Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

NEW YORK — Cliff Lee finally posted his first win of the season as the Phillies beat the Mets 9-2 on Wednesday to end a six-game skid.

Lee had gone 13 starts without a win. The drought was the longest by a Cy Young winner since Greg Maddux's 14 in 2008 with the Padres. (The worst for a Cy Young winner is Fernando Valenzuela's 19 in 1988-89 with the Dodgers.)

"I would've loved to have a win a long time ago," Lee said, adding that the slump was a bigger deal to others than him. "I wouldn't say it doesn't matter. But it's something I can't control. Sometimes, weird things happen."

Facing the Mets for the fourth time this year, Lee struck out three of his first four batters but trailed 2-0 as the Phillies managed two singles through six innings.

Then Juan Pierre led off the seventh with a single, and Chase Utley followed with his second homer since missing nearly three months because of knee trouble. Carlos Ruiz followed with a homer to put Philadelphia ahead.

"Once they took the lead, we saw a different side of him," Mets catcher Mike Nickeas said of Lee. "He was tremendous."

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Nationals 9, Giants 4

WASHINGTON — Ryan Zim­merman's home run and RBI double (that wasn't a homer by a few inches) led the Nationals. He's batting .386 (17-for-44) since getting a cortisone shot in his right shoulder June 24. Before it, he hit .102 (5-for-49).

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Pirates 6, Astros 4

PITTSBURGH — Kevin Correia won his third consecutive decision for the Pirates. Pittsburgh moved nine games above .500 for the first time since 1992, Barry Bonds' final year with it. Houston rookie Dallas Keuchel's four runs allowed were one more than his first three starts combined.

By Steve Papen, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

What's new: Red snapper season is in full swing after the high winds of June and Tropical Storm Debby. The fisheries service extended red snapper season six days to July 16.

What's hot: Every day we have been baiting up on the beach and going to the 50-mile mark, where huge schools of big, red snapper are waiting. Most spots are producing 7- to 9-pound fish. We have concentrated on the small rolls on the bottom, which usually produce much larger fish though not as many. Every trip has yielded fish between 14 and 22 pounds. The larger fish are falling for live baits on the bottom; smaller fish like frozen sardines.

What else: Red grouper are in their summer pattern and can be taken on just about every bait in 90-200 feet. Giant shows of fish on the bottom machine are schools of vermilion snapper. Under these small snapper are the red grouper. Most spots will produce only a couple of fish, averaging 14-20 pounds.

Gag grouper season starts: Gag grouper are in depths from 20 feet to 450 feet. Live bait has been the key with larger fish and should outfish frozen baits all summer. Look for the best bite in 90-120 feet.

Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at (727) 642-3411 and fintasticinc.com.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

KOHLER, Wis. — Yani Tseng fondly remembers attending the U.S. Women's Open as a fan when she was 13, down to autographs and free snacks. Should Tseng win at Blackwolf Run this week, she'll get a taste of fame only a handful of players have sampled before.

With a victory in the U.S. Women's Open, the 23-year-old native of Taiwan would become the youngest women's player to complete a career Grand Slam of victories in each major tournament. She'd even one-up Tiger Woods, who didn't win all four majors on the men's side until he took the 2000 British Open at 24.

But after winning three times on the LPGA Tour this year, Tseng is struggling going into today's first round on the 6,944-yard, par-72 course. Tseng acknowledges that completing the slam is on her mind.

"It's hard to not think about, because everybody is talking about it," Tseng said. "But like I say, I'm not worried about what's my result this week, because (I'm) just going to have fun."

Karrie Webb is the youngest women's player to complete a career Grand Slam, winning the LPGA Championship in 2001 to complete the feat at age 26.

Tseng's best U.S. Open finish was 10th at Oakmont in 2010. But her best memory at this event came as a 13-year-old fan, when she was part of a group of Taiwanese players who watched Juli Inkster win in 2002. She remembers getting autographs on a flag.

