The Bum's Major League Baseball Best Bets for August/Sept. - Picks, News, Trends !

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Wednesday, August 3


TEX 1
BAL 5
Orioles still riding that UNDER train. Toot! Toot!
UNDER is now 18-2 in their last 20 games & 4-0 in Bundy's 4 starts.


WAS 10
ARI 4
Nationals are now 8-1 in Roark's last 9 starts vs teams below .500 and D-Backs are now 1-7 in Robbie Ray's last 8 starts.

[StarDust Bum]

LEADING OFF: Ichiro swings for 3,000; A-Rod on his way out?
August 3, 2016

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

IS THIS THE DAY?

Two hits shy of 3,000, Ichiro Suzuki is expected to start for the Marlins in their Wrigley Field matinee against right-hander John Lackey and the Cubs. Suzuki's 37 hits off Lackey are his most against any pitcher. The Japanese star, who hasn't received much playing time lately because of Miami's talented outfield, struck out as a pinch-hitter Tuesday night.

IS THIS THE END?

Alex Rodriguez could be on his way out after more than a decade of drama in New York. With the Yankees expected to bring up touted catcher Gary Sanchez from the minors before their Subway Series game against the Mets, fans are wondering whether A-Rod will be cut to make roster room. The 41-year-old DH is batting .204 and his playing time has all but disappeared. ''No matter what happens, I'm at peace with myself,'' Rodriguez said Tuesday. ''I think I can contribute. I think I can help out in the clubhouse,'' he added, ''but if not, I have two beautiful daughters waiting for me in Miami.'' The three-time MVP has a $20 million salary this year and is owed $20 million in 2017, the final season of his $275 million, 10-year deal.

AL SHOWDOWN

The Orioles and Rangers continue a series between AL division leaders when Baltimore right-hander Kevin Gausman (2-8, 4.18 ERA) takes on Texas lefty Cole Hamels (12-2, 2.84). Gausman has won just two of 18 starts this season for the AL East-leading O's and lost his only career appearance against Texas. Hamels is 3-0 with a 0.84 ERA since the All-Star break for the AL West leaders.

MARQUEE MATCHUP

White Sox ace Chris Sale (14-4, 3.17 ERA) pitches against Tigers rookie Michael Fulmer (9-2, 2.50) in a matchup of two premier starters. The last time Sale was scheduled to face the Tigers, he was scratched and suspended after cutting up throwback uniforms.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW

Top prospect Andrew Benintendi is scheduled to make his first major league start after joining the Red Sox on Tuesday. The left-handed-hitting outfielder will begin in a left-field platoon with Bryce Brentz following his promotion from Double-A Portland. Benintendi came off the bench Tuesday night and went 0 for 2 in his debut, striking out to end a 5-4 loss at Seattle. He hit .312 with nine homers, 76 RBIs and 16 stolen bases between Class A Salem and Double-A this season and ranks among baseball's top prospects. The 2015 first-round pick is the first Boston player to reach the majors in the season after he was drafted since Fred Lynn in 1974.

NEW CLOSER IN SEATTLE

Edwin Diaz has replaced struggling Steve Cishek and taken over as the Mariners' closer just two months removed from Double-A. Diaz was promoted from Jackson on June 4 and has a 1.73 ERA in 25 appearances. He struck out three in the ninth inning Tuesday night against Boston for his first major league save. ''I like to pitch under pressure. I feel more confident when it's a close game,'' Diaz said. ''I don't know why but I feel really, really good.''

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday's Diamond Notes
August 3, 2016
!

Hottest team: Tigers (7-0 last seven)
Detroit proved a day off couldn’t slow it down, scoring 11 runs for the second consecutive game in trouncing the White Sox 11-5 after being idle on Monday. The Tigers swept Houston out of town with an 11-0 win on Sunday, which came on the heels of breaking out the brooms at Fenway Park to get right back in the thick of the AL wild card race. Miguel Cabrera homered again, cranking out his third in two games and stretching out his run to five homers in the last six games. He’s on a 6-for-9 tear, scoring five runs, and will look to stay hot against Chicago ace Chris Sale (14-4, 3.17 ERA), who will be making his second start since being suspended for cutting up retro jerseys he wanted no part in wearing. Cabrera is 9-for-38 (.237) in his career against Sale, homering twice. The Tigers turn to AL Rookie of the Year candidate Michael Fulmer (9-2, 2.50) and hope to continue their success when he’s been on the mound since they’re 14-2 when he takes the mound, including a perfect 4-0 at Comerica Park.

Coldest team: Athletics (0-4 last four)
Last night’s 5-4 loss to the Angels means the A’s temporarily own baseball’s longest losing streak, as they failed to rally against new closer Cam Bedrosian, who took over with Huston Street landing on the disabled list. Despite a two-run homer from Yonder Alonso and solo shots from Coco Crisp and a sizzling Khris Davis, the A’s struggled with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-4 in leaving seven runners on. Marcus Semien committed a pair of costly errors, but Oakland has a chance to snap the skid considering they’ll be facing an inconsistent Jered Weaver (8-8, 5.14) for the third time this season. Weaver pitched a complete-game three-hitter in Oakland back on June 19 but failed to get out of the fifth inning in Anaheim five days later, ultimately picking up a no-decision in a 7-4 loss. The A’s are countering with Kendall Graveman (7-7, 4.15), who had a string of eight consecutive starts resulting in a victory snapped in a 5-3 loss at Cleveland on July 29. He’s 1-0 against the Angels this season, allowing just four runs in 19.2 innings.

Hottest pitcher: Rick Porcello (14-2, 3.47 ERA)
Although he looked like a bust last season, surrendering a career-high 25 home runs, Porcello has been brilliant in his second year with Boston, winning all five of his April decisions before experiencing a little turbulence in May. That’s also the last month in which he’s experienced a loss, winning his last eight decisions, which included going 5-0 in July. Porcello is coming off his first complete game with the Red Sox, winning in Anaheim by surrendering just two runs on five hits in one of his strongest performances of the season. Porcello has lost a pair of road starts this season but has largely been efficient, utilizing his sinker to get him ground balls and keep him out of much trouble. Porcello beat the Mariners 6-2 in Boston on June 18, striking out six and walking none over six innings. Robinson Cano is batting .368 against him, owning one home run over 19 career at-bats.

