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USGA

U.S. SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, Whistling Straits Kohler, Wisconsin - The final round of last year’s Senior U.S. Open became a tale of two players: Allen Doyle, the man with the homespun swing; and Tom Watson, the home favorite with the championship pedigree.

The story ended with Doyle shooting a two-under 68 and coming from three shots back to beat Watson and successfully defend his title, becoming the first player to win back-to-back U.S. Senior Opens since Gary Player in 1987-88.

He was also the oldest Senior Open champion at 57 years, 11 months and 17 days.

The crowd pulled for Watson, but he managed only a two-over 72 in the final round to end two shots behind Doyle.

Allen Doyle became the first player to win back-to-back U.S. Senior Opens since Gary Player. Either way it shook out would have made for a good story.

Doyle, a onetime accomplished amateur and member of the Georgia Sports and Georgia Golf Halls of Fame, has been an unlikely star on the Champions Tour. He says his unorthodox swing developed from practicing in a room with low ceilings as a youngster.

“One would have been great, obviously. Two is unbelievable,” said Doyle of his second U.S. Senior Open win.

Watson enjoyed the second- and third-round leads, spurred on by a gallery of supporters as a Kansas City native and honorary Prairie Dunes club member. He was looking for his fifth senior major championship.

“It’s very disappointing for me to play that way when the chips are down,” Watson sighed afterward. “I could have done a lot better for myself out there, but it wasn’t to be.”

This year, Whistling Straits is hosting its first-ever USGA championship. But it is no stranger to majors: This is where Vijay Singh won the 2004 PGA Championship.

Doyle and Watson will be joined in the field by the usual Champions Tour set, including the season’s first major winner at the Senior PGA Championship, Denis Watson; tour money leader Jay Haas, who is looking for his fifth win of the season; and last week’s winner at the Commerce Bank Championship, Lonnie Nielsen.

ESPN2 and NBC will split coverage of the four-round event. Next week is the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open, a new event on the Champions Tour.

PGA TOUR

AT&T NATIONAL, Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Maryland - If he hosts it, they will come.

Well, sort of.

Most of the world’s best players will be on hand this week for Tiger Woods’ new tournament — including the world No. 1 himself, making his first start since the birth of his daughter — but the leadup to the event has not unfolded without criticism.

A handful of players voiced criticism over the invitational field of 120, approved by the PGA Tour in March when the tournament was announced as a replacement for the International.

Tiger Woods and company will be on hand at the AT&T National. The good news for fans: Outside of the major championships, there are few better chances to see the world’s best players in one place than there will be this weekend at venerable Congressional Country Club.

Five of the top six players in the world rankings are in the field, including Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Adam Scott and Vijay Singh. Recovering quicker than expected from a left wrist injury, Mickelson is playing for the first time since the U.S. Open.

The bad news for the fans: Well, there is none, really. Unless you were pining to see the likes of Cameron Beckman and John Merrick. They weren’t among the 120.

The Golf Channel will have coverage of the first two rounds, while CBS will broadcast the weekend. Next week is the John Deere Classic, where John Senden won last year. Michelle Wie has withdrawn from the event.

EUROPEAN TOUR

SMURFIT KAPPA EUROPEAN OPEN, The K Club, Straffan, Ireland - The field in this week’s Smurfit Kappa European Open should produce some interesting storylines.

Angel Cabrera returns to the European Tour after winning the U.S. Open. Angel Cabrera will make his return to the European Tour following his surprising win at the U.S. Open last month, where he held off the likes of Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk to win his first major championship.

Smoking and sweating down the stretch, Cabrera did enough to beat brutal Oakmont and two of the world’s best players. Which was harder, we’re not sure.

Padraig Harrington will be looking for another win in his native country after becoming the first player in 25 years to win the Irish Open when he beat Bradley Dredge in a playoff in May.

Several of Harrington’s teammates from the European Ryder Cup win last year will also be on hand, including Paul Casey and David Howell, playing at the K Club for the first time since their rout of the Americans.

Last year, Stephen Dodd shot a 70 on Sunday to beat Jose Manuel Lara and Anthony Wall by two shots for his third European Tour win.

This year, the Golf Channel will have coverage of all four rounds beginning at 10 a.m. (et) as well as re-broadcasts of the weekend rounds in the evening on Saturday and Sunday.

Next week is The Barclays Scottish Open, where Johan Edfors won last year.

