MLB PREVIEWS 27 APR 09

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Texas Rangers (8-10) at Baltimore Orioles (9-10), 7:05 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Texas - Matt Harrison (0-2, 9.20) Baltimore - Jeremy Guthrie (2-1, 5.16)

- Baltimore ace Jeremy Guthrie tries to snap a two-start skid tonight when the Orioles close out a four-game series with the visiting Texas Rangers at Camden Yards.

A 30-year-old right-hander, Guthrie opened 2009 with consecutive wins over the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay, but has since gotten a no-decision and a loss in a pair of Baltimore defeats.

He allowed five runs on eight hits in six innings of his last start, dropping an 8-2 verdict to the Chicago White Sox on April 22 in Baltimore.

Guthrie beat Texas twice in two starts in 2008, allowing 13 hits and five runs over 13 1/3 innings.

For the Rangers, second-year lefty Matt Harrison makes his fourth attempt at a first victory.

The 23-year-old, who arrived in the majors last season and won nine games in 15 starts, opened 2009 with a 4-3 loss at Detroit on April 11 and has since followed with a loss against Kansas City and a no-decision at Toronto.

Overall, he's allowed 26 hits and 15 runs in 14 2/3 innings of work.

Harrison was hit hard in one start against Baltimore last season but still won a decision, in spite of allowing 10 hits and six runs in five innings.

On Sunday, Adam Jones went 3-for-4 with a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning, as Baltimore pulled out an 8-5 win. Brian Roberts batted 4-for-5 with a solo homer and scored three times for the Orioles, who had lost each of the previous two games of this set by a run.

Nick Markakis went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and walked once in the win.

Roberts, Jones and Markakis -- Baltimore's top three hitters, in that order -- combined to go 9-for-12 with six RBI.

Danys Baez (1-1) took the win for the Orioles after tossing three perfect innings in relief of Brad Bergesen, who was making his second career start. Bergesen gave up five runs on 10 hits -- three of them homers -- in four-plus innings.

Jason Jennings (0-1) took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits, including Jones' homer, in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Brandon McCarthy got the start for Texas, which has lost three of five overall, and allowed four runs in five innings.

Baltimore took two of three from the Rangers in Arlington the first time the two teams met from April 13 - 15.

 

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Washington Nationals (4-13) at Philadelphia Phillies (9-8), 7:05 p.m.

Washington Nationals (4-13) at Philadelphia Phillies (9-8), 7:05 p.m.

Washington Nationals (4-13) at Philadelphia Phillies (9-8), 7:05 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Washington - Shairon Martis (2-0, 4.11) Philadelphia - Joe Blanton (0-2, 7.31)

- The Phillies have struggled in their home park this season, while Jimmy Rollins hasn't been able to buy a hit no matter where he has played. Philadelphia and Rollins will both try to get on track at Citizens Bank Park tonight in the opener of a three-game series with the Washington Nationals.

The Phillies return home on a bit of a roll, having swept a three-game set from first-place Florida to get within 1 1/2 games of the Marlins in the National League East. Philadelphia has also won five of its last seven and is 6-2 on the road this year.

However, the defending World Series champions are only 3-6 at their home park, where their pitching staff has compiled a 5.78 earned run average. The offense hasn't helped either, with Philadelphia posting a .248 average at home so far. The Phils will try to get things going on this six-game stand, which also sees the rival Mets come to town for the first time this year.

Rollins' early-season struggles haven't been limited to home. The shortstop is hitting only .162 on the season with only 11 hits in 68 at-bats. He was given a day off on Sunday, with Shane Victorino filling in at the leadoff spot. The center fielder responded with a pair of hits and four RBI in a 13-2 victory, stretching his hitting streak to seven games. Victorino is hitting .333 (10-for-30) over the run with a homer, a triple and 10 RBI.

Pedro Feliz added three hits, two RBI and two runs scored while veteran Jamie Moyer (3-1) tossed six innings of one-run ball for his 12th career win in 13 starts versus Florida.

Joe Blanton starts for Philadelphia tonight and has lost back-to-back starts, allowing three runs and eight hits in six innings in each outing. That includes an 8-2 loss to Washington on April 16 and a 3-1 setback to Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Blanton fell behind early versus Washington earlier in the year, allowing a three-run homer to Adam Dunn in the first inning. The 28-year-old righty fell to 1-2 with a 5.33 ERA in five starts versus the Nationals.

