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  • Preview: Dodgers (51-47) at Blue Jays (45-53)
    Game: 2
    Venue: Rogers Centre
    Date: July 23, 2013 7:07 PM EDT


    Playing without Matt Kemp did nothing to slow down the Los Angeles Dodgers in the series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.

    The surging Dodgers are expected to be without their star center fielder for another extended period as they seek their ninth consecutive road win and 22nd in 27 games overall Tuesday night at Rogers Centre.

    After missing 11 games with a sore left shoulder, Kemp went 3 for 4 with a home run, double and three RBIs before suffering a left ankle sprain while sliding into home plate in the ninth inning of Sunday's 9-2 win over Washington.

    X-rays were negative, but manager Don Mattingly said Monday he was less optimistic that Kemp would avoid a return to the DL.

    "I'm probably not feeling as good about it as I did yesterday,' Mattingly said. "It could go the wrong direction. Either this thing's going to get (better) and we'll know pretty quickly or it's going to be a little more severe.'

    Los Angeles (51-47) didn't have much of a problem without Kemp on Monday, pounding out 16 hits and setting a season high for runs in a 14-5 victory over the last-place Blue Jays.

    The team also extended its longest road streak since a nine-game run July 3-26, 2004, and moved into sole possession of first place in he NL West.

    A.J. Ellis led the way with career highs of four hits, including a homer, and five RBIs for the Dodgers, winners of four straight. They have totaled 23 runs and 31 hits in their last two games.

    Hanley Ramirez continued his red-hot stretch, picking up two more hits and two runs scored. He's batting .430 with nine homers and 28 RBIs in his last 30 games.

    "We have a deep lineup,' slugger Adrian Gonzalez said. "If you can just stay within the zone, it'll be really tough on the opposing pitcher.'

    The Dodgers will try to keep rolling against scheduled Toronto starter Todd Redmond (1-1, 4.32 ERA), who makes his third start since moving from the bullpen.

    The right-hander has gone 1-0 while allowing five runs and five hits over nine innings in his two starts - both Toronto victories.

    Redmond, who has never faced the Dodgers, looks to help the Jays (45-53) avoid their sixth straight loss and 18th in 25 games. They made a season-high five errors Monday.

    ``We've put ourselves in a significant hole,' infielder Mark DeRosa said. ``I don't know if we're capable of coming out of it.'

    Redmond will be opposed by Chris Capuano (3-6, 4.63), who bounced back with a superb performance in his last start after allowing 13 runs and 17 hits over eight innings in his previous two. The left-hander struck out a season-high eight over 6 1-3 scoreless innings in a 6-1 win against Colorado on July 11.

    "It was pretty obvious the last two starts that I needed to make some sort of adjustment,' Capuano said. "(It) was the best I felt this season.'

    Emilio Bonifacio has gone 7 for 16 with two doubles all-time against Capuano, but he's 6 for 29 overall in his last 14 games.

    Teammate Edwin Encarnacion is batting .367 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 15 games against NL opponents, though he's 3 for 17 with two homers lifetime in this matchup.

    Toronto's Colby Rasmus is batting .409 over his last 11 contests.

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

    SERIES AT A GLANCE

    GAME 1
    Dodgers at Blue Jays
    Mon, Jul 22 Final 14 to 5
    Boxscores • Recaps

    GAME 2
    Dodgers at Blue Jays
    Tue, Jul 23 - 7:07PM EDT

    GAME 3
    Dodgers at Blue Jays
    Wed, Jul 24 - 7:07PM EDT
    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

    Comment


    • Preview: Reds (56-43) at Giants (45-53)
      Game: 2
      Venue: AT&T Park
      Date: July 23, 2013 10:15 PM EDT


      The Cincinnati Reds certainly felt at home at AT&T Park in the opener of this four-game series.

      Now, it'll be official.

      The Reds go for another big offensive performance as they try to continue their success against the San Francisco Giants in this unusual doubleheader Tuesday night.

      Cincinnati (56-43) is among the best home teams in baseball at 32-17. The Reds will get a chance to build on that despite being in San Francisco, since they're considered the host in the second game of this twin bill - the makeup of a July 4 rainout in Cincinnati.

      The venue hasn't mattered much to the Reds, who have won 11 of 14 in the regular season versus the Giants (45-53) while batting .283 and averaging 5.2 runs.

      Cincinnati beat them again Monday, collecting 17 hits - nine for extra bases - in an 11-0 victory to remain perfect in four meetings this season with San Francisco.

      "I couldn't have ordered it up any better than that," manager Dusty Baker said.

      Shin-Soo Choo has been a big part of that success against the Giants this year, going 6 for 12 over the past three games after he had a double and a solo homer Monday.

      That's all part of the center fielder's 16-game hitting streak, which started with two hits in a 3-0 home win over the Giants on July 2. He's batting .431 with 15 runs during the stretch, which includes multi-hit performances in eight of his last nine games.

      While Choo attempts to continue pacing the offense, the Reds are hoping Tony Cingrani (3-1, 3.23 ERA) can get this doubleheader off to a strong start in his first appearance since the All-Star break.

      The rookie left-hander has a 2.70 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 16 2-3 innings over his last three starts, but limited offensive support has left him with an 0-1 record.

      He allowed two runs over 5 2-3 innings against San Francisco on July 3, an eventual 3-2, 11-inning win.

      The Giants will counter with Eric Surkamp, who is making his first start since Tommy John surgery cut his rookie season short in July 2011. The left-hander, who went 2-2 with a 5.74 ERA in six starts that season before getting hurt, was 2-0 with a 4.00 ERA in nine minor league starts this year.

      "Coming off surgery, you're going to have your ups and downs," Surkamp told the team's official website. "My arm is back to 100 percent, but repeating (the delivery) is still part of the process.

      "It's been a long year. ... You can't really say it's just another game."

      Barry Zito (4-7, 4.88) may share that feeling when he takes the mound wearing a road uniform in the nightcap. The left-hander is 0-6 with a 9.89 ERA in eight road starts, but being at AT&T Park may be just what he needs to end that slide.

      He's 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 games there. However, he hasn't defeated the Reds since a home victory Aug. 8, 2009, going 0-3 with a 3.74 ERA in seven games - six starts.

      The Reds will oppose Zito with right-hander Greg Reynolds, who hasn't appeared in the majors since going 3-0 with a 6.19 ERA in 13 games - three starts - with Colorado in 2011 after being drafted second overall five years earlier.

