Monday, July 2nd (All times eastern)
MINNESOTA TWINS (42-38) AT NEW YORK YANKEES (37-41), 7:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Minnesota - Boof Bonser (5-4, 4.65) New York - Roger Clemens (1-3, 5.32)
Roger Clemens tries once again for win No. 350 of his illustrious career when the New York Yankees open a four-game series with the Minnesota Twins this evening at Yankee Stadium.
Clemens, who is trying to become the eighth pitcher to reach the milestone and the first since Warren Spahn did so on September 29, 1963, has been a bit of disappointment for the Yankees this season. In four starts and one relief appearance, Clemens is just 1-3 with a lackluster 5.32 earned run average.
The 44-year-old right-hander suffered the loss in his last start Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles, as he surrendered four runs and seven hits in six innings.
Clemens has faced the Twins 43 times in his remarkable career and is 23-13 with a 3.02 ERA against Minnesota.
The Yankees could certainly use a big start from the seven-time Cy Young award winner, as they enter this contest having dropped two straight and six of their last seven following an 11-5 drubbing at the hands of the Oakland Athletics Sunday in the Bronx.
Andy Phillips was 3-for-4 with two RBI while Bobby Abreu also drove in a pair of runs for the reeling Yankees, who have also lost nine of 11.
New York starter Andy Pettitte (4-6) was rocked for eight runs on nine hits in just 1 2/3 innings en route to the loss.
Despite its struggles this season, New York still placed three players on the AL All-Star roster. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez and shortstop Derek Jeter were chosen by fans to start the contest, while catcher Jorge Posada was named as a reserve.
Minnesota, meanwhile, had a three-game winning streak stopped on Sunday, as it dropped a 1-0 decision to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
Scott Baker (2-3) was the hard-luck loser, as he gave up just the one run and three hits in eight innings of work for the Twins, who fell for just the second time in their last six tries.
Heading to the hill tonight for the Twins will be right-hander Boof Bonser, who is 5-4 with a 4.65 ERA. Bonser was saddled with the loss on Wednesday against Toronto after giving up five runs and seven hits in six innings.
Bonser lost to the Yankees earlier this season in his only career start against them. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on six hits in 4 1/3 innings of that one.
The Twins had three players named to the All-Star game on Sunday. Pitcher Johan Santana was selected, while first baseman Justin Morneau and outfielder Torii Hunter were chosen as reserves.
The Yankees took two of three from the Twins earlier this season and hold a slight 8-7 edge in the series since the start of the 2005 campaign. Minnesota has also won just twice in its last six visits to the Bronx.
TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (33-47) AT CLEVELAND INDIANS (49-32), 7:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Tampa Bay - Andy Sonnanstine (1-2, 5.85) Cleveland - Fausto Carmona (8-4, 3.92)
Fausto Carmona tries to bounce back from the worst start of his career this evening as the Cleveland Indians try to complete a four-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Jacobs Field.
Carmona was hammered by the Oakland Athletics for eight runs and seven hits in just one inning on Wednesday, dropping him to 8-4 on the season while raising his earned run average to 3.92.
The 23-year-old right-hander, who has lost three of his last four starts, will be making his first-ever start against the Rays. He has faced them once in relief, though, giving up a run on two hits in an inning of work.
Tampa will pin its hopes on young Andy Sonnanstine, who is 1-2 with a 5.85 ERA. Sonnanstine, who has never faced the Tribe, did not earn a decision in his last start, as he surrendered two runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings on Wednesday against Chicago.
In the third game of this set on Sunday, Cliff Lee scattered one run and four hits over eight innings as Cleveland bested Tampa Bay, 3-2. Jhonny Peralta went 2-for-4 with a solo homer for the Indians, winners of four in a row and six of seven.
Lee (5-4) tied a career-high with nine strikeouts and walked two en route to his third win in four starts. Joe Borowski gave up a run and two hits in the ninth, but recovered to earn his AL-best 24th save in 26 chances.
Ryan Garko collected a pair of hits and Grady Sizemore knocked in a run for Cleveland.
James Shields (6-4) allowed just six hits and three runs — two earned — over 6 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts, but lost his fourth consecutive start.
Akinori Iwamura had two hits for the D-Rays, losers of seven straight and 14 of their last 18 games. Carlos Pena’s solo homer and Delmon Young’s sacrifice fly accounted for both Tampa runs.
Outfielder Carl Crawford will be the lone Devil Rays’ representative at this year’s All-Star game, while the Indians will send starter C.C. Sabathia, catcher Victor Martinez and Sizemore.
Cleveland has won eight in a row from Tampa Bay at Jacobs Field and will be looking to complete its first four-game sweep of the Devil Rays since taking the final four games of the 2006 season against them.
TEXAS RANGERS (34-47) AT BOSTON RED SOX (49-31), 7:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Texas - Brandon McCarthy (4-4, 5.90) Boston - Kason Gabbard (1-0, 6.48)
The Texas Rangers try to make it three straight wins over the Boston Red Sox this evening, when the two teams wrap up a four-game series at Fenway Park.
After snapping a five-game skid to the Red Sox on Saturday, Texas made it back-to-back wins yesterday afternoon. Kameron Loe scattered six hits and one run in six innings to lead the Rangers to a 2-1 win.
Loe (5-6) won his fourth straight decision, while four relievers combined to hold the Red Sox to three hits and no runs over the final three innings.
Brad Wilkerson had an RBI double for the Rangers, who have won four of six and eight of 11.
Julian Tavarez (5-6) took the loss for Boston, allowing seven hits and one earned run in 5 2/3 frames.
Kevin Youkilis went 2-for-4 with a run-scoring single for the Red Sox, losers of five of six. Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek also had a pair of hits in the setback.
Heading to the hill tonight for the Rangers will be right-hander Brandon McCarthy, who will be activated from the disabled list to start tonight’s tilt. McCarthy has not pitched since June 9 because of a recurring blister on his right middle finger.
McCarthy had won his last three decisions before going on the DL, but is just 4-4 with a 5.90 ERA on the season.
In five games against the Red Sox, two of which have been starts, McCarthy is 1-1 with a 4.11 ERA.
Boston will counter with lefty Kason Gabbard, who will be making his second straight start in place of the injured Curt Schilling.
