The Bum's MLB News-Stats and POD'S Thru The World Series !

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mariners (66-84) at Tigers (87-63)
Game: 2
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: September 17, 2013 7:08 PM EDT


The Detroit Tigers are closing in on their third consecutive AL Central title.

Giving the ball to Anibal Sanchez could help them inch nearer.

Sanchez tries to extend his career-best winning streak to eight Tuesday night as the Tigers continue a four-game home set against the Seattle Mariners.

Torii Hunter and Omar Infante each had two hits and an RBI and Rick Porcello threw six strong innings in Monday's 4-2 victory. Detroit (87-63) has won five of six by a 23-9 margin to move six games ahead of second-place Cleveland with 12 to play.

"I think as a ballclub we're really coming on strong here," Porcello said. "Guys are working. It's September. Everybody's had a long season, but everybody's coming in with focus, and they're playing good baseball."

The Tigers have to be feeling good about turning to Sanchez (14-7, 2.50 ERA), who is 7-0 with a 2.00 ERA in his last 10 starts. The right-hander struck out 10 over 7 1-3 innings of five-hit ball in Wednesday's 1-0 road win over the Chicago White Sox, setting a personal best with his 14th victory.

"It was a really good game," he said after outdueling Jose Quintana. "Both pitchers, we're fighting because we don't have the run support - I had it at the end, but early. I think I had a really good game.

"Even though we're in a race for the postseason, I'd rather be in a good game."

Sanchez has been especially good at home, going 8-2 in 12 outings while compiling a 2.41 ERA, the AL's second-lowest mark. In his only matchup against Seattle, Sanchez allowed one run in six innings in a 2-1, 10-inning loss June 26, 2011, while with the Marlins.

Justin Smoak is 0 for 6 in their matchups, and Franklin Gutierrez and Kendrys Morales are both 0 for 3. Morales has four hits in his last 32 at_bats at Comerica Park.

The Mariners (66-84) have dropped seven of eight, a stretch during which they have hit .190 and been outscored 48-17. Third baseman Kyle Seager is mired in a 2-for-32 funk (.063), and rookie catcher Mike Zunino is 4 for his last 30 (.133).

"Everyone hates losing," said Smoak, who went 2 for 4 to snap an 0-for-16 slump. "We've been in tight ballgames and haven't been able to get the big hit."

Seattle will try to get back on track behind rookie Brandon Maurer (4-8, 7.18). The right-hander was tagged for five runs in three innings Wednesday in a 6-1 loss to Houston, his first big league start since May 28.

"It's something he's dealt with before," manager Eric Wedge said of Maurer, who dropped to 2-8 with a 7.39 ERA in 11 starts. "When he gets into trouble he is not able to control the damage and he can't stop it. It dominos on him."

Set to make his first appearance against the Tigers, Maurer will need to be wary of Hunter, who is 24 for 53 (.453) with a homer and eight RBIs in his last 13 games versus Seattle.

Detroit has won 17 of its last 19 home games when Hunter drives in at least one run.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Tigers
Mon, Sep 16 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mariners at Tigers
Tue, Sep 17 - 7:08PM EDT

GAME 3
Mariners at Tigers
Wed, Sep 18 - 7:08PM EDT

GAME 4
Mariners at Tigers
Thu, Sep 19 - 1:08PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Yankees (79-71) at Blue Jays (68-81)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: September 17, 2013 7:07 PM EDT


Already eliminated from the AL East race, the New York Yankees now must find a way to get back on track if they are to remain a serious wild-card contender.

The visiting Yankees look to regroup from being swept by their archrival while Andy Pettitte, unbeaten in six weeks, tries to continue his season success against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.

New York (79-71) scored 18 runs while winning three straight at Baltimore last week before being outscored 22-7 during a three-game sweep at East-leading Boston over the weekend. Five of the Yankees' 16 hits in the set came during Sunday's 9-2 loss that officially eliminated them from division contention.

The Yankees are in the mix for one of the AL's wild-card spots but have five teams ahead of them in that race.

"I don't stop believing," manager Joe Girardi said. "We still have a great opportunity. Sure, we have to win a lot of games, but the opportunity's right in front of us."

New York won 10 straight against the Blue Jays (68-81) - all at home - before dropping two of three at Toronto late last month.

Pettitte (10-9, 4.04 ERA) earned the Yankees' only win, allowing five hits in seven scoreless innings of a 7-1 victory Aug. 27. The left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.77 ERA against the Blue Jays this season.

That game in Toronto was Pettitte's third straight win, but he hasn't received a decision in three outings since then while posting a 3.93 ERA. Pettitte, though, has had six straight quality starts and hasn't lost since Aug. 5 against the White Sox.

"It's just battle; figure out a way," he told the Yankees' official website. "We've been doing it all year.

"We're going to continue to do it. We're going to continue to push through this and no matter how you lose a game here or there, it's not over until we're eliminated, as far as I'm concerned."

Robinson Cano had four hits in Friday's 8-4 loss at Fenway Park, then went 0 for 8 in the next two. He hasn't gone hitless in three straight games all season and is batting .351 with 15 RBIs in 15 matchups with the Blue Jays this year, but he's 2 for 10 against scheduled starter R.A. Dickey (12-12, 4.36) in 2013.

The knuckleballer has lost two of three starts against the Yankees this season despite holding them to a .208 average and posting a 3.38 ERA. The lone win came the last time he faced them Aug. 26, allowing a homer to Alex Rodriguez and one other run over 6 1-3 innings of a 5-2 victory.

That outing began a four-start stretch in which Dickey has gone 3-0 with a 3.46 ERA, but his worst performance in that span came Wednesday. He gave up four runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

Dickey did surpass the 200-innings mark for a third consecutive season.

