Sunday 6/5/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

At the Gate - Sunday
By Mike Dempsey

The champion Beholder was an impressive winner of the $400,000 Vanity (G1), sent off as the 1-10 betting favorite and winning by 1 ½ lengths and returning her backers $2.40.

She won her 10th Grade 1 race and it is great to see a six-year-old mare stay in training instead of heading to the breeding shed. She has now won $4.7 million, winning 17 of her 22 career starts.

Santa Anita was not as lucky, with a huge minus show pool that cost the track and ADW’s over $160,000. A simple solution to these minus pols would be to eliminate breakage and pay off bettors to the penny.

Equally impressive was the runner up Stellar Wind, the three-year-old filly champion of last year who was making her first start since her runner up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

She was not really a threat to Beholder but certainly showed she is going to be a major force in the division this year.

Keep an eye on the skies in New York today, we have a 60% chance of rain, but I am hoping we remain on the turf.


Here is today’s opener from Belmont Park to get the day off to a good start:

BEL Race 1 Md $40,000 (1:30 ET)
#4 Simon Kenton 4-1
#3 Jeremy's Song 7-2
#6 Invisible Crown 5-1
#8 Cav 6-1

Analysis: Simon Kenton drops in for a tag for the first time here for the Motion barn. He made a mild late run to finish fourth last out over good ground at Laurel Park and was only beaten a neck two back in a game finish. He gets a jock upgrade to Rosario and catches a field he should be able to handle. He is a half to stakes winner Clear Sailing ($128,940).

Jeremy's Song dueled for the early lead and could not match strides late with the winner in a runner up finish last out for a $40,000 tag here. He now has 16 trips with six in the money finishers, but just three on turf. He is out of the stakes winner Pampered Princess ($786,125) who has dropped three winners and two have won on turf. Castellano takes over from the five-pound bug.

Wagering
WIN: #4 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 3,4 / 3,4,6,8
TRI: 3,4 / 3,4,6,8 / 3,4,6,8,11

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 8 The Wonder Again (5:13 ET)
#3 Harmonize 3-1
#5 Elysea's World 7-2
#2 Time and Motion 5-1
#6 Grey Stark 8-1

Analysis: Harmonize stumbled coming out of the gate, was outrun in the early going and came with a good late run to finish third last out in the Edgewood (G3) at Churchill Downs second off the bench. Two back off a five-month layoff she won the Sanibel Island at Gulfstream Park. She won the Jessamine (G3) last fall as well. She looks as if she will relish nine furlongs and was only beaten 3 3/4 lengths over yielding ground in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

Elysea's World is one of four in here sent out by the Brown barn. The filly made her U.S. debut a winning one odd an 11-month layoff beating Alw-1 optional claimers. She broke her maiden in her debut last June at Chantilly. The extra ground here will suit her and she looks as if she has a ton of upside.

Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 3,5 / 2,3,5,6
TRI: 3,5 / 2,3,5,6 / 2,3,5,6,8

Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Belmont Park
R2: #3 Marriage Fever 15-1
R5: #10 Corpie the Cat 12-1
R6: #7 Cats Halo 10-1
R7: #9 Bold Bid 10-1
R8: #6 Grey Stark 8-1

Good luck today!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Running Aces

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 8 - Post: 8:34 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 75 - Purse:$6000 - FILLIES & MARES N/W OF $2500 IN LAST 4 OR $3100 IN LAST 5 STARTS AE: N/W OF 6 EXT.PM RACES LT OR $650 PER START IN 2016 AE: OPT.CLAIMING $5000 WITH ALLOWANCES RUNNING ACES NO. 2 & 7 UNCOUPLED MUTUEL ENTRY MN-SIRED ALLOWED: 1 EXTRA PM WIN; 30% ON ALL CONDITIONS ADDITIONAL 50% CLAIMING ALLOWANCE MN = MINNESOTA SIRED L = LASIX B = BUTE F = BANAMINE K = KETOPROFEN


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 8 SOMEISLANDSOMWHERE 8/1


# 5 RELENTLESS SPIRIT 5/1


# 3 SECRET ALIBI 3/1


Look no further than SOMEISLANDSOMWHERE as the wager today and just look at the nice morning line. Smart handicappers must not gloss over nice horses starting from of the 8 post as their return on investment has significantly exceeded the expected average. RELENTLESS SPIRIT - The 5 post sports a much better than average win figure at Running Aces. SECRET ALIBI - The handicapping team knows that speed is King in harness racing. This nice horse will unlock our way to a nice win. Seems to have a good class edge based on the standardbreds she has raced against.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Century Downs

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 9 - Post: 3:50 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 77 - Purse:$3400 - CLAIMING 5000


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 1 GREEK RULER 3/1


# 4 ATTACK MODES BILLY 6/1


# 2 REVOLER 8/1


If you want a really strong play in this contest, feast your eyes on GREEK RULER. The knowledge group saw this horse's name in a newspaper. Call it our coffee house play, worth a small wager. Considered a solid bet based solely on his high top prize percentage. Outstanding in the money stat for Lancaster and this solid standardbred. A nice likelihood to get the win. ATTACK MODES BILLY - He's racing in good form, recording clear-cut speed figures. An excellent selection. Comes into this outing with very good TrackMaster class stats as compared to the bunch - worth a look. REVOLER - Expert selectors at Century Downs will notice this fine animal's pace ratings are among the most solid in the race.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Arlington

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 1 - Claiming - 6.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $11000 Class Rating: 71

FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD OR FILLIES AND MARES FOUR YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE MAY 5, 2016 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 5 KRIS ROAD 5/2


# 1 APPOLLOS BABY GIRL 9/5


# 6 COCO GIA 6/1


KRIS ROAD has a very strong shot to take this race. With a reliable jockey who has won at a formidable 16 percent clip over the last 30 days. This has to be one of the top picks. Emigh ought to be able to get this mare to break out quickly for this event. Could best this group of horses based on the Equibase Speed Figure - 71 - of her last outing. APPOLLOS BABY GIRL - Looks solid against this field and should be one of the front-runners. Could best this group of horses based on the speed figure - 77 - of her last affair. COCO GIA - Must be considered here on the basis of the figs in the speed section alone. The speed figure of 73 from her last contest looks very good in here.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Belterra Park

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 3 - Claiming - 5.0f on the Turf. Purse: $8600 Class Rating: 73

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 118 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE MAY 5 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $10,000 OHIO REGISTERED FOALS PREFERRED). (IF TRANSFERRED TO THE MAIN TRACK, THIS RACE WILL BE RUN AT FIVE


