Monday 8/3/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Post your request, Comments or concerns here.
Good luck on all your plays.

When not viewing the service plays.
Make sure to enjoy the rest of what the RX has to offer.

First time here at the RX.
Make sure to visit the Newbies Room
Click here to go there now

 

[superbeets]

Russian Premier TODAY 17:00

Spartak Moscow

v

Rubin

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		8/11	5/2	4	More markets

​

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT SPARTAK MOSCOW	RECENT FORM
ALHLHLHDHDAW​ Most recent​	1 - 0 0 - 0 2 - 1 2 - 0	ALALADALHLAW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Rubin have won one of their last 11 league games against Spartak

EXPERT VERDICT: It’s been a difficult start to the season for Rubin, who have lost both of their league matches and now must take on bogey side Spartak. The visitors were also in Europa League action on Thursday, beating Sturm Graz 3-2 in Austria, and those efforts may have taken its toll against a fresher Spartak.

RECOMMENDATION: Spartak Moscow
2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA Betting Recap - 7/27-8/2
By Joe Williams

League Betting Notes (from Monday, July 27 through Sunday, Aug. 2)

-- Favorites went 16-1 straight up
-- Favorites went 9-8 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams posted a 10-7 SU record
-- Road teams posted a 9-8 ATS record
-- The 'over' went 10-7

Team Betting Notes

-- Los Angeles (5-14) has won back-to-back games for the second straight time this season, and they're 2-0 SU/ATS in their past two road outings. Overall the Sparks have covered three straight, and four of the past five while the 'over' has hit in three in a row.

-- Indiana (11-8) has won three straight games after dumping Connecticut (9-9). The Fever have covered three in a row after an 0-3-1 ATS run. Indiana plays at Chicago (12-8) Tuesday. The Fever is 0-3 SU/ATS against the Sky this season.

-- The 'under' hit for the Sky Sunday, but the 'over' has been the play going 13-8, including 2-1 against the Fever, including their home game June 5 against Indiana.

-- New York (13-6) got back on track Sunday afternoon with a win over Seattle (5-16). The Liberty has won six of their past seven, but they have failed to cover three of the past four.

-- After a pre-All-Star break hiccup, Phoenix (12-7) has won three straight, including each of their past two on the road. The Mercury failed to cover for the sixth time in the past seven outings heading into their game Tuesday against Tulsa (10-11). They're 2-0 SU/ATS against the Shock this season.

-- The Shock are in quite the tailspin, losers of six in a row, and they have posted an 0-5-1 ATS mark during the stretch after covering their first eight.

-- San Antonio (6-14) dropped a second straight Sunday, and they have failed to cover in two in a row after a four-game cover streak. The Stars have been up and down all season, and they travel to Connecticut Tuesday.

-- Washington (11-7) lost Sunday in Chicago for the first time in six games, but they have covered in a season-high six straight. They host the Stars Wednesday, a team they rolled 88-53 in San Antonio July 31.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CFL Betting Notes - Week 6
By David Schwab

Week 6 In a CFL season that has been filled with upsets through the first five weeks of action, Ottawa may have pulled-off the biggest one of the year so far with last Friday’s thrilling 29-26 overtime victory at home against Calgary as a four-point underdog.

Saturday’s games started off with Toronto knocking-off British Columbia 30-27 as a 1 ½-point road underdog followed by Edmonton’s 32-3 rout of Winnipeg as a 5 ½-point favorite at home. Hamilton closed things out by beating Saskatchewan 31-21 as a two-point road underdog.

Monday, Aug. 3

Toronto Argonauts (3-1 SU, 4-0 ATS) vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-2 SU, 3-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Hamilton -3 ½
Total: 54 ½

Game Overview

Toronto has been one of the bigger surprises this season after missing the playoffs last year. It has averaged 29.5 points a game while holding opponents to 25.8 points on the other side of the ball. Trevor Harris continues to play well at quarterback for an injured Ricky Ray. In last week’s win against BC, he completed 30-of-40 attempts for 340 yards and two scores. He was also picked-off twice.

The Tiger-Cats got a big day from their quarterback Zach Collaros in last Sunday’s 10-point win. He threw for 284 yards and a score while adding another 32 yards on three runs. Collaros spread the ball around to six different receivers in his 19 completions. Hamilton has also been solid on defense; allowing an average of just 22 points through its first four games.

Betting Trends

The home team has won seven of the last nine meetings SU in the East Division tilt, but Hamilton has a 5-1 edge ATS in the last six games. The total has stayed UNDER in four of the last six meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Week 6 CFL

Toronto (3-1) @ Hamilton (2-2)-- Home opener vs TiCats, vs Toronto team playing its fourth road game in row. Argonauts are 6-4 in last ten series games; four of last six went under the total. Toronto is 4-0 vs spread, all as an underdog; their only loss was 25-20 at Calgary (+7) in Week 4. Hamilton split its first four games; its two losses were by total of six points. They have yet to trail at halftime (3-0-1) this season. Three of four Hamilton games stayed under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Monday 8/3 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

EARLY PICK 4:

3,5,8/2,4,6/1,3,9/9 = $27

LATE PICK 4: 2,4,6,9/1,6/1,5,6/7 = $24


MEET STATS: 204 - 670 / $1157.80 BEST BETS: 28 - 60 / $96.90

SPOT PLAYS: 7 - 60 / $57.30

Best Bet: CONTROL THE MOMENT (2nd)

Spot Play: CALL ME RICHARD (5th)


Race 1

(6) ASPEN CALIFORNIA has unsuccessfully chased the top three-year-old trotting filly in the country around in three of her last four starts. This is a major drop in class and you can bet A Mac will be sending early; top call. (9) PANAMAS BOY has a win in slow time on a Quebec 1/2 miler and two subsequent faster qualifiers in tow. We've seen a few of these types win already at this meet, he's dangerous. (8) DAYTROOPER had a very long trip in his Mohawk debut and still wasn't beaten that far. He's in with a shot here.

Race 2

(1) CONTROL THE MOMENT won so easily last week that it's hard to see him getting beat here in the Dream Maker Final. He will be odds-on for sure, however. (2) KOKANEE SEELSTER was unhurried early then chased the choice home in a good but unthreatening effort. He likely completes a tiny exacta here. (3) MINDTRIP broke early, then rushed to the front and predictably tired late. He's the wild card here if he leaves with the rest of the field and stays on gait throughout.

Race 3

(8) PENNIES FROM ABOVE, full-sister to former two-year-old champ Wheelin N Dealin, finds a good spot to start her career and finished fast in her lone qualifier; top call. (2) ROSE RUN REANNA, who has been stellar in qualifiers and not so great in her pari-mutuel starts so far will be contentious if she stays flat. (3) THISLADYSDYNAMITE, the choice's stablemate, is the lone winner in the group so far and one of the more reliably-gaited. She is the one to beat.

