The Bum's June MLB POD'S and Stats,News !

[StarDust Bum]

Evening Pod's


Chi. White Sox - 7:15 PM ET Houston +120 500 POD # 1
Houston - Over 8 500

Washington - 7:15 PM ET Cleveland +114 500 POD # 2
Cleveland - Under 7.5 500

Detroit - 7:15 PM ET Detroit -160 500
Minnesota - Under 8.5 500

NY Yankees - 7:15 PM ET LA Angels -113 500
LA Angels - Under 8 500

Seattle - 7:15 PM ET Seattle +108 500 POD # 3
Oakland - Under 6.5 500

Arizona - 10:10 PM ET San Diego -105 500
San Diego - Under 7 500

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nationals (34-33) at Indians (33-34)
Game: 3
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: June 16, 2013 1:05 PM EDT


After letting his back heal up over the last two weeks, the Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg is ready to return to the mound.

Strasburg tries to win a fifth consecutive interleague start Sunday as the visiting Nationals conclude a three-game set against the Cleveland Indians.

Strasburg (3-5, 2.54 ERA) had gone 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA over a three-start stretch before exiting his last one after two innings due to a strained muscle in his back May 31. The right-hander was placed on the disabled list six days later but is scheduled to come off when first eligible Sunday.

"(The back) feels good. Threw some good pitches, spotted the fastball, do what I need to do and get a move on, throw a bullpen and hopefully be ready to go," he told MLB's official website after throwing a simulated game Tuesday. "I feel the strength has really stayed there, even though I missed a couple starts."

Strasburg was later cleared to return following Thursday's bullpen session at Coors Field.

"He's never satisfied. He didn't have the pinpoint control that he expects out there," manager Davey Johnson said of Strasburg, who isn't expected to be on a strict pitch limit. "I think he attributes it more to the light air. Steve's always a perfectionist."

Strasburg won all four of his interleague starts last year, improving to 5-1 with a 2.13 ERA over seven career meetings against AL opponents. He's allowed one or two earned runs in each of those outings while striking out 66 in 42 1-3 innings.

Strasburg's only appearance versus Cleveland (33-34) came in his second career start June 13, 2010. He overcame a career-worst five walks to allow one run and two hits while striking out eight over 5 1-3 innings in a 9-4 road victory.

After a 2-1 walkoff loss in Friday's series opener, the Nationals (34-33) bounced back in a big way with Saturday's 7-6 win, their fifth in seven games. Washington hit a season high-tying five homers, none bigger than the first of rookie Anthony Rendon's career, a go-ahead shot in the ninth inning.

"I guess it's not a bad one to get on the board with," said Rendon, who finished 3 for 5 with two runs scored. "I don't even know how to explain it."

The former highly-touted prospect went deep two pitches after his foul popup dropped in between Nick Swisher and Jason Kipnis, one of a season-worst three Indians' errors.

"That shouldn't happen to us but it did and it cost us the game," Swisher said. "It was a little miscommunication. It was something we handled already."

Cleveland fell to 5-24 when committing at least two errors since the start of last season, including 0-7 this year. Despite Saturday's loss, the Indians are 17-7 over their last 24 home games.

Cleveland now turns to Corey Kluber (4-4, 4.08), who's gone 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA and 37 strikeouts in his last six starts spanning 35 innings. The right-hander turned in one of his best performances Tuesday, allowing one run and six hits over a career-high eight innings during a 5-2 win at Texas.

"He's getting better right in front of our eyes," manager Terry Francona said. "For him to go out there and kind of shoulder that responsibility, was, (we're) really proud of him."

Mired in an 0-for-18 slump, Denard Span is the only Nationals player with any experience against Kluber, going 2 for 6 with two doubles.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Indians
Fri, Jun 14 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Indians
Sat, Jun 15 Final 7 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Nationals at Indians
Sun, Jun 16 - 1:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cardinals (44-24) at Marlins (20-47)
Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: June 16, 2013 1:10 PM EDT


Tyler Lyons hopes to prove the St. Louis Cardinals made the right decision by keeping him aboard following the return of teammate Jake Westbrook.

The rookie left-hander takes the ball for the Cardinals as they look to avoid losing their first series since late April on Sunday against the Miami Marlins.

When Westbrook came off the disabled list Friday, St. Louis (44-24) had to choose between keeping Lyons (2-2, 3.51 ERA) or highly regarded rookie right-hander Michael Wacha in the rotation.

Manager Mike Matheny said he gave the nod to Lyons, 25, because he's three years older and has more professional experience than Wacha, who was optioned Friday to Triple-A Memphis.

"It's nice having that left-hander in the rotation," Matheny said. "It has been nice to watch Tyler do his thing. He has been very efficient and given us a chance when he has been out there. Michael did a great job, too, but right now it's a better fit for Tyler."

Lyons, though, hasn't been as sharp since giving up two runs and six hits over 14 innings while winning his first two starts. He's yielded eight runs and 14 hits over 11 2-3 innings in consecutive losses.

Although Lyons appears to have a good chance to regroup against one of the worst offensive clubs in the major leagues, the improving Marlins (20-47) have hit .293 and scored 43 runs during a 5-3 stretch at Marlins Park.

They've split the first two of this three-game set with St. Louis, which hasn't lost a series since dropping two of three to Pittsburgh from April 26-28.

The Cardinals had been limited to seven runs and 24 hits while losing two of three games before matching a season high with 17 hits in a 13-7 victory Saturday. St. Louis improved to 5-3 on a nine-game road trip.

