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Preview: Orioles (27-22) at Blue Jays (20-29)
Game: 4
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: May 26, 2013 1:07 PM EDT
The Baltimore Orioles continue to showcase their potent offense against the Toronto Blue Jays. Hoping to slow them down and salvage a series split for Toronto - which has also swung the bats well - will be a pitcher who hasn't thrown in two weeks.
Baltimore looks to tee off on little-used Chad Jenkins as its four-game set in Toronto ends Sunday.
After a season-worst six-game losing streak, the Orioles (27-22) picked up their fourth victory in five games Saturday with a 6-5 win. A day earlier, they matched a season high for runs and posted 16 hits in a 10-6 victory.
Baltimore is averaging 5.6 runs and 11.3 hits over its last 14 games, and has received contributions up and down the lineup in the first three games against the Blue Jays.
Seven players have recorded at least three hits, as Manny Machado leads the way with six despite an 0-for-5 performance Saturday while Nick Markakis ran his hitting streak to 10 games. Five have combined for nine home runs, including Adam Jones homering for the third time in three games Saturday and Danny Valencia for the second straight contest.
Jones has an OPS of 1.437 and eight home runs in 12 games at Rogers Centre since the start of 2012.
"I just see the ball good here," Jones said. "I don't think it's anything in particular. It's just baseball. Crazy things happen."
The Blue Jays (20-29) haven't slouched offensively during the series, either, recording six homers among their 41 hits while totaling 23 runs. It's the starting pitching that has let them down, allowing 18 runs across 15 innings. R.A Dickey was tagged for six runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 frames Saturday.
Hoping to pick up Toronto's staff will be the 25-year-old Jenkins (1-0, 3.60 ERA) in his second game of the season and first since a 12-4 win at Boston on May 12. Toronto backed him with 10 runs of support as he limited the Red Sox to two runs over five innings in his fourth big-league start.
After missing most of spring training and the beginning of the season due to shoulder inflammation, Jenkins has used the time between starts to get closer to full strength. The right-hander said he isn't worried about command issues due to the layoff. He'll likely be limited to 80-90 pitches, according to the team's official website.
"My sinker, I just try to throw it around the dish and let it do the work," said Jenkins, who gave up four runs and six hits over 3 1-3 innings of relief in Baltimore on Aug. 25, 2012. Machado was 2 for 2 against him.
Baltimore counters with Miguel Gonzalez (2-2, 4.25), who improved to 2-1 versus Toronto as he allowed three runs across six innings in a 4-3 victory April 23.
Like Jenkins, Gonzalez's last start came after a layoff. He threw seven innings while being charged with two runs in a 3-2, 10-inning win over the Yankees on Tuesday, his first start in 18 days after a stint on the disabled list due to a thumb blister.
Adam Lind, 8 for 14 while slugging .929 in the series' first three games, is 4 for 8 off Gonzalez.
Baltimore had lost 29 of its previous 37 games at Toronto before wins in the last two games.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Orioles at Blue Jays
Thu, May 23 Final 6 to 12
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Orioles at Blue Jays
Fri, May 24 Final 10 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Orioles at Blue Jays
Sat, May 25 Final 6 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 4
Orioles at Blue Jays
Sun, May 26 - 1:07PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:28 PM |
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Preview: Cubs (18-30) at Reds (31-18)
Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: May 26, 2013 1:10 PM EDT
Off to their best start in 18 years, the Cincinnati Reds aren't showing any signs of slowing down against a Chicago Cubs team they've dominated in recent years.
The Reds look to match their longest win streak of the season and beat their NL Central rivals for the 17th time in 19 games Sunday at Great American Ball Park.
Behind a four-run sixth and Homer Bailey's six solid innings, Cincinnati (31-18) won its fifth straight with a 5-2 victory over sinking Chicago (18-30) on Saturday.
The Reds have won 12 of 14 for their best start since winning the Central in 1995.
"This team has some big boys, veterans out on the field, and their pitching is some of the best in baseball,' Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of the Reds. "It's tough to score on them. We're in all the games, but you can't add on or score on their bullpen.'
With Johnny Cueto (2-0, 3.22 ERA) taking the ball in the series finale, Cincinnati appears to have a good chance to win its seventh in a row versus Chicago.
The right-hander, who had missed a little over a month because of a strained muscle in his upper back, overcame a season-high four walks and allowed three runs over five innings to beat the New York Mets 4-3 on Monday.
He fanned eight, including six of the last seven batters he faced.
"I told myself I have to start pitching the way I am," said Cueto of his strong finish. "Then after that, I said, `That is me.''
Cueto has had his own run of success against the Cubs, winning four straight starts and going 6-1 with a 1.75 ERA over his last 10 outings.
This time, he faces a Chicago team that has managed just 15 runs and a .200 batting average with runners in scoring position during its season-worst six-game losing streak.
Anthony Rizzo ended an 0-for-22 stretch by going 3 for 3 with two doubles Saturday, but he's 1 for 9 lifetime against Cueto.
Starlin Castro, who is 4 for 30 over his last seven contests, has also struggled with six hits in 27 at_bats in this matchup.
Chicago counters with right-hander Matt Garza (0-0, 0.00), who pitched well in his season debut following a 10-month layoff.
After being sidelined since July 21 because of a stress reaction in his right elbow and, later, a strained upper back, Garza struck out five and allowed one hit over five shutout innings before Pittsburgh rallied late for a 5-4 win Tuesday.
"He was really good,' Sveum said. "He had a really good slider. His command, for it being his first time back, was outstanding. Even when he missed, he didn't miss by much. His velocity was good, too, consistently at 93-94."
Garza is 1-2 with a 3.80 ERA in four career starts against the Reds, though he hasn't faced them since 2011. He's allowed four earned runs over 10 innings in two Chicago losses at Great American Ball Park.