NATIONWIDE TOUR LEGEND FINANCIAL GROUP CLASSIC, StoneWater Golf Club, Highland Heights, Ohio - Last year, Gavin Coles shot a three-under 68 in the final round to beat Bradley Hughes by a shot for his third Nationwide Tour win and first since 2004.

Coles is playing on the PGA Tour this season — with one start, and one missed cut, on the Nationwide Tour — and won’t be in the field to defend his title.

There won’t be any television coverage this week.

Next week is the Children’s Hospital Invitational, a new event on the Nationwide Tour to be held at The Ohio State University’s Scarlet Course. Jack Nicklaus is scheduled to serve as the inaugural chairman.

CANADIAN TOUR

TELUS EDMONTON OPEN, Edmonton Country Club, Edmonton, Alberta - Last year, Stephen Gangluff carded three straight rounds in the 60s, then beat Brendan Steele in a playoff to win the Edmonton Open.

The victory spurred Gangluff’s race to the Rolex Order of Merit Championship for the Canadian Tour and his eventual move to the Nationwide Tour.

Next week is the Free Press Manitoba Classic, where Josh Habig won last year.

Wednesday, July 4th

American League

Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 15-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Boston Red Sox, 1:05 p.m.

Mostly Sunny Mostly sunny. Winds blowing out to left field at 15-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Toronto Blue Jays at Oakland Athletics, 4:05 p.m.

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

Baltimore Orioles at Chicago White Sox, 7:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 80.

Seattle Mariners at Kansas City Royals, 8:10 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 85.

Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers, 8:35 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 80.

National League

Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals, 12:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 15-20 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 85.

San Francisco Giants at Cincinnati Reds, 1:15 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

Philadelphia Phillies at Houston Astros, 2:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 80-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates, 4:05 p.m.

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

Arizona Diamondbacks at St. Louis Cardinals, 7:15 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 50-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

New York Mets at Colorado Rockies, 8:05 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Florida Marlins at San Diego Padres, 9:05 p.m.

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

Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers, 9:10 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 90.

- HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA - G-D BLESS AMERICA! -

A Special Salute to our Brave Men & Women in uniform serving in Iraq & around the world! - Our Prayers are with you!

MLB 07/04/2007 12:05 PM EDT 901 chicago cubs (l) hill, r -150/-157/-156/-158/-160 902 washington nationals(l) chico, m 9u15 9u20 WGN

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Time of Play Game Date Game # Team 8:25:13am 2007-07-04 914 SDG -210 8:14:03am 2007-07-04 926 DET -128 7:53:26am 2007-07-04 929 LAA -167 7:32:05am 2007-07-04 911 NYM -133 7:18:12am 2007-07-04 920 BOS -220

~ Ben Francisco took the first pitch downtown for the Tribe in the top of the 8th to tie 4-4 & Casey Blake homered in the 11th inning on a solo shot to left field on an 0-1 pitch from Jose Capellan to WIN as the NY Syndicate stays HOT backing Cleveland/Byrd/+112 Money Final: 5-4

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1:15 PM EDT 903 san francisco giants(r) cain, m 9.5 -107/-113/-114/-115 904 cincinnati reds (r) belisle, m -120/9.5/ 9.5o20 9.5 SAN FRANCISCO - OF Barry Bonds (rest) is “?” Wednesday vs Cincinnati. Bonds has been so fit lately that manager Bochy said he was leaning toward starting Bonds Wednesday, in a day game following a night game — which used to mean an automatic day off for Bonds. “We’ll see how he gets through tonight (Tuesday),” Bochy said.

2:05 PM EDT 905 philadelphia phillies(l) hamels, c -140 / -135 -122 906 houston astros (r) sampson, c 9u20 9u20

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4:05 PM EDT 907 milwaukee brewers (r) vargas, c -110 8.5o20 8.5 908 pittsburgh pirates (r) snell, i 8.5o20 -110/-105/-110

7:15 PM EDT 909 arizona diamondbacks(r) hernandez, l 9o30 9o25 910 st. louis cardinals (r) thompson, b -140 -130

8:05 PM EDT 911 new york mets (r) hernandez, o -140/-134/-135/-136 912 colorado rockies (r) fogg, j 10 10

9:05 PM EDT 913 florida marlins (r) johnson, j 7.5 7.5 914 san diego padres (r) young, c -210 -210

9:10 PM EDT 915 atlanta braves (l) james, c -110 8.5u15 916 los angeles dodgers (l) hendrickson, m 8.5u15 -110/-112/-116

