Cards, Pirates set to continue series between Central foes

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05/08/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals hope to carry over the momentum from a late-inning victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday into tonight's clash between the National League Central teams from PNC Park.

The division-leading Cardinals snapped a string of three straight losses with a 4-3 triumph over the Bucs in Friday's opener of this three-game set. Yadier Molina went 4-for-5 and drove in three runs, including the go-ahead RBI double in the ninth inning.

Molina stepped up and hit a liner to the right-field gap off Evan Meek (1-1) to score pinch-runner Joe Mather to snap a 3-3 deadlock. Closer Ryan Franklin (2-0) then worked around a one-out single in the bottom half to nail down the win.

Matt Holliday also had four hits for St. Louis, while starter Chris Carpenter allowed two runs over seven strong innings in a no-decision.

Lastings Milledge had two hits and an RBI for the Pirates, who were coming off a three-game home sweep of the Chicago Cubs. Andrew McCutchen went 3-for-4 in the loss, while Pittsburgh starter Zach Duke gave up three unearned runs over the first 6 1/3 innings.

"They're tough. They kept coming," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said of the Pirates. "It was a very tough, competitive game."

Pittsburgh could be in for a challenge again tonight, with the impressive Jaime Garcia set to take the mound for St. Louis. The rookie southpaw has been sensational thus far in 2010, having amassed a 3-1 record with a 1.12 earned run average over five starts. He's surrendered one run or fewer in four of those outings.

Garcia was outstanding once again in Monday's 6-3 victory over defending NL champion Philadelphia, holding the Phillies to one run and three hits while fanning six over six frames.

The 23-year-old did face the Pirates in relief during a brief major league stint with the Cardinals in 2008, allowing no runs over a combined 3 1/3 innings of work.

Garcia will be opposed by Jeff Karstens, who makes his third start for the Pirates after being called up from the minors in late April. The right-hander was sharp in his first appearance, tossing 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball in an April 27 no-decision at Milwaukee, but struggled badly in a loss at Dodger Stadium on Sunday.

Karstens was rocked for six runs on 11 hits in five innings against Los Angeles, while striking out three and walking one.

The 27-year-old lost his only career start against St. Louis, which took place at PNC Park on May 14 of last season. He gave up three runs over six innings in that 5-1 setback.

The Cardinals won 10 of their 15 meetings with the Pirates last season, winning six of the nine games contested in Pittsburgh.

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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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