Sunday, July 29th (All times eastern)
MINNESOTA TWINS (52-51) AT CLEVELAND INDIANS (60-44), 1:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Minnesota - Matt Garza (1-2, 1.33) Cleveland - C.C. Sabathia (13-5, 3.70)
C.C. Sabathia takes aim at his major league leading 14th win of the season today, as the Cleveland Indians wrap up a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins at Jacobs Field.
With 13 victories on the season, Sabathia is tied with four other pitchers, including teammate Fausto Carmona, for the major league lead. On Tuesday, the left-hander was denied his league best 14th win of the season despite a solid effort in a 1-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox. In that game, the veteran allowed just one earned run and five hits over seven strong innings of work. He struck out seven, but suffered his third loss in his past four starts.
Sabathia has fared well at home this season, posting a 9-3 record with a 3.22 ERA and two complete games in 14 starts.
In his career against the Twins, Sabathia has gone 8-7 with a 3.59 ERA in 22 starts. Earlier this season, Sabathia defeated Minnesota at Jacobs Field, allowing one earned run and five hits over eight innings of a 7-1 victory on May 16th.
Countering for Minnesota will be Matt Garza, who has dropped two straight starts. In his last start a week ago, the 23-year-old right-hander was reached for three earned runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 7-2 setback to the Angels. Prior to that outing, Garza had allowed just one unearned run in two starts and one relief appearances since being brought up from the minors on June 29th.
In his only career appearance against the Indians, Garza allowed three earned runs and five hits over five innings of a 3-2 loss last August.
In last night’s contest, Brian Buscher, playing in just his second major league game, drove in the winning run in the top of the ninth as the Twins downed the Indians, 3-2. Jason Tyner hit a home run while Justin Morneau drove in the other run for the Twins, who snapped a season-high five-game losing streak.
Johan Santana was brilliant in the start as he carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but he didn’t factor in the decision as he gave up two runs on four hits with a walk and 12 strikeouts in seven innings.
Pat Neshek (6-1) got the win for pitching a perfect eighth inning. Joe Nathan retired the Indians in order in the ninth to pick up his 21st save of the season.
Travis Hafner hit a two-run home run for the Indians, who had won two of three coming into the game.
Jake Westbrook was just as good as Santana on the mound as he gave up just two runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts in seven innings.
Joe Borowski (2-4) got the loss.
Cleveland has won six of seven encounters with the Twins this season. The teams will also face one another four times at the Metrodome from August 3-6.
NEW YORK YANKEES (55-49) AT BALTIMORE ORIOLES (49-54), 1:35 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - Chien-Ming Wang (11-5, 3.57) Baltimore - Daniel Cabrera (7-10, 5.04)
The Baltimore Orioles try to stretch their winning streak to seven games today, as they conclude a three-game set with the New York Yankees from Camden Yards.
On Saturday, Miguel Tejada went 2-for-4 with four RBI, as Baltimore rolled to a 7-5 win. Nick Markakis drove in a pair of runs while Brian Roberts went 2- for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored for the Orioles, who have won seven of eight.
Brian Burres (5-4) got the win as he gave up just one run on four hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in six-plus innings of work.
Jorge Posada hit a two-run homer and Hideki Matsui went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored for the Yankees, who have dropped three straight. Alex Rodriguez finished the game 0-for-4 with an error and is still one home run shy of 500 for his career.
Roger Clemens (3-5) got the loss as he gave up four runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings of work in his 700th start.
Trying to get the Yankees back on track today will be Chien-Ming Wang, who has won four of his last five starts. On Tuesday, the right-hander surrendered four earned runs and seven hits in six innings of a 9-4 triumph over the Kansas City Royals. It was the fifth straight start in which Wang did not allow a homer.
Wang has done a respectable job pitching on the road this season, posting a 5-1 record with a 4.44 ERA in eight starts.
In his career against Baltimore, Wang is 2-1 with a 4.87 ERA in seven appearances, six starts. Earlier this season against the Orioles, Wang allowed six earned runs and nine hits over 6 1/3 innings of work. He did not factor in the decision, as the Yankees posted an 8-7 victory.
Daniel Cabrera gets the starting nod for Baltimore today and he will hope to build off his best outing of the season that took place against Tampa Bay on Tuesday. In that game, the right-hander gave up just one hit over seven scoreless innings of a 3-0 triumph. It was his first win since defeating Arizona back on June 22nd.
In four day starts this season, Cabrera has gone 3-1 with a 3.90 ERA.