Carlos Beltran led the attack with three hits - two homers - leaving him with a .369 average and six home runs over a major league-best 14-game hitting streak.

"I feel great," Beltran said. "I've been healthy, and good things are happening for me and the team."

Giancarlo Stanton is finally healthy and also wielding a hot bat for Miami. He's gone 8 for 20 (.400) with two homers, two doubles and seven RBIs in five games since coming off the disabled list.

"This is a good as I've seen him all year," manager Mike Redmond said. "He's going to the plate with a lot of confidence right now, and that's fun to watch."

Teammate Juan Pierre is 4 for 9 in this series and batting .383 during a season-high 11-game hitting streak.

The Marlins, though, could be without Logan Morrison, who has missed the past three games because of tightness in his back.

Scheduled Miami starter Ricky Nolasco (3-7, 3.80) had a 2.17 ERA over his prior four starts before yielding four runs and a season-high 10 hits over 5 1-3 innings in a 6-1 loss to Milwaukee on Monday.

The right-hander has been hurt by the team's lack of scoring, getting seven runs of support over his last eight starts.

Nolasco is 1-4 with a 4.82 ERA in eight career starts versus the Cardinals, though he hasn't allowed an earned run in his past 18 2-3 innings against them.

Beltran is batting .341 with a homer in 41 career at_bats against Nolasco.

Matt Holliday also has ripped Nolasco, going 11 for 24 with two homers and three doubles. David Freese, who went 3 for 4 with a homer Saturday, has five hits in six at_bats in this matchup.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Marlins
Fri, Jun 14 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Marlins
Sat, Jun 15 Final 13 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cardinals at Marlins
Sun, Jun 16 - 1:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cubs (28-38) at Mets (24-39)
Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: June 16, 2013 1:10 PM EDT


General manager Sandy Alderson picked a tough time to discuss the current state of the New York Mets with season ticket holders, as a rough homestand has extended the team's long slump.

New York looks to get back on track before beginning an 11-game road trip while preventing the Chicago Cubs from winning their fourth straight and completing a three-game sweep Sunday.

Alderson, hired in October 2010, addressed some devoted fans prior to Saturday's 5-2 loss that was the 10th in 12 games for the Mets (24-39). New York hasn't finished above .500 since 2008.

``At some point, the best thing you can do is have a little patience," Alderson said. "Unfortunately, I've been preaching that for 2 1/2 years, and it's wearing thin. But we're almost there.'

It hasn't seemed that way lately, with New York dropping six of seven on its homestand. The Mets, who start their trip Monday with a five-game series against first-place Atlanta, demoted three players to the minors after last Sunday's 8-4 loss to lowly Miami.

One of them was first baseman Ike Davis, who hit 32 homers last season. New York has been outscored 61-38 while batting .210 over its last 12.

``No one is having any fun,' third baseman David Wright said. ``It's a humbling and cruel game. We are at a point where we have to dig deep and find what motivates each individual as a player. The last thing I want is for guys to get caught up in playing through the motions. We have to finish strong - there are a lot of guys here who are part of the future.'

Chicago has won its third consecutive series in Queens and is on the verge of sweeping the Mets for the first time since 2004 at Shea Stadium.

Starlin Castro, hitting .117 (7 for 60) with a .172 on-base percentage over his last 15, had a two-run double in a three-run eighth inning Sunday.

The Cubs (28-38) have scored 17 runs during their three-game winning streak after totaling 11 while dropping five of their previous six.

"We're taking advantage of situations now (during at_bats) that we haven't for a long piece of the season,' manager Dale Sveum said.

Chicago, winner of six of seven at Citi Field, will look to extend its streak with help from Matt Garza, who was roughed up his last time out.

Garza (1-1, 6.26 ERA) gave up a career-worst nine runs in five innings of a 12-2 loss to Cincinnati on Tuesday. He's allowed at least four runs in three of his five starts since coming off the disabled list.

He said he's still trying to get on the same page with catcher Welington Castillo.

"I need to take control and I need to guide him through it," Garza told the team's official website after his last outing. "I'm not doing what I'm supposed to do. I'm going to get ready in five days and try to make it right."

The right-hander had a solid start the only time he faced the Mets, giving up three runs in seven innings of the Cubs' 10-6, 11-inning victory Sept. 11, 2011.

New York right-hander Jeremy Hefner (1-6, 4.11) allowed four runs in four innings of an 8-2 defeat to the Cubs on May 18 in his only career start against them.

The Mets have lost 11 of Hefner's 12 starts this season, though he has a 2.52 ERA in four outings since losing to the Cubs.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Mets
Fri, Jun 14 Final 6 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at Mets
Sat, Jun 15 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cubs at Mets
Sun, Jun 16 - 1:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Brewers (28-39) at Reds (41-28)
Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: June 16, 2013 1:10 PM EDT


Returning from injury for the second time this season, even Johnny Cueto admits that worries of another setback could creep into his mind.

Facing the Milwaukee Brewers, whom he dominated last year, might help put him at ease.

Cueto is expected to be activated from the disabled list to take the mound Sunday as the Cincinnati Reds try to bounce back against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ballpark.

Cueto (3-0, 2.17 ERA) has been on the DL since June 5 due to a strained right shoulder. It's his second stint on the DL this year as he also missed more than a month with a strained right lat.

The injuries have limited him to six outings, during which he's compiled a 0.88 WHIP over 37 1-3 innings.

"It feels really good right now," Cueto, through a translator, told the team's official website. "We're always going to have thoughts. I pray to God everything goes well, but it's hard to take it out of your mind like that."

