Sports World: 06/22/10

Kansas City Royals vs Washington Nationals Live Streaming

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

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7:05 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

The Washington Nationals didn’t solve their offensive struggles, but they did just enough to win their last game. They’ll try to build on their first victory in more than a week as they continue their series against the slumping Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. After totaling four runs while dropping three straight to the Chicago White Sox over the weekend, Washington had just four hits Monday against Kansas City. The Nationals, though, snapped a season-high six-game slide as Michael Morse and Cristian Guzman hit solo homers in the 2-1 victory. The Nationals will try to give more run support to rookie Luis Atilano, who has lost each of his last three starts. The right-hander gave up five runs and a season high-tying nine hits in Thursday’s 8-3 loss at Detroit.

Royals right-hander Anthony Lerew did just that in his last start. Called up from Triple-A Omaha in place of the injured Luke Hochevar, Lerew pitched five scoreless innings after yielding a pair of first-inning runs in Thursday’s 5-2 victory over Houston. It was his first appearance since pitching 2 2-3 innings of relief at Minnesota on Oct. 4. Lerew might need another solid outing if Kansas City fails to push home runners again. The Royals had the leadoff man on seven times Monday and had 11 hits, but they left eight on base. Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez threw out two runners and picked off Alberto Callaspo at second in the seventh inning. Royals outfielder Jose Guillen, who played for the Nationals from 2005-06, is batting .349 during a 16-game hitting streak. Kansas City’s Scott Podsednik went 4 for 4 on Monday to increase hit batting average to .400 over his last eight games. Morse is batting .450 in his last seven games and has hit all three of his homers this season during that stretch. Guzman’s sixth-inning solo shot Monday was his first home run since Aug. 23 versus Milwaukee.

Cleveland Indians vs Philadelphia Phillies Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

Jimmy Rollins is set to return for Philadelphia. A three-game series with the last-place Cleveland Indians could also be timely for a Phillies team struggling to keep pace in the NL East. The Phillies could have Rollins in the lineup for the first time in a month as they look to get back on track Tuesday night against the Indians. A right calf strain has landed Rollins on the disabled list twice, limiting the shortstop to 12 games and none since re-aggravating the injury May 21. The Phillies could have the three-time All-Star and 2007 NL MVP available Tuesday, and the club is eager for his return. Philadelphia has dropped 17 of 26 while hitting .226 and averaging 3.2 runs during Rollins’ second stint on the DL. The club lost its second straight Sunday, 4-1 to Minnesota. Rollins, batting .341 with two homers and seven RBIs, could provide an offensive spark after the Phillies managed four hits Sunday. They scored 32 runs in the previous four games. The defending NL champions are having trouble keeping up in the division. They are in third place, three games back of second-place New York and a season-high 5 1/2 behind Atlanta.

Philadelphia will send Jamie Moyer to the mound as the veteran looks to build on an excellent performance in his last outing. The left-hander allowed two runs and three hits in eight innings of a 6-3 road victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday. Moyer has gone 7-0 with a 2.33 ERA in his last 11 starts against the Indians. Cleveland is at the bottom of the AL Central and has lost six of seven, falling 5-3 at Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Indians will give the ball to Mitch Talbot, who is coming off his worst game of the season in an 8-4 loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday. The right-hander gave up career highs of eight runs and 13 hits in 5 2-3 innings. Talbot attributed his struggles to miscommunication with rookie catcher Carlos Santana, as the players formed a battery for the first time.

Florida Marlins vs Baltimore Orioles Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

A road game against an AL opponent gives the Florida Marlins even more flexibility in deciding whether to put Hanley Ramirez back in the lineup. After two days of rest, Ramirez could be used as the Marlins’ designated hitter in the opener of a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night. A tight right hamstring kept Ramirez out of Florida’s lineup in a 4-1 home win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. The two-time All-Star aggravated his leg in the eighth inning of a 9-8, 11-inning loss to the Rays the previous evening. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said Ramirez was available to pinch-hit in the series finale, but would have been pulled for a pinch-runner if he got on base. After a day off Monday, the Marlins may decide to give Ramirez yet another day free from the physical burden of playing shortstop. At Camden Yards, Florida will have the option to use Ramirez as its DH.

