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07/03/2010 - Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tommy Hunter worked into the eighth inning and Nelson Cruz had two hits and scored a run as Texas topped the Chicago White Sox, 3-1, in the middle contest of a three-game set.
Hunter (5-0) allowed a lone run on nine hits with a walk and three strikeouts over seven-plus innings to earn the win for the Rangers, who halted a two-game slide. Neftali Feliz struck out both hitters he faced to end the game and recorded his 22nd save of the season.
John Danks (7-7) suffered the loss after yielding a pair of runs on four hits over six frames, while walking four and striking out four for the White Sox, who have dropped two out of three.
Josh Hamilton singled with one out in the second and moved to third base on a Cruz single to center. Bengie Molina walked to load the bases for Joaquin Arias, who grounded out to plate Hamilton with the game's first run.
The White Sox put runners at the corners with two outs in the fifth but Alex Rios bounced into a force out at second base to end the inning.
Texas did cash in on its chance to score in the bottom of the frame, as Arias led off with a single, moved to second on a Julio Borbon sacrifice bunt and scored on a base hit by Elvis Andrus.
Cruz and Molina opened the seventh inning with singles to put runners at the corners and chase Tony Pena, who had started the inning on the hill, from the game. Erick Threets took over and got pinch-hitter Justin Smoak to ground into a double play that scored Cruz to push the home team's lead to 3-0.
Chicago finally got to Hunter in the eighth when Juan Pierre led off with a single and moved to second base on a walk to Alexei Ramirez that spelled the end of the right-hander's evening.
Frank Francisco took over and committed a balk that advanced the runners before a Rios ground out plated Pierre and moved Ramirez to third. However, the White Sox were denied any further runs when Paul Konerko was called out on strikes and Andruw Jones flied out to end the inning.
Darren Oliver started the ninth for the home side and allowed a leadoff double to pinch-hitter Brent Lillibridge, who advanced to third on a ground out. Feliz was called in from the bullpen and struck out Carlos Quentin and Gordon Beckham to preserve the win.
Game Notes
Hunter earned the win on his 24th birthday...His first win in the big leagues came on his birthday last season...Texas is 13-4 in Hunter's 17 career home starts...The Rangers lead the season series, 5-3...Texas improved to 29-13 at home to match the second best start in team history through 42 home games...Andrus has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, while Smoak is hitless in his last 20 at-bats...The White Sox have fallen in 10 of their last 14 games in Arlington...Danks, an Austin, Texas native, is 1-3 in five starts against the Rangers, four of which have come in his home state.
<< Ferreira goal leads Dallas to third straight win
Frisco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - FC Dallas earned its third straight victory with
a 1-0 triumph over the Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer action at
Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night.
A David Ferreira penalty kick just before the ho
<< Lester, BoSox continue domination over hapless O's
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Youkilis homered and drove in three runs
to back another sturdy effort from Jon Lester in Boston's 9-3 win over the
Orioles in the middle test of a three-game set.
J.D. Drew added three hits and d
<< Kendrick pitches CG; Phillies pound Pirates
Pittsburgh, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jimmy Rollins went 3-for-4 with a two-run
homer, three RBI and three runs scored, and Kyle Kendrick pitched his first
career complete game as Philadelphia blitzed Pittsburgh, 12-4, in the third
edition
<< Verlander continues run as Tigers handle Mariners
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Justin Verlander fanned 10 batters in a seven-
inning start as the Tigers downed the Seattle Mariners, 6-1, in the middle
installment of a three-game series.
Verlander (10-5) allowed seven hits, a run and
Report: Nowitzki staying with Mavs >>
Dallas, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nine-time All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki is
reportedly staying with the Dallas Mavericks after coming to terms on a new
four-year contract.
Nowitzki's adviser, Holger Geschwindner, told the Dallas Mornin
Chen sparkles as KC triumphs over Angels >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bruce Chen carried a perfect game into the
seventh and Jose Guillen laced a two-run single an inning later to break a
scoreless tie, and Kansas City went on to beat the Angels, 4-2.
Chen (5-2) dominat
Astros' error sends San Diego to victory >>
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aaron Cunningham scored on Gustavo Chacin's
throwing error in the bottom of the eighth inning in San Diego's 1-0 win over
the Houston Astros.
Kevin Correia threw seven innings for the Padres, who won for
Pair of rookies score as D.C., S.J. draw at one >>
Santa Clara, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - D.C. United and the San Jose Earthquakes
battled to a 1-1 draw in Major League Soccer action at Buck Shaw Stadium on
Saturday night.
A pair of rookies scored on each side of the half for their respec
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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