Betting Odds - Graffiti - Podcast

Iran Wants to Execute Porn Stars Following Zahra Amir Ebrahimi Sex Tape

Forget those nuclear war heads Iran is developing, that country has even deeper issues. Now the nation of Iran voted in favor of a bill that could lead to death penalty for persons convicted of working in the production of pornographic movies.

The legislation comes a year after a porn scandal that rocked Iran involving actress Zahra Amir Ebrahimi.

A private videotape, apparently belonging to Iranian actress Zahra Amir Ebrahimi and allegedly showing her having intercourse with a man, became available across Iran.

The videotape was leaked to the Internet and released on a black market DVD, becoming a full-blown Iranian sex tape scandal. Ebrahimi later came under an official investigation, which is still ongoing. She faces fines, whip lashing or worse for her violation of Iran’s morality laws.

The DVD of the film, in which 25-year-old Ebrahim is apparently shown having sex at home with her then-fiancee, has sold an incredible 100,000 copies on Iran’s black market in the past few months, even at the fairly expensive price of $13.

The unnamed man on the tape, who is suspected of releasing it, reportedly fled to Armenia but was subsequently returned to Iran and charged with breach of public morality laws. He remains in jail.

In an exclusive interview with the British newspaper The Guardian early this year, Ebrahimi denied she was the woman in the film and dismissed it as a fake, made by a vengeful former fiance bent on destroying her career.

“I watched the film after I heard about the fuss from colleagues and the girl in it is not me,” Ebrahimi said….”It is possible to use studio make-up to have a person look like me. I have some knowledge of montage techniques and I know you can create a new face by distorting the features of another person.”

In recent years, private videotapes have increasingly been leaked to the public in Iran, riling the government and many in this conservative Islamic country, where open talk of sex is banned and considered taboo.

With a 148-5 vote in favor and four abstentions, lawmakers present at the Wednesday session of the 290-seat parliament approved that “producers of pornographic works and main elements in their production are considered corruptors of the world and could be sentenced to punishment as corruptors of the world.”

The term, “corruptor of the world” is taken from the Quran, the Muslims’ holy book (of which Dr. Seuss - green eggs and ham - has nothing on), and ranks among the highest on the scale of an individual’s criminal offenses. Under Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, it carries a death penalty.

Neteller Co-Founder Stephen Lawrence Helped Web Sites Draw U.S. Players

The co-founder of Neteller, which processed billions of dollars in Internet gambling transactions for Americans, pleaded guilty Friday to a charge of criminal conspiracy.

Stephen Lawrence, whose company, Neteller PLC, was once one of the primary ways U.S. citizens placed bets with offshore bookies, acknowledged in a federal courtroom in Manhattan that the operation was illegal.

“I came to understand that providing payment services to online gambling Web sites serving customers in the United States was wrong,” he told the judge.

His lawyers said he was cooperating with U.S. investigators, and had also agreed to be at least partly responsible for the $100 million the government is seeking from people who were involved in the operation.

Lawrence and another Neteller director, John David Lefebvre, were arrested in January as part of a U.S. crackdown on the online gambling industry.

Both men are Canadian citizens. Their company was based in the Isle of Man and traded on the London Stock Exchange. Some experts had initially believed that the company’s offshore status might put it beyond the reach of U.S. law.

Neteller also wasn’t directly involved in either placing or taking bets. It essentially served as a financial middleman, through which bettors could send and receive cash from Internet bookies.

Stephen Lawrence, 47, co-founder of Neteller, an online payment processing solution that catered mostly to Internet casinos, sportsbooks and poker rooms, has plead guilty to a conspiracy charge. Lawrence will cooperate with the US government while facing up to a 5 year sentence.

“Mr. Lawrence is very glad to have this episode over and looks forward to moving on to the next stage of his life,” attorney Peter Neiman said after the hearing.

Lawrence is allowed to travel within the United States, Canada and the Bahamas. He will face sentencing on October 29.

“Conspiracy” is an agreement between two or more people to break the law at some point in the future or to accomplish a legal end through illegal actions. The parties (in a conspiracy matter) must “intend” or “know” the facts which make the conduct criminal even where the full offence is strict.

A conspiracy may exist when the parties use legal means to accomplish an illegal result, or to use illegal means to achieve something that in itself is lawful.

One of the more interesting aspects of this admission is where the customer stands, assuming he or she was not committing a crime.

Law.com illustrates an example whereby a scheme is hatched by a group of salesmen to sell used automobiles as new. Not only could this be prosecuted as a crime of fraud and conspiracy, but a purchaser of an automobile sold by these salesmen can now sue for damages [in civil court] for the fraud and conspiracy. US customers are yet to be paid funds owed to them by Neteller.

For customers concerned over legal ramifications of their own betting activity, it should be pointed out that only a handful of state laws make it illegal to place a bet, and in most cases this would be considered a misdemeanor. Federal law does not make placing a bet a crime even following the controversial passage of the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act).

The common fear, however, is failure to claim taxes on gambling wins. Furthermore, there are some instances where individual customers could be found in violation of laws (both state and federal) and perhaps even co-conspirators. Neteller could easily be used as an instrument for laundering money. Large sums of money transferred to and from Neteller will likely raise the eyebrows of agents reportedly in the process of reviewing transaction history.

Saturday, June 30th (All times eastern)

OAKLAND ATHLETICS (40-39) AT NEW YORK YANKEES (37-39), 1:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Oakland - Chad Gaudin (6-3, 3.14) New York - Kei Igawa (2-1, 7.13)

As one of four teams in the American League East already more than 10 games out of contention in the standings, the New York Yankees once again try to defend their home turf this afternoon as they host the Oakland Athletics in the second of a three-game set from Yankee Stadium.

On Friday New York, which is third in the division and still 11 games behind Boston, snapped a four-game slide and won for just the second time in the last nine outings with a 2-1 victory against the A’s in the Bronx. Alex Rodriguez was responsible for three hits, including an RBI double, while Jorge Posada knocked in the other run with a single.

Mike Mussina, who was making his 200th start for the Yankees, gave up just a single run on six hits to snap a two-game personal losing streak. Mussina, who is 4-5 on the season, became just the 10th pitcher in major league history to have at least 200 starts for two different teams following his 288 with Baltimore to begin his career.

Also reaching a significant milestone was manager Joe Torre, who posted the 2,010 win of his career on the bench, moving him ahead of Leo Durocher for ninth on the all-time list.

As for the A’s, losers of seven of the last eight contests, their lone run was scored by Eric Chavez, while Shannon Stewart recorded three hits in a losing effort. Starter Joe Kennedy permitted the two runs to the home team on seven hits and three walks, while striking out five over six innings of work for his sixth loss in eight decisions.

In an attempt to snap a personal two-game slide, Chad Gaudin heads to the hill for the A’s this afternoon in the Bronx.

Now in his fifth season in the majors and already on his third team, Gaudin burst into 2007 with a record of 6-1, but has been handed back-to-back losses by the likes of Cincinnati and Cleveland.

On Monday it was the Indians who registered three runs on six hits and three walks, while Gaudin struck out four over six innings in what became a 5-2 setback at Jacobs Field.

As for the Yankees, they’re prepared to insert Kei Igawa back into the rotation after skipping his previous scheduled start due to an off day on the calendar.

The Japanese product, who spent seven weeks in the minors in an effort to work on his delivery, has started only two games since the end of April, failing to figure into either decision. On June 22 Igawa made it through only 4 2/3 innings versus the Giants out on the West Coast, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out five in what became a 7-3 victory for the visitors.

Rodriguez continues to lead all of baseball with 28 home runs and 79 RBI for the Yankees and is third on the team in batting with a .334 average, all while having scored 73 times. However, no one else on the team has double-digit home runs to this point in the season and over the last week Bobby Abreu has done little to protect A-Rod in the lineup, hitting just .136 in 22 at-bats.

Oakland, which is a game over .500 on the year but still just 19-21 on the road and 9 1/2 games behind the Angels for first place in the AL West, is third from the bottom in the AL in batting at .257. However, thanks to having the best team ERA in the league at 3.55, the A’s remain competitive and are tied with Boston for the most shutouts with seven through 79 games.

Jack Cust, who broke out with six home runs in his first seven games of the season, is at it again for the A’s with three long balls and seven RBI in the last week. With a team-best 13 home runs at the moment, Cust has a slugging percentage of .605 for the club, the team as a whole just .402.

MINNESOTA TWINS (41-37) AT DETROIT TIGERS (46-32), 3:55 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Minnesota - Kevin Slowey (2-0, 4.94) Detroit - Andrew Miller (3-1, 2.70)

Pushed back into second place in the American League Central by a half game, the Detroit Tigers try to keep their eyes on the prize as they host the Minnesota Twins in the second of a three-game set from Comerica Park this afternoon.

On Friday the Tigers had ace Justin Verlander gunning for his 10th win of the campaign, but he was shelled in what became a 11-1 victory for the Twins and the third loss in the last four outings for Detroit.

Joe Mauer took control of the situation for the visitors when he crushed his first career grand slam to help hurler Johan Santana to the easy road win. Mauer finished with two hits and two walks and scored twice, while Jason Bartlett crossed the plate three times in the triumph.

Santana allowed just the one run on five hits, walked one and struck out six over six innings in picking up his ninth win of the season.

As for Verlander, he made it through only five innings after being touched for six runs on only four hits. He fanned five but also walked as many in the disappointing outing. Placido Polanco, who finished with three hits, accounted for the only run for the Tigers on a solo homer. Magglio Ordonez, the league’s top hitter (.375) had one hit and struck out twice.

This afternoon both teams have inexperienced arms taking the hill as the Twins give the ball to rookie Kevin Slowey and Detroit counters with Andrew Miller.

Slowey, a Texas native who attended Winthrop in South Carolina, was called up to the majors to start the month of June and has responded with a 2-0 record.

After Minnesota won his first four appearances the team failed to come out on the winning side on Monday when Slowey permitted four earned runs on six hits, two of which were home runs by Toronto. However, the 23-year old did fan five without issuing a walk over five innings, which saved him from being charged with the setback.

In the case of Miller, he’s in his second year in the majors after making eight appearances for the Tigers in 2006, one of which was against the Twins when he walked three and allowed a run over just 2/3 innings. The lefthander from the Sunshine State last took the mound a week ago and picked up the win against Atlanta on the road.

In that contest Miller threw six shutout innings, giving up just four hits and a pair of walks while fanning two.

Minnesota, which is 19-17 on the road and is now only 5 1/2 games out of first in the division, is one of only four teams in the AL with a slugging percentage under .400 at just .393 through 78 games. However, with the pitching staff checking in with a 4.14 ERA (fourth in the AL) the club has managed to hold it together with the All-Star Break now just over a week away.

Over the last week Mauer has belted three home runs and has accounted for 11 RBI for the Twins, while Torii Hunter has posted 10 hits and scored seven times during the same stretch.

The Tigers, currently 19-17 at home, have had a bit of a power failure over the last six contests, hitting just four home runs and batting a collective .226. Having a particularly rough time of it has been Ivan Rodriguez, who is hitting only .158 over the last five games. However, despite the rough times over the last week, Detroit is still second in the league overall this season with a .290 batting average and is fifth with 90 home runs in 78 games. LA ANGELS OF ANAHEIM (50-30) AT BALTIMORE ORIOLES (34-44), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: LA Angels - Bartolo Colon (6-3, 5.90) Baltimore - Brian Burres (3-2, 3.36)

The team with the most wins in the American League goes for two in a row as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim take on the Baltimore Orioles in the second of a three-game set at Camden Yards tonight.

After dropping three in a row to the lowly Kansas City Royals the Angels, now 50-30 overall and 21-17 on the road, opened their road trip to the East Coast with a 9-7 triumph on Friday thanks to a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning by Howie Kendrick.

Chone Figgins, who scored twice, recorded four hits for the visitors, giving him 51 in the month to break the club’s all-time record set by Darin Erstad with 48 in April of 2000. Orlando Cabrera tacked on three RBI and scored twice thanks to three hits, as Scot Shields picked up his second win of the season and fellow reliever Francisco Rodriguez his 23rd save.

The heroics of Kendrick with two outs in the ninth overshadowed a brilliant game by Baltimore’s Aubrey Huff who became just the third player in club history to hit for the cycle. In addition, his triple in the second inning also accounted for the 1,000th hit of his career.

Melvin Mora produced three hits and three knocked in for the home team, but starting pitcher Steve Trachsel put the squad in a hole early on by surrendering five runs on nine hits in just 1 2/3 innings of work. Five pitchers later Chris Ray was the one who suffered the loss, his sixth of the campaign.

Despite having a lofty 5.90 ERA entering the weekend, Bartolo Colon tries to improve upon his 6-3 record as he takes the mound for the Angels.

Already 8-5 with a 3.20 ERA in his career versus Baltimore, the 11-year veteran last pitched on Sunday when the Angels picked up a 4-3 win over Pittsburgh, but Colon failed to figure into the decision in the 300th start of his career. Colon issued a season-high four walks to go along with seven hits over six innings. He fanned six and gave up two runs, yet still failed to go beyond the sixth inning for the third straight outing.

As for the Orioles, they are opting to go with youngster Brian Burres who has three wins in his brief career, one of which came against the Angels earlier in the season.

A product of Mount Hood Community College in Oregon, the lefthander has failed to earn a decision in the month of June, with the O’s losing all four of his previous starts.

A week ago Burres lasted just 4 1/3 innings versus Arizona in the desert, giving up four runs on four hits and five walks, while fanning four. Despite having had control problems in the big leagues thus far with 34 walks over 56 1/3 innings, Burres still has a very respectable 3.36 ERA to this point.

Baltimore hitters are currently second from the bottom in the AL in home runs with just 59, which explains why the team is already 15 games out of contention in the AL East and just 18-20 at home. However, over the last six games Huff, More and Brian Roberts have all registered a pair of homers for the club.

As for the Angels, leaders in the AL West by five games over Seattle, they too are far from a power-hitting group with only 62 home runs, but batting a league-high .292 has made up the difference. Figgins, who is carrying an 11- game hit streak into the weekend, has 13 hits in the last six games, with Kendrick posting 10 and a team-high nine runs scored over that span as well.

Although they won just one of their four games played at Camden Yards a year ago, the Angels have beaten up on the O’s in recent years with a mark of 20-10 since the beginning of the 2004 campaign.

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (33-45) AT CLEVELAND INDIANS (47-32), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Tampa Bay - J.P. Howell (1-1, 4.45) Cleveland - C.C. Sabathia (11-2, 3.24)

With two straight wins under their belts the Cleveland Indians take their slim half-game lead in the American League Central into action this evening as they challenge the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the second test of a four-game set at Jacobs Field.

Ben Francisco stepped in to post his first two major league hits, including the winning solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, as the Tribe produced a 2-1 win over the Devil Rays in the series opener on Friday. Francisco, who started the season at Triple-A Buffalo and was brought up briefly in early May, also singled in the fourth inning for Cleveland, winners in four of its last five.

Thanks to the late heroics from Francisco it was reliever Joe Borowski who picked up the victory, his first of the campaign, after starter Jake Westbrook fanned seven and allowed just the lone run on five hits over seven innings for the home team.

Brendan Harris and Ty Wigginton both tallied two hits for the visitors while Dioner Navarro scored the only run. Having a game he would much rather forget was Carlos Pena, who struck out four times in as many at-bats.

Starter Edwin Jackson allowed just one run on six hits and struck out six in six innings, while Shawn Camp suffered the loss for the visitors when he gave up Francisco’s homer in the ninth. It was the fifth straight setback for the Devil Rays.

Sporting one of the best records in the majors entering the weekend, C.C. Sabathia goes in search of his 12th win of 2006 when he takes the mound at home for the Indians tonight.

The seven-year man, who has spent his entire career with the Tribe, last threw on Monday when he made it through nine innings for the third time in June in a 5-2 victory against Oakland at home. Sabathia was touched for just two earned runs on nine hits, struck out eight and did not issue a single walk.

So far this season the lefthander has permitted more than one walk just twice in a game. In all he has a mere 17 walks over 122 1/3 innings, while having fanned 108 batters in that stretch.

Although he failed to figure into the decision in his only previous appearance against the Devil Rays this season, Sabathia has cruised against the team in previous outings, posting a 6-1 record and a 2.45 ERA.

As for Tampa Bay, it will be going with a slightly less experienced hurler in J.P. Howell who is 5-9 in his career in the majors.

This season the lefty, who began his career with Kansas City in 2005, has a 1-1 mark with a 4.45 ERA since being called up at the beginning of June.

On Monday Howell made his fifth start of the campaign, but for the fourth straight time the Devil Rays came out on the losing end, this time in a 5-4 setback to Chicago at home. The California native allowed three runs on eight hits and fanned seven, while walking three over five innings.

In two previous games against Cleveland in his brief career, Howell has given up six earned runs over 11 innings and has struck out 10 without a single walk.

The Devil Rays, now 16 games out of contention in the AL East and just 14-21 on the road, have the highest team ERA in the league at 5.56 and are the only club in the AL without a shutout to this point in the campaign. Over the last week of play Wigginton has produced a team-best five RBI and Akinori Iwamura has scored five times, yet both are hitting only .240 during that stretch.