Ramirez is hitting .360 with six extra-base hits and eight RBIs in his last seven games. He has 11 RBIs in his last three games versus the Orioles. Florida left fielder Chris Coghlan, who grew up in Maryland, is playing his first game at Camden Yards. The 2009 NL Rookie of the Year hit .412 in 21 games before going 0 for 4 on Sunday. Still, the Marlins got enough production at the plate as they won two of three against the Rays for the second straight weekend. Florida, though, lost three straight between those series. Anibal Sanchez will take the mound for the Marlins. He lost his last start despite pitching fairly well, giving up three runs - one earned - in six innings of a 6-3 loss to Texas on Wednesday night. It was the ninth time in 11 starts the right-hander has surrendered three runs or fewer. Opponents are hitting .301 against Sanchez, who has never faced the Orioles, when he pitches on the road. Baltimore will counter with Jeremy Guthrie, who has lost four straight starts to match the worst skid of his career. He’s received five runs of support during that stretch.

St. Louis Cardinals vs Toronto Blue Jays Live Streaming

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7:07 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

St. Louis Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia has shown an uncanny ability to keep the ball in the park, but he has yet to face a lineup as daunting as the Toronto Blue Jays’. The impressive young left-hander takes on the majors’ top power-hitting team as the Cardinals open a three-game series with the Blue Jays on Tuesday night. In his first full season, Garcia is emerging as one of the majors’ top pitchers, surrendering two earned runs or fewer in each of his 13 starts. The 23-year-old Garcia suffered his first defeat in seven starts Wednesday night, surrendering two runs and striking out seven in seven innings as St. Louis lost 2-1 to Seattle. Once again, Garcia didn’t allow a home run. Opponents have hit two in 79 1-3 innings against him this season. Toronto could prove to be tougher to contain. The Blue Jays have connected in 17 of their last 18 home games and lead the majors with 106 homers overall. Toronto has five players with at least 10 homers, led by Jose Bautista’s 18 - one shy of Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera for the major league lead. Garcia, facing the Blue Jays for the first time, may need much more run support than he has received of late from the NL Central-leading Cardinals. He has gotten two runs or fewer to work with in five of his last six starts.

St. Louis was limited to five hits in a 3-2 loss to Oakland on Sunday. Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday, however, was a bright spot again with two home runs. He went 8 for 12 with four homers and eight RBIs in the three-game set. Holliday has not homered in 12 games against the Blue Jays, hitting .240 with 17 strikeouts. He’s 0 for 3 against Brett Cecil, who takes the mound for Toronto. Cecil had a personal five-game winning streak snapped in his last start, surrendering five runs in six innings of an 8-2 loss to San Diego on Tuesday night. The left-hander has won two straight at Rogers Centre and has allowed two runs or fewer in three of his four outings there this season. Cecil is facing the Cardinals for the first time. Toronto had a three-game winning streak snapped Sunday with a 9-6 loss to San Francisco. Cleanup hitter Vernon Wells remains in a rut for Toronto, going 4 for 41 in his last 12 games. The veteran center fielder is hitting .135 with one homer and two RBIs in 11 interleague games this year. Toronto hasn’t faced St. Louis since winning two of three games at home in June 2005.

San Diego Padres vs Tampa Bay Rays Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

Out of the top spot in the AL East for the first time in two months, the Tampa Bay Rays are looking to bounce back from their first losing road trip of the season. Doing so Tuesday night could be tough against Mat Latos and the NL West-leading San Diego Padres, who come to Tropicana Field for a three-game set. The Rays have lost seven of 10 after a 2-4 trip. A 4-1 loss to Florida on Sunday, coupled with the New York Yankees’ 4-0 win over the New York Mets, dropped Tampa Bay into second place. The Rays had been in first since April 22. The Rays shouldn’t need much of that as they get set to face Latos, who has gone 6-1 with a 2.05 ERA in his last eight starts. The right-hander won his second straight start Tuesday, retiring the first 11 batters and striking out seven in an 8-2 victory over Toronto. Latos has given up two runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts. He has never faced Tampa Bay.