However, Cueto, who allowed only one hit over eight innings in a 6-0 win at Pittsburgh on May 31 in his last start, was stingy in four outings versus Milwaukee in 2012, going 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA. He is also 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA in his last four home starts versus the Brewers.

Aramis Ramirez is the only current Brewer hitting better than .250 in more than three at_bats against Cueto, going 13 of 39 with four homers and four doubles when facing the right-hander.

The Reds (41-28) could use a dominant start from Cueto after falling to a 6-0 defeat at the hands of the Brewers (28-39) on Saturday.

Ryan Braun missed his fifth straight game with a bruised right thumb and his first since going on the DL, but it didn't keep Milwaukee from winning for the sixth time in eight games as the club became baseball's last this season to record a shutout.

"6-0 - we don't have too many of those," manager Ron Roenicke said. "It's nice to kind of be able to relax."

Juan Francisco homered and had three RBIs while Logan Schafer - filling in for Braun - recorded his second consecutive three-hit game. He's 8 for 21 over the last five games, seeing the same number of at_bats he received in the previous 10 contests.

"It's nice to play every day and get that comfort level," the 26-year-old Schafer said. "I felt good all day. One thing I've been doing a little better lately is swing at strikes and not going out of the strike zone."

After getting six innings of three-hit ball from Yovani Gallardo Saturday, Milwaukee turns to Wily Peralta (4-7, 6.03), who's won only once in his last seven starts. That stretch began May 12, when he yielded four runs and five hits across six innings in a 5-1 loss in Cincinnati.

The right-hander allowed three runs and five hits - all in the second inning - of a six-inning effort in Tuesday's 5-4 loss at Miami, but didn't get a decision.

"After the second inning, I started making pitches and was able to locate the slider, not trying to do too much or throw too hard," Peralta said.

The Reds had won 24 of the last 31 meetings in Cincinnati prior to Saturday.


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Reds
Fri, Jun 14 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Brewers at Reds
Sat, Jun 15 Final 6 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Brewers at Reds
Sun, Jun 16 - 1:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Red Sox (42-28) at Orioles (39-30)
Game: 4
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: June 16, 2013 1:35 PM EDT


After rallying to end their skid in Baltimore, the Boston Red Sox are hoping Jon Lester can deliver another win by adding to his stellar record against the Orioles.

Lester, though, has hardly been at his best lately and is slated to pitch opposite a red-hot Miguel Gonzalez in Sunday's series finale.

Boston (42-28) had dropped five in a row at Camden Yards and four in a row overall to the Orioles before holding on for a 5-4 win Saturday. The Red Sox trailed 2-0 after the first inning, but Mike Carp hit a two-run homer in the fourth and Stephen Drew followed with an RBI double to put them ahead for good.

Those efforts snapped an 18-inning scoreless streak in this four-game series.

"We feel like we're going to mash every day. It just takes one guy to get going, fortunately today it was me," Carp said. "Tomorrow it's going to be another guy and so on and so forth."

That rally pushed the Red Sox 2 1/2 games ahead of Baltimore (39-30) in the AL East and they'll try to leave town with a bigger lead with help from Lester (6-3, 4.12 ERA). The left-hander is 14-1 with a 2.63 ERA in 21 career starts against the Orioles and is 7-0 with a 2.52 ERA in 10 all-time games in Baltimore.

Lester, though, also suffered his lone defeat to the Orioles in his most recent matchup Sept. 21 and enters this game having gone 0-3 with a 6.90 ERA in his last five starts overall.

He gave up a season-worst seven runs and matched a career high with seven walks in an 8-3 defeat in Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

"This one, obviously, it is what it is," Lester said. "It's just terrible. I did a terrible job of helping our bullpen out, a terrible job of keeping the ball down in the zone. The list goes on. This is solely on me. These guys count on me to go out there and throw innings, and I didn't do that tonight. I just flat out didn't get it done."

Lester might have to outduel Gonzalez (4-2, 3.71) when he attempts to win for the first time since May 15. The Orioles right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his last two starts and gave up one run over a season-high eight innings in a 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday.

"Miggy was tough. Boy, he was good. He was really good," manager Buck Showalter said.

Gonzalez, who is expecting his first child to arrive sometime during the upcoming week, is 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA in two career starts against Boston, both last season.

In this matchup, Gonzalez will try to get some help from major league hits leader Manny Machado, who is riding a career-best 13-game hit streak. Machado extended that run with his major league-best 31st double and finished 2 for 4 Saturday.

The third baseman is batting .426 (20 for 47) in his last 11 games against Boston. He went 0 for 3 in his only matchup with Lester.

Red Sox rookie Jose Iglesias has a 16-game hit streak. He has one single in three career at_bats against Gonzalez.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Orioles
Thu, Jun 13 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Red Sox at Orioles
Fri, Jun 14 Final 0 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Red Sox at Orioles
Sat, Jun 15 Final 5 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Red Sox at Orioles
Sun, Jun 16 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dodgers (29-38) at Pirates (40-28)
Game: 3
Venue: PNC Park
Date: June 16, 2013 1:35 PM EDT


Zack Greinke again found himself in the midst of a bench-clearing brawl in his last outing. This time, he came away unharmed and ready to make his next start for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The right-hander looks for a third consecutive strong outing Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Greinke (3-1, 3.68 ERA) was hit by a pitch from Arizona's Ian Kennedy in the seventh inning of Los Angeles' 5-3 win Tuesday. That incited the nastier of the game's two bench-clearing incidents. Greinke plunked the Diamondbacks' Miguel Montero in the top of the inning, a likely response for Kennedy hitting Dodgers star rookie Yasiel Puig earlier in the contest.

