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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Reds (39-26) at Cubs (25-37)
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: June 12, 2013 2:20 PM EDT


Travis Wood has recorded a quality start in all but one of his 12 outings, with his only forgettable performance coming against the Cincinnati Reds last month.

He's never gotten the best of his former team.

Wood aims for his first win in five starts versus Cincinnati, which tries for a 12th consecutive road win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

Acquired from the Reds (39-26) in a four-player deal in December 2011, Wood (5-4, 2.65 ERA) has given the Cubs a big lift this year. Besides posting an NL-leading .193 opponents' batting average, he has gone at least six innings while allowing three runs or fewer in 11 of 12 starts.

"He's pitched like an All-Star. They are not just quality starts, (he's giving up) one or two runs, not three," manager Dale Sveum told MLB's official website. "The biggest thing is he's able to execute his pitches. He's able to throw to his arm side and stick to a game plan."

The left-hander opened the year with nine consecutive quality starts - the best such stretch by a Cubs pitcher since Mordecai Brown's 11 in 1908 - before getting hit hard in a 5-2 loss at Cincinnati on May 25. Wood surrendered five runs, seven hits and three walks over 5 2-3 innings, dropping to 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA against the Reds.

"It's not tougher to pitch against them - it's tougher to take when they beat you like that," he said. "It's not tough to go out there and pitch, because it's just another game. You have to attack each hitter the same way. It's frustrating when it doesn't work out."

Wood gave up one run and four hits over six innings but took another hard-luck loss in Friday's 2-0 defeat to Pittsburgh. He's received a combined four runs of support in his four losses.

"Travis has been the same all year," second baseman Darwin Barney said. "He's been consistent, pounding the zone. When he's pitching, it's fun to play behind him, because you know he's throwing strikes."

Wood now turns his attention back to the Reds, who have outscored the Cubs 68-36 during an 11-game winning streak at Wrigley Field - the most consecutive wins by an opponent there. Zack Cozart, Xavier Paul, Joey Votto and Todd Frazier all homered and drove in a combined 10 runs during Tuesday's 12-2 rout.

"It's pretty cool. We're comfortable here," said Frazier, who's team has taken 18 of 21 from Chicago overall. "For some reason, we do like playing here in Chicago, but we're happy go lucky. It's pretty fun, it gets us back on the winning track. We got two more to go, we're trying to get that sweep."

The Cubs (25-37) have hit .200 while losing seven of nine this month. They failed to get much going Tuesday aside from Cody Ransom's fourth homer in six games.

All-Star shortstop Starlin Castro has had an especially rough time at the plate of late, going 3 for his last 44. Castro, though, is 12 for 35 with three doubles and a triple against Reds scheduled starter Mike Leake (5-3, 2.93).

The right-hander had gone 3-0 with a 0.33 ERA over his previous four outings before allowing three runs in five innings during Friday's 9-2 loss to St. Louis.

Leake could be feeling good about his chances of bouncing back on the road, where he's strung together 19 2-3 consecutive scoreless innings. He's won a career-best four consecutive starts away from home while compiling a 0.71 ERA, a stretch that began at Wrigley on May 3.

Leake is 5-2 with a 3.44 ERA in 12 career starts versus Chicago.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Cubs
Mon, Jun 10 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Cubs
Tue, Jun 11 Final 12 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Reds at Cubs
Wed, Jun 12 - 2:20PM EDT

GAME 4
Reds at Cubs
Thu, Jun 13 - 2:20PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Braves (39-26) at Padres (31-34)
Game: 3
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: June 12, 2013 3:40 PM EDT


Visits to Petco Park haven't gone according to plan for the Atlanta Braves recently.

They'll try to avoid being swept there for the first time in eight years Wednesday when they conclude a seven-game road trip against the San Diego Padres.

The NL East-leading Braves (39-26) have dropped seven of 11 at San Diego over the past three seasons, losing five of six while batting .185 and averaging 2.2 runs.

They struggled at the plate again Tuesday, mustering six singles in a 3-2 loss to the Padres (31-34) after their four-run, ninth-inning rally fell short in a 7-6 defeat a day prior.

Atlanta is now on the cusp of being swept in a series at San Diego for the first time since May 16-18, 2005.

Freddie Freeman has been one of the main culprits in the Braves' lack of success at Petco. He's hitting .176 with one homer and four RBIs in 10 career visits.

Although Freeman is 1 for 6 in this series, he's compiled a .355 average with 18 RBIs in 19 overall contests.

Justin Upton, meanwhile, is hitting .190 with one RBI in 21 games since May 17, when he connected for his 14th homer and drove in five runs in an 8-5 home victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The left fielder has three hits in the past two games as he tries to shake that slump. He gets another chance in the finale against scheduled starter Edinson Volquez, who has seen Upton go 7 for 12 with four doubles in their matchups.

Atlanta gives the ball to Paul Maholm (7-4, 3.46), who is 3-0 with a 2.76 ERA in his last five starts. The veteran left-hander turned in one of his best performances of that stretch Friday, yielding one run in 7 1-3 innings of a 2-1 road defeat in 10 to the Dodgers.

Maholm, however, is 1-3 with a 6.82 ERA in his past six road outings.

He's 1-5 with a 4.02 ERA in seven career starts against the Padres, and he was the hard-luck loser in a 3-0 defeat in his lone visit to San Diego on Aug. 27. His only mistake in 6 2-3 innings was a two-run homer by backup catcher Yasmani Grandal in the second.

