Betting Odds - Graffiti - Podcast

Thursday, July 26th (All times eastern)

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (38-62) AT BALTIMORE ORIOLES (46-53), 12:35 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Tampa Bay - Edwin Jackson (2-9, 6.65) Baltimore - Steve Trachsel (5-7, 5.05)

The Baltimore Orioles aim to continue their mastery of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays this afternoon and try and complete a three-game sweep at Camden Yards.

Baltimore defeated Tampa for the seventh time in eight tries this season on Wednesday, as Erik Bedard allowed just one run in six innings and Corey Patterson homered in the Orioles’ 6-1 win. Patterson finished 3-for-5 with two RBI for the Orioles, who have won three in a row.

Bedard (10-4) gave up six hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. He leads the American League with 175 strikeouts and is 6-0 in his last seven outings.

Raul Casanova homered and Akinori Iwamura and Brendan Harris had two hits apiece for the Devil Rays, who have lost five in a row and 22 of 27. Tampa Bay has also dropped eight straight and 19 of its last 23 as the road team in this series since the start of the 2005 season.

Andy Sonnanstine (1-6) gave up five runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out four in six innings. The youngster has lost six in a row since posting his first win in early June.

Heading to the hill today for Baltimore will be right-handed veteran Steve Trachsel, who has lost his last three decisions and has not tasted a victory since defeating the Colorado Rockies back on June 8.

Trachsel suffered the loss in his first start since returning from the disabled list on Saturday against the Oakland Athletics, as he allowed four runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings to fall to 5-7, while raising his earned run average to 5.05.

The 36-year-old hurler lost to the Devil Rays earlier in the season and has lost all three starts against them, pitching to a 6.48 ERA in the process.

Tampa will counter with righty Edwin Jackson, who is 2-9 with a 6.65 ERA. Jackson won for only the second time this season on Friday against the New York Yankees, as he scattered four hits over six scoreless innings.

The victory snapped a 14-game road winless streak, as he picked up his first win away from home since defeating San Francisco as a member of the San Francisco Giants back on September 27, 2003.

Jackson will be making his first-ever start against the O’s, but has faced them twice in a relief role without recording a decision.

DETROIT TIGERS (60-40) AT CHICAGO WHITE SOX (45-56), 2:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Detroit - Justin Verlander (11-3, 3.40) Chicago - John Danks (6-7, 4.88)

The Detroit Tigers will wrap up the first stretch of their 11-game road trip when they play the final contest of their five-game series with the Chicago White Sox today at U.S. Cellular Field.

After getting swept by the White Sox in a day/night doubleheader on Tuesday, the Tigers responded in a big way with last night’s 13-9 victory. Ryan Raburn paced Detroit’s 19-hit attack with a pair of homers and seven runs batted in, one shy of the franchise mark for RBI in a single game.

Raburn was playing in place of Gary Sheffield, who missed the game due to a sore right shoulder.

Sean Casey had a two-run single for the AL Central-leading Tigers, who hold a 1 1/2-game edge over Cleveland in the standings and are 2-2 on their current road swing.

Jermaine Dye, Josh Fields, Juan Uribe and Andy Gonzalez all homered for Chicago, but it wasn’t enough as the White Sox suffered their fifth defeat in seven games.

The Tigers will hope Justin Verlander can get back on track with today’s start. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year posted two straight wins before allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits with seven strikeouts in just 5 2/3 frames against the Royals on Saturday. However, he got a no decision in his club’s 10-8 victory.

It was the second straight subpar outing for the right-hander, who scattered four runs and eight hits over seven innings of a win at Seattle on July 15. Verlander has been strong on the road this year, though, having posted a 6-1 mark and 2.87 earned run average in nine outings away from Detroit this year.

Verlander, who is 11-3 with a 3.40 ERA this season, has been hammered by the White Sox in his career, however. He is just 1-4 with a 6.96 ERA in six starts versus Chicago and got a no decision against them on April 22 of this year.

John Danks will counter for the White Sox and is 2-1 over his last three starts, despite pitching to a 7.00 ERA in that span. He lost for the first time in seven starts Saturday at Boston after allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings,

The left-hander, who is 6-7 with a 4.88 ERA on the year, is 0-1 in two career starts versus the Tigers. Both of those losses came in April of this year. He allowed four runs in each outing, including a loss on April 25.

The Tigers and White Sox have split eight games so far this season, with Detroit holding a slim 3-2 edge at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox won 12 of the 19 meetings last year.

BOSTON RED SOX (61-40) AT CLEVELAND INDIANS (59-42), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Boston - Kason Gabbard (4-0, 2.97) Cleveland - Cliff Lee (5-7, 5.95)

The Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians will try to put some runs on the board this evening, when the two clubs wrap their four-game series at Jacobs Field.

Boston took the opener of this set on Monday by a 6-2 score before the pitching took over. On Tuesday, the Red Sox defeated Cleveland 1-0 behind seven shutout innings by Daisuke Matsuzaka, who outdueled C.C. Sabathia. The Cleveland ace failed in his bid to become the majors’ first 14-game winner thanks to the tough-luck loss.

It was then Cleveland’s turn yesterday, as Fausto Carmona (13-4) scattered four hits over eight shutout innings in the Indians’ 1-0 win. The young right- hander fanned six and walked two, moving to 5-0 in July.

Franklin Gutierrez homered for the second-place Indians, while Ryan Garko went 0-for-3 to halt his 17-game winning streak. Cleveland trails Detroit by 1 1/2 games in the American League Central.

Interestingly enough, Carmona’s win prevented Boston’s Josh Beckett from beating Sabathia to the 14-win club. Beckett (13-4) allowed one run and four hits in over eight innings with seven strikeouts.

Coco Crisp, Jason Varitek and Alex Cora collected a hit each for the Red Sox, who saw their five-game win streak halted. David Ortiz, who missed the last five games with a left shoulder strain, returned to the Boston lineup as the designated hitter and finished 1-for-4 with a single.

The setback, coupled with the Yankees’ win over Kansas City, dropped the Red Sox’ lead in the AL East to just 6 1/2 games over New York.

Kason Gabbard aims to continue his surprising success when he toes the rubber tonight for Boston. Gabbard is 4-0 with a 2.97 earned run average through six starts this season and his given up two runs or less in each of his last three outings.

After throwing his first career shutout on July 16 against the Royals, Gabbard followed up with a one-run, seven-inning performance against the White Sox on Saturday to win his second straight start. It marked the fourth straight outing that he had allowed just three hits.

The left-hander has yet to record a decision in two road starts this year and has never faced Cleveland in his career.

Cliff Lee will start for the Indians and has lost each of his last three starts. He has been hammered for 19 runs over that span, a 10.69 ERA, and is now 5-7 with a 5.95 ERA on the season.

Lee has been tagged for seven runs in each of his last two starts, including on Saturday when he was bested by Texas. He allowed eight hits in 6 2/3 frames against the Rangers.

The left-hander is 2-2 with a 3.72 ERA in six career starts against Boston. That includes a setback at Fenway on May 28.

The Red Sox and Indians met for three games in Boston in late May, with the Red Sox taking two of three.

NEW YORK YANKEES (54-46) AT KANSAS CITY ROYALS (43-57), 8:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - Kei Igawa (2-2, 6.67) Kansas City - Jorge De La Rosa (7-10, 5.61)

The New York Yankees are on a serious roll, while Alex Rodriguez is on the verge of history. Tonight the All-Star third baseman aims for a historic home run as the Bronx Bombers attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals tonight at Kauffman Stadium.

Rodriguez belted the 499th home run of his career during Wednesday’s 7-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The superstar slugger, who is one day shy of his 32nd birthday, is almost certain to become the youngest player to reach the coveted 500-homer plateau. Jimmie Foxx currently holds the mark at 32 years, 338 days.

The two-run eighth-inning blast was one of three Yankee home runs on the evening. Melky Cabrera hit a two-run shot in the second inning and finished with three RBI, while Hideki Matsui followed Rodriguez’s homer with a solo blast during New York’s four-run eighth.

Robinson Cano added three hits and two runs scored to help the Yankees to their sixth straight win and 13th triumph in their last 16 games. New York has closed within 6 1/2 games of rival Boston for first place in the American League East standings and 4 1/2 back of Cleveland, which holds the lead in the AL wild card race.

The Yanks also received a strong outing out of starting pitcher Mike Mussina (5-7), who limited Kansas City to a run and six hits over the first 5 2/3 innings.

Gil Meche (7-7) was tagged for five runs on nine hits over 7 1/3 innings for the Royals, who fell for the fourth time in five games. David DeJesus and Ross Gload each collected a pair of hits in defeat.

Kansas City hopes for a better mound performance tonight out of Jorge De La Rosa. The left-hander will have to improve on his last two starts, however, if he wants to slow down a Yankee offense that has been in high gear as of late.

De La Rosa was rocked for seven runs and seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings in a no decision at Detroit on Saturday. Six days earlier, he surrendered three runs and issued six walks before being lifted after only 3 1/3 frames in a loss at Cleveland. De La Rosa also served up a total of four home runs over those two appearances.

The Mexican southpaw has won his last two starts at home, however, and brings a 5-4 record with a 5.72 earned run average in 10 Kauffman Stadium outings this season into tonight’s tilt.

De La Rosa has faced New York twice previously, one of which was a start, and is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in seven innings against the Yankees. That victory came at Kauffman Stadium last September, when the 26-year-old spun 5 2/3 shutout innings.

Incidentally, De La Rosa allowed Rodriguez’s 400th career home run while a member of the Milwaukee Brewers on June 8, 2005.

