Preview: Marlins (36-61) at Rockies (48-52)
Game: 2
Venue: Coors Field
Date: July 23, 2013 8:40 PM EDT


With their scoreless streak finally behind them, the Miami Marlins now face another difficult task in trying to solve the recently stingy Jhoulys Chacin.

They'll also be counting on Jose Fernandez to provide yet another solid outing as two of the hottest pitchers in baseball oppose each other Tuesday night at Coors Field.

Miami (36-61) had gone 37 innings without a run - the majors' longest such streak in 28 years - before Giancarlo Stanton's RBI double in the first inning of Monday's 3-1 win over Colorado (48-52) ended the drought, helping halt a four-game skid.

Ed Lucas added a homer for the Marlins, who had scored a total of seven runs while dropping their previous six road games.

"You know it's going to happen eventually,' Lucas said. "It was important for us to do it early and get that monkey off our back. You could sense the relief in the dugout.'

Miami's offense could get another boost from Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick, outfielders who are ranked among baseball's top prospects and will be called up from Double-A prior to Tuesday's contest.

Both figure to be in the lineup to make their debuts against Chacin (9-4, 3.50 ERA), who has rebounded from a rough stretch to become one of the league's best pitchers of late.

After going 0-3 with a 6.43 ERA in seven starts from May 5-June 6, Chacin went 6-1 with a 1.94 ERA over his next seven outings to end the first half on a tear.

He allowed one run and struck out six in six innings of a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 14.

"Before I was just trying to just throw it hard,' Chacin said. "Now, I'm just trying to make my pitch, get them to hit it and get themselves out."

The right-hander hasn't had much success versus the Marlins, though, going 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA in two starts and a pair of relief appearances.

Fernandez (5-5, 2.75 ERA) has posted a 1.72 ERA over his last eight starts, allowing one run and four hits through six innings of Miami's 2-1, 10-inning win over Washington on July 13.

He also struck out two of the three hitters he faced in last Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Fernandez has allowed fewer than two runs in half of his 18 starts, and opponents are hitting just .196 against him. The rookie right-hander, who turns 21 on July 31, has tossed 104 2-3 innings, but manager Mike Redmond said he won't use Fernandez any differently despite an innings limit of 150-170.

"We're going to use him the way we have the whole year until those innings dry up," Redmond told the team's official website.

Fernandez has thrown at least six innings in seven of his last eight starts.

"We're not going to pull him out early because we want to save his innings," Redmond said. "In every one of his starts, we're going to try to win."

Colorado's offense may be in for another tough night after scoring fewer than two runs for the eighth time in its last 14 contests. Troy Tulowitzki had two hits for the third time in his last four games, homering in the fourth.

"We got some hits, but we couldn't string anything together,' manager Walt Weiss said. "You score one run, you're not going to win many games.'

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Rockies
Mon, Jul 22 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Marlins at Rockies
Tue, Jul 23 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 3
Marlins at Rockies
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 4
Marlins at Rockies
Thu, Jul 25 - 3:10PM EDT

Preview: Cubs (44-53) at Diamondbacks (51-48)
Game: 2
Venue: Chase Field
Date: July 23, 2013 9:40 PM EDT


The Arizona Diamondbacks are in a position they haven't been in since the middle of May - out of first place in the NL West.

Fresh off his first All-Star appearance, Patrick Corbin will try to build on his first-half dominance and help the Diamondbacks get back on track Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs.

Arizona (51-48) dropped a half-game behind the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West with a 4-2 loss in Monday's series opener. The Diamondbacks hadn't been out of first place since May 16.

Arizona is batting .194 in its last 11 games and is 6 for 42 (.143) with runners in scoring position in its last seven. The Diamondbacks have produced nine runs in their last five contests.

"Everyone is trying their best, but in this game, you fail more than you succeed,' said shortstop Didi Gregorius, who went 3 for 3 and scored a run Monday. "We'll come back tomorrow and find a way to get it done."

Junior Lake, meanwhile, continued his stellar start for the Cubs (44-53) by going 4 for 5 with his first major league homer and three RBIs. Lake's nine hits are the most by a Chicago player in his first four games since Andy Pafko in 1943.

"It's pretty nice what he's doing," manager Dale Sveum said. "He's done something that hasn't happened in 70 years, and it's pretty impressive. Hopefully it continues."

Corbin (11-1, 2.35 ERA) will try to contain Lake and the rest of the Chicago lineup in his first start since the All-Star game. After going winless in six consecutive outings, the left-hander is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 20 strikeouts in his last two games.

He gave up one run over 6 2-3 innings and fanned 10 in his final start before the break, a 2-1 win over Milwaukee on July 12, as the Diamondbacks improved to 17-2 when he takes the hill.

Corbin won his only start against the Cubs on June 2 despite giving up four runs over six innings.

In this matchup, he'll pitch opposite another first-time All-Star, left-hander Travis Wood (6-6, 2.79).

Wood has one win in his last eight starts despite allowing three earned runs or fewer in each outing. He gave up three in the first-half finale against St. Louis on July 14, but also yielded a season-high 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings, failing to make it through the sixth for only the second time this season in a 10-6 loss.

Wood is 0-3 with an 8.40 ERA in his last three starts against Arizona and gave up five runs over five innings in his most recent matchup, an 8-3 loss at Chase Field on Sept. 28

After pitcher Matt Garza was traded to Texas on Monday, Sveum is likely hoping Alfonso Soriano isn't dealt away before this series ends. The outfielder, reportedly drawing interest from the New York Yankees, is batting .369 with 17 homers and 38 RBIs in his last 32 games against the Diamondbacks.

Soriano, though, had a 10-game hitting streak in Arizona snapped Monday. He doubled and struck out twice in his three at_bats against Corbin in June.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Diamondbacks
Mon, Jul 22 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at Diamondbacks
Tue, Jul 23 - 9:40PM EDT

GAME 3
Cubs at Diamondbacks
Wed, Jul 24 - 9:40PM EDT

GAME 4
Cubs at Diamondbacks
Thu, Jul 25 - 9:40PM EDT

Preview: Twins (42-54) at Angels (46-51)
Game: 2
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: July 23, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


Though the top of the Los Angeles Angels' starting rotation has been solid of late, manager Mike Scioscia is rightfully concerned about its overall depth moving forward.

Getting Tommy Hanson back for Tuesday night's contest with the visiting Minnesota Twins could provide some help.

C.J. Wilson has allowed two earned runs over his last four starts and Jered Weaver has won three of his last four outings, but Jerome Williams has posted a 14.54 ERA over his last four starts, and Joe Blanton suffered his major league-worst 13th defeat in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Twins.

