Baker hopes to serve up a win for Twins versus Royals

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09/11/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Scott Baker tries to duplicate his performance from less than a month ago against Kansas City when the Minnesota Twins play game two of their three-game series against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Baker carried a perfect game into the ninth inning against the Royals back on August 31 before walking the leadoff batter, then serving up a single in a 5-0 win. He failed to follow that outing up in his last start on Wednesday against Cleveland, as he was charged with the loss, giving up three runs and 11 hits in five innings to fall to 8-7, while raising his ERA to 4.14.

The 25-year-old right-hander is 2-2 lifetime against the Royals with a 2.50 ERA in five starts.

Kansas City will counter with right-hander Kyle Davies, who is 2-4 with the Royals since being acquired from Atlanta for closer Octavio Dotel. Davies suffered the loss on Wednesday against Texas, despite a solid effort. He gave up two runs (one earned) and three hits in five innings, but his team dropped a 3-2 decision.

Davies has faced the Twins three times in his career and is 2-1 against them with a 4.11 ERA. He beat them two starts ago, allowing three runs (two earned) and four hits in five innings.

In the opener of this set on Monday, Justin Morneau drove in a pair of runs to lead Minnesota to a 4-2 win. Morneau ended 2-for-3 and Jason Kubel also had two hits, including a two-run double, for the Twins, who have won two straight after dropping six in a row.

Boof Bonser (7-12) got the win, surrendering two runs on five hits, striking out six and walking four, over five innings.

Joey Gathright had two hits and Mike Sweeney drove in both runs for Kansas City, which has lost six consecutive games, including the first four of its current six-game homestand.

Billy Buckner (0-1) suffered the loss and was charged with three runs on three hits, striking out four and walking five.

Kansas City has split its 16 matchups with the Twins this season after losing 12 of 19 to them a year ago. Minnesota is also 45-28 in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign.

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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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