The Yankees will send out the disappointing Kei Igawa for his first career start against the Royals. The Japanese rookie brings an unimpressive 6.67 ERA into tonight’s contest but did pitch fairly well his last time out.

Against Tampa Bay on Saturday, Igawa worked five innings and yielded two runs on seven hits while recording six strikeouts in a no decision. He hasn’t won in six starts, however, since defeating Boston with a superb relief job back on April 28. That time period included an extended stay in the minors so the 28-year-old can work on his mechanics.

New York has won 13 of its last 15 encounters with Kansas City and owns a 5-1 record at Kauffman Stadium over that span.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS (48-53) AT SEATTLE MARINERS (54-45), 10:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Oakland - Dan Haren (11-3, 2.41) Seattle - Jeff Weaver (2-8, 6.19)

The Seattle Mariners are hoping a return home can snap the club out of its recent funk. Tonight the postseason hopefuls start up a 10- game homestand with the first of four straight meetings with the American League West-rival Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field.

Seattle comes in on a six-game losing streak, which matches the team’s season- high for consecutive defeats. The Mariners were just swept in a four-game set by the cellar-dwelling Texas Rangers, who completed the whitewash with a 7-6 come-from-behind victory on Wednesday.

The Mariners took a 6-5 edge into the bottom of the eighth inning in last night’s game and had the normally lights-out J.J. Putz on the mound to try to close things out. Putz entered with a runner on second and one out and fanned Gerald Laird to start things off. However, the All-Star closer then served up a two-run homer to Ramon Vazquez that put Texas in front.

It was Putz’s first blown save since September 27 of last season. He had converted 31 straight opportunities prior to last night.

Adrian Beltre had three doubles and four RBI for the slumping Mariners, who trail the first-place Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by 3 1/2 games in the AL West standings. Seattle collected 15 hits on the night but stranded 10 baserunners.

Things don’t figure to get any easier for Seattle tonight, as the club will have to face one of the AL’s top pitchers in Dan Haren. The Oakland ace leads the junior circuit with a 2.41 earned run average to go along with an 11-3 record.

However, two of Haren’s 2007 defeats have come at the hands of the Mariners, although he has pitched to a 2.19 ERA in those games. The All-Star hurler allowed four runs (three earned) over 6 1/3 innings in a defeat to Seattle earlier this month and lost on Opening Day at Safeco Field despite yielding four unearned runs and just four hits in his six-inning stint.

Haren is 5-3 with a 2.73 ERA in nine lifetime starts against the Mariners.

The standout right-hander earned his 11th victory of the year on Saturday by holding Baltimore to three runs and striking out seven over 6 2/3 innings.

Seattle counters with the erratic Jeff Weaver, who has appeared to turn his season around after an awful beginning. The right-hander has yielded one run or less in five of his last six starts and posted an outstanding 2.43 ERA over that stretch.

Despite those impressive numbers, Weaver has not recorded a victory in any of his last four outings and has lost back-to-back starts. He suffered a hard- luck defeat Saturday in Toronto even though he gave up only one run and four hits in an eight-inning complete game. Seattle lost 1-0 to the Blue Jays that day.

Weaver matched up against Haren in Oakland on July 6 and held the A’s to a run and four hits before leaving after five innings. He did not record a decision in Seattle’s eventual 7-1 win.

In 11 career games (10 starts) against Oakland, Weaver is 3-3 with a 5.32 ERA.

The Athletics dominated last year’s season series with Seattle, taking 17 of the 19 meetings between the divisional foes. The Mariners have had the upper hand this year, though, having won seven of the nine matchups thus far.

Oakland has compiled a 15-7 record at Safeco Field since the start of the 2005 campaign.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (41-58) AT NEW YORK METS (57-43), 12:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Pittsburgh - Paul Maholm (6-12, 4.57) New York - Oliver Perez (9-6, 3.00)

Oliver Perez faces his former team for the first time since being dealt at last year’s trade deadline, as the New York Mets try and complete a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh Pirates at Shea Stadium.

Perez was shipped to the Mets along with reliever Roberto Hernandez for outfielder Xavier Nady last July 31 after a disappointing 2006 with the Bucs. After striking out 239 batters in 2004 with the Pirates, Perez struggled and was just 2-10 with a 6.63 earned run average last season before the trade.

The 25-year-old left-hander, though, has been solid in his first full season with the Mets, going 9-6 with a 3.00 earned run average. Perez, who has held batters to just a .211 average, has won his last two starts and defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, as he allowed a run on six hits in 7 1/3 innings.

Perez has faced the Pirates twice as a member of the San Diego Padres and is 0-1 against them with a 9.00 ERA.

Pittsburgh will counter with lefty Paul Maholm, who is 6-12 with a 4.57 ERA. Maholm picked up the win in his last start on Saturday against Houston, as he surrendered two runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Maholm is 2-1 lifetime against the Mets with a 1.42 ERA in three starts.

In the second game of this set on Wednesday, Tom Glavine picked up career victory No. 299, as New York cruised to a 6-3 win. Paul Lo Duca drove in four runs for the Mets,

Glavine (9-6) allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings for the Mets, who have won five of their last six contests. One more win, and Glavine will join Lefty Grove and Early Wynn at 21st on the all-time list with 300 victories.

Jason Bay hit a two-run homer for Pittsburgh, which has lost 10 of 11.

Tom Gorzelanny (9-6) left the game in the third due to left shoulder stiffness. Before exiting he was tagged for six runs on seven hits over 2 1/3 frames.

Elsewhere on the injury front New York centerfielder strained a muscle in his abdomen in batting practice and missed last night’s contest. He said after the game that he would need a miracle to play today.

The Mets are playing the Pirates for the first time this season, but won five of the nine matchups between them in 2006. All five of the Mets’ wins against the Bucs last season came in Flushing.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS (55-45) AT CINCINNATI REDS (43-58), 12:35 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Milwaukee - Dave Bush (8-8, 4.83) Cincinnati - Bobby Livingston (2-1, 3.52)

Right-hander Dave Bush will try to get back on the winning side of things today when the Milwaukee Brewers visit Great American Ball Park for game four of a four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds.

Bush, a 27-year-old former second-round draft pick, had won five of six decisions before his last outing, which resulted in an 8-0 loss to San Francisco on July 21.

In that defeat, he gave up six hits and three runs in six innings.

Bush is 1-1 in five career starts against the Reds with a 6.67 earned run average in 27 innings.

Lefty Bobby Livingston suffered his first career loss in his last start.

The 24-year-old, a native of St. Louis, allowed eight hits and three runs over six innings in an 11-1 loss to Florida on July 21.

Previously, in three starts with the Reds, he’d gone 2-0 with a no-decision and a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings.

He reached the majors and pitched three times in relief for Seattle in 2006 before coming to Cincinnati. This will be his first start at home.

On Wednesday, Jeff Keppinger knocked in three runs with a double, as the Reds defeated the Brewers, 7-3.

Cincinnati starter Kyle Lohse tossed 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs — one earned — on five hits. Lohse (6-12), who retired 11 batters in a row at one point, struck out two while not issuing a walk.

Ryan Freel, Brandon Phillips and Scott Hatteberg all had two hits and an RBI for the Reds, who won for the second time in their last six games.

Adam Dunn added three hits in the victory and extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Jeff Suppan (8-9) started for Milwaukee and was tagged for five runs on 10 hits. He is now winless in his last six starts.

Craig Counsell hit a home run while Kevin Mench had two hits for the Brewers, who have four losses in their last six games.

Cincinnati owns a 3-2 edge in this year’s season series with Milwaukee. The Brewers took 10 of 19 meetings between the clubs in 2006.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (42-58) AT PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (52-48), 1:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Washington - John Lannan (0-0, 0.00) Philadelphia - Adam Eaton (9-6, 5.84)

Former first-round draft choice Adam Eaton looks to reach double-digits in wins for the third time in his career today when the Philadelphia Phillies close out a three-game series with the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.

Eaton, who was selected by the Phillies in 1996 but didn’t play in the majors for them until this season, was an 11-game winner for the San Diego Padres in both 2004 and 2005.

He won seven games last season for the Texas Rangers in just 13 starts, then came to Philadelphia as a free agent.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder has started against the Nationals four times, posting a 4.56 earned run average in 23 2/3 innings.

Washington will hand the ball to John Lannan, who makes his major league debut this afternoon. The 22-year-old left-hander receives the promotion after putting up outstanding numbers at three different levels in the minors this season.

Lannan, an 11th-round selection by Washington in the 2005 draft, is 12-3 with a 2.36 ERA over 20 appearances (19 starts) with Single-A Potomac, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Columbus in 2007. He went 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA in six starts following his promotion to Columbus.

On Wednesday, Ryan Howard hit a towering two-run homer in the bottom of the 14th inning, as the Phillies salvaged a 7-5 win over the Nationals.

The Phillies held a two-run lead in the ninth, but the Nationals got to Antonio Alfonseca for three runs to turn the tables.

Down 4-2 with one out in the ninth, Ryan Church doubled off Alfonseca and Brian Schneider followed with a walk. Pinch-hitter Tony Batista then ripped a double off the wall in right-center field that scored Church.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel had seen enough of Alfonseca, but pinch-hitter Jesus Flores greeted Mike Zagurski with a double to right that chased home both the tying and go-ahead runs.

With the Phils down to their final out, Jimmy Rollins lofted a a ball to the left-center gap that should have given Washington the win. However, left- fielder Church and center fielder Ryan Langerhans nearly collided, with Church dropping the ball.

Rollins legged out a triple on the play and shortstop Felipe Lopez couldn’t handle Church’s errant throw cleanly, giving Rollins a chance to score. Lopez collected the ball and his throw home beat Rollins to the plate, but catcher Schneider couldn’t make the catch-and-tag as Philadelphia tied the game to force extra innings.

