Braves use big seventh inning to beat Dodgers

Baseball Betting Lines

06/06/2010 - Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Troy Glaus' two-run homer and a two-run double by Brian McCann keyed a seven-run seventh inning, as the Braves came away with a 9-3 win over the Dodgers in the third of four games from Chavez Ravine.

Omar Infante had a two-run base hit and Brooks Conrad a pinch-hit single to open the scoring for Atlanta, which batted around in the frame. McCann added a two-RBI hit in the eighth to finish with four driven in.

Tommy Hanson (6-3) won his third straight start, allowing a pair of runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and two walks over six innings for the Braves, who had a nine-game winning streak halted via a 5-4 verdict on Friday.

Chad Billingsley (6-3) pitched into the seventh but was pulled after allowing the first three batters to reach base. Each came around to score with the right-hander ending with a line of three runs, seven hits, two walks and five strikeouts. He had won his previous four decisions and helped himself early on with a run-scoring double.

Los Angeles had won five of its last six coming in.

Three consecutive singles to start the fateful seventh got Atlanta its first run on Conrad's poke into center. That brought out Ramon Troncoso from the bullpen, but the carnage continued.

A sacrifice bunt by Martin Prado moved up the runners and Infante brought in both with a base hit to left. Jason Heyward walked and was quickly crossing the plate along with Infante courtesy of a double off the base of the left- field wall from McCann.

Manny Ramirez took a curious line toward the ball and watched it one-hop out of his reach as McCann took third on the eventual throw in. Ronald Belisario took over pitching duties and promptly served up Glaus' two-run homer to center field for a sudden 7-2 difference.

McCann made it a seven-run game with his two-out single an inning later, and LA went in order facing Peter Moylan in the bottom half. Craig Kimbrel worked the ninth and was touched for a Rafael Furcal infield hit that scored a run before finishing out the frame.

The Dodgers manufactured single runs in the second and third innings to secure an early advantage. After a Jamey Carroll double-play ball in the second, Blake DeWitt singled and Billingsley lifted a double to center field to forge a 1-0 edge.

Matt Kemp tripled to deep center just over the outstretched glove of Nate McLouth leading off the third and scored to make it a two-run affair when Andre Ethier hit a sacrifice fly.

Game Notes

Furcal had three hits, while DeWitt had two and scored two of the three Dodger runs. Ethier stole his first base of the season...Glaus' home run was his 11th on the year. He has 44 RBI in 56 games this season...Prado collected a pair of hits to extend his hitting streak to 10 games...The Dodgers had a 24-1 record when leading after six innings entering play Saturday...Hanson has won five of his last six decisions overall.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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