Sports World: 07/04/10

Oakland Athletics vs Cleveland Indians Live Streaming

Sunday, July 4, 2010

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1:05 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

For whatever reason, the Oakland Athletics do their best work on the mound under natural light. The Athletics hope that trend continues with a strong effort from Vin Mazzaro on Sunday when they finish a three-game road series against the Cleveland Indians. Oakland has baseball’s best ERA in day games at 2.92, going 18-10 for the third-best mark in the majors. The Athletics’ night record of 22-32 is the second-worst in the AL, ahead of only Baltimore. Mazzaro has a 3.86 ERA in day games as opposed to a 4.74 mark at night heading into his second start against the team that handed him his first major league loss exactly one year ago. He gave up five runs over six innings last July 4 in a 5-2 loss at Cleveland after starting his career with 13 2-3 scoreless innings over two victories.

The right-hander won for the first time since June 8 when he yielded one run over six innings in a 4-2 win Tuesday at Baltimore. Mazzaro overcame a career-worst six walks as he filled in admirably for an injured Dallas Braden, who was placed on the disabled list Saturday. The A’s starter will face a Cleveland lineup without top slugger Shin-Soo Choo, who missed Saturday’s 5-4, 10-inning win for the Indians because of an injury to his right thumb. Choo was injured while attempting a diving catch on Jack Cust’s eighth-inning double Friday night. He’s headed for the DL after his glove hand appeared to bend awkwardly when he hit the ground. Choo leads the Indians with 13 homers and 43 RBIs in 78 games. Without Choo on Saturday, Cleveland won for the sixth time in seven games on Matt LaPorta’s RBI single in the 10th inning.

Seattle Mariners vs Detroit Tigers Live Streaming

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1:05 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

The Seattle Mariners said they haven’t made a decision whether or not to deal Cliff Lee, who will become a free agent at the end of this year. It’s hard to imagine his trade value getting any higher. Coming off his third straight complete game, Lee will take the mound for the Mariners on Sunday when they try to avoid being swept by the Detroit Tigers. When Seattle acquired Lee from Philadelphia in the offseason, it had hopes of contending in the AL West. The Mariners, though, are in last place in the AL West and likely to ship him to a contender before the July 31 trade deadline. Lee, who has five complete games this season, has a 1.33 ERA in his last three starts and the highest strikeout-to-walk ratio in the majors. General manager Jack Zduriencik said how the Mariners play over the next few weeks will determine what happens with Lee.

Lee is 5-9 with a 4.76 ERA lifetime against the Tigers, losing his last three starts. On Sunday, he’ll try to help the Mariners avoid being swept by Detroit, which has outscored Seattle 13-2 in the first two games of the series. Brandon Inge drove in three runs and Justin Verlander struck out 10 in seven innings of a 6-1 victory Saturday. The win moved the Tigers into a first-place tie in the AL Central with Minnesota. Detroit has scored 35 runs and hit .308 over its last six games and received another boost with the return of Miguel Cabrera, who was a late scratch Friday with lower back tightness. He went 1 for 2 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and walked twice while also scoring twice. The Tigers, who have won 12 of 13 at home, will hand the ball to Jeremy Bonderman, who looks to win his third straight start. Bonderman allowed four runs and nine hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 7-5 win over Minnesota on Monday.

Toronto Blue Jays vs New York Yankees Live Streaming

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1:05 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

Phil Hughes said the New York Yankees’ decision to skip his turn in the rotation made him stronger. Now, the Yankees would like to see him prove it. Coming off his worst performance of the season despite nine days of rest, Hughes looks to bounce back in his regular turn Sunday afternoon as the Yankees decide their series with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. Hughes has looked like a potential All-Star in his first full season as a starter, and New York recently made a move designed to prevent him from tiring later in the year. The Yankees skipped his turn June 25 at Dodger Stadium in an effort to limit his innings even though he’d won five straight starts. The rest certainly didn’t help Hughes on Tuesday against Seattle. He gave up season highs of 10 hits and seven runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 7-4 loss.