1:05 PM EDT 917 minnesota twins (l) santana, j -130/-123/-120/-122/-124 918 new york yankees (r) mussina, m 8.5u25 8.5u20

1:05 PM EDT 919 tampa bay devil rays(r) jackson, e 10.5o15 10.5 920 boston red sox (r) wakefield, t -240 -220

4:05 PM EDT 921 toronto blue jays (r) mcgowan, d 9 9 922 oakland athletics (l) kennedy, j -125 -130

7:05 PM EDT 923 baltimore orioles undecided 924 chicago white sox (r) contreras, j

7:05 PM EDT 925 cleveland indians (r) westbrook, j 9.5u20 9.5u15 926 detroit tigers (l) rogers, k -145/-140/-132/-130/-132

8:10 PM EDT 927 seattle mariners (l) washburn, j -115/-120/-115/-113 928 kansas city royals (r) bannister, b 9 9o15

8:35 PM EDT 929 los angeles angels (r) weaver, jer -170/-175/-174 930 texas rangers (r) wright, jm 10o25 10o25

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NATIONAL LEAGUE - WEDNESDAY Jul 04 901 CUB R HILL -L -160 o9+115 -1½+105 12:05 PM 902 WAS M CHICO -L +140 u9-135 +1½-125 Jul 04 903 SFO M CAIN -R -115 o9½-110 +1½-220 1:15 PM 904 CIN M BELISLE -R -105 u9½-110 -1½+180 Jul 04 905 PHI C HAMELS -L -130 o9EV -1½+135 2:05 PM 906 HOU C SAMPSON -R +110 u9-120 +1½-155 Jul 04 907 MIL C VARGAS -R -110 o8½-110 +1½-230 4:05 PM 908 PIT I SNELL -R -110 u8½-110 -1½+190 Jul 04 909 ARI L HERNADEZ-R +105 o9-125 +1½-185 7:15 PM 910 STL B THOMPSON-R -125 u9+105 -1½+165 Jul 04 911 NYM O HERNANDZ-R -140 o10-110 -1½+115 8:05 PM 912 COL J FOGG -R +120 u10-110 +1½-135 Jul 04 913 FLA J JOHNSON -R +175 o7½-115 +1½-120 9:05 PM 914 SDG C YOUNG -R -210 u7½-105 -1½EV Jul 04 915 ATL C JAMES -L EV o8½-115 +1½-210 9:10 PM 916 LOS HENDRIKSON-L -120 u8½-105 -1½+175

AMERICAN LEAGUE - WEDNESDAY Jul 04 917 MIN JO SANTANA-L -125 o8½+105 -1½+130 1:05 PM 918 NYY M MUSSINA -R +105 u8½-125 +1½-150 Jul 04 919 TAM E JACKSON -R +200 o10½-115 +1½-115 1:05 PM 920 BOS WAKEFIELD -R -240 u10½-105 -1½-105 Jul 04 921 TOR D MCGOWAN -R +110 o9-110 +1½-175 4:05 PM 922 OAK J KENNEDY -L -130 u9-110 -1½+155 Jul 04 923 BAL G OLSON -L 7:05 PM 924 CWS J CONTREAS-R Jul 04 925 CLE WESTBROOK -R +120 o9½-105 +1½-170 7:05 PM 926 DET K ROGERS -L -140 u9½-115 -1½+150 Jul 04 927 SEA J WASHBURN-L -125 o9-110 -1½+140 8:10 PM 928 KAN B BANNISTE-R +105 u9-110 +1½-160 Jul 04 929 LAA JER WEAVER-R -175 o10-125 -1½-115 8:35 PM 930 TEX JM WRIGHT -R +155 u10+105 +1½-105

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NO LISTED PITCHERS - ALL GAMES MUST 8.5 INNINGS Jul 04 945 AWAY RUNS 12:05 PM 946 HOME RUNS Jul 04 947 OVER RUNS 12:05 PM 948 UNDER RUNS