Trying to avoid dropping four straight series for the first time since losing five in a row in September, the Rays will give the ball to rookie Wade Davis. The right-hander has gone 0-3 with an 8.22 ERA in his last three starts despite striking out 15 and walking one. Making his first interleague start, Davis allowed three runs and seven hits for the second straight outing in a 6-2 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. He has gone 2-6 with a 6.48 ERA over his last eight starts. Davis will face a San Diego team coming off its highest-scoring game in nearly three weeks. After averaging 3.4 runs and batting .243 in the first 17 games of the month, the Padres pounded Baltimore for 12 hits in a 9-4 victory Sunday. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez went 3 for 4 with three doubles to extend his season-best hitting streak to nine. He is batting .438 with two homers and seven RBIs during the stretch. Gonzalez is hitting .343 versus the AL since the beginning of last season. The Padres hope to get Chase Headley going, as the third baseman is hitless in 23 at-bats.

Detroit Tigers vs New York Mets Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

Justin Verlander has been very valuable for the Detroit Tigers this month. Finishing June with a nine-game road trip that includes series against two of the best home teams in baseball, however, could challenge the recent success of the team and its top starter. Verlander looks to get Detroit’s trip off to a strong start Tuesday night when he takes the mound opposite Jonathon Niese and the New York Mets at Citi Field. Verlander has posted a 2.86 ERA while winning each of his three June starts after compiling a 5.02 ERA in losing his last two May outings. The right-hander was terrific again Wednesday, allowing three runs while striking out a season-high 11 in eight innings of an 8-3 win over Washington. Verlander’s last two outings came during the Tigers’ 8-1 homestand, which was capped by Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Arizona. Translating that success onto the road has been a problem for Detroit. The team has dropped eight of 11 as the visitor, with the starting rotation posting a 6.08 ERA.

Detroit now begins a nine-game trip, which includes three-game series at New York, NL-best Atlanta and Minnesota. The Tigers trail the Twins by 1 1/2 games in the AL Central, and cutting into that lead this week could be trying. The Mets have won 10 of 11 at Citi Field and are second in the NL with a 24-10 home record, while the Braves lead the majors at 24-7. New York swept its last home series against Detroit, winning three games at Shea Stadium from June 18-20, 2004. Detroit, which is 5-4 overall against the Mets, will also have to contend with Niese, who has won three consecutive starts with a 1.57 ERA. The left-hander turned in another strong effort Wednesday, allowing three runs in seven innings of an 8-4 win at Cleveland. That came six days after he got his first complete game by throwing a one-hitter in a 3-0 home win over San Diego. Niese has gone 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA over his last five starts at Citi Field - all Mets victories. He’ll try to extend that streak and help New York rebound from a pair of road defeats to the New York Yankees, including Sunday’s 4-0 loss.

San Francisco Giants vs Houston Astros Live Streaming

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8:05 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

Tim Lincecum has dealt with some uncharacteristic control problems in recent weeks, and his season appeared to be getting worse when he was struck by a line drive on the final pitch of his last outing. Visiting the Houston Astros may help him turn things around. The two-time reigning NL Cy Young winner looks to beat Roy Oswalt and dominate the reeling Astros for the third time this year, and the San Francisco Giants can improve to 7-0 against Houston this year as they open a three-game set Tuesday night. Lincecum was in trouble throughout six innings against Baltimore on Wednesday, limiting the Orioles to two runs despite allowing eight hits and four walks in a 6-3 win. The biggest scare, however, came with two outs in the sixth, when Miguel Tejada’s liner hit Lincecum before Freddy Sanchez threw Tejada out. Lincecum won’t miss a start as he tries to overcome some wildness. He has walked at least four batters five times in his last seven starts - a big reason for a 4.47 ERA in that stretch - and he uncorked three wild pitches against the Orioles.