Washington has just four wins on the season, with all of them coming courtesy of its young arms. Shairon Martis is 2-0 with a 4.11 ERA on the season, a record that includes a win over Philadelphia and Blanton. The 22-year-old allowed two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings versus the Phils.

The right-handed Martis then took on Atlanta on Tuesday, holding them to three runs (2 earned) on six hits and four walks over six innings in the victory.

Jordan Zimmermann owns the other two wins, picking up one on Sunday versus the Mets. The 22-year-old held New York to a run and six hits in 5 1/3 innings of an 8-1 victory.

Jesus Flores finished 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, three RBI and two runs scored for Washington, which halted a three-game losing streak. Flores is hitting an excellent .500 (8-for-16) over his last five games with a pair of homers and eight RBI.

Austin Kearns homered among his two hits and scored three runs for the Nationals, who had scored just five runs over their losing streak. Washington also picked up its first road win of the season (1-8). Ryan Zimmerman notched a hit to stretch his hitting streak to 15 games, a span in which he is batting .308 (20-for-65).

These two clubs split a rain-shortened two-game set in Washington on April 13-16, though the Phillies have still won 12 of the last 16 in the series and five of the last six at home.

 

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Boston Red Sox (12-6) at Cleveland Indians (7-12), 7:05 p.m.

Boston Red Sox (12-6) at Cleveland Indians (7-12), 7:05 p.m.

Boston Red Sox (12-6) at Cleveland Indians (7-12), 7:05 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Boston - Tim Wakefield (2-1, 2.45) Cleveland - Cliff Lee (1-3, 5.25)

The Boston Red Sox go for their 11th straight win this evening when they open a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

Boston just completed a perfect 9-0 homestand, culminating with a three- game sweep of the New York Yankees. On Sunday, Justin Masterson went 5 1/3 innings while David Ortiz drove in two runs to help the Red Sox to a 4-1 win over the Yanks at Fenway Park.

Jacoby Ellsbury scored twice, including a steal of home while J.D. Drew also drove in a run for the Red Sox, who haven't won 11 in a row since a 12-game run from June 16-29, 2006.

Masterson (2-0) gave up just one run on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts to pick up the win.

Hoping to keep the Red Sox in the win column this evening will be knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who has won his last two starts. Wakefield improved to 2-1 on Wednesday against Minnesota, as he allowed a run and five hits in seven innings to lower his earned run average to 2.45 on the year.

Wakefield is 10-8 lifetime against the Indians with a 4.50 ERA in 25 games, 20 of which have been starts.

Cleveland will counter with the American League's reigning Cy Young Award winner in left-hander Cliff Lee, who has gotten off to a slow start. Lee was charged with the loss on Wednesday, but pitched well, as the Royals reached him for a pair of runs and nine hits in eight innings of a 2-0 loss.

The setback dropped Lee to 1-3 on the year to go along with a 5.25 ERA.

One of Lee's three losses last season came at the hands of the Red Sox, who have fared pretty well against him. Lee is just 2-4 in eight starts against them with a 5.13 ERA.

Cleveland salvaged the finale of its three-game series with the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, as Ryan Garko drove in a pair of runs in a 4-2 win.

Asdrubal Cabrera went 2-for-3, drove in and scored a run in the win. Shin-Soo Choo knocked in the other run, and Victor Martinez went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to six games.

Garko has now reached base safely in all 13 games in which he's played this season.

Aaron Laffey (2-0) got the win after going 6 1/3 innings and yielding two runs on five hits. Kerry Wood tossed a scoreless ninth to get his fourth save.

Boston won five of its six games with the Indians last season and is 10-3 against them since the start of the 2007, including wins in five of its last six matchups in Cleveland.

 

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New York Yankees (9-9) at Detroit Tigers (10-8), 7:05 p.m.

New York Yankees (9-9) at Detroit Tigers (10-8), 7:05 p.m.

New York Yankees (9-9) at Detroit Tigers (10-8), 7:05 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: New York - CC Sabathia (1-1, 4.81) Detroit - Justin Verlander (0-2, 9.00)

CC Sabathia hopes to get himself as well as the New York Yankees back on track this evening when they open a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Sabathia was awful in his last start on Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics, as he allowed a season-high seven runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings. He also walked four batters, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 9-7 win that day.

The left-hander, who, of course, signed a seven-year, $161 million deal with the Yankees this offseason, is 1-1 in four starts, while pitching to a 4.81 earned run average. He has also walked 14 batters in 24 1/3 frames.