Gabbard, who is 1-0 with a 6.48 ERA in three starts this season, received a no decision against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. He allowed four runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings of his team’s 8-7 loss.
The Red Sox will be well represented at this year’s All-Star Game in San Francisco, as first baseman David Ortiz will start the contest and be joined by outfielder Manny Ramirez, third baseman Mike Lowell, starting pitcher Josh Beckett and closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Texas, meanwhile, will send shortstop Michael Young as its lone representative.
SEATTLE MARINERS (45-33) AT KANSAS CITY ROYALS (34-48), 8:10 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Seattle - Felix Hernandez (4-4, 4.33) Kansas City - Gil Meche (5-6, 3.28)
The Seattle Mariners will have mixed emotions when the club starts up a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals tonight at Kauffman Stadium.
Seattle has been baseball’s hottest team over the last week-and-a-half, having ripped off eight consecutive victories and winning 10 times in its last 11 games. That impressive surge has been overshadowed, however, with Sunday’s shocking and sudden resignation of manager Mike Hargrove.
Hargrove surprisingly announced prior to Sunday’s game with Toronto his plans to step down, citing that he no longer had the passion needed for the job. The Mariners had their skipper go out a winner, however, by coming through with a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Blue Jays yesterday.
Seattle’s Jose Guillen tied the contest with a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth inning, then drove home the winning run in the ninth with a no-out single that plated Adrian Beltre.
All-Star closer J.J. Putz (1-0) earned the win by pitching a scoreless top of the ninth in relief of starter Jeff Weaver, who held Toronto to a run on seven hits over the first eight frames.
The Mariners, who have not won nine consecutive games since May 27-June 5, 2003, trail the American League West-leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by four games and are just one back of Detroit in the AL wild card race at the moment.
Seattle will now be piloted over the remainder of the campaign by bench coach John McLaren. The 55-year-old served under former Mariners skipper Lou Piniella from 1993-2002 and rejoined the team as a member of Hargrove’s staff prior to this season.
The Mariners will be going up against a familiar face in tonight’s opener, as Royals starting pitcher Gil Meche spent his first six seasons in Seattle before joining Kansas City as a free agent over the winter.
Meche has pitched against his ex-mates twice already this season, recording a win and a loss in those two meetings. He was rocked for seven runs on 11 hits in just 4 1/3 innings of work against Seattle at Kauffman Stadium on May 25.
The 28-year-old was named the Royals’ lone All-Star representative on Sunday after recording a 5-6 record and a respectable 3.28 earned run average so far on the year. Meche has won his last two decisions and defeated the Angels with six innings of three-run ball on Tuesday.
He will be opposed tonight by Mariners youngster Felix Hernandez, who looks to shrug off last Tuesday’s rough outing. The 21-year-old was tagged for six runs (five earned) and 11 hits in a 5 2/3-inning no decision against Boston.
Hernandez was brilliant his previous time out, as he fired eight shutout innings to beat Pittsburgh on June 21. The native Venezuelan struck out nine and yielded just six hits for the game.
The right-hander has won both of his career starts against Kansas City and compiled a 2.03 ERA in 13 1/3 innings versus tonight’s foe. Hernandez defeated Meche in that May 25 encounter by allowing two runs over 5 1/3 innings of work.
Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki was announced as one of three starting outfielders on the AL All-Star squad on Sunday, while Putz also earned a spot in next week’s Mid-Summer Classic.
The Mariners have won five of six games against Kansas City this season and swept a three-game series from the Royals in Kauffman Stadium back in May. Since the start of the 2004 season, Seattle owns a 22-8 record in this series.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES (35-46) AT CHICAGO WHITE SOX (35-43), 8:11 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Baltimore - Erik Bedard (6-4, 3.36) Chicago - Mark Buehrle (5-4, 3.33)
Mark Buehrle begins what could be his final month with the Chicago White Sox when the standout left-hander takes the mound in tonight’s opener of a four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles from U.S. Cellular Field.
With Buehrle eligible for free agency at season’s end and the White Sox currently well behind in the playoff race, speculation that the hurler will be dealt prior to the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline has begun to grow. The likelihood of a trade increased late last week, when reports that Buehrle turned down a four-year contract extension to remain in Chicago surfaced.
Buehrle certainly hasn’t let the rumors become a distraction, however. The 28- year-old is 3-1 with a 1.80 earned run average over his last four starts and pitched at least seven innings in each of those games.
The three-time All-Star was a winner his last time out, holding Tampa Bay to three runs — two earned — on nine hits over seven frames in Wednesday’s 5-3 victory at Tropicana Field.
Buehrle has had excellent career success when facing Baltimore. He owns a 4-1 record with an outstanding 2.26 ERA in nine lifetime appearances (seven starts) against the Orioles and has won his last three starts versus tonight’s opponent.
Baltimore will be sending out a tough lefty of its own tonight in Erik Bedard, who attempts to duplicate a brilliant performance against the Yankees on Wednesday. The native Canadian limited New York to two hits and a walk while racking up eight strikeouts over seven shutout innings to win his second consecutive start.
Bedard has yielded two runs or less in three straight outings and presently leads the majors with 129 strikeouts. He has recorded eight or more K’s in each of his last four starts.
The 28-year-old is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in five career starts versus Chicago and pitched well in two appearances against the club last season. Bedard allowed just three runs over 15 total innings in a win and a no decision against the White Sox in 2006.
Chicago returns home off last week’s successful road trip in which the team won six times in seven games. The White Sox ended the swing on a positive note on Sunday, as Jon Garland threw seven strong innings to lead the way in a 3-1 triumph over Kansas City.
Garland (7-5) surrendered only one unearned run on seven hits and walked just one batter on the afternoon. Bobby Jenks, Chicago’s lone representative on this year’s American League All-Star team, tossed a scoreless ninth to notch his 22nd save.
Paul Konerko clubbed a solo home run for the White Sox, while Andy Gonzalez finished 3-for-4 with an RBI in the win.
Baltimore has dropped three of its last four contests and suffered a 4-3 home loss to the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Sunday’s rubber match of a three-game series.
The Orioles had the tying run at third base with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Melvin Mora was gunned down by Angels right fielder Vladimir Guerrero while attempting to score on Brian Roberts’ fly ball for the game’s final out.
