The Bum's Sports Page For Thursday August 6th Best Bets-Trends-News !

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Preview: Marlins (43-65) at Braves (48-60)
Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: August 06, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Long eliminated from the NL playoff race, the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves' offenses continue to limp along as they enter what appears to be an irrelevant final two months of the season for these clubs.

They'll be hoping for at least a temporary respite with two rookie starters on the mound in Thursday night's opener of a four-game series in Atlanta, especially after facing two of the game's best pitchers.

The Marlins (43-65) are only one game ahead of major league-worst Philadelphia and rank last in baseball with 3.5 runs per game. They've scored fewer than four runs nine times while dropping 10 of 12 and had collected seven hits or fewer in seven consecutive contests before a late rally Wednesday. Miami recorded just two hits during Matt Harvey's seven-inning start, but tallied seven and scored six runs in the ninth inning of an 8-6 loss to the New York Mets.

"These guys showed heart and didn't quit and battled back to bring the winning run to the plate in the ninth," manager Dan Jennings said.

The Braves (48-60) failed a tough assignment of their own, striking out nine times during Madison Bumgarner's 7 1-3 innings in a 6-1 loss to San Francisco.

Atlanta has averaged 2.5 runs while dropping 11 of 14, totaling four runs in back-to-back losses after seemingly encouraging six and nine-run outputs in wins Sunday and Monday.

Jose Urena (1-5, 4.37 ERA) will try to extend the Braves' woes. He gave up five runs over 4 2-3 innings in his first career start May 26 at Pittsburgh, but has posted a 3.40 ERA in seven outings since. He's just 1-4 in that span, however, averaging 2.5 runs of support.

The right-hander may have taken a step back Saturday against San Diego, surrendering five runs and eight hits in five innings of a 5-3 loss.

Urena enjoyed a successful major league debut in Atlanta on April 14, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of relief in the Marlins' 8-2 win.

Atlanta counters with another first-year hurler in Matt Wisler (5-2, 4.44), who comes off his first loss in six starts after being hit hard by Philadelphia on Saturday. Wisler yielded a season-high seven runs over 4 2-3 innings in a 12-2 road loss.

He allowed two homers for the first time in his career, including a three-run shot by Cameron Rupp.

"I need to pitch better than that," he said. "The three-run homer just can't happen."

Wisler, 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA in three outings at Turner Field, can become the majors' first pitcher to win the first four home starts of his career since Yu Darvish, who won his first seven home outings for Texas in 2012. He'd join Ron Piche as the only other Brave to accomplish the feat since 1914. Piche won his first four at County Stadium for the then-Milwaukee Braves.

For all of Atlanta's offensive issues, Nick Markakis and A.J. Pierzynski own 12- and 10-game hitting streaks, respectively.

Dee Gordon's .358 career average against Atlanta is his highest against any of the 17 teams he's played at least seven times, and he's batting .391 while hitting safely in 11 straight matchups.

The Braves lead the season series 7-2 while limiting Miami to 25 runs.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Braves
Thu, Aug 6 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Marlins at Braves
Fri, Aug 7 - 7:35PM EDT

GAME 3
Marlins at Braves
Sat, Aug 8 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Marlins at Braves
Sun, Aug 9 - 5:10PM EDT

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Preview: Giants (59-48) at Cubs (58-48)
Game: 1
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: August 06, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

Only one-half game separates the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs in the race for the NL's second wild-card spot.

A four-game series at Wrigley Field could be just what the Giants need to widen that gap.

Among the league's best road teams, the Giants go for an eighth win in 10 tries on the North Side on Thursday night.

San Francisco (59-48) moved ahead of Chicago in the wild-card race after beating Atlanta 6-1 on Wednesday, while the Cubs (58-48) fell 7-5 at Pittsburgh to conclude a 5-1 trip.

"It's getting about that time where we start hitting our stride, and everything's coming together for us," said Madison Bumgarner, who struck out nine in 7 1-3 innings.

The Giants have won 16 of their last 21 games, hitting .303 with a 2.98 ERA. That stretch includes taking eight of 12 on the road

Their 29-25 record as the visitors ranks third in the NL. San Francisco should feel right at home at Wrigley, where it's won seven of the last nine games and hit .325 while taking two of three from Aug. 19-21.

Buster Posey may get the day off despite being a career .354 hitter at Chicago and going 5 for 9 with a homer, two doubles and two RBIs in his last three games. The All-Star catcher enters this matchup hitting .449 with 18 RBIs in his last 19 games after going 3 for 5 on Wednesday.

His .332 average trails only Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt (.339) in the NL batting race.

Matt Duffy is also on a tear, batting .383 with 14 RBIs and 16 runs in the past 21 games. His .310 average leads all rookies and makes him a contender for the league's rookie of the year award with Chris Heston (11-5, 3.13 ERA), who faces Chicago for the first time.

