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**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 02:34 AM

MLB RUNLINES

MLB > (965) LA ANGELS@ (966) OAKLAND | 2015-09-02 15:35:00 - 2015-09-02 15:35:00
Play AGAINST LA ANGELS using the in All games as a road underdog when the run line price is -130 to -105
The record is 5 Wins and 15 Losses for the last two seasons (-19.15 units)

MLB > (973) DETROIT@ (974) KANSAS CITY | 2015-09-02 20:10:00 - 2015-09-02 20:10:00
Play AGAINST KANSAS CITY using the in All games as a home favorite when the run line price is +100 to +115
The record is 3 Wins and 22 Losses for the since 1992 (-18.75 units)

MLB > (967) NY YANKEES@ (968) BOSTON | 2015-09-02 16:05:00 - 2015-09-02 16:05:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON using the in All games when playing with a day off
The record is 2 Wins and 14 Losses for the this season (-14.65 units)

MLB > (979) TEXAS@ (980) SAN DIEGO | 2015-09-02 22:10:00 - 2015-09-02 22:10:00
Play ON TEXAS using the in All games in road games
The record is 48 Wins and 18 Losses for the this season (+21.85 units)

MLB > (955) PHILADELPHIA@ (956) NY METS | 2015-09-02 19:10:00 - 2015-09-02 19:10:00
Play ON NY METS using the in All games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season
The record is 43 Wins and 23 Losses for the last two seasons (+25.85 units)

MLB > (963) SAN FRANCISCO@ (964) LA DODGERS | 2015-09-02 22:10:00 - 2015-09-02 22:10:00
Play AGAINST SAN FRANCISCO using the in Road games when playing with a day off
The record is 9 Wins and 20 Losses for the last three seasons (-21.6 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 02:35 AM

MLB TOTALS

MLB > (963) SAN FRANCISCO@ (964) LA DODGERS | 2015-09-02 22:10:00 - 2015-09-02 22:10:00
Play OVER LA DODGERS on the total in Home games against right-handed starters
The record is 73 Overs and 40 Unders for the last two seasons (+32.7 units)

MLB > (979) TEXAS@ (980) SAN DIEGO | 2015-09-02 22:10:00 - 2015-09-02 22:10:00
Play OVER SAN DIEGO on the total in All games in all games
The record is 75 Overs and 51 Unders for the this season (+23.2 units)

MLB > (969) TAMPA BAY@ (970) BALTIMORE | 2015-09-02 19:05:00 - 2015-09-02 19:05:00
Play UNDER TAMPA BAY on the total in Road games against division opponents
The record is 6 Overs and 19 Unders for the this season (+12.35 units)

MLB > (959) WASHINGTON@ (960) ST LOUIS | 2015-09-02 20:15:00 - 2015-09-02 20:15:00
Play UNDER ST LOUIS on the total in All games in home games
The record is 20 Overs and 42 Unders for the this season (+17.9 units)

MLB > (965) LA ANGELS@ (966) OAKLAND | 2015-09-02 15:35:00 - 2015-09-02 15:35:00
Play OVER LA ANGELS on the total in Road games when playing with a day off
The record is 121 Overs and 65 Unders for the since 1992 (+52.15 units)

MLB > (955) PHILADELPHIA@ (956) NY METS | 2015-09-02 19:10:00 - 2015-09-02 19:10:00
Play OVER PHILADELPHIA on the total in All games against right-handed starters
The record is 59 Overs and 38 Unders for the this season (+19.5 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 02:37 AM

LEADING OFF: Harvey vs. Nola, Royals get chickenpox

September 1, 2015

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

SEVENTH HEAVEN

In the first matchup between two talented NL East pitchers who could be squaring off for years to come, Mets ace Matt Harvey (11-7) faces prized rookie Aaron Nola (5-1) and the Phillies. Both right-handers were drafted No. 7 overall - Harvey out of North Carolina in 2010 and Nola from LSU last year. ''Really excited. First time in New York, first time at Citi Field,'' said the 22-year-old Nola, set to make his ninth major league start. ''I've been watching Matt Harvey for a few years now. He's a great competitor. It's going to be exciting to get out there and face him.''

SEPTEMBER SICKNESS

The Royals will be without reliever Kelvin Herrera and outfielder Alex Rios for a couple weeks and could lose more players as the chickenpox has afflicted the clubhouse. With the playoffs about a month away, the AL Central leaders are hoping the disease won't derail their bid for another World Series berth. ''Think there is always a concern because these guys were in for three or four days before they showed signs of it,'' manager Ned Yost said. ''Since that point, (trainer) Nick Kenney has done a real good job of monitoring.'' Kansas City plays the second of three games against Detroit.

FAST AT FIRST

First base has become a position for hulking sluggers, but Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt is breaking the mold. He stole his 21st base in Game 1 of a doubleheader Tuesday and is just the third full-time first baseman since 2000 to swipe 20-plus bags in a season, joining Ryan Klesko (23 in 2000 and 2001) and Derrek Lee (21 in 2003).

ACES IN THE CROWD

Two of the NL's top pitchers face each other as Washington's Max Scherzer (11-11, 2.88) goes against St. Louis' Michael Wacha (15-4, 2.69). Scherzer, a St. Louis native and Missouri product, had one of the worst months of his career in August, posting a 6.43 ERA in five starts. Wacha, meanwhile, is in the middle of a dominant stretch and has lost just once since June 22.

HOT COLE

After struggling in his first few outings with the Rangers, Cole Hamels has settled in with his new club and looks for a third straight victory in a contest at San Diego. Hamels, acquired from Philadelphia before the non-waiver trade deadline, dominated Baltimore his last time out and has a 3.89 ERA in five starts with Texas. The Rangers were surprising buyers at the deadline - they were four games under .500 when they acquired Hamels - but are now in the thick of the AL wild card race.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 10:59 AM

Baseball Capsules

September 2, 2015

BOSTON (AP) Brett Gardner homered and Stephen Drew hit a two-run double as the New York Yankees pieced together just enough offense to overcame Rick Porcello's career-high 13 strikeouts and beat the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Porcello (6-12) scattered five hits over eight innings and the only earned run he allowed was Gardner's solo homer in the eighth. However, the Red Sox gave him little support at the plate, stranding seven runners.