Ranked second in the AL in home runs with 96 entering play this weekend, the Indians are being paced in that department by Victor Martinez, who has 14 and is tops on the team in batting average (.318) and RBI (63) as well.

TEXAS RANGERS (32-47) AT BOSTON RED SOX (49-29), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Texas - Robinson Tejeda (5-7, 6.57) Boston - Josh Beckett (11-1, 3.07)

Sporting a massive 10 1/2 game-lead in the American League East with the All-Star Break just over a week away, the Boston Red Sox try to pile on more wins against the Texas Rangers as the two clubs meet at Fenway Park this evening for the second in a four-game set in Beantown.

After losing three in a row against Seattle on the road to begin the week the Red Sox, 20 games over .500 and 24-12 at home, got RBIs from Manny Ramirez and Willy Mo Pena to capture the narrow 2-1 win on Friday.

J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell both contributed a pair of hits as well for the Red Sox, who were paced on the hill by the ageless knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who evened his season mark at 8-8. Wakefield allowed just a single run on seven hits and four walks, while fanning four over 6 2/3 innings. Jonathan Papelbon struck out a pair in the ninth inning to capture his 19th save.

Kenny Lofton registered half of the eight hits for the Rangers and also walked once, while Marlon Byrd contributed a couple of doubles in the setback. Jamey Wright made it through five innings for the visitors, permitting two runs on six hits and three walks to go along with three strikeouts.

Tonight Josh Beckett bids to become the first 12-game winner in the American League as he takes the hill for the Red Sox at home.

The righthander, who is 1-0 with a 2.92 ERA in his career versus Texas, suffered his first loss of 2007 versus Colorado in the middle of June, but since then he has allowed just two earned runs over 14 innings and picked up victories against both Atlanta and San Diego on the road.

Versus the Padres on Sunday, the 27-year old gave up six hits and a single walk, while striking out eight to match a season high.

Showing much more control this season, Beckett has a nearly 4-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio and has permitted just five home runs in 91 innings, after being touched for 36 long balls all of 2006 with his new club.

While Beckett seems to be locked in for the Sox, Texas plans to hand the ball to righthander Robinson Tejeda. The third-year man began the 2007 campaign well enough with three wins in his first four decisions, but since then he has just two victories to his credit and the team has won only twice in his last 10 appearances.

On Sunday Tejeda lasted a mere 3 2/3 innings versus Houston, giving up seven runs, five earned, on five hits, two of which were home runs. He also issued four walks, giving him nine straight games in which he has allowed at least three bases-on-balls.

The righthander, who earned a win against the Red Sox earlier this season in his only previous appearance versus the club, has pitched a total of 76 2/3 innings in 2007 and already has given up 15 home runs and has 40 walks, against 55 strikeouts.

Kevin Youkilis continues to swing a hot bat for the Sox with his .325 average and 41 RBI, with Lowell checking in with 12 home runs and a team-best 54 knocked in, although he also has a team-worst 12 errors at the hot corner.

As a team the Rangers are first in the league in home runs with 99 over 79 games, but near the bottom in terms of batting average at .259. Sammy Sosa, who fanned three times yesterday, is tops with 13 home runs and now sixth in the league with 62 RBI.

Against Texas, which is last in the AL West and already a distant 17 1/2 games out of contention, the Red Sox are 11-5 at home since the start of the 2004 campaign. The Rangers are a miserable 14-27 on the road this far in 2007.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (33-43) AT KANSAS CITY ROYALS (34-46), 7:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - John Danks (4-6, 4.78) Kansas City - Odalis Perez (4-7, 5.92)

Already assured of having their first winning month since July 2003, the Kansas City Royals try to finish off June on a high note tonight as they play the Chicago White Sox in the second of a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium.

On Friday, following the team’s first three-game sweep of the Angels in California in 11 years, the Royals won their fifth straight outing with a convincing 8-1 thumping of the slumping Sox in the series opener.

Esteban German and Shane Costa both registered a pair of RBI for the home team, but the real story was starter Brian Bannister, who allowed just one run on four hits and four walks, while striking out five in 6 1/3 innings of work. Getting in just enough work following Bannister’s performance, Zack Greinke came out of the pen to post his first save of the season.

Chicago, which was coming off a four-game sweep of Tampa Bay in Florida, was without Jermaine Dye, who sat with a strained right quadriceps, leaving Scott Podsednik to take his place in left field and come up empty in four plate appearances. But considering the White Sox finished with a total of only five hits, there was plenty of blame to go around. Rob Mackowiak finished with two hits and Tadahito Iguchi scored the lone run for the visitors.

Starter Jose Contreras was saddled with his ninth setback of the season, giving up six runs on nine hits, while walking three and striking out a trio of batters in 6 1/3 innings.

Chicago plans to send John Danks to the hill tonight for his first-ever look at the Royals lineup in his young career.

The rookie lefthander last pitched on Monday and picked up his first victory in more than a month with a 5-4 triumph against Tampa Bay on the road. Danks gave up four runs on four hits and walked four, while striking out three over five innings.

Prone to giving up big hits, Danks has permitted at least one home run in all but three of his 14 appearances so far this season.

As for Kansas City, it appears as though Odalis Perez will get the call to the mound this time around. Still waiting for his first win over Chicago as he carries a record of 0-4 with a 5.70 ERA versus the Sox into the evening, the lefty has been knocked around in his last three games, resulting in an ERA of more than seven during that stretch.

Overall this season the 30-year old has a 5.92 ERA and has had issues with his control, namely issuing 29 walks against only 41 strikeouts.

On Sunday Perez permitted just two runs on seven hits over five innings versus Milwaukee on the road, but failed to figure into the 4-3 victory. In his only previous appearance against the White Sox this season, Perez permitted just two runs on five hits over seven innings of work, but with little offensive support of his own he was handed his fourth defeat of the campaign.

Chicago is the worst hitting team in the American League with a collective average of just .236 and has a dismal .367 slugging percentage. Over the last week of play Paul Konerko has shown some signs of life however with nine hits, two of which were home runs, to produce five RBI.

The Royals are having their own issues putting the ball in play in 2007, batting only .258 and coming in last in the AL in home runs with just 55 over 80 games. Of the team’s three home runs over the last week, one was hit by Alex Gordon, contributing to his four RBI and five runs scored, but the rookie phenom is still batting just .240 with six home runs while getting used to major league pitching. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (39-40) AT SEATTLE MARINERS (43-33), 10:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Toronto - Roy Halladay (9-2, 4.25) Seattle - Miguel Batista (7-6, 4.85)

A couple of second-place teams in their respective divisions hit the diamond at Safeco Field tonight as the Seattle Mariners host the Toronto Blue Jays in the second of a three-game set.

Currently sporting the longest winning streak in the American League at six games, the Mariners moved 10 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2003 campaign and are now five games out of first in the AL West thanks to a 5-3 triumph on Friday night.

Jose Guillen totaled three hits, two RBI and scored once, while Ben Broussard contributed a two-run single. Starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn picked up his second straight win as he limited the Jays to two runs on nine hits over six innings.

Closer J.J. Putz again locked in the win for the Mariners as he earned his 23rd save in as many chances this season and has now converted 25 straight opportunities dating back to 2006.

Aaron Hill finished with two hits and a pair of runs scored, as well as one knocked in for the visitors. John McDonald, Alex Rios and Gregg Zaun all produced a pair of hits in the setback.

Dustin McGowan was tagged for five runs on eight hits and three walks over just five innings of work for Toronto.

Having yet to experience a loss in the month of June, Roy Halladay tries to close out the frame by logging his 10th win of 2007 when he takes the hill for the Blue Jays tonight in the Pacific Northwest.

Halladay, who last suffered defeat on May 10 against Boston, has played a significant part in earning the Jays six wins in his last six appearances. On Monday it was Minnesota who failed to break the 2003 Cy Young Award winner as he permitted five runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out four, over seven innings of work in what became an 8-5 triumph and Halladay’s fourth consecutive win in as many starts.

Since coming off the DL on May 22 following an appendectomy Halladay, who is 3-3 with a 3.32 ERA in his career versus Seattle, has gotten significant offensive support from his teammates, with the club putting up a total of 52 runs in those six contests.

Countering for the Mariners tonight will be Miguel Batista as he shoots for his first win in nearly three weeks.

The righthander, now in his 13th season in the majors and has a career mark of 1-2 with a 1.10 ERA against the Jays all-time, has been stuck on seven wins since defeating San Diego on June 10 on the road, a game in which he appeared in relief.

More recently Batista surrendered a pair of solo home runs to Ken Griffey Jr. on Sunday and failed to figure into the 3-2 win over the Reds at home. He lasted six innings and permitted just the two runs, while striking out four, but was also guilty of hitting a pair of batters for the first time since the second week of April.

With his two hits on Friday Ichiro Suzuki saw his batting average rise to .364 on the season, currently second in the AL, while his 22 steals have him third in the league as well.

Of his 15 home runs this season, Richie Sexson has tallied five in the last 10 games, yet he is still batting a meager .211 with 58 strikeouts in 261 at- bats.

Now batting .291 for the Jays, Rios is first on the club with 17 home runs and is also tops with seven steals, not to mention tied for the team-lead with 50 strikeouts. Frank Thomas, who recently belted the 500th home run of his career, checks in with 13 long balls to place second on the unit.

The Blue Jays, only 15-22 on the road this season and 10 1/2 games out of first in the AL East, have won the season series with Seattle in each of the last three campaigns, but now the Mariners are 7-6 at home against Toronto dating back to the 2004 season. Seattle has one of the best home records in the league at 25-15 to this point in the campaign.

COLORADO ROCKIES (38-42) AT HOUSTON ASTROS (34-46), 3:55 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Colorado - Jeff Francis (7-5, 3.80) Houston - Jason Jennings (1-2, 3.66)

The Houston Astros have owned the Colorado Rockies so far in this series and will shoot for a third straight win when the clubs resume a four-game set tonight at Minute Maid Park.

After winning the opener by an 8-5 score in 11 innings on Thursday, the Astros recorded a 9-8 triumph in dramatic fashion in Friday’s second test of this series. Mark Loretta belted a two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, just one day after Carlos Lee’s grand slam in the 11th lifted Houston to victory.

Lance Berkman finished 2-for-5, homered, drove in three and scored twice last night for the Astros, who are 12 1/2 games off the lead in the NL Central. Loretta was 2-for-3 and scored three runs and Eric Munson drove in a pair.

Dave Borkowski got the win with a scoreless inning of relief and starter Chris Sampson was roughed up for seven runs in 5 2/3 innings of work.

Former Rockie Jason Jennings will toe the rubber for Houston today and is 1-2 with a 3.66 ERA in eight starts this season.

Jennings was traded to the Astros in December in a multi-player deal. The Astros sent outfielder Willy Taveras and pitchers Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh to Colorado for Jennings and pitcher Miguel Asencio. Jennings was 58-56 with a 4.74 ERA since entering the league in 2001 with Colorado.

The righty is 1-1 over his last two starts and was beaten by Milwaukee his last time out on June 25. Jennings allowed three runs over seven innings during a 6-1 loss to the Brewers.

He will obviously face Colorado for the first time in his career.

Jeff Francis gets the nod this afternoon for the Rockies and he is 7-5 with a 3.80 ERA in 16 starts this season.

Francis is 2-0 over his last three starts and 6-1 in the previous 10 trips to the mound. He did not post a decision his last time out on June 25 against the Chicago Cubs, allowing six runs in five innings of a 10-9 setback.

The left-hander will face Houston for just the second time in his career today. Francis lost the first encounter on May 14, 2006 after yielding three runs in seven innings during a 3-0 loss.

Last night Colorado starter Josh Fogg allowed seven hits and seven runs over 4 2/3 innings, and three relievers combined to allow just one hit until Brian Fuentes blew it in the ninth. Fuentes gave up Loretta’s homer to suffer the loss.

Garrett Atkins homered twice and drove in three runs for the Rockies, who have lost a season-high eight in a row. Willy Taveras had a two-run single, Todd Helton had two hits, including a home run, and Matt Holliday chipped in a run- scoring single in defeat.

The Rockies took two of three games from Houston at Coors Field earlier this month and have claimed six of 11 matchups between the clubs since the beginning of the 2006 season.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS (46-33) AT CHICAGO CUBS (39-39), 3:55 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Milwaukee - Ben Sheets (9-3, 3.09) Chicago - Sean Marshall (4-2, 2.44)

The Chicago Cubs will shoot for their eighth straight win today, when they resume a three-game series versus the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers at historic Wrigley Field.

Chicago notched its seventh straight win with Friday’s 6-5 victory, as Aramis Ramirez provided the heroics with a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning. Ramirez ended 3-for-5 and scored twice for Chicago, which rallied from a 5-0 deficit to even its season mark at 39-39.

Derrek Lee also drove in a run during a three-run ninth inning, as the Cubs improved to 4-0 during their current six-game homestand and moved within 6 1/2 games of the Brewers in the division.

Rich Hill started for Chicago and did not factor in the outcome after giving up five runs in three innings of work. Reliever Bob Howry was credited with the victory by hurling a scoreless ninth.

Taking the ball for the Cubs this afternoon will be Sean Marshall, who is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in seven starts this season. Marshall is unbeaten over his last five outings (4-0) and defeated the White Sox on June 24 with 6 1/3 shutout innings of five-hit ball.

The lanky left-hander made one career start against Milwaukee on September 26 last season and recorded the win. Marshall gave up three runs in six innings of a 14-6 rout of the Brewers.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, had its three-game winning streak come to an end with Friday’s series-opening loss. Kevin Mench belted a three-run homer to highlight a five-run first inning and rookie Yovani Gallardo tossed six solid innings in a losing cause.

Francisco Cordero absorbed the loss after surrendering three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Ryan Braun finished 2-for-4 for the Brewers, who lost for only the third time in 15 games since being no-hit by Detroit’s Justin Verlander on June 12.

The Brewers will hand the ball to Ben Sheets today and he is 9-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 16 trips to the mound this season. Sheets is riding a personal three- game winning streak and is unbeaten over his past six outings (5-0).

In his last start on June 25 against Houston, Sheets hurled six innings of one-run ball during a 6-1 victory over the Astros. The right-hander is 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA in two starts against the Cubs this season. In 20 career starts against Chicago, Sheets is 7-7 with a 3.94 earned run average.

Chicago is 6-4 against the Brewers this season, including a 2-2 record in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.

NEW YORK METS (45-33) AT PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (41-39), 3:55 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - Jorge Sosa (6-3, 3.79) Philadelphia - J.A. Happ (0-0, 0.00)

The New York Mets are fresh off a sweep of a doubleheader against the NL East-rival Philadelphia Phillies and will try for more success this afternoon in the third test of a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

The Mets have won three straight and seven of their last eight games to push their lead to four games over Atlanta and five games ahead of Philly in the division standings. In Friday’s first game of the twinbill, Carlos Delgado went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and scored twice, while Jose Reyes also homered in the 6-5 win.

Starter Orlando Hernandez picked up his first victory in five starts after he gave up just two runs on three hits with a pair of walks and seven strikeouts in six innings of work.

In the nightcap, Carlos Beltran homered twice and Damion Easley went deep to help the Mets to a 5-2 victory. Starter John Maine pitched into the ninth inning and allowed just two runs — one earned — and four hits. Maine also struck out six and did not walk a batter, while improving to 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA in six career starts against Philadelphia.

The Mets will hand the ball to Jorge Sosa today and he is 6-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 10 games this season.

Sosa is 0-2 in his last three starts after ripping off three consecutive wins. In his last trip to the hill on June 25 against St. Louis, Sosa did not post a decision after giving up one run in six innings of a 2-1 victory over the Cardinals.

The right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.03 ERA in nine career games (four starts) against the Phillies.

J.A. Happ will make his major league debut for the Phillies today. Happ got the call from the club’s minor-league affiliate in Ottawa, where he went 1-2 with a 4.02 ERA in 13 starts for the Lynx.

The 24-year-old lefty was selected in the third-round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.

Happ, a product of Northwestern University, has a strong fastball and an improving changeup with a curve and slider at his disposal.

Wes Helms hit a two-run homer, while Aaron Rowand and Chris Coste added solo shots in the opener of the doubleheader for the Phillies. J.D. Durbin, who made his Philadelphia debut after being claimed off waivers in early April, was saddled with the loss after he gave up six runs on eight hits in just 4 2/3 innings.

In the second contest, Philly ace Cole Hamels lasted only five innings on the hill, yielding three runs on just five hits and tying a career-high with five walks in the loss. Chase Utley had two hits and two RBI for the Phillies, who have dropped three of their last four games.

New York improved to 5-4 against the Phillies this season. ATLANTA BRAVES (42-38) AT FLORIDA MARLINS (37-43), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Atlanta - Tim Hudson (7-5, 3.29) Florida - Byung-Hyun Kim (3-4, 5.72)

Atlanta right-hander Tim Hudson tries for a sixth win in seven career decisions against Florida tonight, when the Braves visit the Marlins in the middle contest of a three-game series at Dolphin Stadium.

Hudson, a veteran of 264 big-league starts, is 5-1 in 10 starts against the Marlins with a 2.59 earned run average in 66 innings.