      "I think it's more gratifying this time around," Reynolds told the team's official website. "I definitely had to fight my way to get back. I'm excited about this opportunity. I'm glad the Reds are giving it to me. I will give them everything I've got."

      Reynolds, a native of nearby Pacifica, went 10-2 with a 2.53 ERA in 18 starts at Triple-A Louisville.


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

      SERIES AT A GLANCE

      GAME 1
      Reds at Giants
      Mon, Jul 22 Final 11 to 0
      Boxscores • Recaps

      GAME 2
      Giants at Reds
      Tue, Jul 23 - 10:15PM EDT

      GAME 3
      Reds at Giants
      Wed, Jul 24 - 10:15PM EDT
      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

      Comment


      • Preview: Rays (59-41) at Red Sox (60-41)
        Game: 2
        Venue: Fenway Park
        Date: July 23, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


        Tampa Bay's starting pitchers have mostly mowed through opposing lineups during a stretch that has them on the verge of taking the division lead.

        Roberto Hernandez has been the lone exception, but he'll get the ball looking to lead the Rays to a seventh straight win when they visit the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.

        The Rays (59-41), who were seven games back of the Red Sox (60-41) on June 29, could take over Boston's spot atop the AL East with another victory after Matt Moore's two-hitter in Monday's 3-0 series-opening win.

        "I really believed we were going to get back into it,' manger Joe Maddon said. "I didn't know when.'

        Tampa Bay has won 18 of 20 behind a starting staff that has posted a 2.11 ERA and delivered 17 quality starts. On Monday night, the Rays picked up their fifth shutout in 20 games - tying them for the AL lead with 12.

        "They came in playing good baseball," Boston right fielder Shane Victorino said. "We talked about it before the game, it's going to be a tough series for us."

        Boston, which had won 14 of its previous 17 at Fenway Park, is now in danger of losing a home series for the first time since the Blue Jays took two of three there May 10-12.

        The Red Sox are 5-2 at home against Tampa Bay this season despite scoring only 20 runs and hitting .201.

        The Rays hope to keep Boston off balance again Tuesday, but they'll be handing the ball to the one pitcher in their rotation who's been less than excellent during their hot stretch.

        Moore, Chris Archer, David Price and Jeremy Hellickson all have posted ERAs below 2.65 during this 20-game run, while Roberto Hernandez (5-10, 4.90 ERA) has been decent if unspectacular. He's 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three July starts, all against Houston or Minnesota, going six innings and allowing three runs in each.

        Hernandez had one of his better starts of the season in his lone outing against the Red Sox. He held Boston to three runs in seven innings while matching a season high with seven strikeouts in the Rays' 8-3 home victory June 11.

        The right-hander has stifled Dustin Pedroia, holding him to a double in 14 at_bats. David Ortiz, however, is 9 for 22 off Hernandez with three doubles and a home run.

        Jon Lester (8-6, 4.58) counters for the Red Sox as he tries for a fourth time to equal his 2012 win total. The left-hander won his first six decisions with a 2.72 ERA, but he's gone 2-6 with a 6.27 ERA in 11 starts since.

        Lester has lost his last two, most recently yielding three runs over 6 1-3 innings in a 3-0 loss at Oakland on July 13.

        "I'm not pitching the way I feel like I should or want to be," Lester told the team's official website. "At the same time, I think there are a lot of positives within some of those games that I try to take."

        The biggest positive for Lester on Tuesday is that he'll be at home. He's 3-0 with a 2.96 ERA at Fenway.

        Lester was solid in his first two starts against the Rays this season, posting a 1.93 ERA, before surrendering a season-worst seven runs, seven walks and three homers while losing to Hernandez on June 11.


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

        SERIES AT A GLANCE

        GAME 1
        Rays at Red Sox
        Mon, Jul 22 Final 3 to 0
        Boxscores • Recaps

        GAME 2
        Rays at Red Sox
        Tue, Jul 23 - 7:10PM EDT

        GAME 3
        Rays at Red Sox
        Wed, Jul 24 - 7:10PM EDT

        GAME 4
        Rays at Red Sox
        Thu, Jul 25 - 7:10PM EDT
        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

        Comment


        • Preview: Braves (56-43) at Mets (43-52)
          Game: 2
          Venue: Citi Field
          Date: July 23, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


          Although his nine losses rank among the most in baseball, Kris Medlen may be able to lead the Atlanta Braves to rare consecutive July victories facing a team he's held down throughout his career.

          The Braves will attempt to win two in a row for only the second time this month and stay perfect in Medlen starts against the New York Mets on Tuesday night.

          After dropping two of three to open the second half, Atlanta (56-43) bounced back Monday by rallying for two runs off Mets closer Bobby Parnell in the ninth inning for a 2-1 victory at Citi Field.

          Reed Johnson delivered the go-ahead RBI single as the NL East-leading Braves won for the seventh time in 16 games. Their only consecutive wins this month came in Miami on July 8-9.

          Having Medlen (6-9, 3.64 ERA) on the mound against the Mets would figure to give Atlanta an excellent chance at winning two in a row again.

          After going 5-1 with a 2.50 ERA over a six-start stretch, he has given up 11 runs and 17 hits over 9 1-3 innings in losses to Philadelphia and Cincinnati.

          "I'm trying to make adjustments and it comes down to, in the game, making the adjustments stick," said Medlen after allowing four runs and nine hits in four-plus innings of a 4-2 loss to the Reds on July 12. "It hasn't gotten there for me.'

          That certainly hasn't been the case when Medlen has faced the Mets (43-52). He's 4-0 with a 2.36 ERA in seven career starts against them - all Atlanta victories.

          The right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 13 innings in two starts versus New York this season.

          The Mets have been better offensively of late, averaging 5.5 runs while winning 10 of 16 before they were held to five hits in Monday's loss.

          Marlon Byrd is hitting .333 with five homers and 16 RBIs in his last 17 games, while rookie Juan Lagares is batting .419 with nine RBIs over his last 11 contests.

          New York is scheduled to send Carlos Torres (0-1, 0.79) to the mound for his second start after 10 relief appearances.

          The right-hander pitched well in his rotation debut, allowing one run over five innings before the Mets' bullpen blew the lead in a 4-2 loss at Pittsburgh on July 13.