The second incident resulted in eight suspensions and a fine for Greinke, who watched from the perimeter as the pushing, shoving and punching took place. He likely knew better after spending more than a month on the disabled list after breaking his collarbone in a brawl with San Diego's Carlos Quentin, who charged the mound after being hit with a pitch by Greinke on April 11.

The veteran pitcher was cautious when discussing the ramifications of this incident and his role in another on-field brawl.

"Every answer I have can be put in a way to make things wrong, you know?" Greinke told the Dodgers' official website.

His focus should be on the mound, where he's allowed two runs and six hits over 14 innings to go 1-0 in his last two starts. He went 0-1 with an 8.78 ERA in the previous three. Greinke allowed a two-run homer to Jason Kubel and one other hit over seven innings against Arizona.

Greinke is 5-1 in seven starts versus Pittsburgh (40-28) despite a 4.85 ERA. He beat the Pirates on April 5 with a dominant effort, allowing two hits without a walk in 6 1-3 innings of a 3-0 victory.

Los Angeles (29-38) had lost five of six before beating Pittsburgh 5-3 in 11 innings on Saturday. The Dodgers blew a one-run lead on Travis Snider's homer off Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning, but Juan Uribe delivered an RBI single in the 11th.

"Right now, every win is good," manager Don Mattingly said. "It's what we've been kind of talking about, staying afloat and treading water until we can put together some semblance of a winning streak."

Andre Ethier scored the winner and had three hits with an RBI. He's 7 for 16 in his last four games to raise his average from a season-low .229 to .244. He's batting .360 in his last six at PNC Park.

The Dodgers have won four of five this season against the Pirates, who are 6-8 since winning 16 of 20.

Pittsburgh shortstop Jordy Mercer had two hits Saturday and is 7 for 17 in the last four games.

Gerrit Cole (1-0, 2.84) returns to the mound after a strong major league debut Tuesday, when he allowed two runs and overcame seven hits in 6 1-3 innings of an 8-2 victory over San Francisco.

The 2011 overall No. 1 pick also had a two-run single in his first career at-bat.

"There was no deer-in-the-headlight look from him at all," Pirates second baseman Neil Walker said of the Southern California native. "He worked quick, he worked efficiently, he threw strikes and that is all good things for a defense.

"He's a lot more polished than a lot of guys who have gotten their start in the big leagues."


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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Dodgers at Pirates
Fri, Jun 14 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Dodgers at Pirates
Sat, Jun 15 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Dodgers at Pirates
Sun, Jun 16 - 1:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Royals (32-34) at Rays (36-32)
Game: 4
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: June 16, 2013 1:40 PM EDT


The added incentive of facing his former team might be what Kansas City's Wade Davis needs to record his first win in a month.

Facing Tampa Bay for the first time since it traded him to the Royals, Davis tries to avoid a career-high sixth consecutive winless start Sunday, while the Rays look to build on a much-needed victory that was overshadowed by a frightening injury to a key performer.

Including the postseason, Davis (3-5, 5.37 ERA) went 29-22 with a 3.92 ERA in 121 games - 65 starts - for Tampa Bay from 2009-2012. After spending all last season pitching out of the bullpen, the right-hander was dealt in December along with James Shields to Kansas City as part of a seven-player trade.

"I'm not going to smile ... there's no smiling,' Davis said of his return to Tampa. "We're trying to win games over here. We're trying to get in a good position over here."

Davis went 13-12 with a 3.67 ERA in 34 starts at Tropicana Field.

"It's a good stadium to pitch in," he told the Royals' official website. "It's a pretty true ballpark. You've got to hit it to hit it out - especially in center field. It's a fair game here."

Davis went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in his first three starts for the Royals (32-34), but is 1-5 with a 6.32 ERA in the last 10. He allowed two runs in 6 2-3 innings while not factoring in the decision of a 3-2 loss to Detroit on Tuesday, but is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in five since beating the Los Angeles Angels on May 15.

The Florida native went 0-5 in six starts from June 4-July 3, 2010.

As Davis tries to help the Royals bounce back from their second loss in 11 games, 5-3 on Saturday, he's likely also concerned with the health of former Rays teammate Alex Cobb.

The right-hander was taken off on a stretcher and suffered a mild concussion after he was struck on the right ear by a liner from Eric Hosmer on Saturday.

"It's just scary stuff, man," Hosmer said. "I'm glad he's alright."

Cobb's injury didn't deter the Rays, who hit three home runs to snap a four-game skid against the Royals and win for the second time in seven overall.

"Such a heart-wrenching and terrible thing to happen on a baseball field, but at the same time you have to finish the game,' said Tampa Bay outfielder Matt Joyce, who homered for the second straight day.

"The only thing you can do is just pray that he's OK and pray for a speedy recovery.'

Joyce is batting .407 (11 for 27) with four home runs and five RBIs in seven games. He's hit .406 with five homers in his last eight versus Kansas City.

Roberto Hernandez (4-6, 4.91) takes the mound for the Rays looking to build on his last outing Tuesday when he gave up three runs and struck out seven in seven innings of an 8-3 win over Boston.

The right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA since he allowed 10 runs in six innings to go 0-1 in his previous two starts.

Ex-Ray Elliot Johnson went 1 for 4 on Saturday and is 9 for 19 (.474) against his former team this season.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Royals at Rays
Thu, Jun 13 Final 10 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Royals at Rays
Fri, Jun 14 Final 7 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Royals at Rays
Sat, Jun 15 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Royals at Rays
Sun, Jun 16 - 1:40PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Tigers (37-29) at Twins (30-35)
Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: June 16, 2013 2:10 PM EDT


P.J. Walters outdueled the Detroit Tigers' Doug Fister in his season debut with the Minnesota Twins but unearned runs have helped spoil a pair of respectable outings for the right-hander recently.