Jay Payton went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer for Baltimore. Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie (4-2) worked the first eight innings and allowed just four hits while striking out seven batters, but the right-hander was touched for all four Anaheim runs and was handed the loss.
Roberts, who leads all AL players with 25 steals and is batting an impressive .327 on the season, was the Orioles’ lone All-Star selection.
Tonight’s matchup will be the first of the season between the teams. Chicago won five of seven meetings with Baltimore last year and is 15-6 against the Orioles since the start of the 2004 campaign.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (39-42) AT OAKLAND ATHLETICS (42-39), 10:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Toronto - Josh Towers (3-5, 5.59) Oakland - Lenny DiNardo (3-4, 2.47)
The Oakland Athletics return home to face a struggling Toronto Blue Jays club in the first of three consecutive games between the teams this evening at McAfee Coliseum.
Oakland culminated a 10-game road trip in fine fashion Sunday in the Bronx, pounding the reeling New York Yankees by an 11-5 count in the rubber match of a three-game weekend series. The A’s erupted for eight runs over the first two innings to help give All-Star pitcher Dan Haren his 10th consecutive winning decision.
Jack Cust went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBI to lead Oakland’s 16-hit attack, while Eric Chavez had two hits and knocked in three runs in the rout.
Dan Johnson added a two-run homer and Mark Kotsay finished 3-for-5 for the Athletics, who went just 3-7 on the trek but ended it with back-to-back wins over the Yanks.
Haren (10-2), Oakland’s lone representative on the American League All-Star squad, picked up the win despite giving up five runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.
The A’s will hand the ball to Lenny DiNardo in tonight’s series opener. The left-hander attempts to win a second straight start after holding Cleveland to two runs and five hits over five innings in Oakland’s 13-7 triumph on Wednesday.
DiNardo rebounded from back-to-back interleague losses to the Cardinals and Mets in which he was tagged for 11 runs over a combined nine innings of work.
The former Boston hurler has faced Toronto eight times previously, including once as a starter, and is 0-1 with a 9.60 earned run average and 25 hits allowed over 15 career innings against the Blue Jays.
Toronto comes in having lost four straight contests and was just swept by the red-hot Seattle Mariners in three games over the weekend. In Sunday’s finale, the Blue Jays blew a late lead and dropped a 2-1 decision to the Mariners in Seattle manager Mike Hargrove’s final game.
The Jays took a 1-0 edge into the bottom of the eighth inning before Seattle’s Jose Guillen homered off reliever Casey Janssen to knot the score. Toronto closer Jeremy Accardo (1-3) hit Adrian Beltre with a pitch to begin the bottom of the ninth and surrendered a game-winning single to Guillen later in the frame.
The loss spoiled an outstanding outing from Blue Jays starter Shaun Marcum, who allowed just six hits through 6 2/3 shutout frames.
Frank Thomas accounted for Toronto’s lone run with a solo homer in the seventh inning.
The Blue Jays gave gone just 2-5 thus far on a current 10-game road trip and are a lackluster 14-23 away from home on the season.
Josh Towers attempts to build off a solid winning performance in his last outing when the right-hander takes the mound for Toronto this evening. The control specialist gave up four runs — three earned — on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings to help the Blue Jays to a 5-4 victory Wednesday at Minnesota.
It was Towers’ first win as a starter since he defeated Detroit on April 15. The 30-year-old had gone 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA in three starts since rejoining the rotation in mid-June.
Tonight’s contest marks the first meeting between the clubs this season. Oakland won six of 10 matchups with Toronto a year ago and went 3-1 in four games against the Blue Jays at McAfee Coliseum.
CHICAGO CUBS (40-40) AT WASHINGTON NATIONALS (33-48), 7:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - Ted Lilly (6-4, 4.03) Washington - Jason Simontacchi (5-5, 5.81)
Southpaw Ted Lilly goes for a fifth straight start without a loss tonight, when the Chicago Cubs open a four-game series with the host Washington Nationals at RFK Stadium.
Lilly, who signed with the Cubs as a free agent after winning 15 games last season with Toronto, is 2-0 with a pair of no-decisions since dropping a 7-5 verdict to Milwaukee on June 5.
He defeated Colorado, 8-5, on June 26 after allowing six hits and four runs in six innings, walking five and striking out five.
The 31-year-old native of Torrance, CA is 2-2 in five career starts against the Nationals, posting a 2.25 earned run average in 28 innings with 32 strikeouts and 10 walks.
Washington’s Jason Simontacchi has won three of his last four starts, including a 3-1 victory over Cleveland on June 24 in which he surrendered four hits and a run in six innings.
He was 3-2 overall in June, also defeating Minnesota and Baltimore in interleague matchups.
The 33-year-old is 1-2 in five career starts against the Cubs, allowing 14 earned runs in 27 innings while striking out 20.
A 21st-round pick of the Kansas City Royals in 1996, Simontacchi’s best season was his debut year of 2002, when he went 11-5 in 24 starts with the St. Louis Cardinals.
On Sunday in Chicago, Jason Marquis pitched seven strong innings and Aramis Ramirez knocked in a pair of runs as the Cubs topped the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-1, in the finale of a three-game set.
Ryan Theriot doubled three times and scored three runs, while Derrek Lee went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Cubs, who have won eight of nine.
Marquis (6-4) gave up just one run on four hits with five strikeouts and a walk for Chicago, which moved back to .500 (40-40) and pulled within 6 1/2 games of Milwaukee for the lead in the NL Central.
In Pittsburgh, Jose Flores hit a two-run home run and Felipe Lopez knocked in a run as the Nationals held on to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-2, salvaging a win in the three-game series at PNC Park.
Dmitri Young contributed with a pair of hits and scored a run and closer Chad Cordero recorded his 14th save of the season with a scoreless ninth for the Nationals, who snapped a five-game losing streak.
Mike Bacsik (2-5) earned the win, pitching six strong innings, giving up two runs — one earned — on five hits. The left-hander struck out a pair and walked one.
Chicago swept a three-game set from the Nats earlier in the season, but is just 9-12 in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign. The Cubs have also lost five in a row in DC.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (47-34) AT PITTSBURGH PIRATES (35-46), 7:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Milwaukee - Jeff Suppan (8-7, 4.88) Pittsburgh - John Van Benschoten (0-2, 4.30)
Veteran right-hander Jeff Suppan looks for his 10th career victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight when the Milwaukee Brewers visit PNC Park to open a four-game series.