"When you're a junior, you can get (a) hot dog and soft drink and free ticket to come in here," Tseng said. "It was so much fun."

Tseng won three of her first eight tournaments this year and finished in the top 10 in all eight. But in her three most recent events, she was 12th, 59th, then missed the cut.

Woods eyes roll: Coming off his two-shot win outside the nation's capital, Woods is among the six golfers ranked in the world's top 20 playing about 250 miles away in the Greenbrier Classic at White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. Woods will play alongside U.S. Open champ Webb Simpson today as he looks further ahead.

"A lot of guys are driving here from D.C.," Woods said. "On top of that, you get a week off after this to get ready for the British (Open). Some guys may go over there to play the week before the British. At least we have that option. I think that's one reason why the field is so strong here."

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Athletics 3, Red Sox 2

OAKLAND, Calif. — Jemile Weeks followed Coco Crisp's leadoff triple in the seventh with a go-ahead single for Oakland, which swept Boston for the first time since May 23-25, 2008. Oakland moved within one game of .500 for the first time since it was 22-23 on May 23. The Red Sox lost just their fourth series among their past 17 and went 2-5 on a road trip against Seattle and Oakland, the AL West's two worst teams.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Indians 12, Angels 3

CLEVELAND — Michael Brant­ley and Casey Kotchman hit three-run homers in the first and second, respectively, for the Indians. They backed Derek Lowe, who won for the first time since June 1. In five starts in between, the righty, 39, went 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Orioles 4, Mariners 2

SEATTLE — Chris Tillman's 81/3 innings for the Orioles were one more than his career high. The righty, 24, who made his first start of the season, was part of the February 2008 trade that sent left-hander Erik Bedard from Baltimore to Seattle. He was 8-8 with a 3.63 ERA at Triple A and 3-5 with a 5.52 ERA in 13 major-league starts last year. Adam Jones, also part of the trade, homered in the second to put the Orioles up 1-0.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Marlins 7, Brewers 6

10 innings

MILWAUKEE — Hanley Ramirez's single won it for the Marlins. Miami tied it on Gaby Sanchez's solo homer. John Axford, pitching for the fourth straight day, blew his fifth save of the year for Milwaukee.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

. Up next

at Indians

Tonight through Sunday

What's new: The Indians are in the thick of the Central race. They brought in two ex-Rays, OF Johnny Damon and 1B Casey Kotchman, and are led by RF Shin-Soo Choo and exciting SS Asdrubal Cabrera. Cleveland got DH Travis Hafner back from the disabled list on Wednesday. That should help provide power to an offense that has just 72 homers, tied for 11th in the American League.

Key stat: The Rays are 4-12 against the AL Central this season.

Connections: Damon and Kotchman, a Seminole High product, played for the Rays last year. Rays hitting coach Derek Shelton held the same position in Cleveland for five seasons, and first-base coach George Hendrick played for the Indians from 1973-76.

Series history: The Indians lead all-time 69-42, including 40-16 in Cleveland. The Rays took four of six last season.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

ROUEN, France — Britain's Mark Cavendish felt painful scrapes from the hard Tour de France asphalt in Wednesday's fourth stage. He bared no hard feelings toward rival Andre Greipel, who won it.

The German speedster, leading a thinned-out group of sprinters at the finish, got his 14th victory in all competitions this year while Cavendish nursed wounds from a late crash as the race entered Normandy.

Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara got briefly held up by the trouble but didn't go down, and retained the overall lead for a fifth day after the 133-mile trek alongside the English Channel from Abbeville to Rouen.

The top standings didn't change: Bradley Wiggins, the leader of Cavendish's Team Sky hoping to be Britain's first Tour winner, is second, seven seconds behind. Defending champion Cadel Evans of Australia is 17 seconds off the pace in seventh.

With less than 2 miles left, a group spill brought down Cavendish, who rode gingerly to finish the stage. The squad said he was banged up but was likely to start today.