AT & T NATIONAL - *ODDS TO WIN* - Jul 05

Jul 05 - 8:00 AM ODDS TO WIN THE AT&T NATIONAL 401 TIGER WOODS +250 402 JIM FURYK +700 403 PHIL MICKELSON +800 404 VIJAY SINGH +1000 405 ADAM SCOTT +1500 406 JUSTIN ROSE +2000 407 GEOFF OGILVY +2500 408 SCOTT VERPLANK 409 JERRY KELLY +4000 410 STEVE STRICKER +4000 411 ANTHONY KIM +5000 412 HUNTER MAHAN +5000 413 SEAN OHAIR +5000 414 NICK OHERN +4000 415 WOODY AUSTIN +5000 416 KJ CHOI +5000 417 FREDRIK JACOBSON +5500 418 STUART APPLEBY +5500 419 AARON BADDELEY +2500 420 ROD PAMPLING +5000 421 BRANDT SNEDEKER +6000 422 ROBERT ALLENBY +6000 423 LUCAS GLOVER +6000 424 ARRON OBERHOLSER +7000 425 MIKE WEIR +7000 426 DAVIS LOVE III +7000 427 JJ HENRY 428 RYAN MOORE +7500 429 TOM PERNICE JR +7500 430 BUBBA WATSON +7000 431 JOSE COCERES +8000 432 FRED FUNK +5000 433 JASON GORE +8000 434 JUSTIN LEONARD +4500 435 BO VAN PELT +8000

AT & T NATIONAL - *TOURNAMENT MATCHUPS* - Jul 05 UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, ALL MATCHUPS ARE FOR THE ENTIRE TOURNAMENT. Jul 05 501 T WOODS 7:10 AM 502 J FURYK Jul 05 503 V SINGH 7:10 AM 504 A SCOTT Jul 05 505 J ROSE 7:10 AM 506 S VERPLANK Jul 05 507 A BADDELEY 7:10 AM 508 N O’HERN Jul 05 509 G OGILVY 7:10 AM 510 KJ CHOI Jul 05 511 S STRICKER 7:10 AM 512 R ALLENBY Jul 05 513 JJ Henry 7:10 AM 514 H SLOCUM Jul 05 515 S APPLEBY 7:10 AM 516 M WEIR Jul 05 517 S O’HAIR 7:10 AM 518 C CAMPBELL Jul 05 519 J KELLY 7:10 AM 520 F FUNK Jul 05 521 B QUIGLEY 7:10 AM 522 R MEDIATE Jul 05 523 T PERNICE JR 7:10 AM 524 S MARINO Jul 05 525 L GLOVER 7:10 AM 526 W AUSTIN Jul 05 527 K DUKE 7:10 AM 528 B SNEDEKER Jul 05 529 A KIM 7:10 AM 530 C VILLEGAS Jul 05 531 J SENDEN 7:10 AM 532 P LONARD Jul 05 533 J GOVE 7:10 AM 534 B FAXON Jul 05 535 C HOFFMAN 7:10 AM 536 C RILEY Jul 05 537 K NA 7:10 AM 538 J OGILVIE Jul 05 539 K SUTHERLAND 7:10 AM 540 J BYRD Jul 05 541 B SNEDEKER 7:10 AM 542 S MARINO Jul 05 543 C HOWELL III 7:10 AM 544 F FUNK Jul 05 545 N O’HERN 7:10 AM 546 A OBERHOLSER Jul 05 547 J ROSE 7:10 AM 548 A SCOTT Jul 05 549 V SINGH 7:10 AM 550 J FURYK

PEPSI 400 - *ODDS TO WIN* - Jul 05 Jul 05 - 3:30 PM ODDS TO WIN THE PEPSI 400 401 TONY STEWART +300 402 JEFF GORDON +300 403 JIMMIE JOHNSON +385 404 DALE EARNHARDT JR +500 405 KEVIN HARVICK +750 406 KURT BUSCH +800 407 MATT KENSETH +1100 408 DENNY HAMLIN +1300 409 JEFF BURTON +1250 410 KYLE BUSCH +1300 411 MARK MARTIN +1500 412 MARTIN TRUEX JR +1350 413 RYAN NEWMAN +1650 414 DAVID GILLILAND +2500 415 CLINT BOWYER +2700 416 CARL EDWARDS +2500 417 CASEY MEARS +2850 418 JAMIE MCMURRAY +2750 419 JUAN MONTOYA +3000 420 RICKY RUDD +3000 421 GREG BIFFLE +4000 422 FIELD +1200

