Tuesday, July 17th (All times eastern)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (41-50) AT CLEVELAND INDIANS (54-38), 7:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - Jon Garland (7-6, 3.85) Cleveland - Paul Byrd (7-4, 4.41)
Kentucky native Paul Byrd tries for a second straight sterling outing against the Chicago White Sox tonight when the Cleveland Indians host the second of a three-game series at Jacobs Field.
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Byrd, a fourth-round draft pick of the Indians in 1991, pitched six scoreless innings against Chicago to open his season on April 14, allowing five hits and striking out five in a 4-0 Cleveland victory.
That win upped his career record against the White Sox to 6-2 in 10 starts.
Byrd has allowed double-digit hits four times in his last seven starts and is allowing an opposition batting average of .307 for the season. He got a tough- luck loss in his last start, surrendering four hits and a run in a 1-0 loss to Toronto on July 8.
Chicago righty Jon Garland will try to continue a recent hot streak that’s yielded three wins in his last four starts.
The former first-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs allowed eight hits and two runs in his last start on July 12, defeating Baltimore, 9-7.
He got a no-decision against the Indians on April 4, giving up seven hits and five runs in 5 1/3 innings.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pounder is 7-10 lifetime against Cleveland in 21 appearances - 20 starts.
On Monday, Paul Konerko, Rob Mackowiak and Jerry Owens all knocked in three runs as the White Sox used a nine-run sixth inning to down the Indians, 11-10.
Jim Thome finished 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the White Sox, who ended a three-game losing streak by holding off the Indians, who scored eight unanswered runs after the big sixth inning for the Sox.
Rookie left-hander John Danks (6-6) started for Chicago and went 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits.
Cleveland starter Cliff Lee (5-6) had a rough outing as the left-hander was charged with seven runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 frames.
Franklin Gutierrez went 4-for-5 and hit a three-run homer for the Indians, who lost for the sixth time in their last nine games. Gutierrez fell a triple short of the cycle.
The Indians have won four of seven from the White Sox this year and are 15-11 against them since the start of last season, winning seven of the eight series played between them in the process.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (39-53) AT BOSTON RED SOX (56-36), 7:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Kansas City - John Thomson (1-1, 3.38) Boston - Tim Wakefield (10-8, 4.47)
Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield goes for a sixth win in seven decisions tonight when the Boston Red Sox host the Kansas City Royals in game two of a three-game series at Fenway Park.
The 41-year-old right-hander, a native of Melbourne, Florida, became the third member of the Boston staff to reach 10 victories in his last start, scattering nine hits and four runs over six innings in a 7-4 defeat of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Wakefield is unbeaten since June 23, when he gave up six runs in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-1 interleague loss to San Diego.
He’s 10-5 with a save in 23 career appearances - 16 starts - against the Royals with a 3.66 earned run average in 130 1/3 innings.
The Royals will counter with Leo Nunez, who will be recalled from Triple-A Omaha to make his first major league start in place of the injured John Thomson. Thomson was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Monday with back spasms.
Nunez made 48 relief appearances for Kansas City the last two seasons and posted a 3-2 mark with a 6.99 ERA. In 10 minor league appearances this season, Nunez was 2-1 with a sparkling 1.40 earned run average.
On Monday, Kason Gabbard threw the first shutout of his career as the Red Sox downed the Royals, 4-0.
Gabbard (3-0) gave up just three hits, a walk and two hit batters while striking out a season-high eight batters for his first complete game for the Red Sox, who have won two of their last three.
David Ortiz hit a two-run home run, Manny Ramirez hit a solo homer and Dustin Pedroia added a solo shot and scored twice.
Emil Brown went 2-for-3 while Brian Bannister (5-6) was good in the start but was plagued by the long ball as he gave up four runs on five hits in six innings of work for the Royals, who have dropped three of four.
Boston, which took two of three from the Royals in Kansas City earlier this season, has won 13 of its last 16 at home in this series since the start of the 2003 campaign.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (45-47) AT NEW YORK YANKEES (46-44), 7:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Toronto - Roy Halladay (10-4, 4.66) New York - Andy Pettitte (5-6, 4.27)
A terrific pitching matchup is on tap this evening at Yankee Stadium when Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays face off against Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees in the second of four games from the Bronx.
Halladay enters this contest having lost two of his last three starts. Halladay suffered the loss on Thursday against the Boston Red Sox, as he surrendered five runs and eight hits in five innings to fall top 10-4 on the season, while raising his earned run average to 4.66.
The 2003 Cy Young Award winner has allowed 10 runs and 17 hits over his last two starts, spanning 10 2/3 innings.
Halladay is 9-4 lifetime against the Yankees with a 3.09 ERA in 23 games, 21 of which have been starts.
Pettitte, meanwhile, has been one of the best second half pitchers in baseball in his career and will need to be so again if the Yankees plan on making the postseason.
Since breaking into the league in 1995, Pettitte is 98-41 after the All-Star break with a 3.51 ERA in 176 games (174 starts).
Pettitte continued that trend on Thursday against Tampa, as he started his second half with a win. The left-hander held the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 frames to improve to 5-6 to go along with a 4.27 ERA.
In 30 games (29 starts) against Toronto, Pettitte is 15-8 with a 4.18 ERA.
In the opener of this set on Monday Andy Phillips’ two-run single lifted the Yankees to a 6-4 victory. Alex Rodriguez belted the 496th home run of his career, while Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano drilled homers one out apart in the second for the Yankees, who have won four of five and nine of 13.
The Blue Jays also played long ball, with Troy Glaus belting two homers and Alex Rios another. Glaus missed his third homer of the night in the ninth by a a few feet to dead center, finishing with his first triple since April 2005.
Glaus was left stranded at third as Mariano Rivera struck out Frank Thomas and Lyle Overbay before Aaron Hill grounded out to finish off the closer’s 14th save. Scott Proctor (2-5) got the win despite giving up Rios’ tying solo shot in the sixth.