Michael Pineda (10-8) pitched six strong innings for the Yankees, scattering four hits and striking out seven and Andrew Miller picked up his 29th save as New York evened the series at one game apiece.

Boston had a promising rally going in the eighth that quickly fizzled on an attempted double steal.

MARLINS 7, BRAVES 1

ATLANTA (AP) - Justin Nicolino pitched seven scoreless innings, Justin Bour hit a three-run homer, and Miami beat hapless Atlanta again.

Nicolino (3-2) shut down the Braves with help from a pair of double plays. Atlanta lost for the 14th time in 15 games, including the last seven in a row, but at least avoided its second straight shutout when A.J. Pierzynski drove in a run with a two-out single in the eighth off Erik Cordier.

The Braves have been outscored 110-40 during their most recent skid. Manny Banuelos (1-3) made his first start in more than a month coming off the disabled list. He lasted 2 2/3 innings, giving up six hits and three runs.

Hector Olivera went 0 for 4 with a strikeout in his major league debut for the Braves.

RAYS 11, ORIOLES 2

BALTIMORE (AP) - J.P. Arencibia homered and drove in six runs to back an impressive pitching performance by Drew Smyly, and Tampa Bay cruised past Baltimore.

Brandon Guyer had four hits for the Rays, who scored four runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to send the Orioles to their 12th loss in 13 games. Tampa Bay has won three in a row to get back to .500 and stay in the hunt for the final AL wild card spot.

Smyly (2-2) struck out 10 over seven scoreless innings. The left-hander allowed four hits, walked one and retired the final 10 batters he faced.

It was his fourth start since returning from a 3 1/2-month stay on the disabled list with a torn left labrum.

Chris Tillman (9-10) gave up seven runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.

BLUE JAYS 5, INDIANS 3, 10 INNINGS

TORONTO (AP) - Ryan Goins hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning and Toronto snapped Cleveland's six-game winning streak.

Yan Gomes hit two home runs and Michael Brantley also connected but it wasn't enough for the Indians.

Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion went 0 for 2 with a walk and a sacrifice fly, ending his career-high hitting streak at 26 games.

Dioner Navarro singled off Bryan Shaw (3-3) to begin the 10th and was replaced by pinch-runner Ezequeiel Carrera. One out later, Goins drilled the game-winning homer into the right field bullpen, his fifth.

Mark Lowe (1-2) got one out for the victory as AL East-leading Toronto won for the fourth time in five games and remained 1 1-2 games ahead of the New York Yankees, who beat Boston 3-1.

PHILLIES 14, METS 8

NEW YORK (AP) - Darin Ruf homered and had a career-high six RBIs, helping Philadelphia emphatically end its 10-game losing streak to the New York Mets.

Leadoff batter Darnell Sweeney drove in three runs for the last-place Phillies, who won for the second time in 15 meetings with the NL East leaders this season. Andres Blanco hit a two-run double and scored twice in an eight-run sixth, Philadelphia's biggest inning of the year. The Phillies scored the eight runs on only three hits.

Ruf caught hold of an 0-2 curveball and launched it for a three-run shot, the second time in six days he capped a five-run third inning with a homer off Jonathon Niese (8-10).

Jeanmar Gomez (2-3) was credited with the win after yielding two runs and five hits in two innings.

BREWERS 7, PIRATES 4

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Jimmy Nelson pitched seven dominant innings and Milwaukee hit Pittsburgh ace Gerrit Cole for five early runs.

Nelson (11-10) gave up four hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out six.

The Brewers had four consecutive hits in the first off Cole (15-8). Ryan Braun drove in a run with a single and Adam Lind drove in two with a double as Milwaukee grabbed a 3-0 lead before Cole retired a batter. Jean Segura drove in another run in the inning on a two-out infield hit.

Jonathan Lucroy's run-scoring single extended Milwaukee's lead to 5-0 in the second.

Cole gave up five runs and eight hits in four innings.

Nelson retired 10 straight before Jung Ho Kang led off the fifth with a double and then scored on Neil Walker's single.

Francisco Rodriguez got the final out for his 32nd save.

CUBS 5, REDS 4

CHICAGO (AP) - Kyle Schwarber hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning, and Kris Bryant had three hits to lead Chicago.

Schwarber sent a deep drive into the left-center field bleachers on a 3-2 pitch from Burke Badenhop (1-4). The blast scored Dexter Fowler, who had singled with two outs.

Bryant drove in two runs for Chicago, which had lost five of six but is still in good shape for its first playoff berth since 2008. The Cubs entered play Tuesday 5 1/2 games ahead of San Francisco for the NL's second wild card spot.

Hector Rondon picked up his 25th save in 29 tries. Fernando Rodney (6-5) allowed Eugenio Suarez's homer in the seventh that gave the Reds a short-lived 4-3 lead but won his first game since the Cubs acquired him from Seattle on Aug. 27.

TWINS 8, WHITE SOX 6

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Miguel Sano's towering home run tied the game for Minnesota in the seventh inning, and two Chicago errors aided the go-ahead rally in the eighth to help the Twins beat the White Sox.

Eduardo Escobar's leadoff double, his third hit, started the trouble for Zach Duke (3-5), who threw away a sacrifice bunt attempt by Kurt Suzuki for one run. Third baseman Tyler Saladino let a grounder go through his legs, and the Twins scored twice more on a single and a sacrifice fly.

Kevin Jepsen (3-6) pitched a perfect eighth inning for the win. Glen Perkins recorded his 32nd save, his first in 16 days, despite a three-hit ninth that included an RBI single by Saladino.

Avasail Garcia's two-run homer in the sixth inning gave Chris Sale and the White Sox a 4-3 lead.

TIGERS 6, ROYALS 5

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Justin Verlander threw his fifth consecutive quality start, and Ian Kinsler homered and drove in three runs to help Detroit snap a four-game losing streak.

The Tigers had lost nine of 10 to drop into last place in the AL Central.