The scoring went silent from there, until Howard got a hold of one in the 14th. Chase Utley led off with a walk before Howard turned on a Chris Booker (0-1) offering and launched it into the second deck in right field to end the marathon.

Wes Helms knocked in a pair of runs for the Phillies, who have won five straight and will go for the sweep of Washington on Thursday.

Cole Hamels was in line to pick up his 12th win of the season before the Phillies’ bullpen gave it away in the ninth. The lanky southpaw gave up just two runs on six hits through seven innings, striking out six and walking one. Clay Condrey (4-0) picked up the win after tossing three scoreless frames in relief.

Ronnie Belliard went 2-for-7 with a solo home run for the Nationals, who had won four of five before arriving in the City of Brotherly Love.

Washington starter Matt Chico lasted just 4 2/3 innings, yielding four runs on six hits.

The Phils have won five of their seven matchups with the Nationals this season, including four of five in Philly. ATLANTA BRAVES (54-48) AT SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (42-57), 7:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Atlanta - Buddy Carlyle (5-2, 4.05) San Francisco - Tim Lincecum (5-2, 3.96)

The San Francisco Giants should have Barry Bonds back in the lineup when they play the finale of their four-game series with the Atlanta Braves tonight at AT&T Park.

Bonds played all 13 innings in the Giants’ setback on Tuesday, so he sat out yesterday’s 2-1 victory that halted a three-game losing streak. Rich Aurilia hit a home run to guide San Francisco to victory, while Noah Lowry won for the fifth time in six decisions

Lowry (11-7) allowed seven hits and a run over eight innings.

Bonds is running out of time to catch Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record in front of the home crowd. He hasn’t homered since smacking a pair of long balls last Thursday against the Cubs and remains two shy of Aaron’s all-time mark of 755.

San Francisco will host Florida for a three-game weekend series before hitting the road for six games. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said it is likely Bonds would play tonight.

For the second straight night, commissioner Bud Selig was in attendance at AT&T Park. Selig is due to remain in San Francisco for the series finale, but won’t be around later this weekend as he’ll travel to Cooperstown, NY for the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

Chuck James (8-8) was charged with seven hits and two runs over six frames as the Braves lost for the first time in the series. Andruw Jones singled in Atlanta’s only run as the club fell four games behind the Mets for first place in the National League East.

Buddy Carlyle shoots for his fifth straight winning decision when he takes the mound tonight for Atlanta. Carlyle has now won his last three starts, including a victory over St. Louis on Saturday in which he allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings of work. The win improved the right-hander to 5-2 with a 4.05 earned run average on the season.

Carlyle has never started against the Giants but has made three appearances against them out of the bullpen. He has allowed three runs on four hits in 5 2/3 total innings.

Carlyle has never faced Bonds before in his career.

Rookie Tim Lincecum will make his first career start against Atlanta tonight. The right-hander is 3-0 over his last five appearances and has allowed one run or fewer in four of those outings. He pitched eight shutout innings against Milwaukee on Saturday, scattering four hits and a walk with eight strikeouts to improve to 5-2 with a 3.96 ERA on the season.

He has a outstanding 1.05 ERA over his last five starts and is 2-1 in six home outings this year.

This series is the first of 2007 between the two clubs. The Giants won four of seven games against the Braves last year, including three of four at home.

SAN DIEGO PADRES (54-46) AT HOUSTON ASTROS (44-57), 8:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: San Diego - David Wells (5-6, 4.57) Houston - Wandy Rodriguez (6-9, 4.46)

The Houston Astros aim for their third straight win when they open a four-game series tonight versus the San Diego Padres at Minute Maid Park.

Houston just won the last two tests of a three-game home series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including Wednesday’s 2-1 victory in the series finale. Carlos Lee put the Astros ahead with a solo home run in the seventh inning, while Eric Munson also homered in the win.

Houston starter Matt Albers threw five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Chad Qualls gave up two hits and one run in one inning for the win and Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save in eight chances.

The Astros are 12 games off the top spot in the NL Central division.

Wandy Rodriguez will try to snap a two-start losing streak when he takes the hill for Houston this evening. He owns an 11.88 earned run average over his last two outings and was beaten by Pittsburgh on July 21, allowing six runs — four earned — in five innings of a 7-3 setback.

Rodriguez, who is 6-9 with a 4.46 ERA in 19 starts, owns a 5-2 record in nine home starts this season. The left-hander is also 0-2 with a 19.29 ERA in two career games (one start) against San Diego.

San Diego has lost five of six games and suffered a 10-2 setback to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game series. Brian Giles went 3-for-4 with a run scored for the Padres, who are one game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the lead in the NL West standings.

Justin Germano started for the Padres last night and suffered the loss after yielding six runs on seven hits through five-plus innings. The right-hander fell to 1-5 over his last seven starts.

Toeing the rubber for the Padres on Thursday will be David Wells, who is 5-6 with a 4.57 earned run average in 19 starts this season. Wells was rocked in his last outing on July 21 against Philadelphia, yielding seven runs in 4 1/3 innings of a 12-4 loss to the Phillies.

The portly left-hander, who is 2-4 in eight road starts in 2007, is a perfect 2-0 with a 5.71 ERA in three career games (two starts) against Houston.

San Diego and Houston are meeting for the first time since both ballclubs split six meetings in 2006. The Astros are 7-6 in the last 13 matchups.

CHICAGO CUBS (53-46) AT ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (45-52), 8:10 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - Jason Marquis (7-5, 3.92) St. Louis - Braden Looper (7-8, 5.09)

The Chicago Cubs target their first sweep in St. Louis in more than 19 years this evening when they wrap up their three-game set with the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

In the second game of this series on Wednesday, Ted Lilly won his sixth straight start to help Chicago to a 7-1 win. Mike Fontenot and Cliff Floyd both knocked in a pair of runs in a winning effort for the Cubs, who are a major league best 31-15 since June 3 and are just two games back of the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the NL Central.

The stretch of success for Lilly (11-4) ties a career high, as he also won a career-best six straight starts from August 25-September 21, 2003 with Oakland. Lilly has also won seven straight decisions, which is a personal best.

The southpaw allowed just one run on six hits over seven innings for the Cubs, who have won five of seven overall and will try for their first three-game sweep in St. Louis since turning the trick from June 10-12, 1988.

Adam Wainwright (9-8) was charged with six runs on nine hits over five frames for St. Louis, which has dropped three of four. Juan Encarnacion provided most of the Cards’ offense, going 4-for-4 with an RBI.

Hoping to keep the Cubs in the win column tonight will be right-hander Jason Marquis, who is 7-5 with a 3.92 ERA. Marquis picked up the win in his last start on Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, as he allowed a pair of runs on four hits in 7 2/3 innings.

Marquis, who pitched the last three seasons in St. Louis, has defeated the Cards twice already this year and is 3-0 lifetime against them with a 2.08 ERA in five games, three of which were starts.

St. Louis will counter with right-hander Braden Looper, who is coming off a horrific outing in his last start on Saturday against Atlanta. Looper was hammered for seven runs and 10 hits in just 2 2/3 innings in that one, as he slipped to 7-8 on the year, while raising his ERA to 5.09.

Looper beat the Cubs earlier in the year and is just 2-2 in his career against them with four saves and a 2.62 ERA in 33 games (one start).

Chicago has won five of its seven matchups with St. Louis this season and is 26-16 in the series since the start of the 2005 campaign. The Cubs have also won all four of their meetings in St. Louis this season after losing six of nine there a year ago. They haven’t won five straight there since June 18- August 4, 1983.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (56-46) AT COLORADO ROCKIES (51-50), 9:05 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Los Angeles - Brad Penny (12-1, 2.42) Colorado - Rodrigo Lopez (5-3, 4.46)

All-Star pitcher Brad Penny will try to give the NL West- leading Los Angeles Dodgers a boost when he takes the mound this evening in the opener of a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Penny is unbeaten over his last 11 starts, going 7-0 with a 2.33 earned run average. Penny, whose last loss was on May 18 against the LA Angels of Anaheim, is 12-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 20 starts this season. He is the first starting pitcher to go 12-1 for the Dodgers since the cub moved to LA in 1958.

The right-hander is one win away from tying Carlos Zambrano of the Chicago Cubs for the most wins in the National League. Penny beat the New York Mets on July 21 after allowing four runs — three earned — over 6 1/3 innings of an 8-6 win at Dodger Stadium.

Penny is 11-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 17 career starts against Colorado, including a 4-1 record and 3.60 earned run average in eight lifetime starts at Coors Field. Penny has won his last six decisions against Colorado and gave up two hits through 6 1/3 scoreless innings of a 3-0 win on April 11 this season.

Los Angeles has lost two straight and five of its last seven games, including Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to the Houston Astros in the finale of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. Jeff Kent homered for the Dodgers, who own a one- game lead over San Diego in the division standings. Arizona is only 1 1/2 games off the pace.

Dodgers starter Derek Lowe was lifted after facing one batter in the fifth because of a groin injury. Lowe surrendered one run on four hits with no walks and three strikeouts. D.J. Houlton then pitched two innings of relief to suffer the loss.

Meanwhile, the Rockies have won two of their last three games and recorded a 10-2 victory in Thursday’s series finale against San Diego. Matt Holliday went 4-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and four runs scored to lead the way. Garrett Atkins and Ryan Spilborghs each knocked in three runs for the Rockies, who were coming off four losses in the last six games.

Starter Aaron Cook pitched a complete game and permitted just two runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and no walks. Cook also went 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored.

Colorado, which is 4 1/2 games off the top spot in the NL West, will hand the ball to Rodrigo Lopez tonight. Lopez is 5-3 with a 4.46 ERA in 13 starts this season, but owns a 1-3 mark in his previous five trips to the mound.