Sabathia is 13-9 lifetime against the Tigers with a 4.70 ERA in 26 starts, including a 7-2 mark in 11 starts at Comerica.

New York could certainly use a big start from its ace tonight after getting swept in a three-game series by the Boston Red Sox over the weekend, including a 4-1 setback in Sunday's finale at Fenway Park.

Brett Gardner drove in the lone run for the Yanks, while Robinson Cano, Hideki Matsui and Melky Cabrera each had two hits for the Yankees, who had pulled off a three-game sweep of Oakland before starting the series with Boston.

Cano has hit safely in his last 13 games.

Andy Pettitte (2-1) got the loss as he gave up four runs -- three earned -- on six hits with four walks and six strikeouts in six innings of work.

The Tigers won the final two games of their weekend set with the Kansas City Royals, as they picked up a 3-2 decision in Sunday's rubber match at Kauffman Stadium.

Brandon Inge homered and Josh Anderson went 3-for-3 and scored once, while Dane Sardinha knocked in the other run for Detroit, which has won five of its last eight games.

Armando Galarraga (3-0) earned the win by scattering three hits and a run over six innings, fanning seven but not running into much trouble despite issuing five walks. Fernando Rodney gave up a run in the ninth but held on to record his fourth save.

Heading to the hill for the Tigers tonight will be 26-year-old right-hander Justin Verlander, who is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA. Verlander was roughed up in his last start on Wednesday in Anaheim, as the Angels hit him for seven runs and nine hits in five innings.

Verlander has faced the Yankees four times and is 2-1 in those contests with a 6.63 ERA.

Detroit, which has played the fewest home games of any team in the league, will play its next eight games at Comerica, where it is 4-1 this season.

The Tigers won four of their six meetings with the Yankees last season, but was just 1-2 at home against them.

 

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Florida Marlins (11-7) at New York Mets (8-10), 7:10 p.m.

Florida Marlins (11-7) at New York Mets (8-10), 7:10 p.m.

Florida Marlins (11-7) at New York Mets (8-10), 7:10 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Florida - Anibal Sanchez (1-1, 2.50) New York - John Maine (0-2, 7.47)

One week ago, the Florida Marlins were riding a seven-game winning streak and had the best record in the majors. They haven't won since.

Suddenly-struggling Florida tries to right the ship this evening, as it begins a three-game series with the New York Mets at Citi Field.

Last Monday, the Marlins were 11-1 -- with that lone loss coming to the Mets -- and were the feel good story of baseball. However, they were then swept in three games by Pittsburgh, getting outscored 18-6, and then dropped three in a row to Philadelphia.

Florida's season hit a low on Sunday, as it was blasted 13-2 by the Phillies. Things got so bad that outfielder Cody Ross pitched the ninth inning for the Marlins, though he did toss a scoreless frame.

Filling in for the injured Andrew Miller, Graham Taylor (0-1) was tagged for four runs in just 3 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and walking six. Hayden Penn, meanwhile, was rocked for seven runs -- six earned -- on four hits in one-plus innings of relief.

Ross collected three hits in addition to his mound appearance for the Marlins, who have dropped six in a row for their longest skid since an eight-game drought from August 15-22, 2007. Hanley Ramirez and Alfredo Amezaga each drove in a run in the loss.

Anibal Sanchez takes the hill for the Marlins and he fell to 1-1 on the season in three starts last Tuesday after yielding three runs and seven hits with six strikeouts over seven innings of a 3-2 loss to the Pirates. The right-hander's earned run average jumped from 1.64 to 2.50, as he has allowed five runs in 18 innings.

Sanchez faced New York on April 10, tossing five shutout innings with four hits and three walks. He is 2-1 with a 2.82 ERA in four career starts versus the Mets.

Florida went on to win that game, but fell in defeat for the first time in 2009 the following day. The Marlins then won the series with a 2-1 victory on April 12. They lost five of nine at old Shea Stadium last year.

The Mets have dropped five of their last seven games, including Sunday's 8-1 loss to Washington that prevented them from sweeping the three-game set. Oliver Perez (1-2) was charged in the loss for nine hits and seven runs over just 4 1/3 frames.

Carlos Delgado drove in the only run with an RBI triple in the first inning that plated Carlos Beltran, who added a hit to extend his hit streak to nine games. Beltran, who leads the National League with a .406 average, is hitting .472 (17-for-36) over his run with a homer and seven RBI.