Walters will try to keep his winless streak brief by helping the Twins top the Tigers and Fister again in Sunday's series finale.

After being called up from the minors May 25, Walters (2-1, 2.49 ERA) gave up two runs over six innings in a 3-2 victory in Detroit on May 25. He earned another win in his next start but has come up short of victories in his past two outings.

Four of the five runs Walters has allowed in those starts have been unearned, and his teammates have given him just three runs of support after providing a combined 10 in his first two games.

He allowed two runs - one earned - in a season-high 7 1-3 innings Tuesday against Philadelphia but did not get a decision in a 3-2 win.

"(Walters) was fantastic," manager Ron Gardenhire told the team's website. "He threw the ball great. He gave us our first great opportunity. Unfortunately, we couldn't hold it there."

The Twins (30-35) will try to help Walters earn a win this time and claim their fourth victory in the last five home games against Detroit (37-29). Trevor Plouffe will seek to aid his team's cause by building on his stellar return from a concussion and a strained left calf.

On his 27th birthday, the third baseman went 3 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs in a 6-3 win Saturday.

"It's good to be back. I've been itching to come back and be back with the boys, especially this series against the Tigers. It's a big series for us whenever we play them," he said.

Fister (5-4, 3.28) will try to keep Plouffe from duplicating those efforts while snapping a hard-luck skid. The right-hander has allowed three runs or fewer and pitched at least seven innings each of his last four starts but is 0-3 in those games.

Fister, who has been given a combined four runs of support, started that stretch with the loss to the Twins and Walters. He gave up three runs over seven innings in that game and allowed three over eight frames in a 3-2 defeat in Kansas City on Monday.

"Man, I feel so bad for him. He's been pitching his butt off," outfielder Torii Hunter told the team's website. "We just can't get a win for him right now. He keeps going out there, he keeps chucking the ball. Eventually, we're going to get something going for him."

Fister might have a chance to end his winless skid himself as he's 2-1 with a 1.13 ERA in his last three starts against the Twins after going 1-6 with a 4.36 ERA in his first seven matchups.

With his help, Detroit will seek to earn only the seventh win in its last 19 road games. Prince Fielder will also try to provide a boost by improving on his .455 career average (5 for 11) against Walters.

The Tigers first baseman has also hit a pair of solo homers off the right-hander, and Joe Mauer has seven hits in his last 17 at_bats against Fister, including one home run.

Justin Morneau is 8 for 22 (.364) with three doubles and a home run all-time versus the right-hander.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Twins
Fri, Jun 14 Final 4 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Tigers at Twins
Sat, Jun 15 Final 3 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at Twins
Sun, Jun 16 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: White Sox (28-37) at Astros (25-44)
Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: June 16, 2013 2:10 PM EDT


Solid starting pitching has the Houston Astros in the midst of a rare winning streak.

Dallas Keuchel, who has been impressive of late, looks to lead Houston to a fourth straight win Sunday when he gets the nod against the Chicago White Sox.

Houston (25-44) beat Chicago 4-3 on Saturday to record only the club's third winning streak of three or more games this season. The starting rotation has played a big part, posting a 1.37 ERA across 19 2-3 innings.

Going back further, Astros starter own a 2.42 ERA over the last 19 games while the team is 11-8.

Lucas Harrell gave them another strong start Saturday, giving up seven hits and three runs while striking out a season-high seven over 6 2-3 innings.

Homers from Jason Castro and Chris Carter in the fourth led Houston's offense. Carter, who leads the team with 36 RBIs, is the first Houston player with 14 or more home runs by June 15 since Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee in 2008.

Keuchel (3-3, 4.37 ERA) tries to continue his own strong run, as he owns a 1.89 ERA over his last three starts, pitching at least six innings in each.

The left-hander's bid for a fourth victory in five starts was upended Monday, though he gave up just two runs and seven hits in six innings in a 3-2 loss at Seattle. Houston committed three errors and offered Keuchel only one run of support.

"It's nothing I get mad about," Keuchel, who had received 26 runs of support over his previous five outings, told the team's official website. "Like I said, they pick me up plenty of times, so it's just me trying to pick them up there."

The White Sox (28-37), who have lost 11 of 12 away from home, will counter with another southpaw in Hector Santiago (2-4, 3.12). Santiago, who has fluctuated between the rotation and the bullpen all season, made his first start since May 22 last Sunday, filling in for the injured Jake Peavy. He yielded two runs and four hits across 6 1-3 innings in a 4-3 victory over Oakland.

He's generally been a better option as a starter, going 2-2 with a 2.67 ERA in six starts as opposed to an 0-2 record and 3.93 ERA in 11 relief appearances.

"When stuff like this happens, you take advantage of it and just run with it," Santiago said. "We're all hoping for Peavy to come back as soon as possible, but for now, I'll enjoy the role."

Santiago was charged with two runs, a walk and a hit in 1 1-3 innings of relief against Houston on June 8, 2012.

Alejandro De Aza was 0 for 4 Saturday, rejoining the lineup after missing Friday's game with a stomach ailment.

Adam Dunn hit his team-leading 18th homer Saturday, and is batting .429 with five home runs in his last six games after hitting .111 with two homers in his previous 15. He is, however, 5 for 53 (.094) with 21 strikeouts against lefties on the season.