Shin-Soo Choo may have a tough time breaking out of his 1-for-19 funk since he's 1 for 8 with four strikeouts all-time against Garza.
Ryan Hanigan went 2 for 4 with an RBI double Saturday, raising his average to .381 with two doubles and nine RBIs in his last six games against the Cubs.
SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Cubs at Reds
Fri, May 24 Final 4 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Cubs at Reds
Sat, May 25 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Cubs at Reds
Sun, May 26 - 1:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:30 PM |
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Preview: Indians (27-21) at Red Sox (30-20)
Game: 4
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: May 26, 2013 1:35 PM EDT
With the Boston Red Sox lineup suddenly having injury problems, Dustin Pedroia is doing his part to keep the offense going strong.
The red-hot former MVP has been particularly impressive at Fenway Park and against the Cleveland Indians lately, trends he'll look to continue Sunday when the AL's wild-card leaders conclude their season series.
This four-game set marked Cleveland manager Terry Francona's return to Boston, and Pedroia helped it take a turn for the worse over the last two days with four hits and three RBIs in Red Sox victories. He had the go-ahead RBI double in a decisive four-run eighth inning of Saturday's 7-4 win.
The veteran second baseman is batting .406 in his last 17 games, recording at least a hit in all but one. He's driven in eight runs and scored eight over the past eight contests.
"He's a career hitter of over .300, so it's not like he's going to lack that consistency," manager John Farrell told the team's official website.
Pedroia has reached base more than half the time in his past 13 home games, batting .500 with seven walks. He has hit safely in all 14 games against the Indians since the start of last season, batting .411 with 14 RBIs.
He's a big reason Boston (30-20) has won 10 of 13 versus Cleveland (27-21), which has now failed to win eight straight series at Fenway.
``There were a couple of balls that were Fenway fly balls. I think the wind plays a factor, and The Wall. There's a lot of things going on out there," Francona said. "That's just a part of this ballpark.'
The Red Sox have 15 runs and 20 hits in two games since placing Shane Victorino (hamstring) and Will Middlebrooks (back) on the disabled list. No other Boston lineup regular had been on the 15-day DL since David Ortiz returned April 20. Additionally, Stephen Drew may sit out Sunday due to back soreness.
Jose Iglesias has done a solid job filling in since being called up from the minors Friday. He singled and scored that night as he played third base, then had three hits and scored twice Saturday starting at shortstop.
The Indians' hottest hitters are Asdrubal Cabrera, 8 for 16 in the past four games, and Michael Brantley, batting .429 in his last seven.
Brantley was the only left-handed bat in Cleveland's lineup Saturday - Michael Bourn and Jason Kipnis were used as pinch hitters - with Boston starting lefty Jon Lester. The Red Sox start another left-hander Sunday in Felix Doubront (3-2, 5.61 ERA).
He went 3-0 with a 4.24 ERA in four outings last month but has gone winless in four during May. However, since getting ripped for 12 runs and 23 hits over nine innings in the first two, he has given up four runs and eight hits in 11 innings.
"I think he's on to something with the adjustments he's made," Farrell said.
Doubront is 2-1 with a 4.11 ERA in three starts against the Indians, including a 7-2 victory April 16 when he gave up two runs in five innings.
He'll be opposed by Corey Kluber (3-3, 5.19). The right-hander is coming off back-to-back quality starts but has gone 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA this month.
Kluber struggled in one inning of relief against Boston this year, giving up a run and three hits in a 6-3 loss April 17. His only start versus the Red Sox remains the shortest of his career, going 3 1-3 innings and yielding six runs in a 14-1 defeat Aug. 12.
It seems unlikely he'll provide much of a break for a Cleveland bullpen which has worked 23 2-3 innings in six games this week. The Indians have lost four of five as their relievers have compiled an 8.10 ERA.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Indians at Red Sox
Thu, May 23 Final 12 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Indians at Red Sox
Fri, May 24 Final 1 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Indians at Red Sox
Sat, May 25 Final 4 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 4
Indians at Red Sox
Sun, May 26 - 1:35PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:31 PM |
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Preview: Phillies (24-25) at Nationals (25-24)
Game: 3
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: May 26, 2013 1:35 PM EDT
The Washington Nationals' extended slump has left them on the verge of being caught for second place in the NL East by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Washington will try to keep that from happening by sending a red-hot Stephen Strasburg to the mound to face the hard-luck Cole Hamels when the Nationals and Phillies close out their series Sunday.
Philadelphia (24-25) bounced back from falling 5-2 in the opener Friday by winning 5-3 on Saturday. Domonic Brown had a home run and an RBI double as the Phillies won for the eighth time in 12 games.
Since Philadelphia's surge started May 11, Washington (25-24) has dropped nine of 14, allowing the Phillies to pull within one game of the Nationals.
"It's a big series, considering the time of year, for sure,' Philadelphia third baseman Michael Young said. "I don't think anyone's under any illusions that this is going to decide who wins the division, but we're playing a very good club in their ballpark.'
Young and his teammates could face a major challenge against Strasburg (2-5, 2.66 ERA), who's gone 1-1 with a 0.90 ERA in his past three starts. The right-hander pitched seven innings and allowed one run with seven strikeouts in a 4-2 loss to San Francisco on Tuesday, though he didn't get the decision.
While Strasburg has been dominant of late, he's had no success against the Phillies in his career, going 0-1 with a 6.28 ERA in three starts. He failed to pitch five innings of two of them, most recently giving up a career high-tying six runs in 4 1-3 innings of an 8-0 home loss July 31.
Hamels (1-7, 4.45 ERA) has also been very good recently, giving up two or fewer earned runs in five of his last six starts, but going 1-5 in that span. He's lost his past four starts.
The left-hander has received nine runs of support in the previous six outings and his 2.87 runs of support per game ranks among the worst in the major leagues.
