Sunday Tips

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Washington Nationals (46-84) at St. Louis Cardinals (76-55), 2:15 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Washington - Garrett Mock (3-5, 5.23) St. Louis - Adam Wainwright (15-7, 2.50)

Adam Wainwright tries to become the majors' first 16-game winner when he leads the St. Louis Cardinals this afternoon in the finale of a three-game series versus the Washington Nationals at Busch Stadium.

Wainwright is 15-7 with a 2.50 earned run average in 27 starts this season and 3-0 with a miniscule 0.94 ERA over his last four outings, all St. Louis victories. He improved to 10-3 in his last 13 decisions with a solid showing versus Houston on August 25, when he fired eight shutout innings of three-hit ball in a 1-0 victory.

The right-hander already beat Washington this season on July 23 with six innings of one-run ball, and is 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA in six career games (4 starts) against the Nationals.

St. Louis hopes its young ace can pitch the club to a series sweep this afternoon. The Cardinals, who haven't lost a series since dropping two of three at Philadelphia from July 24-26, have won the first two segments of this set and are coming off Saturday's 9-4 victory behind three-run homers by Matt Holliday and Colby Rasmus.

Skip Schumaker collected three hits, while Brendan Ryan and Albert Pujols each ended with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI for St. Louis, which has won 17 of its last 21 games. Mitchell Boggs started for the NL Central-leading Cardinals and earned the win with six innings of three-run ball. The Cardinals are nine games ahead of the Chicago Cubs in the division standings.

Washington will try to avoid the sweep Sunday and has dropped nine of its last 12 games. In Saturday's five-run setback at Busch Stadium, Adam Dunn homered and All-Star Ryan Zimmerman knocked in a pair of runs. Pete Orr registered a game-high four hits in defeat.

Craig Stammen started for the Nats and was saddled with the loss for permitting six runs -- three earned -- on four hits in 4 2/3 innings.

"That's tough, that's what makes their lineup good, is they've got multiple guys that can hurt you, back-to-back-to-back," Stammen said. "But when I went out there, I was just like, 'Just have fun.' Have fun trying to get the best hitters in the game out. And for the most part, it was kinda fun, except for when they got me."

Washington will send Garrett Mock to the hill on Sunday and he is 3-5 with a 5.23 ERA in 21 games, eight of which have been starts, this season. He is 3-1 in his previous four outings and defeated the Cubs in his most recent stint on August 25. He gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings of a 15-6 pounding.

Mock, a right-hander, has never faced St. Louis in his brief career.

St. Louis has won five of six meetings with Washington this season and is 10-2 over the past 12 matchups between the teams.

 

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Matchup -- Washington at St. Louis

Washington Nationals (46-84) at St. Louis Cardinals (76-55)
Game One St. Louis 3, Washington 2
Game Two St. Louis 9, Washington 4
Game Three Sunday, August 30th, 2:15 p.m.
Records
2009 Head-to-Head Record St. Louis 5-1 (3-1 at Was; 2-0 at StL)
2008 Head-to-Head Record St. Louis 5-1 (2-1 at Was; 3-0 at StL)
2007 Head-to-Head Record Washington 5-1 (3-0 at Was; 2-1 at StL)
2006 Head-to-Head Record St. Louis 4-3 (1-2 at Was; 3-1 at StL)
Home Record Washington 27-39; St. Louis 40-25
Away Record Washington 19-45; St. Louis 36-30
Current Streak Washington (L2); St. Louis (W2)
Record vs. Central Division Washington 16-26
Record vs. Eastern Division St. Louis 15-11
2009 Meetings
4/30 - St. Louis, 9-4 (at Was - WP: C.Perez; LP: Tavarez)
5/01 - St. Louis, 6-2 (at Was - WP: Wellemeyer; LP: Zimmermann)
5/02 - Washington, 6-1 (at Was - WP: Martis; LP: Pineiro)
5/03 - Postponed at Washington (Made-up July 23rd)
7/23 - St. Louis, 4-1 (6 1/3) (at Was - WP: Wainwright; LP: Balester)
8/28 - St. Louis, 3-2 (at StL - WP: Motte; LP: Bergmann)
8/29 - St. Louis, 9-4 (at StL - WP: Boggs; LP: Stammen)
2008 Meetings
4/04 - St. Louis, 5-4 (at StL - WP: Looper; LP: Od.Perez)
4/05 - St. Louis, 5-4 (at StL - WP: Wainwright; LP: Chico)
4/06 - St. Louis, 3-0 (at StL - WP: Lohse; LP: Lannan)
6/03 - St. Louis, 6-1 (at Was - WP: Lohse; LP: Od.Perez)
6/04 - Postponed at Washington (Made-up June 5th)
6/05 - St. Louis, 4-1 (at Was - WP: Wellemeyer; LP: Lannan)
6/05 - Washington, 10-9 (10) (at Was - WP: Sanches; LP: Franklin)
2007 Meetings
5/25 - Washington, 5-4 (at StL - WP: Bowie; LP: An.Reyes)
5/26 - St. Louis, 8-6 (at StL - WP: B.Thompson; LP: Speigner)
5/27 - Washington, 7-2 (at StL - WP: S.Rivera; LP: Wainwright)
8/03 - Washington, 3-2 (at Was - WP: C.Cordero; LP: R.Franklin)
8/04 - Washington, 12-1 (at Was - WP: Hanrahan; LP: Pineiro)
8/05 - Washington, 6-3 (at Was - WP: King; LP: R.Franklin)
2006 Meetings
4/27 - St. Louis, 6-2 (at StL - WP: Ponson; LP: O'Connor)
4/28 - Washington, 8-3 (at StL - WP: Armas; LP: Marquis)
4/29 - St. Louis, 2-1 (at StL - WP: Looper; LP: Rauch)
4/30 - St. Louis, 9-2 (at StL - WP: Suppan; LP: Day)
9/04 - Washington, 4-1 (at Was - WP: Ra.Ortiz; LP: Marquis)
9/05 - St. Louis, 2-0 (at Was - WP: Suppan; LP: P.Astacio)
9/06 - Washington, 7-6 (at Was - WP: C.Cordero; LP: Isringhausen)
Washington last five games St. Louis last five games
8/25 - W at Chicago Cubs, 15-6 8/25 - W vs. Houston, 1-0
8/26 - L at Chicago Cubs, 4-9 8/26 - W vs. Houston, 3-2
8/27 - W at Chicago Cubs, 5-4 8/27 - L vs. Houston, 3-4
8/28 - L at St. Louis, 2-3 8/28 - W vs. Washington, 3-2
8/29 - L at St. Louis, 4-9 8/29 - W vs. Washington, 9-4

 

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New York Mets (58-72) at Chicago Cubs (65-62), 2:20 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - Nelson Figueroa (1-5, 5.40) Chicago - Carlos Zambrano (7-5, 3.80)

Right-hander Carlos Zambrano takes the mound for the second time since a stint on the disabled list today, when the Chicago Cubs host the New York Mets in the finale of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

The fiery 28-year-old, who missed time earlier this season with a hamstring injury, was shelved between August 1-25 with a back problem. He returned to face Washington on August 25 and dropped a 15-6 decision, allowing seven hits and eight runs in 4 1/3 innings.

His last two starts before the trip to the disabled list resulted in no- decisions, though the Cubs won both games. Zambrano's last victory came July 22 at Philadelphia, as he scattered 10 hits and allowed four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings of a 10-5 triumph.

He is 4-1 in eight appearances -- seven starts -- against the Mets with a 3.67 earned run average in 41 2/3 innings. In 2009, Zambrano is 2-3 in 10 starts at Wrigley Field with a 4.45 ERA.

New York counters with 35-year-old journeyman right-hander Nelson Figueroa, who starts for the third time while making his 10th appearance of the season.