Race 4

(5) DANISH N COFFEE has twice faced OSS Gold company to start his career and wasn't disgraced. She faces much easier here. (8) P L JASMINE came close to wiring the field last week and shaved four seconds off her overall time. She looks like a top contender here. (3) JIMMYS LITTLE GIRL finished third twice in Grassroots dashes while finishing quickly both times. She's another to consider for early pick 4 tickets.

Race 5

(2) CALL ME RICHARD faced his elders last time and mixed it up to the 3/4 pole before tiring. He stands a much better chance here facing his own kind and might be a decent price, too; top call. (4) ONE DIRECTION was first-up vs. OSS Gold competition and hung in there decently. He looks good on paper but notice the 4 slices vs. 0 wins already this year. (6) LETS BE HONEST has been solid all summer and can be placed anywhere; using on early pick 4 tickets.

Race 6

(3) TENDTOWIN has been racing well out of town and now faces a field full of win-shy types; on top. (9) LEAFS AND WINGS returns to a 7-day cycle and faces easier. He should be right there. (1) SUNNY BEACH DAY also faces easier but is more likely for a minor share.

Race 7

(9) BUTTERMILK HANOVER has finished quickly in every start so far and only need to start a bit quicker to get the job done here. (7) NOT DEPRESSED is well-related and starting to come around now; beware. (8) DIVAS IMAGE is also improving but may be too far back turning home to get more than a small share.

Race 8

(6) MICHAELS TURN has returned to the good form he had in the winter when he won his first six straight. He faces a few sophomores here that may be gearing up for future stakes engagements and he can double up. (2) YOURE MAJESTIC jogged when last in this class on June 6 and can't be ignored here. (9) SECOND SISTER is one of the better three-year-old filly trotter on the grounds but is likely to be closing late for a small share here leaving from the outermost post.

Race 9

(6) SPORTSMANSHIP was very live last week and unlucky in the lane when beaten by a stablemate that stickhandled through traffic. He is in top form but will have to chase down (1) P L IDAHO who is sure to be sent hard with the drop in class and inner post; slight nod to the former. (5) VEGAS ROCKS has been in tremendous form and has a chance to crash the exotics at a good price here moving up from claimers.

Race 10

(1) WHITE BECOMES HER is simply one of the fastest in here and gets a good post to start from; top call despite the class rise. (5) BAX OF LIFE always looks good on paper and rarely gets there it seems. Again she looks like one of the best here but is hard to love at a short price. (6) ZEUS LIGHTNING is another win-shy type that might be able to threaten these.

Race 11

In a field where the horses' combined records are 1 win from 108 starts, we'll side with (7) SABINE PASS, one that has shown a bit of ability and has only three losses showing. (4) VEGILANTE HANOVER is the only winner in the field and has been racing well out of town. He has as good a shot as any in here. (1) CAJON LIGHTNING passed all but the long-gone winner in the stretch last time out. He can build off that first share. (2) ARAZI typically leaves hard and should be able to stick around for a cheque vs. these. (9) FULL TIME GIG rarely misses a cheque and has faced tougher lately. He could better this placing.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Monday 8/3 Analysis
By Matt Rose

DRF HARNESS

Race 7 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

MEET STATS: 213 - 685 / $1193.20 BEST BETS: 29 - 54 / $100.30


Best Bet: ONE AND ONLY (4th)

Spot Play: BULLVILLE KYLE (7th)


Race 1

(4) MAJOR TRICK ships from Canada where he's been showing good speed and joins the potent Allard barn; lots to like here in this suspect field. (2) HAWKER drops out of claimers for Banca off a rather dull performance. (6) BETTOR DESIGN hasn't done much at all this year but he does have back class.

Race 2

(3) JETOMATT ships in from Balmoral off a win and lands in the Banca barn. This looks like a pretty easy spot going for 20K. (7) KAITLYN AKEEPER raced well for second last out versus similar; only problem here is the post. (5) YOU CANBEANANGEL is another shipper joining a new barn. This filly was probably facing similar in Canada.

Race 3

(3) RAGE N RYAN has been in good form and stays at the same level off the Robertson claim; Brennan will be heading to the front. (5) ONE WARRAWEE shows a win three back versus 20K claiming types but he's probably better suited at this level. (7) SHOW ME UP also gets class relief tonight but is stuck outside yet again; note that Jennifer Sabot's barn is on fire.

Race 4

(3) ONE AND ONLY hasn't really fired this year but the Sabot trainee is better than this and can get well from this spot. (4) BLADE SEELSTER put in a super effort in defeat last out from the eight hole. (1) FASTLANELUKE has not been sharp but at least he draws best.

Race 5

(1) KEHMMYWOOD couldn't gain last week chasing a fast back half but his start prior he came from the clouds; from this coveted rail spot Buter can work out a perfect stalking trip. (4) BIG JER returns off a win at Vernon and was facing better when last seen here. (2) SCARLET CHASER also returns at a reduced level but with little current form.

Race 6

(8) SING FOR ME GEORGE ships in for the O'Sullivan barn and has plenty of class to him; I have to assume the gelding will have good intentions tonight from the eight hole. (3) GLASS PRINCE isn't the most consistent sort but the ability is there. (4) RONNY BUGATTI disappointed at odds-on when last out upon returning to Yonkers.

Race 7

I can't remember the last time (1) BULLVILLE KYLE put in a bad effort. Gelding finally gets post relief and he should be ready to roll from this spot. (2) BATTLE CALL is up in class to tackle tougher but that was a good effort last week. (5) NATURAL LEDA has been faltering versus better recently.

Race 8

(2) MAC'S SECURE does have a win versus this type a few starts back and the filly draws well versus a very weak field. It's amazing that this race goes for $25,000. (7) ELOQUENTLY STATED ships in for Burke with some minor stakes experience and Brennan will be firing from the gate. (8) NATY would rate much higher if not for the post.

Race 9

(6) SPECIAL PACKAGE has some stakes experience and looks like the most accomplished of these. (8) REPEAT PLEASE is another of a host of shippers on the card and she should be forwardly placed to try and overcome the eight hole. (5) LISSAN did all the heavy lifting last week and can be excused for tiring.

Race 10

(7) CHEYENNE JEFFREY always seems to have tough trips but never gets beat that badly; he may be a huge price here in this wide-open event and seems worth following. (1) AUCKLAND FLYER was better last out and he gets post relief. (6) JUSTIFIED was good in defeat last week and is definitely overdue.