"You know it's tough on him ... it's got to be,' said Brown, batting .400 with seven RBIs in his last five games.
Hamels gave up two runs in six innings with 10 strikeouts in a 5-1 defeat to Miami on Monday.
He might have a good shot to end his losing streak Sunday as he's 5-2 with a 2.25 ERA in 11 career starts in Washington. He's also gone 11-3 with a 2.18 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 120 innings in his past 18 overall starts against the Nationals.
Jimmy Rollins, 8 for 24 during a five-game hitting streak, is 1 for 8 with a homer and four strikeouts against Strasburg.
Ryan Howard's home run drought reached 13 games Saturday and he struck out in four consecutive at_bats as his five-game hit streak came to an end.
Lack of offense has been the biggest culprit in Washington's slump, as the Nationals have averaged 2.8 runs during their 5-9 stretch. On Saturday, they collected 11 hits but went 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on.
``It's baby steps,' shortstop Ian Desmond said. ``We haven't been swinging the bats really at all. To put up 11 hits is good. Now the next thing we tackle is hitting with runners in scoring position.'
Leadoff man Denard Span has one of the few bright spots, as he went 3 for 5 on Saturday and is batting .345 over his last six games.
Adam LaRoche is 3 for 7 with a homer and three RBIs in the first two games of this series. He's batting .320 with four homers versus Hamels.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Phillies at Nationals
Fri, May 24 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Phillies at Nationals
Sat, May 25 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Phillies at Nationals
Sun, May 26 - 1:35PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:33 PM |
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Preview: Yankees (30-18) at Rays (24-24)
Game: 3
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: May 26, 2013 1:40 PM EDT
Though it's only May, the Tampa Bay Rays don't feel it's too early to shuffle their rotation to get a more favorable matchup against the New York Yankees.
The Rays will send Alex Cobb to the mound in Sunday's series finale hoping the right-hander can continue his stellar pitching at home and help avoid a sweep.
This would have been David Price's turn in the rotation but he went on the disabled list May 16. Rookie Jake Odorizzi took his spot Monday at Toronto and his next turn would've come in this game.
Thursday's off day, however, allowed Tampa Bay to push him to Monday versus Miami and start Cobb against the far more formidable Yankees (30-18).
Given Cobb's recent performances and history against New York, the decision seems like an easy one.
Cobb (5-2, 2.73 ERA) is 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA in five home starts this season, including a 3-0 win over the Yankees on April 24. He allowed three hits in 8 1-3 innings with one walk and seven strikeouts, giving him a 2-1 mark and 2.22 ERA in four starts against them.
"It's nice to be given the opportunity for sure," Cobb told the team's official website. "And they're so big on matchups, that I'm sure their computer spit out something that they like to see. So I'll take it."
He turned in his seventh quality start this season Tuesday at Toronto, yielding one run and three hits over 6 1-3 innings in a 4-3 win.
Robinson Cano is 2 for 12 against Cobb, but both hits are home runs.
The Rays (24-24) appeared headed for a win Saturday before struggling closer Fernando Rodney allowed two runs in the ninth for his third consecutive blown save. Lyle Overbay then connected for a solo homer in the 11th inning, sending Tampa Bay to its third straight loss and fourth in a row at home.
``This has been really awkward to watch,' manager Joe Maddon said of Rodney. ``He's been within one pitch of almost being perfect this season. Three of the blown saves have come down to the last pitch. I've not lost any patience with it. As long as he doesn't lose confidence in himself, I will not lose confidence in him.'
Rodney isn't the only member of the Tampa Bay bullpen that's slumping. That group has posted a 6.94 ERA during the three-game skid, allowing 12 hits and seven walks in 11 2-3 innings.
The AL East-leading Yankees have taken the first two games of this series after losing 13 of 16 at Tropicana Field. CC Sabathia (4-3, 3.43) will try to pitch New York to its first three-game sweep there since Sept. 13-15, 2005.
The left-hander, however, has gone 0-1 with a 3.57 ERA in his last four starts. Although he's been able to minimize the damage, Sabathia has allowed 21 hits over 12 2-3 innings in his past two outings.
He gave up four runs and 11 hits in 6 1-3 innings at Baltimore on Monday and was in line for the loss before the Yankees rallied for a 6-4, 10-inning victory.
Sabathia's recent struggles against the Rays continued with a 5-1 road defeat April 22, when he was reached for five runs and a season-high three homers over seven innings. He is 0-3 with a 4.55 ERA in his past four matchups with Tampa Bay.
Evan Longoria has been a particularly difficult matchup, with the slugger batting .366 with five homers, three doubles and 11 walks against Sabathia.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Yankees at Rays
Fri, May 24 Final 9 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Yankees at Rays
Sat, May 25 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Yankees at Rays
Sun, May 26 - 1:40PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:35 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Marlins (13-36) at White Sox (23-24)
Game: 6
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 26, 2013 2:10 PM EDT
Despite lackluster offense and some spotty defense, the Chicago White Sox are in position to reach .500 for the first time since the second week of the season.
They can do so by completing a three-game home sweep of the lowly Miami Marlins on Sunday.
Chicago (23-24) ranks near the bottom of the major leagues with 172 runs and a .241 batting average, and is tied for the AL lead with 33 errors. The rotation has been the difference, as the starters have gone at least six innings nine times and posted a 3.12 ERA in helping the White Sox win eight of 11.
Jake Peavy gave up a tying home run to infielder Derek Dietrich in the ninth Saturday, but Conor Gillaspie delivered a single in the bottom of the inning that gave Chicago a 2-1 win.
"Baseball is such a funny game because everybody feeds off each other,' said Gillaspie, 5 for 8 in this series. "Everybody's excited. You can feel it in the clubhouse.'