Beltran is a lifetime .314 hitter against Florida and is 3-for-7 with a homer versus Sanchez.

John Maine gets a rematch with Sanchez and the Marlins tonight after also not factoring into the decision of their April 10 meetings. Maine allowed two runs and two hits in five innings of that one, giving up homers to Ramirez and Dan Uggla.

However, Ramirez is hitting just .222 (4-for-18) off Maine and Uggla .235 (4- for-17) with seven strikeouts. Maine is 3-1 with a 2.85 ERA in seven starts versus Florida.

The 27-year-old righty has lost two straight starts since facing the Marlins, allowing 11 runs over 10 2/3 combined frames versus San Diego and St. Louis.

 

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Tampa Bay Rays (7-12) at Minnesota Twins (9-10), 8:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay Rays (7-12) at Minnesota Twins (9-10), 8:10 p.m.

Tampa Bay Rays (7-12) at Minnesota Twins (9-10), 8:10 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Tampa Bay - Jeff Niemann (1-2, 5.40) Minnesota - Scott Baker (0-2, 12.46)

The Tampa Bay Rays hope to put the brakes on a two-game losing streak this evening when they continue their nine-game road trip with the first of three games against the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome.

After winning a franchise-record 97 games last season on their way to an AL East title, as well as an AL Pennant, the Rays have stumbled out of the gates, going 7-12, while occupying the last spot in their division.

That trend continued on Sunday, as the Rays dropped the rubber match of their three-game series with the Oakland Athletics, falling 7-1 at Oakland Coliseum.

Carl Crawford had two of the Rays' four hits, as Tampa Bay lost for the sixth time in eight games. Andy Sonnanstine (0-3) had a poor outing, giving up seven runs on 10 hits and two walks while fanning three in four-plus innings.

Hoping to help right the ship for the Rays this evening will be 26-year-old righty Jeff Niemann, who is coming off his first win of the season. Niemann defeated Seattle on Wednesday, holding the Mariners to three runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings to improve to 1-2, while lowering his earned run average to 5.40.

Niemann will be making his first-ever start against the Twins, but has faced them once out of the bullpen, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Minnesota will counter with righty Scott Baker, who is still searching for his first win after starting the year on the disabled list. Baker dropped his second straight decision on Wednesday in Boston, as he was pounded for six runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings. Baker, who won 11 games for the Twins last season, is pitching to a 12.46 ERA.

Baker is 1-0 in two games (one start) against the Rays with a 3.86 ERA.

Minnesota was denied a sweep in its three-game set with the Cleveland Indians on Sunday, falling 4-2 in the finale at Progressive Field. Jose Morales had a career-high four hits and scored a run for the Twins, who have lost three of their last five games.

Glen Perkins (1-2), who went at least eight innings in each of his first three starts, was saddled with the loss after lasting five frames and giving up four runs on seven hits.

Tampa split its six meetings with the Twins last season and holds a slight 7-6 advantage in the series since the start of the 2007 campaign. These teams have also split the last six matchups at the Metrodome.


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St. Louis Cardinals (13-6) at Atlanta Braves (9-9), 7:10 p.m.

St. Louis Cardinals (13-6) at Atlanta Braves (9-9), 7:10 p.m.

St. Louis Cardinals (13-6) at Atlanta Braves (9-9), 7:10 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: St. Louis - Joel Pineiro (3-0, 4.12) Atlanta - Jair Jurrjens (2-1, 1.42)

The St. Louis Cardinals will try to build a new winning streak this evening, when they begin a three-game series with the hosting Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

The Cardinals entered Sunday's series finale with Chicago riding a five-game winning streak and having also posted a win in each of their last nine home contests. However, St. Louis was dealt a taste of its own medicine, getting slammed 10-3 to halt both streaks.

It marked the most runs the Cardinals have allowed in a single game this year. The club is second in the National League with a 3.86 team earned run average.

Meanwhile, St. Louis' offense put up its fewest runs in a game since a 2-1 win in Arizona on April 13. The club leads the majors with a .299 team batting average and its 115 runs scored are most the NL.

Yadier Molina and Rick Ankiel each hit a solo homer for the Cardinals, while Albert Pujols was walked in three of his four plate appearances. Pujols is hitting .450 (9-for-20) over his last six games with three homers and 11 RBI.

Todd Wellemeyer (1-2) gave up six runs -- five earned -- on eight hits in five innings of work.

