 - Rays 5
Hideki Okajima entered the game in the 8th, with the Red Sox up 8-1, and gave up 2 runs (on a 2-run homer) in 0.2 innings of work.  The home run was the first Okajima has given up since 5/28.  Final line: 0.2 IP, 5 BF, 2 H, 0 SO, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 ER.

Cubs 3 - Pirates 1
Kosuke Fukudome started in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-4: ground out to short, fly out to left, infield single, strikeout swinging.

Marlins 7 - Mets 6
Hisanori Takahashi started the game and gave up 6 runs (on a grand slam and a 2-run homer in the 3rd inning) over 5.2 innings of work.  Thanks to the Mets' offense, Takahashi did not factor into the decision.  Final line: 5.2 IP, 28 BF, 9 H, 4 SO, 2 BB, 6 R, 6 ER.

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Kazuo Matsui went 2-for-4 with a strikeout, a triple, a run scored, and 2 RBI against the triple-A Portland Beavers on the 29th.  He started at second and batted first.

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Akinori Iwamura went 1-for-4 with a strikeout against the triple-A Columbus Clippers on the 29th.  Iwamura was also caught trying to steal second after his single in the first inning.  He started at second and batted first.

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Sponichi mentions that Daisuke Matsuzaka will likely start 3 of the remaining 10 games before the All-Star break.

Games from the 26th:

Angels 4 - Rockies 2
Hideki Matsui started in left and batted fifth.  He went 1-for-4: grand slam, ground out to second, walk.  Matsui was replaced by a pinch-runner after his walk in the 7th.

Matsui finally knocked out his 150th career MLB homer (took him 16 games).

Mariners 5 - Brewers 4
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-4: fly out to right, HBP, ground out to second, single to left, strikeout looking.

Red Sox 4 - Giants 2
Hideki Okajima entered the game in the 7th with the Red Sox up 4-2 and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 4 BF, 1 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

White Sox 3 - Cubs 2
Kosuke Fukudome started in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-4: ground out to first, single to center, ground out to the pitcher, ground out to second.

Dodgers 9 - Yankees 4
Hiroki Kuroda started the game and gave up 4 runs over 5.1 innings of work and improved to 7-5 on the year.  Final line: 5.1 IP, 27 BF, 7 H, 5 SO, 3 BB, 4 R, 4 ER.

Braves 4 - Tigers 3
Kenshin Kawakami started the game and gave up 1 runs over 7 innings of work for his first victory in his 15th start of the year.  Kawakami is now 1-9 on the year.  Final line: 7 IP, 26 BF, 2 H, 6 SO, 3 BB, 1 R, 1 ER.

Takashi Saito entered the game in the 9th with the Braves up 4-1 and gave up 2 runs in .2 innings of work.  Final line: .2 IP, 5 BF, 1 H, 1 SO, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 ER.

Twins 6 - Mets 0
Ryota Igarashi entered the game in the 7th with the Mets down 5-0 and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 3 BF, 0 H, 1 SO, 1 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

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It seems the Orioles won't be activating Koji Uehara just yet.  Uehara tossed situational BP on the 24th and hasn't experienced any troubles with his right elbow since.

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For Nippon Ham pitcher Brian Sweeney recorded his first MLB victory on the 26th since 5/2006.  The victory came in a relief appearance (Sweeney entered the game in the 5th inning).  Final line: 4 IP, 13 BF, 1 H, 4 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

Games from the 24th:

Cubs 3 - Mariners 2
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 2-for-5: fly out to right, fly out to left, double to right, intentional walk, ground out to first, single to left.  Suzuki became the third player in the league to reach 100 hits this season.

Kosuke Fukudome started in right and batted first.  He went 0-for-4: strikeout swinging, walk, fly out to center, ground out to third, ground out to short, sac bunt.

Dodgers 10 - Angels 6
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted fifth.  He went 1-for-4: walk, ground out to first, RBI single to right, ground out to second, strikeout swinging.

Red Sox 13 - Rockies 11
Daisuke Matsuzaka started the game and allowed 2 runs over 5 innings of work.  He did not factor into the decision.  Final line: 5.0 IP, 25 BF, 5 H, 6 SO, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 2 R, 2 ER.

Hideki Okajima entered the game partway through the 6th inning, with the Red Sox up 6-2, and gave up 3 runs over .2 innings of work.  Final line: 0.2 IP, 6 BF, 4 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 3 R, 3 ER.

Tigers 6 - Mets 5
Hisanori Takahashi started the game and suffered his third loss (second as a starter) with one of his worst outings of the season.  Takahashi is now 6-3 on the year.  Final line: 4.0 IP, 23 BF, 8 H, 4 SO, 4 BB, 6 R, 6 ER.

Ryota Igarashi entered the game in the 8th, with the Mets down 6-5, and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 4 H, 0 H, 2 SO, 1 BB, 0 R,0 ER.

White Sox 2 - Braves 0
Takashi Saito entered the game in the 8th, with the scored tied at 0, and gave up a two out 2-run homer for his third loss of the season.  Saito is now 1-3 this year.  Final line: 1 IP, 5 BF, 2 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 2 R, 2 ER.

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Koji Uehara could be taken off the DL as early as the 26th.  Seems Uehara tossed a simulated game on the 24th and then later said, "I've gotten to the point where if they told me they needed me to pitch, I'd be able to."  How Uehara feels on the 25th will determine whether or not he gets activated on the 26th.

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The latest Bobby Valentine rumor has him getting a 4-year deal from the Florida Marlins.

Games from the 22nd:

Angels 6 - Dodgers 3
Hideki Matsui was the starting DH and batted fifth.  He went 0-for-4: strikeout swinging, fly out to short, strikeout swinging, strikeout swinging.

Mariners 2 - Cubs 0
Ichiro Suzuki started in right and batted first.  He went 1-for-3: walk, fly out to short, infield single, ground out to third.

Rockies 2 - Red Sox 1
Hideki Okajima entered the game in the 8th, with the Red Sox down 1-0, and gave up a run in 0.2 innings of work.  Final line: .2 IP, 5 BF, 3 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 1 R, 1 ER.

Mets 14 - Tigers 6
Ryota Igarashi entered the game in the 9th, with the score 14-6, and tossed a scoreless inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 ER.

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Kazuo Matsui went 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI in a game against the triple-A Reno Aces on the 22nd.  Matsui started at second and batted eighth.  He also committed a fielding error in the 4th.

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The Pirates announced on the 22nd that they will option Akinori Iwamura down to triple-A Indianapolis after they failed to find a suitable trade partner.  Iwamura will report to triple-A Indianapolis on the 25th.

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Hisanori Takahashi tossed 46 pitches in the bullpen on the 22nd in preparation for his next start on the 24th (vs Tigers).

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The Braves activated Takashi Saito on the 22nd.  Seems the team will continue to use him in a set-up role.

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Takeshi Hirabayashi started out as an ump in the Rookie Leagues in 2005.  Since then, he's made his way up to umpiring at the triple-A level at the Pacific Coast League.  Hirayashi recently told reporters that he aims to get to the MLB level as a "fill-in" umpire (with his ultimate goal of becoming the first Japanese MLB ump).  But in order to get to that level, he'll need to make it to the Arizona Fall League as an ump.  If he does, he could be well on his way to becoming a "fill-in" ump at the MLB level.

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It seems NPB commissioner Ryozo Kato wants to discuss the possibilities of both an NPB - MLB All-Star game and an NPB - MLB World Series with MLB commissioner Bud Selig when the two meet next month.