Sports World: 06/26/10

Minnesota Twins vs New York Mets Live Streaming

Saturday, June 26, 2010

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1:10 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

Johan Santana wandered over behind the batting cage, hugged Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire and chatted with old buddy Francisco Liriano. A couple of Twins coaches stopped by, and Joe Mauer patted the pitcher on his back as he ran past. Santana and his ex-teammates were all smiles Friday evening during a mini-reunion at Citi Field. They’ll be much more serious Saturday, though, when the left-hander starts for the New York Mets in the middle game of their interleague series against the Twins. It will be Santana’s first regular-season matchup with Minnesota, the team he pitched for during his first eight major league seasons. That’s where he blossomed into an ace and won two AL Cy Young Awards while helping the Twins capture four division titles. Minnesota’s dangerous lineup features several of Santana’s former teammates, including Mauer and fellow slugger Justin Morneau. The pitcher said he still follows what’s going on with the Twins and he knows what’s ahead of him. Mets manager Jerry Manuel thinks it will be an emotional experience for Santana, too. The matchup comes at the end of a tumultuous week for Santana.

Santana, who is married with three children, was with the woman on a golf course in a gated Lee County community on the night of Oct. 27. The woman told detectives Santana forced himself sexually on her, though she repeatedly told him she didn’t want to have sex. Afterward, she said she watched him play tennis. The state attorney’s office declined to prosecute the case, citing lack of evidence and inconsistent statements. Santana said Wednesday that “the case is closed” and said he would not comment any further. The Mets said the situation is a personal matter. Santana pitched for Minnesota from 2000-07. As he neared his chance to become a free agent, the cost-conscious Twins traded him to the Mets in February 2008. He signed a $137.5 million, six-year contract with New York. Santana said he’s a little surprised that the Twins, playing in a new outdoor ballpark this season, have increased their payroll substantially since he left. But he said he’s happy for them and their success.

St. Louis Cardinals vs Kansas City Royals Live Streaming

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2:10 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

The St. Louis Cardinals’ offense is suddenly slumping, but there’s reason to believe they can get back on track. After being shut down by the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner in the opener of a three-game set against the Royals, the Cardinals look to avoid losing their third straight game Saturday when they face slumping Kansas City starter Kyle Davies. St. Louis got off to a strong start to its six-game road trip with Tuesday’s 9-4 win over Toronto, but it hasn’t done much since, plating three total runs in its last three games. In Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Royals, Zack Greinke limited the Cardinals to six hits through eight scoreless innings before running into a little trouble in the ninth. After Ryan Ludwick reached on catcher’s interference to open the ninth, Ryan Ludwick doubled and Greinke was lifted. Both those runners eventually scored, but St. Louis couldn’t complete the comeback and fell one-half game back of Cincinnati in the NL Central.

The heart of St. Louis’ batting order is in the middle of this slump, as Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols are a combined 2 for 14 in the last two games. The two have fared much better against Davies, going 5 for 13 with a homer and a double. Davies struggled with his command in Atlanta on Sunday, allowing four runs, four hits and a career-high seven walks in 4 1-3 innings of an 8-5 loss, but didn’t receive a decision. The right-hander is 1-2 with a 9.78 ERA in his last five starts after recording a 2.65 ERA in his previous three outings. Breaking out of this funk at home against the Cardinals could be tough, though. Davies has posted a 10.00 ERA in losing both career both career starts against them at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals snapped a five-game home losing streak to St. Louis on Friday, and are trying to win just their second home series against their in-state rivals since 2002. Kansas City, which beat Washington 1-0 on Wednesday, is also trying to win three in a row for the first time since May 26-28.

Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers Live Streaming

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3:05 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

The Texas Rangers’ longest winning streak in 19 years is history. Now they can focus on avoiding their first series loss to the Houston Astros in exactly two years. The AL West-leading Rangers look to even the series Saturday afternoon when the teams resume their three-game set in Arlington. Texas had its 11-game winning streak snapped Friday, losing 7-4 to Houston. It ended the longest winning streak in the majors this season and the longest for the Rangers since a franchise-record 14-game run in May 1991. Despite the loss, Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton continued his torrid pace at the plate with three more hits. The two-time All-Star is batting .506 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs during a career-best 19-game hitting streak. Hamilton and the Rangers, who are looking to avoid their first series loss to Houston since June 24-26, 2008, will look to make Josh Banks’ season debut a short one Saturday. Signed to a minor league deal in the offseason after spending the last two seasons with San Diego, Banks gets the start for Houston after Felipe Paulino was placed on the disabled list Thursday with right shoulder tendinitis. Banks, who went 8-5 with a 2.97 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A Round Rock, makes his first start against Texas. His last victory was June 30 versus Houston.