Josh Towers (4-6) took the loss, yielding six runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and one walk over 5 2/3 innings. The Blue Jays bullpen held the Yankees down the rest of the way, but it wasn’t enough to avoid their second defeat in three games.
Toronto has won three of five from the Yankees this season, but is just 24-36 in the series since the start of the 2004 season. The Blue Jays are also only 11-19 in the Bronx over that time.
LA ANGELS OF ANAHEIM (55-36) AT TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (35-56), 7:10 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: LA Angels - Ervin Santana (5-10, 5.97) Tampa Bay - James Shields (7-5, 3.98)
Second-year right-hander James Shields tries again to reverse a tailspin tonight when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Tropicana Field.
The 25-year-old Californian began the season with wins in six straight decisions, but has since dropped five of six - including a 7-3 decision to the New York Yankees on July 12, in which he allowed nine hits and five earned runs in six innings.
The former 16th-round draft pick’s earned run average has risen from 3.04 to 3.98 during the slide, in which he’s given up at least six hits in each outing.
Shields is 1-1 in three career starts against the Angels with a 3.93 earned run average in 18 1/3 innings.
The Angels counter with Ervin Santana, who’s lost four straight and five of seven. The 24-year-old Dominican dropped a 12-0 verdict to the Yankees on July 8, allowing seven hits and nine runs in three innings.
His last win came June 9 at St. Louis, when he gave up six hits and three runs in six innings.
Lifetime against the Devil Rays, Santana is 2-2 in four starts with 6.00 ERA in 24 innings.
On Sunday at Tampa Bay, Derek Jeter homered and knocked in three runs, as the Yankees came back to overcome 16 Tampa Bay hits and beat the Devil Rays, 7-6, in the finale of a four-game set at Tropicana Field.
Carlos Pena hit a home run and had three RBI for Tampa Bay, which has lost 16 of 18. Edwin Jackson yielded four runs in his six innings of work, and Casey Fossum (5-8) took the loss.
In Los Angeles, Mark Teixeira smacked a lead-off home run in the 11th inning that lifted the Texas Rangers over the Angels, 5-4, to avoid a sweep in the final matchup of the three-game series.
Chone Figgins went 3-for-4 with two RBI and also scored a run for Anaheim, which has split its last six games. Figgins also stole three bases to break the Angels’ record for all-time steals of 186 previously held by Rangers first base coach Gary Pettis, who tipped his cap toward Figgins from the dugout after the record-breaker.
Jered Weaver, looking to snap out of a personal two-game losing skid, allowed two unearned runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts over seven innings for LA.
The Angels have won both matchups with the Devil Rays this season and are 9-2 in the series since the start of last season. LA has also won four of its last five in St. Petersburg.
DETROIT TIGERS (54-36) AT MINNESOTA TWINS (49-43), 8:10 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Detroit - Nate Robertson (5-6, 4.92) Minnesota - Matt Garza (1-0, 0.00)
The Minnesota Twins will try to remain undefeated on their current homestand when they welcome the first-place Detroit Tigers to the Metrodome for tonight’s opener of a three-game series.
The Twins kicked off a 10-game residency on Thursday against Oakland and swept the A’s in four games. That sweep culminated on Sunday, when Joe Mauer drove in Luis Castillo in the ninth inning to lift the Twins to a 4-3 victory.
Mauer finished 3-for-4 and Justin Morneau hit a solo homer for the third-place Twins, who have won six of their last eight games and trail the Tigers by six games for first place in the American League Central. Detroit owns a one-game lead over second-place Cleveland.
Pat Neshek (4-1) got the win after pitching a scoreless top of the ninth. Boof Bonser started for Minnesota and gave up three runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings of work.
Matt Garza will make his second start of the season for the Twins tonight. Garza pitched two innings of relief in his season debut on July 2, then faced the Chicago White Sox on July 6 and hurled six shutout frames in a 12-0 victory. The right-hander scattered five hits and three walks while striking out six.
Garza went 3-6 in 10 games (nine starts) last year for the Twins. He has faced the Tigers just once in his career, with that outing coming on September 8, 2006, Garza didn’t factor into the decision.
Detroit, meanwhile, comes into the series having split a four-game set with the Seattle Mariners. The Tigers salvaged the split with an 11-7 win on Sunday.
Marcus Thames and Magglio Ordonez both homered in the victory, while AL Player of the Week Curtis Granderson drove in a run and scored three times as Detroit won for the seventh time in nine games.
Justin Verlander (11-3) got the win as he gave up four runs on eight hits in seven innings of work.
Nate Robertson will start for Detroit and is coming off a win last time out. Robertson defeated Boston on July 8, throwing 6 1/3 innings of four-run, four- hit ball. He also walked four, but still improved to 5-6 with a 4.92 earned run average on the season .
The left-hander faced the Twins on April 27 and came away with a no decision after giving up three runs over seven innings of his team’s 5-3 setback. Robertson is 5-7 with a 4.28 ERA in 16 games (15 starts) lifetime against Minnesota.
The Twins own a slim 5-4 edge in the season series so far this year. However, the club is just 1-2 against Detroit at the Metrodome.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES (41-51) AT SEATTLE MARINERS (52-38), 10:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Baltimore - Jeremy Guthrie (4-3, 3.07) Seattle - Felix Hernandez (6-4, 3.66)
Felix Hernandez tries to run his unbeaten streak to six starts when the Seattle Mariners continue their three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles this evening at Safeco Field.
Hernandez won his second straight start on Thursday against Detroit, as he held the Tigers to two runs and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings to run his record to 6-4 on the season and lower his earned run average to 3.66.
The 21-year-old right-hander received a no decision against the Orioles earlier in the season and is 2-1 in his young career against them, with a 5.96 ERA in four starts.
Baltimore will counter with righty Jeremy Guthrie, who is 4-3 with a 3.07 ERA. Guthrie dropped his second straight decision on Thursday against Chicago, as he surrendered six runs (five earned) on nine hits in just 3 2/3 innings.