Coldest pitcher: Cody Reed (0-5, 7.07 ERA)
Most figured there would be some bumps in the road for the 23-year-old Reed, a former second-round pick with tremendous stuff who was a key part of the Reds parting ways with long-time ace Johnny Cueto, but there would’ve been few takers on him still being winless through his first seven major-league starts. Reed’s longest outing was his first one when he pitched seven innings back on June 18 in Houston. He’s been able to get through six only once since, has given up a homer in six of his seven outings and has been flammable both at home and on the road. Reed will be facing St. Louis for the first time.

Biggest UNDER run: Orioles (18-2 last 20)
After ending a 16-game run of games that failed to reach the posted total with back-to-back OVERS in Toronto, the Birds have gotten tremendous pitching over their last two games and have seen their old friend the UNDER help deliver a pair of wins. The UNDER has now come in nine straight times at Camden Yards and figures to have a strong chance at staying below 8.5 with Cole Hamels (12-2, 2.84) on the mound for the visiting Rangers. Hamels has won his last three starts, compiling an 0.84 ERA in wins over the Cubs and Royals. He’ll be pitching against the Orioles for the first time since receiving a no-decision in a 6-3 Rangers win on April 14 and has been exceptional on the road, coming in 8-1 with a 1.71 ERA in opposing stadiums. Kevin Gausman (2-8, 4.18) started the game that snapped the 16-game UNDER run against the Blue Jays, but has seen it prevail in five of his last seven, including a June 20 4-3 loss at Arlington against these Rangers. These teams conclude their key series tomorrow and won’t see one another again unless both reach the postseason.

Biggest OVER run: Cardinals (6-0 last six)
The Cardinals opened the 10-game road trip they’re currently embarked upon with a rainout in Queens and then scored just four runs in splitting a double-header with the Mets. Since that July 26 twinbill, every one of their contests has featured at least nine runs, though St. Louis has been on the receiving end of most of those lately after losing its third straight on Tuesday. The Reds are vulnerable with Reed on the mound, while the Cards turn to Michael Wacha (6-7, 4.38), who has won four consecutive decisions. The OVER is 5-2 in Wacha’s last seven starts.

Matchup to watch: Dodgers at Rockies
Since we've already covered the Rangers/Orioles showdown between AL division leaders, we'll give this NL West clash some love. Colorado jumped out to a 7-0 lead in taking down L.A. on Tuesday to move within 3.5 games of an NL wild card spot. The Rockies have won 10 of 12 and can climb back over .500 for the first time since May 18 with another victory here. The Marlins and Rangers also come into town on this Colorado homestand, so it will be tested if it is to continue this improbable run towards playoff contention. Rookie lefty Tyler Anderson (3-3, 3.33) will be making his 10th career start while squaring off with the Dodgers for the first time. He's an impressive 3-1 with a 3.47 ERA at Coors Field, giving up just two home runs in 36.1 innings. Righty Brock Stewart (0-1, 9.00) will make his second career start for the Dodgers after losing to the Brewers in his debut on June 29.

Betcha didn’t know: Madison Bumgarner has pitched in a single Giants win since June ended despite taking the mound six times. Although only four of the eight runs he surrendered were earned in Tuesday's 13-8 loss, Bumgarner gave up a season-high 10 hits while matching a season-low by working just five innings. He and Wednesday's starter, Johnny Cueto, had pitched in Giants losses in back-to-back turns in the rotation only once until July 17, but are in danger of having it happen for the third time in four outings if Cueto can't beat the Phillies tonight. Cueto hasn't won a decision since July 6, which includes taking a loss in the All-Star Game. He's been limited to just five innings in two of his last three starts after having that happen only once in his first 18 outings with San Francisco.

Biggest public favorite: Nationals (-230) at Diamondbacks

Biggest public underdog: Athletics (+108) at Angels

Biggest line move: Giants (-190 to -168) vs. Phillies

[StarDust Bum]

A-Rod's time with Yankees could be nearing an end
August 3, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) His time with the New York Yankees drawing near an end following more than a decade of controversy, Alex Rodriguez proclaimed: ''No matter what happens, I'm at peace with myself.''

After trading four veterans and turning their attention toward rebuilding, the Yankees appear to have little or no use for a 41-year-old designated hitter with a .204 batting average, one whose playing time has all but disappeared in the past month.

''I think I can contribute. I think I can help out in the clubhouse,'' Rodriguez said Tuesday, ''but if not, I have two beautiful daughters waiting for me in Miami.''

Four home runs shy of 700, he trails only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) on the career list. But he may not get there with the Yankees, who want to test youth after giving up hope on the present by dealing Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova for 10 prospects, pitcher Adam Warren and two players to be named.

''In maybe the near future, do I see him getting a ton of at-bats?'' manager Joe Girardi said at Citi Field before the Yankees' 7-1 loss to the Mets. ''No, I probably don't, because of some of the changes that we're possibly going to make here.''

Rodriguez pinch-hit in the ninth inning and hit a game-ending flyout to shallow right, just his seventh at-bat since July 22. He has nine homers and 29 RBIs this year, and only four hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Earlier this month, Beltran displaced A-Rod from his DH slot. Touted catcher Gary Sanchez, expected to be called up before Wednesday's game against the Mets in the Bronx, is among the players likely to see time at DH going forward.

Rodriguez has a $20 million salary this year and is owed $20 million in 2017, the final season of his $275 million, 10-year deal. The money makes a trade unlikely, leading to speculation he will be designated for assignment and then released.

''My plans are for him to be there tomorrow with us,'' Girardi said after the game.

Owner Hal Steinbrenner, speaking Tuesday on an ESPN radio show simulcast on the team's YES Network, said decision-makers had not gotten that far.

''I haven't discussed with the baseball people anything about what we're going to be doing in the hours and days to come,'' he said.

''The last two weeks have been about trades, trades, trades,'' he added, before dropping a hint: ''My job is to do what's best for the organization.''

For now, Rodriguez is prepared to mentor while he sits when healthy for the most time since he was a rookie with Seattle in 1994.

''At-bats are going to come if they come,'' he said. ''If they don't, they don't. I know that when I was 18 years old and in a big league clubhouse, it was instrumental to have guidance, to have guys like Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner to show me the way.''