Hanson (4-2, 5.10 ERA) hasn't pitched since giving up seven runs in two innings of the Angels' 10-9 win over Seattle on June 20. He was scratched from his next start before going on the disabled list with a right forearm strain.

The right-hander's return should be a major plus for an Angels rotation that is still missing Jason Vargas, who has been out since mid-June with a blood clot in his left armpit.

"I think the biggest thing is getting depth back in our rotation," Scioscia told the team's official website. "You can talk about needing a sixth and seventh (starter), but at this point in the season, we need one through five. We need those guys to get it going for the second half and we're not quite there yet."

Scioscia said Hanson may have a pitch count Tuesday.

"We'll evaluate that, but he should have enough to pitch deep enough into the game," Scioscia said.

The status of Josh Hamilton, though, is unclear after he was scratched for Monday's contest with a stiff right ankle.

"I have to wake up (Tuesday) morning, see what happens, see how it feels and see what they tell me," Hamilton said.

The Angels (46-51) could use all the offensive help they can get having averaged 2.1 runs while dropping five of their last seven. Albert Pujols went 0 for 4 for the second straight game and is hitting just .249 on the season.

Minnesota (42-54) began its seven-game road trip with its fifth victory in six tries, as Joe Mauer had three hits and is batting .459 over his last 10 games.

Left fielder Clete Thomas hit a solo homer and an RBI double before robbing Chris Iannetta of a potential three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth that would have given Los Angeles the lead.

The Twins' starting rotation, though, ranks last in the majors with a 5.19 ERA, a mark rookie right-hander Kyle Gibson will look to improve.

Gibson (2-2, 6.45) gave up three runs and walked four over five innings in another shaky outing, but the offense provided enough support for a 10-4 win over the New York Yankees on July 14.

"We'd like to see him attack the zone a lot more," manager Ron Gardenhire told the team's official website. "He just kind of picked a little too much for our liking. The game was slow-paced, and he knows that. He's got to do a little better."

Minnesota had lost five straight road meetings with the Angels prior to Monday's win.

--------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Twins at Angels
Mon, Jul 22 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Twins at Angels
Tue, Jul 23 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Twins at Angels
Wed, Jul 24 - 3:35PM EDT

Preview: Giants (45-53) at Reds (56-43)
Game: 2
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: July 23, 2013 10:15 PM EDT


The Cincinnati Reds certainly felt at home at AT&T Park in the opener of this four-game series.

Now, it'll be official.

The Reds go for another big offensive performance as they try to continue their success against the San Francisco Giants in this unusual doubleheader Tuesday night.

Cincinnati (56-43) is among the best home teams in baseball at 32-17. The Reds will get a chance to build on that despite being in San Francisco, since they're considered the host in the second game of this twin bill - the makeup of a July 4 rainout in Cincinnati.

The venue hasn't mattered much to the Reds, who have won 11 of 14 in the regular season versus the Giants (45-53) while batting .283 and averaging 5.2 runs.

Cincinnati beat them again Monday, collecting 17 hits - nine for extra bases - in an 11-0 victory to remain perfect in four meetings this season with San Francisco.

"I couldn't have ordered it up any better than that," manager Dusty Baker said.

Shin-Soo Choo has been a big part of that success against the Giants this year, going 6 for 12 over the past three games after he had a double and a solo homer Monday.

That's all part of the center fielder's 16-game hitting streak, which started with two hits in a 3-0 home win over the Giants on July 2. He's batting .431 with 15 runs during the stretch, which includes multi-hit performances in eight of his last nine games.

While Choo attempts to continue pacing the offense, the Reds are hoping Tony Cingrani (3-1, 3.23 ERA) can get this doubleheader off to a strong start in his first appearance since the All-Star break.

The rookie left-hander has a 2.70 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 16 2-3 innings over his last three starts, but limited offensive support has left him with an 0-1 record.

He allowed two runs over 5 2-3 innings against San Francisco on July 3, an eventual 3-2, 11-inning win.

The Giants will counter with Eric Surkamp, who is making his first start since Tommy John surgery cut his rookie season short in July 2011. The left-hander, who went 2-2 with a 5.74 ERA in six starts that season before getting hurt, was 2-0 with a 4.00 ERA in nine minor league starts this year.

"Coming off surgery, you're going to have your ups and downs," Surkamp told the team's official website. "My arm is back to 100 percent, but repeating (the delivery) is still part of the process.

"It's been a long year. ... You can't really say it's just another game."

Barry Zito (4-7, 4.88) may share that feeling when he takes the mound wearing a road uniform in the nightcap. The left-hander is 0-6 with a 9.89 ERA in eight road starts, but being at AT&T Park may be just what he needs to end that slide.

He's 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 games there. However, he hasn't defeated the Reds since a home victory Aug. 8, 2009, going 0-3 with a 3.74 ERA in seven games - six starts.

The Reds will oppose Zito with right-hander Greg Reynolds, who hasn't appeared in the majors since going 3-0 with a 6.19 ERA in 13 games - three starts - with Colorado in 2011 after being drafted second overall five years earlier.

"I think it's more gratifying this time around," Reynolds told the team's official website. "I definitely had to fight my way to get back. I'm excited about this opportunity. I'm glad the Reds are giving it to me. I will give them everything I've got."

Reynolds, a native of nearby Pacifica, went 10-2 with a 2.53 ERA in 18 starts at Triple-A Louisville.

-----------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Giants
Mon, Jul 22 Final 11 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Giants at Reds
Tue, Jul 23 - 10:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Reds at Giants
Wed, Jul 24 - 10:15PM EDT

Preview: Indians (52-47) at Mariners (47-52)
Game: 2
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: July 23, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


The Seattle Mariners will try to keep their lengthy win streak going in Eric Wedge's expected return from a night in the hospital.

The Mariners seek their eighth consecutive victory when they continue their series against Wedge's former club, the Cleveland Indians, on Tuesday night.

Wedge experienced dizziness during batting practice before Monday's series opener with Cleveland and had to be helped off the field. After being examined by team doctors, the manager was sent to a local hospital as a precaution.

Bench coach Robby Thompson guided the team to a 2-1 victory over the Indians, who dropped 2 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central.

"He's going to stay overnight and we'll know more in the morning once all of those results get in," Thompson said. "He's resting and he's feeling fine right now. He's feeling a lot better. ... He should be fine, and I'm sure the 'W' is going to help him out a little bit."

Kendrys Morales and Mike Zunino each homered to give Seattle a major league-best 29 long balls this month. The Mariners have also gone deep in 25 of the past 26 games, and Morales has a team-best six this month.