Race 11

(3) BEST SAID gets the potent combination of both class and post relief. Tough to overlook from this spot. (1) DALLENBACH HANOVER tired from the pocket last out but he's better cutting the mile, which he may be doing from this spot. (4) ALLSTAR PARTNER hasn't won in two seasons; tough to take at a short price,

Race 12

(3) IDEAL NUGGETS looks to have a speed and post edge on her rivals; filly will have to be caught. (4) CRESCENT CITY exits the same stakes race as the top choice and the Chris Ryder trainee looks like the main threat. (1) NEXT FLIGHT UP went evenly last week versus more seasoned foes; lone 4-year-old in here draws best.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Monday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE

Delaware Park (2nd) Hardwired, 4-1
(6th) Magical Moon, 8-1


Finger Lakes (2nd) A Sensational Gal, 8-1
(4th) Domer, 3-1


Hastings Park (4th) Rather Beautiful, 7-2
(7th) Square Dancer, 6-1


Mountaineer (3rd) Bucaramanga, 9-2
(5th) Flashy Finish, 8-1


Parx Racing (3rd) Short Iron, 6-1
(9th) Wellingtons Appeal, 7-2


Penn National (1st) Pampas Angel, 7-2
(6th) Valley King, 4-1

Presque Isle Downs (4th) Talented Twist, 4-1
(7th) Whoodoo Meadow, 4-1


Saratoga (3rd) Firestar, 4-1
(5th) Greek Life, 3-1


Thistledown (4th) Burning Silhouette, 10-1
(7th) Birdsone, 6-1


Woodbine (7th) Palowet, 9-2
(9th) Colonel Krenz, 6-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB Preview: Cubs (57-47) at Pirates (61-43)

Game: 1
Venue: PNC Park
Date: August 03, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Jon Lester's latest gem helped begin one the best runs of the season for the Chicago Cubs as they took advantage of facing last-place clubs to get even for the NL's second wild card.

With an upcoming slate against postseason contenders likely presenting a significantly more difficult challenge, the Cubs again turn to their surging ace to make a statement.

The visiting Cubs look to match a season high with a sixth consecutive win in the opener of a three-game series with the wild card-leading Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.

Lester (6-8, 3.26 ERA) has been a workhorse since July 1, pitching at least seven innings in all six starts while going 2-2 with a 1.66 ERA. He gave up two runs while striking out a season-high 14 in eight innings of Wednesday's 3-2 win over Colorado, becoming the first Cubs left-hander to fan more than 12 since at least 1914.

No Cub had struck out 14 since Mark Prior had 16 punchouts Sept. 30, 2004.

'You've got to figure out a way to go as deep as you can,' Lester said. 'It was nice for (manager) Joe (Maddon) to let me go out for the eighth, especially for a one-run game.'

Lester went seven innings while allowing one run - a homer to Sean Rodriguez - and striking out seven in a 4-1 win over the Pirates on May 16. Beating Pittsburgh again would keep Chicago rolling (57-47) after it completed a four-game sweep of Milwaukee with Sunday's 4-3 win to improve to a season-best 10 games over .500.

Addison Russell homered as the Cubs forced a tie for the second wild card with San Francisco, which fell 2-1 at Texas later in the day. The Cubs and Giants, who are four games behind the Pirates (61-43), begin a crucial four-game series Thursday at Wrigley Field.

Chicago, which last won six in a row May 11-16, is 6-4 this season against a Pittsburgh team which split a four-game set at Cincinnati over the weekend with Sunday's 3-0 win. Neil Walker homered as the Pirates finished with three hits, their fewest in a non-shortened road victory since having three in a 3-0 win over Montreal on April 5, 1989.

Francisco Liriano (7-6, 2.92) hopes to limit Cubs baserunners after a so-so outing Wednesday, when he gave up three runs and a season-worst 10 hits through 5 2-3 innings of a 10-4 win over Minnesota.

Despite that rough outing, the left-hander is 3-0 with a 2.03 ERA over his last five.

'Just one of those days. It was tough," Liriano said. "You have to go out there and battle and at least give a chance to win to your team. That's what I tried to do.'

The Pirates have won Liriano's last six outings, and they're used to Liriano putting them in position to beat the Cubs. Since signing with Pittsburgh in 2013, Liriano has gone 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA in nine starts against the NL Central rivals.

He struck out nine and allowed three runs in five innings before Chicago rallied for a 9-8 road win April 21. Kris Bryant had an RBI double off Liriano, but Starlin Castro (3 for 22) and Anthony Rizzo (4 for 20) haven't had much success against him.

It's unclear if Bryant will be in the lineup, though. He left in fifth inning Sunday after sliding head-first into second base and hitting his neck and upper back on Jean Segura's leg.

'I was going as hard as I can,' said Bryant, who was ruled safe after a review. 'I'm feeling better. We'll see what it feels like (Monday).'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (54-50) at Blue Jays (54-52)

Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: August 03, 2015 1:07 PM EDT

David Price felt mixed emotions after being traded from Tampa Bay to Detroit at last year's deadline, sending him from the only organization he'd known since being drafted with the No. 1 pick in 2007 and into a playoff race.

That experience has him feeling much more comfortable with his latest move.

Price has had success against the visiting Minnesota Twins no matter what uniform he's donned, and he'll face them Monday night in his Toronto Blue Jays debut.

The Tigers acquired Price (9-4, 2.53 ERA) at last year's deadline and he helped lead them to their fourth straight AL Central title. Detroit then decided to move the free-agent-to-be this year, sending him to Toronto for a package of highly rated prospects Thursday.

The Blue Jays (54-52) added Price in a flurry of moves that included trades for Troy Tulowitzki and Ben Revere as they look to reach the postseason for the first time since winning a second straight World Series in 1993.

Price has gone 7-0 with a 3.86 ERA in nine career starts at Rogers Centre.

"You can feel the excitement when we were in the dugout. I felt it in the locker room," Price told MLB's official website. "This is a group of guys who want to win and this is a management and front office that wants to win. So whenever you can kind of put those things together and put it in this city, this country, and it's very important, that's what matters."

Price ended his tenure in Detroit with a rough outing, giving up five runs and two homers in six innings of Tuesday's 10-2 loss to the Rays. It didn't get much better when he arrived in Toronto as a flat tire delayed his introductory press conference.

The left-hander's outings against the Twins (54-50) have gone much more smoothly. Price has won all three of his starts against Minnesota this season while posting a 1.17 ERA and striking out 20 with five walks in 23 innings.

He's gone 6-1 with a 1.87 ERA in seven outings against the Twins over the last two seasons. This outing carries plenty of importance as the Blue Jays and Baltimore are one game behind Minnesota for the AL's second wild card.

Toronto heads into this crucial four-game series after taking three of four from AL-best Kansas City, winning 5-2 on Sunday. Chris Colabello hit a two-run homer, Tulowitzki had an RBI single and Revere also drove in a run for the Blue Jays, winners of four of five.

Toronto is the majors' highest-scoring team by a wide margin, but Ervin Santana has been stingy the road.

Santana (2-1, 3.78) has made five starts since returning from an 80-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs, most recently allowing eight runs - six earned - in 5 2-3 innings of Wednesday's 10-4 home loss to Pittsburgh.

The right-hander, though, is 2-0 with a 0.76 ERA in three outings on the road while pitching into the eighth in each. Santana has gone 2-1 with a 2.75 ERA in his last five at Toronto, and he'll look to help the Twins bounce back after they fell 4-1 in 11 innings to Seattle on Sunday.

