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The Pirates "Arrrrrrre" for Real
July 17, 2013
In most aspects of life, 20 years is a long time. In others, it seems like an eternity, such as if a professional sports organization endures as many consecutive losing seasons.
A Pittsburgh Pirates fan might vouch for that assessment.
The Pirates’ extensive run of misery is so long, in fact, that it’s actually the longest such streak in the history of Major League Baseball. But it looks like one of the most undesirable runs in sports is finally about to reach its long-overdue conclusion.
In recent years, Pittsburgh has painfully teased their fans into thinking the team’s outlook was about to turn around. After all, not only were they well above .500 at significantly deep points into the season, but they were also flirting with an improbable playoff berth as well. Playoffs?! Actually, scratch that. Over .500?!
Well, in 2013, it’s safe for a Pirates fan to believe in both - yes, even October baseball - as their club sits comfortably over .500 and right in the mix of the playoff race at the All-Star break, even while residing in the best division in baseball this season. While they may have enjoyed similar positioning at around this time in each of the past two campaigns, there’s some considerable differences between this year’s roster compared to its past two predecessors - depth and experience.
Like with most franchises, it all begins with the pitching, and if you’ve been following closely, you’d be aware that the Pirates are actually No. 1 in pitching this season, owning the best team ERA (3.07) in all of baseball. If you look up and down their pitching staff, it’s easy to see why this is so, as Pittsburgh is stacked with promising young arms and established veterans to formulate a real nice mix of talent.
A.J. Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez are the two elder members of the rotation, and both have not disappointed in their tenure in Pittsburgh. Burnett has looked like the ace of old that he was during his first go-around in the National League with the Marlins, while Rodriguez has continued to provide steady work ever since coming over from Houston almost exactly a year ago.
This is where the depth of the rotation that was previously lacking comes in so critically. With both Burnett and Rodriguez missing time due to injury (And Rodriguez still on the disabled list), not to mention previous rotation mainstays James McDonald and Jeff Karstens still out, the Pirates have had to lean heavily on some of their key youngsters right away, and they have not disappointed one bit. Jeff Locke is a prime example of that, as the 25-year old southpaw is 8-2 with a 2.15 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. He was so impressive in the first half, actually, that he was named to his first all-star team, after only narrowly making the team out of spring training as the fifth starter. And it doesn’t end there.
Francisco Liriano, who has had some success before during his previous stays in Minnesota and Chicago, has contributed arguably the best pitching of his career ever since becoming a Pirate, as evident in his 9-3 record, microscopic 2.00 ERA, and 1.19 WHIP. Liriano was always considered to have ace potential, despite never really being able to put it all together, but at least in his first year in Pittsburgh, he’s been nothing short of fabulous, having registered a remarkable 10 starts in which he has allowed two runs or less in 12 tries. In other words, he’s basically been as consistent as any pitcher in baseball, making it a little baffling the left-hander wasn’t selected to the NL all-star roster. Even so, every Pirate fan recognizes his importance in helping the team sustain its first-half success.
Furthermore, former No. 1 overall draft pick Gerrit Cole was promoted just over a month ago and has given the club some quality pitching, posting a 4-3 record and 3.89 ERA through his first seven starts. With the return of Charlie Morton as well, the Pirates have more than enough starting pitching to pace them through the second half alongside rivals St. Louis and Cincinnati, which was a huge undoing for them in the past couple of seasons.
Obviously, you also need good relief work to continually close out these excellent starts, and that’s what the Pirates have had all year long. Arguably the biggest question surrounding Pittsburgh entering 2013 was how they would replace former all-star Joel Hanrahan at closer, and they’ve done just that by ultimately boasting another all-star closer in Jason Grilli, who has impressed the entire baseball world with 29 saves in 30 opportunities, along with a polished 1.99 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. He’s also holding opponents to a .176 batting average, making it even tough just to get a base-runner against him. With a nice supporting cast of Justin Wilson, Tony Watson, Vin Mazzaro, and all-star Mark Melancon, among others, the Pirates have had no problem providing a lead for the 36-year old journeyman, who, in turn, has seemingly had no problem closing games out.
The effort with the arms has been especially crucial for Pittsburgh, which surprisingly ranks just 13th in the National League in runs scored, but more likely than not, you can expect them to improve in that regard as the season rolls on. This is an offense that has a legitimate superstar and face-of-the-franchise in Andrew McCutchen, a couple of potential emerging stars in lead-off hitter Starling Marte and slugging third-baseman Pedro Alvarez (Who earned his first all-star berth as well), and other useful hitters like Garrett Jones, Neil Walker, and Russell Martin who know their roles and perform them well.
The Pirates are also excellent on the basepaths, which is one of the main areas that fuel them offensively. When underrated manager Clint Hurdle came over in ’11, he promised to revamp the running game, and two years later, it’s clear what a difference he has made, as Pittsburgh ranks 7th in baseball in stolen bases, led by Marte’s 28 swipes. Furthermore, they are one of just two teams in baseball to have two guys with 20 steals or more (McCutchen being the other), giving them two perennial threats on base that are always getting in the head of the opposing pitcher.
At around 7/1 odds (Bet $100 to win $700) to win the National League pennant, the Bucs have astonishing value for a club that appears poised to make a serious impact in the second half and beyond. Do they have a recent track record for collapsing after the break under Hurdle? Yes, they do. But, as illustrated, this has been a work in progress throughout the past handful of years that is now about to reach its fruition - probably in a huge way. When you have one of the top managers in the league leading a deep pitching staff and balanced lineup that are the best the Pirates have had in decades, not to mention a loyal fan-base that is fun to play for, well, you’re making a solid bet no matter what. Don’t be afraid to, as the Pirate broadcasters say after each victory, Raise The Jolly Roger. In the process, you may be raising your own significant profits. It’s highly recommended.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-21-13 07:28 AM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Phillies (49-49) at Mets (42-51)
Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: July 21, 2013 1:10 PM EDT
After a terrific first half, Matt Harvey was given the chance to start the All-Star game in front of his home crowd.