The right-hander walked five on May 15, but that didn’t stop him from limiting Houston to one run in eight innings of the Giants’ 2-1 win. Lincecum, who is 4-0 with a 1.33 ERA in seven career starts against the Astros, also won at Houston on April 5, pitching seven shutout innings as San Francisco notched a 5-2 victory. Oswalt posted quality starts against Lincecum twice this year but was the tough-luck loser each time. The right-hander will get another chance as he looks to win a third straight start overall after allowing two runs in seven innings in recent victories over Colorado and Kansas City. Oswalt will need to be a stopper again as Houston has again dropped four straight, getting swept at home by Texas over the weekend. The Astros have also lost their last eight against San Francisco, totaling 12 runs in the first six meetings this year. Those numbers aren’t a huge surprise as Houston ranks 28th in the majors with 3.37 runs per game while the Giants are third with a 3.33 ERA.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Texas Rangers Live Streaming

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8:05 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

On paper, it would be difficult to come up with a bigger mismatch than this week’s three-game series between the Texas Rangers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. While Texas looks to extend its longest winning streak in five years to nine, the Pirates try to snap an 11-game road losing streak Tuesday night as they open a nine-game trip in Arlington. There is no hotter team in the majors than the Rangers, who finished their recent road trip with eight straight victories over Milwaukee, Florida and Houston. It’s their longest overall winning streak since a nine-game run from May 20-31, 2005. Texas has won 11 of 12 to gain a firm grip on first place in the AL West, thanks in large part to Josh Hamilton. Hamilton, among the top five in the AL in each triple crown category, drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the 10th inning Sunday as the Rangers capped a three-game sweep of the Astros with a 5-4 victory. The slugger had five hits in the game and is batting .484 with seven homers and 23 RBIs during a career-best 16-game hitting streak.

Opposing pitchers are finding a tough time dealing with Texas’ lineup. The Astros intentionally walked Vladimir Guerrero, second in the AL with 57 RBIs, in the 10th to get to Hamilton, and the following batter - rookie Justin Smoak - went 7 for 14 with two homers and eight RBIs in the last three games. Plus, the Rangers might welcome back slugger Nelson Cruz on Tuesday. On the disabled list since May 30 with a torn left hamstring, Cruz is hitting .327 with 10 homers and 34 RBIs in 32 games. His return would be just another obstacle for Ross Ohlendorf as Pittsburgh’s right-hander again tries for his first win. Last year, he had 11 victories and a 3.92 ERA. Ohlendorf has struggled in his last two starts, allowing 11 runs and 19 hits in 12 1-3 innings during losses to Detroit and the Chicago White Sox. Texas counters with Tommy Hunter even though the right-hander left his last start Wednesday at Florida after 2 1-3 innings with discomfort in his right hip flexor. Hunter was sharp at home against Tampa Bay and Seattle in his first two starts of 2010 after stints on the disabled list and in the minors, improving to 8-4 with a 3.87 ERA in his career at Rangers Ballpark.

Atlanta Braves vs Chicago White Sox Live Streaming

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8:10 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

While the ways they have gone about their recent winning streaks have been different, one thing the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago White Sox have in common is their success in interleague play over the last week. In the teams’ first meeting in six years, the NL East-leading Braves go for their sixth straight win while the White Sox try for their seventh in a row Tuesday night in Chicago. Atlanta has the best record in the NL thanks in large part to a major league-leading 24-7 mark at home. The Braves, though, will play their next three in Chicago against the White Sox, whom they haven’t faced since losing two of three in June 2004. Overall, Atlanta has won 19 of its last 25, including sweeping a three-game series against the Royals over the weekend. During that 25-game stretch, it has gone 7-2 in interleague play, taking series against Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Kansas City to open a 2 1/2-game lead over the Mets in the East.

