Phils go for another win over NL East-leading Braves
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07/06/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top of the National League East got a little tighter
after the Phillies took yesterday's opener of a three-game series with the
first-place Braves.
Philadelphia will try to inch a little closer to the top spot tonight with a
second straight win over visiting Atlanta at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies, losers in four of five heading into Monday's opener, pulled
within four games of the Braves after claiming a 3-1 victory on Monday. Roy
Halladay won his 10th game of the season with his seventh complete game of
2010, allowing just Chipper Jones' solo homer in the first inning.
"As the game progressed, you realize it's going to be a close game," Halladay
said of recovering after Jones' homer. "It's like a lot of them -- you're
trying to minimize as much as you can and stay ahead in the count."
Halladay, who lowered his earned run average to 2.33 after his 56th career
complete game, seemed like he might be in line for another tough-luck loss
until Greg Dobbs hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning. Juan Castro
added an RBI single in the eighth for the Phillies, who have split 10 overall
meetings with the Braves this year but have taken three of the four played at
home.
Derek Lowe took the loss despite allowing just the two runs over seven innings
for the Braves, who have dropped four straight on the road and are just 18-25
as the guest this year compared to 30-10 at home. They lead the second-place
Mets by two games in the NL East standings.
"We're playing solid baseball," Jones said. "We've got some injures right now,
as they do. Everybody's got injuries. We just need to tread water until after
the break, get healthy and take it the rest of the way."
Atlanta played without Troy Glaus, Jason Heyward and Nate McLouth on Monday,
while Philadelphia is minus Carlos Ruiz, Placido Polanco, Chase Utley and
Brian Schneider. Glaus and Schneider could return this evening for their
respective clubs.
Jair Jurrjens will make his second start for the Braves since returning from a
strained left hamstring that sidelined him for two months. Pitching for the
first time since April 29, the right-hander yielded just a run on six hits and
two walks over five innings of a victory on Wednesday versus Washington.
Jurrjens threw 56 of his 86 pitches for strikes and improved to 1-3 on the
season with a 5.59 ERA.
"I felt really good, really strong," Jurrjens said. "I got my command and was
able to hit my spots when I wanted to. I think that was the whole key to the
game."
The 24-year-old is 3-3 with a 2.35 ERA in eight career starts versus the
Phillies, who counter with struggling lefty Cole Hamels.
The 26-year-old has lost consecutive starts and five of his last six
decisions, posting a 5.50 ERA over his last three outings. He pitched decent
versus the Pirates on Thursday, giving up three runs on five hits and two
walks over seven innings, striking out eight in a 3-2 defeat. He also didn't
allow a home run for the first time in six starts.
Hamels is 6-7 with a 4.07 ERA on the season and has faced the Braves twice
this year. He beat them on May 9 despite allowing three runs on eight hits and
four walks over just five innings, then took a loss to them in a rain-
shortened outing on June 1. Hamels allowed a three-run homer to Glaus and
pitched just two-thirds of an inning due to the delay for the shortest outing
of his career.
In 16 career starts versus the Braves, the southpaw is 8-5 with a 4.28 ERA.
<< Pirates begin series against hosting Astros
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two of the bottom teams in the National League get together
tonight when the Houston Astros host the Pittsburgh Pirates in game one of a
three-game series at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros, who finished fifth in the NL Centr
<< Wilson aims to pitch Rangers into win column vs. Indians
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - C.J. Wilson tries to get the Texas Rangers back on the
winning track this evening when they resume their three-game series with the
Cleveland Indians at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Texas fell for the fourth time in its
<< Cardinals pay a visit to Colorado
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of 2009 playoff teams get together tonight, when the
St. Louis Cardinals visit the Colorado Rockies for the first of three straight
games at Coors Field.
The Cardinals, who won the National League's Central Divisi
<< Red Sox go with Doubront versus Rays
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Felix Doubront returns to Boston's rotation this evening
when the Red Sox continue their three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays
at Tropicana Field.
Doubront will be stepping in for an injured Clay Buchholz, who was p
<< Tigers continue home set with Orioles after wild opener
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers hope to continue their home prowess this
evening when the American League Central leaders continue their three-game
series with the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park.
The Tigers moved into first place o
Cubs' Silva tries to put woes behind him in Arizona >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cubs' offensive struggles have caught up to starter
Carlos Silva, but the right-hander has reason to be encouraged given his
team's performance on Monday.
Chicago will try to win back-to-back games and hel
Votto, Reds resume set with Mets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - While the Reds' Joey Votto said he has moved past not being
selected for the National League All-Star team, there is little doubt he had
some extra motivation when he homered twice in Monday's series opening win
over Ne
Brewers aim to rebound vs. Giants >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - For Brewers shortstop Alcides Escobar, the All-Star break
can't come soon enough.
The 23-year-old will try to shake off his third crucial error in two games
this evening when Milwaukee hosts the San Francisco Giants
Twins send Pavano to hill in Toronto >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last time Carl Pavano faced the Toronto Blue Jays he
was rocked in only four innings of work. The Minnesota Twins hurler will shoot
for redemption tonight in the opener of a three-game series at Rogers Centre.
Pavano
Colaiacovo returning to St. Louis >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Blues have reportedly re-signed
unrestricted free agent defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Colaiacovo has agreed to a two-year
deal worth $4.25 million.
T
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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