Sanchez likely isn't the only new face to get playing time. Young outfielder Aaron Judge, sidelined since early July by a knee injury, was activated from the disabled list Tuesday and went 1 for 3 with a double for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. New outfielder Clint Frazier, the top prospect obtained from Cleveland in the Miller deal, was 0 for 3 with three strikeouts in his RailRiders debut.

Second-year pitcher Luis Severino also is back up with the Yankees after impressing last summer and struggling this spring. Greg Bird is expected to take over from Mark Teixeira at first base next year after missing all of 2016 following shoulder surgery.

Ever since the Yankees acquired Rodriguez from Texas before the 2004 season, he has been the center of attention, whether winning his second and third AL MVP awards, admitting in 2009 he used performance-enhancing drugs, helping New York win the World Series later that year or serving a one-year drug-related suspension in 2014.

''I know that the organization has a brighter future today than it did last week, and hopefully I'm part of that equation,'' Rodriguez said. ''But if not, I can accept it very clearly.''

[StarDust Bum]

Jay Bruce goes 0 for 4 in Mets' debut, a day after trade
August 2, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) Jay Bruce stepped into the batter's box for the first time wearing the New York Mets' blue and orange, and the sellout crowd at Citi Field stood and greeted him with cries of ''Bruuuce!'' sounding as if at a Springsteen concert.

''I heard he's kind of a big deal around here,'' the All-Star outfielder said.

A day after he was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds, Bruce went 0 for 4 with a flyout, groundout and two called strikeouts in the New York Mets' 7-1 Subway Series win over the Yankees on Tuesday night.

''I felt a little out of place for the first couple of innings, honestly,'' he said. ''The way we won tonight obviously makes that 0 for 4 a little better.''

Bruce, who reported to the Mets on Tuesday along with returning pitcher Jon Niese, was drafted by the Reds in 2005 and made his big league debut with Cincinnati in 2008. But Cincinnati is among the worst National League teams and decided to deal him for infielder Dilson Herrera and left-hander Max Wotell.

Bruce took uniform No. 19 - Joey Votto's number in Cincinnati - played right field and batted third.

''I know he was nervous,'' Mets manager Terry Collins said. ''Even though he's an experienced major league player and a star in the big leagues, going to a new town and all the hoopla and you want to make an instant impact. But he'll settle in. He's going to make a big difference in our club.''

Collins had tried to relieve any pressure felt.

''You're not the savior. You're a big, big piece,'' Collins recalled telling him.

Bruce is batting .262 with 25 homers and 80s, the most in the NL at the time of the trade.

''There's an instant kind of recharge to the battery, getting in there to a pennant race and playing baseball that matters,'' he said.

Bruce has spent just one game in center field since 2008, so Collins put him in right and pulled Curtis Granderson - whose locker is in the same corner of the clubhouse as Bruce's - from his starting lineup. Alejandro de Aza was in center and hit a go-ahead two-run homer. Michael Conforto was in left and had a pair of doubles.

With Yoenis Cespedes slowed by a quadriceps injury, Collins said the Cuban slugger will be a designated hitter from Wednesday through Sunday, when the Mets play in AL ballparks at the Yankees and Detroit.

Last year, Cespedes' acquisition at the trade deadline sparked the Mets to their first NL pennant since 2000. Collins practically salivated at the thought of Cespedes and Bruce together in the batting order of New York, which entered with an NL-low .238 batting average.

''Tomorrow night when we get Ces' back in there, I'll tell you what, that's going to be a unique looking lineup with those big bats in the middle,'' the manager said.

Bruce received a welcome call from injured Mets captain David Wright. Bruce remembered striking out on the final pitch last September when the Mets clinched the NL East title with a win at Cincinnati and then celebrated.

''One of the dirtiest pitches I've ever been thrown was by Jeurys Familia,'' he said of the Mets closer.

New York had long considered trying to acquire Bruce.

''I feel like I've been getting traded to the Mets for over a year now,'' he said.

The 29-year-old, a three-time All-Star, has a contract that includes a team option for 2017. He's not sure if he wants to live in Manhattan or the suburbs.

''I think New York can be as big and fast as you want it to be. I plan on finding my niche and just being myself,'' he said. ''I'm not going to have a car here, so I'm going to have to use a lot of different modes of transportation.''

Niese also has a housing decision to make. After the Mets traded the 29-year left-hander to Pittsburgh in December for Neil Walker, the second baseman signed a one-year sublease for the pitcher's apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

''Knowing the type of guy Neil is, I highly doubt that he's trashed it,'' Niese said.

Niese, 8-6 with a 4.90 ERA, pitched the final two innings in his return and allowed Didi Gregorius' ninth-inning homer. He joked that he was a boomerang: ''Throw me out and I come right back again.''

He was asked about a comment he made last fall that appeared to criticize the Mets' defense. He was quoted by Pittsburgh-area reporters as saying: ''I'm sure what I'll appreciate more than anything is the way they play defense. I'm looking forward to that.''

''All I really said was that I was excited to pitch in front of the Pirates' defense,'' Niese said Tuesday. ''It's unfortunate the way it got turned around, because it's certainly not what I meant by it.''

Notes: The Mets recalled infielder Ty Kelly and left-hander Josh Edgin from Las Vegas, and they optioned outfielder Brandon Nimmo and right-hander Seth Lugo to the Triple-A team. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, with a strained patella tendon in his left knee. Outfielder Justin Ruggiano was put on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring.

[StarDust Bum]

Dodgers send Puig to minors to make room for newcomers
August 2, 2016

DENVER (AP) Yasiel Puig's up-and-down career took another turn when the Los Angeles Dodgers sent the outfielder to the minors a day after they couldn't move him before the non-waiver trade deadline.

The Dodgers also optioned pitcher Ross Stripling to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room for their new additions, outfielder Josh Reddick and reliever Jesse Chavez.

Los Angeles told Puig not to come to Dodger Stadium on Monday ahead of the team's trip to Colorado for a series against the Rockies. Puig complied, and now he has 72 hours to report to the minors.

''The technical move is a designation for the purposes of securing optional waivers,'' Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said. ''He has not been assigned yet, but our expectation is that he will be assigned to Oklahoma City on Thursday. He will have 72 hours to report, so we expect him to be there by this weekend.''