"In the AL East you probably won't find five or six guys who are able to top 200 innings," the right-hander said. "But it's only a silver lining for a year that for the most part has been a struggle."

Adam Lind homered Sunday, but Toronto stranded 11 men and went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position while falling for the fifth time in six games, 3-1 to Baltimore.

Lind went 4 for 9 with two home runs in the series, but he's 3 for 21 with eight strikeouts versus Pettitte.

Rajai Davis is 11 for 20 against Pettitte but hitless in his last 10 at_bats.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Braves (89-60) at Nationals (79-70)
Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: September 17, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Baseball will likely be of secondary concern in the nation's capital on Tuesday.

The Atlanta Braves will have an opportunity to clinch the NL East in a day-night doubleheader against the Washington Nationals - one day after the start of this three-game set was postponed due to the shootings at the Navy Yard.

Located just blocks from the Navy Yard, one of Nationals Park's parking lots was used for families of the Navy Yard employees to meet following the evacuation of the facility.

"It's a very emotional day. An extremely horrific act happened very near to the ballpark,' Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims over there and all the people affected by this. We felt it was inappropriate to play a major league baseball game with such tragedy right down the street."

Atlanta (89-60) has a magic number of four to end a seven-year drought without an NL East title since the franchise won 11 straight from 1995-2005. The Braves, who can capture the division with a sweep, agreed with the decision to stay away from the park Monday.

"Nobody is thinking about baseball. Baseball is a game," pitcher Scott Downs told Major League Baseball's official website. "You look at the real-life perspective when things go on. That's the last thing I want to do or any team wants to do, especially when something is going on five minutes down the road."

Washington (79-70) is trying to catch Cincinnati for the NL's second wild card. Dan Haren (9-13, 5.02 ERA), who was scheduled to pitch Monday and will start Tuesday's opener, said the Nationals will move on when the game starts.

"I know we are waiting basically for 16 hours to play the game," Haren said. "We are doing the best we can. As inconsequential as the game may seem on a day like today, we have to play baseball at some point, and that will be tomorrow."

Washington native Denard Span has a chance to match the 27-game hitting streak of Colorado's Michael Cuddyer as the longest in the majors in 2013. Span is batting .387 during his career-high 26-game run.

Haren, meanwhile, is 5-2 with a 5.23 ERA in seven career starts against the Braves, yielding one run in eight innings for a 3-1 victory May 2 in the lone one this year.

The right-hander could have a favorable matchup against Mike Minor (13-7, 3.15), whose 5.03 career ERA against the Nationals is the left-hander's highest mark against any NL club. Minor has a 7.04 ERA and no decisions in two starts versus Washington this year.

Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, who has started the last 23 games, is 6 for 8 off Minor and 13 for 35 with five homers and 15 RBIs in his last eight games.

Tuesday night's contest pits Washington rookie Tanner Roark (6-0, 1.30) against veteran Freddy Garcia (1-1, 1.32).

Roark has allowed two runs over 12 innings in winning his first two starts, surrendering two in six frames last Thursday in a 7-2 win over the Mets.

This will be the right-hander's first home start and first against the Braves, who he threw two innings of scoreless relief against in his big league debut Aug. 7.

Garcia wasn't with Atlanta then, finishing up a poor stint with a Baltimore club that sent him to the minors June 24. His first start with the Braves, who acquired him Aug. 23, was successful as he gave up one run in six innings to earn a 6-1 win at Miami last Thursday.

The right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA in three starts against the Nationals, including a season-high, eight-inning effort May 30 in a 2-0 victory for the Orioles.

Span is 2 for 18 off Garcia and Ryan Zimmerman is 0 for 7. Zimmerman has nine homers and 12 RBIs in 14 games this month for the Nationals, who have won eight of nine.

Atlanta has won 12 of 16 meetings behind Freddie Freeman, who has 12 of his 99 RBIs in the season series. Freeman also has 13 hits in his last 26 at_bats.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Marlins (55-95) at Phillies (70-80)
Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: September 17, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


Roy Halladay's time with the Philadelphia Phillies may be coming to an end.

His recent performances may not be doing much to change that fate.

Halladay will try to prove he's worthy of returning next season, as he faces the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night for the first time since turning in one of the worst outings of his career.

Halladay (3-4, 7.28 ERA), who unanimously won the 2010 NL Cy Young Award in his first season with Philadelphia, could be making his final start for the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia (70-80) is off Thursday before hosting the New York Mets for a three-game series this weekend to conclude the home schedule.

Halladay is 1-0 with a 5.06 ERA and 14 walks while hitting five batters in 21 1-3 innings over four starts since missing 3 1/2 months due to shoulder surgery.

The 36-year-old right-hander didn't look anything like an eight-time All-Star against San Diego on Thursday, surrendering five runs in 4 1-3 innings of a 10-5 win, while issuing five walks for a second straight start.

"I realize I'm coming off surgery," Halladay said. "But I've worked extra hard to get back here and pitch - and not only pitch but be successful. So it's personally frustrating when I'm not able to do what I want to do."

That was certainly the case in a 14-2 loss to Miami on May 5, when he was tagged for nine runs with four walks before shoulder trouble forced him to exit with one out in the third. He ended up needing surgery, and didn't return until a 9-5 win over Arizona on Aug. 25.

The Phillies, seemingly headed for their first losing season since 2002, defeated the Marlins 12-2 in Monday's opener for their sixth straight victory in the series. Cliff Lee allowed two runs in eight innings and helped himself with career highs of three hits and four RBIs.

The Marlins (55-95), losers of nine of 11, are expected to give the ball to Brian Flynn (0-1, 10.13), who is bidding to become a member of next year's rotation.