Though Chicago has scored 11 runs in four games, it's won three and can move to .500 for the first time since it was 4-4 on April 10.
Hosting a Miami team that's dropped 14 of 17 has certainly helped the White Sox move closer to the break-even mark. Last in the majors with 129 runs and a .221 average, the Marlins (13-36) have scored seven times during their current four-game skid.
Putting up runs could again prove to be a challenge Sunday against Chicago's Dylan Axelrod (2-3, 4.13 ERA), who looks to win his third straight start. He allowed two runs - both on a homer - and three other hits in six innings of a 6-4 victory over Boston on Monday.
Axelrod has given up three or fewer runs in seven of his nine starts.
"Axe is one of those guys that, again he doesn't light up the radar screen, but he knows how to pitch and get through a lineup," manager Robin Ventura said.
The right-hander has never faced Miami, which lost 4-3 in 11 innings Friday.
``At the end of the day, we can't score any runs,' Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. ``We have to be perfect. Pitch perfect every night.'
Miami has posted a 2.96 ERA in the past three games.
Alex Sanabia (3-6, 4.56) turned in a strong effort to snap his five-start losing streak Monday, allowing a homer in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-1 victory over Philadelphia.
The win came amidst controversy, however, as the right-hander was caught by television cameras spitting on the ball in the second inning. Neither Sanabia or Redmond said they have been contacted by the league about the incident.
"I don't know what they expect from spitting on it,' Sanabia said. "My intention wasn't to be like `Let's get more movement.' My intention was I need more grip.'
He is 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA on the road since throwing six scoreless innings in a 7-5 victory at Citi Field on April 5.
Dietrich is batting .250, but has reached base in all 14 games since making his major league debut May 8. He's hit two of his three home runs in this set.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Red Sox at White Sox
Mon, May 20 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Red Sox at White Sox
Tue, May 21 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Red Sox at White Sox
Wed, May 22 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 4
Marlins at White Sox
Fri, May 24 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 5
Marlins at White Sox
Sat, May 25 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 6
Marlins at White Sox
Sun, May 26 - 2:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:37 PM |
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Preview: Angels (22-27) at Royals (21-25)
Game: 4
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: May 26, 2013 2:10 PM EDT
The Kansas City Royals are probably glad that Sunday is the last time they will see Mike Trout.
Trout has been a key factor in this series as his Los Angeles Angels try to extend their win streak to eight and push the Royals' home slide to eight.
Los Angeles (22-27) is enjoying its longest run since an eight-game streak May 22-29, 2012. Trout is 11 for 21 with two homers and seven RBIs over his last five contests.
The speedy center fielder has scored twice in each game of this set. Trout has hit safely in all six games in the season series, going 9 for 21 with three homers, six RBIs and 10 runs scored.
The Angels have outscored their opponents 54-18 during this run.
Catchers Chris Iannetta and Hank Conger have combined for three homers in this series while Mark Trumbo is 4 for 12 with five RBIs to push his hitting streak to 10 games.
"Obviously, confidence as a team builds as you start to move in the right direction," manager Mike Scioscia said following Saturday's 7-0 win. "Right now these guys feel good because we're playing the type of baseball we had hoped we would play the first month, but it didn't appear.
"It's here now. I think you see guys are comfortable playing our game, and let the other team try to stop us. That's the mode we want to get into when we're at our best.'
Kansas City (21-25) has totaled 24 runs while dropping eight of nine as it tries to avoid its first five-game slide. This is the Royals' longest home skid since their 0-10 start last year.
Cleanup hitter Billy Butler is 0 for 8 with four walks in this series, going seven straight games without a RBI.
The Royals rank 13th in the AL with 190 runs and last with 28 home runs.
"We're just not getting it done right now," center fielder Lorenzo Cain said. "We've got to step up and start doing better. Offensively, we're struggling big-time."
The Royals will be without catcher Salvador Perez, placed on the bereavement list after Saturday's game following the death of his grandmother.
Both teams will start right-handers Sunday.
Jerome Williams (3-1, 2.53 ERA) will make his fifth start for the Angels after going 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA in the first four, lasting a season-high eight innings in Tuesday's 12-0 rout of Seattle.
Williams has started once against the Royals. He has limited Jeff Francoeur to a single in 12 at_bats and Miguel Tejada to two in nine, with no other Kansas City hitter having three at_bats against him.
Opponents are hitting .351 against Royals starter Wade Davis (3-3, 5.91) for one of baseball's worst marks. He is facing the Angels again after earning a 9-5 victory over them May 15 by yielding four runs over 5 1-3 innings.
Josh Hamilton, struggling with a .222 average and .386 slugging percentage, is 5 for 7 with a homer against Davis.
The Angels are seeking their first four-game sweep in Kansas City since Aug. 6-9, 2004. This is their sixth four-game set at Kauffman Stadium since.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Angels at Royals
Thu, May 23 Final 5 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Angels at Royals
Fri, May 24 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Angels at Royals
Sat, May 25 Final 7 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 4
Angels at Royals
Sun, May 26 - 2:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:38 PM |
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Preview: Pirates (30-19) at Brewers (19-28)
Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: May 26, 2013 2:10 PM EDT
The Milwaukee Brewers have won all nine of Yovani Gallardo's home starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Defeating Wandy Rodriguez, however, could prove difficult.
The Brewers, owners of the worst record in baseball against left-handed starters at 4-16, face another one in Rodriguez in the finale of this three-game set at Miller Park on Sunday.
Gallardo (3-4, 4.50 ERA) is 6-0 with a 2.80 ERA at home against the Pirates, limiting them to a .206 average. The right-hander, however, is looking to avoid losing four straight starts for the first time in his career. He's 0-3 with a 4.91 ERA over his last four outings since beating Pittsburgh 10-4 at home April 29 by allowing three runs over seven innings.