The right-hander, who tossed a no-hitter June 9, is the rookie wins leader and owns the most by a Giants' rookie since Matt Cain had 13 in 2006.

Heston, though, is coming off one of his shortest outings, giving up three runs and seven hits while throwing 93 pitches in 4 2-3 innings of Saturday's 9-7 win at Texas.

He had a 0.95 ERA while going 3-0 over his four prior starts. Heston also hasn't given up a home run in his last 12 outings, a span of 76 2-3 innings.

Despite their six-game winning streak ending Wednesday, the Cubs' 31-24 road record is tied with Texas for the best in baseball. They're looking to carry that success into this seven-game homestand, but they've dropped seven of their last 10 at the Friendly Confines.

"We're coming off a tremendous road trip. There's nothing to lament about these several days on the road," manager Joe Maddon told MLB's official website.

He'll give the ball to Jason Hammel (6-5, 3.13), who allowed one run in 5 2-3 innings of Friday's 4-1 win at Milwaukee. The right-hander yielded eight runs in 8 2-3 innings over his two previous starts after tightness in his left hamstring limited him to one inning of a loss to St. Louis on July 8.

"I saw 93, 94 and the ball down, which meant he could get over his front-side extension," Maddon said Friday. "I thought it was a good sign."

Hammel is 0-3 with a 3.19 ERA in nine starts against the Giants, but he's held Posey to 2 for 11.

Rookie sensation Kris Bryant is batting .141 with 35 strikeouts in his last 22 games, including .118 with 18 strikeouts in nine at home.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Cubs
Thu, Aug 6 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Giants at Cubs
Fri, Aug 7 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Giants at Cubs
Sat, Aug 8 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Giants at Cubs
Sun, Aug 9 - 2:20PM EDT

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Preview: Astros (60-49) at Athletics (48-61)
Game: 1
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: August 06, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

Stellar play at home is a big reason Houston sits atop the AL West. But if the Astros can't turn things around on the road, they may not be there for much longer.

Looking to avoid a sixth consecutive road defeat, the Astros try to get back on track Thursday night at Oakland, where they managed to sweep the Athletics earlier this season.

Houston's 38-18 home mark is the best in the AL but it's 22-31 on the road, where it has dropped seven consecutive series and has averaged 2.3 runs and batted .194 while losing 11 of the last 12. The Astros opened a nine-game trip by losing three straight at Texas, totaling 10 hits in the final two games of the series.

Though the Astros' division lead was cut to two games after Wednesday's 4-3 loss, manager A.J. Hinch won't knock his team's effort, especially after trailing 3-0 in the first inning of the finale.

"I'm proud of our guys," Hinch, whose club has lost 28 of the last 38 on the road, told MLB's official website. "We fought; we battled; we played hard; the effort's there."

All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve went 0 for 4 on Wednesday, and is 2 for 18 in the last four away from Minute Maid Park. However, he's batting .361 while hitting safely in 21 of his 22 career games at Oakland (48-61), where the Astros have won their last four and scored 21 runs during a three-game sweep April 24-26.

Scott Feldman (4-5, 4.58 ERA) gave up eight runs in five innings of an 8-1 home defeat to the A's on April 13, then 12 days later yielded three in 6 2-3 innings of a 9-3 victory at Oakland.

The right-hander is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three starts since missing almost two months with a knee injury. However, his best start of that stretch and the season came on the road July 25 when he yielded a run and four hits over 7 2-3 innings of a 2-1, 10-inning defeat at Kansas City.

Sitting 3-4 on an 11-game home stay, the A's counter with Aaron Brooks (1-0, 3.09).

The right-hander earned a spot in the rotation after allowing a home run, four other hits and striking out five without a walk in 7 1-3 innings of Saturday's 5-1 victory over Cleveland. It was Brooks' second career start and first appearance since the A's acquired him in the deal that sent Ben Zobrist to Kansas City.

'He deserves to (have a spot in the rotation),' manager Bob Melvin said. 'It would have been pretty tough to send him down after that.

"We want to take a look at our young guys, some of the guys that we traded for. We wanted to see how he reacted to pitching at the big league level."

Coco Crisp is 7 for 20 (.350) against Feldman, and went 3 for 8 during this week's three-game set with Baltimore in his return from missing almost three months with a cervical strain.

Teammate Josh Reddick is 0 for 11 in the last four games but is batting .304 with two doubles and three home runs while facing Feldman.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Athletics
Thu, Aug 6 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Astros at Athletics
Fri, Aug 7 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Astros at Athletics
Sat, Aug 8 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Astros at Athletics
Sun, Aug 9 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday's Tip Sheet

August 6, 2015

Red Sox at Yankees – 7:05 PM EST

The most storied rivalry in baseball doesn’t hold the same luster this season with Boston languishing in last place of the AL East. However, the Red Sox pulled out a 2-1 victory over the Yankees on Wednesday as a +165 underdog behind a two-run homer from David Ortiz to snap an eight-game road losing streak. The Bronx Bombers still sit atop the division by four games over the surging Blue Jays as Toronto invades Yankee Stadium this weekend.