Sunday was the third time in five games the Braves scored six or more runs. Atlanta is batting .283 and averaging 5.1 runs per game this month, ranking first and second in the NL, respectively. Martin Prado has led the way with a .383 average in June, while Troy Glaus has hit six homers, driven in 18 runs and walked 14 times. Those players could have a hard time continuing their hot hitting against Chicago’s pitching, which has been outstanding while helping the club win 10 of 11. White Sox starters are 9-1 with a 2.01 ERA in that stretch. The White Sox acknowledge that their winning streak includes sweeps against lesser competition like Pittsburgh and Washington, but they don’t consider the stretch to be worth any less because of it. Chicago swept Washington over the weekend, capping an 8-1 road trip with a 6-3 win Sunday. The White Sox play their next six at home, where they are 15-18, as they look to move above .500 for the first time since winning their first game of the season.

Minnesota Twins vs Milwaukee Brewers Live Streaming

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8:10 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

The Minnesota Twins had yet another successful road interleague series over the weekend. With Scott Baker on the mound, they seem to have a good opportunity to continue their momentum. Winners of six straight road series against NL teams, the Twins hope for another strong interleague start from Baker as they open a three-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night. Minnesota won two of three games at Philadelphia over the weekend, including a 4-1 victory in the series finale Sunday to remain 1 1/2 games ahead of second-place Detroit in the AL Central. The Twins have won all six of their series in NL ballparks since dropping two of three at Colorado from May 16-18, 2008. They’ve won 28 of their last 40 road interleague contests, including four series victories over the Brewers. Minnesota has a 3.49 ERA in winning nine of 13 at Milwaukee. Baker has earned three wins during that stretch, including the teams’ last matchup at Miller Park. He gave up three runs in six innings of a 6-4 victory June 25, 2009. The right-hander hasn’t been extraordinary on the road versus the Brewers, posting a 4.26 ERA, but is 5-0 with a 2.89 ERA in his last seven interleague outings overall, striking out 44 in 46 2-3 innings.

In his last start, Baker struck out a career-high 12 while surrendering two hits in seven shutout innings to earn a win in Minnesota’s 2-1 victory over Colorado on Wednesday night. Baker had nine strikeouts and a 5.89 ERA over his previous three outings. Milwaukee will counter with Chris Narveson, who is 4-4 with a 5.53 ERA in 10 starts since replacing Jeff Suppan in the rotation in late April. Narveson struggled in his last outing, allowing five runs and seven hits in 4 1-3 innings of a 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. The left-hander has surrendered five homers in his last four games after giving up one over his previous five outings. Narveson is making his first start against the Twins, who scored 22 runs in their series with the Phillies. Justin Morneau has homered in two straight games for Minnesota. The three-time All-Star is 7 for 17 with six RBIs over his last six road games.

Boston Red Sox vs Colorado Rockies Live Streaming

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8:40 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

The last time the Boston Red Sox and Jon Lester were in Denver, they were celebrating a championship. The way they’re playing right now, another one in 2010 seems like a real possibility. The Red Sox put their season-best six-game winning streak in the hands of the red-hot Lester on Tuesday night for their first meeting with Colorado since the left-hander helped finish a sweep of the Rockies in the 2007 World Series. Lester was barely a year removed from a diagnosis of lymphoma when he started Game 4 of that World Series, but he earned the victory after working 5 2-3 shutout innings in a 4-3 win at Coors Field as the Red Sox captured their second title in four years. Boston quickly ended the Rockies’ remarkable run, which featured 21 wins in 22 games spanning the regular season and playoffs. That has not been a problem lately for the Red Sox, who went 8-1 on their recent homestand, finishing with three-game sweeps of Arizona and the Los Angeles Dodgers to improve to 10-2 in interleague play.