He did drop his last meeting with Florida, however, allowing seven hits and five earned runs over six innings in a 6-4 loss on June 4.

In his last start on June 25 against Washington, Hudson won a 4-1 verdict by scattering seven hits and allowing a run in seven innings.

Korean sidearmer Byung-Hyun Kim will try to snap a five-start winless skid.

His last victory came May 28 against the Chicago Cubs, when he allowed just three hits over six scoreless innings in a 5-3 Florida win.

Since then he’s 0-2 with three no-decisions, including a 7-4 loss to Minnesota on June 24 in which he allowed seven hits and six earned runs in six innings.

He’s faced the Braves 13 times, starting twice, while posting an 0-1 record with three saves and a 6.14 ERA in 22 overall innings.

Kim has been a full-time starter since 2006, when he was with Colorado. Previously, he’d started just 38 times in 339 career appearances. He moved from the Rockies to the Marlins earlier this season.

On Friday, Chuck James threw well into the seventh inning and had two hits, including an RBI double, as Atlanta cruised to a 12-3 victory over Florida.

Chipper Jones knocked in four runs and Jeff Francoeur went 4-for-5 with an RBI and scored three times for the Braves, who have won four consecutive games on the heels of a season-high five-game skid.

James (7-7) allowed four hits and a run before being replaced after 6 2/3 innings.

The Braves, who were limited to one run in a five-game span from June 19-24, have scored 35 times during their current winning streak.

Josh Johnson (0-3) was lifted after giving up five hits and two runs with five walks and six strikeouts in four innings for the Marlins. Wes Obermueller then struggled on the mound as he was pounded for seven hits and six runs in 1 1/3 frames.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (32-47) AT PITTSBURGH PIRATES (34-45), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Washington - Jason Bergmann (1-4, 2.72) Pittsburgh - Tom Gorzelanny (7-4, 3.10)

Lefty Tom Gorzelanny tries to continue a successful first full season in the major leagues tonight, when the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Washington Nationals in the second of three games at PNC Park.

The southpaw, a second-round draft choice in 2003, had made just 14 appearances in the big leagues before this season, going 2-6 over 67 2/3 innings.

He has emerged in 2007, however, and has won two of three decisions over five outings in June.

On June 19 in Seattle, Gorzelanny allowed eight hits and two runs in seven innings while downing the Mariners, 5-3. In his last start he allowed seven hits and three runs in six innings, getting a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Gorzelanny has never faced the Nationals in his career.

Washington’s Jason Bergmann gets the nod tonight. He is 1-4 with a 2.72 ERA in nine starts this season. Bergmann last pitched on June 25 against Atlanta and suffered the loss, allowing one run in four innings of a 4-1 setback.

In his career against Pittsburgh, the right-hander is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two relief appearances.

On Friday, Jose Bautista’s second sacrifice fly of the contest knocked in the winning run in the ninth inning as the Pirates rallied to edge the Nationals, 3-2.

Ronny Paulino led off the ninth with a single to left off Jon Rauch (3-2). Paulino then moved to second on Jack Wilson’s sac bunt before taking third on a wild pitch.

Rauch’s first pitch to Nate McLouth got through catcher Brian Schneider for a wild pitch, sending Paulino to third and bringing in pinch-runner Jose Castillo. After McLouth was intentionally walked, pinch-hitter Ryan Doumit walked to load the bases with one out.

Bautista then hit a 3-2 pitch to left, allowing Castillo to score easily. Bautista finished with two RBI and McClouth tripled for the Pirates, who have won three of four.

Ian Snell gave up two runs on five hits, while walking none and striking out five in seven frames.

Matt Capps (4-4) worked a scoreless ninth for the victory.

Ryan Langerhans homered and Dmitri Young had two hits for the Nationals, who have dropped four in a row.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (35-41) AT CINCINNATI REDS (30-50), 7:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: St. Louis - Adam Wainwright (6-6, 4.58) Cincinnati - Kyle Lohse (3-10, 5.02)

Cincinnati right-hander Kyle Lohse can snap a three-start losing streak against the last team he beat tonight, when the Reds host the St. Louis Cardinals in the second test of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.

Lohse, a former Chicago Cubs draft choice, defeated the Cardinals 5-1 with 8 1/3 innings of seven-hit, one-run ball on June 7 in St. Louis. It was his first career win against the Cardinals, lifting his lifetime slate to 1-2 in four starts with a 3.91 earned run average.

Since the win, however, Lohse has allowed 21 hits and 17 earned runs in 17 2/3 innings while losing interleague games to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland and Seattle.

He is 1-3 in six home starts this season with a 3.27 ERA.

Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright was on the losing side of the matchup with Lohse on June 7, allowing eight hits and four runs in six innings in his first start against the Reds.

In five lifetime relief outings and the single start, he is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in 12 2/3 innings of work.

Wainwright was the team’s closer last season, including the playoffs and World Series, before shifting to the rotation this spring.

In 15 starts, he has allowed 107 hits and 46 earned runs in 90 1/3 innings. Entering the season, he had pitched 77 innings over 63 relief appearances.

On Friday, Juan Encarnacion knocked in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the eighth inning as St. Louis rallied to edge Cincinnati, 4-2.

Troy Percival (1-0), who signed a minor-league contract back on June 8 with the Cards, returned to the mound for the first time since July 9, 2005 and pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to pick up the win.

Percival, a four-time All-Star, spent the majority of his career with the Angels before signing with Detroit in 2005. He suffered an injury to his right forearm with the Tigers in July of that year and then retired after an aborted comeback with the squad at the start of the 2006 season. He had been out of the game ever since.

The 37-year-old was working as a special pitching instructor for the Angels until asking for a release from his coaching contract on May 23.

Encarnacion finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and Albert Pujols had three hits and scored a run for the Cardinals, who took the opener of this three-game set after losing three of their last four.

Jason Isringhausen worked around trouble in the ninth for his 15th save of the season for St. Louis, while starter Brad Thompson pitched six innings, yielding two runs on six hits.

Josh Hamilton clubbed a two-run home run for the Reds, who have lost four of five.

Reds starter Bronson Arroyo held St. Louis to just one run on six hits through seven innings before the Cardinals overcame a 2-1 deficit with three runs in the eighth off Cincinnati’s beleaguered bullpen to take the lead.

Aaron Miles doubled off Marcus McBeth (2-2) and Pujols’ single put runners on the corners. Jon Coutlangus relieved McBeth, but Chris Duncan’s single to center tied the game.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (46-35) AT SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (33-45), 9:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Arizona - Doug Davis (5-8, 4.16) San Francisco - Noah Lowry (7-6, 3.61)

National League West rivals go at it again this evening, as the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the San Francisco Giants in the second test of a three-game series from AT&T Park.

Miguel Montero broke a 3-3 tie in the 10th inning last night with a solo home run to lift the Diamondbacks to their second win in three tries. Stephen Drew had two hits with an RBI, while Tony Pena collected the win with a scoreless ninth and Jose Valverde posted his 26th save with a perfect 10th inning.

Livan Hernandez started for the Diamondbacks and was charged with three runs and nine hits over eight innings of work. Arizona is now a half game behind the San Diego Padres for the top spot in the NL West standings.

Doug Davis gets the nod this evening for the D’backs and he is 5-8 with a 4.16 ERA in 16 starts this season.

Davis was 0-2 in three starts before recording a win on June 24 against Baltimore, as he yielded a pair of runs in 6 1/3 innings of an 8-3 victory over the Orioles.

The left-hander, who is 2-6 in eight road starts this season, owns a 3-3 record with a 4.18 earned run average in nine career appearances (eight starts) against San Francisco.

Davis is 1-1 with a 2.07 ERA in two starts against the Giants in 2007.

Barry Bonds homered last night for the 750th time in his career, but it wasn’t enough as San Francisco dropped its third straight game and 11th in its last 14 tries. Bonds is now five homers shy of tying Hank Aaron for the all-time lead.

Ryan Klesko also homered and starting pitcher Matt Morris scattered 10 hits and allowed three runs — one earned — over seven innings. Relief pitcher Brad Hennessey was saddled with the loss after giving up Montero’s home run in the top of the 10th inning.

The Giants will go with Noah Lowry tonight and he is 7-6 with a 3.61 earned run average in 15 starts this season.

Lowry is 2-1 over his last three trips to the hill and recorded the win on June 24 against the New York Yankees. Lowry gave up just one run and two hits through 5 2/3 innings, as San Francisco downed the Bronx Bombers by a 7-2 score.

The southpaw is 5-1 with a shutout and a 2.79 earned run average over nine career games, eight of which are starts, against Arizona. He faced the Diamondbacks on June 7 this season and did not record a decision after allowing four runs through six innings in a 5-4 victory.

Arizona is 6-4 against the Giants in 2007, but was swept in three games at AT&T Park earlier this season from April 20 - 22.

SAN DIEGO PADRES (45-33) AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS (45-35), 10:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: San Diego - Jake Peavy (9-2, 2.14) Los Angeles - Brad Penny (10-1, 2.04)

Two of the best pitchers in the National League square off this evening, when Jake Peavy leads the San Diego Padres against Brad Penny and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second installment of a three-game series at Chavez Ravine.

Peavy is 9-2 with a 2.14 ERA in 16 starts this season and was unbeaten over his last nine outings before suffering a loss on June 24 against the Boston Red Sox. Peavy was reached for three runs in five innings of a 4-2 setback at Petco Park.

The right-hander, who is 4-0 in six road starts in 2007, is 1-0 with a 3.29 earned run average in two starts against Los Angeles this season. For his career, Peavy owns a 7-1 record with a 2.52 ERA against the Dodgers.

Penny, meanwhile, leads the National League in wins with a 10-1 mark and owns a 2.04 ERA in 16 starts this season. He has won three straight outings and is unbeaten in his previous seven trips to the hill (5-0).

The right-hander beat the Arizona Diamondbacks his last time out with eight strong innings of one-run ball. Los Angeles won the game by an 8-1 score.

Penny, who is 4-0 in eight home starts in 2007, hasn’t faced San Diego yet this season and is just 3-6 with a 6.03 earned run average in 13 career starts against the Padres.

In Friday’s series opener in LA, Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a three-run homer and scored twice to keep the Padres atop the NL West standings with a half game lead over Arizona and a one-game advantage ahead of the Dodgers.

Chris Young collected the win after tossing six innings of two-run, seven-hit ball with nine strikeouts for the Padres, who have won three in a row. Trevor Hoffman later posted his 22nd save of the season.

San Diego activated Brian Giles from the 15-day disabled list Thursday and he returned to the lineup for the first time since May 20 due to a right knee contusion. He went 1-for-3 with a run scored last night.

Juan Pierre and Nomar Garciaparra both had three hits and an RBI in the losing cause for Los Angeles, which has lost two of its last three games. Jeff Kent and James Loney had two hits and an RBI apiece, while starter Hong-Chih Kuo was roughed up for seven runs — six earned — over just 3 1/3 innings.

The Padres have won four straight over the Dodgers and own a 6-4 overall record against the club this season. They won 13 of the 18 meetings against Los Angeles in 2006.

MLB 06/30/2007

1:05 PM EDT 917 oakland athletics (r) gaudin, c 10u20/9.5o15/9.5o20/10.5 918 new york yankees (l) igawa, k -155/-165/-152/-151

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3:55 PM EDT 919 minnesota twins (r) slowey, k 10u20 +145/-135/-140/-135 920 detroit tigers (l) miller, a -165 10u20/9.5/9.5u15 FOX

7:05 PM EDT 921 los angeles angels (r) colon, b -135 / +215 -135 922 baltimore orioles (l) burres, b 9.5/9o15 9.5u15

7:05 PM EDT 923 tampa bay devil rays(l) howell, j p 9o20 / 10u20 10u15 924 cleveland indians (l) sabathia, cc -265 / -290 -270

7:05 PM EDT 925 texas rangers (r) tejeda, r 10u20 10u15 926 boston red sox (r) beckett, j -290/-115/-110 -107

7:10 PM EDT 927 chicago white sox (l) danks, j 10u20/9u15/9u20 10u15 928 kansas city royals (l) perez, od -115/+125/+124 -107

CHICAGO - Jermaine Dye (quad) is doubtful Saturday vs Kansas City. Dye planned to test his strained right quadriceps on Friday by going through with more extensive running drills during batting practice. But, afternoon showers prevented Dye’s workout from going full throttle. If the plan with Dye had come to fruition on Friday, he would have rested on Saturday and hopefully started Sunday, according to manager Guillen. Weather permitting, that plan now has been moved back one day. Dye said, “But I’m not going to go on the disabled list. I’ve already been told there’s nobody they are going to bring up. Hopefully, it doesn’t take 15 days to get back.”

10:05 PM EDT 929 toronto blue jays (r) halladay, r -145/9u15/169/9u20/168 930 seattle mariners (r) batista, m 9u15 +125/+124 -140

NATIONAL LEAGUE

3:55 PM EDT 901 milwaukee brewers (r) sheets, b -110/-105/-112/-113/-114 902 chicago cubs (l) marshall, s 9u15 9u20 FOX

7:05 PM EDT 903 colorado rockies (rl) francis, j -115/-122/-121/-105/-122 904 houston astros (r) jennings, j 10.5u15/9u20 10.5u15 FOX

3:55 PM EDT 905 new york mets j, ( s -125/-153/-148/-122 -150 906 philadelphia phillies(l) happ, james 9.5u20/9o15/10.5u15/9o15 FOX

7:05 PM EDT 907 atlanta braves (r) hudson, t -170 +156/+150/-148/-150 908 florida marlins (r) kim, b h 9.5u20/8.5o20/8.5o15/9o15 TBS

7:05 PM EDT 909 washington nationals(r) simontacchi, s 8.5o15/10.5/8.5o15 910 pittsburgh pirates (l) gorzelanny, t -180/-130/-120/-160

***OVERNIGHT PITCHING CHANGE***

WASHINGTON - J BERGMANN (R) FOR J SIMONTACCHI (R)

7:10 PM EDT 911 st. louis cardinals (r) wainwright, a 10.5 8.5o15 912 cincinnati reds (r) lohse, k -130 -135 NOTE CHANGE OF PROBABLE FOR ST LOUIS

9:05 PM EDT 913 arizona diamondbacks (l) davis, d 9u20/+110/-110/-103/-107 914 san francisco giants (l) lowry, n -130 9u20/6.5o15/7u20

10:10 PM EDT 915 san diego padres (r) peavy, j -110/6.5/10.5/7u20/10.5 916 los angeles dodgers (r) penny, b 6.5/-145/-103/-153/-151

League ARENA FB 06/30/2007 12:00 PM EDT 153 columbus destroyers 5 53.5 / 102 / 103 53 +400 154 tampa bay storm -10.5 -10/-7/-7 -05 -10 -500 ESPN

3:00 PM EDT 155 colorado crush -10 104.5/97/104.5 97 +190 156 kansas city brigade 4 -4.5 -05/-6/-05/-5 -05 -6/-230 ESPN; KC (QB) Philyaw Probable

WNBA - Jun 30 WNBA - SATURDAY Jun 30 651 PHOENIX MERCURY +2-110 o168½-110 8:30 PM 652 HOUSTON COMETS -2-110 u168½-110

PHOENIX - Cappie Pondexter (groin) is “?” Saturday vs Houston. Pondexter, the Mercury’s second leading scorer at 17.8 points per game, has worked through a few drills in practices since Sunday’s game. She was on the floor for slower-paced, half-court sets. The Mercury won’t decide whether she will play tonight until game time.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL - Jun 30 NATIONAL LEAGUE - SATURDAY Jun 30 901 MIL B SHEETS -R -110 -1½+150 3:55 PM 902 CUB S MARSHALL-L -110 +1½-170 Jun 30 903 COL J FRANCIS -L -115 o8½-120 -1½+145 7:05 PM 904 HOU J JENNINGS-R -105 u8½EV +1½-165 Jun 30 905 NYM J SOSA -R -125 o10½-110 -1½+125 3:55 PM 906 PHI J HAPP -L +105 u10½-110 +1½-145 Jun 30 907 ATL T HUDSON -R -160 o9-120 -1½EV 7:05 PM 908 FLA B H KIM -R +140 u9EV +1½-120 Jun 30 909 WAS SIMONTACHI-R +150 o8½-125 +1½-145 7:05 PM 910 PIT GORZELANNY-L -170 u8½+105 -1½+125 Jun 30 911 STL WAINWRIGHT -R 7:10 PM 912 CIN K LOHSE -R Jun 30 913 ARI D DAVIS -L +115 o8½-120 +1½-180 9:05 PM 914 SFO N LOWRY -L -135 u8½EV -1½+160 Jun 30 915 SDG J PEAVY -R -115 o7+105 +1½-260 10:10 PM 916 LOS B PENNY -R -105 u7-125 -1½+220 AMERICAN LEAGUE - SATURDAY Jun 30 917 OAK C GAUDIN -R +135 o10½-115 +1½-155 1:05 PM 918 NYY K IGAWA -L -155 u10½-105 -1½+135 Jun 30 919 MIN K SLOWEY -R +135 o9½-120 +1½-150 3:55 PM 920 DET A MILLER -L -155 u9½EV -1½+130 Jun 30 921 LAA B COLON -R -140 o9½EV -1½+115 7:05 PM 922 BAL B BURRES -L +120 u9½-120 +1½-135 Jun 30 923 TAM J HOWELL -L +230 o9½EV +1½+105 7:05 PM 924 CLE C SABATHIA-L -270 u9½-120 -1½-125 Jun 30 925 TEX R TEJEDA -R +240 o10-110 +1½+105 7:05 PM 926 BOS J BECKETT -R -300 u10-110 -1½-125 Jun 30 927 CWS J DANKS -L -110 o10-110 +1½-210 7:10 PM 928 KAN O PEREZ -L -110 u10-110 -1½+175 Jun 30 929 TOR R HALLADAY-R -140 o9+105 -1½+115 10:05 PM 930 SEA M BATISTA -R +120 u9-125 +1½-135