Brian Dozier forced extras with a one-out solo home run in the bottom of the ninth for Minnesota, 5-10 since the All-Star break.

'We've got to bounce back quickly,' manager Paul Molitor said. 'There's not a lot of time to dwell on what's transpired here.'

The Twins have won six of the last eight meetings with Toronto and took two of three at home May 29-31.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (50-53) at Nationals (54-49)

Game: 1
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: August 03, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

With their NL East lead virtually erased, the Washington Nationals will try to begin their turnaround by continuing their recent dominance of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Doug Fister will try to provide a boost Monday night by winning back-to-back starts for the first time this season, but the slumping Nationals lineup will have to face a pitcher seeking to open his career with three straight wins.

Washington's advantage over New York in the division is down to less than half a percentage point after a three-game sweep at Citi Field this weekend. Jordan Zimmermann gave up three homers in one inning in a 5-2 defeat Sunday, the Nationals' 10th in 15 games.

Washington (54-49) is hitting .203 with 15 runs in a 2-5 stretch and .121 with runners in scoring position. The Nationals plated just five runs in the series in New York.

"It didn't go our way this weekend, but we're fine," Zimmermann said. "We're going to bounce back and there's nobody in here that's panicking right now."

Washington will try to avoid its four-game losing streak since dropping a season-high six in a row in April by earning a 17th win in 22 games against Arizona (50-53). The Nationals took two of three at Phoenix from May 11-13 and have taken eight of the last nine matchups in the nation's capital, including a four-game sweep last August.

The up-and-down Diamondbacks head into Washington after dropping back-to-back games in Houston following a string of six wins, their longest streak in four seasons. Before that run, they dropped nine of 11.

Fister (4-6, 4.39 ERA) will try to send Arizona to another defeat by building on a 7-2 victory in Miami on Wednesday. He yielded two runs in six innings after going 1-5 with a 6.19 ERA in his previous seven outings.

Fister won four or more consecutive starts on three occasions last season en route to finishing a career-best 16-6 with a 2.41 ERA. He did not get a decision in a 5-1 victory against Arizona on May 14, 2014 - the lone matchup in his career - despite allowing one run in seven innings.

The right-hander will square off with Zack Godley (2-0, 2.25), who will seek to continue his auspicious start since being called up from Double-A on July 23 to take over for an injured Chase Anderson.

Godley, acquired from the Chicago Cubs in December in the Miguel Montero trade, tossed six scoreless innings in his MLB debut, an 8-3 win over Milwaukee on July 23. The righty then yielded three runs in six innings in an 8-4 victory in Seattle on Tuesday.

"The more you go out there the more comfortable you get and the more you get settled in," he told MLB's official website.

Anderson is the only Diamondbacks pitcher to win his first three major league starts, going 5-0 last season.

In his attempt to join that list, Godley will likely have to face NL MVP candidate Bryce Harper, who is hitting .440 in a seven-game hit streak against the Diamondbacks. Yunel Escobar is batting .452 in his past nine matchups, including a 5-for-5 performance in an 11-1 win May 11, but is hitting .179 in his last seven games overall.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (57-47) at Braves (47-58)

Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: August 03, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Buster Posey is in the midst of the kind of stretch that can lead to an MVP award. There's little reason to believe the All-Star won't be able to keep it going back home.

The Georgia native looks to continue his lengthy tear at the plate as the San Francisco Giants try to avoid their first back-to-back losses in almost a month Monday night against the Atlanta Braves.

Posey has batted .446 in his 16 games played during the Giants' 14-4 stretch that has helped the defending World Series champions close the gap in the NL West. However, they fell 2 1/2 games back Sunday with a 2-1 loss at Texas and a win by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

San Francisco had been hitting .311 while averaging 5.8 runs in its previous 17 games before Posey had one of the team's four hits and drove in the only run Sunday. The Giants loaded the bases in the ninth inning before Hunter Pence grounded into a game-ending double play.

'We all think we're going to win until the last out is made," Pence said.

Posey, who grew up in Leesburg, Georgia, should be able to help the Giants (57-47) avoid their first back-to-back losses since July 6. In nine games at Turner Field since 2012, Posey is batting .486 with seven doubles and 10 RBIs.

The 2012 NL MVP also hit a first-inning two-run homer off scheduled starter Mike Foltynewicz in a 4-2 home win over the Braves (47-58) on May 29. Foltynewicz allowed two runs while striking out eight over 6 2-3 innings in his only career meeting with San Francisco.

Posey went just 2 for 11 but Brandon Belt was 5 for 13 with two homers as the Giants split that four-game series. San Francisco won all three meetings at Turner Field last season.

Foltynewicz (3-3, 5.04 ERA) returned to the rotation Wednesday after a brief stint at Triple-A Gwinnett, allowing two runs over six innings in a 2-0 loss at Baltimore.

The right-hander will be opposed by veteran Matt Cain, who will try to keep Atlanta from winning consecutive games for only the second time since July 6 and 7. He's 4-1 with a 1.82 ERA in his last five starts against the Braves, though he's only faced them once since 2011.

Cain (2-2, 4.50) has alternated between shaky and strong outings in five starts since missing the first three months of the season with a flexor tendon strain in his right arm.

The right-hander should be on track for a better performance after giving up four runs and eight hits over six innings in Tuesday's 5-2 home loss to Milwaukee.

After hitting .217 while totaling 16 runs during a 1-9 stretch, Atlanta finished with 11 hits in Sunday's 6-2 win at Philadelphia that snapped a six-game losing streak. Jace Peterson went 3 for 4 with a three-run home run, while Ryan Lavarnway and Eury Perez added two hits apiece.

'It's always nice to get the win before you get on the plane,' manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Peterson, who hit .132 in his prior 11 games, went 7 for 17 with two triples against the Giants in May.

Andrelton Simmons might miss his second straight game due to a sprained right thumb, while San Francisco's Joe Panik could miss his fourth in seven days because of back stiffness.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (55-50) at Marlins (43-62)

Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: August 03, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Lucas Duda is the muscle behind the New York Mets' power surge that's moved them within percentage points of first place in the NL East.

His production has been largely absent on the road this season, however, and he's routinely struggled against Miami's Tom Koehler.

Duda tries to continue to feast on opposing pitching in the Mets' opener of a three-game series with the Marlins on Monday night.

Duda is the first Met to hit nine homers in a span of eight games. New York is 6-2 over that stretch at home, which includes Duda batting .393 with 12 RBIs while the team has totaled 17 homers - one fewer than the previous 29 overall games.

Of the first baseman's five hits in the last two games, three have left the park and he plated five runs to help the Mets (55-50) sweep a three-game set from first-place Washington. They're just four ten-thousandths of a point back of the Nationals, who host Arizona.

Duda, Curtis Granderson and Daniel Murphy homered over a span of five pitches in New York's five-run third of Sunday's 5-2 win over Washington.

'It's so much fun to be a Met right now,' Sunday's winning pitcher Noah Syndergaard said.

