Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies – Series Overview

Game 1: Monday, May 21

If you are interested in betting on baseball this season, the upcoming three-game series between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies is going to prove to be challenging. One simply has to realize that these teams are not used to being in the positions they currently inhabit. Washingtons franchise has been firmly ensconced at the bottom of the National League East since it relocated to the American capital city from Montreal several years ago. Philadelphia used to be a sad-sack franchise, but over the past five years, few teams have won with the consistency displayed by the Phillies. Philadelphia has made the playoffs in each of the past five seasons, winning one World Series in 2008 and capturing the National League pennant as well in 2009.

Its jarring, to say the least, to look at the 2012 MLB standings and see Washington battling Atlanta for first place in the National League East while Philadelphia sits in the cellar. Does this mean that Washington is an elite team and that Philadelphia is going to fall short of the playoffs this year? Its possible, but then again, its only May. The season is still young, and theres plenty of time for the Phillies to find their footing. This series marks the very kind of occasion in which Philadelphia will try to begin to make a charge and show the Nationals whos still the boss in the N.L. East.

That last point – Philadelphias desire to make a move – will probably enter into game one of this three-game set on Monday in the City of Brotherly Love. Washington starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez brings a glowing 1.94 earned-run average into this game, while Philadelphia will go with starter Vance Worley, carrying a 3.07 ERA into battle. The raw numbers suggest that Washington has the advantage here, but Philadelphias hitters are going to be very motivated for this game. The Phillies will take pitches, work counts, and play with a little extra aggression in this contest. The Phillies need to win this series, and theyll take a big step in that direction in game one.

MLB Betting Pick: Philadelphia

Game 2: Tuesday, May 22

The team that is a mystery for legions of MLB betting experts is the Philadelphia Phillies, and one source of the Phils problems this year has been starting pitcher Roy Halladay. The 3.20 ERA is decent, but its far below Halladays normal standards. The elite pitcher has lost velocity on his pitches this season, giving the Phillies cause for considerable concern. Washington will oppose Hallday in game two of this series with Jordan Zimmermann, who has posted a sharp 2.14 earned-run average. Zimmermann has simply been better and more consistent than Halladay this season. Take the Nationals in game two.

MLB Betting Pick: Washington

Game 3: Wednesday, May 23

The team that online betting sites are wondering about this season is Washington. Are the Nationals for real? Its hard to take that leap of faith just yet. Edwin Jackson will go to the mound for Washington in the finale of the series, bringing a 3.71 earned-run average to the ballyard. Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels has a 2.28 ERA, and hes likely to outduel Jackson in a pitching matchup that clearly favors the Phillies. Take Philadelphia in game three.

MLB Betting Pick: Philadelphia

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Gordon Beckham hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning and the White Sox beat the Cubs 3-2 Friday, their 16th win in the last 22 interleague games against their crosstown rivals.

“I think that was more than the typical game. It seemed like there was a lot of stuff going on,” Beckham said.

Beckhams solo shot and a two-run drive by Konerko in the first were the only runs allowed by Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija (4-2).

Konerko sustained a laceration above his left eye and swelling when he was hit by Samardzijas pitch in the third inning and had to leave the game. He was to have more tests to determine the extent of the injury and his status for the remainder of the series.

“You never want that for anybody that youre playing with or anybody on their team. You never want to see anybody hit in the head. It was pretty scary. He walked off, so we figured he was OK,” Beckham said.

White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski said he went to the clubhouse to check on Konerko.

“I saw him before he left,” Pierzynski said. “His eye was pretty swelled up, but he was pretty cognizant, didnt say he was dizzy or anything. Ive seen him get hit before and go to first. I was a little scared when he didnt get right up, but he seemed fine and well see how he feels tomorrow.”

More on White Sox-Cubs Related links Cubs closer Wood ends career with a K DeJesus called out after Beckhams tackle Konerko leaves game after being hit in face Heyman: This Wood memory stands out Cubs Geovany Soto to undergo knee surgery Team pages: White Sox | Cubs More MLB coverage Some American League pitchers can actually hit Interleague Play: A look at possible NL DHs Interleague play proves AL better than NL Power Rankings: Hows the ride? Player Rankings: Best rookies Knobler | Heyman | Miller | Eye on Baseball

Samardzija, who came to the plate to check on Konerko, said he wasnt trying to hit the White Sox star.

