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| This happened a lot on Wednesday. (Getty Images |
On Wednesday we took a night off from trade-deadline madness, but on the diamond there was plenty of action to go around. Meanwhile, Thursday brings a most interesting pitching matchup in the desert.
Full Wednesday scoreboard with box scores and recaps for all games
3 UP
A's offense: They beat the Jays 16-0. That's why the A's offense is a part of 3 Up. Every batter in the starting lineup scored at least once. Coco Crisp hit two home runs and had nine total bases. As a team, they went 7-for-14 with runners in scoring position. At one point earlier in the season, it took the A's almost 11 full games to score a total of 16 runs. This time it took nine innings. Oh, and the A's have won seven straight.
Torii Hunter, Angels: The 37-year-old Hunter, while still useful, is very much in his decline phase. On Wednesday, however, he was at his best, as he notched his second four-hit game within the last 10 days. In the process, he notched a home run, three runs scored, three RBI, and seven total bases.
Jesus Guzman, Padres: Coming into Wednesday's game against the Giants, San Diego right fielder Jesus Guzman had nine career home runs. Only once in his career had he hit two home runs in the same week. In this game, though, Guzman went deep off Tim Lincecum in the fifth and then off Brad Penny in the eighth. In a related matter, he also tallied nine total bases on the afternoon.
3 DOWN
Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers: Not only have the Brewers lost three straight games to the Phillies by the precise score of 7-6, but the Brewer bullpen blew a lead in each case. On Wednesday, K-Rod did the damage even though the rest of the relief corps actually did its job. He took the ball to start the 10th with a one-run lead, and here's what unfolded: fly-out, walk, double, sac fly, single, Phillies win. Rodriguez now has a higher ERA than John Axford, whom he recently replaced as closer.
Ricky Romero, Blue Jays: Has Romero been the most disappointing player in all of baseball this season? That the question can even be asked speaks volumes. After starting his major-league career with three straight seasons that ranged from "good" to "very good," the 27-year-old has struggled badly in 2012. Wednesday's blow-up at home against the A's (1.1 IP, 4 H, 8 R, 6 BB, 1 K) raised his ERA to 5.68. He's now lost six straight starts.
Orioles' offense: Remember when starting pitching was Baltimore's problem? After Wednesday night's 10-1 loss to Tampa Bay, the Oriole "attack" has now managed only one run in each of its last three games. 
Battle of 2nd place: When the Rays pounded the Orioles on Wednesday night, they moved into a second place tie with those same Orioles. On Thursday, something must give as James Shields opposes Chris Tillman, who has a 1.15 ERA since being recalled earlier this month. 12:35 pm ET.
Clash of lesser titans: The Dodgers and Cardinals aren't the best teams, but they are relevant teams. They'll wrap up their four-game set in Busch on Thursday when the surprising Chris Capuano (2.81 ERA on the season) faces Jake Westbrook. 1:45 pm ET.
Rookie vs. rookie: The Mets' top pitching prospect, 23-year-old right-hander Matt Harvey, will make his major-league debut against the Diamondbacks on Thursday. The seventh-overall pick of the 2010 draft was good, not great at Triple-A this season. He'll be opposed by Wade Miley, who has designs on NL Rookie-of-the-Year hardware. 9:40 pm ET.
Thursday probables for all games
• Jerry gonna Jerry: Who still wants to see contraction? Who told Mark Buehrle he wasn't worth the money? Jerry Reinsdorf, that's who. [ESPN Chicago]
• This one's for the ladies: The World Cup Women's Baseball Tournament gets underway starting Aug. 10 in Edmonton. And, yes, they're better at baseball than you. [Slam! Sports]
• I'll trade you my rookie Mickey Mantle for …: Remember the "ballon boy" hoax from way back yonder in 2009? Well, Topps is making trading cards out of pieces of the infamous balloon. Spend your disposable income accordingly. [Denver Post]
• Get me outta here: Over at Baseball Prospectus, they're name-checking a few players who could use a change of scenery. No. 5 is sure to please.
• Fall guys: Matt Williams, he of the 378 career home runs, will be among the managers in this year's Arizona Fall League, which begins, um, this fall. [MLB.com]
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