Bruce, Hamilton give two cities some hope
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J. Meric/Getty Images
Josh Hamilton drove home five runs in Texas' 12-6 win Tuesday against Tampa Bay.
RED HOT
By MARK SIMON, ESPN Research
It was a good night to be young and a Reds outfielder -- or young and a former Reds outfielder. Jay Bruce and Josh Hamilton both had high-impact performances in wins for their teams on Tuesday. It is a rare accomplishment to be perfect in a big-league debut, but Bruce managed that with three hits and two walks in five plate appearances. He also had two RBIs and scored a pair of runs.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BASEBALL |
| • Dodgers at Cubs, 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN |
Bruce can aspire to be as good as Hamilton has been for the Rangers this season. Hamilton has played up to the potential of someone who was once the No. 1 pick in the draft, and who now is a legitimate contender for the Triple Crown. When Hamilton has made a contribution, it's been a big one. In each of the last 13 games in which he's had a hit, he's had at least two. Both Hamilton and Bruce are keys to why the future -- and the present -- look bright for Texas and Cincinnati.
| Reach base five times in debut, last 50 years | ||
| Player | Team | Year |
| Jay Bruce | 2008 | Reds |
| Kaz Matsui | 2004 | Mets |
| Ted Cox | 1977 | Red Sox |
| John Pacioreck (only MLB appearance) | 1963 | Colt 45's |
| Josh Hamilton, last 18 games | |
| Batting average | .410 |
| HR | 6 |
| RBI | 33 |
| Multi-hit games | 13 |
| Extra-base hits | 13 |
FORWARD THINKING: WEDNESDAY
• Tigers at Angels, 10:10 p.m. ET: Joe Saunders (8-1, 2.31 ERA) is looking to establish a new career-high win total. He won eight games last year in 18 starts; he has eight this season in 10 starts. Armando Galarraga (3-2, 3.70 ERA) has not gone longer than six innings in a start since his first one of the season back on April 16.
• Blue Jays at A's, 10:05 p.m. ET: Roy Halladay (5-5, 3.11 ERA) is back to .500 after tossing a complete-game his last time out against Kansas City. Four of his last five starts have been on the road, and Halladay has won three of four. Rich Harden (3-0, 2.93 ERA) is averaging 11.47 strikeouts per nine innings, the first time in his career he has been in double digits.
• Dodgers at Cubs, 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN: Carlos Zambrano (7-1, 2.47 ERA) is issuing fewer walks this season. A year ago, he had six games with at least five walks; this year, he does not have any. Derek Lowe (2-5, 5.03 ERA) has not won since April 23. He has struggled mightily on the road, with teams hitting .339 against him away from Dodger Stadium.
• Complete list of pitching probables for Wednesday's games
BBTN ON THE AIR: WEDNESDAY
| TIME | WHO'S ON? |
| 11 p.m. ET ESPN |
Host: Karl Ravech Analysts: Ferando Vina, Steve Phillips |
BASEBALL TONIGHT MINUTE: BRUCE LOOKS SMOOTH
TUESDAY'S NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES
| GOOD |
 • Ervin Santana got back on the right track. After losing two consecutive starts, he tossed a complete-game three-hitter in beating Detroit. |
BAD |
 • Mark Buehrle gave up five runs in the first inning against Cleveland and the White Sox never recovered, losing 8-2. Buehrle gave up six for the game. |
UGLY |
 • LaTroy Hawkins could not hold onto the lead in the 11th, giving up three hits and two runs while turning a one-run lead into a Yankees loss. |
MANAGERS ON THE HOT SEAT
FANTASY: PREVIEW OF WEDNESDAY'S GAMES
Sean Allen examines the pitching matchups in store for the 15 games on Wednesday's schedule in the American League and National League.
Allen also looks at injuries and details player reports that could help shape the way you put together your roster for Wednesday's games. Daily Notes
NEWS AND NOTES
• Cleveland pitcher Jake Westbrook, out since April 22 with a strained intercostals, is scheduled to return today against the White Sox.
• Julian Tavarez made his debut with the Brewers, pitching a perfect inning in a 3-2 victory against Atlanta.
• Arizona's Justin Upton is stuck in an 0-for-26 slump. During the stretch, he has struck out 17 times.
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