Happ returns to Phils to face Rockies

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07/25/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former rookie sensation J.A. Happ takes the mound for the first time since April today, when the Philadelphia Phillies host the Colorado Rockies in the third test of a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

On Saturday, Jimmy Rollins finished 3-for-5 with three RBI as Philadelphia sent Ubaldo Jimenez to the showers early in a rousing 10-2 victory. Ryan Howard also knocked in three runs and Raul Ibanez added a two-run homer for the Phillies, who have won three in a row and have scored 16 runs in the first two games of this series.

Kyle Kendrick (6-4) scattered six hits and one run over seven solid innings to post his first win since July 3.

Ian Stewart was 2-for-4 with a solo homer and Carlos Gonzalez knocked in the other run for the Rockies, losers of four straight and eight of their last 10.

Jimenez (15-2) turned in his shortest outing of the year, going two-plus innings and was responsible for three hits and six runs, fanning two and tying a season-worst with six walks.

Happ, who won 12 times in 16 decisions last season for the two-time defending National League champions, opened 2010 with a pair of solid starts in which he allowed nine hits and one unearned run in 10 1/3 innings against Houston and Washington.

However, the runner-up in 2009's Rookie of the Year voting was placed on the 15-day disabled list after suffering a left forearm strain in the April 15 outing. He has made nine subsequent appearances - eight starts - on three minor-league levels while compiling a 1-2 record with a 5.97 earned run average.

Happ is 1-0 in two lifetime meetings with the Rockies, allowing five hits and striking out 11 batters in 11 1/3 scoreless innings.

Colorado goes with Canadian-born lefty Jeff Francis, who won his most recent start and has list just once since early June. Francis allowed three hits over seven scoreless innings in a 10-0 win at Florida on July 20, walking none and striking out seven.

His lone loss over his last eight starts came June 30 at San Diego.

The 29-year-old is 2-2 in five road starts this season and is 1-1 in four lifetime games against the Phillies with a 7.59 ERA in 21 1/3 innings.

Though Colorado and Philadelphia split a two-game series in May, the Phillies have won 13 of the last 16 matchups between the clubs.

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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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Huskers' Lucky hospitalized for undisclosed reason

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska running back Marlon Lucky was hospitalized Monday for undisclosed reasons after Lincoln police responded to a call at his residence.

The Nebraska athletic department said in a release Monday that Lucky was admitted Sunday night.

MySportsbook.com has the Cornhuskers listed at +2500 to win the BCS National Championship odds.

A nursing supervisor at the hospital said all questions about Lucky were being referred to the athletic department. The athletic department said there would be no further comment from the department or Lucky's family.

A Lincoln Police spokesman said officers responded to a call at Lucky's residence 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The spokesman said he didn't know Lucky's condition at the time he was taken to the hospital.

Lucky, from North Hollywood, Calif., started six games last season as a sophomore and was the team's second-leading rusher, with 728 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 383 yards. He averaged 19.1 yards on eight kickoff returns.

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