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CNOTES
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Preview: Diamondbacks (15-13) at Padres (11-17)

Game: 1
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: May 03, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


After being swept in their last series, the Arizona Diamondbacks have few things to blame other than suspect relief pitching. They'll hope the bullpen will have patched up its struggles prior to meeting the upstart San Diego Padres Friday night in the opener of a three-game set at Petco Park.

The Diamondbacks (15-13) squandered a lead in each contest while losing three straight at home to San Francisco. The bullpen gave up seven hits, seven walks and eight earned runs in six innings during the series.

Wednesday's 9-6 defeat saw Arizona score more than four runs for the first time in eight contests and also marked its major league-leading 10th blown save as David Hernandez surrendered a three-run homer in the eighth. Hernandez walked two before giving up the home run.

"This is a tough time. It's a tough game," manager Kirk Gibson said. "We just have to pick ourselves up."

Thursday marked the Diamondbacks' first off day since April 15, providing a valuable rest for the bullpen - which worked 46 2-3 innings over 16 games in as many days since then.

Heavy work for Arizona's relievers could be necessary again if left-hander Wade Miley (2-0, 2.37 ERA) produces an outing similar to his last one. Miley didn't allow a run against Colorado on Saturday but lasted 4 1-3 innings after walking a career-high seven.

He had walked seven in 26 innings over his first four starts and averages 2.3 per nine innings for his career.

"I just didn't have it tonight and that was pretty much the bottom line," said Miley, whose team still managed a 3-2 win in 10 innings.

The Diamondbacks run into a Padres squad that completed a late comeback Thursday to salvage a road split against the Cubs and post its sixth victory in eight games.

Yonder Alonso's pinch-hit bloop single with two outs brought home the first of four runs in an eighth inning that also saw two infield singles and a passed ball, leading to a 4-2 win for the Padres (11-17).

"It's one of those things where, regardless of what the situation is with the outs or what the score is, you can always take advantage of the mental lapses that go on the field," outfielder Kyle Blanks said.

Starting for the Padres will be Jason Marquis (2-2, 4.20), who has also struggled with walks. Marquis issued four in three of his five starts, including Sunday against San Francisco. He still limited the Giants to two runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings to pick up the victory.

Marquis and Miley will look to shake off recent history against each other's teams, as Marquis is 0-4 with a 6.39 ERA in his last seven starts against Arizona while Miley is 1-2 with a 6.08 ERA in four starts versus San Diego.

Martin Prado is 13 for 33 (.394) in his last eight games against the Padres, while Chris Denorfia is hitting .433 in his last nine versus the Diamondbacks.

Nick Hundley is riding a seven-game hitting streak with six RBIs, but he's 1 for 17 over his last six against Arizona.

San Diego was the only NL West team the Diamondbacks posted a sub-.500 record against in 2012, with the Padres winning 11 of 18 meetings.




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-03-13 06:13 AM
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Preview: Dodgers (13-14) at Giants (16-12)

Game: 1
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: May 03, 2013 10:15 PM EDT


Clayton Kershaw has routinely mowed down baseball's best hitters since his arrival in the major leagues. His next start could prove to be one of his most challenging - but not because of the competition.

Kershaw will take the mound Friday night for the first time since the death of his father as the Los Angeles Dodgers meet the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game set at AT&T Park.

Kershaw (3-2, 1.73 ERA) was placed on the team's bereavement list Monday as he traveled to his home state of Texas, but he plans be in San Francisco in time for Friday's game.

The left-hander has been dominant in 17 career starts against the Giants, going 9-4 with a 1.29 ERA. He's allowed a total of eight earned runs in his last nine, and pitched a four-hit shutout - while also homering for the game's first run - in a 4-0 opening day win.

Kershaw was dominant again in his latest start for the Dodgers (13-14), throwing eight innings of four-hit ball against the Brewers while striking out 12 in a 2-0 win Sunday. He also didn't issue a walk, a good sign after he gave up five earned runs and eight walks over 10 1-3 innings in his previous two outings.

"It was good to see Kershaw back to his old self," outfielder Carl Crawford said. "He struggled his last two outings, so to get him back on track is a plus for us."

Los Angeles could especially use another strong start from Kershaw as it struggles to find any consistency after splitting its last eight games. The Dodgers were let down Wednesday by Josh Beckett, who gave up five runs in four innings of a 7-3 home loss to the Rockies.

The Giants (16-12), meanwhile, have plenty to feel good about after a three-game road sweep of Arizona that ended a five-game skid. San Francisco trailed in all three contests, with a 9-6 win Wednesday marking the club's ninth come-from-behind victory already this season.

Brandon Belt homered twice in the series with six RBIs, while Pablo Sandoval has hit safely in five straight games while batting .522.

"These guys have been amazing with these comebacks," manager Bruce Bochy said. "They come through when we need them."

The Giants' rotation had a 5.06 ERA in its most recent turn, a stretch they'd like to forget about as they hand the ball to Barry Zito (3-1, 3.29). He has thrown seven scoreless innings in three of his five starts, but couldn't get past the fourth frame in his latest outing.

The left-hander pitched three spotless innings Saturday at San Diego before being charged with six runs - all but one unearned - in the next frame.

"He just couldn't get the last out in the fourth," Bochy said. "That's what killed us. He was cruising until then."

Zito went 3-2 with a 2.64 ERA against the Dodgers last season, posting a 1.93 ERA in three home outings. Matt Kemp went 4 for 8 in their matchups, though, and is a .436 lifetime hitter with three homers off Zito.

The only three Giants hitting better than .200 with more than six at_bats against Kershaw are Marco Scutaro (.357), Angel Pagan (.308) and Sandoval (.303). He's baffled Hunter Pence (1 for 26) and Buster Posey (6 for 36).




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-03-13 06:16 AM
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Preview: Nationals (15-14) at Pirates (16-12)

Game: 1
Venue: PNC Park
Date: May 03, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


While their injury issues have played a role in their recent slump, the Washington Nationals could get a boost offensively in the opener of a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ryan Zimmerman will likely return to the lineup on Friday night as he looks to help the Nationals win their third straight on a seven-game road trip.

After hitting .282 with 25 homers and 95 RBIs in 2012, Zimmerman was batting .226 with one homer and 11 RBIs before suffering a hamstring injury that has forced him to miss the last 14 games.

Without the star third baseman, Washington has scored 37 runs while batting .197 with nine homers.

The Nationals (15-14) scored three times over the first two innings Thursday before coming up empty the rest of the way in a 3-1 victory that gave them a four-game split in Atlanta.

Bryce Harper was able to play after bruising his left shoulder a day earlier, but Jayson Werth could miss this series after leaving for a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning. Werth had missed the previous two games with a strained right hamstring and bruised left ankle.

Zimmerman, though, is expected to be in the lineup after going 0 for 3 in his final rehab game with High-A Potomac on Wednesday.

"Hopefully, we're getting close to being full strength," manager Davey Johnson told the league's official website. "Zim came through Wednesday's rehab game all right. He's going to work out, and then he will join us on Friday."