With Cavendish out of the picture, Greipel burst out of the depleted group of sprinters and sped to the straightaway finish, a split-second ahead of Italy's Alessandro Petacchi and Dutch rider Tom Veelers.

"There were still really fast guys there for the sprint and I think we just deserve this victory," he said. "I think it's no question about that. I won a stage in the Tour de France!"

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — INF Jeff Keppinger is day to day with a bruised left triceps, suffered when he got hit by RHP David Phelps' pitch in the first inning Wednesday.

Keppinger stayed in the game at third base until getting replaced in the top of the third by Brooks Conrad.

X-rays were negative, but Keppinger said it's "swollen pretty bad" and it's hard to bend his arm.

"He's sore," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "But he's fine."

Keppinger hopes to see some improvement today. He has been one of the Rays' best hitters, hitting .317, and he has seven RBIs in the 11 games since coming off the disabled list with a broken right toe.

IN THE WAY: The Rays caught a break in the seventh. Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez stole third but was sent back to second because C Jose Lobaton's arm hit the mask of plate umpire Mike Estabrook.

Crew chief Joe West cited Rule 5.09 B, which says if "the plate umpire interferes with the catcher's throw attempting to prevent a stolen base … runners may not advance."

The next hitter, LF Andruw Jones, flew out to right, but it could have been a sacrifice fly. Rodriguez later stole third with two outs but was stranded.

"It's a big play in the game, and that's why the Yankees were over there screaming," West said. "But you didn't see (Yankees manager Joe) Girardi screaming. It's happened to him before."

Girardi was a major-league catcher for 15 seasons.

ON TRACK: RHP Jeremy Hellickson said his bruised right shin is "pretty much 100 percent" entering tonight's start.

Hellickson, pulled in the third Friday after getting struck by a line drive by Tigers 1B Prince Fielder, said he hopes to finally have a regular outing. He had just come off the DL (right shoulder fatigue) when he got hurt.

"It feels like I've thrown 10 bullpens in the last three weeks and four innings," Hellickson said. "But I feel good now."

MATSUI UPDATE: DH/OF Hideki Matsui tested his tight left hamstring with light running — about 50 percent speed — Wednesday afternoon and reported no problems.

Matsui, pulled from Monday's game, was available to pinch-hit Wednesday. And Maddon said he will remain in the role until he can run at full speed. Matsui said it will be a couple days, "maybe sometime after the All-Star break," before he can play in the field.

FAMILIAR FOES: In heading to Cleveland, the Rays are excited to be reunited with two key members of last year's team, OF Johnny Damon and 1B Casey Kotchman.

"They were a big part of our success," Rays bench coach Dave Martinez said. "We miss them here."

Damon, 38, the primary DH last season, provided several clutch hits as well as a significant leadership presence. His mark is left in the clubhouse, with the Captain Morgan lamp he brought in still lit during postgame celebrations.

INF Elliot Johnson said he made the Rays "tougher," playing through injuries and picking everyone up.

"When we weren't going well, he did a good job of rallying us up," Johnson said. "When something needed to be said, he was really good."

MEDICAL MATTERS: RF Matt Joyce (left oblique strain) began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, going 0-for-2 with a walk and playing six innings in the field. He's expected to play for the Bulls again tonight and could rejoin the Rays this weekend.

MISCELLANY: LF Desmond Jennings said Tuesday marked the first time in professional baseball he stole home. … The Lightning's 30 prospects from this week's development camp attended Wednesday's game.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

WIMBLEDON, England — After curling in a 102 mph ace to grab a two-set lead 56 minutes into his Wimbledon quarterfinal Wednesday, Roger Federer casually pulled an extra ball from his pocket, strolled to his changeover chair and sipped a drink.

No fist pump. No yell of excitement. No energized jog.

He still had work to do. Motivated by the bitter memory of quarterfinal losses at the All England Club the past two years, six-time champion Federer bullied 26th seed Mikhail Youzhny 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to reach his record 32nd career Grand Slam semifinal.