Cabrera has made nine lifetime starts versus the Yankees, going 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA during that stretch. Cabrera opposed Wang earlier this season and allowed four earned runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings of a no-decision effort on June 28th.
The Orioles won the first two tests of that late June series with the Bronx Bombers at Camden Yards prior this series. The Yankees went 7-3 in Baltimore last season. BOSTON RED SOX (64-40) AT TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS (38-65), 1:40 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Boston - Daisuke Matsuzaka (12-7, 3.79) Tampa Bay - Scott Kazmir (7-7, 4.02)
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will try to bring their eight- game skid to an end today, as they finish a three-game series with the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field.
Last night, Manny Ramirez’s two-run double capped a six-run 12th inning, as the Red Sox downed the Devil Rays, 12-6.
With the score knotted at six, the Sox exploded for six runs in the top of the 12th, with most of the damage coming against reliever Brian Stokes (2-7). Mike Lowell singled and Jason Varitek and Coco Crisp walked to load the bases. Julio Lugo walked in the go-ahead run, as reliever Jae Kuk Ryu tried to prevent further damage.
Kevin Youkilis’ double cleared the bases, however, and David Ortiz walked before Ramirez doubled home two more runs to seal the win as Boston moved nine games ahead of the Yankees for the top spot in the AL East.
Lowell ended 4-for-6 for the Red Sox, who have won three straight and eight of their last nine games. Julio Lugo went 2-for-5 with two RBI and scored twice in the win.
Boston starter Jon Lester went 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Kyle Snyder (2-2) scattered one hit over two innings for the win.
Jonny Gomes homered twice for the Devil Rays, while Josh Paul added a home run and Brendan Harris finished 3-for-5 and scored a run in the loss.
Tampa Bay starter James Shields surrendered three runs on six hits, while walking one and striking out seven over five innings.
The Devils Rays will turn to Scott Kazmir today in hope that he can bring their losing ways to an end. The left-hander had a two start win streak snapped on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings of a 3-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. He struck out eight and walked three in the setback.
Despite a solid 3.47 ERA at home this season, Kazmir is just 2-3 in 12 starts at Tropicana Field.
Kazmir has fared well against Boston over his career, posting a 5-3 record with a glaring 2.76 ERA in 12 starts. He has been especially good against the Red Sox at Tropicana Field, where he is 2-0 lifetime with a 1.69 ERA in five starts. Kazmir, however, was on the losing end of a 4-1 decision to Boston earlier this month. In that contest, he allowed three earned runs and six hits over six innings of work.
Opposing Kazmir for the second time this month will be Daisuke Matsuzaka, who allowed just four hits over eight scoreless innings of Boston’s 4-1 win over Tampa Bay on July 3rd. It was his first career appearance versus the Devil Rays.
Matsuzaka has won three of his last five starts, including a dominant performance against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. In that contest, the Japanese rookie right-hander held the Indians to just four hits over seven scoreless innings of a 1-0 triumph. With the victory, he improved to 6-4 with a 3.21 ERA in 11 road starts this season.
While Boston has dominated Tampa Bay at home in the series, going 27-5 against them at Fenway since the start of the 2004 season, the club is just 15-15 in St. Petersburg over that same span.
True to form, the Red Sox swept a three-game set against the Devil Rays at home from July 3-5.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (51-52) AT CHICAGO WHITE SOX (48-56), 2:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Toronto - Shaun Marcum (6-4, 3.87) Chicago - Javier Vazquez (8-5, 3.71)
The Chicago White Sox seek their first three-game home sweep of the season today when they conclude their series with the Toronto Blue Jays at U.S. Cellular Field.
The White Sox, who own the AL’s third worst home record (24-27), haven’t swept a series on the southside since turning the trick against the Detroit Tigers last August.
On Saturday, Mark Buehrle and Bobby Jenks combined on an eight-hit shutout, and Jerry Owens picked an incredibly opportune time for his first career home run, as the White Sox bested Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays, 2-0.
Halladay (11-5) went the distance for Toronto, taking a shutout of his own into the seventh. The Toronto ace let up 10 hits while fanning seven and walking a pair for the Blue Jays, who dropped their second straight after winning five in a row.
Buehrle (8-6) scattered eight hits over eight innings, striking out six and walking one. Jenks pitched a perfect ninth for his 30th save for the White Sox, who have won five of their last six.