          "He threw the ball great for as long as he could go," manager Terry Collins said. "He's going to be a good addition to our rotation.'

          Torres makes his first career start against the Braves, though he's held them scoreless over 7 1-3 innings in four games out of the bullpen. He struck out four in 2 1-3 hitless innings in a 5-3 loss at Turner Field on June 19.

          Jason Heyward returned to the Braves just in time Monday, making an outstanding diving catch with the potential winning run on base for the game's final out. Heyward, who went 0 for 3 with a walk, had missed six games with a right hamstring strain.

          "I want to make every play I can,' the Gold Glove outfielder said. "If I try to play it on the hop it probably gets by me. The safe way there was probably not the best.'


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

          SERIES AT A GLANCE

          GAME 1
          Braves at Mets
          Mon, Jul 22 Final 2 to 1
          Boxscores • Recaps

          GAME 2
          Braves at Mets
          Tue, Jul 23 - 7:10PM EDT

          GAME 3
          Braves at Mets
          Wed, Jul 24 - 7:10PM EDT

          GAME 4
          Braves at Mets
          Thu, Jul 25 - 12:10PM EDT
          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

          Comment


          • Preview: Yankees (52-47) at Rangers (55-44)
            Game: 2
            Venue: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
            Date: July 23, 2013 8:05 PM EDT


            Most of the talk in Arlington currently surrounds Matt Garza's first start for the Texas Rangers.

            The Rangers will add another key cog to their rotation Tuesday night, however, as Alexi Ogando looks to lead Texas to a fourth straight win over the New York Yankees.

            The right-hander will make his return to the Rangers after missing over a month with right shoulder inflammation. Ogando (4-2, 2.93 ERA) went 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in four starts before the injury landed him on the DL.

            This will be his first appearance since June 5, when he limited Boston to one run and three hits over 5 2-3 innings of a 3-2 victory.

            "He's ready to throw over 100 pitches," manager Ron Washington told the team's official site. "The bats of the New York Yankees will tell us how far he can go. If my ears start to hurt, I'll go get him. If I don't hear the loud sounds of their bats, we'll keep him out there."

            Ogando has only won two of his last eight starts despite a 3.50 ERA during that span. That's due to an offense that has provided him with 17 runs in those games.

            While Ogando has a 10.03 career ERA against the Yankees, all of those bad performances have come in New York. He has yet to give up a run in 2 2-3 innings against them at home.

            He will face an offense that has been highly inconsistent over the past couple of weeks. After recording 12 runs and 25 hits over their last two games in Boston, the Yankees were held to three hits in Monday's 3-0 loss to Texas (55-44). New York has scored two runs or fewer seven times in 12 games and has four homers in the past 16 contests.

            "There's only two things you can control in life - your preparation and effort," manager Joe Girardi told the team's official site. "I'm getting that. I'm not going to get down on these guys, because I get that (effort) every day. Tomorrow is a new day. This group has been pretty resilient all year."

            Ichiro Suzuki is 3 for his last 18, while Robinson Cano, who entered batting .415 over a 12-game hit streak, went 0 for 4 on Monday.

            The Yankees (52-47) have been held scoreless in their last 20 innings against the Rangers.

            Phil Hughes (4-9, 4.57) knows all about New York's offensive struggles. The right-hander has lost five of his last six starts, with his teammates providing him with one run of support in those defeats.

            That included a June 27 outing against Texas in which Hughes lost despite surrendering two runs in eight innings.

            The right-hander is 2-2 with a 2.16 ERA in four starts against the Rangers, but did give up four runs over 2 2-3 innings in his last appearance in Arlington, a 7-3 loss April 25, 2012.

            Adrian Beltre (3 for 18 with six strikeouts), A.J. Pierzynski (3 for 15), Elvis Andrus (0 for 10), Ian Kinsler (1 for 10) and Nelson Cruz (2 for 9) have all struggled against Hughes.

            Hughes struck out a season-high 10 over 7 1-3 innings but was derailed by three homers in a 4-1 loss to Minnesota on July 13.

            "It's frustrating,' Hughes said. "I've felt good with my stuff over the last three or four starts. There's just one or two mistakes that I have to stay away from.'

            He had surrendered just three home runs over his prior six starts spanning 36 1-3 innings.

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

            SERIES AT A GLANCE

            GAME 1
            Yankees at Rangers
            Mon, Jul 22 Final 0 to 3
            Boxscores • Recaps

            GAME 2
            Yankees at Rangers
            Tue, Jul 23 - 8:05PM EDT

            GAME 3
            Yankees at Rangers
            Wed, Jul 24 - 8:05PM EDT

            GAME 4
            Yankees at Rangers
            Thu, Jul 25 - 2:05PM EDT
            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

            Comment


            • Preview: Tigers (54-44) at White Sox (39-57)
              Game: 2
              Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
              Date: July 23, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


              As they attempt to stay atop the AL Central, the last thing the Detroit Tigers want to see is Miguel Cabrera out with an injury.

              The status of the major league's leading hitter is unknown for Tuesday night's visit with the Chicago White Sox.

              Cabrera aggravated a nagging hip injury in Monday's 7-3 win when he scored on Victor Martinez's two-run single in the fifth inning.

              Cabrera, who leads the majors with a .358 average and is second in the AL with 31 homers and 96 RBIs, was manning third base in the bottom of that frame but left with one out. Detroit manager Jim Leyland said the Tigers (54-44) are going to "wait and see' on Cabrera's condition.

              "I felt something and I didn't want to keep hurting myself," said Cabrera, who will be re-evaluated Tuesday. "I decided to come out, get treatment and try to be ready for tomorrow."

              Cabrera is batting .446 with seven homers in his last 17 games against the White Sox.

              "He's tough. He won't be out long," outfielder Torii Hunter said. "I definitely think if you need to rest him a little bit, a couple days, I guess we have to do that. We need him for the long run. If it takes a couple days for him to get where he needs to be, I think we should do it."

              Detroit also is missing .309 hitter Omar Infante because of a sprained left ankle, and he's not expected to be back until this weekend.

              Returning for the first time since serving a five-game suspension for throwing at Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist on June 30, Rick Porcello (6-6, 4.80 ERA) will try to win a second straight start against the White Sox (39-57). The right-hander gave up three runs over six innings in an 8-5 victory against Chicago on July 10, his last trip to the mound.

              Porcello is 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA in his last eight starts versus the White Sox, and is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his first two outings this month.