Guthrie has never faced the Mariners.
In the opener of this set on Monday, Horacio Ramirez, fresh off the disabled list, pitched seven innings and Yuniesky Betancourt hit a two-run double in the sixth inning to lead Seattle to a 4-2 win.
Ramirez (5-2), who had been sidelined since May 25 with tendinitis in his left shoulder, gave up just two runs on five hits for the Mariners, who have won six of their last eight.
Ichiro Suzuki, who was questionable coming into the game after leaving Sunday’s contest against Detroit with a thigh contusion, finished 2-for-3 with a run scored. He was the designated hitter instead of playing his normal position of center field.
Nick Markakis and Ramon Hernandez each drove in a run for the Orioles, who had a three-game winning streak stopped. Brian Burres (4-4) got the loss after he gave up four runs on nine hits in six innings of work.
Seattle took two of three from the O’s earlier this year and is 9-5 against them since the start of last season.
TEXAS RANGERS (40-52) AT OAKLAND ATHLETICS (44-49), 10:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Texas - Robinson Tejeda (5-8, 6.70) Oakland - Chad Gaudin (8-4, 3.18)
The Oakland Athletics try to stop an eight-game losing streak this evening, as they continue their three-game set with the Texas Rangers at McAfee Coliseum.
Oakland’s most recent setback came on Monday, as Jamey Wright threw seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits in Texas’ 4-1 win. Marlon Byrd and Jerry Hairston Jr. drove in two runs apiece for the Rangers, who have won two in a row.
Wright (3-2) walked three and struck out two.
Oakland starter Dallas Braden (1-4) was tagged for four runs on eight hits with two walks and seven strikeouts for the A’s, who are in the midst of their worst stretch since dropping eight in a row from May 21-29, 2005.
Marco Scutaro knocked in the lone run for the Athletics, who also broke the team record for futility, as they failed to score more than three runs for the 11th straight game, eclipsing the mark set by the 1978 team.
Prior to the game the A’s announced that they had shipped catcher Jason Kendall to the Chicago Cubs for catcher Rob Bowen and minor league left-hander Jerry Blevins.
Hoping to get Oakland back in the win column this evening will be surprising right-hander Chad Gaudin, who is 8-4 with a 3.18 earned run average. Gaudin, though, started his second half with a loss on Thursday, as he gave up five runs and six hits in four innings to the Minnesota Twins.
Gaudin defeated the Rangers earlier in the year, allowing just an unearned run in the process, and is 1-2 lifetime against them with a 2.84 ERA in 11 games, two of which have been starts.
Texas, meanwhile, will pin its hopes on right-hander Robinson Tejeda, who is winless in his last five starts and has posted just one victory in his previous nine outings.
Tejeda’s has not pitched since July 5 when he was saddled with the loss against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who tagged him for four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings.
The 25-year-old hurler received a no-decision against the A’s earlier in the year and is 2-1 in his career against them with a 3.32 ERA in four starts.
Texas has won four of its seven matchups with the A’s this year and holds a slim 14-12 edge in the series since the start of last season.
HOUSTON ASTROS (39-54) AT WASHINGTON NATIONALS (38-54), 7:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Houston - Chris Sampson (6-6, 4.25) Washington - Tim Redding (1-1, 4.09)
The Houston Astros will attempt to stop a four-game losing streak tonight, when they play the second of three straight games against the Washington Nationals at RFK Stadium.
After getting swept by the Chicago Cubs in three games over the weekend, the Astros were handed a 4-3 defeat by the Nationals in the series opener on Monday.
Dmitri Young hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to lift the Nationals to victory, while Ryan Zimmerman went 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs. Ryan Church also had an RBI as Washington won for the fourth time in six games.
Saul Rivera (4-2) got the win after pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Mike Bacsik started for the Nationals and gave up two runs — one earned — on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Carlos Lee had two hits, including a solo homer, while Mark Loretta also plated a run for Houston, which has lost the first four games of a nine-game road trip.
Woody Williams (4-11) was saddled with the loss after he gave up four runs on six hits in six innings.
Houston will send Chris Sampson to the mound tonight hoping the right-hander can halt a personal five-start winless stretch. Sampson posted four consecutive no decisions before being beaten by Philadelphia on July 4. The right-hander fell to 6-6 with a 4.25 earned run average after yielding four runs on eight hits over 6 1/3 innings against the Phillies.
Sampson has never faced the Nationals franchise in his career.
Tim Redding will try for consecutive winning starts for the first time in over four years when he toes the rubber for Washington. Redding, who makes his third start of the season, improved to 1-1 this year after besting Milwaukee on July 8. Versus the Brewers, the right-hander scattered two runs and five hits over six innings.
Redding won a major-league game for the first time since 2004, but hasn’t posted back-to-back victories in the big leagues since July 8-13, 2003 while with Houston. The former 1997 20th-round pick of Houston will face his former club for the first time in his career.
The Astros and Nats split eight games last year, with Washington winning three of four at home in the series.
COLORADO ROCKIES (46-46) AT PITTSBURGH PIRATES (40-52), 7:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Colorado - Josh Fogg (4-6, 5.36) Pittsburgh - Shane Youman (2-0, 3.00)
The Pittsburgh Pirates will be seeing a familiar face on the opposing mound when they play the second of three consecutive games with the Colorado Rockies tonight at PNC Park.
Josh Fogg was a mainstay in the Pittsburgh rotation for four years before being let go by the club following the 2005 season. The right-hander was signed by the Rockies the following spring and put together a decent debut for Colorado, posting an 11-9 record with a 5.49 earned run average in 31 starts.
Fogg will be making his first appearance at PNC Park when he takes the mound tonight. He did face his former club once last season, but it wasn’t a pleasant experience. Fogg was rocked for eight runs and lasted 4 1/3 innings in a no decision at Coors Field on June 7, 2006.
