Iwamura and Duke help Pirates down D'Backs

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04/10/2010 - Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Akinori Iwamura went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and Zach Duke threw seven solid innings, as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 6-3, in the middle contest of a three-game series.

Duke (2-0) gave up two runs on four hits and two walks, and struck out two for the Pirates, who snapped a two-game slide. The left-hander improved upon his first start of the season, when he gave up two runs in five innings against the Dodgers on Monday.

Jeff Clement also homered for Pittsburgh, while Andy LaRoche was 2-for-4 and scored once.

Arizona's Dan Haren (1-1) had limited the Padres to a run in seven innings in his first start of the season, but was hit for six runs (five earned) in 6 2/3 innings Saturday. Haren allowed nine hits and walked two, but also struck out nine.

Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer and finished 2-for-4 for the Diamondbacks, who had won their last two.

Staring at a four-run deficit, the Diamondbacks threatened in the bottom of the eighth. Facing Jack Taschner, Kelly Johnson doubled and pinch-hitter Rusty Ryal walked before the Pirates brought in Brendan Donnelly to pitch.

Donnelly walked Conor Jackson to fill the bases, and Tony Abreu flied out to center to bring in Johnson. The other two runners advanced into scoring position after Andrew McCutchen threw the ball into open space in the infield.

However, Donnelly struck out Justin Upton before Javier Lopez struck out Adam LaRoche to end the threat. Octavio Dotel then worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of the season.

The Pirates got to Haren in the first inning, which Iwamura led off with a single. He went to second on a McCutchen groundout before scoring on Lastings Milledge's single to center.

Clement began the second with a homer to right, and the Pirates tacked on three more in the fourth.

With a runner on second and two down, Ronny Cedeno doubled to left to plate the run. Iwamura followed with a two-run blast to right, making it a 5-0 game.

Duke kept Arizona off the scoreboard in efficient fashion, facing the minimum through three innings. He also didn't allow a runner past first base through the first six innings.

Pittsburgh made it 6-0 in the top of the seventh, when McCutchen scored from third on Johnson's fielding error. Haren didn't make it out of the inning, as Jordan Norberto came in to get the final out.

In the bottom half, Adam LaRoche doubled before Reynolds belted a homer to left with one out. Duke, though, retired the next two batters to complete his outing.

Game Notes

Arizona catcher Miguel Montero left the game after suffering an apparent knee injury running to first in the bottom of the second...Cedeno, McCutchen and Garrett Jones each had a stolen base for Pittsburgh.

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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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