"I know I'm playing really well," said Federer, seeded third. "I am aware things are going to get complicated in the next match."

That's because Friday he faces No. 1 Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, who beat No. 31 Florian Mayer 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

This is the sixth semifinal in the past eight Grand Slams, and 27th meeting overall, for Federer and Djokovic, but their first at Wimbledon. Federer leads 14-12, but Djokovic has won six of their past seven matches, including at the French Open a month ago.

"We never played on grass," Djokovic said, "so I think it's going to be interesting for both of us to see what happens."

The other men's semifinal is No. 4 Andy Murray against No. 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Neither has won a Grand Slam title or been to a Wimbledon final.

Murray is trying to become the first British man to earn the trophy since Fred Perry in 1936.

"Subconsciously, I'm probably extremely stressed out right now, but I try not to feel it," he said.

Tsonga, a 2008 Australian Open finalist, got to his second straight Wimbledon semi by defeating Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2. He is 1-5 against Murray.

serena's doubles duty: Serena Williams earned two doubles victories with sister Venus, a day before her singles semifinal against Victoria Azarenka. The sisters completed their second-round match against Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova that started Saturday but was suspended because of rain, winning 3-6, 6-3, 9-7. They returned a few hours later to beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sania Mirza 6-4, 6-3 to move into the quarterfinals.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

nba

deal sends nash to lakers for $27 million

PHOENIX — Steve Nash is going to the Lakers, a Pacific Division rival the two-time MVP point guard tried so hard to beat in his eight seasons with the Suns.

At Nash's request, the Lakers and Suns reached a sign-and-trade deal, with Los Angeles using the trade exception it got when it sent Lamar Odom to Dallas.

Nash, 38, was a free agent but a sign-and-trade was necessary for the Lakers to afford him. He agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract. The Suns get two first-round draft picks and two second-rounders.

olympics

Bulls' Noah 'not ready' for Games

Bulls center Joakim Noah will not play for France at the London Olympics because of a left ankle injury sustained during the NBA playoffs.

"I'm absolutely not ready," the former Florida star said. "Not ready to run, not ready to jump. And even less to play."

Saudi women's status uncertain: IOC president Jacques Rogge cannot guarantee "100 percent" female athletes from Saudi Arabia will compete at the Olympics, although he remains optimistic the Gulf kingdom will send women to the Games for the first time.

et cetera

Autos: Formula One test driver Maria de Villota lost her right eye in a crash during a testing session and remains hospitalized in London, in critical but stable condition. De Villota, 32, sustained serious head and facial injuries after colliding with a team vehicle Tuesday. She underwent a lengthy procedure by neurological and plastic surgery teams, her team said.

Times wires

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Rays at Indians

When/where: 7:05 tonight; Progressive Field, Cleveland

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Probable pitchers

Rays:

RH Jeremy Hellickson

(4-4, 3.44)

Indians:

RH Josh Tomlin

(4-5, 5.85)

On Hellickson: His bruised right shin, sustained when struck by a liner in his last start, is fine. But he's 0-4 over his past six starts. He has made one start against Cleveland, throwing seven shutout innings May 29, 2011.

On Tomlin: He has allowed at least five earned runs in three of his past four starts, including five on seven hits in a win over Baltimore his last time out. He is 0-1 with a 2.59 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Tomlin

Jose Molina 4-for-5, HR

Sean Rodriguez 2-for-6

Luke Scott 2-for-6, HR

Indians vs. Hellickson

Asdrubal Cabrera 1-for-3

Johnny Damon 1-for-3

Shin-Soo Choo 0-for-2

On deck

Friday: at Indians, 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (3-5, 4.94); Indians — Justin Masterson (5-7, 3.92)

Saturday: at Indians, 6:05, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (5-5, 4.17); Indians — TBA

Sunday: at Indians, 1:05, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (8-5, 4.11); Indians — TBA

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Quote of the day

"He's struggling. There's no question. We've got to stay with him, and he'll eventually come out on the bright side. But right now, it's very difficult."