The Dodgers acquired Reddick and left-hander Rich Hill from Oakland on Monday, as well as Chavez from Toronto. Hill is on the 15-day disabled list with a blister on his pitching hand.

Reddick was in the lineup Tuesday against Colorado, batting fourth and playing right field.

''My main goal right now is to get to know these guys so I can fit in with a new team,'' said Reddick, who hit .296 with eight homers for the Athletics. ''But once the lights come on and that first pitch is thrown, then everybody is on the same page to win.''

Puig was an All-Star in 2014 after a meteoric rise with the Dodgers, who signed the Cuban prospect to a $42 million, seven-year contract in June 2012. He hit 35 homers and drove in 111 runs while batting .305 from 2013-14, but slipped to .255 last season while playing in just 79 games due to hamstring troubles.

Puig has been physically limited and largely inconsistent even when healthy this season, batting .260 with seven homers in 81 games. His on-base-plus-slugging percentage is down to a career-worst .706.

''With Yasiel being reassigned it gives him on opportunity to work on getting better,'' manager Dave Roberts said. ''It's never to be mistaken how much we care for Yasiel and realize he has so much potential. But he needs to continue to work on a routine and being consistent with mechanics and overall growth as a person.

''We expect him to understand that this is not punitive; it's for his growth to ultimately become a better baseball player.''

Zaidi said the Dodgers have told Puig through his representatives that they are doing what is best for the team.

''There are certainly things that we believe he can do better off the field and those have been communicated to him,'' Zaidi said. ''I believe he and his representation understand what we are hoping happens moving forward.''

[StarDust Bum]

Jay Bruce feels 'instant recharge to battery' with Mets
August 2, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) Jay Bruce brought his two large Cincinnati Reds gear bags into the Mets' clubhouse, walked into a filled interview room and pronounced himself in a New York state of mind.

''There's an instant kind of recharge to the battery, getting in there to a pennant race and playing baseball that matters,'' the All-Star outfielder said Tuesday, a day after the Mets acquired him from the Reds. ''The last couple years have been tough.''

Bruce, who reported to the Mets along with returning pitcher Jon Niese, was drafted by the Reds in 2005. Bruce made his big league debut with Cincinnati in 2008 and reached the postseason in 2010, `12 and `13, but the Reds are one of the National League's worst teams and decided to deal him for infielder Dilson Herrera and left-hander Max Wotell.

Bruce took uniform No. 19 - Joey Votto's number in Cincinnati - started in right field and batted third against the Yankees. He drew a standing ovation and cries of ''Bruuuce!'' before his first plate appearance from fans who sounded as if at a Springsteen concert. His first at-bat was a flyout.

''One of the things obviously we told Jay is, look you're not the savior. You're a big, big piece,'' manager Terry Collins said.

Bruce has spent just one game in center field since 2008, so Collins put him in right and pulled Curtis Granderson - whose locker is in the same corner of the clubhouse as Bruce's - from his starting lineup. Alejandro de Aza was in center and Michael Conforto in left.

With Yoenis Cespedes slowed by a quadriceps injury, Collins said the Cuban slugger will be a designated hitter from Wednesday through Sunday, when the Mets play in AL ballparks at the Yankees and Detroit.

Last year, Cespedes' acquisition at the trade deadline sparked the Mets to their first NL pennant since 2000. Collins practically salivated at the thought of Cespedes and Bruce together in the batting order of New York, which entered with an NL-low .238 batting average.

''Tomorrow night when we get Ces' back in there, I'll tell you what, that's going to be a unique looking lineup with those big bats in the middle,'' the manager said.

Bruce received a welcome call from injured Mets captain David Wright. Bruce remembered striking out on the final pitch last September when the Mets clinched the NL East title with a win at Cincinnati and then celebrated.

''One of the dirtiest pitches I've ever been thrown was by Jeurys Familia,'' he said of the Mets closer.

New York had long considered trying to acquire Bruce.

''I feel like I've been getting traded to the Mets for over a year now,'' he said.

The 29-year-old, a three-time All-Star who leads the NL in RBIs, has a contract that includes a team option for 2017. He's not sure if he wants to live in Manhattan or the suburbs.

''I think New York can be as big and fast as you want it to be. I plan on finding my niche and just being myself,'' he said. ''I'm not going to have a car here, so I'm going to have to use a lot of different modes of transportation.''

Niese also has a housing decision to make. After the Mets traded the 29-year left-hander to Pittsburgh in December for Neil Walker, the second baseman signed a one-year sublease for the pitcher's apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

''Knowing the type of guy Neil is, I highly doubt that he's trashed it,'' Niese said.

Niese will pitch out of the bullpen after going 8-6 with a 4.91 ERA in 18 starts and five relief appearances with the Pirates. He joked that he was a boomerang: ''Throw me out and I come right back again.''

He was asked about a comment he made last fall that appeared to criticize the Mets' defense. He was quoted by Pittsburgh-area reporters as saying: ''I'm sure what I'll appreciate more than anything is the way they play defense. I'm looking forward to that.''

''All I really said was that I was excited to pitch in front of the Pirates' defense,'' Niese said Tuesday. ''It's unfortunate the way it got turned around, because it's certainly not what I meant by it.''

Notes: The Mets recalled infielder Ty Kelly and left-hander Josh Edgin from Las Vegas, and they optioned outfielder Brandon Nimmo and right-hander Seth Lugo to the Triple-A team. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, with a strained patella tendon in his left knee. Outfielder Justin Ruggiano was put on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB MONEYLINE

MLB > (915) TEXAS@ (916) BALTIMORE | 2016-08-03 19:05:00 - 2016-08-03 19:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 71 Wins and 43 Losses for the last two seasons (+46.67 units)

MLB > (915) TEXAS@ (916) BALTIMORE | 2016-08-03 19:05:00 - 2016-08-03 19:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using money line in Road games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 36 Wins and 24 Losses for the last two seasons (+27.57 units)

MLB > (903) WASHINGTON@ (904) ARIZONA | 2016-08-03 15:40:00 - 2016-08-03 15:40:00
Play AGAINST ARIZONA using money line in All games in home games
The record is 17 Wins and 36 Losses for the this season (-25.15 units)

