Mariners hope to get on a roll under Brown against Athletics
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08/10/2010 -
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New Seattle Mariners manager Daren Brown got to see a
triple play and six solid innings from his starting pitcher in last night's
win versus the visiting Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field.
Brown hopes his players will be ready for an encore performance Tuesday in the
second installment of this three-game series. Brown took over for fired
manager Don Wakamatsu before Monday's 3-1 win and was the skipper of Seattle's
Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma for the past four seasons. He has managed in the
Mariners system since 2001.
Doug Fister welcomed his new manager by throwing six innings of one-run ball
and striking out five for the win, while Sean White, Brandon League and David
Aardsma each threw a scoreless inning of relief to preserve Seattle's second
straight win and improve its mark to 4-3 on this nine-game homestand.
"For the first one for me, it's kind of how you'd want to draw it up," Brown
said. "(Your) starter gives you six innings, I thought Fister was really good,
then White, League and Aardsma (were) outstanding out of the pen."
Jose Lopez, Franklin Gutierrez and Josh Wilson were each credited with an RBI
for the Mariners, who turned the 10th triple play in team history during the
fourth inning. Jack Cust led off with a single and Kevin Kouzmanoff walked
before Mark Ellis hit a chopper to Jose Lopez at third. Lopez fielded the ball
and immediately stepped on the base for a force out. He then threw to Chone
Figgins at second and he wheeled to first baseman Casey Kotchman to complete
the around-the-horn triple play.
Ellis argued the call to no avail. The 5-4-3 triple play was Seattle's first
since July 13, 1995 against Toronto. It hopes ace Felix Hernandez can snap out
of his funk when he takes the mound this evening. Hernandez is 0-4 with a 2.70
ERA over his past five starts and previously pitched in last Thursday's 6-0
loss to Texas. He allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings and the Mariners haven't
scored in each of the right-hander's last two starts.
Hernandez is 7-9 in 24 starts this season and will make his 17th career start
against the A's. King Felix is 8-4 with a 3.05 earned run average over the
first 16 matchups with Oakland.
The Athletics had won two straight and three of four games before last night's
loss. Starter Vin Mazzaro saw a decent outing go to waste and gave up three
runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks over seven innings of work.
Rajai Davis drove in the lone run for the A's, who got two hits apiece from
Coco Crisp and Jack Cust.
"Tonight's a frustrating loss, they're all frustrating, but we feel we're
playing pretty good baseball," said Ellis.
Taking the hill for Oakland, which is eight games behind Texas for the NL West
lead, tonight will be Brett Anderson. He is 3-2 with a 3.14 earned run
average in eight starts this season and is coming off a strong performance
against Kansas City last Wednesday. He held the Royals to a pair of runs and
three hits in seven innings of a 4-3 victory.
Anderson, a left-hander, is 3-2 in seven career starts against Seattle.
Oakland is 6-4 against Seattle this season, but the Mariners own an 18-11
ledger in the past 29 meetings between the two clubs.
<< Rays resume series at Detroit's Comerica Park
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeremy Hellickson tries to follow up a sensational major
league debut this evening when the Tampa Bay Rays continue their three-game
series with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
Hellickson beat the Minnesota Tw
<< Haren tries again for first win with Angels in clash vs. Royals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dan Haren is still searching for his first win in an Angels
uniform and will try again tonight in the second test of a three-game series
versus the Kansas City Royals at the Big A.
Haren is 0-2 with a 3.60 earned run avera
<< McGrady heading to Motown
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Pistons and veteran swingman Tracy
McGrady have reportedly agreed to a one-year contract.
According to the Detroit Free Press, McGrady will play for the league minimum
of $1.35 million for a veter
<< Lions take losing streak on the road against the Roughriders
Regina, SK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Saskatchewan Roughriders try to keep their
home record in perfect shape this season as they entertain the British
Columbia Lions at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Thursday.
The Roughriders who, along with Calga
<< Bombers release Serna
Winnipeg, MB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released kicker
Alexis Serna.
In six games this season, Serna connected on just 8-of-14 field goal tries. He
also missed four of his six attempts from 40 yards or longer.
"At
Red Sox head north to open set in Toronto >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox hope to make up even more ground in the
American League East this evening when they open a three-game series against
the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
The Red Sox may very well miss out on th
Yankees pay a quick visit to Rangers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees visit Arlington this evening for a
potential playoff preview, as they begin a brief two-game series against the
Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark.
New York enters this series holding a 1 1/2-g
Orioles bring Showalter magic into Cleveland >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baltimore Orioles hope to continue their resurgence
under new manager Buck Showalter this evening when they start a three-game
series with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.
The Orioles won for the six
Padres try to not look ahead in opener against Pirates >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The last thing the San Diego Padres want to do is overlook
the Pittsburgh Pirates for an upcoming division showdown with San Francisco.
Clinging to a 1 1/2-game lead in the National League West over the rival
Giants, San D
Giants send Lincecum to the hill in test with Cubs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Francisco Giants like their chances of keeping
pace in the NL West with Tim Lincecum set to take the hill tonight. Lincecum
will shoot for his 12th win of the season in the second portion of a four-game
series versus
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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