The 23-year-old left-handed rookie has fallen flat so far, failing to muster an out in the fifth inning while both of his starts ended in Marlins losses. He struggled again Thursday, surrendering six runs while issuing six walks in four innings of a 6-1 loss to Atlanta.

"You've got to be able to come up here and pound the strike zone," manager Mike Redmond told the team's official website. "Usually what gets young pitchers is getting behind good hitters. The strike zone is a little tighter up here, the hitters are a lot better. If you try to nibble on the corners and are not sharp, you're going to fall behind guys. The key is to get ahead and throw strikes."

He has issued nine base on balls in eight innings with Miami after going 3-1 with a 1.16 ERA with nine walks over 46 2-3 innings in his final seven starts for Triple-A New Orleans before being recalled Sept. 3.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Phillies
Mon, Sep 16 Final 2 to 12
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Marlins at Phillies
Tue, Sep 17 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Marlins at Phillies
Wed, Sep 18 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Padres (69-80) at Pirates (87-63)
Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: September 17, 2013 7:05 PM EDT


The Pittsburgh Pirates were shut down by another strong San Diego Padres pitching performance in Monday's series opener.

They're hoping their own Jeff Locke can return the favor Tuesday night at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh managed just one hit in Monday's 2-0 loss as San Diego's Andrew Cashner worked on a perfect game until Jose Tabata's single in the seventh inning. He was the only runner allowed by Cashner, who needed just 97 pitches to become the first pitcher in club history to face 27 hitters in a nine-inning complete game.

It would have been the seventh win in eight games for the Pirates (87-73), who have been limited to 27 runs over their last 10. Andrew McCutchen was 0 for 3 and is 1 for 9 with three strikeouts in three contests since an 11-game hitting streak ended.

Meanwhile, Cashner gave San Diego (69-80) its sixth quality start in seven contests.

The Pirates were fortunate to remain in a first-place tie in the NL Central with St. Louis, which suffered a 2-1 loss at Colorado, though Cincinnati cut the teams' divisional edge to 2 1/2 games with a victory in Houston.

The Padres, who began play in 1969, are baseball's only franchise without a no-hitter.

"Cashner was throwing three quality pitches for strikes and, most importantly, he was keeping them all down in the strike zone," said second baseman Neil Walker, who is 2 for his last 31. "Sometimes, you have games like this where the other guy just pitches a great game."

Pittsburgh will look for Locke (10-5, 3.14 ERA) to help end the club's home struggles against the Padres. San Diego has won 17 of the last 20 meetings at PNC Park and Chase Headley, 1 for 3 with a single Monday, is batting .341 in his last 11 games there with five homers and 18 RBIs.

Locke is fresh off ending an eight-start winless streak after limiting the Chicago Cubs to one run and three hits in seven innings of a 3-1 victory Thursday. The left-hander, who had been 0-3 with a 6.57 ERA in his previous eight outings, walked one after issuing 27 walks over his previous 38 1-3 innings.

"Nothing's really changed with me mentally," said Locke, who completed seven innings for the first time in 10 outings. "I still try to go out and be aggressive. Tonight was an example of everything working out the way you'd like it to.'

Fellow southpaw Eric Stults (8-13, 4.03) is still trying to end a 10-start winless stretch as he's without a victory since the All-Star break. He looked improved in a 4-2 loss at Philadelphia on Wednesday, however, allowing two runs in six innings after yielding a season-high seven in his previous outing.

"It was nice to see Stults bounce back," manager Bud Black said. "He had a good mix of fastballs and changeups."

Padres closer Huston Street isn't expected to be back until Wednesday after missing Monday's game to attend to a personal matter.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Pirates
Mon, Sep 16 Final 2 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Padres at Pirates
Tue, Sep 17 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Padres at Pirates
Wed, Sep 18 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Padres at Pirates
Thu, Sep 19 - 12:35PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Orioles (79-70) at Red Sox (92-59)
Game: 1
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: September 17, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


Entering their most recent series with the Boston Red Sox three weeks ago, the Baltimore Orioles still had a very reasonable chance to catch them for the AL East title.

That's no longer the case.

The rolling Red Sox can officially eliminate the Orioles from the division race Tuesday night at Fenway Park in the first of six meetings over the final two weeks of the regular season.

While a wild-card spot is very much within reach, Baltimore (79-70) will no longer have a shot at the East crown with one more loss or one Boston victory. The Orioles were within 5 1/2 games when they headed to Fenway on Aug. 27, but that deficit has since jumped to 12.

Boston (92-59) won two of three in that series as part of its current 17-4 stretch to all but wrap up the division. The Red Sox eliminated the Yankees with a three-game sweep over the weekend.

"We want to win every game," catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "We never settle for what (the lead) is. It's 'Go for the next one.'"

Last month's trip to Boston began a stretch in which Baltimore lost four of five series before winning two of three at Toronto over the weekend.

"It's big," reliever Tommy Hunter told the Orioles' official website. "It takes us into that Boston series with a series victory. We have quite a task ahead of us. We're looking forward to it."

Baltimore has not scored more than three runs in five straight games against Boston, losing four, but leads the season series 7-6. The teams close the season with three games at Camden Yards.

While the Orioles have lost 11 of 20, the Red Sox have the majors' best record since Aug. 24 and are averaging 8.3 runs in their last 11 games.

"We're doing everything," said David Ortiz, 6 for 14 with four RBIs over the past four games. "We're pitching well, we're playing good defense, we're hitting. Hopefully it continues like that."

Things aren't going as well for the Orioles, who haven't scored more than five runs in 13 consecutive games while hitting .200 with runners in scoring position.

