07/04/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Up-and-down right-hander Bronson Arroyo goes for a second straight victory today when the Cincinnati Reds continue a four-game series against the visiting Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park.
Arroyo, a native of Key West, Florida, has failed to find a consistent rhythm all year, losing his first three decisions before winning four of five and then losing three straight.
He rebounded somewhat with a 9-5 interleague defeat of Cleveland in his most recent effort on June 29 in Northeast Ohio.
In that game, the member of the 2004 World Series champion Boston Red Sox allowed five hits and an earned run in six innings, walking two batters and striking out six.
He'd suffered through the toughest outing of his career just five days earlier, getting roughed up for 11 hits and 10 runs in one inning of a 14-1 loss at Toronto.
Arroyo has split two decisions in four career starts against the Nationals, posting a 5.95 earned run average in 19 2/3 innings.
For Washington, right-hander Jason Bergmann starts against the Reds for the first time.
The 26-year-old, a 2002 draft pick of the Montreal Expos, has pitched two innings in two relief appearances against Cincinnati, allowing three hits and a run and walking a batter.
He earned his most recent 2008 victory back on May 15 against the New York Mets, tossing seven innings of three-hit ball in a 1-0 victory.
He's 0-4 in eight starts since, but has pitched well in the last two, giving up just two earned runs in 12 hits in 14 innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Baltimore.
On Thursday, Brandon Phillips drove in three runs on three hits to lift the Reds over the Nationals, 5-3.
Johnny Cueto (7-8) tossed seven strong innings for the Reds, who won for the first time in three outings. The 22-year-old rookie Dominican allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk, while striking out eight, including the first three hitters of the game. He earned the win in his first career start against Washington.
Elijah Dukes homered and drove in two for the Nationals, who took six of seven from the Reds last season and have lost three of four overall.
Jesus Colome (2-2) suffered the defeat in relief of John Lannan. Colome was tagged for two unearned runs on one hit and one walk. Lannan went the first six innings as he yielded three runs, five hits and three walks.
Washington took six of seven from the Reds last season.
<< Rangers head to Baltimore for three
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Rangers will pay a visit to the Baltimore
Orioles this weekend, starting with the first of three straight games today
from Camden Yards.
Texas will try to get back on track after having its three-game winning st
<< Men's doubles final set at Wimbledon
Wimbledon, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Canada's Daniel Nestor and
Serbian Nenad Zimonjic reached Saturday's men's doubles final at Wimbledon.
The second-seeded tandem of Nestor-Zimonjic outlasted a ninth-seeded pairing
of Cze
<< Rockies host Marlins shooting for fourth straight win
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Rockies try to match their longest winning
streak of the season this evening when they play the second of four games
against the Florida Marlins at Coors Field.
Colorado won its third straight game in the open
<< Edmonds returns to St. Louis, as Cubs take on Cardinals
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Zambrano returns from the disabled list this evening
when the Chicago Cubs open a key three-game series with the St. Louis
Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Zambrano's return, though, will likely be overshadowed by Jim Ed
Diamondbacks welcome Padres to Chase Field >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks are finally back
at the .500 mark and will try to maintain their division lead tonight, when
they open a three-game series versus the San Diego Padres at Chase Field.
Arizona sits j
Dodgers should get reinforcements for latest battle with Giants >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Dodgers have had problems scoring runs for
Derek Lowe this season. However, with two big-name players set to return from
the disabled list today, that may not be a problem.
Los Angeles is expected to get
Mariners try again to tame surging Tigers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers try to continue their recent dominance
of the Seattle Mariners when the two teams continue their four-game series
this afternoon at Safeco Field.
Detroit has won six of seven from the Mariners th
Rays try to keep shining in opener with Royals >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Rays will try to run their winning streak to
five games this evening, when they begin a four-game series with the Kansas
City Royals at Tropicana Field.
The Rays' current winning run includes a three-g
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.
Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.
MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .
''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''
Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.
He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.
''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''
Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.
With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.
Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
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