Verlander (3-6) limited the Royals to seven hits and four runs, two unearned, over 6 2-3 innings. He has a 0.76 ERA in his past five starts and the Tigers' lone two victories since Aug. 19, including a one-hit shutout of the Angels in his previous outing.

Johnny Cueto (2-4), who the Royals acquired in a July 26 trade with Cincinnati, allowed four runs on nine hits over six innings. Cueto has given up 38 hits in his past four starts, the most hits he has allowed in his career over a four-start span.

MARINERS 7, ASTROS 5

HOUSTON (AP) - Logan Morrison's tiebreaking two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning lifted Seattle past Houston.

The game was tied 5-5 when Morrison hit the third pinch-hit homer of his career, sending a pitch from Pat Neshek (3-4) into the seats in right field.

Franklin Gutierrez hit a solo homer in the second and Mark Trumbo, who homered twice on Monday, added a two-run shot off the train beyond Houston's left-center field wall to give Seattle a 5-3 lead in the fifth.

Jose Altuve hit an RBI single with two outs in the sixth to get Houston within 1. The Astros tied it up when Jake Marisnick scored from third on an error by catcher John Hicks when he tried to pick off Altuve at second base.

Logan Kensing (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh for the win and Tom Wilhelmsen threw a perfect ninth for his seventh save.

CARDINALS 8, NATIONALS 5

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Brandon Moss hit a three-run walk-off home run with two outs in the ninth to lift St. Louis.

The NL Central-leading Cardinals have won nine of 10 and lead the division by six games. They've won nine in a row over Washington, coming from behind the last two nights.

Moss, who struck out with the bases loaded to end the third, homered off Casey Janssen (1-4) to straightaway center on a 1-0 count. Janssen took the loss on Monday, allowing four runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Mitch Harris (2-1) worked the last two innings, allowing two hits.

Ryan Zimmerman homered and Anthony Rendon had a two-run double in a four-run third for Washington.

DIAMONDBACKS 6, ROCKIES 4, 1st game

DIAMONDBACKS 5, ROCKIES 3, 2nd game

DENVER (AP) - A.J. Pollock hit a tiebreaking two-run homer, Paul Goldschmidt also homered to help Arizona complte a doulbeheader sweep.

Phil Gosselin homered and drove in four runs to lead Arizona to a win in the first game. It was the second time this season the Diamondbacks swept a doubleheader from Colorado.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado homered in both games to take the NL lead with 32. He had three RBIs on the day and now leads the league with 98.

Trailing 3-1 in the nightcap, Arizona rallied against reliever Scott Oberg (3-4). Oberg hit Gosselin, walked Chris Owings and gave up a tying two-run double to Aaron Hill. Pollock followed with a two-run homer - his 15th.

Rubby De La Rosa (12-6) allowed three runs on six hits in six innings. Josh Collmenter worked the last two innings for his first save.

Arizona led most of the first game. Gosselin, who was acquired in a June 20 trade with Atlanta, doubled home a run in the third, and then broke it open with a three-run shot off Miguel Castro (0-1) in the seventh.

Patrick Corbin (4-3) allowed two runs - homers by DJ LeMahieu in the second and Kyle Parker in the fifth - and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. Daniel Hudson pitched the ninth for his third save.

RANGERS 8, PADRES 6

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Elvis Andrus singled in the go-ahead run and then stole home to cap a four-run seventh inning, and Prince Fielder hit a two-run homer and Texas held off San Diego.

The seventh inning started with reliever Marc Rzepczynski (0-1) getting the first two outs before the Rangers broke a 4-all tie on Andrus' bases-loaded single off Sean Kelley. Two more runs scored on catcher Derek Norris' error on the play. Andrus capped off the inning with a straight steal of home.

Matt Kemp homered and drove in four runs for San Diego, and has a major-league best 38 RBIs since the All-Star break.

Ross Ohlendorf (2-0) pitched a scoreless inning.

The Padres loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth against Rangers' closer Shawn Tolleson. He struck out Justin Upton looking before Jed Gyorko had an RBI single and Austin Hedges a sacrifice fly. Tolleson retired Cory Spangenberg on a flyout to end the game.

ANGELS 6, ATHLETICS 2

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Kole Calhoun had three hits, including his 21st home run of the season, to back a strong start by Matt Shoemaker, and Los Angeles snapped a four-game losing streak.

David Freese singled and scored in his return to the Angels' lineup after missing more than a month with a fractured right index finger. Carlos Perez added two hits while Mike Trout also singled and scored for the Angels.

Shoemaker (7-9) gave up five hits and one run over seven mostly crisp innings in his second start since coming off the disabled list. He struck out five, walked two and allowed only two runners past first base.

Brett Lawrie homered for the A's, a solo shot off Shoemaker in the first.

The Angels were broke out of their funk with four runs in the second against Cody Martin (0-1).

DODGERS 2, GIANTS 1

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Zack Greinke beat Madison Bumgarner in a premier pitching matchup, and the first-place Dodgers beat the second-place Giants.

The Dodgers increased their division lead to 5 1/2 games after taking the series opener 5-4 in 14 innings in a game that ended at 12:39 a.m. PST Tuesday. They have won seven of their last eight.

Greinke (15-3) allowed one run and five hits in 7 1-3 innings. He struck out five and walked one while improving to 7-0 in seven starts against the Giants since joining the Dodgers in 2012.

Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his 28th save in 30 chances.

Bumgarner (16-7) gave up two runs and eight hits in seven innings, struck out eight and walked one.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 11:02 AM

Preview: Marlins (54-79) at Braves (54-78)
Game: 3
Venue: Turner Field
Date: September 02, 2015 12:10 PM EDT

The Atlanta Braves have no words to describe their lengthy slide.

Instead, they'll press on trying to avoid their first eight-game home skid in 27 years Wednesday against a Miami Marlins team that's looking to sweep its first road series of the season.

Not even the major league debut of touted Cuban Hector Olivera could help Atlanta (54-78) from falling for the 14th time in the last 15 games, 7-1 on Tuesday. After opening their nine-game homestand with a 5-3 win over Colorado, the Braves have been outscored 60-16 in the last seven.

