Sports World: 06/06/10

Philadelphia Flyers vs Chicago Blackhawks Live Streaming

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Philadelphia Flyers vs Chicago Blackhawks Live | Philadelphia Flyers vs Chicago Blackhawks | Philadelphia Flyers vs Chicago Blackhawks Streaming | Philadelphia vs Chicago NHL Live Stream | Philadelphia Flyers vs Chicago Blackhawks Live Webcast

8:00 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

When they won the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals, the Chicago Blackhawks were soaring. A trip to Philadelphia brought them back to reality in a hurry. After two wins by the gritty Flyers on their home ice tied the series, the championship round is now a best-of-3. Before Sunday night’s Game 5 back at the United Center, the Blackhawks know they have adjust—to the Flyers’ speed, to Philly’s rugged defense led by veteran Chris Pronger, to their own inability to get scoring from their top players—or risk losing what they’ve come this far to achieve. Coach Joel Quenneville is expected to mix some lines, and Chicago’s defense hopes to give goalie Antti Niemi more support against a balanced Flyers’ attack that has shown to be the Blackhawks’ equal. To re-establish themselves, the Blackhawks know they can’t repeat their mistakes from Games 3-4. Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson’s poor puck handling near the net led to a pair of first-period goals by the Flyers en route to a 5-3 victory. And Chicago was too slow with a line change in Game 3, helping set up Philly’s game-winning goal in overtime that produced a 4-3 victory.

Philadelphia’s Michael Leighton, meanwhile, ran his record to 8-2 with the victory Friday night. The former Blackhawk has a .924 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average. And his defense gave him great support in Game 4 with 28 blocked shots. One of the Flyers’ big advantages in the series has been on special teams. Chicago’s power play is just 1-for-9 after converting a 5-on-3 Friday night, while Philadelphia is 5-for-16. That’s where 257-pound Dustin Byfuglien is supposed to be the force for the Blackhawks. But Chicago’s top line of Byfuglien, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have combined for only one goal and four assists in the four games. Byfuglien, bothered by the constant checking and stick work of Pronger, has not scored a goal and neither has Toews, the NHL’s postseason points leader. Quenneville did some switching late in Game 4. Kane was on a line with Dave Bolland and Kris Versteeg while Byfuglien and Toews were joined by Andrew Ladd.

Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Streaming

Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Live | Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers | Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Streaming | Boston vs LA Lakers NBA Live Stream | Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Live Webcast

8:00 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

Rajon Rondo often enjoys returning to his room at the Celtics’ hotel and watching tape of a Boston victory before he goes to sleep. The losses, not so much. Yet Rondo did just that after the NBA finals opener Thursday with teammate Kendrick Perkins, ordering room service and watching the replay of the Los Angeles Lakers’ decisive win. In his own room elsewhere in the hotel, Kevin Garnett did the same thing—twice. While Rondo and Perkins muted the television, Garnett turned it up to hear every unflattering thing said about the Celtics. Yet all three came away from the film session with two conclusions: Kobe Bryant is awfully good, but Boston still can compete with the Lakers. Rondo, Perkins and their teammates all promised increased intensity in every aspect of their considerable games when they look to avoid an 0-2 series hole Sunday night in Game 2. After staggering into this finals rematch with an unimpressive effort, Boston hopes focus and adjustments will make their trip out West worthwhile.

The Celtics all realize that while Bryant’s offensive artistry is responsible for most of the attention directed at him, particularly after 12 30-point games already in this postseason, he’s a perennial all-defensive team selection for a reason. Rondo used his film session to analyze exactly what Bryant did to slow down both the Celtics and their young point guard. Bryant guarded Rondo at times during the 2008 finals largely because the matchup left him free to help out on other defensive matchups while daring Rondo to beat them. After Rondo shredded Cleveland and Orlando in consecutive playoff series, he’s possibly the Celtics’ single biggest offensive threat. The Lakers concentrated on using Bryant’s superior size to direct Rondo into tough areas of the court.