Grandal might be back behind the plate since he's 4 for 11 (.364) with a homer and five RBIs in three meetings with Atlanta - all at home. That's far better than Nick Hundley's .200 average in 17 career games against the Braves, though he had an RBI double Tuesday.

Volquez (4-5, 6.33) aims to bounce back from one of the worst starts of his nine-year career and lead the Padres to their sixth win in eight games.

The right-hander was roughed up for career highs of nine runs and 11 hits in 2 1-3 innings, but escaped without a decision in Friday's 10-9 loss at Colorado.

"It was tough. That's the first time that's happened to me in my whole career," Volquez said. "I've got to be able to make adjustments, throw quality pitches."

A return home may not help since Volquez is 0-2 with a 7.88 ERA in his last three games there.

He's also 1-3 with a 4.56 ERA in five starts versus Atlanta, getting tagged for six runs in 3 2-3 innings of a 6-1 road loss Aug. 15.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Padres
Mon, Jun 10 Final 6 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Padres
Tue, Jun 11 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Braves at Padres
Wed, Jun 12 - 3:40PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Giants (33-30) at Pirates (38-26)
Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: June 12, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


After an impressive showing from their star rookie, the Pittsburgh Pirates are set to give the ball to one of the hottest pitchers in the game.

Francisco Liriano tries to build on another superb performance as the Pirates continue a three-game set against the injury-plagued San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night at PNC Park.

Drafted No. 1 overall in 2011, Gerrit Cole shined over 6 1-3 innings in his big league debut Tuesday as Pittsburgh (38-26) cruised to an 8-2 victory. Pedro Alvarez came up big with a two-run homer and three RBIs and Starling Marte also went deep.

"I couldn't have asked for anything better," Cole said. "The guys played great defense and we scored a lot runs. ... It's tough to draw it up any better than this."

Pittsburgh tries to keep things going behind Liriano (4-2, 1.75 ERA), who's allowed one or zero runs in all but one of his six outings while striking out 47 over 36 innings.

"For the most part, his best pitches have been offspeed," catcher Russell Martin told MLB's official website. "But he's used the fastball in normally breaking-ball situations. He's been pitching backwards, and it's been effective. Because hitters want to hit the fastball for the most part, anyway, and when you've got 94 (mph) they've got to honor that. So being able to throw offspeed pitches for strikes has worked for him."

The left-hander issued a season-worst five walks Friday but managed to limit the damage, scattering two hits and striking out eight over seven innings during a 2-0 road win over the Chicago Cubs.

"He's done this to everybody," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "When he's right and he has his velocity, he's basically in the CC Sabathia-type category where he has great velocity but really doesn't throw his fastball that much. He's got great command of his changeup and slider. He's one of those guys where it's very, very difficult if he's on with his offspeed stuff - it's going to be a tough day."

Marco Scutaro and Gregor Blanco are the only Giants with any experience against Liriano, going a combined 1 for 14 with six strikeouts. Scutaro, though, exited Tuesday's game after being hit by a pitch on his left hand and could sit this one out.

Hitting a major league-best .410 since April 29, Scutaro's absence could prove especially costly with Pablo Sandoval sidelined. Sandoval, who leads the team with 37 RBIs, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday due to a strained left foot.

The Giants (33-30) have been outscored 70-39 in dropping nine of 12 on the road. They now turn to Barry Zito (4-4, 4.06), who gave up four runs over six innings last Wednesday in a 4-0 loss to Toronto. The left-hander could have difficulty regrouping on the road, where he's 0-3 with a 10.19 ERA.

Zito is 2-0 over his last three starts against Pittsburgh despite a 4.50 ERA. He's had his way with Brandon Inge (3 for 26), Martin (6 for 36 with 10 strikeouts) and Clint Barmes (5 for 29), though Barmes has taken him deep twice. Andrew McCutchen is 7 for 16 with a double and triple in their matchups.

Alvarez, who's 0 for 3 against Zito, is hitting .274 with eight homers and 19 RBIs in his last 19 games to raise his season average to .216.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Pirates
Tue, Jun 11 Final 2 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Giants at Pirates
Wed, Jun 12 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Giants at Pirates
Thu, Jun 13 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Brewers (26-38) at Marlins (19-45)
Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: June 12, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


With slugger Giancarlo Stanton back in the lineup, the Miami Marlins may be poised to continue their recent success.

After having a hand in ending the Milwaukee Brewers' winning streak, Stanton tries to help the Marlins post back-to-back series wins for the first time in a year Wednesday night.

Stanton is 2 for 8 in two games since his return from missing more than a month with a hamstring injury. His latest hit cleared the wall with a runner on in the eighth inning to give Miami a 5-4 victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday.

The Marlins (19-45) have split the first two of this three-game series after sweeping a rain-shortened two-game set against the New York Mets over the weekend. They haven't had consecutive series victories since taking five of six from Washington and Philadelphia from May 28-June 3, 2012.

Miami has won six of 10 since dropping nine straight and 16 of 18. The club also has won four of five at home while batting .314 and scoring 30 runs.

Stanton is hitting .229 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 22 games after setting career highs with 37 home runs and a .290 average last season. However, he hit .333 with three homers and eight RBIs in the six games before his injury.

"It's a good start, but we can't really tell (if I'm picking up where I left off), especially with the few at_bats I've had so far," Stanton said. "It's a good start to move forward from."

Logan Morrison, who added two doubles with an RBI on Tuesday, is 4 for 9 in three games since making his season debut following knee surgery.

"To have LoMo and Stanton back in the lineup is a big lift," manager Mike Redmond said.