Lopez lost his last start on July 21 against Washington, as he yielded three runs and five hits in six innings of a 3-0 setback. The right-hander, who is 5-0 in seven home starts this season, is 1-1 with a 2.91 earned run average in four career games (three starts) against the Dodgers.

Los Angeles is 3-2 against the Rockies this season and has won 18 of the last 24 matchups in the series.

FLORIDA MARLINS (48-54) AT ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (55-48), 9:40 P.M.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Florida - Byung-Hyun Kim (5-5, 4.79) Arizona - Micah Owings (5-5, 4.90)

The Arizona Diamondbacks are gaining ground in the NL West standings and will shoot for their sixth straight win this evening in the finale of a four-game series versus the Florida Marlins at Chase Field.

Arizona has won five in a row for the first time since ripping off eight consecutive wins from May 25-June 1 this season. The D’backs recorded a 7-0 victory on Thursday in the third test of this set, as Eric Byrnes went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored to lead the way.

Conor Jackson was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored for the D-Backs, who are 1 1/2 games off the top spot in the National League West division. Scott Hairston had two hits and drove in two runs, while Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds each added a pair of hits and an RBI.

Starting pitcher Brandon Webb hurled seven scoreless innings of six-hit ball with eight strikeouts and three walks to win for the first time in his last four starts.

Taking the ball for the Diamondbacks tonight will be rookie Micah Owings, who is 5-5 with a 4.90 ERA in 18 games (16 starts). Owings is winless (0-4) over his last six outings and did not factor in the decision his last time out on July 21 against the Chicago Cubs. He allowed two runs over four innings in a 3-2 triumph over the Cubs.

The right-hander will face Florida for the first time in his career.

Meanwhile, the Marlins will try to avoid a four-game sweep in the desert today after dropping the first three contests of this series. Last night, Florida starter Scott Olsen allowed season-highs of 11 hits and seven runs to suffer the loss in five innings of work. Olsen was pitching for the first time since his arrest in Miami last weekend.

Jeremy Hermida collected a pair of hits for the Marlins, who have lost four straight on the road. Florida is also 10 games off the lead in the National League East standings.

Byung-Hyun Kim gets the nod for the Marlins and he is 5-5 with a 4.79 ERA in 15 games — 12 starts — with Colorado and Florida this season. In 12 games (11 starts) with the Marlins, Kim is 4-3 with a 4.27 earned run average.

The right-hander is 2-1 in his last three starts and defeated Cincinnati the last time out on July 21. He was reached for only one run in seven innings of an 11-1 victory over the Reds.

Kim is 1-1 with a 13.50 ERA in two games against Arizona this season. He is 1-5 with an 8.56 earned run average through eight career games (five starts) versus the Diamondbacks.

Arizona and Florida are meeting for the first time since the Marlins won four of six meetings in 2006. Florida is 12-10 against the Diamondbacks since the 2004 campaign.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS - *Third baseman Chad Tracy (7/26, right knee inflammation) may be available to pinch-hit in Thursday’s game against Florida. Starting pitcher Randy Johnson (6/29, herniated disc in lower back) is on the 15-day disabled list.

ATLANTA BRAVES - Third baseman Willy Aybar (3/30, sprained right hand) is on the 15-day disabled list and is also suspended indefinitely. Starting pitcher Anthony Lerew (5/20, reconstructive right elbow surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Relief pitcher Mike Gonzalez (5/16, left elbow surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Relief pitcher Tanyon Sturtze (3/23, right shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Mike Hampton (3/30, left elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the entire season.

CHICAGO CUBS - *Second baseman Mark DeRosa (7/26, left hamstring tendinitis) is expected to miss Thursday’s game against St.Louis. First baseman Daryle Ward (7/20, strained right calf) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Roberto Novoa (3/31, sore right shoulder) is on the 60-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Angel Guzman (6/2, strained right elbow) is on the 15-day disabled list. Catcher Henry Blanco (5/31, herniated disc in neck) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Mark Prior (4/25, right shoulder surgery) is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Starting pitcher Wade Miller (4/23, back spasms) is on the 60-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Kerry Wood (3/26, right shoulder tendinitis) is on the 60-day disabled list.

CINCINNATI REDS - *Shortstop Pedro Lopez (7/26, broken left cheekbone) is on the 15-day disabled list. *Catcher David Ross (7/26, dislocated right pinkie finger) is doubtful for Thursday’s game against Milwaukee. Shortstop Alex Gonzalez (7/21, personal) is on the restricted list. Center fielder Josh Hamilton (7/8, sprained right wrist) is on the 15-day disabled list. *Infielder Juan Castro (7/26, partially torn ligament in right elbow) has been activated from the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Eric Milton (5/9, left elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Shortstop Jerry Gil (3/23, right elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the entire season. Relief pitcher Eddie Guardado (3/23, left elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list.

COLORADO ROCKIES - *Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (7/26, illness) is questionable for Thursday’s game against Los Angeles. Relief pitcher Brian Fuentes (7/4, strained left lat muscle) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Jason Hirsh (7/3, sprained right ankle) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Zach McClellan (5/14, arthroscopic right shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list.

FLORIDA MARLINS - *Shortstop Hanley Ramirez (7/26, partially dislocated left shoulder ) is expected to miss Thursday’s game against Arizona. Starting pitcher Josh Johnson (7/5, strained right forearm) is on the 15-day disabled list. First baseman Aaron Boone (6/25, sprained MCL in left knee) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Henry Owens (6/9, right shoulder inflammation) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (5/18, right elbow inflammation) is on the 60-day disabled list. Center fielder Alejandro De Aza (4/16, fractured right ankle) is on the 60-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Jose Garcia (3/23, right elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the entire season. Relief pitcher Logan Kensing (3/23, right elbow surgery/hernia) is on the 60-day disabled list.

HOUSTON ASTROS - Center fielder Hunter Pence (7/23, fractured right wrist) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. *Starting pitcher Roy Oswalt (7/26, upper chest irritation) is probable for Tuesday’s scheduled start against Atlanta. Shortstop Adam Everett (6/14, fractured right fibula) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss 4-8 weeks. Catcher Hector Gimenez (3/28, right shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and is expected to miss the entire season. Starting pitcher Brandon Backe (3/28, right elbow surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS - *Starting pitcher Derek Lowe (7/26, strained groin) is expected to miss Tuesday’s scheduled start against San Francisco. *Relief pitcher Takashi Saito (7/26, irritation in right shoulder) is expected to be available for Thursday’s game against Colorado. Relief pitcher Chin-hui Tsao (7/15, strained right shoulder) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo (6/30, left elbow irritation) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Randy Wolf (7/4, sore left shoulder) is on the 15-day disabled list . Starting pitcher Jason Schmidt (6/17, right shoulder surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Relief pitcher Yhency Brazoban (6/1, arthroscopic right shoulder surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Outfielder Jason Repko (3/23, right hamstring surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss the entire season.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS - *Catcher Johnny Estrada (7/26, sore left hamstring) is questionable for Thursday’s game against Cincinnati. Starting pitcher Ben Sheets (7/15, partially torn tissue in right middle finger) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Relief pitcher Elmer Dessens (5/19, strained right shoulder) is on the 15-day disabled list. Third baseman Corey Koskie (3/23, post-concussion syndrome) is on the 15-day disabled list.

NEW YORK METS - *Catcher Paul Lo Duca (7/26, rest) was not in the starting lineup for Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh. *Center fielder Carlos Beltran (7/26, strained abdominal muscle) is expected to miss Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh. Second baseman Jose Valentin (7/22, fractured right tibia) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Left fielder Carlos Gomez (7/5, left hand/wrist surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Outfielder Endy Chavez (6/7, strained left hamstring) is on the 15-day disabled list. Left fielder Moises Alou (5/13, torn left quadriceps/right shoulder tendinitis) is on the 15-day disabled list . Relief pitcher Juan Padilla (3/23, right elbow surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss the entire season. Relief pitcher Duaner Sanchez (3/23, right shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and is expected to miss at least four months. Starting pitcher Pedro Martinez (3/23, right rotator cuff surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss at least three months.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - Outfielder Jayson Werth (6/28, strained left wrist) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Jon Lieber (6/21, right foot surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Relief pitcher Francisco Rosario (6/16, strained right shoulder) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Freddy Garcia (6/9, strained right shoulder) is on the 15-day disabled list and is out indefinitely. Relief pitcher Brett Myers (5/24, strained right shoulder) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Scott Mathieson (3/23, right elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and is expected to miss the entire season.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES - *First baseman Adam LaRoche (7/26, rest) was not in the starting lineup for Thursday’s game against New York. *Starting pitcher Tom Gorzelanny (7/26, left shoulder stiffness ) is questionable for Tuesday’s scheduled start against St. Louis. Third baseman Jose Bautista (7/15, lacerated left hand) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Zach Duke (6/29, left elbow tendinitis) is on the 15-day disabled list. Center fielder Chris Duffy (6/29, sprained left ankle) is on the 15-day disabled list.