              His counterpart, Hector Santiago (3-5, 3.30), has a 2.29 ERA in his first three starts this month but has not received a decision. Santiago has been given a combined four runs of support, though his 7 1-3 innings of one-run ball in a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia on July 13 turned out to be one of his best outings of 2013.

              The left-hander matched a season high with nine strikeouts, but was lamenting John Mayberry's homer with two outs in the seventh.

              "I just wanted that one pitch back," Santiago told the team's official website. "But other than that one, I feel like everything was good. All my pitches were working. It was a good night all around."

              Santiago will make his first start against the Tigers after posting a 1.64 ERA in seven relief appearances last season. Prince Fielder and Andy Dirks are the only Detroit players to get more than one hit off him, each going 2 for 3.

              Paul Konerko, who came off the disabled list Monday, is 11 for 29 (.379) in his career against Porcello. Dayan Viciedo is 6 for 15.

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

              SERIES AT A GLANCE

              GAME 1
              Tigers at White Sox
              Mon, Jul 22 Final 7 to 3
              Boxscores • Recaps

              GAME 2
              Tigers at White Sox
              Tue, Jul 23 - 8:10PM EDT

              GAME 3
              Tigers at White Sox
              Wed, Jul 24 - 8:10PM EDT

              GAME 4
              Tigers at White Sox
              Thu, Jul 25 - 2:10PM EDT
              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

              Comment


              • Preview: Orioles (57-43) at Royals (45-51)
                Game: 2
                Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
                Date: July 23, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


                The Baltimore Orioles' only defeat during their latest surge came in Jason Hammel's most recent start, which isn't much of a surprise given his nearly two-month winless stretch.

                Hammel looks to begin his second half on a high note as visiting Baltimore tries to extend its season-best winning streak to six against the slumping Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

                The Orioles (57-43) have been on a tear of late, beating the Royals 9-2 in Monday's series opener for their eighth victory in nine tries. J.J. Hardy hit a two-run homer and Chris Davis, who leads the majors with 97 RBIs, added a two-run double as each drove in three runs.

                Seven players had multi-hit games as Baltimore matched its season high with 18 hits.

                "The way we're swinging the bats, we know that if one guy doesn't do it, the next will do it," Davis said.

                Baltimore's last defeat came July 13, when Hammel allowed six runs and 10 hits over six innings of a 7-3 loss to Toronto.

                Hammel (7-6, 5.24 ERA) hasn't won since beating Washington on May 27, going 0-4 with a 5.59 ERA over his past eight starts - seven of which have been Orioles losses.

                He surrendered another homer in his most recent outing, pushing his total to 19 after allowing nine in 20 starts last season.

                "I am not throwing sliders for strikes. Not throwing curveballs where I want them. Changeup is non-existent. I'm beating myself right now,' Hammel said. "I'm better than this. And it's on my shoulders. It's on nobody else's. It's fixable.'

                Manager Buck Showalter is confident the right-hander can get back on track.

                "He's pitched some good games,' Showalter said. "I think it bodes well for the rest of the season because he's capable of better and I think his best games are ahead of him.'

                Hammel had gone 0-2 with a 7.63 ERA in three starts versus the Royals while in the NL before striking out seven in six scoreless innings of an 8-2 win May 25, 2012. He'll seek a similar effort against a Kansas City team that has dropped seven of nine after Monday's loss.

                The Royals (45-51) have averaged only 2.4 runs during their slump. They'll look to improve on that production for Bruce Chen, who will be making his second start after 19 relief appearances.

                Chen (3-0, 2.04) replaced the struggling Luis Mendoza in the rotation before the All-Star break and allowed one hit and struck out four over six innings July 12, but the Royals fell to Cleveland 3-0.

                "I'm very happy with the way I pitched,' said Chen, who went 11-14 with a 5.07 ERA in 34 starts last season. "I did everything I could to help us win."

                Manager Ned Yost acknowledged Chen likely could have remained in the game, but the left-hander hadn't pitched more than 4 2-3 innings prior to that outing.

                "Bruce really threw the ball well for us,' Yost said. "I suppose he could have gone longer, but realistically, he had done his job. He threw six strong innings.'

                Chen, who spent 2004-06 with Baltimore, pitched two scoreless innings against his former team in Kansas City's 5-3 loss May 8.

                He's 2-3 with a 5.52 ERA in six career starts versus the Orioles. Nick Markakis, who had three hits in Monday's opener, is 8 for 16 with three doubles and a homer against Chen.


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

                SERIES AT A GLANCE

                GAME 1
                Orioles at Royals
                Mon, Jul 22 Final 9 to 2
                Boxscores • Recaps

                GAME 2
                Orioles at Royals
                Tue, Jul 23 - 8:10PM EDT

                GAME 3
                Orioles at Royals
                Wed, Jul 24 - 8:10PM EDT

                GAME 4
                Orioles at Royals
                Thu, Jul 25 - 8:10PM EDT
                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                Comment


                • Preview: Padres (44-56) at Brewers (41-57)
                  Game: 2
                  Venue: Miller Park
                  Date: July 23, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


                  Ryan Braun became the first star to fall in baseball's latest scandal.

                  The Milwaukee Brewers had already dropped into the NL Central cellar.

                  With Braun suspended for the rest of the season, the Brewers will try to avoid another loss without their star Tuesday night when they host the last-place San Diego Padres.

                  Braun was suspended without pay for the rest of the regular season and playoffs, becoming the first player to face sanctions for reported involvement with a Florida clinic accused of distributing performance-enhancing drugs.

                  The 2011 NL MVP had avoided a suspension last year, when an arbitrator ruled his positive test was invalid since the urine sample had been improperly handled.

                  "I am not perfect. I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions," Braun said in a statement after vehemently denying any wrongdoing during a press conference in spring training last year.

                  The Brewers (41-57) dropped to 13-24 without Braun this season with a 5-3 loss Monday in the opener of this four-game series, which marked the beginning of the five-time All-Star's suspension.

                  "I'm somewhat happy this is over with so we can move forward," general manager Doug Melvin said. "He's a Milwaukee Brewer. He's wearing the uniform next year. His focus will be to get ready for next year."

                  For now, the Brewers may continue to miss him in this series since he's batting .386 over his last 12 home games against San Diego (44-56).

                  Milwaukee may also be without All-Star center fielder Carlos Gomez for a third game due to a sore left elbow. That could mean rookies Logan Schafer and Caleb Gindl starting again in place of Gomez and Braun.