They haven't dropped eight straight at home since opening 0-9 there in 1988. Miami (54-79), which last swept a series anywhere on the road at Houston in July of last season, hasn't done so at Turner Field since April 2009.

"We all know where we stand,' said Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who has done his part by going 7 for 17 with four RBIs in his last five games. 'It's not fun. But we'll be here (Wednesday).'

Atlanta didn't get much help from third baseman Olivera, who went 0 for 4 with a strikeout but remains optimistic.

"Overall, I thought it was a good performance, a good effort," he said. "I will continue to build on it, of course.

"This is the best pitching in the world. The pitchers here are not pushovers."

That hasn't been the case for Atlanta starters, who have a 7.02 ERA in the last seven contests.

The Braves will turn to rookie Williams Perez (4-5, 5.56 ERA), who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett after Mike Foltynewicz landed on the disabled list Tuesday with a chest issue. Atlanta has dropped the last seven starts made by Perez, who has a 9.08 ERA in those outings.

He was demoted to the minors after allowing eight runs, five hits and walking three in 1 2-3 innings of Friday's 15-4 loss to the New York Yankees. This will be the right-hander's first appearance against the Marlins, who counter with fellow rookie Adam Conley (2-1, 4.96 ERA).

The left-hander makes his first start against a Braves club he allowed three runs to in three innings of relief during a 9-8 loss Aug. 6. Conley yielded the same amount in five-plus innings of a 4-3 victory at Washington on Friday.

Teammate Justin Bour is 6 for 16 with three home runs and eight RBIs in the last four games.

After not making any call ups on the first day of September, the Marlins are expected to do so as the week goes on.

"We'll have some guys coming in starting (Wednesday)," manager Dan Jennings told MLB's official website. "Most of the guys who will be joining us are on rehab assignments now. Having those guys back will be a big boost for us. It will put us closer to full strength."

Though slugger Giancarlo Stanton is one of them, it's unlikely he'll return before Friday.

Dealing with a bruised knee, fellow outfielder Christian Yelich had two hits with a RBI in his first start since Aug. 26. He's batting .458 with five RBIs in his last six games against the Braves.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Braves
Mon, Aug 31 Final 4 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Marlins at Braves
Tue, Sep 1 Final 7 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Marlins at Braves
Wed, Sep 2 - 12:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 11:04 AM

Preview: Reds (54-77) at Cubs (75-56)
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: September 02, 2015 2:20 PM EDT

The Chicago Cubs expect the final month of their overachieving season to be a grind.

Apparently ready for the challenge, the Cubs try to build on a impressive comeback victory Wednesday against the visiting Cincinnati Reds.

Following a 2-4 trip and Monday's 13-6 thrashing at the hands of the lowly Reds, Chicago (75-56) trailed three different times Tuesday before rookie Kyle Schwarber's two-run, go-ahead homer in the seventh led to a 5-4 victory. Owners of a 6 1/2-game lead over San Francisco for the NL's final wild-card spot, the Cubs don't expect to have an easy time down the stretch but also believe their relatively young roster has the proper attitude to reach the postseason.

"It's like a playoff game every time," said Schwarber, who had two hits after going 1 for 14 with six strikeouts in his previous four games. "Whether we win or lose we need to have that same demeanor all the time."

Schwarber, who grew up rooting for Cincinnati (54-77) in nearby Middletown, Ohio, is batting .435 with three home runs and eight RBIs in six games against the Reds.

"It's a pretty big one for me since I've been struggling lately," he said. "I'm just trying to get back on the right track and help this team. Just try to go up there and put together a quality at-bat."

Schwarber went 2 for 3 with a double off Raisel Iglesias (3-6, 3.92 ERA) when the right-hander allowed two runs, six hits, walked four but struck out eight in 5 2-3 innings of Chicago's 5-4, 13-inning road victory July 21.

Iglesias, however, posted a 2.27 ERA despite going 2-3 and receiving nine runs of support in six August starts. His teammates have scored one run overall while he's completed seven innings in each of his last three and struck out 23 in the last two.

'He's a stud,' manager Bryan Price said. 'He's learning, he's growing up. That part has been great to watch."

The Cubs counter with Jason Hammel (7-6, 3.42), who has completed at least six innings once in his last nine starts and is 1-1 with a 6.28 ERA in the last three. He gave up three runs, four hits and walked three in five-plus innings of a 4-1 loss opposite Clayton Kershaw on Friday at Dodger Stadium.

Though the numbers suggest otherwise, Chicago catcher Miguel Montero felt that effort was a step in the right direction for Hammel.

'That was the best I've seen him in at least a month,' Montero said.

The right-hander has a 2.70 ERA while not factoring in the decision of his two starts against the Reds this season.

Joey Votto is 3 for 17 against Hammel, but with a homer and two RBIs on Tuesday is batting .526 with four home runs and 12 RBIs during an 11-game road hitting streak. He's hit .382 in his last 10 games at Wrigley Field.

Votto's first base counterpart, Anthony Rizzo, is 0 for 6 in the series and batting .164 with 20 strikeouts in the last 16 games.

Kris Bryant, meanwhile, is batting .386 with 17 RBIs in the last 16 at home.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Cubs
Mon, Aug 31 Final 13 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Cubs
Tue, Sep 1 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Reds at Cubs
Wed, Sep 2 - 2:20PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 11:05 AM

Preview: Angels (66-66) at Athletics (58-75)
Game: 3
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: September 02, 2015 3:35 PM EDT

Pitching for the AL's worst team could hurt Sonny Gray's bid for the Cy Young Award, but he's continued to do his part even when the offense or defense have failed him.

He had only himself to blame the last time he faced the Los Angeles Angels, though.

The right-hander makes his fifth start against the visiting Angels as the Oakland Athletics look to win for the fourth time in five games Wednesday.

Gray (12-6, 2.13 ERA) has a 1.60 ERA over his last six starts, but he's 2-2 in that stretch with the A's (58-75) providing an average of just 2.80 runs of support.