Although Zimmerman is batting .375 (24 for 64) in 16 games at PNC Park, he's hitless in six at_bats against Pittsburgh's A.J. Burnett (2-2, 2.83 ERA).

The Pirates (16-12), who have won three straight at home, send the veteran right-hander to the mound as they look to build on a 6-4 trip.

After losing two of his first three starts, Burnett has started to find his groove with a 2-0 record and 2.00 ERA over his last three.

Burnett, who ranks among the major league leaders with 48 strikeouts in 35 innings, allowed two runs and struck out 10 over eight innings as Pittsburgh rallied for a 5-4 win over Washington at PNC Park on May 8.

Adam LaRoche is in the middle of a 2-for-38 slump but has six hits, including a homer and two doubles, in 18 at_bats against Burnett.

Denard Span, who went 3 for 4 with two RBIs on Thursday, is 7 for 21 when facing Burnett.

Washington will counter with left-hander Ross Detwiler (1-2, 2.03), who has given up two runs over 13 innings in a pair of road starts.

He'll try to bounce back from his worst outing of the season as he allowed four runs and a career high-tying 11 hits in five innings of a 5-2 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday.

In his only start at PNC Park, Detwiler surrendered three runs and seven hits over six innings in a 4-2 loss May 9.

Andrew McCutchen is hitting .442 with 10 homers and 21 RBIs in 23 games versus the Nationals and has singled in each of his three at_bats against Detwiler.




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-03-13 02:09 PM
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Preview: Mets (11-15) at Braves (17-11)

Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: May 03, 2013 7:30 PM EDT


The Atlanta Braves' all-or-nothing offense has provided closer to nothing of late, though that hasn't been case when the New York Mets have visited Turner Field.

The NL East-leading Braves will try to get back on track and beat the Mets for the eighth time in nine home games in the opener of a three-game series on Friday night.

After getting shut out with only two hits a day earlier, Atlanta (17-11) was held to five hits on Thursday in a 3-1 home loss to Washington as it settled for a split of its four-game set.

Only three base runners reached scoring position over the last two games, and Dan Uggla's home run in the seventh on ended a streak of 18 consecutive scoreless innings for the Braves.

Atlanta ranks near the top of the majors in home runs (39) as well as strikeouts (259), but has just four homers and 84 strikeouts while dropping six of eight.

The Braves, who still lead the NL East by 2 1/2 games, may be able to bounce back in this series since they've batted .292 with nine home runs and 52 RBIs while winning seven of eight meetings at Turner Field.

They hope to continue that trend versus right-hander Shaun Marcum, who makes his second start for the Mets (11-15) after beginning the season on the DL with a neck injury and right biceps tendinitis.

Marcum (0-2, 7.94 ERA) allowed three runs and five hits in only four innings in a 9-4 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday before giving up two runs in 1 2-3 innings of relief against Miami two days later.

He's pitched well in his career against the Braves, striking out 18 and allowing five runs over 20 innings in three starts.

Chris Johnson, Atlanta's top hitter at .369, is 1 for 12 with five strikeouts lifetime against Marcum.

After ending a season-worst six-game losing streak on Wednesday, New York looks to win consecutive games for the second time in 12 road contests.

The Mets have their own issues offensively, scoring 29 runs and batting .194 in their last 10 games.

"The most frustrating thing about the past six days is we've been in the games," manager Terry Collins said. "We've given ourselves a chance, we just haven't been able to create any offense.

Collins' club is hoping to catch Atlanta starter Mike Minor (3-2, 3.13) at an opportune time as he tries to recover from his worst outing of the season.

The left-hander gave up a total of five runs while winning three of his first four starts before allowing six runs and six hits - including two homers - in an 8-3 loss at Detroit on Sunday.

The Braves have won five of Minor's six career starts against the Mets, though he has a 6.03 ERA in this series. He limited New York to just three hits over 6 1-3 innings in a 2-0 win on Sept. 29.

John Buck, who leads the Mets with nine homers and 27 RBIs, is hitless in eight career at_bats against Minor.

The Braves have won 12 of 14 overall against the Mets.




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-03-13 02:12 PM
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Preview: Cardinals (17-11) at Brewers (14-13)

Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: May 03, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


Although they've been one of the top hitting teams in the majors at home, the Milwaukee Brewers are being tested by the St. Louis Cardinals' red-hot starting pitchers.

It doesn't figure to get any easier against a 22-year-old rookie who dominated them earlier this season.

Shelby Miller will try to provide the NL Central -leading Cardinals with yet another outstanding start on Friday night when they go for two in a row in this four-game series at Miller Park.

Jake Westbrook continued the run of gems by St. Louis (17-11) starters on Thursday when he allowed one run over six innings before the bullpen held off a late Milwaukee rally in a 6-5 victory.

While the Brewers (14-13) rank among the league leaders with 26 homers and 88 runs at home, they're facing a rotation that has allowed three earned runs or less in 20 of 23 games and leads all of baseball with a 2.09 ERA.

Milwaukee has managed one run in 29 innings against St. Louis starters while dropping three of the four meetings. The Brewers now try to avoid a third straight home defeat as they face another tough test against Miller (3-2, 2.05 ERA).

The hard-throwing right-hander struck out eight while giving up one hit over seven innings in a 2-0 win over Milwaukee on April 12.

Miller, though, will try to rebound from his worst outing in five starts after yielding three runs and seven hits - including two homers - over 5 2-3 innings in a 9-0 loss to the Pirates on Sunday.

"I probably can't even count on my fingers how many balls I threw down in the zone,' said Miller, who ranks among the NL leaders in ERA.

This time, Miller will have to slow down Milwaukee's Carlos Gomez, who went 2 for 4 in the opener to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He's 17 for 33 (.515) with three homers, four doubles and six RBIs over that span.

Ryan Braun has also been heating up with eight hits in 18 at_bats in his last four games.

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who has missed 22 games with a strained left knee, is expected to return on Friday. He's batting .388 during a 14-game hitting streak at Miller Park.

Although it hasn't translated to many wins, Kyle Lohse (1-2, 2.53) has pitched well for Milwaukee after winning 16 games for the Cardinals last season.

The right-hander, who signed a three-year, $33 million contract as a free agent on March 25, hasn't allowed more than three runs in each of his first five starts.

He'll make his second start against his former club after giving up two runs and six hits over seven innings in a 2-0 loss to Miller on April 12 at St. Louis.

"He's a huge addition to our pitching staff,' manager Ron Roenicke said. "That's not a knock on our young guys, but having him on the staff along with Yo (Yovani Gallardo), I think that makes us a very good team.'

Carlos Beltran should be happy to get another look at Lohse since he's 23 for 42 (.548) with four homers in this matchup.

Yadier Molina will try to continue his recent tear after going 8 for 15 over his last four games. He's 4 for 7 with a homer and double against his former battery mate.




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-03-13 02:13 PM
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Preview: Red Sox (20-8) at Rangers (17-11)

Game: 1
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: May 03, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


Mike Napoli played a major role as the Texas Rangers won an AL championship in 2011 and appeared in the playoffs in each of his two seasons. When he sought a multiyear deal in free agency, though, the team wasn't prepared to commit given his injury history.

