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Preview: Reds (13-10) at Nationals (11-11)
Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: April 26, 2013 7:05 PM EDT
While the Washington Nationals busted out of their slump, the Cincinnati Reds' struggles at the plate continue.
Both teams, however, could have trouble offensively Friday night with the Nationals' Jordan Zimmermann squaring off against the Reds' Homer Bailey in the nation's capital.
After managing four runs during a four-game losing streak, Washington beat Cincinnati 8-1 on Thursday as Denard Span and Danny Espinosa each drove in three runs.
Espinosa and Bryce Harper both homered for the Nationals (11-11), who finished with five extra-base hits - equaling the number they had during the skid. They had 12 hits overall Thursday after batting .169 in the previous six games.
"This is definitely more of what I expect from our team than the last three games," said Espinosa, who had been in a 2-for-18 slump and entered the game batting .155.
All that offense was more than enough for Gio Gonzalez, who went eight innings and allowed one hit - a fourth-inning homer to Joey Votto.
"It's been a long time since we've been shaking hands," said manager Davey Johnson, whose team also snapped a six-game home losing streak. "That's more like what we are - good pitching and timely hitting."
Washington could be up against some strong pitching in a matchup with Bailey (1-1, 3.24 ERA), whose only win this year came against the Nationals. In his season debut April 5, the right-hander allowed two hits over six innings in a 15-0 win.
Other than being knocked around by St. Louis in his second start, Bailey is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA in his other three outings. He has 18 strikeouts over his last 14 innings, yielding two runs.
Zimmermann's turn in the rotation did not come up in these teams' series earlier this month, and Cincinnati (13-10) probably didn't mind.
Zimmermann (3-1, 2.67) was sharp in his two starts against the Reds last season, going 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA. He has a 0.71 ERA in two career home starts versus Cincinnati.
After throwing 103 pitches in a six-hitter against Miami on April 15, Zimmermann labored against the New York Mets on Sunday, needing 96 pitches to go five in a 2-0 loss. He exited after giving up two runs, two hits and three walks - the same number he issued through his first three starts. He threw a season-high 36 balls.
"I fell behind guys, didn't throw a lot of first-pitch strikes," the righty said. "Without first-pitch strikes, you have to work a little harder."
Zimmermann has limited Jay Bruce to one hit in 11 at_bats, but Votto is 4 for 8 with a homer.
The Reds have been scuffling at the plate, managing four total runs in dropping two of three. They had averaged 5.8 runs in winning seven of their previous eight.
Cleanup hitter Brandon Phillips is hitless in 10 at_bats in the last three games while Bruce is 1 for 10 with five strikeouts.
Shin-Soo Choo was 0 for 3 on Friday but walked in the ninth inning and has reached base safely in his first 22 games this season. The leadoff hitter has scored 18 times and leads the majors with a .523 on-base percentage.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 06:36 PM |
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Preview: Braves (15-6) at Tigers (10-10)
Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: April 26, 2013 7:05 PM EDT
Atlanta Braves left-hander Paul Maholm knew his shutout streak would eventually end. Surprisingly, facing the Detroit Tigers could help him put more zeros up on the scoreboard.
Maholm goes for a team-high fourth victory Friday night when the NL East-leading Braves and struggling Tigers meet for the first time in three seasons.
Opening his first full season with Atlanta (15-6), Maholm (3-1, 1.03 ERA) worked 25 1-3 scoreless innings before giving up three runs in the sixth of Saturday's 3-1 loss at Pittsburgh. His shutout streak was the longest by a starter to open a season since Luis Tiant (27 innings) in 1966.
"I never really thought about the streak because I knew I was going to give up some runs at some point,' said Maholm, tied with Mike Minor and reliever Eric O'Flaherty for the team lead in wins.
That wouldn't be the first time an opposing pitcher thought that heading into a start at Comerica Park. The Tigers (10-10) are batting .319 and averaging 6.3 runs at home. However, the defending AL champs are hitting .207 with 14 total runs during a 1-5 skid. Half of those runs crossed in a 7-5 victory over Kansas City on Wednesday when Detroit snapped a four-game skid.
The Tigers had five hits - a season-low at home - in Thursday's 8-3, 10-inning loss to the Royals.
Detroit will now try to avoid falling below .500 for the first time since it way 1-2 as it opens interleague play. It went 11-7 against the NL in 2012, including 6-3 at home.
The Tigers hosted the Braves once before, winning two of three in 2004. Detroit dropped two of three at Turner Field in 2010, but still owns a 9-6 edge in the series.
While there isn't much history between these clubs, scheduled starter Anibal Sanchez (2-1, 1.75) has faced the Braves 17 times, tied for his second-most appearances against any opponent. The veteran right-hander did not enjoy much success in those matchups while with the Marlins, going 4-11 with a 5.42 ERA. He has a 7.92 ERA in losing his last five starts versus Atlanta.
Sanchez hasn't surrendered a homer in 25 2-3 innings after lasting 6 2-3 in last Friday's 8-1 loss at the Los Angeles Angels, but keeping the ball in the park could be a test against an Atlanta team that leads the majors with 35 homers.
Braves slugger Justin Upton, the majors' leader with 11 home runs, is 4 for 13 with a homer off Sanchez and a .333 hitter in nine games against Tigers pitching.
Miguel Cabrera, batting .405 during a nine-game hitting streak, is a .319 hitter against Atlanta. He's 4 for 13 off Maholm.
Teammate Prince Fielder is 7 for 51 (.137) with 15 strikeouts in that matchup.