Hughes, however, has a 6.87 ERA over his last three starts while allowing four homers - the same total he gave up through his first 11 outings. One thing Hughes can typically count on is help from his offense. The Yankees give him an average of 8.49 runs, easily the best support in the majors. They’ll be hard-pressed to match their output from the third inning Saturday, however. New York totaled nine runs in losing three of four - falling 6-1 in the series opener - but scored all of its runs in the third during an 11-3 rout of the Blue Jays. Brandon Morrow gave up a run and four hits over seven innings while striking out eight against New York on June 6 in Toronto, and appeared to have his team on the verge of completing a three-game sweep. The Jays’ bullpen imploded, however, in a 4-3 loss. Morrow’s experience on the road has been far less impressive. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 2.82 ERA at home but 0-5 with a 6.69 ERA away from Rogers Centre.

New York Mets vs Washington Nationals Live Streaming

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1:35 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

Persistence has paid off for the Washington Nationals, who have a chance to take three of four games from their division rivals Sunday when they wrap up a series with the New York Mets. Washington has pushed every game against New York to the final out, winning two in walkoff fashion. After a ninth-inning rally fell short Friday night in a 5-3 defeat, the Nationals got the job done Saturday with a three-run rally off Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez for a 6-5 victory. Adam Dunn narrowly missed a game-ending homer, settling for a two-run double that was upheld by video replay to tie the score. Following an intentional walk, Ivan Rodriguez quickly ended the drama by slapping an opposite-field single to plate Ryan Zimmerman with the winning run.

For Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez, the last two games have been an adventure. He picked off the potential tying run to end Friday’s after yielding two hits, then had his worst outing of the season Saturday - giving up three runs, three hits and three walks while retiring only one batter. After throwing 27 pitches, it appears unlikely Rodriguez will be available for this game, making it more imperative for Hisanori Takahashi to end his recent funk. The left-hander has been tagged for 12 runs and 17 hits - four of them home runs - over 9 2-3 innings in his last two outings after compiling a 3-1 record and 3.15 ERA in his first six starts after joining the rotation. The Mets bailed Takahashi out Tuesday at Florida, rallying to tie the game and let their starter off the hook though they eventually fell 7-6. He allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings.

Baltimore Orioles vs Boston Red Sox Live Streaming

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1:35 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

John Lackey hasn’t dominated many opponents in 2010, but he keeps on winning. Such is life as a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Brian Matusz has numbers similar to Lackey, but hasn’t won since April. Such is life in the Baltimore Orioles’ rotation. Lackey and Matusz will oppose each other Sunday as the Red Sox go for a three-game sweep of the Orioles at Fenway Park. Lackey and Matusz have similar ERA’s, and Matusz actually has the better opponent batting average - .280 to Lackey’s .297. However, Lackey is in position to earn his 10th win - and sixth straight - Sunday, while Matusz will seek to avoid his 10th consecutive loss. Run support is the biggest reason for the disparity in their fortunes. Lackey has received 37 runs from the Boston offense in his five consecutive wins. Matusz, meanwhile, has gotten one run of support or less in eight of his last 12 outings. His 3.27 run support average is third-lowest among AL starters.

Despite yielding three runs or fewer in five of his last six outings, the 23-year-old left-hander is 0-9 in 13 starts since April 18. He had another respectable start Tuesday, allowing three runs over 6 1-3 innings, but got saddled with a 4-2 loss to Oakland. Matusz has faced the Red Sox twice without receiving a decision, giving up five runs over 11 2-3 innings in those starts. He’s been opposed both times by Lackey, who is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts this season versus Baltimore, and 9-3 with a 3.13 ERA in 13 starts lifetime. The Boston right-hander had more hits allowed than innings pitched for the 11th time in 16 starts Tuesday, but earned an 8-5 win over Tampa Bay after limiting the Rays to one run in seven innings. Lackey is 5-0 with a 3.72 ERA and an 8.80 run support average over his last seven starts.

Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates Live Streaming

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1:35 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

The Philadelphia Phillies finally saw their offense break out, and it may have come just in time for a major challenge. The Phillies look to salvage a split of a four-game series with the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday in their final road game before what should be a difficult homestand. Philadelphia managed a total of five runs during a three-game skid before using 15 hits to cruise to a 12-4 rout Saturday. Jimmy Rollins homered and drove in three runs, Shane Victorino had three hits and scored three times and Ryan Howard added three RBIs in the Phillies’ best offensive game of their 10-game road trip. Seven of the Phillies’ hits went for extra bases, and they got their leadoff hitter on base in each of the first five innings.

The Pirates, who missed a chance at their first four-game win streak, will have to try again to capture the season series from the Phillies for the first time since taking four of six in 2003. Pittsburgh has given up 24 runs in its two losses to Philadelphia while yielding a total of three in its three victories. A bright spot for Pittsburgh on Saturday was the first multi-hit effort of Pedro Alvarez’s career. The top prospect went 2 for 4 and hit his first career homer in the second inning. The rookie third baseman will get his first look at an improving Joe Blanton for Philadelphia. Blanton gave up three runs in 7 2-3 innings of Tuesday’s 9-6, 10-inning win at Cincinnati, and is 2-0 with a 3.80 ERA in his last three outings. The right-hander has dominated Pittsburgh in three career starts, going 1-0 with a 1.77 ERA.

Tampa Bay Rays vs Minnesota Twins Live Streaming

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2:10 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

James Shields and Nick Blackburn have to be thrilled that June is over, but both found some positives in the final outing of what was a dreadful month for both. Shields tries to snap a seven-start losing streak Sunday afternoon at Target Field, where Blackburn finally has a win to build on as he looks to help his Minnesota Twins salvage a split of their four-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays. Shields had a 2.99 ERA through his first 10 outings, but nothing’s gone right in the past six weeks. His last win came May 20—in relief — and he has an 8.55 ERA in his last six starts. Blackburn can certainly relate. The Minnesota right-hander went 5-0 with a 2.65 ERA in May, but was 0-4 with a 12.05 ERA in his first five June starts prior to Tuesday’s outing against Detroit. While Blackburn was hardly spotless, he and the Twins certainly won’t argue with the result. He gave up four runs over seven innings in a confidence-boosting 11-4 win.

Shields felt the same way about his final start last month, even though he failed to snap his losing streak. He was encouraged despite giving up five runs over five innings Tuesday at Boston in an 8-5 defeat. This will be Shields’ first time pitching at Target Field, but he figures to be happy for a new start away from the Metrodome. He was 0-1 with a 6.19 ERA in three previous starts there. Jason Kubel and Joe Mauer are both 7 for 15 versus Shields. Blackburn was 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay last season, but there’s one batter he’ll want to approach with caution. Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach is 6 for 9 with two homers against Blackburn. While Shoppach seems like an unlikely candidate to get a big hit, perhaps the most obscure name on the Rays’ roster delivered the big blow Saturday. Matt Joyce, batting .158, had a pinch-hit grand slam off reliever Matt Guerrier to cap a seven-run eighth inning in Tampa Bay’s come-from-behind 8-6 win.

Milwaukee Brewers vs St. Louis Cardinals Live Streaming

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2:15 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

After being shut down in St. Louis a day earlier, the Milwaukee Brewers bounced back with an impressive offensive showing. Duplicating that performance against Adam Wainwright would be even more remarkable. Wainwright looks to become the first pitcher in nearly two dozen years to win his first nine home starts when he takes the ball for the Cardinals in Sunday’s finale against the Brewers. Milwaukee managed just five hits in Friday’s 5-0 loss to St. Louis before pounding out 19 - nine off Chris Carpenter - in Saturday’s 12-5 win. Jim Edmonds homered among his four hits and had three RBIs, while Ryan Braun had three hits and two RBIs for the Brewers, winners in nine of 13. Milwaukee has also won 16 of its last 22 in St. Louis, but notching another victory there against Wainwright won’t be easy. Wainwright, second in the NL in wins and fourth in ERA, has posted a 1.49 ERA in winning his eight starts at Busch Stadium this season. No pitcher has opened a season with nine homes victories in as many starts since Bret Saberhagen for Kansas City in 1987.