New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays Live Streaming

New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays Live | New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays | New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays Streaming | NY Yankees vs Toronto MLB Live Stream | New York Yankees vs Toronto Blue Jays Live Webcast

1:07 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

Neither Toronto’s Brandon Morrow nor New York’s Javier Vazquez got off to stellar starts to the season, but each pitcher is showing signs of turning things around. Given that their clubs just played 14 innings, strong outings Sunday would be a big relief for their respective taxed bullpens. Coming off his best outing of the season, Morrow looks to help Toronto sweep the Yankees for the first time in seven years in a weekend series finale at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays and New York received solid showings from their starters Saturday, but Andy Pettitte and Ricky Romero had long departed by the time Aaron Hill singled home the winning run in Toronto’s 3-2 victory. The teams used a combined nine relief pitchers to throw 11 2-3 scoreless innings before Hill’s hit with one out in the 14th. Vernon Wells and Alex Gonzalez hit solo home runs Saturday for Toronto, which has won six of eight and leads the majors with 96 homers.

The Blue Jays, who won Friday’s opener 6-1 behind two home runs from Jose Bautista and a solo shot from Edwin Encarnacion, can now sweep New York for the first time since winning four in a row at Yankee Stadium from May 22-25, 2003. They haven’t swept a three-game set from the Yankees in Toronto since Sept. 19-21, 2000. Just as significant, the Blue Jays are now closing in on the Yankees and first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East. Toronto is lurking 3 1/2 games behind the Rays, and will pull within one-half game of New York if it can complete the sweep. Morrow may give the Jays a good shot. He’s 1-0 in two starts against the Yankees, having limited them to two earned runs over 12 innings in those outings. The right-hander had been 1-2 with a 9.18 ERA over his previous four starts, but bounced back in a big way Monday, limiting Tampa Bay to one run and three hits in seven innings of a 3-2 victory. He didn’t allow his first hit until there were two outs in the sixth.

Florida Marlins vs New York Mets Live Streaming

Florida Marlins vs New York Mets Live | Florida Marlins vs New York Mets | Florida Marlins vs New York Mets Streaming | Florida vs NY Mets MLB Live Stream | Florida Marlins vs New York Mets Live Webcast

1:10 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

Last month, New York was swept on the road by the Florida Marlins. The Mets are now on the verge of returning the favor on their home field. Looking for an eighth straight victory at Citi Field overall, the Mets try to complete their first three-game home sweep of the Marlins in almost 10 years Sunday. New York had lost six in a row to Florida prior to winning the first two games of this series, 4-3 on Friday and 6-1 on Saturday. The Mets dropped two of three to the Marlins at Citi Field to open the season, and got outscored 26-16 while being swept in four games at Florida from May 13-16. The Mets have put those disappointments in the past this weekend, as they’re in position to sweep a three-game set from Florida in Queens for the first time since June 26-28, 2000. New York, which has already overtaken the Marlins for third in the NL East this weekend, has won seven in a row and 17 of 21 at Citi Field.

Rookie Ike Davis had a career-high four hits in Saturday’s win, and David Wright homered. Wright is 10 for 20 with six RBIs in his last six games. His home run Saturday was just his second of the season at Citi Field, with the first coming against the Marlins on Opening Day. The All-Star third baseman is a lifetime .341 hitter with three home runs in 41 at-bats against Florida’s scheduled starter Ricky Nolasco, who seeks his third straight win over the Mets. Nolasco is 4-6 with a 5.79 ERA in 15 career starts versus New York, but 2-0 with a 3.81 ERA in his last four, and 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in two this season. The right-hander avoided a third straight loss Tuesday, allowing three runs and striking out eight in seven innings of a 6-4 win over Milwaukee on Tuesday. New York counters with rookie Hisanori Takahashi, who will make his fourth start after 15 appearances out of the bullpen. The left-hander held opponents scoreless over 12 innings at Citi Field in his first two starts, but gave up six runs in four innings of an 18-6 loss at San Diego on Monday.