Boston is close to the AL East lead after going 24-8 overall since May 18, tied with Atlanta for the best record in the majors in that stretch. Lester is a big reason for Boston’s surge, going 8-0 with a 2.01 ERA in his last 11 starts. The left-hander limited Arizona to two runs and four hits in seven innings of a 6-2 victory Wednesday but wasn’t thrilled with his performance, which included three walks and hit two batsmen. Colorado rookie Jhoulys Chacin also has some issues after going 0-4 with a 5.32 ERA in his last four starts. The right-hander gave up seven hits and three walks in five innings at Minnesota on Wednesday, although he limited the damage in a 2-1 loss. The Rockies have won six of nine, but they looked like they missed injured shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in Sunday’s 6-1 loss to Milwaukee. Closer Manny Corpas allowed five runs in the ninth inning to break a 1-all tie and has given up eight runs while retiring two batters in his last two outings.

New York Yankees vs Arizona Diamondbacks Live Streaming

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9:40 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

The only time the New York Yankees dropped a series to the Arizona Diamondbacks was in 2001, and that one lasted seven games. With their thin AL East lead growing even more precarious, the Yankees look to avoid another series loss to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. New York’s edge atop the division dropped to a half-game with a 10-4 loss to Arizona on Monday. The Yankees had won two in a row but couldn’t overcome another poor start by A.J. Burnett, who gave up five runs and three homers in the first inning and left after allowing seven runs in four innings. With second-place Boston and Tampa Bay idle Monday, the Yankees missed an opportunity to create some breathing room as they faced a team that sits last in the NL West. Arizona had dropped five of six and was held to four hits in a 3-1 loss to Detroit on Sunday, but finished with 13 hits and recorded its highest run total in 30 games in the opener against New York.

Miguel Montero had three hits and two RBIs while Justin Upton homered twice, hitting a three-run shot in the eighth. Montero is batting .382 with seven RBIs and seven extra-base hits since coming off the disabled list. He will try to extend an eight-game hitting streak when he faces Andy Pettitte for the first time. Pettitte pitched well in his last start, but suffered the loss after allowing three runs and striking out seven over seven innings of a 7-1 defeat to Philadelphia on Thursday. The left-hander is 2-5 with a 4.24 ERA in six starts and one relief appearance against the Diamondbacks, who defeated Pettitte and the Yankees in the 2001 World Series. He will be facing them for the first time since 2007. New York starters have a 4.61 ERA in interleague play compared to 3.62 ERA against the AL. The Diamondbacks won for 11th time in 16 games at home, where they have not lost a series since May 10-12. Arizona will try to keep rolling at Chase Field behind Dan Haren. The right-hander struggled in his last start, giving up six runs - four earned - in 5 2-3 innings of an 8-5 loss to Boston on Thursday. He had won his previous two starts and is 18-4 with a 2.56 ERA in his career in June.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Los Angeles Angels Live Streaming

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10:05 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Angels capped their longest trip of the season with their first road sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Angels are looking to duplicate those results, this time at Angel Stadium, as they open a season-high 12-game homestand Tuesday night. The Angels closed out a 14-game trip by taking three games from the Dodgers from June 11-13. They batted .315 and averaged 6.7 runs in the series, while the Dodgers hit .196 and struck out 26 times. The Angels, winners of 17 of 23 in the Freeway Series, will send the struggling Ervin Santana to the mound Tuesday. After winning five straight starts, the right-hander has gone 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in his last two outings. Santana gave up season highs of six runs and 10 hits in five innings of a 7-1 loss to Milwaukee on Tuesday. Santana will be trying to get himself and the Angels back on track after their three-game win streak was snapped in a 12-1 defeat to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Los Angeles won two of three in that series, however, and has taken six of its last nine games.

Trying to avoid matching a season-high five-game slide, the Dodgers will counter Santana with the red-hot Clayton Kershaw, who has gone 6-1 with a 1.82 ERA in his last eight starts. The left-hander pitched 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball in a 6-2 victory at Cincinnati on Wednesday. Kershaw, second in the NL with 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings, leads the Dodgers in wins and strikeouts. He is one victory from matching his total of 2009. Kershaw was 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA in two starts versus the Angels last season. He threw seven shutout innings in a 5-3 victory over them June 21, 2009, as the Dodgers took two of three for their first road series win over the Angels since 2004. Both teams could be without their starting shortstops in this three-game set. The Angels’ Erick Aybar, 6 for 15 with four runs at Dodger Stadium earlier this month, will be re-evaluated Tuesday after suffering left miniscal damage last Monday against Milwaukee.