Wainwright’s dominance in St. Louis extends back to last season, as he’s made a major league-record 23 consecutive quality starts at home, four more than any pitcher in history. Three of those outings have come against Milwaukee, including a two-hitter last month for his first career shutout. In an 8-0 win over the Brewers on June 4, Wainwright struck out eight, walked one, and retired the last 18 hitters he faced after a leadoff walk to Prince Fielder in the fourth inning. Wainwright’s made six starts against the Brewers since the start of last season, going 4-1 with a 0.99 ERA. He’s shut down Milwaukee’s top hitters in these games, limiting Fielder to two hits in 14 at-bats and Braun to two in 18. Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols homered for the fifth time in seven games Saturday, but St. Louis was trailing 11-2 at the time. The Cardinals have lost three of four and trail NL Central-leading Cincinnati by 1 1/2 games.

Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago Cubs Live Streaming

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2:20 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

A few extra days off didn’t solve Cincinnati Reds rookie Mike Leake’s recent struggles, but another matchup with the Chicago Cubs’ struggling offense could. In search of his first win in nearly a month, Leake will try to beat the Cubs for the second time this season and help the first-place Reds to their fourth consecutive series victory. With his home start against Chicago on April 11, Leake became the first Reds player and 21st overall since the draft began in 1965 to play his first professional game in the majors. He didn’t get a decision in that 3-1 win but allowed only one run and four hits in 6 2-3 innings. Leake went 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA in his first 11 outings, but he’s 0-1 with a 6.85 ERA in four starts since beating Washington on June 5. The Reds gave their the 22-year-old right-hander - who has thrown 95 1-3 innings - seven days of rest before Tuesday night’s game against Philadelphia.

The break didn’t help as Leake gave up a career-worst six runs over six innings in a 9-6, 10-inning loss. He gave up two homers Tuesday and has allowed five in the past four starts after surrendering four through his first 11 outings. Leake will try to bounce back with a third straight quality outing against Chicago. He beat the Cubs on May 9 by giving up three runs and four hits over seven innings in a 5-3 victory. This time, Leake will face a team that’s scored 23 runs its last 12 games while batting .212, including .169 with runners in scoring position. He’ll also look to improve upon his 2-0 record and 1.64 ERA in five road starts. Chicago matched a team record and finished one shy of the NL mark by stranding 17 runners Saturday but won 3-1.

San Francisco Giants vs Colorado Rockies Live Streaming

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3:10 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

The San Francisco Giants snapped their longest losing streak in three years with their highest-scoring game in five weeks. Considering the way Matt Cain has silenced the Colorado Rockies’ bats, they seem to have a good chance at winning two in a row. Cain tries to defeat the Rockies for the third straight time when he takes the ball in Sunday’s series finale at Coors Field. San Francisco plated 15 total runs during a seven-game skid - its longest since June 13-22, 2007 - before beating the Rockies 11-8 on Saturday. The Giants, who scored their most runs since a 12-1 win over Arizona on May 29, did most of the damage against Ubaldo Jimenez, the favorite to be named the starter for the NL All-Star team. San Francisco scored seven runs off Jimenez in the third inning, highlighted by Travis Ishikawa’s first career grand slam. Aubrey Huff added a two-run homer in the ninth, and is batting .419 with five home runs and nine RBIs in nine games against Colorado this season.

Cain also finds himself in a bit of a rut, and a start against the Rockies could be just what he needs. After posting a 0.55 ERA while winning four consecutive starts May 28-June 13, Cain has recorded an 8.22 ERA while losing his last three outings. Against the Dodgers on Tuesday, he gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings of a 4-2 loss, falling to 0-8 in 14 career starts versus Los Angeles. While Cain has had no luck against the Dodgers, he’s been outstanding in two wins against the Rockies this season. The right-hander allowed one hit over eight scoreless innings in a 6-1 victory May 1, and gave up one run and four hits in eight innings of a 4-1 win June 2. Although both of those starts came in San Francisco, Cain has also proven he can dominate at hitter-friendly Coors Field, limiting the Rockies to one run and four hits over 14 innings to win two starts there last season