2007 NEXTEL CUP CHAMPIONSHIP - Jul 07 Jul 07 - 7:00 PM ODDS TO WIN THE 2007 NEXTEL CUP CHAMPIONSHIP 101 TONY STEWART +600 102 JIMMIE JOHNSON +500 103 MATT KENSETH +800 104 JEFF GORDON +300 105 DALE EARNHARDT JR +1800 106 DENNY HAMLIN +600 107 GREG BIFFLE +4000 108 CARL EDWARDS +900 109 KEVIN HARVICK +1200 110 KASEY KAHNE +10000 111 JEFF BURTON +1200 112 CASEY MEARS +6000 113 KURT BUSCH +2000 114 CLINT BOWYER +3000 115 JUAN MONTOYA +8000 116 RYAN NEWMAN +2000 117 MARTIN TRUEX JR +2000 118 SCOTT RIGGS +50000 119 REED SORRENSON +50000 120 JAMIE MCMURRAY +5000 121 KYLE BUSCH +1200 122 FIELD +3000

PEPSI 400 - *QUALIFYING MATCHUPS - Jul 06 Jul 06 3 COMING UP SOON 9:00 AM 4 COMING UP SOON

PEPSI 400 - *MATCHUPS* - Jul 07 Jul 07 5 COMING UP SOON 8:00 PM 6 COMING UP SOON

(Tuesday, July 3rd)

Final Score: Boston 4, Tampa Bay 1

Boston, MA - Daisuke Matsuzaka struck out nine in eight shutout innings and Julio Lugo ended the longest hitless drought of his career with a two-out, two-run single in the second inning, as the Red Sox defeated the Devil Rays, 4-1, in the opener of a three-game set. Lugo had gone 0-for-33 before his two-out base-hit off Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir in the second inning gave Boston a 3-0 lead. It was the worst hitless streak by a Red Sox player since Tim Naehring went 0-for-39 from April 13-May 14, 1991. Matsuzaka (10-5) scattered four hits and walked just one batter. The 23-year- old Japanese sensation has given up just six earned runs over his last six starts, while totaling 51 strikeouts over 42 innings. Jason Varitek also knocked in a pair of runs for the Red Sox, who were coming off a four-game split with Texas. Carlos Pena homered off Jonathan Papelbon with two outs in the ninth to break up the shutout, but Papelbon retired Greg Norton to preserve the victory. Kazmir (5-5) ran into trouble in the second, walking the first three batters of the inning to load the bases as Boston struck for three runs in the inning. The left-hander pitched six innings and yielded four runs — three earned — with six strikeouts and three walks.

Final Score: Cleveland 5, Detroit 4 (11 innings)

Detroit, MI - Casey Blake homered in the 11th inning, as the Cleveland Indians earned a 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers in the opener of a pivotal three-game series. The Indians won on Blake’s solo shot to left field on an 0-1 pitch from Jose Capellan (0-1), who made his Tigers debut. They had escaped a one-out, bases- loaded jam in the 10th when Carlos Guillen popped out and Ivan Rodriguez grounded out. Ben Francisco also homered for Cleveland, which has wins in six straight and eight of its last nine games. Jhonny Peralta doubled and knocked in two runs, as the Indians extended their lead in the AL Central to three games over the Tigers. Veteran right-hander Paul Byrd, coming off a win over the Oakland Athletics in his last start on Thursday, allowed four runs - three earned - on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts over seven innings. Tom Mastny (6-2) earned the win after pitching out of the 10th, and Joe Borowski struck out two in the 11th for his 25th save of the season. Gary Sheffield homered for the Tigers, who have lost three of four. Guillen finished 2-for-5 with an RBI and scored a run. Left-hander Nate Robertson, who is still winless in his last five starts and has not posted a victory since May 19, gave up three runs on six hits with two walks and eight strikeouts over five frames.

Final Score: New York 8, Minnesota 0

Bronx, NY - Chien-Ming Wang threw seven strong innings to win his fifth consecutive decision and Robinson Cano belted a two-run homer, as the New York Yankees pounded Minnesota, 8-0, in the second contest of a four- game series. Melky Cabrera and Derek Jeter each contributed a pair of RBI, while Bobby Abreu had his second straight three-hit game, driving in one and scoring twice. Wang (8-4) scattered four hits, walked four and fanned three to remain unbeaten in his last seven starts. The right-hander left after throwing 101 pitches as the Yankees put together back-to-back wins for the first time since beating the Mets, June 16-17. Scott Proctor struck out two batters in the eighth and Edwar Ramirez made a spectacular debut, striking out the side in the ninth to complete the five- hitter. Carlos Silva (6-9) was pounded for nine hits and six runs over 5 1/3 innings, as he had a two-start winning streak snapped. Minnesota lost for the third straight time, its longest skid since a four-game slide, June 2-5. The Twins have scored once in their current losing streak. Final Score: Kansas City 17, Seattle 3