Cincinnati Reds vs Oakland Athletics Live Streaming

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10:05 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

A late offensive outburst ended the Cincinnati Reds’ struggles at the plate and their losing streak. The Reds hope to make things easier on themselves as they try to reclaim a share of the NL Central lead Tuesday night against the sputtering Oakland Athletics in the middle game of this series. Cincinnati got homers from Ramon Hernandez, Joey Votto and Scott Rolen to power a four-run 10th inning in a 6-4 victory over Oakland on Monday. The win was only the Reds’ second in eight games, and it came after they were swept in three games by last-place Seattle over the weekend. They were outscored 7-1 by the Mariners while hitting .152. Another victory could put the Reds back atop the Central, as they trail first-place St. Louis by one game. Bronson Arroyo will need to rely only on his arm to get them there. The right-hander did more than pitch well during Thursday’s 7-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He overcame a career-high six walks by allowing one run and five hits in seven innings. He also hit a three-run homer and completed three double plays.

Arroyo isn’t likely to bat against the A’s, against whom he’s 2-1 with a 4.40 ERA in five outings. Votto, though, may continue his hot stretch at the plate. The first baseman also had a double and three RBIs Monday, giving him a .382 average with four homers while driving in eight runs over nine games. The A’s, who are 8-2 all-time against Cincinnati, have dropped eight of 10, while scoring more than four runs only once in that stretch. Dallas Braden could use some help if he’s going to win for the first time since his May 9 perfect game. He’s 0-4 with a 4.29 ERA in seven starts since, but he has received six total runs of support in that span. Braden is also trying to overcome nagging stiffness in his elbow, which forced him to exit Thursday’s 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs after 83 pitches. However, he was excellent through six innings, yielding one run before leaving with a one-run lead only to see the bullpen waste his effort.

Chicago Cubs vs Seattle Mariners Live Streaming

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10:10 pm EDT Tue Jun 22, 2010

The Chicago Cubs engaged in a verbal battle with outfielder Milton Bradley after trading him this winter. Neither party has shown much fight this season, however. The inconsistent Cubs travel to Seattle to open a three-game series against Bradley and the Mariners on Tuesday night as both sides try to get their seasons back on track. Chicago was in first place in the NL Central in early August, but it stumbled down the stretch and missed the playoffs for the first time in three years.Bradley faced a lot of criticism for his part in the Cubs’ failure to get back to the postseason. He hit .257 and drove in 40 runs in 124 games before the club - frustrated by Bradley’s critical comments to a suburban Chicago newspaper about the history of the organization - suspended him for the rest of the season in late September. The feud didn’t stop when the Cubs traded Bradley to the Mariners for Carlos Silva(notes) in December. Bradley said in an interview this spring that he never felt comfortable in Chicago, blaming the Cubs organization. Chicago general manager Jim Hendry responded by saying Bradley needed to stop pointing fingers.

Neither party has much to be happy about since Bradley’s trade. The Cubs have dropped 12 of 19 and are in third place in the division while Bradley, who left the Mariners for two weeks to deal with personal and emotional issues, is hitting .215 after 49 games. Although Bradley went 0 for 11 over the weekend, Seattle swept Cincinnati to push its winning streak to four games. The Mariners have allowed two runs over those four games and concluded their series against the Reds with a 1-0 win Sunday. The Cubs, meanwhile, avoided being swept by the Angels with a 12-1 win Sunday - their most lopsided victory this season. The win came after they lost 12-0 the day before. In the last 19 games, Chicago has scored three or fewer runs 10 times. It will be trying Tuesday to win back-to-back games for only the second time since May 25.

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