Betting Odds - Graffiti - Podcast

Betting Odds - AFC favored in Super Bowl

As you consider Super Bowl betting odds you may want to look at the stats of each team. ATS stats show us New England is 10-7 against the spread this season heading into the AFC Championship game but they are only 2-7 ATS in their last eight games. That might concern those looking to take them in Super Bowl betting odds. They have gone over the total in 11 of their 17 games which might make the over attractive in Super Bowl betting odds. San Diego is 13-5 ATS and 11 of their 18 games have gone over the total. In the NFC the Packers are a league-best 13-3-1 against the spread and punters might take them in Super Bowl betting. They were 10-5-2 to the Over which makes the total look attractive in Super Bowl betting odds. The Giants are 12-6 ATS and are 9-9 on totals.

Oddsmakers have Super Bowl betting odds with the AFC nearly a two touchdown favorite over the NFC. Most experts believe that New England will beat San Diego and that the Patriots will be a two touchdown favorite over either Green Bay or the New York Giants in Super Bowl betting odds.

Super Bowl betting odds would actually have the Patriots favored by about 17 points if they played the Giants. What could upset the apple cart is if the Patriots lose against San Diego. Then the Super Bowl betting odds on the AFC drop like a rock. The Chargers would be less than a TD favorite over either Green Bay or the Giants. As you consider Super Bowl betting you might want to know that heading into the Conference Championships underdogs are holding their own. This NFL playoff season has seen the underdogs go 5-3 against the spread.

As you consider Super Bowl betting odds you might want to know that over/unders in the playoffs so far are right down the middle with four games going over and four going under. Traditionally, Super Bowl betting odds have seen the favorites do well in the Super Bowl and the games be high scoring. That trend has slowed in recent years in terms of the total though as the last two Super Bowls have gone under the total in Super Bowl betting. This year’s Super Bowl betting total could be one of the highest ever if New England plays Green Bay. The Patriots are the highest scoring team in NFL history and Green Bay is no slouch either. A total near 60 would not be a surprise in Super Bowl betting odds.

The Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets hope to begin turning around their dismal seasons when they meet Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Bengals (1-4) have lost four straight, including a disappointing 27-20 loss at Kansas City last weekend coming off their bye week. Cincinnati is mired in last place in the AFC North, a division they won in 2005 before missing the playoffs last year.

It’s also the first four-game skid for Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, who claims he is not feeling any pressure for the poor start. Cincinnati is on its longest slide since a six-game losing streak from Nov. 10-Dec. 15, 2002, the season before Lewis was hired.

“I guess I’ll disappoint the fans if they think there’s heat,” Lewis said. “My only heat is internal and that’s what drives me. That’s the good thing, I guess, about this position. I’m not going to get concerned.

“Our margin for error is tight. That’s the result of being 1-4. That’s what we need to realize. Every play right now, we’re not getting the benefit of the doubt. Balls are not really bouncing our way. That’s what we need to realize and keep doing things the right way. Building upon the positive things and making corrections when it’s not as positive and correct.”

One of the problems Cincinnati has faced is a slew of injuries, including to star running back Rudi Johnson (hamstring). He sat out a 34-13 loss to New England on Oct. 1, and had only four carries against the Chiefs. Johnson has 185 rushing yards on 62 carries and just one touchdown catch.

Right tackle Willie Anderson missed last week’s loss with foot and knee injuries. The offensive line has used four different combinations in Cincinnati’s first five games.

The lack of a productive running game has put pressure on quarterback Carson Palmer and receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who have combined for 1,083 yards and 10 of Cincinnati’s 13 offensive touchdowns. Houshmandzadeh has seven of those scores, two shy of his career-best set in 14 games last season.

New York (1-5) enters on a three-game losing streak, and quarterback Chad Pennington has taken the brunt of the blame. Pennington has thrown all six of his interceptions this season during the skid, including one in a 16-9 loss to Philadelphia last week - the first time the Jets failed to reach the end zone this year.

With fans and media clamoring for backup Kellen Clemens to be inserted, coach Eric Mangini is sticking with Pennington.

“There’s a lot of different areas that need to get better: interceptions, tackling, run fits, all those things, coaching, strategy,” Mangini said. “All those things need to improve and we’re all in this together. It’s not a one-person issue.”

Pennington completed a season-low 11 of 21 passes for 128 yards in last week’s loss as the Jets’ offense stalled despite a season-high 130 yards rushing from Thomas Jones. Tight end Chris Baker also criticized New York’s play-calling, but receiver Jerricho Cotchery backed Pennington.

“He’s our leader,” Cotchery said. “He’s the leader of this team, not only on offense. One guy isn’t going to create a spark because each individual has to create that spark within himself to help this team out. I think that’s kind of a sensitive topic because everyone loves Chad in this building.”

Jones’ effort was a bright spot. Acquired from Chicago in the offseason, he is averaging just 2.8 yards per carry on the road.

The Jets’ defense also ranks among the bottom five teams in the NFL with six sacks and two forced fumbles.

New York has won five straight against Cincinnati, including a 31-24 victory on Sept. 12, 2004 in the last meeting.