The Mets are looking for this surge to continue during a six-game road trip but they've hit just three homers during a 7-6 stretch as the visitor.

Duda is batting .194 with three homers and nine RBIs on the road compared to .296, 18 and 41 at home. He's homered once in his last 12 games at Miami - none in the past seven.

He's also 3 for 22 (.136) with two doubles against Koehler. Only Duda's .087 average against Aaron Harang is worse for a pitcher he's faced at least 22 times.

New York may need another big offensive display with Bartolo Colon (9-10, 4.96 ERA) getting the ball.

The 42-year-old right-hander has been backed by two total runs over his last seven starts but that hasn't mattered much since he's 0-6 with a 6.16 ERA. He's matched the longest losing streak of his career set over eight games with the Los Angeles Angels in 2007.

Colon was hammered for six runs and 10 hits - two homers - before being pulled with one out in the third of a 7-3 loss to San Diego on Wednesday.

He's 2-1 with a 3.48 ERA in three starts against the Marlins (43-62) this year. However, he gave up four runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 7-3 loss at Miami on April 29.

The Marlins had lost seven of eight games before Adeiny Hechavarria hit a three-run walkoff homer in Sunday's 5-2 win over San Diego.

"I never ended a game that way with a walkoff home run," said Hechavarria, who has a career-high five homers. "Extremely happy."

Miami should have Dee Gordon back after he got the day off Sunday. The second baseman is third in the NL with a .330 average and he's hitting .439 in 10 season meetings with the Mets, including 4 for 9 versus Colon.

Koehler (8-7, 3.38) has failed to get out of the fourth inning in two meetings with New York this year. He's surrendered 12 runs and as many hits with six walks in 6 2-3 innings, while losing his only decision.

Those outings, however, came on the road and the right-hander owns a 1.91 ERA in five career home starts.

Koehler is 4-2 with a 2.32 ERA in eight home starts this season, but he gave up five runs in six innings of a 7-2 loss to Washington on Wednesday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros (60-46) at Rangers (51-53)

Game: 1
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: August 03, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

Already in the thick of the wild-card race, the Texas Rangers also have a chance to become a factor in the AL West. Giving the ball to Colby Lewis in the opener of this Lone Star Series is a good way to start.

Lewis looks to continue his dominance of the division-leading Houston Astros on Monday night.

Texas (51-53) is three games back of Minnesota for the league's second wild-card spot. The Rangers, who trail Houston (60-46) by eight in the West, are looking to Lewis (11-4, 4.42 ERA) to start whittling that down.

The right-hander, who turned 36 on Sunday, is 7-1 with a 1.91 ERA in 13 games - 10 starts - against the Astros. He's won six straight decisions with a 1.74 ERA in his last eight starts, reaching the seventh inning in all but one.

He's gone that far in all three matchups this year, going 2-0 with a 2.78 ERA after allowing two runs and four hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 7-6 win at Houston on July 18.

Lewis, 3-0 since with a 2.57 ERA since the All-Star break, hasn't won four consecutive starts since 2003-04.

"I try to be that guy, whatever spot you want to put me in. It doesn't really matter if I'm in the front of the rotation or the back," Lewis told MLB's official website.

Lewis allowed two runs in six innings of Wednesday's 5-2 win over the New York Yankees after the Rangers dropped 12 of the previous 13 at home. That started a 4-1 run at Globe Life Park which continued Sunday when Josh Hamilton's two-run, sixth-inning homer was enough for a 2-1 victory.

Hamilton is 6 for 21 with two homers and eight RBIs in those five home games. He's 4 for 8 with a homer, two doubles and two RBIs in the last two meetings with the Astros after going 3 for 35 with 14 strikeouts in his previous nine.

Prince Fielder is hitting .388 (19 for 49) in his last 12 games against Houston.

The Astros have won 10 of their last 13 games, building a four-game lead over the second-place Los Angeles Angels.

Carlos Gomez is fitting in fine in Houston after being acquired in a trade with Milwaukee on Thursday. He has four hits in two games, including a two-run single in Sunday's 4-1 win over Arizona.

He went 2 for 2 with runners in scoring position in those games and is among baseball's leaders in that category with a .387 average.

"My confidence is really good," Gomez said. "I have been hitting with scoring position really well, and I walked up with an idea of 'I got this.' Finally, I put a good swing and hit it the opposite way."

Gomez is a career .351 hitter against the Rangers, and he's 12 for 31 (.387) in nine games at Globe Life.

Lance McCullers (5-3, 2.48) would appreciate some help in his first appearance versus Texas. He's 0-3 with a 3.81 ERA over his last five road starts, getting one run of support in four games and seven total.

The rookie right-hander was terrific against the Angels on Wednesday, yielding one run in seven innings of a 6-3 victory.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres (51-54) at Brewers (44-62)

Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 03, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

With all the speculation about whether he'd be traded now in the past, Tyson Ross hopes to get back to the business of helping the San Diego Padres win ballgames.

The right-hander looks to win a career-high fourth straight road decision as San Diego tries to bounce back with its eighth win in 10 games Monday night against the NL Central-worst Milwaukee Brewers.

Ross (7-8, 3.38 ERA) was one of several Padres rumored to be on the move ahead of Friday's trade deadline. In what many believed was his last with the club, he allowed one run and two hits over five innings in Wednesday's 7-3 road win over the New York Mets.

But with San Diego (51-54) in the midst of a 7-2 stretch, general manager A.J. Preller opted to give the squad he put together in the offseason more time. The Padres are 6 1/2 games back of a wild card spot after their four-game winning streak ended in Sunday's 5-2 loss at Miami.

'I think the fact that the team has played better, that made it a little easier to kind of stay pat and add a guy (left-handed reliever Marc Rzepczynski from Cleveland) and go from there," Preller explained.

Now Ross will try to help San Diego get back on track in the opener of this four-game series at Miller Park. He improved to 4-1 with a 2.49 ERA over his last eight starts, but has raised his MLB-high walk total to 61 after issuing four free passes at Citi Field.

The 28-year-old is expected to be ready to go despite being pulled after 83 pitches when his quad stiffened up after he was hit in the leg by a comebacker in the fourth inning.

Ross has gone 1-1 with a 4.50 mark in his two career outings at Miller Park. Adam Lind has gone 3 for 3 with a home run off him, while Khris Davis is 3 for 4 with a homer.

The Brewers (44-62) haven't been able to get much going offensively, hitting .200 with one homer while totaling 15 runs during a 1-8 stretch. After batting .182 in his previous 10 games, Ryan Braun had three of the team's eight hits in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

'You need that next hit to break it open and take a deep breath,' manager Craig Counsell said.

Wily Peralta (2-5, 3.90) will try to help Milwaukee avoid a sixth straight defeat in his second start after spending more than two months on the disabled list with a left oblique strain.

The right-hander had a promising return Tuesday when he blanked San Francisco through six innings before allowing two runs and five hits over six-plus in a 5-2 road victory.