The 30-year-old picked up a victory in his final start prior to the All-Star break. Against the Mets on July 4, Fogg allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits over six innings in a 17-7 Rockies’ rout at Coors Field.
Fogg will be attempting to pitch Colorado to its eighth victory in 11 games. The Rockies were able to stop a two-game losing streak in Monday’s series opener, when they built a huge early lead before holding on for a 10-8 win over the Pirates.
Colorado scored five times in the first inning and owned a 9-1 advantage after 2 1/2 frames. Matt Holliday knocked in three of those runs, while Troy Tulowitzki and Yorvit Torrealba each finished with two RBI on the evening.
Rockies starter Taylor Buchholz couldn’t take advantage of that early offensive eruption, however. The right-hander lasted only four innings and was touched for six runs (four earned) on nine hits.
Four Colorado relievers managed to hold Pittsburgh scoreless over the final four innings and preserve the win. LaTroy Hawkins (1-4) was credited with the victory with 1 1/3 shutout frames and Manny Corpas threw a perfect ninth to earn his second save of the year.
John Van Benschoten (0-4) was rocked for nine runs in two-plus innings for Pittsburgh, which suffered its fourth straight loss following the All-Star break.
Ryan Doumit had two hits and two RBI for the Pirates, while Freddy Sanchez finished 2-for-5 and scored twice in defeat.
Shane Youman will attempt to end Pittsburgh’s current slide and put together a third straight winning start in this evening’s matchup. The rookie left-hander has impressed since replacing the injured Zach Duke in the rotation two weeks ago.
Youman earned his first major league win when he limited Milwaukee to two runs over six innings on July 3. He delivered a similar performance against the Cubs five days later, as he held Chicago to two runs on six hits over six frames to help Pittsburgh post a 6-2 triumph.
The 27-year-old will be facing the Rockies for the first time.
Last night’s contest was the first meeting between these teams this season. The Rockies and Pirates split six encounters in 2006, with Pittsburgh taking two of three games from Colorado at PNC Park. The Rockies are just 5-9 in the Steel City since 2004.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (42-47) AT FLORIDA MARLINS (44-49), 7:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: St. Louis - Brad Thompson (6-3, 5.10) Florida - Rick Vanden Hurk (2-2, 8.38)
The St. Louis Cardinals will attempt to record their longest win streak in over a month when the defending world champions resume a three-game set with the Florida Marlins tonight at Dolphin Stadium.
After smacking a season-high six home runs in a 10-2 rout of Philadelphia on Sunday, the Cardinals used the long ball again to claim last night’s series opener. Chris Duncan belted a two-run homer in the first inning and Adam Kennedy added a solo shot later in the game to lift St. Louis to a 5-3 victory.
Duncan finished 2-for-3 with three RBI on the evening, while Kennedy collected three hits for the Cardinals, who also received a solid performance on the mound from starting pitcher Braden Looper.
Looper (7-7) worked 6 1/3 innings and allowed just two runs on five hits to earn his first win since May 24. Jason Isringhausen notched his 18th save with a scoreless ninth.
Florida starter Byung-Hyun Kim (4-5) struggled with his command, issuing a season-high seven walks over the first six innings. The Korean right-hander allowed all five St. Louis runs on eight hits to suffer the loss.
The Marlins, who had won five of seven coming in, received a solo home run from Miguel Cabrera, the All-Star slugger’s fourth in three games. Jeremy Hermida went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in the loss.
St. Louis, which has not won three games in a row since June 3-6, will give the ball tonight to Brad Thompson. The right-hander has compiled a 6-3 record and a 5.10 earned run average on the season while shuffling between the rotation and the bullpen.
Thompson threw two innings in relief in Friday’s lopsided loss to the Phillies and was rocked for eight hits, including a pair of homers, and four runs (three earned). He was more effective in his latest start, when he gave up four runs over seven innings in a July 4 no decision against Arizona.
The swingman has made three previous relief appearances versus Florida and has no record and a 3.86 ERA in 4 2/3 innings over those games. Thompson has posted a 4-2 record with a 4.92 ERA as a starter so far this season.
Florida has recalled rookie Rick Vanden Hurk to start tonight’s contest. The Dutch native will be making his first major league appearance since he defeated Kansas City on June 16. Vanden Hurk surrendered six runs (five earned) in six innings but benefited from a wealth of run support in a 9-8 Marlins’ win.
Vanden Hurk brings an ugly 8.38 ERA in six starts and one relief outing at the big-league level into this evening’s game, but the 22-year-old has shown promise in his limited action. He allowed one hit over six scoreless frames to beat Atlanta in early June and has struck out 32 batters in 29 innings with the Marlins this year.
He has not fared well in four starts at Dolphin Stadium, however, posting an 0-2 and a 12.27 ERA while yielding 22 hits in 14 2/3 innings.
The Cardinals have taken seven of their last eight meetings with Florida and are an impressive 8-2 in South Florida since the start of the 2004 campaign. St. Louis swept a three-game set at Dolphin Stadium last season.
CINCINNATI REDS (38-55) AT ATLANTA BRAVES (50-43), 7:35 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Cincinnati - Bronson Arroyo (3-10, 4.78) Atlanta - Jo-Jo Reyes (0-0, 15.00)
After being dealt a lopsided loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, the Atlanta Braves will turn to an unproven rookie in hopes of evening the three-game series between the teams tonight at Turner Field.
Jo-Jo Reyes makes his second big league start for Atlanta this evening in place of injured All-Star John Smoltz. The 22-year-old lefty’s hopes to fare better than a rough debut against San Diego on July 7, when he surrendered five runs and walked three before being taken out after three innings. Two of the five hits he allowed were home runs.
The Braves selected Reyes out of a California junior college in the second round of the 2003 draft, and he was enjoying a terrific season in the minors prior to his promotion. He went 8-1 with a 3.56 earned run average in 13 starts for Double-A Mississippi, then recorded a 2-0 record and a 1.57 ERA in four outings for Triple-A Richmond.