“Its unfortunate. Therere a lot of superstars that put up big numbers, get paid a lot of money and Paulies one of those guys who is a superstar and does it the right way. Theres not too many of those guys out there. Hes not about show or about himself,” Samardzija said.

“Paulies a good guy and that ball got away and unfortunately hit him up high. If I could take it back, I would. The only thing that makes me OK about it is hes a tough guy. I hope hell be all right.”

White Sox starter Phil Humber threw high behind Cubs cleanup hitter Bryan LaHair in the fourth, prompting a warning from plate umpire Tim Timmons.

Sveum, ejected in the fifth for arguing a call at second base, reiterated the Cubs werent trying to hit Konerko, especially since it was a splitter from Samardzija. And he said if Humbers pitch was indeed retaliation, he would have appreciated it being thrown much lower.

“That one just got away from me and just one of those things that happens during a game,” Humber said.

Wood, who began his major league career with the Cubs in 1998 and struck out 20 Houston Astros batters in his fifth major league start, took the mound to rousing cheers after word got out that he intended to retire after the game. he was taken out as teammates congratulated him on the mound and Dunn doffed his batting helmet and clapped from first base.

The 34-year-old Wood, hampered by injuries this season and throughout his career, left to a standing ovation and was hugged by his son as he reached the dugout. Moments later, Wood emerged for a curtain call, waving his cap to fans as James Russell threw warmup pitches.

Wood played slightly more than 13 seasons in the big leagues, most of them with the Cubs.

“Its time,” he said afterward.

Konerkos 19th career homer in 66 games against the Cubs came one out after a first-inning single by Beckham and made it 2-0.

But the Cubs responded in the bottom half. David DeJesus led off with a fly-ball double into the ivy in left field and Tony Campana had a bunt single when Humber slipped down trying to field it. Campana then stole second before Starlin Castros long sacrifice fly made it 2-1 and sent Campana to third. Humber then struck out LaHair and got Alfonso Soriano to fly out.

The Cubs tied it in the seventh when Ian Stewart led off with a single and one out later Darwin Barney doubled to finish Humber after just 66 pitches. Matt Thornton (2-3) came in and Samardzija bounced his first pitch through the left side for an RBI single to tie the game and put runners at first and third. DeJesus popped out and so did Campana on a bunt attempt, ending the inning.

Samardzija allowed six hits and three runs in 7 1-3 innings with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Humber gave up five hits and two runs in 6 1-3 innings. He is 0-2 with three no-decisions since pitching a perfect game against Seattle on April 21.

Addison Reed got his fourth save in four chances with a scoreless ninth that included a double by Barney when White Sox right fielder Alex Rios lost his two-out fly in the sun.

Notes

White Sox 3B Brent Morel was a late scratch with a sore back that has bothered him off and on this season. He was replaced by Eduardo Escobar. Cubs C Geovany Soto will have surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee and will miss three to four weeks. The Cubs called up catcher Blake Lalli from Triple-A Iowa and optioned struggling right-hander Chris Volstad (0-6) to their top farm club.

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Making his second major league start since ending his one-year retirement, the 39-year-old left-hander (1-1) limited the young, free-swinging Reds to four hits – all singles. With a fastball that reached 90 mph, an excellent cutter and a sharp curve, he struck out nine and walked one, throwing 78 of 115 pitches for strikes.

Given a 1-0 lead on Alex Rodriguezs RBI grounder in the fourth, Pettitte pitched well enough to make it stand up. Robinson Cano hit a solo homer off Bronson Arroyo (2-2) in the eighth and Raul Ibanez hit a two-run drive, his eighth homer of the season.

Pettitte had been 0-2 in five starts since winning at Seattle on July 8, 2010 – five days before he pitched in the All-Star game. After missing much of the second half because of a groin strain, he beat Minnesota in Game 2 of the AL division series.