Winless in nine career outings, four starts, against the Cubs, Figueroa made one start for the Mets in April, then pitched at Triple-A Buffalo until rejoining the injury-ravaged staff for a 1 2/3-inning relief stint against Arizona. He's split time between starting and relieving since, including a 2-1 loss at Florida in an August 25 start in which he allowed four hits and an earned run in five innings.

The game will mark the 100th major-league appearance for the Brooklyn native, who broke in with Arizona in 2000, went to Philadelphia as part of a trade for Curt Schilling, then later pitched for Milwaukee and Pittsburgh before joining the Mets in 2008.

Figueroa is 0-1 in two road appearances this season with a 1.35 ERA in 6 2/3 innings.

On Saturday, Jake Fox's first career grand slam highlighted a six-run fifth inning, as the Cubs defeated the Mets, 11-4.

Fox added an RBI double, while Milton Bradley collected three hits, scored twice and knocked in a run for the Cubs, who have won four of their last six games. Aramis Ramirez and Mike Fontenot each drove in two runs.

Ryan Dempster (8-7) gave up four runs on eight hits and struck out seven over six innings to get the win.

Jeff Francoeur and Brian Schneider both produced a two-run double for New York, which has dropped seven of eight. Bobby Parnell (3-7) was saddled with the loss after yielding eight runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Chicago won four of six matchups from the Mets last year, while sweeping a two-game set against New York at Wrigley.

 

[Lumi]

Matchup -- New York Mets at Chicago Cubs

New York Mets (58-72) at Chicago Cubs (65-62)
Game One Chicago 5, New York 2
Game Two Chicago 11, New York 4
Game Three Sunday, August 30th, 2:20 p.m.
Records
2009 Head-to-Head Record Chicago 2-0 (0-0 at NY; 2-0 at Chi)
2008 Head-to-Head Record Chicago 4-2 (2-2 at NY; 2-0 at Chi)
2007 Head-to-Head Record New York 5-2 (3-1 at NY; 2-1 at Chi)
2006 Head-to-Head Record Tied 3-3 (NY 1-2 at Home; 2-1 at Chi)
Home Record New York 34-32; Chicago 38-24
Away Record New York 24-40; Chicago 27-38
Current Streak New York (L2); Chicago (W2)
Record vs. Central Division New York 17-16
Record vs. Eastern Division Chicago 14-14
2009 Meetings
8/28 - Chicago, 5-2 (at Chi - WP: Gregg; LP: Stokes)
8/29 - Chicago, 11-4 (at Chi - WP: Dempster; LP: Parnell)
2008 Meetings
4/21 - Chicago, 7-1 (at Chi - WP: C.Zambrano; LP: Maine)
4/22 - Chicago, 8-1 (at Chi - WP: Lilly; LP: Figueroa)
9/22 - Chicago, 9-5 (at NY - WP: Marquis; LP: Niese)
9/23 - New York, 6-2 (at NY - WP: J.Santana; LP: Gaudin)
9/24 - Chicago, 9-6 (10) (at NY - WP: Howry; LP: Ayala)
9/25 - New York, 7-6 (at NY - WP: J.Smith; LP: Hart)
2007 Meetings
5/14 - New York, 5-4 (at NY - WP: Heilman; LP: Wuertz)
5/15 - Chicago, 10-1 (at NY - WP: C.Zambrano; LP: Maine)
5/16 - New York, 8-1 (at NY - WP: Sosa; LP: R.Hill)
5/17 - New York, 6-5 (at NY - WP: Burgos; LP: Dempster)
8/03 - New York, 6-2 (at Chi - WP: Mota; LP: Dempster)
8/04 - Chicago, 6-2 (at Chi - WP: Lilly; LP: Maine)
8/05 - New York, 8-3 (at Chi - WP: Glavine; LP: Marquis)
2006 Meetings
7/14 - New York, 6-3 (at Chi - WP: Trachsel; LP: Maddux)
7/15 - Chicago, 9-2 (at Chi - WP: C.Zambrano; LP: Glavine)
7/16 - New York, 13-7 (at Chi - WP: Feliciano; LP: Marshall)
7/24 - Chicago, 8-7 (at NY - WP: Maddux; LP: Trachsel)
7/25 - Chicago, 8-6 (at NY - WP: C.Zambrano; LP: Glavine)
7/26 - New York, 1-0 (10) (at NY - WP: Heilman; LP: Rusch)
2005 Meetings
5/09 - New York, 7-4 (at Chi - WP: DeJean; LP: Hawkins)
5/10 - Chicago, 7-0 (at Chi - WP: Maddux; LP: Benson)
5/11 - Chicago, 4-3 (10) (at Chi - WP: Dempster; LP: H.Bell)
8/05 - New York, 9-5 (at NY - WP: Glavine; LP: Hill)
8/06 - New York, 2-0 (at NY - WP: Seo; LP: Maddux)
8/07 - New York, 6-1 (at NY - WP: V.Zambrano; LP: C.Zambrano)
New York last five games Chicago last five games
8/25 - L at Florida, 1-2 8/25 - L vs. Washington, 6-15
8/26 - L at Florida, 3-5 8/26 - W vs. Washington, 9-4
8/27 - W at Florida, 10-3 8/27 - L vs. Washington, 4-5
8/28 - L at Chicago Cubs, 2-5 8/28 - W vs. NY Mets, 5-2
8/29 - L at Chicago Cubs, 4-11 8/28 - W vs. NY Mets, 11-4

 

[Lumi]

I will get the rest later,
time for chow.

 

[Lumi]

Oakland Athletics (57-72) at LA Angels of Anaheim (76-52), 3:35 p.m.

Oakland Athletics (57-72) at LA Angels of Anaheim (76-52), 3:35 p.m.

Oakland Athletics (57-72) at LA Angels of Anaheim (76-52), 3:35 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Oakland - Brett Anderson (7-9, 4.35) LA Angels - John Lackey (8-7, 4.16)

John Lackey takes another crack at the 100th win of his career this afternoon when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim conclude their four-game series with the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium.

Since picking up his 99th win back on August 15, Lackey has lost his last two starts and has looked bad in doing so, surrendering 11 runs in 11 1/3 innings of those outings.

Lackey was charged with the loss on Tuesday against Detroit, which hit him for five runs and 11 hits in six innings and dropped him to 8-7 on the year to go along with a 4.16 earned run average.

The 30-year-old righty defeated the A's the last time he faced them and is an impressive 15-4 lifetime against them with a 2.66 ERA in 27 starts.

Oakland will counter with lefty Brett Anderson, who is 7-9 with a 4.35 ERA. Anderson did not get a decision on Tuesday in Seattle, as he allowed just a run in seven innings of his team's 4-2 loss.

Anderson, who is 0-1 in two starts this season against the Halos, has given up three runs or less in 10 of his last 12 starts.

On Saturday, Rajai Davis went 3-for-5 with a two-run single, helping Oakland rally for a 4-3 win. Daric Barton hit the go-ahead RBI groundout for the A's, who have won two of the three games so far in the set against the AL West- leading Angels.

Prior to this series, the A's were swept in three games by Seattle.

Oakland's Vin Mazzaro gave up three runs in a five-inning start, while Brad Ziegler (2-4) got the win for a scoreless seventh inning.

Maicer Izturis had two hits, including a two-run homer, for the Angels, who have dropped seven of their last 10 games. LA saw its lead in the division drop to four games over Texas, which shut out Minnesota earlier Saturday.

Jered Weaver pitched six scoreless innings for the Angels, whose bullpen was responsible for the loss. Jose Arredondo was credited for three runs allowed in a third of an inning, while Rafael Rodriguez (0-1) pitched 2 2/3 frames, but gave up the eventual game-winning run to take the loss.