He has another big showdown at Citi Field up next.
Harvey takes the mound opposite fellow All-Star Cliff Lee as the New York Mets conclude a three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.
Leading the NL with 147 strikeouts, Harvey (7-2, 2.35 ERA) has taken the game by storm in his first full season. The right-hander also ranks among the major league leaders in ERA and opponents' batting average at .196.
Harvey shined on a big stage Tuesday in the Midsummer Classic, walking off to a standing ovation after striking out three in two scoreless innings.
"When I'm warming up out there and they start chanting my name, that's something that you ... As a kid, I don't think you could ever imagine it," he told MLB's official website. "This whole experience has been absolutely incredible for me, something I'll never forget."
Harvey, who allowed three runs in seven innings of a 4-3, 16-inning win over San Francisco on July 8 in his final start before the break, now turns his attention to the Phillies (49-49). He has proved nearly untouchable in four starts in the series, going 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 26 1-3 innings.
Harvey has held All-Star Domonic Brown and Michael Young hitless in a combined 13 at_bats. While Philadelphia hasn't been able to figure him out, manager Charlie Manuel doesn't expect to be at much of a disadvantage with Lee (10-3, 2.86) on the hill.
"We've got a guy pretty good, too," Manuel said. "That's what makes it great. That's what makes it a good game. How do we have to approach him? We've got to make him throw strikes and try to get good balls to hit.
"He's a power pitcher with overpowering stuff, and his secondary stuff is real good. He commands it. He's tough to beat, but that doesn't mean we can't do it."
Lee had gone 8-0 with a 2.40 ERA in his previous 12 starts before giving up a career high-tying four solo homers in seven innings of a 5-1 loss to Washington on July 10. Despite that showing, the left-hander was pleased with his pre-break efforts.
"I just want to continue to grind until the very end and throw strikes, and give the team a chance every time I take the field," said Lee, who has gone at least seven innings in all but three of 19 outings. "As a starting pitcher, I feel like that's my job."
Lee, 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA in nine career starts against New York (42-51), has gone 5-0 with a 1.92 ERA during his last eight road outings. Harvey is 0-2 in his past nine starts at home despite a 2.56 ERA.
David Wright has four hits in his last 18 at_bats versus Lee, and Ike Davis is 1 for 11 in the matchup.
The Phillies had outscored the Mets 53-17 during a seven-game winning streak in Queens before falling 5-4 on Saturday. While Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley homered, Philadelphia went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
"We had chances, but we didn't get it done," Manuel said.
Utley, who also hit a two-run homer in Friday's 13-8 win, has gone 11 for 28 with 12 RBIs during a six-game hitting streak at Citi Field.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Phillies at Mets
Fri, Jul 19 Final 13 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Phillies at Mets
Sat, Jul 20 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Phillies at Mets
Sun, Jul 21 - 1:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-21-13 07:31 AM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Rays (57-41) at Blue Jays (45-51)
Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: July 21, 2013 1:07 PM EDT
With outstanding pitching, defense and some timely hitting, the Tampa Bay Rays have continued their tear following the All-Star break.
The surging Rays, though, could be facing a tough test as they try for their 17th win in 19 games Sunday when they go for a series sweep against R.A. Dickey and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Tampa Bay (57-41) is a major league-best 43-23 since May 8 after claiming its fourth straight win Saturday, 4-3 at Toronto. The Rays have been getting it done in all areas, committing only three errors during their 16-2 stretch while the pitching staff has a 2.09 ERA.
They're also averaging 5.0 runs with 18 home runs and a .283 average with runners in scoring position despite going 1 for 8 in those situations Saturday.
Luke Scott has played a large role, batting .386 with three homers and eight RBIs during a 12-game hitting streak. Rookie Wil Myers, who went 2 for 4 with two RBIs Saturday, is 14 for 28 over his last seven games.
The Rays, however, are facing a resurgent Dickey (8-10, 4.69 ERA), who has pitched well in three of his last four outings and also against them. The knuckleballer is 2-2 with a 3.10 ERA over that span and two-hit the Rays in a 3-0 win at Tampa Bay on June 26.
Dickey, seeking his third win versus the Rays this season, is 3-0 with a pair of complete games and a 1.13 ERA in his last four starts against them.
He's done a solid job holding down Scott (0 for 10), James Loney (3 for 16), Desmond Jennings (1 for 13) and Ben Zobrist (2 for 13).
"The last four or five weeks I've really felt good," said Dickey after allowing two earned runs over six innings in a 4-2 loss at Cleveland on July 11. "I've had one rough start in there, but other than that I've really been good as far as the way I've felt. I anticipate a pretty strong (second) half."
The right-hander will get the chance to back up his words and help the last-place Blue Jays (45-51) avoid their fourth straight loss and 16th in 23 games since an 11-game winning streak.
Toronto, however, may find it tough to score runs against Tampa Bay right-hander Chris Archer (4-3, 2.96).
Following a rough start, Archer has come on strong as of late - going 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA over his last five outings. He struck out eight and walked none in his first career shutout, a five-hitter in beating Houston 5-0 last Sunday.
"The best game I've ever pitched in my life," said Archer, who hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 16 innings.
He may have to deal with a hot Jose Bautista as he faces the Blue Jays for the first time. The slugger has homered in the first two games in this series, giving him four in his last three home games against the Rays.
Teammate Jose Reyes is also seeing the ball well, going 9 for 24 (.375) in his last five games.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Rays at Blue Jays
Fri, Jul 19 Final 8 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Rays at Blue Jays
Sat, Jul 20 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Rays at Blue Jays
Sun, Jul 21 - 1:07PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-21-13 07:32 AM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Pirates (56-38) at Reds (54-42)
Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: July 21, 2013 1:10 PM EDT
Homer Bailey has been very hittable since his no-hitter for the Cincinnati Reds.