He leads the AL in ERA and opponents' batting average (.201) despite losing 6-4 on Friday at Arizona. Oakland's defense, which leads the majors with 104 errors, has been partly responsible for Gray allowing five unearned runs over his last three starts.

"I'm used to Sonny's movement," said catcher Stephen Vogt, who allowed two passed balls in the sixth inning of Gray's last outing. "There's no excuse, especially when he makes good pitches to get some of the best hitters in the league out.

"We've talked all year about how we can't keep giving teams four or five outs."

Gray couldn't fault his defense in his last outing against the Angels, when he allowed a season-worst six runs - five earned - while matching his career low of two strikeouts in six-plus innings of Oakland's 12-7 defeat June 19. He'd won his previous three starts this season against Los Angeles with a 1.19 ERA.

The A's had their three-game winning streak snapped with Tuesday's 6-2 loss to the Angels (66-66), who had dropped their previous four.

Los Angeles remained 3 1/2 games back of Texas for the AL's second wild-card spot and trimmed its deficit to 6 1/2 behind West-leading Houston. Kole Calhoun went 3 for 5 with a homer and Carlos Perez added two hits.

David Freese had a hit in his return from a five-week stay on the disabled because of a fractured right index finger.

"We hit a big pothole for a while but they also know that we're a good team," manager Mike Scioscia said. "There are some key things that if we can get them in place, we're going to have a good chance to reach our goal. Part of it's getting starting pitching and part of it's the offense."

Andrew Heaney (5-2, 3.11) looks to continue his success on the road while making his first start against the A's since joining the Angels.

The left-hander had the worst of his 12 outings when he gave up eight runs in a 15-3 loss to Toronto on Aug. 22, but he bounced back Friday and tossed six scoreless innings in the Angels' 3-1 loss at Cleveland.

That performance improved his ERA to 1.72 in five road starts.

Heaney's only start against the A's came June 29, 2014, while with Miami. He pitched five scoreless before allowing all four runs in his sixth and final inning of a 4-3 loss.

Oakland got a homer from Brett Lawrie in the first Tuesday, then couldn't manage anything else until Vogt scored on a wild pitch in the ninth. The A's averaged 5.8 runs over their previous seven home games.

Outfielder Sam Fuld sat out with back spasms and is unlikely to play in this contest.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Angels at Athletics
Mon, Aug 31 Final 5 to 11
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Angels at Athletics
Tue, Sep 1 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Angels at Athletics
Wed, Sep 2 - 3:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 11:08 AM

Preview: Yankees (73-58) at Red Sox (61-71)
Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: September 02, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

While the news regarding their All-Star slugger certainly doesn't bode well, the New York Yankees are finding ways to win without Mark Teixeira.

As they look to keep fighting in the AL East chase, the visiting Yankees are hoping Masahiro Tanaka can continue to pitch well Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox.

After missing three games at Atlanta and Monday's 4-3 loss at Fenway Park, Teixeira was sent back to New York for further tests on his injured shin. The results weren't positive as the first baseman will miss at least two weeks with a significant bone bruise.

That's a big loss since Teixeira has a team-high 31 home runs and 79 RBIs.

"We're going to be forced to see what we've got further with Greg (Bird)," general manager Brian Cashman told MLB's official website, "and when we're up against some left-handed pitching, (manager Joe Girardi's) going to be forced to look for some lineup flexibility."

Bird started against left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez in the opener, and he's 1 for 8 with four strikeouts in this series. Alex Rodriguez has been discussed as an option at first base versus southpaws, though he's played two games there in his 21 seasons.

New York (73-58) will face lefty Henry Owens (2-1, 4.03 ERA) as it goes after its eighth win in 10 road games and 11th in 14 at Fenway. Stephen Drew had a two-run double and Brett Gardner added his 13th home run Tuesday when the Yankees had five hits and struck out 15 times in a 3-1 win that kept them 1 1/2 games back of first-place Toronto.

They have had two lopsided victories and won two pitching duels on a six-game trip that ends Wednesday.

'The gratifying thing at this time of year is wins, no matter how you do it,' Girardi said. 'If you get a break or however it happens, that's the gratifying thing.'

Since enduring a rough patch in late June, Tanaka (10-6, 3.62) has limited opponents to a .211 batting average while giving up three earned runs or less in nine of 10 starts. He's been sharp on the road this season, going 4-2 with a 2.98 ERA in eight outings.

The right-hander gave up two first-inning runs Friday before settling down in a 15-4 win at Atlanta. He lasted seven, allowing three runs and five hits while striking out seven.

Tanaka is 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA in two home starts against Boston (61-71) this season. He yielded seven runs and seven hits over a career-low 1 2-3 innings in a 10-4 loss at Fenway last September.

Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez have homered off Tanaka this season. Ramirez, though, is day to day after missing five straight games due to a sore right shoulder.

David Ortiz (2 for 11), Xander Bogaerts (2 for 13) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (1 for 7) have struggled when facing Tanaka. Bogaerts had two hits Tuesday and is batting .344 over his last 22 games, while Bradley is 6 for 7 with four doubles over his past three.

Owens is making a case to be part of Boston's rotation next season, going 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his last two starts. He made his big league debut Aug. 4 at Yankee Stadium, surrendering three runs over five innings in a 13-3 loss.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Red Sox
Mon, Aug 31 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores

GAME 2
Yankees at Red Sox
Tue, Sep 1 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Yankees at Red Sox
Wed, Sep 2 - 4:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 11:11 AM

Preview: Rays (66-66) at Orioles (63-69)
Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: September 02, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

A revived offense combined with stellar performances from the rotation have put the Tampa Bay Rays in position to move back above .500.

The Baltimore Orioles continuing their late-summer swoon has also helped.

Seeking his sixth straight road victory, Erasmo Ramirez will try to help the Rays to a three-game sweep of the Orioles on Wednesday night.

Tampa Bay (66-66) is chasing Texas for the AL's second wild-card spot despite a league-low 3.78 runs per game and .248 batting average that ranks slightly higher.