The Pirates (30-19) got revenge by beating Gallardo in a 3-1 home victory May 15 even though he surrendered two runs over six innings. Pittsburgh slugger Pedro Alvarez is 0 for 15 with eight strikeouts against him.
Milwaukee's woes against lefty starters continued in a 5-2 defeat Saturday. Jeff Locke limited the Brewers (19-28) to three hits with seven strikeouts over six scoreless innings as Pittsburgh won for the ninth time in 11 games.
What is curious about the Brewers' record versus left-handers is that their .261 average against them ranks in the top half of all teams.
Ryan Braun is hitting .388 against left-handers and other regulars such as Carlos Gomez (.362), Norichika Aoki (.348) and Jean Segura (.333) are also faring well, yet Milwaukee's record is worse than lowly Miami's 4-15 mark.
"That's still a good offense we're putting out there,' Roenicke said. ``I look at the lineup, right it down every day and when you look at it and you look at some of the numbers that we're putting up, I expect us to score runs. It's puzzling.'
Aramis Ramirez is one of the few Brewers struggling versus lefties with a .214 average.
Rodriguez (5-2, 3.40) is seeking to win four straight starts for the first time since July 2-12, 2009, with Houston. He has posted a 2.37 ERA during his run, and will oppose Gallardo for the third time this year after going 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in the first two.
Rodriguez is 3-8 with a 6.46 ERA in 13 outings at Miller Park. Braun is hitting .386 against him and Ramirez is at .370.
Alex Gonzalez is 2 for 26 versus Gallardo.
Pittsburgh won Saturday for the eighth time in 53 games at Milwaukee behind Alvarez, who homered twice and drove in three runs. Manager Clint Hurdle said he hoped the performance would boost Alvarez to go on a hot streak even though Gallardo figures to pose a major challenge.
"I'm trying to keep it simple and put a good swing on the ball," said Alvarez, who had batted .120 in his previous eight games. "We just want to go out and compete and if we do that, I know that we'll be successful."
The Brewers placed closer Jim Henderson on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring following Saturday's game, with Francisco Rodriguez earning the save in a 2-1 win Friday.
There haven't been too many chances for manager Ron Roenicke to use his closer. No team has a worse record this month than the Brewers' 5-17 mark.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Pirates at Brewers
Fri, May 24 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Pirates at Brewers
Sat, May 25 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Pirates at Brewers
Sun, May 26 - 2:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:41 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Athletics (27-23) at Astros (14-35)
Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: May 26, 2013 2:10 PM EDT
If Bartolo Colon can keep turning back the clock, the Oakland Athletics should have an easier time extending their dominance over the Houston Astros.
Colon makes his first start as a 40-year-old Sunday when he attempts to lead the visiting Athletics to their 11th straight victory over the AL-worst Astros.
Behind a season-high 18 hits and double-digit runs for the first time since April 30, Oakland (27-23) cruised to its seventh win in eight games with an 11-5 victory in Houston (14-35) on Saturday.
Josh Donaldson homered and tied a career high with four hits to lead the A's, who have outscored the Astros 75-37 during 10 consecutive wins in the series. The third baseman leads the team with a .322 batting average, .398 on-base percentage and 30 RBIs.
"He went through one little period where he was down some, but he's been consistent all year,' said manager Bob Melvin, whose club hasn't lost to Houston since June 12, 2007.
Now Oakland looks to complete a three-game sweep with Colon (4-2, 4.31 ERA) on the mound.
After going 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA during a three-start stretch, the right-hander has given up five runs and 10 hits over 13 innings in his last two outings.
Colon won for the first time in nearly a month after allowing two runs and six hits over seven innings in a 9-2 victory at Texas on Monday.
"I mean, he's 40 and we'd like to try to get him through a season,' Melvin said of Colon throwing 95 pitches. "So anything over 100 for me is starting to get a little uncomfortable for me.'
Colon has already beaten Houston twice this season, yielding four runs over 12 innings in two April outings. He's 5-2 with a 3.42 ERA in eight career starts against the Astros.
This time, he faces a Houston team that has batted .219 with runners in scoring position while losing three of five on its eight-game homestand.
Jason Castro went 3 for 4 with two homers and three RBIs Saturday and is 3 for 6 with a homer against Colon this season.
Matt Dominguez has hit three homers in the first two games of this series, giving him seven over his last 12 contests.
"He's really tapping into what we always knew was in there,' manager Bo Porter said. "The pull power is definitely there, and he has proven to the league that he can make adjustments."
Scheduled Houston starter Dallas Keuchel (1-1, 4.93) makes his fourth start since replacing the ineffective Philip Humber in the rotation.
While the left-hander hasn't been sharp with six walks and 16 hits allowed in his last two starts spanning 12 1-3 innings, Keuchel did earn his first victory in a 6-5 win over Kansas City on Monday. He yielded four runs and nine hits with four walks and a season-best six strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings.
Seth Smith went 3 for 5 on Saturday and is 2 for 3 with a home run against Keuchel, who has given up one run and six hits over six innings of relief against the A's this season.
Houston native Chris Young continues to hit well at Minute Maid Park, going 6 for 10 with a homer and five RBIs in the first two games of this series to raise his average to .429 in 20 career games there.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Athletics at Astros
Fri, May 24 Final 6 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Athletics at Astros
Sat, May 25 Final 11 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Athletics at Astros
Sun, May 26 - 2:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:43 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Rockies (27-22) at Giants (27-22)
Game: 3
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: May 26, 2013 4:05 PM EDT
The San Francisco Giants rallied twice to end a losing streak to the Colorado Rockies.
The Giants overcame an even larger deficit the last time Matt Cain took the mound in this NL West matchup.
Cain will try to win a sixth consecutive start against Colorado in Sunday's series finale in San Francisco.
