Escobar's blast in 10th lifts Braves over Marlins

Baseball Betting Lines

06/02/2008 - Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Yunel Escobar drilled a game-winning two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Atlanta Braves a wild 7-5 win over the Florida Marlins, in the opener of a four-game set.

Escobar had three hits, three runs batted in and scored twice while Jeff Francoeur and Mark Teixeira each added a home run to the winning effort. Will Ohman (2-0) pitched a perfect 10th for the win, snapping Atlanta's three-game losing streak.

Dan Uggla doubled twice and scored twice for Florida which dropped its second straight and fifth of its last six overall.

Logan Kensing (3-1) took the hill for the 10th and issued a leadoff walk to Kelly Johnson before Escobar cranked the opposite-field game-winner off the top of the wall in right-center.

Kevin Gregg came on to close the game for Florida in the ninth and issued consecutive one-out walks to Francoeur and Brian McCann. Jair Jurrjens came on to run for McCann and pinch-hitter Josh Anderson moved the tying run to third on a force out. Gregg uncorked a wild pitch with Gregor Blanco in the batter's box, allowing Francoeur to score. Blanco chopped a grounder right back to Gregg, sending the game into extra innings.

Scott Olsen tossed six innings of three-run ball, on four hits and two walks, while striking out four for Florida. Jo-Jo Reyes matched Olsen's effort tossing six-plus innings of three-run ball, on five hits and one walk. The left-hander struck out four for Atlanta.

John Smoltz came on to pitch the ninth for Atlanta, his first action since April 27, and first bullpen appearance since 2004. Matt Treanor doubled to center with one out and Alfredo Amezaga came on to pinch-run. Pinch-hitter Wes Helms lined a single to left, moving the runner to third. Smoltz retired Hanley Ramirez on a fly out with Helms tagging and moving to second on the play. Jeremy Hermida singled to left, scoring both runners giving the Marlins a 5-4 advantage heading to the bottom half.

Francoeur jumped on the first pitch from Olsen to start the home second, sending a fastball to the seats in left.

Atlanta manufactured their second run of the game one inning later. Escobar worked a walk to start things off and moved to second when Chipper Jones drew a one-out walk. Teixeira followed with a line single to left, bringing Escobar around to score.

Florida got on the board in the fourth, tying the game at two. Hermida led off with a triple to the gap in right-center and scored on a Jorge Cantu sacrifice fly. Uggla then ripped a two-out double down the left field line and Luis Gonzalez singled to left bringing in Uggla for the equalizer.

Teixeira gave Atlanta back the lead in the fifth with a two-out solo shot to left, his fourth home run in the last five games.

Florida came back to tie the game in the seventh. Uggla led off by ripping a double to left and Gonzalez moved him to third on a single through the right side, chasing Reyes from the game.

Manny Acosta came on in relief and got Cody Ross to ground into a force out but Uggla was able to score on the play. Acosta went on to retire Treanor on a pop fly and Ramirez on strikes to limit the damage.

Renyel Pinto took the hill for Florida in the home seventh, loading the bases with two out but got Francoeur swinging to keep the contest tied at three.

Matt Lindstrom came on in the eighth to retire the first two Atlanta batters but Blanco ripped a double to left and Lindstrom issued a free pass to pinch- hitter Johnson. Escobar followed with a single back up the middle, scoring Blanco. Omar Infante worked a walk to load the bases and Joe Nelson came on to relieve Lindstrom. Nelson got Jones to fly out to end the inning but Atlanta had the lead heading to the ninth.

Game Notes

The Braves activated Smoltz from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game. Smoltz had been on the DL since April 28 with a severely inflamed biceps tendon and an inflamed rotator cuff. The team optioned reliever Phil Stockman to Triple-A Richmond to make room for Smoltz...Atlanta is in the midst of a 20-game losing streak in one-run decisions on the road dating back to August 10, 2007, tying for the second- longest such streak in Major League history. The club is one shy of Kansas City's 21-game streak from 2000-2001...The Marlins are 2-5 on their current 10-game trip against NL East foes...This was Smoltz's first blown save since September 22, 2004.

Veggas Baseball Betting News

<< Pens tie the game late to force overtime in Game 5
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Maxime Talbot scored with just 34.3 seconds to play in the third period to tie the game, 3-3, for Pittsburgh and force overtime in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Detroit at Joe Louis Arena.

<< Young's three doubles help push Twins past Yankees
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Delmon Young smacked three RBI doubles, including the game-winner in the bottom of the eighth inning, and the Minnesota Twins rallied for a 6-5 win over the New York Yankees to salvage a split i

<< Orioles recall Liz, designate Hernandez
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baltimore Orioles announced following their 6-3 win over Boston on Thursday that they have recalled pitcher Radhames Liz and designated infielder Luis Hernandez for assignment. Liz was 1-5

<< Utley continues with long balls as Phils dump Reds
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chase Utley continued his power surge with his fifth home run in five games then helped save the game with a diving stab, as the Philadelphia Phillies held off the Cincinnati Reds, 5-4, in the initial contest

<< Pens hold 2-1 lead after two periods of Game 5
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit got the only goal of the second period thanks to Darren Helm to cut the Red Wings deficit to 2-1 after two periods of play in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wi

Jones, Orioles double up Red Sox >>
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Adam Jones' three-run eighth-inning double was the difference as Baltimore rallied late to top Boston, 6-3, in the finale of a four-game series at Camden Yards. Kevin Millar drove in a pair while Aubrey Hu

Michaels hits grand slam as Pirates upend Cardinals >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Adam Wainwright was well on his way to another dominant start, but Pittsburgh scored four runs in the seventh and added the game-winning tally on Jason Bay's RBI single in the eighth to post a 5-4 vic

Fielder goes deep to give Brewers victory over Arizona >>
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Prince Fielder launched a game-winning home run in the eighth and the Milwaukee Brewers survived a sloppy ninth, pulling out a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game set.

Ortiz to miss at least one month, may face surgery >>
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz will be out of action at least one month after suffering a wrist injury. The club confirmed following Monday's 6-3 loss to the Orioles in Baltimore, that Ortiz learn

Still tied after first overtime in Game 5 >>
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After 20 minutes of overtime play, Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals remains tied, 3-3, between Detroit and Pittsburgh at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit controlled play in the early part of the overtime and had

Chiefs' Treen Green out for Sunday's game

How long Trent Green will remain sidelined is unknown. Coach Herm Edwards said Monday he will miss a second straight start Sunday when the Chiefs host the San Francisco 49ers.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first hook slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati's Robert Geathers.

Oddsmakers at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers.

The 49ers got beat by Philadelphia 38-24 as a 6.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (42.5).

Alex Smith completed 27-of-46 passes for 293 yards with a touchdown. Michael Robinson rushed for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five carries.

The Chiefs lost 9-6 to Denver last week as an 11-point underdog. The combined score was well UNDER the posted over/under total (38).

Larry Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 27 carries. Damon Huard completed 17-of-23 passes for 133 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

To visit this online sports book got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.

Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.