The Boston Red Sox took a chance on him, and that risk has paid off so far.

Napoli faces his former team for the first time as Boston visits Texas in the opener of a three-game series Friday night.

After batting .275 with 54 homers and 131 RBIs in 221 regular-season games with the Rangers, Napoli agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract with the Red Sox during the offseason.

During his physical, though, a hip issue was discovered and he signed a one-year deal with a $5 million base salary and incentives that could make the total value of the deal reach up to $13 million.

Napoli battled injuries and missed 103 games while with Texas, though he hasn't missed a single contest this season. He's hitting .283 with team highs of six homers and 31 RBIs after going 1 for 5 in Thursday's 3-1 victory over Toronto.

Boston (20-8), off to its best start since opening 20-7 in 2002, has won seven of eight and scored fewer than six runs for the first time in that stretch Thursday.

Napoli is 3 for 6 with a homer in his career off former teammate Derek Holland, who seeks his fifth straight victory over the Red Sox.

Holland (1-2, 3.38 ERA) posted a 1.64 ERA over his first three starts, but he allowed six runs in 5 2-3 innings of Texas' 7-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels on April 22. He pitched better Saturday by allowing three earned runs and five hits in seven innings, though he suffered a 7-2 loss at Minnesota.

The left-hander has been stellar when facing the Red Sox recently, winning each of his last four starts against them while posting a 2.22 ERA. Holland allowed three runs and struck out seven in 7 2-3 innings of a 5-3 victory in the latest matchup July 25.

Texas (17-11) has dropped four of five after falling 3-1 to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, scoring two or fewer runs in each defeat. The lone run in its last contest came on a second-inning homer from Adrian Beltre, who hit .321 with 28 homers and 102 RBIs for Boston in 2010.

Beltre, hitting .215, is 3 for 24 over his last six games, with each hit being a home run. His only hit in his last 12 at_bats versus the Red Sox left the ballpark.

"He's going to be the run producer," manager Ron Washington said. "What you see now, you won't see through the season."

Felix Doubront (3-0, 4.24) is scheduled to take the mound looking to help Boston win for the third time in 10 meetings with Texas.

Doubront has won his last three starts after giving up three runs and four hits while striking out eight in 6 2-3 innings of Saturday's 8-4 win over Houston. He walked three, threw a wild pitch and allowed two runs in the first inning before settling down.

"I'm just waiting for that moment that I can put it all together to get more efficient," Doubront said.

The left-hander hasn't been very good against Texas, though, going 0-2 with a 10.32 ERA in two starts and three relief appearances. He allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings of a 9-1 loss in his most recent start against the Rangers on July 23.




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-03-13 02:16 PM
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Preview: White Sox (12-15) at Royals (15-10)

Game: 1
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: May 03, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


When Jeremy Guthrie beat the Chicago White Sox back in August, there's no way he could have realized it would be the beginning of an unbeaten streak that's only been seen one other time in Kansas City Royals history.

Now he can't stop hearing about it.

Guthrie looks to extend his streak to 17 starts without a loss as the Royals host the White Sox in the opener of a three-game series Friday night.

After allowing six hits and striking out five in 6 2-3 innings of a 9-0 win over Cleveland on Sunday, Guthrie improved to 8-0 with a 2.44 ERA over his last 16 starts. The unbeaten streak, which began with a 2-1 win over the White Sox on Aug. 8, ties the Royals' franchise record set by Paul Splittorff spanning the 1977 and 1978 seasons.

``I knew it's been a number of starts in a row, because people kept reminding me of it,' said Guthrie, who is 3-0 with a 3.06 ERA in five starts in 2013. ``Ultimately, it means a lot because hopefully the guys behind me when I go out are confident that we have a chance to win the game.'

Guthrie, who hasn't won more than 11 games in his career and hasn't had a winning season since 2007, has seemed to rejuvenate his career in Kansas City after being acquired from Colorado in July.

``I have the kind of confidence I want to go into each start (thinking) that good stuff or not, I can keep us in it and give us a chance to win the game," Guthrie said.

The right-hander has been stellar against the White Sox since being traded to the Royals, going 2-0 with a 0.50 ERA as Kansas City has won each of his five starts. He's allowed two earned runs in 35 2-3 innings while striking out 28 and walking just three.

Guthrie will look to help Kansas City (15-10) earn a third straight victory after its series finale versus Tampa Bay on Thursday was postponed due to snow. The Royals led 1-0 after 3 1/2 innings and wanted to finish out the contest.

"I can't control the weather. I've tried before and it never worked," manager Ned Yost said. "You just deal with it.'

Injuries have been an issue for the White Sox, though they took the final two of a three-game set at Texas with Thursday's 3-1 victory. Scheduled starter Jake Peavy was scratched earlier in the day because of back spasms, but Tyler Flowers hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to provide all the offense Chicago (12-15) would need.

Hector Santiago was scheduled to pitch in this contest but had to be moved up to replace Peavy, putting Dylan Axelrod in line to start Friday. Gavin Floyd is on the disabled list with a flexor muscle strain in his right arm.

``I think every day you go through the list and figure out who's available, and the training room's full,' manager Robin Ventura said. ``It's just part of the playing the game. You just deal with it.'

Axelrod (0-1, 3.95) has given up six runs while pitching six innings in each of his last three starts. He didn't get a decision in any of those outings, though, including after giving up three runs to Tampa Bay in Chicago's 8-3 loss Sunday.

The right-hander has never started against Kansas City, though he earned the victory after pitching two scoreless innings of relief in a 9-8 win July 13.




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-03-13 02:18 PM
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Preview: Tigers (16-11) at Astros (8-21)

Game: 2
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: May 03, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


Despite dealing with some wildness, Doug Fister is off to the best start of his career.

The undefeated right-hander looks for a fifth victory Friday night while trying to help the visiting Tigers hand the lowly Houston Astros a fourth consecutive loss.

Facing Houston for the first time, Fister (4-0, 2.38 ERA) fared much better this April than last year when a rib injury limited to one start during the month. Healthy and confident, Fister allowed nine earned runs and one homer in 34 innings of his first five 2013 outings.

He gave up three runs and struck out a season-high eight in seven innings of an 8-3 win over Atlanta on Sunday in his 100th career start.

However, Fister leads the majors with eight hit batters - twice as many as any other pitcher. Teammate Justin Verlander in 2007 and Frank Lary in 1960 each hit 19 in a season to share the team's post-World War II record.

Fister insists he's not trying to purposely plunk anybody despite hitting 35 batters since breaking into the majors in 2009.

"Unfortunately, I think it's more mechanics for me," he told the Tigers' official website. "Not staying back at times, my arm kind of drags and the sinker gets away from me. For me, it's never intentional to hit a guy. I'm looking over and making sure that they know that it's not intentional.

"Yes, I'm trying to go inside and trying to keep the sinker down and in. But by no means is it ever intentional."

Houston (8-21) batters have been hit nine times, but lead the majors with 294 strikeouts. The Astros and Tigers each fanned 18 times in Detroit's 7-3, 14-inning win Thursday.