Joe Maddon, Rays manager, top, on DH Luke Scott, who is hitless over his past 36 at-bats, one shy of the longest hitless streak in Rays history (Jose Cruz in 2004)

Number of the day

16

Strikeouts by Rays hitters Wednesday, a record for a nine-inning home game; it's one off the overall record (Aug. 8, 2010, April 8, 2001, May 6, 2000)

Stealing the show

The Rays announced two more acts for their 2012 summer concert series. Pop artist Gavin DeGraw will perform July 21. And teen singer and actor Coco Jones will perform Sept 9.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays were feeling really good heading into the eighth inning Wednesday, six outs from a sweep of the first-place Yankees.

Up by two runs, manager Joe Maddon handed the ball to veteran reliever Kyle Farnsworth. Though Farnsworth was making just his second appearance of the season after coming off the disabled list, he saved 25 games a year ago and Maddon said he needs to be — and will be — a key setup man for closer Fernando Rodney.

"That's his moment right there," Maddon said. "And he's going to nail that down."

But Farnsworth faltered, walking four in an inning for the first time in his career to enable the Yankees' three-run rally in a 4-3 loss in front of a Fourth of July crowd of 28,033 at Tropicana Field. It snapped the Rays nine-game home winning streak against the Yankees and left them 6½ games out in the American League East.

"That was pretty bad," Farns­worth said. "It's all on me for not throwing strikes."

Farnsworth, who missed the first half of the season due to a strained right elbow, said he felt fine. But after walking pinch-hitter Eric Chavez and Curtis Granderson on 3-and-2 pitches — with Granderson looking like he swung on his — Farnsworth walked Mark Teixeira on four pitches and Alex Rodriguez to bring in a run.

Lefty Jake McGee entered and gave up a two-run single to Robinson Cano. But Farnsworth, whose four walks were his most since five over two innings on Sept 29, 2000, set it up.

"Some pitches were close. And those kind of guys, they're not going to swing at close pitches," Farnsworth said. "I beat myself by not being aggressive and throwing strikes."

Maddon said with Joel Peralta unavailable, having appeared in three of the previous four games, it was Farnsworth's turn. And even as Farnsworth struggled, Maddon said he was going to stick with him through Rodriguez, believing he could induce a double-play grounder.

"I believe he's one of the best relief pitchers in the American League," Maddon said. "He just needs to get a little bit sharper based on workload. That's it."

It spoiled another stellar start by, arguably, the top starter in the American League. All-Star lefty David Price was in line for his 12th win of the season after holding the Yankees hitless until the fifth. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Price had "no-hit stuff," allowing one run and four hits through seven with his only blemish a Teixeira solo homer.

"As good as I've ever seen him," Teixeira said of Price. "He's got great stuff, and when he locates, he's almost unhittable."

The Rays (43-39) were held hitless, too, by righty David Phelps until Sean Rodriguez's RBI single in the fourth. The biggest blast came from Carlos Peña, whose two-run homer off lefty Boone Logan in the seventh gave the Rays the lead.

Though the Rays couldn't close it out, they believe they gained some momentum from the series win over the Yankees and have plenty of faith in Farns­worth.

Said Peña: "I rest at peace when he's on the mound."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

PITTSBURGH — The Astros sent 1B/LF Carlos Lee to the Marlins on Wednesday for two minor-leaguers, 3B Matt Dominguez and LHP Rob Rasmussen.

"It's a huge move, the front office showing people how much we want to win," Miami manager Ozzie Guillen said. "They showed the players they're willing to do anything to help this ball club."

Lee, 36, is hitting .287 with five homers and 29 RBIs. Marlins LF Logan Morrison has been playing with a sore right knee and could move to first base. The Marlins sent current 1B Gaby Sanchez, hitting .202 with three homers and 17 RBIs, to Triple A after Wednesday's game.