Banks will try to help the Astros match a season-high four-game winning streak. A victory would also give Houston its first series win in Arlington since taking two of three from June 30-July 2, 2006. The Astros, who need one victory in the next two games for their first series win in an AL ballpark since June 19-21, 2009, against Minnesota, could benefit from more solid hitting from Chris Johnson. The rookie third baseman had career highs with four hits and three RBIs on Friday, and he’s batting .538 in three games since being called up from Round Rock on Tuesday. Astros right fielder Hunter Pence had an RBI double Friday and is batting .330 in 22 career games against Texas. The Arlington native is 4 for 8 lifetime versus Saturday’s scheduled starter C.J. Wilson. Making his first career start versus Houston following 10 relief appearances, Wilson did not get a decision in Sunday’s 5-4, 10-inning win at Minute Maid Park, giving up four runs and six hits over seven innings. The left-hander did not allow a run in his final five frames.

Philadelphia Phillies vs Toronto Blue Jays Live Streaming

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4:05 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

In his first game against his former team, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay handled the Toronto Blue Jays with ease. While Toronto won’t have to worry about facing its longtime ace again anytime soon, Philadelphia’s surging offense has been even tougher to overcome lately. The Phillies look to continue their hot streak at the plate as they go for their season high-tying fifth straight win Saturday against the struggling Blue Jays. Halladay had no problems against his former club Friday night, limiting Toronto to six hits over seven innings to avoid the first four-start losing streak of his career. The 2003 Cy Young Award winner got plenty of support from his offense as the Phillies cruised to a 9-0 victory. Philadelphia has been better at providing its pitchers with that kind of support lately. After averaging 2.4 runs and batting .218 while dropping 15 of 21 from May 22-June 15, the Phillies have averaged 7.0 runs and batted .283 while winning seven of nine. They’ve totaled 28 runs over their last three games, helping them put together their first five-game winning streak since April 9-14.

Toronto will try to bounce back against Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels, who hasn’t given up more than three earned runs in any of his last nine games, going 4-3 with a 2.91 ERA. The left-hander gave up four runs - three earned - and five hits in seven innings in Philadelphia’s 13-10, 11-inning loss to Minnesota last Saturday. Hamels is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in two career starts against the Blue Jays. Toronto, though, has struggled against lefties this season, batting .201 - the worst average in the majors by 26 points. Toronto’s Adam Lind, hitting .115 against lefties this season, is 3 for 6 with a homer against Hamels. The Blue Jays will hand the ball to Shaun Marcum. The right-hander held San Francisco to two runs - one earned - and four hits while striking out eight in five innings Sunday. He didn’t get a decision in Toronto’s 9-6 defeat.

Washington Nationals vs Baltimore Orioles Live Streaming

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4:05 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

Finding something to build on has been extremely difficult for the major league-worst Baltimore Orioles. Erasing a huge deficit and winning in their final at-bat should instill some much-needed confidence. The Orioles look to match a season high with their third straight win Saturday when they continue a three-game set against the visiting Washington Nationals. Trailing 6-0 after four innings of Friday night’s series opener, the Orioles scored three times in the fifth and tied it with a three-run eighth - highlighted by Scott Moore’s pinch-hit two-run homer. The game appeared headed for extra innings before Washington second baseman Cristian Guzman’s throwing error on Julio Lugo’s potential double-play ball in the ninth allowed pinch-runner Jake Fox to score the winning run. Baltimore’s biggest comeback of the season gave it consecutive wins for the first time since a three-game run May 12-14. The Orioles’ only other three-game win streak this season was a sweep of Boston from April 30-May 2.