The Cards turn tonight to Joel Pineiro, who has won his first three decisions to start a season since 2002. Pineiro, then with Seattle, began that campaign in the bullpen and picked up a victory before shifting to the rotation and winning three decisions in a row to begin May.

The 30-year-old right-hander has pitched to a 4.12 ERA this year and bested the Mets on Wednesday with eight innings of two-run ball. He is 0-1 with a save and 8.44 ERA in five outings (2 starts) lifetime versus Atlanta.

The Braves were going for a sweep of their three-game series with Cincinnati on Sunday, but failed to turn the trick thanks to an 8-2 loss. Kenshin Kawakami (1-3) was saddled with the loss after being touched for eight runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings.

David Ross belted a solo homer for the Braves, who had a three-game win streak end. Ross is hitting .389 on the season with two homers and five RBI, and the Braves hope he stays hot with starting catcher Brian McCann on the 15-day disabled list due to a left eye infection.

Brandon Jones also drove in a run and Chipper Jones collected three hits in the loss.

The Braves turn to 23-year-old Jair Jurrjens, who went 2-1 in his first three starts prior to a no-decision versus Washington on Wednesday. Jurrjens threw 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball, allowing only six hits while lowering his ERA to 1.42. However, Atlanta didn't win it until a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning led to a 1-0 victory.

The right-handed Jurrjens lost his only other career start versus St. Louis, giving up three runs and seven hits over seven innings of work.

The Cardinals have won seven of their last nine versus the Braves and won three of four at Turner Field last season.





NOT ONLY AM I FULL OF SHIT, I AM FULL OF INFORMATION

 

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Toronto Blue Jays (14-6) at Kansas City Royals (9-9), 8:10 p.m.

Toronto Blue Jays (14-6) at Kansas City Royals (9-9), 8:10 p.m.

Toronto Blue Jays (14-6) at Kansas City Royals (9-9), 8:10 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Toronto - David Purcey (0-1, 6.10) Kansas City - Brian Bannister (1-0, 0.00)

The Toronto Blue Jays try to beat the Kansas City Royals for the sixth straight time this evening when the two clubs begin a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City beat the Blue Jays the first two times the teams met last season, but Toronto won the final five meetings.

The Blue Jays enter tonight's contest with the best record in baseball at 14-6. They improved upon that mark this weekend by taking two of three from the Chicago White Sox. In Sunday's rubber match at U.S. Cellular Field, Scott Rolen stroked the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning as Toronto eked out a 4-3 win.

Marco Scutaro knocked in a run for the Blue Jays, who have won four of five and eight of 11. Vernon Wells had two hits and scored twice in the triumph. Adam Lind drove in a pair of runs and Rod Barajas went 3-for-4 with a run scored.

Roy Halladay (4-1) got the win after going seven innings and giving up three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and just one walk. Scott Downs tossed a scoreless ninth to get his second save of the campaign.

The Jays will hand the ball tonight to David Purcey, who is 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA. Purcey, who has never faced the Royals, did not get a decision on Wednesday against Texas, as he surrendered three runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of his team's 8-7 win.

Kansas City, meanwhile, will counter with righty Brian Bannister, who was impressive in his first start on Wednesday in Cleveland. Bannister scattered four hits to the Indians in six scoreless innings to get the win.

Bannister lost his only other start to the Jays, giving up three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings on August 12, 2007.

After opening the year with wins in seven of its first 11 games, the Royals have hit the skids of late, dropping five of their last seven games, including a 3-2 setback in Sunday's rubber match with Detroit.

Mike Aviles homered and Jose Guillen accounted for the other run for the Royals, while Sidney Ponson (0-3) was charged with six hits and three runs over eight full frames in the loss, striking out seven without a walk.







NOT ONLY AM I FULL OF SHIT, I AM FULL OF INFORMATION

 

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Pittsburgh Pirates (11-7) at Milwaukee Brewers (8-10), 8:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh Pirates (11-7) at Milwaukee Brewers (8-10), 8:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh Pirates (11-7) at Milwaukee Brewers (8-10), 8:05 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Pittsburgh - Jeff Karstens (1-0, 3.60) Milwaukee - Braden Looper (2-0, 2.12)

Right-hander Jeff Karstens aims for a second straight victory as the National League's early season surprise team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, head to Milwaukee to begin a three-game series with the Brewers at Miller Park.

Pittsburgh, which finished dead last in the NL's Central Division last season, is a surprising 11-7 through 18 games and trails first-place St. Louis by just 1 1/2 games after winning the final two of a three-game weekend series in Houston.