The Yankees hand the ball to veteran CC Sabathia (4-8, 5.54 ERA) in the rubber match, as the southpaw has allowed five earned runs in each of his last two starts. Sabathia has been hurt by the gopher ball this season, yielding 24 home runs, including five in the past two outings against the Twins and Rangers. New York has performed well when Sabathia has pitched at home of late, posting a 4-1 record, while the left-hander picked up a no-decision in a road win at Boston back in early May.

The Red Sox counter with another left-hander, sending out rookie Eduardo Rodriguez (6-3, 4.34 ERA), who has lost once in his past six starts. Rodriguez began his big league career on fire by allowing just one earned run in his first three starts, while Boston owns a solid 6-2 record in his previous eight trips to the mound. The southpaw beat the Yankees at Fenway Park prior to the All-Star break, scattering five hits and two earned runs in 6.1 innings of a 5-3 triumph.

Twins at Blue Jays – 7:05 PM EST

Toronto pushed its chips in the middle of the table at the trade deadline by acquiring Troy Tulowitzki and David Price for a playoff run. The moves have paid off so far, as the Jays have won seven of their past eight games, while going for the four-game sweep of the reeling Twins at Rogers Center. Minnesota led Toronto by three games for the final AL Wild Card spot on July 28, but the Twins have slipped to five games back of the Jays for that position thanks to a 2-9 slide.

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Mark Buehrle (11-5, 3.32 ERA) is coming off consecutive no-decisions in one-run losses to the Mariners and Royals, while giving up 15 hits and seven runs in those outings. The Toronto veteran has been up and down since a 4-1 start at home, as the Jays have split his past four outings at Rogers Center. Buehrle fell behind the Twins, 4-0 after one inning the last time he faced them at Target Field in May, but the Jays rallied for a 6-4 win as the southpaw tossed a complete game.

The Twins send out Kyle Gibson (8-8, 3.37 ERA), who is winless in three starts since the All-Star break. The right-hander put together a quality start against Seattle in his past outing, allowing six hits and two earned runs in seven innings as Minnesota rallied for a pair of runs in the ninth to win, 3-2. Minnesota has compiled a 2-0 record in Gibson’s two career starts against Toronto, including a 3-2 home victory back in May.

Giants at Cubs – 8:05 PM EST

San Francisco and Chicago begin a crucial series at Wrigley Field as the two teams are separated by a half-game for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. The Giants pulled ahead of the Cubs thanks to a 6-1 blowout of the Braves on Wednesday, coupled with Chicago’s 7-5 loss at Pittsburgh, snapping a five-game winning streak. The Cubs will look to turn around their recent woes on the North Side, dropping seven of their past 10 games at Wrigley Field.

Jason Hammel (6-5, 3.13 ERA) picked up his first win since early June by knocking off the Brewers last Friday, 4-1 as a -125 road favorite. The Cubs’ right-hander is winless in his past four starts as a home favorite, allowing a season-high six earned runs to the suddenly surging Phillies in less than four innings in an 11-5 loss on July 26. Hammel faced the Giants last season in his first start as a member of the A’s after getting traded by the Cubs in July, losing at San Francisco, 5-2 as a short favorite.

The Giants go for their third straight win behind Chris Heston (11-5, 3.24 ERA), who has been nearly automatic pitching away from AT&T Park. San Francisco owns a terrific 8-2 record in Heston’s 10 road starts, including a perfect 5-0 mark as an away underdog. Heston needed to get bailed out by a Giants’ rally in his last start, as San Francisco erased a late 7-4 deficit at Texas to stun the Rangers, 9-7 in extra innings, the ninth time the Giants have scored at least five runs for the righty in a road outing.

Astros at Athletics – 10:05 PM EST

Houston started out of the gate hot to begin the season to basically control the AL West since mid-April. The Astros have managed to stay atop the division heading into August, but they have needed some help from the Angels, who have lost seven of their last nine games to remain two back of Houston. The AL West leaders head to California after getting swept by the Rangers, as the Astros have dropped 13 of their last 15 games away from Minute Maid Park.

The Astros have won six of nine meetings with the A’s this season, sending out veteran Scott Feldman (4-5, 4.58 ERA) in the series opener. Feldman shut down Oakland back on April 25 as a short road underdog, scattering five hits and three earned runs in 6.2 innings of a 9-3 blowout. The right-hander hasn’t fared well since being activated off the disabled list following the All-Star break, going winless in three starts, while Houston has won just once in his past four road outings since May.

