07/02/2009 - Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Diaz belted a go-ahead RBI double in a three-run eighth, as the Atlanta Braves recorded their first home sweep of the Phillies since 2005 with a 5-2 victory at Turner Field.
Garret Anderson added a two-run homer in that fateful inning, as the Braves swept Philadelphia for the first time at home since April 22-24, 2005. It was the first sweep of the reigning World Series champs since April 2-5, 2007.
Diaz finished the game 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, while Casey Kotchman went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer, as the Braves have now won a season-high four straight games. Mike Gonzalez (3-0) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the win, and Rafael Soriano earned his seventh save of the season.
Javier Vazquez got a no-decision after yielding two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.
Jimmy Rollins snapped a career-worst 0-for-28 skid with a 2-for-4 night, but it was of no use, as the Phillies fell into a virtual tie with the Marlins for first place atop the NL East standings after losing three straight and 14 of 18 overall.
J.A. Happ pitched well in the start, allowing only two runs on seven hits and a pair of walks, with five strikeouts. in seven strong innings.
The Phillies inserted Ryan Madson (2-4) to keep the game tied in the home eighth, but the Braves forged ahead. Brian McCann led off with a single after an 0-2 count, and Yunel Escobar sacrificed pinch-runner Jair Jurrjens to second. Diaz followed with an RBI double to deep center field to give Atlanta a 3-2 lead.
After Diaz stole third, Anderson hit a towering home run to right field for a comfortable 5-2 edge. Soriano set the Phillies down in order to finish the win.
The Braves put runners on first and third with nobody out in the second for the game's first scoring chance. Happ, though, was up to the task, striking out Jeff Francoeur and Vazquez amidst a Kotchman walk to load the bases. A fielder's choice groundout by Gregor Blanco ended the frame.
Vazquez held the Phillies off the board for the first four innings, and Atlanta finally scored in the home half on Kotchman's two-run homer far beyond the wall in right field.
Happ's first career hit in the fifth helped Philadelphia put two runners on base with two outs, but Shane Victorino lined out sharply to shortstop Escobar to end the threat.
The Phillies finally got to Vazquez in the sixth, knocking him out of the game. Chase Utley led off with a single and moved to second two batters later, as Jayson Werth was hit by a pitch. Greg Dobbs followed with a double to deep center, although Utley barely scored after the center fielder Blanco acted as if he would catch the ball before it bounced over his head.
Vazquez was pulled in favor of Peter Moylan, who allowed an the tying RBI groundout by Pedro Feliz before getting out of the inning.
The Braves put runners on the corners with two outs in the seventh for Chipper Jones, who flied out weakly on a 3-1 pitch to help Happ escape from yet another jam.
Philadelphia nearly pushed across the go-ahead run in the eighth. Werth drew a one-out walk, and, with two outs, stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher McCann. A wild pitch sent Werth scrambling for home, but McCann got the ball as it bounced off the backstop and tossed it to Gonzalez, who was able to tag out Werth in time to end the inning.
Game Notes
After going 14-4 against Atlanta last season, the Phillies are 6-9 against them this year...Philadelphia outfielder Raul Ibanez will not join the team this weekend against the Mets after having his rehab start pushed back to Friday...It was Anderson's first career pinch-hit homer...Atlanta will begin a 10-game road trip on Friday against Washington.
<< Cubs reliever Cotts has Tommy John surgery
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Neal Cotts
underwent Tommy John surgery on Thursday and will be sidelined indefinitely.
Cotts was 0-2 this season with a 7.36 earned run average before being demoted
to Tri
<< Report: Artest joining Lakers
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Free agent forward Ron Artest is
reportedly leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers and will
provide the team with more offensive firepower next season, as he'll join Kobe
Bryant
<< Angels come to terms with first-round pick
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim came to terms
on a minor league contract with outfielder Michael Trout, the 25th overall
pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.
Trout, who played his high school ball
<< Holy Cross tabs Kearney to replace Willard
Worcester, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Holy Cross named Sean Kearney its new head
men's basketball coach on Thursday.
Kearney, who becomes the 15th head coach in the history of the program,
replaces Ralph Willard who resigned last mo
Stockton and Gates lead Edmonton Open >>
Edmonton, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brady Stockton and Robert Gates both fired
rounds of seven-under 65 on Thursday to share the first-round lead of the
Edmonton Open.
Liam Kendregan and Jon Turcott both shot 66s in round one and ar
Lee homers twice as Cubs down Brewers >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Derrek Lee headlined a home run parade with two
long-balls -- a three-run shot and a grand slam -- for a career-high seven
RBI, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 9-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the
beginni
Buehrle, ChiSox stop Royals >>
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mark Buehrle took a shutout into the ninth
inning, as the Chicago White Sox extended their season-high win streak to six
games with a 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Buehrle (8-2) allowed a run on
Artest joining Lakers >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Free agent forward Ron Artest is
leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers and will provide
the team with more offensive firepower next season, as he'll join Kobe Bryant
and Pau
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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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