Kansas City, MO - Rookie Billy Butler homered and knocked in a career-best six runs, pacing the Royals to a 17-3 rout of the Mariners, handing John McLaren his second straight loss as Seattle’s manager. Butler, who recorded his first major league homer off the Angels’ Ervin Santana a week ago, belted a three-run shot as part of a six-run opening inning. He had three hits and scored four times. Jason LaRue followed with a homer to center and finished with three hits and two RBI, as the Royals won for the seventh time in nine games, but remain in last place in the AL Central. Esteban German had three hits and scored twice, and David DeJesus and Ross Gload each knocked in two runs as part of Kansas City’s 16-hit attack. Jorge De La Rosa (6-9) allowed eight hits and three runs over seven innings to win his second straight start. Jose Vidro had two hits and an RBI for the Mariners, who entered this series on an eight-game winning streak, but more surprising was the resignation of Mike Hargrove on Sunday. The Mariners have fallen on hard times the last two nights, falling 3-2 in 11 innings Monday, and are now in danger of being swept in the three-game series. To make matters worse, Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima left Tuesday’s game after being hit in the right wrist. Johjima was behind the plate when a pitch from Ryan Feierabend hit off Mark Teahen and then caromed off the catcher’s wrist in the second inning. The Mariners, who fell behind 10-1 through two frames, lost first baseman Richie Sexson to a left thumb contusion in the 10th inning of Monday’s loss. Sexson sat out Tuesday’s game. Feierabend (1-3) surrendered 10 runs in just 1 1/3 innings to suffer the loss. Jason Davis was also hit hard, yielding six hits and six runs — four earned — over 4 1/3 innings. Final Score: Chicago 5, Baltimore 1

Chicago, IL - Javier Vazquez threw a four-hit, one-run complete game, as the Chicago White Sox downed the Baltimore Orioles, 5-1, at U.S. Cellular Field. Vazquez (5-5) struck out seven batters and walked none, allowing just one run for his first complete game since July 6, 2005. Jim Thome hit a three-run homer for Chicago, which has won three of its last four. Kevin Millar homered for the Orioles, who have dropped two of their last three. Daniel Cabrera (6-9) allowed five runs on six hits with five walks and four strikeouts over six innings. Final Score: Texas 8, LA Angels of Anaheim 3

Arlington, TX - Brad Wilkerson hit three homers and drove in a career-best six runs to lead the Rangers over the Angels, 8-3, in the opener of a three-game set. Wilkerson ended 3-for-4, hitting a solo homer, two-run homer and a three-run shot, as the Rangers opened a six-game homestand with their third win in four outings. It’s the first time Wilkerson has ever hit three homers in a game and he became the first Ranger to do it since Mark Teixeira on July 13, 2006. Kevin Millwood (5-7) got the win, his third in four decisions, allowing just two runs on five hits over eight innings. He struck out four without a walk for Texas, which has won nine of its last 13 games. Howie Kendrick went 2- for-3 with a pair of RBI for the Angels, who have lost five of seven. Ervin Santana (5-9) lost his third straight decision, surrendering five runs — four earned — on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. The right-hander, who has not won since June 9, also struck out a career-high 11 and walked two.

Final Score: Oakland 3, Toronto 1

Oakland, CA - Joe Blanton continued a month-long stretch of quality starts with his American League-leading third complete game to lead the Oakland Athletics over the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-1, in the second test of a three-game series at McAfee Coliseum. Blanton (8-4) allowed one run on four hits with a walk and four strikeouts. He has surrendered just three runs in his last 33 1/3 innings at McAfee Coliseum, and lowered his league-leading home ERA to 1.69. Jack Cust homered for the Athletics, who have won three of four. Shannon Stewart went 2-for-4 and scored a run in the win. Alex Rios went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Blue Jays, who have lost five of six. Rookie Jesse Litsch (1-3) began his second go-around with the Blue Jays by allowing two unearned runs on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts over seven innings. The young right-hander was called up from the minors to make four starts for an ailing Roy Halladay back in May. Final Score: Pittsburgh 6, Milwaukee 2

Pittsburgh, PA - Jack Wilson went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored as the Pittsburgh Pirates knocked off the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-2, in the second portion of a four-game set at PNC Park. Ronny Paulino, despite having no hits, drove in a pair of runs while Rajai Davis went 2-for-3 with a run scored for the Pirates, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Shane Youman (1-0) got his first Major League win as he gave up two runs on eight hits in six innings of work. Youman replaced full-time starter Zach Duke, who is sidelined with a sore left elbow and will visit Dr. James Andrews for an examination on Friday. Kevin Mench hit a solo home run and Ryan Braun drove in the other run for the Brewers, who had won five of seven coming into the contest. Johnny Estrada went 3-for-4 in the loss. Chris Capuano started but lasted just 3 1/3 innings and was charged with two runs on five hits. Yovani Gallardo (1-1) was saddled with the loss as he gave up four runs on five hits in just 2 2/3 innings of work.