"Every day you're a different player, but we've been connecting here and every time you connect that's a positive thing and you can build on that," he said through an interpreter. "You've got to work hard in the cage with your teammates every day and I think that's a fundamental thing that we're really focusing on right now."

With their manager back, the Mariners (47-52) will try to match their longest win streak from 2012. Seattle took eight in a row Aug. 14-22 and capped that run with a three-game home sweep of Cleveland.

While aiming for a fifth straight home victory in the series, the Mariners are hoping to get a better performance from Erasmo Ramirez (0-0, 13.50 ERA). The right-hander gave up seven runs, six hits and four walks over 4 2-3 innings in his season debut July 11, an 8-7 loss to Boston.

Ramirez is expected to be added to the active roster before Tuesday's game after keeping busy with a start in nearby Class A Everett (Wash.) during the All-Star break.

Ramirez will make his first start against Cleveland (52-47) while Zach McAllister (4-5, 3.43) will try to earn his first win versus Seattle in his return from the disabled list (sprained right middle finger). The right-hander, who hasn't started since June 2, is 0-1 with a 5.64 ERA in four all-time matchups but has a 2.84 ERA in his last three.

McAllister gave up two runs in 7 1-3 innings in his lone meeting this season May 18 but closer Chris Perez gave up two runs in the ninth before Cleveland won 5-4.

Morales, batting .333 with four homers in his last 11 games, has the same average in his last 13 against the Indians. He's homered twice in his last five matchups and is 2 for 6 all-time versus McAllister.


----------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Mariners
Mon, Jul 22 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Mariners
Tue, Jul 23 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Indians at Mariners
Wed, Jul 24 - 3:40PM EDT

See spot. See spot bet: This week's best spot bet opportunities

Spot bets are a classic handicapping practice that have proven profitable no matter what sport you’re betting. Whether it’s a team looking past this week’s opponent, one coming off a hard-fought victory, or a rough patch of schedule, bettors can find value picking their spots.

Lookahead spot

The Montreal Alouettes opened the 2013 CFL season with high hopes and +400 odds of winning their first Grey Cup since 2010. Things haven’t gone as planned for the Als, who head into Week 5’s encounter with the Edmonton Eskimos at 1-3 SU on the year and set as 5-point favorites. Montreal’s offense is at the bottom of the CFL barrel, averaging just 275.2 yards per game – most noticeably the rushing attack which has stammered for an average of 67 yards.

The Als have some serious tinkering to do on their bye week, which so happens to follow this Thursday’s home game. New head coach Dan Hawkins is feeling the pressure and a break would allow him to re-think his game plan - or career path. His players are also feeling the crunch and could be miles away – mentally - from Percival Molson Memorial Stadium with some vacation around the corner.

Letdown spot

Don’t give the Baltimore Ravens any extra motivation. You never know what could happen. Last year, Ray Lewis’ swan song carried the club to a Super Bowl. Now, everybody and their dog are banking on a Baltimore downgrade in 2013. But the club can prove them wrong with a strong showing versus the Broncos – this year’s Super Bowl fave – in the Week 1 opener.

Win or lose that Thursday Night Football matchup, the Ravens are ripe for a letdown at home hosting the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. Early odds have Baltimore set as a 7.5-point favorite coming off an emotional season opener, on a night when it will celebrate its Super Bowl title. The Ravens were 3.5-point chalk in both meetings with Cleveland last year, covering in each game.

Schedule spot

The mish-mash MLB interleague schedule marches on with random matchups each week. Over bettors are licking their chops with the upcoming AL-versus-NL battle between the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies – the top two over teams in the majors. Combined, the Tigers and Phillies are 105-88-3 over/under as of Monday, topping the total in more than 54 percent of their games.

Philadelphia comes to the Motor City for three games, starting Friday. The teams haven’t met in interleague play since 2007, when they played over the number in two of three games at Philadelphia. So far in 2013, Detroit has gone 6-3 over/under versus NL foes while Philadelphia is 7-10 over/under in interleague play.
Reply With Quote

Tuesday, July 23

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Cincinnati - 7:05 PM ET Cincinnati -136 500
San Francisco - Over 7.5 500

Pittsburgh - 7:05 PM ET Pittsburgh +104 500 POD # 1
Washington - Over 8.5 500

LA Dodgers - 7:07 PM ET LA Dodgers -106 500
Toronto - Under 9.5 500

Tampa Bay - 7:10 PM ET Tampa Bay +124 500 POD # 7
Boston - Over 9.5 500

Atlanta - 7:10 PM ET Atlanta -133 500
NY Mets - Under 7.5 500

NY Yankees - 8:05 PM ET NY Yankees +155 500 POD # 5
Texas - Under 9 500

Baltimore - 8:10 PM ET Baltimore -108 500
Kansas City - Over 8.5 500

Detroit - 8:10 PM ET Chi. White Sox +112 500 POD # 6
Chi. White Sox - Under 8.5 500

Oakland - 8:10 PM ET Oakland -171 500
Houston - Under 8.5 500

San Diego - 8:10 PM ET San Diego +111 500 POD # 2
Milwaukee - Under 8.5 500

Philadelphia - 8:15 PM ET Philadelphia +196 500 POD # 8
St. Louis - Under 8 500

Miami - 8:40 PM ET Miami +145 500POD # 3
Colorado - Under 9 500

Chi. Cubs - 9:40 PM ET Arizona -177 500
Arizona - Over 7.5 500

Minnesota - 10:05 PM ET Minnesota +150 500 POD # 4
LA Angels - Under 8.5 500

San Francisco - 10:05 PM ET Cincinnati -118 500
Cincinnati - Under 8.5 500

Cleveland - 10:10 PM ET Seattle -111 500
Seattle - Under 8.5 500

A very good night as the dogs were barking......


[ # 145817253 ] PARLAY (5 TEAMS) (FP)( Risking: 0.00 - To Win: 662.11 ) WIN

07/23/2013
05:20 PM MLB [955] SDG PADRES 2.13( ACTION )Score: SDG PADRES(6) - MIL BREWERS(2) WIN

07/23/2013
05:50 PM MLB [959] MIA MARLINS 2.38( ACTION )Score: MIA MARLINS(4) - COL ROCKIES(2) WIN

07/23/2013
04:15 PM MLB [963] CIN GM1 -1½ 2.20( T CINGRANI -L / E SURKAMP -L )Score: CIN GM1(9) - SFO GM1(3) WIN

07/23/2013
05:15 PM MLB [967] NY YANKEES 2.48( ACTION )Score: NY YANKEES(5) - TEX RANGERS(4) WIN

07/23/2013
07:15 PM MLB [975] MIN TWINS 2.43( ACTION )Score: MIN TWINS(10) - LA ANGELS(3) WIN

Preview: Athletics (58-42) at Astros (34-65)
Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: July 24, 2013 2:10 PM EDT


The Oakland Athletics' lengthy winning streak over the Houston Astros is history.

