Betting Odds - Graffiti - Podcast

Thursday, June 28th (All times eastern)

OAKLAND ATHLETICS (40-37) AT CLEVELAND INDIANS (45-32), 12:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Oakland - Joe Blanton (7-4, 3.19) Cleveland - Paul Byrd (6-3, 4.74)

The Oakland Athletics try to string back-to-back wins together this afternoon and earn a split in their four-game series with the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field.

Oakland snapped a five-game losing streak on Wednesday, as Jack Cust homered and drove in a career-high five runs to lead the Athletics to a 13-7 win. Shannon Stewart also homered among his four hits for Oakland, which won for just the third time in its last 11 games.

Lenny DiNardo (3-4) gave up two runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts over five frames, and rookie Santiago Casilla tossed the final two scoreless innings for Oakland.

Jhonny Peralta, Franklin Gutierrez, Casey Blake and Travis Hafner all homered for the Indians, who saw their modest two-game winning streak come to a close.

Dominican right-hander Fausto Carmona (8-4), who began the season at 7-1, has fallen in three of his last four starts. He allowed eight runs on seven hits with two walks and a strikeout over just one-plus inning for Cleveland.

Getting the call for the A’s tonight will be righty Joe Blanton, who is 7-4 with a 3.19 earned run average and is coming off a great performance in his last start. Blanton, though, did not get the win against the New York Mets on Saturday, despite scattering five hits in eight scoreless innings of a 1-0 loss.

Blanton defeated the Tribe earlier in the year and is 1-2 in his career against them with a 4.26 ERA in three starts.

Cleveland will counter with veteran right-hander Paul Byrd, who is 6-3 with a 4.74 ERA. Byrd did not pick up a decision in his last start on Saturday against Washington, giving up three runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 4-3 win.

Byrd has faced the A’s nine times and is 2-4 against them with a 5.40 ERA.

Oakland and Cleveland met for three games in mid-May, with the Athletics taking two of three at home. Oakland also won six of nine meetings last year with the Indians. TEXAS RANGERS (32-45) AT DETROIT TIGERS (45-31), 1:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Texas - Kevin Millwood (4-6, 7.31) Detroit - Kenny Rogers (1-0, 0.00)

October playoff hero Kenny Rogers makes his second start of the season today when the Detroit Tigers host the Texas Rangers in the finale of a now rain-shortened two-game series at Comerica Park.

These teams were supposed to play the second game of this contest on Wednesday, but rain in the area caused a postponement. The game will be made up as part of a day/night doubleheader on September 11.

Rogers, who helped the Tigers win the American League championship last fall, missed the first two months of this season with a blood clot problem in his pitching shoulder. He returned on June 22 against Atlanta and earned a 5-0 victory with six innings of two-hit ball to go along with five strikeouts.

The 42-year-old southpaw is 5-3 in 14 career appearances against the Rangers, for whom he pitched in three stints stretching from 1989-1995, 2000-2002 and 2004-2005. His career-best record came in 2004, when he went 18-9 with a 4.76 earned run average.

He was 17-8 last season with the Tigers.

Texas right-hander Kevin Millwood was touched for nine hits and seven runs in 3 2/3 innings of a 10-0 loss to Detroit on June 6. In eight career starts against the Tigers, he’s 3-3 with a 4.20 ERA over 49 1/3 innings.

He’s won two straight starts overall, downing Cincinnati and Houston while allowing 15 hits and seven runs in 12 innings. The two-start win streak ended a five-decision skid that had stretched from April 18 to June 12.

On Tuesday, Craig Monroe and Magglio Ordonez’s misadventures in the field allowed Texas to pull out a 9-6 victory over Detroit.

Todd Jones (1-4) retired the first two batters in the ninth, keeping the momentum from Detroit’s three-run eighth that tied the game. However, Michael Young walked and Sammy Sosa singled to set the stage for Marlon Byrd.

He came through with some extra help from Ordonez. Byrd went with an outside fastball, hitting a sinking line drive tight to the right-field line. Ordonez took the proper angle and got to the ball in plenty of time to field it on a bounce, but it scooted under his glove and rolled toward the wall, allowing both runners to score.

Ramon Vazquez added an insurance run with an base hit to right.

Sosa finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Wilkerson’s homer was his ninth of the season.

Sean Casey had three hits and drove home three runs in Detroit’s second straight loss after a seven-game winning streak.

Despite giving up the three runs in the eighth, Akinori Otsuka (2-1) was credited with the victory. Eric Gagne allowed a pair of base runners before recording his eighth save of the season.

Detroit topped Texas in two of three meetings on the road in early June. The clubs split 10 meetings in 2006.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (39-38) AT MINNESOTA TWINS (39-37), 1:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Toronto - A.J. Burnett (5-6, 4.00) Minnesota - Carlos Silva (5-8, 3.98)

A.J. Burnett makes his return to the Toronto rotation when the Blue Jays wrap up a four-game road series with the Minnesota Twins today at the Metrodome.

Burnett has not pitched since leaving a June 12 start at San Francisco in the fifth inning with soreness in his right shoulder. The Blue Jays put the oft- injured Burnett on the disabled list a week later after he was unable to take the mound for his next scheduled outing.

It turned out to be a short stint on the shelf for Burnett, who was activated following a successful bullpen session on Monday.

The 30-year-old will be attempting to end a string of three consecutive losing decisions since a May 22 victory at Baltimore. One of those defeats came in the Metrodome on May 27, when Burnett was reached for four runs — three earned — in eight innings of work. He did yield only three hits and struck out eight in that game, however.

In his most recent start, Burnett surrendered three runs — two earned — on six hits over 4 2/3 innings in a 3-2 loss to the Giants. That outing followed a pair of appearances in which he racked up 12 and 13 strikeouts, respectively.

Burnett also faced the Twins in Minnesota last August and chalked up a victory after allowing just one run on six hits and fanning 10 over seven innings.

Carlos Silva gets the call this afternoon for Minnesota and looks to put together another strong recent start. The native Venezuelan is coming off an outstanding performance on Saturday, when he limited Florida to a run on four hits over seven innings in an 11-1 Twins’ win.

Silva is 2-1 with a 2.05 earned run average over his last three starts and has given up two runs or less in four of his six most recent appearances. That stretch started with an excellent effort against Toronto on May 27, when he held the Blue Jays to two runs in 7 1/3 innings to outduel Burnett.

The veteran right-hander is 1-2 with a 5.59 ERA in three career starts against Toronto.

The surging Blue Jays posted their fifth victory in six games with Wednesday’s 5-4 edging of the Twins. Gregg Zaun belted the go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning and four Toronto relievers teamed up to preserve the lead the rest of the way.

Josh Towers (3-5) allowed four runs — three earned — on nine hits over the first 6 1/3 innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Jeremy Accardo shut the Twins out over the final 1 1/3 frames to notch his 10th save.

Blue Jays designated hitter Frank Thomas failed for a third straight game to join the 500-home run club, although he finished 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run scored at the plate.

Torii Hunter knocked in two runs for the Twins, who left 10 men on base. Starting pitcher Boof Bonser (5-4) was tagged for five runs on seven hits over six-plus innings.

These teams have split six meetings so far this season. Toronto took five of its seven matchups with the Twins in 2006.

NEW YORK YANKEES (36-39) AT BALTIMORE ORIOLES (34-43), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - Chien-Ming Wang (7-4, 3.51) Baltimore - Daniel Cabrera (6-8, 4.98)

The New York Yankees conclude a frustrating road trip tonight at Baltimore’s Camden Yards, where the struggling club will attempt to avert a three-game sweep at the hands of the division-rival Orioles.

New York fell to 1-7 on this nine-game trek and suffered its fourth consecutive defeat with Wednesday’s shutout loss to the O’s. Erik Bedard baffled the Yankees’ sputtering offense over the first seven innings to lead Baltimore to a 4-0 decision.

Bedard (6-4) yielded just two hits and a walk while recording eight strikeouts as the Orioles improved to 5-3 since Dave Trembley replaced Sam Perlozzo as manager last week.

Baltimore denied Roger Clemens his 350th career win by scoring four times off the future Hall of Famer in the sixth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer off the bat of Aubrey Huff.

Clemens (1-3) lost his third consecutive start and allowed all four runs in his six innings of work.

The Yankees have mustered only 21 runs during this road trip. With the Bronx Bombers struggling to produce offensively, the team may need another strong performance out of ace Chien-Ming Wang this evening.

Wang had ripped off four victories in four starts before receiving a no decision Saturday in San Francisco. The 2006 American League Cy Young runner- up was touched for four runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings against the Giants.

Prior to that outing, Wang recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts and finished one out short of a complete game in an 8-2 win over the crosstown rival Mets on June 17. It was the seventh straight time that the right-hander had allowed three runs or less.

Wang owns a 2-1 record with a 4.19 ERA in six career games (five starts) against Baltimore and has given up only four runs in 15 lifetime innings at Camden Yards.

The Orioles counter with the enigmatic Daniel Cabrera, who will be seeking to post back-to-back victories for the first time since early May.

Cabrera turned in an excellent effort Friday in Arizona, as the towering right-hander limited the Diamondbacks to a run and two hits while striking out six in six innings. That was a significant improvement over his previous two starts, when he yielded 12 runs over 12 2/3 innings in consecutive losses to Arizona and Washington.

The 26-year-old has made eight previous starts against the Yankees and is 2-3 with a 3.94 ERA versus New York.

Baltimore has now won four of the five meetings between the AL East foes this season and can earn its first sweep of the Yankees since taking three straight games at Camden Yards from April 15-17, 2005. New York is 10-6 in its last 16 games in Baltimore, however.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (32-42) AT TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (33-43), 7:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - Javier Vazquez (3-5, 4.15) Tampa Bay - Scott Kazmir (5-3, 4.13)

The Chicago White Sox try and complete their first sweep of the season this evening when they wrap up their four-game set with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field.

On Wednesday Mark Buehrle pitched seven innings and Paul Konerko’s two-run double in the eighth inning gave Chicago the lead, as the White Sox rallied for a 5-3 victory. Rookie Andy Gonzalez knocked in his sixth run of the series for Chicago, which had lost 22 of 27 games heading into this series.

Buehrle (5-4), with his future in question, gave up three runs — two earned — on nine hits with six strikeouts and three walks for the White Sox, who scored five unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth innings to erase a 3-0 deficit.

Buehrle has been mentioned in several trade rumors while some reports have him signing a contract extension with Chicago.

Scott Podsednik went 2-for-5 with a triple and a run scored and Bobby Jenks pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his 20th save for Chicago.

Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena and Jonny Gomes each knocked in a run for the Devil Rays, who have lost six of eight.

Gary Glover (3-3) was saddled with the loss, as he surrendered three runs and four hits in just two-thirds of an inning. Andy Sonnanstine started for Tampa and gave up three runs (two earned) on nine hits in seven innings.

Hoping to complete the sweep for the Sox tonight will be right-hander Javier Vazquez, who is winless in his last four starts. Vazquez, who is 3-5 with a 4.15 earned run average, was sensational on Saturday against the Cubs, but received a no-decision nonetheless, despite surrendering a run and five hits in seven innings. He also struck out eight without walking a batter in his team’s 2-1 loss.

Vazquez lost to the Devil Rays earlier in the season and is 3-2 lifetime against them with a 5.14 ERA in eight starts.

Tampa will counter with 23-year-old Scott Kazmir, who is 5-3 with a 4.13 ERA. Kazmir, who has just one loss in his last eight outings, picked up a no- decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, as he surrendered three runs and seven hits in six innings of a 4-3 loss.

Kazmir has won both of his starts against the White Sox, while pitching to a 3.21 ERA.

These teams split a rain-shortened two-game series earlier in the year, but the White Sox have won seven of the last 11 matchups. Chicago is also 14-8 in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign. PITTSBURGH PIRATES (33-44) AT FLORIDA MARLINS (36-42), 12:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Pittsburgh - Zach Duke (3-6, 5.44) Florida - Scott Olsen (5-6, 4.76)

The Pittsburgh Pirates will shoot for their first sweep in more than two months this afternoon, when they close out a three-game series against the Florida Marlins at Dolphin Stadium.

Pittsburgh hasn’t swept a series since taking all three contests versus the Houston Astros at home from April 24-26. It has won the first two matchups of this set with Florida, including Wednesday’s 7-5 victory in 10 innings.

With the score knotted at 5-5 in the top of the 10th inning, Xavier Nady and Ryan Doumit belted back-to-back home runs off Marlins reliever Kevin Gregg, who was saddled with the loss.

Nady ended with a pair of home runs and Jose Bautista also homered for the Pirates, who have won two straight following a five-game skid. Freddy Sanchez had three hits on the evening.

Pittsburgh starter John Van Benschoten allowed two runs and three hits while walking five and striking out three over four innings. Shawn Chacon earned the win in relief with 1 2/3 shutout frames.

The Pirates, who are 12 1/2 games off the lead in the NL Central standings, will send Zach Duke to the mound today. He is 3-6 with a 5.44 ERA in 16 starts this season and 2-1 over his previous six outings, with consecutive no decisions.

In his last start on Friday against the LA Angels of Anaheim, Duke allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings of a 5-4 loss at Angel Stadium.

The left-hander is 0-1 with a 3.60 earned run average in three career starts against Florida. He faced them on May 16 of this season and did not factor in the outcome, yielding a pair of runs through seven frames of a 4-3 setback at PNC Park.

Meanwhile, the Marlins will try and halt a four-game losing streak today. In last night’s extra-inning affair, Hanley Ramirez homered and Alfredo Amezaga knocked in two runs for the Marlins, who are eight games off the lead in the National League East division.

Starter Sergio Mitre surrendered five runs on seven hits, walked three and fanned five in six innings of work.

Taking the ball for the Marlins this afternoon will be Scott Olsen, who is 5-6 with a 4.76 earned run average in 16 starts this season. Olsen is just 1-3 over his past six appearances, though, and recorded a no decision Friday against the Minnesota Twins at Dolphin Stadium. The lefty held the Twins to two runs in six innings of a 5-4 Marlins’ triumph.

Olsen will try to remain unbeaten in his career against the Pirates, as he is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three starts against them. He countered Duke on May 16 and did not factor in the outcome, surrendering three runs in 6 1/3 innings during Florida’s one-run victory.

Pittsburgh is 4-2 against Florida this season. The clubs split a four-game series earlier in the year from May 14-17 at PNC Park. The Marlins went 5-2 against the Pirates last season, including a 3-1 record at Dolphin Stadium.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (44-34) AT ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (45-34), 6:40 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Los Angeles - Randy Wolf (8-6, 4.32) Arizona - Randy Johnson (4-2, 3.52)

Randy Johnson returns to the mound for Arizona tonight as the Diamondbacks wrap their crucial four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field.

Johnson will head to the hill for the first time since June 10 when he threw six innings of one-run, four-hit ball in a win over Boston.

The left-hander was to start on June 16 against Baltimore, but skipped the outing due to severe pain in his back, and eventually landed on the disabled list. It was after that when Johnson learned he had re-herniated a disc in his back, an injury that had previously required offseason surgery this past winter and caused him to miss the start of this season.

However, after pitching in a simulated game on Monday, it was decided Johnson would start tonight.

The 43-year-old has won his last four decisions, spanning six undefeated starts, making him 4-2 on the year with a 3.52 earned run average. His 4,614 career strikeouts are third on the all-time list behind New York Yankee Roger Clemens and his 4,626 punch outs.

In 21 career starts versus the Dodgers, Johnson is 7-5 with a 2.71 ERA and two complete games.

Randy Wolf will try to stop a personal two-game losing streak with tonight’s start for the Dodgers. After besting the Mets on June 11, Wolf took the loss six days later against the LA Angels of Anaheim and then was handed a defeat on Saturday at Tampa Bay.

Versus the Devil Rays, the left-hander allowed four runs for the second straight start while giving up 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings. Wolf has lost three of his last four starts to fall to 8-6 on the season with a 4.32 ERA.

He is 4-2 with a 4.07 ERA in nine career starts versus Arizona, including a loss to the club on April 30 of this year. On that day, Wolf was tagged for six runs on 5 2/3 frames.

The Diamondbacks entered this series with a 1 1/2-game lead over the third- place Dodgers for first place in the NL West, but lost the first two games before rebounding with a 2-0 win on Wednesday.

However, while the Dodgers and Diamondbacks have been beating each other up, the San Diego Padres have won two straight to jump into first place in the standings. Arizona is just a percentage point behind, while the third-place Dodgers are a half-game off the pace.