The Rays, though, have been pounding the Orioles (63-69) with 25 hits, four homers and a 17-5 scoring edge through the first two of the series, including an 11-2 win Tuesday.

Starters Chris Archer and Drew Smyly combined for 16 strikeouts over 13 scoreless innings in those two games. The Tampa Bay rotation has a 1.38 ERA during a four-game winning streak in Baltimore.

Ramirez (10-5, 3.68 ERA) started that stretch May 30, striking out seven and yielding three hits in seven innings of a 3-0 win. That outing is part of an outstanding road stretch for the right-hander, who is 5-0 with a 2.91 ERA over his last 10 away starts.

Ramirez, though, struggled at home against the Orioles on July 25, surrendering five runs and seven hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 5-1 loss.

He enters this meeting looking to bounce back from one of his shortest starts of the year, yielding three runs and six hits with three walks in 4 1-3 innings of Friday's 4-2 home loss to Kansas City.

"I thought Erasmo battled really well early on," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "Maybe he wasn't as sharp as we've seen him pretty consistently. It seemed like he was trying to make that perfect pitch and couldn't quite make it. But saying that, he gave up two earned runs. So he still gave us an opportunity."

J.P. Arencibia did most of the damage Tuesday with a two-run homer and a pair of two-run singles while batting ninth in his sixth game - third start - since being recalled from Triple-A Durham.

"Very thankful to get the opportunity," said Arencibia, who is a .329 hitter with five home runs and 24 RBIs in 21 career games at Camden Yards. "This is a good team and we're in a good race."

Brandon Guyer is batting .542 in the past seven matchups with the Orioles after going 4 for 5 with an RBI double. He's 8 for 14 and has scored five runs during the Rays' three-game winning streak.

Baltimore's postseason chances have begun to fade with 12 losses in 13 games.

"We are going to have to get hot in order to get in this thing," manager Buck Showalter said.

Kevin Gausman (2-6, 4.39) is 0-4 with a 5.01 ERA in his last five starts. The right-hander gave up four runs and nine hits, including two homers, over 6 2-3 innings of a 4-1 loss at Texas on Friday.

He's 1-3 with a 5.47 ERA in five starts against the Rays, losing both at home while being tagged for eight runs and 13 hits in nine innings.

Gausman's only appearance against them this year came in relief during a 6-5 road win April 7. He got the win after allowing only Kevin Kiermaier's two-run homer in 2 1-3 innings.

He may not have to contend with Kiermaier, who has a mild right ankle sprain that sidelined him Tuesday. However, he's allowed Arencibia to go 2 for 4 with a homer and Guyer has doubled twice in three at-bats in the matchup.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Orioles
Mon, Aug 31 Final 6 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rays at Orioles
Tue, Sep 1 Final 11 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rays at Orioles
Wed, Sep 2 - 7:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 11:12 AM

Preview: Indians (64-67) at Blue Jays (75-57)
Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: September 02, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

The Toronto Blue Jays have asked Ryan Goins to wear many hats, sticking him in five positions and placing him at or near the bottom of a lineup that has been the best in baseball for most of the season.

Despite having a less-than-glamorous role, he's been a major reason the Blue Jays have surged to the top of the AL East.

Goins was directly responsible for Toronto's latest victory, and he'll look to extend his hitting streak to eight when the Blue Jays host the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night.

The third-year utility man has made several highlight-reel catches, including a sliding grab deep in foul ground after sprinting from second base Tuesday.

Goins then delivered with his bat, hitting a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to give the Blue Jays (75-57) a 5-3 victory that snapped Cleveland's six-game winning streak. He's batting .441 over his last 12 for Toronto, which improved to 25-6 since Troy Tulowitzki made his team debut July 29.

The Blue Jays maintained their 1 1/2-game lead over New York atop the East despite Edwin Encarnacion's career-high 26-game hitting streak coming to an end.

'That was a big win for us,' manager John Gibbons said. 'You never expect home runs from (Goins), but he's had a few and a couple of big ones. He's smoking hot with the bat right now."

Cleveland (64-67) lost for the first time in more than a week as it continues to chase four teams for the AL's second wild card. Yan Gomes hit two homers, including a solo shot in the ninth off Jays closer Roberto Osuna that tied the game. Three of his four hits over his last five games have gone for homers.

Trevor Bauer (10-10, 4.31 ERA) takes the hill for the Indians seeking a third straight solid outing. He's bounced back from a rough stretch by allowing two earned runs in 14 1-3 innings over his last two while overcoming nine walks.

Bauer pitched eight innings of Friday's 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels after learning earlier in the day he would be replacing the ill Danny Salazar.

'One run in eight innings, we'll take that every time,' manager Terry Francona said of Bauer, who went 1-2 with an 11.91 ERA over his previous three starts before helping the Indians beat the Yankees on Aug. 23.

The right-hander didn't allow a hit for the first three innings of his only career start against the Blue Jays on May 3, then gave up six runs - including a grand slam - in the fourth before being removed with one out in the fifth.

That type of scoring output for the Blue Jays is what's helped R.A. Dickey (9-10, 4.25) get through some difficult outings recently. He's 3-0 over his last four but has posted a 6.35 ERA after pitching 6 2-3 innings of Friday's 5-3 win over Detroit.

The right-hander went 3-0 with a 0.89 ERA over his previous four starts. He has a 7.02 run-support average while going unbeaten in nine outings since losing to the Chicago White Sox on July 9.

Carlos Santana enters with a nine-game hitting streak, but he's 1 for 11 lifetime against Dickey.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Blue Jays
Mon, Aug 31 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Blue Jays
Tue, Sep 1 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Indians at Blue Jays
Wed, Sep 2 - 7:07PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 11:15 AM

Preview: Phillies (53-80) at Mets (73-59)
Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: September 02, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Whatever the New York Mets' plan is for monitoring Matt Harvey's workload, he's responding with his best pitching of the season.

The Philadelphia Phillies have allowed Aaron Nola to go deeper into his last two starts, and the results have been every bit as impressive.

The two No. 7 overall draft choices meet for the first time Wednesday night in New York with the Mets needing a win to avoid a series loss to the worst team in baseball.

