07/04/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The American League West-leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will open a three-game series this evening against the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium.
The Angels, who are five games ahead of Oakland in the division, have won two straight and three of their last four games. In Wednesday's 7-4 home victory over the Athletics in the finale of a three-game series, Juan Rivera homered in the sixth inning to snap a tie and finished with three runs batted in. Erick Aybar added a solo homer and scored a pair of runs in a winning effort.
Angels starter Joe Saunders struck out five batters in 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs -- two earned -- on six hits and two walks. Closer Francisco Rodriguez registered his 34th save to match a pre-All-Star break record. He tied the mark set in 2003 by Atlanta's John Smoltz.
Jered Weaver will lead the Halos on the mound tonight, and he is 7-8 with a 4.30 earned run average in 17 starts this season. The long-haired right-hander suffered a tough loss his last time out, as he hurled six hitless innings and allowed one unearned run in a 1-0 loss at the Dodgers on Saturday.
Weaver is 3-2 in his previous five outings and owns a 2-1 record with a 5.17 ERA in three career starts against Toronto.
Toronto has lost two in a row after a three-game winning streak, including Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners in the finale of a three-game series at Safeco Field. Adam Lind clubbed a two-run and Lyle Overbay went 2- for-4 and scored a run in defeat.
Dustin McGowan started for the Jays and allowed four runs on six hits over six innings.
Toeing the rubber for Toronto on July 4th will be A.J. Burnett, who is 8-7 with a 4.74 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) this season. Burnett has won back-to- back starts and topped Atlanta his last time out in a 1-0 victory on Sunday.
Burnett hurled seven shutout frames of four-hit ball against Atlanta, striking out 11 Braves and issuing four walks.
The right-hander is 1-1 with a 3.43 ERA in three career starts against the Angels.
Anaheim has won four of its previous six 2008 meetings with Toronto and took two of three matchups with the Jays at Angel Stadium from May 30-June 1.
<< Rays try to keep shining in opener with Royals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays will try to run their winning streak to
five games this evening, when they begin a four-game series with the Kansas
City Royals at Tropicana Field.
The Rays' current winning run includes a three-g
<< Mariners try again to tame surging Tigers
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers try to continue their recent dominance
of the Seattle Mariners when the two teams continue their four-game series
this afternoon at Safeco Field.
Detroit has won six of seven from the Mariners th
<< Dodgers should get reinforcements for latest battle with Giants
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Dodgers have had problems scoring runs for
Derek Lowe this season. However, with two big-name players set to return from
the disabled list today, that may not be a problem.
Los Angeles is expected to get
<< Diamondbacks welcome Padres to Chase Field
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks are finally back
at the .500 mark and will try to maintain their division lead tonight, when
they open a three-game series versus the San Diego Padres at Chase Field.
Arizona sits j
Indians designate Borowski for assignment >>
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Indians designated closer
Joe Borowski for assignment Friday, days after he blew a save against the
Chicago White Sox.
Borowski went 1-3 on the season with a 7.56 earned run averag
Federer, Nadal to meet in third straight Wimbledon final >>
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 1 Roger Federer, seeking a
sixth straight title here, and two-time runner-up Rafael Nadal were Friday's
semifinal winners at The Championships, Wimbledon. The two superstars will
meet in
Martin signs with HMS for 2009 >>
Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mark Martin will replace Casey Mears in
the No.5 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports starting with the 2009 Sprint Cup
Series season.
After two years of semi-retirement, Martin declared he is ready
Padres place Barrett on DL with broken nose >>
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres placed catcher Michael
Barrett on the 15-day disabled list with a broken nose that may require
surgery.
Barrett left Wednesday's 8-1 loss to the Rockies after fouling a ball off
El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
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