Atlanta will be looking from a better performance out of the young hurler than Kyle Davies provided in last night’s series opener. The Braves starter allowed the first five Cincinnati hitters to reach base and was yanked before recording an out in the Reds’ 10-3 win.
Davies (4-8) walked three and allowed a pair of singles before departing. Two of those runners came home to score.
While Davies had a forgettable night, it was a memorable one for Reds outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. The All-Star slugger went 2-for-4 with four RBI and socked a three-run homer in the second inning which moved him past Frank Robinson and into sole possession of sixth place on baseball’s all-time list. It was the 587th homer of Griffey’s storied career.
Reds starter Bobby Livingston (2-0) went 4-for-4 with an RBI at the plate and also succeeded on the mound. The recently-recalled lefty allowed two runs on eight hits over the first five innings to earn the win.
Javier Valentin added three hits and Edwin Encarnacion finished 2-for-5 with an RBI for Cincinnati, which began the second half by losing three of four games to the NL East-leading New York Mets. Second baseman Brandon Phillips went 0-for-5, however, and had an 11-game hit streak snapped.
Atlanta had a four-game win streak snapped and remained 1 1/2 games behind the Mets in the division standings. Andruw Jones knocked in all three runs for the Braves on the evening.
The Braves will take their swings tonight against the struggling Bronson Arroyo, who fell to 3-10 on the season after Thursday’s loss to the Mets. The 2006 All-Star did not pitch badly in that game, as he yielded just three runs on eight hits and worked seven innings.
Arroyo has now lost eight of his last nine decisions and is a disappointing 1-7 on the road this season, although he has pitched to a respectable 3.88 ERA in his 10 away starts.
The former Red Sox fan favorite is 2-1 with a 5.45 ERA in seven career appearances, including six starts, against Atlanta.
These teams had not faced one another yet this season until last night. Atlanta won four of seven meetings with Cincinnati last year and is 11-7 in the overall series since the start of the 2005 campaign.
The Reds lost three of four games in their only visit to Turner Field last season.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (38-52) AT CHICAGO CUBS (48-43), 8:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: San Francisco - Barry Zito (6-9, 4.90) Chicago - Sean Marshall (4-3, 3.48)
The San Francisco Giants have not one, but two struggling players named Barry. The club will hope to get both back on track when they play the second contest of a four-game series with the Chicago Cubs tonight at Wrigley Field.
The Giants will send Barry Zito the mound to start tonight’s game, while Barry Bonds could return to the San Francisco lineup after sitting out the series opener on Monday due to sore legs. Bonds’ current slump has hindered his chase for Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record, while the struggling Zito is yielding little in return of the Giants seven-year, $126 million investment in him.
Bonds went 0-for-5 in San Francisco’s loss to the Dodgers on Sunday, making him hitless in his last 20 at-bats. He remains at 751 career homers, four shy of Aaron’s all-time mark. The left-hander hasn’t homered since connecting off Cincinnati’s Aaron Harang on July 3.
Zito, meanwhile, will try again for his first win since June 4. This isn’t what San Francisco envisioned when it signed the left-hander to a monster deal in the offseason, as Zito is 0-4 over his last six starts.
Zito fell to 6-9 on the season and saw his earned run average lift to 4.90 on July 8 against St. Louis. The 29-year-old was tagged for six runs (five earned) on eight hits and four walks against the Cardinals, lasting just four innings. He also struck out three.
The former first-round pick of Oakland in 1999 has historically been better in the second half of the season, however. In 108 career starts following the All-Star break, Zito is 59-27 with a 3.26 ERA.
The southpaw has faced the Cubs just one other time in his career, taking a loss on June 20, 2004 at Wrigley after giving up four runs over five innings.
Should Bonds return to the lineup tonight, he will face a pitcher in Sean Marshall in which he has just one career hit against in three at-bats. However, that hit was a home run.
Marshall got a no decision in his last start before the All-Star break on July 5, though he pitched well in his club’s eventual 4-2 win. The left-hander yielded two runs on five hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings, and is 4-3 with a 3.48 ERA on the year.
Marshall, who is 4-1 over his last six starts, has lost both of his career games against the Giants. Over that span, he has pitched to a 12.54 ERA after allowing 13 runs over 9 1/3 innings.
Both of those outings came last season, including a May 11 outing at San Francisco that saw Marshall get tagged for nine runs in just 3 2/3 frames.
The Cubs won their fourth straight game overall with yesterday’s 3-2 victory over the Giants. Aramis Ramirez belted a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning.
Koyie Hill homered for Chicago, which is 4-0 on a 10-game homestand and has won 16 of its last 20 contests. Rich Hill (6-6) allowed four hits and two runs over eight innings to snap a five-start winless skid, while Bob Howry threw the final frame for his sixth save.
During the game, the Cubs announced the acquisition of three-time All-Star catcher Jason Kendall from Oakland. The Cubs also received cash considerations in the deal and sent catcher Rob Bowen and minor league left-hander Jerry Blevins to the Athletics.
Kendall is expected to be in uniform for tonight’s game.
Pedro Feliz homered for the Giants, who continued to struggle after being swept at home in a three-game series over the weekend by Los Angeles. San Francisco lost for the fifth straight game.
Giants starter Tim Lincecum surrendered two hits and a run over 6 1/3 innings, walking five and fanning eight.
Chicago and the Giants are meeting for the first time since San Francisco took four of six games during the 2006 campaign. The Giants went 2-1 at Wrigley Field that season.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (49-45) AT MILWAUKEE BREWERS (52-40), 8:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Arizona - Yusmeiro Petit (1-1, 3.12) Milwaukee - Claudio Vargas (6-2, 4.52)
The National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers shoot for their fourth straight win when they play the second of four games versus the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight from Miller Park.