Harvey (11-7, 2.48 ERA) hasn't allowed three earned runs in any of his last eight starts, going 4-1 with a 1.29 ERA and .177 opponent batting average, and he only got stronger last month. In four August starts, the right-hander was 2-0 with a 0.33 ERA and .160 OBA.

With an eye on the playoffs, the Mets gave him 11 days between his last two starts, and Harvey responded by allowing two hits with eight strikeouts in six scoreless innings of Friday's 6-4 home loss to Boston. The 26-year-old has thrown 160 innings, which is 18 1-3 shy of his 2013 career high. With 30 regular-season games and a potential playoff run looming, there's the potential that he'll far exceed that.

"He wanted to throw another inning," manager Terry Collins said. "I said we can't do it, that's why we gave you time off."

Harvey also hasn't allowed three earned runs in any of his last eight home starts, posting a 4-0 record and 0.99 ERA. None of those came against the Phillies, but he's 5-1 with 1.99 ERA in seven career starts in the series. Domonic Brown (0 for 10 with seven strikeouts), Odubel Herrera (0 for 6), Carlos Ruiz (1 for 7) and Cody Asche (1 for 6) have all struggled.

That kind of hitting will make it difficult for Nola (5-1, 3.26) to win a third straight start in his first encounter with a potential future rival.

The 22-year-old has allowed a run and five hits in 15 innings over consecutive wins, though those games came against Miami and San Diego. The right-hander has won five of seven starts since taking a tough-luck loss in his MLB debut on July 21.

"I feel a little bit more comfortable now," Nola told MLB's official website. "I know I can pitch here. But my main goal is to pitch to win and to try and keep the guys in the best position every single time I go out."

That's been enough for interim manager Pete Mackanin.

"I'll take five pitchers just like him," Mackanin said.

Such an effort would have gone to waste in Philadelphia's 14-8 win on Tuesday. It ended a 10-game losing streak to the Mets (73-59), though New York has still won 13 of 15 in the season series. The Phillies (53-80) will now try for their first series win over the Mets in nine tries, but they haven't won consecutive games over the 6-24 run.

"It wasn't pretty, but I'd like to think that we broke the spell," Mackanin said.

New York, which has lost six of eight at home, wasted a home run from Yoenis Cespedes, his career-high 27th of the season. All nine he's hit with the Mets have come in the last 19 games, and the last four have come in his first six career games against the Phillies.

Michael Conforto went 2 for 4 in the loss, giving the rookie a .464 average in his last 10 games.

Philadelphia's Darin Ruf has two home runs and eight RBIs in his last two games, both against the Mets.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Mets
Mon, Aug 31 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Mets
Tue, Sep 1 Final 14 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Phillies at Mets
Wed, Sep 2 - 7:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 11:17 AM

Preview: Tigers (61-70) at Royals (80-51)
Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: September 02, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The hype might not be at levels of last season, but Yordano Ventura could be having the most successful stretch of his young career.

The 24-year-old will try to build on his recent consistency Wednesday night at home against the Detroit Tigers, though he's still battling control issues.

Ventura (9-7, 4.41 ERA) began August by allowing 11 runs in 12 innings over two starts but escaped without a loss. He's since gone 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA and .167 opponent batting average, 32 strikeouts and 12 walks in 25 innings over his last four.

In Thursday's 5-3 home win over Baltimore, the right-hander impressed his manager with some in-game adjustments after issuing two walks in the first inning.

"He was rushing it, he was flying open. His pitch count was up," Ned Yost told MLB's official website. "But then he made an adjustment, slowed his tempo down, and he was down through the zone and got his pitch count manageable. His curveball was excellent, fastball up to 100 mph, changeup good."

Ventura is 3-0 with a 4.56 ERA in four starts and a relief appearance against the Tigers. That's mostly because of a 10.17 run-support average, though he did get his current reboot started by limiting them to two hits with eight strikeouts and six walks in six scoreless innings of a 6-1 home win Aug. 11.

Ian Kinsler (5 for 11) and Victor Martinez (4 for 10 with two home runs) have seen him well, but Nick Castellanos is 1 for 9.

Those guys and the rest of the Detroit lineup have been failing Randy Wolf rather than the other way around. Wolf (0-2, 2.57) hasn't been given a run of support in 14 innings of his two starts.

The left-hander gave up a run and five hits in seven innings of Thursday's 2-0 home loss to the Los Angeles Angels, and the 39-year-old will now face a pitcher that celebrated his eighth birthday eight days before his MLB debut.

"I feel like every start I kind of have to, in a way, prove people wrong, that I'm not at the geriatric level quite yet," Wolf said.

Before the impressive work against the Angels, the last time he'd gone seven innings and allowed fewer than three earned runs was June 13, 2012 - his only career start against the Royals. Wolf gave up a run and six hits in a 4-3, 11-inning loss in Kansas City while with Milwaukee.

The Royals might do more against him with Jonny Gomes. The veteran outfielder, acquired Monday from Atlanta, is 12 for 23 with two home runs off Wolf. His .522 average in their matchups is the highest of any player, active or retired, with more than 18 at-bats against Wolf.

Last-place Detroit (61-70) opened this three-game series with Tuesday's 6-5 win for its fourth in six meetings with Kansas City (80-51) to even the season series at 7-all. The Royals, however, have a 12-game lead in the AL Central, and health figures to be a greater concern than any late-season performances against the Tigers.

The Royals will be without reliever Kelvin Herrera and outfielder Alex Rios for at least two weeks due to the chickenpox, and there's a fear that it could further spread.

"Think there is always a concern because these guys were in for three or four days before they showed signs of it," Yost said. "Since that point, (trainer) Nick Kenney has done a real good job of monitoring."

They did get Alex Gordon back after missing 48 games with a strained groin, and the left fielder was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Royals
Tue, Sep 1 Final 6 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Tigers at Royals
Wed, Sep 2 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Tigers at Royals
Thu, Sep 3 - 8:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 11:19 AM

Preview: Pirates (79-51) at Brewers (56-75)
Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: September 02, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Pittsburgh veteran Jeff Locke and Milwaukee rookie Zach Davies have more in common than one might think.