In those situations, Manny Machado is batting .188 this month and Nick Markakis is 1 for his last 15. Adam Jones has gone a season high-tying six consecutive games without an RBI.

"There's a lot of fight in here," infielder Danny Valencia said. "We know what we are capable of doing and what we are playing for."

His club now faces Ryan Dempster, whose 2.01 lifetime ERA against the Orioles is easily his lowest against any AL opponent. He's 1-1 in three matchups this season with a 2.50 ERA.

J.J. Hardy is 3 for 32 against him, Matt Wieters is 1 for 10 and Chris Davis is 2 for 11 with six strikeouts but did hit one of his major league-best 50 homers off Dempster (8-9, 4.70 ERA).

The right-hander has surrendered a team-high 25 homers but didn't allow one Wednesday, when he yielded one run in five innings despite five walks in a 7-3, 10-inning win at Tampa Bay. Boston has won nine of Dempster's past 10 starts despite his 5.98 ERA.

He'll be opposed by Scott Feldman (5-4, 3.62), who is 3-1 with a 1.77 ERA over his last six.

His lone outing against Boston this year was among his worst, giving up four runs in five innings of a 7-3 defeat July 27. In his only start at Fenway, Feldman allowed a career-worst 12 runs - six earned - in 2 2-3 innings of a 19-17 loss Aug. 12, 2008, while with Texas.

Mike Napoli, who homered Sunday, is 11 for 26 with two homers against Feldman. Ortiz has homered twice in seven at_bats against him.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Giants (69-81) at Mets (67-82)
Game: 1
Venue: Citi Field
Date: September 17, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


Though San Francisco's follow-up to a championship season has been disappointing, Hunter Pence and Yusmeiro Petit have provided something positive for the Giants of late.

Pence and Petit look to continue their productive late-season stretches when the visiting Giants seek a fourth consecutive victory Tuesday night while trying to end their recent struggles against the New York Mets.

Pence has homered in a career-high four straight contests after hitting two in San Francisco's 4-3 win at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. The Giants (69-81) took the final three of the four-game set against NL West-leading Los Angeles, and have won six of eight overall.

"This is where we are," Pence told the Giants' official website. "We have to make the best of it. One way to make the best of it is to charge in as hard as we can.

Pence, who has tied a career high with 25 home runs, has hit six while going 13 for 25 in the last six games. His 19 RBIs during that stretch are the most for a Giants player since it became an official statistic in 1920.

"It's fun to watch when you see a good hitter locked in,' manager Bruce Bochy said.

He went 3 for 14 when the Giants were swept at home by New York (67-82) in July, but batted .345 with a home run and five RBIs in his last seven at Citi Field.

San Francisco has dropped five in a row to the Mets - all at home - but won two straight and six of eight at New York.

Petit (3-0, 2.53 ERA) is 3-0 with a 2.36 ERA in four starts since being recalled from the minors Aug. 23.

After he lost a perfect game with two outs in the ninth inning of a 3-0 win over Arizona on Sept. 6, the right-hander retired the first 11 batters before yielding three runs in 5 2-3 innings Wednesday against Colorado.

Petit struck out seven in a game the Giants rallied to win 4-3.

San Francisco has won all four starts by Petit, who last faced the Mets in relief while pitching for the Marlins in 2006.

New York counters with former Giants first-round pick Zack Wheeler (7-5, 3.22), who allowed a run and three hits in seven innings of a 7-2 victory at San Francisco on July 10. The Giants drafted Wheeler sixth overall in 2009, then traded him to New York in the Carlos Beltran deal of 2011.

"I didn't know how I was going to feel when I got out there," Wheeler said in July of facing the club that drafted him. "Honestly, I was relaxed.'

The right-hander has allowed two or fewer earned runs in six of his last seven starts, including three total while losing the last two as his teammates failed to provide any help. Wheeler gave up a run in seven innings of a 3-0 loss to Washington on Wednesday.

The Mets scored eight runs in four games against Miami over the weekend, but won three. Rookie Travis d'Arnaud's RBI single with two outs in the 12th sent New York to a 1-0 victory Sunday.

Daniel Murphy has four hits in two games, and is 5 for 10 in his last three home games versus San Francisco.

Pence went 0 for 3 with a strikeout against Wheeler in July.

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rangers (81-68) at Rays (82-67)
Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: September 17, 2013 7:10 PM EDT


The Texas Rangers are somehow still holding onto an AL wild-card spot despite a seven-game losing streak.

The Tampa Bay Rays can add to the Rangers' woes and bolster their chances of hosting that wild-card contest next month.

These contenders are headed in opposite directions as they continue a four-game set Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

These clubs began this series tied for the AL's wild-card spots, and Tampa Bay (82-67) won 6-2 on Monday to grab the slot that would give it home-field advantage. The Rays have won four of five following a stretch in which they lost five of six.

"It's big ... just to come out here and beat this team,' said Rays rookie Wil Myers, who homered and drove in three runs.

Texas (81-68) remained one-half game ahead of Cleveland. The Rangers lead Baltimore by two games and the Yankees and Kansas City by 2 1/2.

Manager Ron Washington's club will try to avoid its first eight-game skid since Aug. 8-16, 2005. Incredibly, the Rangers have not led in any game in this slide.

A players-only meeting before Monday's defeat did not revive an offense that managed six hits in the series opener and has totaled 20 runs with no homers over the last seven games.

"I don't think the dictionary or the encyclopedia or the thesaurus have the word I am right now," Washington said. "I'm not frustrated, I'm confused. I'm trying to figure out what we have to do to jump-start this offense. It's shown throughout the year that it's capable; we just haven't been able to get it done."