NOTE: Cincy’s year for all practical purposes ended last week in K.C. and the Jets have been abismal. Yet someone has to lose this game. Everyone has been able to run against the Bengals, yet the Jets are no major threat in the running game even though Thomas Jones have over 100 yards last week vs the Eagles. No question I have the better QB here in Palmer with his go to guy in Chad Johnson. IF the Bengals lose this one AT HOME, this franchise and the fans of Cincy will witness a bigger melt down than Chernobyl.

I’m on the Bengals only for action at -6 Good Luck,

Tommy Mac

Hey Guys:

Tommy Mac here with a Quick Hit Podcast and update for Week 7 in the NFL and College Football.

Here are just a few of the topics I cover

- My recent trip to Panama City, Panama and the canal

- VIP Partners Late Steam Hotline get 30 DAYS FREE!

- Betting Coaching Club FREE memebership

- FREE FOOTBALL PICKS

- Betting77.com with fresh sports content updated 24/7

- The BIG MOVES we have again this weekend and much much more!

Our VIP Late Steam Phone Service is open again now to NEW VIP Partners for a limited time only…

For more details e-mail me personally at: tmac@tommymac.com

or call our Vegas Office at: 702-990-0126

Remember you can always call our VIP Late Steam Info Line for more details on a recorded message at: 1-515-489-4077 during reg business hours..

Your welcome to join us and have a HUGE WINNING WEEKEND..

Tommy Mac

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts [26:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (567)

San Jose Costa Rica - Professional sports bettor and handicapper Tommy Mac, has just released his latest E-Book, ” Bookies 7 Secrets - Odds He’s Hiding.

This best selling book is soon to be released on over 100 sports betting websites for the Reg price of $29.

Download it today ABSOLUTELY FREE - at www.betting77.com

This is a LIMITED Free offer so grab your copy today!

Bettors seasoned and new, will find this e-book fascinating, as it covers a brief history of bookmaking to the technology of today’s bookmakers.

For more details on the book itself go to Tommy Macs personal website at: Tommy Mac - Bookies 7 Secrets

(Friday, August 17th)

Final Score: Atlanta 13, Buffalo 10

Orchard Park, NY - Rookie tight end George Cooper caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Chris Redman late in the fourth quarter to give the Atlanta Falcons a 13-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills in preseason action at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Joey Harrington started at quarterback for Atlanta in place of Michael Vick and completed 4-of-7 passes for 31 yards with an interception in limited action.

As the Falcons look to distance themselves further from the Vick situation, the drama surrounding the case continued Friday. Vick’s two remaining co- defendants pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy dogfighting charges Friday, leaving the signal caller as the lone co-defendant still maintaining his innocence. Whether Vick continues that stance, with the possibility of all three co-defendants testifying against him in court, or accepts a plea deal and likely jail time, remains to be seen.

Redman ended 11-of-21 for 90 yards with an interception while third-string quarterback D.J. Shockley left the game in the fourth quarter with a left leg injury.

J.P. Losman played into the second quarter for Buffalo and went 7-of-13 for 78 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Rookie Trent Edwards replaced Losman and was effective, throwing for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Rookie Marshawn Lynch, who is expected to get the bulk of the carries this season for Buffalo, rushed for 16 yards on five attempts.

After a scoreless opening quarter, the Bills struck first as Rian Lindell booted a 48-yard field goal for the game’s first points with 11:30 left in the second stanza.

Billy Cundiff’s 32-yard field goal with 5:31 to play until halftime tied the game at 3-3, and the Falcons moved in front about three minutes later as Cundiff drilled a 46-yarder.

The Bills grabbed a 10-6 lead early in the third quarter as Edwards completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Roscoe Parrish.

With just 2:44 remaining in the contest, Redman found Cooper in the end zone to put the Falcons in front.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced that Chris Simms is to be listed as inactive for the game against the New England Patriots on Friday.

Commentary: The story coming out of the St. Petersburg Times has Simms still suffering after-effects from his splendectomy surgery undergone in September. Simms has problems with his proprioception, described in part by Wikipedia as “the sense that indicates whether the body is moving with required effort, as well as where the various parts of the body are located in relation to each other.” So, sort of a drawback for an NFL quarterback. The Times is also convinced that Simms will soon be out of Tampa Bay completely.

Fantasy Football Impact: Simms, bad. Jeff Garcia, good.

San Jose Costa Rica - As of this afternoon - Betting Odds - Graffiti Wall has been officially moved to it’s new home domain at: www.betting77.com

Here we will be able to better serve our Graffiti Wall Odds readers and expand the site into directions that will greatly enhance your betting information and abilities.

BETTING ODDS - GRAFFITI - PODCAST will remain here at this URL strictly for our week to week podcasts.

Thanking you the daily readers for your continued support

President CEO

Tommy Mac

St. Petersburg, FL - Miguel Tejada, Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora all homered as Baltimore routed Tampa Bay, 11-3, in the finale of a three-game set at Tropicana Field.

Corey Patterson finished 3-for-5 with three runs batted in for the Orioles, who took two of three in the set. Jay Gibbons was 4-of-5 with a run scored.