The Dodgers are still 6-2 against the Diamondbacks this season and is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings overall.

It was a pitching duel last night, as Brandon Webb (8-5) threw seven shutout innings, scattering seven hits and five walks in the win.

Derek Lowe (8-7) took the tough-luck loss, as he gave up only two runs — one earned — on five hits over 6 2/3 innings. He watched his offense go 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 13 men on base.

Chad Tracy hit a sacrifice fly and Eric Byrnes singled in a run for Arizona, which is 5-4 on a 10-game homestand that wraps tonight. The club next hits the road for 10 straight games.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, are 5-4 on a 10-game road trip and will next return home for 10 games.

CINCINNATI REDS (30-48) AT PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (40-37), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Cincinnati - Matt Belisle (5-5, 4.73) Philadelphia - Adam Eaton (7-5, 5.63)

The Cincinnati Reds will wrap their nine-game road trip tonight when they play the finale of a three-game set with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The Reds improved to 3-5 on the swing with a 9-6 victory on Wednesday. Cincinnati will next return home for nine straight games.

Yesterday, Javier Valentin came off the bench and went 2-for-2 with two RBI, including the go-ahead run in the eighth, to life the Reds to victory.

Adam Dunn homered for Cincinnati, which had lost three straight entering the game. Starter Aaron Harang let up eight hits and five runs in six-plus innings, fanning three and walking three. Marcus McBeth (2-1) earned the win in relief, while David Weathers held the Phils scoreless over the last two innings for his 15th save.

The loss overshadowed a historic mark for Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, who hit his 100th career homer in only his 325th career game, the fewest contests to the century mark in major league history.

Ralph Kiner had held the previous record, hitting the century mark with Pittsburgh in 385 games back in the 1940s. However, Howard eclipsed the record with a 505-foot homer to dead center, the longest in the short history of Citizens Bank Park.

Greg Dobbs went 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI for the Phillies, who have split their last 10 games and are 3 1/2 games behind the Mets for first place in the NL East. New York will be in town over the weekend for four games, including a double-header on Friday.

Jamie Moyer held the Reds hitless through five innings, but finished up allowing three runs and three hits in six-plus innings with eight strikeouts and three walks. Geoff Geary led a horrid effort by the bullpen, allowing three runs in only a third of an inning. Brian Sanches (1-1) allowed one hit and one run in a third of a frame.

Adam Eaton comes into tonight’s start for the Phillies on a sour note after dropping his last outing on Saturday against the Cardinals. Eaton allowed six runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings at St. Louis to fall to 7-5 on the year with a 5.63 earned run average.

The right-hander has made four career starts against the Reds and is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA. He last faced the club on August 15, 2004 while with the Padres and earned the win.

Matt Belisle was originally slated to start yesterday’s game, but was pushed back in favor of Harang. Instead, he goes today hoping his bullpen can come through for a change.

Belisle has been the victim of a blown save in three of his last four starts, including last Wednesday at Oakland. The right-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and four walks in six innings of work, and left the game with a 3-2 lead. However, the A’s plated a pair of runs in the seventh inning and went on to win 5-3.

The 27-year-old, who is 5-5 on the year with a 4.73 ERA, faced the Phillies three times as a reliever before starting against them on April 22 of this season. He took the loss after allowing four runs over five innings, falling to 0-1 lifetime against Philadelphia with a 7.11 ERA.

Philly won two of three games against Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park earlier this season and is 11-7 over its past 18 meetings with the Reds. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (34-41) AT NEW YORK METS (43-33), 7:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: St. Louis - Adam Wainwright (6-6, 4.58) New York - Orlando Hernandez (3-3, 2.77)

The New York Mets are back in the victory column and will try for a series win when they close out a four-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals tonight at Shea Stadium.

After winning the opener of this series in 11 innings on Monday, the Mets dropped an 11-inning decision on Tuesday before bouncing back with a rain- shortened win last night. Tom Glavine collected the 297th victory of his career as he allowed one hit, struck out one and issued two walks through six innings of New York’s 2-0 triumph. The game was called after 5 1/2 innings due to weather conditions.

Glavine is now three wins away from becoming the 22nd pitcher to reach the 300-win mark.

David Wright hit a two-run homer and ended 1-for-1 with a walk for New York, which improved to 6-3 on its current 10-game homestand. The Mets also pushed their lead in the National League East standings to 3 1/2 games over both the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves.

New York, which will open an 11-game road trip tomorrow in Philadelphia, will hand the ball to Orlando Hernandez this evening. 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 made his first career appearance against St. Louis on April 3 of this season and was the winner with seven innings of one-run ball. He permitted five hits and issued a pair of walks during a 4-1 triumph at Busch Stadium.

St. Louis, meanwhile, has dropped three of four and four of its last six games. In last night’s rain-shortened contest, starting pitcher Anthony Reyes allowed just two runs on two hits — both in the first inning — and struck out three batters in a five-inning complete game.

Reyes has now dropped 10 straight decisions this season and 12 in a row dating back to the 2006 regular season, tying Bill Kissinger’s franchise record set from 1896-97.

Scott Rolen had the only hit for the defending-champion Cardinals, who were held scoreless for the eighth time in 2007 and are now 10 1/2 games off the top spot in the National League Central division.

St. Louis is expected to activate starting catcher Yadier Molina off of the disabled list Thursday. Molina, who broke his left wrist, hasn’t played since May 29 against Colorado.

The Cardinals will send Adam Wainwright to the hill this evening, and he is 6-6 with a 4.58 ERA in 15 starts this season. Wainwright is 2-1 in his last three outings and recorded the win on Saturday against Philadelphia, yielding just two runs in six innings of an 8-3 home triumph.

Wainwright, who has lasted at least six innings in six straight starts, is 0-0 with an 18.00 earned run average in two career relief appearances against the Mets. He has allowed four runs in two innings versus New York.

New York is 5-1 against the Cardinals this season and has outscored them 27-8 in those games.

COLORADO ROCKIES (38-40) AT HOUSTON ASTROS (32-46), 8:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Colorado - Aaron Cook (4-5, 4.93) Houston - Roy Oswalt (7-5, 3.55)

A pair of sputtering teams start up a four-game series tonight at Houston’s Minute Maid Park, where the Astros return home to take on the Colorado Rockies.

Colorado enters this set having lost the first six tests of a current nine- game road trip, while the Astros have dropped six of their last seven overall. Both clubs just suffered three-game sweeps at the hands of NL Central teams, with the Rockies losing all three matchups with the Chicago Cubs and Houston falling three straight times to the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers.

The Rockies’ recent woes continued on Wednesday, as Mark DeRosa smacked a three-run homer to back six good innings out of starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano in the Cubs’ 6-4 triumph.

Colorado pulled within 6-4 on Garrett Atkins’ two-run homer in the top of the eighth inning, but Will Ohman retired Brad Hawpe for the final out of the frame and Carlos Marmol tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his first career save.

Hawpe knocked in the other two runs for the Rockies with a sixth-inning single.

Colorado starter Jason Hirsh (3-7) yielded five runs on five hits — two of them home runs — through six innings of work.

Houston finished 2-7 on a nine-game road swing which ended with Wednesday’s 11-inning loss at Miller Park. Damian Miller belted a three-run homer off Astros reliever Dave Borkowski to give the Brewers the walkoff win.

Lance Berkman went 2-for-5 with a solo home run for Houston, while Eric Bruntlett also collected two hits and an RBI in the setback.

Astros starter Woody Williams pitched well despite not factoring in the final outcome. The veteran righty allowed three runs — two earned — on six hits and walked just one through six innings.

Houston will begin an 11-game homestand tonight. At some point during the residency, longtime second baseman Craig Biggio is expected to become the first player in franchise history to reach the 3,000-hit plateau.

Biggio is just three hits shy of becoming the 27th player in major league history to reach the milestone. The 41-year-old popped out as a pinch-hitter in his lone at-bat on Wednesday.

Roy Oswalt gets the call for Houston in tonight’s opener and will attempt to maintain his excellent career numbers against Colorado. The Astros ace is 5-1 with a 2.27 earned run average in seven previous starts versus the Rockies, although he did surrender four runs over six frames in a no decision at Coors Field on June 7.

Oswalt suffered a loss in his most recent trip to the hill. The right-hander allowed three runs on eight hits over 6 1/3 innings in a 7-2 setback at Texas on Saturday. He is just 1-3 over his last eight starts.

Colorado’s Aaron Cook has also had trouble breaking into the win column as of late. The sinker specialist, who will take the mound tonight, has dropped three straight starts and four consecutive decisions since a May 26 victory at San Francisco.

Cook has posted a subpar 6.82 ERA during his winless stretch and given up five runs or more in four of those five starts. Against Toronto on Saturday, he was rocked for eight runs (six earned) on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings of the Rockies’ 11-6 loss.

The right-hander faced Houston on June 6 and allowed five runs in a six-inning no decision. For his career Cook is 3-0 with a 4.60 ERA in six appearances, including five starts, against the Astros.

Colorado took two of three games from Houston at Coors Field earlier this month and has claimed six of eight matchups between the clubs since the beginning of the 2006 season. However, the Rockies are 3-17 in their last 20 games at Minute Maid Park.

Thursday, June 28th

American League

Oakland Athletics at Cleveland Indians, 12:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles, 7:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 80-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

National League Pittsburgh Pirates at Florida Marlins, 12:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.

Sunny Sunny. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 105.

Cincinnati Reds at Philadelphia Phillies, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 80-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets, 7:10 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

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

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

MLB 06/28/2007 12:05 PM EDT 901 pittsburgh pirates (l) duke, z 9.5/9.5u15/9.5u20 9.5u25 +1.5(-155) 902 florida marlins (l) olsen, s -180/-159/-161/-153/-154 -1.5(+135)

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6:40 PM EDT 903 los angeles dodgers (l) wolf, r 8.5 8.5 904 arizona diamondbacks(l) johnson, r -145/-133/-135/-134/-136 LAD (3B) Garciaparra NOT expected to start

7:05 PM EDT 905 cincinnati reds (r) belisle, m 11u25/10.5/10.5o15/10.5o15 906 philadelphia phillies(r) eaton, a -165 / -153 -150

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7:10 PM EDT 907 st. louis cardinals (r) wainwright, a 8.5o20/8.5o15/8.5/8.5o15 908 new york mets (r) hernandez, o -200/-181/-178/-176/-177 STL (3B) Rolen Probable

8:05 PM EDT 909 colorado rockies a, ( c 8.5 8.5u15 910 houston astros (r) oswalt, r -185/-169/-166/-163/-161

12:05 PM EDT 911 oakland athletics (r) blanton, j -115 9.5u20/9.5u15 +1.5(-200) 912 cleveland indians (r) byrd, p -113/-110/-109 -107 -1.5(+170)

1:05 PM EDT 913 texas rangers (r) millwood, k 9.5/9.5o15/9.5o20/9.5o15 914 detroit tigers (l) rogers, k -290/-210/-195/-189/-187 Please note change of probables:; (R) Millwood, K for (R) Wright, Jm; (L) Rogers, K for (R) Verlander, J; DET (OF) Monroe Questionable

1:10 PM EDT 915 toronto blue jays (r) burnett, a j -125/-115/-111/-109/-108 916 minnesota twins (r) silva, c 8.5 8.5 TOR (3B) Glaus NOT expected to start; MIN (1B) Morneau OUT

TORONTO - 3B Troy Glaus (rest) is not expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs MINNESOTA - Howie Clark is scheduled to spell Troy Glaus at third today.

MINNESOTA - 1B Justin Morneau (lung) missed last few games, doubtful. Wednesday, Morneau rode the bike for 30 minutes and also took swings in the batting cage. The Twins aren’t taking batting practice on the field before Thursday’s day game, but Morneau will take his own individual session. He wants to get back in the lineup Thursday. But, more likely it seems Morneau will return to the lineup on Friday in Detroit. The doctors have told manager Gardenhire that it would be best to initially use Morneau as a designated hitter, so Gardenhire said he’ll start Morneau all three games at DH over the series if he indeed is ready.

7:05 PM EDT 917 new york yankees (r) wang, c m -185/-178/-171/-172/-170 918 baltimore orioles (r) cabrera, d 9u15/9/9u15/9u20/9u15

7:10 PM EDT 919 chicago white sox (r) vazquez, j 8.5 8.5u15 920 tampa bay devil rays(l) kazmir, s -150/-129/-127/-128/-127 CWS (OF) Dye Dobutful

CHI WHITE SOX - OF Jermaine Dye (quad) missed last 5 games, doubtful. Manager Guillen continues to point toward the series in Kansas City this weekend as the target date for Dye’s return. Dye, battling a strained right quadriceps, has been inactive the last five games. “I’m going to do some light running [Wednesday] and see how it feels,” said Dye, who still wasn’t completely sure as to what was going on with his injury situation. Dye started hitting on Tuesday, but was still waiting for the cortisone shot the had on Sunday to take effect. If Dye is not healthy enough to play this weekend, then a trip to the disabled list would be the only remaining option.

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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Line From: Jun 28 - 11:22 AM Date # Team Pitcher M Line Total Run Line MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL - Jun 28 NATIONAL LEAGUE - THURSDAY Jun 28 901 PIT Z DUKE -L +145 o9½+110 +1½-145 12:05 PM 902 FLA S OLSEN -L -165 u9½-130 -1½+125 Jun 28 903 LOS R WOLF -L +120 o8½-120 +1½-180 6:40 PM 904 ARI R JOHNSON -L -140 u8½EV -1½+160 Jun 28 905 CIN M BELISLE -R +140 o11+105 +1½-145 7:05 PM 906 PHI A EATON -R -160 u11-125 -1½+125 Jun 28 907 STL WAINWRIGHT-R +165 o8½-110 +1½-125 7:10 PM 908 NYM O HERNANDZ-R -185 u8½-110 -1½+105 Jun 28 909 COL A COOK -R +155 o8½EV +1½-140 8:05 PM 910 HOU R OSWALT -R -175 u8½-120 -1½+120 AMERICAN LEAGUE - THURSDAY Jun 28 911 OAK J BLANTON -R -110 o9½-105 +1½-200 12:05 PM 912 CLE P BYRD -R -110 u9½-115 -1½+170 Jun 28 913 TEX K MILLWOOD -R +180 o9½-115 +1½-110 1:05 PM 914 DET K ROGERS -L -220 u9½-105 -1½-110 Jun 28 915 TOR A BURNETT -R -115 o8½-110 -1½+145 1:10 PM 916 MIN C SILVA -R -105 u8½-110 +1½-165 Jun 28 917 NYY C WANG -R -185 o9-110 -1½-115 7:05 PM 918 BAL D CABRERA -R +165 u9-110 +1½-105 Jun 28 919 CWS J VAZQUEZ -R +115 o8½-105 +1½-180 7:10 PM 920 TAM S KAZMIR -L -135 u8½-115 -1½+160 GRAND SALAMI NO LISTED PITCHERS - ALL GAMES MUST GO 8.5 INNINGS Jun 28 941 AWAY RUNS 12:05 PM 942 HOME RUNS Jun 28 943 OVER RUNS 12:05 PM 944 UNDER RUNS

1ST HALF - 5 INNINGS Line From: Jun 28 - 11:22 AM Date # Team Pitcher M Line Total Run Line 1ST HALF - 5 INNINGS First Half Lines - Jun 28 NATIONAL LEAGUE Jun 28 1901 1H PIT Z DUKE -L +145 o5-110 12:05 PM 1902 1H FLA S OLSEN -L -165 u5-110 Jun 28 1903 1H LOS R WOLF -L +130 o4½-115 6:40 PM 1904 1H ARI R JOHNSON -L -150 u4½-105 Jun 28 1905 1H CIN M BELISLE -R +130 o5½-125 7:05 PM 1906 1H PHI A EATON -R -150 u5½+105 Jun 28 1907 1H STL WAINWRIGHT-R +160 o4½-125 7:10 PM 1908 1H NYM O HERNANDZ-R -190 u4½+105 Jun 28 1909 1H COL A COOK -R +150 o4½-110 8:05 PM 1910 1H HOU R OSWALT -R -170 u4½-110 AMERICAN LEAGUE Jun 28 1911 1H OAK J BLANTON -R -105 o5-125 12:05 PM 1912 1H CLE P BYRD -R -115 u5+105 Jun 28 1913 1H TEX K MILLWOOD -R +170 o5½-105 1:05 PM 1914 1H DET K ROGERS -L -200 u5½-115 Jun 28 1915 1H TOR A BURNETT -R -120 o4½-115 1:10 PM 1916 1H MIN C SILVA -R EV u4½-105 Jun 28 1917 1H NYY C WANG -R -190 o5EV 7:05 PM 1918 1H BAL D CABRERA -R +160 u5-120 Jun 28 1919 1H CWS J VAZQUEZ -R +115 o4½-110 7:10 PM 1920 1H TAM S KAZMIR -L -135 u4½-110

