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| Ike Davis hit two solo homers in the Mets' 2-1 victory. (Getty Images) |
Because it's taken this long, we won't waste any time to get to Chris Volstad…
Full Sunday results with box scores and recaps for every game
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Chris Volstad, Cubs: As if he hadn't waited long enough, the left-hander had to first endure a rain delay of 2 hours and 23 minutes before the game and then another 30 minutes in the eighth inning before Sunday's game was called, giving him his first victory since July 10, 2011. Volstad had gone 24 starts without a win before allowing just three hits in 6 2/3 innings against the Rockies on Sunday.
Ike Davis, Mets: The Mets managed just four hits on Sunday, two against starter Lucas Harrell in his seven innings of work and two against reliever Wilton Lopez, but half of those were solo homers by Davis. Davis hit his 23rd home run of the season in the fourth inning and then his 24th of the season in the ninth, giving the Mets the walk-off, 2-1 victory over the Astros. Davis, who started July under the Mendoza line is hitting .283/.371/.587 with eight home runs over the last month.
Tim Hudson, Braves: With Hudson allowing just one run on five hits in seven innings, the Braves split their series in San Francisco and moved to within 4 1/2 games of the Nationals, who were swept in Philadelphia. Hudson also went 2 for 3 at the plate while picking up his seventh straight victory. The the Braves have now won eight of Hudson's last 10 starts against the Giants.
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Ervin Santana, Angels: Santana allowed just five hits in seven innings, but two of them were home runs, as Detroit's Prince Fielder and Delmon Young went back-to-back on consecutive pitches in the sixth inning to lead the Tigers to a 5-2 victory over the Angels. Santana has given up 31 homers this season and allowed multiple homers in 10 of his 25 starts.
Hanley Ramirez, Dodgers: Remember the great series Ramirez had in Miami against his former team? He wasn't able to duplicate it at Dodger Stadium. In three gmaes, he went 1 for 12 with six strikeouts and grounded into two double plays. He also had an error that allowed a run to score.
Alcides Escobar, Royals: Kansas City's shortstop is as good defensively as any player in the game, but he struggled Sunday in Boston, committing two errors that led to three unearned runs in an 8-6 loss. Escobar booted Mauro Gomez's leadoff grounder in the sixth, leading to the go-ahead run. Boston increased its lead to 7-4 when he couldn't handle Scott Podsednik's grounder that could have been an inning-ending double play.
Central showdown: The Cardinals continue their crunch-time road trip with three games in Pittsburgh following take two of three in Cincinnati and before heading to Washington. Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse has allowed just three earned runs in 26 2/3 innings this month. He's gone at least six innings in all four starts and hasn't allowed more than four hits in any of them. Pittsburgh has their ace on the mound in A.J. Burnett, who has a 6.75 ERA in his last three starts. 7:05 p.m. ET
Beckett in blue: Josh Beckett will be making his Dodger debut on Monday at Coors Field. He's 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA in four career starts at Coors Field, all during his time with the Marlins and the last one coming in 2005. Beckett is 0-2 with a 9.92 ERA in three August starts. 8:40 p.m. ET
Casey Kelly debuts: It's a big day for former Red Sox on the West Coast on Monday, as former Boston first-rounder Casey Kelly makes his debut for the Padres. It's a funny bit of timing, since he was one of the big pieces involved in the deal that sent now-Dodger Adrian Gonzalez to Boston. Kelly, 22, missed much of the season with a strained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. In eight starts in the minors this season, he was 0-2 with a 3.35 ERA, striking out 39 in 37 2/3 innings, while walking just three. He faces Atlanta's Paul Maholm. 10:05 p.m. ET
• Fitting honor: The Indians had already planned on having John Glenn throw out the first pitch on Sunday, but the timing seemed perfect the day after Neil Armstrong died. Before throwing out the first pitch, Glenn spoke to the crowd about Armstrong and lead the stadium in a moment of silence for his fellow Ohian. Glenn, 91, spoke to reporters about Armstrong and Ted Williams before the game. [New York Times]
• Caught speeding: In 2008, the first year MLB put Pitch F/X in all 30 parks, there were eight pitches measured at 101 mph or faster. In 2010, 143 pitches were measured at 101 or better. Once the holy grail of fastballs, the 100 mph fastball may become as obsolete as the four-minute mile. [North County Times]
• Points for honesty: Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen says there's at least one reason to watch the Marlins these day -- slugger Giancarlo Stanton. "At least we can enjoy every two or three innings… to see this kid at the plate," Guillen told the Palm Beach Post after Saturday's loss. "He missed two months and he has almost 30 home runs. That's the only one part we're good for to come to the ballpark and watch." Stanton hit another one on Sunday, giving him eight in the team's 11-game roadtrip.
• POY vote: USA Today is using an online poll to count as part of its determination for its Minor League Player of the Year. The nominees are Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy, Reds shortstop Billy Hamilton, Royals outfielder Wil Myers, Rangers infielder Mike Olt and Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras. For the record, CBSSports.com Eye on Baseball has had profiles of three of the five during this season's Prospect Spotlight that runs every Thursday, including Hamilton.
• Fantasy impact: I'm not much of a fantasy baseball person (very few of my actual fantasies include baseball), but we do have a fine group of writers here at CBSSports.com who specialize in fantasy baseball, if you're so inclined. I rarely think about the fantasy impact of any move, but did find this story interesting -- the Dodgers-Red Sox megadeal could have a huge impact in NL-only leagues. [New York Daily News]
• Shirts off their back: The Worcester Tornadoes of the independent Can-Am League had to wear league-issued uniforms after a lawyer representing local businesses owed money by the team confiscated their jerseys. [Worcester Telegram & Gazette]
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