Javier Vazquez will toe the rubber for the White Sox today in an attempt to keep his personal winning streak alive. The veteran right-hander has not lost since June 11th, posting a 5-0 mark with a 2.60 ERA over his last seven starts. On Tuesday, he allowed three earned runs and four hits over eight innings of a 5-3 win against the Tigers.
Vazquez has been especially tough at home this season, posting a 4-3 record with a 3.36 ERA in nine starts. He is holding opponents to just a .209 average at U.S. Cellular Field.
In his career against the Blue Jays, Vazquez is an even 4-4 with a 4.76 ERA in 11 starts. He beat Toronto earlier this season, surrendering just six hits over eight scoreless innings of a 3-0 triumph on June 1st.
Countering for the Blue Jays will be Shaun Marcum, who has won two of his last three starts. On Monday, the right-hander yielded four earned runs and eight hits over six innings of a 6-4 triumph over the Minnesota Twins.
On the road this season, Marcum has posted a 4-2 record with a solid 3.17 ERA in 13 appearance, seven starts.
Marcum made his first career start against Chicago earlier this season, allowing thee earned runs and four hits in just three innings of an eventual 4-3 win by Toronto on June 3rd.
The Blue Jays and White Sox met in Toronto from May 31-June 3, with the Blue Jays winning three of four. Chicago held a slight 5-4 edge in the series last year.
TEXAS RANGERS (46-58) AT KANSAS CITY ROYALS (46-57), 2:10 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Texas - Kameron Loe (5-8, 5.59) Kansas City - Leo Nunez (0-0, 2.25)
The Kansas City Royals attempt to sweep the Texas Rangers today, as the two teams wrap up a three-game series Kauffman Stadium.
Kansas City, which has not swept the Rangers at home since the 2002 season, posted a 6-5 victory over Texas last night to put itself in position for the sweep.
John Buck had three hits and drove in two runs for the Royals, who have won three in a row following a three-game slide. Tony Pena Jr. also had two RBI and Emil Brown finished with three hits and scored twice in the victory.
Odalis Perez (6-9) threw six solid innings for the win, allowing seven hits and three earned runs over that span.
Nelson Cruz smacked a pair of two-run homers and had five RBI for the Rangers, who entered this series with four straight victories.
Kevin Millwood (7-9) was pounded for nine hits and six runs over just 2 2/3 innings.
The Rangers will try to avoid the sweep by sending Kameron Loe to the hill today. The right-hander hasn’t picked up a win over his last four starts, despite a solid outing against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. In that game, he yielded three earned runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings, but did not factor in the Rangers’ 4-3 victory.
Loe has made just one previous start in his career against Kansas City, allowing eight earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings of work last season. He did not receive a decision in that game. Loe also threw a pair of scoreless innings in relief against the Royals in 2005.
Kansas City called up Leo Nunez from Triple-A Omaha to make today’s start in place of Scott Elarton, who was released Wednesday, a day after coming off the disabled list and getting pounded in a 9-4 setback to the New York Yankees.
Nunez made the first start of his major league career on July 17th, surrendering one earned run in four innings of a 9-3 win against Boston. The right-hander was yanked after throwing 74 pitches in that game.
In seven career relief appearances against Texas, Nunez is 1-0 with a 4.63 ERA.
This series marks the first meeting between the Royals and Rangers in 2007. Both clubs split six games last year. OAKLAND ATHLETICS (49-55) AT SEATTLE MARINERS (56-46), 4:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Oakland - Lenny DiNardo (5-6, 2.41) Seattle - Jarrod Washburn (8-7, 4.05)
The Seattle Mariners shoot for their third win in a row today, as they wrap up a four-game series with the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field.
On Saturday, Yuniesky Betancourt hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, as Seattle held on to defeat the A’s, 4-3. Kenji Johjima added a two run homer for the Mariners, who only had four total hits in the game.
Seattle has now won two in a row since losing seven straight.
Horacio Ramirez (6-3) had a solid outing in picking up the win, giving up three runs on six hits with four strikeouts. The left-hander allowed five walks.
Donnie Murphy accounted for the A’s runs with a three-run double and also walked twice.
Chad Gaudin (8-6) was the hard luck loser, allowing four runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking one over eight innings. It was his first major-league complete game.
Taking the hill for the Oakland today will be Lenny DiNardo, who is in search of his third straight win. On Tuesday, the left-hander limited the Angels to just one earned run and three hits over 6 2/3 innings of a 4-3 triumph. With the win, DiNardo improved to 2-2 with a 2.08 ERA in eight appearances, five starts, on the road.