BUICK OPEN - *TOURNAMENT MATCHUPS* Line From: Jun 28 - 11:22 AM Date # Team M Line Total Spread BUICK OPEN - *TOURNAMENT MATCHUPS* - Jun 28 UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, ALL MATCHUPS ARE FOR THE ENTIRE TOURNAMENT. Jun 28 501 J FURYK -215 7:05 PM 502 S VERPLANK +175 Jun 28 503 T IMMELMAN -115 7:05 PM 504 R ALLENBY -115 Jun 28 505 C DIMARCO -115 7:05 PM 506 H SLOCUM -115 Jun 28 507 C HOWELL III -115 7:05 PM 508 J ROLLINS -115 Jun 28 509 F FUNK -120 7:05 PM 510 T LEHMAN -110 Jun 28 511 R PAMPLING -120 7:05 PM 512 JJ Henry -110 Jun 28 513 S O’HAIR -155 7:05 PM 514 L GLOVER +125 Jun 28 515 K PERRY -185 7:05 PM 516 R MEDIATE +155 Jun 28 517 K DUKE -155 7:05 PM 518 J QUINNEY +125 Jun 28 519 W AUSTIN -140 7:05 PM 520 P LONARD +110 Jun 28 521 B MAYFAIR -140 7:05 PM 522 T PURDY +110 Jun 28 523 R MOORE -170 7:05 PM 524 M KUCHAR +140 Jun 28 525 S MARINO -115 7:05 PM 526 C WARREN -115 Jun 28 527 V TAYLOR 7:05 PM 528 J SENDEN Jun 28 529 T PERNICE JR -165 7:05 PM 530 B QUIGLEY +135 Jun 28 531 J LEONARD -130 7:05 PM 532 S MARUYAMA EV Jun 28 533 J SLUMAN -165 7:05 PM 534 D CLARKE +135 Jun 28 535 JB Holmes +145 7:05 PM 536 W AUSTIN -175 Jun 28 537 L JANZEN +110 7:05 PM 538 B TWAY -140 Jun 28 539 B WETTERICH 7:05 PM 540 C HOFFMAN Jun 28 541 R IMADA -135 7:05 PM 542 B DAVIS +105 Jun 28 543 D CLARKE -105 7:05 PM 544 J SINDELAR -125 Jun 28 545 B GAY -115 7:05 PM 546 S MARINO -115 Jun 28 547 W AUSTIN -120 7:05 PM 548 T PERNICE JR -110 Jun 28 549 C HOWELL III +135 7:05 PM 550 K PERRY -165

BUSCH SERIES CAMPING WORLD 2000 Line From: Jun 28 - 11:22 AM Cut Off # Description Odds BUSCH SERIES CAMPING WORLD 2000 - Jun 29 Jun 29 - 10:00 AM DRIVER TO WIN THE CAMPING WORLD 200 901 CARL EDWARDS +450 902 MATT KENSETH +450 903 KEVIN HARVICK +500 904 DENNY HAMLIN +600 905 TONY STEWART +700 906 CLINT BOWYER +900 907 CASEY MEARS +1000 908 SCOTT WIMMER +1200 909 JUAN MONTOYA +2000 910 GREG BIFFLE +2500 911 BOBBY LABONTE +3000 912 REED SORRENSON +3000 913 SCOTT RIGGS +3000 914 DAVID REUTIMANN +3500 915 JASON LEFFLER +3500 916 DAVE BLANEY +4000 917 STEPHEN LEICHT +4000 918 FIELD +500

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Line From: Jun 28 - 11:22 AM 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

BOXING Line From: Jun 28 - 11:22 AM 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 ***BERNARD HOPKINS VS RONALD WRIGHT*** Jul 21 1001 Bernard Hopkins +110 11:00 PM 1002 Ronald Wright -140 BERNARD HOPKINS VS RONALD WRIGHT TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 21 1003 Over 11½ rounds -525 11:00 PM 1004 Under 11½ rounds +375 BERNARD HOPKINS VS RONALD WRIGHT TOTAL ROUNDS Jul 21 1003 Over 11½ rounds -565 10:50 PM 1004 Under 11½ rounds +415

(Wednesday, June 27th) Final Score: Kansas City 1, LA Angels of Anaheim 0

Anaheim, CA - Mark Teahen’s RBI single in the third accounted for the only run of the contest as Kansas City edged Los Angeles, 1-0, in the finale of a three-game series. Jorge De La Rosa (5-9) scattered 10 hits over six shutout innings, while Joey Gathright singled and scored for the Royals, who swept the series and have won a season-high four straight games. Jered Weaver (6-4) was the hard-luck loser in his first start in 11 days, allowing only four hits and one run over seven frames with six strikeouts. Chone Figgins and Howie Kendrick had two hits each for the Angels, who have dropped three straight.

Final Score: Seattle 2, Boston 1 (11 innings)

Seattle, WA - Jose Lopez’s double off the wall in left field scored Ichiro Suzuki to lift the Seattle Mariners over the Boston Red Sox, 2-1, in 11 innings at Safeco Field. After being shut down for most of the afternoon by Boston starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Mariners completed a three-game series sweep against a familiar face. Former Mariner Joel Pinero (1-1) took the loss for Boston. Jason Davis (2-0) got the win with two innings of one hit relief. The right-hander was part of a Seattle relief 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 improved to 7-2 on its current 12-game homestand and moved a season-high tying nine games over .500 (42-33). The Red Sox wasted a gem by Matsuzaka. The Japanese right-hander allowed just one run on three hits, striking out eight and walking one over eight innings of work. Crisp went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Red Sox, who have dropped four of five to end a nine-game road trip 4-5. David Ortiz, Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis, Boston’s three through five hitters, went a combined 0-for-14, as the Red Sox have dropped eight straight in Seattle.

Final Score: Baltimore 4, New York 0

Baltimore, MD - Aubrey Huff belted a three-run homer to cap a big sixth inning, Erik Bedard threw seven strong frames and the Orioles frustrated Roger Clemens to send the Yankees to their fourth straight loss, 4-0, at Camden Yards. Clemens (1-3) failed to record a strikeout for the first time in 201 starts and was lifted after allowing seven hits and four runs with three walks over six innings. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner, who came out of the bullpen on Sunday at San Francisco for his first regular season relief appearance in 23 years, saw his ERA rise to 5.32 as he was denied his 350th career win for a third straight start. The Yankees, who fell three games under .500 (36-39), dipped to a dismal 1-7 on their road trip, which ends Thursday night. Chien-Ming Wang will start for New York, while Daniel Cabrera tries to give the Orioles a three-game sweep. Bedard (6-4) allowed two hits, walked one and struck out eight to win consecutive starts for the first time since April. Ramon Hernandez singled in Baltimore’s other run in the sixth as the Orioles won for the fifth time in seven games.

Final Score: Oakland 13, Cleveland 7

Cleveland, OH - Jack Cust homered and drove in a career-high five runs, as Oakland downed the Cleveland Indians, 13-7, in game three of four at Jacobs Field. Shannon Stewart also homered among his four hits for the Athletics, who pounded out 18 hits to snap a five-game losing streak. Eric Chavez finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice. Lenny DiNardo (3-4) gave up two runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts over five frames, and rookie Santiago Casilla tossed the final two scoreless innings for Oakland. Jhonny Peralta, Franklin Gutierrez, Casey Blake and Travis Hafner all homered for the Indians. Dominican right-hander Fausto Carmona (8-4), who began the season at 7-1, has fallen in three of his last four starts. He allowed eight runs on seven hits with two walks and a strikeout over just one-plus inning for Cleveland.

Final Score: Chicago 5, Tampa Bay 3

St. Petersburg, FL - Mark Buehrle pitched seven innings and Paul Konerko’s two-run double in the eighth inning gave Chicago the lead, as the White Sox rallied to top Tampa Bay, 5-3. Buehrle (5-4), with his future in question, gave up three runs — two earned — on nine hits with six strikeouts and three walks for the White Sox, who scored five unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth innings to erase a 3-0 deficit. Buehrle has been mentioned in several trade rumors while some reports have him signing a contract extension with Chicago. The White Sox have won three straight against the Devil Rays and will go for a four-game sweep over Tampa Bay on Thursday. Scott Podsednik went 2-for-5 with a triple and a run scored and Bobby Jenks pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his 20th save for Chicago. Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena and Jonny Gomes each knocked in a run for the Devil Rays, who have lost six of eight. Tampa Bay starter Andy Sonnanstine pitched six shutout innings before running into trouble in the seventh. Gary Glover (3-3) took the loss for Tampa Bay.

Final Score: Toronto 5, Minnesota 4

Minneapolis, MN - Gregg Zaun hit the go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning and Toronto’s relievers escaped a couple jams, as the Blue Jays held off the Minnesota Twins, 5-4, in the third installment of a four- game series. Josh Towers (3-5) was charged with nine hits and four runs — three earned — over 6 1/3 innings to win for the first time in four outings. Howie Clark had two hits with an RBI and scored once for Toronto, which rebounded from a 12-inning loss Tuesday to win for the fifth time in six contests. Frank Thomas failed for a third straight game to join the 500-home run club, going 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run, but the Blue Jays rallied from a three-run deficit and won despite committing four errors. Torii Hunter knocked in two runs for the Twins, who left 10 men on base. Boof Bonser (5-4) allowed seven hits and five runs over six-plus innings. Texas at Detroit, postponed

Detroit, MI - Wednesday’s game between the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers was postponed because of rain. The game has been rescheduled as part of a day/night doubleheader on September 11. The day game will begin at 1:05 p.m. (et) with the nightcap scheduled for 7:05 p.m (et). Kenny Rogers, who was looking to make his second start of the season for Detroit, and Kevin Millwood will start the series finale on Thursday afternoon. With Thursday scheduled as a travel day for both teams, it was decided to make up the game on September 11 when Texas will return to Detroit

Final Score: Milwaukee 6, Houston 3 (11 innings)

Milwaukee, WI - Damian Miller’s first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the 11th inning, sent Milwaukee past Houston, 6-3, in the finale of a three-game set at Miller Park. Against Dave Borkowski (1-3) in the 11th, Bill Hall pounded a double off the wall in left with one out and Geoff Jenkins was walked intentionally to put men on first and second. Miller then nailed a ball over the fence in left-center field for the game-winning blast, giving the Brewers their first-ever three-game sweep of the Astros. Hall was 3-for-5 with a run-scoring double and scored twice for the Brewers, who have won five of six. Miller collected three hits and drove in four, while Prince Fielder knocked in the other run. Dave Bush (6-6) hurled a pair of scoreless innings to earn the win and even his record. Milwaukee starter Jeff Suppan allowed seven hits and three runs over six innings, striking out seven without walking a batter in the no-decision. Final Score: Chicago 6, Colorado 4

Chicago, IL - Mark DeRosa hit a three-run home run and Carlos Zambrano tossed six strong innings as the surging Chicago Cubs held off the Colorado Rockies, 6-4, to complete a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field. Zambrano (9-6) gave up two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and three walks for the Cubs, who completed their second-straight three-game sweep and moved to within one game of .500 at 38-39. Chicago took all three meetings with the crosstown rival White Sox over the weekend. Mike Fontenot went 3- for-4 with a home run and two runs scored to extend his hitting streak to 10 games for the Cubs. Garrett Atkins’ two-out two-run homer in the top of the eighth off reliever Billy Petrick brought Colorado within two runs, but Will Ohman retired Brad Hawpe for the final out of the inning and Carlos Marmol tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his first career save. Hawpe knocked in a pair of runs for the Rockies, who have lost six in a row. Jason Hirsh (3-7) was handed the loss after yielding five runs on five hits through six innings.

Final Score: San Diego 4, San Francisco 2

San Francisco, CA - Greg Maddux tossed seven strong innings, and Matt Cain’s strong day unraveled in the eighth as the San Diego Padres beat the San Francisco Giants, 4-2, to take two of three from their National League West rivals. Maddux (7-4) held the Giants to five hits and one run with four strikeouts and one walk for career win number 340. Khalil Greene homered for the Padres, who had dropped five of six before taking the last two of this series. Trevor Hoffman pitched a scoreless ninth for his 21st save. Matt Cain (2-9) was the hard-luck loser for the Giants, giving up four hits and two runs through 7 2/3 innings, fanning seven and walking two. Pedro Feliz homered for the Giants, who had won three of four entering the game. Barry Bonds did not play, but was on the on-deck circle as a pinch-hitter when the last out was recorded.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 7, Florida 5 (10 innings)

Miami, FL - Xavier Nady and Ryan Doumit clubbed back-to-back homers in the 10th inning to lift the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Florida Marlins, 7-5, in the second game of a three-game series at Dolphin Stadium. The extra-inning blast was Nady’s second homer of the game and gave him 13 on the season. It was also Nady’s first multi-homer game of the season for Pittsburgh, which has won two straight following a five-game skid. Jose Bautista also homered for the Pirates, while Freddy Sanchez had three hits. Starter John Van Benschoten allowed two runs, three hits, walked five and struck out three over four innings. Shawn Chacon (4-1) earned the win with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Hanley Ramirez homered, and Alfredo Amezaga knocked in two runs for the Marlins, who dropped their fourth straight. Kevin Gregg (0-3) took the loss, yielding both homers in the 10th, and three hits overall, in two innings of work. Sergio Mitre surrendered five runs on seven hits, walked three and fanned five over six innings in the start.

Final Score: Cincinnati 9, Philadelphia 6

Philadelphia, PA - Javier Valentin came off the bench and went 2-for-2 with two RBI, including the go-ahead run in the eighth, and the Cincinnati Reds scored nine runs in the last three innings to top the Philadelphia Phillies, 9-6, in the rain-soaked middle game of a three-game set. Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard hit his 100th homer in only his 325th career game, the fewest contests to the century mark in major league history. Adam Dunn homered for Cincinnati, which had lost three straight entering the game. Starter Aaron Harang let up eight hits and five runs in six-plus innings, fanning three and walking three. Marcus McBeth (2-1) recorded two outs in relief. David Weathers held the Phils scoreless over the last two innings for his 15th save. Jamie Moyer held the Reds hitless through five innings, but finished up allowing three runs and three hits in six-plus innings, with eight strikeouts and three walks. Geoff Geary led a horrid effort by the bullpen, allowing three runs in only a third of an inning. Brian Sanches (1-1) allowed one hit and one run in a third of a frame. Greg Dobbs went 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI for the Phillies, who have split their last 10 games. Final Score: New York 2, St. Louis 0 (5 1/2 innings)

Flushing, NY - David Wright hit a two-run homer and Tom Glavine allowed just one hit as the New York Mets recorded a 2-0 victory over the St, Louis Cardinals in a rain-shortened affair at Shea Stadium. Glavine (7-5) picked up win No. 297, retiring the final 13 batters he faced, and is now three wins away from becoming the 22nd pitcher all-time to reach the 300-win plateau. The left-hander struck out one and walked two over six innings. Thanks to the rain, Glavine recorded his first shutout since September 29, 2005 when New York blanked Colorado 11-0. Wright ended 1-for-1 with a walk for New York, which improved to 6-3 on its current 10-game homestand. St. Louis starting pitcher Anthony Reyes (0-10) was putting together his best start of the season, before Mother Nature interrupted. He had allowed just two runs on two hits — both in the first inning — striking out three and walking two. Reyes has now dropped 10 straight decisions this season and 12 in a row dating back to the 2006 regular season, tying Bill Kissinger’s franchise record set from 1896-97. Scott Rolen had the only hit for the Cardinals, who have lost two of the first three games of this four-game set. Final Score: Atlanta 13, Washington 0

Atlanta, GA - John Smoltz struck out seven batters over five frames, as the Atlanta 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. 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. 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.

Final Score: Arizona 2, Los Angeles 0

Phoenix, AZ - Brandon Webb hurled seven solid innings, out- dueling Derek Lowe, as the Arizona Diamondbacks topped the Los Angeles Dodgers, 2-0, in the third test of a key four-game series at Chase Field. Webb (8-5), last year’s National League Cy Young Award winner, scattered seven hits, walked five and struck out three. The 28-year-old is now 7-3 in 12 career starts versus the Dodgers. Chad Tracy hit a sacrifice fly and Eric Byrnes singled in a run for Arizona, which dropped the first two games of this series but into a virtual tie with San Diego atop the NL West, a half-game in front of Los Angeles. Lowe (8-7) was the hard-luck loser, yielding two runs - one earned - on five hits over 6 2/3 innings. He walked three, fanned four and was hurt by the Dodgers’ lackluster offense, which was 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position. LA left 13 men on base.