Tigers pitchers have recorded a major league-high 281 strikeouts, and 10 or more in seven straight games.

Don Kelly had the go-ahead single in the 14th and Austin Jackson added three hits Thursday as Detroit (16-11) snapped a four-game road skid by winning for the sixth time in seven overall.

"To keep battling and come out with a win is just awesome," said Kelly, who did not start but went 2 for 3. "Games like this, you try to find a way win and keep grinding it out."

Jackson is batting .344 (11 for 32) during an eight-game hitting streak.

Teammate Miguel Cabrera added two more hits, including his 1,000th as a Tiger, to raise his average to .373.

Houston's Bud Norris (3-3, 4.20) makes his first start against the Tigers when he takes the mound.

Plagued by inconsistency, Norris has a 1.53 ERA in the games he's won and an 8.03 ERA in those losses. After he gave up one run in five innings of a 3-2 win over Seattle on April 23, the right-hander yielded five - three earned - in six innings of a 6-1 loss at Boston on Sunday.

Ex-Tiger Carlos Pena homered and had two of the six hits for Houston, which has dropped seven of eight. Pena has gone 9 for 20 in five games to raise his average from .188 to .240.

He's 0 for 6 versus Fister.




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-03-13 02:20 PM
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Preview: Orioles (17-12) at Angels (10-18)

Game: 2
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: May 03, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


Based on the way Baltimore played in its series opener against the Los Angeles Angels, the Orioles seem poised to end their recent struggles in Anaheim.

The Orioles look to win consecutive road games against the Angels for the first time in almost three years Friday night.

Nate McLouth hit a two-run homer and Chris Tillman pitched eight scoreless innings in Baltimore's 5-1 win at Los Angeles on Thursday. The Orioles (17-12) are 5-3 on an 11-game western trip but had dropped three of the previous four.

"We're starting to come together," said Orioles first baseman Chris Davis, who is batting .345 with seven homers and 20 RBIs on the road. "We're looking forward to getting back out there (Friday). It's been a long road trip for us and we need to just continue to focus."

The victory was Baltimore's third in 11 games at Anaheim. The Orioles, who were shut out in their previous two road contests against the Angels (10-18), last won back-to-back contests there during a three-game sweep Aug. 27-19, 2010.

McLouth is batting .429 (18 for 42) with three homers and nine RBIs in his last 12 games.

Teammate Manny Machado has batted .426 (20 for 47) with seven RBIs during a hitting streak that reached 11 games with two hits Thursday.

Miguel Gonzalez (2-1, 4.60 ERA) takes the mound for the Orioles after he allowed four runs in the sixth inning and never made it out of the frame in Sunday's 9-8, 10-inning loss at Oakland.

"I tried to do too much,' said Gonzalez, who allowed two baserunners through the first five innings. "A couple of pitches I was forcing it instead of just letting it go."

In his only previous outing versus Los Angeles, the right-hander gave up a solo homer to Mark Trumbo and two other hits in seven innings of a 3-2 win July 6.

Trumbo went 0 for 3 with a walk Thursday for the Angels, who managed four hits while losing for the seventh time in nine games. Albert Pujols homered in the ninth for his first hit in 12 at_bats over three games.

The Angels missed a prime chance to score in the first inning when Mike Trout was thrown out at the plate.

"Obviously we're not on any kind of a roll, so the small things become that much more important," Trumbo said.

Trying for a sixth time to earn his first win with his new team, Los Angeles' Jason Vargas (0-3, 4.85) looks for a third consecutive strong outing.

The left-hander allowed five runs in 15 innings while he's gone 0-1 in his last two starts after he yielded 10 over nine frames of his previous two. Pitching in his former home at Safeco Field on Sunday, Vargas gave up two homers and struck out seven in eight innings of a 2-1 loss to the Mariners.

"Just a couple mistakes there late and (Seattle's Jason) Bay and (Michael) Morse didn't miss them and that ended up being the ballgame, but he pitched a great game,' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "If he pitches like that he'll win a lot of games for us.'

Vargas is 1-2 in six starts versus Baltimore despite a 2.03 ERA.




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-03-13 02:22 PM
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Date WLT Pct Net Units Record

05/03/13 0-_2-_0 0.00% -_1060 Detail
05/02/13 6-_7-_0 46.15% -_1090 Detail
05/01/13 19-_11-_0 63.33% +_4395 Detail

Totals 25-_20-_0 55.56% +2245


Friday, May 3

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Minnesota - 7:05 PM ET Cleveland -154 500
Cleveland - Over 8.5 500

Miami 0 Bot 0 Philadelphia -174 500
Philadelphia 0 Under 7.5 500

Oakland 0 Bot 0 Oakland +132 500 POD # 1
NY Yankees 0 Over 8 500

Washington 0 Bot 0 Pittsburgh -135 500
Pittsburgh 0 Over 7 500

Seattle - 7:07 PM ET Toronto +116 500 POD # 4
Toronto - Under 7.5 500

NY Mets - 7:30 PM ET NY Mets +174 500 POD # 3
Atlanta - Over 7 500

Boston - 8:05 PM ET Boston +118 500 POD # 2
Texas - Over 9 500

Detroit - 8:10 PM ET Detroit -185 500
Houston - Over 8 500

St. Louis - 8:10 PM ET Milwaukee -110 500
Milwaukee - Under 8 500

Tampa Bay - 8:40 PM ET Tampa Bay -126 500
Colorado - Under 9 500

Baltimore - 10:05 PM ET Baltimore +120 500
LA Angels - Over 8.5 500

Arizona - 10:10 PM ET Arizona -116 500
San Diego - Under 7.5 500

LA Dodgers - 10:15 PM ET LA Dodgers -133 500
San Francisco - Over 6.5 500




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-04-13 12:55 AM
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Preview: Athletics (16-13) at Yankees (17-10)

Game: 2
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: May 04, 2013 1:05 PM EDT


Bartolo Colon is off to a solid start in his return to the Oakland Athletics.

However, he didn't fare well in two outings versus New York since his one season with the Yankees in 2011.

Making his first start at Yankee Stadium since leaving the Bronx, the veteran right-hander looks to start 4-0 while trying to end his recent struggles against one of his many former teams Saturday.

Colon (3-0, 3.38 ERA) went 8-10 with a 4.00 ERA in 29 games - 26 starts - for New York in 2011. Oakland then signed him prior to the 2012 season and he went 10-9 with 3.43 ERA in 24 starts before he was suspended 50 games for testing positive for testosterone in August.

Though Colon enjoyed a solid season in 2012, he went 0-1 with a 7.11 ERA in two home starts against the Yankees.

Oakland (17-13) hopes that changes as it tries to improve to 6-0 with him on the mound. Colon, who turns 40 later this month, also looks for a better effort after he posted season highs with five runs and nine hits in six innings of a 9-8, 10-inning win over Baltimore on Sunday.

A.J. Griffin pitched seven solid innings to outduel CC Sabathia on Friday, and Jed Lowrie and Nate Freiman each had three hits as the A's won for the fourth time in five games, 2-0.