Milwaukee posted a 4-3 win in Monday’s series opener, as Corey Hart and Ryan Braun both homered and J.J. Hardy had two hits to lead the way. Starter Dave Bush went six-plus innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Bush improved to 5-1 with a 2.83 ERA in his last six outings.
The Brewers are still 3 1/2 games ahead of surging Chicago in the division standings after the Cubs defeated San Francisco last night. Milwaukee will square off with the Cubs again from August 28 - 30 at Wrigley Field.
In injury news for Milwaukee, starting pitcher Ben Sheets was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday because of a sprained finger. Sheets was diagnosed with a distal sprain of the right middle finger. In 19 starts this season, the right-hander has a record of 10-4 with a 3.39 earned run average and two complete games. He was selected for the All-Star Game for the third time in his career and pitched a scoreless inning last week in San Francisco.
Claudio Vargas will toe the rubber for the Brewers on Tuesday and he is 6-2 with a 4.52 earned run average over 17 games (15 starts) in 2007.
Vargas was 2-0 over three starts before losing his last outing on July 4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Vargas was reached for five runs in six innings of a 5-3 setback.
The righty, who owns a 4-0 home record this season, is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in four career games (three starts) against Arizona.
Meanwhile, the D’backs have lost two in a row, seven of nine and 10 of their last 13 games. In last night’s series-opening loss at Miller Park, Chris Young, Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds all homered in a losing cause. Starting pitcher Micah Owings suffered the loss for allowing four runs in six innings.
Arizona is now 4 1/2 games off the top spot in the competitive National League West division.
The Diamondbacks will hand the ball to Yusmeiro Petit tonight and the young hurler is 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA in three starts this season.
Petit, who was called up on July 3 when left-hander Randy Johnson landed on the disabled list again with a bad back, last pitched on July 8 against Cincinnati. He did not post a decision after yielding three runs in five innings of a 4-3 loss.
The right-hander faced Milwaukee for the first time in his career on September 3, 2006 and pitched a perfect inning of relief during a 10-3 victory as a member of the Florida Marlins.
Milwaukee and Arizona are meeting for the first time since splitting six games last season.
NEW YORK METS (51-41) AT SAN DIEGO PADRES (51-40), 10:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - Orlando Hernandez (5-4, 3.20) San Diego - Jake Peavy (9-3, 2.19)
San Diego Padres ace Jake Peavy is battling through a recent slump and will take the hill this evening in the second test of a three-game series against the New York Mets at Petco Park.
Peavy, who is 9-3 with a 2.19 ERA in 18 starts this season, is 0-2 with a 3.31 earned run average in his last three trips to the hill. Peavy had been 6-0 in nine starts before his recent slump.
The All-Star Peavy owns the second-best ERA in the majors and was saddled with the loss his last time out on July 5 against Florida, surrendering three runs in seven innings of a 3-2 setback to the Marlins.
Peavy, who is 5-3 in 11 home starts this season, will face the Mets for the eighth time in his career on Tuesday. He is 3-1 with a 3.20 earned run average in seven career appearances against them.
San Diego posted a 5-1 victory in Monday’s series opener, as David Wells threw six solid innings and Michael Barrett went 3-for-4 with three RBI to lead San Diego to its second straight win after a three-game losing streak.
Wells scattered seven hits, gave up a run, walked one batter and struck out two. The left-hander moved to 5-1 lifetime against the Mets. It was his first game against the Mets since winning at Shea Stadium on August 24, 2004.
Mike Cameron homered for the Padres, who are still one game behind the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers crushed the Philadelphia Phillies last night to stay atop the division standings.
Meanwhile, the NL East-leading Mets had their two-game winning streak stopped with last night’s setback. David Wright had three hits and scored a run for New York, which is 1 1/2 games ahead of Atlanta and five games in front of Philadelphia in the division standings. New York has dropped seven of its last nine road games.
Mets starter Jorge Sosa was activated off the 15-day disabled list before the game, but allowed five hits and two runs over six innings to absorb the loss. Sosa, who had been sidelined with a strained left hamstring, walked two and struck out four batters to lose for the third time in four decisions.
New York will go with Orlando Hernandez for tonight’s tilt in San Diego and the veteran is 5-4 with a 3.20 ERA in 14 starts this season.
Hernandez, a right-hander, is 2-1 with a 3.52 earned run average over his previous four trips to the mound, and defeated Cincinnati the last time out on July 12. He was reached for a pair of runs in six innings of a 3-2 victory at Shea Stadium.
The high-kicking Cuban will try to stay unbeaten in his career against San Diego, as he owns a 2-0 mark with a 2.40 ERA in three starts against the Padres.
New York and San Diego are meeting for the first time since the Mets won five of seven games last season, including a 2-2 record at Petco Park. New York is 9-5 over the last 14 matchups with the Padres.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (46-46) AT LOS ANGELES DODGERS (53-40), 10:10 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Philadelphia - J.D. Durbin (0-2, 13.50) Los Angeles - Mark Hendrickson (4-4, 3.92)
The NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers will try to extend their season-high winning streak to six games this evening, when they play the second installment of a three-game series versus the Philadelphia Phillies at Chavez Ravine.
Los Angeles crushed the Phillies, 10-3, in Monday’s series opener at Dodger Stadium behind a strong pitching performance from ace Brad Penny. The All-Star right-hander yielded just one run on four hits with eight strikeouts and three walks over seven innings of work. He hasn’t lost since May 18.
Jeff Kent and Matt Kemp both belted three-run homers for the Dodgers, who will try for six straight wins Tuesday for the first time since closing out the 2006 regular season with seven consecutive victories. LA is also one game ahead of the Padres in the National League West standings. San Diego topped the New York Mets last night at Petco Park.
Los Angeles will send Mark Hendrickson to the mound this evening, and he is 4-4 with a 3.92 ERA in 22 games (10 starts) this season.
Hendrickson has won his last two decisions and recorded the win in relief on Saturday against San Francisco. Hendrickson gave up a hit and struck out two batters in two scoreless innings of relief during an 8-7 win over the Giants.
