Talbot Warns Giants Down Era

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Joey Votto, the defending NL MVP, accounted for the only run for the Reds with his 12th home run of the season in the eighth inning. Votto finished with two hits, as did Rolen, but Cincy batters struck out 11 times and were just 1- for-13 with men in scoring position as they stranded a total of 12 base runners. Rolen, who is batting .256 this season, is one hit shy of 2,000 for his career.

 

Talbot, who has had some issues with his control so far this season, has a record of 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his career versus the Reds.

 

As for Cincinnati, its plan is to hand the ball to right-hander Mike Leake for his first-ever appearances against Cleveland. Leake, now in just his second year in the majors, posted his most recent win on Monday, a 5-0 decision over the Tampa Bay Rays.

 

(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jason Marquis hasn't lost in over a month, and the Nationals hope to give the veteran right-hander plenty of run support today when Washington concludes a four-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Marquis is 2-0 over his last six appearances and hasn't lost since May 25 at Milwaukee. He is coming off a no-decision against the Angels on Tuesday, when he threw five-plus innings. The Nats have scored at least five runs in seven of his last 10 starts.

 

Kevin Correia, who has a two-game winning streak, gets the ball for the Pirates. He's pitched six innings in each of those games, most recently at Toronto on Tuesday when the righty allowed five hits and four runs. He's 2-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 11 games (4 starts) all time against the Nationals.

 

The teams split a doubleheader yesterday. Ivan Rodriguez slapped a pinch-hit, RBI single in the eighth inning to lead the Nationals to a 4-3 win in the nightcap.

 

Trailing 3-2 entering the eighth of the second contest, the Nationals tied the game as pinch-runner Brian Bixler stole third and came home on a throwing error from rookie catcher Eric Fryer.

 

Tony Watson (0-1) allowed the decisive hit.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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