"It doesn't really matter what else goes on when you get seven shutout innings from your starter in this ballpark and you've got a fresh bullpen behind you," Oakland manager Bob Melvin told MLB's official website.

Lowrie, who has posted consecutive three-hit road games, is batting .341 in 14 career contests at Yankee Stadium.

Grant Balfour got the final out for his fourth save of the season and 23rd in a row, including the playoffs, since blowing one April 29, 2012.

Brett Gardner and Jayson Nix each had two hits for New York (17-11), which dropped to 6-2 on a 10-game homestand.

"You're not going to be able to get them every night," New York outfielder Vernon Wells said. "I think you just want guys to try to have good at_bats. Sometimes the outcome is out of your hands, but it's just guys continuing to keep the same approach. We'll continue doing that day in and day out."

New York's Robinson Cano is batting .322 this season and .429 (6 for 14) with two doubles and a homer versus Colon. Teammate Ichiro Suzuki is 6 for 13 in the last three games and hitting .341 with two home runs against him.

Phil Hughes (0-2, 4.67) will try a sixth time to earn his first win when he takes the mound for the Yankees on Saturday. The right-hander has allowed two runs in three straight starts, most recently Sunday over six innings when he struck out a season-high nine in a 3-2 win over Toronto.

Hughes, who is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA in five starts versus Oakland, has allowed 13 runs and 16 hits in seven innings without a decision in his last two against the A's at Yankee Stadium.

With seventh-inning specialist Joba Chamberlain already on the disabled list with a strained oblique, the Yankees also are minus setup man David Robertson for this series because of a leg injury.




Believe in the 3 G's
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Old Post 05-04-13 07:42 AM
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Preview: Twins (12-12) at Indians (12-13)

Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: May 04, 2013 1:05 PM EDT


Scott Kazmir has gone nearly three years without a victory. His current teammates, meanwhile, have done nothing but win lately.

With five straight wins, the Indians hope Kazmir can help continue that run Saturday against the visiting Minnesota Twins.

Cleveland (13-13) has been firing on all cylinders during its streak, producing 46 runs and 12 homers while batting .357 despite the absence of injured regulars Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn.

The pitchers have also done their share, posting a 2.15 ERA. Cleveland starters had allowed five runs over the first four games of the streak before Justin Masterson was reached for five in 6 2-3 innings Friday.

That sub-par outing, however, wasn't enough to slow the Indians, who returned to .500 for the first time since April 13 after winning the opener of this three-game set, 7-6 in 10 innings on Drew Stubbs' RBI double - his fourth hit. Jason Kipnis matched a career high with four RBIs for Cleveland, which seeks its first six-game run since capturing seven in a row April 26-May 3, 2011.

"It makes you feel really good because he's a very hard worker," manager Terry Francona said of Stubbs. "We got Drew because we love his athleticism, his ability to play the outfield, and the way he runs the bases. And since Bourny went out, he's played Gold Glove-caliber center field - and I don't think he's getting enough credit for that."

This will be the third start of the season for Kazmir (0-1, 8.64 ERA), who's in search of his first win since beating Tampa Bay on Sept. 19, 2010.

After pitching poorly in his season debut, the left-hander was much better at Kansas City last Saturday, yielding two runs and five hits over five innings in a 3-2 loss. Kazmir, who spent last season pitching in the independent Atlantic League, hasn't faced the Twins (12-13) since April 29, 2009.

Justin Morneau is 5 for 14 with two homers against Kazmir, while reserve infielder Jamey Carroll is 6 for 10.

Kazmir will also want to be careful with Trevor Plouffe, who went deep Friday and is batting .395 with five home runs in 12 games at Progressive Field.

Cleveland's hot offense should get a boost with Swisher's expected return. The first baseman missed the last three games to rest his sore left shoulder.

"We didn't take these last (few) days off to get better and then blow it back out again," Swisher told the team's official website. "You want to get this thing behind you, put it in the rearview mirror and then get back in there."

The Twins, winners of 12 of 16 against the Indians, will have their most effective starter on the mound as Kevin Correia (3-1, 2.33) looks to win his fourth start in a row.

He's turned in five consecutive quality outings and pitched at least seven innings in each appearance. The right-hander scattered six hits - all singles - over eight innings and allowed one runner to reach third base in a 5-0 win over Texas on Sunday.

"Getting balls hit to people right now," Correia said. "Right now it's just going my way."

Correia lost his only start against the Indians on June 17, 2011, while with Pittsburgh. He allowed two runs and four hits over 5 2-3 innings.

Mark Reynolds has the most experience of any Indians player against Correia, going 13 for 44 (.295) with three homers and 18 strikeouts.




Believe in the 3 G's
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Old Post 05-04-13 07:46 AM
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Preview: Reds (15-14) at Cubs (11-17)

Game: 2
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: May 04, 2013 1:05 PM EDT


The Cincinnati Reds had one of their more productive days at the plate in recent games in their series opener against the Chicago Cubs. Judging by his first three starts in the majors, Tony Cingrani might not need too much support from his teammates.

The rookie left-hander will try to improve to 3-0 while leading the Reds to a franchise-record eighth consecutive road win over the Cubs on Saturday.

Cincinnati registered its highest run total in 11 games in a 6-5 win Friday and needed all of those runs after closer Aroldis Chapman gave up a season-high three in the ninth.

The Reds (16-14) scored four of their runs with two outs in their 18th victory in 23 games against Chicago (11-18). Cincinnati batted .195 with 17 runs in its previous nine games.

"The team that gets the two-out hits is the team that wins the games," manager Dusty Baker said after the Reds improved to 4-10 on the road. "Those are big, big clutch hits when you get two out.

"We had some guys swing the bat pretty good today."

Cincinnati will try to duplicate that effort and help Cingrani (2-0, 1.50 ERA) remain undefeated through his first four starts. He had his first scoreless one Sunday, tossing six innings and striking out a career-high 11 in a 5-2 victory in Washington.

Cingrani gave up two runs over seven innings and fanned nine against the Cubs on April 23, but the Reds fell 4-2 in 10 innings.

Cingrani, called up April 18 to replace an injured Johnny Cueto, is trying to become the 10th Cincinnati rookie starter since 1921 to win his first three decisions. Current teammate Mike Leake was the most recent to pull off that feat by starting 5-0 in 2010.

Cubs scheduled starter Jeff Samardzija (1-4, 3.35) will try to prevent that while avoiding a career-worst fifth consecutive loss. The right-hander has allowed three runs or fewer in three of his last four outings, giving up one over six innings at Cincinnati in a 1-0 loss April 24.

Samardzija allowed three runs and struck out eight in five innings against San Diego on Monday, but he also matched a season high with four walks as the Cubs rallied for a 5-3 victory.

"Too many walks," Samardzija, who walked three in Cincinnati last month, told the Cubs' official website. "You can't put that many guys on for free. Just pitching in a lot of situations where you have to battle and make bigger pitches makes it harder on yourself."

Samardzija has a 2.89 ERA in three career starts against Cincinnati but has lost the past two in part because he's gotten a combined two runs of support.

