No Strasburg, no problem: Nationals shut out Braves
Baseball Betting Lines
07/27/2010 - Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Miguel Batista, thrust into emergency duty after the late scratch to phenom Stephen Strasburg, hurled five scoreless frames as Washington downed Atlanta, 3-0, in the first of three games at Nationals Park.
Strasburg was a late scratch because he could not get loose during his bullpen session, putting Batista on the spot in front of a home crowd geared up to see the young hurler. Strasburg tugged at his right arm during his warm-up, constantly talking to trainers. He underwent an x-ray and MRI, both which showed no structural damage. The diagnosis was inflammation in the right shoulder, and the right-hander is day-to-day.
"He had instances of this as an amateur in his college days," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said.
Batista (1-2) shined in his absence. The right-hander scattered three hits and one walk with six strikeouts. The Nationals bullpen followed with four solid frames and Matt Capps picked up his 25th save as the club snapped a three-game losing streak.
"Miguel has been a staff saver for us," Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said. "And tonight he was more than that. He was outstanding."
Ian Desmond finished 2-for-3 with two RBI in the victory.
Tommy Hanson (8-7) was the hard-luck loser, surrendering three runs -- one earned -- on six hits with eight strikeouts over six frames. The Braves have dropped three of four. Eric Hinske was 2-for-4 in defeat.
The Nationals broke in front thanks to speed in the home half of the first frame. Nyjer Morgan chopped a single to center, stole second then swiped third and raced home when Brian McCann's throw to third sailed high and wide right into left field.
Washington kept the pressure on and took advantage of another Braves miscue in the second. Roger Bernadina singled and raced around to third when Chipper Jones threw Ivan Rodriguez's grounder well wide of second base for an error. Desmond then drove both runners home with a single to center.
The Braves had a runner on second and one out in the fifth but failed to score, then put the leadoff man on base in the sixth, but McCann grounded into a double play in front of Hinske's double. He was stranded when Troy Glaus struck out swinging.
Game Notes
Washington has won four of seven meetings with Atlanta this season...Hanson fell to 1-4 in his last five decisions...Hinske now has 18 doubles on the season...The Braves went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position...Ryan Zimmerman clubbed his 22nd double of the season for the Nationals...Batista started for the first time since August 25, 2008 with Seattle.
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Broncos came to terms with their second and third-round draft picks, offensive lineman Zane Beadles and wide receiver Eric Decker, the team announced on Tuesday. Terms of the deals were not di
<< Caps sign Fleischmann for one year
Arlington, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Capitals inked forward Tomas
Fleischmann to a one-year contract on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old native of the Czech Republic notched career-highs with 23
goals, 28 assists and 51 points in
<< Big Hurt returns to White Sox as team ambassador
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two-time American League MVP Frank Thomas, who
announced his retirement last winter, will rejoin the Chicago White Sox as a
team ambassador.
Thomas, who played 19 seasons in the majors, will have his un
<< Dolphins sign veteran DE Douglas
Davie, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Miami Dolphins signed veteran defensive end
Marques Douglas to an undisclosed contract on Tuesday.
Douglas has spent each of the past three seasons with a different club,
playing in all 16 regular se
<< Braves send McLouth to minors
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Braves have sent slumping
outfielder Nate McLouth to Triple-A Gwinnett.
In 62 games this season, the sixth-year pro was hitting just .168 and missed
more than a month with concussion-l
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Josh Tomlin pitched into the eighth inning in his major league debut and Matt LaPorta provided enough support with two RBI, as Cleveland downed the Yankees, 4-1, in the continuation of a four-game series
Bautista powers Blue Jays over Orioles >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jose Bautista went 4-for-4 with a pair of home
runs and knocked in five, as the Toronto Blue Jays downed the Baltimore
Orioles, 8-2, in the second of a three-game series at Rogers Centre.
Vernon Wells
Shields follows Garza's no-hit gem with strong outing >>
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One night after Matt Garza pitched the
first no-hitter in Tampa Bay franchise history, the Rays used a solid outing
from starter James Shields and a timely RBI double by Matt Joyce to defeat the
Detroit
Mets return home, rock Wainwright and Cards >>
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeff Francoeur and Jose Reyes each homered as
the New York Mets made a successful return to Citi Field by roughing up Adam
Wainwright and the Cardinals, 8-2, in the opener of a three-game series.
The Mets
White Sox rout Mariners, Floyd strong again in victory >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alexei Ramirez, Paul Konerko and Andruw Jones
each homered, and Gavin Floyd threw seven scoreless frames for Chicago en
route to an 11-0 annihilation of Seattle in the second meeting of a four-game
series.
American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
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Terrell Owens could return for Cowboys next game
A bye week will allow Terrell Owens broken hand to recover just in time for the next game the Dallas Cowboys are slated to play, according to reports. MySportsbook.com, an football sportsbook, has posted football betting lines on TO playing.
Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger Sunday night and had a plate surgically attached to it Monday. Although Owens' hand was swollen and aching Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said he's optimistic the receiver will be back at work next week and catching passes a week from Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
MySportsbook.com online sportsbook listed Terrell Owens with odds of 7-2 (or $7 paid out for every $2 bet) to return back for the game against Tennessee.
"I certainly wouldn't rule it out now," Parcells said, referring to Terrell Owens immediate return. "Maybe five days from now I might, but I wouldn't rule it out now. ... I know we're looking to try to get him moving around pretty good in the next day or so. So we'll see where we are."
Owens did not speak with reporters Wednesday, but said Sunday he'd be out two to four weeks. A return against the Titans would be 13 days after the surgery. The Cowboys were listed as an early -7 1/2 favorite vs. the Tennessee Titans for Week 4 at MySportsbook.com
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Mastercard needs.