The 25-year-old Keuchel has never faced a current White Sox player.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Astros
Fri, Jun 14 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Astros
Sat, Jun 15 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
White Sox at Astros
Sun, Jun 16 - 2:10PM EDT

GAME 4
White Sox at Astros
Mon, Jun 17 - 8:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blue Jays (31-36) at Rangers (38-30)
Game: 4
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: June 16, 2013 3:05 PM EDT


On the verge of their longest winning streak in nearly two years, the Toronto Blue Jays are slowly creeping back to .500.

The Texas Rangers, meanwhile, are trying to avoid their worst home losing streak in eight years.

The surging Blue Jays look for a historic sweep in Arlington on Sunday against a Texas team that has dropped five straight at home.

Following Saturday's 6-1 victory, Toronto (31-36) has a chance to win five consecutive games for the first time since July 8-15, 2011, and capture the first four-game sweep at Texas in the 36-year history of the franchise.

The Blue Jays, whose run has come after dropping the opener of a rainout-shortened six-game trip, have moved within five games of the break-even point for the first time since April 25, when they were 9-14.

Toronto has also won seven of nine overall, largely because the pitching staff has a 1.36 ERA in those victories.

Chien-Ming Wang (0-0, 6.14 ERA) hopes to become the latest pitcher to shut down a scuffling Texas offense that's batting .224 and has totaled six runs during a season-worst five-game skid.

The Rangers (38-30), winless since the opener of an 11-game homestand, are 3 for 26 with runners in scoring position during the losing streak. They haven't dropped six straight at home since a seven-game slide from July 20-Aug. 3, 2005.

"It's just simple baseball, getting base hits with runners in scoring position,' manager Ron Washington said. "It's not just one part of the batting order. It's up and down the lineup.'

They'll try to turn things around against Wang, who makes his second start after signing with the injury-riddled Blue Jays on Monday. The right-hander lasted 7 1-3 innings while giving up five runs and 10 hits in a 7-5, 10-inning win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.

"I thought he did a great job,' manager John Gibbons said. "He really did.'

Wang, who went 2-3 with a 6.68 ERA for Washington last season, is 2-1 with a 6.12 ERA in four career starts against the Rangers, though hasn't faced them since 2009.

Adrian Beltre (3 for 20), A.J. Pierzynski (0 for 8) and Nelson Cruz (1 for 7) haven't been able to figure out Wang, though David Murphy is 3 for 5 with a double in their matchups.

Beltre has been a bright spot for the sputtering Rangers, going 6 for 13 with two walks in his last four games.

Second baseman Ian Kinsler, who missed 25 games because of bruised ribs, went 0 for 4 after making a surprising return Saturday. He's hitless in six career at_bats against Wang.

Texas, 1-5 versus Toronto this season, hopes left-hander Derek Holland (5-3, 3.11) can bounce back from a disappointing effort in his last start.

Holland had won four straight decisions before getting pinned with his first loss since April 27 on Tuesday. He allowed four runs and nine hits over a season-low 4 1-3 innings in a 5-2 loss to Cleveland.

Holland is 3-0 with a 2.39 ERA in four starts versus the Blue Jays since getting tagged for a career-worst 10 runs over three-plus innings against them Aug. 31, 2009.

Slugger Jose Bautista is 3 for 14 all-time against Holland, while Melky Cabrera is 1 for 19 in his last five games against the Rangers.

Teammate Colby Rasmus, however, has homered in each of the last two games of this series.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Rangers
Thu, Jun 13 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Rangers
Fri, Jun 14 Final 8 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Blue Jays at Rangers
Sat, Jun 15 Final 6 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Blue Jays at Rangers
Sun, Jun 16 - 3:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Yankees (37-31) at Angels (30-38)
Game: 3
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: June 16, 2013 3:35 PM EDT


After another key injury and another loss, the New York Yankees are mired in perhaps their most adverse stretch of the season.

They'll hope CC Sabathia can help them recover from another setback Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels as they conclude what has degenerated into a woeful 10-game trip after a promising start.

New York (37-31) opened the trip taking three of four from Seattle, but has since matched a season worst with five straight losses.

Mark Teixeira, again, was the latest Yankee to fall to injury, exiting in the fourth inning of Saturday's 6-2 defeat with an aggravated right wrist. He had only been off the disabled list since May 31 after missing the club's first 53 games with a torn tendon sheath in his right wrist.

The two-time All-Star is scheduled for an examination by the team physician in New York on Sunday. The Yankees' injury list already includes Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Kevin Youkilis.

"You're taking a switch-hitter out of the middle of your lineup," manager Joe Girardi said of losing Teixeira, who was 8 for 53 (.151) with three home runs and 19 strikeouts in 15 games. "I know his average wasn't great but he had 12 RBIs in a short period of time, so that's hard to lose. But hopefully it's just a couple of days and we'll get him right back."

The Angels (30-38), meanwhile, rode their flourishing offense to a third straight victory. They're batting .352 with 20 runs during their winning streak after managing 12 runs and hitting .227 while dropping their four previous games.

Albert Pujols is 8 for 14 during in the last three and Howie Kendrick, who is 9 for 19 off Sabathia, is an AL-best 24 for 48 in the month of June after a 3-for-3 performance Saturday.

"A lot of guys are really swinging the bats real well," Kendrick said. "One through nine, different guys are doing it every time. We just want to play good baseball. We're not worried about the standings or whatever. We just want to win."

Sabathia (6-5, 4.07 ERA) will try to shut the Angels down, but his recent performances haven't been encouraging with a 5.55 ERA over the last five starts. He yielded six runs and eight hits - including two homers - across six innings in a 6-4 loss at Oakland on Tuesday.