Jeff Locke seemingly has no physical problems to worry about as he brings baseball's best road ERA into this series finale.
Bailey will pitch at home for the first time since his no-hitter as the Reds seek to complete a three-game sweep of the Pirates on Sunday.
Bailey (5-8, 3.82 ERA) has posted a 6.17 ERA in dropping consecutive outings since his July 2 no-hitter against San Francisco. He has yielded 10 hits in each contest, marking the first time in his career he has allowed double-digit totals in consecutive outings.
Pittsburgh (56-39) will counter with Locke (8-2, 2.15), who has not pitched since July 8 and skipped the All-Star game with lower back stiffness. Locke had no issues in a bullpen session Friday.
"He threw his bullpen very clean and efficient yesterday, which isn't a game," manager Clint Hurdle told the Pirates' official website. "He seems to be very encouraged by what he feels so far, and he's looking forward to the outing."
Locke is 4-1 with a major league-best 1.76 road ERA in nine outings. The Pirates, however, have dropped all four of them in which he has not recorded a decision.
The left-hander is 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA in three career outings against Cincinnati (55-42). Jay Bruce is 1 for 8 against him, Joey Votto 2 for 8 and Shin-Soo Choo 1 for 5.
The Reds are 10-3 when Bailey starts against the Pirates, although they have dropped three of his last five such outings. The right-hander has beaten Pittsburgh more than any team, going 8-2 with a 2.54 ERA.
Andrew McCutchen is 11 for 31 with eight walks against Bailey. The star center fielder is 5 for 8 in this series with solo homers in each game, but that production hasn't helped Pittsburgh earn a victory.
The Reds have built early leads and held off late rallies in the first two games. They led by five runs in Friday's 5-3 victory and by four in Saturday's 5-4 win.
Closer Aroldis Chapman has saved both wins, although the Pirates had at least one runner reach base in each ninth inning.
Pittsburgh put runners on first and third with none out against Chapman on Saturday before failing to score in the ninth. He has struck out four and thrown 35 pitches over two scoreless innings in this series.
"There's been times he's walked himself into trouble, but he can strike himself out of trouble," manager Dusty Baker said.
The Pirates, losers of three straight and seven of 10, are 0 for 16 with runners in scoring position in this series.
"If we keep doing our part and stay focused, something's going to give," infielder Jordy Mercer said. "We need a couple of them to fall and we're going to get going."
Choo is 24 for 58 (.414) with 14 runs scored during a career-high 14-game hitting streak. Brandon Phillips is 14 for 42 with 13 RBIs in the 12-game season series.
These teams lead the NL wild-card race, with Cincinnati two games behind Pittsburgh for home-field advantage.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Pirates at Reds
Fri, Jul 19 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Pirates at Reds
Sat, Jul 20 - Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Pirates at Reds
Sun, Jul 21 - 1:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-21-13 07:35 AM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Braves (55-41) at White Sox (37-56)
Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: July 21, 2013 2:10 PM EDT
After getting two players back in the lineup this weekend, the Atlanta Braves are hoping to get even healthier for their series finale against the Chicago White Sox.
Jason Heyward is expected to make his first start in a little more than a week and will try to help the Braves begin to get on track Sunday.
Atlanta (55-42) had four regulars out of the lineup at the end of its last series, but Justin Upton and Freddie Freeman have returned during this one. Freeman homered and drove in three runs Saturday but couldn't lead the Braves to a victory in his first start since July 13.
The White Sox (38-56) scored nine runs in the third and fourth innings in a 10-6 victory. Alex Rios hit a grand slam and drove in a season-high five runs in breaking out of a 2-for-20 slump.
Rios' performance came after he was pulled from Friday's 6-4 loss for not running hard to first base. The victory was the 10th in 32 games for Chicago while Atlanta fell for the eighth time in 14 contests.
The Braves have alternated losses and wins in the past seven games.
Heyward's expected return from a strained hamstring could help change his team's fortunes. The outfielder, batting .290 in his last 36 games after hitting .142 in his first 31, was injured July 11.
Heyward said he could have played Saturday but decided to give himself an extra day to be certain he was ready.
"(On Friday), I let (manager Fredi Gonzalez) know that if I felt like I could play (Saturday), then Sunday would be the smartest and he agreed," he told the team's official website. "You have to be careful. I've been fortunate enough to avoid the (disabled list) and I don't want to see the DL with this, because it's something that can nag at you for a long time if you don't let it get right."
Mike Minor (9-4, 3.02 ERA) will try to make Heyward's return a winning one while building on a victory in his last start. The left-hander gave up two runs over seven innings and struck out seven in a 5-2 win over Cincinnati on July 13, his first in six outings.
Minor recovered after needing 51 pitches through the first two innings, getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the first.
"I feel like I've been in that situation a lot this year and battled through it," he said. "Hopefully, it doesn't happen anymore the rest of the season."
In his first start against the White Sox, Minor will be opposed by Jose Quintana, who will face the Braves for the first time.
Quintana (4-2, 3.71) earned his first win in nine starts June 9 in Detroit but couldn't follow with another victory last Sunday. He gave up three runs in six innings - two in the first - in a 4-3, 10-inning defeat, needing a Chicago comeback to avoid his first loss in nine outings.
"Once he gets past that first inning, for one reason or another, he gets in a little trouble in the first and then after that he gets stronger," manager Robin Ventura told the team's website.
Gerald Laird, the only current Brave to face Quintana, is 2 for 5 against the left-hander.
