Sunday MLB Gameday
Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick will be looking for his third straight victory on Sunday afternoon when he takes on the Mets. Here's a look in your MLB Gameday . . .
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies, 1:35pm ET
Oliver Perez (6-5, 4.98 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (8-3, 4.58 ERA)
Perez got back into the win column last time out by throwing seven strong innings against the Yankees. The lefthander surrendered just one earned run on three hits in that outing, fanning eight batters. Perez had been knocked around by the Mariners in his previous outing, and overall he's only earned two victories over his past eight starts.
Kendrick held the Braves to three earned runs on seven hits over six innings in a victory earlier in the week, and in his outing prior to that he tossed eight scoreless innings to beat the Athletics. The righthander has now gone 6-1 with three no-decisions over his past 10 outings, and the Phillies are 8-2 in that span. Kendrick's ERA is still high at 4.58.
Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox, 2:05pm ET
Rich Harden (5-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. John Danks (5-4, 2.50 ERA)
Harden has given up three or more earned runs in just one of his past nine starts, and he's coming off a win over the Angels in which he gave up only two earned runs on five hits over five innings. The righthander walked one in that outing, and fanned five. On the season Harden's ERA remains at a low 2.25, and he's fanned 88 while walking just 27.
Danks has allowed just two earned runs over his past 26 innings pitched, and he's 2-0 with five no-decisions over his past seven outings. The lefthander had to settle for a no-decision against the Indians in his most recent outing despite surrendering just one earned run on four hits in eight strong innings of work. Danks fanned eight in that game.
San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks, 4:10pm ET
Josh Banks (2-3, 2.89 ERA) vs. Randy Johnson (4-7, 5.46 ERA)
Banks has given up just 10 earned runs over his past three starts, but he's still 0-3 over that span. Against the Rockies on Tuesday the righthander allowed four earned runs on six hits over five innings, walking three and striking out four. Banks hasn't picked up a win since May 31, when he beat the Giants by allowing just one run over nine innings.
Johnson is a miserable 0-6 over his last six starts, and the Diamondbacks are 0-8 in the last eight games that he has started for them. The lefthander has surrendered seven earned runs in three of his last four starts, which has bumped his ERA up to 5.46 on the season. Against the Brewers on Tuesday Johnson gave up seven in just 3 2-3 innings.
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees, 8:05pm ET
Tim Wakefield (5-6, 3.72 ERA) vs. Joba Chamberlain (2-2, 2.22 ERA)
Wakefield was a hard-luck loser against the Rays on Tuesday night, surrendering just one earned run on five hits over seven innings of work. The righthander also pitched well in his previous outing, holding the Diamondbacks scoreless on two hits over seven innings in a victory. Wakefield is just 2-5 with three no-decisions over his past 10 starts.
Chamberlain lasted just four innings against the Rangers last time out, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out six in that contest. The righthander is 1-0 with four no-decisions in his five starts as a Yankee this season, but he hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of those outings. Chamberlain has fanned 62 in 52 innings.
