Wednesday Trends and Indexes 5/20 (NBA, MLB, Misc.)

[pm530]

MLB
Write-up


Wednesday, May 20

Hot Pitchers
-- Lannan is 2-0, 3.57 in his last three starts.
-- Davis has a 3.09 RA in his last four starts.
-- Vazquez is 1-0, 2.45 in his last two starts.
-- Rodriguez is 4-0, 1.80 in his last six starts. Gallardo is 3-0, 2.06 in his last six outings; he got rained out in second inning of his last start.
-- Weaver is 1-0, 3.60 in two starts for the Dodgers. Hernandez is 2-0, 4.15 in his last three starts.

-- Harrison is 4-0, 1.80 in his last four starts. Verlander is 3-0, 0.92 in his last four starts.
-- Toronto is 3-0 when Cecil starts (2-0, 2.25).
-- Liriano is 2-0, 3.60 in his last four starts.

Cold Pitchers
-- Pirates lost last four Maholm starts (0-1, 5.11).
-- Harang is 1-2, 5.68 in his last four starts. Moyer is 0-2, 13.87 in his last three outings.
-- de la Rosa has a 3.08 RA in his last six starts.
-- Augenstein lost 10-3 to Reds in first big league start (five runs/6.1 IP). Volstad is 0-3, 5.50 in his last three starts. Penn is making first start in 2009-- he has career mark of 4-6, 8.48 in 14 career big league starts.
-- Dempster is 1-2, 5.64 in his five road starts. Carpenter comes off DL to start; he was 1-0, 0.90 in his first two '09 starts.
-- Sanchez is 0-2, 7.98 in his last three starts. Gaudin is 0-3, 4.91 on four starts for San Diego, all on the road.

-- Guthrie is 1-3, 7.01 in his last six starts. Hughes is 0-2, 12.66 in his last three starts.
-- Penny is 1-1, 7.17 in his last four starts.
-- Oakland is 0-6 in Anderson starts (0-4, 8.33). Kazmir is 1-2, 11.57 in his last four starts.
-- Carmona is 1-2, 5.17 in his last five starts. Meche is 1-4, 7.33 in his last five outings.
-- Danks is 0-3, 8.84 in his last four starts.
-- Santana allowed three runs in five IP in his first '09 start, vs Boston. Jakubauskus is 1-4, 7.76 in six starts this season.

Hot Teams
-- Pirates won their last four games, scoring 38 runs.
-- Phillies won ten of their last twelve road games.
-- Brewers won seven in row and ten of last twelve games.
-- Cubs won five of their last seven games.
-- San Diego won its last five home games.
-- Dodgers won five of their last six games.

-- Rangers won seven of their last eight games. Detroit won its last four games, scoring 38 runs.
-- Bronx Bombers won their last seven games. .
-- Toronto won four of its last five games. Red Sox are 13-2 in last 15 games at Fenway.
-- Rays won five of their last seven home games.
-- Angels won their last two games, scoring sixteen runs.

Cold Teams
-- Nationals lost nine of their last ten games.
-- Cincinnati lost its last four games, scoring eleven runs.
-- Florida lost nine of its last ten home games.
-- Braves lost eleven of their last fifteen home games. Colorado is 5-11 in its last sixteen road games.
-- Cardinals lost seven of their last ten games.
-- Giants lost five of their last six games.
-- Mets lost their last three games, scoring total of five runs.

-- Orioles lost 12 of their last 15 road games.
-- A's lost eleven of their last fourteen road games.
-- Indians lost their last four games, allowing 30 runs. Royals are 3-7 in their last ten games.
-- Twins lost their last eight road games. White Sox lost five of their last six games overall.
-- Mariners lost eleven of their last fourteen games.

Totals
-- Over is 9-3 in Pirates' last twelve road games.
-- Five of last six Cincinnati home games went over the total.
-- Five of last six de la Rosa starts stayed under the total.
-- Under is 10-1-3 in Arizona road games.
-- Six of last eight Milwaukee road games went over the total.
-- Over is 5-2 in Dempster's last seven starts.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Sanchez starts.
-- Over is 9-3-1 in Mets' last thirteen games.

-- Three of last four Verlander starts stayed under the total.
-- Last three Penny starts stayed under the total.
-- Over is 12-5-1 in Baltimore road games.
-- Six of last eight Oakland road games went over the total.
-- Over is 13-1 in Cleveland's last fourteen road games.
-- Under is 9-1-1 in Minnesota's last eleven road games.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Jakubauskus starts.