A.J. Griffin will try to get the AL West leaders back on track Wednesday in this series finale in Houston.

Going for a 13th straight victory over the major league-worst Astros (34-65), the A's fell 5-4 on Tuesday. Grant Balfour gave up a tying two-run homer in the ninth to Matt Dominguez, ending the closer's franchise-record 44-game save streak, and Jonathan Villar scored the winning run on a throwing error by catcher Derek Norris.

By snapping the majors' longest current losing streak against any opponent, the Astros improved to 1-10 against the A's this season and 2-15 all-time.

"It speaks to the resilience of that group in there,' manager Bo Porter said.

Dominguez, the team leader with four homers versus Oakland (58-42) in 2013, has one of the Astros' three home runs - Jason Castro has the other two - against Griffin (8-7, 3.82 ERA) this season. All three came in Houston's 11-5 home loss May 25, when the right-hander gave up four runs in 5 2-3 innings.

Griffin was tagged for three homers again in Friday's 4-1 loss at the Los Angeles Angels, increasing his team-worst total to 21.

Manager Bob Melvin doesn't seem too concerned, though.

"It means he's trying to get ahead, throw strikes," he told the A's official website after Griffin yielded four runs in five innings. "Guys who have good command tend to give up homers sometimes."

Counterpart Bud Norris (6-9, 3.91) has allowed three home runs in his last two starts, but those were hardly his only problems. The right-hander gave up 13 runs over 10 2-3 innings in those outings sandwiched around the All-Star break, surrendering six over 5 2-3 of Friday's 10-7 loss to Seattle.

Still, Norris continues to be the subject of trade talks with the July 31 non-waiver deadline looming.

"Lot of chatter and no activity on our side right now," general manager Jeff Luhnow told the Astros' official website Monday.

Norris is 0-2 with an 11.37 ERA in two starts against Oakland this season, failing to make it out of the first inning in one of those.

A's left fielder Yoenis Cespedes, hitless in three at_bats off Norris, had a double in two plate appearances as a pinch hitter Tuesday, his first action of the second half after being sidelined with a sore left wrist. He could start Wednesday, but the Home Run Derby champ is batting .205 with no homers and three RBIs in his last 20 games.

Astros center fielder Brandon Barnes, who hit for the cycle in Norris' last start, left Tuesday's game in the seventh with a mild calf strain. His status for Wednesday is unknown.

The same is true for Houston's J.D. Martinez, who left the contest in the ninth inning with an apparent back injury.

-------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Athletics at Astros
Mon, Jul 22 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Athletics at Astros
Tue, Jul 23 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Athletics at Astros
Wed, Jul 24 - 2:10PM EDT

Preview: Dodgers (52-47) at Blue Jays (45-54)
Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: July 24, 2013 7:07 PM EDT


Once thought to be one of baseball's most disappointing teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers have surged into the NL West lead and are on the verge of their longest road winning streak in 58 years.

The Toronto Blue Jays still hold that distinction, as they'll be attempting to avoid a seventh straight defeat in Wednesday night's series finale.

Los Angeles was 12 games below .500 after a loss to San Diego on June 21, but it has since won 22 of 27 after rallying for a 10-9 victory Tuesday.

Adrian Gonzalez hit a three-run homer while Andre Either and Mark Ellis also drove in three runs for the Dodgers (52-47), who have scored 33 runs over the last three games and hold a slim lead over Arizona atop the division.

"We're starting to be able to throw some big innings together," manager Don Mattingly said. "If you can get to the point where you don't feel like you're out of games, I think that's important."

A victory Wednesday would give the franchise its first 10-game winning streak away from home since the then-Brooklyn Dodgers won their first 11 road games in 1955.

Ricky Nolasco, who is 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA in three starts since being acquired from Miami on July 7, will be on the mound looking to help Los Angeles accomplish that feat.

Nolasco (6-9, 3.75 ERA), who gave up two runs in 5 1-3 innings of the Dodgers' 3-2 win over Washington on Friday, was one of the few highly paid Marlins not sent to Toronto in a blockbuster trade in November that included former teammates Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes and Emilio Bonifacio.

The right-hander's only start versus Toronto came in 2009, though he's had some experience against some of the current Blue Jays. Reyes is hitting .340 with three homers, a triple and double, while Melky Cabrera is 6 for 13 (.462) with a homer off Nolasco.

Cabrera went 0 for 4 to snap his seven-game hitting streak Tuesday as the slumping Blue Jays (45-54) have dropped the first five of their 10-game homestand.

"It doesn't get any worse than that, considering where we're at," manager John Gibbons said.

Reyes hit a two-run homer and finished with a season-best three RBIs, but Toronto was unable to end its season-high skid despite holding a players-only meeting before the game.

"Maybe it sparks something, maybe they air some things out, maybe they feel they need to try and do some things different, whatever it might be," Gibbons told the team's official website earlier Tuesday. "If the results change, it was a good meeting. If the results don't change, it wasn't a good meeting. It's that simple."

Gibbons will turn to Esmil Rogers (3-4, 3.84) as Toronto looks to get on track.

Rogers is 2-2 with a 3.62 ERA in nine starts this season after giving up four runs - all solo homers to match a career worst allowed - in 5 2-3 innings of Toronto's 8-5 loss to Tampa Bay on Friday.

Gibbons, though, felt the right-hander pitched well otherwise.

"When he was on, he was dominating," Gibbons said. "He never really got into trouble, it was just the solo home runs."

Rogers hasn't had much success against the Dodgers, going 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA in three starts while pitching for Colorado in 2010 and '11.

Preview: Pirates (59-39) at Nationals (48-52)
Game: 3
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: July 24, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Francisco Liriano produced a string of dominant outings before the All-Star break but couldn't add to that in his first game back.

A chance to face a scuffling Washington Nationals lineup could help him get back on track Wednesday night.

Liriano (9-4, 2.44 ERA) was 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his final four starts before the break but gave up five runs in a season-low 4 1-3 innings in his return Friday, a 5-3 loss in Cincinnati.

"One of those days I didn't get any rhythm," Liriano said. "I tried to make good pitches and it didn't work out. Everything was up."