MLB > (909) PITTSBURGH@ (910) ATLANTA | 2016-08-03 19:10:00 - 2016-08-03 19:10:00
Play AGAINST ATLANTA using money line in Home games in night games
The record is 9 Wins and 29 Losses for the this season (-18.7 units)

MLB > (905) MILWAUKEE@ (906) SAN DIEGO | 2016-08-03 15:40:00 - 2016-08-03 15:40:00
Play AGAINST SAN DIEGO using money line in Home games in day games
The record is 9 Wins and 25 Losses for the last two seasons (-19.05 units)

MLB > (917) MINNESOTA@ (918) CLEVELAND | 2016-08-03 19:10:00 - 2016-08-03 19:10:00
Play AGAINST CLEVELAND using money line in All games when the total is 9 to 9.5
The record is 10 Wins and 25 Losses for the last two seasons (-19.5 units)

MLB > (913) LA DODGERS@ (914) COLORADO | 2016-08-03 20:40:00 - 2016-08-03 20:40:00
Play AGAINST LA DODGERS using money line in Road games in night games
The record is 39 Wins and 54 Losses for the last two seasons (-32.05 units)

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MLB RUNLINE

MLB > (925) OAKLAND@ (926) LA ANGELS | 2016-08-03 22:05:00 - 2016-08-03 22:05:00
Play AGAINST LA ANGELS in All games in August games
The record is 4 Wins and 25 Losses for the last two seasons (-26.35 units)

MLB > (909) PITTSBURGH@ (910) ATLANTA | 2016-08-03 19:10:00 - 2016-08-03 19:10:00
Play AGAINST PITTSBURGH in Road games vs. right-handed starters
The record is 12 Wins and 25 Losses for the this season (-22.05 units)

MLB > (903) WASHINGTON@ (904) ARIZONA | 2016-08-03 15:40:00 - 2016-08-03 15:40:00
Play AGAINST ARIZONA in Home games vs. right-handed starters
The record is 10 Wins and 31 Losses for the this season (-22.6 units)

MLB > (915) TEXAS@ (916) BALTIMORE | 2016-08-03 19:05:00 - 2016-08-03 19:05:00
Play ON BALTIMORE in Home games in games played on a grass field
The record is 32 Wins and 21 Losses for the this season (+18.95 units)

MLB > (915) TEXAS@ (916) BALTIMORE | 2016-08-03 19:05:00 - 2016-08-03 19:05:00
Play ON BALTIMORE in All games in home games
The record is 32 Wins and 21 Losses for the this season (+18.95 units)

MLB > (903) WASHINGTON@ (904) ARIZONA | 2016-08-03 15:40:00 - 2016-08-03 15:40:00
Play AGAINST ARIZONA in All games vs. right-handed starters
The record is 28 Wins and 49 Losses for the this season (-29.8 units)

MLB > (921) KANSAS CITY@ (922) TAMPA BAY | 2016-08-03 19:10:00 - 2016-08-03 19:10:00
Play AGAINST KANSAS CITY in Road games vs. right-handed starters
The record is 18 Wins and 27 Losses for the this season (-22.1 units)

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MLB TOTALS

MLB > (929) NY METS@ (930) NY YANKEES | 2016-08-03 19:05:00 - 2016-08-03 19:05:00
Play OVER NY METS on the totalin Road games in August games
The record is 22 Overs and 3 Unders for the last three seasons (+19.15 units)

MLB > (929) NY METS@ (930) NY YANKEES | 2016-08-03 19:05:00 - 2016-08-03 19:05:00
Play UNDER NY YANKEES on the totalin Home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 0 Overs and 10 Unders for the this season (+10.05 units)

MLB > (917) MINNESOTA@ (918) CLEVELAND | 2016-08-03 19:10:00 - 2016-08-03 19:10:00
Play OVER MINNESOTA on the totalin All games in night games
The record is 40 Overs and 19 Unders for the this season (+20.85 units)

MLB > (917) MINNESOTA@ (918) CLEVELAND | 2016-08-03 19:10:00 - 2016-08-03 19:10:00
Play OVER CLEVELAND on the totalin Home games against right-handed starters
The record is 56 Overs and 26 Unders for the last two seasons (+28.4 units)

MLB > (923) TORONTO@ (924) HOUSTON | 2016-08-03 20:10:00 - 2016-08-03 20:10:00
Play UNDER HOUSTON on the totalin Home games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 6 Overs and 19 Unders for the this season (+12 units)

MLB > (915) TEXAS@ (916) BALTIMORE | 2016-08-03 19:05:00 - 2016-08-03 19:05:00
Play UNDER BALTIMORE on the totalin All games when the total is 8 to 8.5
The record is 14 Overs and 29 Unders for the this season (+13.95 units)

[StarDust Bum]

TOP POWER LINES

MLB > (901) MIAMI @ (902) CHICAGO CUBS | 2016-08-03 14:20:00 - 2016-08-03 14:20:00
Line: MIAMI BTB PowerLine: MIAMI-194
Edge On: MIAMI (16)

MLB > (905) MILWAUKEE @ (906) SAN DIEGO | 2016-08-03 15:40:00 - 2016-08-03 15:40:00
Line: MILWAUKEE BTB PowerLine: MILWAUKEE194
Edge On: MILWAUKEE (48)

MLB > (903) WASHINGTON @ (904) ARIZONA | 2016-08-03 15:40:00 - 2016-08-03 15:40:00
Line: WASHINGTON BTB PowerLine: WASHINGTON217
Edge On: WASHINGTON (22)

MLB > (907) SAN FRANCISCO @ (908) PHILADELPHIA | 2016-08-03 19:05:00 - 2016-08-03 19:05:00
Line: SAN FRANCISCO BTB PowerLine: SAN FRANCISCO188
Edge On: SAN FRANCISCO (25)

MLB > (915) TEXAS @ (916) BALTIMORE | 2016-08-03 19:05:00 - 2016-08-03 19:05:00
Line: TEXAS BTB PowerLine: TEXAS108
Edge On: TEXAS (8)

MLB > (929) NY METS @ (930) NY YANKEES | 2016-08-03 19:05:00 - 2016-08-03 19:05:00
Line: NY METS BTB PowerLine: NY METS148
Edge On: NY METS (25)