Umpires
-- Pitt-Wsh-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Rapuano games.
-- Phil-Cin-- Last seven Johnson games went over the total.
-- Colo-Atl-- Four of last five Tschida games went over the total.
-- Az-Fla-- Three of last four Guccione games stayed under the total. Home team won last three Tichenor games.
-- Mil-Hst-- Favorite won seven of eight Cooper games.
-- Chi-StL-- Under is 5-0-1 in last six Gorman games.
-- SF-SD-- Three of last four O'Nora games stayed under the total.
-- NY-LA-- Over is 5-2-1 in Meals games this season.

-- Tex-Det-- Last four Barry games stayed under the total.
-- Balt-NY-- Three of last four Dreckman games went over the total.
-- Tor-Bos-- Last four Foster games stayed under the total.
-- A's-TB-- Not enough data to evaluate umpire Marquez.
-- Clev-KC-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Cousins games.
-- Min-Chi-- Six of last seven Wegner games went over the total.
-- LA-Sea-- Three of last four Wendelstedt games went over the total.

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[pm530]

MLB


Wednesday, May 20

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Trend Report
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5:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. FLORIDA
Arizona is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Florida
Arizona is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games
Florida is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Arizona
Florida is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games

7:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. NY YANKEES
Baltimore is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Baltimore is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games on the road
NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Baltimore
NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Baltimore

7:05 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. WASHINGTON
Pittsburgh is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Washington
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh

7:05 PM
TEXAS vs. DETROIT
Texas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Texas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:08 PM
OAKLAND vs. TAMPA BAY
Oakland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Oakland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Oakland
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:10 PM
COLORADO vs. ATLANTA
Colorado is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Colorado is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
Atlanta is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home

7:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. CINCINNATI
Philadelphia is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Cincinnati is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia

7:10 PM
TORONTO vs. BOSTON
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games at home

8:00 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. HOUSTON
Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Houston is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee

8:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. KANSAS CITY
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Kansas City is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Cleveland
Kansas City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland

8:11 PM
MINNESOTA vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox
Minnesota is 1-9 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games
Chi White Sox are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games at home

8:15 PM
CHI CUBS vs. ST. LOUIS
Chi Cubs are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
St. Louis is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
St. Louis is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home

8:40 PM
ARIZONA vs. FLORIDA
Arizona is 4-10-1 SU in its last 15 games
Arizona is 3-5-1 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Florida is 16-7-1 SU in its last 24 games when playing at home against Arizona
Florida is 1-6-1 SU in its last 8 games at home

10:05 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. SAN DIEGO
San Francisco is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games when playing San Diego
San Francisco is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Diego
San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
San Diego is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

10:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. SEATTLE
LA Angels are 11-5 SU in their last 16 games
LA Angels are 18-7 SU in their last 25 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 3-10 SU in their last 13 games when playing at home against LA Angels
Seattle is 7-18 SU in their last 25 games when playing LA Angels

10:10 PM
NY METS vs. LA DODGERS
NY Mets are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
NY Mets are 11-5 SU in its last 16 games
LA Dodgers are 16-3 SU in their last 19 games at home
LA Dodgers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games

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[pm530]

MLB


Wednesday, May 20

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Tips and Trends
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Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals [8:15 PM ET]

Cubs: Ryan Dempster (3-2, 4.65) tries for a second straight victory after allowing two runs and three hits in seven innings of an 11-3 victory over San Diego on Thursday. The right-hander has no record and a 5.25 ERA in two starts versus the Cardinals this season. He is 4-4 with a 4.94 ERA in 13 career starts against St. Louis. Though slugger Derrek Lee is batting just .229, he is 6 for 11 in his last three games, and hitting .316 (12 for 38) with three RBIs versus Carpenter. Chicago has lost two in a row after winning five straight.

The Cubs are 1-7 in their last 8 games as an underdog.
The Under is 6-1-1 in the last 8 meetings in St. Louis.

Key Injuries - 3B Aramis Ramirez (shoulder) is on the 15-day DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 3

Cardinals (-130, O/U 8.5): Chris Carpenter takes the mound for the first time in more than a month. Carpenter was off to a strong start when he strained his left rib cage muscle while batting in his second start at Arizona on 4/14. He has allowed an unearned run and 5 hits while striking out 9 and walking 2 in 10 innings this season. "I feel good and my throws have been good," he said. "So I'm excited." Carpenter is 7-3 with a 3.08 ERA in 14 career starts against Chicago (21-16). He is 2-1 with a 1.91 ERA in 5 home starts vs. the Cubs. Last night's win was just the third in the last 10 games for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals are 73-29 in Carpenter's last 102 starts on grass.
The Under is 9-2 in Carpenter's last 11 starts as a home favorite.