"I felt good. They hit a lot of foul balls, and the pitch count got up there," Weaver, who threw 119 pitches, said. "I tried to hang in there as long as I could, but it just got away from us at the end."

The Halos have won seven of 12 overall meetings between the teams in 2009.

 

[Lumi]

Matchup -- Oakland at LA Angels

Oakland Athletics (57-72) at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (76-52)
Game One Oakland 2, LA Angels 0
Game Two LA Angels 11, Oakland 7
Game Three Oakland 4, LA Angels 3
Game Four Sunday, August 30th, 3:35 p.m.
Records
2009 Head-to-Head Record LA Angels 7-5 (5-1 at Oak; 2-4 at Ana)
2008 Head-to-Head Record LA Angels 10-9 (5-4 at Oak; 5-5 at Ana)
2007 Head-to-Head Record Oakland 10-9 (5-4 at Oak; 5-5 at Ana)
2006 Head-to-Head Record LA Angels 11-8 (7-3 at Oak; 4-5 at Ana)
Home Record Oakland 30-33; LA Angels 38-26
Away Record Oakland 27-39; LA Angels 38-26
Current Streak Oakland (W1); LA Angels (L1)
Record vs. Western Division Oakland 14-22; LA Angels 16-21
2009 Meetings
4/06 - LA Angels, 3-0 (at Ana - WP: Saunders; LP: Braden)
4/07 - Oakland, 6-4 (at Ana - WP: Wuertz; LP: Jepsen)
4/08 - Oakland, 6-4 (at Ana - WP: A.Bailey; LP: Fuentes)
4/09 - Postponed at LA Angels (Made-up August 27th)
5/04 - LA Angels, 5-2 (at Oak - WP: Saunders; LP: B.Anderson)
5/05 - LA Angels, 5-3 (at Oak - WP: Loux; LP: Braden)
7/16 - LA Angels, 6-2 (at Oak - WP: E.Santana; LP: Braden)
7/17 - Oakland, 7-3 (at Oak - WP: Breslow; LP: Saunders)
7/18 - LA Angels, 11-6 (at Oak - WP: Oliver; LP: Mazzaro)
7/19 - LA Angels, 1-0 (10) (at Oak - WP: Lackey; LP: A.Bailey)
8/27 - Oakland, 2-0 (at Ana - WP: Cahill; LP: E.Santana)
8/28 - LA Angels, 11-7 (at Ana - WP: Arredondo; LP: Ziegler)
8/29 - Oakland, 4-3 (at Ana - WP: Ziegler; LP: Ra.Rodriguez)
2008 Meetings
4/28 - Oakland, 14-2 (at Ana - WP: Gaudin; LP: Garland)
4/29 - LA Angels, 2-0 (at Ana - WP: Saunders; LP: G.Smith)
4/30 - LA Angels, 6-1 (at Ana - WP: E.Santana; LP: Eveland)
5/01 - Oakland, 15-8 (at Ana - WP: Duchscherer; LP: Moseley)
6/06 - LA Angels, 3-1 (at Oak - WP: Lackey; LP: Blanton)
6/07 - LA Angels, 5-3 (at Oak - WP: Garland; LP: G.Smith)
6/08 - Oakland, 7-3 (12) (at Oak - WP: Ziegler; LP: Bootcheck)
6/30 - Oakland, 6-1 (at Ana - WP: G.Smith; LP: Garland)
7/01 - LA Angels, 5-3 (at Ana - WP: S.Shields; LP: Embree)
7/02 - LA Angels, 7-4 (at Ana - WP: Saunders; LP: Foulke)
7/11 - Oakland, 9-2 (at Oak - WP: Gallagher; LP: Garland)
7/12 - LA Angels, 4-1 (at Oak - WP: E.Santana; LP: Eveland)
7/13 - LA Angels, 4-3 (at Oak - WP: Arredondo; LP: Street)
8/25 - Oakland, 2-1 (at Ana - WP: Braden; LP: Jer.Weaver)
8/26 - LA Angels, 5-1 (at Ana - WP: Lackey; LP: G.Smith)
8/27 - Oakland, 6-5 (at Ana - WP: Street; LP: Saunders)
9/16 - Oakland, 8-1 (at Oak - WP: Gallagher; LP: Lackey)
9/17 - Oakland, 3-2 (at Oak - WP: Ziegler; LP: Fr.Rodriguez)
9/18 - LA Angels, 6-4 (at Oak - WP: Saunders; LP: Outman)
2007 Meetings
4/05 - Oakland, 4-3 (at Ana - WP: Duchscherer; LP: Fr.Rodriguez)
4/06 - LA Angels, 5-2 (at Ana - WP: Moseley; LP: J.Kennedy)
4/07 - LA Angels, 2-1 (at Ana - WP: Lackey; LP: Haren)
4/08 - Oakland, 2-1 (at Ana - WP: Blanton; LP: Escobar)
4/17 - Oakland, 4-1 (at Oak - WP: Gaudin; LP: Jer.Weaver)
4/18 - Oakland, 3-0 (at Oak - WP: Haren; LP: Lackey)
7/23 - Oakland, 12-6 (at Ana - WP: J.Kennedy; LP: B.Colon)
7/24 - Oakland, 4-3 (at Ana - WP: DiNardo; LP: Escobar)
7/25 - LA Angels, 7-6 (at Ana - WP: Fr.Rodriguez; LP: J.Kennedy)
8/02 - LA Angels, 6-4 (at Oak - WP: Saunders; LP: Gaudin)
8/03 - Oakland, 8-4 (at Oak - WP: Casilla; LP: S.Shields)
8/04 - Oakland, 2-1 (at Oak - WP: Blanton; LP: Escobar)
8/05 - LA Angels, 4-3 (at Oak - WP: Lackey; LP: Calero)
9/03 - LA Angels, 9-5 (at Ana - WP: E.Santana; LP: Gaudin)
9/04 - LA Angels, 4-3 (at Ana - WP: Jer.Weaver; LP: DiNardo)
9/05 - Oakland, 6-2 (at Ana - WP: Blanton; LP: Saunders)
9/28 - LA Angels, 2-0 (at Oak - WP: Lackey; LP: Haren)
9/29 - LA Angels, 3-2 (at Oak - WP: Escobar; LP: DiNardo)
9/30 - Oakland, 3-2 (at Oak - WP: Street; LP: Bootcheck)
2006 Meetings
4/21 - Oakland, 5-3 (at Oak - WP: Harden; LP: JC.Romero)
4/22 - LA Angels, 5-4 (at Oak - WP: Jef.Weaver; LP: Haren)
4/23 - LA Angels, 4-3 (at Oak - WP: Escobar; LP: Loaiza)
5/01 - Oakland, 1-0 (at Ana - WP: Zito; LP: Carrasco)
5/02 - Oakland, 10-3 (at Ana - WP: Halsey; LP: Lackey)
7/06 - Oakland, 7-5 (at Oak - WP: Street; LP: S.Shields)
7/07 - LA Angels, 3-0 (at Oak - WP: Lackey; LP: Zito)
7/08 - LA Angels, 6-4 (at Oak - WP: Jer.Weaver; LP: Blanton)
7/09 - LA Angels, 4-2 (at Oak - WP: E.Santana; LP: Haren)
7/31 - Oakland, 3-1 (at Ana - WP: Haren; LP: E.Santana)
8/01 - LA Angels, 3-2 (at Ana - WP: Saunders; LP: Blanton)
8/02 - Oakland, 3-2 (at Ana - WP: Calero; LP: S.Shields)
9/22 - Oakland, 5-4 (12) (at Oak - WP: Halsey; LP: Fr.Rodriguez)
9/23 - LA Angels, 6-2 (at Oak - WP: Lackey; LP: Blanton)
9/24 - LA Angels, 7-1 (at Oak - WP: E.Santana; LP: Haren)
9/28 - LA Angels, 2-0 (at Ana - WP: Lackey; LP: Zito)
9/29 - LA Angels, 6-0 (at Ana - WP: E.Santana; LP: Loaiza)
9/30 - LA Angels, 7-6 (at Ana - WP: Carrasco; LP: Ro.Flores)
10/01 - Oakland, 11-10 (10) (at Ana - WP: Gaudin; LP: Bootcheck)
Oakland last five games LA Angels last five games
8/25 - L at Seattle, 2-4 (10) 8/25 - L vs. Detroit, 3-5
8/26 - L at Seattle, 3-5 8/26 - W vs. Detroit, 4-2
8/27 - W at LA Angels, 2-0 8/27 - L vs. Oakland, 0-2
8/28 - L at LA Angels, 7-11 8/28 - W vs. Oakland, 11-7
8/29 - W at LA Angels, 4-3 8/29 - L vs. Oakland, 3-4

 

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Colorado Rockies (72-58) at San Francisco Giants (71-59), 4:05 p.m.