The A’s look to snap a four-game losing streak in home series openers, as recently acquired Aaron Brooks (1-0, 3.09 ERA) tries to duplicate a solid performance in his debut. Brooks shut down the Indians days after getting dealt from the Royals in exchange for infielder Ben Zobrist, putting together 7.1 solid innings in a 5-1 victory last Saturday. Oakland hasn’t scored many runs recently at home, as the A’s are 6-2 to the ‘under’ in the past eight games at Coliseum, while scoring three runs or less seven times in this stretch.

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Baseball Capsules

August 6, 2015

CINCINNATI (AP) Matt Carpenter tied it with a solo homer in the eighth, and Randal Grichuk connected in the 13th in the St. Louis Cardinals' 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night.

Grichuk was moved up to second in the Cardinals' struggling batting order. He doubled home a run in the sixth inning and hit his 15th homer in the 13th off Dylan Axelrod (0-1), Cincinnati's eighth pitcher.

Seth Maness (4-1) gave up a pair of walks in two innings.

Manager Mike Matheny changed the batting order - Grichuk went from batting eighth on Tuesday to second - to try to spark his struggling offense, but the Cardinals didn't get much going until late in the game.

Left-hander David Holmberg allowed two runs, including Grichuk's RBI double off the top of the wall in center that cut it to 3-2 in the sixth.

Carpenter tied it with a homer in the eighth off J.J. Hoover, only the third that the reliever has allowed this season. It was Carpenter's fifth homer in his last six games.

ANGELS 4, INDIANS 3

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - C.J. Cron hit a tying two-run single with two out and the bases loaded in the ninth inning against Cleveland closer Cody Allen and pinch-runner Taylor Featherston scored on a wild pitch, giving the Los Angeles Angels a 4-3 victory Wednesday.

Allen (1-4), coming in to protect a 3-1 lead for Danny Salazar, was charged with his third blown save in 25 chances after giving up a one-out single to Albert Pujols and two-out walks to Erick Aybar and Conor Gillaspie. Cron lined an 0-1 pitch to center to tie it, and Allen uncorked his fourth wild pitch of the season and second of the inning with pinch-hitter David DeJesus at the plate.

The Angels came in 0-44 when trailing after eight.

Cam Bedrosian (1-0), the son of 1987 Cy Young Award-winning closer Steve Bedrosian, pitched a perfect ninth for his first career victory. Jose Ramirez and Ryan Raburn hit leadoff homers in the sixth and seventh innings Angels starterHector Santiago.

METS 8, MARLINS 6

MIAMI (AP) - Closer Jeurys Familia finally got the last out and New York halted Miami's furious six-run rally in the ninth inning, holding off the Marlins for its sixth straight victory.

Ahead 8-0 going into the ninth, the NL East-leading Mets saw the Marlins actually bring the potential winning run to the plate. Familia retired Christian Yelich on a grounder with two runners on to end it.

Juan Uribe hit a three-run homer and Lucas Duda drove in three runs, giving Matt Harvey (10-7) a huge lead. Harvey pitched seven dominant innings, giving up two hits and striking out six without a walk.

Mets relievers Eric O'Flaherty, acquired Tuesday from Oakland, Hansel Robles and Familia all struggled in the ninth. Familia gave up two hits, but got Yelich for his 29th save in 34 chances.

David Phelps (4-8) was the loser.

DIAMONDBACKS 11, NATIONALS 4

WASHINGTON (AP) - Washington reliever Aaron Barrett threw away a bunt in the sixth inning and Arizona quickly broke away, handing the Nationals their fifth loss in six games.

Down 11-2 in the ninth, the pitching-rich Nationals resorted to putting utilityman Tyler Moore on the mound. He retired the first batter he faced, Arizona star Paul Goldschmidt, on an RBI groundout.

Goldschmidt, Ender Inciarte and A.J. Pollock each got three of Arizona's 17 hits. Welington Castillo added his sixth homer in nine games.

The Nationals dropped two games behind the New York Mets in the NL East. Arizona has won nine of 13.

Rubby De La Rosa (9-5) went five innings for the win. Barrett (3-3) was the loser.

DODGERS 4, PHILLIES 3

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Yasiel Puig hit a three-run home run, Brett Anderson allowed one run in six innings and Los Angeles beat Philadelphia.

Howie Kendrick had three hits to help the Dodgers win for the fifth time in six games.

Jeff Francoeur homered for Philadelphia. The Phillies lost for only the fourth time in their last 17 games. They still have the worst record in baseball at 42-66.

Anderson (6-6) won for the first time since July 1. He allowed four hits, struck out five and walked two. Kenley Jansen struck out the side in a 1-2-3 ninth for his 20th save in his 21st opportunity.

Philadelphia starter Aaron Harang (5-12) was the loser.

GIANTS 6, BRAVES 1

ATLANTA (AP) - Madison Bumgarner pitched into the eighth inning, Kelby Tomlinson drove in three runs and San Francisco beat Atlanta.