Karstens, acquired last season from the New York Yankees, got a no-decision in a 6-3 loss to the Astros in April 16, but pitched well in a subsequent start, allowing just a run and three hits over six innings of a 3-2 win against the Florida Marlins.

He was 2-6 with the Pirates in nine starts last season after going 3-5 over 15 appearances -- nine starts -- with the Yankees in 2006-07.

Karstens started against the Brewers twice last season, dropping one decision while surrendering 10 hits and four earned runs in 12 1/3 innings.

For Milwaukee, veteran right-hander Braden Looper looks to continue an early season run of success with his new team. Formerly in St. Louis, Florida and New York, Looper signed a one-year deal with the Brewers in the offseason that will pay him $4.75 million this year.

He opened with a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs on April 10, but has since strung together wins over Cincinnati and at Philadelphia while allowing 11 hits and three runs in 12 innings.

Overall, he's permitted just four earned runs in 17 innings while walking seven and striking out nine.

Looper was 1-1 in two starts against Pittsburgh in 2008, posting a 2.84 earned run average in 12 2/3 innings.

On Sunday in San Diego, Adam LaRoche hit a pair of homers, including a three- run shot, to lead the Pirates to an 8-3 win in the finale of a three-game series with the Padres.

LaRoche also walked twice, while Robinzon Diaz and Brian Bixler each had a hit and two runs batted in for the Pirates. Pittsburgh took the final two games by a combined 18-4 score and has won five of six overall.

Ross Ohlendorf (2-2) took the win after allowing three runs on five hits in seven-plus innings, with three walks and two strikeouts. John Grabow finished the game for the Pirates by pitching two perfect innings.

In Houston, Ivan Rodriguez's solo home run in the fourth inning was the difference, as the Astros took the finale of a three-game series from Milwaukee and avoided the home sweep with a 3-2 win at Minute Maid Park.

Mike Cameron recorded two doubles, a walk, a run scored and an RBI for Milwaukee, which was vying for a fifth straight win. Jason Kendall had two hits and an RBI in the loss.

Manny Parra (0-4) was charged with three runs -- just one earned -- on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts in defeat.

The Brewers dominated the season series with the Pirates last year, winning 14 of the 15 meetings, including each of the last 12 contests. Milwaukee won all nine meetings at Miller Park versus Pittsburgh last year and has bested the Pirates in 15 straight as the host.

The Pirates haven't won in Milwaukee since May 3, 2007.

 

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Seattle Mariners (12-7) at Chicago White Sox (9-9), 8:11 p.m.

Seattle Mariners (12-7) at Chicago White Sox (9-9), 8:11 p.m.

Seattle Mariners (12-7) at Chicago White Sox (9-9), 8:11 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Seattle - Chris Jakubauskas (1-2, 7.11) Chicago - John Danks (2-0, 0.95)

The AL West-leading Seattle Mariners will resume a six-game road trip tonight with the first of three straight games against the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field.

Seattle will attempt to get back in the win column after having its three-game winning streak come to an end with Sunday's 8-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in the finale of a three-game series. Jose Lopez had two of the five hits for Seattle, which is 2-1 on the trek and got a rough outing from starter Jarrod Washburn.

Washburn was saddled with the loss after yielding six runs on eight hits with three walks in 5 1/3 innings of work. Roy Corcoran allowed a pair of runs and four hits in relief.

Toeing the rubber for the Mariners on Monday will be rookie Chris Jakubauskas, who is 1-2 with a 7.11 ERA in four games (two starts) this season. Jakubauskas has dropped back-to-back outings and is coming off an April 22 loss versus Tampa Bay, as he was rocked for six runs and 10 hits over 3 1/3 innings.

The righty will face the White Sox for the first time in his career tonight.

Chicago has lost three of its last four games and fell to 1-2 on a six-game homestand. In Sunday's 4-3 loss to Toronto on Sunday in the finale of a three- game series, Paul Konerko knocked in two runs and Josh Fields drove in the other run in defeat.

Chicago starter Jose Contreras did not figure into the decision after giving up three runs on eight hits over seven innings. Scott Linebrink was saddled with the loss after giving up a run in the eighth.

Unbeaten starter John Danks will handle pitching duties for the Pale Hose on Monday and he is 2-0 with a 0.95 ERA in three outings this season. He has won consecutive starts and is coming off a strong performance at Baltimore on April 22, when he tossed seven innings of one-run ball in an 8-2 victory.