Suppan, a postseason hero for the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals last fall, is 9-3 in 16 lifetime starts against the Pirates with a 3.90 earned run average in 101 2/3 innings.
The 32-year-old Oklahoma native has gone three starts without a loss, including an 11-6 defeat of Kansas City in an interleague game on June 22.
In his last start, on June 27 against Houston, he got a no-decision after allowing seven hits and three runs over six innings of a 6-3 Brewers win.
Right-hander John Van Benschoten makes the 10th start of his brief big-league career in search of his second victory overall and first of 2007.
In three starts this season, the former 2001 first-round draft pick has allowed 12 hits and seven runs in 14 2/3 innings.
He received only one run of support in losses to the Chicago White Sox and Seattle, then allowed three hits and two runs in four innings of a 7-5 Pittsburgh win over Florida on June 27.
Van Benschoten reached the big leagues for a short stint in 2004, going 1-3 in six appearances - five starts - with the Pirates while posting a 6.91 ERA in 28 2/3 innings.
On Sunday in Chicago, Jason Marquis pitched seven strong innings and Aramis Ramirez knocked in a pair of runs as the Cubs topped the Brewers, 5-1, in the finale of a three-game set.
Corey Hart’s homer accounted for the only run for the Brewers, who had won five straight series before dropping two of three to the Cubs.
Dave Bush (6-7) pitched six innings and yielded four runs on six hits for Milwaukee.
In Pittsburgh, Jose Flores hit a two-run home run and Felipe Lopez knocked in a run as the Washington Nationals held on to defeat the Pirates, 3-2, salvaging a win in the three-game series.
Jack Wilson and Ryan Doumit each drove in runs on sacrifice flies for Pittsburgh, which had its brief two-game winning streak snapped.
Paul Maholm (4-11) turned in a quality start, allowing three runs on nine hits, while striking out five and walking one over seven innings.
Milwaukee has won five of six from the Pirates this season after the Bucs took nine of 16 in 2006. The Brewers also dropped seven of 10 in the Steel City a year ago.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (42-40) AT HOUSTON ASTROS (35-47), 8:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Philadelphia - Jamie Moyer (7-5, 4.15) Houston - Woody Williams (3-10, 5.58)
The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off a tumultuous weekend series and will try to get back on track when they open a three-game set against the Houston Astros tonight at Minute Maid Park.
Philadelphia took on the National League East-rival New York Mets this weekend and salvaged the finale of a four-game series with Sunday’s 5-3 win. The Phillies failed to take control in the NL East and sit five games behind the Mets for the top spot in the division.
Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run homer and Shane Victorino went 3-for-4 with a home run and two stolen bases for Philadelphia, which got a solid outing from rookie pitcher Kyle Kendrick. Kendrick, in his fourth-career start since being called up from Double-A Reading, gave up just two runs on six hits through 6 2/3 innings. The right-hander also benefited from three double plays.
Antonio Alfonseca posted his sixth save of the season by getting the last out in the ninth inning.
In All-Star news for the Phillies, second baseman Chase Utley will start and is joined by center fielder Aaron Rowand and starting pitcher Cole Hamels. The 78th All-Star Game will be played on July 10 at San Francisco’s AT&T Park.
Jamie Moyer will toe the rubber for the Phillies tonight in Houston and he is 7-5 with a 4.15 ERA in 16 starts this season.
Moyer is unbeaten in his last three outing (2-0) and did not post a decision the last time out on June 27 against Cincinnati. Moyer allowed three runs and three hits in six innings of a 9-6 loss to the Reds at Citizens Bank Park.
The 44-year-old left-hander will face Houston for the first time this season and is 4-2 with a 2.88 ERA in eight career games (seven starts) against the Astros.
Houston just took three of four games from Colorado over the weekend, including Sunday’s 12-0 pummeling of the Rockies in the series finale.
Lance Berkman hit a two-run homer and finished with four RBI, while Luke Scott added a two-run shot and knocked in three runs for the Astros, who are 12 1/2 games behind Milwaukee for the lead in the National League Central standings.
Mike Lamb contributed three hits and two RBI and Hunter Pence had four hits and three runs scored with an RBI. Starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez turned in a solid effort, hurling seven shutout innings of three-hit ball with four strikeouts and two walks.
Astros left-fielder Carlos Lee is the lone representative of the team for next week’s All-Star Game in San Francisco. Lee is an All-Star for the third time in his career.
Houston will send Woody Williams to the mound in Monday’s series opener and he is a disappointing 3-10 with a 5.58 ERA in 17 starts this season.
Williams owns a 2-5 record over his last nine outings and did not factor in the outcome in his previous start on June 27 against Milwaukee. Williams gave up three runs — two earned — through six innings of work in a 6-3 setback.
The right-hander faced the Phillies already this season on April 14 and was saddled with the loss. Williams surrendered six runs — five earned — over 5 1/3 innings of an 8-5 loss.
Williams is 3-6 with a 5.32 earned run average in 11 career starts against Philadelphia.
The Phillies took two of three games against Houston this season. They split a two-game game set before rain postponed the third and final game of the series, then won the make-up game on April 23 in South Philly.
Philadelphia is 6-3 in the last nine matchups with the ‘Stros.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (46-37) AT ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (36-42), 8:10 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Arizona - Brandon Webb (8-5, 3.05) St. Louis - Braden Looper (6-6, 4.66)
Arizona ace Brandon Webb will try to lead his struggling club to victory tonight, when the Diamondbacks open a four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Webb is 8-5 with a 3.05 ERA in 17 starts this season and owns a 5-2 record in his previous seven trips to the mound. In his last start on June 27 against the NL West-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, Webb hurled seven shutout innings during a 2-0 win at Chase Field.
The 2006 NL Cy Young award winner, who is 5-2 in nine road starts in 2007, has yet to face the Cardinals this season. Webb is 1-3 with a 4.08 earned run average in five career starts against St. Louis.
Arizona hopes Webb can spin some luck on the team, which has lost two straight and five of its last seven games. In Sunday’s 13-0 loss in the finale of a three-game set against the San Francisco Giants, starter Micah Owings lasted only four innings, yielding seven earned runs and eight hits.