Colorado Rockies (72-58) at San Francisco Giants (71-59), 4:05 p.m.

Colorado Rockies (72-58) at San Francisco Giants (71-59), 4:05 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Colorado - Jason Hammel (8-7, 4.43) San Francisco - Matt Cain (12-4, 2.39)

The San Francisco Giants can pull even with the Colorado Rockies atop the National League Wild Card standings with a win this afternoon in the finale of a three-game series at AT&T Park.

San Francisco has won the first two matchups of this set to pull within one game of Colorado in the race for the final playoff spot in the National League. After recording a 2-0 victory in Friday's series opener, the Giants trimmed the gap with a 5-3 triumph last night behind a solid outing from starting pitcher Barry Zito.

The left-hander and 2002 AL Cy Young winner allowed only one run over 8 1/3 innings, while striking out seven batters. Brian Wilson then posted his 32nd save of the season by getting the final out of the game.

"What a job [Zito] did, eight shutout innings. I was gonna give him a shot in the ninth, but once he gave up the home run, that was enough for him," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He had tremendous command. He was locating his fastball. He did a great job out there for us."

Pablo Sandoval finished 3-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored, and Juan Uribe had a pair of hits and an RBI for the Giants, who have won four of their last five games and sit six games off the pace in the NL West division.

Matt Cain will toe the rubber for the Giants this afternoon and he is 0-2 over his last six starts with three straight no-decisions. Cain did not factor in the outcome of a 5-4 win over Arizona the last time out on August 25, when he allowed two runs -- one earned -- in seven innings.

Cain, a right-hander, is 12-4 in 26 starts this season with a 2.39 earned run average. He is also 6-2 in 13 home starts. Cain has faced Colorado three times already in 2009, going 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA. In 16 career starts against the Rockies, Cain is 8-5 with a 2.98 earned run average.

Colorado has dropped four in a row after a four-game win streak to watch its advantage in the Wild Card hunt shrink to only one game. It is also now five games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the West standings and will return home for a 10-game residency versus the Mets, D-Backs and Reds after the Bay series with the Giants.

"It's nothing different than what we've been doing. If you look at the losses we've had, we've been in it every game -- we're not gonna give up at this point," said Rox infielder Clint Barmes. "Would have been nice to get on base and keep it going, but it didn't work out."

Brad Hawpe homered and Seth Smith drove in two runs last night for the Rockies, who got a rough start from Jason Marquis. Marquis was aiming for his 15th win, but ended up allowing five runs and nine hits over six innings.

Taking the ball for the Rockies on Sunday will be Jason Hammel, who is 3-1 in his last four decisions and 8-7 with a 4.43 earned run average in 26 games, 23 of which have been starts.

Hammel, in his first season with Colorado, did not record a decision in his most recent start on August 25 in a 5-4 setback to Los Angeles. He limited the Dodgers to a pair of runs on eight hits in seven innings.

The right-hander has faced San Francisco twice this season and for his career, and sports an 0-1 mark with a solid 2.25 ERA.

Colorado and San Francisco have split 14 meetings this season.

 

[Lumi]

