07/04/2009 - Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aubrey Huff went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, as the Baltimore Orioles hung on to edge the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 6-4, in the second test of a four-game series.
Luke Scott stroked a two-run double for the Orioles, who had lost four of five coming into Friday. Nick Markakis went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.
David Hernandez (2-2) lasted 6 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on six hits with two strikeouts and two walks to collect his second win in his fourth start in the majors. George Sherrill picked up his 18th save of the year.
"Impressive. He was throwing strikes and used all his pitches really well. He commanded his fastball and showed great poise," Orioles manager David Trembley said about Hernandez.
Kendry Morales belted a two-run homer for the Angels, who have dropped three of their last four. Maicer Izturis went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while Vladimir Guerrero drove in the other run for Los Angeles, which won, 5-2, in the opener of the series on Thursday.
Ervin Santana (1-4) went five frames, allowing six runs -- four earned -- on eight hits with five strikeouts and three walks to take the loss for LA. Santana was activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game.
"I felt good. My location was okay, but I made a few mistakes. My arm felt good, but I just want to win," Santana said.
The Orioles drew first blood with a pair of runs in the first inning. Adam Jones was hit by a pitch, Nick Markakis reached first on Erick Aybar's fielding error, and Huff singled to load the bases with one out. Two batters later, Scott stepped to the plate and stroked a two-run double to right.
Huff blasted a three-run homer in the third to give Baltimore a 5-0 lead. Huff drove a Santana offering over the right-field wall to knock in Jones and Markakis, who had singled and doubled, respectively.
Each team scored once in the fourth, as Markakis hit an RBI single for the O's and Izturis stroked an RBI double for the Angels.
Morales blasted a two-run homer to right off Hernandez in the sixth to cut the gap to 6-3.
LA plated a run in the eighth to cut the margin to 6-4. Torii Hunter, who grounded into a fielder's choice and advanced to second and third on two wild pitches, scored on Guerrero's groundout. Jim Johnson, though, was able to get out of the inning without any further trouble.
Sherrill came on in the ninth and gave up a leadoff single to Izturis but got pinch-hitter Mike Napoli to ground into a game-ending double play.
Game Notes
The Angels lead the season series with the Orioles, 3-1. LA won the 2008 season series, 6-3...Baltimore shortstop Robert Andino had a seven-game hitting streak snapped...The Angels are 7-3 in their last 10 games.
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Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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