In his only start against the Padres, Peralta gave up two earned runs over 6 1-3 innings in a 4-3 home win in April 2014.

San Diego's Alexi Amarista hit a tying two-run home run in the ninth inning Sunday before Brandon Maurer gave up a three-run shot in the bottom half.

'There's no silver lining in this one,' interim manager Pat Murphy said.

Yangervis Solarte had two hits, raising his average to .412 over an eight-game hitting streak. Matt Kemp is batting .347 over his last 20 games and owns a 14-game hitting streak at Miller Park.

The teams split six meetings last season with the Brewers taking two of three at home.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays (52-54) at White Sox (50-53)

Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: August 03, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Chicago White Sox often have failed to score enough runs to back solid efforts from Jose Quintana throughout the season.

That hasn't been the case lately, though.

The left-hander looks to help the White Sox avoid a fourth loss in five games in the opener of a three-game series with the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.

Quintana (6-9, 3.52 ERA) has allowed two runs or fewer in 13 of his 21 starts, but Chicago scored an average of just 2.63 runs through his first 19.

He's gotten the offensive help necessary to win back-to-back starts, though, pitching his first career shutout in a 6-0 win over Cleveland on July 24 before giving up two runs in 6 1-3 innings of Wednesday's 9-2 victory over Boston.

Quintana has pitched at least into the seventh in four of his last five outings. The White Sox's 14 runs of support over his last two starts are one more than he received in his previous seven combined.

"We're trying to reverse the curse of Quintana," outfielder Adam Eaton said. "It's nice to be able to get some runs for him early and let him settle in and pitch the way he can pitch. It's fun to watch when gets in a groove and starts going with the lead. He's picked us up so many times, kept us in close ballgames."

Quintana allowed three runs - one earned - in 7 1-3 innings of a 4-3 win the last time he faced the Rays on Sept. 19. He'll look to help the White Sox (50-53) bounce back after being routed 12-3 by the New York Yankees on Sunday.

Alexei Ramirez and Geovany Soto hit solo homers for Chicago, which has dropped three of four following a season-high seven-game winning streak.

The White Sox are 3 1/2 games behind Minnesota in a crowded race for the AL's second wild card, with the Rays (52-54) sitting three back. Tampa Bay picked up just its fourth road win in 17 games by beating Boston 4-3 on Sunday.

Asdrubal Cabrera's RBI double tied it in the eighth before James Loney drove him in with a single later in the inning. Brandon Guyer homered leading off the game for the Rays, who were without Steven Souza Jr. after he was hit by a pitch Saturday that fractured his left hand.

Manager Kevin Cash said Souza is expected to miss four to six weeks.

"Obviously not an ideal thing for us or him, because his at-bats are crucial right now," Cash told MLB's official website.

Nathan Karns takes the hill looking to help the Rays win back-to-back road games for the first time since a five-game streak spanning June 7-20. Karns (6-5, 3.37) has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts, a stretch that began when he gave up one run while striking out eight in six innings of Tampa's 2-1 win over the White Sox on June 14.

The right-hander gave up seven runs in a loss to Kansas City on July 9, but he's won both of his starts since after giving up one run in six-plus innings of last Monday's 5-2 win over Detroit.

"I ran into some success through the first six innings, and in the seventh ran into a little trouble," said Karns, who took a one-hit shutout into the seventh before allowing a leadoff homer. "But I felt like things were going smoothly."

Karns' victory in June helped the Rays complete a three-game sweep in the last meeting.

Cabrera is 8 for 19 with a homer and four doubles in five games since coming off the disabled list due to a strained hamstring but is 1 for 16 with five strikeouts versus Quintana.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (48-58) at Rockies (44-59)

Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: August 03, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

Felix Hernandez hasn't had much trouble rebounding from the rare rocky outing, but could have a tougher time doing so when he pitches at Coors Field for the first time.

The Seattle Mariners' star hopes to continue his dominance in bounce-back starts Monday night when Jose Reyes makes his home debut for the NL West-worst Colorado Rockies.

Although he certainly doesn't have many off nights, Hernandez (12-6, 3.02 ERA) allowed seven runs and 12 hits - one shy of his career high - over 6 2-3 innings in Wednesday's 8-2 home loss to Arizona.

The six-time All-Star, who entered the contest with a 2.69 ERA, was coming off a five-game stretch in which he posted a 1.09 mark with 32 strikeouts and four walks in 33 innings.

"His command was off," manager Lloyd McClendon told MLB's official website. "His stuff was plenty good, but his command was off. A lot of pitches in the middle of the plate."

It was the third time in 21 starts that Hernandez surrendered seven or more runs. He's gone 4-0 with an 0.51 ERA in five starts this year after taking a loss, however, and has not been beaten in consecutive starts since dropping four straight from Aug. 17-Sept. 2, 2013.

Now the right-hander will try to help Seattle (48-58) win consecutive games for only the fifth time since May 27. Logan Morrison's RBI double and Austin Jackson's two-run single in the 11th inning keyed Sunday's 4-1 win at Minnesota that earned a split of the four-game series.

Hernandez likely won't have it easy in his first start at Coors, where the Rockies have hit 12 home runs and averaged 7.4 runs in their last seven games. They're also batting a MLB-best a .303 at home.

Carlos Gonzalez has gone 20 for 41 (.488) with seven home runs and 16 RBIs during a 10-game home hitting streak. The slugging right fielder is 0 for 3 with a strikeout versus Hernandez.

Reyes has fared better in this matchup, going 6 for 12 with a home run. The four-time All-Star - acquired from Toronto for Troy Tulowitzki on Wednesday - is a career .254 hitter in 114 at-bats at Coors, though he hasn't played there since August 2012 while with Miami. Reyes went 2 for 15 in his four games with Colorado (44-59).

The Rockies managed just five hits while falling to 5-10 since the All-Star break after Sunday's 3-2 loss at St. Louis. They haven't provided Eddie Butler (3-7, 4.82) with much support, even at home.

The right-hander has received four runs of support while going 0-3 with a 5.95 ERA in his last four starts at Coors. He's 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in two outings since getting recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque after allowing three runs over five innings in Wednesday's 3-2 loss at Wrigley Field.

"He got himself into some trouble but got big outs," manager Walt Weiss said. "He threw the ball well."

Butler, who gets his first look at the Mariners, will have to be cautious with red-hot Nelson Cruz.

The right fielder hit his third home run in as many games Sunday and is batting .407 with eight homers and 12 RBIs during a 13-game hitting streak.

Seattle swept a three-game series in its most recent visit to Coors from May 18-20, 2012.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles (53-51) at Athletics (47-59)

Game: 1
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: August 03, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

Tyler Wilson returns to the majors trying to prove a capable replacement for one of the AL's most reliable starters of late.

The Orioles' prospect will also try to kick off his playoff-contending club's West Coast trip with a favorable result Monday night against the Oakland Athletics.