That loss kept Liriano from reaching double-digit wins for the third time in his eight major league seasons and for the first time since he had a career-high 14 for Minnesota in 2010. The left-hander would appear to have a prime opportunity to earn his 10th win Wednesday against the Nationals, who are batting .212 and have scored 11 runs during a season-high five-game skid.

"Really, the thing about us right now is we're a little snake bit," outfielder Jayson Werth said. "Things aren't going our way and we're not winning games. We need to find a way to win a game."

Washington (48-52) had three hits in a 5-1 loss Tuesday and is 6 for 78 (.077) with runners in scoring position during a 2-10 stretch. The Nationals fired hitting coach Rick Eckstein on Monday and his replacement, Rick Schu, arrived in Washington on Tuesday.

"I would like to see us put the ball in play a little bit more," Schu told the team's official website. "I think it's just committing to the team's concept - moving runners, putting the ball in play with two strikes, grinding at_bats. That's what this team is capable of doing. We just have to get back to it."

The Pirates' Russell Martin had three hits by himself Tuesday, and Pedro Alvarez hit his 25th homer in his club's third consecutive win. Pittsburgh (59-39) dropped nine of its first 14 this month after winning nine in a row to finish June.

Stephen Strasburg (5-7, 2.97) will try to end the Pirates' run while building on a solid performance in his return from the break. The right-hander gave up two runs over seven innings to the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, but he didn't receive a decision in a 3-2 loss.

In his final start of the first half July 12, Strasburg matched a career high by giving up seven runs in two innings in an 8-3 loss at NL-worst Miami.

Washington has scored three runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts and 15 of his 19 this season.

"Stras pitched one heck of a ballgame," manager Davey Johnson told the team's official website. "(He) pitched good enough for us to win."

While Liriano will face Washington for the first time, Strasburg will try to improve to 3-0 in four starts against the Pirates. He did not get a decision in his only matchup this season, a 5-4 win May 4, after allowing Starling Marte and Clint Barmes to hit two-run homers in his seven innings.

Strasburg is 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA in his last six home start.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Nationals
Mon, Jul 22 Final 6 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Pirates at Nationals
Tue, Jul 23 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Pirates at Nationals
Wed, Jul 24 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Pirates at Nationals
Thu, Jul 25 - 12:35PM EDT

Preview: Rays (59-42) at Red Sox (61-41)
Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 24, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


Boston's Felix Doubront credited his excellent performance last month against the Tampa Bay Rays for boosting his confidence, which hasn't wavered since.

For far different reasons, David Price's most recent outing versus the Red Sox may have provided motivation for his current surge.

The left-handers oppose each other Wednesday night at Fenway Park as AL East-leading Boston looks to deal Tampa Bay a second straight loss for the first time in nearly a month.

The Rays (59-42) had an opportunity to move into first place Tuesday, but had their six-game winning streak snapped with a 6-2 loss to the Red Sox (61-41).

Evan Longoria and Wil Myers hit solo homers for Tampa Bay, which had won 18 of its previous 20 since back-to-back losses June 26 and 28.

"We've been playing pretty darned good, and I am not going to be negative or critical about our group at all," manager Joe Maddon said.

Boston's victory increased its lead to 1 1/2 games over the Rays, and it avoided falling out of first place for the first time since May 25. It has won 10 of the 14 meetings with Tampa.

"Where we are in the standings, where they are (and) knowing we're only still in July, this (still) was a big game for us,' manager John Farrell said.

Doubront (7-3, 3.76 ERA) has gone 3-0 with a 1.83 ERA over his last six starts, beginning when he allowed three hits in eight scoreless innings of Boston's 3-1 win over the Rays in the second game of a doubleheader June 18.

"This game gives me more confidence," Doubront said after that outing. "I needed this. I needed this to get more confident, trust more in my pitches. I'll go the next game and try to do the same and stay on one page, this page."

He's stayed positive while winning three straight starts, most recently giving up two runs - one earned - in 6 1-3 innings of a 4-2 win over the New York Yankees on Friday.

"My confidence, my focus is improving," Doubront said. "I'm just trying to go deep and help the team win the game, keep the score down and let my team score runs."

Doubront is 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA in six starts versus the Rays, though Price is 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA in eight starts at Fenway.

Price (4-5, 4.03) was roughed up for four runs in 2 1-3 innings before leaving with a strained left triceps in a 9-2 loss to the Red Sox on May 15, but he's gone 3-1 with a 1.97 ERA in four starts since returning from a nearly seven-week stint on the disabled list.

He allowed a career worst-tying three homers and four runs in seven innings but picked up an 8-5 win at Toronto on Friday.

"I thought he kept getting better,' Maddon said. "He wasn't bad at the beginning, he just threw it in a couple of bad spots.'

Price already has matched last season's loss total in 18 fewer starts, but the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner gave up one run and struck out eight in six innings of Tampa's 2-1, 10-inning defeat April 13 at Boston.

Dustin Pedroia, who reportedly has agreed to a seven-year, $100 million extension with the Red Sox, is hitting .343 with a homer and four doubles lifetime off Price.

Boston has won six of the eight meetings at Fenway this season.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Red Sox
Mon, Jul 22 Final 3 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rays at Red Sox
Tue, Jul 23 Final 2 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rays at Red Sox
Wed, Jul 24 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Rays at Red Sox
Thu, Jul 25 - 7:10PM EDT

Preview: Braves (56-44) at Mets (44-52)
Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: July 24, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


The New York Mets finally broke out against Kris Medlen on Tuesday night.

They'll hope to do the same against Tim Hudson when they host the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night at Citi Field.

The Braves had won all seven of Medlen's starts against the Mets before New York knocked him out with three runs in the sixth inning of a 4-1 victory on Tuesday.

"I don't know if it was just command or leaving balls out over the plate, but the swings got better in the sixth than in the first five innings," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The Mets (44-52) will try to do the same against Hudson (7-7, 4.08 ERA), who seeks his 17th career victory over New York, which would mark his most against any team.

The right-hander has a 3.52 ERA against the Mets, and the Braves (56-44) have won four of his last five starts against their NL East rivals. Hudson is 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA in a pair of home starts versus New York in 2013.

John Buck and Ike Davis, who knocked in two of New York's four runs on Tuesday, will look to stay hot against Atlanta.

Buck has five multi-hit performances and nine RBIs in his last nine games. Although he's only hitting .219 against the Braves in 2013, three of his seven hits are homers and he's also been hit five times and walked twice.

Davis has doubled in consecutive games for the Mets, and despite striking out nine times is 7 for 21 in the season series.

"These are all confidence-building things,' manager Terry Collins said of Davis' go-ahead double in the sixth.