GRAND SALAMI NO LISTED PITCHERS - ALL GAMES MUST GO 8.5 INNINGS Jun 30 941 AWAY RUNS 1:05 PM 942 HOME RUNS Jun 30 943 OVER RUNS 1:05 PM 944 UNDER RUNS

1ST HALF - 5 INNINGS First Half Lines - Jun 30 NATIONAL LEAGUE Jun 30 1901 1H MIL B SHEETS -R 3:55 PM 1902 1H CUB S MARSHALL-L Jun 30 1903 1H COL J FRANCIS -L 7:05 PM 1904 1H HOU J JENNINGS-R Jun 30 1905 1H NYM J SOSA -R 3:55 PM 1906 1H PHI J HAPP -L Jun 30 1907 1H ATL T HUDSON -R 7:05 PM 1908 1H FLA B H KIM -R Jun 30 1909 1H WAS SIMONTACHI-R 7:05 PM 1910 1H PIT GORZELANNY-L Jun 30 1911 1H STL WAINWRIGHT -R 7:10 PM 1912 1H CIN K LOHSE -R Jun 30 1913 1H ARI D DAVIS -L 9:05 PM 1914 1H SFO N LOWRY -L Jun 30 1915 1H SDG J PEAVY -R 10:10 PM 1916 1H LOS B PENNY -R AMERICAN LEAGUE Jun 30 1917 1H OAK C GAUDIN -R 1:05 PM 1918 1H NYY K IGAWA -L Jun 30 1919 1H MIN K SLOWEY -R 3:55 PM 1920 1H DET A MILLER -L Jun 30 1921 1H LAA B COLON -R 7:05 PM 1922 1H BAL B BURRES -L Jun 30 1923 1H TAM J HOWELL -L 7:05 PM 1924 1H CLE C SABATHIA-L Jun 30 1925 1H TEX R TEJEDA -R 7:05 PM 1926 1H BOS J BECKETT -R Jun 30 1927 1H CWS J DANKS -L 7:10 PM 1928 1H KAN O PEREZ -L Jun 30 1929 1H TOR R HALLADAY-R 10:05 PM 1930 1H SEA M BATISTA -R

MLB - WHO WILL SCORE 1ST - Jun 30 Jun 30 - 11:50 PM TEAM TO SCORE FIRST 1 COMING UP SOON

2007 NEXTEL CUP CHAMPIONSHIP - Jul 01 Jul 01 - 2:00 PM ODDS TO WIN THE 2007 NEXTEL CUP CHAMPIONSHIP 101 TONY STEWART +550 102 JIMMIE JOHNSON +500 103 MATT KENSETH +800 104 JEFF GORDON +300 105 DALE EARNHARDT JR +1800 106 DENNY HAMLIN +700 107 GREG BIFFLE +4000 108 CARL EDWARDS +1000 109 KEVIN HARVICK +1200 110 KASEY KAHNE +10000 111 JEFF BURTON +1500 112 CASEY MEARS +6000 113 KURT BUSCH +2000 114 CLINT BOWYER +3000 115 JUAN MONTOYA +10000 116 RYAN NEWMAN +2000 117 MARTIN TRUEX JR +3000 118 SCOTT RIGGS +50000 119 REED SORRENSON +50000 120 JAMIE MCMURRAY +5000 121 KYLE BUSCH +1200 122 FIELD +2500

LENNOX INDUSTRIAL TOOLS 300 - *MATCHUPS* - Jul 01 Jul 01 3 COMING UP SOON 2:30 PM 4 COMING UP SOON

ARENA FOOTBALL - Jun 30 WILD CARD WEEKEND - SATURDAY Jun 30 153 COB DESTROYERS +6-110 o103-110 12:00 PM 154 TAMPA BAY STORM -6-110 u103-110 Jun 30 155 COLORADO CRUSH +6-110 o97-110 3:00 PM 156 KC BRIGADE -6-110 u97-110 ARENA FOOTBALL - Jul 02 WILD CARD WEEKEND - MONDAY Jul 02 157 UTAH BLAZE +3½-110 o114½-110 10:00 PM 158 LA AVENGERS -3½-110 u114½-110

BOXING - Jun 30

SATURDAY ***EVANDER HOLYFIELD VS LOU SAVARESE*** Jun 30 801 Evander Holyfield -700 10:00 PM 802 Lou Savarese +500 EVANDER HOLYFIELD VS LOU SAVARESE TOTAL ROUNDS Jun 30 803 WILL GO RDS o9½-110 10:30 PM 804 WON’T GO RDS u9½-120 Jun 30 805 SAVARESE BY KO 10:30 PM 806 SAVARESE BY DEC Jun 30 807 HOLYFIELD BY KO 10:30 PM 808 HOLYFIELD BY DEC BOXING - Jul 07

SATURDAY ***WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS LAMON BREWSTER*** Jul 07 671 Wladimir Klitschko -440 2:00 PM 672 Lamon Brewster +340 WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS LAMON BREWSTER TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 07 673 Over 8½ rounds +120 2:00 PM 674 Under 8½ rounds -150 BOXING - Jul 14 ***KERMIT CINTRON VS WALTER DARIO MATTHYSSE*** Jul 14 1101 Kermit Cintron -465 5:00 PM 1102 Walter Dario Matthysse +365 KERMIT CINTRON VS WALTER D MATTHYSSE TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 14 1103 Over 9½ rounds +165 5:00 PM 1104 Under 9½ rounds -200 ***KASSIM OUMA VS ISHE SMITH*** Jul 14 1201 Kassim Ouma -645 9:30 AM 1202 Ishe Smith +445 KASSIM OUMA VS ISHE SMITH TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 14 1203 Over 9½ rounds -340 9:30 AM 1204 Under 9½ rounds +260 ***ANTONIO MARGARITO VS PAUL WILLIAMS*** Jul 14 1211 Antonio Margarito -160 10:00 PM 1212 Paul Williams +130 ANTONIO MARGARITO VS PAUL WILLIAMS TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 14 1213 Over 11½ rounds -105 10:00 PM 1214 Under 11½ rounds -125 ***ARTURO GATTI VS ALFONSO GOMEZ*** Jul 14 1231 Arturo Gatti -180 11:00 PM 1232 Alfonso Gomez +150 ARTURO GATTI VS ALFONSO GOMEZ TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 14 1233 Over 9½ rounds -275 11:00 PM 1234 Under 9½ rounds +225 BOXING - Jul 21

THURSDAY ***HOPKINS VS WRIGHT*** Jul 21 1001 Bernard Hopkins +110 10:50 PM 1002 Ronald Wright -140 Jul 21 1003 Over 11½ rounds -565 10:50 PM 1004 Under 11½ rounds +415

Saturday, June 30th

American League

Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

Mostly Sunny Mostly sunny. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers, 3:55 p.m.

Mostly Sunny Mostly sunny. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Los Angeles Angels at Baltimore Orioles, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 90.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Cleveland Indians, 7:05 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

Texas Rangers at Boston Red Sox, 7:05 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals, 7:10 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 80.

Toronto Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners, 10:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 75.

National League

Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs, 1:05 p.m.

Sunny Sunny. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Colorado Rockies at Houston Astros, 3:55 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies, 3:55 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Atlanta Braves at Florida Marlins, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 90.

Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds, 7:10 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants, 9:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 60.

San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

(Friday, June 29th)

Final Score: New York 2, Oakland 1

Bronx, NY - Alex Rodriguez had three hits, including an RBI double, and Mike Mussina pitched seven strong innings, as the New York Yankees edged the Oakland Athletics, 2-1, in the start of a three-game series. Mussina (4-5) allowed just one run and six hits, walked one and fanned three to end a personal two-game skid. The right-hander was facing the A’s for the 34th time in his career and is now 17-10 against them. Jorge Posada knocked in the other run with a single, as the Yankees won for just the second time in nine games. Yankees manager Joe Torre also earned win number 2,010 to move one ahead of Leo Durocher for ninth on the career list. Shannon Stewart had three hits, while Eric Chavez doubled and scored for Oakland, which has dropped seven of its last eight games. Joe Kennedy (2-6) was tagged for two runs on seven hits, with three walks and five strikeouts over six innings in the start. Final Score: Minnesota 11, Detroit 1

Detroit, MI - Johan Santana tossed six quality innings and Joe Mauer hit his first career grand slam as the Minnesota Twins dropped the Detroit Tigers, 11-1, in the opener of a three- game series at Comerica Park. Santana (9-6) gave up just the one run on five hits while striking out six and walking one. The AL’s reigning Cy Young Award winner has been very strong in his last three starts, allowing just two earned runs in 21 innings. The defending AL Rookie of the year Justin Verlander (9-3), meanwhile, yielded six runs over five innings in an uncharacteristic outing. Justin Morneau, playing in his second game since suffering a bruised right lung, went 3- for-5 with a pair of RBI for the Twins, who have won three of their last four. Morneau served as the team’s designated hitter for the second straight game. Placido Polanco went 3-for-4 with a homer for Detroit, which has dropped three of four. Magglio Ordonez extended his hitting streak to 15 games, while Carlos Guillen saw his career-best 14-game hit streak come to an end. He also had an 11-game RBI streak halted, falling one shy of the club record.

Final Score: LA Angels of Anaheim 9, Baltimore 7

Baltimore, MD - Howie Kendrick hit a two-out, two-run, tie- breaking home run in the top of the ninth as the Angels spoiled Aubrey Huff’s cycle and beat the Baltimore Orioles, 9-7, in a wild affair at Camden Yards. Huff, meanwhile, became just the third player in Orioles history to hit for the cycle, accomplishing the feat in his first four at-bats. Huff legged out a triple in his first at-bat of the game in the second inning before doubling in the fourth. Huff then crushed a three-run home run off Kelvim Escobar in the fifth inning that gave Baltimore a 7-5 lead. Orlando Cabrera’s solo homer in the top of the seventh brought LA back within a run before Huff made history in the home half of the inning. With just a single remaining, Huff blooped a base hit to center to join Brooks Robinson (1960) and Cal Ripken Jr. (1984) as the only players in Orioles history to hit for the cycle. Huff, who scored in each of his first three at-bats, was removed for pinch- runner Brandon Fahey and left the game to a standing ovation. Cabrera went 3- for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored for the Angels, who took the opener of this three-game set after getting swept by the Kansas City Royals in a three-game series. Chone Figgins ended 4-for-5 with two runs scored. Huff finished 4-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored for the Orioles, who had won five of their last seven. Melvin Mora went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and three RBI.

Final Score: Boston 2, Texas 1

Boston, MA - Manny Ramirez was credited with driving in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Boston topped Texas, 2-1, in the opener of a four-game set at Fenway Park. Tim Wakefield (8-8) allowed one run and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings, fanning four and walking four. Jonathan Papelbon held the Rangers at bay in his one inning of relief to earn his 19th save in 20 chances. J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell had two hits each for the Red Sox, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Kevin Youkilis and Ramirez each scored a run. Jamey Wright (1-2) let up six hits and two runs over five-plus innings for Texas, with three strikeouts and three walks. Jerry Hairston Jr. knocked in the lone run for the Rangers, who have dropped two in a row. Kenny Lofton was 4-for-4 with a walk and also stole four bases, Marlon Byrd collected a pair of doubles, and Adam Melhuse doubled and scored.

Final Score: Cleveland 2, Tampa Bay 1

Cleveland, OH - Ben Francisco recorded his first two major league hits, including the winning solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, boosting Cleveland to a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He singled in the fourth before getting the big blow leading off the ninth, crushing a 2-2 offering from Shawn Camp (0-2) over the wall in left field. It was Cleveland’s second walk-off win in its eight-game homestand. Kelly Shoppach’s pinch-hit, game-winning three-run homer capped a five-run ninth inning in an 8-5 win over Oakland on Tuesday. Trot Nixon had two hits and Victor Martinez drove in the other run for Cleveland, which won for the fourth time in five games and moved to 28-12 at Jacobs Field for the season. Jake Westbrook allowed five hits and struck out seven batters over seven innings for the Indians. Joe Borowski (1-3) threw the ninth for the victory. Edwin Jackson failed in his effort to win back- to-back starts, as the Tampa Bay righty scattered six hits and fanned six before being lifted after the sixth inning. Brendan Harris singled in the lone run for the Devil Rays, losers of five straight and eight of 10.

Final Score: Kansas City 8, Chicago 1

Kansas City, MO - Shane Costa and Esteban German knocked in two runs apiece and Brian Bannister threw 6 1/3 solid innings as the Kansas City Royals routed the Chicago White Sox, 8-1, in the first of a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium. Bannister (5-4) yielded just one run on four hits, while walking four and striking out five. Zack Greinke limited the White Sox to one hit in the last 2 2-3 innings to record his first career save for the Royals, who raised their season-high win streak to five games and are threatening to climb out of the AL Central basement. The Royals now sit just one game behind the White Sox. Rob Mackowiak had two hits and Juan Uribe drove in the lone run for the White Sox, who had a four-game winning streak snapped. Chicago starter Jose Contreras (5-9) was tagged for six runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Final Score: Seattle 5, Toronto 3

Seattle, WA - Jose Guillen had three hits, two RBI and scored a run to lead the red-hot Seattle Mariners over the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-3, in the start of a three-game series at Safeco Field. Ben Broussard added a two run single as Seattle won its sixth straight game and improved to 8-2 on its current 12-game homestand. The Mariners are also 10 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2003 season when they finished 93-69. Jarrod Washburn (7-6) limited the Jays to two runs on nine hits over six innings. The left-hander has earned back-to-back wins following a personal four-start winless stretch in which he had two losses and a pair of no- decisions. Washburn also improved to 2-6 in eight career starts against Toronto. He had dropped five consecutive starts against them coming in. Dustin McGowan (4-4) was tagged for five runs on eight hits in just five innings of work. He also walked three and fanned four for Toronto, which has lost three of its last four games.The shaky outing came just five days after McGowan tossed the first shutout — and turned in arguably the best start — of his career. He carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Rockies on Sunday before allowing a single to Jeff Baker. He finished that game by allowing just the one hit, walking a single batter and fanning seven in a 5-0 victory. Aaron Hill had two hits, knocked in a run and scored two for the Blue Jays, while Gregg Zaun also had two hits and an RBI.

Final Score: New York 6, Philadelphia 5 (Game 1)

Final Score: New York 5, Philadelphia 2 (Game 2)

Philadelphia, PA - Carlos Beltran homered twice, John Maine pitched into the ninth inning and the New York Mets beat Philadelphia, 5-2, to sweep a day-night doubleheader over their NL East rivals at Citizens Bank Park. Damion Easley also homered for the East-leading Mets, who have won seven of their last eight games overall and moved five games ahead of the injury- riddled Phillies. Because of injuries to Jon Lieber (foot) and Freddy Garcia (shoulder), Philadelphia is starting three rookie pitchers in this pivotal four-game series. New York also victimized the Phils with the long ball in the opener, as Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes both went deep and the Mets held on for a 6-5 win.