San Francisco Giants vs Pittsburgh Pirates Live Streaming

San Francisco Giants vs Pittsburgh Pirates Live | San Francisco Giants vs Pittsburgh Pirates | San Francisco Giants vs Pittsburgh Pirates Streaming | San Francisco vs Pittsburgh MLB Live Stream | San Francisco Giants vs Pittsburgh Pirates Live Webcast

1:35 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming off their best day at the plate in weeks, but to deliver a repeat performance, they’ll have to go through the NL’s two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner. Then again, there may never be a better time to face Tim Lincecum. Control problems have plagued the San Francisco Giants ace as he’s endured his worst three-game stretch since his rookie season, though Sunday’s series finale in Pittsburgh could provide Lincecum an ideal opportunity to get back on track. Lincecum appeared to be the overwhelming early favorite to take home a third consecutive Cy Young Award after his first eight starts, going 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA. In an otherwise dominant 2-1 win over Houston on May 15, though, Lincecum tied a career high with five walks - something he hadn’t done since Aug. 23.Those control issues have carried over, and they’ve led to much worse results for him and the Giants. Lincecum has walked five apiece in his three subsequent outings as he’s gone 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA, having given up four runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 4-0 loss to Colorado on Monday.

Lincecum has never lost three consecutive decisions, and he’ll have a few things working in his favor to avoid that fate Sunday. The NL’s strikeout leader the past two seasons certainly had the Pirates fooled in two 2009 starts. He was 1-0 with a 0.56 ERA and 25 strikeouts, including a career-high 15 in a complete-game, 4-2 win at AT&T Park on July 27. Additionally, Pittsburgh has scored the fewest runs in the majors this season. However, the Pirates scored more than five for the first time in 15 games Saturday in a 6-3 victory, preserved by Lastings Milledge’s diving catch at the warning track with the bases loaded in the ninth. Andrew McCutchen had two doubles and a homer among his four hits as the Pirates finished with 13, their most since May 14. McCutchen has a .480 on-base percentage since manager John Russell moved him to the top of the order May 29.

Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles Live Streaming

Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles Live | Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles | Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles Streaming | Boston vs Baltimore MLB Live Stream | Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles Live Webcast

1:35 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

If the major league-worst Baltimore Orioles thought things couldn’t get any worse when they fired manager Dave Trembley in the midst of an eight-game losing streak Friday, they were mistaken. The surging Boston Red Sox have given interim manager Juan Samuel a rude welcome to the post, and they can complete a three-game sweep at Camden Yards on Sunday while sending the Orioles to their 11th consecutive defeat. Baltimore has dropped 10 in a row to match Arizona for the longest losing streak in the majors this season, and Samuel’s first two games have been especially ugly. The Orioles fell behind early in Friday’s 11-0 loss, then crumbled late Saturday, allowing six runs in the ninth inning of an 8-2 defeat. The minus-17 run differential is the worst for a manager in his first two games with a team since Dave Bristol’s Milwaukee Brewers lost the first two games of the 1970 season by a combined 18-1.

The Red Sox are feeling much better after winning six of their last seven and 14 of 18. They’ve scored eight or more runs five times in their last six games, with Kevin Youkilis making the biggest impact in this series, going 5 for 10 with two homers and six RBIs. His solo shot in the seventh inning Saturday broke a scoreless tie. A sweep would be especially sweet for Boston after the Orioles earned their first three-game home sweep of the Red Sox since 1974, from April 30-May 2.Dominance by Boston has been the much more frequent result between the AL East rivals lately; the Red Sox have won 64 of the last 85 meetings, including 31 of 44 at Camden Yards. John Lackey is new to the Red Sox this season, but he has also been sharp against Baltimore, going 9-3 with a 3.17 ERA in 14 career starts. He’s 3-0 with a 2.48 ERA in four outings against the Orioles since the start of last year. The right-hander has allowed four or more earned runs in four of his last five starts, but he’ll be looking for a third straight victory. Lackey yielded four runs and 12 hits in six innings Tuesday against Oakland, holding Boston within range for a 9-4 comeback win.