Matchup -- Colorado at San Francisco

Colorado Rockies (72-58) at San Francisco Giants (71-59)
Game One San Francisco 2, Colorado 0
Game Two San Francisco 5, Colorado 3
Game Three Sunday, August 30th, 4:05 p.m.
Records
2009 Head-to-Head Record Tied 7-7 (Col 6-3 at Home; 1-4 at SF)
2008 Head-to-Head Record Colorado 11-7 (5-4 at Col; 6-3 at SF)
2007 Head-to-Head Record Colorado 10-8 (5-4 at Col; 5-4 at SF)
2006 Head-to-Head Record Colorado 10-8 (6-3 at Col; 4-5 at SF)
Home Record Colorado 36-26; San Francisco 43-21
Away Record Colorado 36-32; San Francisco 28-38
Current Streak Colorado (L4); San Francisco (W2)
Record vs. Western Division Colorado 24-29; San Francisco 25-25
2009 Meetings
5/01 - San Francisco, 3-2 (at SF - WP: R.Johnson; LP: U.Jimenez)
5/02 - Colorado, 5-1 (at SF - WP: Marquis; LP: Cain)
5/03 - San Francisco, 1-0 (10) (at SF - WP: Medders; LP: Corpas)
5/06 - Colorado, 11-1 (at Col - WP: U.Jimenez; LP: R.Johnson)
5/07 - San Francisco, 8-3 (at Col - WP: Cain; LP: Marquis)
7/24 - San Francisco, 3-1 (at Col - WP: Cain; LP: Hammel)
7/25 - Colorado, 8-2 (at Col - WP: J.De La Rosa; LP: Jon.Sanchez)
7/26 - Colorado, 4-2 (at Col - WP: Cook; LP: Sadowski)
8/21 - San Francisco, 6-3 (at Col - WP: Jon.Sanchez; LP: Cook)
8/22 - Colorado, 14-11 (at Col - WP: J.De La Rosa; LP: Ju.Miller)
8/23 - Colorado, 4-2 (at Col - WP: U.Jimenez; LP: Lincecum)
8/24 - Colorado, 6-4 (14) (at Col - WP: Eaton; LP: Ju.Miller)
8/28 - San Francisco, 2-0 (at SF - WP: Lincecum; LP: U.Jimenez)
8/29 - San Francisco, 5-3 (at SF - WP: Zito; LP: Marquis)
2008 Meetings
4/28 - San Francisco, 4-0 (at SF - WP: Cain; LP: Morales)
4/29 - Colorado, 3-2 (at SF - WP: Cook; LP: Lincecum)
4/30 - San Francisco, 3-2 (at SF - WP: M.Valdez; LP: R.Speier)
5/19 - Colorado, 4-3 (at Col - WP: Grilli; LP: Chulk)
5/20 - San Francisco, 6-5 (at Col - WP: Lincecum; LP: Cook)
5/21 - San Francisco, 3-2 (10) (at Col - WP: T.Walker; LP: Herges)
6/10 - Colorado, 10-5 (at Col - WP: Cook; LP: Misch)
6/11 - Colorado, 1-0 (at Col - WP: Fuentes; LP: Yabu)
6/12 - San Francisco, 10-7 (at Col - WP: Jon.Sanchez; LP: Reynolds)
8/25 - Colorado, 4-2 (at SF - WP: Francis; LP: Cain)
8/26 - Colorado, 7-2 (at SF - WP: De La Rosa; LP: Palmer)
8/27 - San Francisco, 4-1 (at SF - WP: Lincecum; LP: L.Hernandez)
9/01 - Colorado, 4-0 (at Col - WP: De La Rosa; LP: Jon.Sanchez)
9/02 - Colorado, 6-5 (12) (at Col - WP: Grilli; LP: Yabu)
9/03 - San Francisco, 9-2 (at Col - WP: Zito; LP: Cook)
9/23 - Colorado, 9-4 (at SF - WP: U.Jimenez; LP: Lincecum)
9/24 - Colorado, 15-6 (at SF - WP: L.Hernandez; LP: Jon.Sanchez)
9/25 - Colorado, 3-1 (at SF - WP: De La Rosa; LP: Zito)
2007 Meetings
4/16 - San Francisco, 8-0 (at Col - WP: Zito; LP: Francis)
4/17 - Colorado, 5-3 (at Col - WP: R.Ramirez; LP: Correia)
4/30 - San Francisco, 9-5 (at SF - WP: Lowry; LP: Fogg)
5/01 - Colorado, 9-7 (at SF - WP: Arias; LP: Ru.Ortiz)
5/02 - San Francisco, 5-3 (at SF - WP: Hennessey; LP: Francis)
5/10 - Colorado, 5-3 (at Col - WP: Cook; LP: Lowry)
5/11 - San Francisco, 8-3 (at Col - WP: Lincecum; LP: Fogg)
5/12 - Colorado, 6-2 (at Col - WP: Francis; LP: Zito)
5/13 - San Francisco, 15-2 (at Col - WP: Cain; LP: T.Buchholz)
5/25 - Colorado, 5-3 (at SF - WP: Affeldt; LP: Benitez)
5/26 - Colorado, 6-1 (at SF - WP: Cook; LP: Morris)
5/27 - Colorado, 6-4 (10) (at SF - WP: R.Ramirez; LP: Kline)
8/27 - San Francisco, 4-1 (at SF - WP: B.Wilson; LP: Julio)
8/28 - San Francisco, 3-1 (at SF - WP: Cain; LP: Morales)
8/29 - Colorado, 8-0 (at SF - WP: Francis; LP: Lowry)
9/03 - Colorado, 7-4 (at Col - WP: Francis; LP: Cain)
9/04 - Colorado, 6-5 (at Col - WP: Corpas; LP: Hennessey)
9/05 - San Francisco, 5-3 (at Col - WP: Correia; LP: U.Jimenez)
2006 Meetings
4/21 - Colorado, 9-8 (at Col - WP: Cortes; LP: Worrell)
4/22 - San Francisco, 6-4 (at Col - WP: Hennessey; LP: Cook)
4/23 - Colorado, 3-2 (10) (at Col - WP: Cortes; LP: Fassero)
5/26 - San Francisco, 9-0 (at SF - WP: Schmidt; LP: Francis)
5/27 - San Francisco, 4-1 (at SF - WP: Cain; LP: Fogg)
5/28 - Colorado, 6-3 (at SF - WP: B-H.Kim; LP: Jam.Wright)
7/03 - San Francisco, 9-6 (at Col - WP: Accardo; LP: R.Ramirez)
7/04 - Colorado, 6-1 (at Col - WP: Francis; LP: Schmidt)
7/05 - Colorado, 5-3 (at Col - WP: Fogg; LP: Jam.Wright)
8/04 - Colorado, 5-2 (at SF - WP: Francis; LP: Morris)
8/05 - Colorado, 2-1 (11) (at SF - WP: Affeldt; LP: Hennessey)
8/06 - San Francisco, 6-2 (at SF - WP: Cain; LP: Cook)
9/12 - San Francisco, 10-6 (at SF - WP: Correia; LP: Bautista)
9/13 - Colorado, 9-8 (at SF - WP: Jennings; LP: Lowry)
9/14 - San Francisco, 5-0 (at SF - WP: Cain; LP: Cook)
9/18 - Colorado, 20-8 (at Col - WP: Hampson; LP: Lowry)
9/19 - Colorado, 12-4 (at Col - WP: Jennings; LP: Cain)
9/20 - San Francisco, 7-4 (at Col - WP: B.Wilson; LP: Corpas)
Colorado last five games San Francisco last five games
8/25 - W vs. Los Angeles, 5-4 (10) 8/25 - W vs. Arizona, 5-4
8/26 - L vs. Los Angeles, 1-6 8/26 - W vs. Arizona, 4-3
8/27 - L vs. Los Angeles, 2-3 8/27 - L vs. Arizona, 0-11
8/28 - L at San Francisco, 0-2 8/28 - W vs. Colorado, 2-0
8/29 - L at San Francisco, 3-5 8/29 - W vs. Colorado, 5-3

 

[Lumi]

Houston Astros (62-67) at Arizona Diamondbacks (58-72), 4:10 p.m.

Houston Astros (62-67) at Arizona Diamondbacks (58-72), 4:10 p.m.

Houston Astros (62-67) at Arizona Diamondbacks (58-72), 4:10 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Houston - Wandy Rodriguez (12-8, 2.82) Arizona - Dan Haren (12-8, 2.73)

A pair of aces with similar records get together this afternoon in the desert, where Dan Haren and the Arizona Diamondbacks wrap up a three-game set versus Wandy Rodriguez and the Houston Astros at Chase Field.

Haren is 12-8 with a 2.73 earned run average in 26 starts this season and has alternated wins and losses over his previous six decisions. In a 5-4 loss at San Francisco the last time out on August 25, Haren did not record a decision after giving up just two runs in seven innings.

The right-hander will try for a win against Houston, a team he dominated in the previous meeting on June 12. Haren went the distance in the 8-1 victory and allowed one run and two hits for his third complete game of the season and ninth of his career. He is 2-2 with a 3.18 ERA in five career games (4 starts) against the Astros.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, is 12-8 with a 2.82 earned run average and has lost two of his last three starts. In a 1-0 loss to St. Louis on August 25, Rodriguez absorbed the defeat after yielding the lone run and three hits over seven innings of work.

The lefty will attempt to rebound in his first appearance with Arizona this season. Rodriguez is 2-3 with a 5.55 ERA in five career starts against the Diamondbacks.

Arizona has won three in a row and is trying for its first sweep since taking all three meetings at Pittsburgh from August 4-6. In Saturday's 9-0 drubbing of the Astros in the desert, Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer, his 40th of the season, while Justin Upton clubbed a solo shot and finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a pair of RBI.

Miguel Montero knocked in three runs for the D-Backs, who got seven shutout innings and five strikeouts from winning starter Jon Garland.

"I don't think my stuff was any better, but I kept it down, through the seven innings for the most part every ball was down, getting a lot of ground balls and some big plays at the right time, a big double play, a big play by Reynolds with two guys on and some timely plays after that," Garland said.

Miguel Tejada had the lone extra-base hit for the Astros with a double and starting pitcher Bud Norris was dealt the loss. Norris allowed six runs in five innings of work.

Houston and Arizona have split eight meetings this season.