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 7 ROJO MOJO 8/1


# 2 CAPTAIN COOK 5/2


# 6 DADS DIVINE 12/1


I've got to go with ROJO MOJO especially at such a decent 8/1. Orm's return on investment over the last month automatically makes this animal a sharp contender. Looks decent to be close to the front end at the first call. Has a strong shot in this competition if you like back class. CAPTAIN COOK - May best this field here, showing decent figs of late. Ccamaque will almost certainly be able to get this gelding to break out sharply in this event. DADS DIVINE - His chances to prove victorious are much better this time around facing this less demanding field. The speed figure of 67 from his last affair looks strong in here.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Churchill Downs - Race #5 - Post: 2:43pm - Claiming - 7.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $30,000 Class Rating: 103

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#2 CALM PACIFIC (ML=8/1)
#6 TIZNOW R J (ML=5/1)
#3 HOLIDAY MAN (ML=5/2)


CALM PACIFIC - This gelding has been posting some excellent workout times. Forgive the off the board finish on the off track last time around the track. Under normal track conditions, has a good chance in this field. TIZNOW R J - A wise man taught me to wager on the lone speed horse. Take a look at this one. This colt is back in a race very quick. This is a great angle - Sprinters that come back in less than 10 days after a race. A good sign of a sharp and ready racehorse. When this jockey and conditioner join forces you have to take a look. Albarado and Bourgeois have been wonderful together. HOLIDAY MAN - Asmussen seems to have this colt primed for a big effort. His workout pattern is super. The most recent speed figure of 103 is the top last race speed fig in the bunch.

Vulnerable Contenders: #5 FOURTH OF JULY (ML=3/1), #8 DREAM SEEKER (ML=7/2), #1 TRUE RAJ (ML=8/1),

FOURTH OF JULY - This stretch-runner should have a rough go of it to get up in time with the deficiency of pace in this race. This vulnerable equine didn't go to the lead and didn't close down the lane last time he ran. Don't think this mount will do much running today. That last fig was substandard when compared with today's class rating. DREAM SEEKER - This rallier should have a rough go of it to get up in time with an absence of speed in this race. TRUE RAJ - Sophomore versus older for the first time is a tough one. Have to see this effort first. Improbable that the speed figure he registered on Apr 29th will be enough in this event.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#2 CALM PACIFIC to win at post-time odds of 7/2 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [2,3,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [2,3,6] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[2,3,6] with [2,3,6] with [2,3,6,7,8] with [2,3,6,7,8] Total Cost: $36

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Presque Isle Downs - Race #2 - Post: 5:50pm - Maiden Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,000 Class Rating: 59

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#6 CELESTE'S BULL (ML=3/1)
#5 HOOSIERS R AWESOME (ML=4/1)


CELESTE'S BULL - We have lots of early speed with this noble animal. She could wire this field. Taking a trip down the ladder based on class rating points; has the class to make her presence felt. Trying to be a first time winner moving from a race on the grass to the main track. I think Crago will have her fit and ready for today's event. HOOSIERS R AWESOME - After the race aboard this horse on May 22nd, the rider is going to be in touch with the filly much better. Have to make this filly a solid contender; she comes off a strong contest on May 22nd.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 SAULT STARR (ML=5/2), #3 GONNA WANNA WINK (ML=7/2), #1 NORTH CAPTIVA (ML=9/2),

GONNA WANNA WINK - When looking at today's class rating, she will have to register a much better speed fig than last time out to battle in this dirt route. NORTH CAPTIVA - Difficult to play any horse to turn things around if there is no value to taking the risk. Improbable that the speed rating she garnered on May 22nd will be enough in this race.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Have to go with #6 CELESTE'S BULL on the win end if we get at least 6/5 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [5,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park

RACE #8 - BELMONT PARK - 5:13 PM EASTERN POST

The Wonder Again Stakes

9.0 FURLONGS INNER TURF THREE YEAR OLD FILLIES STAKES $200,000.00 PURSE

#3 HARMONIZE
#5 ELYSEA'S WORLD
#8 VERBOUWEN
#7 GIOIA STELLA

Well folks ... the storied Darby Dan Farm has been churning out some of racing's best since 1935. Under the leadership of the Phillips family dating back to 1988, they have found particular success with grass fillies in the care of trainer James Toner. One of their finest was Wonder Again, for whom, this race is named. The full sister to Japanese champion Grass Wonder won the Noble Damsel (G3), New York (G2), and Garden City (G1) at Belmont Park, home of her namesake race. She was also victorious in Saratoga's Lake Placid (G2) and Diana (G1). Here in just the third running of this stakes test, #3 HARMONIZE has produced "POWER RUNS" in each of her last five outings, hitting the board in four, including a trio of "POWER RUN WINS" being embedded in this recent streak of racing consistency. #5 ELYSEA'S WORLD, an Irish-bred entry, is undefeated in a two race career, winning both in "POWER RUN FASHION" Jockey Javier Castellano was in her irons for that last win, 24 days ago here at Belmont Park, and Castellano is back this afternoon here at Elmont for his 2nd ride, gunning for back-to-back "Circle Trips."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hawthorne Harness: Sunday 6/5 Analysis
By Jeremey Day

DRF HARNESS

Best Bet (4 - 7 / $27.80): ALWAYS KENZER (4th)

Spot Play: TERRORIZE THE MOON (7th)


Race 1

(3) BURRY ME INTHESAND has been facing much tougher; short price. (2) ANNIE GIRL makes her career debut against a soft bunch. (4) JETM has a nice pedigree and room to improve.

Race 2

(5) FOURBOLTMANE has played the bridesmaid in three straight but looks to have lots of ability. (8) POCKET PARTY beat a softer bunch last week and could have more to offer. (1) DAKOTA ROAD just raced evenly last start while burning cash; command a price.

Race 3

(10) KICKINITWITHKOHLER raced big last week from a tough spot, just missing. If the 4-year-old mare can find a way into the race, she‘s a threat at a price. (5) STIRLING EMISSARY owns a win at the track against similar. (6) MR BLITZ closed good ground last week from a tough spot.

Race 4

(1) ALWAYS KENZER gets the best post while down in class; big chance. (6) TRACY‘S HERO was impressive off the layoff and has lots of room to improve second start back. (4) DAKOTA ROADSTER had no excuse last out, but was unable to seal the deal late; use caution.

Race 5

In a tough race to gauge, (9) FOX VALLEY ETHAN can beat this field with a similar effort to his start off the bench three back. (6) HEARTLAND DESIRE is probably just now back in racing shape and will offer a big price. (7) BIG MITCHUM is a well bred pacer that makes his third lifetime start and has room to move forward.