SAN DIEGO PADRES - Starting pitcher Chris Young (7/25, strained left abdominal muscle) is doubtful for Sunday’s scheduled start against Houston.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS - Catcher Eliezer Alfonzo (6/9, arthroscopic left knee surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Russ Ortiz (6/5, strained right forearm) is on the 15-day disabled list.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS - Infielder Scott Spiezio (7/14, infected left index finger) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Todd Wellemeyer (7/9, sprained right elbow) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Tyler Johnson (6/19, left biceps tendinitis) is on the 15-day disabled list. Right fielder Preston Wilson (5/6, right knee surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Starting pitcher Chris Carpenter (4/2, reconstructive right elbow surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Starting pitcher Mark Mulder (3/23, left shoulder surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Josh Kinney (3/23, right elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the entire season.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS - Starting pitcher Jason Bergmann (7/25, tightness in left hamstring) is questionable for Sunday’s scheduled start against New York. Starting pitcher Jason Simontacchi (7/16, right elbow tendinitis) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Micah Bowie (6/28, left hip inflammation) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Jesus Colome (6/24, infection in right buttocks) is on the 15-day disabled list. Shortstop Cristian Guzman (6/24, left thumb surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Starting pitcher Shawn Hill (5/12, strained left shoulder/right elbow tendinitis) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Ryan Wagner (5/7, right shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Starting pitcher John Patterson (5/6, sore right elbow/biceps) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss at least one month. Outfielder Alex Escobar (3/28, right shoulder surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list. First baseman Nick Johnson (3/28, broken right leg) is on the 60-day disabled list.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES - Relief pitcher Chris Ray (7/21, right elbow inflammation/bone spur) is on the 15-day disabled list. Shortstop Freddie Bynum (7/7, strained left hamstring) is on the 15-day disabled list. Third baseman Melvin Mora (7/13, sprained left mid-foot) is on the 15-day disabled list. *Shortstop Miguel Tejada (6/22, fractured left wrist) is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Friday. Starting pitcher Adam Loewen (5/2, left elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Starting pitcher Jaret Wright (4/30, sore right shoulder) is on the 60-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Sendy Rleal (3/23, sore right elbow) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Kris Benson (3/23, right rotator cuff surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the entire season.

BOSTON RED SOX - Starting pitcher Curt Schilling (6/19, right shoulder tendinitis) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Brendan Donnelly (6/11, strained right forearm) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Matt Clement (3/23, right shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX - Outfielder Luis Terrero (7/24, strained left groin) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Mike MacDougal (7/5, right shoulder inflammation) is on the 15-day disabled list. Third baseman Joe Crede (6/5, lower back surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Center fielder Darin Erstad (6/23, sprained left ankle) is on the 15-day disabled list. Left fielder Pablo Ozuna (5/28, right leg/ankle surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list.

CLEVELAND INDIANS - Relief pitcher Aaron Fultz (6/23, strained rib cage muscle) is on the 15-day disabled list . Left fielder David Dellucci (6/20, left hamstring surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list.

DETROIT TIGERS - *Designated hitter Gary Sheffield (7/25, sore right shoulder) is expected to miss Thursday’s game against Chicago. Left fielder Marcus Thames (7/19, strained left hamstring) is on the 15-day disabled list. Infielder Neifi Perez (7/6, 25-game suspension) was suspended for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy. Relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (6/24, right forearm/shoulder tendinitis) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Joel Zumaya (5/2, right middle finger surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss three months. Catcher Vance Wilson (3/30, right elbow surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and will miss the entire season. Shortstop Tony Giarratano (3/31, right shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Ed Campusano (3/23, left elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the entire season.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS - Starting pitcher John Thomson (7/15, lower back spasms) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Roman Colon (3/31, neck surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list. First baseman Ryan Shealy (6/26, strained left hamstring) is on the 15-day disabled list. Designated hitter Mike Sweeney (6/18, arthroscopic right knee surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss at least one month. Relief pitcher Brandon Duckworth (6/14, torn left oblique) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Luke Hudson (5/11, right shoulder surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Relief pitcher Leo Nunez (3/23, hairline fracture above right wrist) is on the 15-day disabled list. Shortstop Angel S. Sanchez (3/28, right elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Joe Nelson (3/23, right shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list.

LA ANGELS OF ANAHEIM - Starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (7/24, right elbow irritation) is on the 15-day disabled list. Second baseman Howie Kendrick (7/8, fractured left index finger) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Chris Resop (7/9, right triceps tendinitis) is on the 15-day disabled list. Left fielder Erick Aybar (7/2, right hand/wrist surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Outfielder Juan Rivera (3/23, broken left shin) is on the 60-day disabled list and is expected to miss 3-4 months. Third baseman Dallas McPherson (3/23, back surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and is expected to miss the entire season.

MINNESOTA TWINS - Right fielder Michael Cuddyer (7/19, sprained right thumb) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Glen Perkins (5/22, strained muscle in left shoulder) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Jesse Crain (5/16, right shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Outfielder Josh Rabe (5/10, right shoulder surgery) is on the 15-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Second baseman Alejandro Machado (3/24, partially torn labrum in right shoulder) is on the 60-day disabled list and is expected to miss the entire season. Starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (3/24, left elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and is expected to miss the entire season.

NEW YORK YANKEES - *Shortstop Derek Jeter (7/26, sore left arm) is probable for Thursday’s game against Kansas City. *Catcher Jorge Posada (7/26, rest) is not expected to be in the starting lineup for Thursday’s game against Kansas City. First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz (6/3, right wrist surgery/mild concussion) is on the 60-day disabled list. Designated hitter Jason Giambi (5/31, partially torn plantar fascia in left foot) is on the 15-day disabled list and is out indefinitely. Starting pitcher Darrell Rasner (5/20, fractured right index finger ) is on the 60-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Philip Hughes (5/2, strained left hamstring/sprained left ankle) is on the 60-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Jeff Karstens (4/29, fractured right fibula) is on the 60-day disabled list and is out indefinitely. Starting pitcher Carl Pavano (4/10, reconstructive right elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Starting pitcher Humberto Sanchez (3/23, right elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the entire season. Relief pitcher Jose Veras (3/23, right elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and is expected to miss 2-3 months.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS - *Third baseman Eric Chavez (7/26, stiff lower back) is questionable for Thursday’s game against Seattle. Shortstop Bobby Crosby (7/25, fractured left hand) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Rich Harden (7/8, strained right shoulder) is on the 15-day disabled list. Outfielder Chris Denorfia (4/27, right elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Relief pitcher Justin Duchscherer (5/15, right hip surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Outfielder Chris Snelling (5/11, arthroscopic left knee surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Esteban Loaiza (3/25, bulging disc in neck/right knee surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list.

SEATTLE MARINERS - Starting pitcher Cha Seung Baek (6/17, inflammation in right shoulder) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Jon Huber (6/7, strained right forearm) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Sean White (6/2, right biceps tendinitis) is on the 60-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes (4/1, left elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the entire season. Relief pitcher Cesar Jimenez (4/1, stress fracture in left elbow) is on the 60-day disabled list and is expected to miss the entire season.

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS - Relief pitcher Jay Witasick (7/22, strained right elbow ) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Tim Corcoran (6/9, strained right elbow) is on the 60-day disabled list. Catcher Shawn Riggans (6/2, right elbow tendinitis) is on the 15-day disabled list. *Catcher Josh Paul (5/20, strained left elbow) is expected to be activated from the 60-day disabled list on Friday. Center fielder Rocco Baldelli (5/16, strained left hamstring) is on the 60-day disabled list.

TEXAS RANGERS - *Outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. (7/26, stiff back) is questionable for Friday’s game against Kansas City. Relief pitcher Akinori Otsuka (7/9, right forearm tendinitis) is on the 15-day disabled list. Second baseman Ian Kinsler (6/29, stress fracture in left foot) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Vicente Padilla (6/22, right triceps irritation) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher Josh Rupe (6/16, sore right elbow) is on the 60-day disabled list. Third baseman Hank Blalock (5/17, right shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list. Shortstop Joaquin Arias (3/28, right shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and may miss the remainder of the season.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS - Starting pitcher AJ Burnett (6/29, strained right shoulder) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Victor Zambrano (5/9, strained right forearm) is on the 15-day disabled list. Starting pitcher Gustavo Chacin (4/29, strained left shoulder) is on the 15-day disabled list. Relief pitcher BJ Ryan (4/15, left elbow surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the remainder of the season. Relief pitcher Davis Romero (3/31, left shoulder surgery) is on the 60-day disabled list and will miss the entire season.

MLB 07/26/2007 12:10 PM EDT 901 pittsburgh pirates (l) maholm, p 8.5o20 / 8.5o15 / 8.5 8.5u20 902 new york mets (l) perez, ol -200/-186/-189/-195/-185

NY METS - OF Carlos Beltran (abdominal) missed last game, “?”. Beltran was removed from the starting lineup on Wednesday after he strained a muscle in his left side, swinging in batting practice. The club said his status was day-to-day.

NY METS - OF Carlos Beltran (abdominal) is downgraded to not expected to be in the starting lineup.

KEY MOVES BY BETTING PUBLIC TODAY est

Time of Play Game Date Game # Team Line 8:24:32am 2007-07-26 906 PHI -165 8:12:56am 2007-07-26 905 WAS Over 10½ 7:48:08am 2007-07-26 913 LOS -125

ANOTHER WINNING NIGHT FOR VIP PLAYERS LAST NIGHT FULL REPORT COMMING LATER TODAY!

12:35 PM EDT 903 milwaukee brewers (r) bush, d -125 -130 / -129 / -128 -125 904 cincinnati reds (l) livingston, b 9.5o20 / 9.5o15 9.5o20

MILWAUKEE - 1B Prince Fielder (rest) is not expected to be in the starting lineup.