Adam Dunn had four RBIs and Nyjer Morgan added four hits and three runs scored for Washington, but the Nationals committed a season-high four errors and lost for the 10th time in 13 games. They have dropped 18 of 22 on the road and are a season-high eight games below .500 for the second time this season. Baltimore’s offense has come to life lately, averaging 6.0 runs while batting .309 in the last six games. The Orioles averaged 2.3 runs and hit .243 in their previous 19 contests, resulting in 16 losses. Brad Bergesen is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and start for the Orioles. The right-hander was sent to the minors for the second time this season June 13 after a brief stint in the bullpen. He went 0-1 with a 10.05 ERA in his previous three starts. The sinkerballer was roughed up by the Nationals for six runs and a career high-tying 11 hits May 22 but escaped without a decision in Baltimore’s 7-6 loss.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Tampa Bay Rays Live Streaming

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4:05 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

The Tampa Bay Rays have a potent lineup, but it can go severely cold at times. For the third time in less than a year, the Rays look to bounce back from being no-hit as they continue a home set with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday. Arizona’s Edwin Jackson held Tampa Bay without a hit despite walking eight and throwing an astounding 149 pitches in a 1-0 win Friday. Jackson pitched for the Rays from 2006-08 and was a vital part of their run to the World Series two years ago. The victory was the third in 10 games for the Diamondbacks. Jackson is the fourth pitcher to throw a no-hitter this season, joining Colorado’s Ubaldo Jimenez, Oakland’s Dallas Braden and Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay. Braden and Halladay threw perfect games. Braden’s came against Tampa Bay on May 9, making the Rays the first team since San Diego in 2001 to be no-hit twice in the same season. Tampa Bay was also held to one hit against Boston on May 25.

The last team to accomplish that feat was the 1917 Chicago White Sox. Add Mark Buehrle’s perfect game against the Rays in Chicago on July 23, and Tampa Bay is the first team in major league history to be no-hit three times in less than a year. Though they are among the major league leaders in runs and on-base percentage, the Rays have recorded 11 runs and 29 hits while losing four of five. Tampa Bay hopes facing Arizona’s scheduled starter Ian Kennedy will help turn things around Saturday. Not only does the right-hander and former New York Yankee have the challenge of following up Jackson’s effort, but he’s also 1-2 with a 6.64 ERA in four starts versus Tampa Bay. Kennedy allowed three runs - on two homers - in 6 2-3 innings of a 3-1 loss at Detroit on Sunday.

Seattle Mariners vs Milwaukee Brewers Live Streaming

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4:10 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

The Milwaukee Brewers knew they were going to have to make a run in the weeks leading up to the All-Star break to improve their playoff chances. They appear to be doing just that. The Brewers look to extend their season-high winning streak to six games Saturday when they continue their series against the Seattle Mariners at Miller Park. Milwaukee opened a stretch of 16 of 20 games at home by sweeping a three-game series from AL Central-leading Minnesota this week, then beating the Mariners 8-3 in Friday’s series opener. The Brewers have won five in a row overall, picking up 2 1/2 games in the standings to move within 7 1/2 of NL Central-leading St. Louis. Rookie catcher Jonathan Lucroy’s first career homer - a three-run shot - was the big hit Friday for Milwaukee, which hasn’t won six straight games since reeling off seven in a row May 12-19, 2009.

Lucroy will likely be back behind the plate Saturday to catch Randy Wolf. After being pounded for a season-worst eight runs in 4 2-3 innings of a 9-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs on June 9, Wolf has recorded a 1.93 ERA in his last two starts. The left-hander gave up one run and three hits in seven innings at Colorado on Sunday, but didn’t get the decision in Milwaukee’s 6-1 victory. Wolf has lost his only two career starts against the Mariners, both of which came in 2008. Seattle has lost two straight following a season-high six-game winning streak. Pitching had been carrying the Mariners prior to Friday’s loss, yielding six runs over the previous seven games. Freshly activated from the 15-day disabled list, Doug Fister will take the ball Saturday looking to help the staff bounce back. Fister, who had led the AL in ERA until Wednesday when he no longer had pitched enough innings to qualify, went on the DL following his start against Minnesota on May 31 with right shoulder fatigue.