Lee has a limited no-trade clause, and Sunday, he blocked a trade to the Dodgers. But Marlins GM Michael Hill said Lee did not have to approve this trade because his team was not among those he could block.

Sheets returns: RHP Ben Sheets, who signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta after missing almost two years with elbow injuries, gave up four runs in five innings for its Double-A affiliate. Sheets, 33, whose next start hasn't been determined, retired his final 10 batters.

Angels: RHP Dan Haren, dealing with a sore back, is set to be examined today.

Dodgers: All-Star RF Andre Ethier went on the DL with a strained left oblique. … INF Mark Ellis, out since May 18 with a left leg injury, was activated.

Indians: DH Travis Hafner, who had right knee surgery on May 31, returned. OF Shelley Duncan, whose wife is expecting twins, went on the paternity list.

Mariners: C Jesus Montero left in the fifth after being hit in the mask by a foul ball. His status was unknown.

Mets: OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis missed his second game with a sore right hand hurt during batting practice. He is day to day.

Padres: RHP Andrew Cashner went on the DL with a strained lat sustained during Tuesday's start.

Rangers: RHP Yu Darvish will skip Friday's start, his final one before the All-Star break. Nothing is physically wrong. The team wants to give Darvish, a rookie who worked on five days' rest in Japan, extra rest.

Red Sox: 2B Dustin Pedroia sat and is set to undergo tests on his sore right thumb today. He missed six games in May with a torn muscle in the thumb but said this injury, which occurred when he dived for a ball Tuesday, is in a different spot. … 3B Will Middlebrooks missed his third game with a tight left hamstring and remains day to day.

Royals: OF Mitch Maier was designed for assignment. The 30th overall pick in 2003, he hit .172 with two homers and seven RBIs and had just nine at-bats since May 27.

White Sox: RH reliever Jesse Crain went on the DL with a strained shoulder. RHP Deunte Heath was called up, giving Chicago 10 rookies on the roster, including eight of its 12 pitchers.

Twins: LHP Brian Duensing left his start in the fifth after being hit in the left ankle by a one-hopper. X-rays were negative.

Yankees: OF Darnell McDonald, designated for assignment by Boston on Saturday, was claimed. He hit .214 with two homers and nine RBIs in 38 games.

Big Papi's big milestone

David Ortiz became the 49th player with 400 homers on Wednesday, reaching the milestone against Oakland. (By the way, Red Sox Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski also hit their 400th homers against the Athletics franchise.) Active players who have 400 or more homers:

Player Team No.

Alex Rodriguez Yankees 642

Jim Thome Orioles 609

Chipper Jones Braves 460

Albert Pujols Angels 458

Jason Giambi Rockies 429

Andruw Jones Yankees 427

Paul Konerko * White Sox 410

David Ortiz Red Sox 400

* Hit his 400th homer on April 25 — also against Oakland

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Cubs 5, Braves 1

ATLANTA — Former St. Petersburg College standout Bryan LaHair, Jeff Baker and Anthony Rizzo hit homers for the Cubs to back Paul Maholm's six-inning outing. Rizzo's homer off Anthony Varvaro in the eighth was his second of the series and third overall since his recall from Triple-A Iowa on June 26. Randall Delgado has lost four straight decisions.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Blue Jays 4, Royals 1

TORONTO — Carlos Villanueva pitched six shutout innings, Yunel Escobar drove in two runs and the Blue Jays improved to 6-1 against Kansas City this year and are 9-3 against the Royals dating to 2011. Toronto's Rajai Davis tripled and scored in the second. In the third Edwin Encarnacion singled and Adam Lind followed with a double before Escobar and Davis hit back-to-back sacrifice flies.

Times wires
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Cardinals 4, Rockies 1

ST. LOUIS — Adam Wainwright pitched six strong innings and Matt Holliday had three hits for the Cardinals. Wainwright struck out seven of the first 13 hitters coming off an outing in which he gave up seven earned runs in five innings. Holliday is 33-for-64 (.516) with four homers and 19 RBI in his last 16 games.