Final Score: Chicago 6, Milwaukee 5

Chicago, IL - Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to lead the Chicago Cubs over the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-5, in the opener of a three-game series at Wrigley Field. Ramirez ended 3-for-5 and scored twice for Chicago, which rallied from a 5-0 deficit after the first inning to win its seventh straight contest. Derrek Lee also drove in a run during the three-run ninth inning for the Cubs, who improved to 4-0 during their current six-game homestand and moved within 6 1/2 games of the NL Central-leading Brewers. Mike Fontenot extended his hitting streak to 11 games, going 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, and Cliff Floyd also drove in a run for the Cubs, who got to Milwaukee closer Francisco Cordero for the win. Kevin Mench ended 2-for-3 and Ryan Braun finished 2-for-4 for the Brewers, who lost for only the third time in 15 games since being no-hit by Detroit’s Justin Verlander on June 12. Corey Hart struck out three times, but went 2-for-5 at the plate to extend his career-best hitting streak to 15 games. Yovani Gallardo, making just his third career start, allowed two runs on five hits over six innings. The right-hander struck out seven and walked two, as the Brewers opened a 10-game road in disappointing fashion. Chicago starting pitcher Rich Hill avoided the setback after surrendering five runs on five hits, striking out five and walking two, in three innings. The left-hander has not won since June 7. Bob Howry (5-4), who worked out of trouble in the ninth, got the win. He allowed one hit and walked one in one inning. Final Score: Atlanta 12, Florida 3

Miami, FL - Chuck James threw well into the seventh inning and had two hits, including an RBI double, as Atlanta powered to a 12-3 victory over Florida in the opener of a three-game series. Chipper Jones knocked in four runs and Jeff Francoeur went 4-for-5 with an RBI and scored three times for the Braves, who have won four consecutive games on the heels of a season-high five-game skid. James (7-7) allowed four hits and a run before being replaced after 6 2/3 innings. The Braves, who were limited to one run in a five-game span from June 19-24, have scored 35 times during their current winning streak. Josh Johnson (0-3) was lifted after giving up five hits and two runs with five walks and six strikeouts in four innings for the Marlins. Wes Obermueller then struggled on the mound as he was pounded for seven hits and six runs in 1 1/3 frames. Mike Jacobs homered and Hanley Ramirez had two hits and a pair of RBI for the Marlins, who lost for the fifth time in six games.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 3, Washington 2

Pittsburgh, PA - Jose Bautista’s second sacrifice fly of the contest knocked in the winning run in the ninth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied to edge the Washington Nationals, 3-2, in the first of a three- game set at PNC Park. Ronny Paulino led off the ninth with a single to left off Jon Rauch (3-2). Paulino moved to second on Jack Wilson’s sac bunt before taking third on a wild pitch. Rauch’s first pitch to Nate McLouth got through catcher Brian Schneider for a wild pitch, sending Paulino to third and bringing in pinch-runner Jose Castillo. After McLouth was intentionally walked, pinch-hitter Ryan Doumit walked to load the bases with one out. Bautista then hit a 3-2 pitch to left, allowing Castillo to score easily. Bautista finished with two RBI and McClouth tripled for the Pirates, who have won three of four. Ian Snell gave up two runs on five hits, while walking none and striking out five in seven frames. Matt Capps (4-4) worked a scoreless ninth for the victory. Ryan Langerhans homered and Dmitri Young had two hits for the Nationals, who have dropped four in a row. Washington starter Matt Chico threw six scoreless innings, allowing six hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Final Score: St. Louis 4, Cincinnati 2

Cincinnati, OH - Juan Encarnacion knocked in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the eighth inning as St. Louis rallied to edge Cincinnati, 4-2, and give Troy Percival a win in his first action in nearly two years. Percival (1-0), whom the Cardinals signed to a minor league contract back on June 8, returned to the mound for the first time since July 9, 2005 and pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to pick up the win. Jason Isringhausen worked around trouble in the ninth for his 15th save of the season for St. Louis, while starter Brad Thompson pitched six innings, yielding two runs on six hits. Josh Hamilton clubbed a two-run home run for the Reds, who have lost four of five. Reds starter Bronson Arroyo held St. Louis to just one run on six hits through seven innings before the Cardinals, trailing 2-1, scored three runs in the eighth off Cincinnati’s beleaguered bullpen to take the lead. Marcus McBeth (2-2) took the loss. Final Score: Houston 9, Colorado 8

Houston, TX - Mark Loretta’s two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth sent Houston past Colorado, 9-8, in the second installment of a four-game series at Minute Maid Park. Facing Brian Fuentes (0-4) in the ninth, the Astros saw their first two men retired when Hunter Pence fanned and Lance Berkman grounded out. Carlos Lee followed by drawing a walk, then Loretta nailed a 1-1 pitch into the seats in left field to give the Astros their second consecutive win in their last at-bat. Dave Borkowski (2-3), held the Rockies off the scoreboard in the top of the frame and earned the win. Chris Sampson did not fare well in the start, yielding eight hits and seven runs over 5 2/3 frames, with four walks, four strikeouts and three home runs. Berkman finished 2-for-5, homered, drove in three and scored twice for the Astros, who have won two in a row in dramatic fashion following Thursday’s game-winning grand slam by Lee in the 11th inning. Loretta was 2-for-3 and scored three runs, Eric Munson drove in a pair, and both Lee and Mike Lamb added RBI. Colorado starter Josh Fogg allowed seven hits and seven runs over 4 2/3 innings, and three relievers combined to allow just one hit until it all unraveled for Fuentes with one out to go. Garrett Atkins hit his 10th and 11th homers of the season and drove in three for the Rockies, who have lost a season-high eight in a row. Willy Taveras had a two-run single, Todd Helton had two hits including a home run, Matt Holliday had a run-scoring single and Ryan Spilborghs added a pinch- hit RBI in defeat.

Final Score: Arizona 4, San Francisco 3 (10 innings)

San Francisco, CA - Barry Bonds moved within five homers of Hank Aaron’s all-time record, but the Giants suffered another painful one-run loss to Arizona, this time falling 4-3 in 10 innings.Bonds belted the 750th homer of his career, a game-tying blast leading off the bottom of the eighth inning off Livan Hernandez. Bonds got a hold of a 3-2 curveball and blasted it to right-center field, over a sign promoting the upcoming All-Star Game at AT&T Park. It was Bonds’ 16th homer of the season and it evened the game at 3-3. Miguel Montero then came through with the winning homer, taking a 1-1 offering from Brad Hennessey (1-3) over the wall in right-center field with one out in the 10th. Jose Valverde pitched the bottom of the inning for his 26th save, getting Bonds to ground out to first to end the game. Bonds finished the game 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI, but the Giants suffered their 11th loss in 14 games. They’re 4-6 against Arizona this season, with all of those defeats coming by a run. In fact, nine of the 10 meetings this season have been decided by a run. Tony Pena (3-1) threw the ninth inning to get the victory, but Hernandez provided Arizona with eight solid frames, allowing nine hits and three runs. Arizona, which left 11 men on base, had lost three of four coming into the opener of the three-game series. Matt Morris scattered 10 hits and allowed three runs — one earned — over seven innings for the Giants, who also got a homer from Ryan Klesko.

Final Score: San Diego 7, Los Angeles 6

Los Angeles, CA - Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a three-run homer and scored twice as the San Diego Padres held on to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-6, in the opener of a key three-game series. Chris Young (8-3) picked up the win after tossing six innings of two-run, seven-hit ball with nine strikeouts for the Padres, who have won three in a row. The two clubs came in tied for first place in the wide-open NL West. The Padres activated Brian Giles from the 15-day disabled list Thursday, and he returned to the lineup for the first time since May 20 due to a right knee contusion. He went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Hong-Chih Kuo (1-4) was roughed up for seven runs — six earned — over just 3 1/3 frames for LA, which has dropped two of three. Nomar Garciaparra went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Friday, June 29th

American League

Los Angeles Angels at Baltimore Orioles, 7:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers, 7:05 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Cleveland Indians, 7:05 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 75.

Texas Rangers at Boston Red Sox, 7:05 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.

Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals, 8:10 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 75.

Toronto Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners, 10:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 60.

National League

Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing in from center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 75.

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies, 1:35 p.m. (Doubleheader)

Cloudy Cloudy with a 50-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

Atlanta Braves at Florida Marlins, 7:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 70-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Washington Nationals at Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds, 7:10 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 80.

Colorado Rockies at Houston Astros, 8:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants, 10:15 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 60.

San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:40 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 75.

MLB 06/29/2007 2:20 PM EDT 951 milwaukee brewers (r) gallardo, y 7.5o20/7.5o15/7.5o20 +1.5(-200) 952 chicago cubs (l) hill, r -127/-126 / -127 -128 -1.5(+170) WGN

Urgent message concerning yesterday’s Baltimore/NY Yankees game:

For wagering purposes, Baltimore is graded as a 6-4 winner in 7 innings. There is no action on Totals or Run Lines

Yesterday’s game between Baltimore and the NY Yankees was suspended in the Top of the 8th inning with the Yankees scoring 4 runs in the Top of the 8th to take a 8-6 lead.

Because Baltimore did not bat in the bottom of the 8th inning, Las Vegas gaming rules state that the game reverts back to the last completed inning. The last completed inning was the 7th inning with Baltimore leading 6-4. .

KEY MOVES BY BETTING PUBLIC TODAY

Time of Play Game Date Game # Team 9:47:53am 2007-06-29 972 NYY

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1:05 PM EDT 953 new york mets (r) maine, j -150/-141/-143/-141/-143-1.5(+105) 954 philadelphia phillies(r) durbin, j d 10o15 /10o15 10o20 +1.5(-125) DH#1

7:05 PM EDT 955 atlanta braves (l) james, c -125 / -115 -117 -1.5(+130) 956 florida marlins (r) johnson, j 10 10u15 10u20 +1.5(-150)

TAKE THE BET33.COM “EARLY BIRD FOOTBALL CHALLENGE” & BET MLB ACTION with your FREE $50 Today!

7:05 PM EDT 957 washington nationals(l) chico, m 8.5 / 8.5o15 8.5 +1.5(-140) 958 pittsburgh pirates (r) snell, i -180/-169/-170 -167 -1.5(+120)

7:10 PM EDT 959 st. louis cardinals(wainwright, a 10.5o15/10u20 +1.5(-180) 960 cincinnati reds (r) arroyo, b -136/-130/-129/-128 -1.5(+160) NOTE CHANGE OF PROBABLE

8:05 PM EDT 961 colorado rockies (r) fogg, j 9o25 9o25 9o20 +1.5(-175) 962 houston astros (r) sampson, c -140/-134/-131 -134 -1.5(+155)

10:15 PM EDT 963 arizona diamondbacks(r) hernandez, l 9u25/8.5o20/8.5o25 +1.5(-190) 964 san francisco giants(r) morris, m -120/-124/-128 -130 -1.5(+165)

10:40 PM EDT 965 san diego padres (r) young, c -125-119/ -116 -117 -1.5(+135) 966 los angeles dodgers (l) kuo, h c 7.5o15 +1.5(-155)

7:05 PM EDT 967 los angeles angels (r) escobar, k -165 -160 -1.5(-110) 968 baltimore orioles (r) trachsel, s 8.5o20/8.5o15 9o15 +1.5(-110) BAL (SS) Tejada out

7:05 PM EDT 969 minnesota twins (l) santana, j 7.5u25 / 7.5u30 7.5u25 +1.5(-220) 970 detroit tigers (r) verlander, j -135/-119 / -115-112 -1.5(+180)

DETROIT - Gary Sheffield (suspension) upgraded to probable FRIDAY vs Minnesota. Sheffield had his suspension reduced to 2 games and will miss Saturday and Sunday vs Minnesota.

7:05 PM EDT 971 oakland athletics (l) kennedy, j 9.5o15 10u20 +1.5(-130) 972 new york yankees (r) mussina, m -179 / -182 -185 -1.5(+110)

7:05 PM EDT 973 tampa bay devil rays (r) jackson, e 11u25 11u20 +1.5(-110) 974 cleveland indians (r) westbrook, j -200 / -195 -200 -1.5(-110)

7:05 PM EDT 975 texas rangers (r) wright, jm 11o15 /11 +1.5(-105) 976 boston red sox (r) wakefield, t -240/-235/-210/-215 -1.5(-115)

8:10 PM EDT 977 chicago white sox (r) contreras, j 9o20-111/-110/-106/-105-1.5(+140) 978 kansas city royals (r) bannister, b 9o20 +1.5(-160)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX - OF Jermaine Dye (quad) downgraded to doubtful Friday vs Kansas City. Manager Guillen had hoped Dye would be able to return to the lineup this weekend against the Royals. Judging from Dye’s comments prior to Thursday’s game, that situation doesn’t seem likely to play out. “I don’t think so,” said Dye, when asked if he could play on Friday, adding he was still receiving treatment on his strained right quadriceps. “I haven’t ran the bases yet or ran seriously yet. I don’t know how I’m going to play [Friday].”

10:05 PM EDT 979 toronto blue jays (r) mcgowan, d 9u15 9u20 +1.5(-170) 980 seattle mariners (l) washburn, j -145/-133/-135 -1.5(+150)

7:05 PM EDT 981 new york mets (maine, j) 982 philadelphia phillies (l) hamels, c WRITE-IN GAME; DH#2

ARENA FB 06/29/2007 7:30 PM EDT 151 orlando predators -5 104/50.5/104.5 52.5 +145 152 philadelphia soul 3 -4 / -4.5 -05 -3.5 -05 -165 ESPN

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WNBA

GAME #601-602

DETROIT SHOCK - F Cheryl Ford (ankle) is “?” Friday vs Washington.

WNBA Line From: Jun 29 - 01:48 PM Date # Team Spread Total M Line WNBA - Jun 29 WNBA - FRIDAY Jun 29 601 DETROIT SHOCK -3-110 o162½-110 7:00 PM 602 WASH MYSTICS +3-110 u162½-110 Jun 29 603 INDIANA FEVER -5-110 o148½-110 7:00 PM 604 CONNECTICUT SUN +5-110 u148½-110 Jun 29 605 MIN LYNX +6½-110 o148-110 8:00 PM 606 SA SILVER STARS -6½-110 u148-110 Jun 29 607 CHICAGO SKY +10-110 o139-110 10:00 PM 608 SAC MONARCHS -10-110 u139-110 Jun 29 609 NY LIBERTY +4-110 o139½-110 10:30 PM 610 LA SPARKS -4-110 u139½-110

1ST HALF - 5 INNINGS Line From: Jun 29 - 01:48 PM Date # Team Pitcher M Line Total Run Line 1ST HALF - 5 INNINGS First Half Lines - Jun 29 NATIONAL LEAGUE Jun 29 1951 1H MIL Y GALLARDO-R +105 o4-105 2:20 PM 1952 1H CUB R HILL -L -125 u4-115 Jun 29 1955 1H ATL C JAMES -L 7:05 PM 1956 1H FLA J JOHNSON -R Jun 29 1957 1H WAS M CHICO -L 7:05 PM 1958 1H PIT I SNELL -R Jun 29 1959 1H STL B THOMPSON-R 7:10 PM 1960 1H CIN B ARROYO -R Jun 29 1961 1H COL J FOGG -R 8:05 PM 1962 1H HOU C SAMPSON -R Jun 29 1963 1H ARI L HERNADEZ-R 10:15 PM 1964 1H SFO M MORRIS -R Jun 29 1965 1H SDG C YOUNG -R 10:40 PM 1966 1H LOS H KUO -L AMERICAN LEAGUE Jun 29 1967 1H LAA K ESCOBAR -R 7:05 PM 1968 1H BAL S TRACHSEL -R Jun 29 1969 1H MIN JO SANTANA-L 7:05 PM 1970 1H DET VERLANDER -R Jun 29 1971 1H OAK J KENNEDY -L 7:05 PM 1972 1H NYY M MUSSINA -R Jun 29 1973 1H TAM E JACKSON -R 7:05 PM 1974 1H CLE WESTBROOK -R Jun 29 1975 1H TEX JM WRIGHT -R 7:05 PM 1976 1H BOS WAKEFIELD -R Jun 29 1977 1H CWS J CONTREAS-R 8:10 PM 1978 1H KAN B BANNISTE-R Jun 29 1979 1H TOR D MCGOWAN -R 10:05 PM 1980 1H SEA J WASHBURN-L

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Line From: Jun 29 - 01:48 PM Date # Team M Line Total Spread MIXED MARTIAL ARTS - Jul 07 ***UFC 73: STACKED - ARCO ARENA, CA*** SATURDAY Jul 07 917 Nate Marquardt +150 10:00 PM 918 Anderson Silva -180 Jul 07 919 Hermes Franca +200 10:00 PM 920 Sean Sherk -240 Jul 07 921 Rashad Evans -110 10:00 PM 922 Tito Ortiz -120

ARENA FOOTBALL Line From: Jun 29 - 01:48 PM Date # Team Spread Total M Line ARENA FOOTBALL - Jun 29 WILD CARD WEEKEND - FRIDAY Jun 29 151 ORL PREDATORS +4½-110 o104½-110 7:30 PM 152 PHI SOUL -4½-110 u104½-110 ARENA FOOTBALL - Jun 30 WILD CARD WEEKEND - SATURDAY Jun 30 153 COB DESTROYERS +6½-110 o103-110 12:00 PM 154 TAMPA BAY STORM -6½-110 u103-110 Jun 30 155 COLORADO CRUSH +6-110 o97-110 3:00 PM 156 KC BRIGADE -6-110 u97-110 ARENA FOOTBALL - Jul 02 WILD CARD WEEKEND - MONDAY Jul 02 157 UTAH BLAZE +3½-110 o114½-110 10:00 PM 158 LA AVENGERS -3½-110 u114½-110

BOXING Line From: Jun 29 - 01:48 PM Date # Team M Line Total Spread

BOXING - Jun 30 SATURDAY ***EVANDER HOLYFIELD VS LOU SAVARESE*** Jun 30 801 Evander Holyfield -700 10:00 PM 802 Lou Savarese +500 EVANDER HOLYFIELD VS LOU SAVARESE TOTAL ROUNDS Jun 30 803 WILL GO RDS o9½-110 10:30 PM 804 WON’T GO RDS u9½-120 Jun 30 805 SAVARESE BY KO 10:30 PM 806 SAVARESE BY DEC Jun 30 807 HOLYFIELD BY KO 10:30 PM 808 HOLYFIELD BY DEC BOXING - Jul 07 SATURDAY ***WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS LAMON BREWSTER*** Jul 07 671 Wladimir Klitschko -440 2:00 PM 672 Lamon Brewster +340 WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS LAMON BREWSTER TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 07 673 Over 8½ rounds +120 2:00 PM 674 Under 8½ rounds -150 BOXING - Jul 14 ***KERMIT CINTRON VS WALTER DARIO MATTHYSSE*** Jul 14 1101 Kermit Cintron -465 5:00 PM 1102 Walter Dario Matthysse +365 KERMIT CINTRON VS WALTER D MATTHYSSE TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 14 1103 Over 9½ rounds +165 5:00 PM 1104 Under 9½ rounds -200 ***KASSIM OUMA VS ISHE SMITH*** Jul 14 1201 Kassim Ouma -645 9:30 AM 1202 Ishe Smith +445 KASSIM OUMA VS ISHE SMITH TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 14 1203 Over 9½ rounds -340 9:30 AM 1204 Under 9½ rounds +260 ***ANTONIO MARGARITO VS PAUL WILLIAMS*** Jul 14 1211 Antonio Margarito -160 10:00 PM 1212 Paul Williams +130 ANTONIO MARGARITO VS PAUL WILLIAMS TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 14 1213 Over 11½ rounds -105 10:00 PM 1214 Under 11½ rounds -125 ***ARTURO GATTI VS ALFONSO GOMEZ*** Jul 14 1231 Arturo Gatti -180 11:00 PM 1232 Alfonso Gomez +150 ARTURO GATTI VS ALFONSO GOMEZ TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 14 1233 Over 9½ rounds -275 11:00 PM 1234 Under 9½ rounds +225 BOXING - Jul 21 THURSDAY ***HOPKINS VS WRIGHT*** Jul 21 1001 Bernard Hopkins +110 10:50 PM 1002 Ronald Wright -140 Jul 21 1003 Over 11½ rounds -565 10:50 PM 1004 Under 11½ rounds +415

Friday, June 29th (All times eastern)

LA ANGELS OF ANAHEIM (49-30) AT BALTIMORE ORIOLES (34-43), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: LA Angels - Kelvim Escobar (9-3, 2.81) Baltimore - Steve Trachsel (5-6, 4.55)

Kelvim Escobar tries to get the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim back on the winning track when they open a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles this evening at Camden Yards.