If Maholm runs into any problems, manager Fredi Gonzalez will have no problem turning to closer Craig Kimbrel, who blew his first save of the season in Wednesday's 6-5, 12-inning loss at Colorado, or a relieving corps that owns a MLB-best 1.60 ERA.
"There will be no residue the next time he goes out there,' Gonzalez said of Kimbrel.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland hopes the same is true with his bullpen after it imploded Thursday. A day after Jose Valverde worked a perfect ninth in his season debut, Bruce Rondon blew a save in his major league debut, Phil Coke walked in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning and Darin Downs surrendered a grand slam to Alex Gordon.
"We would have liked to get (Rondon) an easier spot, but if you are here, you have to pitch, and we were short," said Leyland, who was without Valverde and Al Alburquerque after both pitched the previous night.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 06:38 PM |
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Preview: Blue Jays (9-14) at Yankees (12-9)
Game: 2
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: April 26, 2013 7:05 PM EDT
Even without star Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees appear poised to continue their home success against the Toronto Blue Jays.
After the Yankees relied on the long ball to win the series opener while Jeter watched, they look for a fifth consecutive home victory over the Blue Jays on Friday night.
With the injured Jeter at Yankee Stadium on Thursday for the first time in 2013, New York (12-9) belted three homers en route to a 5-3 win over Toronto. Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer, and ex-Blue Jay Vernon Wells and Francisco Cervelli added solo shots for the Yankees, who have started well despite being without Jeter until probably mid-July with a broken ankle.
"It's tough to not be around the team,' said Jeter, who is expected to remain in New York for the Yankees' 10-game homestand.
Winners in 15 of 18 at home over Toronto, the Yankees have hit eight of their 31 home runs this season while taking three of four from the Blue Jays (9-14).
Cano is batting .353 (12 for 34) with three home runs and six RBIs in the last eight games. He's 17 for 34 while hitting safely in eight straight versus the Blue Jays.
Three of Wells' nine hits in his last 27 at_bats have been home runs - all while going 8 for 19 (.421) versus Toronto.
"(Wells has) got new life going over there,' said Toronto manager John Gibbons, who was ejected in the seventh inning arguing a call Thursday. "He's a very intelligent guy and you know he's motivated.'
Scheduled starters Ivan Nova (1-1, 6.14 ERA) and Josh Johnson (0-1, 6.86) each hope for a better effort than Sunday when they squared off but did not factor in the decision of Toronto's 8-4 win.
Nova allowed four runs, seven hits and walked four in five innings. The right-hander has failed to last more than five innings in three starts.
"He'll throw one pitch down and away and the next pitch will be up and in," catcher Chris Stewart told the Yankees' official website. "You have to be able to repeat what you need to do and if you don't, you're going to get in trouble."
Nova is 3-1 with a 4.24 ERA in seven starts versus Toronto, including 2-0 with a 3.50 ERA in three starts at Yankee Stadium.
Johnson also yielded four runs, plus eight hits in 5 1-3 innings Sunday.
"For the first four innings, everything felt good," Johnson told the Blue Jays' official website. "It seems like it happens a couple of times a year where you just all of a sudden can't find the zone for whatever reason."
The right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA in two starts versus New York, but has never pitched in the Bronx.
Edwin Encarnacion and Brett Lawrie each homered Thursday for the Blue Jays, who have scored 11 of their 12 runs over the last three games off seven homers.
Encarnacion has homered in three straight games. His two-run shot Thursday is his lone hit in 25 at_bats in seven games against the Yankees.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 06:40 PM |
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Preview: Astros (7-15) at Red Sox (15-7)
Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: April 26, 2013 7:10 PM EDT
While Ryan Dempster has pitched well in a Boston uniform, he doesn't have much to show for it.
He's always had trouble getting wins against the Houston Astros.
Dempster faces a familiar foe Friday night as the Red Sox continue a four-game set against the slumping Astros at Fenway Park.
Signed to a two-year deal as a free agent this offseason, Dempster (0-2, 3.38 ERA) has limited opponents to a .186 average and is among the AL leaders with 33 strikeouts through four starts. He allowed four runs and six hits over seven innings Sunday in a 4-2 loss to Kansas City.
"I thought he pitched with equal effectiveness, as he has in previous starts this season," manager John Farrell told MLB's official website.
One reason Dempster remains winless is that Boston (15-7) has scored just seven runs in his 24 innings. It's a similar start to last season, when Dempster was 0-3 after his first nine starts as the Cubs provided him 15 runs of support.
After spending the majority of his career in the NL, Dempster has plenty of experience against the Astros, who joined the AL this season. The 35-year-old right-hander is 6-12 with a 4.32 ERA over 51 games - 25 starts - versus Houston, tied for his second-most losses against any opponent.
Dempster, though, would appear to have a favorable matchup this time. Houston has lost six consecutive road games, getting limited to 17 runs and a .217 average after losing Thursday's series opener 7-2.
Carlos Pena is mired in a 1-for-20 slump for the Astros (7-15), who are looking to avoid their worst start through 23 games since 1969.
"It's definitely not fun," manager Bo Porter said.
David Ortiz went 3 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs on Thursday, remaining a difficult out since coming off the disabled list Saturday. He's 11 for 20 with six runs scored and five RBIs in five games after being sidelined with an Achilles problem which caused him to miss most of the second half of last season.
"It's remarkable the timing that he's displayed, particularly after the layoff that he's had," Farrell said. "I think even guys in the dugout are marveling at what he's been able to do, as far as not only contact but driving the baseball."