Cincinnati Reds vs Washington Nationals Live Streaming

Cincinnati Reds vs Washington Nationals Live | Cincinnati Reds vs Washington Nationals | Cincinnati Reds vs Washington Nationals Streaming | Cincinnati vs Washington MLB Live Stream | Cincinnati Reds vs Washington Nationals Live Webcast

1:35 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

After a rough stretch, the Cincinnati Reds’ pitching seems to be settling down. Bronson Arroyo was a part of their recent struggles, but a matchup with the Washington Nationals may help him get back on track. Arroyo looks to extend a 15-inning scoreless streak versus the Nationals as he takes the mound for the Reds in the decisive game of a three-game series Sunday. Cincinnati avoided a third straight loss with a 5-1 win over Washington on Saturday night. It was the Reds’ second win in six games. Despite the slump, Cincinnati is one game behind first-place St. Louis in the NL Central. Another strong pitching effort would certainly help the Reds’ bid to at least keep pace. Cincinnati held Washington hitless in six at-bats with runners in scoring position Saturday after surrendering two earned runs in a 4-2 loss Friday night in the series opener. The Reds had an 8.64 ERA in their previous three games, walking 19 in 25 innings. Arroyo was Cincinnati’s first starter during that stretch, surrendering seven runs, a season-high 10 hits and five walks in 4 1-3 innings of a 12-4 loss to St. Louis on Monday night. Arroyo had won four straight starts and was 5-0 with a 2.66 ERA in his past six.

The veteran right-hander now faces a Nationals team that has been limited to 10 runs in its last four contests. Arroyo has not allowed a run in winning his last two starts versus the Nationals and has held them scoreless in four of six outings. In the other two starts, though, Arroyo allowed 13 runs in 3 2-3 innings. Washington will give the ball to Craig Stammen, winless since beating Colorado on April 19. The right-hander did not get a decision for a third straight start Tuesday night, when he gave up five runs and nine hits in five innings of an 8-7 loss to Houston. Stammen, a native of Ohio who starred at Dayton, is facing the Reds for the first time. Nationals pitchers have a 2.34 ERA over the last four games, but the club has committed 10 errors during that span, contributing to nine unearned runs. The Nationals have lost 12 of 15 on the road and 15 of 22 overall.

San Diego Padres vs Philadelphia Phillies Live Streaming

San Diego Padres vs Philadelphia Phillies Live | San Diego Padres vs Philadelphia Phillies | San Diego Padres vs Philadelphia Phillies Streaming | San Diego vs Philadelphia MLB Live Stream | San Diego Padres vs Philadelphia Phillies Live Webcast

1:35 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

The Philadelphia Phillies are optimistic their perplexing slump is finally over after scoring more than three runs for the first time in two weeks. It’s been even longer since they put together a three-game winning streak, something they can achieve Sunday as they go for an eighth straight victory over the visiting San Diego Padres. Philadelphia’s powerful lineup led the NL in runs last year, but several of the club’s biggest bats have been all but silent during a recent drought. Before Saturday, the Phillies had gone 12 straight games without scoring more than three runs, totaling 17 and batting .197 while going 3-9. However, they followed Friday night’s 3-2 win over the Padres with a 6-2 victory Saturday, sparked by Jayson Werth’s first home run since May 21. Werth had gone 5 for 35 in his previous 11 games. Ryan Howard had two hits and two RBIs while Chase Utley added an RBI single, matching his RBI total from his previous 13 contests.

The Phillies now try to win three in a row for the first time since a four-game streak from May 14-17. The Padres haven’t lost three straight since getting swept by the Dodgers from May 14-16, and they haven’t dropped three consecutive road games all season. But they’ve lost seven consecutive meetings with Philadelphia and four in a row at Citizens Bank Park. Kevin Correia started one of those games, allowing eight runs in 3 1-3 innings of a 9-4 loss July 23. He has a 7.71 ERA in 10 appearances - three starts - against the Phillies. The top six hitters in Philadelphia’s lineup during this series are a combined 18 for 39 with four homers and five doubles against Correia. While he takes the mound coming off his first victory in five starts, Correia also tries to bounce back from what may have been his worst outing of 2010. The right-hander allowed six runs in six innings Monday against the Mets, but was bailed out by his offense in an 18-6 win.