Detroit Tigers vs Atlanta Braves Live Streaming

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4:10 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

The Atlanta Braves are the best home team in baseball, but Kenshin Kawakami still has nothing to show for it. Perhaps a start against the road-weary Detroit Tigers will change that. Kawakami will try again to end his lengthy losing streak Saturday when the Braves attempt to continue their dominance at Turner Field. Atlanta is 25-7 at home, winning 15 of 16 after beating Detroit 3-1 to open this three-game series Friday. That success is a major reason the Braves lead the NL East by one-half game over the New York Mets. Kawakami would like to add to that lead and get his first win since beating Florida on Aug. 31. Since then, the right-hander is 0-11 with a 4.45 ERA in 21 games - 14 starts - for the Braves’ longest slide since Jim Acker dropped 13 straight from Sept. 29, 1987-Aug. 16, 1989. Kawakami’s 0-9 start this season is a franchise record for a starter, and another defeat would make him the first 0-10 pitcher since St. Louis’ Anthony Reyes in 2007. The Braves, however, have won four of Kawakami’s six starts at Turner Field, where he’s 0-2 with a 4.66 ERA.

His most recent outing came at home and was his shortest of the season, lasting two-plus innings after getting tagged for five runs and six hits before the Braves rallied for an 8-5 win over Kansas City on Sunday. Kawakami’s time in the rotation may end with Jair Jurrjens expected to return from a strained left hamstring soon. Kawakami is competing with Kris Medlen - Friday’s winning starter - for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. The Tigers trail AL Central-leading Minnesota by one-half game, and some improved play on the road could vault them into first. Detroit has dropped 11 of 15 as the visitor since consecutive victories at Oakland from May 19-20. The staff held the A’s to three total runs in those wins, but has since compiled a 6.02 ERA on the road. Max Scherzer could help begin reversing that trend while also matching a personal-best three-game winning streak with Arizona from June 11-23, 2009. The right-hander has won consecutive starts and is 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 31 innings in five games since returning from a stint with Triple-A Toledo to work on his mechanics.

San Diego Padres vs Florida Marlins Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

The uncertainty surrounding their managerial situation could be a distraction for the Florida Marlins. Sending Josh Johnson to the mound might help them forgot about that for the time being. The right-hander tries for a fourth straight victory while looking to help the Marlins avoid a third consecutive loss and even their series with the NL West-leading San Diego Padres on Saturday night. Florida fell to 1-2 under interim manager Edwin Rodriguez after a 3-0 loss to San Diego on Friday. While Rodriguez is in charge for now, reports continue to surface that veteran manager Bobby Valentine remains the frontrunner to permanently replace the recently fired Fredi Gonzalez. However, talks between Valentine and the team were slowing down temporarily. Former Marlins and current Arizona third base coach Bo Porter also appears to be a candidate for the job.

The present has a chance to be pretty good for the Marlins with Johnson taking the ball Saturday. Among the major league leaders in ERA, Johnson has allowed four earned runs and struck out 51 batters in 57 innings while going 5-1 in his last eight starts. Johnson gave up a run and struck out nine in a 4-1 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. Johnson has been very good versus San Diego, going 1-0 with an 0.64 ERA in two starts. He tossed a three-hitter and struck out 12 in a 10-1 home victory over the Padres on April 26. The Padres are playing well enough to make matters tough on Johnson this time. Will Venable hit a two-run homer and Chase Headley added two hits Friday as San Diego won for the fourth time in five games and improved to 3-1 at Florida this season. Venable has homered three times in five games, all coming after a 45-game stretch without one.

Boston Red Sox vs San Francisco Giants Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

Clay Buchholz has quickly developed into one of the best pitchers in baseball. He’ll try to back up that claim by taking sole possession of the AL lead in wins. Buchholz will try to become the league’s first 11-game winner Saturday night when the Boston Red Sox face the San Francisco Giants in the middle game of this series in San Francisco. Buchholz has won seven of eight starts behind a 1.62 ERA after splitting his first six games of the season with a 3.82 ERA. He has 10 wins in 14 starts in 2010 after totaling nine victories in 31 starts over the previous two years. The outstanding turnaround could help the right-hander become the AL’s starter for next month’s All-Star game in Anaheim, and gaining sole possession of the league’s lead in victories could boost those chances. Buchholz is tied with Tampa Bay’s David Price and Phil Hughes of the New York Yankees for the most wins in the AL. Price will start against Arizona on Saturday.

