Indians send Mastny to hill at Texas

Baseball Betting Lines

06/03/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tom Mastny makes his first major league start this evening when the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers play the second of four games at Rangers Ballpark.

Mastny gets the call tonight in place of Jake Westbrook, who was placed on the disabled list Monday with right elbow inflammation.

In two relief appearances for the Indians earlier this season, Mastny was touched for two runs in 1 2/3 innings of work before being sent down to Buffalo, where he rebounded to allow just one earned run in nine frames for the Bisons.

Mastny has faced the Rangers seven times out of the bullpen without recording a decision, but has picked up a save despite pitching to a 7.04 ERA in those appearances.

Texas will also call up a pitcher to start tonight's contest, as A.J. Murray is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma to start in place of Vicente Padilla, who has been placed on the bereavement list.

Murray picked up the win over the Oakland Athletics in his only other start for the Rangers this season, giving up three runs (two earned) and six hits over 5 1/3 innings.

In the opener of this set on Monday, Casey Blake tied career highs with two home runs and seven runs batted in, as he helped the Cleveland to a 13-9 win. Blake finished with three hits, while Ben Francisco went 2-for-5 with a two- run homer and David Dellucci added two hits and a two-run blast of his own.

Jhonny Peralta also had three hits, including a double, for the Indians, who snapped a two-game losing streak and had scored 13 runs in their past four games combined.

Starter Aaron Laffey lasted five innings and gave up eight runs on 11 hits for Cleveland, which lost two of three to Texas in late May. Masa Kobayashi (3-2) picked up the win by throwing 1 2/3 frames and allowing just one run.

Josh Hamilton slugged a two-run homer, while Marlon Byrd added a grand slam for the Rangers, who put together 15 hits but lost their second consecutive game. Ian Kinsler and Michael Young each added three hits for Texas.

Doug Mathis struggled in his start for the Rangers, as he also gave up eight runs on 12 hits in just 3 2/3 innings. But Eddie Guardado (0-1) took the loss after surrendering one run in the seventh inning.

Texas won two of three from the Indians earlier in the year but is just 9-13 in the series since the start of the 2006 campaign. Cleveland has also won six of its last seven in Arlington.

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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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