MLB > (911) ST LOUIS @ (912) CINCINNATI | 2016-08-03 19:10:00 - 2016-08-03 19:10:00
Line: ST LOUIS BTB PowerLine: ST LOUIS204
Edge On: ST LOUIS (70)

MLB > (919) CHI WHITE SOX @ (920) DETROIT | 2016-08-03 19:10:00 - 2016-08-03 19:10:00
Line: DETROIT-124 BTB PowerLine: DETROIT-161
Edge On: DETROIT (37)

MLB > (921) KANSAS CITY @ (922) TAMPA BAY | 2016-08-03 19:10:00 - 2016-08-03 19:10:00
Line: KANSAS CITY BTB PowerLine: KANSAS CITY-104
Edge On: KANSAS CITY (22)

MLB > (917) MINNESOTA @ (918) CLEVELAND | 2016-08-03 19:10:00 - 2016-08-03 19:10:00
Line: MINNESOTA BTB PowerLine: MINNESOTA-169
Edge On: MINNESOTA (13)

MLB > (909) PITTSBURGH @ (910) ATLANTA | 2016-08-03 19:10:00 - 2016-08-03 19:10:00
Line: PITTSBURGH BTB PowerLine: PITTSBURGH221
Edge On: PITTSBURGH (88)

MLB > (923) TORONTO @ (924) HOUSTON | 2016-08-03 20:10:00 - 2016-08-03 20:10:00
Line: TORONTO BTB PowerLine: TORONTO123
Edge On: TORONTO (18)

MLB > (913) LA DODGERS @ (914) COLORADO | 2016-08-03 20:40:00 - 2016-08-03 20:40:00
Line: COLORADO-124 BTB PowerLine: COLORADO-166
Edge On: COLORADO (42)

MLB > (925) OAKLAND @ (926) LA ANGELS | 2016-08-03 22:05:00 - 2016-08-03 22:05:00
Line: LA ANGELS-110 BTB PowerLine: LA ANGELS-123
Edge On: LA ANGELS (13)

[StarDust Bum]

8/02 - Tuesday's Results: 11 - 5 + 8.62

July's Totals: 176- 174 + 37.42 51.76 %
August Totals: 16 - 11 + 7.91 59.25 %

Season's Overal Record : 361 - 343 + 76.99 51.27%

Big Winners Yesterday..... Philadelphia + 218, Cincy + 136, Colorado + 126, Baltimore + 112, Kansas City + 115, Seattle + 155


WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

MIA at CHC 02:20 PM

MIA +189

U 8.5


WAS at ARI 03:40 PM

WAS -237

O 8.5


MIL at SD 03:40 PM

SD +131

U 8.0

[StarDust Bum]

*MLB
Short Sheet

Wednesday, August 3*


*Miami at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 PM ET*
Miami: 21-13 SU as a road underdog of +100 or higher
Chicago: 26-29 SU with a tired bullpen - throwing 13+ innings over the last 3 games

*Washington at Arizona, 3:40 PM ET*
Washington: 16-4 SU in road games when playing on Wednesday
Arizona: 3-12 SU in home games in day games

*Milwaukee at San Diego, 3:40 PM ET*
Milwaukee: 36-44 SU when the money line is -100 to -150
San Diego: 16-13 SU after a loss by 2 runs or less

*San Francisco at Philadelphia, 7:05 PM ET*
San Francisco: 34-18 SU after one or more consecutive overs
Philadelphia: 17-26 SU in home games after scoring and allowing 8 runs or more

*Pittsburgh at Atlanta, 7:10 PM ET*
Pittsburgh: 45-24 SU after a win by 2 runs or less
Atlanta: 16-38 SU in home games

*St Louis at Cincinnati, 7:10 PM ET*
St Louis: 15-2 SU after 2 straight losses by 2 runs or less
Cincinnati: 7-29 SU as a home underdog of +125 or more

*LA Dodgers at Colorado, 8:40 PM ET*
Los Angeles: 1-9 SU as a road underdog of +100 to +125
Colorado: 26-20 SU after 2 straight games without giving up a stolen base

*Texas at Baltimore, 7:05 PM ET*
Texas: 41-20 SU when the money line is +125 to -125
Baltimore: GAUSMAN is 5-17 SU when the money line is +125 to -125

*Minnesota at Cleveland, 7:10 PM ET*
Minneosta: 14-12 SU as an underdog of +150 or more
Cleveland: 2-9 SU at home when the total is 9 to 9.5

*Chicago White Sox at Detroit, 7:10 PM ET*
Chicago: 14-28 SU when the total is 8 to 8.5
Detroit: 22-8 SU at home with a money line of -100 to -150

*Kansas City at Tampa Bay, 7:10 PM ET*
Kansas City: 20-6 SU after 4 or more consecutive unders
Tampa Bay: 7-18 SU against AL Central opponents

*Toronto at Houston, 8:10 PM ET*
Toronto: 17-23 SU after 2 or more consecutive road games
Houston: 87-51 SU in home games in games played on a grass field

*Oakland at LA Angels, 10:05 PM ET*
Oakland: 6-22 SU in road games in August games
Los Angeles: 36-22 SU after 3 straight games without giving up a stolen base

*Boston at Seattle, 10:10 PM ET*
Boston: 16-24 SU as a road favorite of -110 or higher
Seattle: 8-0 SU as a home underdog of +100 or higher

*NY Mets at NY Yankees, 7:05 PM ET*
New York: 25-9 SU after 3 or more consecutive overs
New York: 4-10 SU in home games after a loss by 6 runs or more
***************

[StarDust Bum]

Evening Best Bets:

TEX at BAL 07:05 PM

BAL -110

U 8.5


SF at PHI 07:05 PM

PHI +190

O 8.0


NYM at NYY 07:05 PM

NYM -103


MIN at CLE 07:10 PM

CLE -171

O 9.0


PIT at ATL 07:10 PM

PIT -125


CHW at DET 07:10 PM

DET -134

U 8.0


KC at TB 07:10 PM

TB -145


STL at CIN 07:10 PM

CIN +125


TOR at HOU 08:10 PM

HOU +106


LAD at COL 08:40 PM

COL -107

U 11.0


OAK at LAA 10:05 PM

LAA -109


BOS at SEA 10:10 PM

BOS -113

U 8.0

[StarDust Bum]

*MLB

Wednesday, August 3*


*Tigers have won 7 straight and Fulmer's last 4 at home. -129 tonight vs White Sox


Giants 10-1 when Cueto starts on road this season (2.63 ERA).
SF -171 @ PHI tonight


Rangers 27-6 in Hamels starts since coming over from Phillies.
TEX +100 tonight @ BAL*

[StarDust Bum]

Baseball Capsules
August 4, 2016

CHICAGO (AP) Matt Szczur scored on A.J. Ramos' wild pitch with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Chicago Cubs a 5-4 comeback victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday.