Key Injuries - OF Ryan Ludwick (hamstring) is on the 15-day DL.
OF Rick Ankiel (neck) is QUESTIONABLE.
3B Troy Glaus (shoulder) is on the 15-day DL.

PROJECTED SCORE: 5 (Side Play of the Day)

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[pm530]

MLB


Wednesday, May 20

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Hot lines: Today’s best MLB bets
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Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees (-145, 11)

Alex Rodriguez's return was clearly going to have a positive impact on the New York Yankees. Homers in four straight games while helping them win a season-best seven straight, though, seemed an unlikely scenario.

Rodriguez looks to help the Yankees extend their run Wednesday night when they continue a three-game set against the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

While his average is a far-from-impressive .194, Rodriguez's presence has contributed to Mark Teixeira finding his stroke while Johnny Damon has continued to swing a hot bat. That combination has helped New York (22-17) average 5.9 runs during its streak.

"When you're winning, there are a lot of good stories to be written," said Rodriguez, who has seven hits - five homers and two singles - since coming off the disabled list May 8 following hip surgery.

Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the first inning and Teixeira also connected in support of CC Sabathia's dominant outing as the Yankees won 9-1 in Tuesday's series opener.

Batting .198 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 25 games without Rodriguez to protect him in the lineup, Teixeira is hitting .341 with six homers and 15 RBIs in 11 games - nine wins - since the three-time AL MVP's return.

Baltimore (16-23) managed only three hits off Sabathia and two relievers Tuesday after collecting four hits in Sunday's 7-4 loss at Kansas City. The Orioles dropped to 5-12 away from home this season with their fifth straight road loss to the Yankees.

While center fielder and leading hitter Adam Jones (.366) returned to Baltimore's lineup after missing four games with a strained right hamstring, shortstop Cesar Izturis sat out with strained groin and likely will not play Wednesday.

In what could be his final start in a while for the Yankees, Phil Hughes (1-2, 7.56 ERA) hopes to atone for a miserable performance in his last outing against the Orioles. With Chien-Ming Wang throwing 13 scoreless innings in two rehab starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Hughes is the pitcher likely to leave the rotation upon his return.

Hughes didn't help his cause when he was reached for eight runs over 1 2-3 innings in a 12-5 loss at Baltimore on May 9. He was better Friday against Minnesota, yielding three runs in five innings before leaving without a decision.

Hughes is 1-2 with an 8.66 ERA in four starts versus the Orioles.

The best pitcher in a weak rotation, Jeremy Guthrie (3-3, 5.21) has struggled in the role of Baltimore's No. 1 starter. He has allowed four runs or more in four of his last six starts with his team losing five times.

Pick: Under


Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners (+125, 9)

Ervin Santana pitched well in his long-awaited season debut. He's usually done the same when he faces the Seattle Mariners.

Looking to help the Los Angeles Angels record a third straight victory, Santana hopes to build off that outing while trying to continue his success against the Mariners on Wednesday night at Safeco Field.

After missing the first six weeks of the season due to a sprained elbow, Santana (0-0, 5.40 ERA) allowed three runs and seven hits while striking out five and walking three in five innings of a 5-4, 12-inning victory over Boston on Thursday.

The right-hander, who went 16-7 with a 3.49 ERA and made the All-Star team last season, threw 92 pitches. That's a good sign for an Angels' starting rotation that also welcomed back ace John Lackey (right elbow inflammation) from the disabled list last week.

"(Santana) pitched well," manager Mike Scioscia told the Angels' official Web site. "As his mechanics come together, he'll be more efficient with his pitches."

Santana has been very efficient while going 6-0 with a 3.26 ERA in his last 10 starts versus the Mariners after losing the first two of his career against them. He went 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA in five starts versus Seattle in 2008.

Los Angeles (20-18) was swept in a three-game set at Texas to open a 10-game road swing but has won the first two of this four-game series after beating the Mariners 6-5 on Tuesday.

The Angels have won three straight over Seattle (18-22) to even the season series at four wins apiece.

Suzuki is hitting .362 (21 for 58) during his streak and .353 (12 for 34) with five RBIs against the Angels this season. However, he's a .222 (8 for 36) career hitter against Santana.

Slumping slugger Adrian Beltre went 0 for 4 one day after Wakamatsu rested him. Mired in an 0-for-17 slump, Beltre is batting .205 overall and 3 for 29 against the Angels this season.