CRUSH SHOT SPORTS AUTO RACING SPECIAL LINKS

Philadelphia, PA - It is summertime and everyone wants to get on track this weekend. The list is headed by Nextel Cup in New Hampshire and the IndyCars on the short track at Richmond.

NASCAR

Nextel Cup

Lenox Industrial Tools 300 - New Hampshire International Speedway - Loudon, NH

Juan Montoya and Jeff Gordon performed feats of magic on Sunday.

Montoya’s was coming from 32nd on the grid to win his first Nextel Cup victory when no driver had ever won from further back than 13th since they began running at Infineon in 1989. Gordon was almost as good coming from 41st place to finish a solid seventh.

On Tuesday, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson both received a penalty of 100 points to the driver and the owner for failing pre-race inspection at the Infineon Raceway.

Steve Letarte, crew chief of the No.24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team, was fined $100,000 and suspended for six weeks by NASCAR.

Chad Knaus, crew chief of the No. 48 Hendrick team was also fined $100,000 and suspended for six weeks.

Still, Gordon will likely enter this week’s Lenox Industrial Tools 300 with the points lead. He currently, as of Tuesday morning, has a 271-point lead over Denny Hamlin. Barring an unprecedented penalty from NASCAR he will still have the lead when the race begins on Sunday.

In truth, with the “new” Chase for the Nextel Cup” it is not important to be the points leader after 26 weeks. The goal is only to be in the top-12 and win as many times as possible. With four wins and a 723-point lead over 12th place, no matter what the penalty, Gordon will enter the “Chase” as either the leader or second in points.

Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon failed a pre-race inspection. Almost the same can be said for Johnson, the 2006 Nextel Cup champion, who also owns four wins and is safely ensconced in the top-12.

Now its on the squared-flat corners at the New Hampshire International Speedway for the first of two events in 2007. The 1.058-mile oval will also host the first event of the “Chase” on September 16th.

It would be nice to win not only for your chance to get in the “Chase,” but because winning the first race puts you in good position to repeat in the fall event.

Johnson swept both events in 2003 and Kurt Busch matched that in 2004. Tony Stewart won the summer of 2005 events and just missed, finishing second, in the fall race that year.

Last year Kyle Busch won this race while Kevin Harvick finished fifth. Harvick would used that knowledge to win the fall race and take the early lead in last year’s “Chase.”

Harvick was pretty good last Sunday, finishing second to Montoya. He lead his RCR teammates to a two-three-four finish. All three are currently qualified for the “Chase” in what is turning out to be a very good year for Richard Childress Racing.

“Kevin is our leader on the road-course thing and really has made us as competitive as we are,” said Burton. “That’s as much to do with our performance today as anything is Kevin pushing them (the crew) to get better fuel mileage, to build better cars.”

Busch

Camping World 200 - New Hampshire International Speedway - Loudon, NH

In his first nine 2007 Busch Series starts, Carl Edwards collected a win and eight top-fives. His lead was 424 over Dave Blaney. In the next eight races, Edwards earned only three top-fives (two were wins - Dover and Nashville) yet his lead has ballooned to 776 points over David Reutimann.

Edwards finished 33rd and eighth in his last two events although in truth he was one of the fastest cars on the track in each instance. But “bad” luck has cost him good finishes in both races.

As long as Edwards continues to show up for the race, he will easily collect his first Busch Series title.

Now for more interesting happenings…

Aric Almirola is listed as the winner of last week’s Busch race at the Milwaukee Mile. An unhappy winner, but a winner none-the-less.

Carl Edwards Carl Edwards is well on his way to his first Busch Series title. Almirola was very happy in 2006 when he got the opportunity to qualify Denny Hamlin’s No.20 Chevrolet in Milwaukee. He performed so well that he won the pole for Hamlin who eventually drove the car to a second-place finish.

The team was so pleased that they asked Almirola to drive it again this year. Again, Almirola put the car on the pole. And when Hamlin was late getting to West Allis, WI, Almirola started the race in the No.20 Chevrolet.

But this Almirola is a more experienced driver than as a rookie and he had two top-10 in his last two starts. So he rightly expected that he would drive the whole race and get the team another good finish.

The team, however, had other plans. When Hamlin finally got to the track, the team decided to put the more veteran driver in the car. The change was made on a lap 59 caution and they ended up being down one lap to the leaders when they got going again.

“I didn’t want to do it,” Hamlin said. “I knew he would be really upset. He did all the hard work.”

No matter, the car was very good and so is Hamlin and he made the lap back and went on to win the race. Almirola gets credit for the win since he started the race, but wasn’t their for the traditional celebrations.

Almirola refused all interview requests.

Hopefully, Almirola will get a shot to win the next one on his own accord. He certainly has the talent.

Craftsman

O’Reilly 200 - Memphis Motorsports Park - Memphis, TN

Mike Skinner won another pole and posted another top-five last Friday. Ho hum.

Skinner now has started first in seven of the 11 events. He has won three and holds a 108-point edge over Ron Hornaday Jr.

The No.5 Toyota driver leads the series not only in points, but in driver rating (123.5), winnings ($370,775), laps led (638), top-fives (9) and top-10s (11). He has led at least one lap in every race this year.

Hornaday Jr. finished a very good second last week in Milwaukee. But he gained few points on Skinner. If not for Skinner, we would be singing the praises of “The King of Restarts.”

Hornaday Jr. has two wins (Lowe’s, Dover) and owns 10 top-10s in 11 starts. He could easily have a third win, he led 117 of 169 laps at the Texas Motor Speedway, before finishing fourth.

Johnny Benson won last week’s race making him the eighth different winner in the season’s first 11 races. It was about this time last year that he won a couple of races back-to-back and challenged Todd Bodine for the championship.

Qualifying will again be important at Memphis.

“This is a follow-the-leader race track,” said Rick Ren, Hornaday Jr.’s crew chief. “It can be very difficult to pass. Even pit selection plays an important role at Memphis.”

That bodes well for Skinner who is close to breaking his on single-season pole record (10 poles in 20 races) which he set in 1995.

INDYCARS

SunTrust Indy Challenge - Richmond International Raceway - Richmond, VA

“It’s like flying jet fighters in a gymnasium,” veteran Eddie Cheever Jr. once said of the 0.750-mile Richmond International Raceway.

The quote still holds up today.

“Flying” around the relatively flat track at an average speed of 170 m.p.h. leaves little room for error. It takes only a slight bobble to leave you splattered against a SAFER barrier.

Dario Franchitti Dario Franchitti has yet to finish worse than seventh this year. Another win by Dario Franchitti, at the Iowa Speedway, sends him to RIR with a 51-point lead over second-place Tony Kanaan. Franchitti has yet to finish worse than seventh this year. That was at the season opener in Homestead. Since then he has been no worse than fifth.

“It’s been a good start to the season,” said Franchitti. “Are we halfway yet? It’s too early. We’re just going to keep week-in, week-out trying to do a good job and see how it goes.”

Right behind Kanaan are Scott Dixon (-52), Dan Wheldon (-54), Sam Hornish Jr. (-64) and Helio Castroneves (-80). All are still in the championship fight, but it is time for them to step it up.

Hornish Jr. won last year’s race ahead of Vitor Meira. Hornish Jr. was leading on lap 185, but Franchitti was closing. They worked their way through slower traffic and Hornish Jr. built the margin to two seconds.

As the drivers came across the start/finish line with four laps to go Meira passed Franchitti on the inside for second. After the pass was complete a caution came out for Castroneves when his right-rear tire blew apart putting debris on the track. The race finished under caution.

After a 14th-place DNF at Iowa, Hornish Jr. could certainly use a trip to Richmond’s Victory Lane.

CHAMP CARS Champ Car Mont-Tremblant - Circuit Mont-Tremblant - Mont-Tremblant, QC

There must have been a blue moon on Sunday afternoon at the Burke Lakefront Airport. Not only did Sebastien Bourdais not win the race, but the No.1 Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team didn’t finish the race.

That doesn’t happen very often to the three-time series champion.

Since 2004, Bourdais has finished 39 of 46 races. In those four years, the Frenchman has never had more than two DNFs in a single year.

Bourdais already has two DNFs in 2007, yet he still leads the championship by three points over Robert Doornbos. That bodes well for a fourth title for the Formula One-bound driver. It also means that the other teams shouldn’t expect too many more gifts from the No.1 team. They better learn how to beat Bourdais when he finishes races, something not many have been able to do.

Of the 39 races Bourdais has finished, he has won 26 of the them or 67%. In 2007 it is even better, he has finished three of the five starts and won all three.

A.J. Allmendinger seemed to have it figured out, winning five of the final nine races in 2006, but just as he came into this revelation he jumped to NASCAR and the promise of “big money.”

In 2003 when Bourdais first came to Champ Cars, Paul Tracy was “the sheriff” winning seven times and earning a championship. But since then, Tracy has been inconsistent and not won more than twice in any one season. He did win last week though, and always runs well in front of a boisterous hometown Canadian crowd.

The hope for a great championship battle will likely come from either Doornbos, the former Minardi Formula One driver, or Will Power.

In his first season of Champ Car racing, Doornbos has been solid if not spectacular. He has two second and two third-place finishes. But the Rotterdam, Netherlands native has led just one lap and has not yet asserted himself.

“I think all Minardi Team USA personnel are really looking forward to the Mont-Tremblant race, not only because of the challenging circuit and the beautiful surroundings, but also because of the momentum everyone is carrying following last weekend’s Cleveland race,” said owner Paul Stoddart.

Power, on the other hand, has led at least one lap in four of his five starts this year and won the season opener in Las Vegas. Last year in his first full season he earned nine top-10s en route to a sixth-place overall in the standings.

“We just go onto Mont-Tremblant with the same plan we have for every race - get on pole and win one,” said Power.

That would work.

FORMULA ONE

French Grand Prix - Circuit De Nevers - Magny-Cours, France

It is seven races into his Formula One career, but Lewis Hamilton isn’t acting or driving like a rookie. And he is doing things that no rookie has ever done in F1.

Like seven consecutive podium finishes to start a career. Like leading the drivers standings. Like beating his own teammate, Fernando Alonso, who just happens to be the reigning two-time World Champion.

Hamilton has been virtually flawless in F1 this season yet he seems to grasp where he is in the big picture.

“I’m still a rookie,” Hamilton said just before Indy. “I am learning every day, every time I arrive at the track. The whole season I will feel like a rookie.”

But he grows more confident with each win and each success.

Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton has not driven like a rookie this year. “If I’m consistent, then there’s no reason why I can’t win the title;” he added.

At some point in the season Hamilton will hit a rough patch. It happens in every season to every driver, well except maybe for Michael Schumacher in the 2004 season when he won 13 of 18 races and finished in the top-five 15 times.

It will be at that point that we find out what the 22-year-old is made of.

Maybe it already started. On Thursday, Hamilton crashed a go-kart into the barriers at a London charity auction. So far this season that is the only mistake he has made.

For Ferrari, these are troubled times.

The car doesn’t seem as consistent or fast as the McLaren Mercedes and they have not been very competitive of late.

Brazilian Felipe Massa has been their best driver, but he is 19 points behind Hamilton and nine points behind Alonso. His best finish since back-to-back wins at Bahrain and Spain is a third place.

Kimi Raikkonen, expected to come over from McLaren and be the team’s No.1 driver has been anything but. After a season-opening win in Australia, his best finishes are a pair of third-place results.

“We are waiting for the real Raikkonen, the one that everyone fears,” Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said.

Moreover, it appears that Raikkonen is not the “team player” that Michael Schumacher was.

“It would be interesting to see how good he could be if he concerned himself with the technology side, too,” said former boss Peter Sauber.

He is also more of a “party animal” than Schumacher.

“The Finns like to drink from time to time,” said Ferrari chief executive Jean Todt to the French newspaper Le Figaro.

Then again, he is barely halfway through the first season with Ferrari. Once he gets used to the way things are done and gets comfortable with the “stardom” of driving for Ferrari, there is no telling how good he can be.

He and Ferrari will need to get it together soon or they can all start thinking of the 2008 championship.

CRUSH SHOT SPORTS SPECIAL GOLF LINKS

USGA

U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Southern Pines, North Carolina - The top women’s players in the world tee it up this week at the third women’s major of the season, the U.S. Women’s Open Championship.

Last year, Annika Sorenstam and Pat Hurst needed a Monday playoff to decide the winner. Sorenstam closed with an even-par 71 in Sunday’s final round, then claimed her 10th major championship crown on Monday with a one-under 70.

Hurst, who closed with a two-under 69 in the final round to force the playoff, managed just a four-over 75 to fall short of winning her second major title. It was the third time Sorenstam defeated Hurst in a playoff.

The playoff at Newport Country Club came one year after Birdie Kim holed a miraculous bunker shot for birdie and the 2005 title as she fended off then amateurs Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lang.

Annika Sorenstam Last year, Annika Sorenstam needed a Monday playoff to win. In 1996, Sorenstam posted a 272 total to set the U.S. Women’s Open scoring record for a par-70 course. That happened at this year’s host course - Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, where Karrie Webb claimed the 2001 crown.

There are plenty of storylines as always. Women’s World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa is coming off her third win of the season at last week’s Wegmans LPGA, but she is still searching for her first major title.

Will former No. 1 Sorenstam, a two-time winner and two-time runner-up at this event, regain her form after a recent back and neck injury? Can Sorenstam be the first to repeat since Karrie Webb in 2000 and 2001?

How will 12-year-old Alexis Thompson fair? Thompson is the youngest ever to qualify for the Women’s Open.

With Morgan Pressel (Kraft Nabisco) and Suzann Pettersen (McDonald’s LPGA) winning the first two majors, will Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Ai Miyazato, Cristie Kerr or another first-time major champion be crowned?

ESPN will have four hours of coverage on both Thursday and Friday, before handing off to NBC, which will have three hours of action each of the final two days.

The LPGA Tour will be off next week before returning the following week with the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, where Mi Hyun Kim won last year.

PGA TOUR

BUICK OPEN, Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Grand Blanc, Michigan - The Buick Open will be without its defending champion and top Buick sponsor, Tiger Woods.

Woods is skipping this event to remain at home with his wife and newborn child.

Tiger Woods is skipping this event to remain at home with his wife and newborn child.

Last year when he won, Woods was coming off an emotional win at the British Open, his first win after the death of his father.

Woods claimed his second title at this event last year as he carded four straight rounds of six-under 66 to beat Jim Furyk by three strokes. His win came after Vijay Singh had won the last two titles at Warwick Hills.

It was the 50th win of Woods’ career. Since then, Woods has raised his win victory total to 57.

Low scores are the norm at Warwick Hills as seven of the last eight winners have posted totals in the 260s (19-under or better).

Billy Mayfair established a PGA Tour record here in 2001 for the best birdie- eagle streak in tour history. Mayfair went nine-under (B-E-B-B-B-B-B-B) en route to posting a nine-under 27 as part of his final-round 61.

The Golf Channel will broadcast three hours of action the first two days, while CBS has three hours of action the final two days.

Next up for the PGA Tour is the inaugural AT&T National at Congressional Country Club, where Woods will serve as the tournament host.

EUROPEAN TOUR

OPEN DE FRANCE, Le Golf National, Paris, France - Frenchman Jean-Francois Remesy was going for his third straight win at this event last year, but struggled to a one-over 285 for the tournament.

Jean-Francois Remesy hopes things swing his way. Englishman John Bickerton opened with an eight-under 63 and then fended off Irishman Padraig Harrington in the final round for his second tour title.

The win was Bickerton’s second in less than 10 months after going 12 seasons and 287 starts before claiming his first title at the

2005 Abama Open de Canarias.

Remesy’s loss meant fellow Frenchman Marcel Dallemagne is still the only player to win three straight, 1936-38.

This is the oldest national championship in continental Europe dating back to 1906. This event has had 18 major champions also win this title, while this week’s field includes 83 players that have won on the European Tour.

The Golf Channel has coverage of all four days of action this week. Next up for the European Tour is the Smurfit Kappa European Open at The K Club, where Stephen Dodd won last year.

CHAMPIONS TOUR

COMMERCE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP, Red Course at Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, New York - The Commerce Bank Championship will be hard pressed to match last year’s action as John Harris and Tom Jenkins went to a playoff.