 

[Lumi]

Matchup -- Houston at Arizona

Matchup -- Houston at Arizona

Matchup -- Houston at Arizona

Houston Astros (62-67) at Arizona Diamondbacks (58-72)
Game One Arizona 14, Houston 7
Game Two Arizona 9, Houston 0
Game Three Sunday, August 30th, 4:10 p.m.
Records
2009 Head-to-Head Record Tied 4-4 (Ari 1-2 at Hou; 3-2 at Home)
2008 Head-to-Head Record Arizona 4-2 (2-1 at Hou; 2-1 at Ari)
2007 Head-to-Head Record Arizona 5-2 (1-2 at Hou; 4-0 at Ari)
2006 Head-to-Head Record Houston 5-4 (1-2 at Hou; 4-2 at Ari)
Home Record Houston 35-30; Arizona 30-35
Away Record Houston 27-37; Arizona 28-37
Current Streak Houston (L2); Arizona (W3)
Record vs. Western Division Houston 21-14
Record vs. Central Division Arizona 17-17
2009 Meetings
6/12 - Arizona, 8-1 (at Ari - WP: Haren; LP: Hampton)
6/13 - Houston, 6-4 (at Ari - WP: Oswalt; LP: Garland)
6/14 - Houston, 8-3 (at Ari - WP: Moehler; LP: Buckner)
8/21 - Houston, 1-0 (at Hou - WP: Oswalt; LP: Petit)
8/22 - Houston, 4-2 (at Hou - WP: Moehler; LP: Scherzer)
8/23 - Arizona, 7-5 (at Hou - WP: Garland; LP: Norris)
8/28 - Arizona, 14-7 (at Ari - WP: Scherzer; LP: Bazardo)
8/29 - Arizona, 9-0 (at Ari - WP: Garland; LP: Norris)
2008 Meetings
4/28 - Arizona, 5-3 (at Ari - WP: Haren; LP: Sampson)
4/29 - Houston, 6-4 (at Ari - WP: Brocail; LP: Ed.Gonzalez)
4/30 - Arizona, 8-7 (at Ari - WP: Medders; LP: Borkowski)
8/15 - Arizona, 12-2 (at Hou - WP: B.Webb; LP: W.Rodriguez)
8/16 - Arizona, 11-5 (at Hou - WP: Petit; LP: Backe)
8/17 - Houston, 3-0 (at Hou - WP: Oswalt; LP: R.Johnson)
2007 Meetings
5/11 - Arizona, 3-1 (at Hou - WP: Webb; LP: Sampson)
5/12 - Houston, 10-4 (at Hou - WP: Oswalt; LP: L.Hernandez)
5/13 - Houston, 5-2 (at Hou - WP: W.Rodriguez; LP: D.Davis)
5/24 - Arizona, 9-1 (at Ari - WP: Owings; LP: W.Rodriguez)
5/25 - Arizona, 13-3 (at Ari - WP: Ed.Gonzalez; LP: W.Williams)
5/26 - Arizona, 5-4 (at Ari - WP: Webb; LP: Sampson)
5/27 - Arizona, 8-4 (at Ari - WP: L.Hernandez; LP: Oswalt)
2006 Meetings
4/14 - Arizona, 5-1 (at Ari - WP: Webb; LP: Pettitte)
4/15 - Houston, 10-0 (at Ari - WP: W.Rodriguez; LP: C.Vargas)
4/16 - Houston, 8-5 (at Ari - WP: Springer; LP: O.Hernandez)
7/28 - Arizona, 8-7 (11) (at Hou - WP: Pena; LP: Pettitte)
7/29 - Houston, 4-1 (at Hou - WP: Oswalt; LP: Cruz)
7/30 - Arizona, 7-6 (at Hou - WP: Pena; LP: T.Miller)
8/04 - Houston, 8-7 (at Ari - WP: T.Miller; LP: Pena)
8/05 - Houston, 9-3 (at Ari - WP: Clemens; LP: Nippert)
8/06 - Arizona, 4-3 (at Ari - WP: C.Vargas; LP: Pettitte)
Houston last five games Arizona last five games
8/25 - L at St. Louis, 0-1 8/25 - L at San Francisco, 4-5
8/26 - L at St. Louis, 2-3 8/26 - L at San Francisco, 3-4
8/27 - W at St. Louis, 4-3 8/27 - W at San Francisco, 11-0
8/28 - L at Arizona, 7-14 8/28 - W vs. Houston, 14-7
8/29 - L at Arizona, 0-9 8/29 - W vs. Houston, 9-0

 

[Lumi]

Kansas City Royals (49-80) at Seattle Mariners (68-62), 4:10 p.m.

Kansas City Royals (49-80) at Seattle Mariners (68-62), 4:10 p.m.

Kansas City Royals (49-80) at Seattle Mariners (68-62), 4:10 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Kansas City - Zack Greinke (12-8, 2.43) Seattle - Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-1, 4.05)

Zack Greinke tries to match a career-high with his 13th win of the year this afternoon when the Kansas City Royals wrap up their four-game series with the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

Greinke, who won 13 games a year ago, picked up the win on Tuesday against Cleveland, as he allowed a pair of runs and five hits and struck out 15 in eight innings to run his record to 12-8 to go along with a 2.43 earned run average.

The 25-year-old righty is 2-0 in seven games (five starts) against the Mariners with a 2.65 ERA.

Seattle, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Ryan Rowland-Smith, who is 2-1 with a 4.05 ERA. Rowland-Smith received a no-decision for the third straight start on Tuesday against Oakland, which reached him for two runs and nine hits in 6 1/3 innings of his team's 4-2 win.

Rowland-Smith has yet to receive a decision in six games (two starts) against the Royals, but has pitched to a 4.91 ERA in those outings.

On Saturday, Ian Snell threw five solid innings before a forearm injury forced him to leave, and Rob Johnson hit a two-run homer in Seattle's 8-4 win.

Snell (3-1) gave up two runs on three hits and two walks, with two strikeouts, and took the win. He was hit in the right forearm by a Mitch Maier liner in the top of the fifth, but got that out and finished the inning.

"I couldn't feel it at first, and then it was like instant reaction, it hit me," Snell said of getting hit. "I thought it was broke cause I couldn't feel nothing. I just went to the ground and started praying to myself, 'God, don't let it be broke, I'm doing so good right now.' I just told myself, 'At least try to finish the inning off,' and that's what I did."

Jack Hannahan went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI, playing first base in place of Russell Branyan, who landed on the disabled list Saturday with a herniated disk in his back.

Jose Lopez also homered for the Mariners, who have won two in row and five of six overall. Seattle played without Ichiro Suzuki, who sat out with left calf tightness.

Gil Meche (6-10) got the loss after giving up seven runs on eight hits in four innings. Meche has struggled lately, having allowed at least four runs in his last five starts. He has only made it past five innings once in that span.

"That was pretty terrible," Meche said. "It was just a matter of not having good stuff, overthrowing, not locating, not getting ahead, anything negative you can think of tonight, that's what happened."

John Buck had two hits, including a two-run homer, for the Royals, who have dropped the last two contests in this four-game series after winning the opener on Thursday.

The Royals have split their eight meetings with the Mariners so far this season but are 10-5 in the last 15 overall matchups against Seattle.

 

[Lumi]

