Bruce's three-homer, five-RBI night leads Reds past Cubs
Baseball Betting Lines
08/27/2010 - Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jay Bruce slammed a career-best three home runs and Chris Valaika also homered to back eight innings of one-run ball from Johnny Cueto as Cincinnati crushed Chicago, 7-1, to open a three-game set at Great American Ball Park.
Bruce tied a career-high with five runs batted in during his eighth career multi-homer game while Drew Stubbs added two hits, a run scored, two stolen bases and a walk for the Reds, who have won two straight and 10 of 13 games overall since being swept by the Cardinals in three games two weeks ago.
Cueto (12-4) allowed six hits, did not walk a batter and fanned eight in helping Cincinnati push its lead over St. Louis in the NL Central to 4 1/2 games. Sam LeCure retired the side in order in the ninth to preserve the Reds' 11th win in 14 meetings with Chicago this season.
Tom Gorzelanny (7-8) was saddled with the loss after allowing a season-high six earned runs on seven hits and a pair of walks with only one strikeout in five innings for the Cubs, who had a three-game win streak halted.
Valaika doubled with one out in the first and scored when Joey Votto followed with a base hit to right field.
Bruce, batting leadoff for the first time in almost two years in the absence of Brandon Phillips, blasted a solo shot to right-center with one out in the third to give the home team a 2-0 lead.
The Cubs plated their lone run in the fourth when Xavier Nady singled with two outs and scored when Tyler Colvin followed with a double to right-center.
Bruce belted his second homer of the night, a three-run clout, to right-center with one out in the fifth to extend the Cincinnati lead to 5-1. Valaika then followed with his first big league longball to left.
The lefty-swinging Bruce connected again on a one-out smash in the seventh off Scott Maine to make it a 7-1 contest.
Game Notes
Phillips, who was hit in the right hand in Wednesday's series finale in San Francisco, does not have any broken bones but will be sidelined for an undetermined amount of time...However, earlier on Friday, the Reds did place pitcher Mike Leake on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder fatigue and recalled third baseman Juan Francisco from Triple-A Louisville...Cueto improved to 3-5 in 10 career meetings with the Cubs...Cincinnati is 59-24 when hitting a home run and 46-12 when scoring first...Chicago had a five-game road win streak snapped...Gorzelanny had allowed only seven home runs this year before being roughed up for a trio of long balls on Friday night. He is 0-3 in four starts versus the Reds this season and 3-5 in 10 career turns against them.
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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
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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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