Boston, which improved to 11-0 when scoring first, went 6 for 12 with runners in scoring position. The Red Sox have gone 39 for 118 (.331) in such situations while winning 10 of 13.
Boston will try to stay hot against Erik Bedard (0-1, 6.17), who has not gone past the fourth inning in any of his three starts. The veteran left-hander pitched four Sunday and threw a season-high 75 pitches, giving up two runs and six hits with eight strikeouts in a 5-4 loss to Cleveland.
"Erik has some injury history and we're going to do everything we can to make sure we monitor his workload and continue to build him up going forward," Porter said.
Bedard, who spent part of the 2011 season with Boston, hasn't faced the Red Sox since 2008. He's 4-1 with a 2.22 ERA over his last seven starts against them.
Bedard has made things difficult on several of Boston's top hitters, including Dustin Pedroia (1 for 14), Mike Napoli (3 for 15) and Ortiz (5 for 24). Napoli and Ortiz, though, have combined for three homers against him.
Red Sox right fielder Shane Victorino is unlikely to be available after sitting out Thursday due to a stiff lower back. Victorino is batting .292 with 12 runs scored.
Boston has won four straight and eight of 10 all-time matchups against Houston, including all four at Fenway.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 06:42 PM |
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Preview: Cubs (7-14) at Marlins (5-17)
Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: April 26, 2013 7:10 PM EDT
The Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins are the only teams that haven't won back-to-back games.
After the Marlins faltered in their attempt to end that drought in the series opener, the Cubs will get their turn Friday night in Miami.
Chicago (7-14) hasn't won consecutive games since Sept. 12-14, but gave itself another chance at stringing two victories together by edging Miami 4-3 Thursday. Luis Valbuena hit a tiebreaking homer in the ninth inning, his third in six games and fourth this season.
Valbuena had four homers in his 90 games with the Cubs last season.
"It was a good win for us, a good comeback," outfielder Nate Schierholtz said. "Valbuena had a big home run in the ninth and our starting pitching has been great. They've been keeping us close in games. We just need to score them a few runs like we did tonight and we'll come out on top."
Despite producing just six hits, the Cubs matched their highest run total on their 10-game road trip in part by going 2 for 6 with runners in scoring position. They're hitting a major league-worst .148 in those situations, and .216 overall with 19 runs while going 2-5 on their trip.
Chicago will try for a fourth straight win over the Marlins (5-17), who have matched their worst start in franchise history. The Cubs will also try to help Scott Feldman (0-3, 4.50 ERA) earn his first victory since Aug. 4, when he was with Texas.
Feldman, a loser in eight straight decisions, has given up 10 combined runs in his past two starts but only three have been earned as the Cubs have committed four errors. The right-hander, though, has made two of those miscues and his throwing error with two outs in the fifth inning Sunday in Milwaukee opened the door for Ryan Braun's three-run homer in a 4-2 defeat.
"We have to keep grinding," Feldman told the team's website. "I think things are going to turn around for us. That one play did turn out to be costly, but I have to take it upon myself to make a better pitch to Braun and we wouldn't be talking about the error."
Feldman will throw opposite another winless pitcher, Wade LeBlanc (0-3, 6.27).
LeBlanc has received four total runs of support in his four starts, but hasn't helped himself by failing to make it past the fourth inning in his last two outings. The left-hander needed 85 pitches to get through four frames in last Saturday's 3-2 loss in 13 innings to Cincinnati.
"It was terrible," LeBlanc told the team's website. "About the only silver lining was I was able to keep us close enough to come back and tie the game."
While Feldman will face the Marlins for the first time, LeBlanc will seek to earn his second win in as many starts against the Cubs. While with San Diego, he allowed two runs over seven innings in a 9-2 victory in 2011.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 06:45 PM |
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Preview: Phillies (9-14) at Mets (10-10)
Game: 1
Venue: Citi Field
Date: April 26, 2013 7:10 PM EDT
With Kyle Kendrick pitching well, the Philadelphia Phillies hope to start turning things around by continuing their recent success against an NL East rival.
Then again, the starting staff hasn't been Philadelphia's problem lately.
The Phillies try to avoid their second four-game losing streak in two weeks and claim their seventh win in eight games against the New York Mets on Friday night at Citi Field.
Philadelphia has lost eight of 11 and dropped the final three of a four-game set against Pittsburgh this week, falling 6-4 on Thursday after blowing a late two-run lead.
The Phillies (9-14), who lost four straight April 15-18, dropped a series at home to the Pirates for the first time since 2003.
"We're just not playing good baseball right now," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We're in a bad term, or whatever you want to call it. We're trying and we have a lot of life, but we're not getting it done."
Manuel's starting pitchers have mostly performed well, giving up no more than two runs in 11 of the past 15 games. This past turn the rotation saw Philadelphia's starters post a 2.78 ERA, including six runs in 21 innings over the past three games.
Those losses saw the bullpen allow seven runs, 10 hits and four walks in six innings. The Phillies offense also continues to provide limited help, producing 2.7 runs per game over the last 13.
Philadelphia has totaled three runs in Kendrick's last two starts, and he didn't receive a decision in either one. Kendrick (1-1, 3.28 ERA) gave up two runs over 13 innings in those games after beating the Mets on April 10 for his lone win, yielding two runs over six innings in a 7-3 victory.
Kendrick is 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA in four starts against them since the start of 2011, and his team also has done quite well against New York lately. The Phillies won the final four meetings last year and took two of three in Philadelphia in the teams' first series this season, posting a 2.57 ERA during that seven-game span.