Final Score: Chicago 3, Washington 1

Washington, DC - Carlos Zambrano struck out eight over 6 2/3 innings and Alfonso Soriano went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, lifting the Cubs over the Nationals, 3-1, at RFK Stadium. Zambrano (10-6) won his third straight start, allowing one run on three hits with four walks. The fiery hard-throwing right-hander improved to 5-1 over his last six starts, surrendering just eight runs over 44 1/3 innings during that stretch. Carlos Marmol, Will Ohman and Bob Howry, who recorded the final two outs for his third save of the season, completed the four-hitter for Chicago, which has won three straight, including the first two of this four-game set. Cliff Floyd drove in two runs and Ryan Theriot had two hits and an RBI for the Cubs, who have won 10 of 11 and moved a season-high two-games over .500 (42-40). Ronnie Belliard drove in the lone run for the Nationals, who have dropped seven of eight overall and all five games to the Cubs this season. Tim Redding (0-1) was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to make his first start in the majors since 2005 and the right-hander was charged with the loss. He allowed three runs on five hits, striking out one and walking two, in five innings of work.

Final Score: Cincinnati 7, San Francisco 3

Cincinnati, OH - Barry Bonds belted home run No. 751 to move within four of Hank Aaron’s record, but Brandon Phillips’ grand slam helped Pete Mackanin win his first game as Cincinnati’s manager as the Reds downed the San Francisco Giants, 7-3, in the opener of a three-game set. In the first, Ray Durham drew a two-out walk and Bonds followed as he got a hold of an 0-2 pitch from Aaron Harang down the middle and belted the ball into the right field stands for a 2-0 lead. The home run was Bonds’ 17th of the season and 59th against Cincinnati in his career. He finished the game 1-for-3 with a pair of walks, one of which was intentional for the Giants, who have lost four of their last six. Alex Gonzalez, Edwin Encarnacion and Jeff Conine each drove in a run while Phillips finished the game 2-for-4 with three runs scored for the Reds, who have won two of their last three. Harang (9-2) got the win as he gave up just three runs on four hits with six walks and four strikeouts in six innings of work. He’s 4-0 over his last eight outings. Barry Zito started on the hill and was charged with three runs on just two hits, but had six walks in five innings for the Giants. Kevin Correia (1-4) got the loss four giving up the grand slam.

Final Score: Arizona 7, St. Louis 1

St. Louis, MO - Yusmeiro Petit pitched into the sixth inning to pick up a win in place of the injured Randy Johnson, as the Arizona Diamondbacks slammed the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-1, in the second contest of a four-game set. Petit, who was recalled from Triple-A Tucson prior to the game, pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up just one run on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks to pick up his second career win. Johnson, on the other hand, was placed on the 15-day disabled for the third time this season prior to the game with a recurring back problem. Chris Young hit a home run and Chad Tracy and Mark Reynolds hit back-to-back homers in the third inning for the Diamondbacks, who halted a three-game losing streak. Albert Pujols hit three singles and Scott Rolen knocked in the only run for the Cardinals, who had won three of four. Todd Wellemeyer (2-2) was tagged with the loss after yielding six runs — four earned — on seven hits through three innings. Final Score: Colorado 11, New York 3