Rookie Chris Jakubauskas (2-4, 7.13) looks to build off his first career win as a starter when he takes the ball for the Mariners.The 30-year-old former shoe salesman and Anaheim native allowed four runs - three earned - in the first three innings, but didn't yield any after that and completed six innings in a 5-4 win over Boston on Friday.

Pick: Angels

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[pm530]

MLB


Wednesday, May 20

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Streaking and Slumping Pitchers
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Streaking

Wandy Rodriguez (4-2, 1.90 ERA), Houston Astros

The left-hander is 2-1 with a major league-best 0.67 home ERA in four starts in Houston this year and 4-2 with a 0.87 ERA in his last eight starts at Minute Maid Park dating to Aug. 26.

Though Rodriguez is just 3-5 with a 4.55 ERA in 12 career games - 11 starts - against the Brewers, he's 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA in three home starts against them. Milwaukee, however, has won two of those games.

Rodriguez made his last start on the road, striking out a career-high 11 while allowing three runs - two earned - and five hits through seven innings of a 5-3 victory over Colorado on Thursday. The Astros (17-20) improved to 6-2 in games started by Rodriguez, one of only two pitchers in the majors to throw more than 25 innings without surrendering a home run.

Brett Cecil (2-0, 1.80 ERA), Toronto Blue Jays

Rookie Brett Cecil makes his first appearance against the Red Sox and his fourth start since being called up May 1 due to a spate of injuries to Toronto's rotation.

The 22-year-old left-hander, though, has been effective. Cecil has won his last two starts and allowed three runs - coming on two homers - in six innings of an 8-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

"I'm having a lot of fun up here," said Cecil, who's conceded five runs in 20 innings over his four starts. "I'm enjoying the experience. Hopefully it continues."


Slumping

Jamie Moyer (3-3, 8.15 ERA), Philadelphia Phillies

The 46-year-old Moyer takes the mound for the Phillies looking to become the oldest pitcher to reach 250 wins. He hasn't been close to reaching the milestone lately.

Since allowing one run in six innings of a 13-2 win over Florida on April 26, Moyer has been tagged for 19 runs and 22 hits - including six homers - over 12 1-3 innings in his three May starts. Last Wednesday, the left-hander yielded seven runs and eight hits in 4 1-3 innings of a 9-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I don't think he's right," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "His command comes and goes. He has a hard time getting a feel for where he wants the ball to go. I've seen him go through stretches like this. I know how bad he wants to do good."

In his last start against Cincinnati (20-18) on June 27, 2007, Moyer allowed three runs and three hits with eight strikeouts in six innings of a 9-6 loss, but wasn't a factor in the decision. That was his first appearance against the Reds since 1991.

His last victory over Cincinnati came on May 27, 1987 - career victory No. 12.

John Danks (2-3, 4.82 ERA), Chicago White Sox

If Danks is looking for a spark to help end his recent struggles, he need only think back to the last time he faced the Minnesota Twins.

The left-hander hopes to avoid a fourth straight defeat while helping the White Sox extend the Twins' season-high losing streak to six games Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

After allowing two runs in his first three starts, Danks (2-3, 4.82 ERA) is 0-3 with an 8.84 ERA over his last four outings.

The 24-year-old Danks, who went 12-9 with a 3.32 ERA in his second major league season a year ago, gave up seven runs and nine hits in three innings of an 8-3 loss at Toronto on Friday.

"I wish I had an answer for it," Danks told the White Sox's official Web site of his slump. "(I) go out there thinking about giving us a chance to win games."

Though Danks is 3-3 with a 5.61 ERA in eight starts against the Twins, his most recent will go down as one of the more memorable moments in White Sox history.

In the tiebreaker to decide the AL Central champion on Sept. 30, Danks allowed two hits in eight innings of a 1-0 win over Minnesota to clinch the division title and send Chicago to the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2005.
"I think it's one of the best games he's ever thrown," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.

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[pm530]

MLB
Baseball Today


SCOREBOARD

Wednesday, May 20

Texas at Detroit (7:05 p.m. EDT). AL strikeout leader Justin Verlander pitches for the Tigers against Rangers lefty Matt Harrison in a matchup of division leaders. Harrison has won four straight starts, including a 22-inning scoreless streak.

STARS

Tuesday

-Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, homered for the fourth straight game, connecting for a two-run shot in the first inning in New York's 9-1 win over Baltimore.

-Joel Pineiro, Cardinals, threw a three-hitter for his first shutout in six seasons and first complete game since 2006 as St. Louis snapped a three-game slide with a 3-0 victory over the Cubs.

-Casey Blake, Dodgers, hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning to lift Los Angeles to a 5-3 win over the Mets.