Mitch Moreland had a double in three at_bats Monday but that's his only hit in his last 24. Lance Berkman went 0 for 4 in his first start since Sept. 3 after he was limited to one pinch-hitting appearance since due to left hip and right knee injuries.

The Rays were opportunistic with six hits in 11 at_bats with runners in scoring position. James Loney and Evan Longoria both had RBI singles in a four-run fifth inning capped by Myers' two-run double to go along with his earlier homer.

"Those were really big knocks right there,' manager Joe Maddon said of Myers.

Alexi Ogando (6-4, 3.23 ERA) will make his first start since Aug. 13 for Texas. The right-hander went on the disabled list a week after that outing with shoulder inflammation, and has pitched six scoreless innings of relief over four appearances since returning Sept. 4.

"He has been throwing the ball well," Washington told the Rangers' official website. "Maybe we can get three or four innings out of him. We're going to give him a chance to do it."

Ogando is 5-4 with a 3.47 ERA in 15 starts this year, including his 5-4 victory over the Rays on April 8 in which he yielded one run over 5 1-3 innings. Longoria is 4 for 6 against him and Matt Joyce 3 for 4.

Tampa Bay starter Jeremy Hellickson (11-8, 5.04) gave up three runs over five innings when he opposed Ogando on April 8 to fall to 0-3 with a 3.86 ERA in four career starts (one postseason) versus the Rangers. Texas is the only AL team he has never beaten besides Houston, whom he has never faced.

Adrian Beltre is 4 for 6 with two homers overall against Hellickson and Moreland is 3 for 6.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rangers at Rays
Mon, Sep 16 Final 2 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rangers at Rays
Tue, Sep 17 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Rangers at Rays
Wed, Sep 18 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Rangers at Rays
Thu, Sep 19 - 7:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Twins (64-85) at White Sox (59-91)
Game: 2
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: September 17, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


Impressive offensive production, particularly from Alexei Ramirez, has spurred the Chicago White Sox's four-game winning streak over the Minnesota Twins.

Jose Quintana would surely appreciate some help from the bats.

Ramirez and the White Sox look to give Quintana some needed support as he tries to win Tuesday night for the first time since he last faced the Twins a month ago.

Chicago (59-91) was batting .221 with eight homers while averaging 2.4 runs during a 2-15 stretch before pounding out 13 hits with four home runs and two doubles in Monday's 12-1 win. The White Sox had seven runs in the first inning against the Twins (64-85), matching their total from the six-game slide entering this set.

They've made a recent habit out of feasting on Twins pitching.

Chicago has compiled a .303 average and has outscored the AL Central rival 30-10, while winning four straight meetings.

Ramirez has been a big part of that production, going 9 for 16 with two homers, three doubles and six RBIs. The shortstop had a solo homer and double on two of his four hits, while plating three runs Monday.

He's batting .394 with four homers, seven doubles and 13 RBIs in 17 season meetings with the Twins, and he's 4 for 11 versus scheduled starter Mike Pelfrey.

Quintana (7-6, 3.56 ERA) certainly wouldn't mind seeing Ramirez and the lineup continue to hit Minnesota hard, as he seeks his first victory since winning in Minnesota on Aug. 16.

He allowed two runs with seven strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings in a 5-2 final in that outing, and can't be entirely to blame for his 0-2 record in five starts since. The left-hander has a 3.03 ERA over that stretch, while being backed by five total runs - two in the past four games.

Quintana didn't get the decision Wednesday, when he tossed seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 defeat to AL Central-leading Detroit.

"I don't control the results. I control what I go out and do," Quintana said.

Minnesota has dropped five of six, and Pelfrey (5-12, 5.31) is trying to avoid losing three straight starts for the first time since July 5-19, 2010, with the New York Mets.

The right-hander has been hit hard over his last two games, giving up 13 runs and 14 hits in nine innings. He surrendered seven runs in three-plus innings of an 18-3 loss to Oakland on Wednesday.

"This is probably the worst outing I've had in a long time," Pelfrey said. "I fell behind guys and threw balls over the middle, and that's what's going to happen."

Facing the White Sox may not help since Pelfrey is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in four matchups this season. He was charged with a 5-4 loss in his only visit to Chicago on Aug. 10, allowing five runs with five walks in five-plus innings.

"We just have to go out and regroup for (Tuesday)," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Monday. "Hopefully, our starting pitcher (Pelfrey) will give us a shot and keep us in the ballgame."

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Twins at White Sox
Mon, Sep 16 Final 1 to 12
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Twins at White Sox
Tue, Sep 17 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Twins at White Sox
Wed, Sep 18 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Indians (81-69) at Royals (79-71)
Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: September 17, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


In the thick of the playoff race, the Kansas City Royals are hoping to get a boost from one of their top pitching prospects.

Yordano Ventura is set to make his major league debut Tuesday night as the Royals continue a crucial three-game home set against the Cleveland Indians.

The highly touted 22-year-old right-hander will replace original scheduled starter Danny Duffy, who is dealing with inflammation in his surgically repaired left elbow. Ventura's repertoire includes an impressive curveball and a fastball that touches triple digits.

"This is the highest level of baseball," he said through teammate Bruce Chen, "so every time I go out there to pitch I'm going to give everything I can in my power, so I can do a good job."

Ventura began the season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas before moving to Triple-A Omaha, where he went 5-4 with a 3.74 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 77 innings.

"We're all excited to see Ventura pitch," manager Ned Yost said. "I've had my eye on this guy - like we've all had - for two or three years, watching him come up in the system."

Ventura will try to deliver for a Royals team that has won 15 of 22 following Monday's 7-1 victory. Salvador Perez had three of the team's 14 hits as Kansas City (79-71) moved 2 1/2 games behind Texas for the AL's second wild-card spot.