The Mets (10-10) have alternated wins and losses through six contests of a nine-game homestand and now look to rebound from a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.
While they rank near the top of the majors with 110 runs, the Mets have failed to score more than two in three of the past four and are hitting .207 in their last seven.
The Mets will turn to Dillon Gee (1-3, 5.95) after the right-hander snapped a three-game losing streak Sunday. Gee had been tagged for 12 runs and 17 hits over 7 2-3 innings in his previous two outings, but displayed an effective changeup while allowing three hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 2-0 win over Washington.
"I think he needed it bad. I think it's a great confidence builder for him," manager Terry Collins said.
Gee is 2-2 with a 7.03 ERA in six career starts against the Phillies, and he allowed seven runs and 10 hits over three innings in an 8-3 loss at Philadelphia on April 9.
Ryan Howard, Michael Young and John Mayberry homered off Gee in that victory. Howard, 9 for 23 in his last six games, has three hits - all homers - in nine career at_bats against him. Young (4 for 5) and Jimmy Rollins (7 for 11) also have had success against Gee.
David Wright has dominated Kendrick over the past four-plus seasons, going 9 for 18 with two homers and two doubles.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 06:46 PM |
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Preview: Rays (10-12) at White Sox (9-12)
Game: 2
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: April 26, 2013 8:10 PM EDT
The Chicago White Sox are showing signs of life after a rough two-week stretch.
They have to like their chances of keeping things going if Adam Dunn can get hot.
Dunn and the White Sox go for a season-best third consecutive win Friday night as they continue a four-game set against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.
Chicago (9-12), which had lost four straight and 10 of 13 before beating Cleveland 3-2 on Wednesday, saw its momentum carry over the following night in a 5-2 series-opening victory. The White Sox backed Chris Sale with three runs in the first inning before Dunn added some insurance with a two-run homer in the sixth.
Dunn entered Thursday mired in a 1-for-38 slump and has collected just eight hits in 74 at_bats this season (.108). Half of them, though, have left the yard.
"It's hard to sit here and tell everybody you feel good and the results aren't there, but I do feel good. I have felt good for the most part of the season," said Dunn, who led the team with 41 homers in 2012. "Obviously the results aren't where I want them."
The White Sox improved to 29-12 since the start of last season when Dunn goes deep.
Tampa Bay (10-12), meanwhile, dropped to 2-8 on the road, where it is batting a major league-worst .193. Desmond Jennings, Ryan Roberts and Ben Zobrist - the team's 1-2-3 hitters Thursday - went a combined 0 for 10.
Zobrist is hitting .143 on the road and Roberts .105.
The Rays could have a hard time bouncing back against Jake Peavy (2-1, 3.20 ERA), who is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA over two home starts. The right-hander walked four but was otherwise on his game Saturday in a 2-1, 10-inning loss to Minnesota, allowing one run while striking out nine over seven innings.
"Peavy as advertised. We know he's always tough," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He seems to ad-lib and kind of figure things out as he's going along during a game. He can come from so many angles and throw so many pitches."
Peavy has mixed results over four career starts against the Rays, going 2-1 with a 5.25 ERA. While Evan Longoria and Kelly Johnson are a combined 2 for 19 against Peavy, Zobrist is 4 for 7 with a homer and two doubles.
The Rays counter with Roberto Hernandez (1-3, 4.74). The right-hander had allowed a combined 15 runs in losing his first three starts before surrendering three hits and striking out seven over six innings of one-run ball Sunday in an 8-1 victory over Oakland.
"Good for him, man," manager Joe Maddon said. "I really think that's something for him to build off of. I'm sure the confidence needed a booster, and that's a booster shot right there."
Formerly known as Fausto Carmona, Hernandez's win was his first since beating the White Sox on Sept. 20, 2011, while with Cleveland.
"Wow! A long time," he said.
Hernandez is 9-2 despite a shaky 4.85 ERA over his last 12 starts versus Chicago. Dunn has seven hits in his last 14 at_bats against him with three doubles and a homer, and Konerko is 8 for 22 lifetime with two home runs.
While Sox infielder Jeff Keppinger, who spent last season with Tampa Bay, has three straight two-hit games and is batting .464 against the Rays - by far his highest mark against any opponent.
Tampa Bay's Yunel Escobar is unlikely to be available after sitting out Thursday with a tight right hamstring. The struggling shortstop is hitting .164.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 06:50 PM |
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Preview: Indians (8-11) at Royals (11-8)
Game: 1
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: April 26, 2013 8:10 PM EDT
Kansas City Royals newcomer Ervin Santana has overcome slow starts in each of his last three outings.
Santana's former teammate, Scott Kazmir, hopes he'll be able to bounce back from a rough season-opening performance for the Cleveland Indians.
He'll get that chance on Friday night against the AL Central-leading Royals, who open a season high-tying 10-game homestand.
Since surrendering four runs in his Royals debut - a 5-2 loss at the Chicago White Sox on April 3 - Santana (2-1, 2.48 ERA) has given up just four runs in 23 innings. All of those were plated in the first inning of his three starts.
"Once he gets settled in, he gets on a nice roll,' manager Ned Yost said after Santana threw seven innings of two-run ball in Sunday's 4-2 win at Boston.
The former Los Angeles Angel has walked just five - none on Sunday - while striking out 26.
"When I don't give any walks, it gives me more opportunity to attack the zone and work more comfortably," Santana told the Royals' official website.