In his first start, at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, Pettitte allowed four runs over 6 1-3 innings in a 6-2 loss to Seattle.

More on Reds-Yankees Related links Team pages: Reds | Yankees More MLB coverage Some American League pitchers can actually hit Interleague Play: A look at possible NL DHs Interleague play proves AL better than NL Power Rankings: Hows the ride? Player Rankings: Best rookies Knobler | Heyman | Miller | Eye on Baseball

Boone Logan pitched a perfect ninth, completing the four-hitter as New York stopped a three-game losing streak.

Arroyo allowed four runs and nine hits in 7 2-3 innings.

New York went ahead when Rodriguez slapped a grounder to shortstop off Arroyo – not the pitchers glove, as he infamously did near first base in Game 6 of the AL championship series against Boston. Cano doubled the lead with his fourth homer of the season, a drive into the right-field bleachers.

New York again struggled with runners in scoring position. The Yankees were 0 for 7 and are 3 for their last 48 (.063) with RISP.

New York loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth on singles by Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson followed by Canos walk. Rodriguez grounded to third, where Todd Frazier bobbled the ball before throwing home for the forceout – replays were unclear when catcher Ryan Hanigan was touching the plate.

Ibanez grounded to first, with Joey Votto throwing home for another forceout, and Nick Swisher popped to center.

Cincinnati, the first team since interleague play started in 1997 to play at the Mets and Yankees on consecutive days, got an early baserunner when Zack Cozart struck out leading off but the ball kicked off the glove of catcher Chris Stewart, who was catching Pettitte for the first time. Cozart wound up at second on the passed ball and a throwing error by Stewart, who wildly flung the ball well over first baseman Nick Swisher.

Cozart took third on Drew Stubbs sacrifice but was stranded when Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips struck out. After allowing Hanigans leadoff single in the third, Pettitte struck out the side.

Notes

A day after Donna Summers death, her rendition of “God Bless America” was played during the seventh-inning stretch. … New York 1B Mark Teixeira, bothered by a cough since early April, was given the night off. … New York RHP Ivan Nova (4-1) remains scheduled to start Saturday. If his bruised and sprained right foot gives Nova trouble while warming up, the Yankees would turn to Freddy Garcia. Homer Bailey (1-3) starts for the Reds.

What: MLB Betting
When: Monday, May 21st-Thursday, May 24th
Where: Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, OH
Pick: Cincinnati Reds

Mike Minor (2-3, 7.09) vs. Mike Leake (0-5, 6.21) – Monday, 7:00 PM ET

Leake will be hoping that he isn’t winless by the time this start rolls around and it hasn’t been a great start for the 24-year-old, who is 1-0 in two starts against Atlanta with an ERA of 1.50, but those numbers may not matter much as badly as Leake is struggling. Minor, although he has a couple of wins, is in the same boat as he hasn’t had his best stuff and he is simply trying to get to this start without being sent to the minors (pun not intended). Minor, who is also 24, will be going up against the Reds for the first time in his career, but a 7.53 ERA on the road isn’t encouraging and he has given up six runs or more in each of his last four starts.

Your best bet is to lean towards Cincinnati at home in this matchup.

free sports picks: Cincinnati Reds

Brandon Beachy (4-1, 1.60) vs. Mat Latos (2-2, 4.54) – Tuesday, 7:10 PM ET

Beachy has been strong since losing in his 2012 debut, and he has made one start against the Reds in his career, taking a no-decision in Cincinnati last season. Latos had a rough start after he was acquired from San Diego, but he seems to be settling into his new surroundings and he has been good against the Braves with a 2-2 record in five starts to go with a 2.43 ERA.

Latos is 1-1 in four starts at home with a 3.91 ERA, and Beachy is 3-1 in five road starts with a 1.74 ERA. Even though those are great numbers, give the edge to an improving Latos in Cincinnati.

free sports picks: Cincinnati Reds

Tommy Hanson (4-3, 3.43) vs. Bronson Arroyo (2-1, 3.25) – Wednesday, 7:10 PM ET

Arroyo has a ton of experience against the Braves with 15 appearances (14 starts), posting a record of 6-3, but he has a 5.68 ERA and is 0-1 in four home starts with an ERA of 4.94. Hanson has had his issues with the Reds in the past, going 1-2 in four starts with a 5.03 ERA, but he has been better away from home than at Turner Field, going 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA. Despite is record against the Reds, Hanson has been phenomenal in Cincinnati, splitting a pair of starts and posting an ERA of 0.68 ERA.