"Every game is important," winning pitcher James Shields said. "This is what we live for, this is what we play for, September baseball, and hopefully we have a chance to go to the playoffs."

The Indians (81-69), who had won four in a row against the White Sox by a 32-6 margin, remain one-half game behind the Rangers, who also lost Monday.

"We couldn't get that big hit," said designated hitter Jason Giambi, whose team dropped six games behind AL Central-leading Detroit with 12 to play. "We hit a few balls, but we couldn't drive in that big run."

The Indians will try to avoid a fourth straight loss in Kansas City behind Corey Kluber (9-5, 3.55), who has won both his starts after missing a month with a sprained finger. The right-hander gave up two runs in five innings Thursday in a 14-3 road win over the White Sox.

"I was a little sloppy to start out with," he told MLB's official website. "I think I was kind of inconsistent with my delivery early on and I wasn't getting my arm in a good slot, pitch after pitch."

Kluber struck out eight over 7 2-3 innings of three-hit ball in a 3-0 win over the Royals on July 12, improving to 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three starts in the series this year. Eric Hosmer is 0 for 10 in their matchups this season, and Billy Butler and Alex Gordon are both 1 for 9. Gordon's hit, though, was a home run.

Perez, 2 for 5 with a double against Kluber, is hitting .367 with seven homers and 26 RBIs over a 27-game stretch.

Ventura, meanwhile, will need to be careful against Nick Swisher, who is batting .333 with five homers and 11 RBIs in his last 10 games. Swisher, though, is 9 for 51 (.176) with just one RBI in his past 15 games versus Kansas City.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Royals
Mon, Sep 16 Final 1 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Royals
Tue, Sep 17 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Indians at Royals
Wed, Sep 18 - 8:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cubs (63-87) at Brewers (66-83)
Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: September 17, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


Caleb Gindl's success against Jeff Samardzija and the Chicago Cubs may be reason enough for him to be back in the Milwaukee Brewers' lineup.

The rookie outfielder's production in the opener of this four-game series also warrants his inclusion.

Gindl will try to build on his best performance of the season Tuesday night as the Brewers seek a fourth straight win over the Cubs.

Gindl is in his third stint of the season with the Brewers (66-83), and he's batting .216 (8 for 37) with four homers and eight RBIs in 17 games since being most recently recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Aug. 23.

He broke out of a 2-for-25 slump with career highs of three hits - falling a double shy of the cycle - and three RBIs in Monday's 6-1 win over Chicago.

"I appreciate the fact that (manager Ron Roenicke) had the confidence to put me in there," said Gindl, who also homered Sunday against Cincinnati. "It felt good and I felt like I'm starting to get my swing back."

Gindl may find himself back in the lineup because he's 13 for 27 (.481) in nine meetings with the Cubs (63-87). He's 2 for 3 with a double off Samardzija, Chicago's scheduled starter.

Samardzija (8-12, 4.44) has been hit had in his last three starts, going 0-1 with an 8.35 ERA while opponents are batting .321 with five homers.

The right-hander surrendered six runs and eight hits with five strikeouts and three walks in 5 2-3 innings of a 6-0 loss at Cincinnati on Wednesday.

Part of Samardzija's recent struggles could stem from pitching a career-high 194 2-3 innings this season, an increase of 20 from a year ago, when he was shut down Sept. 8.

"He's never been there before," manager Dale Sveum told the team's official website of Samardzija pitching this late into a season after being converted into a starter in 2012. "I'm not going to say that's the reason for the struggles. The last two outings have been in the worst heat of the year. Who knows? You don't have the answers for everything. The bottom line is being able to make that pitch."

Samardzija is 0-2 with a 2.42 ERA in his last four starts against the Brewers. He's received seven total runs of support in those games.

The Brewers will counter with Marco Estrada (6-4, 4.29), who flirted with a no-hitter before leaving without a decision in Wednesday's 5-1 loss at St. Louis. His no-hit bid ended in the seventh inning, when he was hit in the foot by a comebacker and he exited with two outs after allowing one run.

The right-hander has reached the seventh inning in each of his last three starts, going 1-0 with a 2.18 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 20 2-3 innings.

Estrada's strong stretch may continue since he's 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA in his last four starts versus the Cubs, striking out 27 over 24 innings.

Starlin Castro is 6 for 15 with three extra-base hits against Estrada but Anthony Rizzo and Darwin Barney are a combined 1 for 20.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Brewers
Mon, Sep 16 Final 1 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at Brewers
Tue, Sep 17 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Cubs at Brewers
Wed, Sep 18 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Cubs at Brewers
Thu, Sep 19 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Reds (85-66) at Astros (51-99)
Game: 2
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: September 17, 2013 8:10 PM EDT


Monday couldn't have gone much better for the Cincinnati Reds.

Not only did Johnny Cueto impress in his return, leading the club to a series-opening victory over the Houston Astros, but the two squads they're chasing in the NL Central both suffered defeats.

They figure to have another good chance to put pressure on the division leaders on Tuesday night, considering both Joey Votto and Mike Leake's histories in Houston.

The Reds (85-66) claimed a 6-1 victory over the Astros on Monday behind Cueto's five scoreless innings in his first start since late June after being out with a strained lat muscle.

"That's a tremendous shot in the arm for our team," manager Dusty Baker said. "Guys were psyched that he was out there."

Joey Votto was 2 for 4, recording his seventh multihit game in his last 10 contests, and is batting .494 during a 22-game hitting streak at Minute Maid Park.