The southpaw, however, is still searching for his career win against Seattle, as he is 0-3 with a 7.31 earned run average in three appearances.

The White Sox went 5-1 against the Mariners a year ago, with a 3-0 mark in the Windy City. Seattle was 7-1 against Chicago in the 2007 series.

 

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San Diego Padres (10-8) at Colorado Rockies (6-11), 8:40 p.m.

San Diego Padres (10-8) at Colorado Rockies (6-11), 8:40 p.m.

San Diego Padres (10-8) at Colorado Rockies (6-11), 8:40 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: San Diego - Chris Young (2-0, 3.42) Colorado - Jason Hammel (0-0, 2.70)

Chris Young will attempt to remain undefeated on the season when his San Diego Padres kick off a three-game set with the Colorado Rockies tonight at Coors Field.

Young was held to just 18 starts last season due to injury and began this campaign with back-to-back wins, allowing just two earned runs in his first 13 innings.

The right-hander was then pounded for seven runs in just 3 2/3 innings on April 17 versus Philadelphia, but got a no-decision in his team's eventual 8-7 win. Young responded with a seven innings of shutout ball versus San Francisco on Wednesday, but again got a no-decision after his team needed an extra inning to post a 1-0 victory.

Young is 5-1 with a 3.28 earned run average in 11 career starts versus Colorado, going 3-1 with a 4.20 ERA in six starts at Coors Field.

San Diego needs Young to stay strong with ace Jake Peavy struggling. Peavy fell to 2-3 on Sunday after allowing five runs in five innings of an 8-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run homer for the Padres, who tumbled to their fifth loss in six games. Gonzalez has four homers in his last seven games and his seven long balls on the season are tied for first in the NL with Albert Pujols of St. Louis.

Edgar Gonzalez hit a solo shot in the loss.

San Diego will take its swings tonight against Jason Hammel, who makes his first start of the year for the Rockies in place of the injured Franklin Morales.

Hammel has made three relief outings this year, giving up two runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 total innings of work. However, 28 of his 76 career appearances have been starts, all with Tampa Bay. The 26-year-old righty is 4-13 with a 6.41 ERA as a starter in his three-plus year career.

Hammel has faced the Padres once in his career, a 6 2/3-inning relief sting in which he allowed three runs.

Colorado snapped a three-game skid on Sunday with a 10-4 victory. It marked the second time this year that the Rockies have plated a season-high 10 runs and they are sixth in the NL with 86 runs scored. However, Colorado is next- to-last in the league in team ERA (5.55).

Ryan Spilborghs and Jeff Baker each knocked in three runs on Sunday, with Spilborghs going deep. Clint Barmes finished 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and scored twice for the Rockies, who won for just second time in nine games.

Jason Marquis (3-1) got the win by allowing six hits and three runs with five strikeouts and four walks over 7 1/3 innings -- the longest for a Colorado starter in 2009.

Garrett Atkins is a career .280 hitter (7-for-25) versus Young with three homers and six RBI.

These two clubs split 18 meetings last season, with the Rockies winning five of nine at home.

 

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Los Angeles Dodgers (13-6) at San Francisco Giants (8-9), 10:15 p.m.

Los Angeles Dodgers (13-6) at San Francisco Giants (8-9), 10:15 p.m.

Los Angeles Dodgers (13-6) at San Francisco Giants (8-9), 10:15 p.m.

Probable Starting Pitchers: Los Angeles - Randy Wolf (1-1, 4.26) San Francisco - Barry Zito (0-2, 5.63)

The Los Angeles Dodgers will try to continue their early success against the NL West-rival San Francisco Giants on Monday in the opener of a three-game series at AT&T Park.

Los Angeles swept the Giants in three games at Chavez Ravine from April 13-16 and has won four of the last five meetings. The Dodgers fell to 3-3 on their nine-game road trip with Sunday's 10-4 setback at Colorado, as James Loney went 3-for-5 with three RBI in a losing cause.

Clayton Kershaw started for LA and was tagged with the loss after giving up eight hits and nine runs over 4 2/3 innings of work for the Dodgers, who had a three-game winning streak come to an end. Los Angeles will hand the ball to Randy Wolf on Monday and he is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in four starts.

Wolf has recorded consecutive no-decisions and is coming off a 6-5 loss at Houston on April 22. He was reached for four runs and eight hits in seven innings against the Astros. The left-hander has faced the Giants 13 times in his career and owns a 6-4 record with a 3.70 earned run average.