Hudson went 10 straight starts without a win from May 10-June 29, but the results have started to catch up with his performance. He's posted a 2.77 ERA since the beginning of June and won three straight starts while being provided with 22 runs of support.

Hudson gave up four runs in 7 1-3 innings of Atlanta's 6-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

New York, meanwhile, has won eight of its last 12 as its rotation has posted a 2.96 ERA.

Of the 24 earned runs the Mets have allowed over that stretch, eight came against Jeremy Hefner (4-7, 3.93) in two-plus innings of a 13-8 loss to Philadelphia on Friday.

"I don't think he hit a spot the entire first inning," Collins told the team's official website. "Anything he wanted to throw, he didn't throw it there."

The Phillies are batting .448 against the right-hander, but Hefner has limited everyone else to a .220 average.

Hefner held the Braves to three hits over six innings while striking out seven May 24, but he gave up a pair of runs on a homer by Freddie Freeman - the All-Star's second in seven at_bats in their matchups.

Before facing Philadelphia, Hefner had gone 4-1 with a 2.14 ERA in his previous 10 outings.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Mets
Mon, Jul 22 Final 2 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Mets
Tue, Jul 23 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Braves at Mets
Wed, Jul 24 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Braves at Mets
Thu, Jul 25 - 12:10PM EDT

Preview: Yankees (53-47) at Rangers (55-45)
Game: 3
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: July 24, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Matt Garza is set to start pitching for a playoff contender again, this time with a team that has long coveted him.

Garza will make his Texas Rangers debut Wednesday night against the visiting New York Yankees.

"He's excited, big smile on his face. I think I sat here with just as big a smile as he did," manager Ron Washington said. "He's ready to go, man. I wouldn't expect anything less."

The Rangers acquired Garza (6-1, 3.17 ERA) on Monday from the Chicago Cubs. Texas immediately traded three players, including major league pitcher Justin Grimm and top prospect third baseman Mike Olt, in a deal with one or two players to be named later.

The right-hander was 5-0 with a 1.24 ERA in his last six starts for the Cubs. Scratched from his scheduled start Monday night at Arizona, he last pitched July 13 against St. Louis at Wrigley Field.

"He's a power pitcher. He will upgrade any rotation in the big leagues," said Rangers backup catcher Geovany Soto, his former teammate in Chicago. "It's great to have him here.

"He's happy that everything's done, he knows where he's at now, and he's going to be here for 2013 and hopefully go into October. He's going to prepare, he's going to give you 100 percent. Guaranteed."

Derek Holland was initially scheduled to pitch Wednesday against his idol, Andy Pettitte (7-7, 4.47). He will instead pitch the four-game series finale Thursday, a day game when the temperature is expected to be 100 degrees or more.

Washington said the Rangers (55-45) didn't want Garza to sit much longer after not pitching Monday.

"Plus, we want to get him a chance to feel what this heat is like, rather than his first game out he's going in a day game," Washington said. "Derek has done it before, so we send Derek out there."

Garza, who pitched in the 2008 World Series for Tampa Bay and in the 2010 AL division series for the Rays against Texas, can become a free agent after this season. He made 11 starts for the Cubs this year after missing the first seven weeks with a strained left lat muscle.

Tampa Bay traded Garza to Chicago instead of Texas after the 2010 season. The Rangers were also interested in Garza last summer before he missed the last two months with a stress reaction in his elbow.

The last time Garza faced the Yankees (53-47) was in September 2010, and he has a 1-4 record with a 4.48 ERA in 12 games - 11 starts - against them.

"It's been a few years, but we've seen a lot of him, and he's a pitcher that's had success pretty much anywhere he's been," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "He's got very good stuff, he seems pretty durable, he's pitched in the American League, which is not the easiest place to pitch. He's pitched in pennant races, so you would expect it to be a good acquisition for the Rangers."

Texas rallied from a 3-0 deficit Tuesday night, scoring four times in the sixth to take the lead, but the Yankees pushed two runs across in the ninth to come away with a 5-4 victory and win for the second time in seven games.

The Rangers have dropped eight of 10.

Pettitte has also been in a funk, going 2-4 with a 5.40 ERA in his past seven starts. He's allowed at least four runs in each of those outings, tying the longest streak of his career from Aug. 19-Sept. 21, 1998.

In his last four starts, the left-hander has allowed 13 runs over the first two innings.

"It's got to change," Pettitte told the Yankees' official website. "I can't keep going out there and giving up two, three, four runs in the first inning and second inning. I feel too good."

Pettitte gave up four runs in the third inning of an 8-5 loss to Texas on June 26. Including the postseason, he's 13-11 with a 4.81 ERA in 28 starts against the Rangers.


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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 Final 5 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Yankees at Rangers
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Yankees at Rangers
Thu, Jul 25 - 2:05PM EDT

Preview: Tigers (55-44) at White Sox (39-58)
Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: July 24, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


Even with Miguel Cabrera on the bench, the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers didn't have too many problems beating the last-place Chicago White Sox.

With their slugger expected to sit out again, the Tigers will try to earn a fourth consecutive win Wednesday night in Chicago.

Cabrera left Monday's series opener after aggravating a nagging left hip flexor injury. Manager Jim Leyland said the reigning AL MVP and the majors' first triple crown winner in 45 years likely will miss this game, and it's uncertain if he'll return in this series.

Leyland, though, doesn't think Cabrera will wind up on the disabled list.

"I doubt very much he'll play (Wednesday)," he said. "I can assure you, he's not going to play both these games the next two days. ... Will he play one? I can't answer that. But if he played (Wednesday) night, he certainly wouldn't play the day game. I don't know if he'll player either of the two, to be honest with you."

The Tigers (55-44) rolled to a 6-2 victory Tuesday without the benefit of Cabrera's MLB-best .358 average, 31 homers and 96 RBIs. Jhonny Peralta started the scoring in a three-run fourth inning with an RBI single and hit a solo homer in a three-run sixth.

"Everybody has problems," Leyland said. "Everybody has injuries, and everybody has issues that they've got to deal with. We've really had our share this year."

In its 34th loss in 49 games, Chicago (39-58) had as many errors (a season-high four) as hits until Paul Konerko's two-run double in the ninth. The White Sox have committed seven errors in the first two games of this series, and their 68 this season are two shy of matching their 2012 total.

"I don't think anyone saw this one coming this year with the way we played last year and we have pretty much the same pieces," Konerko said. "The ball just kept rolling down the hill the wrong way, and we have not stopped it."