Cincinnati has split its last eight contests but Monday saw St. Louis and Pittsburgh lose to Colorado and San Diego, respectively, trimming the NL Central deficit to 2 1/2 games. Washington, which had won 10 of 12 before having its Monday game versus Atlanta postponed due to the Navy Yard shootings, trails the Reds by five games for a wild-card spot.

In addition to Votto's hot hitting in Houston, Leake (13-6, 3.35 ERA) has enjoyed pitching there, going 4-1 with a 2.62 ERA in five starts. He won all three of his outings at Minute Maid Park last season while posting a 2.14 ERA.

Overall, Leake has won back-to-back starts after notching a victory just once in his previous seven. He surrendered four hits over 5 2-3 innings of a 6-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, his career-best 13th victory of the year.

"I didn't have my best stuff," said Leake, who also tied a season high by walking four batters. "Sometimes you have a few games where a couple of pitches beat you. I was able to make pitches and it worked out."

Leake faces a Houston club suddenly starved for runs after a hot streak. They scored 34 while winning four in a row last week, but have since tallied four runs while dropping three straight.

Jose Altuve remains hot, however, going 2 for 4 Monday to raise his average to .439 over the last 15 games. All-Star catcher Jason Castro didn't play again as the club wants to see how his injured right knee responds to treatment.

The Astros (51-99) will hand the ball to Jordan Lyles (7-7, 4.92), who has gone 3-1 over his last five starts with a 3.31 ERA, throwing at least six innings in each. He became the team's wins leader after giving up two runs and four hits over six innings of a 13-2 win in Seattle last Tuesday.

He's 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA in three career starts versus Cincinnati. Votto is 5 for 7 off him with a homer and a pair of doubles, and Zack Cozart is 3 for 5 with a home run and two doubles.

Cozart snapped out of a 1-for-15 slump Monday by driving in four runs, including a two-run homer in the second inning.

Houston's next defeat will clinch the franchise's third consecutive 100-loss season.

"I feel like we've been playing better,' first baseman Chris Carter said. "It's just looking at the season as how we finish it instead of how we started it as a whole. Just looking to finish strong and keep playing good games. Hopefully that rolls into next year and we have a good season after that.'

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Astros
Mon, Sep 16 Final 6 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Astros
Tue, Sep 17 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Reds at Astros
Wed, Sep 18 - 8:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cardinals (87-63) at Rockies (69-82)
Game: 2
Venue: Coors Field
Date: September 17, 2013 8:40 PM EDT


The St. Louis Cardinals had their bid for sole possession of first place spoiled by the Colorado Rockies, whose game-winning rally saw a key contribution from Todd Helton in one of his final games at Coors Field.

Coming off his first loss in more than three months, it will be Joe Kelly trying to spoil Helton's farewell homestand when he takes the mound for St. Louis on Tuesday night.

The Cardinals (87-63) had a chance to break their tie with Pittsburgh for first place in the NL Central after the Pirates' 2-0 loss to San Diego on Monday, but a four-run, eighth-inning rally propelled the Rockies to a 6-2 win.

"Overall our bullpen has been very, very good,' St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "They just need to stick with what they know is right and they will be just where they've been all season.

"They will bounce back,' he added.

Colorado's Charlie Blackmon was 3 for 4 and Helton - in the first of his final nine home games after announcing over the weekend he would retire at the end of the season - provided a crucial single in the eighth.

"Todd had a huge hit," manager Walt Weiss said. "I don't expect anything different. I think he's going to have a huge homestand."

Kelly (8-4, 2.87 ERA) finally saw his 11-start unbeaten streak snapped Thursday, yielding four runs and seven hits over five innings of a 5-3 defeat to Milwaukee. He had gone 8-0 with a 2.10 ERA during the undefeated run, notching victories in each of the last five while recording a 1.50 ERA.

The right-hander was charged with a wild pitch in the first inning and committed two throwing errors in the second. He entered having been charged with two errors in 57 career appearances.

"It wasn't too good all around,' said Kelly, who hadn't suffered a loss since June 5, going 16 total appearances without one. "Early in the game, they were swinging early at the fastball and getting some hits. I could have made some better pitches. They didn't hit the ball extremely hard.'

A return home seemed much needed for the Rockies (69-82), who had recently finished a 2-7 road trip. Starter Juan Nicasio (8-7, 4.58) might not enjoy being back at Coors Field, however, after yielding six runs and seven hits in 4 1-3 innings of an 8-3 loss to Cincinnati on Aug. 31, his last start there.

He has since compiled a 1.64 ERA in two starts without a decision.

Nicasio surrendered an unearned run and six hits in seven innings in his only career start versus St. Louis, a 15-4 victory as a rookie last May.

Kelly threw a scoreless inning of relief against Colorado in an 8-2 loss on May 12. He lost his only career start versus Colorado, giving up three runs and five hits over a six-inning start last July.

Matt Carpenter, who was 2 for 4 Monday and drove in a run, is batting .381 over his last 22 games with 22 runs scored.

Matt Holliday had been batting .374 in his first 26 meetings with his former club before going 0 for 8 in the last two.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Rockies
Mon, Sep 16 Final 2 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Rockies
Tue, Sep 17 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 3
Cardinals at Rockies
Wed, Sep 18 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 4
Cardinals at Rockies
Thu, Sep 19 - 3:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Dodgers (86-64) at Diamondbacks (76-73)
Game: 2
Venue: Chase Field
Date: September 17, 2013 9:40 PM EDT


While the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers were hoping to inch closer to the NL West title against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Paul Goldschmidt is standing in their way.

Zack Greinke and the slumping Dodgers try to quiet Goldschmidt and the Diamondbacks, who go for a fourth straight win behind Patrick Corbin on Tuesday night.