Race 6

(5) CERTAINLY went from empty to awesome last week. If the 4-year-old puts in a similar effort he can score two straight. (2) ROCKANDROLL JESSE is a lightly raced trotter that comes off a miscue but made up a ton of ground. (1) CELEBRITY HERCULES looks to offer low value but is dropping down quite a bit.

Race 7

(6) TERRORIZE THE MOON faces much weaker and should offer value with a provisional driver. (3) SIMPLY BURBON got a nice win last week, pacing up a storm late. That mile puts her on the ticket if she can repeat it. (1) DAGGY looks to be in line for an excellent ground-saving trip.

Race 8

(10) BIG EXPENSE has already beaten better on the year; fires early. (8) FOX VALLEY QATAR is ready to pop a victory any week; driver‘s choice. (6) MACIE RAE is racing gamely and can hit the ticket at a price with a smooth trip.

Race 9

(1) BET ON HIM just missed a few days ago with a furious late rally. The pacer is always a threat at this level. (7) TURN IT UP LOUD gets sent out for capable connections; threat. (3) HOLY MCMOSES rarely wins but is capable of hitting the ticket; use underneath.

Race 10

(7) FOX VALLEY AMANDA looks ready to roll off a nice qualifier, even off the layoff. (2) OUR MISS SPECIAL put in a sneaky good effort last start on the off track; threat. (3) BABYSHOEBUYER mare is 0 for the year, but has jumped up with huge miles out of the blue before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Sunday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE

Arlington Park (1st) Hold Me Sue, 6-1
(8th) Ice Climber, 7-2

Belmont Park (4th) Lightning Buzz, 6-1
(5th) Herthum, 10-1


Belterra Park (5th) Next in Line, 9-2
(7th) Flying Candy Ride, 4-1


Canterbury Park (4th) Sioux Hockey, 9-2
(5th) Blazing Angel, 6-1


Churchill Downs (3rd) Euro Step, 5-1
(7th) Where's Woody, 3-1

Emerald Downs (1st) Kings Court, 3-1
(10th) Eddie Sue, 8-1


Golden Gate Fields (4th) Siberian Charm, 3-1
(5th) Morning Storm, 10-1


Gulfstream Park (8th) Sir Sparky, 5-1
(10th) Sea Cookie, 6-1


Hastings Park (4th) Get Aboard, 8-1
(7th) Majestic Mark, 7-2


Lone Star Park (7th) Uncle Witt, 4-1
(10th) Smileswinningsong, 7-2


Monmouth Park (5th) Scottish Sweetie, 5-1
(9th) Countess Geraldine, 8-1


Mountaineer (1st) Park Walk, 5-1
(2nd) Godings Alley, 7-2

Parx Racing (4th) Wils Reward, 10-1
(9th) Bashart, 4-1

Pimlico (4th) Maximus Mike, 3-1
(6th) Mack the Knife, 9-2

Prairie Meadows (4th) Kaspian Warrior, 3-1
(6th) Classy Cove, 4-1

Presque Isle Downs (4th) Delightful Corine, 8-1
(8th) Downtown Cowboy, 4-1


Santa Anita (5th) Chanito, 6-1
(7th) Dustin's Passion, 7-2


Woodbine (4th) Rebel Music, 10-1
(5th) Milwaukee Magic, 6-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

June Pitchers Report
By Marc Lawrence

You know the saying, “May flowers bring June showers.”

For Major League Baseball pitchers hurling during the month of June, showers are hopefully not in their immediate plans. Instead, it’s the hope of all MLB starting pitchers to stay around long enough in their starts to avoid having to clean up and go home early.

Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team-starts over the course of the last three seasons during the month of June. On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle in June, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts.

To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each June over the last three years. And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure rate either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.

Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season’s June list.


GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:

Arrieta, Jake - 8-4 (6-2 A)

Only Clayton Kershaw has been in Arrieta's stratosphere since 2015. The right-hander is in the right organization which has allowed his abundant talents to flourish and this season opposing batters are hitting a mere .168 against him. His effortless delivery and mid-90's fastball causes a lot of swings and misses as does his breaking pitches.

Cole, Gerrit - 10-2 (6-0 A)

Cole is now the ace of the Pittsburgh staff and expertly commands a two and four-seam fastball in the mid to upper 90's which he can sink or have riding action. After a sluggish start to season, his ERA is down to close to 2.50 and expect him to have another fine month. Note: Cole’s numbers above reflect his career team mark during June.

*Colon, Bartolo - 10-5 (7-0 H)

The 43-year old right-hander just keeps churning along on staff that is very talented and youthful. Colon knows how and where to spot his fastball, which he tosses 70 or more percent of the time and blends in a quick slider that has excellent depth. The fact is Colon understands his craft and wins.

Lackey, John - 11-5 (6-1 H)

Remember for years no pitcher in his right mind would want to pitch at Wrigley Field, now they line up for the chance. Being a talented young team helps and Lackey is the right fit, with fastball he keeps low in the zone and sinker opposing hitters cannot elevate. Through two months, the batter's Lackey has faced are at a lowly .209 batting average and his WHIP is sick 0.97.

Sanchez, Anibal - 9-4 (8-3 H)

The Detroit hurler has gotten off to a rugged start with ERA over 6 as June began. Sanchez's problems revolve around lack of pitch placement, not even having 2-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio and giving up more than a hit an inning. Of the 58 hits allowed, 11 have left the yard and if the Tigers are going to be contenders in the AL Central, Sanchez will have to throw like previous June's.

*Scherzer, Max - 11-4 (6-2 A)

If you research Mad Max's numbers, many are at or below career norm, yet he begins this month with an ERA over 4. The problem is too many pitches right down the middle, which is why he on pace to give up 45 home runs (15 thru May). If Scherzer solves this, he will have a great rest of the year.

Tillman, Chris - 11-3 (4-1 A)

After an off year in 2015, the Orioles righty has come back in a big way. When he's at his best like he has been this year, Tillman works his low 90's heater at the knees on both sides of the dish and his curve and changeup have sharp downward motion. He starts this month with hitters at .203 batting average versus his tosses.

Volquez, Edinson - 11-5 (7-1 A)

The Royals right-hander is doing what he does best, as in nine of his 11 starts for Kansas City he has induced double digit groundball outs. Volquez is still thought to be a power pitcher and gets numerous weak swings with tilted curve and deluxe changeup he will throw on any count.

*Zimmermann, Jordan - 12-5 (8-3 H)

After an unbelievable start, Zimmermann has drifted back to the previous career numbers. He pulled a groin late last month, but is expected to make start on June 3rd and continue from that point. His strengths include four pitches he trusts to throw for strikes and he has shown greater durability thus far in the AL.