Kazmir (0-0, 16.20) admitted he was "a little jittery" in a 19-6 win at Houston on Saturday when he gave up six runs and eight hits over 3 1-3 innings. It was his first appearance since April 3, 2011, at Kansas City, where he gave up five runs in 1 2-3 innings of a 12-9, 13-inning defeat. The left-hander was put on the disabled list (lower back tightness) less than a week after that outing - his only one of 2011 - then was released two months later.
Kazmir spent last season pitching in the Atlantic League, and his 2013 season debut was pushed back due to an oblique injury.
"Overall, stuff I can take out of this start and bring into my next start is what not to do, I guess," he said.
Indians first baseman Mark Reynolds needs to maintain his approach at the plate. He's hitting .375 (6 for 16) with two homers and a team-best six RBIs on the first five games of the trip.
"Typically, Mark, when he's started out well, those have been his bigger years," manager Terry Francona told the MLB official website of Reynolds, who leads the club with seven homers and 19 RBIs.
Left fielder Alex Gordon could be on his way to one with the Royals (11-8). His batting average has been well above .300 since the first week of the season, and now he's starting to deliver some power, hitting both of his home runs during the last three games.
Gordon's first career grand slam was the big blow in the 10th inning as Kansas City capped off a 4-3 trip with an 8-3 win over Detroit on Thursday.
"I was just trying to make contact," he said.
Gordon hit .333 with three homers - tied with Billy Butler and Eric Hosmer for the team lead - and 11 RBIs off Indians pitching last season. Kansas City won 10 of 18 in this divisional matchup in 2012, including five of nine at Kauffman Stadium.
Cleveland (8-11) ended a five-game skid at Kansas City - and a seven-game slide in the series - with a 15-4 victory in its last game visiting the Royals on Sept. 23.
Santana dropped two of his three starts against the Indians last year to fall to 2-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 14 starts against Cleveland. However, one of those victories was a no-hitter on July 27, 2011, at Progressive Field.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 06:52 PM |
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Preview: Pirates (13-9) at Cardinals (13-8)
Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: April 26, 2013 8:15 PM EDT
Following impressive wins in their respective road series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates appear to be playing with some confidence as they open a three-game set.
Right-hander Lance Lynn will try to build on an outstanding performance and pitch the Cardinals to a fourth straight win Friday night when they host the Pirates, who are also trying to extend their win streak to four.
St. Louis (13-8) completed a three-game sweep in Washington with a 4-2 victory Wednesday and concluded a nine-game trip with six wins.
Matt Holliday and Matt Carpenter each had three hits and left-hander Jaime Garcia gave the Cardinals another solid pitching effort to beat the Nationals - one of the favorites to win the NL.
Now they'll turn to Lynn (3-0, 3.68 ERA), who gave up only a leadoff double in the fifth and struck out eight over seven innings in a 5-0 win at Philadelphia last Saturday.
"I'm a better pitcher when I'm pitching with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder," said Lynn, who had allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings of a 10-6 win at Pittsburgh in his previous start.
After a 1-5 start, the Pirates (13-9) seem to be playing with a similar attitude and captured their 12th win in 16 games by rallying for a 6-4 victory at Philadelphia on Thursday.
"You don't try to explain it,' manager Clint Hurdle said. "We just play the game, one at a time. I really like our focus and intensity."
Gaby Sanchez led the way with a homer and three RBIs, while Garrett Jones hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the eighth inning as the Pirates took three of four for their first series win in Philadelphia since 2003.
Pittsburgh's pitching staff has played a major role, allowing 13 runs while posting a 1.89 ERA over its last seven games.
Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez (0-2, 11.12), however, hasn't made it past the fourth inning in each of his last two starts.
After allowing nine runs in 3 1-3 innings in a loss at Arizona, Sanchez threw 74 pitches while giving up two runs and four hits over three innings in a 4-2 win over Atlanta on Sunday.
He's 0-11 with an 8.87 ERA over his last 17 starts dating to last season.
While the Cardinals aren't exactly pounding the ball with .215 batting average over their last eight games, they have been successful manufacturing runs and relying on their pitching and defense to win games.
"When we're not banging balls into the stands every single night, we've got to do other things, whether people like it or not," manager Mike Matheny said.
St. Louis pitchers rank near the top of the league in ERA (3.14) and home runs allowed (12). With just 10 errors and a .988 fielding percentage, the Cardinals are also one of the NL's top defensive clubs.
Allen Craig may be able to spark the offense since he's 7 for 21 with six RBIs in his last five games, and is batting .359 with four homers and 18 RBIs in his last 22 in the series.
Pittsburgh's Pedro Alvarez, who went 2 for 5 on Thursday, is 9 for 24 (.375) with four homers and six RBIs in his last seven games.
Starling Marte is batting .436 during a nine-game road hitting streak.
The Pirates, who split two home games against the Cardinals earlier this month, have won five of seven at Busch Stadium.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 06:56 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Rockies (14-8) at Diamondbacks (13-9)
Game: 2
Venue: Chase Field
Date: April 26, 2013 9:40 PM EDT
Arizona's Brandon McCarthy once again couldn't avoid a big inning when he faced the Colorado Rockies this past weekend.
When he faces the Rockies on Friday night, the right-hander again seeks his first win as he tries to help lead the Diamondbacks to a season high-tying fourth straight victory.
McCarthy (0-2, 7.06 ERA) has allowed 15 of his 19 runs in just four of his 21 2-3 innings, and yielded three in the third frame in his first career start against Colorado on Sunday. The Diamondbacks went on to win 5-4, snapping the Rockies' win streak at eight.