Denver, CO - Garrett Atkins hit a two-run homer and Ryan Spilborghs connected for his first career grand slam, as the Rockies continued to master the Big Apple at Coors Field with an 11-3 win over the Mets. Atkins ended 2-for-4 with three RBI and former Met Kaz Matsui ended 5-for-5 with two runs scored for the Rockies, who have won three of four. Willy Taveras added three hits and scored three times and Yorvit Torrealba homered for Colorado, which has won five straight at home against New York teams. Prior to embarking on a 1-9 road trip, the Rockies swept a three-game set from the Yankees and have now taken the first two games of this three-game set. Colorado starting pitcher Aaron Cook (5-5) got the win, his first in seven starts. The right-hander allowed three runs — two earned — on seven hits, striking out one without a walk, over eight innings. Matt Holliday continues his impressive play at home, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and extending his hitting streak at Coors Field to 23 games. Ramon Castro homered, ending 2-for-3, and David Wright drove in a run for the Mets, who have lost three straight. Carlos Delgado went 2-for-4 for New York, which fell to 3-3 on its current 11-game road trip. New York starting pitcher Jason Vargas, spot starting for the injured Oliver Perez, suffered the loss. The left-hander was charged with nine runs on 11 hits, striking out two and walking two, in 3 1/3 innings. Vargas (0-1) was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans after Perez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a sore lower back.

Final Score: Houston 5, Philadelphia 4 (13 innings)

Houston, TX - Rookie Hunter Pence homered on the first pitch of the 13th inning to give the Houston Astros a dramatic 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the middle contest of a three-game set. With the scored tied, Pence smoked the first offering from Jose Mesa (1-2) well over the left field wall to give the Astros their third straight win. Pence finished 3-for-6 while Matt Albers (2-4) pitched two shutout innings and worked around trouble in the top of the 13th to pick up the win for Houston, which took advantage of a questionable call in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings. Antonio Alfonseca came on to close things out with Philadelphia leading 4-3. Craig Biggio singled to left with one out and Pence followed with a bloop base-hit to center that put runners on the corners. Alfonseca walked Lance Berkman to load the bases and then got Carlos Lee to ground into a potential game-ending double play. Jimmy Rollins tossed to Chase Utley to get the out at second and Utley’s throw to first appeared to beat Lee. However, first baseman umpire Tim Welke ruled Lee safe as Biggio scored to tie the game at 4-4. The Phils threatened in the top of the 13th with runners on the corners and no outs. Philadelphia, however, squandered the opportunity. Houston native Michael Bourn went 3-for-6 with an RBI and a run scored and Ryan Howard knocked in a pair of runs for the Phillies, who have lost five of six to fall back to .500 (42-42).

Final Score: Florida 6, San Diego 4

San Diego, CA - Alfredo Amezaga scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch, part of a four-run seventh inning for the Marlins in a 6-4 victory over the San Diego Padres. Hanley Ramirez, who didn’t start because of a hamstring injury, belted a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the seventh for the Marlins, who took the second contest of the four-game series and won for just the third time in 10 games. Greg Maddux (7-5) failed in his attempt for win No. 341, as the four-time Cy Young Award winner yielded 10 hits and six runs while fanning five over 6 1/3 innings. He fell to 19-13 lifetime against Florida. Justin Miller (3-0) retired the final batter of the sixth inning to get the win. Kevin Gregg struck out the side in the ninth for his 16th save. Marlins starter Scott Olsen was lifted after giving up eight hits and four runs over 5 2/3 innings. Khalil Greene belted a two-run homer for San Diego, which had won five of its last six games. Brian Giles walked twice and had a two-run single in a losing cause.

Final Score: Los Angeles 7, Atlanta 6

Los Angeles, CA - Matt Kemp singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, and Los Angeles’ bullpen didn’t allow a hit over the final four frames, as the Dodgers came away with a 7-6 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Wilson Betemit had three hits, including a homer, and drove in four runs against his former team, as the Dodgers won their third straight game. Brian McCann hit a home run and knocked in three for the Braves, who faltered in the second contest of the four-game series and lost for the third straight time following a five-game winning streak. The starting pitchers for both teams, Atlanta’s Kyle Davies and LA’s Randy Wolf were taken out early. Davies allowed six hits and five runs in two-plus frames, while Wolf gave up five hits and six runs over three innings. Jeff Kent hustled out a double to center field, barely beating the throw from Andruw Jones, with one out in the seventh. Luis Gonzalez grounded out, as second baseman Yunel Escobar made a diving stop to keep the game tied. Tyler Yates replaced Wilfredo Ledezma (0-1) on the mound, and Kemp singled on a 3-2 pitch up the middle to give the Dodgers the 7-6 lead. Jonathan Broxton walked Matt Diaz with one out in the eighth, but immediately got McCann to ground into a double play. Takashi Saito retired the side in order in the ninth, fanning Escobar to end the game and notch his 23rd save. Rudy Seanez (5-1) picked up the victory by tossing the seventh inning.