Joey Votto, who had two hits and scored two runs Friday, is batting .375 in his last 11 at Wrigley Field. He's 2 for 14 with five strikeouts against Samardzija.

The Cubs' Carlos Marmol is seeking to surpass Lee Smith with a franchise-best 453rd career relief appearance.




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Old Post 05-04-13 07:48 AM
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Preview: Cardinals (17-11) at Brewers (14-13)

Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: May 04, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


While Adam Wainwright has had plenty of success against the Milwaukee Brewers, Yovani Gallardo hasn't been able to figure out why the St. Louis Cardinals give him so much trouble.

St. Louis seeks a fifth straight win Saturday while sending host Milwaukee to a fourth consecutive defeat.

Wainwright (4-2, 2.03 ERA) has gotten off to a solid start, striking out 43 while walking only three in 44 1-3 innings. He pitched well Monday but had his four-start winning streak come to an end, giving up two runs and five hits in seven innings of a 2-1 loss to Cincinnati.

"It was a tough game to lose," Wainwright told the team's official website. "Sometimes you have to match up zeros with someone who is throwing great, and I didn't match zeros."

Wainwright put up plenty of zeros in his best outing of the season April 13, tossing a four-hitter and striking out a career high-tying 12 while also going 3 for 3 with two RBIs in an 8-0 win over Milwaukee.

Two of Wainwright's five career shutouts have coming against the Brewers.

"It's always fun to pitch a complete-game shutout," Wainwright said. "I've done it against the Brewers a couple times now. I don't know what it is about that team. I think they make me focus more, because they have guys that are really dangerous."

The right-hander is 9-6 with a 2.00 ERA in 18 career starts versus Milwaukee, with four of his 12 career complete games coming against the Brewers. He's gone the distance the last two times he's faced them, allowing five hits in a 6-1 victory Aug. 4.

Ryan Braun is 9 for 49 (.184) with 13 strikeouts lifetime off Wainwright, but he's batting .423 during a six-game hitting streak after going 2 for 4 in Milwaukee's 6-1 loss to the Cardinals (18-11) on Friday.

Aramis Ramirez went 2 for 3 in his return after missing four weeks with a sprained left knee, but the Brewers (14-14) have dropped the first two of this four-game series and eight of the last 11 meetings with St. Louis.

Matt Holliday went 3 for 4 with a two-run homer and Carlos Beltran also homered Friday for the Cardinals. Holliday has three home runs while Beltran is 6 for 15 lifetime off Gallardo, who is pitching well of late but hasn't had any success against St. Louis recently.

Gallardo (3-1, 4.25) had a 6.61 ERA over his first three starts, including allowing six runs in 5 1-3 innings while opposing Wainwright last month. He's won his last three outings, though, posting a 2.29 ERA after giving up two runs - one earned - in seven innings of a 10-4 win over Pittsburgh on Monday. He also hit his second homer of the season.

"Glad he went the length that he did," manager Ron Roenicke told the team's official website. "He struggled with his command early, then he got the rhythm and started throwing strikes, and finished, I thought, outstanding."

The right-hander has been anything but versus the Cardinals, though. Gallardo is 0-7 with a 9.56 ERA in his last eight starts - including a Game 3 loss in the 2011 NLCS - and 1-11 with a 6.86 ERA in 16 career outings against St. Louis.

"I know I haven't had very many good ones against them, and it's frustrating," Gallardo said. "There always seems to be something."

St. Louis found out Friday that closer Jason Motte won't pitch this season and will have Tommy John surgery next week.




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Old Post 05-04-13 07:53 AM
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Preview: Nationals (15-14) at Pirates (16-12)

Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: May 04, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


The Washington Nationals have been so protective of Stephen Strasburg since he entered the majors that even the potential of an injury creates a stir.

After the concern was alleviated earlier in the week, Strasburg seeks to end his five-start winless streak as Washington looks to avoid a third straight loss to the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.

Since allowing three hits in seven innings of a 2-0 win over Miami on opening day April 1, Strasburg (1-4, 3.13 ERA) has gone winless with a 3.86 ERA while throwing at least 110 pitches four times.

He walked four and gave up two runs in six innings of Washington's 3-2 loss to Atlanta on Monday, and manager Davey Johnson was concerned his ace was experiencing potentially serious arm trouble as he said Strasburg was shaking his arm between pitches more than normal.

The right-hander, though, knew right away there weren't any major problems.

``I'm not missing my next start. I'll tell you that right now," Strasburg said after the game.

General manager Mike Rizzo agreed.

"Stephen had some irritation on his forearm. He's healthy, happy and ready to pitch Saturday," Rizzo told the team's official website Tuesday. "He was seen by the team doctor here in the clubhouse and was given a clean bill of health."

That's good news for the Nationals (15-15), as Strasburg has been dominant in his two career outings versus Pittsburgh. He gave up two runs and four hits while striking out a career-high 14 in seven innings of a 5-2 victory in his first major league start June 8, 2010. He then finished with 13 strikeouts and allowed one earned run in six innings of a 4-2 win May 10.

Washington, though, has dropped four of six after falling 3-1 to the Pirates in Friday's series opener. Danny Espinosa had an RBI single but Ryan Zimmerman went 0 for 4 in his return to the lineup after missing 14 games with a strained left hamstring.

The Nationals have scored three runs or fewer in six straight games.

"I don't know if it's being aggressive early in the count or not, but I do feel we're trying too hard to make things happen," Johnson said. "Everyone just needs to relax a little bit.'

Andrew McCutchen has been hitting much better lately for Pittsburgh (17-12), which improved to 16-7 since starting the season 1-5. McCutchen went 3 for 4 with a solo homer Friday and is 8 for 17 with two homers and four RBIs over his last four contests to bump his average up 41 points to .257.

The Pirates, who have taken five of the last seven meetings with the Nationals, will look to win a fifth straight home game as they send Jeff Locke to the mound.

Locke (3-1, 2.83) got off to a rocky start but has been stellar over his last two outings while extending his scoreless streak to 13 innings. He allowed two hits and struck out six in six innings of a 2-0 win over Philadelphia on April 23, then gave up three hits in seven innings of a 9-0 victory over St. Louis on Sunday.

"Locke pitched a great game (Sunday)," catcher Russell Martin told the team's official website. "Getting my pitcher putting up scoreless innings gets us in a place to win."

The left-hander, who had one victory in 10 career starts entering this season, has never faced the Nationals nor any hitter currently on their roster.




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Old Post 05-04-13 07:55 AM
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Preview: Marlins (8-21) at Phillies (13-16)

Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: May 04, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Facing the Miami Marlins provided the Philadelphia Phillies a great chance to recover from an ugly series, and they've taken advantage.

Cole Hamels looks to become the latest Phillies starter to shut down the light-hitting Marlins on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park.

After getting outscored 20-2 in a two-game sweep at Cleveland, Philadelphia (14-16) has bounced back with consecutive victories over Miami. A day after Kyle Kendrick went seven strong innings in a 7-2 win, rookie Jonathan Pettibone allowed one run in 6 1-3 innings Friday to help the Phillies to a 4-1 victory.