                  The young duo combined to go 0 for 5 with three walks Monday, and Schafer has a .190 average at home this season.

                  Gindl, though, is 7 for 23 (.304) in eight games at Miller Park, connecting for a walkoff homer in Sunday's 1-0, 13-inning win over Miami.

                  Another rookie is expected to be on the mound, as Donovan Hand (0-1, 3.27 ERA) is slated to get a rare start.

                  The right-hander has been used out of the bullpen in 12 of his 15 games, including each of the last three. He didn't get a decision in his latest start after allowing three runs and three walks over five innings in an 8-5 loss at Washington on July 4.

                  Hand is 0-1 with a 3.07 ERA in his three starts.

                  The Padres have split four games since the All-Star break, hitting .227 in those victories compared to .329 during the defeats.

                  Tyson Ross (0-4, 3.60) is returning to the rotation for the first time since injuring his left - non-throwing - shoulder while getting a hit in a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 17.

                  He went 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three starts before making 19 relief appearances since the injury prevented him from hitting.

                  "It was unfortunate I had an injury early in the season, but I'm excited about getting back in the rotation and starting every fifth day," Ross told the team's official website.

                  In preparation for facing the Brewers for the first time, Ross made two starts for Triple-A Tucson, yielding two runs in nine innings.

                  "His arm is strong ... he feels good," manager Bud Black said.


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

                  SERIES AT A GLANCE

                  GAME 1
                  Padres at Brewers
                  Mon, Jul 22 Final 5 to 3
                  Boxscores • Recaps

                  GAME 2
                  Padres at Brewers
                  Tue, Jul 23 - 8:10PM EDT

                  GAME 3
                  Padres at Brewers
                  Wed, Jul 24 - 8:10PM EDT

                  GAME 4
                  Padres at Brewers
                  Thu, Jul 25 - 2:10PM EDT
                  Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                  Comment


                  • Preview: Athletics (58-41) at Astros (33-65)
                    Game: 2
                    Venue: Minute Maid Park
                    Date: July 23, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


                    Jarrod Parker's record may not show it, but he's been among baseball's best pitchers over the last two months.

                    His first career meeting with the Houston Astros may further solidify that status.

                    Parker hopes to win for the first time in over a month Tuesday night and help the Oakland Athletics remain perfect against the Astros this year.

                    Parker (6-6, 3.95 ERA) has a major league-best 0.83 WHIP in his last 11 starts, and he's also compiled a 2.33 ERA while limiting opponents to a .179 average.

                    Despite those numbers, the right-hander is just 4-1 over that span since he's been backed by two runs or fewer in six of those outings.

                    The bullpen hasn't been much help, either. Each of Parker's last four starts have resulted in A's losses, and the relievers have been responsible for each while surrendering 12 earned runs in 11 1-3 innings.

                    That trend continued July 12, when Parker allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings before the bullpen gave up two runs in the eighth of a 4-2 loss to Boston.

                    He may feel encouraged about getting his first win since June 18 at Texas since AL West-leading Oakland (58-41) has won 12 straight meetings with the Astros, including all 10 this year.

                    The A's are hitting .295 while averaging 7.2 runs against them this season. They've hit 14 of their 15 homers against Houston in seven meetings at Minute Maid Park, where the bullpen has a 2.41 ERA.

                    Oakland's winning streak against the Astros (33-65) appeared to be in jeopardy Monday, but Josh Reddick completed the rally with a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning of a 4-3 victory. Before that, the A's fell behind 3-0 after three innings, committing three errors.

                    "We didn't give up. We didn't put our heads down and say, 'Oh well, we are just having a bad game,'" manager Bob Melvin said.

                    It's unclear if Melvin will have Yoenis Cespedes back in the lineup due to a sore left wrist. The left fielder has missed all four games since the break after winning the Home Run Derby.

                    Oakland could have a tough time beating the Astros again with Houston scheduled to start Jarred Cosart, one of the organization's top young arms.

                    The 23-year-old right-hander's tremendous display in his major league debut was enough to earn him a spot in the rotation. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of a 2-1 win at Tampa Bay on July 12, and ended up allowing two singles before leaving with no outs in the ninth.

                    "We just want him to continue to pitch," manager Bo Porter told the team's official website. "We all know the talent he has. It's a big arm. It's a guy who has tremendous stuff. I said this even after the last start. People wanted to compare Jarred Cosart to different people.

                    "I said, 'Let's allow Jarred Cosart to be Jarred Cosart.' Over time he'll be able to answer all of those questions. But there will be no undue pressure placed on him. He's going to be one of five guys that will get the ball once every five days."

                    Cosart was acquired from Philadelphia in the 2011 Hunter Pence trade, and went 7-4 with a 3.29 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 93 innings over 18 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

                    Chris Carter, a member of the A's the last three years, is batting .139 against his former team after going 1 for 4 with an RBI on Monday.

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

                    SERIES AT A GLANCE

                    GAME 1
                    Athletics at Astros
                    Mon, Jul 22 Final 4 to 3
                    Boxscores • Recaps

                    GAME 2
                    Athletics at Astros
                    Tue, Jul 23 - 8:10PM EDT

                    GAME 3
                    Athletics at Astros
                    Wed, Jul 24 - 2:10PM EDT
                    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                    Comment


                    • Preview: Phillies (49-50) at Cardinals (59-37)
                      Game: 1
                      Venue: Busch Stadium
                      Date: July 23, 2013 8:15 PM EDT


                      The St. Louis Cardinals are hoping Shelby Miller's extended break will pay dividends down the road.

                      Jonathan Pettibone has been doing his part lately to help the Philadelphia Phillies' hopes of making a run at the postseason.

                      These rookie right-handers open a three-game series Tuesday night in St. Louis, where the Phillies have enjoyed some recent success.

                      Miller (9-6, 2.92 ERA) will pitch for the first time since allowing three runs over five innings without a decision in a 5-4 victory over Houston on July 10. He is third on the Cardinals (59-37) with 104 2-3 innings.

                      "If you look at it, it's pretty smart,' Miller said. "I don't know innings-wise, but the most I've thrown hasn't been a ton in my career. I'm over 100 now and I'm trying to get to 180 or so this year not including whatever we do in the postseason, so I think it's just more precautionary and a smart play.'