Owings walked three and fanned a pair for Arizona, which is 1 1/2 games off the lead in the National League West standings. D’backs infielder Orlando Hudson extended his hitting streak to nine games, matching a season high, and has hit safely in 18 of his last 19 games. Hudson and closer Jose Valverde will make their first-ever appearance in next Tuesday’s All-Star Game at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
Meanwhile, Cardinals starter Braden Looper is expected to be activated off the 15-day disabled list today in time to start against Arizona.
Looper had been sidelined for the past two weeks with a right shoulder strain and last pitched on June 15 at Oakland. He suffered the loss after yielding eight runs — seven earned — over 4 1/3 frames of a 14-3 blowout.
The right-hander has lost two straight starts and is 0-3 in his past four outings. The former closer has yet to pitch against the Diamondbacks this season and will make his first-ever start against them tonight. In 26 lifetime relief appearances against Arizona, Looper is 1-2 with 10 saves and a 2.42 ERA through 26 innings pitched.
St. Louis has alternated wins and losses over its last six games and took two of three games from the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend. In Sunday’s 11-7 victory in the series finale at Great American Ball Park, Ryan Ludwick homered twice and drove in four runs to lead the way, while Chris Duncan was 3-for-4 with a two-run blast.
Mike Maroth was ineffective in his second start with St. Louis. The former Tiger lasted just three innings and surrendered five runs on six hits. Troy Percival got the win after allowing a run in an inning of relief.
In All-Star news for the defending World Series champion Cardinals, Albert Pujols will make his sixth career appearance in the Mid-Summer Classic next week at AT&T Park. Pujols was one of seven manager’s selections for the NL roster.
Monday’s showdown between Arizona and St. Louis is the first of the 2007 season. The Diamondbacks went 4-3 in the 2006 series with the Cardinals, including a 1-2 record at Busch Stadium.
NEW YORK METS (46-34) AT COLORADO ROCKIES (39-43), 9:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - Tom Glavine (7-5, 4.12) Colorado - Jason Hirsh (3-7, 5.21)
Tom Glavine is inching closer to the 300-win mark in his career and will take the hill for the New York Mets this evening in the opener of a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Glavine owns 297 career victories and is just three wins shy of becoming the 23rd pitcher to reach the illustrious plateau. He is 7-5 with a 4.12 ERA in 17 starts this season, and has won two straight starts since going 0-4 in his previous five trips to the mound.
On June 27 against St. Louis, Glavine pitched six shutout innings and the bullpen came through to preserve the 2-0 triumph.
The veteran left-hander, who is 3-4 in nine road starts this season, has a strong career record against Colorado. Glavine is 11-5 with six complete games, five of which have been shutouts, and a 2.88 ERA in 27 starts.
Glavine will lead a red-hot Mets club, which took three of four from the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend at Citizens Bank Park. New York won the first three games of the set, but was unable to post the sweep after suffering a 5-3 loss on Sunday afternoon.
Carlos Delgado homered and scored twice for the Mets, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. New York, which is 8-2 over its last 10 contests, owns a four-game lead over Atlanta and is five games ahead of the Phillies in the National league East standings.
Mike Pelfrey took the hill in place of Oliver Perez in Sunday’s series finale and was tagged for three runs — two earned — on four hits in five innings.
New York will be well represented in next week’s 78th All-Star Game at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Center fielder Carlos Beltran, shortstop Jose Reyes and third baseman David Wright will be in the starting lineup, while closer Billy Wagner was also named to the team.
Colorado, meanwhile, has lost nine of its last 10 games and dropped three of four games to the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park over the weekend. In Sunday’s series finale, the Rockies were handed a 12-0 loss as Matt Holliday finished 1-for-2 with a double and starter Rodrigo Lopez gave up six runs on eight hits in four innings for the loss.
The Rockies will hand the ball to Jason Hirsh on Monday and he is 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA in 16 starts this season.
Hirsh is a miserable 1-6 over his previous 12 trips to the mound and suffered the loss his last time out on June 27 against the Chicago Cubs. Hirsh was reached for five runs over six innings of a 6-4 setback at Wrigley Field.
The young right-hander took on the Mets for the first time in his career on September 2 of last season and was dealt the loss. Hirsh gave up three runs, one of which was earned, and five hits in six innings of a 4-2 setback at Coors Field.
In All-Star news for the Rockies, Holliday and reliever Brian Fuentes were voted to the National League All-Star roster.
New York took two of three games against the Rockies from April 23 - 25 this season at Shea Stadium. The Mets are 16-6 over the last 22 matchups with Colorado.
FLORIDA MARLINS (38-44) AT SAN DIEGO PADRES (46-34), 10:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Florida - Sergio Mitre (2-3, 2.75) San Diego - David Wells (3-5, 4.48)
The San Diego Padres kick off a seven-game homestand that will carry them into the All-Star break when they play the first of four straight games against the Florida Marlins tonight at Petco Park.
The Padres won four straight games, including two in a row against the Dodgers over the weekend, before dropping the series finale of that set, 5-0, on Sunday. However, by winning the series with Los Angeles the Padres lead the National League West by a game over the Dodgers.
Hiram Bocachica had a pair of hits for San Diego in Sunday’s loss, while Justin Germano (5-2) had a shaky outing, surrendering five runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings.
Despite Germano’s performance yesterday, the Padres have been strong on the mound all year as reflected by their major-league leading 3.03 team earned run average. Oakland is a distant second with a 3.53 ERA.
So, it’s no surprise that the Padres are sending a pair of pitchers to this season’s All-Star game, as both starter Jake Peavy and closer Trevor Hoffman were named to the NL roster on Sunday.
Also, starter Chris Young is among the five players in the race for the final vote spot.
David Wells will start for the Padres tonight and is winless in his last four outings (0-2). He received back-to-back defeats against the Cubs and Orioles before getting a no-decision last Tuesday against the Giants. Versus San Francisco, Wells allowed only one run, six hits and three walks over six innings of an eventual 3-2 Padres win.
The left-hander is 3-5 on the season with a 4.48 ERA and has made one start against Florida this year. Back on May 5, Wells took a no- decision versus the club in his team’s 7-6 win and is 1-1 in three lifetime starts against them with a 4.19 ERA.