Houston Astros vs San Diego Padres Live Streaming

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4:05 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

The San Diego Padres lead the majors with 12 shutouts. Three have come at the expense of the Houston Astros. After posting back-to-back shutouts, the Padres look to capture a four-game series at Petco Park from the Astros on Sunday in a series in which both teams’ starters have excelled the previous two nights. San Diego has outscored Houston 7-6 in this series, but the Astros haven’t scored since their 6-3, 10-inning win in Thursday’s opener. Mat Latos gave up four hits in eight innings in Friday’s 3-0 victory for the Padres, and Kevin Correia and two relievers combined on a six-hitter in a 1-0 win Saturday. Houston’s starters have also not allowed a run over the previous two games. Roy Oswalt gave up three hits over seven innings Friday and Bud Norris did the same Saturday for the Astros.

The Astros reliever who has started the eighth inning has been the culprit in both losses. Brandon Lyon was charged with all three runs Friday and Gustavo Chacin’s throwing error led to San Diego’s unearned run Saturday. The series finale pits San Diego’s Wade LeBlanc against Houston’s Brett Myers. The Padres hope to give LeBlanc some better support at home. LeBlanc fell to 2-4 with a 2.48 ERA in nine starts at Petco this season after allowing two runs over 6 1-3 innings in a 6-3 loss to Colorado on Tuesday. The left-hander matched a career high with eight strikeouts in that outing, but San Diego failed to score for him. The Padres have supported him with a total of 14 runs at home. LeBlanc has never faced the Astros. Myers, meanwhile, fell to 0-4 with a 5.61 ERA in his last five outings on the road after he gave up a season-high seven runs over six innings Tuesday in a 7-5 loss at Milwaukee.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks Live Streaming

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4:10 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

Playing without Manny Ramirez obviously isn’t an ideal situation for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but they’re proving they can still win without their slugger. The Dodgers, who have placed Ramirez on the disabled list, look to build on their highest-scoring game in nearly 2 1/2 months and win for the fifth time in six games in Sunday’s road series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ramirez strained his hamstring when his right foot made contact with the glove of San Francisco’s Edgar Renteria in a play at second base in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory. The 12-time All-Star, batting .322 with eight homers and 39 RBIs in 59 games, hasn’t played since and was finally put on the 15-day DL Saturday, retroactive to Wednesday. Hours after Los Angeles decided to shut Ramirez down, the team defeated the Diamondbacks 14-1. It was the Dodgers’ most-lopsided win of the season and the most runs they’d scored since a 14-6 victory in Cincinnati on April 21.

Matt Kemp, Rafael Furcal and Andre Ethier all homered and Ramirez’s replacement Xavier Paul, just called up from Triple-A Albuquerque, singled twice, drove in two runs and scored twice. The Dodgers, who remain 3 1/2 games behind NL West-leading San Diego, won for the third time in four games without Ramirez after going 7-10 in their first 17 games without him. Los Angeles’ impressive win also may have been the most embarrassing game of the season for the Diamondbacks. After an emotional 12-5 victory in Kirk Gibson’s managerial debut Friday, Arizona set a franchise record with six errors by a lineup that included five players who normally are backups. Gibson, who has said he wants his whole team to see regular playing time, decided to sit first baseman Adam LaRoche, second baseman Kelly Johnson, catcher Miguel Montero and left fielder Gerardo Parra. Shortstop Stephen Drew didn’t play because of a sore left knee.

Florida Marlins vs Atlanta Braves Live Streaming

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5:05 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

The Atlanta Braves won two of three in the first two series on their nine-game homestand, but they have to like their chances at coming away with a sweep in their third try. Tim Hudson has been one of the majors’ best pitchers at home, and he’ll aim for his sixth straight win at Turner Field while trying to help the Braves finish off a three-game sweep of the Florida Marlins on Sunday. Atlanta hasn’t scored more than five runs in any of its last eight games at home, but it’s gotten enough offense to support some outstanding pitching en route to a 6-2 record. All of its runs came in the fourth inning Saturday, as Omar Infante, Yunel Escobar and Gregor Blanco had consecutive RBI hits in the Braves’ 4-1 win. The Marlins have lost four straight to first-place Atlanta, and fell 10 1/2 games behind their NL East rivals.

