Brewers edge Padres; Stairs sets HR mark

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08/21/2010 - Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chris Dickerson had two hits and two runs batted in and Mike McClendon worked three scoreless innings to earn his first major-league win as Milwaukee downed San Diego, 6-5, in the middle meeting of a three-game set.

Ryan Braun hit his first home run since July 24 while Prince Fielder singled, scored a run, drove in a run and walked twice to lead the Brewers to a fourth straight win.

McClendon (1-0) allowed one hit, walked three and struck out three in his second big league outing. John Axford tossed 1 2/3 scoreless frames to garner his 19th save of the season for Milwaukee, which evened the season series at three games apiece.

"The first night I thought my sinker was definitely on. I could put it where I wanted to. Tonight, I had to mix it up and just see what happens," said the rookie right-hander when asked to compare his first two outings. "It was pretty exciting" describing what it felt like to get his first career win. "That was one of the best games I've ever seen or ever been a part of."

Kevin Correia (10-8) took the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks with three strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings for the Padres, who have lost two straight after a five-game win streak.

Matt Stairs' two-run pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning cut the Brewers' lead to 6-5 and was the 21st of his career to establish a new record.

Alcides Escobar doubled with one out in the first and scored the game's first run on a two-out single by Fielder.

Escobar and Fielder walked around a Braun single to load the bases with nobody out in the third for Casey McGehee, who delivered a sacrifice fly to plate Escobar to push the lead to 2-0. Lorenzo Cain singled to reload the bases for Dickerson, who drove in Braun with a ground ball out.

San Diego used a Ryan Ludwick single and walks to Chase Headley and Yorvit Torrealba to load the bases with nobody out in the fourth. Chris Denorfia followed with a two-run double to left to cut the lead to 3-2 and chase Chris Narveson from the hill.

McClendon took over and walked Scott Hairston to reload the bases before a base hit by Corriea plated Torreabla to tie the game. However, the visitors were unable to push across any more runs after David Eckstein and Miguel Tejada bounced into force plays at the plate and Adrian Gonzalez struck out.

Narveson was charged with three runs on four hits and three walks in three- plus innings of work in his first career start against San Diego.

Fielder started the fifth inning with a walk, moved to second base on a McGehee single and to third on a Cain fielder's choice grounder that also brought Correia's night to an end.

"It wasn't a great outing, obviously," commented Correia. "I definitely had some opportunities to turn it into a decent start but they had a different approach then I thought they were going to have. They waited on my off-speed stuff and that's where they got all of their hits. It was a good mindset for them and I just wasn't up to the task."

Joe Thatcher was brought on to face Dickerson, who delivered a sacrifice fly to push Fielder across with the go-ahead run. Cain stole second and scored when Jonathan Lucroy singled into right field to make it a 5-3 game.

Braun's two-out solo shot to left-center off Ernesto Frieri in the sixth extended the home team's lead to 6-3.

After Zach Braddock tossed a scoreless seventh inning, Kameron Loe assumed the hill for Milwaukee in the eighth. Denorfia singled with one out and scored when Stairs followed with his blast to right field. Loe was lifted after the next pitch to Will Venable and replaced by Axford.

Venable singled and stole second but was left stranded when Tejada struck out to end the frame. Axford then set down San Diego in turn in the ninth to end the game.

Game Notes

Stairs and Cliff Johnson had shared the record for pinch-hit homers with 20 before coming into Saturday's game...Milwaukee's Corey Hart did not play in the game due to tightness in his right hamstring that caused him to leave Friday's game...McGehee has 24 RBI during August...He finished 2-for-3 for his 34th multi-hit game of the season...Braun snapped a string of 87 at-bats without a long ball since his prior home run off Washington's J.D. Martin...He finished 2-for-4 to collect his 44th multi-hit game of the season...Eckstein was activated off the 15-day disabled list prior to the game...He had been sidelined since July 21 with a right calf strain...Correia had won his last three starts overall and his last three road turns before falling Saturday night...Gonzalez went 1-for-5 and had a five-game multi-hit streak at Miller Park snapped...San Diego is 22-7 against the NL Central. Milwaukee is 48-6 when leading after seven innings.

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FOOTBALL BETTING

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After all the trouble that’s ensued since Braylon Edwards allegedly punched one of LeBron James’ homeboys in the face at a club, the Cleveland Browns have sent away their last remaining player of worth to the New York Jets. This is a great move for Dirty Sanchez and all, but it’s even better for the Knicks. Now Donnie Walsh can say, “You get to haunt Braylon Edwards with your posse if you sign here!” next summer.

Putting that aside for a moment, the move is a clear indication that the new-look Jets are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. I don’t think that New York thought that Dirty Sanchez was going to be such a rock star. With a 75.2 passer rating that was killed against the Jets, Sanchez is doing an admirable job of managing games and putting the Jets in a position to win. The defense has been the major story in New York thus far, but the acquisition of Braylon Edwards makes this offense loaded with talent that can dent any defense…as long as Dirty Sanchez continues his meteoric rise.

Thus far, Edwards has been a non-factor in the NFL piling up just 139 receiving yards on 10 catches. He has yet to find the endzone, and with the Browns mired in the most unsexy quarterback controversy of all time (Anderson vs. Quinn...yawn), there going nowhere fast. Edwards is two seasons removed from a career year which saw him catch 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns when the Browns were the spread killing monsters of 2007. In 2008, injuries slowed the receiver down to just 873 yards and three touchdowns though he played in all 16 games.

So that being said, we really don’t know if Braylon Edwards is just a flash in the pan, or a legit threat. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a prototypical receiver. But he’s also shown a strange, and unwarranted, talent for dropping passes. Lining up opposite Jericho Cotchery, a speed demon with 23 catches, 356 yards and a single touchdown, may give Braylon the open looks he needs. A change of scenery may also rejuvenate the star receiver.

In return, the Browns will receive Chansi Stuckey, online football betting a special teams player you’ve never heard of and a pair of draft picks. That’s a tall order for a guy whose only real value right now is in his name, and it shows no promise to the Browns that they can rebuild around those acquisitions. Braylon was the only reason to hope for the Browns to go 3-14 SU this year. Without him, they don’t have a single guy on offense that can scare any team.

For the Jets, it’s a response to the pounding that they took at the hand of the Saints. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have averaged around 4.0 yards per carry each on the ground, but striking a fair balance between the passing and rushing attacks in New York has been a struggle. You have to believe that the trio of Dustin Keller, Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will give Sanchez the weapons he needs to unleash through the air. Theoretically, that would open up holes for the rushing game. But the proposed public option health care plan works in theory too. We need to see the proof in the pudding before we start loading up mega bucks on the New York Jets to take the AFC.

The one wrinkle in this whole thing is that Braylon could very well be suspended by the league for disciplinary action due to his “brawl” with LeBron’s friend. If that’s the case, the Jets may have to bench him for a few games leaving them with a somewhat depleted receiving corps for a few games. Also, this is a guy who gets in fights with people at clubs. New York may not be the best place for him. Just sayin’.

The Jets have a long week before they meet the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football Betting in a virtual pick ‘em game. Braylon’s excess baggage may be a distraction, and his curiously low production may be what we should be expecting of him overall, but for the Jets, taking a chance to strike gold is well worth it. At the end of the year, they can simply just blame it on their rookie quarterback.

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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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