MLB betting sharps can never be too sure what they’re going to get from Arroyo; he is a little like A.J. Burnett in that respect. Some days he looks like a world-beater, and others he can’t get out of the third, and he has been like that throughout his entire career, which makes it difficult to get behind him. Hanson has been throwing the ball well as of late, and the Braves should get their first win of the series.

free sports picks: Atlanta Braves

Randall Delgado (2-3, 3.79) Vs. Homer Bailey (1-3, 4.35) – Thursday, 7:10 PM ET

Bailey hasn’t had his best stuff this season, but he has also pitched well in spurts and it’s enough that he’ll be in the rotation for a while now. He is 1-0 in two starts against the Braves with an ERA of 2.13, but Bailey is 0-1 in his first three starts at home with a 4.50 ERA. The Braves, on the other hand, have started Randall Delgado in this spot the past two trips around the rotation and the rookie has done well; his last outing actually came against the Reds, and he didn’t give up any earned runs in 6.2 innings of work. Delgado is eighth in the National League in walks, but that is to be expected of a young pitcher who is still figuring out what a major-league strike zone is.

However, that outing was in Atlanta and now Delgado will head out on the road to Cincinnati, and he hasn’t gotten out of the sixth inning in all three of his road starts in 2012. This is the perfect game for Bailey to get on track and jumpstart his season, facing a team that he has been successful against in the past. That’s a big reason why you should take Cincinnati to end the series in your sports betting picks.

free sports picks: Cincinnati Reds

San Francisco Giants @ Milwaukee Brewers
Monday, 8:10 PM ET

Despite its struggles overall, San Francisco’s pitching staff ranks fifth in ERA with a 3.31 mark, with their starters fifth in quality starts with 23. The problem is that while they have done a good job keeping opposing offenses off the board, the Giants haven’t been able to score enough on their own to win those games, with an offense that ranks 25th in runs scored. San Francisco could be in trouble in the opener if Madison Bumgarner can’t shake his recent funk, as the 22-year old has given up eight earned runs combined in consecutive losses following a five-game win streak. The Brewers will counter Randy Wolf, and while he did give up six earned in just four innings of work the last time he was on the mound, the veteran’s inconsistencies this season point to a bounce-back game.

MLB Betting Pick: Milwaukee Brewers

San Francisco Giants @ Milwaukee Brewers
Tuesday, 8:10 PM ET

With Bumgarner struggling of late, the Giants will feel more comfortable with Matt Cain on the mound for game two of the series, as he gets the start after registering consecutive wins with a combined three earned runs allowed. Despite being one of the better starters for Milwaukee this season with a 3.07 ERA, Shaun Marcum is just 2-1 on the year, and the Brewers lost five-straight games that the 30-year old started before snapping that slide with an 8-2 win over the Chicago Cubs. Don’t expect Cain to give up eight runs in this start, as the Giants even the best sportsbook series at one.

MLB Betting Pick: San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants @ Milwaukee Brewers
Wednesday, 9:40 PM ET

One of the biggest surprises for San Francisco this season has been the play of Barry Zito, who at 34-years old has registered a 2.53 ERA and has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his four starts this season. Zito has given the Giants a chance to win in every game that he has played, and will have a good chance to add another as he gets the call opposite Marco Estrada for the Brewers. Milwaukee has lost each of the last three betting website contests that the former reliever has started, and it could be a case of pushing to hard on a square peg above a round hole on a team that has lacked starting depth.

MLB Betting Pick: San Francisco Giants

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It was the two walks that he issued before Hardy stepped to the plate.

They loaded the bases for the Orioles shortstop, whose single snapped a tie and allowed Baltimore to squeak out a 5-3 victory over Kansas City on Thursday.

