Mariners hope to shake offensive woes in Texas

Baseball Betting Lines

07/23/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Seattle Mariners hope a visit to hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark in Arlington will enable them to cure their recent offensive struggles as they open up a four-game series with fellow American League West member Texas this evening.

Seattle was shut out in each of the final two tests of its three-game weekend series at Toronto, including an 8-0 setback in Sunday's finale. The Mariners managed just three hits off Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay on the afternoon, just one day after mustering only three hits in a 1-0 defeat on Saturday.

Felix Hernandez (6-6) wasn't nearly as effective on the mound for Seattle on Sunday, as the young right-hander surrendered six runs over six innings. He struck out seven but issued four walks.

The loss dropped the Mariners two games back of the division-leading Angels in the division standings. Seattle has not dropped three consecutive contests since a six-game slide from June 13-19.

The Mariners will attempt to break out of their funk against a familiar mound opponent tonight. Texas' Kevin Millwood has faced Seattle three times already this season, compiling a 1-1 record with a 5.29 earned run average in those games.

Millwood, meanwhile, will be trying to extend a string of strong July performances. In four starts this month, the burly right-hander has gone 2-1 with a 1.67 ERA and surrendered two earned runs or less on all of those occasions.

The veteran was a hard-luck loser Wednesday in Oakland. Millwood allowed four runs in six innings against the Athletics, but three of them were unearned and he yielded only three hits on the afternoon.

Horacio Ramirez, who is coming off a successful return from the disabled list, will take the mound tonight for Seattle. The former Atlanta Brave limited Baltimore to two runs and five hits and walked none over seven innings to lead the Mariners to a 4-2 victory on July 16. He had been sidelined for nearly two months due to shoulder tendinitis.

Ramirez made his Seattle debut against the Rangers on April 15 and picked up the victory after allowing five runs, only one of which was earned, over six innings. That was his first career start against Texas.

The left-hander has had his problems on the road this season, however. In four starts away from home, Ramirez is 0-2 with a 13.21 ERA in 15 2/3 total innings.

Texas has lost four of its last five games and is mired at the bottom of the AL West standings, 15 1/2 games behind the Angels. The Rangers came up short again last night, dropping an 8-3 decision to Cleveland in Arlington.

Marlon Byrd went 3-for-5 with a triple to lead Texas offensively. Rangers starter Robinson Tejeda (5-9) took the loss after allowing five runs (three earned) and issuing five walks in five innings.

Seattle has won six of eight 2007 matchups with the Rangers, all but one of which have been played at Safeco Field. In the only meeting in Texas, the Mariners came away with a 5-4 win on April 23.

The Mariners are just 9-21 in Arlington since 2004, however.

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According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).

Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

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Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.

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Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
   
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.

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