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Diamondbacks hope Hernandez will give them a lift for pennant runBaseball Betting Lines08/10/2006 - PHOENIX (AP) -Livan Hernandez made a promise Wednesday to his new team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. ``Now that I get traded over here, I'm not going to throw no-hitters every game,'' he said. ``It's not going to happen, trust me. But trust me, I'm going to be on the mound and try to give you a chance to win every game.'' That's why the Diamondbacks grabbed Hernandez this week, sending minor leaguer pitchers Garrett Mock and Matt Chico to Washington. They optioned right-hander Jeff Bajenaru to Triple-A Tucson to make room for Hernandez, who is scheduled to start against Florida on Friday night. Arizona hopes the right-hander will be the piece that helps the Diamondbacks reach the postseason for the first time since 2002. Arizona was in third place in the NL West, 1 1/2 games behind San Diego, heading into Wednesday night's game against San Francisco. Inconsistent starting pitching and the resulting stress on the bullpen has contributed the Diamondbacks' mediocrity this season. Hernandez has pitched at least 199 2-3 innings every season since 1998. He's pitched 146 2-3 innings this year, compiling a 9-8 record and 5.34 ERA. ``For this season, our starters' innings have been pretty short,'' Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes said. ``Innings just by themselves aren't what we're looking for. Quality matched with quantity, which Livan has done for the most of his career, is a very important combination for us.'' The club also hopes the 31-year-old Cuban will prove to be a bargain next year, when he's owed $7 million. Hernandez, who had knee surgery last October, has struggled at times this year, posting a 6.91 ERA in June and a 6.18 ERA in July. But he has won four straight decisions, raising his trade value. The timing was right for the Diamondbacks, whose need for a front-line starter became even more pronounced when ace Brandon Webb recently skipped a start with a sore elbow. Webb will start Saturday. ``You put all that together and we were intent on getting this deal done,'' Byrnes said. Coincidentally, Byrnes dealt Hernandez's half-brother, Orlando ``El Duque'' Hernandez, to the New York Mets earlier this season. Hernandez said he spoke to El Duque shortly after the Diamondbacks acquired him. ``He's just happy,'' Hernandez said. ``He told me a lot of good things about the organization. He's got a lot of respect for the people here.'' Hernandez has a 119-112 record with a 4.20 ERA in 11 big league seasons. The highlight of his career came in 1997, when he helped pitch the Florida Marlins to their first world title. Hernandez went a combined 4-0 in the postseason and was named the Most Valuable Player of both the NLCS and the World Series. Hernandez has gone 110-109 since that season. But his durability is what sets him apart. Hernandez led the league in innings pitched each of the last three seasons. He's not among the leaders this year because he's had long bouts of ineffectiveness. But the Diamondbacks expect him to live up to the promise he issued as he joined the team. ``It's one thing to rack up innings,'' Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. ``It's another to rack up productive innings. In a day and age when guys go six, seven innings (per start), his mind-set is, 'Let's give the bullpen a rest today.''' Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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Chiefs' Treen Green out for Sunday's game How long Trent Green will remain sidelined is unknown. Coach Herm Edwards said Monday he will miss a second straight start Sunday when the Chiefs host the San Francisco 49ers. A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first hook slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati's Robert Geathers. Oddsmakers at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers. The 49ers got beat by Philadelphia 38-24 as a 6.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (42.5). Alex Smith completed 27-of-46 passes for 293 yards with a touchdown. Michael Robinson rushed for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five carries. The Chiefs lost 9-6 to Denver last week as an 11-point underdog. The combined score was well UNDER the posted over/under total (38). To visit this online sports book got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. 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.'' Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards. |
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