BAD MONTH PITCHERS:

Miller, Shelby - 6-12 (2-6 A)

After disastrous start with Arizona, having ERA over 7, maybe a trip to the DL with bad finger on throwing hand will settle Miller down, who looks like he is trying to throw a no-hitter on every pitch and is getting hammered. The talent has always been in place, just not the execution as this record shows. Note: Miller’s numbers above reflect his career team mark during June.

Verlander, Justin - 4-10 (2-5 H)

No longer equipped with high 90's fastball, Verlander tends to give up runs in bunches these days. He can be sailing along for three to five innings and then give up three or four runs in single inning. Without the necessary secondary pitches, he's become easier to hit a third time through the lineup.

Weaver, Jered - 5-10 (1-6 A)

It is sometimes tough to watch former aces who were among the best in the game, as their stuff is in decline and they are not close to what they used to be. This is the case of Weaver, whose fastball barely reaches 85 MPH, which makes his breaking ball and assortment of change-ups less effective. It is no accident at this juncture hitters are clocking him for .311 BA.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Cubs' Hammel stars with arm and bat
By The Sports Xchange

CHICAGO -- Chicago pitcher Jason Hammel did damage with both the bat and his arm while leading the Cubs to a 5-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on a rainy Saturday at Wrigley Field.
Hammel (7-1) hit a two-run single in the fourth inning to give the Cubs the lead for good and allowed two runs and one hit in seven innings. He helped Chicago improve to 8-1 during its homestand and boost the best record in baseball to 39-15.
Chicago's Dexter Fowler belted his third leadoff homer of the season and 17th of his career. Anthony Rizzo also homered for the Cubs.
Jake Lamb hit a two-run shot for Arizona (24-34), which fell a season-worst 10 games below .500.

Astros 6, Athletics 5 (12)
HOUSTON -- Carlos Correa lined a walk-off single to right field with one out in the 12th inning as Houston claimed the victory over Oakland.
Astros right fielder George Springer opened the 12th with a double to right off Athletics closer Ryan Madson and reached third base when Jose Altuve followed with a sacrifice bunt. Correa slapped the first pitch of his at-bat into right field as Houston won for the 10th time in 12 games.
Oakland tied the game in the top of the ninth when second baseman Jed Lowrie slugged his first homer of the season. It marked the second straight blown save for Astros closer Luke Gregerson.
The Athletics have dropped the first two games of the series after entering with a five-game winning streak.

Nationals 6, Reds 3
CINCINNATI -- Adam Duvall's three-run homer in the eighth inning lifted the Cincinnati to the victory over Washington Nationals on a stormy afternoon that saw rain delays of 20 minutes in the fifth inning and again 1:04 in the eighth.
Duvall homered on a 1-1 pitch from Shawn Kelley moments after the game was resumed in the eighth to snap a 3-3 tie. It was Duvall's 16th home run this season and third in as many games.
Joey Votto and Jay Bruce also homered for Cincinnati, which has won five of eight since ending an 11-game losing streak.
It was a historic day but painful afternoon for Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg, who struck out 10 and reached 1,000 strikeouts for his career but later left with a lower leg injury. In the sixth inning, he appeared to tweak something in his leg and appeared to be favoring his leg following several pitches before being removed from the game.

Dodgers 4, Braves 0
LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw pitched six shutout innings as Los Angeles blanked Atlanta.
Kershaw gave up three hits but struck out only four in his shortest outing of the season. He has won six of his past seven starts.
Justin Turner and Joc Pederson each had two hits and one RBI for the Dodgers. Trayce Thompson had three of Los Angeles' five stolen bases.
The Braves' 16-39 start is the franchise's worst since 1911.

Indians 7, Royals 1
CLEVELAND -- Francisco Lindor, Tyler Naquin and Mike Napoli each homered as Cleveland defeated Kansas City for the third straight day.
Josh Tomlin (8-1) allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings as the Indians won their fourth straight game. Cleveland (30-24) moved past Kansas City (30-25) and into first place in the American League Central.
Reymond Fuentes had a run-scoring single for the Royals, who have been outscored 18-6 in the series heading into Sunday's finale.

Yankees 8, Orioles 6
BALTIMORE -- Starlin Castro and Austin Romine each knocked in two runs as New York jumped out to an early seven-run lead and then held on to defeat Baltimore.
The Yankees had 16 hits in the contest with Castro going 3-for-5 and driving in runs with a single and a double. Alex Rodriguez also went 3-for-5 and drove in a key insurance run with a single in the ninth inning that stretched the New York lead to two.
Baltimore used its power to cut into New York's 7-0 lead and score six runs in the seventh. Mark Trumbo led off with a homer, Pedro Alvarez added a two-run shot and Adam Jones hit a three-run blast.

Pirates 8, Angels 7
PITTSBURGH -- Jung Ho Kang, Gregory Polanco and Matt Joyce hit home runs and Pittsburgh used a five-run seventh inning to break a four-game losing streak by knocking off Los Angeles.
Pirates left-hander Jeff Locke (5-3) allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings and has won a career-best four starts in a row. Mark Melancon pitched a perfect ninth for his 17th save.
Joyce's blast was a three-run, pinch-hit shot to cap the five-run seventh inning.
Kole Calhoun and Shane Robinson homered for the Angels, who used a four-run eighth inning to move within one.

Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 4
BOSTON -- David Ortiz singled home two more runs and Boston ended its three-game skid and Toronto's four-game winning streak.
Ortiz, who leads the majors with 53 RBIs, was pitched to with runners on second and third and one out in the third inning and broke his bat on his two-run single -- giving him 28 RBIs in his last 22 games.
Mookie Betts added two RBI hits and a stolen base, and Xander Bogaerts delivered three hits for the Red Sox.
Toronto had just four hits, and lost for just the third time in 12 games.

Rangers 10, Mariners 4
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Elvis Andrus and Nomar Mozara homered and Texas racked up 14 hits to win for the sixth time in seven games by knocking off Seattle.
Ian Desmond had three hits and has seven in the first two games of the series. Andrus, Jurickson Profar, Rougned Odor and Ryan Rua each had six games.
Nelson Cruz homered and also had a run-scoring groundout for the Mariners. Chris Iannetta had three of Seattle's 11 hits.