DiNardo has made four appearances against the Mariners in his career, but he has yet to earn a decision despite a 1.54 ERA over that span. His only career start against Seattle came earlier this month when he gave up just three hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings on July 7th.
Jarrod Washburn will oppose DiNardo today and he is in search of his first victory since winning three in a row from June 23-July 4. The veteran left- hander is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in his last three starts, although he did not pitch that poorly against Texas on Tuesday. In that outing, Washburn allowed three earned runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings of a 4-3 loss. He did not receive a decision.
In his career against the A’s, Washburn is 8-12 with a 3.87 ERA in 29 starts. He has made two starts versus Oakland this season, posting a 1-0 mark with a 1.20 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 nine of the 12 matchups thus far.
Oakland has compiled a 16-9 record at Safeco Field since the start of the 2005 campaign. DETROIT TIGERS (60-43) AT LA ANGELS OF ANAHEIM (60-42), 8:09 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Detroit - Jeremy Bonderman (10-2, 3.69) LA Angels - Dustin Moseley (4-1, 4.06)
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim try to sweep the Detroit Tigers at Angel Stadium for the first time since the 2004 season, as the two clubs wrap up a three-game set tonight.
On Saturday, Garret Anderson’s three-run homer sparked a seven-run eighth inning as the Angels picked up a 10-3 win. Orlando Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a homer and Reggie Willits finished with three hits and an RBI for the Angels, who have won three in a row and four of six.
Angels starter Joe Saunders went 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Scot Shields (3-3) pitched a hitless eighth inning for the win.
Magglio Ordonez homered and Carlos Guillen had two hits and an RBI for the Tigers, who have lost three in a row and five of six.
Tigers starter Andrew Miller yielded two runs on five hits with four walks and four strikeouts in five-plus innings. Jason Grilli (5-3) suffered the loss after allowing two earned runs and three hits in two innings of work.
Trying to get Detroit back into the win column will be Jeremy Bonderman, who is coming off a rough outing against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. In that contest, the right-hander was reached for five earned runs and eight hits in seven innings of a 5-3 setback. It was the first road loss of the season for Bonderman, who is now 5-1 with a 4.11 ERA in 10 starts away from home.
In eight career starts against the Angels, Bonderman is 3-2 with a 3.46 ERA. Earlier this season, Bonderman was roughed up by the Angels, allowing a season-high seven runs and 11 hits over six innings of an eventual 9-8, 10- inning loss on April 24th. He, however, responded from that dismal showing by tossing eight scoreless innings in Detroit’s 12-0 victory over the Angels on May 24th.
Dustin Moseley will oppose Bonderman tonight, as he takes the place of Bartolo Colon, who is on the disabled list with right elbow problems. The right-hander has appeared in 31 games out of the bullpen this season, but has not made a start since April 12th. He is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts this season.
Moseley replaced Colon, who left after one inning, on Monday and allowed a season-high five earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings of a 12-6 loss to Oakland. He did not factor in the decision.
In three career relief appearances against Detroit, Moseley is 1-0 thanks to 3 1/3 scoreless innings of work.
Anaheim has won four of the seven meetings with the Tigers this season. The Angels are also 22-12 against the Tigers since the start of the 2004 season. WASHINGTON NATIONALS (45-59) AT NEW YORK METS (58-46), 1:10 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Washington - Billy Traber (2-1, 4.09) New York - John Maine (11-5, 3.04)
John Maine tries for his 12th win of the season this afternoon when the New York Mets wrap up a four-game series with the Washington Nationals at Shea Stadium.
Maine has been a pleasant surprise for the Mets this season and enters today’s finale on the heels of an impressive win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in his last start on Tuesday. Maine gave up two runs and five hits in seven frames in that one, as he ran his record to 11-5, while lowering his earned run average to 3.04.
The 26-year-old right-hander is 2-1 lifetime against the Nationals with a 4.40 ERA in five starts.
Washington will counter with former Mets’ farmhand Billy Traber, who is 2-1 with a 4.09 ERA. After serving as a reliever for most of the season, Traber made his first start on July 20 and was tagged with the loss to Colorado after allowing two runs (one earned) and three hits in four innings.
The left-hander appeared out of the bullpen on Tuesday, giving up a run and two hits in three innings against Philadelphia.
Traber has faced the Mets four times (one start) and is 1-0 against them with a sparkling 0.79 ERA. In his lone start against them, he held them to one run and four hits in seven innings of a 2-1 victory on August 11.
