LEADING OFF: Arrieta aims to end skid, Pomeranz bids for 1st
A look at what's happening all around the majors today:
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BOUNCING BACK?
Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta is 0-2 with a 5.55 ERA in four July starts for the Cubs. He has allowed 20 earned runs in his last five outings after giving up 19 over his first 15 starts. Arrieta (12-4, 2.76 ERA) faces the Mariners at Wrigley Field.
TRY AGAIN
Drew Pomeranz makes another bid for his first win with Boston. The All-Star lefty is 0-1 in two starts since being acquired from San Diego, pitching a total of nine innings and giving up seven runs on 12 hits and four walks. He'll start for the Red Sox on the road vs. the Angels.
HAPPY TIMES
Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ (13-3, 3.27) has won seven straight decisions going into this start vs. visiting Baltimore.
LAST CHANCE
Royals righty Ian Kennedy and Rangers lefty Martin Perez have one more chance to get a win in July. The opposing pitchers in Texas are both 0-3 in five starts this month. Perez has allowed 29 runs (22 earned) over his last four starts after going 4-0 in five starts in June. Along with his winless month, Kennedy is 0-2 in three career starts against the Rangers.
ICHIRO WATCH
Ichiro Suzuki went 0 for 4 Friday night in Miami's loss at home to St. Louis, leaving him at 2,998 career hits. Colin Rea (5-5, 4.98) makes his Marlins debut, a day after they got him in a trade with San Diego.