Matchup -- Kansas City at Seattle

Matchup -- Kansas City at Seattle

Matchup -- Kansas City at Seattle

Kansas City Royals (49-80) at Seattle Mariners (68-62)
Game One Kansas City 8, Seattle 4
Game Two Seattle 6, Kansas City 3
Game Three Seattle 8, Kansas City 4
Game Four Sunday, August 30th, 4:10 p.m.
Records
2009 Head-to-Head Record Tied 4-4 (Sea 2-3 at KC; 2-1 at Home)
2008 Head-to-Head Record Kansas City 7-2 (6-1 at KC; 1-1 at Sea)
2007 Head-to-Head Record Seattle 6-3 (4-2 at KC; 2-1 at Sea)
2006 Head-to-Head Record Seattle 5-3 (2-2 at KC; 3-1 at Sea)
Home Record Kansas City 26-41; Seattle 37-28
Away Record Kansas City 23-39; Seattle 31-34
Current Streak Kansas City (L2); Seattle (W2)
Record vs. Western Division Kansas City 8-17
Record vs. Central Division Seattle 20-23
2009 Meetings
5/06 - Kansas City, 9-1 (at KC - WP: Ponson; LP: C.Silva)
5/07 - Kansas City, 3-1 (at KC - WP: B.Bannister; LP: Washburn)
8/04 - Seattle. 7-6 (at KC - WP: Kelley; LP: Jam.Wright)
8/05 - Seattle, 11-6 (at KC - WP: French; LP: Davies)
8/06 - Kansas City, 8-2 (at KC - WP: Chen; LP: Ja.Vargas)
8/27 - Kansas City, 8-4 (at Sea - WP: Davies; LP: Fister)
8/28 - Seattle, 6-3 (at Sea - WP: Fel.Hernandez; LP: B.Bannister)
8/29 - Seattle, 8-4 (at Sea - WP: Snell; LP: Meche)
2008 Meetings
4/14 - Kansas City, 5-1 (at Sea - WP: Greinke; LP: Washburn)
4/15 - Seattle, 11-6 (at Sea - WP: Batista; LP: Bale)
7/11 - Kansas City, 3-1 (at KC - WP: Hochevar; LP: Fel.Hernandez)
7/12 - Kansas City, 5-4 (at KC - WP: H.Ramirez; LP: Morrow)
7/13 - Seattle, 4-3 (at KC - WP: S.Green; LP: Soria)
9/15 - Kansas City, 3-0 (at KC - WP: Davies; LP: C.Silva)
9/16 - Kansas City, 6-3 (at KC - WP: Duckworth; LP: Morrow)
9/17 - Kansas City, 5-2 (at KC - WP: Meche; LP: R.Corcoran)
9/18 - Kansas City, 12-0 (at KC - WP: Greinke; LP: Feierabend)
2007 Meetings
4/27 - Seattle, 7-4 (at Sea - WP: H.Ramirez; LP: De La Rosa)
4/28 - Kansas City, 8-3 (at Sea - WP: Meche; LP: Jef.Weaver)
4/29 - Seattle, 5-1 (at Sea - WP: Morrow; LP: Bannister)
5/25 - Seattle, 10-2 (at KC - WP: F.Hernandez; LP: Meche)
5/26 - Seattle, 9-1 (at KC - WP: Baek; LP: Bannister)
5/27 - Seattle, 7-4 (at KC - WP: Washburn; LP: Od.Perez)
7/02 - Kansas City, 3-2 (11) (at KC - WP: Dotel; LP: Morrow)
7/03 - Kansas City, 17-3 (at KC - WP: De La Rosa; LP: Feierabend)
7/04 - Seattle, 4-0 (at KC - WP: Washburn; LP: Bannister)
2006 Meetings
6/02 - Seattle, 4-0 (at Sea - WP: Moyer; LP: Keppel)
6/03 - Seattle, 12-1 (at Sea - WP: Pineiro; LP: Etherton)
6/04 - Kansas City, 9-4 (at Sea - WP: Redman; LP: Washburn)
6/05 - Seattle, 4-1 (at Sea - WP: Meche; LP: M.Wood)
9/14 - Kansas City, 10-8 (at KC - WP: Od.Perez; LP: Washburn)
9/15 - Seattle, 11-8 (at KC - WP: Woods; LP: Braun)
9/16 - Kansas City, 7-4 (at KC - WP: Redman; LP: Pineiro)
9/17 - Seattle, 10-5 (at KC - WP: Meche; LP: Gobble)
Kansas City last five games Seattle last five games
8/25 - W vs. Cleveland, 6-2 8/25 - W vs. Oakland, 4-2 (10)
8/26 - L vs. Cleveland, 2-4 8/26 - W vs. Oakland, 5-3
8/27 - W at Seattle, 8-4 8/27 - L vs. Kansas City, 4-8
8/28 - L at Seattle, 3-6 8/28 - W vs. Kansas City, 6-3
8/29 - L at Seattle, 4-8 8/29 - W vs. Kansas City, 8-4

 

[Lumi]

Atlanta Braves (68-61) at Philadelphia Phillies (74-53), 8:05 p.m.

Atlanta Braves (68-61) at Philadelphia Phillies (74-53), 8:05 p.m.

Atlanta Braves (68-61) at Philadelphia Phillies (74-53), 8:05 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Atlanta - Jair Jurrjens (10-8, 2.91) Philadelphia - Joe Blanton (8-6, 3.88)

The Atlanta Braves weren't intimidated by Cliff Lee's unblemished record with Philadelphia and pounded the lefty last night in a rain-shortened affair. Now they will try for a series victory against the Phillies this evening in the finale of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

Atlanta recorded six runs and 10 hits, including three homers, off Lee through the first five innings en route to a 9-1 victory after eight innings of play because of rain. Garret Anderson cracked a three-run homer, Matt Diaz recorded a two-run blast and Yunel Escobar added a solo shot for the Braves, who pulled within seven games of NL East-leading Philadelphia. Atlanta is also 3 1/2 games off the pace in the Wild Card race.

Chipper Jones belted a two-run homer in the sixth inning, while Anderson and Diaz both ended with three hits in the win. Braves starter Derek Lowe earned the triumph by allowing just one run in 5 2/3 innings.

"They're tough and my last two haven't been too good," Lowe said. "We're trying to just get wins, and we're a long way back from these guys. You're always trying to win the division, but there's nothing wrong with saying, 'Hey, you know we wouldn't mind winning the wild card, either.'"

The Braves, who will visit Florida for four games after their series in South Philly, will turn to Jair Jurrjens on the mound Sunday night. Jurrjens, who is 10-8 with a 2.91 earned run average in 27 starts this season, owns a 4-1 mark in the past five decisions and did not record a decision his previous time out on August 25 versus San Diego.

Jurrjens yielded only one run on five hits in 7 2/3 innings of a 2-1 loss. He has owned the Phillies this season, going 2-0 with a 0.92 ERA in three starts, spanning 19 2/3 innings. The righty is 3-2 with a 2.31 ERA in seven career starts against Philadelphia.

The Phillies lost for just the fourth time in their last 13 tries last night, but still lead the East standings by seven games over Atlanta and eight games ahead of Florida. Lee had his worst outing as a Phillies after entering the night 5-0 with a 0.68 earned run average. He had won eight straight trips to the hill, having won the last three starts in Cleveland.

"I feel good about throwing strikes and working ahead and not walking people," Lee said. "But I put myself in positions to put them away and I missed up and down the middle. If you consistently do that, that's what's going to happen."

Chase Utley went 3-for-4 with a solo home run to provide the offense for the defending champions.

Joe Blanton gets the nod for the Phils tonight and he owns just one win over his last three starts (1-0). He beat Arizona on August 20 with eight innings of three-run ball in a 12-3 triumph, but did not factor in the decision of his latest start five days later at Pittsburgh.

Blanton allowed three runs in six innings of a 6-4 loss to remain at 8-6 in 24 starts this season, while slightly raising his earned run average to 3.88. He will make his fifth start against Atlanta this season and is 0-1 with a 6.38 ERA over the first four matchups.

The right-hander is 0-1 with a 6.58 ERA in five career starts against Atlanta.

Atlanta has won nine of 14 matchups with Philadelphia this season, including a 5-3 ledger at Citizens Bank Park.