“I just didnt get the job done. Putting those two guys on gave them an extra run,” Crow said. “In that situation, I need to go out and attack those guys, and if they beat you, so be it. I just cant give guys free bases and it ended up hurting me today.”

It certainly hurt the Royals, whose bullpen squandered a two-run cushion in the ninth inning the previous night, and then gave up a homer to Adam Jones in the 15th inning for a 4-3 loss.

Jones added a two-run homer in the fourth on Thursday to jumpstart the Orioles comeback.

More on Orioles-Royals Related links Team pages: Orioles | Royals More MLB coverage Knobler: Advice to free agents One-game wild-card round of playoffs to air on TBS Power Rankings: Hows the ride? Player Rankings: Best rookies Knobler | Heyman | Miller | Eye on Baseball

It was his third straight game going deep. Baltimore is 12-1 when Jones hits a home run, and his 13 homers on the year matches what he had by June 25 last season.

“Hes hot right now. Hes really hot,” Hardy said. “Hes been swinging the bat impressively.”

Brian Matusz (3-4) won for the third time in four starts after enduring a career-worst 12-decision losing streak. He allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk in six innings.

Relievers Luis Ayala and Pedro Strop made it through two innings unscathed, and Jim Johnson worked the ninth for his 14th save. Hes converted 22 straight since Aug. 14, 2011.

Luke Hochevar (3-4) pitched well for six innings. His only real miscue was the two-run homer by Jones in the fourth. But the right-hander ran into trouble in the seventh, allowing back-to-back singles by Wilson Betemit and Chris Davis, the start of a three-run inning for the Orioles.

Hochevar was pulled after Davis base hit, which center fielder Jarrod Dyson grossly misplayed. The ball bounced in front of him and went to the wall, allowing Betemit to score.

“I want him to be aggressive, but I dont want the ball getting by him in that situation,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He had a shot at it and realized the ball had some topspin on it, and stopped and it skipped right by him. In that situation you do not want the ball to get by you. That opened up a whole different can of worms for us.”

Crow came into the game and got two quick outs, but then walked No. 9 hitter Luis Exposito and leadoff hitter Xavier Avery. Hardy followed with a two-run single that broke the tie and sent the Orioles to their seventh straight road win, their best stretch since 1999.

Kansas City had ample opportunities to pick up a couple wins against Baltimore, but instead wound up with a pair of frustrating losses in the two-game, midweek series.

Jonathan Broxton blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning of the opener Wednesday night, and the Royals eventually lost their third straight extra-inning game. They jumped out to a three-run lead after three innings Thursday before the Orioles mounted their comeback.

Humberto Quinteros two-run double and Johnny Giavotellas RBI single to right brought in the runs for Kansas City, but thats all that Matusz allowed in an otherwise strong outing.

Hochevar was just as good most of the afternoon.

After watching his ERA balloon to a run per inning, the former No. 1 overall draft pick put together seven innings of three-hit ball in his last start against the White Sox. Hochevar ran his scoreless innings streak to 10 before making a mistake on a 3-2 pitch to Jones.

“My focus has not changed from the beginning of the year to now,” he said. “Still going out with the mindset of executing quality pitches and fight like crazy to get this team a win.”

Notes

There was a three-man umpire crew after Ed Rapuano left prior to the game for family reasons. The fire department was called to Kauffman Stadium when smoke was seen atop the scoreboard, where fireworks are shot off. Firefighters climbed up and extinguished the residue causing the smoke. Royals RHP Luis Mendoza will start Friday nights opener against Arizona. Orioles RHP Jake Arrieta will take the mound Friday night at Washington.

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Beachy (5-1) threw a five-hit shutout, the first of his career, in the first complete game of his career.

He has won five consecutive decisions since losing his first start. Beachy had no walks and six strikeouts and lowered his ERA from 1.60 to 1.33.

More on Marlins-Braves Related links Team pages: Marlins | Braves More MLB coverage Knobler: Advice to free agents One-game wild-card round of playoffs to air on TBS Power Rankings: Hows the ride? Player Rankings: Best rookies Knobler | Heyman | Miller | Eye on Baseball

The right-hander had two strikeouts in the ninth to cap Atlantas first shutout of the season.