On Saturday the teams split a day/night doubleheader, as Ryan Langerhans’ RBI single put the Nationals on top in the eighth, and Washington was able to survive a late Mets rally and top New York, 6-5 in the nightcap.
Orlando Hernandez tossed seven solid innings as the Mets edged the Nationals, 3-1, in the opener.
Joel Hanrahan, called up to make his MLB debut for the Nats, allowed four hits and three runs in six innings, fanning seven and walking one. Jon Rauch (7-2) gave up four hits and two runs in only 1 1/3 innings, but was the pitcher of record when the Nationals jumped on top. Chad Cordero pitched the perfect ninth for his 21st save.
Ryan Zimmerman and D’Angelo Jimenez each went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run for the Nationals, who have won seven of their last 12. Prior to the game the Nationals announced a two-year contract extension for first baseman Dmitri Young, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI single to celebrate the deal.
Mike Pelfrey started for the Mets, allowing eight hits and three runs with five strikeouts in six innings. Pedro Feliciano (2-2) gave up two hits and three runs in two-thirds of an inning. Carlos Delgado went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI for the Mets, who have dropped three of four.
The Mets continue to play without All-Star centerfielder Carlos Beltran, who missed his fourth straight game with an oblique strain. He will likely miss today’s tilt as well.
New York could also have catcher Paul LoDuca out of the lineup this afternoon. LoDuca suffered a hamstring injury in the second game and is expected to have an MRI on Sunday.
The Mets and Nationals have split eight meetings so far in the season.
CHICAGO CUBS (54-48) AT CINCINNATI REDS (45-60), 1:15 P.M. Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - Carlos Zambrano (13-7, 3.65) Cincinnati - Matt Belisle (5-7, 5.28)
Carlos Zambrano tries to become the first 14-game winner in the major leagues’ this afternoon when the Chicago Cubs play the rubber match of their three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Zambrano’s turnaround has pretty much coincided with the Cubs’ push towards first place in the NL Central. Since falling to 5-5 after a loss to the Atlanta Braves on June 1 in a game that featured a dugout brawl between he and his catcher, Zambrano, who is due to become a free agent at season’s end, has won eight of 10 starts and is pitching to a sparkling 1.56 earned run average in those outings.
The 26-year-old right-hander won his third straight start on Tuesday against St. Louis, as he allowed two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings to run his season record to 13-7, while lowering his ERA to 3.65 - almost two full points lower since the loss to the Braves.
Zambrano has lost twice already to the Reds this season, but owns an 8-7 lifetime mark against them with a 3.39 ERA in 23 games, 19 of which have been starts.
Cincinnati will counter with Matt Belisle, who is 5-7 with a 5.28 ERA. Belisle has not won since May 29 and that trend continued in his last start when he was tagged with the loss against the Milwaukee Brewers, who battered him for four runs and six hits in just 3 2/3 innings.
Belisle is 0-2 in his career against the Cubs with a 5.94 ERA in 12 games (one start).
Chicago gained some ground on the Milwaukee Brewers in the second game of this set on Saturday, as Alfonso Soriano homered twice, drove in five runs and scored three times, as the Cubs took advantage of an early exit by Reds’ starter Aaron Harang to beat Cincinnati, 8-1.
Harang (10-3) worked just one inning, allowing a two-run homer to Derrek Lee before leaving with lower back soreness. He was replaced by left-hander Mike Gosling at the start of the second.
It was a tough blow for the Reds, and for Harang, who was unbeaten since dropping a 5-3 decision to Cleveland on May 20th. He had also been perfect at Great American Ball Park since May 5, and held a 3-0 mark and a 2.45 ERA in his last seven home starts coming in.
Brandon Phillips drove in the lone run for Cincinnati, which had a a three- game winning streak halted.
Jason Kendall finished with two hits and two runs scored, and Cliff Floyd also knocked in a run for Chicago, which put the brakes on a two-game skid and pulled within 1 1/2 games of Milwaukee in the Central. The Brewers dropped both games of their day-night doubleheader to St. Louis on Saturday.
Cubs starter Sean Marshall (5-4) allowed just one run on six hits, walked one and struck out three over six-plus innings to earn his first win in five starts.
The Reds have bested the Cubs in five of their eight meetings this year, including a 3-2 mark at home. The teams split 10 games in Cincinnati last season.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (42-60) AT PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (54-49), 1:35 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Pittsburgh - Ian Snell (7-8, 3.62) Philadelphia - Kyle Kendrick (4-1, 4.44)
The Philadelphia Phillies will try and complete a three- game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia won the middle contest of this set on Saturday, as Chris Coste’s three-run home run highlighted a season-high eight-run fifth inning to help the Phillies to a 10-5 win. Coste had a career-high four RBI and Shane Victorino ended 2-for-3 and scored three times for the Phillies, who have won seven of their last eight.