Originally scheduled to start Tuesday, Miami's Kevin Slowey (2-5, 3.77 ERA) was pushed back after he allowed eight hits and struck out eight over seven scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory in Saturday's 2-1, 20-inning win over the Mets.

"It was amazing," he said. "It was an amazing game."

That performance might provide a much-needed lift for Slowey, who is 0-3 with an 8.87 ERA in his last five starts while serving up eight homers.

The right-hander is 3-0 with a 2.55 ERA in five starts against the Brewers but has not faced them since 2010.

Jean Segura had his third two-hit effort in five games Tuesday, but Milwaukee (26-38) was held to five hits. The Brewers entered that game having averaged 11.5 hits and 6.0 runs during a four-game winning streak.

Alfredo Figaro (0-0, 4.08) hopes his third start of the season goes better than the first two, having allowed a combined eight runs and four homers in 10 1-3 innings. He gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 5-4 win over Philadelphia on Friday.

"He's got good stuff and he did give us length (Friday)," manager Ron Roenicke said.

This will be the right-hander's first appearance against the Marlins.

Figaro will not have to face Placido Polanco, who is not expected to return until Friday after leaving Monday's 6-1 loss to the Brewers with back stiffness. He's also dealing with a virus.

The Brewers hope star Ryan Braun is not headed to the disabled list after missing the first two games of this series with a thumb injury. He's batted .354 with seven homers and 28 RBIs in his last 25 games against the Marlins.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Marlins
Mon, Jun 10 Final 6 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Brewers at Marlins
Tue, Jun 11 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Brewers at Marlins
Wed, Jun 12 - 7:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cardinals (42-22) at Mets (23-36)
Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: June 12, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


The St. Louis Cardinals are backing up the best record in baseball with outstanding hitting.

Shelby Miller continues to do his part on the mound.

A trio of Cardinals look to continue pounding the ball and help Miller win a third straight start Wednesday night against the struggling New York Mets.

St. Louis (42-22) is batting an NL-best .277 to accompany its major league-leading 3.17 ERA.

Miller (7-3, 1.91 ERA) has been a big part of that in his first full season in the majors, ranking second in the league in ERA behind the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw (1.88).

The right-hander hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his 12 starts, yielding no earned runs five times. That includes tossing 5 2-3 scoreless innings before leaving without a decision in a 4-2 win over the Mets on May 15.

Miller has won his last two stats, allowing two runs in 13 innings with 16 strikeouts.

"All together we're just trying to find ways to win games and (manager Mike Matheny) is throwing out the best guys to do that," Miller told the team's official website. "It's working right now, and that's a result of a total team effort - it's not just one or two guys. And that's just what it's going to take this season."

Matt Holliday, David Freese and Allen Craig are providing a fair share of the offense.

Holliday has a .438 average with eight RBIs and 12 runs over the past eight games. He had three hits and scored three times in Tuesday's 9-2 win at New York (23-36) in the opener of this three-game series.

Freese has a career-high 20-game hitting streak, longest in the majors this season. The third baseman has a .382 average during that stretch after getting two hits Tuesday.

Craig also had two hits, including a three-run homer to give him a .409 average with runners in scoring position. He's hit safely in 13 of the last 14 games, batting .373 during that span.

"Their lineup is a test," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "They hit to all fields. They hit to all fields with power. They stay focused pitch after pitch."

New York has dropped seven of eight, but Dillon Gee (4-6, 5.20) was credited with the only win in that span - 10-1 at Washington last Wednesday.

The right-hander looks to win a third straight start after yielding two runs with 19 strikeouts and one walk in 14 1-3 innings of his last two. That's a dramatic improvement after he went 0-2 with an 8.36 ERA in the previous three outings.

"I can't be satisfied," Gee said. "I've got to continue to do it. It feels good to do it again, give the team a chance to win."

The right-hander failed to do that at St. Louis on May 14, surrendering six runs in four innings of a 10-4 defeat.

Gee may be in for another tough test since a pair of rainouts pushed his next scheduled appearance back. He's 0-4 with a 5.46 ERA in five starts when he's had six days of rest or more over the last two seasons.

Holliday, Freese and Craig are a combined 7 for 16 against Gee over the last two seasons.


-----------------------------------------------------------
SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Mets
Tue, Jun 11 Final 9 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Mets
Wed, Jun 12 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Cardinals at Mets
Thu, Jun 13 - 1:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Red Sox (40-26) at Rays (35-29)
Game: 3
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: June 12, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


Matt Joyce used his bat to gain a measure of revenge on the Boston Red Sox.

He and the Tampa Bay Rays will next be up against Alfredo Aceves, who was involved in some notable incidents this spring and could add to the intrigue of this series heading into Wednesday night's finale at Tropicana Field.

This AL East rivalry intensified this week during Boston's 10-8, 14-inning victory in Monday's opener when Joyce was hit by a pitch from John Lackey, resulting in a bench-clearing scrum.

The Rays (35-29) continued to insist the pitch was intentional one day later and the Red Sox (40-26) continued to disagree.

On the field, Tampa Bay hit four homers including Joyce's two-run shot in the fifth inning that ended Jon Lester's night in the Rays' 8-3 victory Tuesday. Desmond Jennings went deep twice and Evan Longoria also connected.

"It's a great feeling, especially to help your team win," Joyce said. "I've never really been the type of person to talk a lot of trash, so I wanted, of course, to come out and play a good game. Play the game the right way and win the ballgame."

Boston was originally going to start Franklin Morales on Wednesday, but he was forced into action Monday to result in a change of plans.