Philadelphia's pitching staff allowed 31 hits in two games versus the Indians but has limited Miami to 13 halfway through this four-game set. The NL-worst Marlins (8-22) have gone 0 for 19 with runners in scoring position.

"We've got to do a better job of putting some runs up," manager Mike Redmond said. "It's tough for our pitching when we're just scoring one run a night."

That's been a problem against the Phillies, losing four of five meetings this season while scoring seven runs and batting .169. Philadelphia has won 11 of 14 versus Miami as its starters have gone at least six innings in all but one of those games, going 10-1 with a 1.98 ERA.

There's little reason to think Hamels (1-3, 4.78 ERA) can't keep that trend going, especially considering the Marlins are hitting .154 (6 for 39) against left-handers over their last six games. Hamels is 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in his last three outings against Miami, including a 2-1 loss April 13 as he allowed one run and three hits in six innings.

That strong outing came after two mediocre ones to begin the season and he has continued to pitch well, posting a 2.33 ERA in his last four starts with 27 strikeouts in 27 innings. Hamels is coming off his first win despite a career high-tying six walks, giving up one run and two hits over six innings in a 5-1 victory over the Mets.

"I was able to get away with it," the veteran left-hander said of his lack of command.

As good as Hamels and the Phillies starters have been against the Marlins this year, Ryan Howard has caused them big problems as well. He's homered in the first two games of this series and is 9 for 17 with five doubles in five meetings this season.

Howard, who has hit safely in 10 straight at home, has four homers and 12 RBIs over the last nine games. He went deep once and drove in six runs through his first 19.

"He's more patient, he's starting to get good balls to hit and he's staying on the ball better," manager Charlie Manuel said.

Howard went 0 for 3 against Miami's Jose Fernandez on April 13 when the rookie right-hander outpitched Hamels, yielding two hits over six shutout innings. Fernandez (0-2, 4.50), though, has struggled since that game.

He's lasted just 13 innings over his past three starts, giving up 11 runs and 15 hits. Hernandez needed 81 pitches to get through four innings Monday as he allowed two runs, three hits and three walks in a 4-3, 15-inning win over the Mets.




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Preview: White Sox (12-15) at Royals (15-10)

Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: May 04, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


When Jeremy Guthrie beat the Chicago White Sox in August, there's no way he could have realized it would be the beginning of an unbeaten streak that's only been seen one other time in Kansas City Royals history.

Now he can't stop hearing about it.

After Friday's originally scheduled series opener was wiped out due to freezing rain, Guthrie looks to extend his streak to 17 starts without a loss Saturday night as the Royals host the White Sox in this now-extended three-game set.

After allowing six hits and striking out five in 6 2-3 innings of a 9-0 win over Cleveland on Sunday, Guthrie improved to 8-0 with a 2.44 ERA over his last 16 starts. The unbeaten streak, which began with a 2-1 win over the White Sox on Aug. 8, ties the Royals' franchise record set by Paul Splittorff spanning the 1977 and 1978 seasons.

"I knew it's been a number of starts in a row, because people kept reminding me of it," said Guthrie, who is 3-0 with a 3.06 ERA in five starts in 2013. "Ultimately, it means a lot because hopefully the guys behind me when I go out are confident that we have a chance to win the game."

Guthrie, who hasn't won more than 11 games in his career and hasn't had a winning season since 2007, has seemed to rejuvenate his career in Kansas City after being acquired from Colorado in July.

"I have the kind of confidence I want to go into each start (thinking) that good stuff or not, I can keep us in it and give us a chance to win the game," Guthrie said.

The right-hander has been stellar against the White Sox since being traded to the Royals, going 2-0 with a 0.50 ERA as Kansas City has won each of his five starts. He's struck out 28 and walked three over 35 2-3 innings.

Kansas City (15-10) should be well rested as it looks for its third straight victory. Its series finale versus Tampa Bay on Thursday was postponed after 3 1/2 innings due to snow, and freezing rain wiped out Friday's game.

The teams will now finish their three-game set Monday, an originally scheduled day off for both clubs.

"I used to worry about these kinds of things, but not anymore. There's nothing you can do about it," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "We'll play when we can play."

Injuries have been an issue for the White Sox, though they took the final two of a three-game set at Texas with Thursday's 3-1 victory. Scheduled starter Jake Peavy was scratched earlier in the day because of back spasms, but Tyler Flowers hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to provide all the offense Chicago (12-15) would need.

Hector Santiago was scheduled to pitch in this opener but had to be moved up to replace Peavy, putting Dylan Axelrod in line to start. Gavin Floyd is on the disabled list with a flexor muscle strain in his right arm.

"I think every day you go through the list and figure out who's available, and the training room's full," manager Robin Ventura said. "It's just part of playing the game. You just deal with it."

Axelrod (0-1, 3.95) has given up a total of six runs while pitching six innings in each of his last three starts. He didn't get a decision in any of those outings, though, including after giving up three runs to Tampa Bay in an 8-3 loss Sunday.

The right-hander has never started against Kansas City, though he earned the victory after pitching two scoreless innings of relief in a 9-8 win July 13.




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Preview: Red Sox (20-8) at Rangers (17-11)

Game: 2
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: May 04, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


The Texas Rangers have routinely pounded Boston pitching recently, and they'll look for another big offensive display as they try for their 10th win in 13 meetings with the Red Sox on Saturday night.

Texas' offense has keyed the team's success in this series, as the Rangers (18-11) have hit .334 with 20 homers while averaging 7.7 runs in the last 12 matchups.

The Rangers battered the visiting Red Sox (20-9) again in the opener of this three-game series Friday, collecting a season-high 18 hits on their way to a 7-0 win as Adrian Beltre, Ian Kinsler and Mitch Moreland combined for 10 hits.

Kinsler, who had three hits, is batting .417 with seven RBIs and eight runs over his last 10 meetings with Boston.

The second baseman is on a tear overall, compiling a .462 average during a nine-game hitting streak as his season mark increased 62 points to a team-leading .342. He's batting .438 with three homers versus John Lackey, Boston's scheduled starter.

Beltre has a .196 average with two homers against Lackey, but he enters this matchup with some momentum. The third baseman had a three-run double among his four hits Friday after enduring a 4-for-31 slump with three homers over his previous nine games.

"Beltre has got a track record, and the guys in my lineup have got a track record," manager Ron Washington said. "Beltre is a run producer, there wasn't anyone more upset about it than Beltre. But I'm happy that he said he's not frustrated because when you get frustrated you go blind."

Lackey (1-1, 2.61 ERA) certainly doesn't have any frustrations as he looks to build on an impressive return from the disabled list.

The veteran right-hander yielded one run while throwing 81 pitches in six innings of Sunday's 6-1 win over Houston. It was his first victory since Aug. 23, 2011, after missing last year recovering from Tommy John surgery.

He started this season with a scare, suffering a strained right biceps in a 5-0 loss at Toronto on April 6 and going on the DL four days later.

"The elbow's fine," Lackey said. "I was relieved probably to know I'm going to get my next start, just to come out of it healthy more than anything."