Matt Duffy added a two-run double and Hunter Pence had an RBI single for San Francisco. The Giants have won 16 of 21.

Bumgarner (12-6), last year's World Series MVP and a three-time All-Star, allowed seven hits, one run and struck out nine in 7 1-3 innings. Just two baserunners made it into scoring position against the left-hander.

Williams Perez (4-2) surrendered 10 hits, two walks and six runs in six-plus innings for the Braves, who have lost 11 of 14.

BLUE JAYS 9, TWINS 7

TORONTO (AP) - Jose Bautista hit a grand slam, Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson homered and Toronto beat Minnesota for its fourth straight win.

Encarnacion hit a three-run drive and Donaldson added a two-run shot. Toronto has homered in 17 of 18 games since the All-Star break, with 10 multihomer games in that span.

Miguel Sano homered and had three RBIs for the Twins. Sano hit an RBI single and Trevor Plouffe doubled home two runs as the Twins jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first against Drew Hutchison (10-2).

Toronto answered in the bottom half against right-hander Tyler Duffey (0-1), who was making his major league debut. Troy Tulowitzki walked and Donaldson hit his 29th homer, tying a career high.

Bautista made it 6-3 in the second with his fifth career grand slam and 24th home run of the season.

Encarnacion made it 9-3 with a three-run drive off reliever J.R. Graham in the fourth, his 20th. The second-deck drive traveled an estimated 462 feet.

LaTroy Hawkins finished for his third save.

RED SOX 2, YANKEES 1

NEW YORK (AP) - Steven Wright handcuffed a torrid New York ineup with his steady supply of knuckleballs, and David Ortiz hit a colossal home run for Boston.

A costly throwing error by third baseman Chase Headley helped spoil the debut of prized Yankees pitching prospect Luis Severino, who yielded only two hits over five impressive innings.

Koji Uehara retired pinch-hitter Brian McCann with two on for his 24th save.

Alejandro De Aza hit an RBI double with two outs in the second - immediately following Headley's 18th error of the season. Ortiz connected on a 96 mph 2-0 fastball leading off the fourth, launching a drive that landed more than halfway up the elevated concrete bleachers in right field.

That was enough for Wright (5-4).

RANGERS 4, ASTROS 3

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Chris Gimenez hit the deciding home run and Texas held on to complete a three-game sweep of AL West-leading Houston.

After Texas scored three unearned runs in the first off Scott Kazmir (6-6), the Rangers' second started with Gimenez homering to straightaway center for a 4-0 lead. All three Houston runs were scored by players who reached on a walk.

The Rangers have won four in a row and seven of eight, moving within five games of the division lead, the closest they have been since June 30.

Texas starter Nick Martinez (7-6), the right-hander pitching on his 25th birthday, walked three and struck out one while throwing 86 pitches in a game that started with the temperature at 100 degrees.

Sam Dyson, the sixth Rangers pitcher, worked the ninth for his second career save - both since being acquired in a trade with Miami on Friday.

WHITE SOX 6, RAYS 5, 10 INNINGS

CHICAGO (AP) - Avisail Garcia hit a three-run homer in Chicago's five-run first inning and had a bases-loaded walk in the 10th to lift the White Sox past Tampa Bay.

Garcia drew the winning walk off closer Brad Boxberger (5-6).

In the 10th, Adam Eaton singled and stole second base and advanced to third when catcher Curt Casali's throw struck shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera in the ear, knocking him to the ground. Cabrera left the game later in the inning. Boxberger then intentionally walked Jose Abreu and Melky Cabrera to load the bases with one out before walking Garcia.

Chicago closer David Robertson (5-3) had four strikeouts in two hitless innings.

Evan Longoria homered for the Rays.

ORIOLES 7, ATHLETICS 3, 10 INNINGS

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Chris Davis hit his second grand slam in 12 days with one out in the 10th inning to lead Baltimore past Oakland.

Davis hit his 28th home run and third in four games on a 3-2 pitch from Arnold Leon (0-1). It came two batters after Gerardo Parra was intentionally walked to load the bases. Caleb Joseph and Manny Machado led off the inning with singles.

Closer Zach Britton (2-0) pitched a season-high 2 1-3 scoreless innings for the victory.

PIRATES 7, CUBS 5

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Gregory Polanco and Andrew McCutchen homered and Pittsburgh beat Chicago to snap the Cubs' season-best winning streak at six games.

Polanco led off the first inning with a home run off Dan Haren, who was making his Cubs' debut. He then hit an RBI single to break a 4-4 tie in a decisive two-run sixth.

McCutchen hit a solo homer in the third and added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to make it 6-4.

Francisco Cervelli and Aramis Ramirez each had two hits to help the Pirates win for the 12th time in their last 15 home games at PNC Park.