"We'll make another move after tonight to get a starter here, and that will be Aceves, who will start (Wednesday) for us," manager John Farrell told the Red Sox' official website. "We're in about a three-day stretch here where we've got some shuffling going on with the pitching staff."

Aceves (2-1, 6.57 ERA) was a key figure in two incidents during the spring in which benches cleared, the first being a March 9 game in the World Baseball Classic. He and several players threw nasty punches when a fierce, full-scale brawl erupted between Mexico and Canada.

Exactly one week later on March 16, Aceves was with the Red Sox when benches cleared after the right-hander hit the Rays' Sean Rodriguez in the shoulder with a pitch in the fifth inning.

Rodriguez was batting for the first time since hitting a two-run homer in the third inning. Aceves said the pitch was a split-finger fastball that got away, and Rodriguez wasn't buying that explanation.

Aceves is 2-1 with a 6.05 ERA as a starter this year in four outings.

He's never started against the Rays, but has enjoyed great success against many of their hitters. Rodriguez is 1 for 9 against him, Longoria, Luke Scott and Ben Zobrist are all 0 for 7 and Joyce is 0 for 6.

Tampa Bay starter Chris Archer (1-1, 4.91) is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three career home starts as opposed to 0-3 with a 5.74 ERA in three on the road.

The right-hander was outstanding in a 2-1 win over Baltimore on Friday, allowing one run and two hits in seven innings.

Archer earned his first career victory Sept. 19 by yielding three runs over five innings in a 13-3 rout of Boston, although Jacoby Ellsbury went 3 for 3 against him.

Ellsbury is batting .447 during a 10-game hitting streak while Jose Iglesias is hitting .440 in his 14-game run. Dustin Pedroia's 14-game hitting streak ended Tuesday.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Rays
Mon, Jun 10 Final 10 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Red Sox at Rays
Tue, Jun 11 Final 3 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Red Sox at Rays
Wed, Jun 12 - 7:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Indians (31-33) at Rangers (38-26)
Game: 3
Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Date: June 12, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


The Cleveland Indians' starting pitching finally stepped up to help the club end a woeful stretch. To stay on the right track, they'll look for a similar performance from Ubaldo Jimenez on Wednesday night on the road against the Texas Rangers.

Corey Kluber answered the call Tuesday, firing eight innings of one-run ball in a 5-2 win, snapping Cleveland's eight-game slide as well as a 12-game road losing streak. The club's starters posted a 7.59 ERA during the eight-game skid.

"It really wasn't any different than another game," said Kluber, who attended Coppell High School less than 25 miles away from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. "I've seen, I couldn't tell you how many games here. I've thrown here in college summer league. ... It really didn't feel any different."

Mark Reynolds went 2 for 4 with the go-ahead RBI single in the fourth, while Nick Swisher drove in a run. Swisher had been hitless in 11 at_bats with runners in scoring position over his last 10 games, but has hit safely in 17 of 18 against the Rangers (38-26) with 14 RBIs.

"It's good to get back in the 'W' column," Reynolds said. "We can stop worrying about it now and just relax and play ball."

For a second straight win, Cleveland (31-33) will need Jimenez (4-4, 5.03 ERA) to bounce back from a rocky start at Detroit on Friday. He needed 85 pitches to get through three-plus innings - his second-shortest start of the year - while getting charged with five runs, seven hits and three walks in a 7-5 loss.

Jimenez had been 4-1 with a 2.74 ERA over his last seven starts.

"In the first inning, I felt really good," said Jimenez, who is 1-2 with a 4.37 ERA in four starts versus Texas, walking 15 over 22 2-3 innings. "In the second inning, everything was going the other way. I threw too many pitches in that inning and after that, I was kind of fatigued."

Also looking for a better outing for the Rangers will be Nick Tepesch (3-5, 3.92). He limited Toronto to one run for five innings on Friday, then gave up four in the sixth as well as another in the seventh, leading to a 6-1 loss. The six earned runs were a season high for the right-hander.

"For five innings there he was moving his ball around and keeping it down, staying off the fat part of the zone," manager Ron Washington said. "That one inning they just got him."

Cleveland could prove to be a timely opponent for Tepesch, as the Indians are 15-26 in games in which they've faced a rookie starter since the beginning of last season.

Elvis Andrus has hit safely in all 34 career games versus Cleveland, batting .379. It's the longest hitting streak against one team by a Texas player.

Adrian Beltre is 5 for 12 with two doubles and a homer off Jimenez, while Nelson Cruz is 0 for 9 with seven strikeouts.

Carlos Santana, who was 1 for 3 Tuesday, is 22 for 64 (.344) with a .656 slugging percentage and 16 RBIs over his last 17 games against Texas.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Rangers
Mon, Jun 10 Final 3 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Rangers
Tue, Jun 11 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Indians at Rangers
Wed, Jun 12 - 8:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Blue Jays (28-36) at White Sox (28-35)
Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: June 12, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


This series between the Chicago White Sox and visiting Toronto Blue Jays has featured a home run derby between Adam Dunn and Jose Bautista.

Each of those sluggers has homered three times heading into Wednesday night's finale after the clubs split the first two games.

Dunn, known for being feast or famine at the plate, is on a hot streak. He's 8 for 15 with four homers and seven RBIs in his last four games, going 5 for 8 in this series after he was 0 for 13 when these teams split four games in Toronto from April 15-18.

Bautista missed that series with a sore back, but he's made up for some lost time in this one since all of his hits have left the ballpark and he has totaled six RBIs.

The Blue Jays slugger delivered what is probably the most notable homer of this set with a tying solo shot in the ninth inning Tuesday as Toronto (28-36) went on to win 7-5 in 10 innings. Chicago had a three-game win streak snapped.

