Cubs, Diamondbacks play rubber match at Wrigley

Baseball Betting Lines

07/22/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sean Marshall will square off against the Arizona Diamondbacks for the first time in his career this afternoon when the Chicago Cubs wrap a three-game set with Arizona at Wrigley Field.

Marshall is also winless in his last three starts overall this season. After taking a loss against Milwaukee on June 30, the left-hander has turned in two straight outings of two-run ball, but has gotten a no-decision each time. That includes a six-inning performance against the Giants on Tuesday.

Marshall is 4-3 on the year with a 3.43 earned run average.

Yusmeiro Petit will make his fifth start of the season today for Arizona and is coming off a loss last time out on Tuesday. Versus Milwaukee, the young right-hander limited the Brewers to three runs (two earned) on eight hits over five frames, but it wasn't enough in the 3-2 setback.

Petit, who is 1-2 on the season with a 3.22 ERA, faced Chicago once in relief while with Florida last season and pitched a hitless frame against them.

After dropping the series opener on Friday, the Diamondbacks rebounded with a 3-2 victory on Saturday, as Stephen Drew hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning to pace his team to victory.

Orlando Hudson went 3-for-5 with an RBI and Chris Young scored twice for the Diamondbacks, who had lost five of six before the win and are 4 1/2 games off the pace in the National League West.

Arizona starter Micah Owings lasted just four innings after giving up two runs on four hits. Juan Cruz (4-1) took over for Owings and pitched three no-hit innings to earn up the win. Jose Valverde worked around a one-out walk in the ninth to pick up his 29th save of the season.

Angel Pagan hit a two-run triple for the Cubs, who had a three-game winning streak halted while losing for just the second time on a 10-game homestand (7-2).

The second-place club remains 2 1/2 games behind Milwaukee for first in the NL Central.

Rich Hill pitched six innings, yielding two runs -- one earned -- on six hits with six strikeouts and four walks. Bob Howry (5-5) allowed Drew's homer to take the loss.

Arizona has had recent success against Chicago. It won four of six against the Cubs in 2006, and is 14-7 against them since the start of the 2004 season.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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