Mets 6, Marlins 4
MIAMI -- Michael Conforto tied the score with a single and pinch hitter Matt Reynolds had the go-ahead RBI as New York rallied in the eighth inning to beat Miami.
Conforto, who had two RBIs after not being in the original starting lineup, broke a 0-for-20 skid with the eighth-inning single that drove in James Loney, who had hit a leadoff double. Reynolds gave the Mets a 4-3 lead later in the by slicing an opposite-field single to right.
Curtis Granderson added a two-run double in the ninth for New York.
Martin Prado hit his first homer of the season for the Marlins.

Tigers 7, White Sox 4
DETROIT -- Mike Pelfrey collected his first victory with Detroit in his 11th start and J.D. Martinez drove in three runs as the Tigers downed Chicago.
Pelfrey (1-5) allowed two runs on five hits in six innings. He had lost his last nine decisions, including his last four with the Minnesota Twins last season. His last victory was Aug. 12 against Texas.
Martinez, who scored two runs, hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the sixth. Cameron Maybin added three hits, a run scored and two RBI for Detroit, and Francisco Rodriguez got the final out for his 16th save.
White Sox ace Chris Sale (9-2) failed in his third attempt to become the league's first 10-game winner. He gave up four runs and a season-high nine hits in 6 1/3 innings while striking out a season-low two batters.

Brewers 6, Phillies 3
PHILADELPHIA -- Domingo Santana launched an eighth-inning, tie-breaking home run off Philadelphia's Hector Neris as Milwaukee handed the Phillies their eighth loss in nine games.
Scooter Gennett pounded a 3-and-2 fastball from Andrew Bailey up the middle for a two-run, two-out single in the ninth to make it a three-run margin. Jonathan Villar also homered for the Brewers.
Tommy Joseph hit a solo homer and Cesar Hernandez hit a two-run for Philadelphia. The home run was Hernandez's first since May 30, 2015.

Rays 7, Twins 4
MINNEAPOLIS -- Tampa Bay slugged four homers among 11 hits while positing the victory over Minnesota.
Hank Conger, Steven Souza Jr., and Evan Longoria went deep before a 70-minute rain delay and Logan Morrison added a blast afterward as the Rays rallied from a pair of early deficits to win their second straight game.
Longoria's solo shot in the fifth inning was his third homer in as many games, the first time he's homered in three consecutive games since August of 2013.
The Twins have lost five of its last six games.

Cardinals 7, Giants 4
ST. LOUIS -- Stephen Piscotty and Matt Adams belted back-to-back tiebreaking homers to start the sixth inning and help St. Louis recover from a 4-0 deficit and post the victory over San Francisco.
Piscotty's blast gave the Cardinals a 5-4 lead and Adams followed with his shot. Brandon Moss and Aledmys Diaz also hit homers for St. Louis.
Brandon Crawford had two hits and scored twice for the Giants, who lost for just the fifth time in their last 23 games.

Padres 4, Rockies 3
SAN DIEGO -- Wil Myers and Derek Norris homered to lead San Diego past Colorado.
The two-run homer by Norris in the second-inning gave the Padres a 3-2 lead. Matt Kemp's RBI single in the third made it a two-run margin.
The Rockies have lost four straight and seven of their past eight games. Nick Hundley had three hits for Colorado

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (33-23) at Reds (21-35)

Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: June 05, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

The Cincinnati Reds struggled mightily to win games in April and May, but they've been unbeatable thus far in June.

They can improve to 5-0 this month with a second consecutive three-game home series sweep of the NL East-leading Washington Nationals on Sunday.

Cincinnati (21-35) remains stuck at the bottom of the Central Division, but has shown life while outscoring Colorado and Washington 31-11 in June. Jay Bruce and Joey Votto each homered off Stephen Strasburg and Adam Duvall belted a tiebreaking three-run shot in Saturday's 6-3 victory.

"Just a lot of things going right with the offense, and that's a great thing," said Reds manager Bryan Price, whose club has totaled 22 home runs while going deep in nine straight contests.

The Reds have won seven of eight against the Nationals (33-23), who had won four in a row prior to this series. Cincinnati's last series sweep came against Philadelphia to open the season.

Bruce is batting .382 with four home runs and eight RBIs in eight games while Votto is hitting .348 with three homers and seven RBIs in the last six.

"Joey (Votto)'s taking better swings," Price said. "Jay (Bruce) has been driving the ball well."

Duvall has homered in three straight games, and gone deep nine times in his last 13.

Perhaps more importantly, a Cincinnati pitching staff that posted a major league-worst 5.83 ERA in April and May, has a 2.50 ERA this month.

Jon Moscot (0-3, 7.13 ERA) hopes for a better outing than he put forth Tuesday, when he allowed seven runs and four homers in two innings of a 17-4 loss at Colorado after being activated from the disabled list earlier in the day.

'Every mistake I made got hit,' said Moscot, who also was clipped in the ear by a pitch while batting. 'I would say there were a couple of pitches, a couple of balls that were hit that I was a little bit surprised by the result.

'I've got to be better than that. Two innings is just not good. It's frustrating.'

This will be the right-hander's first appearance against the Nationals, who will try to get back on track while hoping for the best after Strasburg left because of a calf cramp with one out in the sixth inning Saturday. Washington had won 15 straight games started by Strasburg, who claimed to be fine after the contest.

Since giving up seven runs and hits in five innings during a 7-1 loss to Miami on May 14, Washington's Tanner Roark (4-4, 2.70) has yielded four earned and 15 hits over 20 2/3 to win two of the next three. Two of those runs were surrendered over seven innings of Monday's 4-3 victory at Philadelphia.

The right-hander has thrived while going 1-1 with a 1.89 ERA against Cincinnati.

Danny Espinosa and Anthony Rendón homered for two of Washington's three hits Saturday. Five of Espinosa's six hits in 30 at-bats over his last nine games have left the park.

Bryce Harper is 1 for 7 in the series, and 5 for 35 in his last 11 games. He's a lifetime .160 hitter in 13 games at Great American Ballpark.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (31-23) at Marlins (29-27)

Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: June 05, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

Jose Fernandez isn't just back. He's back in a way that's a win away from equaling a Miami-record winning streak.

The Marlins ace goes for a win in an eighth straight start Sunday against the visiting New York Mets, while Matt Harvey tries to build off one strong outing and complete a three-game sweep.

Fernandez (8-1, 2.53 ERA) is coming off his most efficient start of the season, surrendering three hits in seven scoreless innings of Tuesday's 3-1 home win over Pittsburgh while needing just 88 pitches. It matched his longest outing of the season with his fewest pitches.

"He had his stuff. Very unpredictable off the mound," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told MLB's official website. "Fastball plays big. We knew going in the first time through it was about a 70-30 split of hard and soft. The first time through, he went about 50-50 and stayed that way. Very unpredictable throughout the game."