Buchholz is also third in the league in ERA, two-hundredths of a point behind Price for second. He’s closed the gap in that category by seeing three of his last five outings result in shutout victories for the Red Sox. Buchholz turned in another superb effort Sunday, yielding three hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Another strong effort from Buchholz could help soften the blow of the potential absence of Dustin Pedroia, who left Friday’s 5-4 loss to the Giants after fouling a ball off his left foot. X-rays were negative, but the second baseman had a hard time putting weight on the foot and will undergo more tests Saturday. The Giants are looking to win for the eighth time in nine games at AT&T Park. Juan Uribe has spurred that stretch with a .379 average, three homers and five RBIs. He hit a solo shot in the series opener. Joe Martinez will take the mound for his first start since June 15, when he allowed four runs and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 4-1 loss to Baltimore in his season debut.

New York Yankees vs Los Angeles Dodgers Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

A.J. Burnett has come a long way from where he started the season, but that’s not a good thing. Coming off his latest in a string of terrible outings, Burnett looks to avoid losing five straight starts for the first time in five years when he takes the ball for the visiting New York Yankees on Saturday against the struggling Los Angeles Dodgers. Burnett displayed All-Star form the first month of the season, posting a 1.99 ERA through his first six starts while opening a career-best 4-0. He began to slip a bit over the following four weeks, going 2-2 with a 4.99 ERA, before completely derailing this month. The right-hander has posted a 10.35 ERA while losing his four June starts. Against Arizona on Monday, Burnett was knocked around for seven runs and nine hits in four innings of a 10-4 loss. Most of the damage came in the first inning, when he was tagged for five runs - all scoring on three homers.

This probably won’t happen if he can’t keep the ball in the park. After giving up four homers in his first 11 outings, Burnett has surrendered nine in 20 innings during his skid. It’s the most homers he’s allowed in a four-start span in his 12-year career. Burnett hasn’t lost five straight starts since Aug. 24-Sept. 14, 2005, the worst stretch of his career. Immediately before the start of that losing skid, Burnett held Los Angeles to six hits in eight innings of a 3-0 win for Florida on Aug. 19, 2005 - still his last outing against the Dodgers. He is 3-2 with a 2.45 ERA in seven career starts versus Los Angeles. The AL East-leading Yankees won Friday’s series opener 2-1, as Alex Rodriguez homered in the sixth inning to snap a 1-all tie in manager Joe Torre’s first game against New York since leaving as manager following the 2007 season.

Chicago Cubs vs Chicago White Sox Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

With their first double-digit winning streak in 34 years in tow, the next task for the Chicago White Sox is going for their first 11-game streak in nearly a half-century. They have a favorable set of circumstances to do it. Freddy Garcia has won five straight starts and is 4-0 in his career against the Chicago Cubs, who have a worn-out bullpen and a clubhouse controversy to worry about as they try to cool off the White Sox on the South Side on Saturday night. The White Sox haven’t lost since June 13 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, and that 1-0 defeat seemed like a distant memory in Friday afternoon’s series opener. Ozzie Guillen’s club jumped on Carlos Zambrano in the first inning, with Carlos Quentin’s three-run homer highlighting a four-run inning and providing all the offense the White Sox would need in a 6-0 win.

The South Siders have won 10 in a row for the first time since May 18-26, 1976, and Saturday they’ll go for their first 11-game streak since a 12-game run June 17-27, 1961. They’ll have a few factors working in their favor, perhaps none more significant than the recent success of Garcia. The right-hander has an unimpressive 4.42 ERA since May 5, but he’s 8-1 in that stretch behind an average of 7.07 runs of support. Garcia delivered his fourth quality start during his five-game winning streak Sunday at Washington, allowing three runs over seven innings in a 6-3 win at Washington. The two-time All-Star hasn’t faced the Cubs since 2007, but he’s 4-0 with a 1.25 ERA in five career starts versus the North Siders - including 3-0 with a 0.41 ERA while wearing a White Sox uniform. The Cubs turn to their most effective starter in an effort to avoid a seventh loss in eight games to their crosstown rivals, and they’ll desperately need Carlos Silva to take them deep in the game.