ROCKIES 7, MARINERS 5

DENVER (AP) - Michael McKenry hit a two-out, two-run homer in the 11th inning in Colorado's comeback victory over Seattle.

McKenry hit Mayckol Gauipe's 2-2 curveball into the left-field seats for his fourth home run of the season and the first walk-off hit in his career.

Seattle's Nelson Cruz doubled and singled to extend his hitting streak to 16 games, but failed to homer for the first time in six games. Franklin Gutierrez homered for the Mariners.

The Rockies' winning rally started with Ben Paulsen's one-out single off Guaipe (0-3).

Yohane Flande (2-1) pitched the 11th for the victory.

BREWERS 8, PADRES 5

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Rookie Taylor Jungmann struk out a career-high eight and allowed six hits without a walk over seven innings in Milwaukee's victory over San Diego.

Jungmann (6-3) has allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight straight starts and in all but one this season. Jonathan Lucroy, Shane Peterson and Jean Segura each drove in two runs to help Milwaukee record back-to-back wins for the first time in 15 games.

After San Diego scored three runs in the ninth off Corey Knebel, Francisco Rodriguez recorded the final out for his 25th save in as many chances.

Padres starter Ian Kennedy (6-10) gave up four earned runs on seven hits in seven innings.

TIGERS 2, ROYALS 1

DETROIT (AP) - Matt Boyd pitched seven strong innings in his Detroit debut and Anthony Gose and Ian Kinsler hit key triples in the Tigers' victory over Kansas City.

Acquired last week from Toronto in the David Price trade, Boyd (1-2) only allowed one run on seven hits and didn't walk a batter in a career-long seven innings.

The Tigers broke a scoreless tie in the third when Gose's two-out triple over Lorenzo Cain brought home Tyler Collins. Johnny Cueto (7-7) couldn't pick up his first win for Kansas City despite only allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings.

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LEADING OFF: Heston starts Giants-Cubs series, McCann ailing

August 6, 2015

A look at what's happening all around the major leagues today:

CHARTING HESTON

San Francisco rookie Chris Heston pitches at Wrigley Field to begin a four-game series between teams that are neck-and-neck in the race for the second NL wild card. Heston, who threw a no-hitter earlier this season, is 5-0 with a 2.44 ERA in eight starts since his last loss June 14 to Arizona. Jason Hammel (6-5, 3.13 ERA) starts for the Cubs.

PLANNING AHEAD

With the last-place Red Sox already looking beyond this season, manager John Farrell said rookie outfielder Rusney Castillo will get regular playing time. Castillo will be back in the lineup against lefty CC Sabathia in the series finale at Yankee Stadium, Farrell said. AL East-leading New York expects slugging catcher Brian McCann (left knee) to be out of the starting lineup for the second night in a row.

ZACK'S STREAK

Zack Greinke closes out the Dodgers' visit to Philadelphia, trying to improve his major league-leading 1.41 ERA. The LA ace has won five of his last six starts - he got a no-decision during the game in which the Mets ended his shutout streak at 45 2-3 innings.

TRY FOR THREE

Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha attempts to beat the Reds for the third time this season as the teams wrap up their set at Great American Ball Park. He's won both his starts against Cincinnati, allowing only two runs in 13 1-3 innings.

GO FOR TWO

Newly acquired A's righty Aaron Brooks starts at home vs. AL West-leading Houston. Brooks earned his first major league win in his previous outing, his first since being traded from Kansas City to Oakland last week in a deal for Ben Zobrist.

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Rays claim OF Daniel Nava off waivers

August 5, 2015

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Rays have claimed outfielder Daniel Nava off waivers from the Boston Red Sox and optioned outfielder Mikie Mahtook to Triple-A Durham.

The moves were announced after Wednesday's 6-5, 10-inning road loss to the Chicago White Sox.

The switch-hitting Nava was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on July 28.

The 32-year-old batted .152 in 29 games with Boston this season. He also missed 48 games while spending nearly two months on the disabled list with a left thumb sprain.

Nava hit .267 with 23 homers and 169 RBIs over portions of five seasons with the Red Sox.

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Yanks C McCann sidelined with stiff knee

August 5, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) Brian McCann is out of the New York Yankees' lineup Wednesday night against Boston because of a stiff left knee.

The slugging catcher was injured blocking a pitch in the dirt from reliever Dellin Betances on Tuesday night, when McCann homered and drove in four runs. He shifted to first base late in the game.

McCann said an MRI showed inflammation around the medial collateral ligament on the inside of his left knee. He said he could come off the bench in an emergency, but hopes two days off and steady treatment will be enough to get him back on the field.

John Ryan Murphy was behind the plate for the major league debut of prized Yankees pitching prospect Luis Severino.

''I was definitely looking forward to catching him,'' said McCann, hitting .255 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs.