Tadahito Iguchi, acquired from the White Sox on Friday and playing in place of the injured Chase Utley, finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in his Phillies debut.
J.D. Durbin (3-2), who was brilliant against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, allowed five runs on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts over five frames. The 25-year-old right-hander got his first home win this season while facing the Pirates for the first time.
Reliever Brett Myers, activated from the disabled list Friday, threw a perfect ninth inning in his first appearance since May 23, as the Phillies moved within 3 1/2 games of the Mets for the top spot in the NL East.
Left-hander Shane Youman (2-3), also coming off a solid start in his last trip to the hill, allowed seven runs - six earned - on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts over four-plus frames in his first-ever appearance against the Phils.
Freddy Sanchez homered for the Pirates, who have dropped five of six. Xavier Nady ended 2-for-4 with two RBI in the loss. Jason Bay also had a pair of hits and scored a run.
Getting the call for the Phillies today will be rookie right-hander Kyle Kendrick, who is 4-1 with a 4.44 earned run average. Kendrick, who has never faced the Pirates, received a no-decision in his last start on Tuesday against Washington, as he surrendered three runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Pittsburgh will counter with righty Ian Snell, who has lost his last three starts and four of his last five decisions. Snell’s latest loss came against the Mets on Tuesday, as he allowed six runs and 10 hits in four innings to fall to 7-8, while raising his ERA to 3.62.
Snell is 2-1 lifetime against the Phillies with a 4.26 ERA in three starts. He beat them twice last season, though, while pitching to a miniscule 0.64 ERA.
This is the first series between the two clubs this season after they split six games in 2006.
SAN DIEGO PADRES (55-48) AT HOUSTON ASTROS (46-58), 2:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: San Diego - Tim Stauffer (0-0, 0.00) Houston - Jason Jennings (2-6, 4.74)
Tim Stauffer makes his first start of the season this afternoon when the San Diego Padres play the finale of their four-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Stauffer will be starting in place of the major leagues’ leader in earned run average, Chris Young, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with an oblique strain.
The 25-year-old right-hander, who made one start for the Padres last season, was 5-4 with a 5.34 ERA in 20 games (15 starts) for Triple-A Portland.
Houston will counter with right-hander Jason Jennings, who is just 2-6 with a 4.74 ERA in his initial season with the Astros. Jennings, though, snapped a five-start losing streak in his last outing on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as he allowed three runs and three hits in six innings to nail down his first home victory of the season.
Jennings has faced the Padres 21 times and is 9-5 against them with a 4.41 ERA.
In the third game of this set on Saturday, Roy Oswalt continued his dominance of San Diego, allowing just one run and fanning 10 over seven innings to help the Astros to a 3-1 win. Carlos Lee hit a two-run homer, his third long ball in four games for the Astros, who have won four of their last five.
Oswalt (10-6), who scattered just three hits and walked a batter, has faced the Padres ten times (eight starts) in his career and is 7-1 against them. The 29-year-old right-hander, who skipped his last outing due to an upper chest injury, also lowered his earned run average on the season to 3.63.
With his 108th career win (in his 200th career start), Oswalt passed J.R. Richard and moved into a tie for fourth place on the franchise’s all-time wins list.
Greg Maddux (7-8) surrendered five hits, three runs and a pair of walks over six innings for the Padres. The future Hall-of-Famer is now winless in his last six starts dating back to July 3, going 0-4 in that span. His last win came in San Diego’s 4-2 victory over San Francisco on June 27.
Adrian Gonzalez knocked in the lone run for the Padres, who have dropped seven of their last nine games.
Houston also made some off the field news on Saturday, as it acquired infielder Ty WIgginton from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for reliever Dan Wheeler. Wigginton hit .275 with 16 homers and 49 RBIs in 98 games for the Devil Rays this season.
San Diego and Houston are playing their first series since both ballclubs split six meetings in 2006. The Astros are 10-7, though, in the last 17 matchups. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (57-48) AT ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (48-53), 2:15 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Milwaukee - Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 2.18) St. Louis - Kip Wells (4-13, 5.57)
The Milwaukee Brewers try and avoid their third straight loss this afternoon when they play the finale of their four-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Milwaukee dropped both ends of a day/night doubleheader to the Cards on Saturday.