The right-hander closed May 6-0 to equal the franchise record for wins in a month, but that's only part of it. The last Marlins pitcher to win eight straight decisions was Dontrelle Willis in 2003. The only Marlins pitcher to win eight straight starts was Chris Hammond in 1993 â?? a year after Fernandez was born.

"Jose was really good again today," manager Don Mattingly said. "I think we're seeing it every time out. It's almost like he's getting better every time."

He can't get much better at home. Fernandez is now 22-1 with a 1.59 ERA in 32 career starts in Miami.

The same goes for against the Mets with the 23-year-old at 10 with a 1.67 ERA in five career starts while never allowing more than two runs and only hitting that mark once. David Wright heads up the struggles at 0 for 10.

Fernandez and Harvey (4-7, 5.37) have faced off twice with neither pitcher earning a decision or allowing more than two runs.

Harvey looked more like that pitcher in Monday's 1-0 home win over the Chicago White Sox, giving up two hits in seven innings for easily his best start of the season.

"There's a lot of emotion," Harvey said. "It's been awhile. â?¦ The idea is to do everything you can to help the team, and I felt like I wasn't doing that very well. Today, to be able to go out in a one-run ballgame like that and be able to put up zeros, was very exciting."

Consistency is the next step, which there's been none of for the right-hander this season.

"I think this is a first step," Harvey said. "Obviously what I did here today isn't going to mean anything if I don't continue it the next time I pitch and stay with what I've been working on. It's a work in progress. I'm just happy I was able to go out there and feel comfortable in my mechanics and get the job done."

Against the Marlins, he's 2-2 with a 3.48 ERA in seven starts while holding Giancarlo Stanton to 1 for 13 with seven strikeouts.

The Mets (31-23) are coming off of Saturday's 6-4 win as James Loney went 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI in his fourth game of the year. He's 5 for 9 with three RBIs in the series.

Miami (29-27) is batting .211 with 16 total runs in its last six games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (29-27) at Tigers (27-28)

Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: June 05, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

James Shields is returning to the AL Central. The Chicago White Sox may wish they could leave.

One day after acquiring the veteran pitcher, slumping Chicago tries to stop an eight-game losing streak in division play Sunday against the Detroit Tigers.

Mired in a near month-long tailspin that's negated a 23-10 start, the White Sox made an effort to bring a needed spark by obtaining Shields from San Diego on Saturday in exchange for Triple-A pitcher Erik Johnson and 17-year-old prospect Fernando Tatis Jr.

The 34-year-old Shields went 27-17 with a 3.18 ERA with Kansas City from 2013-14, though he's just 2-7 this season and was tagged for 10 runs in 2 2/3 innings in his last start Tuesday at Seattle.

"We're pleased to add a starter of James Shields' caliber," general manager Rick Hahn said. "He has proven to be one of the most dependable and durable pitchers in the major leagues over his career."

Chicago's rotation ranks near the top of the AL with a 3.64 ERA but has seen its ace struggle of late. Chris Sale was denied in his third attempt at a 10th victory after allowing four runs in 6 1/3 innings of Saturday's 7-4 defeat to the Tigers - the ninth loss in 11 games for the White Sox.

Jose Quintana (5-5, 2.13 ERA) enters the finale of this three-game set having lost four consecutive starts, though he's received just three runs of support during the skid. He was on the wrong end of a 1-0 result Monday against the New York Mets after surrendering Neil Walker's solo homer in the seventh inning.

"If we could score, he'd have a better record," manager Robin Ventura said. "Everybody would know his name."

Quintana now faces an opponent he went winless against in five 2015 meetings while recording a 5.59 ERA. The left-hander did deliver the best of those starts Sept. 22 at Comerica Park, where he held the Tigers to one run through seven innings while again being victimized by a lack of offense.

He'll try to cool off a Detroit lineup that's racked up 17 runs and 25 hits over the first two games. J.D. Martinez went 2 for 3 with three RBIs Saturday and put the Tigers ahead with a two-run homer off Sale in the sixth inning.

"When we made Sale throw 30-some pitches in the first inning, I was encouraged, because we thought there would be a (weather) delay at some point," manager Brad Ausmus said. "It never got that bad, but we beat him anyway."

Cameron Maybin added three hits and two RBIs and is hitting .418 since returning from a broken wrist May 16. Victor Martinez, batting a AL-leading .349, owns a .412 average with four homers and 12 RBIs over his last 13 games and is 13 for 30 against Quintana.

Detroit (27-28) aims for its first three-game sweep of Chicago since Aug. 2-4, 2013, while Justin Verlander (4-5, 4.11) looks to continue his recent dominance in this series. The six-time All-Star is 16-4 with a 2.89 ERA in 22 meetings with the White Sox since 2009, including a 10-2 mark at home.

Verlander also comes into this matchup in good form, having posted a 1.91 ERA over his last five starts and pitching at least seven innings in each. He carried a shutout into the eighth Monday against the Angels before allowing four runs in a 5-1 defeat.

Chicago could again be sending out a short-handed outfield after rookie Jason Coats exited Saturday's game following a collision with teammate J.B. Shuck. Melky Cabrera is away from the team to deal with a family emergency and Austin Jackson has missed five straight with a toe injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (30-25) at Indians (30-24)

Game: 4
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: June 05, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

As the Cleveland Indians look to extend their AL Central lead over the visiting Kansas City Royals, Corey Kluber hopes to rebound from another rough home outing.

The right-hander has the chance to do so Sunday when the Indians try to complete a four-game sweep of the Royals.

Francisco Lindor and Rajai Davis each had three hits Saturday for Cleveland (30-24), which scored four times in the sixth inning to break open a one-run game before winning 7-1. The Indians moved one-half game ahead of the Royals (30-25), who had won six in a row prior to this series.

"It feels good, but we have a long way to go," Lindor told MLB's official website. "We have a lot of work to do. But, the guys are doing good. We're playing the game the right way. We're pushing each other.

"Overall, the guys have done a great job and I'm blessed to be a part of it."

Kansas City has totaled six runs through three games of this set after averaging 7.1 to win eight of the previous nine.

'That's baseball, every team in our division has been up and down this year,' Royals manager Ned Yost said. 'It's way too early in the season to get worked up about a couple of games, and we're not going to.'

Kluber (4-6, 4.15 ERA) gave up three earned runs over 14 1/3 innings to win two straight starts - on the road - before yielding six and eight hits in seven-plus of Tuesday's 7-3 loss to Texas. The defeat dropped him to 1-4 and raised his ERA to 5.29 at Progressive Field.