In other moves, the Yankees re-signed first baseman-outfielder Garrett Jones, optioned right-hander Caleb Cotham to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated right-hander Danny Burawa for assignment. Severino was called up from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Jones was cut last Friday after New York acquired outfielder-infielder in a trade with Seattle. Ackley, however, went on the disabled list Tuesday with a strain in his lower back.

Jones, obtained in a trade with Miami last offseason, was available off the bench against the Red Sox. He batted .215 with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 57 games during his first stint with the Yankees this season.

Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo noted Jones had already grown a beard in his brief time away from the team and was shaving it to comply with club rules once again.

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Tigers hot with Sanchez on the mound at home

The Detroit Tigers are hot when starter Anibal Sanchez takes the mound at Comerica park, going 6-0 in his last six starts there.

Sanchez is 5-0 in those six starts, pitching to a 2.92 ERA with 35 strikeouts to 11 walks.

Despite the streak Sanchez will a slight +112 home dog Thursday afternoon, when the Tigers close out their series against Yordano Ventura and the Kansas City Royals.

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Greinke looks for 11th straight start of 2 ER or fewer

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Zack Greinke will try to extend his streak of giving up two earned runs or fewer to 11 consecutive games when he goes up against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday afternoon.

Greinke's streak is the longest active such streak in the majors and he has pitched to a ridiculous 0.86 ERA in those 10 games. The streak has also made the Dodgers a decent under bet, with it going 8-2 in those starts.

Not surprisingly, Greinke is facing a huge amount of chalk today, with the Dodgers on the board at -243.

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Braves still not giving Miller much run support

Aug 06, 2015

ATLANTA -- Maybe facing the Miami Marlins again is what Shelby Miller needs to finally end his long winless streak.

The right-hander nearly threw a no-hitter in Miami on May 17 before settling for a two-hit shutout. He hasn't won in 14 starts as the Braves give him the worst run support of any starter in the majors.

How bad has it been? The Braves have scored a total of 14 runs while Miller was on the mound during the winless stretch, going 2-12 despite a 3.14 ERA by the National League All-Star.

Miller has been the losing pitcher seven times, his record falling to 5-8. His season ERA of 2.44, though, ranks sixth among qualified National League starters.

Miller was in line for a victory Tuesday night against San Francisco when the Braves scored twice in the seventh inning for a 3-2 lead, but the Braves bullpen imploded and the Giants won 8-3.

"It kind of unraveled on us, and he doesn't get any decision," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. "But he was great. He was dominant throughout the whole game. We can't ask for any more from him, really. We really can't."

The 14 starts by Miller without a victory ties Kenshin Kawakami for the longest by a Braves pitcher, but there is no comparison between the two.

Kawakami, a bust after being brought over from Japan, had a 5.10 ERA to go with his 1-10 record in 2010.

Miller's season is more comparable to Craig Swan's with the New York Mets in 1978. He also had a 14-start winless streak and won the National League ERA title.

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Twins hope offense is on the rise

Aug 05, 2015

TORONTO -- The Minnesota Twins finally scored some runs on Wednesday.

By putting up seven runs, they equaled their output over the previous seven games. Three of their runs came in the first inning.

In the end, this outburst did them little good. They lost 9-7 to the Toronto Blue Jays, and they enter Thursday trying to avoid being swept in the four-game series against a team that also has wild-card aspirations.

Minnesota fell behind 9-3 after four innings Wednesday before scoring four unearned runs in the fifth. That turned out to be the end of the comeback.

"You applaud the guys staying with the game through nine innings, but you've got to deal with the fact that you came up short again," manager Paul Molitor said. "They've taken it to us for three days. They're rolling right now."

Molitor juggled his lineup Wednesday, moving center fielder Aaron Hicks to the leadoff spot and dropping second baseman Brian Dozier to second.

Hicks led off the game with a single, and Dozier hit a scorcher that Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson snared. Hicks also had a double in the fifth and scored a run.

"I think we're all frustrated," Molitor said. "We see what's happening and the fact that we're having trouble winning games. We know what our record is since the break (5-13). There's some frustration out there. You've got to try to find a way to just keep playing through it."

The Twins have one more shot at the Blue Jays on Thursday before visiting the Cleveland Indians. They can only hope that the runs that they scored Wednesday were a sign of an offensive awakening.

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Can return of Span give Nationals a lift?

Aug 06, 2015

WASHINGTON -- The projected eight everyday players for the Nationals have not taken the field together for any game this year.

But that could happen this month if everything goes well for Washington and center fielder Denard Span, who has been on the disabled list since July 10 due to back tightness.

Span hit in the cage on Wednesday -- the third day in a row he has done that -- and took groundballs and also hit on the field and took flyballs in the outfield before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"Today was a step in the right direction," Span said. "It felt good."

Span said he will see how he feels Thursday and manager Matt Williams said the left-handed hitter could take live batting practice and maybe even run the bases later this week.