Cleveland Indians vs Chicago White Sox Live Streaming

Cleveland Indians vs Chicago White Sox Live | Cleveland Indians vs Chicago White Sox | Cleveland Indians vs Chicago White Sox Streaming | Cleveland vs Chi White Sox MLB Live Stream | Cleveland Indians vs Chicago White Sox Live Webcast

2:05 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

The Cleveland Indians have struggled against most opponents while falling into last place in the AL Central. The Chicago White Sox are one of the rare exceptions. The Indians will try to add to the White Sox’s frustrations Sunday by recording their first three-game road sweep over their division rivals in 11 years. Cleveland has one of the AL’s worst records and is on pace for its sixth losing campaign in nine years. Despite those struggles, the Indians have experienced few problems against the White Sox this season, winning eight of 11 matchups. While Cleveland has one of the AL’s worst ERAs at 4.77, its staff has posted a 3.24 ERA against Chicago and held the White Sox to one run in each of the first two games of this series. In Saturday night’s 3-1 victory, the Indians got all the runs they needed in the fourth inning as Austin Kearns hit an RBI single and later scored on a balk. Cleveland had dropped 13 of 17 before facing the White Sox but now has the chance to record its first three-game sweep in Chicago since May 15-17, 1999. Jake Westbrook will try to help his team reach that milestone with his first victory in eight starts against the White Sox. Since winning at U.S. Cellular Field on Aug. 7, 2007, Westbrook is 0-5 with a 5.23 ERA against Chicago. He has received an average of 1.52 runs of support in those outings.

The right-hander is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in his three matchups with the White Sox this season. He didn’t get a decision in a 3-2 win April 17 despite allowing two runs over seven innings. He bounced back from his most recent loss to Chicago by yielding one run over 7 2-3 innings Tuesday night in Detroit. Westbrook had previously given up five runs over seven innings to Chicago on May 26. He’ll have a chance to avenge that defeat in a rematch with Mark Buehrle on Sunday. Buehrle was ejected in the third inning for protesting a pair of balks in the last meeting. He followed that outing by getting tagged for six runs and a season-worst 12 hits in Tuesday’s 9-6 defeat to Texas. Since last season’s perfect game against Tampa Bay, the left-hander has given up five or more runs in 11 of 24 outings, but he’s held the Indians scoreless three of the last four times he’s faced them, including a 6-0 season-opening win at home.

Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros Live Streaming

Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros Live | Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros | Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros Streaming | Chi Cubs vs Houston MLB Live Stream | Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros Live Webcast

2:05 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

After finally breaking out at the plate, the Chicago Cubs look to keep it going and string together some victories. Having Randy Wells on the mound against the Houston Astros could help. With a four-game losing streak behind them, the Cubs try for a second consecutive victory against the Astros on Sunday in Houston. Looking to revive a sagging offense, Chicago broke out with an 8-5 win over Houston on Saturday. The Cubs, winners in three of nine, had been held to two or fewer runs in six of their previous seven games. Batting .158 entering Saturday, Aramis Ramirez homered and recorded his first three-hit game of the season. Marlon Byrd also had three hits and Derrek Lee, hitting .238, added two as the Cubs tagged Houston ace Roy Oswalt for six runs in seven innings. Chicago hasn’t enjoyed enough high scoring games in 2010, recording six or more runs 14 times in 55 contests.

Ramirez came through after enduring a 2-for-28 stretch. He’s batting .377 with five homers and 19 RBIs in his last 17 games against Houston, which had its four-game winning streak snapped. While the Cubs look for another big effort at the plate, they also could be in good shape with Wells on the mound. The right-hander has not allowed an earned run in 20 2-3 innings while going 2-0 in three career starts against the Astros. Wells, however, is 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA in six starts since beating Arizona on April 30. He was solid in his last outing, giving up three hits in five scoreless innings of a 2-1 loss at Pittsburgh on Monday. It came on two days’ rest after he failed to last an inning in a 7-1 loss to St. Louis on May 28.

Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Live Streaming

Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Live | Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals | Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Streaming | Detroit vs Kansas City MLB Live Stream | Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Live Webcast

2:10 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

Miguel Cabrera has given the Detroit Tigers every opportunity to be a strong road team. The Tigers, however, find themselves trying to win consecutive games away from Comerica Park for only the third time this season as they wrap up a three-game set with the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. Despite a 12-16 record on the road, Detroit has managed to remain in contention in the AL Central, trailing Minnesota by 3 1/2 games. The Tigers have not won more than two straight on the road this season. Detroit ended a three-game road losing streak with a 4-2 win over Kansas City on Saturday night. Cabrera was a bright spot at the plate once again for the Tigers, hitting his 17th home run of the season. His .390 average and 33 RBIs on the road lead the majors. Cabrera also tops the majors in RBIs overall with 52. In his last 13 games, the four-time All-Star has nine home runs and 16 RBIs. In 26 career road games versus the Royals, Cabrera is hitting .400 with nine homers and 29 RBIs.