'Over the course of a 162-game season, you're going to have a bad four- or five-game stretch," said Kluber, who has a 3.18 ERA in six road outings. "You'd like to think it all evens out."

Kluber went 1-4 with a 4.36 ERA against the Royals last season, but that victory came while yielding a run during his complete-game effort at home July 29.

Eric Hosmer went 6 for 14 with three doubles and a home run against Kluber in 2015. He's hitless over six at-bats in two games after going 15 for 28 with 12 RBIs in the previous seven.

Salvador Perez, 4 for 23 with eight strikeouts against Kluber, won't start this contest after recording two hits Saturday in his return from missing six games with a bruised left thigh.

Perez's backup Drew Butera, who homered in each of the first two of this set, is 7 for 16 with five RBIs in his last five games. He's 0 for 6 against Kluber.

After pitching four scoreless innings in two relief appearances since coming off the disabled list last Saturday, Kansas City's Chris Young (2-5, 5.94) will make his first start since May 9.

The right-hander went 1-1 with a 4.30 ERA in three starts against the Indians last season.

Jason Kipnis is 6 for 14 with a homer and two doubles against Young, and batting .358 in his last 16 games against Kansas City.

Lindor is 6 for 13 with a home run, triple and two doubles in the first three games of this set after going 0 for 11 in the previous three.

'Lindor is real good hitting right-handed, but really, he's just a special player,' Yost said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers (26-30) at Phillies (27-29)

Game: 4
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: June 05, 2016 1:35 PM EDT

Aaron Nola is more than living up to the Philadelphia Phillies' expectations, though he's still yet to master pitching in his home stadium.

The Milwaukee Brewers sure have figured out Citizens Bank Park.

Milwaukee attempts to secure a fourth consecutive series win in Philadelphia and continue the Phillies' current struggles when the teams conclude a four-game set Sunday.

Philadelphia managed to contain Milwaukee's bats and halt a seven-game losing streak with Friday's 6-3 win, but the Brewers reversed the result in Saturday's 6-3 victory. Jonathan Villar went 3 for 5 with his third home run of the series and Domingo Santana broke a 3-all tie with a solo shot to begin the eighth inning.

The Brewers have hit .321 and averaged 6.4 runs in winning 11 of 13 at Citizens Bank Park since 2013. Jonathan Lucroy owns a career .485 average there and is 15 for 29 with three homers and 11 RBIs over an eight-game hitting streak following Saturday's 3-for-5 effort.

Milwaukee (26-30) figures to face a tougher test from Nola (4-4, 2.88 ERA), who's posted a 1.87 ERA over a stretch of eight straight quality starts that began when he limited the Brewers to a run and four hits through seven innings of a 5-2 win April 22.

The 2014 first-round pick hasn't been as dominant at home, where he's 1-4 with a 4.50 ERA in five starts and has allowed six of his seven home runs. He's produced a 1.58 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .199 average on the road.

Nola did pitch well in Tuesday's 5-1 home loss to Washington, surrendering a pair of solo homers and five hits through six innings.

Philadelphia (27-29) did receive homers from Cesar Hernandez and Tommy Joseph on Saturday, though its offense continues to sputter during a 1-8 slide. The Phillies are hitting .197 and averaging 2.3 runs over than span.

"Our guys give away too many at-bats," manager Pete Mackanin said. "You have to be consistent. Too many at-bats go away too quickly. They get two strikes and flail away at a pitch. Good hitters don't do that."

The Phillies could find more success against Wily Peralta (3-6), whose 6.51 ERA ranks last among qualifying NL pitchers while his .365 opponent batting average is the highest in the majors. The slumping right-hander allowed nine hits and three runs in five innings in Tuesday's 10-3 loss to St. Louis, the ninth time in 11 starts this season he's failed to reach six innings.

"We're still waiting for that start where he goes deep in a game and shuts the other team down," manager Craig Counsell said. "But he kept us in the ballgame (Tuesday). Three runs after five innings, that's not what you want but we were still in that game."

Peralta did defeat Philadelphia with six innings of three-run ball April 24 at Miller Park and tossed six scoreless in a 3-1 home win over the Phillies last August.

Hernandez, who went 3 for 4 Saturday and homered for the first time since May 30, 2015, is 4 for 10 off Peralta.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (26-29) at Orioles (31-23)

Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: June 05, 2016 1:35 PM EDT

In what's been a disappointing season thus far, the New York Yankees have been able to rely on very little.

CC Sabathia has been a rare exception.

He'll try to beat the Baltimore Orioles for the second time in as many tries this season when these division rivals close a three-game series Sunday.

Sabathia entered 2016 as something of an unknown after he went 6-10 with a 4.73 ERA last season and was slowed by a surgically repaired right knee. He wasn't even guaranteed a spot in the rotation before beating out Ivan Nova in spring training.

Behind Masahiro Tanaka, Sabathia (3-4, 2.85 ERA) has been the Yankees' best starter - and few pitchers in all of baseball have been better lately. The veteran left-hander is 2-2 with a 1.04 ERA in his last four starts with 25 strikeouts in 26 innings.

Sabathia limited Toronto to two runs and five hits over six-plus innings in a 4-1 loss Tuesday.

"He pitched a really good game tonight, and again we weren't able to score," manager Joe Girardi said.

Sabathia had a 5.16 ERA during a five-start stretch against Baltimore before fanning six over seven innings of a 7-0 victory at Camden Yards on May 4.

Adam Jones is the Oriole most familiar with Sabathia, batting .297 with four homers and four doubles in their matchups. Nolan Reimold will likely find his way into the lineup since he's hitting .371 with two home runs in 35 at-bats against him.

New York (26-29) avoided a devastating loss by holding on for an 8-6 win Saturday after blowing almost all of a seven-run lead. Alex Rodriguez and Starlin Castro combined for six of the Yankees' 16 hits, one shy of their season high set April 6 against Houston.

"Every member of the starting lineup got a base hit. That's always good," Rodriguez said. "We just have to find a way to keep focus throughout the game and finish what we started. It starts with concentration."

The Yankees have 18 runs in three games after totaling 19 in the previous eight.

All of Baltimore's scoring came in the sixth inning on home runs from Mark Trumbo - his major league-leading 18th - Pedro Alvarez and Jones. The Orioles (31-23) had a three-game win streak snapped and lost to the Yankees for just the second time in 10 meetings.

"We had a shot. We made a great run at them," manager Buck Showalter said. "I knew we would at some point."

Offense isn't usually a problem for the power-laden Orioles, except when Kevin Gausman (0-3, 3.78) is on the mound. He's received just over three runs of support this season, including three total in his last three outings.

