Capuano picks up win as Brewers down Pirates
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07/19/2010 -
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rickie Weeks hit a two-run homer and Chris
Capuano picked up his first win in over three years, as the Milwaukee Brewers
earned a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a four-game
series at PNC Park.
Prince Fielder also homered for Milwaukee, which has won six of its last eight
overall despite being held to only three hits. The Brewers have now won five
straight against the Pirates.
Capuano (1-1), who returned to the mound on June 3 after undergoing dual Tommy
John surgeries, hadn't won a game since May 7, 2007. In this one, the left-
hander allowed one run on three hits, walked one and struck out four in
throwing only 65 pitches over five innings. John Axford threw a scoreless
ninth to register his 12th save of the season.
Ronny Cedeno had a pair of hits, including a run-scoring triple for the
Pirates, who had taken two of three games versus Houston over the weekend.
Pittsburgh has dropped eight of its last 10.
Jeff Karstens (2-5) was saddled with the loss despite throwing six solid
innings. The righty allowed three runs on as many hits, struck out six and did
not issue a walk.
Pittsburgh appeared to have something going in the bottom of the ninth,
trailing 3-1. Axford came on and gave up a leadoff single to Garrett Jones,
then walked Pedro Alvarez. However, the right-hander struck out the next two
batters before retiring Cedeno on a groundout to second that sealed the win.
Karstens pitched two perfect innings before rain halted play for 50 minutes
prior to the bottom of the second. When play continued the Pirates right-
hander picked up where he left off by retiring the next six batters before
Fielder broke the string with a homer to left leading off the fifth.
Alvarez drew a leadoff walk in the home half and crossed the plate on Cedeno's
two-out triple to center that evened things. Karstens lined out to third to
end the inning.
Milwaukee then regained the lead in the sixth. Carlos Gomez reached with a
one-out, pinch-hit bunt single and Weeks followed by crushing a fastball into
the left-field seats for a 3-1 game.
Pittsburgh stranded a pair of runners in the seventh and Kameron Loe, who
retired the final batter in the inning, set the Pirates down in order in the
eighth.
Game Notes
Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen sat out the game after suffering a
right shoulder injury in Sunday's win versus Houston and is listed as day-to-
day...Karstens fell to 0-3 in nine career games -- six starts -- against
Milwaukee...Pittsburgh finished 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and
stranded seven.
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Problem with Bears?
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."
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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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