-Dontrelle Willis, Tigers, earned his first victory in nearly 20 months allowing one hit while working into the seventh inning in a 4-0 win against the Rangers.

-Jair Jurrjens, Braves, pitched seven strong innings and lowered his ERA to 1.96 to help Atlanta beat Colorado 8-1.

-Matt Holliday, Athletics, hit a three-run homer during a four-run 11th inning to help the Athletics beat the Rays 4-1.

STOPPER

Chicago White Sox ace Mark Buehrle improved to 6-1 on the season with a strong outing against Minnesota. The White Sox are 7-1 in his starts this season compared to 9-21 when he doesn't pitch. He scattered eight hits and gave up two runs.

TURNAROUND

After giving up 47 runs in their last four games, the Oakland Athletics gave up just one in 11 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. The A's had been outscored 47-13 during the four-game losing streak in which their starting pitchers had yielded 31 runs (23 earned) in 13 innings.

WELCOME BACK

After having three days off to regroup, David Ortiz returned to Boston's lineup and went 0 for 3 with a walk and saw his batting average fall to .203. He has yet to hit a homer in 133 at-bats this season - the longest homerless slump of his career. ... Slumping Mariners slugger Adrian Beltre was also in the lineup one day after manager Don Wakamatsu rested him. The third baseman was hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts. He is now in an 0-for-17 slump.

CAPITAL COLLAPSE

Washington became the fourth team in major league history to score at least five runs in each game of a six-game losing streak, according to STATS, LLC. The Nationals lost 8-5 in 10 innings to Pittsburgh after they rallied to tie the game with a run in the ninth, but another letdown from a bullpen with a collective 1-14 record allowed them to join the 1929 Pirates, 2004 Cincinnati Reds and 2005 Texas Rangers with such a streak.

GRAND COMPANY

A night after Jason Kendall got his 2,000th career hit, Colorado's Todd Helton became the 255th player to reach that plateau.

NO SUPPORT

Barry Zito pitched his first complete game since Aug. 7, 2003, but early homers did him in a 2-1 defeat. He held San Diego to five hits while walking four and striking out three. Zito has received the lowest run support in the majors. The Giants have scored only 10 runs in his eight starts, an average of 1.25.

SPEAKING

"Right now I'm thinking about 2,001. They say the first 2,000 are easy. The third is the tough part, but I'm not worried about that now. I'm worried about beating the Braves tomorrow.'' - Rockies first baseman Todd Helton after getting his 2,000th hit Tuesday night.

SEASONS

May 20

1919 - Babe Ruth won a game on the mound and at the plate. He hit his first career grand slam and the Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Browns 6-4.

1925 - The Cleveland Indians scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat the New York Yankees 10-9. Tris Speaker scored the winning run from first on a single.

1932 - Paul Waner of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit four doubles in one game.

1941 - Lefty Grove of the Boston Red Sox won his 20th consecutive game at home, the longest home-park streak in the major leagues. Boston beat the Detroit Tigers, 4-2.

1947 - The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Braves 4-3 in a game that featured 22 hits - all singles. The Pirates had 12.

1953 - In the 13th game of the season, the Milwaukee Braves surpassed their 1952 attendance of 281,278, when they were in Boston.

1959 - The Detroit Tigers beat the Yankees, 13-6, to place New York in last place for the first time in 19 years.

1962 - Chicago Cubs rookie Ken Hubbs had eight singles in eight trips to the plate. The Cubs swept the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-4 and 11-2.

1978 - Willie Stargell hit a 535-foot homer off Montreal's Wayne Twitchell - the longest home run in Montreal's Olympic Stadium - to highlight the Pirates' 6-0 victory. It was also Stargell's 407th career homer, tying him with Duke Snider on the career list.

1984 - Boston's Roger Clemens earned his first major league victory. The Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins, 5-4.

1991 - Jeff Reardon got his 300th save and Steve Lyons and Jack Clark homered as the Boston Red Sox beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0.

1999 - Robin Ventura became the first major leaguer to hit grand slams in both games of a doubleheader, leading the New York Mets to a sweep over Milwaukee, 11-10 and 10-1. He had two slams in a game for the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 4, 1995.

2001 - Barry Bonds hit two homers in the San Francisco Giants' 11-6 loss to the Atlanta Braves, giving him a total of five in two games, becoming the 23rd player in history to do so.

2006 - Barry Bonds tied Babe Ruth for second place on the career home run list during San Francisco's 4-2, 10-inning victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Today's birthdays: Austin Kearns 29; Jason Werth 30; Ramon Hernandez 33.

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