"There's only so much you can do with bad contact balls blooping in. Once it leaves my hand, I can't control it. The innings are mostly falling like that," he told the team's website. "Most of the innings where I've given up runs, it's just pitches that are finding holes."
This time, McCarthy will face a team that's dropped four of five. In Thursday's series opener at Chase Field, the Rockies (14-8) were 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position in a 3-2 defeat.
Paul Goldschmidt hit a key two-run homer in the fourth inning, his second in three games for Arizona (13-9).
"We were able to scrape across a couple of runs. The pitching has been doing so well lately. They've been keeping us in a lot of games," he said. "It's a good win. We'll come out (Friday) and see if we can do it again."
McCarthy will once again pitch opposite Juan Nicasio (2-0, 5.31), who lasted a season-low 4 1-3 innings Sunday. He gave up two runs, three hits and three walks but used up 96 pitches.
Nicasio has failed to make it through the sixth inning in any of his last three outings. He hasn't been efficient enough to make it through five innings in any of his three career starts against Arizona. Nicasio has no record and a 6.94 ERA in those outings, which have all been in Denver.
"I need more command of my fastball," he said. "I've thrown like 90 pitches in the last three games and only gone five innings. I've got to go deeper in the game."
Didi Gregorius is expected to get the chance to face Nicasio again in his first home game for Arizona after getting a scheduled day off in the opener. The shortstop, batting .400 (10 for 25) in his first six games, hit a solo homer off the right-hander in Sunday's victory.
"It's always exciting to play at home," Gregorius said. "I'm looking forward to getting my first chance."
Gerardo Parra, seeking a career-high 11-game hit streak, has one double in his six at_bats against Nicasio. Cody Ross has two doubles and two RBIs in five at_bats, and Goldschmidt is 2 for 4 with two RBIs.
Troy Tulowitzki was 2 for 3 with a solo homer in his first matchup with McCarthy while Yorvit Torrealba is 3 for 5 all-time against him.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 06:58 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Orioles (13-9) at Athletics (13-10)
Game: 2
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: April 26, 2013 10:05 PM EDT
Based on the way Wei-Yin Chen fared in two outings against the Oakland Athletics during his 2012 rookie season, the Baltimore Orioles would appear to have a good chance to continue their rare winning stretch in the East Bay.
Trying to improve to 3-0 against the struggling A's, Chen looks to help the Orioles to a third consecutive victory at Oakland on Friday night.
Chen (1-2, 3.38 ERA) allowed one earned run, nine hits and struck out 16 in 12 2-3 innings while winning both starts - at home - versus Oakland a year ago. It helped that his teammates scored 16 runs in those contests.
Baltimore (13-9) pounded out a season-high 15 hits and matched its most runs of 2013 in Thursday's 10-2 win over the A's. The Orioles have not won three straight in Oakland since Aug. 15-17, 2005, and prior to snapping a four-game skid there last season, dropped 16 of 18 at the Coliseum.
Chen, however, hopes to pitch better than Saturday when he gave up a run, three hits and overcame four walks in six innings of a 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"My stuff was terrible (Saturday), not really good," he told the Orioles' official website. "I was lucky to get a win."
The left-hander might not need to be at his best if the Orioles hit like they did in the opener. Adam Jones had three hits while Chris Davis homered for the eighth time and drove in two runs.
Leadoff hitter Nate McLouth reached base four times and is 8 for 18 (.444) with seven walks in the last six games.
"I'm swinging at good pitches, that's what I'm most happy about,' McLouth said. "I'm working the count and swinging at the pitches I want instead of having to swing at what a pitcher wants.'
Jones, who has hit safely in all but two games this season, is batting .359 with 17 RBIs. He's hit .357 in his last seven at Oakland.
Davis is batting .442 (19 for 43) with four homers and 10 RBIs during a 12-game hitting streak against the A's.
Oakland (13-10) swept a three-game home set from Houston April 15-17, then followed with a 1-5 road trip and blew an early 2-0 lead Thursday. Josh Donaldson had a two-run double for the A's, who have scored 30 runs in the last seven games, with 13 coming in their only win Tuesday at Boston.
Center fielder Coco Crisp is 4 for 23 (.174) in six games following a 12-game hitting streak in which he batted .392. He's 2 for 16 in his last four against the Orioles.
Oakland's Tommy Milone (3-1, 4.26) takes the mound looking to bounce back from his first loss of the season. The left-hander allowed six runs - four earned - and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings of an 8-1 loss at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
The A's totaled 28 runs in Milone's first three starts, but managed only three hits in the last one.
"That's the game. It happens. We're not going to score 10 runs every game, as much as we would like that as pitchers,' Milone said. "We've got to do our best to keep the team in the game. That's our job.'
He gave up two runs, including a solo homer to Davis, in 6 1-3 innings in his only previous start versus Baltimore, a 3-2 home win Sept. 14.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 07:01 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Angels (8-13) at Mariners (9-15)
Game: 2
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: April 26, 2013 10:10 PM EDT
The Seattle Mariners have been hampered by one of baseball's worst offenses, but they hope to keep taking advantage of a Los Angeles Angels pitching staff that has been just as bad.
Kyle Seager and the Mariners look for another big day at the plate Friday night as they seek another win over Los Angeles at Safeco Field.
Seattle (9-15) entered this four-game set having scored three runs or fewer in eight of its last nine games, so a 6-0 victory Thursday felt explosive.
Carlos Peguero, called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday to help fill in for the injured Franklin Gutierrez, launched the third-longest home run in Safeco history with a 451-foot shot in his first at-bat of the season.