Anibal Sanchez (7-7, 2.85 ERA) will try to help add to Chicago's woes while snapping a two-game skid. The right-hander, though, started that losing streak by giving up five runs over 5 1-3 innings in his first career matchup with the White Sox, a 6-3 loss July 11.

Chicago rookie catcher Josh Phegley drove in most of those runs with his first career grand slam.

Sanchez was sharper in his return from the All-Star break Friday, allowing one run and four hits over six innings. He also walked a season-high five, though, and suffered a 1-0 defeat in Kansas City.

"I feel good because I kept the score right there," Sanchez told the team's website.

While Sanchez will try to repeat his last outing, John Danks (2-7, 4.52) is hoping for a better one. Chicago's left-hander gave up five runs over seven innings Friday in a 6-4 loss to Atlanta after posting a respectable 2.93 ERA in his previous four outings.

Danks, however, is 0-2 with a 14.21 ERA in his last three starts against Detroit. He avoided a loss in his most recent matchup on May 14, 2012, despite giving up five runs and nine hits in just three innings.

Prince Fielder had three hits off Danks in that game, and Austin Jackson is 10 for 25 (.400) with two homers lifetime against him. Martinez is 7 for 31 (.226) but has three home runs.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at White Sox
Mon, Jul 22 Final 7 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Tigers at White Sox
Tue, Jul 23 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at White Sox
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Tigers at White Sox
Thu, Jul 25 - 2:10PM EDT

Preview: Padres (45-56) at Brewers (41-58)
Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: July 24, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


Will Venable and Nick Hundley are two of the big reasons behind the San Diego Padres' recent surge at the plate.

Facing the Milwaukee Brewers has been another.

Venable and Hundley try to help the Padres match their longest road winning streak of the season Wednesday night against the Brewers.

San Diego (45-56) has broken out at the plate while winning four of six, batting .308 with seven homers and 34 runs. That equaled its scoring and home run totals over the previous 15 games, which included 14 losses and a .200 average.

The Padres' offensive turnaround continued Tuesday as they pounded out 15 hits in a 6-2 win at Milwaukee (41-58) after opening this four-game series with a 5-3 victory.

They last won three straight as the visitor during a series sweep of the Dodgers from April 15-17.

"There's no doubt there was a struggle," manager Bud Black said. "We didn't hit and we didn't pitch. Now, you're seeing better offensive outputs.

"It's no secret. It's good to see guys performing like they're capable of."

Black may be referring to Venable and Hundley, who each had a homer among their three hits Tuesday.

Venable is hitting .232 this season but is 8 for 21 with two homers over his past five games. Hundley is 8 for 18 with a pair of long balls and six RBIs over his last five contests.

"I know they say hitting is contagious or whatever, but it's just the ability to string together good at_bats," Venable said.

Venable's good fortune may continue. He has a .397 average in 18 visits to Miller Park, his best in any NL park.

Milwaukee's starters have surrendered seven runs and 12 hits over 9 2-3 innings in this series, but Kyle Lohse (6-7, 3.49 ERA) has won three of his last four starts versus San Diego behind a 2.63 ERA.

The right-hander earned a 7-1 road victory against the Padres on April 22, allowing one run in five innings.

A meeting at home may be beneficial to Lohse, who owns a 2.28 ERA while winning four straight starts there. He battled through his latest outing Friday, tossing 105 pitches in six innings of Friday's 2-0 win over Miami.

Lohse may not be expecting much help from the lineup, which has a .206 average over the past 11 games. The Brewers have mustered eight hits in this series, their first two games since the announcement of Ryan Braun's season-ending suspension.

"We haven't really hammered the ball for a while," manager Ron Roenicke said. "Some of it is personnel, but I still expect a lot of these guys to have better at_bats."

Sean O'Sullivan (0-1, 6.43) will face Milwaukee for the first time in a spot start in place of Jason Marquis, who is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery.

O'Sullivan is looking to win for the first time since beating the New York Yankees on May 12, 2011. The right-hander, who spent all of last year in the minors, gave up two runs and six hits over five innings in a 10-1 loss to San Francisco on July 12 - his first start since Sept. 27, 2011.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Brewers
Mon, Jul 22 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Padres at Brewers
Tue, Jul 23 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Padres at Brewers
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Padres at Brewers
Thu, Jul 25 - 2:10PM EDT

Preview: Phillies (49-51) at Cardinals (60-37)
Game: 2
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: July 24, 2013 8:15 PM EDT


Allen Craig has been a pitcher's nightmare of late.

The left fielder will look to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 10th win in 13 games as they host the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.

The NL Central leaders have been bolstered by an offense that has batted .289 with 31 doubles in the previous 12 games.

No one has been hotter for St. Louis (60-37) than Craig, who is batting .424 since June 29. All four of his plate appearances were productive on Tuesday - he had an RBI fielder's choice, a double, a walk and an RBI single in St. Louis' 4-1 victory over Philadelphia.

"I put the ball in play, had a couple of good at bats, and was able to get the job done," Craig said.

Craig is hitting a major league-best .490 (47 for 96) with runners in scoring position.

"He's done some impressive things, he's definitely for real,' St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "People are starting to notice.'

He's had two eight-game and one nine-game hitting streaks since June 18 to raise his batting average from .309 to .335.

Craig will look to hit in his ninth straight game against a pitcher who has been equally hot in Philadelphia's John Lannan. Lannan (2-3, 3.76 ERA) has lasted eight innings in two straight starts, posting a 0.56 ERA in that stretch.

On July 13, the left-hander yielded one run and four hits in eight innings of a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Lannan hasn't faced the Cardinals since 2011, but he has fared well against them. The left-hander has held the Cardinals to two runs or fewer in all seven starts against them.

The Phillies (49-51), who have scored just five runs during their three-game losing streak, are 1 for 19 with runners in scoring position during their slump. They have 10 home runs in 13 games since slugger Ryan Howard went on the disabled list with left knee inflammation.

Domonic Brown, who went 0 for 4 on Tuesday, is 5 for his last 31 (.161). John Mayberry, who had just seven July at_bats through July 12, is batting just .219 this month, though he had an RBI double to account for the lone run on Tuesday.

That's the type of weak lineup Jake Westbrook (6-4, 2.88) has feasted on. Eleven of the right-hander's 13 starts have come against teams in the lower half of the league in runs scored. Since allowing a season-worst six runs and 10 hits at Oakland, he has posted a 2.66 ERA against the Miami Marlins, the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres.

On Friday, he continued the trend, holding the Padres to two runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 9-6 win.

He also went 3 for 3 at the plate with a double.