Wilson is being recalled for the fifth time this season because Chris Tillman injured his left ankle in a 2-0 win over Atlanta on Wednesday. Tillman, considered day to day, is 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA in his past six starts and only Scott Kazmir's 0.88 ERA is better since June 22 among AL qualifying starters.

Wilson (1-1, 2.12 ERA) has made five major league appearances - none since June 19 - and in his only start he yielded two runs in six innings of a 3-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on May 28.

The right-hander's next opens a nine-game trek that includes three matchups this weekend against a Los Angeles team atop the AL wild-card standings. Baltimore (53-51) trails the Angels by two games and is one back of Minnesota for the second playoff berth.

The Orioles are also tied with AL East rival Toronto after splitting their four games against Detroit with a 6-1 defeat Sunday. They had won five in a row before that series and finished 5-2 on their homestand.

"We did some things well and there's some things we're going to have to be better at to stay engaged in (the playoff race)," manager Buck Showalter said. "We've got a challenging trip ahead of us."

The Orioles, losers in 10 of 15 on the road, are set to face Oakland (47-59) seven times in their next 13 games. The A's, who took four of six from the Orioles last season, will visit Baltimore from Aug. 14-17.

In this three-game set, Oakland will try to win three in a row for the first time since a season-high five-game run June 20-25. The A's had lost seven of eight before taking the final two matchups with Cleveland this weekend, including a 2-1 victory in 10 innings Sunday.

They're batting .198 and averaging 2.7 runs in their last 10 games, but their pitchers allowed a combined seven runs to the Indians.

That stretch began after Jesse Chavez gave up three runs in five innings in Wednesday's 10-7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander is 2-4 with a 5.75 ERA in his last seven starts.

Chavez (5-10, 3.53), though, pitched six scoreless innings in his most recent game in Oakland, a 14-1 rout of Minnesota on July 19, and his 2.33 ERA at home is in the top 10 among AL qualifying pitchers.

This will be his first start against the Orioles.

Coco Crisp, batting .438 with three homers in his last nine games versus Baltimore, could return from an injured neck that's kept him out since May 19. The outfielder also missed the first month of the season following right elbow surgery and is batting .044 in 13 games.

Crisp is expected to move down to the No. 2 spot in the batting order behind Billy Burns.

"I do like the dynamic potentially of them two at the top," manager Bob Melvin told MLB's official website. "When Billy's on base, certainly there's a lot of attention on him, and Coco's a pretty good situational guy."

Josh Reddick might have to sit out after leaving Sunday with lower back tightness.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (48-56) at Angels (55-49)

Game: 1
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: August 03, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

The Cleveland Indians are the bottom of the AL Central, and David Murphy was one of several veterans shipped out prior to the trade deadline.

Corey Kluber, though, isn't giving up.

Last year's AL Cy Young Award winner will try to build on one of his best performances of the season Monday night when the Indians face Murphy and the sliding Los Angeles Angels for the first time since the deal.

Cleveland (48-56) dealt Murphy, Brandon Moss and reliever Marc Rzepczynski away in separate trades before Friday's deadline - moves signaling the Indians were preparing for the future.

Kluber (6-11, 3.44 ERA) doesn't see it that way with Cleveland six games back of Minnesota for the AL's second wild-card spot.

"It's not over yet. We're not eliminated from anything," Kluber told MLB's official website. "So, I think while the front office does their job, we can't really worry about anything but the 25 guys in here trying to come each day and win. Hopefully, we can win enough of them that we get to play in the postseason."

That will require major improvement from the offense, which is hitting .236 and averaging 2.6 runs during a 3-8 stretch. Cleveland had a .202 average and totaled seven runs while settling for a four-game split with Oakland after a 2-1, 10-inning loss Sunday.

"We have to do a better job at manufacturing runs or scoring runs," manager Terry Francona said. "We're getting good pitching but we have to win those games."

Kluber finally got some support Wednesday, tossing a five-hitter in a 12-1 win over Kansas City. That increased his average run support from a major league-low 2.61 to 3.15.

Another strong offensive showing will be tough with All-Star Jason Kipnis - the team leader with a .326 average - expected to go on the disabled list with a sore shoulder.

Murphy, who was hitting .296 with the Indians, is just 2 for 11 in four games with Los Angeles (55-49). However, the team is hitting .194 and has totaled 15 runs during a six-game slide that's part of a 1-9 stretch.

The Angels, who hold the AL's first wild-card spot and are four games behind West-leading Houston, haven't lost seven in a row since April 30-May 6, 2010.

They lost 5-3 in 10 innings to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, finishing their first winless trip of six or more games since 1999.

"We're the same team that was winning baseball games a week ago," catcher Chris Iannetta said. "It's a rough stretch. We're not pleased with it, we're not happy about it. But there is nothing we can do about the last 10 days. All we've got to do is focus on (Monday) and try to get a win.

"One win turns into two, and then we're back in it. We're still in this race. It's a long way from over."

Garrett Richards (10-8, 3.37) is facing the Indians for the first time, and he's seeking to avoid losing a career-high third straight start. The right-hander has given up seven runs and three homers in 14 1-3 innings over his last two games following Wednesday's 6-3 loss at Houston.

"I have to keep us in the game. I have to give us a chance to win," said Richards, who is 6-2 with a 2.08 ERA in nine home starts.

Kluber struggled there and was charged with a 6-4 loss in his only meeting with the Angels on April 29, 2014. He was tagged for four runs and eight hits with four walks while hitting a batter in 4 2-3 innings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Mets sweep Nats, tie for first
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

NEW YORK -- Curtis Granderson, Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda hit homers in a five-run, five-pitch sequence in the second inning, and New York rolled past Washington.

By completing a three-game sweep in front of an electrified crowd of 35,374 at Citi Field, the Mets moved into a virtual tie for first place with the Nationals in the National League East. Washington had been alone in first every day since June 20.

Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard (6-5) allowed two runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out nine.

Anthony Rendon (3-for-4) and Yunel Escobar homered for the Nationals.

Blue Jays 5, Royals 2

TORONTO -- Chris Colabello hit a two-run home run, R.A. Dickey pitched seven shutout innings and Toronto beat Kansas City.

The benches emptied with two outs in the top of the eighth when Blue Jays reliever Aaron Sanchez was ejected after hitting a batter with a pitch. Ben Zobrist followed with his ninth home run of the season, and third of the series, against Roberto Osuna, to cut the lead to 3-2. The Blue Jays scored twice in the bottom of the inning to complete the four-game series with the Royals with three wins.

Dickey (6-10) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out six. Osuna picked up his seventh save.

Pirates 3, Reds 0

CINCINNATI -- Charlie Morton pitched seven shutout innings and Neil Walker hit a solo home run, lifting Pittsburgh over Cincinnati to earn a split.

Both benches cleared in the top of the eighth after Brandon Phillips was hit by Pirates left-hander Tony Watson, an inning after Andrew McCutchen of the Reds was plunked by Pedro Villarreal. Reds center fielder Marlon Byrd tussled briefly with right-hander Joe Blanton as both teams postured in the infield.