Jeff Keppinger is the only White Sox player to get a hit off Minor, going 2 for 6 with a double.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Braves at White Sox
Fri, Jul 19 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Braves at White Sox
Sat, Jul 20 - Final 6 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Braves at White Sox
Sun, Jul 21 - 2:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-21-13 07:37 AM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Tigers (52-43) at Royals (44-49)
Game: 3
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: July 21, 2013 2:10 PM EDT
After entering the All-Star break on a low note, the Kansas City Royals are likely feeling much better about themselves to start the season's second half.
Back-to-back wins over the division-leading Detroit Tigers will do that for a team.
Kansas City looks to complete the sweep on Sunday as it hosts Detroit.
The Royals (45-49) had lost five in a row prior to the break while being outscored 30-12. One run was good enough for a victory in Friday's opener, then they tagged Justin Verlander for eight hits in 5 2-3 innings Saturday in a 6-5 victory, the team's fifth win in its last six games versus Detroit.
Mike Moustakas was 3 for 4 with a go-ahead homer in the fifth inning off Verlander.
"There's a great pitcher on the mound and he doesn't make too many mistakes," said Moustakas, who entered in a 3-for-20 slump. "I got a pitch I could handle and didn't miss it."
Another victory would give the Royals their first three-game sweep of a team with a record over .500 while bringing them within five games of the first-place Tigers (52-44).
James Shields (4-6, 3.21 ERA) will also try to begin the second half in strong fashion after sputtering prior to the break. The right-hander went 2-0 over his last five starts despite a 5.02 ERA.
Perhaps more concerning is Shields' sudden inability to eat up innings. He's lasted seven innings just once in his last six outings after going at least seven 10 times in his first 14 starts. Shields has also been less efficient, needing 18.6 pitches per inning compared to 15.3 previously.
He yielded three runs, seven hits and three walks over five innings of a 6-4 loss at Cleveland last Sunday, throwing 113 pitches.
"I don't feel like I struggled," said Shields, who came away without a decision in two starts versus Detroit earlier this year, giving up five runs over 15 innings. "I threw some really good pitches."
Doug Fister (7-5, 4.02) will try to carry some momentum over from a solid outing prior to the break as he held Texas to two runs over six innings in a 7-2 win July 12. He had given up six runs in three of his previous four starts after allowing no more than five all season.
Despite holding the Royals to three runs in eight innings, Fister was the loser in a 3-2 final in Kansas City on June 10, falling to 1-3 in four career starts at Kauffman Stadium.
Both Shields and Fister saw better results in the second half last year. Shields posted a 2.81 post-break ERA compared to a 4.17 mark before the Midsummer Classic, while Fister followed a 4.75 pre-break ERA with a 2.67 figure.
The Tigers are without a home run in four of their last five contests with Miguel Cabrera going 3 for 14 and Prince Fielder 5 for 19. Cabrera and fellow All-Star Jhonny Peralta have hit Shields hard, going 14 for 32 and 10 for 26, respectively, but are a combined 1 for 10 against him this season.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Tigers at Royals
Fri, Jul 19 Final 0 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Tigers at Royals
Sat, Jul 20 - Final 5 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Tigers at Royals
Sun, Jul 21 - 2:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-21-13 07:39 AM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Marlins (35-59) at Brewers (39-56)
Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: July 21, 2013 2:10 PM EDT
Jonathan Lucroy has picked up right where he left off prior to the All-Star Break, continuing to swing a hot bat.
Considering Lucroy's current run - as well as Wily Peralta's on the mound - the Milwaukee Brewers have to like their chances of completing a home sweep of the Miami Marlins on Sunday.
After a 2-0 win in Friday's opener, Lucroy went 4 for 4 in a 6-0 victory Saturday, doubling and hitting his 14th home run. He's now 15 for 33 with six homers and 11 RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak.
Lucroy's four-hit game was his third of the season. He had not recorded a four-hit performance over 307 career games entering this year.
"It's just a matter of putting the work in," Lucroy said. "I'm trying to stay within myself and find an approach that works. I'm pretty much keeping it simple."
The Brewers (40-56) hope Peralta can follow the lead of Yovani Gallardo, who threw 6 1-3 strong innings Saturday. Peralta (7-9, 4.61 ERA) appears up to the task after going 3-1 with a 1.08 ERA over his last five starts.
After recording his first career shutout against the Reds on July 9, Peralta struck out a career-high eight while holding Arizona to one run over seven innings in a 5-1 road win last Sunday.
The right-hander has limited opponents to four earned runs over his last 33 1-3 innings, including three scoreless outings.
"I started the season slow, and the last four or five outings I've had better rhythm," Peralta told the team's official website. "I'm not falling behind hitters, and I'm throwing first-pitch strikes. I think that's been the difference."
Peralta toes the rubber against a Marlins (35-60) offense that continues to struggle, totaling 30 runs during a 3-8 stretch. Aug. 12-14 marked the only time in the franchise's 21-year history it has been shut out in three straight games as Miami was blanked once by the Dodgers and twice by Philadelphia.
"I thought we came out flat these first two games, especially offensively," manager Mike Redmond said. "We're getting completely shut down. We're not getting guys on base and we're not getting big hits."
Adeiny Hechavarria continues to seemingly be immune to Miami's collective woes, going 25 for 58 (.431) while hitting safely in 14 of his last 15 contests.
Scheduled starter Henderson Alvarez (0-1, 4.58) tries to pick up the Marlins' offense after giving up two runs over 6 2-3 innings in a 5-2 loss to Washington last Sunday. Alvarez yielded six runs and 11 hits over four innings in his only game against Milwaukee, a 7-6 road loss with Toronto on June 18, 2012.
Ryan Braun drove in two runs with a first-inning double Saturday, then went hitless in three more at_bats with two strikeouts.
Peralta gave up three runs over six innings in both of his starts against the Marlins, winning 8-5 on Sept. 5, and not recording a decision in a 5-4 loss in Miami on June 11.