Escobar won his third straight decision on Saturday against Pittsburgh, as he allowed a run on five hits in eight innings to run his record to 9-3 on the season, while lowering his earned run average to 2.81.

The 31-year-old right-hander lost to the Orioles earlier this season, but is 12-5 lifetime against them with nine saves and a 3.87 ERA in 34 games, 18 of which have been starts.

Los Angeles will need another strong effort from Escobar tonight as the team tries to bounce back from a three-game sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals, culminating with a 1-0 setback in Wednesday’s finale.

Jered Weaver (6-4) was the hard-luck loser in his first start in 11 days, despite allowing only four hits and one run with six strikeouts over seven frames.

Baltimore, meanwhile, had its game with the New York Yankees suspended due to rain last night. The Orioles blew a two-run lead, as the Yankees scored four times in the eighth inning to take an 8-6 advantage. The game was then stopped with two outs in the top of the eighth and will be resumed July 27, when New York returns to Camden Yards, at the point it was stopped.

The Orioles took the first two games of the series and have won five of seven overall. The club is 5-3 under interim manager Dave Trembley.

Getting the call for Baltimore tonight will be veteran right-hander Steve Trachsel, who is 5-6 with a 4.55 ERA. Trachsel dropped his second straight start Sunday against Arizona, as he surrendered five runs and seven hits in four innings.

Trachsel has faced the Angels five times in his career and is 2-2 with a 4.05 ERA against them.

The Angels took three of four from the Orioles earlier in the season and are 19-10 in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign. The Angels, though, have dropped four of their last five in Baltimore.

MINNESOTA TWINS (40-37) AT DETROIT TIGERS (46-31), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Minnesota - Johan Santana (8-6, 2.83) Detroit - Justin Verlander (9-2, 2.78)

A terrific pitching matchup highlights the opener of a three-game series in the Metrodome this evening, as Johan Santana and the Minnesota Twins welcome Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers to town.

Santana has won his last two starts and is 8-6 with a 2.83 earned run average this season. The AL’s reigning Cy Young Award winner has been incredible in his last two starts, allowing just one earned run in 15 innings.

Against the Florida Marlins on Sunday, Santana allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in six innings to run his unbeaten streak to three games.

Santana lost to the Tigers earlier this season, but is 10-3 lifetime against them with a save and a 2.70 ERA in 23 games, 17 of which have been starts.

Verlander has followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2006 with an even better season. The 24-year-old right-hander has won his last four starts and is 9-2 with a 2.78 ERA. His latest win came on Saturday in Atlanta, as he held the Braves to one run and four hits in seven innings, while striking out 11.

Verlander lost to the Twins back on April 28 and is 3-2 in his career against them with a 2.90 ERA in five starts.

Detroit enters this series after salvaging the finale of its rain-shortened three-game series with the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Gary Sheffield hit a two-run homer and Magglio Ordonez knocked in two runs in the Tigers’ 5-2 win at Comerica Park. Placido Polanco finished 2-for-4 and scored two runs for the Tigers, who have eight wins over their last 10 games.

Ordonez, who leads the majors with a .377 batting average, has hit safely in 14 straight games and is hitting .442 (23-for-52) during that run. Carlos Guillen also has a career-best 14-game hitting streak and has had at least one RBI in 11 straight games — one shy of the club record shared by Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane and Rudy York.

Veteran Kenny Rogers (2-0) made his second start of the season for Detroit and gave up just one run on four hits in six innings. He also fanned three and walked just one.

Minnesota, meanwhile, won as well after Torii Hunter homered twice to lead the Twins to an 8-5 victory to earn a split of their four-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Jason Bartlett also homered for the Twins, who rallied from a 5-1 deficit to win for the fourth time in six games.

Carlos Silva (6-8) went seven innings, allowing five runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out five. Juan Rincon threw a scoreless eighth and Joe Nathan a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 17 opportunities.

The Tigers have split six games with the Twins this season, but they are 14-11 in the series since the start of last season.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS (40-38) AT NEW YORK YANKEES (36-39), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Oakland - Joe Kennedy (2-5, 3.98) New York - Mike Mussina (3-5, 4.98)

The New York Yankees hope a return home will reverse their fortunes, as they kick off a 10-game homestand with the opener of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics tonight at Yankee Stadium.

New York had won 11 of 12 games before hitting the road for a nine-game road trip back on June 20. Since then the Yankees were swept by the Colorado Rockies, dropped two of three to the San Francisco Giants and lost the first two games of their series with the Baltimore Orioles before Thursday’s tilt was suspended due to rain.

The Yankees, who trail the Boston Red Sox by 11 games in the AL East, rallied to take an 8-6 lead in the eighth inning when the rain came. The contest was stopped with two outs in the inning and will resume at the point which it was stopped on July 27, the Yankees’ next trip to Baltimore.

Heading to the hill tonight for New York will be right-hander Mike Mussina, who has lost his last two starts. Mussina was tagged with the loss on Sunday in San Francisco, as the Giants reached him for three runs (two earned) on five hits in five innings to drop him to 3-5 this season to go along with a 4.98 ERA.

Mussina will be facing the A’s for the 34th time in his career and he is 16-10 against them with a 3.90 ERA.

Oakland will counter with lefty Joe Kennedy, who is 2-5 with a 3.98 ERA. Kennedy was tagged with the loss on Sunday against the New York Mets, as he surrendered five runs and eight hits in four innings.

Kennedy received a no-decision earlier this season against the Yanks and is 3-5 lifetime against them with a 5.82 ERA in 14 games, nine of which have been starts.

Oakland enters this series on a sour note after dropping three of four to the Cleveland Indians, including a 4-3 setback in Thursday’s finale, at Jacobs Field.

Joe Blanton started on the mound for Oakland and pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He also struck out three and walked one. Ron Flores (0-2) absorbed the loss after giving up one run on two hits in just one-third of an inning.

Dan Johnson went 4-for-4 with a home run for the Athletics, who have six losses in the their last seven games.

Oakland took two of three from the Yanks earlier this season and is 8-4 against them since the start of last season. The A’s have also won four of their last six in the Bronx.

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (33-44) AT CLEVELAND INDIANS (46-32), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Tampa Bay - Edwin Jackson (1-8, 7.39) Cleveland - Jake Westbrook (1-3, 7.08)

The Cleveland Indians will attempt to maintain their season-long success at home, as well as the club’s recent mastery of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, when the two foes start up a four-game series at Jacobs Field this evening.

The Indians improved to a 27-12 at home this year by rallying for a 4-3 victory over Oakland on Thursday. Jason Michaels put Cleveland ahead with a three-run homer off Ron Flores in the bottom of the seventh inning, while relievers Rafael Betancourt and Joe Borowski teamed up to hold the Athletics scoreless over the final two frames to preserve the lead.

Paul Byrd (7-3) worked the first seven innings for the Tribe and allowed three runs on 10 hits. Borowski worked around a pair of Oakland singles in the ninth to notch his 22nd save of the season.

Michaels has now hit safely in 11 straight games and is batting .395 (15- for-38) with nine RBI during the tear.

Josh Barfield finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored for Cleveland, which took three matchups of its four-game series with Oakland and currently stands a half game back of first-place Detroit in the American League Central standings.

The Indians will now face a Tampa Bay team it has owned in recent years. Cleveland has won nine of the last 10 meetings between the squads and the Devil Rays have dropped five consecutive games at Jacobs Field.

Cleveland took two of three games from the Rays in St. Petersburg back in April.

Jake Westbrook makes his second start off a lengthy stint on the disabled list for the Tribe in tonight’s opener. The reliable right-hander had been sidelined with an abdominal strain since May 2 before returning to the mound Sunday in Washington.

Westbrook threw seven solid innings against the Nationals and surrendered three runs on seven hits without a walk. However, he wound up on the short end of a 3-1 decision, however.

The 29-year-old owns a 5-2 record with a 4.18 earned run average in 10 career starts against the Devil Rays. He faced Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field on April 22 and gave up four runs (three earned) and just four hits in a seven-inning no decision.

Westbrook will be opposed tonight by young right-hander Edwin Jackson, who finally halted a string of eight straight losing decisions when he defeated his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, on Sunday.

Jackson, who entered the contest 0-8 with a 7.85 ERA on the season, held Los Angeles to two runs on nine hits over six innings. It was the 23-year-old’s first major league victory since September 26, 2005, when he was a member of the Dodgers.

The well-regarded prospect started against the Indians on April 20 and received a no decision after allowing three runs and five hits over six innings. Jackson also tossed 2 2/3 scoreless frames of relief versus Cleveland last October.

Tampa Bay begins a 10-game road trip tonight and is coming off four straight home defeats to the previously-struggling Chicago White Sox. In Thursday’s finale, Javier Vazquez yielded one run and struck out 10 over seven innings to hand the Devil Rays a 5-1 setback.

Rays starter Scott Kazmir (5-4) recorded nine strikeouts in his 5 1/3 innings of work, but the left-hander gave up a pair of homers and was reached for four runs in the loss.

On a positive note, Tampa rookie Delmon Young extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a single in his first at-bat. The outfielder is batting .368 (19-for-53) over that span. TEXAS RANGERS (32-46) AT BOSTON RED SOX (7-8, 4.52), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Texas - Jamey Wright (1-1, 7.43) Boston - Tim Wakefield (7-8, 4.52)

The American League’s top and bottom teams get together for a four-game weekend series beginning tonight at Boston’s Fenway Park, where the AL East-leading Red Sox welcome the lowly Texas Rangers.

Boston currently owns a comfortable 9 1/2-game lead over second-place Toronto and a whopping 11-game cushion on the rival New York Yankees in the division standings, despite the fact that the team is coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the surging Seattle Mariners.

Seattle came through in extra innings during Wednesday’s finale, with Jose Lopez’s double off ex-Mariner Joel Pineiro bringing home Ichiro Suzuki with the game-winning run in a 2-1 decision.

The Red Sox wasted a gem by starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Japanese right-hander allowed just one run on three hits, while striking out eight and walking one over eight innings of work.

Boston’s lone run came on a seventh-inning sacrifice fly by Coco Crisp, who also collected two hits on the afternoon. However, the Red Sox 3-4-5 hitters — David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis — were a combined 0-for-14.

Julio Lugo, demoted from the leadoff spot to the No. 9 hole, went 0-for-2 for Boston and is now hitless in his last 31 at-bats.

The Red Sox completed a nine-game road trip with Wednesday’s loss and went 4-5 on the trek. The club is an outstanding 23-12 at Fenway Park, where it plays the first of seven straight contests tonight, on the season.

Although the Rangers own the AL’s worst record at 32-46, they have been playing pretty well as of late. Texas has won six of its last eight games and took the first two tests of a three-game set with the powerful Detroit Tigers before dropping Thursday’s finale.

Former Ranger Kenny Rogers held his ex-mates to a run and four hits over the first six innings to lead Detroit to a 5-2 win. Gary Sheffield slugged a two- run homer in the triumph, while Magglio Ordonez added a pair of RBI.

Texas starter Kevin Millwood (4-7) pitched six innings, allowing three runs on five hits to go along with six walks and six strikeouts. Michael Young and Sammy Sosa knocked in the Rangers’ lone runs with sacrifice flies.

Jamey Wright makes his third start since spending more than two months on the disabled list with a shoulder inflammation for the Rangers tonight. The journeyman pitcher recorded his first win in a Texas uniform on Saturday by holding Houston to two runs over 5 2/3 innings.

Wright walked six Astros in his last outing, but struck out five and surrendered just three hits in his longest start of the season.

The 32-year-old, who has spent the majority of his career in the National League, has never faced the Red Sox in his 12 big-league seasons.

Veteran Tim Wakefield looks to rebound from a subpar performance in his last start when he takes the mound for Boston this evening. The knuckleball specialist was tagged for six runs on eight hits — three of them homers — over 5 1/3 innings in Saturday’s 6-1 loss at San Diego.

Wakefield had won back-to-back starts prior to Saturday’s setback, but is just 2-3 with a 7.06 earned run average during the month of June.

The 40-year-old did defeat Texas on May 26 after allowing four runs over seven innings of a 7-4 Boston victory. However, Wakefield is only 8-14 with a 5.85 ERA in 20 career appearances, including 23 starts, against the Rangers.

Boston has won the last four meetings between the teams this season following a pair of losses to the Rangers in early April. This will be Texas’ first visit to Fenway Park in 2007.

The clubs split six games in Beantown a year ago. CHICAGO WHITE SOX (33-42) AT KANSAS CITY ROYALS (33-46), 8:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - Jose Contreras (5-8, 4.63) Kansas City - Brian Bannister (4-4, 3.78)

Two teams on season-high winning streaks will clash tonight, when the Kansas City Royals welcome the Chicago White Sox to Kauffman Stadium for the opener of a three-game series.

Both teams have won four straight games, the first time the Royals have done that this season. The White Sox, meanwhile, are on their third four-game winning streak of the year.

Chicago hasn’t won five in a row since August 10-14 of last year, while Kansas City has won five straight since June 10-16, 2005.

The White Sox won their first four meetings with the Royals this season before KC bested the club in their last meeting on May 13.

Chicago is coming off its first sweep of the season, as it took all four games against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, including a 5-1 victory on Thursday. Paul Konerko homered twice in the win.

Javier Vazquez (4-5) allowed one run over seven solid innings. The right- hander scattered seven hits with 10 strikeouts and three walks.

White Sox starter Jose Contreras will try to rebound tonight from a tough-luck loss on Sunday against the Cubs. Contreras allowed only two runs on 10 hits over seven innings in that game, but received no run support in the 3-0 setback that was his fourth defeat in six starts (1-4).

How long the right-hander continues to pitch for the White Sox is anybody’s guess. Contreras is 5-8 with a 4.63 earned run average on the year and has reportedly waived his no-trade clause, which would allow the struggling White Sox to deal him.

For now, the Cuban will just concentrate on Kansas City, a club he is 7-2 with a 2.96 ERA against in 11 starts.

While the White Sox bested a last-place club for its current winning burst, the Royals extended their victorious ways with a three-game sweep of the AL West-leading LA Angels of Anaheim.

Kansas City sneaked past the Angels, 1-0, in Wednesday’s finale, to wrap a nine-game road trip at 5-4. Mark Teahen’s RBI single in the third inning accounted for the only run of the game.

Jorge De La Rosa (5-9) scattered 10 hits over six shutout innings, while Joey Gathright singled and scored in the win.

The Royals begin a nine-game homestand tonight.

Brian Bannister attempts to rebound from his last start that saw his four-game winning streak come to an end. On Saturday versus Milwaukee, Bannister was lit up for six runs on six hits and three walks. He also struck out seven over five innings to fall to 4-4 with a 3.78 ERA for the season.

The right-hander made his first career start against the White Sox on April 24 and posted a no decision after yielding four runs (three earned) on five hits in 4 1/3 frames. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (39-39) AT SEATTLE MARINERS (42-33), 10:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Toronto - Dustin McGowan (4-3, 4.83) Seattle - Jarrod Washburn (6-6, 4.09)

The Seattle Mariners will play the final portion of their 12-game homestand when they begin a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays tonight at Safeco Field.