Losers of four straight to the Rockies (27-22) after winning the first four matchups this season, the Giants (27-22) avoided a third consecutive defeat overall with a 6-5, 10-inning victory Saturday. Angel Pagan had a walkoff, two-run inside-the-park homer after Troy Tulowitzki put Colorado up with a solo shot in the 10th.
The Giants trailed 4-0 after four innings.
"We had a couple of critical calls go against us, but it's all about bouncing back and these guys found a way," said manager Bruce Bochy, who was ejected in the eighth inning for arguing a call at third base.
San Francisco concludes its six-game homestand with Cain (3-2, 5.13 ERA) taking the ball for the first time since throwing seven innings of two-run ball in a 4-2, 10-inning victory over Washington on Tuesday. The right-hander, who didn't permit a run after the first inning, had been credited with the win in his previous three starts.
The Giants trailed 6-0 after three innings with Cain on the mound May 16, but went on to win 8-6 in Denver. He pitched 6 1-3 innings and San Francisco went ahead with a three-run sixth to help its ace earn yet another victory over Colorado.
The Rockies, who ended a nine-game skid in San Francisco with a 5-0 victory Friday, will go for their first series win there since 2010. Jon Garland (3-5, 5.19) will get his first look at the Giants since that same season while with San Diego.
The right-hander will try to avoid losing four consecutive starts for the first time since a career-worst five-start streak May 24-June 13, 2009, while with Arizona. He yielded five hits and 11 hits in a 5-1 loss to the Diamondbacks on Monday.
"I'm trying to figure it out," Garland told the Rockies' official website. "Tonight it seemed when I made my pitch, they were getting those little funny hits. When I didn't make my pitch, they hit it really hard. I've got to focus on keeping the ball hard and continue to attack the zone."
The Giants' Buster Posey is batting .412 during a nine-game hitting streak after a 3-for-5 effort Saturday.
Former Rockie Marco Scutaro could be another tough out. The second baseman, batting .404 with 15 RBIs against Colorado since being dealt to the Giants on July 27, is 12 for 25 with three doubles off Garland.
Tulowitzki, a .339 hitter against Cain with four home runs - tied for the most off of him - is batting .400 with two homers and eight RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak.
Carlos Gonzalez, who became the first Rockies player to hit a ball into McCovey Cove on Saturday, can match a career high by homering in four consecutive games. Gonzalez, though, is 4 for 35 against Cain.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Rockies at Giants
Fri, May 24 Final 5 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Rockies at Giants
Sat, May 25 Final 5 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Rockies at Giants
Sun, May 26 - 4:05PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:44 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Rangers (32-17) at Mariners (20-29)
Game: 3
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: May 26, 2013 4:10 PM EDT
Continued success on the road and against the Seattle Mariners has the Texas Rangers feeling confident.
The Rangers look to record a fifth straight road victory by handing the reeling Mariners a ninth consecutive defeat Sunday.
David Murphy had three RBIs and two of Texas' 13 hits, and Derek Holland threw 6 2-3 strong innings in Saturday's 5-2 win at Seattle. Winners in 15 of 21 overall, the Rangers (32-17) have batted .299 and hit 19 home runs while winning eight of nine away from home.
They own a 37-10 scoring advantage during their five-game winning streak over the Mariners.
"It's great to get a series win, but we hope to get the sweep (Sunday)," Murphy said.
"(On Saturday) things were definitely clicking a little bit. They've definitely been clicking a little bit more the last week or two and hopefully that trend continues."
Seattle (20-29), meanwhile, has been outscored 60-23 while in the midst of its worst skid since it dropped 17 straight July 6-26, 2011.
``This is where you've got to be tough. You've got to stay determined, stay persistent, keep coming to the ballpark and knocking on that wall,' manager Eric Wedge said.
The Rangers scored all their runs and recorded 11 hits against Seattle ace Felix Hernandez on Saturday.
Though Murphy is batting .229 on the season, he is 8 for 21 (.381) with 11 RBIs in the last six games.
"I've had some success over the last week or two but I still can't quite say I felt like myself," he said.
Murphy is 5 for 12 (.417) with two doubles and a home run against scheduled Seattle starter Hisashi Iwakuma (5-1, 2.37 ERA).
The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.73 ERA against the Rangers, with both wins coming in his last two starts. He gave up a home run and two other hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 3-1 victory over Texas on April 12.
Iwakuma allowed five earned runs in a four-start span before Monday, when he gave up a season-high five in six innings while not factoring in the decision of a 10-8 loss at Cleveland.
Four of those runs came on two homers in the second inning.
The Rangers counter with Nick Tepesch (3-4, 3.98), who returns to the mound after he was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday because of a blister on the middle finger of his throwing hand.
"It's getting there," Tepesch told the Rangers' official website Friday. "I didn't feel it in the bullpen at all. It's getting close to where it needs to be."
The rookie right-hander has allowed three runs in 11 innings while splitting his last two starts after giving up 11 over 10 2-3 frames to drop the previous two. He yielded two in five innings of a 2-1 win over Detroit on May 17.
Tepesch went 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA when he made back-to-back starts versus Seattle in April. In his most recent April 20, he left in the second inning after being hit by a line drive above the right wrist.
Kendrys Morales delivered a two-run double Saturday for the Mariners, who managed five hits off four Texas pitchers. The veteran slugger has been one of the team's few bright spots, batting .342 with 14 RBIs in his last 20 games.
Teammate Michael Saunders is 3 for 34 in his last nine to drop his average from .278 to .221.
Seattle first baseman Justin Smoak is likely to sit out after he suffered an oblique strain checking his swing during an at-bat early in Saturday's game. He will be re-evaluated before the series finale.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Rangers at Mariners
Fri, May 24 Final 9 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Rangers at Mariners
Sat, May 25 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Rangers at Mariners
Sun, May 26 - 4:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:46 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Cardinals (31-17) at Dodgers (20-27)
Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: May 26, 2013 4:10 PM EDT
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in a bad spot in the NL West standings, but at least they're putting themselves in position to win series.