The Padres acquired outfielder Milton Bradley from Oakland on Friday, but placed the outfielder on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday due to a strained left oblique. Also, Terrmel Sledge missed Sunday’s game because of a sprained right thumb.
The Florida Marlins lost the first two games of their three-game weekend set with Atlanta before rebounding with a win in Sunday’s finale. The club blew a 4-0 lead, but edged out the win after Josh Willingham drove in the game- winning run in the 10th inning for a 6-5 Florida win.
Willingham went a perfect 5-for-5 to set a career high for hits and had two RBI and a run scored for the Marlins, who dropped six of seven coming in.
Dontrelle Willis got the start and pitched well, but was replaced following an extended rain delay. He threw four shutout innings, allowing two hits. Lee Gardner (2-2) ended up with the win.
Florida starter Sergio Mitre will try again tonight for his first win since May 20. Mitre posted back-to-back wins in late May, but has gone 0-1 over six starts since his last victory, including a no-decision on Wednesday against Pittsburgh. In that start he was tagged for five runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings with five strikeouts.
The right-hander, who is 2-3 with a 2.75 ERA on the season, has faced the Padres four times in his career and is 1-2 with a 5.56 ERA in that span. He posted a no-decision in a start against San Diego on May 5.
The Marlins begin a seven-game road trip tonight that closes out their first half of the season. The club has just one representative for this year’s All- Star game, but it’s a good one in third baseman Miguel Cabrera.
Cabrera will see a familiar face on the bench however, as Florida skipper Fredi Gonzalez learned on Friday he will serve as a coach for the game, replacing Willie Randolph. Randolph is unable to attend the game due to upcoming shoulder surgery.
The Padres and Marlins met for a three-game set at Florida in early May, with San Diego winning two of three. The clubs split six games last year.
ATLANTA BRAVES (43-39) AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS (46-36), 10:10 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Atlanta - John Smoltz (9-4, 2.98) Los Angeles - Derek Lowe (8-7, 3.03)
A pair of second-place teams will square off tonight when the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves begin a four-game set at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers dropped two of three to the Padres over the weekend and are one game behind San Diego for first place in the National League West. The Braves, meanwhile, had a five-game winning streak halted with Sunday’s loss to Florida, but have climbed within four games of the first-place New York Mets in the NL East.
Los Angeles lost the first two games of its series with San Diego before rebounding for a 5-0 win on Sunday. Rafael Furcal hit a solo homer, scored twice and finished with two RBI in the win.
Matt Kemp added a solo home run and scored twice as the Dodgers improved to 1-2 on a 10-game homestand. Chad Billingsley (5-0) was magnificent over seven innings of work, allowing only three hits, while striking out a career-high nine and not walking a batter. It was his first win as a starter since being converted from a reliever.
Taking the hill for the Dodgers tonight will be Derek Lowe, who is 4-2 over his last six starts and 8-7 overall on the year with a 3.03 earned run average. However, the right-hander is coming off a tough loss on Wednesday versus Arizona that saw him allow just two runs (one earned) on five hits in 6 2/3 frames of a 2-0 setback.
Lowe is 2-3 with three saves in 14 games (seven starts) lifetime against the Braves with a 3.88 ERA. He posted a win over Atlanta on May 5 after giving up just one unearned run in seven innings of work with eight strikeouts.
The Dodgers learned yesterday they will be well represented at this year’s All-Star game. Catcher Russell Martin was voted in as a starter, while Brad Penny an Takashi Saito were both added to the NL’s pitching staff.
The Braves are sending a pair of players to the All-Star game this year, and one of those is tonight’s starter John Smoltz. The 40-year-old is coming off a win against Washington on Wednesday that improved his record to 9-4 with a 2.98 earned run average.
Against the Nationals, Smoltz threw five shutout innings, scattering five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts.
The right-hander has faced the Dodgers 46 times in his career, 35 of those outings starts, and is 16-13 with six saves, three complete games and a solid 2.81 ERA. He made a start against LA on May 4 and earned the win behind seven shutout frames.
Catcher Brian McCann will back-up Martin on this year’s All-Star club.
Atlanta saw its winning streak come to a halt on Sunday despite fighting back from four runs down against Florida. Trailing 4-0, the Braves scored once in the seventh, twice in the eighth, and then went ahead 5-4 on Yunel Escobar’s two-run single in the ninth.
However, the Marlins tied the game in the bottom of the frame, and then won it on Josh Willingham’s game-winning hit in the 10th inning. Rafael Soriano (2-1) took the loss, while Atlanta starter Buddy Carlyle gave up just one hit over his three innings of work as his day was cut short due to a rain delay.
Edgar Renteria knocked in a pair of runs and Andruw Jones homered for Atlanta, which is 2-1 on a 10-game road trip.
The Braves won two of three against the Dodgers at Atlanta in early May. Prior to this year, the two clubs had split their last 12 meetings.
(Sunday, July 1st)
Final Score: Oakland 11, New York 5
Bronx, NY - Jack Cust homered and drove in four runs as Oakland trounced New York, 11-5, in the finale of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium. Cust was 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and a run-scoring double for the Athletics, who won for just the third time in 10 games. Dan Johnson added a two-run home run and Eric Chavez drove in three runs. Dan Haren (10-2) wasn’t that effective but remained perfect against New York and won his 10th consecutive decision. The right-hander allowed five runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings but took advantage of a potent A’s lineup to run his record to 4-0 versus the Yankees. Andy Phillips was 3-for-4 with two RBI for the reeling Yankees, who have lost six of seven games and nine of 11. Bobby Abreu also drove in a pair of runs. The lifeless Andy Pettitte (4-6) was rocked for eight runs on nine hits in just 1 2/3 innings en route to the loss.
Final Score: Cleveland 3, Tampa Bay 2
Cleveland, OH - Cliff Lee scattered one run and four hits over eight innings, as Cleveland bested Tampa Bay, 3-2, in the third installment of a four-game series at Jacobs Field. Lee (5-4) tied a career- high with nine strikeouts and walked two en route to his third win in four starts. Joe Borowski gave up a run and two hits in the ninth, but recovered to earn his AL-best 24th save in 26 chances. Jhonny Peralta went 2-for-4 with a solo homer for the Indians, winners of four in a row and five of six. Ryan Garko collected a pair of hits, and Grady Sizemore knocked in a run. James Shields (6-4) allowed just six hits and three runs — two earned — over 6 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts but lost his fourth consecutive start. Akinori Iwamura had two hits for the D-Rays, losers of seven straight games. Carlos Pena’s solo homer and Delmon Young’s sacrifice fly accounted for both Tampa runs.