The Cubs scored three runs in the inning to sweep the three-game series.

Miguel Montero led off with a double to right and went to third on Javier Baez's single. Ramos (1-1) then walked pinch-hitter Szczur to load the bases. Dexter Fowler made it 3-2 with a sacrifice fly to right, and all the runners advanced.

Kris Bryant struck out looking on a 3-2 pitch for the second out. Anthony Rizzo was intentionally walked to load the bases again, and Ramos walked Zobrist and then unloaded a wild pitch with Willson Contreras at the plate. It was Ramos' second blown save of the season in 33 chances.

Jeff Mathis hit a two-run home run, and Christian Yelich homered and drove in a pair of runs to help the Marlins take a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth.

Chicago cut it to 4-2 in the eighth when Fowler scored on Fernando Rodney's wild pitch.

Justin Grimm (1-0) pitched the ninth inning for the victory. Chicago has won seven of eight.

Miami's Ichiro Suzuki lined out softly to shortstop as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning against John Lackey. The Japanese star remained at 2,998 career hits.

YANKEES 9, METS 5

NEW YORK (AP) - Mark Teixeira hit a tiebreaking, three-run drive off Steven Matz in the second inning for his first home run against a left-hander in more than a year, then got hit by a pitch that sparked a bench-clearing dustup in the Yankees' Subway Series victory.

Chad Green and Matz (8-8) both struggled at the start, and Luis Severino (1-6) came out of the bullpen with 4 1/3 innings of one-hit relief. Another of the Yankees' Kiddie Korps, 23-year-old catcher Gary Sanchez, was called up before the game and got his first big league hit.

In a season-long slump, Teixeira came to the plate in the second with the score 3-all. Following two-out singles by Jacoby Ellsbury and Rob Refsnyder, the switch-hitter lofted the ball over the right-field scoreboard and into the first row of seats at Yankee Stadium for his 10th home run this season and first batting right-handed since July 31 last year against Carlos Rodon of the Chicago White Sox.

When Teixeira batted in the fifth, Matz's first pitch hit him below the left knee. Teixeira got up, started yelling and was walled off by catcher Rene Rivera. Players from both teams came onto the field, but there were no scuffles. Then, during a three-run seventh that opened a 9-4 lead, the Mets had repeated mound meetings with reliever Hansel Robles when Teixeira was on second base, apparently thinking he was trying to steal signs. When Robles walked toward the dugout, he appeared to mutter at Teixeira, who pointed to the side of his helmet.

NATIONALS 8, DIAMONDBACKS 3

PHOENIX (AP) - Max Scherzer struck out 11 in eight innings and had a two-run single in Washington's victory over Arizona.

Washington earned its fourth road series sweep of the season and first since May 30-June 1 at Philadelphia. Arizona lost its fourth straight and sixth in seven games.

Scherzer (12-6) allowed three runs on four hits, giving up two homers, and walked one. He is 3-0 in four starts against the Diamondbacks, the team that drafted him 11th overall in 2006.

Daniel Murphy's sixth-inning solo home run broke a 1-1 tie before Scherzer bounced a single up the middle with the bases loaded and two outs, driving in Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa.

Arizona's Zack Godley (3-2) allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings.

ROCKIES 12, DODGERS 2

DENVER (AP) - Carlos Gonzalez homered twice before leaving with an apparent ankle injury in Colorado's victory over Los Angeles.

Gonzalez had his 19th multi-homer game of his career with Nos. 22 and 23 this season. He left in the bottom of seventh after he appeared to roll his left ankle at the plate.

Nolan Arenado, Mark Reynolds and DJ LeMahieu also homered for Colorado. The Rockies have won 11 of 13 to move above the .500 mark for the first time since May 18.

Arenado hit a three-run home run, and Reynolds added a two-run shot in a five-run first inning off Los Angeles starter Brock Stewart (0-2). Tyler Anderson (4-3) allowed two runs in seven innings for Colorado.

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was moved to the 60-day disabled list earlier in the day, and right-hander Louis Coleman (shoulder fatigue) and left-hander Adam Liberatore were also placed on the DL.

PHILLIES 5, GIANTS 4, 12 INNINGS

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Maikel Franco drove home the winning run with one out in the 12th inning to lift Philadelphia past struggling San Francisco.

Ryan Howard homered among his three hits and Cameron Rupp also connected for Philadelphia. Franco finished with three RBIs, including one on the unusual play that ended the game.

With the bases loaded and one out, Franco lined what appeared to be a clean single into right-center field. But young teammate Aaron Altherr, who was on first base, got so excited about the Phillies winning that he rushed to congratulate Franco without ever touching second base.

Giants catcher Buster Posey noticed the blunder and took a throw at second from right fielder Hunter Pence that technically forced out Altherr. Franco did indeed cross first base, though, so Tommy Joseph scored easily from third and the Giants had no chance at an inning-ending double play.

Posey singled, doubled and drove in three runs for the NL West-leading Giants. They have lost 13 of 17 since the All-Star break.

Luis Garcia (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning for the win. George Kontos (2-2) was the loser.

CARDINALS 5, REDS 4

CINCINNATI (AP) - Brandon Moss singled home two runs in St. Louis' four-run first inning, extending his season-long streak against Cincinnati.

St. Louis sent nine batters to the plate against Cody Reed (0-6) in the first inning, with Moss and Greg Garcia each driving in a pair of runs with singles. Stephen Piscotty added a solo homer, the Cardinals' fifth in two games.

Michael Wacha (7-7) gave up a pair of runs in five innings as he won his fifth straight decision. Seung Hwan Ho gave up a hit in the ninth while earning his eighth save in 10 tries.

The NL Central rivals conclude the series Thursday. The Cardinals have won 18 of their past 22 series, including eight of 11 at Great American Ball Park.