Jeremy Bonderman, set to take the mound for Detroit, could certainly use some support from Cabrera and Ordonez. Bonderman is 1-2 over his last five starts despite posting a 1.85 ERA, getting two runs or fewer to work with in three of those outings. The right-hander allowed three runs in eight innings of a 3-2 loss to Cleveland on Tuesday night. It was the longest outing since 2007 for Bonderman, whose career had been in jeopardy due to a blood clot in his shoulder two years ago. Bonderman is 9-6 with a 4.12 ERA in 16 starts versus the Royals. Kansas City will counter with Brian Bannister, who will try to win a fifth consecutive start for the first time in his career. The right-hander yielded three runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-3 victory over Los Angeles on Tuesday night.Bannister is 4-2 with a 2.12 ERA in eight starts against Detroit. Kansas City couldn’t take advantage of a strong start from Luke Hochevar in this series’ middle contest. The Royals lost for the sixth time in eight games. They’ve scored two runs or fewer in five of those contests. Kansas City cleanup hitter Billy Butler is batting .250 with two RBIs and one extra-base hit - a double - over his last 10 games.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers Live Streaming

Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers Live | Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers | Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers Streaming | Tampa Bay vs Texas MLB Live Stream | Tampa Bay Rays vs Texas Rangers Live Webcast

3:05 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

The Tampa Bay Rays have the majors’ best road record. Success when visiting Arlington, however, continues to elude them. The Rays try to avoid getting swept on the road for the first time this season Sunday when they face the surging Texas Rangers. After winning eight of its first nine series away from Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay faces its first road sweep since Sept. 12-13 versus Boston. Tampa Bay is 21-8 away from home - no other team has more than 16 road wins. The Rays had won eight of 10 on the road before losing the last two games at the Ballpark in Arlington, where they went 1-5 last year. They are 10-25 there since the start of the 2003 season. Matt Garza lost both of his starts in Arlington last season while posting an 11.17 ERA, and he takes the mound Sunday looking to avoid a third straight loss overall. Garza has received two runs of support over his last three starts after getting the lowest run support in the AL last season.The Rays didn’t score until after Garza departed in the seventh inning of a 3-2 loss to Toronto on Monday.

The right-hander, though, surrendered a season-high 10 hits Monday and has been tagged for four homers in his last two starts. He gave up five home runs in his first nine outings. Avoiding more such trouble could be a challenge the way the AL West-leading Rangers have been hitting the ball. After tagging Rays pitching for 13 hits in Friday’s 9-6 victory, Texas had 10 on Saturday. The Rangers are batting .339 and scoring 7.2 runs per game while winning four of five. Josh Hamilton and Elvis Andrus have keyed the surge. Hamilton is batting .455 this month and will try to homer in three straight games for the first time since a four-game stretch May 31-June 3, 2008. He is 2 for 12 with four strikeouts lifetime versus Garza. Andrus doubled, tripled and drove in two runs Saturday while extending his hitting streak to 11. He’s hit .364 in his last 10 home games.

Minnesota Twins vs Oakland Athletics Live Streaming

Minnesota Twins vs Oakland Athletics Live | Minnesota Twins vs Oakland Athletics | Minnesota Twins vs Oakland Athletics Streaming | Minnesota vs Oakland MLB Live Stream | Minnesota Twins vs Oakland Athletics Live Webcast

4:05 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

It’s been nearly 13 years since the Minnesota Twins swept a three-game series in Oakland. Given Nick Blackburn’s recent struggles against the Athletics, pulling off that feat might prove difficult Sunday. In Minnesota’s favor, however, Oakland starter Gio Gonzalez has fared even worse versus the Twins. After losing three of four to Seattle to begin its Western road trip, Minnesota has bounced back with consecutive one-run victories over the A’s. In Saturday night’s 4-3 win, a bold move from Oakland manager Bob Geren backfired. With one out in the ninth inning, Geren chose to issue an intentional walk to the Twins slugger Justin Morneau, who was replaced by pinch runner J.J. Hardy. Matt Tolbert’s two-out single brought home Hardy with the go-ahead run.