Freddie Freeman homered and Chipper Jones, Michael Bourn, Martin Prado and Tyler Pastornicky each had two hits as the Braves outhit the Marlins 12-5 and split the two-game series.

The Braves improved to 18-5 with Jones in the starting lineup. They are 6-10 in games he did not start.

Ricky Nolasco (4-2) gave up four runs on seven hits in four innings as he was denied his bid for sole possession of the Marlins record for career wins. Nolasco, who is tied with Dontrelle Willis at 68 wins, has lasted less than five innings in two straight losses.

Bourn led off the first with a single and scored on Prados triple just beyond the reach of centerfielder Emilio Bonifacio.

The Braves added two runs with two outs in the third. Freeman launched a high homer, his seventh, to right field. Dan Uggla walked and scored on Brian McCanns double past a diving Logan Morrison in left field. The ball skipped past Morrison and bounced to the wall, allowing Uggla to score easily.

Jason Heyward was caught stealing after he was hit by a pitch to open the fourth. The Braves still had a productive inning as Pastornicky singled, moved to second on Beachys sacrifice and scored on Bourns single up the middle for a 4-0 lead.

With dark clouds hovering and lightning flashing over Turner Field, the Marlins stranded runners on second and third in the fifth. After singles by Gaby Sanchez and pinch-hitter Austin Kearns, Jose Reyes lined out to right field to end the inning.

The Braves added three runs in the fifth off Chad Gaudin, who walked freeman and Uggla to start the inning. Jones, Heyward and Beachy had run-scoring singles.

The Marlins had another scoring opportunity when Giancarlo Stanton led off the seventh with a double. Stanton was left standing on second as Beachy struck out Brett Hayes to end the inning.

Notes

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, watched the game from a seat near the Braves dugout. … Beachys previous longest start was 7 1/3 innings in two games, most recently on April 20 at Arizona. … Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he may use Jones and McCann as the designated hitters in the teams first interleague series at Tampa Bay, beginning Friday night. Gonzalez said it will be a good way to give two of his top hitters a break while keeping their bats in the lineup. … Morrison is the possible DH for the Marlins three-game series at Cleveland. Manager Ozzie Guillen said Kearns may be the DH if the Marlins face a left-hander. … RHP Tommy Hanson will start for Atlanta against Tampa Bays James Shields on Friday night. Marlins RHP Anibal Sanchez will face Indians RHP Jeanmar Gomez.

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Jose Bautista and Kelly Johnson added solo home runs as the Blue Jays tagged Yankees right-hander Hiroki Kuroda for seven runs, matching a career-high.

Blue Jays right-hander Kyle Drabek (3-4) snapped a four-start losing streak, scattering three hits over seven innings to win for the first time since April 15 against Baltimore. He walked four and struck out five.

Luis Perez worked the eighth and Francisco Cordero finished in the ninth for Toronto.

More on Yankees-Blue Jays Related links Brett Lawrie suspended 4 games Knobler: This Steinbrenner wont admit concern Team pages: Yankees | Blue Jays More MLB coverage Power Rankings: Hows the ride? Player Rankings: Best rookies MLB top ten plays of the week Knobler | Heyman | Miller | Eye on Baseball

Arencibia had three hits and scored twice, helping Toronto snap a three-game losing streak and giving the Blue Jays their seventh win in their past 11 home games against the Yankees.

Kuroda (3-5) allowed eight hits and a season-high three homers in five-plus innings. He walked two and struck out six.

Arencibia got the Blue Jays started with a two-out drive to left in the second inning, his fourth. Encarnacion made it 5-0 with a two-out shot to center in the third, his 13th of the season and second in as many days.

Arencibia doubled and scored on a two-out single by Johnson in the fourth and Bautista drilled a leadoff shot into the second deck in left in the sixth, his ninth.

New York broke up Drabeks shutout bid in the sixth when Mark Teixeira singled home Robinson Cano, who had doubled. Teixeiras hit was the 1,500th of his career.

Johnson restored Torontos seven-run lead with a milestone hit in the seventh, smacking a leadoff drive to right off Clay Rapada, his 100th career home run and eighth this season.