"It was disappointing," the left-hander said. "Just not having it today was frustrating but I'll be ready to go in five days. I just thought the stuff wasn't as sharp, wasn't as good tonight."

Sabathia is 3-1 with a 1.17 ERA in his last four starts against the Angels, which includes two meetings in the 2009 AL championship series. He hasn't faced Los Angeles since 2011.

Opposing Sabathia is Jered Weaver (1-2, 3.77), who also hopes to rebound from a tough outing. He was charged with four runs and six hits over 5 2-3 innings while dealing with inclement weather in Monday's 4-3 defeat at Baltimore.

Weaver is 6-2 in 11 career regular-season starts against the Yankees despite a 4.97 ERA. He has been aided by an average of 8.1 runs of support.

Mark Trumbo is 4 for 7 off Sabathia while Josh Hamilton and Pujols are a combined 3 for 26 with nine strikeouts.

New York has lost 27 of its last 39 regular-season games at Angel Stadium.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Angels
Fri, Jun 14 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Angels
Sat, Jun 15 Final 2 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Yankees at Angels
Sun, Jun 16 - 3:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mariners (31-38) at Athletics (41-29)
Game: 3
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: June 16, 2013 4:05 PM EDT


The Oakland Athletics have had their hands full in the first two games of this weekend set, and they could be in for another long day at the plate Sunday.

Runs may be hard to come by for the Mariners, too.

In what sets up as a pitchers' duel, Hisashi Iwakuma takes the mound opposite Bartolo Colon as the visiting Mariners try for their first three-game road sweep of the Athletics in more than four years.

After snapping Oakland's 11-game home winning streak with Friday's 3-2 win, Seattle (31-38) pulled out a 4-0 victory Saturday for its fourth win in five games. The Mariners, who improved to 6-3 in the series this year, haven't swept the A's in Oakland since April 10-12, 2009.

Felix Hernandez combined with two relievers on a six-hitter and 41-year-old Henry Blanco provided all the offense in his team debut, becoming the oldest Mariner to hit a grand slam.

"I was hoping I could still get a job and show them I can still play," said Blanco, who was signed Friday - four days after his release by Toronto. "That was a special day."

Seattle now turns to Iwakuma (7-1, 1.79 ERA), who leads the AL with a 6.21 strikeout-to-walk ratio and ranks second in the majors in ERA. The right-hander, who's gone 28 2-3 innings without allowing an earned run, is 5-0 over a nine-start stretch and 10-1 with a 1.81 ERA over his last 17 outings dating to September.

"He's been about as consistent as any pitcher in baseball, and for quite a while now," manager Eric Wedge told MLB's official website.

Iwakuma beat Houston on Monday, allowing one unearned run and four hits while striking out eight in seven innings of a 3-2 victory.

"He has that four-seamer that like goes downhill then flattens out, with the split off that," shortstop Brendan Ryan said. "He has his change, slider. He uses his big curveball a lot to get ahead. He's got a complete repertoire and uses it intelligently. This is what we've come to expect out of him now. It's pretty awesome."

Iwakuma has baffled Oakland (41-29) in two wins this year, allowing three runs in 13 innings with 16 strikeouts and no walks. Seth Smith, Josh Reddick and Brandon Moss are a combined 0 for 19 against him while Coco Crisp and Josh Donaldson are both 1 for 7. Yoenis Cespedes, though, is 3 for 9 with two homers and a double in their matchups.

Colon (8-2, 2.92) has also shined this year, and he's been especially good over the last three-plus weeks. The former AL Cy Young award winner has surrendered a combined three runs during a five-start winning streak.

"He's throwing the ball great," catcher Derek Norris said of Colon, who won a career-best six straight outings July 9-Aug. 7, 2004. "You couldn't ask any more of him. He's a great competitor and a great pitcher, and it's a pleasure to be back there working with him."

Having allowed just 10 walks all year, Colon issued a season-high four Tuesday but managed to limit the damage, allowing three hits over six scoreless innings in a 6-4 win over the Yankees.

"His ball moves," Yankees catcher Chris Stewart. "It does different things at different times. Sometimes it's going more side to side, sometimes it's going more down. He's tough. He uses both sides of the plate, he doesn't really throw the same pitch twice. He just keeps you off balance."

Colon went 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA over four starts versus Seattle in 2012, yielding a combined two runs in three of those outings and seven in the other. Kendrys Morales and Michael Saunders are both 1 for 11 versus Colon and Ryan is 0 for 8.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Athletics
Fri, Jun 14 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mariners at Athletics
Sat, Jun 15 Final 4 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Mariners at Athletics
Sun, Jun 16 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Phillies (33-36) at Rockies (36-33)
Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: June 16, 2013 4:10 PM EDT


Although they've had a rough homestand, the Colorado Rockies haven't skipped a beat offensively since All-Star Troy Tulowitzki went on the disabled list.

That could change, however, as they face a resurgent Cole Hamels.

The Rockies will try to stay hot at the plate and finish their 10-game stay at Coors Field with a .500 record Sunday when they take on Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Colorado (36-33) snapped their three-game skid on the homestand by scoring six first-inning runs and cruising to a 10-5 victory over the Phillies on Saturday.

The Rockies continue to hit at a torrid pace at Coors Field, ranking at or near the top of the major leagues with 214 runs, 49 home runs and a .286 batting average at home.