Toronto was thankful for that victory as it gets ready to face Chris Sale (5-4, 2.68 ERA). The Blue Jays are 6-11 against left-handed starters, although one of the victories was a 3-1 win over Chicago on April 18 in which Sale yielded three runs over seven innings.

"It's baseball season. We're happy tonight and tomorrow's a new day," said Adam Lind, who had three hits Tuesday. "Another tough game tomorrow, their ace is on the mound so we know what we're in for."

Sale will be looking to avoid losing consecutive home starts for the first time in his career. He went 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA in his first four at home in 2013 before yielding four runs over 7 1-3 innings Friday in a 4-3 defeat to Oakland.

The lefty, who enjoyed a 28-inning scoreless streak last month, is second in the majors in opponent batting average at home at .167.

This series also has featured unusual delays.

Monday's 10-6 victory for Chicago was delayed for over an hour due to fog. Play was briefly delayed Tuesday after a handful of bulbs in the light standards above the infield at U.S. Cellular Field went out during the 10th inning.

Chicago turned in a mistake-filled effort Tuesday with three errors along with four outs committed on the basepaths.

"We kept shooting ourselves in the foot running the bases," manager Robin Ventura said. "Any time you lose like that it doesn't feel good."

While Dunn and Bautista have done most of the damage this week with the longball, Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion also hit his 18th homer Tuesday. Encarnacion is batting .420 during a 13-game hitting streak against the White Sox, including 11 for 22 in 2013.

The Blue Jays will give Esmil Rogers (1-2, 3.60) his third start, with the right-hander failing to last past the fourth inning in his first two. The only Chicago hitter to go deep against him is Conor Gillaspie, who also hit a three-run homer Tuesday.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at White Sox
Mon, Jun 10 Final 6 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at White Sox
Tue, Jun 11 Final 7 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Blue Jays at White Sox
Wed, Jun 12 - 8:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Phillies (31-34) at Twins (28-33)
Game: 2
Venue: Target Field
Date: June 12, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


The Minnesota Twins didn't exactly explode offensively, but they came through with timely hits to open their series with the Philadelphia Phillies in winning fashion.

Philadelphia will have to rely on rookie right-hander Tyler Cloyd to avoid a season-high fifth straight loss Wednesday night, though he's been solid thus far.

The Twins (28-33) entered this three-game set having dropped four of five while going 4 for 50 with runners in scoring position. They were 4 for 11 in such situations Tuesday, leading to a 3-2 victory.

Justin Morneau had two of those hits and finished 3 for 4, including the go-ahead single in the eighth. Morneau, batting .357 with seven RBIs in seven contests versus Philadelphia (31-34), had gone eight straight games without driving in a run.

"Watching TV, we saw the numbers scrolling across. They weren't very good," Morneau said of Minnesota's struggles with runners in scoring position. "To be able to come through in that situation is good for everybody. Hopefully it gets us rolling in the right direction."

The Twins have gone seven consecutive games without scoring more than four runs, and now Cloyd (2-2, 3.68 ERA) will look to keep them in check. He's coming off his best outing of the year, yielding four hits - all singles - over 6 2-3 shutout innings in a 5-1 win at Milwaukee on Thursday.

Excluding a May 27 start at Boston in which he was shelled for six runs in 2 1-3 innings, Cloyd has given up six runs and no homers over 27 innings while starting in place of the injured Roy Halladay.

"I don't think you can fill in for Roy, a pitcher with that status and how great he is," Cloyd told the team's official website. "For me, it's just go out there and compete and give the team a chance to win every time. That's been my main goal ever since I got up here. That's all I concentrate on."

After spending the last seven seasons with the Mets, Twins starter Mike Pelfrey (3-6, 6.40) has seen plenty of the Phillies. He's 7-7 in 20 career starts against them, struggling more recently to a 1-3 record and 6.62 ERA in the last seven. Ryan Howard, who was 2 for 4 with an RBI on Tuesday, is 16 for 43 (.372) with three homers and seven walks against Pelfrey.

The right-hander hasn't won since May 5, going 0-3 with a 6.44 ERA in six starts. But he did log a season-best 6 1-3 innings while giving up three runs in a 7-3 loss at Kansas City on Thursday, not getting a decision.

"Pelfrey did fine," manager Ron Gardenhire told the team's official website. "In talking with (catcher Ryan) Doumit during the game, he said the ball was really moving. His splitter was good, and that was the best he has seen him, which is a positive for us. We needed that."

Oswaldo Arcia, playing for Minnesota for the first time since being recalled from Triple-A to replace injured outfielder Aaron Hicks, drove in a run with a double in the fourth inning Tuesday.

Ben Revere was 1 for 4 in his first game against the team with which he spent his first three big-league seasons.

The Phillies, who also lost four straight April 15-18, haven't had a longer losing streak since a five-game skid in July.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Twins
Tue, Jun 11 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Twins
Wed, Jun 12 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Phillies at Twins
Thu, Jun 13 - 8:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Nationals (31-32) at Rockies (35-30)
Game: 2
Venue: Coors Field
Date: June 12, 2013 8:40 PM EDT


Jorge De La Rosa's solid run of starts came to an end in his last outing. Wednesday night could be a prime opportunity to begin another roll, facing a team that struggles against left-handers more than any other in baseball.

De La Rosa looks to lead the Colorado Rockies to their eighth win in 11 games as they host the Washington Nationals.