Milwaukee has won 13 of the last 16 meetings at Miller Park.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Marlins at Brewers
Fri, Jul 19 Final 0 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Marlins at Brewers
Sat, Jul 20 - Final 0 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Marlins at Brewers
Sun, Jul 21 - 2:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-21-13 07:41 AM |
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Preview: Indians (51-45) at Twins (40-53)
Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: July 21, 2013 2:10 PM EDT
Though the Minnesota Twins have won four straight, they've dropped four starts in a row by Scott Diamond.
Diamond, however, owns a lower career ERA against the Cleveland Indians than any opponent he has faced more than once as he heads into Sunday's home matchup.
Minnesota (41-53) can match its longest win streak of the year after a pair of 3-2 victories to start this set. The Twins' Mike Pelfrey and Kevin Correia pitched into the sixth inning in those games before the bullpen finished up with scoreless relief.
That formula would require Diamond (5-8, 5.32 ERA) to fare better than he has in going 0-2 with a 5.49 ERA over his last four outings. He has failed to record an out past the fifth inning three times in that stretch, although his last start, a 2-0 loss to the New York Yankees on July 12, was cut short after 3 1-3 scoreless innings due to rain.
The left-hander will face Cleveland (51-46) for the first time in 2013. He won all three of his starts versus the Indians last year with a 0.78 ERA, lowering his career ERA against them to 2.54.
Jason Kipnis went 1 for 11 against Diamond last season while Michael Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera each had two hits in nine at_bats.
Kipnis hit a two-run homer Saturday, and he and Michael Bourn are the only Indians with RBIs in this series.
Cabrera and Nick Swisher are each 1 for 8 in the two games while Carlos Santana is 0 for 6 and 5 for 27 in the season series, which is tied at four wins apiece.
Cleveland has dropped five straight at Minnesota and has missed a chance to gain ground this weekend on first-place Detroit, which has also lost twice since the All-Star break.
"It's still late July, there's still time,' Kipnis said. "We're not losing too much ground, thankfully. But if we want to get where we want to be, we're going to have to start winning games, and these are games that we need to be winning."
Cleveland has blown two-run leads in the sixth inning in both contests this weekend. Minnesota tied Friday's game with two runs in the sixth and scored all of its runs Saturday in that inning.
"Got the guys in that we needed to score that inning, put ourselves ahead and gave our bullpen a chance to win that game," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said about Saturday.
The Indians will try to avoid the sweep behind Justin Masterson (10-7, 3.72), who is 2-7 with a 4.53 ERA in 18 appearances - 15 starts - against Minnesota.
Masterson owns a 4.72 ERA on the road compared to 2.91 at home, although he has a 2.18 ERA in day games and a 4.50 at night. He is 1-4 with a 5.59 ERA in seven appearances - six starts - at Target Field.
The right-hander will pitch on 10 days' rest. He's 8-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 16 outings in which he's had at least six days off between starts.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Indians at Twins
Fri, Jul 19 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Indians at Twins
Sat, Jul 20 - Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Indians at Twins
Sun, Jul 21 - 2:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-21-13 07:43 AM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Padres (43-55) at Cardinals (58-37)
Game: 3
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: July 21, 2013 2:15 PM EDT
Adam Wainwright missed his opportunity to take sole possession of the NL wins lead before the break, but a home start against the San Diego Padres might help him accomplish that feat.
Wainwright will try to continue his dominance of the Padres and lead the Cardinals to their ninth victory in 12 games Sunday.
After tying Washington's Jordan Zimmermann for the NL lead July 9, Wainwright (12-5, 2.45 ERA) gave up four runs over six innings last Sunday against the Chicago Cubs and left before the Cardinals rallied for a 10-6 victory.
With Zimmermann also starting Sunday, Wainwright will try at least to remain tied atop the league's wins list with another stellar outing against the Padres. He tried to stay fresh during the break by not pitching in the All-Star game and doing very little throwing over the four days.
"I think that will benefit me more than any amount of bullpen sessions or throwing can do right now," Wainwright told the team's website.
Wainwright is 3-0 with a 0.38 ERA in three career home starts versus San Diego and 4-2 with a 1.02 ERA in six overall. The right-hander gave up one run over 7 1-3 innings in his lone matchup this season, a 10-2 rout at Petco Park on May 21.
He tossed a four-hitter with nine strikeouts in his last home meeting with the Padres, a 4-0 victory May 22, 2012.
In this one, Wainwright will pitch opposite Eric Stults (8-7, 3.40), who will seek his third win in as many starts. The left-hander has a 1.20 ERA in his past two outings and gave up one run over six innings in a 10-1 drubbing of San Francisco last Sunday.
"Offensively, it was just a great game for us. Just to get that cushion definitely helped me," Stults told the team's website after receiving a combined eight runs in his previous six outings.
Stults won his only start against the Cardinals on Sept. 10, allowing three runs in 5 1-3 innings of an 11-3 victory.
He'll try to help San Diego build off the end to a 10-game road losing streak and its third victory in 18 overall contests. The Padres (43-55) scored a combined four runs in the first three innings en route to a 5-3 win Saturday, snapping a five-game skid in St. Louis.
The Cardinals (58-37) had four hits after producing a combined 47 in their prior three games.
"We have a really good offense and sometimes it's just not going to happen for you," said first baseman Allen Craig, who hit a two-run single and now has 76 RBIs.
St. Louis placed outfielder Matt Holliday on the disabled list (strained right hamstring) before Saturday's defeat, but the move is retroactive to July 12. The Cardinals might miss Holliday in this game as he's been one of the team's best hitters against Stults, going 3 for 8 with a solo homer and a double.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Padres at Cardinals
Fri, Jul 19 Final 6 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Padres at Cardinals
Sat, Jul 20 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 3
Padres at Cardinals
Sun, Jul 21 - 2:15PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-21-13 04:29 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Yankees (52-46) at Rangers (54-44)
Game: 1
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: July 22, 2013 7:05 PM EDT
A struggling rotation has played a large role in the Texas Rangers' recent woes but the team might get some much-needed help in its series with the New York Yankees.