The Mariners improved to 7-2 on the residency after completing a three-game sweep of Boston on Wednesday. Jose Lopez’s double in the 11th inning scored Ichiro Suzuki to give Seattle a 2-1 win in the finale.

Jason Davis (2-0) got the win with two innings of one-hit relief. The right- hander was part of a Seattle bullpen corps that allowed just two hits over six innings of work.

Suzuki ended 2-for-4 and drove in a run for the Mariners, who have won five in a row and seven of eight. Seattle moved within five games of the Angels for first place in the AL West.

Jarrod Washburn takes the hill for Seattle tonight and will go for back-to- back wins. Washburn moved to 6-6 on the season last time out, when he limited the Reds to one run and seven hits over eight innings of a 9-1 victory.

The victory halted a personal four-start winless stretch in which he had two losses and a pair of no decisions.

The left-hander has made seven career starts against Toronto and is just 1-6 with a 4.60 ERA. He has lost five consecutive starts against them.

Toronto celebrated a milestone on Thursday, but not a victory. Frank Thomas belted his 500th career homer, a three-run shot in the first inning, but the Blue Jays still fell 8-5 to Minnesota in the finale of a four-game set.

Thomas became the 21st member of the exclusive club with his three-run blast of 396 feet into the left-field stands off Minnesota starter Carlos Silva. He also had an RBI double and matched his season high with four RBI, but was ejected in the ninth by plate umpire Mark Wegner after being called out on strikes for the second time in the contest. Toronto manager John Gibbons was also tossed after coming out to argue.

Matt Stairs went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Blue Jays, who have lost two of three since a four-game winning streak. The club is 2-2 on a 10-game road trip and is second in the AL East, 9 1/2 games behind first-place Boston.

Toronto starter A.J. Burnett was tagged for five runs on six hits in just four-plus frames. Jason Frasor (1-3) took the loss after surrendering two runs in one inning.

Dustin McGowan toes the rubber for Toronto tonight and is coming off the first shutout — and arguably the best start — of his career. McGowan limited the Rockies to only one hit and a single walk with seven strikeouts in a 5-0 victory.

He carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning, but the bid was broken up when Jeff Baker led off the frame with a single up the middle. McGowan then retired the next three batters to finish the game, a contest that saw Thomas hit the 499th homer of his career.

The win improved the right-hander to 4-3 on the season, while lowering his ERA to 4.83, and was his fourth win in six starts (4-1). The 25-year-old has never started against Seattle but has faced the club twice as a reliever, throwing 3 2/3 scoreless frames without a decision.

This is the first meeting between these two clubs this season. Toronto won five of nine from the Mariners last year, though the clubs split six games in Seattle. NEW YORK METS (43-33) AT PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (41-37), 1:35 & 7:05 P.M. (DH)

Probable Starting Pitchers: Game 1: New York - Orlando Hernandez (3-3, 2.77) Philadelphia - J.D. Durbin (0-0, 94.50)

Game 2: New York - John Maine (8-4, 2.87) Philadelphia - Cole Hamels (9-3, 3.80)

National League East supremacy could be on the line this weekend, when the division-leading New York Mets visit the Philadelphia Phillies for a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park. The important set between division rivals kicks off today with a day-night doubleheader.

New York is three games ahead of Philadelphia in the division, but the Phillies are 4-3 against the Mets this season. The Mets, who have won five of their last six games overall, had the finale of a four-game series with St. Louis postponed on Thursday because of rain.

The Mets took two of three from the Cardinals, including Wednesday’s 2-0 triumph in a rain-shortened affair at Shea Stadium. Tom Glavine collected the 297th victory of his career as he allowed one hit, struck out one and issued two walks through six innings. The game was called after 5 1/2 innings due to weather conditions.

David Wright hit a two-run homer and ended 1-for-1 with a walk for New York, which went 6-3 on its homestand and will open an 11-game road trip this afternoon in South Philadelphia. The Mets are 20-14 on the road in 2007.

New York will hand the ball to Orlando Hernandez in the first game. Hernandez is 3-3 with a 2.77 earned run average over 11 starts this season, but owns an 0-2 record in his last four trips to the mound.

The high-kicking right-hander last pitched on Saturday against the Oakland Athletics and did not post a decision. Hernandez hurled seven scoreless innings with seven K’s and two walks in a 1-0 victory at Shea Stadium.

Hernandez faced the Phillies on June 6 this season and did not factor in the decision. He pitched six shutout innings of three-hit ball, but the bullpen imploded en route to a 4-2 setback. In four career starts against Philadelphia, “El Duque” is 0-1 with a 7.58 earned run average.

Countering for the Phillies this afternoon will be J.D. Durbin, who will make his Philadelphia debut after being claimed off waivers in early April. Durbin had a Spring Training stint with Minnesota before Arizona picked him up. He made one appearance with the D’backs on April 4 and was reached for seven runs in just two-thirds of an inning. He is 0-0 with a 94.50 ERA.

Durbin, who was selected in the second round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft by Minnesota, was then waived by Arizona before Boston briefly picked him up. The Phillies then made a move on Durbin, who went 2-4 with a 4.55 earned run average in 10 starts with their Triple-A affiliate in Ottawa.

Durbin will make his second career start and sixth overall appearance at the major league level. He is 0-1 with a 14.63 ERA in five games (one start) in his career and will make his first-ever start against the Mets.

Philadelphia has won five of its last eight games, including Thursday’s 8-7 win in 10 innings over the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

Jimmy Rollins collected four hits, including the game-tying RBI triple in the eighth and the game-winning RBI single in the 10th. Chase Utley hit a pair two-run homers for Philadelphia, which is 21-18 at home this season. Reliever Clay Condrey tossed a scoreless 10th inning to collect the victory, while starter Adam Eaton was ripped for six hits and five runs in six innings.

Taking the ball for the Phillies in the nightcap will be ace Cole Hamels, who is 9-3 with a 3.80 ERA in 16 starts this season.

Hamels is 1-1 over the last four trips to the hill and did not factor in the outcome on June 24 against St. Louis. He lasted three innings because of a rain delay and gave up one run and three hits.

The lanky left-hander will take on New York for the third time this season and is 0-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts. He did not post a decision on April 9 after giving up three runs — two earned — in six innings of an 11-5 loss.

Hamels then faced the Mets again on June 7, surrendering three runs and 10 hits through seven innings of a 6-3 triumph. In three career starts against the Mets, Hamels is 1-0 with a 2.14 earned run average.

New York will counter with John Maine tonight and he will try to stretch his recent winning streak to three games. Maine, who is 8-4 with a 2.87 ERA in 15 starts this season, is riding a personal two-game winning streak.

In his last start on June 24 against Oakland, Maine pitched seven strong innings and gave up two runs in a 10-2 blowout of the Athletics.

The right-hander will take on Philadelphia for the third time this season and is 0-0 with a 3.08 earned run average in two starts. He first faced the Phillies on April 9 and did not factor in the outcome, allowing two runs in 4 2/3 innings of an 11-5 win.

He then squared off with the Phillies on June 7 and surrendered a pair of runs in seven innings of a 6-3 loss. In five career starts against Philly, Maine is 3-0 with a 2.40 earned run average. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (46-32) AT CHICAGO CUBS (38-39), 2:20 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Milwaukee - Yovani Gallardo (1-0, 2.70) Chicago - Rich Hill (5-5, 3.13)

The National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers open a 10-game road trip today with the first of three games against the division- rival Chicago Cubs at historic Wrigley Field.

Milwaukee, which is 16-19 on the road this season, is fresh off a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros and has won 12 of the last 14 games. In Wednesday’s series finale versus Houston at Miller Park, Damian Miller was the hero with a game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the 11th inning to lift Milwaukee to victory.

Bill Hall was 3-for-5 with a run-scoring double and scored twice for the Brewers, who are 7 1/2 games ahead of the Cubs in the NL Central standings. Miller collected three hits and drove in four runs, while Prince Fielder knocked in the other run in the winning effort.

Dave Bush pitched a pair of scoreless innings to earn the win and starter Jeff Suppan allowed seven hits and three runs over six innings, striking out seven without walking a batter in the no-decision.

Brewers rookie Yovani Gallardo will make his third career start today for the Brewers and is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA.

Gallardo got the win in his debut on June 18 against San Francisco after pitching 6 1/3 innings and giving up three runs during a 5-4 victory. He did not post a decision in his next outing on June 24 against Kansas City, permitting just a run and five hits through seven frames of a 4-3 loss.

The right-handed Mexican will get a taste of the rival Cubs for the first time in his career.

Chicago is on a roll, having won six straight games thanks to series sweeps over the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies. The Cubs extended their streak with Wednesday’s 6-4 win over the Rockies at Wrigley, as Mark DeRosa belted a three-run homer and starter Carlos Zambrano tossed six strong innings to complete the sweep.

Zambrano gave up two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and three walks for the Cubs, who moved to within one game of .500 at 38-39. Mike Fontenot went 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored to extend his hitting streak to 10 games in the victory.

Rich Hill gets the call this afternoon for the Cubs and is 5-5 with a 3.13 ERA in 15 starts this season.

Hill has just one win over his previous nine starts (1-4) since recording a 3-1 mark with a 1.73 ERA over his first six outings of the 2007 season. In his most recent start on June 23 against the Chicago White Sox, Hill did not record a decision after yielding one run and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. The Cubs won the game, 2-1.

The left-hander will face Milwaukee for the third time this season and is 1-1 with a 3.29 ERA in two starts. Hill got the win on April 6, hurling seven innings of one-run ball to preserve a 9-3 victory. On April 24, however, he was saddled with the loss after giving up four runs in 6 2/3 frames during a 4-1 setback.

In four career appearances (three starts) against the Brewers, Hill owns a 1-1 record with a 2.52 earned run average.

Chicago is 5-4 against the Brewers this season, including a shaky 1-2 record in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.

ATLANTA BRAVES (41-38) AT FLORIDA MARLINS (37-42), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Atlanta - Chuck James (6-7, 4.29) Florida - Jason Johnson (0-2, 14.85)

Jason Johnson tries once again for his first win tonight when the Florida Marlins host the Atlanta Braves to begin a three-game National League East series at Dolphin Stadium.

Johnson, a fourth-round selection in 2002, was a 12-game winner in his first full big-league season in 2006. He’s been hit hard in two outings since returning to the rotation in June, allowing nine hits and eight runs in a 10-6 loss to the Chicago White Sox, then surrendering eight hits and seven runs in an 11-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

In those two starts, he’s walked seven and struck out five.

Lifetime against the Braves, Johnson is 2-0 in six appearances - five starts - with a 2.23 earned run average in 32 1/3 innings.

Slumping lefty Chuck James makes his fourth career appearance against the Marlins.

In three previous outings - two starts - the 25-year-old Atlanta native is 1-1 with a 1.62 ERA in 16 2/3 innings.

He’s dropped three of four decisions in June, including a 5-0 verdict to Detroit on June 24 when he gave up five hits and four runs in five innings.

He was 11-4 in a full-time major-league debut last season, pitching 119 innings in 25 outings.

On Thursday in Miami, Matt Treanor homered and Scott Olsen struck out the first five batters he faced and finished with 10, one shy of his career high, as the Marlins held off the Pittsburgh Pirates, 9-7, in the finale of a three-game set at Dolphin Stadium.

Mike Jacobs had three hits and Treanor and Brett Carroll had two RBI apiece for the Marlins, who snapped a four-game slide.

Scott Olsen (6-6) went six-plus innings, allowing five runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out 10, including the first five batters he faced, a franchise record.

On Wednesday in Atlanta, John Smoltz struck out seven batters over five frames, as the Braves got a much-needed sweep of the Washington Nationals when the National League East rivals concluded a three-game series at Turner Field with a 13-0 shutout.

The Braves’ 22 hits were their most in a game since April 18, 1999 against Colorado.

Smoltz (9-4) scattered five hits and walked just one batter to shake off a subpar performance on Friday and earn the win. Oscar Villarreal, Wilfredo Ledezma and Chad Paronto allowed just three hits to complete the shutout.

Brian McCann homered for Atlanta, which entered this set mired in a season- high five-game losing streak in which the club was shut out four times, but has turned things around at the expense of the cellar-dwelling Nationals. Chipper Jones finished 3-for-4 with four RBI and scored once. Jeff Francoeur went 3-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored in the rout.

Florida has won six of its nine meetings with the Braves this season. Atlanta, though, is 38-27 in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign. WASHINGTON NATIONALS (32-46) AT PITTSBURGH PIRATES (33-45), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Washington - Matt Chico (3-5, 5.08) Pittsburgh - Ian Snell (6-5, 2.92)

Pittsburgh right-hander Ian Snell will try to get back on the winning side of the ledger tonight when the Pirates host the Washington Nationals to begin a three-game series at PNC Park.

Snell, a right-hander from Delaware, was tagged for 10 hits and five runs in six innings in a 10-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 23.

Previously, he’d given up 16 hits and three earned runs while going 2-0 with a no-decision in a three-start stretch between June 2 and June 13.

Snell has no record in four career outings against the Nationals, allowing 11 hits and eight runs in 16 innings.

Lefty Matt Chico looks again for his first win since May 17.

The former third-round draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks has gone 0-1 with six no-decisions after the triumph, including a six-inning outing against Cleveland on June 23 in which he allowed four hits and a run in a 4-3 Nationals loss.

He got another no-decision against Pittsburgh on June 7 after giving up four hits and two runs in seven innings.

The start was Chico’s lone career appearance against the Pirates.

On Thursday in Miami, Matt Treanor homered and Scott Olsen struck out the first five batters he faced and finished with 10, one shy of his career high, as the Florida Marlins held off the Pirates, 9-7, in the finale of a three- game set at Dolphin Stadium.

Adam LaRoche had three hits, including a two-run homer and Freddy Sanchez went 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored for the Pirates, who have lost six of eight.

Zach Duke (3-7) was tagged for six runs — five earned — on 11 hits in just four frames.

On Wednesday in Atlanta, John Smoltz struck out seven batters over five frames, as the Braves got a much-needed sweep of the Nationals when the National League East rivals concluded a three-game series at Turner Field with a 13-0 shutout.

Ryan Church and Ronnie Belliard both ended 2-for-4 for Washington, which has lost six of eight. Micah Bowie (4-3), who had posted a 5-0 record and a 3.60 ERA since moving from the bullpen to the rotation in mid-May, gave up six runs on nine hits with two walks and two strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings.

Pittsburgh won two of three from the Nats earlier this season after the teams split their six matchups a year ago. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (34-41) AT CINCINNATI REDS (30-49), 7:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: St. Louis - Brad Thompson (6-3, 5.04) Cincinnati - Bronson Arroyo (2-9, 5.14)

Right-hander Brad Thompson looks for his third win in four decision tonight when the St. Louis Cardinals head to Great American Ball Park to open a three-game series with National League Central foe Cincinnati.

Thompson, who’d made just one start in 83 career appearances heading into this season, will make his ninth of 2007 against the Reds, who he faced on June 6 while picking up a no-decision and allowing seven hits and four runs in six innings.

He defeated Kansas City in a seven-inning stint on June 19, scattering seven hits and allowing a single run. Since, he’s made a pair of relief stints, losing to Philadelphia on June 24 and downing the New York Mets on June 26 with 1 1/3 innings of one-hit shutout ball.

Overall, Thompson has allowed 84 hits and 39 runs in 69 2/3 innings.

Cincinnati’s Bronson Arroyo has struggled throughout the season and heads into the game winless since a May 6 defeat of Colorado.

The 30-year-old Key West, Fla. native is 0-7 with two no-decisions since, including a 6-4 loss against Thompson and the Cardinals on June 6 in which he allowed nine hits and six runs over 6 2/3 innings of work.

In his last start, on June 24 at Texas, Arroyo gave up 10 hits and three runs in seven innings of a 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

He has allowed three or more earned runs in seven straight outings.

On Thursday in Philadelphia, the Reds wrapped up a nine-game road trip in disappointing fashion, as they fell in 10 innings, 8-7, to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Adam Dunn, Edwin Encarnacion, and Alex Gonzalez all homered for the Reds, who have dropped three of four. Victor Santos (1-3) gave up two hits and a run in the 10th. Scott Hatteberg went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

In New York, Thursday’s game between the New York Mets and the Cardinals at Shea Stadium was postponed due to rain. No makeup date has been announced.

The Cardinals, though, have dropped three of four.

St. Louis has won four of its six matchups with the Reds this season. Cincinnati, though, won nine of 15 last season, including four of six in the Queen City.

COLORADO ROCKIES (38-41) AT HOUSTON ASTROS (33-46), 8:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Colorado - Josh Fogg (3-6, 4.81) Houston - Chris Sampson (6-5, 3.71)

One night after capping a special evening in franchise history with a dramatic extra-inning victory, the Houston Astros shoot for a second consecutive win over the Colorado Rockies when the teams continue their four-game set at Minute Maid Park.

In Thursday’s series opener, longtime Astro Craig Biggio became the 27th player in major league annals to reach the 3,000-hit milestone. However, teammate Carlos Lee delivered the game’s most memorable blow when he belted a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the 11th inning to give Houston a thrilling 8-5 triumph.