1:05 PM EDT 905 washington nationals (l) lannan, john 10 / 10o15 10.5o15 906 philadelphia phillies (r) eaton, a -170 / -163 / -155 -165 Please note change of probable for Washington

7:05 PM EDT 907 atlanta braves (r) carlyle, b 8.5u15 8.5u15 908 san francisco giants(r) lincecum, t -125 / -133 / -128 -131 TBS

SAN FRANCISCO - OF Barry Bonds (none) is probable. Bonds was kept out of the Giants’ starting lineup Wednesday night after playing all 13 innings in Tuesday night’s loss. But, it’s “more than likely” that Thursday he’ll be back out there against the Braves, manager Bochy said. “I’m sure this day really helped him, helped freshen him up,” Bochy said Wednesday. “More than likely he’ll be out there, but I’ll check with him tomorrow. Today was my decision, but tomorrow I think he’ll be out there.”

8:05 PM EDT 909 san diego padres (l) wells, d -110 9.5u20 / 9o25 9.5u20 910 houston astros (l) rodriguez, w -110 / -115 / -122 -110

8:10 PM EDT 911 chicago cubs (r) marquis, j -110 -107 / -111 / -109 -105 912 st. louis cardinals (r) looper, b 9o20 9o20 / 9o15 9

9:05 PM EDT 913 los angeles dodgers (r) penny, b -135 -126/-129 /-130 -132 914 colorado rockies (r) lopez, r 9.5 / 9.5u15 9.5

9:40 PM EDT 915 florida marlins (r) kim, b h 9.5o20 9.5o20 916 arizona diamondbacks(r) owings, m -130 / -140 / -135 -134

FLORIDA - SS Hanley Ramirez (shoulder) is not expected to be in the starting lineup. Ramirez was on the field stretching with the team and taking grounders during warm-ups Wednesday. Ramirez was moving around fine, and he tested his shoulder fielding grounders right at him and to his back-hand side. Ramirez is expected to test his left shoulder by taking some soft-toss swings Thursday. If all goes well swinging the bat, he could be ready to play as early as Friday at San Francisco. Ramirez slightly dislocated his left shoulder while swinging the bat Sunday. Manager Gonzalez is hesitant to use Ramirez even as a pinch-runner today.

12:35 PM EDT 917 tampa bay devil rays(r) jackson, e 10o20 / 10o15 / 10o20 10o25 918 baltimore orioles (r) trachsel, s -140 -133 / -129 / -127 -126

2:05 PM EDT 919 detroit tigers (r) verlander, j -160 -166 / -167 / -165 -163 920 chicago white sox (l) danks, j 9.5 / 9.5o15 / 9.5 9.5o15

DETROIT - SS Carlos Guillen (calf) is not expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs Chicago White Sox. Guillen is still feeling the effects of a foul ball that he knocked off of his left calf on Monday night. Guillen was in the lineup on Wednesday, but manager Leyland said he would hold his shortstop out for Thursday’s day game.

DH Gary Sheffield (shoulder) downgraded to expected to miss Thursday vs Chicago White Sox. Sheffield acknowledged the pain in his right shoulder and had a cortisone shot Wednesday night that will cause him to miss today’s game as well. Sheffield’s shoulder has been sore for a while, but he aggravated the injury when he collided with Placido Polanco while chasing a fly ball last Saturday. Sheffield had hoped to get through to next week before getting a cortisone shot, but he decided Wednesday that he couldn’t wait. “Every day, it’s just feeling worse,” Sheffield said. “I couldn’t wait any longer.” Sheffield expects to be able to play Friday in Anaheim against the Angels.

7:05 PM EDT 921 boston red sox (l) gabbard, k -110 / -107 / -110 -109 922 cleveland indians (l) lee, c 10o20 / 10.5u20 10.5u15

8:10 PM EDT 923 new york yankees (l) igawa, k -175 -170/-152 / -158 -154 924 kansas city royals (l) de la rosa, j 11.5 11.5u15

10:05 PM EDT 925 oakland athletics (r) haren, d -133 / -122 / -124 -123 926 seattle mariners (r) weaver, jf 8o15 / 8o20 / 8o15 8o20

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WNBA - Jul 26

WNBA - THURSDAY Jul 26 601 INDIANA FEVER +5-110 o136-110 2:30 PM 602 SAC MONARCHS -5-110 u136-110 Jul 26 603 NY LIBERTY 7:00 PM 604 CONNECTICUT SUN Jul 26 605 CHICAGO SKY +8½-110 o152-110 7:30 PM 606 DETROIT SHOCK -8½-110 u152-110

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL - Jul 26

NATIONAL LEAGUE - THURSDAY Jul 26 901 PIT P MAHOLM -L +170 o8-105 +1½-120 12:10 PM 902 NYM OL PEREZ -L -200 u8-115 -1½EV Jul 26 903 MIL D BUSH -R -130 o9½-115 -1½+125 12:35 PM 904 CIN LIVINGSTON-L +110 u9½-105 +1½-145 Jul 26 905 WAS M BACSIK -L 1:05 PM 906 PHI A EATON -R Jul 26 907 ATL B CARLYLE -R +110 o8½EV +1½-200 7:05 PM 908 SFO T LINCECUM-R -130 u8½-120 -1½+170 Jul 26 909 SDG D WELLS -L -105 o9½EV +1½-220 8:05 PM 910 HOU W RODRIGEZ-L -115 u9½-120 -1½+180 Jul 26 911 CUB J MARQUIS -R -115 o9-115 +1½-225 8:10 PM 912 STL B LOOPER -R -105 u9-105 -1½+185 Jul 26 913 LOS B PENNY -R -140 o9½-110 -1½+120 9:05 PM 914 COL R LOPEZ -R +120 u9½-110 +1½-140 Jul 26 915 FLA B H KIM -R +120 o9½-120 +1½-165 9:40 PM 916 ARI M OWINGS -R -140 u9½EV -1½+145

AMERICAN LEAGUE - THURSDAY Jul 26 917 TAM E JACKSON -R +125 o10-120 +1½-160 12:35 PM 918 BAL S TRACHSEL-R -145 u10EV -1½+140 Jul 26 919 DET VERLANDER -R -170 o9½-110 -1½-105 2:05 PM 920 CWS J DANKS -L +150 u9½-110 +1½-115 Jul 26 921 BOS K GABBARD -L -115 o10½-105 +1½-210 7:05 PM 922 CLE C LEE -L -105 u10½-115 -1½+175 Jul 26 923 NYY K IGAWA -L -165 o11½-110 -1½-110 8:10 PM 924 KAN DE LA ROSA-L +145 u11½-110 +1½-110 Jul 26 925 OAK D HAREN -R -130 o8-110 -1½+135 10:05 PM 926 SEA JEF WEAVER-R +110 u8-110 +1½-155

GRAND SALAMI

NO LISTED PITCHERS - ALL GAMES MUST GO 8.5 INNINGS Jul 26 941 AWAY RUNS 12:10 PM 942 HOME RUNS Jul 26 943 OVER RUNS 12:10 PM 944 UNDER RUNS

1ST HALF - 5 INNINGS First Half Lines - Jul 26

NATIONAL LEAGUE Jul 26 1901 1H PIT P MAHOLM -L +165 o4½-105 12:10 PM 1902 1H NYM OL PEREZ -L -185 u4½-115 Jul 26 1903 1H MIL D BUSH -R -130 o5½EV 12:35 PM 1904 1H CIN LIVINGSTON-L +110 u5½-120 Jul 26 1905 1H WAS M BACSIK -L 1:05 PM 1906 1H PHI A EATON -R Jul 26 1907 1H ATL B CARLYLE -R 7:05 PM 1908 1H SFO T LINCECUM-R Jul 26 1909 1H SDG D WELLS -L 8:05 PM 1910 1H HOU W RODRIGEZ-L Jul 26 1911 1H CUB J MARQUIS -R 8:10 PM 1912 1H STL B LOOPER -R Jul 26 1913 1H LOS B PENNY -R 9:05 PM 1914 1H COL R LOPEZ -R Jul 26 1915 1H FLA B H KIM -R 9:40 PM 1916 1H ARI M OWINGS -R

AMERICAN LEAGUE Jul 26 1917 1H TAM E JACKSON -R +110 o5½-120 12:35 PM 1918 1H BAL S TRACHSEL-R -130 u5½EV Jul 26 1919 1H DET VERLANDER -R -165 o5½EV 2:05 PM 1920 1H CWS J DANKS -L +145 u5½-120 Jul 26 1921 1H BOS K GABBARD -L 7:05 PM 1922 1H CLE C LEE -L Jul 26 1923 1H NYY K IGAWA -L 8:10 PM 1924 1H KAN DE LA ROSA-L Jul 26 1925 1H OAK D HAREN -R 10:05 PM 1926 1H SEA JEF WEAVER-R

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS - Aug 25

***UFC 74: RESPECT*** MANDALAY BAY, LAS VEGAS, NV Aug 25 30901 GABRIEL GONZAGA -150 11:30 PM 30902 Randy Couture +120 Aug 25 30903 JOSH KOSCHECK +205 11:30 PM 30904 GEORGES ST PIERRE -245 Aug 25 30905 KURT PELLEGRINO +190 11:30 PM 30906 Joe STEVENSON -240

Thursday, July 26th

American League Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Baltimore Orioles, 12:35 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 95.

Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox, 2:05 p.m.

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

Boston Red Sox at Cleveland Indians, 7:05 p.m.

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

New York Yankees at Kansas City Royals, 8:10 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 95.

Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners, 10:05 p.m.

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

National League

Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets, 12:10 p.m.

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

Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds, 12:35 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies, 1:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants, 7:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 70.

San Diego Padres at Houston Astros, 8:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals, 8:10 p.m.

Clear Clear. Winds blowing from right to left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 95.

Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies, 9:05 p.m.

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

Florida Marlins at Arizona Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from left to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 100.

UCLA Bruins wide receivers coach Eric Scott was arrested Tuesday along with two other men on suspicion of burglary according to a CBS2 report.