Just as it appeared calm was restored, Reds third baseman Todd Frazier and Pirates third baseman Sean Rodriguez engaged in a shouting match causing the clubs to converge again. No punches were thrown by two clubs which have a recent history of hit batsman. Rodriguez, Byrd and Reds first baseman Joey Votto were ejected. In the ninth, Pirates closer Mark Melancon was ejected after hitting Tucker Barnhart. Manager Clint Hurdle was ejected as well.

Tigers 6, Orioles 1

BALTIMORE -- Daniel Norris allowed just one run over 7 1/3 innings in his Detroit debut, J.D. Martinez homered and the Tigers breezed past Baltimore, earning a split of the four-game series.

The Orioles finished their homestand at 5-2 and remain within striking distance for one of the two American League wild-card playoff spots.

Norris (2-1), who was acquired from the Blue Jays in exchange for ace David Price at the non-waiver trade deadline, gave the Tigers hope for the future. He gave up four hits with five strikeouts and one walk. Norris started five games for the Blue Jays this season, going 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA.

Marlins 5, Padres 2

MIAMI -- Closer A.J. Ramos blew Jose Fernandez's chance at a major league record, but Miami still managed to rally in dramatic fashion over San Diego.

Adeiny Hechavarria of the Marlins had the first walk-off hit of his career, a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth. It was his fifth homer of the season, and it came on a 1-0 pitch from reliever Brandon Maurer (7-4).

In 24 career starts at Marlins Park, Fernandez has a 1.15 ERA. Had he won, he would have tied Johnny Allen (1932-33) and LaMarr Hoyt (1980-82) as the only major league pitchers since 1900 to have won the first 16 decisions of their career at home.

Braves 6, Phillies 2

PHILADELPHIA -- Atlanta right-hander Julio Teheran allowed two runs and struck out seven to pick up just his second road win of the season.

Teheran (7-6) got the run support he needed with a two-out, four-run rally in the top of the fifth inning that put the Braves ahead for good against the Phillies. He earned his first road win since his season debut on April 6 at Miami.

The win snapped a six-game losing streak and marked the end of a 10-game road trip for the Braves, and it also helped them avoid getting swept for the sixth time this season.

Rays 4, Red Sox 3

BOSTON -- James Loney drove in two runs, including the winning run on a one-out bloop single to center in the eighth inning, as Tampa Bay avoided a three-game sweep with a victory over Boston.

Loney's go-ahead hit scored Asdrubal Cabrera from second. Cabrera hit a ground-rule double to right to tie the game as Evan Longoria crossed the plate. Longoria led off the eighth with a double off the Green Monster in left field.

Loney and Cabrera each had two hits and Brandon Guyer hit a solo homer and walked twice for the Rays. Right-hander Steve Geltz (2-4) earned the win in relief.

for the Rays.

Astros 4, Diamondbacks 1

HOUSTON -- Collin McHugh earned his fourth consecutive win and Houston secured yet another home series victory by defeating Arizona.

The Astros have won or split nine consecutive home series and are 14-2 over their last 16 games at Minute Maid Park. Houston moved a season-high 14 games over .500 for the third time this season, riding McHugh for seven strong innings.

Evan Gattis hit his 17th home run of the season off Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray (3-6) leading off the fifth inning, an opposite-field shot.

Yankees 12, White Sox 3

CHICAGO -- New York made sure the trip home was a happy one by concluding its 10-game road trip with a win over Chicago.

The Yankees won the series against the White Sox and bumped their record to 7-0-1 in their last eight completed series. New York hasn't lost a series since the Los Angeles Angels took two of three games from them June 29 to July 1 in Anaheim.

Right-hander Ivan Nova (4-3) bounced back from a bout with arm fatigue in his last start by holding the White Sox to just one run in six innings. He looked strong for his entire outing and struck out seven against five hits and two walks.

Cubs 4, Brewers 3

MILWAUKEE -- Chicago kept rolling, tagging right-hander Kyle Lohse for nine hits, to complete a four-game sweep of Milwaukee.

Cubs starter Clayton Richard (2-0) was brought back from Triple-A Iowa earlier in the day and made his first start since July 20. He held Milwaukee to a run on five hits while striking out there in six innings of work.

Lohse (5-13) struck out three and walked one but allowed runs in four of the first five innings and was pulled with one out in the fifth.

Mariners 4, Twins 1 (11 innings)

MINNEAPOLIS -- Logan Morrison's RBI double broke the tie a as Seattle scored three times in the 11th inning to beat Minnesota.

The Mariners got a pair of walks to lead off the 11th against Twins right-hander Kevin Jepsen. Both eventually came around to score as Jepsen, seeing his first action in a Twins uniform since being acquired on Friday, took the loss. He was charged with two runs on two walks in one-third of an inning.

Morrison doubled off Brian Duensing to drive in the first run of the 11th inning and Austin Jackson added a two-run single off Casey Fien.

Cardinals 3, Rockies 2

ST. LOUIS -- Pinch hitter Brandon Moss grounded an RBI single to left in the bottom of the ninth as St. Louis squeaked past Colorado.

Jason Heyward started the winning rally with a one-out double off Scott Oberg (2-2) and reached third when Randal Grichuk beat out an infield single.

Acquired from Cleveland on Thursday, Moss worked the count to 2-1 and then collected his second hit in 11 at-bats as a Cardinal. Trevor Rosenthal (2-2), St. Louis' fifth pitcher, worked around a two-out double in the ninth by Carlos Gonzalez to earn the win.

Rangers 2, Giants 1

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Martin Perez allowed two hits in 8 1/3 innings as Texas edged San Francisco.

Perez (1-2), who was making his fourth start since returning from Tommy John surgery, needed just 80 pitches in his outing and came out after allowing a one-out double to Angel Pagan in the ninth inning.

Pagan came around to score after Jake Diekman walked the only batter he faced and Sam Dyson allowed consecutive singles, with Buster Posey's liner through the left side cutting the lead to one. But Dyson got Hunter Pence to ground into a double play to end the game and record his first career save.

A's 2, Indians 1

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Mark Canha stroked a walk-off double to left-center field in the 10th inning, sending Oakland past Cleveland.

Canha blasted a 3-1 pitch from Cody Allen (1-3) off the wall in left to score Sam Fuld from first base. Fuld reached with a single to center.

The win went to Fernando Rodriguez (2-1) as the Athletics earned a split of the four-game set in a series that pitted two last-place teams.

Dodgers 5, Angels 3 (10 innings)

LOS ANGELES -- Andre Ethier hit a solo home run in the eighth inning and a two-run shot in the 10th as the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels.

Ethier had not hit a home run since June 29, a span of 20 games, before the two-homer day.

The Dodgers won their sixth in a row against their Southern California neighbors, the longest winning streak for either team in the interleague matchup. The Angels completed an 0-6 road trip to Houston and Dodger Stadium.