Those two finished one stroke clear of Andy Bean, Gil Morgan and 2006 Player of the Year Jay Haas. In the playoff, Harris birdied the first extra hole to pick up his first professional title in his 97th career start.

What made Harris’ win all the more special was the fact that he erased a five- stroke deficit to comeback and force the extra session. It was the largest comeback of the 2006 season.

Harris’ win stopped Haas’ streak of three straight wins last year. Haas shared third place in his first appearance at this event.

The Golf Channel will have coverage of all three rounds. This event serves as the final tune-up for the season’s second major. Next week is the U.S. Senior Open at Whistling Straits, where Allen Doyle will go for his third straight win at that event.

NATIONWIDE TOUR

PEEK’N PEAK CLASSIC, Peek’n Peak Resort and Conference Center (Upper Course), Findley Lake, New York - The Nationwide Tour returns to New York this week for the Peek’n Peek Classic.

Last year, John Merrick needed three playoff holes to defeat Gavin Coles and claim his first tour win. Merrick closed with three straight rounds in the 60s to match Coles at 11-under 277. Coles had been going for his third tour crown.

Merrick, who is on the PGA Tour this year, currently stands in 125th place on the money list. That is the final position for someone to maintain their full status on the PGA Tour without a win.

This is the sixth year of the event and tournament officials have signed an extension through 2011 with the total purse climbing each year.

A very busy Golf Channel will have tape-delayed coverage of all four days. Next up for the Nationwide Tour is the Legend Financial Group Classic, where Coles picked up his third tour crown.

CANADIAN TOUR

ATB FINANCIAL CLASSIC, Calgary Elks Lodge & Golf Club, Calgary, Alberta - The Canadian Tour tees it up at a new event this week with the ATB Financial Classic.

The field will include four of the five players that have won on tour this year. Adam Bland, Wes Heffernan, Byron Smith and James Lepp will all tee it up this week.

Bland and Heffernan are both two-time winners this season. Fellow two-time winner Spencer Levin is not scheduled to play this week.

The tour remains in Alberta next week for the TELUS Edmonton Open, where Stephen Gangluff posted his second Canadian Tour win.

DURAMED FUTURES TOUR

TEAM WLF.ORG GOLF CLASSIC, Kankakee Elks Country Club, Saint Anne, Illinois - Mollie Fankhauser needed two extra holes last year to knock off Brandi Jackson and Stephanie George to earn her first professional win.

Jackson and Fankhauser each closed with back-to-back 70s, while George, who opened with a 67, struggled to one-over 73 in the final round to force the playoff.

Fankhauser has made just three starts on the LPGA Tour this year and has missed the cut in all three events.

After a week off, the Futures Tour heads to Connecticut for the CIGNA Golf Classic, where Song-Hee Kim claimed the title last year.

Wednesday, June 27th

American League Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 15-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

Kansas City Royals at Los Angeles Angels, 3:35 p.m.

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

Boston Red Sox at Seattle Mariners, 4:35 p.m.

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

New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 95.

Oakland Athletics at Cleveland Indians, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 90.

National League

Houston Astros at Milwaukee Brewers, 2:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.

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

San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants, 3:35 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to center field at 15-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 60.

Pittsburgh Pirates at Florida Marlins, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

Cincinnati Reds at Philadelphia Phillies, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets, 7:10 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 90.

Washington Nationals at Atlanta Braves, 7:35 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 110.

Wednesday, June 27th (All times eastern)

TEXAS RANGERS (32-45) AT DETROIT TIGERS (45-31), 1:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Texas - Kevin Millwood (4-6, 7.31) Detroit - Kenny Rogers (1-0, 0.00)

October playoff hero Kenny Rogers makes his second start of the season today when the Detroit Tigers host the Texas Rangers in the finale of a three-game series at Comerica Park.

Rogers, who helped the Tigers win the American League championship last fall, missed the first two months of this season with a blood clot problem in his pitching shoulder. He returned on June 22 against Atlanta and earned a 5-0 victory with six innings of two-hit ball to go along with five strikeouts.

The 42-year-old southpaw is 5-3 in 14 career appearances against the Rangers, for whom he pitched in three stints stretching from 1989-1995, 2000-2002 and 2004-2005. His career-best record came in 2004, when he went 18-9 with a 4.76 earned run average.

He was 17-8 last season with the Tigers.

Texas right-hander Kevin Millwood was touched for nine hits and seven runs in 3 2/3 innings of a 10-0 loss to Detroit on June 6. In eight career starts against the Tigers, he’s 3-3 with a 4.20 ERA over 49 1/3 innings.

He’s won two straight starts overall, downing Cincinnati and Houston while allowing 15 hits and seven runs in 12 innings.

The two-start win streak ended a five-decision skid that had stretched from April 18 to June 12.

On Tuesday, Craig Monroe and Magglio Ordonez’s misadventures in the field allowed Texas to pull out a 9-6 victory over Detroit.

Todd Jones (1-4) retired the first two batters in the ninth, keeping the momentum from Detroit’s three-run eighth that tied the game. However, Michael Young walked and Sammy Sosa singled to set the stage for Marlon Byrd.

He came through with some extra help from Ordonez. Byrd went with an outside fastball, hitting a sinking line drive tight to the right-field line. Ordonez took the proper angle and got to the ball in plenty of time to field it on a bounce, but it scooted under his glove and rolled toward the wall, allowing both runners to score.

Ramon Vazquez added an insurance run with an base hit to right.

Sosa finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Wilkerson’s homer was his ninth of the season.

Sean Casey had three hits and drove home three runs in Detroit’s second straight loss after a seven-game winning streak.

Despite giving up the three runs in the eighth, Akinori Otsuka (2-1) was credited with the victory. Eric Gagne allowed a pair of base runners before recording his eighth save of the season.

Detroit topped Texas in two of three meetings on the road in early June. The clubs split 10 meetings in 2006.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (32-46) AT LA ANGELS OF ANAHEIM (49-29), 3:35 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Kansas City - Jorge De La Rosa (4-9, 5.75) LA Angels - Jered Weaver (6-3, 3.80)

The Kansas City Royals try to complete a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this afternoon at Angel Stadium.

The AL West-leading Angels, who own the majors best home mark at 29-12, haven’t been swept in a home series of at least three games by the Royals since dropping all four games to them from May 6-9, 1996. They were also swept in a three-game set the previous season from September 15-17.

In the second game of this set on Tuesday Alex Gordon’s three-run homer put an exclamation point on a career-high four RBI night, as Kansas City rolled to a 12-4 victory.

Joey Gathright finished 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. His night on the bases was more eventful, scoring twice, getting thrown out at the plate in the first and again being called out for tagging too early in the sixth.

Gil Meche (5-6) picked up the win, surrendering three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and one walk over six frames. The Royals have won three straight.

Ervin Santana (5-8) was hit hard in the loss, giving up seven runs — five earned — on nine hits with two walks during five-plus innings.

Heading to the hill for the Royals today will be lefty Jorge De La Rosa, who has lost his last six decisions. De La Rosa’s latest loss came on Friday against Milwaukee, as he allowed seven runs and 10 hits in five innings to fall to 4-9 on the year, while raising his earned run average to 5.75.

De La Rosa was impressive in beating the Angels earlier in the season and is 1-1 lifetime against them with a 3.29 ERA.

Anaheim will counter with righty Jered Weaver, who has won his last five decisions. Weaver, though, has not pitched since June 16 and had his last scheduled start skipped due to a shoulder strain. He is 6-3 this season with a 3.80 ERA.

Weaver has faced the Royals three times and is 2-1 with a 1.83 ERA.

Los Angeles split a four-game series with the Royals in Kansas City earlier in the season, but the Angels own a 23-9 mark in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign. The Royals also have just five wins in their last 15 visits to Anaheim.

BOSTON RED SOX (48-28) AT SEATTLE MARINERS (41-33), 4:35 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Boston - Daisuke Matsuzaka (9-5, 4.01) Seattle - Ryan Feierabend (1-2, 8.20)

Daisuke Matsuzaka will attempt to win his third straight start this afternoon, as the Boston Red Sox try and avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

Matsuzaka has been sensational over his last two starts, surrendering just a run and eight hits in 13 innings, while striking out 17. He gave up one run and five hits over six innings on Friday to San Diego to run his record to 9-5 and lowering his earned run average to 4.01.

The 26-year old right-hander, who is 0-1 in two starts against the Mariners this season, has given up just five runs in his last four starts.

Seattle will counter with Ryan Feierabend, who is 1-2 with an 8.20 ERA. Feierabend, who has never faced the Red Sox, was hammered by the Cincinnati Reds in his last start on Friday, as he surrendered nine runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings.

In the second game of this set on Tuesday, Richie Sexson’s two-run blast in the sixth broke the tie, and Seattle held on for an 8-7 win. Willie Bloomquist also homered for the Mariners, who have won four straight and six of seven following a six-game losing streak.

Felix Hernandez, who one-hit the Red Sox in Matsuzaka’s Fenway debut earlier this season, was ripped for 11 hits and six runs — five earned — in 5 2/3 innings. Eric O’Flaherty (5-0) got the win for recording one out in the sixth.

Kason Gabbard, starting in place of the injured Curt Schilling, allowed four runs on six hits with six walks and one hit batter in only 3 1/3 innings. Javier Lopez (1-1) gave up three hits and two runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Kevin Youkilis went 2-for-3 with three RBI, and Eric Hinske homered for the Red Sox, who have dropped two straight and three of four.

Boston won two out of three from the Mariners earlier in the season, but Seattle holds a slim 11-9 edge in the series since the start of the 2005 campaign. The Red Sox have also lost eight of their last 11 in the Emerald City.

Seattle last swept the Red Sox in a three-game set at Safeco back from August 25-27 of last season. NEW YORK YANKEES (36-38) AT BALTIMORE ORIOLES (33-43), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - Roger Clemens (1-2, 5.09) Baltimore - Erik Bedard (5-4, 3.60)

Roger Clemens takes another crack at career win No. 350 as the struggling New York Yankees play the second test of a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles tonight at Camden Yards.

After winning his 2007 debut on June 9 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clemens lost his next two starts for New York. He was defeated by the crosstown rival Mets on June 15 after giving up a pair of runs in 6 1/3 innings of a 2-0 loss, then gave up four runs through 4 1/3 frames of a 4-3 setback at Colorado last Thursday.

The seven-time Cy Young award winner made a relief appearance Sunday against the San Francisco Giants and permitted one run in an inning of work. He is just 1-2 with a 5.09 ERA in four games of his latest comeback.

Clemens is 19-11 with a 3.46 ERA and six complete games (two shutouts) in 44 career starts against Baltimore.

The future Hall of Famer is attempting to become the first pitcher to reach the 350-win plateau since the Braves’ Warren Spahn achieved the milestone on September 29, 1963. Clemens will also be trying to halt a string of six losses in seven games for the Yankees, including a 3-2 setback to Baltimore in Tuesday’s series opener.

Ramon Hernandez drew a bases-loaded walk off New York reliever Scott Proctor in the bottom of the ninth inning last night to give the Orioles their fourth win in six games.

Proctor (1-5) walked three Baltimore hitters in the ninth to absorb the loss. Andy Pettitte worked the first seven innings for the Yankees and allowed just two runs on eight hits.

Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie was also effective in a no decision. The right- hander held the Yanks to two runs while striking out six over 6 1/3 innings, with New York’s only scoring coming on a two-run homer by Johnny Damon in the sixth.

Corey Patterson finished 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored to lead Baltimore offensively.

New York’s sputtering offense figures to be challenged again tonight by Orioles ace Erik Bedard. The lefty has yielded two earned runs or less in six of his last seven starts and leads the majors with 121 strikeouts this season.

Bedard racked up nine more K’s and limited San Diego to two runs over six innings on Thursday to pick up his fifth win of the season. He did not walk a batter and surrendered only five hits for the game.

The native Canadian is 3-3 with a 4.79 ERA in nine career games (eight starts) against the Yankees and defeated New York with seven innings of three-run ball back on April 8.

Baltimore has won three of the four meetings between the AL East foes this season. However, the Yankees are 10-5 in their last 15 games at Camden Yards. Baltimore won two of three games against New York earlier this season from April 6 - 8 at Yankee Stadium. OAKLAND ATHLETICS (39-37) AT CLEVELAND INDIANS (45-31), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Oakland - Lenny DiNardo (2-4, 2.35) Cleveland - Fausto Carmona (8-3, 3.21)

Dominican right-hander Fausto Carmona looks to get back on the winning track tonight when the Cleveland Indians host the Oakland Athletics in game three of four at Jacobs Field.

The 23-year-old began the season at 7-1 before falling in two of his last three starts. In his last start, on June 22 at Washington, he gave up 10 hits and three runs in six innings of a 4-1 loss to the Nationals.

Carmona, who is 4-1 in six home starts this season, is 1-0 in three career appearances against the Athletics.

Oakland lefty Lenny DiNardo has dropped two straight starts and gotten a no- decision since a June 5 defeat of the Boston Red Sox. Against the New York Mets on June 22, he allowed seven hits and two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings, dropping a 9-1 verdict.

He allowed two hits and a run in a one-inning relief stint against Cleveland on May 12. Lifetime against the Indians, the veteran of 59 big-league appearances - 12 starts - has allowed six hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings of relief work.

On Tuesday, Kelly Shoppach’s pinch-hit, game-winning three-run homer capped a five-run ninth inning, as the Indians rallied for an 8-5 victory over the Athletics.

Travis Hafner drove in three runs for the Indians, who trailed 5-3 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning but pleased the home crowd with their second straight win in this four-game series after a 5-2 victory in Monday’s opener. Grady Sizemore scored three runs in the win.

Mark Ellis homered and finished with three RBI for Oakland, which lost its fifth consecutive game. Jack Cust and Shannon Stewart also homered in the losing effort.

Oakland’s temporary closer Alan Embree (1-1) took the mound for the bottom of the ninth inning with a 5-3 lead. Sizemore and Victor Martinez both walked and with two outs, Hafner lined a double into the gap in right-center field that tied the score. Jhonny Peralta was then intentionally walked before Shoppach sent a towering fly ball over the wall in left field and the Indians celebrated at home plate.

Rafael Betancourt (1-0) picked up the win. He allowed one run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning of relief.

Oakland and Cleveland met for three games in mid-May, with the Athletics taking two of three at home. Oakland also won six of nine meetings last year with the Indians. CHICAGO WHITE SOX (31-42) AT TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (33-42), 7:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - Mark Buehrle (4-4, 3.39) Tampa Bay - Andy Sonnanstine (1-2, 6.58)

With trade rumors swirling around him, Mark Buehrle takes this hill this evening for the Chicago White Sox, as they continue their four- game set with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field.

Buehrle, who is due to become a free agent after the season, has been mentioned in trade rumors all week long since talks between he and the team regarding a contract extension apparently broke down over the weekend. However, there is talk now that talks have resumed and a long-term deal could be ironed out by the weekend.

The 28-year-old left-hander enters tonight’s tilt on a losing note, though, after suffering a tough-luck loss to the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Buehrle gave up two runs and four hits over seven innings of that one, but fell to 4-4 on the year nonetheless to go along with a 3.39 earned run average.

Over his last three starts, though, he is 2-1 with a 1.57 ERA.

Buehrle received a no-decision against the Devil Rays earlier this season, but is 5-1 lifetime against them with a 4.35 ERA in 11 games, six of which have been starts.

Tampa will counter with rookie Andy Sonnanstine, who is 1-2 with a 6.58 ERA. Sonnanstine dropped his second straight start on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as he allowed four runs and 10 hits in seven innings.

Sonnanstine has never faced the White Sox.

In the second game of this set on Tuesday, Andy Gonzalez hit his first career homer and drove in three runs to lead the Chicago to a 6-1 win. Jim Thome also went deep while Jon Garland tossed seven-plus strong innings for the White Sox, who have won two in a row in response to a five-game slide.

This is the first time Chicago has put together two straight wins since a three-game streak from May 20-22.

Garland (5-5) allowed just the one run on five hits while striking out three and walking a pair.

James Shields (6-3), meanwhile, was roughed up for five runs on nine hits over seven innings for Tampa Bay, which has dropped five of seven. He finished with 11 strikeouts, one shy of his career high.

Greg Norton homered to account for all of Tampa’s offense.