 

[Lumi]

Matchup -- Atlanta at Philadelphia

Matchup -- Atlanta at Philadelphia

Matchup -- Atlanta at Philadelphia

Atlanta Braves (68-61) at Philadelphia Phillies (74-53)
Game One Philadelphia 4, Atlanta 2
Game Two Atlanta 9, Philadelphia 1 (7 1/2 innings)
Game Three Sunday, August 30th, 8:05 p.m.
Records
2009 Head-to-Head Record Atlanta 9-5 (4-2 at Atl; 5-3 at Phi)
2008 Head-to-Head Record Philadelphia 14-4 (9-0 at Atl; 5-4 at Phi)
2007 Head-to-Head Record Tied 9-9 (Phi 5-4 at Atl; 4-5 at Home)
2006 Head-to-Head Record Philadelphia 11-7 (6-3 at Atl; 5-4 at Phi)
Home Record Atlanta 35-30; Philadelphia 33-30
Away Record Atlanta 33-31; Philadelphia 41-23
Current Streak Atlanta (W1); Philadelphia (L1)
Record vs. Eastern Division Atlanta 28-20; Philadelphia 31-21
2009 Meetings
4/05 - Atlanta, 4-1 (at Phi - WP: D.Lowe; LP: B.Myers)
4/07 - Atlanta, 4-0 (at Phi - WP: Jurrjens; LP: Moyer)
4/08 - Philadelphia, 12-11 (at Phi - WP: Condrey; LP: Boyer)
5/08 - Philadelphia, 10-6 (at Phi - WP: Hamels; LP: J-J.Reyes)
5/09 - Atlanta, 6-2 (at Phi - WP: J.Vazquez; LP: Blanton)
5/10 - Atlanta, 4-2 (at Phi - WP: Kawakami; LP: Taschner)
6/30 - Atlanta, 5-4 (10) (at Atl - WP: Moylan; LP: Park)
7/01 - Atlanta, 11-1 (at Atl - WP: Jurrjens; LP: Hamels)
7/02 - Atlanta, 5-2 (at Atl - WP: Mik.Gonzalez; LP: Madson)
8/14 - Philadelphia, 3-2 (at Atl - WP: Madson; LP: Soriano)
8/15 - Atlanta, 4-3 (at Atl - WP: Moylan; LP: Lidge)
8/16 - Philadelphia, 4-1 (at Atl - WP: Happ; LP: J.Vazquez)
8/28 - Philadelphia, 4-2 (at Phi - WP: Moyer; LP: Hanson)
8/29 - Atlanta, 9-1 (7 1/2) (at Phi - WP: D.Lowe; LP: Lee)
2008 Meetings
5/13 - Philadelphia, 5-4 (at Phi - WP: Kendrick; LP: J-J.Reyes)
5/14 - Atlanta, 8-6 (at Phi - WP: Glavine; LP: B.Myers)
5/15 - Philadelphia, 5-0 (at Phi - WP: Hamels; LP: Ch.James)
6/06 - Philadelphia, 4-3 (10) (at Atl - WP: Gordon; LP: Acosta)
6/07 - Philadelphia, 6-2 (at Atl - WP: JC.Romero; LP: J-J.Reyes)
6/08 - Philadelphia, 6-3 (at Atl - WP: C.Durbin; LP: Boyer)
7/01 - Philadelphia, 8-3 (at Atl - WP: Kendrick; LP: Morton)
7/02 - Philadelphia, 7-3 (at Atl - WP: Eaton; LP: Campillo)
7/03 - Philadelphia, 4-1 (at Atl - WP: Hamels; LP: Jurrjens)
7/25 - Atlanta, 8-2 (at Phi - WP: Jurrjens; LP: Kendrick)
7/26 - Philadelphia, 10-9 (at Phi - WP: Eaton; LP: Boyer)
7/27 - Philadelphia, 12-10 (at Phi - WP: Condrey; LP: Tavarez)
9/16 - Philadelphia, 8-7 (at Atl - WP: Madson; LP: Mik.Gonzalez)
9/17 - Philadelphia, 6-1 (at Atl - WP: Happ; LP: Jurrjens)
9/18 - Philadelphia, 4-3 (at Atl - WP: Hamels; LP: Hampton)
9/22 - Philadelphia, 6-2 (at Phi - WP: S.Eyre; LP: Bennett)
9/23 - Atlanta, 3-2 (at Phi - WP: Hampton; LP: Hamels)
9/24 - Atlanta, 10-4 (at Phi - WP: Carlyle; LP: B.Myers)
2007 Meetings
4/02 - Atlanta, 5-3 (10) (at Phi - WP: Wickman; LP: Madson)
4/04 - Atlanta, 3-2 (11) (at Phi - WP: McBride; LP: Madson)
4/05 - Atlanta, 8-4 (at Phi - WP: James; LP: Eaton)
4/30 - Atlanta, 5-2 (at Atl - WP: M.Gonzalez; LP: Alfonseca)
5/01 - Philadelphia, 6-4 (at Atl - WP: Hamels; LP: Redman)
5/02 - Atlanta, 4-3 (at Atl - WP: Paronto; LP: F.Garcia)
5/25 - Philadelphia, 8-3 (at Atl - WP: Moyer; LP: T.Hudson)
5/26 - Philadelphia, 6-4 (at Atl - WP: Eaton; LP: Carlyle)
5/27 - Philadelphia, 13-6 (at Atl - WP: Hamels; LP: Davies)
8/10 - Philadelphia, 5-4 (at Phi - WP: Hamels; LP: Moylan)
8/11 - Atlanta, 7-5 (at Phi - WP: Mahay; LP: Eaton)
8/12 - Philadelphia, 5-3 (at Phi - WP: Moyer; LP: Carlyle)
9/03 - Atlanta, 5-1 (at Atl - WP: L.Cormier; LP: Moyer)
9/04 - Philadelphia, 5-2 (at Atl - WP: Lohse; LP: Carlyle)
9/05 - Atlanta, 9-8 (at Atl - WP: Soriano; LP: B.Myers)
9/25 - Atlanta, 10-6 (at Phi - WP: Bennett; LP: Moyer)
9/26 - Philadelphia, 5-2 (at Phi - WP: Lohse; LP: T.Hudson)
9/27 - Philadelphia, 6-4 (at Phi - WP: Kendrick; LP: Smoltz)
2006 Meetings
4/10 - Atlanta, 5-3 (at Atl - WP: Villarreal; LP: R.Franklin)
4/12 - Philadelphia, 7-5 (at Atl - WP: Lidle; LP: Sosa)
4/13 - Philadelphia, 7-6 (at Atl - WP: Floyd; LP: Davies)
5/03 - Philadelphia, 5-4 (at Phi - WP: R.Cormier; LP: Remlinger)
5/04 - Philadelphia, 6-3 (at Phi - WP: Lidle; LP: Thomson)
7/21 - Philadelphia, 6-5 (at Phi - WP: Lidle; LP: K.Ray)
7/22 - Postponed at Philadelphia (Made-up September 2nd)
7/23 - Atlanta, 5-1 (at Phi - WP: McBride; LP: B.Myers)
7/24 - Atlanta, 10-8 (at Phi - WP: T.Hudson; LP: Hamels)
8/07 - Philadelphia, 9-6 (at Atl - WP: B.Myers; LP: H.Ramirez)
8/08 - Atlanta, 3-1 (at Atl - WP: T.Hudson; LP: Hamels)
8/09 - Philadelphia, 9-3 (at Atl - WP: White; LP: Yates)
9/01 - Postponed at Philadelphia (Made-up September 3rd)
9/02 - Atlanta, 4-3 (at Phi - WP: Yates; LP: Rhodes)
9/02 - Philadelphia, 16-4 (at Phi - WP: Brito; LP: Davies)
9/03 - Philadelphia, 8-7 (at Phi - WP: Geary; LP: Wickman)
9/03 - Atlanta, 3-1 (11) (at Phi - WP: Paronto; LP: Geary)
9/12 - Postponed at Atlanta (Made-up September 13th)
9/13 - Philadelphia, 6-5 (at Atl - WP: White; LP: Paronto)
9/13 - Philadelphia, 7-2 (at Atl - WP: Lieber; LP: T.Hudson)
9/14 - Atlanta, 4-1 (at Atl - WP: James; LP: Moyer)
Atlanta last five games Philadelphia last five games
8/25 - L vs. San Diego, 1-2 (12) 8/25 - L at Pittsburgh, 4-6
8/26 - L vs. San Diego, 5-12 8/26 - W at Pittsburgh, 4-1 (10)
8/27 - W vs. San Diego, 9-1 8/27 - L at Pittsburgh, 2-3
8/28 - L at Philadelphia, 2-4 8/28 - W vs. Atlanta, 4-2
8/29 - W at Philadelphia, 9-1 (7 1/2) 8/29 - L vs. Atlanta, 1-9 (7 1/2)