                      St. Louis wants to ensure the 22-year-old, who is 5-2 with a 1.93 ERA in nine home outings, will be fresh for an expected deep run in the postseason.

                      "I think we've all been very clear about having Shelby get as much time as he can and trying to be smart with a young player," manager Mike Matheny said. "He's chomping at the bit to get back out there and that's the way it should be."

                      Miller, who is 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA in his three starts with at least six days' rest, threw two side sessions in Chicago before the All-Star break and had another one Friday.

                      He has never faced the Phillies (49-50) and counterpart Pettibone (5-3, 3.89) has never faced the Cardinals.

                      Pettibone is 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA over his last five starts, yielding one homer over 29 innings. He has posted a 5.65 road ERA compared to a 2.68 home mark.

                      While St. Louis owns the NL's best record and seems likely to gain a third straight postseason berth, Philadelphia faces sizable gaps in the NL East and wild-card race.

                      "I feel that everybody's bunched in there and if we were to put together a streak, you definitely can better your position and have a chance," manager Charlie Manuel said. "I believe that. It's up to us to play better and do better."

                      These teams split four games in Philadelphia in April, and the Phillies have won six of nine in St. Louis - including the playoffs.

                      The Cardinals are averaging just under five runs per game to lead the NL thanks to clutch hitting evidenced by a major league-best .338 average with runners in scoring position - which would mark the best by any club since 1974.

                      Allen Craig leads the majors in that department at .489 - which would better former Kansas City star George Brett's .469 mark in 1980 that is currently the highest since 1974. Craig has reached base in 17 straight games, batting .413 with 15 RBIs.

                      St. Louis has won seven of its last eight at home, taking two of three from San Diego this past weekend.

                      Philadelphia dropped two of three to the New York Mets over the weekend. Delmon Young, who missed the first series with the Cardinals while recovering from ankle surgery, was 7 for 13.

                      The Phillies are trying to avoid their first three-game slide since losing five in a row June 7-12.

                      These clubs are both 10-4 on Tuesdays.

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

                      SERIES AT A GLANCE

                      GAME 1
                      Phillies at Cardinals
                      Tue, Jul 23 - 8:15PM EDT

                      GAME 2
                      Phillies at Cardinals
                      Wed, Jul 24 - 8:15PM EDT

                      GAME 3
                      Phillies at Cardinals
                      Thu, Jul 25 - 7:15PM EDT
                      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                      Comment


                      • Preview: Marlins (36-61) at Rockies (48-52)
                        Game: 2
                        Venue: Coors Field
                        Date: July 23, 2013 8:40 PM EDT


                        With their scoreless streak finally behind them, the Miami Marlins now face another difficult task in trying to solve the recently stingy Jhoulys Chacin.

                        They'll also be counting on Jose Fernandez to provide yet another solid outing as two of the hottest pitchers in baseball oppose each other Tuesday night at Coors Field.

                        Miami (36-61) had gone 37 innings without a run - the majors' longest such streak in 28 years - before Giancarlo Stanton's RBI double in the first inning of Monday's 3-1 win over Colorado (48-52) ended the drought, helping halt a four-game skid.

                        Ed Lucas added a homer for the Marlins, who had scored a total of seven runs while dropping their previous six road games.

                        "You know it's going to happen eventually,' Lucas said. "It was important for us to do it early and get that monkey off our back. You could sense the relief in the dugout.'

                        Miami's offense could get another boost from Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick, outfielders who are ranked among baseball's top prospects and will be called up from Double-A prior to Tuesday's contest.

                        Both figure to be in the lineup to make their debuts against Chacin (9-4, 3.50 ERA), who has rebounded from a rough stretch to become one of the league's best pitchers of late.

                        After going 0-3 with a 6.43 ERA in seven starts from May 5-June 6, Chacin went 6-1 with a 1.94 ERA over his next seven outings to end the first half on a tear.

                        He allowed one run and struck out six in six innings of a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 14.

                        "Before I was just trying to just throw it hard,' Chacin said. "Now, I'm just trying to make my pitch, get them to hit it and get themselves out."

                        The right-hander hasn't had much success versus the Marlins, though, going 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA in two starts and a pair of relief appearances.

                        Fernandez (5-5, 2.75 ERA) has posted a 1.72 ERA over his last eight starts, allowing one run and four hits through six innings of Miami's 2-1, 10-inning win over Washington on July 13.

                        He also struck out two of the three hitters he faced in last Tuesday's All-Star Game.

                        Fernandez has allowed fewer than two runs in half of his 18 starts, and opponents are hitting just .196 against him. The rookie right-hander, who turns 21 on July 31, has tossed 104 2-3 innings, but manager Mike Redmond said he won't use Fernandez any differently despite an innings limit of 150-170.

                        "We're going to use him the way we have the whole year until those innings dry up," Redmond told the team's official website.

                        Fernandez has thrown at least six innings in seven of his last eight starts.

                        "We're not going to pull him out early because we want to save his innings," Redmond said. "In every one of his starts, we're going to try to win."

                        Colorado's offense may be in for another tough night after scoring fewer than two runs for the eighth time in its last 14 contests. Troy Tulowitzki had two hits for the third time in his last four games, homering in the fourth.

                        "We got some hits, but we couldn't string anything together,' manager Walt Weiss said. "You score one run, you're not going to win many games.'

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

                        SERIES AT A GLANCE

                        GAME 1
                        Marlins at Rockies
                        Mon, Jul 22 Final 3 to 1
                        Boxscores • Recaps

                        GAME 2
                        Marlins at Rockies
                        Tue, Jul 23 - 8:40PM EDT

                        GAME 3
                        Marlins at Rockies
                        Wed, Jul 24 - 8:40PM EDT

                        GAME 4
                        Marlins at Rockies
                        Thu, Jul 25 - 3:10PM EDT
                        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                        Comment


                        • Preview: Cubs (44-53) at Diamondbacks (51-48)
                          Game: 2
                          Venue: Chase Field
                          Date: July 23, 2013 9:40 PM EDT


                          The Arizona Diamondbacks are in a position they haven't been in since the middle of May - out of first place in the NL West.

                          Fresh off his first All-Star appearance, Patrick Corbin will try to build on his first-half dominance and help the Diamondbacks get back on track Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs.

                          Arizona (51-48) dropped a half-game behind the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West with a 4-2 loss in Monday's series opener. The Diamondbacks hadn't been out of first place since May 16.