The Yankees dropped to 1-13 when scoring three runs or fewer, and 0-8 when failing to hit a home run. New York is the only team in the majors this season to not win a game in which they did not homer.

Notes

New York SS Derek Jeter got the day off and was replaced by Jayson Nix, with Curtis Granderson moving up to the leadoff spot. It was Jeters first day off this season. … Yankees RHP Ivan Nova (right ankle) did not throw his scheduled bullpen session Wednesday but is expected to throw a side session Thursday. Manager Joe Girardi said he still expects Nova to make his next scheduled start, Saturday against Cincinnati. … Blue Jays 3B Brett Lawrie was suspended four games and fined an undisclosed amount for Tuesday nights altercation with umpire Bill Miller. Lawrie is appealing and can play until there is a hearing, which could be held next week via video conference. … The Blue Jays were unsuccessful in detaining the fan who hit Miller on the shoulder with a cup of beer as the umpires walked off the field Tuesday. Umpires and stadium security pointed at the fan, but he managed to evade security as he exited the building. … OF Vladimir Guerrero, who signed a minor league contract with Toronto last week, has started taking batting practice at extended spring training in Florida and could see his first game action next week.

var ua = jQuery.browser; if (!( ua.msie && (ua.version.slice(0,1) == “7″ || ua.version.slice(0,1) == “8″))) { window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({}); FB.Event.subscribe(edge.create, function(response) { DW.levt(ria, log, {siteid: 175, mapp: social_share_bar, comptyp: app, comp: main, riaevent: click, objtyp: button, objnm: facebook_share}); }); }; (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1″; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, script, facebook-jssdk)); } else{ document.getElement Adam LaRoche broke open a tight game with a three-run double for his 1,000th career hit after homering for No. 999, and Gio Gonzalez took over the NL strikeout lead from teammate Stephen Strasburg by fanning 10 in seven innings Wednesday night, leading the Washington Nationals past the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4.

Hitting cleanup while Michael Morse is on the disabled list, LaRoche leads the Nationals with seven homers and 29 RBI. Talk about a turnaround: LaRoche hit .172 with three homers in 43 games in 2011 before having left shoulder surgery.

Gonzalez (5-1) allowed three runs, four hits and two walks. His 60 strikeouts are four more than Strasburgs total.

LaRoche and Xavier Nady hit consecutive homers off Erik Bedard (2-5) in the sixth.

Facing reliever Evan Meek with the bases loaded and two outs in a 4-3 game in the seventh, LaRoche lined the first pitch down the right field line. The scoreboard noted his milestone hit, and the announced crowd of 25,942 gave LaRoche a standing ovation. He doffed his cap.

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Meek, called up before the game from Triple-A Indianapolis, pitched one inning. He walked two batters and hit another, then served up LaRoches big hit.

Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard let in one run in the eighth, and struggling fill-in closer Henry Rodriguez overcame an error for his ninth save in 12 chances. He ended the game by getting Josh Harrison to ground into a double play.

In Bedards six innings, the left-hander gave all solo shots. He struck out seven and walked one. In his previous outing, a week earlier at home against Washington, Bedard lasted all of eight pitches before departing because of back spasms.

This time, the second batter Bedard faced, 19-year-old Bryce Harper, barely missed connecting for a homer in the third consecutive game, sending a shot high off the out-of-town scoreboard on the wall in right field and ending up with his first major league triple. Ryan Zimmermans groundout drove home Harper to make it 1-0.

Ian Desmond put the hosts ahead 2-0 by leading off the third with his fifth homer of the season, and LaRoche and Nady made it 4-0 in a three-pitch span three innings later.

How good was Gonzalez at mixing 95 m thought hed struck out even though he hadnt.

After the third pitch of Bedards first at-bat was called a strike, he began walking to the dugout, thinking that was strike 3. Except that pitch only made the count 1-2, because the first pitch of the at-bat was called a ball. So Bedard trudged back to the batters box, and Gonzalez smiled broadly at the scene – then really did finish off the strikeout with a looping 77 mph curveball.

That gave Gonzalez five Ks in a six-batter span.