Yu Darvish is the first of two Rangers pitchers set to return from injuries, and he'll make his first start in a little more than two weeks in Monday night's series opener.
Texas's starters have combined for a 7.21 ERA during a 1-7 stretch and the Rangers (54-44) gave up four runs in the first four innings in their fourth consecutive defeat Sunday, 4-2 to Baltimore. That loss dropped the club three games behind AL West-leading Oakland.
The Rangers are hoping to end their struggles when they get Darvish (8-4, 3.02 ERA) and Alexi Ogando off the disabled list the next two games.
"I think (the break) was good for me," Darvish told the team's website through an interpreter. "I was able to rest and do everything I had to do."
Darvish would appear to be returning at a good time as he's 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA in two career starts against the Yankees (52-46). He did not get a decision in his only matchup this season, giving up three runs over 5 1-3 innings in a 4-3 loss June 25.
The right-hander, however, is also 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in his last four starts, and he surrendered five runs over six-plus innings in a 9-5 loss to Houston on July 6 before his first career trip to the DL for a strained back.
Darvish will face an injury-plagued Yankees team that's lost seven of 11 and got some bad news on Alex Rodriguez on Sunday.
Rodriguez was expected to return from the disabled list (hip surgery) on Tuesday but suffered a strained left quad while rehabbing. He is expected to return to the team's spring training facility in Tampa, Fla., for rest and treatment.
New York followed that announcement by blowing an early three-run lead in Boston en route to an 8-7 loss in 11 innings.
"He's going to be out for a while," manager Joe Girardi said. "So we'll just deal with it and continue to play."
Ivan Nova (4-2, 3.63) will try to help break his club out of its funk with a third victory in as many starts. The right-hander has a 2.28 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 23 2-3 innings in his three starts since returning from a stint in the minors.
Nova fanned six and gave up one run over eight innings in his final start before the All-Star break, an 8-1 win against Kansas City on July 10.
"Getting him back on track was really important to us," Girardi told the team's website. "We've seen him pitch really well. He got out of whack the second half (of 2012) and struggled a little bit at the beginning of the year, but he's back on track."
Nova has won his past two decisions against Texas despite giving up four runs in each of his last two matchups. He did not get a decision in his lone meeting with the Rangers in 2012, a 10-6 loss Aug. 16.
Adrian Beltre, A.J. Pierzynski and Elvis Andrus are a combined 3 for 32 (.094) against Nova.
Robinson Cano, batting .415 with 12 RBIs during a 12-game hit streak, is 2 for 14 (.143) in his last six games against the Rangers but is a career .342 batter in Texas. He's also 3 for 6 all-time versus Darvish.
Ichiro Suzuki is 7 for 14 against his Japanese countryman.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-22-13 05:48 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Indians (52-46) at Mariners (46-52)
Game: 1
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: July 22, 2013 10:10 PM EDT
The Cleveland Indians haven't lost any ground in the AL Central despite opening the second half with a subpar showing against one of baseball's worst teams. They now face the club with the longest winning streak in the majors.
The Indians try to hand the Mariners their first loss in seven games in Monday night's opener in Seattle.
After a pair of 3-2 losses at Minnesota following the All-Star break, Cleveland (52-46) salvaged the final game of the set with Sunday's 7-1 victory to end a four-game road skid.
Jason Kipnis hit a two-run homer - his 15th of the season - to lead the offense, while right-hander Justin Masterson allowed one hit over seven innings to earn his 11th win.
"You've seen the last couple games. We were just a little bit sloppy kind of all the way around," Masterson told baseball's official website. "I think (this) is a nice one - a little kick in the pants."
The Indians remain only 1 1/2 games behind division-leading Detroit, which also dropped two of three in Kansas City.
Cleveland swept a four-game home series from the Mariners from May 17-20, but appears to be making its first trip to Seattle at the wrong time.
The Mariners (46-52) extended their season-best winning streak to six with a 12-5 victory at Houston on Sunday.
After winning Saturday despite having only one hit, Nick Franklin keyed a seven-run second inning with a grand slam and Dustin Ackley added three hits and two RBIs.
"We've been swinging it well and it was just one of those adjustment periods we had to go through and get back after it the next day," Franklin said.
The Mariners have hit 11 homers and outscored their opponents 44-20 during their longest winning streak since posting eight consecutive victories Aug. 14-22.
They'll try continue that production against right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (7-4, 4.56 ERA), who is 3-0 with a 3.75 ERA over his last seven outings.
Jimenez, however, didn't get through the fifth inning in his last start - his shortest since June 7 - yielding four runs in four-plus innings in a 6-4 win over Kansas City on July 14.
Jimenez is 2-0 with a 4.21 ERA in four career starts versus the Mariners. He's faced them once this season, striking out nine and giving up two runs in five-plus innings before leaving without a decision in a 6-3 win May 17.
Michael Saunders is 4 for 8 with a home run lifetime when facing Jimenez and looks to extend a 10-game hitting streak overall.
Seattle's Aaron Harang (4-8, 5.38 ERA) hopes to bounce back from one of his worst starts, allowing seven runs, eight hits and a season-high three walks over five-plus innings in an 11-4 loss to Boston on July 10.
The right-hander had gone 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in his previous five starts.
Harang is 4-2 with a 2.95 ERA in 10 career starts against the Indians, though he hasn't faced them since 2010 when he was with Cincinnati.
Michael Bourn has seen Harang the most of any Indian, going 7 for 17 with a triple and two doubles against him since the start of the 2010 season. He also went 7 for 18 in the first series of the season against the Mariners.