L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call to a residence on the 1100 block of Pioneer Boulevard in Norwalk yesterday and found Scott and two other men engaged in burglarizing a house. All three were arrested. Scott was released on $50,000 bail.

Scott’s status at UCLA was in limbo pending further investigation, but he could be suspended or fired, a school source said.

In a statement, UCLA officials said the department “is currently gathering information regarding the situation involving assistant football coach Eric Scott. Until we have all of the facts available to us, it is premature for us to comment.”

An arraignment date at the Norwalk Superior Court has yet to be set.

The Bruins were listed with +4500 odds to win the 2008 BCS National Championship Game.

Barry Bonds former mistress Kimberly Bell said Tuesday that she will be discussing their relationship in next month’s issue of Playboy.

The Playboy article, accompanied by a nude pictorial of Kimberly Bell, is scheduled to hit newsstands Oct. 1. The 37-year-old Bell said the article will cover details of her relationship with Bonds that she told a grand jury investigating the perjury allegations in 2005.

“The opportunity was there, and I took it,” she told The Associated Press in a phone interview Monday. The photo shoot “was one of the most liberating experiences of my life.” ( YES, because it was $$$$ & I didn’t have to ask roid boy for it )

Bell testified before the grand jury that Bonds once told her of his steroid use in 2000 and that he implied he started taking the performance enhancing drugs in response to Mark McGwire’s pursuit of the single season home run record in 1998.

“He was very envious of Mark McGwire,” she said from her San Jose home. “He never said that was the reason, but I know it was.”

In an interview with Fox News Geraldo Rivera, Bell disclosed Bonds alleged steroid use and the ramifications that came with it.

Transcript from the Geraldo Rivera interview:

RIVERA: Did you ever experience any of what they call roid rage with Barry?

BELL: I have some experiences with that, yes. For example, if he was angry with something I would say or upset, he would be very quick to draw his hand back as if to hit me just to see me flinch so that he could laugh about it.

APHRODITE JONES, AUTHOR: What is interesting about that is that Barry Bonds changed his behavior with Kimberly Bell. She is with him from 1994 through 2003. And it wasn’t until he allegedly admitted to her that he used steroids that his behavior started to change. And he became much more aggressive, much more controlling and became somewhat physical toward her in a way that was frightening to her and threatening to her.

RIVERA: But wait a second, Kimberly, I didn’t hear you say that Barry admitted using steroids. Did he admit, specifically, to using them to you?

BELL: Yes. And it is something that we will discuss in the book.

The San Francisco Giants were listed with 35 to 1 odds of winning the National League Penant.

With yet another top cyclist expelled from the Tour De France for failing a drugs test bookie Paddy Power has announced a refund on all bets on Alexandre Vinokourov and his Astana team.

Vinokourov had been a well-backed pre-race favourite at 2/1 amongst punters although some disastrous stages had seen him drop out of the reckoning to 80/1 before his failed test led to his suspension.

Before their withdrawal, Astana had been leading the team standings in this year’s Tour and Paddy Power will be refunding on all their riders, including Andreas Kloeden who was in fifth place and Andrey Kashechkin in eighth.

British based, Paddy Power estimates a refund of almost €35,000 on the effected riders.

Paddy Power said: “The Tour De France is descending into a Tour De Farce so we will be refunding bets on any rider who is suspended for a failed drugs test between now and the end of the tour. As well as cheating the sport it’s cheating the punters who bet on these riders in good faith.”

(Wednesday, July 25th)

Final Score: Toronto 13, Minnesota 1

Toronto, ON - Gregg Zaun’s three-run homer capped an 11-run sixth inning, as the Toronto Blue Jays routed the Minnesota Twins, 13-1, to complete a three-game sweep at Rogers Centre. John McDonald ended 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who matched a club record for runs in an inning on the way to their season-high fifth straight win. Alex Rios finished 2- for-5 with an RBI and scored a run, while Lyle Overbay and Frank Thomas both drove in two runs in the win. Young right-hander Jesse Litsch (3-4) allowed one run on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts over seven innings for Toronto. Luis Castillo ended 2-for-3 and scored a run for the Twins, who matched their season-worst fourth straight loss. Justin Morneau ended 2-for-3 with an RBI in defeat. Venezuelan right- hander Carlos Silva (8-11), going for his second victory over the Blue Jays in as many tries this season, gave up six runs — five earned — on eight hits with two walks and a strikeout over 5 1/3 innings.

Final Score: Los Angeles 7, Oakland 6

Anaheim, CA - Maicer Izturis hit an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth after Francisco Rodriguez blew a three-run lead in the top half as the Los Angeles Angels edged the Oakland Athletics, 7-6, in the finale of a three-game set. Angels starter John Lackey went six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with four walks and seven strikeouts. Chone Figgins and Garret Anderson drove in two runs apiece for the Angels, who won for just the second time in six games. Oakland starter Joe Blanton was tagged for five funs on 11 hits over six frames. Mike Piazza homered for the A’s, who have lost 12 of 16.

Final Score: Cleveland 1, Boston 0

Cleveland, OH - Fausto Carmona scattered four hits over eight shutout innings, as Cleveland turned the tables on Boston to win 1-0 in the third game of four between the clubs at Jacobs Field. Carmona (13-4) fanned six and walked two, moving to 5-0 in July, and joined fellow Tribe starter C.C. Sabathia in the 13-win club. Franklin Gutierrez homered for the Indians, who snapped a two-game slide and reversed Boston’s 1-0 win on Tuesday. Josh Beckett (13-4) pitched an equally solid game despite the loss, allowing one run and four hits in over eight innings with seven strikeouts, retiring 14 in a row and 16 of the final 17 batters he faced. It was his fourth career complete game, but first since 2005. Coco Crisp, Jason Varitek and Alex Cora collected a hit each for the Red Sox, who saw their five-game win streak halted. David Ortiz, who missed the last five games with a left shoulder strain, returned to the lineup as the designated hitter and finished 1-for-4 with a single.

Final Score: Baltimore 6, Tampa Bay 1

Baltimore, MD - Erik Bedard allowed just one run in six innings and Corey Patterson homered as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. 6-1, in the second of a three-game set at Camden Yards. Bedard (10-4) gave up six hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. He leads the American League with 175 strikeouts and is 6-0 in his last seven outings. Patterson finished 3-for-5 with two RBI for the Orioles, who have won three in a row. Ramon Hernandez collected two hits and drove in a pair. Raul Casanova homered and Akinori Iwamura and Brendan Harris had two hits apiece for the Devil Rays, who have lost five in a row and 22 of 27.

Final Score: New York 7, Kansas City 1

Kansas City, MO - Alex Rodriguez was 2-for-5 and hit his 499th career home run as New York routed Kansas City, 7-1, in the third installment of a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium. Mike Mussina gave up just six hits and one run in 5 2/3 innings. Mussina (5-7) struck out four and walked a pair en route to his first win in his last four starts. Melky Cabrera homered and drove in three runs and Robinson Cano was 3-for-4 and scored twice for the Yankees, who have won six in a row and 11 of 13 to climb within 6 1/2 games of the AL East-leading Red Sox. The last time New York was this close to Boston in the standings was on May 10, when the Sox led by six games. Hideki Matsui hit his 18th home run and Andy Phillips also drove in a run. Royals hurler Gil Meche (7-7), who had gone 4-0 in his last seven starts coming into the game, allowed nine hits and five runs over 7 1/3 innings in the loss. Reggie Sanders knocked in the lone run for the Royals, losers of three straight and four of five. Ross Gload finished 2-for-3 with a double and run scored.

Final Score: Detroit 13, Chicago 9

Chicago, IL - Ryan Raburn had a career night, going 4-for-5, including a pair of homers and driving in seven runs, to help Detroit to a 13-9 win over the Chicago White Sox. Sean Casey had a two-run single, part of a 19-hit attack for the AL Central- leading Tigers, who bounced back from a sweep in a day/night doubleheader Tuesday. Jermaine Dye, Josh Fields, Juan Uribe and Andy Gonzalez each homered off Kenny Rogers, but the White Sox suffered their fifth defeat in seven games. Tadahito Iguchi doubled in two runs with no outs in the sixth, but the Tigers didn’t allow the tying run to score. Jason Grilli (5-2) struck out Jim Thome, retired Paul Konerko on a force play and got Dye to fly out to left to cap the inning, leaving the score at 10-9.

Final Score: Texas 7, Seattle 6

Arlington, TX - Ramon Vazquez crushed a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Texas Rangers to a 7-6 victory over the Mariners as Seattle closer J.J. Putz blew his first save since last season. Kenny Lofton went 2-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI while Michael Young had two hits for the Rangers, who completed a four- game sweep. Texas starter Brandon McCarthy went five innings, allowing three runs on eight hits. Despite yielding two runs on three hits, Joaquin Benoit (4-3) was credited with the victory. Adrian Beltre belted three doubles and knocked in four runs while Ichiro Suzuki had two hits and scored twice for the slumping Mariners, who have lost six straight, matching a season-high. Miguel Batista started for Seattle and was charged with five runs on eight hits in six innings. The loss went to Putz (1-1), who came into the game with 31 consecutive saves in as many chances dating back to last season, including all 29 this year.