Giving the ball to ace Clayton Kershaw on Sunday could help the host Dodgers win another one as the NL-leading St. Louis Cardinals try to stay undefeated in their last eight series.
When the season started, looking up at the rest of the West was not where the Dodgers (20-27) imagined they would be during Memorial Day weekend. Their struggles have raised plenty of questions about manager Don Mattingly's job security, even though team president Stan Kasten said before Friday's 7-0 loss that he's not in danger of being fired.
The Dodgers could start to quiet some of the calls for Mattingly's job by stringing together some victories. The club goes for its fourth series win in five tries following Saturday's 5-3 victory.
Adrian Gonzalez finished a triple short of the cycle and drove in three runs and Nick Punto added three hits to help the Dodgers end the Cardinals' three-game winning streak and 3-0 run outside St. Louis.
"Just the fact that we stayed in the game helps,' Gonzalez said of the Dodgers scoring the game's final two runs after giving up a 3-1 fifth-inning lead. "It's not that we're not fighting. We're just going down in order and not getting guys on base.'
Dodgers stars Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, a combined 0 for 13 this series, could make Kershaw's Sunday a little easier by driving in some runs. They both hit homers in Kershaw's last start - a 3-1 win over Milwaukee on Monday - but his run-support average of 2.21 is the worst in the majors.
Kershaw (5-2, 1.35), though, has the majors' best ERA after allowing just three earned runs in 39 2-3 innings over his last five outings.
"Every time I get in trouble, Kersh saves me,' Mattingly joked after the left-hander's three-hitter Monday. "One more day.'
Kershaw goes for a season-best third consecutive winning start.
Sunday's scheduled starter Shelby Miller (5-3, 1.74) was tied with Kershaw for the majors' best ERA before permitting a season high-tying three runs in Monday's 4-2 loss at San Diego. The right-hander needed 107 pitches to go 5 2-3 innings.
"It seems like 20 pitches every single inning, every single outing, back-to-back starts,' said Miller, who threw 96 pitches in 5 2-3 shutout innings of a 4-2 win over the New York Mets on May 15. "Throwing so many pitches in back-to-back games is not good. It accumulates with a little bit of everything. My curveball wasn't really good tonight. Neither was my changeup. My fastball wasn't really there. Multiple things were off.'
The Cardinals need Miller to be on his game with their bullpen logging seven innings Saturday after rookie John Gast left in the second with shoulder tightness. St. Louis starters Chris Carpenter, Jaime Garcia and Jake Westbrook are already on the disabled list.
Miller will make his second appearance and first start against the Dodgers. He threw one scoreless inning in a 5-2, 12-inning road win over Los Angeles on Sept. 16 for his first major league victory.
If the Cardinals can avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since a season-worst three-game skid April 27-29, they'll improve to 7-0-1 in their last eight series.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Cardinals at Dodgers
Fri, May 24 Final 7 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Cardinals at Dodgers
Sat, May 25 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Cardinals at Dodgers
Sun, May 26 - 4:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:48 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Padres (22-26) at Diamondbacks (27-22)
Game: 3
Venue: Chase Field
Date: May 26, 2013 4:10 PM EDT
Patrick Corbin has a chance to become the first Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed starter to open a season 8-0.
San Diego Padres right-hander Jason Marquis will try to prevent that from happening Sunday, with both pitchers looking to win a sixth consecutive start.
As one of two Diamondbacks left-handers to begin a season with at least six straight winning decisions - Randy Johnson is the other - Corbin (7-0, 1.44 ERA) delivered the best start of his career Monday. He pitched a three-hitter with a career-best 10 strikeouts in a 5-1 victory over Colorado.
He threw 97 pitches, 74 for strikes, as Arizona (27-22) improved to 9-0 in his starts.
"He just pitched an unbelievable game,' Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado said.
Corbin, trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw (1.35) for NL ERA lead, can become the first Diamondbacks starter since Brandon Webb in 2008 to open 8-0. Webb won his first nine outings that season.
Marquis (6-2, 3.27) has matched the longest winning streak of his career, set twice before, and that sets up the first game since Aug. 7, 2011, in which both pitchers had won their previous five starts. Kershaw and Arizona's Ian Kennedy squared off in that contest.
Having the highest run-support average on the team at 4.75 surely helps, but Marquis has also been able to pitch around control issues. He's walking a league-high 4.58 per nine innings after issuing four in a 4-2 victory over St. Louis on Monday, when he threw six innings of two-run ball.
"Obviously, I got away with more mistakes probably a few years back, but I feel like I'm making better pitches in bigger situations now,' Marquis said. "I've learned to slow the game down more than anything."
The Padres (22-26) will look for Marquis to deliver another solid outing after ending a three-game skid with a 10-4 victory Saturday. San Diego had dropped three of four in Arizona before shortstop Everth Cabrera drove in a career high-tying four runs and finished a triple shy of the cycle.
"I think the thing that we're impressed with, his coaches and his teammates, is the calm focus,' manager Bud Black said. "He's locked in both offensively and defensively and you can see it in his play."
Cabrera is 5 for 10 with two homers and five RBIs in this three-game series, but he's hitless in seven at_bats versus Corbin, who threw seven innings of one-run ball in an 8-1 victory at San Diego on May 4.
Chris Denorfia hit his third career solo homer off Corbin in that contest.