In the second game of the double-dip, Anthony Reyes held the Brewers to two hits over six solid innings to avoid becoming the first-ever Cardinals pitcher to drop 13 straight decisions, as St. Louis earned the sweep with a 5-2 win.
Reyes (1-10), recalled from Triple-A Memphis to start the game, was 0-10 with a 6.40 ERA in the majors this season. He had dropped 12 straight decisions dating back to last season, matching Bill Kissinger’s franchise record set from 1896-97, and surrendered just two runs with four strikeouts and a walk and Jason Isringhausen a perfect ninth for his 20th save of the season.
David Eckstein went 2-for-5 and scored twice for the Cardinals, who scored three times in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Brewers, 7-6, in the opener of the doubleheader. Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen both finished 2- for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the second game.
Corey Hart homered for the Brewers, who have lost four of five and saw their lead in the National League Central over the second-place Cubs dwindle to 1 1/2 games. Prince Fielder doubled in the second for the only other Milwaukee hit.
Left-hander Chris Capuano (5-7), who is winless since beating the Washington Nationals back on May 7, allowed four runs on six hits with four walks and six strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings for Milwaukee.
Hoping to stop the bleeding today for the Brewers will be 21-year-old righty Yovani Gallardo, who has won his last two starts in impressive fashion in place of the injured Ben Sheets.
Gallardo, who has never faced the Cardinals, topped the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, as he allowed a run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings to run his season record to 3-1, while lowering his ERA to 2.18.
In his five starts this season, though, Gallardo is 3-0 with a 1.97 ERA.
St. Louis will counter with righty Kip Wells, who will try and avoid becoming the first 14-game loser in the majors this season. Wells, who is 4-13 with a 5.57 ERA, was tagged with yet another loss on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs, who reached him for three runs (two earned) on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings of 4-3 loss.
Wells has lost twice already this season to the Brewers and is 6-8 lifetime against them with a 4.30 ERA in 19 starts. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (57-47) AT COLORADO ROCKIES (52-51), 3:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Los Angeles - Chad Billingsley (7-0, 3.38) Colorado - Ubaldo Jimenez (0-0, 3.75)
Chad Billingsley tries to remain unbeaten on the season this afternoon when the Los Angeles Dodgers play the final game of their rain- shortened three-game series with the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Billingsley enters today’s tilt on the heels of the first complete game of his career on Monday against Houston. Billingsley allowed two runs and five hits in that one, as he ran his record to 7-0, while lowering his ERA to 3.38.
The 23-year-old right-hander will be making his second-ever start against the Rockies and will be looking to record his first decision against them. In three games, though, he has pitched to an 8.00 ERA.
Colorado will counter with a 23-year-old right-hander of its own in Ubaldo Jimenez, who will be making his third start of the season. Jimenez has not recorded a decision in his previous two starts, but has allowed five runs in 12 innings this season.
Jimenez faced the Dodgers one other time in a relief role and gave up two hits in a scoreless inning of work.
In the second game of this set on Saturday, Jeff Francis pitched into the eighth inning, and Colorado used the long ball to cruise to a 6-2 win. Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki and Garrett Atkins all homered for the Rockies, who have won two of three.
Francis (11-5) yielded two runs on seven hits, did not walk a batter and struck out five in 7 2/3 innings. The left-hander has won six straight decisions and is unbeaten in his last nine starts. His last loss came on June 8 at Baltimore.
Brett Tomko (2-8) allowed five runs and seven hits, walked four and fanned four over six innings for the Dodgers, who have dropped three of four and are just one percentage point ahead of Arizona for the lead in the NL West.
The Diamondbacks beat Atlanta, 4-3, in extra innings on Saturday.
Jeff Kent finished with two hits, an RBI and a run scored, extending his streak of reaching base safely to 37 straight games, the longest in the majors this season.
Despite last night’s loss, the Dodgers are still 4-3 this season against the Rockies and have won 19 of their last 26 overall against the Rockies, including nine of their last 13 in Denver. FLORIDA MARLINS (48-56) AT SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (44-57), 4:05 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Florida - Sergio Mitre (4-5, 3.34) San Francisco - Matt Morris (7-6, 4.16)
Barry Bonds will try and match Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record this afternoon when the San Francisco Giants try and complete a three-game sweep of the Florida Marlins at AT&T Park.
One night after pulling within one of Aaron with home run No. 754, Bonds finished 0-for-3 with a walk, but the Giants used a late rally to post a 4-3 victory on Saturday against Florida.