Also sparking the offense with a homer was Seager, who extended his career-best hitting streak to 14 games. Seager has raised his average from .147 to .306 during the streak, going 21 for 51 (.412) with seven doubles and 11 RBIs. All three of his home runs have come in the last five games.
Seager credited a closed-door meeting held by manager Eric Wedge following Wednesday's 10-3 loss to Houston.
"He got everyone's attention," Seager said. "We know we had to play better. We played with more of an edge today."
Seattle may need another strong night from its offense with Aaron Harang (0-2, 10.24 ERA) on the mound. He's fresh off a shellacking at Texas in which he gave up eight runs and eight hits in 4 2-3 innings of an 11-3 loss Sunday.
"I started guiding pitches, and ended up falling behind in counts and having to throw pitches over the plate, and that's where I got myself in trouble," said Harang, acquired from Colorado earlier this month.
While Harang has seen his individual struggles, the entire staff for the Angels (8-13) has generally been bad. Los Angeles pitchers own a 4.96 ERA, ranking near the bottom of baseball, and have allowed 28 runs and 45 hits in 37 innings this week with 15 walks and just 19 strikeouts.
The only Angels starting pitcher yet to suffer a loss is C.J. Wilson (1-0, 4.13). He's lasted six innings in each of his four starts but has averaged 111.3 pitches in the last three, and his 15 walks are among the most in the AL. The left-hander didn't get a decision Sunday as he allowed three runs and five hits in a 4-3 victory over Detroit.
Command remains a serious concern for Wilson, averaging 3.9 walks per nine innings for his career after issuing four Sunday.
"I was missing with my breaking ball a lot early," Wilson told the team's official website. "It was breaking way too big, then I couldn't throw my curveball for a strike and my changeup was kind of a non-factor. I just had to go out there with a fastball, slider and cutter and compete."
Wilson has been very good against the Mariners over the last two-plus seasons, going 5-1 with a 2.11 ERA in seven starts. Seager is 1 for 13 against him.
Seattle will hope Harang can regain the form he showed in two starts against the Angels last year, holding them to three earned runs over 13 innings while with the Dodgers.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 07:03 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Brewers (11-9) at Dodgers (10-11)
Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: April 26, 2013 10:10 PM EDT
Only recently has the Los Angeles Dodgers' offense started coming around, though not soon enough to provide much support for Josh Beckett in any of his outings.
Los Angeles seeks a fourth victory in its last five tries Friday night in the opener of a three-game set against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, who have won nine of the last 11 meetings.
Since being acquired in a blockbuster deal with Boston in August, Beckett is 2-6 with a 3.57 ERA in 11 starts while receiving just 24 runs of support over 68 innings.
That includes a 0-3 mark with a 3.48 ERA this season as the Dodgers (10-11) have scored only six times in the 24 innings Beckett has pitched. He struck out nine and gave up the game's only run in the bottom of the ninth of a loss to Arizona on April 14 in his best start since coming to Los Angeles.
He's likely hoping for some offense from a Dodgers team that has scored 20 runs while winning three of its last four following a six-game skid.
Los Angeles entered Thursday's contest with the New York Mets hitting just .190 with runners in scoring position, but Andre Ethier and Juan Uribe had RBI singles in the top of the ninth of a 3-2 win.
Ethier had just two hits in his previous 22 at_bats prior to his tie-breaking single.
``Just hope to get `Dre turned in the right direction,' manager Don Mattingly said.
He's likely hoping the same for Beckett, who had possibly his worst effort as a Dodger his last time out after allowing six runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 6-1 loss at Baltimore in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.
The right-hander hasn't faced the Brewers since giving up six runs in an 11-7 loss while pitching for Boston on May 18, 2008, dropping him to 1-2 with an 8.84 ERA in four career starts against them.
Los Angeles hasn't had much luck lately against Milwaukee, either. This marks the first meeting since the Brewers swept a four-game series at Dodger Stadium from May 28-31.
Ryan Braun, who homered twice off Beckett the last time he faced Milwaukee, is only 2 for 19 in his last six versus the Dodgers, but he's hit safely in six of his last seven contests as the Brewers (11-9) have recovered from a slow start.
Milwaukee, though, had its nine-game winning streak snapped Wednesday with a 2-1 loss at San Diego. It had the tying run in scoring position when Martin Maldonado was ruled out for being struck with his own batted ball outside the batter's box to end the game.
"To go into the ninth getting people on base gives you hope," manager Ron Roenicke said. "Then you score a run and get really excited and then you end it in a goofy way.'
Milwaukee looks to get back on track while giving the ball to Hiram Burgos, who is scheduled to make his second career start.
Burgos (1-0, 1.80) gave up one run and five hits in five innings of a 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday and impressed catcher Jonathan Lucroy.
"He threw well and he definitely earned a second start right there," Lucroy told the team's official website. "He can throw strikes with all of his pitches, and that's a key point to being successful."
The Brewers haven't lost a road series to the Dodgers since dropping two of three from Aug. 15-17, 2008.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 07:05 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Giants (13-9) at Padres (6-15)
Game: 1
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: April 26, 2013 10:10 PM EDT
Tim Lincecum has shown signs of returning to his dominant form, and the San Francisco Giants hope the right-hander can help get them back on track.
San Francisco will send the two-time Cy Young Award winner to the mound as it seeks its fifth straight win over the San Diego Padres on Friday night in the opener of a six-game road trip.
After winning four straight - including a three-game sweep of San Diego at AT&T Park - the Giants (13-9) lost 3-2 in 10 innings to Arizona on Wednesday for their second straight extra-inning home defeat.