Though Colorado has won his last seven starts as he's gone 5-0, De La Rosa (7-3, 3.38 ERA) failed to get a win Friday and certainly didn't deserve one. He matched a season worst by allowing 11 hits along with four runs over five innings as Colorado beat San Diego 10-9. De La Rosa surrendered the same number of runs in his previous three starts over a span of 19 1-3 innings.

The left-hander did have to pitch through a cut on his middle finger, but he's expected to have no problem starting Wednesday.

"It's fine, I didn't have to put anything on it," De La Rosa told the team's official website. "It's healing."

De La Rosa has won his last three starts against the Nationals but hasn't faced them since 2010. This Washington club has had its difficulties versus lefties, with its .209 average and .309 slugging percentage against them both being the worst in the majors.

The Rockies' offense has been having no such trouble, staying hot Tuesday with an 8-3 victory over Washington behind Tyler Colvin and Carlos Gonzalez. Colvin, making his first start in right field since being recalled from Triple-A, drove in four runs as he homered twice for the fourth time in his career and second against Washington. Gonzalez's three-run homer put Colorado (35-30) ahead during a five-run fifth inning.

The club is hitting .311 over the last 10 games with 64 runs and 19 homers.

Colvin was called up to fill in for Michael Cuddyer (rib strain), who was missing from the starting lineup for a fourth straight game but could return soon.

"It's one thing to be here, but I know I can contribute and help this team win," said Colvin, who hit .290 with 18 homers and 72 RBIs for the Rockies last year. "Games like tonight justify why I'm here, you know?"

Ross Ohlendorf also will try to justify his call-up. With an ailing rotation nearing but still not at 100 percent, Washington is promoting Ohlendorf from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday for his first big-league start since Aug. 17 for San Diego. The right-hander went 4-4 with a 7.77 ERA in 13 games - nine starts - last year with the Padres.

He's 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA over six career starts versus Colorado. Todd Helton is 3 for 8 against him while Gonzalez is 4 for 12.

Troy Tulowitzki singled twice in four at_bats Tuesday and is batting .444 over his last 13 games with an OPS of 1.360.

The Nationals (31-32) have lost nine of 11 road games and remain without Bryce Harper. It's unclear when he will return after receiving a cortisone injection in his swollen left knee Tuesday.

"We'll re-evaluate him in one week's time to resume activities, so these are all good things," trainer Lee Kuntz said.


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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Rockies
Tue, Jun 11 Final 3 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Rockies
Wed, Jun 12 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 3
Nationals at Rockies
Thu, Jun 13 - 3:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Yankees (37-27) at Athletics (39-27)
Game: 2
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: June 12, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


The Oakland Athletics are enjoying their longest home win streak in seven seasons as well as their longest at home against the New York Yankees in 12 years.

The Athletics also have won seven of Dan Straily's nine outings as they look to extend both streaks and continue their outstanding starting pitching Wednesday night.

Oakland's run of nine consecutive home victories is its longest since a 10-game run Aug. 11-Sept. 1, 2006. The Athletics (39-27) have won five straight at home over New York (37-27) for their longest such run since going 6-0 in 2001.

The club is a major league-best 19-5 since May 17, and its starters have gone 14-3 with an AL-best 2.53 ERA in that span including a 1.37 ERA during this streak at home.

Bartolo Colon was the latest to contribute with six scoreless innings in Tuesday's 6-4 victory in the opener of this three-game set that gave Oakland its best 66-game start since 1992.

Closer Grant Balfour recorded his 16th save in as many chances, getting Travis Hafner for the final out on a leaping catch by left fielder Seth Smith.

"To me it was never going out," Balfour said.

Now the ball goes to Straily (3-2, 4.67 ERA), whose high ERA is deceiving since he is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last four outings. His worst effort in that stretch was Friday's 5-4, 10-inning victory over the White Sox in which he gave up four runs over seven innings.

The right-hander did not receive a decision in his only career outing against the Yankees on May 5, allowing three runs over 5 1-3 innings in a 5-4 victory.

The Athletics have concerns about Yoenis Cespedes, who left after the second inning Tuesday with tightness in his left hamstring. Cespedes is day to day after appearing to hurt himself running out a groundout in the first inning.

His absence would be good news for right-hander Phil Hughes (3-4, 4.80) since Cespedes is the only Oakland hitter to homer off Wednesday's Yankees starter.

Hughes ended a four-start winless stretch Friday by allowing an unearned run over seven innings in a 6-1 victory at Seattle.

"I thought he mixed his stuff a lot better, used his curveball, slider and changeup more effectively and it made his fastball better," manager Joe Girardi said.

Hughes' best outing was a May 4 gem against the Athletics in which he struck out nine over eight scoreless innings to earn a 4-2 victory. The Yankees are 5-1 when he starts against Oakland even though he owns a 4.63 ERA in those outings.

Brett Gardner had two more hits Tuesday, and the center fielder is 15 for 30 during an eight-game hitting streak. Mark Teixeira drove in three runs as New York's rally from a six-run deficit through seven innings fell short.

Derek Norris homered and drove in four runs. He was coming off an 0-for-13 road trip and was hitless in 14 straight at_bats before he changed his hairdo on Oakland's off day Monday by getting a mullet.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Athletics
Tue, Jun 11 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Athletics
Wed, Jun 12 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Yankees at Athletics
Thu, Jun 13 - 3:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Astros (22-44) at Mariners (29-37)
Game: 3
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: June 12, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


The Seattle Mariners' Jeremy Bonderman was all smiles after earning his first win in three seasons with an impressive effort last week.

Prized prospect Mike Zunino has plenty to be excited about, too.