Kipnis went 8 for 17 with a home run in that set, leaving him with a .419 average, two homers and six RBIs over a seven-game hitting streak against Seattle.
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-22-13 06:02 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Reds (55-43) at Giants (45-52)
Game: 1
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: July 22, 2013 10:15 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Tim Lincecum has tweaked his delivery, altered his workload between starts, changed his diet, and even his hair, trying just about anything in recent years to rediscover his old Cy Young form.
Maybe his first career no-hitter will do the trick at last.
"I think any time you throw that well, which he's been throwing the ball well even before that, should do a lot for his confidence,' San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's in a good place. His delivery and where he's at as far as confidence, I like where Timmy's at.'
The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner will pitch again Monday night for the Giants against the Cincinnati Reds, giving the home fans at AT&T Park a chance to cheer his July 13 no-hitter at San Diego that provided the first-half highlight for the reigning World Series champions.
Lincecum took some time to celebrate the latest special moment in what has become an up-and-down career, albeit not for long.
The right-hander returned to his hometown of Seattle during the All-Star break for some relaxation and time away, relishing that remarkable 148-pitch gem.
Now, he's sticking to his mantra of not getting too high or too low about a particular outing and moving on to the next with the same, steady approach. He'll be pitching on eight days rest Monday.
"I had my time to enjoy it and celebrate it with my family and friends. That time has passed and it's time to move on and get ready for my next start,' Lincecum said.
Lincecum has increased his workload between starts, rediscovered his consistent delivery and found himself in a nice groove again - at last, a month after turning 29.
"I'm happy with the progress that I've made and the differences and the changes I've made to my preparation in between starts to kind of help put me in the situation I'm at,' he said. "I'm not saying the no-hitter or anything like that, but with confidence going out there and with a lot more conviction in my pitches.'
He is 5-9 with a 4.26 ERA in 19 starts for the Giants (45-52), but that history-making win against the Padres snapped a six-start winless stretch in which he went 0-4.
This is the same guy whose problems a year ago earned him a bullpen spot for the postseason rather than a familiar place in the rotation. He shined in the new role, though made it clear he planned to work back to the top form he exhibited at Petco Park.
"He threw a great game, but not just that, how tough he was - 148 pitches ain't easy,' fellow pitcher Ryan Vogelsong said. "It should be a real good confidence booster for him going into the second half. That was an impressive outing, 148 pitches or not.'
Lincecum is still looking for his first win against the Reds (55-43) in his fifth try after giving up three runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 3-0 loss at Cincinnati on July 2. He's 0-2 with a 6.85 ERA in the series.
Not that he is thinking about such statistics or any hype surrounding his no-no, the 15th in franchise history and No. 7 since the franchise moved West to San Francisco in 1958.
Getting back on track takes time, something he has stressed with each start and each positive step he makes.
"I knew this was going to be a process and it was going to take time,' Lincecum said. "It just goes back to believing in yourself and believing in what that's going to take to get through it. I'm not saying that I'm through anything or trying to make it through anything. I'm just trying to get better every day, whether it's coming in here and studying more or making sure I'm on top of my relationship with my catcher and the things I want to try to do.'
The Reds won their first two against Pittsburgh over the weekend before losing Sunday's finale 3-2, dropping their deficit to five games behind St. Louis in the NL Central and three behind the Pirates for the first wild card.
They have a 4 1/2-game lead for the second wild-card spot, but now hit the road for an 11-game trip. Cincinnati is 5-11 in its last 16 games away from Great American Ball Park.
Bronson Arroyo (8-7, 3.42) has a 4.98 ERA on the road, nearly double his 2.58 home mark, but he was outstanding in his latest start in enemy territory. The right-hander held Atlanta to three hits and a run over seven innings July 12 in a 4-2 win.
He's 6-0 with a 1.45 ERA in his last nine starts against NL opponents, and there might be no one manager Dusty Baker would rather turn to in this situation. The Reds are 8-0 in Arroyo's starts this season following a loss.
"I try not to pitch any different, but to be honest, sometimes there's an urgency to the mood in the clubhouse," Arroyo told the team's official website. "This game is very difficult and nobody can go out there and just say, 'I'm going to win the ballgame today.' So it's partly probably luck and a bit of trying to just really want to not let your ballteam slide downhill again."
Lincecum also will be trying to help his team bounce back from a loss after the Giants failed to complete a sweep of Arizona with Sunday's 3-1 loss.
Bochy knows Lincecum will be ready, even after the highest pitch count of his career.
"You enjoy it, you savor the great outings but you have to understand you put that behind you and you have to be ready to go the next day, whether you're a position player or a pitcher,' Bochy said.
"If you have a rough outing, you've got to wash that one off.'
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-22-13 06:04 PM |
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CNOTES
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Preview: Yankees (52-47) at Rangers (55-44)
Game: 2
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: July 23, 2013 8:05 PM EDT
Most of the talk in Arlington currently surrounds Matt Garza's first start for the Texas Rangers.
The Rangers will add another key cog to their rotation Tuesday night, however, as Alexi Ogando looks to lead Texas to a fourth straight win over the New York Yankees.
The right-hander will make his return to the Rangers after missing over a month with right shoulder inflammation. Ogando (4-2, 2.93 ERA) went 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in four starts before the injury landed him on the DL.
This will be his first appearance since June 5, when he limited Boston to one run and three hits over 5 2-3 innings of a 3-2 victory.
"He's ready to throw over 100 pitches," manager Ron Washington told the team's official site. "The bats of the New York Yankees will tell us how far he can go. If my ears start to hurt, I'll go get him. If I don't hear the loud sounds of their bats, we'll keep him out there."
Ogando has only won two of his last eight starts despite a 3.50 ERA during that span. That's due to an offense that has provided him with 17 runs in those games.