These teams split a rain-shortened two-game series earlier in the year, but the White Sox have won six of the last 10 matchups. Chicago is also 13-8 in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (38-38) AT MINNESOTA TWINS (39-36), 8:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Toronto - Josh Towers (2-5, 5.75) Minnesota - Boof Bonser (5-3, 4.45)

Two hot teams resume a four-game series this evening at the Metrodome, where the Minnesota Twins shoot for a second straight win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Minnesota stopped the Jays’ season-high five-game win streak with Tuesday’s 2-1, 12-inning triumph. The victory was the fifth in seven outings for the Twins, who were dealt an 8-5 defeat by Toronto in Monday’s series opener.

With two outs in the bottom of the 12th, Jeff Cirillo knocked home Michael Cuddyer with a bloop single for the winning run.

Both starting pitchers were outstanding despite not factoring in the final outcome. Minnesota’s Scott Baker allowed just one run and racked up a career- best nine strikeouts over the first seven innings. Toronto’s Shaun Marcum scattered six hits and a run over eight-plus frames of work.

Toronto’s Frank Thomas was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and remained one home run shy of 500 for his career. The veteran slugger is 0-for-7 with four punchouts in the first two games of this set after blasting homer No. 499 on Sunday against the Rockies.

Thomas will be taking his swings tonight against Boof Bonser, who will be attempting to turn things around following a string of rough starts.

Bonser is 1-2 with a 6.75 earned run average over his last four appearances following a four-start win streak from May 13-29. In his most recent trip to the mound, the young right-hander gave up four runs over six innings in a no decision at Florida on Friday.

The 25-year-old Bonser has faced Toronto one time previously and was handed a loss last August at the Metrodome. He yielded three runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings in that game.

Toronto’s Josh Towers has also struggled as of late. The control specialist, who gets the call for the Jays tonight, has two losses and a no decision since being re-inserted in the rotation earlier this month.

Towers lasted only four innings against Colorado on Friday and was rocked for five runs on 11 hits. He did not factor in the decision of a 9-8 Toronto win.

The right-hander has made three career starts versus Minnesota and owns a 1-2 record with a 6.32 ERA.

On the injury front, reigning American League MVP Justin Morneau is expected to sit out his fifth consecutive game for the Twins tonight. The star first baseman spent some time in a Miami hospital after suffering a bruised lung in a home plate collision against the Marlins on Friday.

Minnesota took two of three from the Blue Jays earlier in the season and is 13-11 in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign.

HOUSTON ASTROS (32-45) AT MILWAUKEE BREWERS (45-32), 2:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Houston - Woody Williams (3-10, 5.75) Milwaukee - Jeff Suppan (8-7, 4.90)

The Milwaukee Brewers will attempt to sweep a three-game set against the Houston Astros for the first time in club history when the two teams conclude their series this afternoon at Miller Park.

The Brewers, former residents of the American League, have never swept a series longer than two games against Houston. However, they have taken the first two games of this current series by a 17-6 margin that includes a six- run victory on Tuesday.

Johnny Estrada belted his first-career grand slam and Ryan Braun added a two- run homer to lift Milwaukee to an 11-5 win last night.

Tony Graffanino added a two-run homer for the NL Central-leading Brewers, who have won 11 of 13 since they were the victims of a no-hitter by Detroit’s Justin Verlander on June 12. Corey Hart notched two hits and extended his hitting streak to 13 games in the win.

Milwaukee starting pitcher Claudio Vargas allowed four runs on five hits with six strikeouts in five innings of work, while Matt Wise (2-1) picked up the win with one scoreless inning of relief.

The victory improved the Brewers to 7-1 on a nine-game homestand that wraps today. The club will next play 10 in a row on the road, beginning in Chicago on Friday.

Luke Scott hit two home runs for the slumping Astros, who have dropped two straight and five of their last six games. Carlos Lee drilled a two-run homer — his second in a row against his former club — and Brad Ausmus added a solo blast in the losing effort.

Craig Biggio finished 1-for-4 and now has 2,997 career hits. He is not expected to start today’s game, though, meaning he will most likely reach the milestone of 3,000 hits during Houston’s upcoming 11-game homestand.

Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez (4-7) surrendered two runs through the first five innings but ran into major trouble in the sixth and suffered the loss. He was charged with six runs on seven hits with five strikeouts through five- plus innings.

Houston will send Woody Williams, who is just 1-3 in his last four starts, to the hill this afternoon. He fell to 3-10 on the year on Friday versus Texas after getting tagged for five runs on seven hits and four walks in four innings of work. Williams’ earned run average rose to 5.75 in the defeat.

The right-hander has faced Milwaukee 28 times in his career, including 19 starts, and is 12-6 with a 3.05 ERA in that span. He faced the Brewers once this year and took the loss at home on April 29.

Jeff Suppan will start today for Milwaukee and is coming off a win last time out. Suppan allowed five runs on nine hits in just five innings, but saw his team put some runs on the board in an 11-6 victory. The win improved the right-hander to 8-7 with a 4.90 ERA on the year.

Suppan is 2-6 with a 4.72 ERA in 11 career appearances (10 starts) against the Astros for his career.

Milwaukee is 6-2 against Houston so far this season, including a 4-1 mark at home. The Astros, though, went 20-10 against the Brewers over the previous two years.

COLORADO ROCKIES (38-39) AT CHICAGO CUBS (37-39), 2:20 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Colorado - Jason Hirsh (3-6, 5.06) Chicago - Carlos Zambrano (8-6, 4.27)

Carlos Zambrano has the fight back in him and will try to lead the Chicago Cubs to a sweep of the Colorado Rockies in this afternoon’s conclusion of a three-game set from Wrigley Field.

Since his dugout fight on June 1 with the since-jettisoned Michael Barrett, Zambrano has gone 3-1 with a 1.14 earned run average in four starts. He has yielded just five runs (four earned) over that span.

Zambrano has been particularly solid over his last two outings. In a tough- luck loss on June 16 versus San Diego, the 26-year-old allowed just one run and two hits in nine innings, although he walked five batters in the 1-0 setback. Then on Friday against the White Sox, the righty scattered a run and three hits over eight frames of a 5-1 victory. He registered 12 strikeouts as well to improve to 8-6 with a 4.27 ERA on the year.

The Venezuelan has a 3.14 ERA in seven career starts against the Rockies, but is just 1-4 against them.

Colorado will try to avoid being swept by the Cubs in Chicago for the first time since the Cubs took all four games of a set in July of 1993. It will be up to Jason Hirsh, who is coming off back-to-back no-decisions.

Hirsh allowed five runs in 4 1/3 frames in Tampa Bay on June 16 and was then hammered for five runs on five hits and three walks on Friday against Toronto, a contest his club lost 9-8.

The right-hander is 3-6 with a 5.06 ERA on the season and has never faced the Cubs in his young career.

The Cubs are currently on a season high-tying five-game winning streak and are looking for back-to-back sweeps. The club won all three meetings with the crosstown rival White Sox over the weekend before taking the first two contests of this set.

In this series’ second game on Tuesday, Cliff Floyd hit a two-run homer and Koyie Hill highlighted a four-run fifth inning with a two-RBI double in Chicago’s 8-5 victory.

Alfonso Soriano went 2-for-5 with two runs scored for the Cubs, who still trail Milwaukee by 7 1/2 games for first place in the NL Central. Chicago will host the Brewers for three games starting on Friday.

Chicago starter Ted Lilly (6-4) got the win despite a shaky start. The left- hander allowed four runs on six hits, while walking five and striking out five, over six innings.

Jamey Carroll went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBI for the Rockies, who have dropped five in a row to start their 10-game road trip. They were swept by Toronto over the weekend.

Willy Taveras also had three hits for Colorado, which has not won since ending its most recent homestand by sweeping a three-game set against the New York Yankees.

Colorado starter Rodrigo Lopez (4-1) was hit with his first loss with the club, surrendering eight runs on nine hits with four walks over 4 2/3 innings.

The Rockies won four of their six meetings with the Cubs last year, including a 2-1 mark at Wrigley Field.

SAN DIEGO PADRES (43-33) AT SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (33-43), 3:35 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: San Diego - Greg Maddux (6-4, 3.84) San Francisco - Matt Cain (2-8, 3.46)

Matt Cain hopes to put an end to a frustrating winless streak when the young righty takes the mound this afternoon for the San Francisco Giants in the finale of a three-game series with the San Diego Padres.

Cain is winless in seven starts since defeating Colorado on May 13, although he certainly hasn’t pitched badly over that stretch. The 22-year-old has surrendered three or less runs in five of those outings, while the Giants have mustered a total of just 13 runs during his lengthy drought.

The former first-round pick has five losses and two no decisions since that last victory.

After yielding only two runs over 15 innings in a pair of tough-luck losses to Oakland and Boston, Cain wasn’t as sharp against the New York Yankees on Friday. He was touched for five runs and walked four in five innings of work in San Francisco’s 7-3 defeat.

Cain faced the Padres twice in April and received a loss and a no decision against the club, despite allowing only four runs over 13 innings of work. He does own a 3-1 record with an impressive 1.96 earned run average versus San Diego, however.

The promising youngster will be opposed today by the legendary Greg Maddux, who will be taking aim at career win No. 340. The future Hall of Famer pitched well in a loss to Boston on Friday, holding the Red Sox to two runs over six innings of his team’s 2-1 setback.

Maddux will be making his 48th career start against San Francisco and is 27-14 with a 2.90 ERA lifetime versus the Giants. He defeated San Francisco with six shutout innings at Petco Park on April 11.

The first two contests of this series have been decided in extra innings, with the Giants winning Monday’s opener in extra frames and the Padres coming through with a 3-2, 10-inning triumph on Tuesday. Kevin Kouzmanoff’s solo home run in the top of the 10th accounted for the winning margin.

Trevor Hoffman preserved the lead and picked up his 500th save as a Padre with a scoreless bottom of the 10th. Starter David Wells tossed six innings of one- run ball in the no decision.

Mike Cameron and Khalil Greene also homered for the Padres, who won for just the second time in their last seven games and remain one-half game behind Los Angeles for first place in the NL West.

San Francisco’s Barry Zito pitched eight solid innings, allowing two runs on six hits. Randy Messenger (1-2) took the loss after allowing Kouzmanoff’s blast.

Dave Roberts had three hits and knocked in a run for the Giants, who had a three-game win streak end. Barry Bonds went 1-for-2 with three walks and remains at 749 career homers, six shy of Hank Aaron’s all-time mark.

Bonds is not expected to be in the starting lineup this afternoon, as the slugger normally receives a scheduled day off in day games that follow ones at night.

The Giants are 3-5 against the Padres this season, but have won 15 of the last 21 matchups in the series.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (32-44) AT FLORIDA MARLINS (36-41), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Pittsburgh - John Van Benschoten (0-2, 4.22) Florida - Sergio Mitre (2-3, 2.34)

The Pittsburgh Pirates ended a five-game slide and will aim for back-to-back wins this evening when they continue their three-game series against the Florida Marlins at Dolphin Stadium.

The Pirates posted a 3-2 victory in last night’s series opener, as starting pitcher Paul Maholm was solid through 7 2/3 innings, allowing a pair of runs and three hits with five K?s and one walk to collect the win. Matt Capps came on in the ninth to record his sixth save of 2007.

Jack Wilson homered and finished with two RBI in the winning effort, while Rajai Davis knocked in a run for the Bucos, who have three wins over their last eight contests.

Pittsburgh will send John Van Benschoten to the hill today and he is 0-2 with a 4.22 ERA in two starts this season. Van Benschoten last toed the rubber on June 21 at Seattle and gave up three runs in six innings of a 3-0 setback.

The right-hander will try to reverse his fortunes tonight against a Florida team he has never faced in his career.

The Marlins, meanwhile, didn’t get the kind of performance they expected from starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis last night. Willis was roughed up for three runs and seven hits over seven innings of work.

Dan Uggla homered for Florida, which has lost three straight and sits seven games off the lead in the National League East division.

Sergio Mitre will try to get the Marlins back on track tonight and owns a 2-3 mark with a 2.34 ERA in 12 starts this season. Mitre is 2-1 over his last seven starts and did not record a decision the last time out on June 20 at the Chicago White Sox.

Mitre gave up two runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 frames in a 5-4 win over Chicago. In seven career games (five starts) against the Pirates, the righty is 2-1 with a 3.13 earned run average.

Pittsburgh is 3-2 against Florida this season. The clubs split a four-game series earlier in the year from May 14 - 17 at PNC Park. The Marlins went 5-2 against the Pirates last season with a 3-1 record at Dolphin Stadium. CINCINNATI REDS (29-48) AT PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (40-36), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Cincinnati - Aaron Harang (8-2, 3.59) Philadelphia - Jamie Moyer (7-5, 4.12)

The Philadelphia Phillies managed to steal home on Tuesday against the Reds. The club will try to steal a third straight victory tonight in the second contest of a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park.

Carlos Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a career-high four RBI and crossed home plate as part of a double steal in the second inning to help guide the Phillies past the Reds, 11-4, in Tuesday’s series opener.

Chase Utley was 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI, while Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard also went deep for Philadelphia. Starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick (2-0) rebounded from a spotty first inning to hold the Reds to six hits and four runs over six-plus innings, fanning three and walking three.

Philadelphia moved to within 2 1/2 games of the first-place New York Mets in the NL East with last night’s win.

Jamie Moyer will start tonight for the Phillies and will be facing the Reds for the first time in over 16 years. He last pitched against Cincinnati on May 14, 1991 while with St. Louis and took the loss. Lifetime, Moyer is 1-3 with a 5.73 earned run average in six games (five starts) against the Reds.

The veteran left-hander has won his last two starts to improve to 7-5 with a 4.13 ERA on the year. He bested Detroit behind seven innings of two-run ball on June 16, then threw six shutout innings in a victory over the Cardinals on Friday.

The Reds will push back tonight’s original starter, Matt Belisle, in favor of sending Aaron Harang to the hill instead.

Harang has won two straight starts and is 3-0 over his last six outings. Cincinnati’s ace was solid against Seattle on Friday, giving up just one unearned run on two hits and two walks while recording seven strikeouts in eight innings of a 16-1 blowout.

The right-hander, who is 8-2 with a 3.59 ERA on the year, has faced the Phillies five times in his career — four of those starts — and is 1-1 with a high 7.36 ERA.

Reds rookie Homer Bailey (2-1) took his first career loss on Tuesday, lasting only 1 2/3 innings in which he was rocked for six hits and six runs with three walks.

Josh Hamilton and Adam Dunn both homered for the Reds, who have lost three in a row and nine of 12.

The loss dropped the Reds to 2-5 on a nine-game road trip. The club also holds the worst record in baseball at 29-48.

Philly won two of three games against Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park earlier this season and is 11-6 over its past 17 meetings with the Reds. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (34-40) AT NEW YORK METS (42-33), 7:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: St. Louis - Anthony Reyes (0-9, 6.64) New York - Tom Glavine (6-5, 4.38)

Tom Glavine looks for win No. 297 tonight, when the New York Mets host the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of a four-game set at Shea Stadium.

The 41-year-old lefty ended a five-start winless skid in his last outing, allowing six hits and a run in eight innings in a 9-1 defeat of Oakland on Friday.

The former Atlanta Braves ace has made a career of beating the Cardinals, having gone 19-6 with a 3.55 earned run average in 36 lifetime starts.

Glavine was 15-7 last season with a 3.82 ERA in 198 innings.

On the flip side, St. Louis righty Anthony Reyes looks for his first regular- season win since last September when he takes the mound tonight.

The 25-year-old Californian is 0-10 with four no decisions since, although he did defeat Detroit during the Cardinals’ run to the World Series championship last fall.

In his most recent outing, Reyes allowed nine hits and five runs in 4 1/3 innings of a 6-0 loss to Philadelphia on Friday.

Reyes has never faced the Mets in the regular season. He got a no decision against them during the NLCS last October, allowing three hits and two runs in four innings of a 12-5 Cardinals’ loss.

On Tuesday, Brendan Ryan’s homer sparked a two-run 11th inning as the Cardinals beat the Mets for the first time in five games this season with a 5-3 decision.

Ryan ended 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored for St. Louis, which blew a two-run lead only to recover and end a two-game slide and even this four- game set.

Scott Spiezio and Juan Encarnacion each added two hits, an RBI and a run scored for the Cardinals, who had dropped their first four games of the year to New York. St. Louis was swept at Busch Stadium to start the season and dropped the opener of this series, 2-1, in 11 innings on Monday.

Brad Thompson (6-3) got the win with 1 1/3 innings of relief, while Randy Flores recorded the final two outs for his first save of the year.