The lanky left-hander will take on the Phillies tonight for the first time in his career.
Philadelphia continued to flip flop wins and has lost two straight, four of seven and nine of its last 14 games. In Monday’s series-opening loss, All-Star Chase Utley had two hits and a pair of RBI, while Aaron Rowand also added two hits and knocked in a run.
Phillies starter Jamie Moyer was rocked for 10 runs and 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings. The veteran lefty had the worst outing in a Philadelphia uniform and gave up 10 or more runs for the third time in his 21-year career.
Philly is still five games behind the NL East-leading New York Mets for the top spot in the division. Atlanta is just 1 1/2 games off the pace.
J.D. Durbin will lead the Phillies against LA this evening and he is 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in four games (one start) with Philadelphia this season.
Durbin made his Philly debut on June 29 against the New York Mets and was saddled with the loss after giving up six runs in 4 2/3 innings. In his last trip to the hill on July 13 against St. Louis, Durbin surrendered one run and three walks in an inning of relief.
The right-hander, who made one appearance for Arizona this season before being acquired by the Phils, has never pitched against Los Angeles in his career.
The Dodgers and Phillies are meeting for the time since Los Angeles won four of seven games in 2006.
(Monday, July 16th)
Final Score: Boston 4, Kansas City 0
Boston, MA - Kason Gabbard threw the first shutout of his career as the Boston Red Sox downed the Kansas City Royals, 4-0, in the opener of a three-game set at Fenway Park. Gabbard (3-0) gave up just three hits, a walk and two hit batters while striking out a season-high eight batters for his first complete game for the Red Sox, who have won two of their last three. David Ortiz hit a two-run home run, Manny Ramirez hit a solo homer and Dustin Pedroia added a solo shot and scored twice. Emil Brown went 2-for-3 while Brian Bannister (5-6) was good in the start but was plagued by the long ball as he gave up four runs on five hits in six innings of work for the Royals, who have dropped three of four.
Final Score: Chicago 11, Cleveland 10
Cleveland, OH - Paul Konerko, Rob Mackowiak and Jerry Owens all knocked in three runs as the Chicago White Sox used a nine-run sixth inning to down the Cleveland Indians, 11-10, in the opener of a three-game series at Jacobs Field. Jim Thome finished 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the White Sox, who ended a three-game losing streak by holding off the Indians, who scored eight unanswered runs after the big sixth inning for the Sox. Rookie left-hander John Danks (6-6) started for Chicago and went 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. Cleveland starter Cliff Lee (5-6) had a rough outing as the left-hander was charged with seven runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 frames. Franklin Gutierrez went 4-for-5 and hit a three-run homer for the Indians, who lost for the sixth time in their last nine games. Gutierrez fell a triple short of the cycle.
Final Score: New York 6, Toronto 4
Bronx, NY - Andy Phillips’ looping fly ball into center found real estate, scoring the go-ahead run and an added insurance run, as the Yankees opened a four-game set with a 6-4 victory over Toronto at Yankee Stadium. Phillips’ hit of the softer variety proved just as important as three Yankee homers, including Alex Rodriguez’s 496th career home run. Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano drilled homers one out apart in the second for the Yankees, who have won four of five and nine of 13. The Blue Jays also played long ball, with Troy Glaus belting two homers and Alex Rios another. Glaus missed his third homer of the night in the ninth by a a few feet to dead center, finishing with his first triple since April 2005. Glaus was left stranded at third as Mariano Rivera struck out Frank Thomas and Lyle Overbay before Aaron Hill grounded out to finish off the closer’s 14th save. Scott Proctor (2-5) got the win despite giving up Rios’ tying solo shot in the sixth. Josh Towers (4-6) took the loss, yielding six runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and one walk over 5 2/3 innings. The Blue Jays bullpen held the Yankees down the rest of the way, but it wasn’t enough to avoid their second defeat in three games.
Final Score: Seattle 4, Baltimore 2
Seattle, WA - Horacio Ramirez, fresh off the disabled list, pitched seven innings and Yuniesky Betancourt hit a two-run double in the sixth inning as Seattle downed Baltimore, 4-2, in the first of a three-game set at Safeco Field. Ramirez (5-2), who had been sidelined since May 25 with tendinitis in his left shoulder, gave up just two runs on five hits for the Mariners, who have won six of their last eight. Ichiro Suzuki, who was questionable coming into the game after leaving Sunday’s game against Detroit with a thigh contusion, finished the game 2-for-3 with a run scored. He was the designated hitter instead of playing his normal position in center field. Nick Markakis and Ramon Hernandez each drove in a run for the Orioles, who had a three-game winning streak stopped. Brian Burres (4-4) got the loss as he gave up four runs on nine hits in six innings of work.
Final Score: Texas 4, Oakland 1
Oakland, CA - Jamey Wright threw seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits as the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics, 4-1, in the first of a three-game set at McAfee Coliseum. Wright (3-2) walked three and struck out two. Marlon Byrd and Jerry Hairston Jr. drove in two runs apiece for the Rangers, who have won two in a row. Oakland starter Dallas Braden (1-4) was tagged for four runs on eight hits with two walks and seven strikeouts for Oakland, which has dropped eight straight. Marco Scutaro knocked in a run for the Athletics.
Final Score: Cincinnati 10, Atlanta 3
Atlanta, GA - Ken Griffey Jr. hit a milestone home run as the Cincinnati Reds blasted the Atlanta Braves, 10-3, in the first contest of a three-game set at Turner Field. Griffey’s three-run homer in the second inning moved him past Hall of Famer Frank Robinson for sole possession of sixth place on the all-time home run list with 587 homers. Griffey, who finished 2-for-4 with four runs batted in, has 24 homers this year. Cincinnati starter Bobby Livingston (2-0), who was recalled from Triple-A Louisville earlier Monday, went five innings and allowed two runs on eight hits. Livingston also helped himself at the plate by going 4-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Adam Dunn knocked in a pair of runs for the Reds, who avoided a three-game slide. Kyle Davies (4-8) started for Atlanta and failed to record an out. After allowing two runs on two hits and three walks, Davies was replaced by Oscar Villarreal in the first. Villarreal didn’t fare much better than Davies as the righty gave up four runs — three earned — on five hits in three innings. Yunel Escobar had three hits for the Braves, who were looking to win their fifth straight contest and lost for just the second time in their last nine games overall.