While Ogando has a 10.03 career ERA against the Yankees, all of those bad performances have come in New York. He has yet to give up a run in 2 2-3 innings against them at home.
He will face an offense that has been highly inconsistent over the past couple of weeks. After recording 12 runs and 25 hits over their last two games in Boston, the Yankees were held to three hits in Monday's 3-0 loss to Texas (55-44). New York has scored two runs or fewer seven times in 12 games and has four homers in the past 16 contests.
"There's only two things you can control in life - your preparation and effort," manager Joe Girardi told the team's official site. "I'm getting that. I'm not going to get down on these guys, because I get that (effort) every day. Tomorrow is a new day. This group has been pretty resilient all year."
Ichiro Suzuki is 3 for his last 18, while Robinson Cano, who entered batting .415 over a 12-game hit streak, went 0 for 4 on Monday.
The Yankees (52-47) have been held scoreless in their last 20 innings against the Rangers.
Phil Hughes (4-9, 4.57) knows all about New York's offensive struggles. The right-hander has lost five of his last six starts, with his teammates providing him with one run of support in those defeats.
That included a June 27 outing against Texas in which Hughes lost despite surrendering two runs in eight innings.
The right-hander is 2-2 with a 2.16 ERA in four starts against the Rangers, but did give up four runs over 2 2-3 innings in his last appearance in Arlington, a 7-3 loss April 25, 2012.
Adrian Beltre (3 for 18 with six strikeouts), A.J. Pierzynski (3 for 15), Elvis Andrus (0 for 10), Ian Kinsler (1 for 10) and Nelson Cruz (2 for 9) have all struggled against Hughes.
Hughes struck out a season-high 10 over 7 1-3 innings but was derailed by three homers in a 4-1 loss to Minnesota on July 13.
"It's frustrating,' Hughes said. "I've felt good with my stuff over the last three or four starts. There's just one or two mistakes that I have to stay away from.'
He had surrendered just three home runs over his prior six starts spanning 36 1-3 innings.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Yankees at Rangers
Mon, Jul 22 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Yankees at Rangers
Tue, Jul 23 - 8:05PM EDT
GAME 3
Yankees at Rangers
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:05PM EDT
GAME 4
Yankees at Rangers
Thu, Jul 25 - 2:05PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-23-13 03:30 PM |
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Preview: Orioles (57-43) at Royals (45-51)
Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: July 23, 2013 8:10 PM EDT
The Baltimore Orioles' only defeat during their latest surge came in Jason Hammel's most recent start, which isn't much of a surprise given his nearly two-month winless stretch.
Hammel looks to begin his second half on a high note as visiting Baltimore tries to extend its season-best winning streak to six against the slumping Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.
The Orioles (57-43) have been on a tear of late, beating the Royals 9-2 in Monday's series opener for their eighth victory in nine tries. J.J. Hardy hit a two-run homer and Chris Davis, who leads the majors with 97 RBIs, added a two-run double as each drove in three runs.
Seven players had multi-hit games as Baltimore matched its season high with 18 hits.
"The way we're swinging the bats, we know that if one guy doesn't do it, the next will do it," Davis said.
Baltimore's last defeat came July 13, when Hammel allowed six runs and 10 hits over six innings of a 7-3 loss to Toronto.
Hammel (7-6, 5.24 ERA) hasn't won since beating Washington on May 27, going 0-4 with a 5.59 ERA over his past eight starts - seven of which have been Orioles losses.
He surrendered another homer in his most recent outing, pushing his total to 19 after allowing nine in 20 starts last season.
"I am not throwing sliders for strikes. Not throwing curveballs where I want them. Changeup is non-existent. I'm beating myself right now,' Hammel said. "I'm better than this. And it's on my shoulders. It's on nobody else's. It's fixable.'
Manager Buck Showalter is confident the right-hander can get back on track.
"He's pitched some good games,' Showalter said. "I think it bodes well for the rest of the season because he's capable of better and I think his best games are ahead of him.'
Hammel had gone 0-2 with a 7.63 ERA in three starts versus the Royals while in the NL before striking out seven in six scoreless innings of an 8-2 win May 25, 2012. He'll seek a similar effort against a Kansas City team that has dropped seven of nine after Monday's loss.
The Royals (45-51) have averaged only 2.4 runs during their slump. They'll look to improve on that production for Bruce Chen, who will be making his second start after 19 relief appearances.
Chen (3-0, 2.04) replaced the struggling Luis Mendoza in the rotation before the All-Star break and allowed one hit and struck out four over six innings July 12, but the Royals fell to Cleveland 3-0.
"I'm very happy with the way I pitched,' said Chen, who went 11-14 with a 5.07 ERA in 34 starts last season. "I did everything I could to help us win."
Manager Ned Yost acknowledged Chen likely could have remained in the game, but the left-hander hadn't pitched more than 4 2-3 innings prior to that outing.
"Bruce really threw the ball well for us,' Yost said. "I suppose he could have gone longer, but realistically, he had done his job. He threw six strong innings.'
Chen, who spent 2004-06 with Baltimore, pitched two scoreless innings against his former team in Kansas City's 5-3 loss May 8.
He's 2-3 with a 5.52 ERA in six career starts versus the Orioles. Nick Markakis, who had three hits in Monday's opener, is 8 for 16 with three doubles and a homer against Chen.
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SERIES AT A GLANCE
GAME 1
Orioles at Royals
Mon, Jul 22 Final 9 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps
GAME 2
Orioles at Royals
Tue, Jul 23 - 8:10PM EDT
GAME 3
Orioles at Royals
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:10PM EDT
GAME 4
Orioles at Royals
Thu, Jul 25 - 8:10PM EDT
Believe in the 3 G's
GIRLS, GOLF,GAMBLING not in any particular order.
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07-23-13 03:33 PM |
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