Astros end Dodgers' winning streak at eight games

Baseball Betting Lines

04/22/2009 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Miguel Tejada batted 2-for-5 with a double and three runs batted in, as the Houston Astros topped Los Angeles, 8-5, snapping the Dodgers' eight-game winning streak.

Carlos Lee hit a two-run homer as part of a two-hit effort in Tuesday's game, the opener of a three-game series. Kaz Matsui finished with a hit, two walks and two RBI as Houston snapped a two-game slide.

Russ Ortiz (1-0) started for the Astros and allowed three runs on three hits and five walks in five innings. It was his second start this season, and first win since April 20, 2007, when he pitched with the Giants. Ortiz missed time with multiple stints on the disabled list in 2007 and did not pitch at all in 2008 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Jose Valverde escaped a bases-loaded situation in the ninth inning, despite appearing to injure his right leg, to nail down his first save this season.

Manny Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, a walk and three total RBI for the Dodgers, who hadn't lost since April 10 against Arizona and were coming off sweeps of San Francisco and Colorado. Matt Kemp went 2-for-4 for LA and has now hit safely in all 14 games to begin the season.

Clayton Kershaw (0-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Wskybook Baseball Betting News

<< Canucks complete sweep of Blues
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alex Burrows scored with 19 seconds remaining in the first overtime, lifting the Vancouver Canucks to a sweep of the St. Louis Blues with a 3-2 win in Game 4 of a Western Conference quarter

<< Phillies rout Brewers despite Braun's big night
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pedro Feliz went 3-for-4 with a homer, three RBI, and two runs scored, while veteran Jamie Moyer pitched a solid six- plus innings as the Philadelphia Phillies routed the Milwaukee Brewers, 11-4, in the

<< Nationals win two in a row, edge Braves
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shairon Martis now has two of Washington's three wins on the season, throwing six solid innings as the Nationals managed to slip by Atlanta, 4-3. The 22-year-old Martis (2-0), who was credited with Washi

<< Ramirez powers Cubs past Reds
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aramis Ramirez had three hits and three runs batted in, as the Chicago Cubs dealt the Cincinnati Reds a 7-2 final in the opener of a three-game series from Wrigley Field. Micah Hoffpauir hit a so

<< Huff leads O's in pounding of ChiSox
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aubrey Huff blasted a pair of two-run homers to support a solid effort by Brad Bergesen in his major league debut, as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Chicago White Sox, 10-3, in the opener of a three-g

Roy scores 42 as Blazers even series with Rockets >>
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brandon Roy put the Trail Blazers on his back, netting 42 points, to carry Portland to a 107-103 victory over Houston in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series at the Rose Garden. Roy,

Seattle, Washburn continue strong start against Rays >>
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jarrod Washburn tossed seven strong innings to earn his third win in as many starts to open the season, as the Seattle Mariners opened a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays with a 4-2 win at Safe

Sharks avoid 3-0 hole, top Ducks in Game 3 >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Patrick Marleau's power-play goal in the third period provided the difference, as the San Jose Sharks saved their Western Conference quarterfinal series with a 4-3 win over Anaheim in Game 3. The top-seed

Lakers jump on Jazz early, take 2-0 series lead >>
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kobe Bryant scored 18 of his 26 points in the second half, as the Los Angeles Lakers took a 2-0 series lead against the Utah Jazz with a 119-109 victory in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarter

Matthews' double lifts Angels over Tigers >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Gary Matthews Jr. doubled in the winning run in the eighth inning and added a sacrifice fly, as Los Angeles held on to defeat the Detroit Tigers, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game series at Angel Stadium

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."

Bet on NFL

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.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard