Another free agent steps up for the Menehunes

Several free agents played well Monday and should be on your radar this week. They include:

• Austin Kearns, OF, Miami - Kearns went 4-for-4 last night with two RBI and a stolen base. The Marlins are not shy about swiping bags so if you need a fourth outfielder to help in that category you should continue to monitor Kearns. He's 11-for-20 over his last eight games with six RBI.
• Mike Leake, SP, Cincinnati - Leake struck out six over eight innings while allowing just one run Monday. Two of his last three starts have been quality and he's struck out 14 in his last 17 innings pitched.
• Jason Castro, C, Houston - Castro had a homer and three RBI Monday but over his last nine games he's just 4-for-27. He's worth monitoring but probably not adding to your team at this stage.
• Felipe Paulino, SP, Kansas City - Paulino struck out eight in 6.2 shutout innings Monday and has given up just four earned runs in his last three starts. He has 23 strikeouts in his last 19.1 innings.

Here is a look at how Monday's action impacted each series in the SFRRC Fantasy Baseball League.

Bacon at Mile 11 6, A-Rod's Mirrors 5

Outfielder Drew Stubbs smacked two homers and B.J. Upton added another as the Mirrors jumped to a significant advantage in the offensive categories in its series with Bacon. The Mirrors did not have any pitchers in action Monday, which allowed Bacon to capture the pitching categories by default. Jerome Williams earned a quality start but setup man Mark Rzepczynski gave up a run without recording an out. Neither team has a starting pitcher on the mound tonight.

Twinkle Toes 10, Vicious Fishes 1

Having both catchers homer on a Monday night is a great way to start the fantasy week. Buster Posey hit a three-run shot while Hector Sanchez smoaked a game-winner in extra-innings to give Twinkle Toes the early lead in this series. Madison Bumgarner and Jeremy Hellickson added quality starts and relievers Jon Rauch and Mike Adams tossed scoreless innings to complete the night. Mike Moustakas homered for the Fishes but erratic reliever Henry Rodriguez allowed a run while recording just one out and was relieved of his closing duties in Washington. Ironically, Rodriguez earned a hold for his effort. The Toes can really apply the pressure in the pitching categories tonight as Ubaldo Jimenez, Juan Nicasio, and Brian Matusz all start.

Scully's Slammers 4, HUMA 4

The Slammers may regret not starting Heath Bell and Zack Cozart Monday. Bell earned a save while Cozart homered. Sonavabench! Andre Either and Jed Lowrie did go long for the Slammers but starter Mark Buehrle allowed four runs in 7.2 innings and failed to earn a quality start. Tyler Greene and Mitch Moreland homered for HUMA while Sean Marshall earned a save and Kris Medlen pitched an inning of scoreless relief. HUMA will try to capture the quality start category Tuesday when Mat Latos and Jordan Zimmerman start. James McDonald will pitch for the Slammers.

High Cheese 5, The Bulls 5

The pitching was nearly flawless in this series on Monday. Gio Gonzalez struck out nine in six scoreless innings for High Cheese while Bud Norris struck out eight in seven scoreless innings for the Bulls and teammate Chris Capuano gave up just one run in six innings to earn the team's second quality start. Both bullpens added scoreboard goose eggs with Ryan Cook earning a hold for High Cheese. Hanley Ramirez scored three times and stole a base to give High Cheese two category leads to start the week. Roy Halladay and Shaun Marcum will pitch tonight for the Bulls while Adam Wainwright starts for High Cheese.

Home Run 101 5, The Cys 4

Yu Darvish gave up four runs in four innings as the Cys had one of their ace pitchers fall flat to open this series. They'll try to rebound Tuesday behind C.J. Wilson, Edinson Volquez, and Matt Moore. The red-hot Ian Desmond provided the only offense on the first night, slugging a homer for Home Run 101. Brian Fuentes also recorded a save as the bullpen was perfect.

Marin Menehunes 7, Los Coche Bomba 2

Matt Garza was knocked out early and Bomba finds itself in an early hole to the Menehunes. Garza was rocked for seven runs over three innings and Bomba's ERA stands at 8.59 to start the week. The Menehunes had a quality start from Jaime Garcia but Johan Santana allowed four runs over 6.1 innings. Newly acquired third baseman Chris Johnson joined the rag-tag Menehune lineup and promptly smacked a three-run homer to become the offensive star on the first night of the series. Bomba will rely on ace Brandon Beachy and Matt Harrison to get them back in the series tonight.

Give it a Yankee 5, Jersey Boys 2

There's good Hiroki and there's bad Hiroki. On Monday, bad Hiroki Kuroda reared his head, giving up three earned runs in 5.1 innings. Relievers Joel Hanrahan and Alfredo Aceves bailed Kuroda out with a pair of saves and no runs allowed so the Jersey Boys didn't fall into too big of a pitching hole. Offensively, the two teams combined for one run, four RBI and 19 strikeouts. R.A. Dickey and Aaron Harang will start tonight for the Jersey Boys while Luke Hochevar starts for Give it a Yankee.

Lower Haighters 7, The Machine 2

The King returned to his throne Monday night, as Felix Hernandez rebounded from his worst start since 2010 to strike out seven over eight innings of one-run ball. Offensively, both teams are off to a hot start, combining for four homers, nine runs, and 14 RBI Monday. Giancarlo Stanton had a grand slam homer for the Haighters while shortstop Jose Reyes stole two bases. Yunel Escobar and David Ortiz both went long for the Machine. Tonight is a big one on the mound for the Machine as Matt Cain, Ricky Nolasco, and Gavin Floyd all start.