Final Score: LA Angels of Anaheim 4, Baltimore 3
Baltimore, MD - Vladimir Guerrero threw out Melvin Mora at home plate in the bottom of the ninth inning for the game-saving double play, as the LA Angels of Anaheim held on to top the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 and close out a three-game set at Camden Yards. LA got a run in the eighth on Mike Napoli’s solo shot to left field on a 2-2 pitch for a two-run cushion, but Baltimore cut its deficit in half with a run in the bottom half, as Brian Roberts doubled, Chris Gomez singled, and pinch- hitter Ramon Hernandez singled home Roberts for a 4-3 deficit. The Orioles continued to rally in the ninth. With one out, Mora hit a ground- rule double and Jay Payton singled him over to third. Roberts then hit a fly ball into right field, but Guerrero took four steps and hurled the ball perfectly to Napoli, who stepped in front of home plate to make the tag on Mora’s left thigh just after the third baseman slid across it. Nevertheless, he was called out, for the game-ending double play. Casey Kotchman also homered for the Angels, who have won two of three. John Lackey (11-5) allowed three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks over 7 1/3 innings. Francisco Rodriguez tossed the final 1 1/3 innings for his 24th save of the season. Payton homered for the Orioles, who have lost three of four. Jeremy Guthrie (4-2) allowed four runs on four hits with seven strikeouts over eight innings for Baltimore.
Final Score: Texas 2, Boston 1
Boston, MA - Kameron Loe scattered six hits and one run in six innings, leading Texas to a 2-1 win over Boston in the third act of a four-game set at Fenway Park. Loe (5-6) won his fourth straight decision, while four relievers combined to hold the Red Sox to three hits over the final three innings. Brad Wilkerson had an RBI double for the Rangers, who have won two in a row. Kenny Lofton, Ramon Vazquez and Michael Young all hit safely twice. Julian Tavarez (5-6) took the loss, allowing seven hits and one earned run in 5 2/3 frames. Kevin Youkilis went 2-for-4 with a run-scoring single for the Red Sox, losers of two straight and five of six. Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek also had a pair of hits.
Final Score: Chicago 3, Kansas City 1
Kansas City, MO - Jon Garland allowed just one unearned run over seven innings, as the Chicago White Sox downed the Kansas City Royals, 3-1, in the finale of a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium. Now 2-0 against the Royals this season, Garland (6-5) added to his career success versus Kansas City by striking out four batters and walking only one. Bobby Jenks tossed the ninth for his 22nd save of the season. Paul Konerko homered for the White Sox, who, following an exciting extra- inning affair on Saturday, got their sixth win in seven chances. Andy Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the win. Esteban German and Billy Butler both finished 2-for-4 for the Royals, who lost their second straight. John Thomson (1-1) gave up two runs on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings. It was just his second appearance with the Royals since he was given his unconditional release from Toronto while languishing in the club’s minor league system.
Final Score: Seattle 2, Toronto 1
Seattle, WA - Jose Guillen singled in the game-winning run in the ninth inning as Seattle got its last win under manager Mike Hargrove and completed a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays with a 2-1 win at Safeco Field. Shortly before the game began, Hargrove unexpectedly announced his resignation as Seattle’s manager on Sunday at the conclusion of the game. Hargrove compiled a 191-210 record in three seasons with the Mariners. Seattle is 45-33 after the game and sits in second place in the American League West. To replace Hargrove, the Mariners have promoted bench coach John McLaren and signed him to a contract for the rest of the 2007 season. The game was tied heading into the ninth, but Adrian Beltre started the inning by getting hit by a pitch, then moved to second on Raul Ibanez’s single, and crossed the plate on Guillen’s ground ball single to left. Guillen also hit a solo home run and J.J. Putz (1-0) got the win for pitching a scoreless ninth inning for the Mariners, who have won eight straight games. Jeff Weaver started on the mound for Seattle and pitched eight innings of one- run, seven-hit ball. Since coming off the disabled list on June 9, he is 2-0 with a 1.65 earned-run average in five starts. Frank Thomas hit a solo home run while Jeremy Accardo (1-3) got the loss for giving up the run in the ninth for the Blue Jays, who have lost five of six. Shaun Marcum started on the mound and gave up just six hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Final Score: Detroit 1, Minnesota 0
Detroit, MI - A pitchers duel was broken by a home run from Marcus Thames in the eighth inning as the Detroit Tigers avoided a sweep with a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Thames got the only run of the game in the eighth inning as he belted the first pitch he saw just over the left field fence for a 1-0 lead. Todd Jones retired the Twins in order in the ninth for his 20th save of the season. Jeremy Bonderman (9-1) won his ninth decision in his last 10 starts as he gave up just six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in eight innings of work for the Tigers, who had lost four of five coming into the game. Scott Baker (2-3) was the hard luck loser as he gave up just the one run on three hits in eight innings of work for the Twins, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.
Final Score: Florida 6, Atlanta 5 (10 innings)
Miami, FL - Josh Willingham drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th, as the Florida Marlins blew a big lead but still managed to salvage a 6-5 win in the finale of a three-game series at Dolphin Stadium. Willingham went a perfect 5-for-5 to set a career high for hits and had two RBI and a run scored for the Marlins, who dropped six of seven coming in. Dontrelle Willis got the start and pitched well, but was replaced following an extended rain delay. He ended with no runs and two hits in four innings of work. Lee Gardner (2-2) ended up with the win, while Rafael Soriano (2-1) took the loss. Atlanta starter Buddy Carlyle gave up just one hit over his three innings of work. Edgar Renteria knocked in a pair of runs and Andruw Jones homered for Atlanta, which had a season-high five-game winning streak snapped.