Zunino could make his big league debut Wednesday night as the Mariners go for a three-game sweep of the visiting Houston Astros, who try to avoid a season-worst seventh consecutive loss.

After giving up seven runs in 4 2-3 innings during a 10-0 loss at Minnesota on June 2 in his first start since 2010, Bonderman (1-1, 6.75 ERA) allowed three hits over six innings of one-run ball to beat the New York Yankees 4-1 on Friday.

"I'm definitely very happy with getting the win, and being back on a big league field is something you don't take for granted," Bonderman told MLB's official website. He's battled several shoulder injuries throughout his career and underwent right elbow reconstruction in April 2012.

"It's just fun to have the opportunity to go out and play."

Hoping to build on his latest performance, Bonderman could be throwing to Zunino, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday. Drafted No. 3 overall in 2012, Zunino hit .238 with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs in 47 games.

"I don't think I could have pictured this a year ago, that this is where I'd be," he said. "It's exceeded everything I've ever dreamed of. So I'll just embrace it and take it as it comes.

"If I can help the ball team in any way, that to me is being ready. That's what I'm going to try to do."

The 22-year-old Zunino, promoted earlier than expected following an injury to backup catcher Jesus Sucre, is expected to split time with Kelly Shoppach.

"He's a mature kid," general manager Jack Zduriencik said of Zunino. "I don't think anybody here is expecting miracles. We're not looking like he's the answer. We're just looking as we put this together and where we're at right now, we know he's going to be a guy that is counted on going forward. ... So we'll bring him up here, give him a chance to play and see how it works out."

Seattle (29-37) finds itself on the verge of completing its first sweep of the season after Aaron Harang threw a two-hitter in Tuesday's 4-0 win. Raul Ibanez also came up big with his team-leading 13th homer, his second in as many nights.

Owners of the AL's worst record, the Astros (22-44) are already mired in their fourth six-game losing streak of the year. Houston has been outscored 23-7 while hitting .186 during its current skid.

"When a team is going through a bit of a funk and you have that happening as an offense, sometimes guys get frustrated and try to do too much," said outfielder Trevor Crowe, who is 2 for his last 18. "We may be going through a bit of that right now."

The Astros will try to bounce back behind Jordan Lyles (3-1, 4.03), who is 2-0 with a 2.05 ERA over his last five starts. The right-hander allowed two runs over seven innings Friday in a 4-2 loss at Kansas City.

"He's been outstanding," manager Bo Porter said. "He is really maturing and understanding himself more as a pitcher and doing a tremendous job."

As Lyles makes his first start against Seattle, Bonderman gets his first versus Houston.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Mariners
Mon, Jun 10 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Astros at Mariners
Tue, Jun 11 Final 0 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Astros at Mariners
Wed, Jun 12 - 10:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Diamondbacks (36-29) at Dodgers (28-36)
Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: June 12, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


While tensions could still be being running hot between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers in their decisive series finale, it might not be enough to overshadow a potentially stellar matchup between two of the NL's top pitchers.

Patrick Corbin again tries to become the majors' first 10-game winner when he faces rookie Hyun-Jin Ryu and the Dodgers on Wednesday night.

Light-hitting catcher Tim Federowicz delivered a three-run double in the eighth inning to help Los Angeles (28-36) snap a five-game skid to Arizona with a 5-3 victory Tuesday. However, the game was marred by five hit batsmen and two bench-clearing incidents. The second of which resulted in the ejection of Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy and manager Kirk Gibson.

Budding Dodgers star Yasiel Puig also was ejected, along with Los Angeles reliever Ronald Belisario, hitting coach Mark McGwire and Arizona coach Turner Ward.

"It got pretty ugly,' Arizona catcher Miguel Montero said.

Puig was hit in the nose by Kennedy on a pitch that deflected off his shoulder in the sixth. Los Angeles' Zack Greinke hit Montero in the seventh to clear the benches for the first time. Greinke was then plunked by Kennedy in the bottom of the frame to incite the more physical of the two incidents.

"Everything happened so fast,' Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "It just gets a little crazy out there.'

Puig hit .500 (16 for 32) with four homers and 10 RBIs in his first eight career games before he went 0 for 2 on Tuesday. Without him, the Dodgers managed to beat the Diamondbacks (36-29) for the fourth time in 20 games.

Arizona tries to bounce back behind Corbin (9-0, 1.98 ERA), who has already matched the best start in franchise history and can become the first pitcher to go 10-0 before the All-Star break since Roger Clemens went 11-0 for Toronto in 1997.

The left-hander gave up four runs over six innings in two straight starts before he allowed one in 7 1-3 innings while not factoring in the decision of a 3-1 victory over San Francisco on Friday. The Diamondbacks are 12-0 when Corbin takes the mound.

He's 2-1 versus Los Angeles, and as a starter has pitched 15 1-3 innings scoreless innings against the Dodgers. Corbin allowed three hits in six innings of a 3-0 win over the Dodgers on April 12. In his only appearance at Los Angeles in 2012, he yielded two hits in six frames of a 4-0 victory.

Ryu (6-2, 2.72), meanwhile, is 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA in six home starts this season.

The left-hander, 3-0 with a 1.51 ERA in his last five overall, has allowed one run, eight hits and struck out 13 in 16 2-3 innings of his last two outings - both at home. After missing his previous start with a bruised foot, Ryu gave up that run over 7 2-3 innings of a 2-1, 10-inning home victory over Atlanta on Friday.

"He really knows what he's doing," Mattingly told the Dodgers' official website. "He's fun to watch pitch. It's just been special to watch."