Final Score: Chicago 3, San Francisco 2
Chicago, IL - Aramis Ramirez belted the go-ahead two-run double with two outs in the eighth, as Chicago overcame a costly error from Alfonso Soriano in the top of the same inning to beat the Giants, 3-2, on a night the Cubs traded for veteran help behind the plate. During the game, the Cubs announced the acquisition of three-time All-Star catcher Jason Kendall from Oakland. The Cubs also received cash considerations in the deal and sent catcher Rob Bowen and minor league left-hander Jerry Blevins to the Athletics. San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds, in one of the worst slumps of his career, was scratched from the starting lineup due to sore legs. Koyie Hill homered for the Cubs, who despite five hits won their fourth straight overall. Rich Hill (6-6) allowed four hits and two runs over eight innings to snap a five-start winless skid. Bob Howry threw the final frame for his sixth save to open the four-game series. Pedro Feliz homered for the Giants, who continued to struggle after being swept at home in a three-game series over the weekend. This was San Francisco’s fifth consecutive loss.
Final Score: St. Louis 5, Florida 3
Miami, FL - Chris Duncan and Adam Kennedy homered as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Florida Marlins, 5-3, in the first of a three- game set at Dolphin Stadium. Kennedy was a triple shy of a cycle and Duncan finished with three RBI for the Cardinals, who have won three of their last five games. St. Louis starter Braden Looper (7-7) went 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Miguel Cabrera homered for the Marlins, who had won five of their previous seven. Byung-Hyun Kim (4-5) was tagged for five runs on eight hits, while walking seven and striking out four in six-plus innings.
Final Score: Washington 4, Houston 3
Washington, DC - Dmitri Young’s three-run home run in the sixth inning proved to be the difference as Washington downed Houston, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game set at RFK Stadium. Ryan Zimmerman went 2-for-4 with two runs scored while Ryan Church drove in the other run for the Nationals, who have won four of their last six contests. Saul Rivera (4-2) got the win for pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Mike Bacsik started on the mound and gave up two runs — one earned — on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Carlos Lee went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two RBI and Mark Loretta drove in the other run for the Astros, who have dropped four straight. Woody Williams (4-11) was saddled with the loss as he gave up four runs on six hits in six innings.
Final Score: Colorado 10, Pittsburgh 8
Pittsburgh, PA - Matt Holliday drove home three runs and Colorado pounded out nine of its runs in the first three innings then held on for a 10-8 victory over Pittsburgh at PNC Park. Willy Taveras scored three runs and Troy Tulowitzki and Yorvit Torrealba drove in two runs apiece for the Rockies, who snapped a two-game slide. Taylor Buchholz didn’t factor in the decision, allowing six runs — four earned — on nine hits over four innings. LaTroy Hawkins (1-4) got the win with 1 1/3 frames of scoreless relief. Manny Corpas continued to close games in place of the ineffective Brian Fuentes, throwing a perfect ninth for his second save. Ryan Doumit drove in two runs, while Nate McLouth and Freddy Sanchez each scored twice for Pittsburgh, which has dropped four straight and five of six. John Van Benschoten (0-4) remained winless on the campaign, surrendering nine runs on six hits over two-plus innings. His earned run average rose from 5.40 to 8.17.
Final Score: Milwaukee 4, Arizona 3
Milwaukee, WI - Corey Hart and Ryan Braun homered as the Milwaukee Brewers edged the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-3, in the first of a four- game set at Miller Park. J.J. Hardy had two hits for the Brewers, who have won three in a row. Milwaukee starter Dave Bush (8-7) went six-plus innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Francisco Cordero struck out the side in the ninth to earn his major league leading 29th save of the season. Chris Young, Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds all homered for the Diamondbacks, who have lost seven of nine. Arizona starter Micah Owings (5-5) was tagged for four runs on seven hits in six frames.
Final Score: San Diego 5, New York 1
San Diego, CA - David Wells threw six solid innings and Michael Barrett went 3-for-4 with three RBI to boost San Diego to a 5-1 victory over the New York Mets in the opener of a three-game series. Wells (5-5) scattered seven hits, gave up a run, walked one and struck out two batters. The 44-year-old left-hander moved to 5-1 lifetime against the Mets. This was his first game against the Mets since winning at Shea Stadium on August 24, 2004. Mike Cameron homered against his former team, as the Padres won for the second straight time after losing three in a row. David Wright had three hits and scored for the NL East-leading Mets, who had a two-game winning streak broken. New York has dropped seven of its last nine road games. Jorge Sosa (7-4) activated off the 15-day disabled list before the game, allowed five hits and two runs over six innings. Sosa, who had been out with a strained left hamstring, walked two and struck out four to lose for the third time in four decisions.
Final Score: Los Angeles 10, Philadelphia 3
Los Angeles, CA - Jeff Kent hit a three-run home run and Brad Penny picked up where he left off before the All-Stat break, as Los Angeles downed Philadelphia, 10-3. Penny (11-1) gave up one run on four hits with eight strikeouts and three walks over seven innings. Rafael Furcal, Juan Pierre and Nomar Garciaparra each recorded two hits for the Dodgers, winners in five straight. Jamie Moyer (7-8) gave up 10 runs — nine earned — on nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. One night after a 10-2 blasting that put loss number 10,000 in the record books, the Phillies traveled west for another lopsided defeat in the first of a seven-game road trip. Chase Utley added to his league-leading RBI total, driving in a pair for the up-and-down Phillies.
