– Felix Hernandez will attempt to cool off the Rangers, who have won
seven of their last eight games and have gone 5-0 against the Mariners
this season. He’s 4-9 with a 4.35 ERA lifetime against Texas, but he
did pitch seven scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers
back on May 14. The Rangers will throw Tommy Hunter, who has given them
two straight positive outings since coming up to replace the injured
Matt Harrison. He’s 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three starts overall. It
seems like a pretty good guess that Andruw Jones will be in the lineup
tonight, though he was held out of both of King Felix’s previous starts
against the Rangers. He hit three homers last night, giving him five in
his last four games.
– Tim Lincecum can add to his case for starting the All-Star Game
for the NL squad by beating the Padres tonight. However, that’s not
been such an easy assignment for him in the past. Even though he has a
1.43 ERA in 10 starts versus San Diego in his career, he’s just 3-2
against the team. When he faced the Padres on May 21, he allowed one
run in seven innings, only to take a no-decision in a 3-2 loss. On
April 12, he was handed one of his two losses when he gave up four runs
in 5 1/3 innings versus San Diego. Of course, Lincecum is throwing a
whole lot better now than he was then. He’s allowed just one run over
25 innings in his last three starts, all of which were wins. He’s 9-2
with a 2.23 ERA.
Game of the Night
Atlanta vs. Colorado – Who isn’t excited to see Tommy Hanson try to
match Jung Keun Bong? If Hanson wins tonight, he’ll become the first
Braves rookie to start his career 5-0 since the Korean left-hander did
so in 2003. Hanson took a no-decision last time out despite giving up
just one run in seven innings. He has a 0.90 ERA in five starts since
getting roughed up in his major league debut on June 7. Pitching for
Colorado will be ace Aaron Cook, who is already riding a five-game
winning streak. He has a 2.47 ERA in his last nine starts.