Span is hitting .304 with 11 steals in as many tries. Last year, he set career highs in doubles with 39 and also set a Nationals mark with hits in a season with 184 while he hit .302. The Nationals have a winning record with Span in the lineup and a losing record when he is out.

The Nationals certainly need a lift from someone, be it player or manager or coach.

Washington lost for the fifth time in six games Wednesday, falling 11-4 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was their fifth loss in six games and they fell two games back of the red-hot New York Mets.

"In the beginning of the season, if you'd told me we were two games back with 55 games to go, I would've taken it any day of the week," said right fielder Bryce Harper. "I don't think you can have a bad mentality or bad mind ... we're still going, still doing what we're doing, and just gotta get to swinging it and get comfortable and really just try to go about ... every single day. And laugh and try to enjoy the game. That's all that matters."

"Try to enjoy the game," he added. "Trying to laugh, trying to smile. There's bigger things than just baseball in life. Just come in, clean slate every single day and worry about what you can do to help your team win that day. If that's your first at-bat or your fourth at-bat, it don't matter."

After this year, Span will be a free agent and it appears he will leave the Nationals, who have groomed Michael A. Taylor as the next center fielder.

Taylor has been playing center with Span out and Taylor also played left field earlier this year when Jayson Werth was on the disabled list. Taylor hit a two-run homer Wednesday.

Other everyday regulars who have spent time on the DL this year include first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and infielder Anthony Rendon.

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Hamels has adjustment to make with move to Texas

Aug 06, 2015

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Cole Hamels admitted the move to the American League is going to be an adjustment. Even though he's been involved in interleague play throughout his career, the move from Philadelphia to Texas involves a fulltime change in outlook.

Especially between innings.

"You kind of get used to knowing you're always going to be in the game, no matter what," said Hamels, slated to make his second start in a Texas uniform Saturday at Seattle. "Hitting, pitching, running. You really get to focus more on actually pitching, which that's my job is to be the best pitcher.

"I think that will be very helpful. I think that will help me out with getting a little bit more insight in preparation for the inning, knowing the hitters I'm going to face and see if I can pick the brain of a few of the guys. You just get to prepare a little bit more. And then all you have to do is actually execute the pitches. It gives you time to cool down, reset yourself."

Hamels has started studying AL hitters, though he said that relying on his catchers becomes more important as he gets to know the league.

"In this day and age there's a lot of information, you get to watch guys a little bit more," Hamels said. "You've got a lot more access with MLB network and the coverage from ESPN and the technology with video you get to at least watch them more than opposed to just relying on the scouting of a scout who covers that area. It leaves you with less excuses, but that's the fun part about baseball."

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See spot. See spot bet: This week's best spot bet opportunities

Aug 05, 2015

Spot bets are classic handicapping practices that have proven profitable no matter what sport you're betting. Whether it's a team looking past this week's opponent, one coming off a hard-fought victory, or a rough patch of schedule, bettors can find value picking their spots. Covers Expert Ben Burns points out his favorites:

Lookahead spot

Things are heating up north of the border. Since making the biggest splash in the majors during the trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays have played like World Series contenders and ride a 7-1 winning clip into Thursday’s series finale with the Minnesota Twins.

However, Toronto could get caught looking past this matchup with Minnesota and to Friday’s series opener with the New York Yankees. A series win over the Bronx Bombers would solidify the Jays' place as the team to beat in the AL East, with Toronto 5.5 games back of New York in the standings as of Wednesday. That eagerness to test this revamped roster against the Yankees could open up Toronto for a letdown spot against the Twins Thursday.

Schedule spot

Keeping things in Toronto, the CFL’s Argonauts make their Rogers Centre debut this weekend hosting Saskatchewan in their first official home game of the 2015 season. Thanks to the Pan Am Games taking over the Big Smoke, the Argos were on the road for their first five games, including a season-opening “home game” against Edmonton in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Toronto has done well for facing sure a tough and quirky challenge to start the season, going 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS. The Argos got caught looking ahead to the comforts of home last week in Hamilton, losing 34-18 as 3.5-point underdogs. Oddsmakers have pegged Toronto as a 9.5-point favorite at home to the winless Rough Riders Saturday.

Letdown spot

The Texas Longhorns are a program in flux as the 2015 college football campaign gets closer. The Horns enter Year 2 under Charlie Strong and while they are still a very capable and talented program, Texas is a far cry from its national title days.

For Strong, showing the Longhorns can compete against the Big 12 elite is imperative to the growth of this program - even if that means just one marquee win. And that entails taking down the likes of TCU or hated rival Oklahoma, who highlight Weeks 5 and 6 for Texas. That back-to-back gauntlet is followed by a bye week then a home game against Kansas State. If Texas can't stand its ground against the Horned Frogs or Sooners, Strong may lose his grip on this program and it's players, lining up a letdown in Week 8.