Final Score: Toronto 13, Minnesota 1

Toronto, ON - Gregg Zaun’s three-run homer capped an 11-run sixth inning, as the Toronto Blue Jays routed the Minnesota Twins, 13-1, to complete a three-game sweep at Rogers Centre. John McDonald ended 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and scored twice for the Blue Jays, who matched a club record for runs in an inning on the way to their season-high fifth straight win. Alex Rios finished 2- for-5 with an RBI and scored a run, while Lyle Overbay and Frank Thomas both drove in two runs in the win. Young right-hander Jesse Litsch (3-4) allowed one run on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts over seven innings for Toronto. Luis Castillo ended 2-for-3 and scored a run for the Twins, who matched their season-worst fourth straight loss. Justin Morneau ended 2-for-3 with an RBI in defeat. Venezuelan right- hander Carlos Silva (8-11), going for his second victory over the Blue Jays in as many tries this season, gave up six runs — five earned — on eight hits with two walks and a strikeout over 5 1/3 innings.

Final Score: Los Angeles 7, Oakland 6

Anaheim, CA - Maicer Izturis hit an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth after Francisco Rodriguez blew a three-run lead in the top half as the Los Angeles Angels edged the Oakland Athletics, 7-6, in the finale of a three-game set. Angels starter John Lackey went six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with four walks and seven strikeouts. Chone Figgins and Garret Anderson drove in two runs apiece for the Angels, who won for just the second time in six games. Oakland starter Joe Blanton was tagged for five funs on 11 hits over six frames. Mike Piazza homered for the A’s, who have lost 12 of 16.

Final Score: Colorado 10, San Diego 2

Denver, CO - Matt Holliday went 4-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and four runs scored and Aaron Cook pitched a complete game, as the Colorado Rockies crushed the San Diego Padres, 10-2, in the rubber match of a three-game set. Garrett Atkins and Ryan Spilborghs each knocked in three runs for the Rockies, who were coming off four losses in their last six games. Cook (7-6) gave up just the two runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and no walks. Cook, who went 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored, threw just 74 pitches — the fewest total for a nine-inning complete game in Rockies history. Brian Giles went 3-for-4 with a run scored for the Padres, who have lost five of six. Justin Germano (6-5) suffered the loss after yielding six runs on seven hits through five-plus innings. The right-hander fell to 1-5 over his last seven starts.

Final Score: Philadelphia 7, Washington 5 (14 innings)

Philadelphia, PA - Ryan Howard hit a towering two-run homer in the bottom of the 14th inning, as the Philadelphia Phillies salvaged a 7-5 win over the Washington Nationals in the middle contest of a three-game set at Citizen’s Bank Park. Wes Helms knocked in a pair of runs for the Phillies, who have won five straight and will go for the sweep of Washington on Thursday. Ronnie Belliard went 2-for-7 with a solo home run for the Nationals, who had won four of five before arriving in the City of Brotherly Love. Chris Booker (0-1) took the loss, while Clay Condrey (4-0) picked up the win after tossing three scoreless frames in relief.

Final Score: New York 6, Pittsburgh 3

Flushing, NY - Tom Glavine picked up career victory No. 299, as the New York Mets trumped the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-3, in the middle installment of a three-game series at Shea Stadium. Glavine (9-6) allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings for the Mets, who have won five of their last six contests. One more win, and Glavine will join Lefty Grove and Early Wynn at 21st on the all-time list with 300 victories. Paul Lo Duca drove in four runs for the Mets, while Marlon Anderson and Damion Easley came through with an RBI each. Jason Bay hit a two-run homer for Pittsburgh, which has lost 10 of 11. Starter Tom Gorzelanny (9-6) left the game in the third due to left shoulder stiffness. Before exiting he was tagged for six runs on seven hits over 2 1/3 frames.

Final Score: Cincinnati 7, Milwaukee 3

Cincinnati, OH - Jeff Keppinger knocked in three runs with a double, as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-3, at Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati starter Kyle Lohse tossed 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs — one earned — on five hits. Lohse (6-12), who retired 11 batters in a row at one point, struck out two while not issuing a walk. Ryan Freel, Brandon Phillips and Scott Hatteberg all had two hits and an RBI for the Reds, who won for the second time in their last six games. Adam Dunn added three hits in the victory and extended his hitting streak to 11 games. Jeff Suppan (8-9) started for Milwaukee and was tagged for five runs on 10 hits. He is now winless in his last six starts. Craig Counsell hit a home run while Kevin Mench had two hits for the Brewers, who have four losses in their last six games.

Final Score: Chicago 7, St. Louis 1

St. Louis, MO - Ted Lilly won his sixth straight start, as the Chicago Cubs downed the rival St. Louis Cardinals, 7-1, in the middle of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. The stretch of success ties a career high, as Lilly (11-4) won a career-best six straight starts from August 25- September 21, 2003 with Oakland. Lilly has also won seven straight decisions, which is a personal best. The southpaw allowed just one run on six hits over seven innings for the Cubs, who have won five of seven. They now trail the Brewers by just two games in the NL Central. Mike Fontenot and Cliff Floyd both knocked in a pair of runs in a winning effort. Adam Wainwright (9-8) was charged with six runs on nine hits over five frames for St. Louis, which has dropped three of four. Juan Encarnacion provided most of the Cards’ offense, going 4-for-4 with an RBI.

Final Score: Houston 2, Los Angeles 1

Houston, TX - Carlos Lee belted the go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning and gave the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the finale of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park. Eric Munson also homered for the Astros, who have won three of four. Houston starter Matt Albers threw five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Chad Qualls (6-3) gave up two hits and one run in one inning for the win and Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save in eight opportunities. Jeff Kent homered for the Dodgers, who have lost five of seven. Los Angeles starter Derek Lowe was lifted after facing one batter in the fifth due to a groin pull. He was visibly angry as he left the field and he threw his glove in disgust in the dugout. He surrendered one run on four hits with no walks and three strikeouts. D.J. Houlton (0-2) pitched two innings. The only hit he allowed was Lee’s homer.

Final Score: Arizona 7, Florida 0

Phoenix, AZ - Eric Byrnes went 2-for-4 with a double and scored two runs as Arizona downed Florida, 7-0, in the third of four games between the teams. Conor Jackson was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored for the D-Backs, winners of five in a row. Scott Hairston had two hits and drove in a pair, while Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds collected a pair of hits and knocked in a run each. Brandon Webb (9-8) threw seven innings of six-hit shutout ball with eight strikeouts and three walks to win for the first time in his last four starts. Florida starter Scott Olsen (8-8), in his first start since his arrest, allowed season-highs of 11 hits and seven runs, along with four strikeouts and three walks in five innings. Jeremy Hermida collected a pair of hits for the Marlins, who have dropped three straight.

Final Score: San Francisco 2, Atlanta 1

San Francisco, CA - Rich Aurilia belted the go-ahead homer in the sixth inning, as the Giants edged the Atlanta Braves, 2-1, getting a win with Barry Bonds out of the lineup. Bonds, who played 13 innings on Tuesday, sat in the dugout waiting for an opportunity to pinch-hit for a chance at home run No. 754, but he never got to bat as the Giants snapped a three-game skid and won for the fourth time in 14 games. Bonds is running out of time to reach the coveted home run record on San Francisco’s current homestand. Bonds, who is two homers shy of Hank Aaron’s 755, hasn’t hit one since last Thursday when he belted two against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Bonds was replaced by Fred Lewis in left field, but he could return for a day game Thursday. Noah Lowry (11-7) won for the fifth time in six decisions, allowing seven hits and a run over eight innings. Brad Hennessey gave up a double to Jeff Francoeur leading off the ninth, but retired the next three batters, including strikeouts of Jarrod Saltalamacchia and pinch-hitter Kelly Johnson to end the game. Hennessey picked up his seventh save. Chuck James (8-8) was charged with seven hits and two runs over six frames as the Braves lost for the first time in the series. Andruw Jones singled in Atlanta’s only run in the first inning, driving in Yunel Escobar, who was hit by a pitch.

Phoenix, AZ - Eric Byrnes went 2-for-4 with a double and scored two runs as Arizona downed Florida, 7-0, in the third of four games between the teams.

Conor Jackson was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored for the D-Backs, winners of five in a row. Scott Hairston had two hits and drove in a pair, while Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds collected a pair of hits and knocked in a run each.

Brandon Webb (9-8) threw seven innings of six-hit shutout ball with eight strikeouts and three walks to win for the first time in his last four starts.

“My fastball was everywhere, I didn’t have a good feel for them from the start,” noted Webb. “I ended up making big pitches when I had to and got out of trouble somehow.”

Florida starter Scott Olsen (8-8), in his first start since his arrest, allowed season-highs of 11 hits and seven runs, along with four strikeouts and three walks in five innings.

“I made some good pitches and they hit some good pitches, you have to give them credit,” Olson said. “Webb pitched his rear end off, so there wasn’t much we could do.”

Jeremy Hermida collected a pair of hits for the Marlins, who have dropped three straight.

Webb continued to be strong with a seven-run advantage and worked his way out of a jam in the seventh. Hermida doubled to start the frame, then Joe Borchard’s line-drive struck Webb just above the hip and glanced to short for an infield single. After an initial check by the team staff, he remained in the game to strike out Alfredo Amezaga, induce a Dan Uggla fly out and get Miguel Cabrera to ground into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Juan Cruz and Doug Slaten each turned in a scoreless inning of relief to close out the contest.

Chris Young’s leadoff homer in the first put Arizona up 1-0, and the D-Backs cushioned that lead with a five-run third.

Byrnes began the rally with a two-out single, and scored when Jackson smacked a double to deep center. Jackson moved to third on a wild pitch, but did not score when Chris Snyder beat out a dribbler to the mound for an infield single. Drew followed with a line single to make it 4-0, then Hairston drove a double off the wall in dead center to bring in two more runs.

Arizona picked up another two-out run in the fourth as Byrnes laced a double to left and scored on a Jackson single.

Game Notes

Arizona has won all three meetings this season and four of the last five…Cabrera extended his career-best hit streak to 15 games with a double…Attendance was 20,154.