Shortstop Brandon Crawford was one of the bright spots, ending a 2-for-17 slump by going 3 for 4 with a game-tying homer in the ninth and two RBIs to push his batting average back up to .320.
"Here's a kid who keeps getting better and better," manager Bruce Bochy said. "The confidence has grown with him. I like the way he's using the whole field and driving the ball."
Bochy's club looks to snap a three-game road skid behind Lincecum (2-0, 3.97 ERA), who has won five of his last six regular-season decisions dating to last season.
After setting career worsts with 15 losses and a 5.18 ERA in 2012, Lincecum has allowed zero earned runs in two of four starts this season. He scattered four hits while striking out eight over 6 2-3 innings in a 2-0 win over the Padres on Saturday.
"I just went out there with purpose and knowing that every pitch has got a meaning to it," Lincecum said.
Lincecum may be able to build on that performance since he's 5-1 with a 2.58 ERA in his last eight starts in this series and will face a San Diego offense that has been struggling.
The Padres, last in the NL West at 6-15, have totaled eight runs and batted .198 while losing five of six. They rank near the bottom of the majors with 12 home runs, 69 runs and a .349 slugging percentage.
San Diego did manage to avoid its longest losing streak of the season with a 2-1 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday.
"After losing five games in a row, we stopped the bleeding," said Edinson Volquez, who threw seven shutout innings.
Carlos Quentin broke out of a 1-for-14 slump, going 2 for 4 with his first homer. He's batted 3 for 7 with a home run and double against Lincecum, while Yonder Alonso is 1 for 15 with six strikeouts.
Andrew Cashner (0-1, 4.05) will try to pitch the Padres to consecutive victories for the first time since a three-game run April 15-17. The right-hander makes his second start after making five appearances out of the bullpen.
Cashner, who is 0-2 with a 4.40 ERA in seven career starts, allowed two runs and two hits over four innings while taking the loss against the Giants on Saturday.
Buster Posey is expected to return behind the plate for the Giants after not starting Wednesday. He pinch-hit in the ninth inning and singled to extend his hitting streak to six games.
The reigning NL MVP has batted .389 (7 for 18) with two homers, two doubles and six RBIs during that span. He's also fared well with three hits - two home runs - in six at_bats against Cashner.
San Francisco has won 26 of 35 in this series.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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04-26-13 07:07 PM |
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CNOTES
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Armadillo: Friday's six-pack
-- Phillies are 9-14, 6-8 at home; they just look old.
-- Bulls were held to two points in last 5:47, but they held on to beat Nets 79-76-- Brooklyn covered the spread by half a point.
-- Miami won by 13 at Milwaukee, in maybe the worst playoff series ever. Bucks led this game by hoop at the half, but got outscored 30-18 in third quarter. You get the idea the Bucks don't even think they can win.
-- Not surprising that Boston beat the Astros 7-2; David Ortiz hit his first home run of the season. Red Sox are 15-7 and looking good.
-- Royals are 11-8, Pirates 13-9; is it too early to suggest a shift in balance of power in the two Central divisions?
-- Doug McDermott is staying at Creighton for his senior year, giving his father Greg another top 25 team in Omaha. Merry Christmas, Dad.
*****
Armadillo: Friday's List of 13: Notes while watching the NFL draft.......
13) Four offensive linemen were taken in the first seven picks of the draft for the first time ever; unclear whether these linemen are that good, or everyone else is just so subpar this season.
12) Watching TV people bash the Raiders' drafts for the last 10-15 years without mentioning the late Al Davis by name is always funny, even as they show Davis' brother manning the Raiders' phone at Radio City.
11) Raiders have started 15 different QBs over the last decade. Yikes.
10) Jets' first round pick Dee Milliner has had five surgeries and has a rod in his leg; he had shoulder surgery in March. He also played for Alabama, so he's well-coached and used to winning.
9) USA Today reports that when Dolphins' pick Dion Jordan was a senior in high school, he set himself on fire in a bizarre accident.......
".........Jordan was watching a friend as he tried to siphon gas from a car while using a vacuum cleaner. When the friend finished, Jordan walked over to the vacuum to turn it off. When he flipped the vacuum’s “off” switch, it released a spark, spreading flames onto Jordan."
You can get gas out of a car with a vacuum cleaner?
8) Patriots got four draft picks from Minnesota for the #29 pick; who did the Vikings want so bad? WR Cordarrelle Patterson of Tennessee. They'll be comparing this to when the Falcons traded up to get Julio Jones, in what was an excellent trade for Atlanta.
7) Nine offensive linemen were taken in the first round; one QB, not one running back, in what was a very unusual first round.
6) Bad night for Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib; not only wasn't he drafted, but his old college coach, Doug Marrone, took EJ Manuel for his new team, the Buffalo Bills. If Marrone didn't draft his old QB, who will?
5) Lions' draft pick Ezekiel Ansah, #5 pick in the draft, had never started a game until last fall. Last time a BYU guy went in Top 10 of draft was 1982, when the Bears took Jim McMahon.
4) NFL Network's Mike Mayock is never surprised by anything. Ever.
3) When the three Alabama kids went with picks 9-11, it was the first time ever three college teammates got picked in succession.
2) Rough night for Geno Smith, Manti Te'o, Matt Barkley, as none of them got picked in the first round Thursday night. There's always Friday.
1) Last time Rams drafted a WR in first round (Torry Holt, '99), they won Super Bowl that year. I'm just sayin'...........
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Believe in the 3 G's
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04-26-13 07:10 PM |
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