After pitching to a 2.70 ERA in his first six outings, the right-hander has surrendered three home runs in each of his last two - both losses. He served up homers to the first two batters and another in the second inning before settling down to toss four scoreless in a 6-2 loss to Boston on Tuesday.

"Kind of seemed like the third inning I kind of found it, and by then it was too late," Gausman said.

One of the best performances of Gausman's career came against the Yankees on May 5, when he tossed three-hit ball over eight innings in a 1-0, 10-inning win. That lowered his ERA in three home starts versus New York to 0.45.

Rodriguez is 4 for 8 with two homers against him.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (30-27) at Red Sox (33-23)

Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: June 05, 2016 1:35 PM EDT

Eduardo Rodriguez is a big part of Boston's chances to dethrone the Toronto Blue Jays as AL East champions, and the Red Sox left-hander's strong season debut was a good sign that he's ready to contribute.

Rodriguez makes his second start Sunday looking to help the Red Sox win this three-game series against the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

Rodriguez (1-0, 3.00 ERA) went 10-6 with a 3.85 ERA as a rookie last season and was expected to be a big part of the Boston rotation until he strained his patellar tendon early in spring training.

After rehabbing, the 23-year-old made five appearances with Triple-A Pawtucket before coming off the disabled list with a quality start against Baltimore on Tuesday. He allowed two runs in six innings with three strikeouts in a 6-2 victory.

"It was good to be back," Rodriguez told MLB's official website. "Pitched pretty good and I located my pitches pretty good. My changeup was a great key tonight."

He threw 61 of 89 pitches for strikes, didn't issue a walk and got his fastball up into the mid-90s - though manager John Farrell saw room for improvement.

"We've seen better velocity before," Farrell said, "but I thought he stayed away from the middle of the plate for the most part. He threw a lot of strikes, he forced them to swing the bat when he did get into a 3-2 count. He pitched very comfortably."

Rodriguez rejoins a rotation that is getting plenty of help from the lineup with a major league-leading 7.06 run-support average, and Boston's bats emphatically welcomed him back with four homers, including three from Mookie Betts.

The Red Sox (33-23) were quieted by the Blue Jays (30-27) in Friday's series-opening 6-2 loss before David Ortiz and Betts got the offense back on track Saturday.

Ortiz drove in two runs to give him an MLB-leading 53, while Betts got two hits and also had two RBIs to help Boston end a three-game losing streak with a 6-4 victory.

'He's done it for so long,' Betts said of Ortiz. 'He just knows how everything goes. It's fun to be a part of more than amazing. He's got more left, too.'

A day after his 26-game hit streak ended, Xander Bogaerts went 3 for 4 and scored twice.

Toronto had won nine of 11 overall but lost for the fifth time in seven meetings after winning four of the first five this season. The Blue Jays still have a strong record in recent years at Fenway, posting a 26-17 mark there since the start of 2012.

Rodriguez would probably prefer to forget his one career start against the Blue Jays at Boston's famed ballpark nearly a year ago, when he was hammered for nine runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 13-5 loss June 14. However, he bounced back nicely at Toronto on June 30 with six innings of one-run ball in Boston's 4-3 victory.

The pitcher who has faced Rodriguez in both his starts against the Blue Jays will be opposite him again and is pitching very well of late.

Marco Estrada (3-2, 2.43 ERA) has won back-to-back starts - both against the New York Yankees - for his first taste of victory since winning his season debut April 10. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA over his last three starts after tossing eight scoreless innings in a 4-2 win Monday.

"To be honest, I've seen him do that many times, so I can't say he had one of his best outings, because he does that a lot," manager John Gibbons said. "But he stepped up, and he just faced these guys the other day. That makes it even tougher on a pitcher, when everybody is familiar with you. He has been a great pitcher for us."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (25-30) at Pirates (30-25)

Game: 3
Venue: PNC Park
Date: June 05, 2016 1:35 PM EDT

Starling Marte has never been a patient hitter, but his aggressive approach at the plate is serving him well during the best season of his career.

The Los Angeles Angels are experiencing this first hand at PNC Park.

The Gold Glove Award winning left fielder will try to continue tormenting Los Angeles pitching on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Pirates seek their eighth win in 10 home games.

Marte has walked just five times in 220 plate appearances and ranks near the bottom of the majors by taking just 44.6 percent of the pitches he's seen.

That swing-first strategy, however, has served him well as he's sitting near the top of the NL with a .327 batting average with five home runs, 20 RBIs and 28 runs scored. He also ranks near the top of the league with 17 stolen bases.

Marte, one of the game's best defensive outfielders, will try to stay hot after going 3 for 4 with a triple and a double in Saturday's 8-7 win that snapped a season high-tying four-game losing streak. He's gone 6 for 8 with a home run, a triple, two doubles and an RBIs in the first two games of this series.

Josh Harrison had three hits Saturday, while Gregory Polanco, Jung Ho Kang and former Angel Matt Joyce homered. The Pirates (30-25) had batted .208 while dropping six of seven, but they've hit .321 in a 9-3 home stretch.

"Those guys have hitters who can drive the ball and they took advantage of some mistakes," Los Angeles manager Mike Scoscia said. "They jumped on us in the seventh; we countered in the top of the eighth; it just wasn't enough."

Pittsburgh's Gerrit Cole has been sharp over the past month. Since allowing six runs over 4 2/3 innings in a 7-2 loss at Wrigley Field on May 2, the right-hander has gone 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA in his last five starts.

Cole (5-4, 2.72 ERA) gave up three runs over 6 1/3 innings Tuesday, but did not receive any run support in a 3-1 loss at Miami.

"Just didn't make enough quality pitches," he told MLB's official website.

In his only start versus Los Angeles, Cole surrendered two runs over 6 1/3 innings in a 5-2 road victory June 21, 2013. Albert Pujols homered off him in that contest, while Geovany Soto is 2 for 6 with a homer in the matchup.

The Angels (25-30) have averaged 6.2 runs while batting .283 over their last nine games, but they've gone 4-5 in that span thanks in part to the club's 5.53 ERA. Yunel Escobar is 5 for 11 with two doubles and four RBIs and Kole Calhoun has gone 4 for 8 with two home runs and four RBIs in this series.

Hector Santiago would like to give Los Angeles a better effort as he makes first his career start against the Pirates. The left-hander, however, is 0-1 with a 11.57 ERA while allowing seven homers in his last three starts.

Santiago (3-3, 4.96) gave up six runs and a season high-tying three long balls over 6 2/3 innings in Tuesday's 11-9 win over visiting Detroit.

Pittsburgh's Francisco Cervelli hopes to be back behind the plate after missing the past two games with a sore foot.