New York had won seven straight and eight of the last 10 regular-season matchups between the clubs prior to Tuesday’s loss. WASHINGTON NATIONALS (32-45) AT ATLANTA BRAVES (40-38), 7:35 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Washington - Micah Bowie (4-2, 3.63) Atlanta - John Smoltz (8-4, 3.14)

The Atlanta Braves take aim at a much-needed sweep of the Washington Nationals when the National League East rivals conclude a three- game series tonight at Turner Field.

Atlanta entered this set mired in a season-high five-game losing streak in which the club was shut out four times, but has appeared to turn things around at the expense of the cellar-dwelling Nationals. After posting a 4-1 win in Monday’s opener, the Braves downed Washington by a 6-2 count last night.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was the offensive star for Atlanta, as the rookie collected his first career two-homer game. Andruw Jones added a key three-run shot in the fifth inning, while starting pitcher Buddy Carlyle tossed seven quality frames.

Carlyle (2-2) yielded just five hits and one run while walking one and striking out six.

Dmitri Young went 2-for-3 and Ryan Langerhans and Ryan Church each drove in a run for the Nationals, who have lost six of eight.

Washington starter Mike Bacsik (1-5) went six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits.

Atlanta, which began today’s play 3 1/2 games back of the first-place New York Mets in the NL East, sends out ace John Smoltz in tonight’s finale. The veteran righty will be attempting to shake off a subpar performance on Friday, when Smoltz was tagged for five runs over six innings in a loss to Detroit.

Smoltz had been on an outstanding run prior to that outing, having yielded two runs or less in eight of his nine previous starts.

The 40-year-old has already faced Washington three times this year and has a 1-2 record in those games despite having allowed only six runs in 20 2/3 innings of work (a 2.61 ERA). In 64 career appearances, including 37 starts, against the Nationals, Smoltz is 18-11 with a 2.68 earned run average and 17 saves.

Washington counters with the surprising Micah Bowie, who has posted a 5-0 record and a 3.60 ERA since moving from the bullpen and into the rotation in mid-May. The Nationals have won every won of his seven starts so far this season.

Bowie pitched well again on Friday but didn’t last long enough to get credit for the victory in Washington’s 4-1 decision over Cleveland. He limited the Indians to one run and fanned seven over 4 1/3 innings, but was removed after building up a count of 104 pitches.

The 32-year-old was drafted by Atlanta in the eighth round of the 1993 draft and made his major league debut with the Braves in 1999. He has made four previous relief appearances against his former team and has no record and a 2.08 ERA over 4 1/3 innings.

Atlanta owns a 6-5 edge in this year’s season series and has taken four of its five matchups with Washington at home. The Braves are 41-26 against the Nationals since the start of the 2004 campaign.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (44-33) AT ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (44-34), 9:40 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Los Angeles - Derek Lowe (8-6, 3.14) Arizona - Brandon Webb (7-5, 3.24)

The Los Angeles Dodgers are back in first place in the National League West and will try to stay there when they play the third test of a key four-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight at Chase Field.

The Diamondbacks entered this series with a 1 1/2-game lead over the third- place Dodgers and were a game up on San Diego for the top spot in the standings. However, the club has lost the first two games of this series to fall a half-game back of the Dodgers.

Los Angeles needed an extra inning to claim victory on Tuesday, as Tony Abreu came through with a pinch-hit solo homer in the 10th inning to give the Dodgers a 6-5 victory.

James Loney homered and finished with three RBI for the Dodgers. He is now batting .471 on the season, and his hot bat has prompted LA to move former starting first baseman Nomar Garciaparra to third. Garciaparra played there last night and went 0-for-5.

Chad Billingsley started on the hill for the Dodgers and allowed five runs on four hits in four innings of work. He also added two RBI at the plate. Jonathan Broxton (3-2) earned the win, while Takashi Saito posted his 21st save of the season.

Eric Byrnes, Chris Young and Mark Reynolds all homered for the Diamondbacks, who fell to 1-6 against the Dodgers this season and 2-10 in the last 12 overall meetings between the clubs.

Arizona starter Edgar Gonzalez tossed four frames and yielded five runs on six hits. Doug Slaten (3-1) allowed the go-ahead homer to take the loss.

The Diamondbacks rotation should be getting a boost soon, as the club announced veteran Randy Johnson will come of the disabled list to start Thursday’s series finale. He had been out with an ailing back.

However, the Dodgers have to get past Brandon Webb first. The right-hander will be trying to shake off a recent tough stretch for Arizona that has seen the right-hander loss two of his last three starts (1-2).

Webb and the Diamondbacks were bested by Baltimore on Friday, with the 28- year-old allowing seven runs on six hits and two walks. Just three of those runs were earned.

Last year’s National League Cy Young Award winner is now 7-5 with a 3.24 earned run average on the year. In 11 career starts versus the Dodgers, Webb is 6-3 with a 3.39 ERA.

Dodgers starter Derek Lowe will aim to improve on his 8-6 mark with tonight’s outing. Lowe is 4-1 over his last five starts and picked up a win on Friday at Tampa Bay. The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 6-3 win.

Lowe is 2-4 with a 5.11 ERA in nine career starts against the Diamondbacks.

MLB 06/27/2007 2:05 PM EDT 951 houston astros (r) williams, w 9.5u15 9.5o15 952 milwaukee brewers (r) suppan, j -165 / -160 -158

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Time of Play Game Date Game # Team 9:52:29am 2007-06-27 968 DET -210 8:36:24am 2007-06-27 956 SFO -110 7:57:18am 2007-06-27 970 LAA -240 7:43:44am 2007-06-27 971 BOS -185

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2:20 PM EDT 953 colorado rockies (r) hirsh, j 954 chicago cubs (r) zambrano, c -210/-205/-182/-176 WGN

3:35 PM EDT 955 san diego padres (r) maddux, g 8o20 8o20 8 956 san francisco giants(r) cain, m -125/-120/-115

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7:05 PM EDT 957 pittsburgh pirates (r) van benschoten, j 9.5u15 9.5u20 958 florida marlins (r) mitre, s -180 -170

7:05 PM EDT 959 cincinnati reds (r) harang, a 9.5u20/9.5u15/9.5u20 960 philadelphia phillies(l) moyer, j -135/-140/-135/-140/-138

7:10 PM EDT 961 st. louis cardinals undecided 9o15 9o15 962 new york mets (l) glavine, t -170 -170 ESPN

7:35 PM EDT 963 washington nationals (l) bowie, m 8.5 8 964 atlanta braves (r) smoltz, j -250/-230/-220

9:40 PM EDT 965 los angeles dodgers (r) lowe, d 7.5o20/7.5u15/7.5u20 966 arizona diamondbacks (r) webb, b -125 -126

1:05 PM EDT 967 texas rangers (r) millwood, k 9.5 9.5o15 968 detroit tigers (l) rogers, k -200/-195/-210/-200

3:35 PM EDT 969 kansas city royals (l) de la rosa, j 9/9o15/9 970 los angeles angels (r) weaver, jer -260/-270/-240

4:35 PM EDT 971 boston red sox (r) matsuzaka, d -185/-178/-179 972 seattle mariners (l) feierabend, r 9 9o20

7:05 PM EDT 973 new york yankees (r) clemens, r -145/-133/-127/-128/-130 974 baltimore orioles (l) bedard, e 8.5o20 8.5o15

7:05 PM EDT 975 oakland athletics (l) dinardo, l 9.5u20 9.5u25 976 cleveland indians (r) carmona, f -170/-166/-168

7:10 PM EDT 977 chicago white sox (l) buehrle, m -115/-103/-115/-116/-115 978 tampa bay devil rays(r) sonnanstine, a 9.5u20 9.5u30 CHI WHITE SOX - OF Jermaine Dye (quad) missed last few games, doubtful. Dye tested his sore right quadriceps with some pregame running on Tuesday, and manager Guillen expects Dye to be back in the starting lineup this weekend in Kansas City. “Maybe after today’s session, if we need it, hopefully we can use him,” Guillen said. “I don’t want to use him unless it’s a tough situation or something happens where I really have to use him. All of a sudden, it can get worse.” After talking with White Sox athletic trainer Herm Schneider, Guillen was told that Dye will put the injury to a little more in-depth on-field test on Wednesday.

8:10 PM EDT 979 toronto blue jays (r) towers, j 9.5u20/9.5u15 980 minnesota twins (r) bonser, b -145/-135/-136/-138

MINNESOTA - 1B Justin Morneau (lung) missed last few games, expected to miss. Morneau was back on the Twins bench Tuesday night, but it still will be a few more days before he returns to the playing field. Morneau met with the team’s doctors just before Tuesday night’s game and they went over the tests Morneau had done earlier that morning. After the game, it was determined that Morneau would see more doctors on Wednesday in order to set up a further course of action for Morneau. The contusion on his right lung was still visible on a CT scan, Morneau said, but the doctors told him that it showed improvement from the initial injury.

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WNBA

GAME #601-602

CONNECTICUT - F Nykesha Sales (ankle) is expected to miss the next 2 games.

DETROIT - F Cheryl Ford (ankle0 missed last game, Wednesday vs Connecticut.

WNBA Line From: Jun 27 - 09:15 AM Date # Team Spread Total M Line WNBA - Jun 27 WNBA - WEDNESDAY Jun 27 601 CONNECTICUT SUN +10½-110 o150½-110 7:30 PM 602 DETROIT SHOCK -10½-110 u150½-110 Jun 27 603 SAC MONARCHS -4-110 o141-110 10:30 PM 604 LA SPARKS +4-110 u141-110

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Line From: Jun 27 - 09:15 AM Date # Team Pitcher M Line Total Run Line MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL - Jun 27 NATIONAL LEAGUE - WEDNESDAY Jun 27 951 HOU W WILLIAMS-R +145 o9½-110 +1½-145 2:05 PM 952 MIL J SUPPAN -R -165 u9½-110 -1½+125 Jun 27 953 COL J HIRSH -R +160 +1½-130 2:20 PM 954 CUB C ZAMBRANO-R -180 -1½+110 Jun 27 955 SDG G MADDUX -R EV o8-110 +1½-220 3:35 PM 956 SFO M CAIN -R -120 u8-110 -1½+180 Jun 27 957 PIT VAN BENSCN-R +160 o9-130 +1½-130 7:05 PM 958 FLA S MITRE -R -180 u9+110 -1½+110 Jun 27 959 CIN A HARANG -R +120 o9½EV +1½-170 7:05 PM 960 PHI J MOYER -L -140 u9½-120 -1½+150 Jun 27 961 STL AN REYES -R 7:10 PM 962 NYM T GLAVINE -L Jun 27 963 WAS M BOWIE -L +210 o8-110 +1½EV 7:35 PM 964 ATL J SMOLTZ -R -250 u8-110 -1½-120 Jun 27 965 LOS D LOWE -R +105 o7½-105 +1½-220 9:40 PM 966 ARI B WEBB -R -125 u7½-115 -1½+180 AMERICAN LEAGUE - WEDNESDAY Jun 27 967 TEX K MILLWOOD-R +170 o9½-110 +1½-115 1:05 PM 968 DET K ROGERS -L -200 u9½-110 -1½-105 Jun 27 969 KAN DE LA ROSA-L +220 o9-110 +1½+105 3:35 PM 970 LAA JER WEAVER-R -260 u9-110 -1½-125 Jun 27 971 BOS D MATSUZAK-R -185 o9-120 -1½-120 4:35 PM 972 SEA FEIERABEND-L +165 u9EV +1½EV Jun 27 973 NYY R CLEMENS -R -140 o8½-110 -1½+115 7:05 PM 974 BAL E BEDARD -L +120 u8½-110 +1½-135 Jun 27 975 OAK L DINARDO -L +150 o9½EV +1½-140 7:05 PM 976 CLE F CARMONA -R -170 u9½-120 -1½+120 Jun 27 977 CWS M BUEHRLE -L -115 o9½EV -1½+145 7:10 PM 978 TAM SONNANSTIN-R -105 u9½-120 +1½-165 Jun 27 979 TOR J TOWERS -R +125 o9½EV +1½-165 8:10 PM 980 MIN B BONSER -R -145 u9½-120 -1½+145 GRAND SALAMI NO LISTED PITCHERS - ALL GAMES MUST GO 8.5 INNINGS Jun 27 991 AWAY RUNS 1:05 PM 992 HOME RUNS Jun 27 993 OVER RUNS 1:05 PM 994 UNDER RUNS

BUICK OPEN - *ODDS TO WIN* Line From: Jun 27 - 09:15 AM Cut Off # Description Odds BUICK OPEN - *ODDS TO WIN* - Jun 28 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM ODDS TO WIN THE BUICK OPEN 401 JIM FURYK +500 402 SCOTT VERPLANK +1500 403 SEAN OHAIR +1000 404 ROBERT ALLENBY +2500 405 TREVOR IMMELMAN +2000 406 KENNY PERRY +1500 407 FRED FUNK +3000 408 JJ HENRY +2000 409 FREDRIK JACOBSON +3000 410 RYAN MOORE +3000 411 ROD PAMPLING +2500 412 BO VAN PELT +2500 413 WOODY AUSTIN +4000 414 CHRIS DIMARCO +3500 415 TOM LEHMAN +3500 416 TOM PERNICE JR +4000 417 HEATH SLOCUM +3500 418 BRANDT SNEDEKER +4500 419 BRIAN GAY +4000 420 LUCAS GLOVER +1500 421 CHARLES HOWELL III +3000 422 RYUJI IMADA +5000 423 OLIN BROWNE +5500 424 PETER LONARD +5000 425 JOE OGILVIE +4500 426 JOHN ROLLINS +4000 427 JAY WILLIAMSON +5000 428 KEN DUKE +5500 429 RICHARD S JOHNSON +6000 430 JOHN SENDEN +5500 431 DANIEL CHOPRA +7000 432 STEPHEN MARINO +6500 433 PABLO MARTIN +6500 434 ROCCO MEDIATE +6500 435 KEVIN NA +7000 436 BOB TWAY +7000 437 CHARLES WARREN +7000 438 BILLY MAYFAIR +7000 439 BOB ESTES +7500 440 HARRISON FRAZAR +9000 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL RYAN MOORE MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -250 2 NO +180 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL BRIAN DAVIS MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -200 2 NO +150 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL LUCAS GLOVER MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -250 2 NO +180 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL PETER LONARD MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -200 2 NO +150 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL TOM PERNICE JR MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -225 2 NO +170 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL JOHN SENDEN MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -225 2 NO +170 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL FREDRIK JACOBSON MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -200 2 NO +150 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL DEAN WILSON MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -200 2 NO +150 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL CHRIS DIMARCO MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -250 2 NO +180 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL TREVOR IMMELMAN MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -300 2 NO +220 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL TOM LEHMAN MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -250 2 NO +180 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WILL ROBERT ALLENBY MAKE THE CUT 1 YES -300 2 NO +220 Jun 28 - 7:05 AM WHO WILL BE THE TOP EUROPEAN 731 FREDRIK JACOBSON +275 732 RICHARD S JOHNSON +500 733 DANIEL CHOPRA +550 734 PABLO MARTIN +550 735 BRIAN DAVIS +650 736 JESPER PARNEVIK +1000 737 ALEX CEJKA +1200 738 DARREN CLARKE +1200 739 MATHIAS GRONBERG +1600 740 GREG OWEN +1800

BUICK OPEN - *TOURNAMENT MATCHUPS* Line From: Jun 27 - 09:15 AM Date # Team M Line Total Spread BUICK OPEN - *TOURNAMENT MATCHUPS* - Jun 28 UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, ALL MATCHUPS ARE FOR THE ENTIRE TOURNAMENT. Jun 28 501 J FURYK -215 7:05 PM 502 S VERPLANK +175 Jun 28 503 T IMMELMAN -115 7:05 PM 504 R ALLENBY -115 Jun 28 505 C DIMARCO -115 7:05 PM 506 H SLOCUM -115 Jun 28 507 C HOWELL III -115 7:05 PM 508 J ROLLINS -115 Jun 28 509 F FUNK -120 7:05 PM 510 T LEHMAN -110 Jun 28 511 R PAMPLING -120 7:05 PM 512 JJ Henry -110 Jun 28 513 S O’HAIR -155 7:05 PM 514 L GLOVER +125 Jun 28 515 K PERRY -185 7:05 PM 516 R MEDIATE +155 Jun 28 517 K DUKE -155 7:05 PM 518 J QUINNEY +125 Jun 28 519 W AUSTIN -140 7:05 PM 520 P LONARD +110 Jun 28 521 B MAYFAIR -140 7:05 PM 522 T PURDY +110 Jun 28 523 R MOORE -170 7:05 PM 524 M KUCHAR +140 Jun 28 525 S MARINO -115 7:05 PM 526 C WARREN -115 Jun 28 527 V TAYLOR 7:05 PM 528 J SENDEN Jun 28 529 T PERNICE JR -165 7:05 PM 530 B QUIGLEY +135 Jun 28 531 J LEONARD -130 7:05 PM 532 S MARUYAMA EV Jun 28 533 J SLUMAN -165 7:05 PM 534 D CLARKE +135 Jun 28 535 JB Holmes +145 7:05 PM 536 W AUSTIN -175 Jun 28 537 L JANZEN +110 7:05 PM 538 B TWAY -140 Jun 28 539 B WETTERICH 7:05 PM 540 C HOFFMAN Jun 28 541 R IMADA -135 7:05 PM 542 B DAVIS +105 Jun 28 543 D CLARKE -105 7:05 PM 544 J SINDELAR -125 Jun 28 545 B GAY -115 7:05 PM 546 S MARINO -115 Jun 28 547 W AUSTIN -120 7:05 PM 548 T PERNICE JR -110 Jun 28 549 C HOWELL III +135 7:05 PM 550 K PERRY -165