Final Score: St. Louis 11, Cincinnati 7
Cincinnati, OH - Ryan Ludwick homered twice and drove in four runs as St. Louis dumped Cincinnati, 11-7, in a wild affair at Great American Ball Park. Chris Duncan was 3-for-4 with a two-run homer for the Cards, who won two of three in the set. So Taguchi was 3-for-6 with an RBI and two runs scored. Mike Maroth was ineffective in his second start with St. Louis. The starter lasted just three innings and surrendered five runs on six hits. Troy Percival (2-2) got the win after allowing a run in an inning of relief. Ken Griffey Jr. was 2-for-4 with a three-run homer for the Reds, who have lost six of eight games. Brandon Phillips chipped in with a two-run homer for Cincinnati. Homer Bailey (2-2) was touched for seven runs on seven hits in just 3 2/3 innings of work.
Final Score: Philadelphia 5, New York 3
Philadelphia, PA - Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run home run and rookie Kyle Kendrick gave the Phillies another solid outing, as Philadelphia salvaged the finale of an otherwise dreadful four-game set against the New York Mets with a 5-3 victory. Kendrick (3-0), in his fourth-career start since being called up from Double-A Reading, gave up just two runs on six hits through 6 2/3 innings for the Phillies, who had lost the first three games of this pivotal series against their division rival. The young right-hander also benefited from three double plays. Mike Zagurski, another Reading call-up, walked Carlos Delgado to start the ninth before striking out Jose Valentin. Shawn Green’s groundout sent Delgado to third and pinch-hitter Ruben Gotay’s single to center off Antonio Alfonseca brought New York within two runs. Alfonseca, though, got pinch-hitter Julio Franco to ground out for his sixth save of the season. By avoiding the sweep, the Phils crawled back within five games of the Mets in the NL East. Shane Victorino went 3-for-4 with a home run and two stolen bases for Philadelphia, while Chase Utley tripled and scored. Delgado homered and scored twice for the Mets, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. Mike Pelfrey (0-6), starting in place of Oliver Perez, was tagged for three runs — two earned — on four hits in five innings of work.
Final Score: Washington 3, Pittsburgh 2
Pittsburgh, PA - Jose Flores hit a two-run home run and Felipe Lopez knocked in a run as the Washington Nationals held on to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-2, salvaging a win in the three-game series at PNC Park. Dmitri Young contributed with a pair of hits and scored a run, and closer Chad Cordero recorded his 14th save of the season with a scoreless ninth for the Nationals, who snapped a five-game losing streak. Mike Bacsik (2-5) earned the win, pitching six strong innings, giving up two runs — one earned — on five hits. The left-hander struck out a pair and walked one. Jack Wilson and Ryan Doumit each drove in a run with a sacrifice fly for Pittsburgh, which had its brief two game winning streak snapped. Paul Maholm (4-11) turned in a quality start, allowing three runs on nine hits, while striking out five and walking one over seven innings.
Final Score: Houston 12, Colorado 0
Houston, TX - Lance Berkman hit a two-run home run and had four RBI as the Houston Astros hammered the Colorado Rockies, 12-0, winning the rubber game in a three-game set at Minute Maid Park. Luke Scott added a two-run shot and knocked in three and Mike Lamb contributed with three hits and two RBI for the Astros, who have won three of their last four. Hunter Pence had four hits and three runs scored and also drove in a run. Wandy Rodriguez (5-7) turned in a solid effort, giving up only three hits, while striking out four and walking a pair in seven innings of play. Matt Holliday finished 1-for-2 with a double for Colorado, which has lost nine of its last 10 contests. Rodrigo Lopez (4-2) was ineffective in taking the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits in four innings of work. He also walked three batters and did not record a strikeout.
Final Score: Chicago 5, Milwaukee 1
Chicago, IL - Jason Marquis pitched seven strong innings and Aramis Ramirez knocked in a pair of runs as the Chicago Cubs topped the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-1, in the finale of a three-game set. Ryan Theriot doubled three times and scored three runs, while Derrek Lee went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Cubs, who have won eight of nine. Marquis (6-4) gave up just one run on four hits with five strikeouts and a walk for Chicago, which moved back to .500 (40-40) and pulled within 6 1/2 games of Milwaukee for the lead in the NL Central. Corey Hart’s homer accounted for the only run for the Brewers, who had won five straight series before dropping two of three to the Cubs this weekend. Dave Bush (6-7) pitched six innings and yielded four runs on six hits for Milwaukee.
Final Score: San Francisco 13, Arizona 0
San Francisco, CA - Ryan Klesko finished a triple shy of the cycle, and Tim Lincecum scattered just three hits and fanned a career-high 12 batters over seven scoreless innings as the San Francisco Giants decimated Arizona, 13-0, in the finale of a three-game set at AT&T Park. Klesko had a single, double and two-run homer. He also scored twice and finished with a season-high four RBI for the Giants, who have won two straight. Bengie Molina added a three-run home run and Kevin Frandsen knocked in a pair as the Giants pounded out 14 hits in the contest. Barry Bonds hit a two-run double, walked twice and scored a pair of runs before he got replaced by Nate Schierholtz in the top of the seventh. The double was Bonds’ 2,900th career hit and 377th double with the Giants, moving him past Hall of Famer Willie Mays, and into sole possession of first place in San Francisco history. Bonds, who is riding an eight-game hitting streak, is still five home runs shy of tying Hank Aaron’s all-time home run mark of 755. Lincecum (3-2) did not allow a baserunner beyond first until the sixth inning when Stephen Drew hit a one-out double. It was the first win for the right- hander since May 22, and his 12 strikeouts were the fourth-highest total by a San Francisco rookie in franchise history. Micah Owings (5-3) lasted only four innings for Arizona, yielding seven earned runs and eight hits. He also walked three and fanned a pair for Arizona, which has dropped four of its last six games.
Final Score: Los Angeles 5, San Diego 0
Los Angeles, CA - Rafael Furcal hit a solo homer, drove in two runs and scored a pair as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres, 5-0, to salvage the finale of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Matt Kemp added a solo shot and scored twice as LA snapped a brief two-game losing skid. Chad Billingsley (5-0) was magnificent over seven innings of work, allowing only three hits, while striking out nine and not walking a batter. Hiram Bocachica had a pair of hits for the Padres, who had their four- game winning streak halted. Justin Germano (5-2) had a shaky outing, surrendering five runs on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings. The righty struck out three and walked three.
