>>Cubs Cruise By Sox
(Chicago, IL) -- Aramis Ramirez's two-run homer was enough for the Cubs to
slip by the White Sox, 3-1, and avoid a three-game sweep. Rodrigo Lopez
allowed just two hits in seven scoreless innings to pick up his first win in a Cubs
uniform. Starlin Castro went 2-for-4 with a run batted in for the victors. Carlos
Marmol registered his 17th save of the season. Gavin Floyd took the loss after
surrendering three runs on seven hits in his seven-inning start. Mark Teahen scored
in the eighth on a wild pitch from Kerry Wood. The ChiSox had won four straight.
>>Cubs Clash With Nats
(Washington, DC) -- The Cubs will begin a four-game series with the Nationals
this afternoon in Washington. Casey Coleman is slated to get the start on the
mound for Chicago. The Nats will counter with Jordan Zimmermann. First-pitch is
slated for 12:05 p.m.
>>White Sox Visit Royals
(Chicago, IL) -- The White Sox will open up a three-game series with the Royals
at The Cell this evening. Mark Buehrle [[ BURR-lee ]] is scheduled to be on the
mound for the Sox. The Royals will counter with Jeff Francis. First-pitch is at 6:10
p.m.
>>Cards Crushed By Rays
(St. Petersburg, FL) -- Johnny Damon finished a homer shy of the cycle and
knocked in four runs, leading the Rays to an 8-3 victory over the Cardinals in the
finale of a three-game series. Damon's hits included a three-run triple and an RBI
double that he scored on because of a throwing error. The Rays took the lead for
good on RBI singles from B.J. Upton and John Jaso in the sixth inning, giving
rookie right-hander Jeremy Hellickson his first win in five starts. Kyle Farnsworth
recorded his 17th save of the season. Tampa Bay won the last two games of the
series and finished Interleague play with a 12-and-6 record. All-Stars Lance
Berkman and Yadier Molina homered for the Cardinals, who have lost two straight
on the heels of a four-game winning streak. Kyle Lohse [[ Lowsh ]] took the loss,
giving up five runs, four earned, over five-and-a-third frames. The Cards will open
a three-game set with the Reds tonight at Busch Stadium as Chris Carpenter goes
to the hill against Johnny Cueto.