"I had a lot of fun out there," said Westbrook, who entered the game 2 for 20, to the team's official site. "It was the first time I had run the bases that much since high school."

"They take their at_bats seriously," Matheny said. "They put a lot of pride in them. It's frustrating to them. They don't get enough repetitions to consistently be able to do what they want to do."

The Phillies could be a tougher challenge for Westbrook - on the mound, that is. Jimmy Rollins (.444), Michael Young (.379), Laynce Nix (.364) and Chase Utley (.364) have all had success against the right-hander.

Utley, who had three hits on Tuesday, is batting .400 over his six-game hitting streak.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Cardinals
Tue, Jul 23 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Cardinals
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Phillies at Cardinals
Thu, Jul 25 - 7:15PM EDT

Preview: Marlins (37-61) at Rockies (48-53)
Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: July 24, 2013 8:40 PM EDT


The Miami Marlins were at a low point heading into their four-game series in Denver.

A pair of wins and an outstanding major league debut by Christian Yelich have the NL-worst Marlins feeling much better about themselves heading into Wednesday night's game against the Colorado Rockies.

After ending a franchise-worst 37-inning scoreless stretch - the longest run-scoring drought in the majors in nearly three decades - with Monday's 3-1 victory, the Marlins (37-61) won 4-2 on Tuesday with Yelich delivering three singles and two RBIs in his big league debut.

The 21-year-old left fielder and center fielder Jake Marisnick, who went hitless in four at_bats in his first major league appearance, were called up from Double-A Jacksonville following Monday's victory.

"You can think about it and dream about it all you want, but going out there and actually living it and being able to be a part of something like this is pretty special and something I'll never forget,' said Yelich, who matched Giancarlo Stanton and Marlins manager Mike Redmond for the most hits by a Marlin in a major league debut.

Miami, winner of four of five in Denver, now go for a third straight victory with Jacob Turner (3-2, 2.44 ERA) on the hill.

The 22-year-old right-hander has surrendered two runs or fewer in seven of nine starts since getting called up from Triple-A New Orleans on May 31. Turner, though, was admittedly not at his best in Friday's 2-0 loss at Milwaukee, walking four and getting tagged for two homers in five-plus innings.

Turner had yielded one long ball in his previous eight starts.

"Some days you have it, some days you don't," he said.

Turner will get his first look at the Rockies (48-53), who have scored two runs or fewer in nine of 15 games, losing each time they've failed to plate three during that stretch.

Rockies All-Stars Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer were a combined 1 for 11 on Tuesday after going 5 for 12 on Monday.

"We should be better. We should score more runs," Gonzalez told the Rockies' official website. "I don't think our focus was the same tonight and the game got away."

Jorge De La Rosa (9-5, 3.12) knows all too well about Colorado's offensive struggles - he has a 3.31 run-support average in his last six starts. The left-hander is 2-1 with a 2.29 ERA during that stretch after not factoring in the decision in a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Friday when he surrendered one run - a homer by Alfonso Soriano - in six innings.

De La Rosa is 3-4 with a 5.93 ERA in eight starts against the Marlins, but he hasn't faced them since 2010.

He'll try to reach double-digit victories for the first time since winning a career-best 16 for the Rockies in 2009.

Stanton is batting .355 with seven homers and 12 RBIs in nine career games at Colorado after hitting a solo shot Tuesday.

First baseman Todd Helton, whose solo homer Tuesday tied him with Joe DiMaggio for 76th on the all-time list with 361, is a lifetime .394 hitter versus the Marlins at home.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Rockies
Mon, Jul 22 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Marlins at Rockies
Tue, Jul 23 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Marlins at Rockies
Wed, Jul 24 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 4
Marlins at Rockies
Thu, Jul 25 - 3:10PM EDT

MLB
Dunkel

Cincinnati at San Francisco
The Reds look to bounce back from last night's loss in the nightcap and build on their 7-1 record in Mike Leake's last 8 road starts. Cincinnati is the pick (-115) according to Dunkel, which has the Reds favored by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-115). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24

Game 901-902: Pittsburgh at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Liriano) 16.084; Washington (Strasburg) 14.405
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Washington (-145); 7
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+125); Under

Game 903-904: Atlanta at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Hudson) 15.879; NY Mets (Hefner) 14.487
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-130); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-130); Over

Game 905-906: San Diego at Milwaukee (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (O'Sullivan) 13.920; Milwaukee (Lohse) 15.427
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-155); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-155); Over

Game 907-908: Philadelphia at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Lannan) 15.984; St. Louis (Westbrook) 15.655
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-180); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+160); Under

Game 959-960: Miami at Colorado (8:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Turner) 14.136; Colorado (De La Rosa) 15.608
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Colorado (-170); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-170); Over

Game 911-912: Chicago Cubs at Arizona (9:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Samardzija) 15.571; Arizona (Kennedy) 14.490
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Arizona (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (+120); Under

Game 913-914: Cincinnati at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Leake) 16.056; San Francisco (Gaudin) 13.476
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 2 1/2; 6
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-115); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-115); Under

Game 915-916: Oakland at Houston (2:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Griffin) 14.302; Houston (Norris) 15.265
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Oakland (-170); 8
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+150); Over

Game 917-918: Minnesota at LA Angels (3:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Pelfrey) 14.670; LA Angels (Weaver) 16.263
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-250); 8
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-250); Under

Game 919-920: Cleveland at Seattle (3:40 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Kazmir) 15.740; Seattle (Saunders) 14.800
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Seattle (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-105); Over

Game 921-922: Tampa Bay at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Price) 15.670; Boston (Doubront) 16.565
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-120); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+100); Under

Game 923-924: NY Yankees at Texas (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Pettitte) 14.466; Texas (Garza) 15.860
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Texas (-170); 9
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-170); Over

Game 925-926: Baltimore at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Chen) 15.657; Kansas City (Santana) 14.463
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Kansas City (-110); 8
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-110); Under

Game 927-928: Detroit at Chicago White Sox (8:10 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Sanchez) 16.507; White Sox (Danks) 14.737
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Detroit (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-145); Over

Game 929-930: LA Dodgers at Toronto (7:07 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Nolasco) 16.713; Toronto (Rogers) 14.344
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 2 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Toronto (-110); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-110); Over

Wednesday, July 24

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Oakland - 2:10 PM ET Houston +152 500 POD # 1
Houston - Under 8.5 500 POD # 6

Minnesota - 3:35 PM ET LA Angels -230 500 POD # 2
LA Angels - Over 8 500 POD # 3

Cleveland - 3:40 PM ET Cleveland -108 500 POD # 4
Seattle - Under 8 500 POD # 5