However, things went downhill from there.

Despite the fact that he’s playing through a torn thumb ligament, Francoeur has played very well lately (well, prior to a current 3-for-18 skid). He had an RBI single on Thursday and walked and scored Friday. What’s that? Two straight games with a walk drawn for Mr. Lack of Strike Zone Judgment? Before we get too excited, Friday’s walk was of the intentional variety, so it’s not as if Francoeur suddenly developed some patience.

The 26-year-old won five games in July, and has sported an even lower ERA this month, despite taking one serious ass-kicking in Coors. Wells started the month by pitching shutout ball into the eighth inning in Cincy, good enough for him to win his fourth straight start. Then came the beat-down in Colorado, but since then he’s responded with back-to-back quality outings, including 6 2/3 innings without an earned run allowed in a tough-luck loss Friday night.