Atlanta’s starters have a 2.44 ERA during the homestand, and perhaps none delivered a finer performance than Hudson on Monday. The right-hander continued to make a convincing case for his first All-Star appearance since 2004, pitching seven innings and outdueling phenom Stephen Strasburg in a 5-0 win over Washington. Hudson’s been especially effective at home. He lost his first start at Turner Field on April 21, but is 5-0 with a 1.30 ERA in his last five outings. His lone start against the Marlins came May 27 in rain-soaked South Florida. He allowed two runs over four innings, but didn’t come back after a 77-minute rain delay in Atlanta’s 8-3 win. Hudson is 8-2 with a 2.99 ERA in 16 career starts versus Florida. Ricky Nolasco was Hudson’s opponent that night, just like he’ll be Sunday afternoon. The right-hander seems to be finding his rhythm after an inconsistent first few months, and he’ll be seeking a third straight win for the first time this season.

Chicago White Sox vs Texas Rangers Live Streaming

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8:05 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

The Texas Rangers haven’t lost a series at home in more than a month. They haven’t lost a series in Arlington to the Chicago White Sox in four years. The Rangers will try to keep both streaks alive when the two clubs play the deciding contest of a three-game series Sunday night. Texas, which has the second-best home record in the AL at 29-13, has won four straight series in Arlington. The Rangers took 10 of 13 games in those series, outscoring the opposition 99-47 while hitting .335. They opened this 10-game homestand by blowing a 3-1 lead against the White Sox on Friday en route to a 5-3 loss. On Saturday, they held off Chicago’s attempts at another come-from-behind win, bouncing back with a 3-1 victory. In the eighth inning, the White Sox had runners on second and third with no outs, but only scored once. Then in the ninth, Brent Lillibridge reached third, but Carlos Quentin and Gordon Beckham struck out to end the game.

Texas will look to win its fifth straight series at home over Guillen’s club. Since losing three of four in Arlington in 2006, the Rangers have gone 10-4 at home against Chicago. To do that, they’ll have to win their third in a row against Mark Buehrle. Buehrle had his three-game overall winning streak snapped Monday against Kansas City after he gave up three runs, 10 hits and a season-high five walks in 6 1-3 innings of a 3-1 loss. It was his first loss since giving up six runs and a season-high 12 hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 9-6 defeat to Texas on June 1. Buehrle is 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA versus the Rangers this season after he’d won his previous three starts against them.

Kansas City Royals vs Los Angeles Angels Live Streaming

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8:15 pm EDT Sun Jul 4, 2010

The Los Angeles Angels began this weekend ranked among the top scoring teams in the majors, but hits have been at a premium against the Kansas City Royals. The Angels will try to snap out of their offensive funk and avoid being swept for the first time in two months Sunday night against the Royals. Kansas City entered this series ranked 25th in the majors with a 4.67 ERA, but has been very impressive on the mound in the first two games. Kyle Davies gave up one run in 7 2-3 innings of a 2-1, 10-inning victory Friday. Bruce Chen was even better Saturday, retiring the first 18 batters before giving up a hit to Erick Aybar to lead off the seventh en route to a 4-2 win.

Saturday’s loss dropped Los Angeles 4 1/2 games behind AL West-leading Texas. The Royals’ strong pitching has cooled the Angels, who haven’t lost three straight since a season-worst seven-game skid April 30-May 6. Los Angeles has 13 hits in this series and is 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. The Angels have scored nine runs in their last four games with Bobby Abreu going 2 for 17 and Howie Kendrick 2 for 16. However, Los Angeles, which was last swept by the Royals in June 2007, has to feel good about its chances to bounce back with Joel Pineiro on the mound. Pineiro is looking to match a career high by winning six straight starts for the first time since June 16-July 13, 2003. He gave up three runs in six innings of a 6-5 win over Texas on Tuesday, and has a 1.78 ERA in his last four starts.

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