They've totaled 17 runs in their first two games since losing Tulowitzki, who is expected to miss four to six weeks after suffering a broken rib Thursday. The shortstop is second in the NL with a .347 batting average, to go along with 16 homers and 51 RBIs.

In the last 10 games overall, rookie Nolan Arenado has hit .400 while Carlos Gonzalez has batted .350 with 18 RBIs. Gonzalez is 6 for 8 with a homer and two doubles in the first two games of this series.

"We can't get CarGo out," Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel said.

Manuel hopes that changes Sunday with Gonzalez facing Hamels (2-9, 4.45 ERA), who has gotten off to a strong start this month. Gonzalez went 1 for 7 against the left-hander last season.

Since losing a career-worst six consecutive starts, Hamels is 1-0 in two starts this month as he's allowed three runs and struck out 16 in 13 innings.

Hamels gave up two runs over six innings in a 3-2 loss at Minnesota on Tuesday.

"I felt like I was throwing all four pitches for strikes and being aggressive with them," Hamels said.

He's also pitched well against the Rockies, going 3-0 with a 1.95 ERA over his last five matchups with them - all Phillies victories.

Dexter Fowler is 3 for 17 when facing Hamels, though he could be out of the starting lineup for a third straight game with a bruised right knuckle.

Tyler Colvin is 3 for 8 with a homer since taking over for Fowler in center field, with shortstop Josh Rutledge moving into the leadoff role.

Michael Cuddyer has batted .375 over a team-best 13-game hitting streak, but he's hitless in 10 career at_bats against Hamels.

Scheduled Colorado starter Jhoulys Chacin (4-3, 4.52) had gone winless in seven straight starts before beating Washington on Tuesday, when he allowed two runs in five innings in an 8-3 victory.

"It was a long stretch without winning a game, but it finally came," the right-hander said. "Hopefully, this will start a winning streak."

Chacin has had success versus the Phillies, going 1-0 with a 1.37 ERA in three career starts against them.

Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins are a combined 0 for 16 with six strikeouts lifetime when facing Chacin.

Teammates Ben Revere and Michael Young have been the hottest Phillies. Revere is 11 for 20 over his last four games and Young is hitting .410 on the road trip.

Philadelphia (33-36) is closing a 10-game road trip seeking its third win in four games.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Rockies
Fri, Jun 14 Final 8 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Rockies
Sat, Jun 15 Final 5 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Phillies at Rockies
Sun, Jun 16 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Diamondbacks (37-31) at Padres (34-34)
Game: 3
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: June 16, 2013 4:10 PM EDT


Ian Kennedy is still scheduled to take the mound Sunday after appealing a 10-game suspension for his role in a bench-clearing brawl earlier this week.

He could be in for a battle against the surging San Diego Padres.

The visiting Arizona Diamondbacks hope to avoid a three-game sweep against the Padres, who try to gain even more ground on the NL West leaders.

While eight suspensions and 12 fines were handed out by major league baseball as a result of the Diamondbacks' brawl with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, Kennedy (3-4, 5.49 ERA) received the stiffest punishment after "intentionally throwing a pitch in the head area of Zack Greinke".

The right-hander's suspension is the longest handed out for on-field conduct since Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett's 10-game punishment for punching White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski in May 2006.

"You look at the history and my history and the history of things happening with first offenses in the past and that's why I'm going to go through the appealing process," Kennedy told MLB's official website. "I think 10 games is - I think they're trying to set an example.

"I feel there's a lot of things being attacked at my character and saying I'm a headhunter. I really don't appreciate that."

Kennedy, who threw 6 1-3 innings of two-run ball before being ejected Tuesday, now turns his attention to the Padres (34-34). After taking Friday's series opener 2-1, San Diego extended its winning streak to a season-high five and reached .500 for the first time in more than two years with Saturday's 6-4 victory.

Yasmani Grandal hit a three-run homer and Kyle Blanks went deep for the fourth time in 11 games for the Padres, who hadn't been at .500 since they were 4-4 on April 10, 2011.

"It looks good on paper," manager Bud Black said of the team evening its record. "I think it sends a great message to our guys, it really does. They fought off some hard times in April to where we are now. So I'm very proud of them to get to .500. It's great. I think it proves that we can continue to play solid baseball."

San Diego, hitting .379 with runners in scoring position during its winning streak, has climbed to within three games of the Diamondbacks (37-31). Loser in five of seven, Arizona hasn't dropped three straight since May 11-13 and hasn't been swept at Petco Park since July 16-18, 2010.

The Diamondbacks will try to get back on track against Clayton Richard (1-5, 8.06), who's trying to avoid becoming the first Padre to lose his first six decisions as a starter since Stan Spencer went 0-7 in 1999.

The left-hander's only win came while throwing two scoreless innings of relief May 31 in a 4-3, 17-inning victory over Toronto. He's since been tagged for a combined 10 runs over two starts spanning 10 1-3 innings.

Richard had gone 6-0 with a 4.06 ERA over his first eight starts versus Arizona prior to surrendering seven runs in 3 2-3 innings during an 8-1 loss May 4. Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Ross are a combined 10 for 19 with four doubles against him.

Kennedy had won six consecutive starts in the series before going 1-2 with a 5.54 ERA in his last four. He allowed five runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 5-1 loss at Petco on May 5.

He'll need to be careful against Chase Headley, who's 5 for 12 with a homer and three extra-base hits against him since last season. Kennedy, though, has had his way with Everth Cabrera (3 for 17) and Blanks (1 for 11).

-----------------------------------------------------------

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Padres
Fri, Jun 14 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Padres
Sat, Jun 15 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Padres
Sun, Jun 16 - 4:10PM EDT