Padres send out Latos in hopes of taking set from Dodgers

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07/29/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mat Latos attempts to win his seventh straight decision this evening, when the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers close out a three-game series at Petco Park.

Latos, who had recently been sidelined with a strained left oblique brought on by a sneeze, has won his last six decisions and is 11-4 with a 2.48 earned run average on the year. He returned from the disabled list to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, holding them to two runs and seven hits in six innings.

"I thought he threw the ball well from the first inning on," Padres manager Bud Black said of Latos in his return. "Hopefully he'll do what he's done all year."

Latos has allowed just three runs over his last five starts and has also allowed two runs or less in 13 of his last 14 outings. He lost to the Dodgers in his only career start against them, which took place last season.

San Diego evened this series at a game apiece on Wednesday, as Jerry Hairston Jr. drove in three runs and Clayton Richard was solid in six innings on the mound, helping the Padres to a 6-1 win.

Richard (8-5) gave up one run on four hits for the Padres, who bounced back from a 2-0 loss in the opener of this series. He also struck out six and walked one.

Chris Denorfia, Nick Hundley, and Adrian Gonzalez each had an RBI for NL West- leading San Diego, which has won four of five.

"We really don't put that much pressure on ourselves," Hairston said. "We just got out and have fun. Maybe this team doesn't know any better, but that's a good thing."

Jamey Carroll knocked in the lone run for the Dodgers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Hiroki Kuroda (8-9) went six-plus frames in the start, giving up three runs on four hits to take the loss. He also fanned five batters and walked two.

"He had good stuff today. We just couldn't get a win for him," Dodgers catcher Russell Martin said of Kuroda afterward.

Getting the call for the Dodgers tonight will be righty Vicente Padilla, who is 4-3 with a 3.41 ERA. Padilla did not get a decision on Friday against the New York Mets, but allowed two runs (one earned) and six hits in seven innings of his team's 6-1 loss.

Padilla has faced the Padres 16 times (seven starts) and is 2-1 with a 3.23 ERA.

Los Angeles has won five of seven over the Padres this year, including a three-game sweep at Petco Park from May 14-16.

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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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