Manager Don Mattingly's club has followed a remarkable 53-13 stretch by dropping nine of 12, including its last four by a 29-9 score. Los Angeles (86-64) saw its woes continue in Monday's opener, falling 2-1 while going 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

Sitting 9 1/2 games ahead of Arizona (76-73) with 12 to play, the Dodgers' magic number to clinch the division remains four.

"The last (12 games) are basically gone so they don't concern me at all," Mattingly said. "I can't get those back even if I wanted to waste energy on trying to figure out what happened to those (12). It really goes into what I always think about September. It's hard to win games and I don't care who you are."

Goldschmidt provided all of Arizona's offense with a two-run homer in the first inning. The first baseman, leading the NL with 116 RBIs and tied for first with 33 homers, is 13 for 24 with two homers and nine RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

Goldschmidt is batting .377 with five homers and 18 RBIs in 16 games versus Los Angeles this year.

"To do what he's done from an RBI standpoint and a home run standpoint, and with the other things he does - great defense, great base runner - he's one of the more underrated complete players in all of baseball," Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis said.

Goldschmidt, though, is 1 for 7 against Greinke (14-3, 2.74 ERA), who is 6-0 with a 1.58 ERA in his last nine starts. The right-hander threw six innings of one-run ball in Thursday's 3-2, 10-inning win over San Francisco.

"Lately I haven't made a lot of mistakes, that's the key," he told MLB's official website. "I've been getting out of jams, no big innings. Just small stuff."

While Greinke entered this season 0-3 with a 7.90 ERA against the Diamondbacks, he's held them to a combined two runs in two starts spanning 14 innings. He pitched seven scoreless innings in a 6-1 victory at Chase Field on July 8.

Los Angeles is 20-5 with Greinke on the mound.

Corbin (14-6, 2.92) had posted a 7.85 ERA and received a combined three runs of support during a career-worst three-start losing streak before bouncing back Wednesday in a 4-1 win at Dodger Stadium.

"I don't think there was a need to panic or anything," said Corbin, who surrendered one run in 6 1-3 innings. "I feel fine and I just want to see how it is to go a full season, get as many innings as I can and try to build off it for next year."

Corbin improved to 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his last four matchups versus Los Angeles. Adrian Gonzalez and Matt Kemp are a combined 2 for 14 in their matchups.

"He's an exciting young pitcher," Ellis said. "It's always fun to compete against him because you know he's going to come at you with his best stuff."

Kemp was activated off the 15-day disabled list Monday after missing 63 of the previous 64 games due to injury. The two-time All-Star came on as a pinch hitter but struck out to end the game with runners on second and third.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Mon, Sep 16 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Tue, Sep 17 - 9:40PM EDT

GAME 3
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Wed, Sep 18 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Thu, Sep 19 - 3:40PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Angels (73-77) at Athletics (88-62)
Game: 2
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: September 17, 2013 10:05 PM EDT


Although the Oakland Athletics are on course for the playoffs, they still have plenty to play for over the remainder of the season.

The AL West leaders are in a tight race to grab home-field advantage in a division series, and will continue that pursuit Tuesday night at home against the Los Angeles Angels.

Oakland (88-62) has a magic number of seven over Texas to win a second straight division title and six over Cleveland to clinch at least a wild-card spot. The Athletics' five-game win streak ended with Monday's 12-1 loss in the opener of this three-game set.

That defeat and any in the future could prove costly. Although the free-falling Rangers are seemingly no longer a threat, Oakland is one game ahead of AL Central-leading Detroit for home-field advantage in a probable division series.

The Athletics and Tigers do not face an opponent with a winning record over the remainder of the season, and Los Angeles (73-77) owns the best mark of any remaining foe for either.

Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo and Kole Calhoun all drove in three runs Monday to lead the Angels to a ninth win in 12 games.

"There's no doubt this year has filled us with a lot of frustration,' manager Mike Scioscia said. "This last month gives us a lot of hope looking forward to some of our kids that are playing well, some of the things we've been looking to take place and be in place during the season.'

Calhoun has 23 RBIs in his last 22 games, and leads all rookies with 30 since he was recalled from the minors July 28. He is 16 for 36 (.444) with 11 RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak.

He'll be up against another rookie Tuesday in Sonny Gray (3-3, 2.63 ERA), whose lone appearance against the Angels was a two-inning stint of scoreless relief July 19 in his second big league appearance.

Gray has limited opponents to a .206 average. The right-hander has yielded 15 of his 17 runs in the first three innings of a game, and opponents are batting .271 against him in that span and .144 from the fourth inning on.

Shortstop Jed Lowrie expects to return to Oakland's lineup Tuesday after missing a game due to tightness in his right hamstring. Lowrie said it flared up in the weekend series in Texas, but he got through pregame activities OK on Monday.

"Dallas is known for causing cramps," Lowrie told the Athletics' official website. "I don't think it's out of the ordinary."

Lowrie is third in the majors with 43 doubles, and 9 for 26 at home against Los Angeles this year.

Yoenis Cespedes went 2 for 3 on Monday as he returned after missing a game with a sore right shoulder.

Trout, who has reached base in 23 straight games, is second in the majors in on-base percentage at .436. That would break the franchise record of .429, accomplished by Chili Davis and Tim Salmon in 1995.

Angels starter Garrett Richards (7-6, 3.91) has posted a 2.41 ERA in winning all three outings this month. The right-hander gave up seven runs in a 10-6 loss at Oakland on April 30, then threw five scoreless innings in his other career start against the A's on July 27.

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Angels at Athletics
Mon, Sep 16 Final 12 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Angels at Athletics
Tue, Sep 17 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Angels at Athletics
Wed, Sep 18 - 3:35PM EDT