Both essentially are auditioning to remain in their respective clubs' starting rotations for as long as possible.

Locke looks to help the Pirates avoid their first three-game losing streak in more than six weeks with another resume-building performance, while Davies hopes to shine in his major league debut for the Brewers on Wednesday night at Miller Park.

Locke (7-8, 4.46 ERA) has the worst ERA on a starting staff that ranks among the major league's best with a 3.48 mark. If the Pirates (79-51) reach the NL division series, he'd likely be the odd man out despite a solid outing last Wednesday in which he allowed two runs in seven innings of a 7-2 win at Miami.

The left-hander went 1-2 with a 6.39 ERA over his previous six starts and didn't last more than 5 2-3 innings in any of them.

"We have such a good ballclub. You don't really want to have any question marks in your rotation, especially at this point in the season," Locke said. "I feel like the way I pitched, I've kind of been that for a little while.

"To put a good solid outing under your belt moving forward, if anything, it just builds a little bit more confidence and maybe puts some more confidence in the guys in the clubhouse, too."

The last time Locke went as deep as he did last week was against the Brewers (56-75) on July 19, when he allowed three runs in 7 1-3 innings of a 6-1 loss. He went a season high-tying eight innings to beat Milwaukee 6-2 on April 18 after defeated the Brewers by that same score April 10.

Locke is 3-2 with a 2.40 ERA in his last six against Milwaukee, which counters with a prospect it received in the July 31 trade that sent Gerardo Parra to Baltimore.

Davies has gone 6-8 with a 3.30 ERA in 23 starts and one relief appearance in Triple-A ball. The Brewers called him up when rosters expanded Tuesday.

"I've had coaches telling me, 'There's a chance you could go up there in September and pitch a little bit,'" Davies told MLB's official website. "It's never real until it actually happens. Now that I'm here, it's real to me."

The right-hander is known more for his command than his power, and he'll likely get a good first test against a Pirates team that leads the NL wild-card race.

Pittsburgh, though, is on the verge of losing three straight for the first time since July 17-19 after a 7-4 loss Tuesday. The club managed just four hits in the first seven innings against Jimmy Nelson before Aramis Ramirez - playing his first game in Milwaukee since being dealt to the Pirates on July 23 - Jung Ho Kang and Pedro Alvarez homered.

The loss dropped the Pirates six games behind Central-leading St. Louis.

Milwaukee has won three of four and likely won't be intimated by Locke after touching up Pirates ace Gerrit Cole for five runs in the first two innings and chasing him after four Tuesday.

Adam Lind had two doubles and drove in a pair of runs, while Jean Segura had two hits and three RBIs. Segura, who is 6 for 13 over his last three, has gone 6 for 10 with a double off Locke this season.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Brewers
Tue, Sep 1 Final 4 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Pirates at Brewers
Wed, Sep 2 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Pirates at Brewers
Thu, Sep 3 - 7:20PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 09-02-2015, 11:21 AM

Preview: White Sox (61-69) at Twins (68-63)
Game: 2
Venue: Target Field
Date: September 02, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

As Miguel Sano makes a late push for AL Rookie of the Year, the Minnesota Twins are carrying their resurgence into their first meaningful September in five years.

After the slugger's big effort keyed another home win, the Twins hope left-hander Tommy Milone can continue his career dominance of the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.

Just two months into his big league career, Sano has been a major contributor for the Twins. He hit his 14th home run in 50 games Tuesday to even things up in the seventh inning before Minnesota (68-63) rallied to a series-opening 8-6 win.

Although it might be too late to catch Houston's Carlos Correa in the Rookie of the Year race, Sano is living up to his early season ranking as one of the MLB's best prospects. He's batting .343 with nine homers and 23 RBIs in his last 19 games, while his 1.219 OPS is among the AL's best marks.

The Dominican has done it all while playing through a mild strain of his hamstring.

'Sano is the next Miguel Cabrera, in a couple years,' teammate Eduardo Escobar said.

After seemingly playing their way out of the playoffs during a 9-21 stretch, the Twins have gotten back into a tight race with Texas for the second wild card by winning nine of 11.

Minnesota, which will likely snap a string of four straight 90-loss seasons, has batted .342 with 11 homers and 7.5 runs per game while taking seven of eight home games versus Chicago.

The Twins will try to keep producing for Milone (6-4, 3.86 ERA), who hopes to bounce back after allowing five runs over 5 1-3 innings in Thursday's 5-4 loss at Tampa Bay.

Milone hasn't been able to get out of the sixth in three starts since missing 2 1/2 weeks in early August with a sprained elbow, but he's 4-1 with a 3.16 ERA in his last six at home.

Milone has been outstanding against the White Sox, going 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in six career starts. He gave up 10 hits but only two runs over six innings in a 13-2 home win June 22.

Avisail Garcia is 5 for 9 off him, though Tyler Flowers (2 for 13), Melky Cabrera (1 for 8), Alexei Ramirez (2 for 16) and Adam Eaton (0 for 9) haven't fared as well. Eaton matched a career high with four hits in the opener, leaving him 9 for 14 in his last three games versus Minnesota.

Garcia, who hit his 12th home run Tuesday, is batting .381 in the season series. Adam LaRoche had two hits in the opener and is 9 for 17 with a homer and three doubles in his last five games at Minnesota.

Since going 1-2 with a 9.33 ERA over a four-start stretch, Carlos Rodon (6-5, 4.15) has turned things around with a 2-1 record and a 1.61 mark over his last four. The rookie left-hander will try to help the White Sox (61-69) avoid their seventh loss in 10 games.

"I've just learned how to pitch a little more, I'll put it that way," he told MLB's official website.

Rodon has gone 1-1 with an 0.98 ERA over his last four road outings. In one of three relief appearances in May, he allowed six hits over three scoreless innings in a 5-3 loss at Minnesota.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Twins
Tue, Sep 1 Final 6 to 8

Boxscores
GAME 2
White Sox at Twins
Wed, Sep 2 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
White Sox at Twins
Thu, Sep 3 - 1:10PM EDT

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