San Francisco will try to get back on the winning track Monday after having its five-game winning streak stopped with Sunday's 5-4 loss in 12 innings to Arizona. Pablo Sandoval hit a three-run homer and ended 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored for the Giants, who have still won their last three series. Aaron Rowand collected two hits and an RBI in the loss.

Giants starter Matt Cain tossed seven strong innings of one-run ball, yielding just four hits in the no-decision. Cain was in line for the victory until closer Brian Wilson served up the game-tying homer to Justin Upton in the ninth. Brandon Medders was saddled with the loss for surrendering a run and three walks in 2 1/3 frames.

San Francisco is also scheduled to host Colorado for three games on its six- game homestand and will send Barry Zito to the mound tonight to kick off the series with Los Angeles. Zito is 0-2 with a 5.63 ERA in three starts this season and did not factor in a 1-0 win over San Diego on April 22. Zito hurled seven shutout innings and gave up six hits and no walks with five K's.

The lefty faced the Dodgers on April 16 this season and suffered the loss for permitting six runs in five innings of a 7-2 defeat. Zito fell to 5-5 with a 4.73 earned run average over 11 career starts against Los Angeles.

 

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Preview: Astros (7-12) at Reds (10-8)

Preview: Astros (7-12) at Reds (10-8)

Preview: Astros (7-12) at Reds (10-8)

The Cincinnati Reds have had a surprisingly strong start to the season. Their fortunes may change in a hurry against the Houston Astros and Roy Oswalt.

Coming off one of their best games at the plate this season, the Reds look to end their struggles against Oswalt and avoid a 10th straight home loss to the Astros in the opener of a three-game set Monday night.

Cincinnati (10-8) has had a promising first month of the season after failing to win more than 74 games in each of the previous two years. The Reds were in danger of losing three straight for the first time this season, but beat Atlanta 8-2 on Sunday to salvage the finale of a three-game series.

After matching a season high for runs, Cincinnati will try to take advantage of a struggling Houston (7-12) team. The Astros, though, have won nine straight and 15 of 16 at Cincinnati.

Reds starters have an 8.37 ERA during the team's skid against the Astros.

Oswalt (0-2, 4.68 ERA), meanwhile, is 8-0 with a 2.15 ERA in his last nine starts against Cincinnati, and 23-1 with a 2.39 ERA in 27 starts and two relief appearances in the series overall.

The veteran right-hander lost the one game the Astros dropped to the Reds in their last 16 visits to Cincinnati. He allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings as the Reds won 5-4 on April 28, 2006.

Oswalt has gotten off to a slow start for the second straight season. He went 2-3 with a 6.00 ERA in his first five starts last year before finishing 17-10 with a 3.54 ERA.

In his last outing, Oswalt gave up four runs and eight hits over six innings in Houston's 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night. He allowed three home runs, all in the sixth.

Oswalt will face a Cincinnati lineup that got two home runs from Jay Bruce on Sunday.

"I've been working on changing my approach," said Bruce, batting .455 (10-for-22) with four home runs and eight RBIs during a six-game hitting streak. "I got myself out a whole lot last year, and I got myself out earlier this year. I just want to settle down and not get ahead of myself. The biggest thing is to swing at strikes and not swing at their (best) pitches."

Bruce and fellow youngster Joey Votto are key pieces for a rebuilding Reds team. Votto had two doubles and three RBIs in the finale against the Braves, raising his average to .371.

Bruce went 2-for-4 with a home run in Johnny Cueto's last start. Cueto (1-1, 2.55), who will take the mound Monday, gave up four hits and struck out three in seven innings to earn a win as Cincinnati beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 on Wednesday night.

The 23-year-old right-hander didn't walk a batter after issuing six over 4 2-3 innings in his previous outing.

He is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in five starts against the Astros.

Houston got just enough from its lineup to win its last game, 3-2 against Milwaukee on Sunday. Ivan Rodriguez hit a tiebreaking homer in the fourth inning as the Astros ended a three-game losing streak.

The victory allowed the Astros to complete a 4-6 homestand before the team plays eight straight on the road.

"I was on edge all day today from yesterday,' Houston manager Cecil Cooper said. "That's the way it is sometimes when you go through tough periods. You have a short fuse, you are ready to explode. I told my coaches today, you can relax but I'm on edge and I'll stay that way until we get this fixed.'

The Reds won three of four at Houston from April 17-20.