Lackey is 2-5 with a 9.34 ERA over his last 10 starts against the Rangers, who are hitting .367 off him over that stretch. He's split his last two visits to Arlington, allowing 13 runs in 10 1-3 innings.

The Rangers will counter with Alexi Ogando (2-2, 3.38), who is getting the ball for the second time at home. The right-hander won his first home start by yielding one run and three hits in 5 1-3 innings to beat Tampa Bay 5-4 on April 8.

He's 0-2 with a 4.87 ERA in four starts since but has been backed by five runs.

Ogando didn't get any help from the bats Sunday, when he allowed three runs in six innings of a 5-0 loss at Minnesota.

He's 1-2 with a 5.11 ERA in eight games versus the Red Sox, and his only start ended in a 6-0 home loss Aug. 25, 2011. Ogando was tagged for six runs and four homers in four innings.




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Preview: Cardinals (17-11) at Brewers (14-13)

Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: May 04, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


While Adam Wainwright has had plenty of success against the Milwaukee Brewers, Yovani Gallardo hasn't been able to figure out why the St. Louis Cardinals give him so much trouble.

St. Louis seeks a fifth straight win Saturday while sending host Milwaukee to a fourth consecutive defeat.

Wainwright (4-2, 2.03 ERA) has gotten off to a solid start, striking out 43 while walking only three in 44 1-3 innings. He pitched well Monday but had his four-start winning streak come to an end, giving up two runs and five hits in seven innings of a 2-1 loss to Cincinnati.

"It was a tough game to lose," Wainwright told the team's official website. "Sometimes you have to match up zeros with someone who is throwing great, and I didn't match zeros."

Wainwright put up plenty of zeros in his best outing of the season April 13, tossing a four-hitter and striking out a career high-tying 12 while also going 3 for 3 with two RBIs in an 8-0 win over Milwaukee.

Two of Wainwright's five career shutouts have coming against the Brewers.

"It's always fun to pitch a complete-game shutout," Wainwright said. "I've done it against the Brewers a couple times now. I don't know what it is about that team. I think they make me focus more, because they have guys that are really dangerous."

The right-hander is 9-6 with a 2.00 ERA in 18 career starts versus Milwaukee, with four of his 12 career complete games coming against the Brewers. He's gone the distance the last two times he's faced them, allowing five hits in a 6-1 victory Aug. 4.

Ryan Braun is 9 for 49 (.184) with 13 strikeouts lifetime off Wainwright, but he's batting .423 during a six-game hitting streak after going 2 for 4 in Milwaukee's 6-1 loss to the Cardinals (18-11) on Friday.

Aramis Ramirez went 2 for 3 in his return after missing four weeks with a sprained left knee, but the Brewers (14-14) have dropped the first two of this four-game series and eight of the last 11 meetings with St. Louis.

Matt Holliday went 3 for 4 with a two-run homer and Carlos Beltran also homered Friday for the Cardinals. Holliday has three home runs while Beltran is 6 for 15 lifetime off Gallardo, who is pitching well of late but hasn't had any success against St. Louis recently.

Gallardo (3-1, 4.25) had a 6.61 ERA over his first three starts, including allowing six runs in 5 1-3 innings while opposing Wainwright last month. He's won his last three outings, though, posting a 2.29 ERA after giving up two runs - one earned - in seven innings of a 10-4 win over Pittsburgh on Monday. He also hit his second homer of the season.

"Glad he went the length that he did," manager Ron Roenicke told the team's official website. "He struggled with his command early, then he got the rhythm and started throwing strikes, and finished, I thought, outstanding."

The right-hander has been anything but versus the Cardinals, though. Gallardo is 0-7 with a 9.56 ERA in his last eight starts - including a Game 3 loss in the 2011 NLCS - and 1-11 with a 6.86 ERA in 16 career outings against St. Louis.

"I know I haven't had very many good ones against them, and it's frustrating," Gallardo said. "There always seems to be something."

St. Louis found out Friday that closer Jason Motte won't pitch this season and will have Tommy John surgery next week




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-04-13 02:00 PM
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Preview: Mets (11-15) at Braves (17-11)

Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: May 04, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


A rare outburst offensively has sparked consecutive victories, and the New York Mets appear to have a decent chance to keep swinging hot bats Saturday night at Turner Field.

The Mets look to match a season high with their third straight win as they face Julio Teheran, who has been the Atlanta Braves' least effective starter but has seen them win all of his games.

After totaling 11 runs and hitting .165 with three homers during its season-worst six-game losing streak, New York (12-15) has scored 14 times while batting .263 with six homers in back-to-back victories.

David Wright provided one of the big blows Friday with a game-tying homer off Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning before New York scored twice in the 10th to win 7-5.

"He's as dominant as anybody in the game," Wright said of Kimbrel, who allowed a home run for the first time since Aug. 31. "You've just got to hope he makes a minor mistake or really you don't have much of a chance."

Wright, who also homered in a 7-6 win at Miami on Wednesday, now tries to lead New York to its first three-game win streak since April 6-8.

The Mets notched their second victory in nine games in Atlanta while tying a season high with four homers, and they'll look to continue that kind of production as they face Teheran (1-0, 5.08 ERA).

Opponents are hitting .333 against the right-hander, who has the worst ERA of any pitcher on the Braves' active roster. He has one quality start in five tries - every other Atlanta starter has at least four - but the Braves (17-12) have won all of them while scoring a combined 31 runs.

Teheran, though, has managed to avoid the big inning lately, allowing three runs despite 18 hits over 12 1-3 innings in his last two starts. He surrendered 10 hits and two runs in 5 1-3 innings Monday, not getting a decision in a 3-2 win over Washington.

"We're watching him grow up in front of our eyes," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The East-leading Braves haven't given their pitchers much support following a 12-1 start, hitting .226 with 156 strikeouts while dropping 11 of 16.

Atlanta, however, has batted .295 with 10 homers and 57 RBIs over the last nine home games against the Mets. Evan Gattis hit his seventh homer Friday, Andrelton Simmons drove in two runs and B.J. Upton had two hits to break a 1-for-22 slump.

"Our offense went out there and did what they had to do," said Kimbrel, who blew his second save in three games. "They scored when we needed to score, and we weren't just able to hold it down."

The Braves hope to do some damage against left-hander Jonathon Niese (2-2, 3.31), winless in his last three starts while getting three runs of support.

Niese allowed three runs - one earned - in 6 2-3 innings in a 5-1 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday, showing no ill effects from the comebacker that hit him near the right ankle and knocked him out of his previous start.

"It felt good," said Niese, who threw a season-high 117 pitches. "I was able to pound the zone with all of my pitches for the most part."

Niese is 5-1 with a 2.93 ERA in seven starts against the Braves since the start of the 2011 season, yielding three runs in 21 innings over the last three.

Two of those runs came off homers by Freddie Freeman, but the first baseman is homerless since opening day.

Justin Upton is 5 for 11 off Niese without a homer, and he hasn't gone deep in a season-high six consecutive games but still leads the majors with 12 home runs.




Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.

Old Post 05-04-13 02:02 PM
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