                          Arizona is batting .194 in its last 11 games and is 6 for 42 (.143) with runners in scoring position in its last seven. The Diamondbacks have produced nine runs in their last five contests.

                          "Everyone is trying their best, but in this game, you fail more than you succeed,' said shortstop Didi Gregorius, who went 3 for 3 and scored a run Monday. "We'll come back tomorrow and find a way to get it done."

                          Junior Lake, meanwhile, continued his stellar start for the Cubs (44-53) by going 4 for 5 with his first major league homer and three RBIs. Lake's nine hits are the most by a Chicago player in his first four games since Andy Pafko in 1943.

                          "It's pretty nice what he's doing," manager Dale Sveum said. "He's done something that hasn't happened in 70 years, and it's pretty impressive. Hopefully it continues."

                          Corbin (11-1, 2.35 ERA) will try to contain Lake and the rest of the Chicago lineup in his first start since the All-Star game. After going winless in six consecutive outings, the left-hander is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 20 strikeouts in his last two games.

                          He gave up one run over 6 2-3 innings and fanned 10 in his final start before the break, a 2-1 win over Milwaukee on July 12, as the Diamondbacks improved to 17-2 when he takes the hill.

                          Corbin won his only start against the Cubs on June 2 despite giving up four runs over six innings.

                          In this matchup, he'll pitch opposite another first-time All-Star, left-hander Travis Wood (6-6, 2.79).

                          Wood has one win in his last eight starts despite allowing three earned runs or fewer in each outing. He gave up three in the first-half finale against St. Louis on July 14, but also yielded a season-high 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings, failing to make it through the sixth for only the second time this season in a 10-6 loss.

                          Wood is 0-3 with an 8.40 ERA in his last three starts against Arizona and gave up five runs over five innings in his most recent matchup, an 8-3 loss at Chase Field on Sept. 28

                          After pitcher Matt Garza was traded to Texas on Monday, Sveum is likely hoping Alfonso Soriano isn't dealt away before this series ends. The outfielder, reportedly drawing interest from the New York Yankees, is batting .369 with 17 homers and 38 RBIs in his last 32 games against the Diamondbacks.

                          Soriano, though, had a 10-game hitting streak in Arizona snapped Monday. He doubled and struck out twice in his three at_bats against Corbin in June.


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

                          SERIES AT A GLANCE

                          GAME 1
                          Cubs at Diamondbacks
                          Mon, Jul 22 Final 4 to 2
                          Boxscores • Recaps

                          GAME 2
                          Cubs at Diamondbacks
                          Tue, Jul 23 - 9:40PM EDT

                          GAME 3
                          Cubs at Diamondbacks
                          Wed, Jul 24 - 9:40PM EDT

                          GAME 4
                          Cubs at Diamondbacks
                          Thu, Jul 25 - 9:40PM EDT
                          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                          Comment


                          • Preview: Twins (42-54) at Angels (46-51)
                            Game: 2
                            Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
                            Date: July 23, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


                            Though the top of the Los Angeles Angels' starting rotation has been solid of late, manager Mike Scioscia is rightfully concerned about its overall depth moving forward.

                            Getting Tommy Hanson back for Tuesday night's contest with the visiting Minnesota Twins could provide some help.

                            C.J. Wilson has allowed two earned runs over his last four starts and Jered Weaver has won three of his last four outings, but Jerome Williams has posted a 14.54 ERA over his last four starts, and Joe Blanton suffered his major league-worst 13th defeat in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Twins.

                            Hanson (4-2, 5.10 ERA) hasn't pitched since giving up seven runs in two innings of the Angels' 10-9 win over Seattle on June 20. He was scratched from his next start before going on the disabled list with a right forearm strain.

                            The right-hander's return should be a major plus for an Angels rotation that is still missing Jason Vargas, who has been out since mid-June with a blood clot in his left armpit.

                            "I think the biggest thing is getting depth back in our rotation," Scioscia told the team's official website. "You can talk about needing a sixth and seventh (starter), but at this point in the season, we need one through five. We need those guys to get it going for the second half and we're not quite there yet."

                            Scioscia said Hanson may have a pitch count Tuesday.

                            "We'll evaluate that, but he should have enough to pitch deep enough into the game," Scioscia said.

                            The status of Josh Hamilton, though, is unclear after he was scratched for Monday's contest with a stiff right ankle.

                            "I have to wake up (Tuesday) morning, see what happens, see how it feels and see what they tell me," Hamilton said.

                            The Angels (46-51) could use all the offensive help they can get having averaged 2.1 runs while dropping five of their last seven. Albert Pujols went 0 for 4 for the second straight game and is hitting just .249 on the season.

                            Minnesota (42-54) began its seven-game road trip with its fifth victory in six tries, as Joe Mauer had three hits and is batting .459 over his last 10 games.

                            Left fielder Clete Thomas hit a solo homer and an RBI double before robbing Chris Iannetta of a potential three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth that would have given Los Angeles the lead.

                            The Twins' starting rotation, though, ranks last in the majors with a 5.19 ERA, a mark rookie right-hander Kyle Gibson will look to improve.

                            Gibson (2-2, 6.45) gave up three runs and walked four over five innings in another shaky outing, but the offense provided enough support for a 10-4 win over the New York Yankees on July 14.

                            "We'd like to see him attack the zone a lot more," manager Ron Gardenhire told the team's official website. "He just kind of picked a little too much for our liking. The game was slow-paced, and he knows that. He's got to do a little better."

                            Minnesota had lost five straight road meetings with the Angels prior to Monday's win.

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

                            SERIES AT A GLANCE

                            GAME 1
                            Twins at Angels
                            Mon, Jul 22 Final 4 to 3
                            Boxscores • Recaps

                            GAME 2
                            Twins at Angels
                            Tue, Jul 23 - 10:05PM EDT

                            GAME 3
                            Twins at Angels
                            Wed, Jul 24 - 3:35PM EDT
                            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                            Comment


                            • Preview: Giants (45-53) at Reds (56-43)
                              Game: 2
                              Venue: AT&T Park
                              Date: July 23, 2013 10:15 PM EDT


                              The Cincinnati Reds certainly felt at home at AT&T Park in the opener of this four-game series.

                              Now, it'll be official.

                              The Reds go for another big offensive performance as they try to continue their success against the San Francisco Giants in this unusual doubleheader Tuesday night.