BUSCH SERIES CAMPING WORLD 2000 Line From: Jun 27 - 09:15 AM Cut Off # Description Odds BUSCH SERIES CAMPING WORLD 2000 - Jun 29 Jun 29 - 10:00 AM DRIVER TO WIN THE CAMPING WORLD 200 901 CARL EDWARDS +450 902 MATT KENSETH +450 903 KEVIN HARVICK +500 904 DENNY HAMLIN +600 905 TONY STEWART +700 906 CLINT BOWYER +900 907 CASEY MEARS +1000 908 SCOTT WIMMER +1200 909 JUAN MONTOYA +2000 910 GREG BIFFLE +2500 911 BOBBY LABONTE +3000 912 REED SORRENSON +3000 913 SCOTT RIGGS +3000 914 DAVID REUTIMANN +3500 915 JASON LEFFLER +3500 916 DAVE BLANEY +4000 917 STEPHEN LEICHT +4000 918 FIELD +500

TRUCK SERIES OREILLY Line From: Jun 27 - 09:15 AM Cut Off # Description Odds TRUCK SERIES OREILLY - Jun 29 Jun 29 - 6:00 PM DRIVER TO WIN THE OREILLY 200 1101 RON HORNADAY +450 1102 MIKE SKINNER +500 1103 TODD BODINE +500 1104 JOHNNY BENSON +600 1105 TRAVIS KVAPIL +600 1106 JACK SPRAGUE +600 1107 ERIK DARNELL +1000 1108 RICK CRAWFORD +1200 1109 ARIC AMAROLA +1200 1110 TED MUSGRAVE +1500 1111 MATT CRAFTON +2000 1112 DENNIS SETZER +2500 1113 BRENDAN GAUGHAN +3500 1114 DAVID STARR +4000 1115 TERRY COOK +4000 1116 FIELD +1000

LENNOX INDUSTRIAL TOOLS 300 - *ODDS TO WIN* Line From: Jun 27 - 09:15 AM Cut Off # Description Odds LENNOX INDUSTRIAL TOOLS 300 - *ODDS TO WIN* - Jun 29 Jun 29 - 11:00 AM DRIVER TO WIN THE LENNOX INDUSTRIAL TOOLS 300 1 COMING UP SOON

2007 NEXTEL CUP CHAMPIONSHIP Line From: Jun 27 - 09:15 AM Cut Off # Description Odds 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 - *QUALIFYING MATCHUPS Line From: Jun 27 - 09:15 AM Date # Team M Line Total Spread LENNOX INDUSTRIAL TOOLS 300 - *QUALIFYING MATCHUPS - Jun 29 Jun 29 1 COMING UP SOON 11:00 AM 2 COMING UP SOON

LENNOX INDUSTRIAL TOOLS 300 - *MATCHUPS* Line From: Jun 27 - 09:15 AM Date # Team M Line Total Spread LENNOX INDUSTRIAL TOOLS 300 - *MATCHUPS* - Jul 01 Jul 01 3 COMING UP SOON 2:30 PM 4 COMING UP SOON

(Tuesday, June 26th)

Final Score: Cleveland 8, Oakland 5

Cleveland, OH - Kelly Shoppach’s pinch-hit, game-winning two- run homer capped a five-run ninth inning, as the Cleveland Indians rallied for an 8-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Jacobs Field. Travis Hafner drove in three runs for the Indians, who trailed 5-3 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning but pleased the home crowd with their second straight win in this four-game series after a 5-2 victory in Monday’s opener. Grady Sizemore scored three runs in the win. Mark Ellis homered and finished with three RBI for Oakland, which lost its fifth consecutive game. Jack Cust and Shannon Stewart also homered in the losing effort. Oakland’s temporary closer Alan Embree (1-1) took the mound for the bottom of the ninth inning with a 5-3 lead. Sizemore and Victor Martinez both walked and with two outs, Hafner lined a double into the gap in right-center field that tied the score. Jhonny Peralta was then intentionally walked before Shoppach sent a towering fly ball over the wall in left field and the Indians celebrated at home plate. Rafael Betancourt (1-0) picked up the win. He allowed one run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning of relief. Cliff Lee started on the mound for Cleveland and allowed three runs on six hits through six innings. Final Score: Texas 9, Detroit 6

Detroit, MI - Craig Monroe and Magglio Ordonez’s misadventures in the field allowed Texas to pull out a 9-6 victory over Detroit in the middle contest of a three-game set at Comerica Park. Todd Jones (1-4) retired the first two batters in the ninth, keeping the momentum from Detroit’s three-run eighth that tied the game. However, Michael Young walked and Sammy Sosa singled to set the stage for Marlon Byrd. Sosa finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Sean Casey had three hits and drove home three in Detroit’s second straight loss after a seven- game winning streak. Despite giving up the three runs in the eighth, Akinori Otsuka (2-1) was credited with the victory. Eric Gagne allowed a pair of baserunners before recording his eighth save of the season.

Final Score: Chicago 6, Tampa Bay 1

St. Petersburg, FL - Andy Gonzalez hit his first career homer and drove in three runs to lead the Chicago White Sox past the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 6-1, in the second of a four-game set at Tropicana Field. Jim Thome also went deep while Jon Garland tossed seven-plus strong innings for the White Sox, who have won two in a row in response to a five-game slide. This is the first time Chicago has put together two straight wins since a three-game streak from May 20-22. Garland (5-5) allowed just the one run on five hits while striking out three and walking a pair. James Shields (6-3), meanwhile, was roughed up for five runs on nine hits over seven innings for Tampa Bay, which has dropped five of seven. He finished with 11 strikeouts, one shy of his career high. Greg Norton homered to account for all of Tampa’s offense. Final Score: Baltimore 3, New York 2

Baltimore, MD - Ramon Hernandez drew a bases loaded walk in the ninth inning to lead Baltimore to a 3-2 victory over New York in the opener of a three-game series at Camden Yards. Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking one. The win went to Chris Ray (4-5), who pitched a scoreless ninth. Corey Patterson finished 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Orioles, who have four wins in their last six games. Scott Proctor (1-5) absorbed the loss for New York after walking three and allowing one hit in the ninth. Veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte started for New York and gave up two runs on eight hits in seven innings. Johnny Damon belted a two-run homer for the Yankees, who have lost three straight. Final Score: Minnesota 2, Toronto 1 (12 innings)

Minneapolis, MN - Jeff Cirillo’s pinch-hit RBI bloop single in the 12th inning gave the Minnesota Twins a 2-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in the second of a four-game set. Michael Cuddyer scored both runs for Minnesota, which has won five of seven. Twins starter Scott Baker pitched seven-plus dazzling innings, striking out nine with only four hits, one run, and one walk. He was matched, however, by Toronto’s Shaun Marcum, who scattered six hits and one run over eight-plus innings, with two strikeouts and a walk. Juan Rincon (3-1) tossed a scoreless 12th for the win. Brian Tallet (2-2) gave up three hits, a walk, and a run in two-thirds of an inning for the Blue Jays, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. Toronto’s Frank Thomas was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, and remained stuck at 499 career home runs. Thomas is 0-for-7 with four punchouts in the first two games of this series, after blasting homer number 499 on Sunday against the Rockies.

Final Score: Kansas City 12, LA Angels of Anaheim 4

Anaheim, CA - Alex Gordon’s three-run homer put an exclamation point on a career-high four RBI night, as Kansas City trounced the Angels for the second straight night with a 12-4 victory at Angel Stadium. Joey Gathright finished 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. His night on the bases was more eventful, scoring twice, getting thrown out at the plate in the first and again being called out for tagging too early in the sixth. Gil Meche (5-6) continued his stellar 2007 campaign, surrendering three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and one walk over six frames. The Royals have won three straight. Ervin Santana (5-8) was hit hard in the loss, giving up seven runs — five earned — on nine hits with two walks during five-plus innings. Vladimir Guerrero had a pair of hits in defeat.

Final Score: Seattle 8, Boston 7

Seattle, WA - Richie Sexson’s two-run blast in the sixth broke the tie, and the Seattle Mariners held on for an 8-7 win over the Boston Red Sox in the second of a three-game set. Willie Bloomquist also homered for the Mariners, who have won four straight and six of seven following a six-game losing streak. Felix Hernandez, who ruined Daisuke Matsuzaka’s Boston debut on April 11 with a one-hitter, did not have similar success against the Red Sox this time around. Hernandez was ripped for 11 hits and six runs — five earned — in 5 2/3 innings. Eric O’Flaherty (5-0) got the win for recording one out in the sixth. Kason Gabbard, who was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket prior to the game to make the start, is likely heading back there soon after allowing four runs on six hits with six walks and one hit batter in only 3 1/3 innings. Javier Lopez (1-1) gave up three hits and two runs in 1 1/3 innings. Kevin Youkilis went 2-for-3 with three RBI, and Eric Hinske homered for the Red Sox, who have dropped two straight and three of four.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 3, Florida 2

Miami, FL - Jack Wilson homered and Paul Maholm threw 7 2/3 strong innings to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-2 win over the Florida Marlins in the opener of a three-game set at Dolphin Stadium. Maholm (4-10) scattered three hits and two runs while walking one and striking out five. Matt Capps pitched a perfect ninth for his sixth save. Wilson had two RBI and Rajai Davis one for the Pirates, who snapped a five-game losing streak. Dan Uggla homered for the Marlins, who finished with three hits. Willis (7-7) allowed three runs on seven hits for Florida, which has dropped three in a row.

Final Score: Philadelphia 11, Cincinnati 4

Philadelphia, PA - Carlos Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a career- high four RBI, and the Philadelphia Phillies pounded the Cincinnati Reds, 11- 4, in the opener of a three-game set. Chase Utley was 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI, and Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard also went yard for Philadelphia, which has won three of four. Kyle Kendrick (2-0) rebounded from a spotty first inning to hold the Reds to six hits and four runs over six-plus innings, fanning three and walking three. Homer Bailey (2-1) took his first career loss, lasting only 1 2/3 innings, in which he was rocked for six hits and six runs with three walks. Josh Hamilton and Adam Dunn both homered for the Reds, who have lost three in a row and nine of 12. Final Score: St. Louis 5, New York 3 (11 innings)

Flushing, NY - Brendan Ryan’s homer sparked a two-run 11th inning and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Mets for the first time in five games this season, 5-3. Ryan ended 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored for St. Louis, which blew a two-run lead only to recover and end a two-game slide, evening this four- game set at Shea Stadium at a game apiece. Scott Spiezio and Juan Encarnacion each added two hits, an RBI and a run scored for the Cardinals, who had dropped their first four games of the year to New York. St. Louis was swept at Busch Stadium to start the season and dropped the opener of this series 2-1 in 11 innings on Monday. Jose Valentin drove in the tying run with two outs in the ninth and Paul Lo Duca homered for the Mets, who had a four-game win streak halted. Carlos Beltran went 1-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases for New York, which fell to 5-3 on their current 10-game homestand. Scott Schoeneweis (0-2) suffered the loss, while Brad Thompson (6-3) got the win in 1 1/3 innings of work. Randy Flores recorded the final two outs for his first save.

Final Score: Atlanta 6, Washington 2

Atlanta, GA - Jarrod Saltalamacchia belted two homers and Andruw Jones one, while Buddy Carlyle threw seven solid innings to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 6-2 defeat of the Washington Nationals in the second of a three-game set at Turner Field. Carlyle (2-2) yielded just five hits and one run, while walking one and striking out six. Brian McCann went 3- for-4 for the Braves, who have won two in a row after a five-game losing streak that included four shutouts. Dmitri Young went 2-for-3 and Ryan Langerhans and Ryan Church each drove in a run for the Nationals, who have lost five of seven. Washington starter Mike Bacsik (1-5) went six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits.

Final Score: Chicago 8, Colorado 5

Chicago, IL - Cliff Floyd hit a two-run homer and Koyie Hill highlighted a four-run fifth inning with a two-run double, as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Colorado Rockies, 8-5, at Wrigley Field. Alfonso Soriano went 2- for-5 with two runs scored for the Cubs, who have won five in a row. Aramis Ramirez and Felix Pie also drove in a run apiece for Chicago, which won this game with a little more ease than the opener. Jamey Carroll went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBI for the Rockies, who have dropped five in a row to start their 10-game road trip. Willy Taveras also had three hits for Colorado, which has not won since ending its most recent homestand by sweeping a three-game set against the New York Yankees. Chicago starter Ted Lilly (6-4) got the win, despite a shaky start. The left-hander allowed four runs on six hits, walking five and striking out five, over six innings. Colorado starter Rodrigo Lopez (4-1) was hit with his first loss with the club, surrendering eight runs on nine hits with four walks over 4 2/3 innings. Final Score: Milwaukee 11, Houston 5

Milwaukee, WI - Johnny Estrada belted his first-career grand slam and Ryan Braun added a two-run homer, as the Milwaukee Brewers used a nine-run sixth inning to defeat the Houston Astros, 11-5, in the middle contest of a three-game set at Miller Park. Tony Graffanino added a two-run homer for NL Central-leading Brewers, who have now won 11 of 13 since they were the victims of a no-hitter by Detroit’s Justin Verlander on June 12. Corey Hart notched two hits and extended his hitting streak to 13 games in the win. Luke Scott hit two home runs for the slumping Astros, who have dropped two straight and five of their last six games overall. Carlos Lee drilled a two-run homer and Brad Ausmus added a solo blast in the losing effort. Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez surrendered two runs through the first five innings, but ran into major trouble in the sixth and suffered the loss. Rodriguez (4-7) was charged with six runs on seven hits with five strikeouts through five-plus innings. Final Score: San Diego 3, San Francisco 2 (10 innings)

San Francisco, CA - Kevin Kouzmanoff’s home run in the 10th inning guided the San Diego Padres to a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. With one out in the 10th, Kouzmanoff hammered a fastball off Randy Messenger to center and just over the wall and out of the reach of a leaping Dave Roberts. Trevor Hoffman then preserved the victory for the Padres, keeping San Francisco off the board in the bottom of the 10th for his 20th save of the season. David Wells started for San Diego and tossed six innings of one-run ball. The veteran lefty gave up six hits while striking out three and walking three. Cla Meredith (3-5) was credited with the victory after retiring the only batter he faced in the ninth. Mike Cameron and Khalil Greene each hit home runs for the Padres, who won for just the second time in their last seven games. San Francisco starter Barry Zito pitched eight solid innings, allowing two runs on six hits. Messenger (1-2) took the loss after allowing the homer to Kouzmanoff. Final Score: Los Angeles 6, Arizona 5 (10 innings)

Phoenix, AZ - Tony Abreu’s pinch-hit solo home run in the top of the 10th inning lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the continuation of a key four-game NL West series. James Loney homered and finished with three RBI for the Dodgers, who have captured the first two games of the set and moved into first place in the division, one-half game ahead of Arizona. Luis Gonzalez scored twice in the win. Eric Byrnes, Chris Young and Mark Reynolds all homered for the Diamondbacks, who fell to 1-6 against the Dodgers this season. With the score tied 5-5, Doug Slaten (3-1) took the mound to begin the 10th inning. Slaten got two quick outs, but served up a fastball to the pinch- hitter Abreu, who sent it over the wall in left field for a 6-5 lead. LA closer Takashi Saito needed only 11 pitches to complete his 1-2-3 outing in the bottom of the 10th, which secured the win for the visitors and earned Saito his 21st save of the campaign.