ORIOLES 3, RANGERS 2

BALTIMORE (AP) - Kevin Gausman outpitched Cole Hamels, and Baltimore rode a three-run first inning to a victory over Texas.

Matt Wieters had two RBIs for the AL East-leading Orioles, a major league-best 39-16 at home. Baltimore will seek to complete a three-game sweep on Thursday in a series between first-place teams.

Gausman (3-8) gave up two runs and seven hits in seven innings, striking out seven and walking one. Darren O'Day worked a perfect eighth, and Zach Britton finished for his 33rd save in 33 tries.

Hamels (12-3) yielded three runs and three hits in a rocky first inning, then retired 13 of the next 14 batters without allowing a hit. He gave up three runs, four hits and four walks over seven innings.

TIGERS 2, WHITE SOX 1

DETROIT (AP) - J.D. Martinez broke an eighth-inning tie with a pinch homer on the first pitch he faced since June and Detroit beat Chicago for its eighth straight victory.

Playing for the first time since fracturing his elbow June 16, Martinez hit for James McCann leading off the inning and launched Chris Sale's first pitch into the shrubs above the centerfield fence.

Shane Greene (2-2) got the win after pitching out of a seventh-inning jam, and Francisco Rodriguez finished for his 30th save. Sale (14-5) allowed two runs on six hits in an eight-inning complete game. He walked one and struck out 10.

Justin Morneau homered for Chicago.

RAYS 12, ROYALS 0

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Jake Odorizzi had his third consecutive scoreless start, Steven Souza Jr. homered for the first time in two months and Tampa Bay routed Kansas City.

Brad Miller and Kevin Kiermaier also homered for the Rays.

Odorizzi (6-5) allowed two singles, walked two and had six strikeouts in six innings. The right-hander hasn't given up a run in 20 2/3 innings over the three-start stretch. Enny Romero and Ryan Garton completed a two-hitter.

After Evan Longoria had a sacrifice fly, Souza put the Rays up 4-0 on his three-run shot off Edinson Volquez (8-10) in the first. Miller made it 5-0 during the third on his 18th homer. Kiermaier hit a three-run drive off Chien-Ming Wang in a five-run sixth to put the Rays ahead 11-0.

MARINERS 3, RED SOX 1

SEATTLE (AP) - Nelson Cruz, Mike Zunino and Adam Lind hit solo home runs and Seattle beat Boston, handing Rick Porcello his first loss since May.

Cruz hit his 27th homer of the season leading off the second inning, Zunino hit his fifth leading off the sixth and Lind capped Seattle's scoring with his 16th of the season with two outs in the seventh.

They were the only three hits allowed by Porcello (14-3) until Zunino's single in the eighth, but enough to hand the right-hander his first loss since May 17 against Kansas City.

Seattle's Hisashi Iwakuma (12-7) rebounded from a season-worst performance against the Chicago Cubs to limit Boston to five hits in 7 1/3 innings. Rookie Edwin Diaz gave up a run in the ninth on Travis Shaw's RBI ground out, but got Sandy Leon for the final out and his second save.

TWINS 13, INDIANS 5

CLEVELAND (AP) - Joe Mauer had four hits and four RBIs, Brian Dozier hit a three-run homer and Minnesota continued its mastery over Cleveland.

AL Central-leading Cleveland fell to 4-8 against last-place Minnesota. The Twins have outscored the Indians 35-16 in winning the first three games of the series. The Indians' lead over Detroit in the AL Central lead has shrunk to two games.

Tyler Duffey (6-8) allowed five runs in six innings. Eddie Rosario had three hits and three RBIs, and Max Kepler had two hits and drove in two runs.

Trevor Bauer (7-5) gave up eight runs - seven earned - in 2 2/3 innings. Mike Napoli homered for the fifth straight game while Tyler Naquin also went deep for Cleveland.

BRAVES 8, PIRATES 4

ATLANTA (AP) - Ender Inciarte broke a tie with an RBI single in the fifth inning and offensively challenged Atlanta had 15 hits in its victory over Pittsburgh.

Atlanta improved to 17-39 at Turner Field, the worst home record in the majors. Pittsburgh, which began the day two games out of a wild-card spot, has lost four five.

Pirates starter Jeff Locke (8-7) blew the four-run lead and was chased on Inciarte's single.

Atlanta scored two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh off Juan Nicasio, taking an 8-4 lead on Adonis Garcia's RBI single, Matt Kemp's sacrifice fly and Erick Aybar's RBI triple.

Braves starter Rob Whalen (1-0), making his first career appearance, gave up four hits, four runs, four walks and struck out five in five innings. Whalen put himself in a 4-0 hole on Matt Joyce's 11th homer, a three-run shot, and a run that scored on a wild pitch.

BLUE JAYS 3, ASTROS 1

HOUSTON (AP) - Josh Donaldson hit two home runs, and Marco Estrada threw seven solid innings in Toronto's victory over Houston.

Jose Bautista hit his second home run in two nights in the sixth as he and Donaldson went back-to-back. Donaldson led off the fourth with a home run to right field before hitting his 27th home run of the season in the sixth. It was Donaldson's third multi-homer game this season.

Estrada (7-4) won his second straight start, allowing one run and four hits with seven strikeouts. Roberto Osuna pitched the ninth for his 23rd save. Collin McHugh (7-8) took the loss.

PADRES 12, BREWERS 3

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Edwin Jackson pitched seven scoreless innings and had an RBI double, and Jabari Blash hit his first major league home run to help San Diego rout Milwaukee.

Jackson (2-2) retired the first 11 batters he faced, and the Brewers didn't put a runner in scoring position until Kirk Nieuwenhuis doubled in the fifth. Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Padres in June after starting the season in Miami's bullpen. He gave up three runs - two on Ryan Braun's homer - on eight hits and struck out five over eight innings.

Yangervis Solarte also homered for San Diego.

Junior Guerra (7-3) was the loser.

[StarDust Bum]

8/03 - Wednesday's Results: 8 - 6 + 3.29

July's Totals: 176- 174 + 37.42 51.76 %
August Totals: 24 - 17 + 11.20 58.73 %

Season's Overal Record : 369 - 349 + 80.28 51.39%

Big Winners Yesterday..... Philadelphia + 190, San Diego + 131