The win gave the AL Central-leading Twins the opportunity to finish their trip with their first sweep in Oakland since July 18-20, 1997. Blackburn was 15 years old when that series was played. Whether the Twins can pull off a repeat could depend on how he bounces back from the end to a personal five-game win streak.After earning victories in all of his starts in May, the right-hander opened this month by giving up five runs and 10 hits in a season-low 3 2-3 innings at Seattle. The difference between his five consecutive winning starts and Tuesday night’s 7-1 loss, he said, was the ineffectiveness of his sinker. The A’s have also proved adept with their bats against Blackburn. He’s 0-2 with a 6.37 ERA in five matchups with Oakland, and had a 14.63 ERA in his final two meetings last season. In his last start in Oakland on July 20, Blackburn gave up a career-worst 13 hits and seven runs over five innings but escaped without a decision in a wild 14-13 loss.

Los Angeles Angels vs Seattle Mariners Live Streaming

Los Angeles Angels vs Seattle Mariners Live | Los Angeles Angels vs Seattle Mariners | Los Angeles Angels vs Seattle Mariners Streaming | LA Angels vs Seattle MLB Live Stream | Los Angeles Angels vs Seattle Mariners Live Webcast

4:10 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

The Los Angeles Angels easily could have folded when their top run producer went down. Instead, they keep driving in runs. Closing out the second series of a 14-game trip, the Angels will try to match a season high with their fifth straight victory Sunday when they face the struggling Seattle Mariners. The excitement of Kendry Morales’ walk-off grand slam in last Saturday’s 5-1, 10-inning victory over Seattle was short-lived because the Angels first baseman broke his leg when he jumped on home plate. Despite losing the team leader with 11 homers and 39 RBIs, the Angels have won six of seven, batting .296 and averaging 7.0 runs. Hunter and Howie Kendrick have four homers and 21 RBIs between them since Morales got hurt.Joel Pineiro would welcome that kind of run support. The veteran right-hander is 0-2 with a 9.53 ERA in his last three starts after giving up no runs in his previous two outings. In Tuesday’s 6-3 loss at Kansas City, Pineiro surrendered 10 hits and six runs, with four crossing in the fifth inning.

Seattle hasn’t had many of those this season. The Mariners are among the worst in the AL in most offensive categories, including homers, batting average and runs per game. They have scored two or fewer runs 23 times this season. Seattle will try to salvage the series finale with Jason Vargas on the mound. After competing for a roster spot during spring training, Vargas now owns one of the best ERA’s in the AL and leads Mariners starters in victories. Opponents are batting .209 against him. Vargas, who has yielded two runs or fewer in seven of his 10 starts, threw 7 1/3 strong innings in an 8-1 victory against Los Angeles on May 9 that helped Seattle snap a season-high eight-game slide. The Angels had won the previous five matchups between these AL West foes. Vargas is 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles.

Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers Live Streaming

Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers Live | Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers | Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers Streaming | Atlanta vs LA Dodgers MLB Live Stream | Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers Live Webcast

4:10 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

The Atlanta Braves responded to their first loss in 10 games with a blowout win, and they can capture their fourth consecutive road series with another victory Sunday. Tim Hudson has been doing nothing but winning lately, and the resurgent right-hander looks to win his sixth straight decision as the Braves finish their four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Atlanta’s nine-game winning streak was snapped with a 5-4 loss to the Dodgers on Friday night, but the club quickly bounced back by scoring seven runs in the seventh inning of Saturday’s 9-3 win. Troy Glaus continues to power Atlanta, homering for the fifth time in his last seven games Saturday. The first-place Braves are a major league-best 20-5 since May 10, including nine wins in 12 road games in that stretch. They had been 5-14 away from home before that.

Los Angeles has still won 19 of 27, but manager Joe Torre’s team has struggled offensively during its current homestand, totaling 18 runs in six games. Andre Ethier, who was batting .392 with 38 RBIs when he went on the disabled list May 14, is 4 for 23 with two RBIs in six games since being activated. The Dodgers likely won’t have an easy time scoring runs against Hudson, who won his fifth consecutive decision Tuesday against Philadelphia even though his start was interrupted by a rain delay. The 34-year-old, who missed most of 2009 following elbow surgery, returned to finish six innings, allowing two runs in Atlanta’s 7-3 victory.

Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks Live Streaming

Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks Live | Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks | Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks Streaming | Colorado vs Arizona MLB Live Stream | Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks Live Webcast

4:10 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

Ubaldo Jimenez’s stellar pitching is perhaps the main reason that the Colorado Rockies have been able to limit their longest losing streak of the season to three games. Following yet another gem, Jimenez looks to help the Rockies avoid losing four straight as they face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of a three-game set Sunday. After a 4-3 loss to last-place Arizona on Saturday night, Colorado has every reason to feel confident about its chances of bouncing back. Jimenez continues to live up to all of the positive attention he has been receiving, leading the majors in wins and ERA. He’s coming off another outstanding performance, tossing a four-hitter and outpitching two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum to lead Colorado past San Francisco 4-0 on Monday. Jimenez struck out nine, lowered his ERA from 0.88 and extended his career-best scoreless innings streak to 26. He is the 15th pitcher since 1952 to win 10 or more games by June 1. The right-hander, who pitched the first no-hitter in Rockies history at Atlanta on April 17, is making an early push for the franchise’s first Cy Young Award.

Jimenez is 2-0 with a 1.30 ERA in four career starts at Arizona, striking out 32 in 27 2-3 innings. The Diamondbacks will counter with Rodrigo Lopez. The right-hander allowed four runs - two earned - in eight innings of a 5-4 loss to Los Angeles on Monday night. Lopez faced Jimenez in his only start against the Rockies, giving up four runs and walking four in six innings of a 7-3 loss May 26. Jimenez pitched eight scoreless innings. Though its chances seem slim against Jimenez, Arizona does have some momentum going. The Diamondbacks have won five of seven at home and two in a row overall after losing their previous 10. They’ve scored 11 runs over their last two games after being shut out in each of their previous two.Still, Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds continue to have trouble making contact at times. Upton struck out three times Saturday to increase his major league-leading total to 76, two more than Reynolds.

Milwaukee Brewers vs St. Louis Cardinals Live Streaming

Milwaukee Brewers vs St. Louis Cardinals Live | Milwaukee Brewers vs St. Louis Cardinals | Milwaukee Brewers vs St. Louis Cardinals Streaming | Milwaukee vs St. Louis MLB Live Stream | Milwaukee Brewers vs St. Louis Cardinals Live Webcast

8:05 pm EDT Sun Jun 6, 2010

As the Milwaukee Brewers regress, the St. Louis Cardinals continue to surge. The Cardinals look for a fourth straight victory Sunday night to sweep their first three-game home series from the Brewers in more than seven years. Colby Rasmus singled home the winning run in the 11th inning to give St. Louis a 5-4 win over Milwaukee on Saturday. Winners in seven of nine, the Cardinals won the first two games of this set after dropping its last four home games against the Brewers, who will look to avoid losing four in a row and seven of eight. St. Louis, which has won five of 18 against the Brewers at Busch Stadium, is in position to record its first three-game home sweep of Milwaukee since March 31-April 3, 2003. That’s possible thanks greatly to Rasmus, who is 5 for 7 with five RBIs in the series and 10 for 20 with eight RBIs in his last five games overall.

Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer for his 13th of the season and first at Busch Stadium in 93 at-bats, dating to the season opener. He has three homers and 10 RBIs in five games against Milwaukee this season. While the Cardinals look to continue their recent success, they could be without shortstop Brendan Ryan for a second straight game. The status of third baseman David Freese also is uncertain after he left Saturday’s contest with an ankle injury. Freese is hitting .316 this season. St. Louis will face its third straight left-hander in the series when Manny Parra takes the ball for the Brewers. Making his third start of the season, Parra gets the nod over the struggling Dave Bush despite allowing three runs in three innings of an 8-6 win over the New York Mets on May 29 in his most recent outing. Parra has pitched well in 10 starts against the Cardinals, going 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA. The Cardinals turn to rookie Jaime Garcia, who looks to continue his stellar season with a third straight victory Sunday.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Back to TOP