                              Cincinnati (56-43) is among the best home teams in baseball at 32-17. The Reds will get a chance to build on that despite being in San Francisco, since they're considered the host in the second game of this twin bill - the makeup of a July 4 rainout in Cincinnati.

                              The venue hasn't mattered much to the Reds, who have won 11 of 14 in the regular season versus the Giants (45-53) while batting .283 and averaging 5.2 runs.

                              Cincinnati beat them again Monday, collecting 17 hits - nine for extra bases - in an 11-0 victory to remain perfect in four meetings this season with San Francisco.

                              "I couldn't have ordered it up any better than that," manager Dusty Baker said.

                              Shin-Soo Choo has been a big part of that success against the Giants this year, going 6 for 12 over the past three games after he had a double and a solo homer Monday.

                              That's all part of the center fielder's 16-game hitting streak, which started with two hits in a 3-0 home win over the Giants on July 2. He's batting .431 with 15 runs during the stretch, which includes multi-hit performances in eight of his last nine games.

                              While Choo attempts to continue pacing the offense, the Reds are hoping Tony Cingrani (3-1, 3.23 ERA) can get this doubleheader off to a strong start in his first appearance since the All-Star break.

                              The rookie left-hander has a 2.70 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 16 2-3 innings over his last three starts, but limited offensive support has left him with an 0-1 record.

                              He allowed two runs over 5 2-3 innings against San Francisco on July 3, an eventual 3-2, 11-inning win.

                              The Giants will counter with Eric Surkamp, who is making his first start since Tommy John surgery cut his rookie season short in July 2011. The left-hander, who went 2-2 with a 5.74 ERA in six starts that season before getting hurt, was 2-0 with a 4.00 ERA in nine minor league starts this year.

                              "Coming off surgery, you're going to have your ups and downs," Surkamp told the team's official website. "My arm is back to 100 percent, but repeating (the delivery) is still part of the process.

                              "It's been a long year. ... You can't really say it's just another game."

                              Barry Zito (4-7, 4.88) may share that feeling when he takes the mound wearing a road uniform in the nightcap. The left-hander is 0-6 with a 9.89 ERA in eight road starts, but being at AT&T Park may be just what he needs to end that slide.

                              He's 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 games there. However, he hasn't defeated the Reds since a home victory Aug. 8, 2009, going 0-3 with a 3.74 ERA in seven games - six starts.

                              The Reds will oppose Zito with right-hander Greg Reynolds, who hasn't appeared in the majors since going 3-0 with a 6.19 ERA in 13 games - three starts - with Colorado in 2011 after being drafted second overall five years earlier.

                              "I think it's more gratifying this time around," Reynolds told the team's official website. "I definitely had to fight my way to get back. I'm excited about this opportunity. I'm glad the Reds are giving it to me. I will give them everything I've got."

                              Reynolds, a native of nearby Pacifica, went 10-2 with a 2.53 ERA in 18 starts at Triple-A Louisville.

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

                              SERIES AT A GLANCE

                              GAME 1
                              Reds at Giants
                              Mon, Jul 22 Final 11 to 0
                              Boxscores • Recaps

                              GAME 2
                              Giants at Reds
                              Tue, Jul 23 - 10:15PM EDT

                              GAME 3
                              Reds at Giants
                              Wed, Jul 24 - 10:15PM EDT
                              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                              Comment


                              • Preview: Indians (52-47) at Mariners (47-52)
                                Game: 2
                                Venue: Safeco Field
                                Date: July 23, 2013 10:10 PM EDT


                                The Seattle Mariners will try to keep their lengthy win streak going in Eric Wedge's expected return from a night in the hospital.

                                The Mariners seek their eighth consecutive victory when they continue their series against Wedge's former club, the Cleveland Indians, on Tuesday night.

                                Wedge experienced dizziness during batting practice before Monday's series opener with Cleveland and had to be helped off the field. After being examined by team doctors, the manager was sent to a local hospital as a precaution.

                                Bench coach Robby Thompson guided the team to a 2-1 victory over the Indians, who dropped 2 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central.

                                "He's going to stay overnight and we'll know more in the morning once all of those results get in," Thompson said. "He's resting and he's feeling fine right now. He's feeling a lot better. ... He should be fine, and I'm sure the 'W' is going to help him out a little bit."

                                Kendrys Morales and Mike Zunino each homered to give Seattle a major league-best 29 long balls this month. The Mariners have also gone deep in 25 of the past 26 games, and Morales has a team-best six this month.

                                "Every day you're a different player, but we've been connecting here and every time you connect that's a positive thing and you can build on that," he said through an interpreter. "You've got to work hard in the cage with your teammates every day and I think that's a fundamental thing that we're really focusing on right now."

                                With their manager back, the Mariners (47-52) will try to match their longest win streak from 2012. Seattle took eight in a row Aug. 14-22 and capped that run with a three-game home sweep of Cleveland.

                                While aiming for a fifth straight home victory in the series, the Mariners are hoping to get a better performance from Erasmo Ramirez (0-0, 13.50 ERA). The right-hander gave up seven runs, six hits and four walks over 4 2-3 innings in his season debut July 11, an 8-7 loss to Boston.

                                Ramirez is expected to be added to the active roster before Tuesday's game after keeping busy with a start in nearby Class A Everett (Wash.) during the All-Star break.

                                Ramirez will make his first start against Cleveland (52-47) while Zach McAllister (4-5, 3.43) will try to earn his first win versus Seattle in his return from the disabled list (sprained right middle finger). The right-hander, who hasn't started since June 2, is 0-1 with a 5.64 ERA in four all-time matchups but has a 2.84 ERA in his last three.

                                McAllister gave up two runs in 7 1-3 innings in his lone meeting this season May 18 but closer Chris Perez gave up two runs in the ninth before Cleveland won 5-4.

                                Morales, batting .333 with four homers in his last 11 games, has the same average in his last 13 against the Indians. He's homered twice in his last five matchups and is 2 for 6 all-time versus McAllister.


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

                                SERIES AT A GLANCE

                                GAME 1
                                Indians at Mariners
                                Mon, Jul 22 Final 1 to 2
                                Boxscores • Recaps

                                GAME 2
                                Indians at Mariners
                                Tue, Jul 23 - 10:10PM EDT

                                GAME 3
                                Indians at Mariners
                                Wed, Jul 24 - 3:40PM EDT
                                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                                Comment

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