Marquis faced the Diamondbacks a day earlier in a 7-6 victory, giving up three runs and a season-high five walks in six innings.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Padres at Diamondbacks
Fri, May 24 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Padres at Diamondbacks
Sat, May 25 Final 10 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Padres at Diamondbacks
Sun, May 26 - 4:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:49 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Braves (30-18) at Mets (17-29)
Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 26, 2013 8:05 PM EDT
While the Atlanta Braves continue to roll, the New York Mets remain in a free fall.
The Braves can win nine in a row by handing the Mets a ninth consecutive home loss Sunday night.
Things proved doubly delightful Saturday for Atlanta (30-18) after it won the conclusion of Friday's suspended game 7-5 in 10 innings, then rolled to a 6-0 victory over New York in the regularly scheduled contest. The Braves, who won 10 straight from April 5-16, have outscored their last eight opponents 47-21.
Atlanta has won 15 of 18 over the Mets (17-29), including five straight and seven of eight at Citi Field. New York is 0-5 on an eight-game homestand and in the midst of its longest slide in Queens since it dropped nine straight Sept. 7-20.
"As I said before, when you're playing bad baseball, you've got to play perfect baseball to win," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "And so when we don't execute some things, certainly it comes back to hurt us."
Dan Uggla hit an RBI single in the 10th inning of the suspended game that the Braves led 5-3 before the Mets scored twice in the bottom of the eighth before the rains came.
"Sometimes you wonder how long these games will last,' Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I'm glad we were able to finish it off.'
Mike Minor then allowed three hits and struck out 10 over 7 1-3 innings, and hit a two-run homer for the Braves. Chris Johnson added two more hits, and is batting .542 (13 for 24) in his last eight games after he went 0 for 17 in his previous six.
Teammate Freddie Freeman is batting .444 (8 for 18) with two homers and seven RBIs against the Mets this season.
Freeman and Johnson are a combined 3 for 19 against scheduled New York starter Shaun Marcum (0-5, 6.59 ERA), who is 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA in four starts against the Braves. The only start Marcum did not lose this season came when he gave up three runs in 4 1-3 innings of a 7-5 win at Atlanta on May 3.
The right-hander struck out a season-high seven but allowed three of his four runs in the first inning and lasted six in Monday's 4-3 loss to Cincinnati.
"We've been through this now for what, five starts? I get hit, it's location. I made four or five mistakes today and they all got hit,' Marcum said. "Got to limit the mistakes.'
The Braves counter with Julio Teheran (3-1, 3.99), who allowed 13 runs in 16 innings while not earning a decision in his first three starts, but has yielded nine in 33 2-3 innings over the last five. He gave up a homer and four other hits in 8 1-3 innings of a 5-1 win over Minnesota on Monday.
"For the experience of being out there in the ninth inning - maybe he was a little tired - but you've got to dig deep a little bit,' Gonzalez said. "It was good for him.'
The right-hander is 1-0 with a 5.63 ERA in two appearances against the Mets. In his only start in 2011 at Citi Field, he gave up a run in 5 1-3 innings of a 5-1 victory.
It's uncertain how much Teheran will see of New York's Ike Davis, who is 2 for 44 (.045) with 19 strikeouts in his last 13 games.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Braves at Mets
Fri, May 24 Final 7 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Braves at Mets
Sat, May 25 Final 6 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Braves at Mets
Sun, May 26 - 8:05PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-26-13 04:51 PM |
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CNOTES
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Posts: 10543
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Interleague Preview
May 26, 2013
We've already had a new taste of Interleague games on the MLB front this season. That occurred when Houston switched league affiliations, jumping over the American League from the National League.
In order to equally balance newly realigned 15-team leagues it became necessary to implement at least one Interleague series at all times.
Major League Baseball purists likely find it just as revolting as the adoption of full Interleague scheduling which began in 1997. But the bottom line is more and more natural geographical rivalries are forming.
Twist This Up
Aside form the mandatory need of scheduling Interleague games on a weekly basis this season, beginning this week MLB is serving up a new schedule format to enhance the "tradition of rivalries".
This year teams will play their natural rivals four times and the four games will be played consecutively, two games in one ballpark and two more in the other ballpark, starting this Monday-Thursday.
Balancing The Books
This year's schedule finds an increase of 20 Interleague games for every team.
For the first time ever the schedule is more equal with all teams in a division playing the identical Interleague opponents, with the exception of "natural rivals".
In years past the 14-team American League played 18 Interleague games while the 16-team National League played an imbalanced amount of games, either 15 or 18.
Junior Rules
Entering the modified portion of Interleague games beginning this season the Junior Circuit, or the American League has held the upper hand in these contests, going 2,081-1,883 overall versus the Senior Circuit, or the National League.
In fact, in only three of the 16 seasons of Interleague play has the American League lost more Interleague games than the National League.
History Says
With the return to more Interleague rivalry games this week, here is a look at some of the more noteworthy results of series rivalries from the past.
Angels-Dodgers: Halos 13-5 last eighteen games; 10-3 last thirteen at Dodger Stadium; 14-6 last 20 at Anaheim Stadium.
Cardinals-Royals: Red Birds 12-6 last 18 games; 11-3 last fourteen at Kauffman Stadium.
Cubs-White Sox: Pale Hose 14-6 last twenty games; 10-5 last fifteen home and 8-2 last ten at Wrigley Field.
Giants-Athletics: Frisco 10-5 last fifteen games and 11-1 last twelve as a host; A's 7-2 last nine as host.
Indians-Reds: Tribe 9-4 last thirteen games; 4-11 last fifteen games when visiting the Queen City; 7-0 last seven host the Reds.
Marlins-Rays: Fish 1-9 last ten games; 4-11 last fifteen games in Tampa; 5-12 last seventeen games in Miami.
Orioles-Nationals: Birds 11-4 last fifteen as a host.
Yankees-Mets: Bronx Bombers 11-3 last fourteen games; 11-5 last sixteen as a visitor and 7-1 last eight at home.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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05-27-13 06:44 AM |
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