Biggio entered the night three hits shy of the 3,000 mark and arrived at the coveted number with a seventh-inning single off Rockies starter Aaron Cook. The veteran second baseman collected two more base hits during the game, including a two-out infield single in the 11th to keep the Astros alive, and finished 5-for-6 with an RBI and one run scored.

Hunter Pence followed Biggio’s last hit with a double and Colorado closer Brian Fuentes (0-3) hit Lance Berkman with a pitch to load the bases. Lee then crushed the first pitch he saw inside the left-field foul pole to end an improbable Houston comeback.

The Astros trailed 4-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, but drew even on a Berkman solo homer and a two-run blast from Mike Lamb off LaTroy Hawkins.

Colorado regained the lead in the top of the 11th when Troy Tulowitzki drilled a solo home run off Brian Moehler (1-2), who finished out the inning and wound up receiving the win.

Tulowitzki ended 3-for-5 for the fading Rockies, who have lost all seven tests thus far on a 10-game road trip. Chris Ianetta and Ryan Spilborghs also homered in the stinging defeat.

Colorado has also dropped 18 of its last 21 games in Houston.

The Rockies will turn to veteran Josh Fogg in hopes of breaking out of their funk tonight. The right-hander had won back-to-back starts before being tagged for five runs in six innings of Sunday’s 5-0 loss at Toronto.

Fogg was much sharper his previous time out, when he limited the Yankees to a run and four hits over seven frames to lead the Rockies to a 3-1 victory on June 19.

The 30-year-old faced the Astros in Coors Field earlier this month and surrendered six runs and 11 hits in five shaky innings, although he did not factor in the final outcome. For his career Fogg is just 3-6 with a 6.39 earned run average in 15 appearances (14 starts) against Houston.

Houston, which halted a three-game slide with last night’s rally, will send Chris Sampson to the mound this evening. The second-year hurler has not recorded a decision in three starts since defeating the White Sox on June 8.

In his most recent time out, Sampson held Texas to three runs and five hits over seven solid innings of work. He was denied a potential win, however, when the Astro bullpen yielded four runs in the eighth inning.

The right-hander has pitched well at Minute Maid Park this season, bringing a 3-1 record with an impressive 2.41 ERA in six home appearances (five starts) into tonight’s tilt. This will be Sampson’s first career outing against Colorado.

The Rockies took two of three games from Houston at Coors Field earlier this month and have claimed six of 10 matchups between the clubs since the beginning of the 2006 season.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (45-35) AT SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (33-44), 10:15 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Arizona - Livan Hernandez (5-5, 4.68) San Francisco - Matt Morris (7-4, 3.39)

The Arizona Diamondbacks will try to regain some consistency when they open a three-game series with the NL West-rival San Francisco Giants this evening at AT&T Park.

Arizona just dropped three of four games to the Dodgers and fell a half game behind both San Diego and Los Angeles for the top spot in the National League West standings. In Thursday’s 9-5 loss in the series finale at Chase Field, starting pitcher Randy Johnson battled through back pain and yielded four runs — three earned — on six hits in just three innings.

The 43-year-old Johnson was 4-0 with a 1.52 ERA in his last five starts coming in, but had not pitched since June 10 when he threw six innings of one-run ball against Boston. He skipped his next outing against Baltimore before landing on the DL with the same back injury that had previously required offseason surgery this past winter, causing him to miss the start of the 2007 season.

Eric Byrnes had a two-run single and Orlando Hudson added two RBI for the Diamondbacks, who will open a 10-game road trip tonight by the Bay.

Arizona will hand the ball to Livan Hernandez for Friday’s series opener against San Francisco. Hernandez is 5-5 with a 4.68 ERA in 16 starts this season, but owns an 0-3 mark over his previous five trips to the mound. The right-hander last pitched on June 23 against Baltimore and was reached for four runs and nine hits in four innings of a 7-4 victory over the Orioles.

Hernandez posted a no decision against the Giants on June 7 this season after permitting five runs — three earned — in seven innings of a 5-4 loss at Chase Field. In 10 career starts against San Francisco, Hernandez is 3-4 with a pair of complete games and a 2.82 earned run average.

The Giants will counter with Matt Morris tonight and he is 7-4 with a 3.39 earned run average in 15 starts this season. Morris has alternated wins and losses over his last six decisions and did not factor in the outcome the last time out on June 23 against the New York Yankees. He was reached for four runs and 13 hits during a 5 2/3 innings of a 6-5 victory at AT&T Park.

Morris, who is 3-1 in seven home starts this season, is 0-2 with a 3.60 ERA in two starts against Arizona this season. He faced them on April 29 and lost after giving up five runs in seven innings of a 5-4 setback. Morris then lost again on June 6, yielding a run in eight innings during a 1-0 setback.

The right-handed Morris is 4-5 with three complete games and a 3.36 earned run average through 12 career games (10 starts) against Arizona.

San Francisco has lost two straight after a three-game winning streak. In Wednesday’s 4-2 loss against the San Diego Padres in the finale of a three- game series, starting pitcher Matt Cain was the tough-luck loser for the Giants, giving up four hits and two runs through 7 2/3 innings with seven K’s and a pair of walks.

Pedro Feliz homered for San Francisco, which is last in the NL West standings — 11 games off the pace.

Barry Bonds did not play, but was on the on-deck circle before the final out of the ballgame was recorded. Bonds is six home runs shy of tying Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record of 755. In 14 at-bats against tonight’s pitcher Hernandez, Bonds owns three home runs and five RBI.

Arizona is 5-4 against the Giants in 2007, but was swept in three games at AT&T Park earlier this season from April 20 - 22.

SAN DIEGO PADRES (44-33) AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS (45-34), 10:40 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: San Diego - Chris Young (7-3, 2.08) Los Angeles - Hong-Chih Kuo (1-3, 6.33)

The Los Angeles Dodgers knocked one team out of first place this week. They will try to do so again when they begin a 10-game homestand with tonight’s opener of a three-game series with the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers are coming off a four-game set with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who led the National League West by a game over San Diego following last weekend’s play. Los Angeles went on to win three of four in the series, knocking Arizona to into third place in the standings.

The Padres now occupy the top spot in the NL West, a percentage point ahead of LA.

The Dodgers ensured a series win over Arizona with a 9-5 victory on Thursday. Russell Martin fell a triple shy of the cycle in the win, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning, a double in the fourth and a single in the sixth.

Randy Wolf (9-6) tossed six-plus innings and was charged with three runs on four hits for Los Angeles. He walked six batters and struck out four.

Hong-Chih Kuo is set for his sixth start of the season for the Dodgers and has lost his last two outings. He was shelled for eight runs in just 1 2/3 innings on June 20 versus Toronto, then allowed three runs and four hits with eight strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings versus Tampa Bay on Sunday.

The left-hander is 1-3 with a 6.33 earned run average on the season and will make his second career start against San Diego. Kuo, who has also pitched against the Padres twice as a reliever, faced the Padres on June 7 and didn’t factor into the decision after yielding one run and three hits and four walks over six innings.

San Diego was idle yesterday after winning its second straight game on Wednesday, a 4-2 victory over the Giants. Greg Maddux (7-4) tossed seven strong innings, holding San Francisco to five hits and one run for career win No. 340.

Khalil Greene homered for the Padres and Trevor Hoffman pitched a scoreless ninth for his 21st save.

San Diego’s lineup is expected to get a big boost for this series, as the club activated Brian Giles from the 15-day disabled list yesterday. Giles had been sidelined since May 20 due to a right knee contusion.

Even more help could be on the way, as the San Diego Union-Tribuen reported that the Padres are set to acquire outfielder Milton Bradley from the Athletics in exchange for a minor league pitcher. The paper reported Bradley could join the Padres for Sunday’s series finale.

Chris Young brings the National League’s second-best ERA at 2.08 into tonight’s start. The right-hander is 3-0 over his last seven starts and hasn’t posted a loss since May 12 against St. Louis.

The 6-foot-10 hurler is coming off a brilliant outing last time out that saw him toss seven shutout innings of one-hit ball, to go along with two walks and 11 strikeouts, in a 6-1 win over Boston. The victory improved Young to 7-3 on the year.

Young has faced the rival Dodgers twice this season and is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA. He took a loss at Los Angeles on April 15 before getting a no decision at home on June 5 despite throwing seven shutout frames. Overall, he is 0-2 with a 2.97 ERA in seven career starts versus LA.

The Padres have won three straight over the Dodgers and own a 5-4 overall record against the club this season. They won 13 of 18 meetings against Los Angeles in 2006.

(Thursday, June 28th)

Final Score: Cleveland 4, Oakland 3

Cleveland, OH - Jason Michaels hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning to guide the Cleveland Indians past the Oakland Athletics, 4-3, at Jacobs Field. Cleveland starter Paul Byrd (7-3) gave up three runs on 10 hits in seven innings to notch the victory. Victor Martinez hit two doubles while Josh Barfield went 2-for-4 with two runs for the Indians, who took three of four from the A’s. Joe Blanton started on the mound for Oakland and pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He also struck out three and walked one. Ron Flores (0-2) absorbed the loss after giving up one run on two hits in just one-third of an inning. Dan Johnson went 4- for-4 with a home run for the Athletics, who have six losses in the their last seven games.

Final Score: Detroit 5, Texas 2

Detroit, MI - Gary Sheffield hit a two-run homer and Magglio Ordonez knocked in two runs, as the Detroit Tigers downed the Texas Rangers, 5-2, at Comerica Park. Veteran Kenny Rogers (2-0) made his second start of the season for Detroit and gave up just one run on four hits in six innings. He also fanned three and walked just one. Placido Polanco finished 2-for-4 and scored two runs for the Tigers, who have eight wins over their last 10 games. Kevin Millwood (4-7) started for Texas and pitched six innings, allowing three runs on five hits to go along with six walks and six strikeouts. Michael Young and Sammy Sosa each knocked in a run for the Rangers, who had a two-game win streak end.

Final Score: Minnesota 8, Toronto 5

Minneapolis, MN - Frank Thomas belted his 500th career homer, a three-run shot in the first but the Toronto Blue Jays still fell 8-5 to the Minnesota Twins in the finale of a four-game set at the Metrodome. Thomas became the 21st member of the exclusive club with his three-run blast of 396-feet into the left field stands off Minnesota starter Carlos Silva. He also had an RBI double and matched his season high with four RBI, then was ejected in the ninth by plate umpire Mark Wegner after being called out on strikes for the second time in the contest. Toronto manager John Gibbons was also tossed after coming out to argue. Torii Hunter homered twice and Jason Bartlett also went long for the Twins, who rallied from a 5-1 deficit to win for the fourth time in six games. Silva (6-8) went seven innings, allowing five runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out five. Juan Rincon threw a scoreless eighth and Joe Nathan a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 17 opportunities. Matt Stairs went 2- for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Blue Jays, who have lost two of three since a four-game winning streak. Toronto starter A.J. Burnett was tagged for five runs on six hits in just four-plus frames. Jason Frasor (1-3) took the loss, surrendering two runs in one inning. A Stairs RBI single preceded Thomas’ 13th homer of the season, putting the Jays up 4-0 in the first. Score: New York 8, Baltimore 6, (Suspended, 8th inning)

Baltimore, MD - Thursday’s game between the Orioles and Yankees was suspended in the top of the eighth inning due to rain. The game will be resumed Friday, July 27th, 7:05 p.m. (et) with the regular scheduled game to follow. The Yankees, who led 8-6 with two outs in the eighth when play was halted, will welcome the A’s to town for the start of a 10-game homestand. Baltimore will begin a three-game set against the Angels at Camden Yards Friday.

Final Score: Chicago 5, Tampa Bay 1

St. Petersburg, FL - Javier Vazquez allowed one run over seven solid innings and Paul Konerko homered twice, as the Chicago White Sox completed their first sweep of the season when they wrapped up their four-game set against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field with a 5-1 win. Vazquez (4-5), winless in his previous four starts, scattered seven hits with 10 strikeouts and three walks before Matt Thornton and Ryan Bukvich tossed a perfect eighth and ninth, respectively. Tadahito Iguchi also homered for the White Sox, who now head to Kansas City for three straight games over the weekend. Luis Terrero ended 2-for-3 with an RBI in the win. Greg Norton went 2-for-4 for the Devil Rays, who now head to Cleveland for four straight games. Scott Kazmir (5-4), who has just two losses in his last nine outings, gave up four runs on six hits with three walks and nine strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings for Tampa.

Final Score: Florida 9, Pittsburgh 7

Miami, FL - Matt Treanor homered and Scott Olsen struck out the first five batters he faced and finished with 10, one shy of his career high, as the Florida Marlins held off the Pittsburgh Pirates, 9-7, in the finale of a three-game set at Dolphin Stadium. Mike Jacobs had three hits and Treanor and Brett Carroll had two RBI apiece for the Marlins, who snapped a four-game slide. Scott Olsen (6-6) went six-plus innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out 10 including the first five batters he faced, a franchise record. Adam LaRoche had three hits, including a two-run homer and Freddy Sanchez went 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored for the Pirates, who have lost six of eight. Zach Duke (3-7) was tagged for six runs — five earned — on 11 hits in just four frames.

Final Score: Los Angeles 9, Arizona 5

Phoenix, AZ - Russell Martin fell a triple shy of the cycle, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat up on Randy Johnson and the Arizona Diamondbacks, 9-5, in the finale of a four-game series at Chase Field. Johnson (4-3), who was diagnosed with a herniated disk in his back last week, allowed four runs - three earned - on six hits in just three innings. He walked two, fanned a pair and labored through 69 pitches - just 49 for strikes. The 43- year-old Johnson was 4-0 with a 1.52 ERA in his last five starts coming in, but had not pitched since June 10, when he threw six innings of one-run ball to defeat Boston. He skipped his next outing against Baltimore, then landed on the DL with the same back injury that had previously required offseason surgery this past winter and caused him to miss the start of this season. Eric Byrnes had a two-run single, and Orlando Hudson a two-run double for the D-backs, who dropped three of four in the series. Martin clubbed a two-run homer in the first, a double in the fourth and a single in the sixth. He also scored all three times he was on base for the Dodgers, who moved into a tie with idle San Diego for first place in the NL West, a half-game ahead of Arizona. Randy Wolf (9-6) tossed six-plus innings and was charged with three runs on four hits for Los Angeles. He walked six batters and struck out four.

Final Score: Philadelphia 8, Cincinnati 7 (10 innings)

Philadelphia, PA - Jimmy Rollins collected four hits, including the game-tying RBI triple in the eighth and the game-winning RBI single in the 10th, and the Philadelphia Phillies outlasted the Cincinnati Reds, 8-7, to take two of three in the series. Chase Utley hit two two-run homers, his 14th and 15th on the season, with both coming on 3-0 counts for Philadelphia, which won its third in four games. Clay Condrey (3-0) tossed the scoreless 10th for the Phils. Adam Dunn, Edwin Encarnacion, and Alex Gonzalez all homered for the Reds, who have dropped three of four. Victor Santos (1-3) gave up two hits and a run in the 10th. Scott Hatteberg went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Phils starter Adam Eaton was ripped for six hits and five runs in six innings, walking three and fanning two. Fortunately for him and Philadelphia, his counterpart, Matt Belisle, had an even worse night, giving up eight hits and six runs in five innings.

St. Louis at New York, postponed

Flushing, NY - Thursday’s game between the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals at Shea Stadium has been postponed due to rain. No makeup date has been announced. The Mets will embark on an 11-game road trip Friday, beginning with a day/night doubleheader against Philadelphia. The Cardinals, meanwhile, will travel to Cincinnati Friday for a three-game set.

Final Score: Houston 8, Colorado 5 (11 innings)

Houston, TX - Carlos Lee belted a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the 11th to cap a memorable night, as Houston’s Craig Biggio become the 27th player in major league history to reach the 3,000-hit plateau as the Astros stunned the Colorado Rockies, 8-5. The Astros second baseman came into the game three hits shy of the milestone, but he went 5-for-6. He grounded out in the first, but then had hits in his last five at-bats. He singled in the third and fifth before lacing a base hit to right-center field off Aaron Cook with two outs in the seventh to reach the mark. Lee’s slam capped an improbable comeback for Houston, as the Rockies led through the entire game before the Astros tied it with a three-run eighth. The game then went scoreless until the 11th, when Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki crushed a 1-1 pitch from Brian Moehler (1-2) over the train tracks that run above the back left-field wall to give his team a 5-4 edge. Brian Fuentes (0-3) then retired the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the inning, but Biggio ignited a rally when he legged out an infield single. Hunter Pence followed with a double to put runners at second and third, and Fuentes drilled Lance Berkman with a pitch to load the bases. Lee then crushed the first pitch he saw just inside the left-field pole and circled the bases as the crowd erupted. The drama also overshadowed a superb start by Houston ace Roy Oswalt, who allowed just one run on nine hits over seven innings. Mike Lamb hit a two- run homer and Berkman added a solo shot as the Astros also won for just the second time in their last eight games. Tulowitzki finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored, while Chris Iannetta and Ryan Spilborghs also homered for Colorado, which has dropped the first seven games of a 10-game road trip. Cook yielded just one run and seven hits over seven innings.