White Sox send Garcia to mound in Detroit

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09/07/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Freddy Garcia tries to win his ninth straight decision as an opposing pitcher at Comerica Park this evening when the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers continue their four-game series.

In his last nine starts as a visitor in Detroit, Garcia has posted an 8-0 mark to go along with a 2.64 earned run average. However, he did lose there while pitching for the Tigers back in 2008.

Garcia has dominated the Tigers pretty much everywhere, though, over the course of his career with an 18-6 lifetime ledger against them with a 3.79 ERA in 30 starts.

Actually, it really hasn't mattered where Garcia has pitched or who he has pitched against this season, as the veteran right-hander is unbeaten in his last four starts and is 11-5 on the year to go along with a 4.82 ERA. However, he had to leave his last start on Wednesday with a sore back.

"I don't know what I can say about him. He's been outstanding," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "This guy loves big games. He loves to show up and prove how good he is."

The White Sox continued to roll in the opener of this set on Monday, as A.J. Pierzynski singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning, lifting Chicago to a 5-4 win. Pierzynski added a two-run single in the second for the White Sox, who are 7-0 on a 10-game road trip.

"We're just finding ways to win games," Pierzynski said. "We're battling. We're not giving at-bats away."

Chicago still trails AL Central-leading Minnesota by 3 1/2 games after the Twins edged Kansas City on Monday.

Don Kelly belted a two-run homer and added an RBI single for Detroit, which has dropped six of its last 10 games.

Hoping to get the Tigers back in the win column this evening will be ace right-hander Justin Verlander, who is 14-8 on the year with a 3.61 ERA. Verlander did not get a decision against the Twins on Thursday, but was hit hard in his team's 10-9 win, allowing six runs -- three earned -- and 10 hits in six innings.

Verlander has faced the White Sox 17 times and is 5-9 against them with a 4.87 ERA.

Chicago is 5-1 in Detroit this season.

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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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