Players of the Night
Pitching
Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay Rays
vs. Kansas City Royals
9 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 9 K, 1 BB, W
It's about time we see some life coming out of the Rays rotation. Niemann was straight up dealing last night against the upstart Royals in what could only be considered the best performance of his young career.
But I wouldn't get a spot on my roster ready for this 26-year-old right hander just yet. He's still too inconsistent and can get into trouble when he loses his command of the plate. However, keep an on him just like you would any other prospect.
There are definitely some signs of potential in Niemann and you don't want to be late to the party if this kid starts to heat up.
Batting
Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds
vs. St. Louis Cardinals
3-5, 1 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB
Brandon Phillips has managed to turn himself into one of the best fantasy second basemen in the game. He's got the speed to swipe a bag at any time and can rake with the best of them at his position.
The Reds are a young team littered with potential future All-Stars in guys like Phillips, Joey Votto, Edison Volquez and Johnny Cueto.
But for now, it's Phillips turn in the spotlight with this stat stuffing performance against the Red Birds.
More to come after the jump...
Last Night's Top Performers
Hitting
Hunter Pence, Houston Astros
vs. Colorado Rockies
4-5, 1 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
Laynce Nix, Cincinnati Reds
vs. St. Louis Cardinals
2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI
Pitching
Josh Beckett, Boston Red Sox
vs. Detroit Tigers
7.2 IP, 9 K, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, W
Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels
vs. Toronto Blue Jays
7 IP, 10 K, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, W
Bust of the Night
Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins
vs. Cleveland Indians
0-4
With the Indians floundering and seemingly out of contention so early, it seemed like the perfect time for the Twins to take advantage and have a big night on Wednesday.
Instead it was Indians ace Cliff Lee who dominated, especially when Morneau was at the plate. It's a rare occasion when you can completely shut down such an efficient hitter like Morneau.
But Lee did just that and the Indians cruised to a 10-1 win.
Daily Leaders
RBI
4 - Nix, Reds
4 - Bobby Abreu, Angels
4 - Ben Zobrist, Rays
3 - Pence, Astros
3 - Phillips, Reds
3 - Adrian Beltre, Mariners
3 - Jhonny Peralta, Indians
3 - Ian Stewart, Rockies
3 - Curtis Granderson, Tigers
Pitching - K's
10 - Weaver, Angels
9 - Niemann, Rays
9 - Beckett, Red Sox
9 - Chad Billingsley, Dodgers
7 - Ted Lilly, Cubs
6 - Jon Garland, D-Backs
6 - Andy Pettitte, Yankees
Matt Wood is a web editor for 
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