He retired 10 Pirates in a row until walking Yamaico Navarro to start the fifth inning, and that brought trouble. Rod Barajas followed with a single to right, putting runners at the corners with nobody out. After a strikeout, Harrison pulled Pittsburgh within 2-1 with an RBI liner that center fielder Harper got a late read on.

In the seventh, Gonzalez walked Barajas then gave up Harrisons first homer of the season, a two-run shot to left that made it 4-3. That ended Gonzalezs streak of 58 innings without allowing a homer.

Still, the Pirates offensive woes continued: Theyve gone a dozen games without scoring more than five runs in any.

Notes

On Military Appreciation Night, a four-helicopter flyover preceded the game, and the Nationals wore their blue jerseys with a red-white-and-blue, stars-and-stripes curly W on the chest. … Meek, an NL All-Star in 2010, was sent to the minors on May 1 with a 5.59 ERA. To bring him back, Pittsburgh optioned OF Alex Presley to Indianapolis. Presley was 3 for 42 over his past 15 games. … Nationals RHP Chien-Ming Wang says he is willing to pitch in relief. Wang has yet to pitch for Washington this season after hurting his left hamstring during a spring training appearance March 15. Hes slated to make one more start at Triple-A Syracuse as part of his rehab work but was in Washington on Wednesday to throw a bullpen session. … Nationals C Wilson Ramos confirmed what was expected: He will miss the rest of this season after tearing his right knees ACL Saturday night. … Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmermann (2-3) faces Pirates RHP James McDonald (2-2) on Thursday to close the two-game series.

Boston Red Sox @ Philadelphia Phillies – Series Overview

Game 1: Friday, May 18

If you are interested in betting on baseball this season, the upcoming three-game series between the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies presents the kinds of situations in which raw numbers arent all theyre cracked up to be. The first installment of this three-game series pits Boston starter Daniel Bard, with an earned-run average of 4.30, against Philadelphia hurler Cole Hamels, who totes a snappy 2.28 ERA at the moment. Hamels is a better pitcher than Bard; you wont get any argument on the matter from a baseball betting expert. However, one must also realize that earned-run averages in the American League and the National League have to be taken with a grain of salt. The American League, because of its use of the designated hitter, is a much tougher league in which to pitch. An ERA just above four runs per game is a lot worse in the National League than in the American League.

If Bard and Hamels switched leagues, their earned-run averages, currently two runs apart, would probably be within three-fourths of a run, maybe only half a run. The sense here is that Bostons better batting order will make Hamels work. Hamels relies on his mixture of speeds to get hitters out, so as long as Bostons hitters are patient, they will get hittable pitches in the strike zone. This game should be very close, but Boston is in a position where it can wear down the Phillies arms. The Red Sox will strike first and prove that ERAs dont tell the whole story in a baseball game… not all the time, at least.

MLB Betting Pick: Boston

Game 2: Saturday, May 19

The team that is a mystery for a lot of online sportsbooks is the Philadelphia Phillies, and the big reason for the teams slump is that it has not produced at the plate. In Saturdays game, Jon Lester of the Red Sox, with a 3.71 ERA, will face the Phillies Joe Blanton, who brings a 2.96 earned-run average into Citizens Bank Park. Lester should be able to shut down the Phillies, while Blanton – a reliable starter at the back end of the Phillies rotation – does not have the overpowering stuff that can silence Bostons bats. Blanton will pitch well, but Lester will pitch better, and thats a recipe for a Red Sox victory in game two.

MLB Betting Pick: Boston

Game 3: Sunday, May 20

The team that online betting sites are not favoring at the moment is Boston. The Red Sox have more weaknesses than the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays, and when they finish this Sunday game, theyre likely to have one more loss. The Red Sox will go with Josh Beckett, who carries a large 5.97 ERA into this game. Philadelphia will trot out its staff ace, Cliff Lee, who has been humming along this season with a 2.17 earned-run average. Lee will dominate, while Beckett – immersed in a horrible season – will find it hard to outduel his counterpart. Philadelphia will win the finale of this three-game set.

MLB Betting Pick: Philadelphia