Bonds was on deck in the ninth inning, but Ray Durham singled to the warning track in right field to drive in pinch-runner Fred Lewis with the winning run, capping a two-run frame as the Giants posted their fourth straight win.
If Bonds wants to become the all-time home run king in front of his own fans, he will have to deliver in a big way today, as the Giants head to the road after today’s tilt for six games at Los Angeles and San Diego.
Kevin Gregg (0-4) blew the save last night in the ninth, walking pinch-hitter Dave Roberts and then giving up a pinch-hit double to right field by Mark Sweeney. The speedy Roberts beat the relay throw home with a nifty slide and Lewis came on to run for Sweeney, who got congratulatory pats in the dugout.
Omar Vizquel then put down a sacrifice bunt, moving Lewis to third, and Durham followed with a blast over the head of Jeremy Hermida in right field, all as Bonds stood on deck, ready for another chance for homer No. 755.
Jack Taschner (2-0) struck out two over an inning to get the victory.
Miguel Cabrera belted a two-run homer for Florida, which has lost six in a row.
Hoping to keep Bonds in the park will be right-hander Sergio Mitre, who is 4-5 on the year with a 3.34 ERA. Mitre, who will be making his first-ever start against the Giants, was tagged with the loss after a brutal outing in his last start on Tuesday in Arizona when he was ripped for seven runs and eight hits in three innings.
Mitre has never faced Bonds.
San Francisco will counter with veteran Matt Morris, who is winless in his last seven starts. Morris, who is 7-6 with a 4.16 ERA this season, received a no-decision against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, as he surrendered four runs and eight hits in six innings of a 7-5 loss.
Morris has faced the Marlins 13 times (10 starts) and s 7-4 against them with a 4.23 ERA.
San Francisco and Florida are playing their first series since splitting six matchups in 2006. With a win today, though, the Giants will post their first home sweep of the Marlins since turning the trick from August 14-16, 2001.
ATLANTA BRAVES (54-51) AT ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (58-48), 4:40 P.M.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Atlanta - Tim Hudson (10-5, 3.24) Arizona - Livan Hernandez (6-6, 4.59)
The Arizona Diamondbacks try and win their ninth straight game this afternoon when they attempt to complete their first-ever three-game sweep at home of the Atlanta Braves at Chase Field.
The D-Backs posted their third straight walk-off win on Saturday, as Conor Jackson’s RBI single in the 10th inning gave Arizona a 4-3 victory. A win today would give Arizona its first nine-game winning streak since a franchise- record 12-game run June 18-30, 2003.
Chris Young worked a leadoff walk in the 10th, and moved up on Orlando Hudson’s sacrifice bunt. Eric Byrnes was then intentionally walked before the Braves brought on reliever Chad Paronto to face Jackson. Paronto, on his 32nd birthday, gave up a single to center on his first pitch, and Young came around to win the game for the D-Backs.
The game-winning hit capped a three-hit, two-RBI game for Jackson, as the Diamondbacks moved into a virtual tie for first place in the NL West with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Starter Doug Davis held the Braves to five hits and three runs through seven innings, striking out six and walking three, and reliever Juan Cruz (5-1) tossed a scoreless inning of relief.
John Smoltz held Arizona to seven hits and three runs through seven innings. Tyler Yates (2-3) was responsible for the winning run, and Matt Diaz had a two-run double for the Braves, who have dropped four straight.
Hoping to keep Arizona rolling today will be veteran right-hander Livan Hernandez, who is 6-6 with a 4.59 ERA. Hernandez picked up his first win in 10 starts on Tuesday against Florida, as he allowed a run on seven hits in seven innings.
Hernandez has been atrocious in his career against the Braves, going just 3-14 with a 5.09 ERA in 23 games, 22 of which have been starts.
Atlanta will counter with righty Tim Hudson, who is unbeaten in his last six outings. Hudson, who is 10-5 with a 3.24 ERA, received a no-decision on Tuesday against San Francisco, allowing three runs and six hits in 8 2/3 innings of his team’s 7-5 win.
Hudson has faced the Diamondbacks five times and is a perfect 3-0 against them with a sparkling 1.91 ERA.
The Diamondbacks dominated the season series last year, winning six of seven over Atlanta. However, the Braves’ lone win came in Arizona.
Although the Diamondbacks have never swept the Braves in Arizona, they did pull off a four-game sweep in the teams’ last meeting in Atlanta, from June 1-4, 2006.