Ryu allowed three runs and struck out nine in six innings of a 7-5 win at Arizona on April 13.

Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt went 2 for 3 with a double off him, but is 2 for 23 in six games to drop his average from .336 to .313.

Willie Bloomquist had a go-ahead RBI single Tuesday for the Diamondbacks, who have dropped four of six. He's batting .441 (15 for 34) with six RBIs in 10 games since making his season debut from an oblique strain.

Los Angeles' Andre Ethier had two hits, including a game-tying two-run homer. He's 1 for 9 with five strikeouts against Corbin.

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

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Dodgers
Mon, Jun 10 Final 5 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Dodgers
Tue, Jun 11 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Dodgers
Wed, Jun 12 - 10:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Diamond Trends - Wednesday

June 12, 2013

SU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Brewers are 0-13 since June 25, 2006 on the road within 20 cents of pickem after playing as a favorite it is the last game of a three game series when they split the first two for a net profit of $1320 when playing against.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Reds are 0-12 OU since September 28, 2011 as a road favorite after a win in which they had 12+ hits and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1200 when playing the under.

PITCHER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- When Patrick Corbin starts the Diamondbacks are 14-0 since August 07, 2012 after a quality start and they won in his previous start for a net profit of $1484.

MLB BIBLE ACTIVE TREND:

-- The White Sox are 0-18 OU since August 25, 2008 after a game where they allowed at least three unearned runs and both teams had at least five hits.

ACTIVE TRENDS:

-- The Athletics are 10-0 since September 30, 2012 at home when they won the last two games their starter started for a net profit of $1000.

-- The Giants are 0-11 OU since August 06, 2011 as a dog after a loss in which they allowed 12+ hits and it is not the first game of a series for a net profit of $1100 when playing the under.

[StarDust Bum]

Armadillo: Wednesday's six-pack

-- The catch Peter Bourjos made over the CF fence at Camden Yards is #2 on my all-time list, behind a game-saving catch Gary Matthews Jr had in Arlington a few years ago. Bourjos just came off the DL, too.

-- There were fisticuffs/hostilities at Dodger Stadium, as four guys got hit by pitches in the Dodgers' 5-3 win. Even the coaches were involved.

-- Pirate phenom Gerrit Cole won his MLB debut 8-2 over the Giants; he even got his first hit and drove in a run.

-- Thru three games, Danny Green is leading scorer of the NBA Finals.

-- Lebron James took zero foul shots in Game 3, has taken six in first three games of this series. Kawhi Leonard plays excellent defense.

-- You'll hear this a lot before Game 4: Miami Heat won/covered the game after their last 11 losses. Last time they lost consecutive games was back on January 8-10, at Indiana/Portland.


*****

Armadillo: Wednesday's List of 13: 13 ways I know I'm getting old(er) ...........

13) I remember having to get up to turn the channel on the TV, up until 1973, when cable and that brown rectangular remote control box made life much easier. After the wheel, one of life's great inventions.

12) I remember NCIS star Mark Harmon playing quarterback for UCLA; he wore #7. I'm not nearly old enough to remember his dad Tom playing for Michigan, though I do remember some of the commercials he made.

Tangent: I grew up a huge USC football fan; my favorite player, and I can't remember why, was Al Cowlings, a defensive end who years later became famous for driving OJ Simpson around LA during the infamous police chase in the white Bronco. I remember telling my future ex-wife that story, and she just looked at me like I had six heads-- it wasn't the only time she did that.

11) I remember playing in Little League with wooden bats; aluminum bats were introduced when I was 12 years old. Let it be known that the only year I used an aluminum bat, I made the All-Star team, so I consider metal bats to be one of the great inventions of our time......lol

10) I remember hockey players playing without helmets; even a few goalies playing without masks; crazy bastards!!!!

9) I remember World Series games all being played in daytime; the first night World Series game was 1971. Orioles-Pirates.

8) I remember going to the movies every Sunday night during football season, after the NFL games ended- NFL didn’t used to have a game every Sunday night. Now I'm a little bit behind on my movie watching.

7) I remember when Catfish Hunter pitched a perfect game against the Twins, he also knocked in three runs that night; it was five years before the DH, which was first used in 1973.

6) I remember not seeing west coast boxscores until 4:00 the next day, when Albany's afternoon paper, the Knickerbocker News was delivered to our house; how I looked forward to seeing them!!!

Now I follow boxscores in real time, even on my phone.

5) I remember when college basketball teams had to win their league to get into the NCAA tournament; in 1974, Maryland was #3 in country, but lost ACC tournament final in OT to NC State (#2 in country) and the Terps didn’t even go to the NCAAs. Today, they would’ve been a #1 seed.

4) When I was in college, the drinking age was 18; bars used to be a lot more crowded back then, especially ones near colleges.

3) I remember life before ESPN, when there were only maybe 1-2 ACC basketball games on TV in a season here in New York; the Big East really is a creation of ESPN. Holy Cross turned down an invitation to be a member of the Big East when it started; how much money has that cost them?

2) I remember if you weren’t home and you needed to make a phone call, you had to find a phone booth, where calls were a dime, later a quarter. Now you see gaps in hallways in buildings where phone booths used to be. How many people don't have a phone in their pocket now?

1) There used to be three TV channels in Albany, plus PBS, which never had anything good on; now I have DirecTV with 800 or so channels, with specialized channels for the weather, stock market, golf, NBA, NHL, tennis, NFL, baseball, you name it. I can remember people laughing when MTV first started, that it was a dumb idea. Now look……..

Good thing I don’t have to get up to turn to all those channels.
Reply With Quote