Cleveland Indians vs Cincinnati Reds Live Streaming

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7:10 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

The Cincinnati Reds haven’t had a problem scoring runs against the Cleveland Indians this season. Rookie starter Sam LeCure could use that kind of run support. The NL Central-leading Reds try for their fifth straight win Saturday night when they continue their intrastate series with the visiting Indians. After averaging hitting six homers while taking two of three in Cleveland from May 21-23, Cincinnati tagged Indians pitching for 12 hits in Friday’s 10-3 series-opening victory. Drew Stubbs homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs and Scott Rolen hit his third home run in his last two games against the Indians. The Reds, one-half game ahead of St. Louis for the division lead, are batting an NL-best .275 and averaging 4.9 runs.

LeCure has not benefited from that type of support. Since winning his major league debut May 28 against Houston, the right-hander has pitched opposite St. Louis’ Chris Carpenter, San Francisco right-hander Matt Cain, reigning AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke and Seattle’s Felix Hernandez, losing each time as the Reds have totaled five runs in those games. LeCure will try to help the Reds clinch their seventh consecutive series win against Cleveland, which dropped a season-worst 20 games below .500 with Friday’s loss. The Indians are 1-10 since a four-game winning streak, have dropped six straight on their current road trip, and have lost 22 of their last 28 games in NL parks.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Oakland Athletics Live Streaming

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10:05 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

Facing Trevor Cahill and the Oakland Athletics might not present the ideal scenario for the Pittsburgh Pirates to snap their lengthy road skid. The right-hander tries for a sixth straight victory while looking to help the A’s hand the Pirates their 16th consecutive road loss Saturday night. Oakland snapped a three-game skid with a 14-4 rout of Pittsburgh on Friday. The A’s are 7-0 versus the Pirates, mired in their longest road losing stretch since dropping 19 in a row July 23-Aug. 30, 1985. Facing Cahill for the first time might add to the challenge of ending that drought. The 22-year-old is 5-0 with a 2.62 ERA in seven starts since losing to the Los Angeles Angels on May 16. He allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, but didn’t factor in the decision of a 3-2 win at St. Louis on Sunday.

Cahill, 2-0 with a 3.44 ERA in three interleague starts this season, hopes for the same kind of support the A’s gave Ben Sheets and four relievers Friday. Among the lowest-scoring teams in the majors with 304 runs, the A’s broke out Friday for their highest scoring game of the season after totaling 20 total runs while losing seven of their previous eight. Coco Crisp, Cliff Pennington and Ryan Sweeney each had three hits as the A’s improved to 7-16 in June. Pennington is 20 for 42 in his last 13 games. Looking to win two straight for the first time since May 28-29, the A’s face Pittsburgh’s Daniel McCutchen, who is expected to be called up from the minors to start Saturday. McCutchen takes the spot of Zach Duke, who is expected to miss at least two more starts with an elbow strain. The right-hander, 4-5 with a 3.86 ERA in 10 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis, hasn’t gone more than four innings in any of his three major league starts in 2010.

Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels Live Streaming

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10:05 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

With a rare chance to move closer to the top of the AL West, the Los Angeles Angels couldn’t take advantage of their opportunity. The Angels look to keep pressure on the division leaders Saturday night when they continue their series with the Colorado Rockies. Trailing division-leading Texas by 4 1/2 games entering Friday, the Angels lost 4-3 in 11 innings to the Rockies and couldn’t make up any ground on the Rangers, who had their 11-game winning streak snapped with a 7-4 defeat to Houston.Looking to avoid a third straight loss for the first time since a season-high seven-game slide April 30-May 6, the Angels give the ball to Joe Saunders. The left-hander is 0-2 with an 11.88 ERA in his last two starts - both against NL clubs - after posting a 4-1 record in his previous six outings. Saunders matched a season low with 2 2/3 innings in Sunday’s 12-1 loss at the Chicago Cubs, giving up five runs and nine hits.

Saunders is 1-6 with a 6.75 ERA in eight starts at Angel Stadium this season. The Rockies, winners in six of eight, will counter with Aaron Cook. The veteran right-hander is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two career starts in Anaheim, but he is 0-4 with a 7.38 ERA in eight road starts this season. Cook hasn’t won outside Denver since July 16 at San Diego. Cook, among the NL leaders with a 6.39 run support average, will look for more backing after the Rockies were held to a season-low three hits in his last start, Sunday’s 6-1 loss to Milwaukee. Colorado has an opportunity to win its third straight series, which would be a first for the club since September.

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