Baltimore’s ace, Erik Bedard (12-4), allowed three runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. The crafty left-hander did not walk a batter and fanned 11. Chad Bradford and Danys Baez finished things with a combined 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Carl Crawford was 4-for-5 with a homer for the Devil Rays, who have lost three of their last five games. B.J. Upton also homered for Tampa Bay.

Andrew Sonnanstine (1-7) was rocked for seven runs on eight hits in just 3 2/3 innings of work en route to the loss.

Down 3-1, the O’s answered emphatically and took control of the game with a six-run fourth inning. Tejada led off the frame with his ninth home run of the season. Mora kept things going by drawing a one-out walk and moved to second when Gibbons singled. Both runners advanced on a Josh Paul throwing error before Sonnanstine walked Jay Payton to load the bases. Paul Bako then grounded into a fielder’s choice to even things.

Brian Roberts followed with an RBI single up the middle to give Baltimore its first lead and Patterson plated Bako with an RBI double to right. Nick Markakis finally capped the frame with a two-run single to right and the Orioles had a comfortable 7-3 cushion.

The O’s ran away in the fifth with three more runs. Huff led off with his eighth homer of the year to make it 8-3. With two down, Baltimore loaded the bases thanks to consecutive singles by Payton and Bako and a Roberts walk. Patterson then came through with a two-run single to right that made it 10-3.

Baltimore tacked on another insurance run in the ninth when Mora, who was activated off the disabled list before the game, belted his 13th home run of the year.

The Rays jumped on top in the first when Crawford laced a one-out, solo homer, his ninth of the year.

Baltimore quickly evened things in the second. Huff doubled to center, moved to third on Gibbons’ one-out single and crossed the plate when Payton grounded into a fielder’s choice.

Tampa Bay went back ahead in the third. After Crawford slapped a single up the middle, Upton cracked his 15th home run of the year to make it a 3-1 game.

Game Notes

Mora was sidelined with a left mid-foot sprain, originally suffered on July 1. He tried to play through the injury but was placed on the DL July 13. To make room for him on the roster the Orioles optioned infielder Luis Hernandez to Double-A Bowie…The O’s had 16 hits in the game.

Sunday, August 5th American League

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.

Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

Sunny Sunny. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays, 1:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics, 4:05 p.m.

Sunny Sunny. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.

Boston Red Sox at Seattle Mariners, 4:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.

National League

Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves, 1:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

Houston Astros at Florida Marlins, 1:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 90.

Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:35 p.m.

Mostly Cloudy Mostly cloudy with a 40-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

St. Louis Cardinals at Washington Nationals, 1:35 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 90.

Philadelphia Phillies at Milwaukee Brewers, 2:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 80.

San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres, 4:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 70.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers, 4:10 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Around 75.

New York Mets at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m.

Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game Time temperature: Near 85.

(Friday, August 3rd)

Final Score: New York 7, Kansas City 1

Bronx, NY - Alex Rodriguez remained at 499 career homers, but knocked in one run, and Chien-Ming Wang threw into the eighth inning for his 13th victory, as New York beat Kansas City, 7-1, in the opener of a three-game series. Melky Cabrera had three hits, including a two-run ground-rule double on a strange bounce during the sixth inning, as the Yankees posted their fourth win in five games. Robinson Cano homered for the Yankees, who are 11-3 against the Royals since the start of last year. Wang (13-5) scattered seven hits and allowed one run over seven-plus innings to win his third consecutive start. The Taiwanese righty has won 10 of his last 11 decisions. The 32-year-old Rodriguez, in a bid to become the youngest player to hit 500 homers, grounded out in the first, doubled in the third, walked in the fifth, hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and flied out to right to end the eighth. Ross Gload drove in the lone run for the Royals, losers in three of their last four games. Odalis Perez (6-10) yielded eight hits and four runs over five- plus frames to suffer the loss.

Final Score: Toronto 6, Texas 4

Toronto, ON - Frank Thomas and Gregg Zaun each knocked in two runs, as the Toronto Blue Jays held off the Texas Rangers, 6-4, in the opener of a three-game set at Rogers Centre. Vernon Wells finished with three singles, scored two runs and had an RBI for the Blue Jays, who have two wins over their last three games. Toronto starter Roy Halladay gave up four runs on seven hits in six-plus innings. Halladay (12-5) also struck out nine and walked two in the win. Ian Kinsler had two hits and knocked in three runs for the Rangers, who have lost two straight. Kevin Millwood started for Texas and lasted just four innings, allowing three runs on eight hits in a no decision. The loss went to relief pitcher Jamey Wright (3-4), who was tagged for three runs — two earned — on five hits in four frames. Final Score: Chicago 7, Detroit 4

Detroit, MI - Juan Uribe went 2-for-4 with a grand slam to lead Chicago over Detroit, 7-4, in the opener of a three-game set at Comerica Park. Paul Konerko collected two hits and scored a run for the White Sox, who have won two straight after a three-game slide. Jermaine Dye and Josh Fields also homered. Mark Buehrle (9-6) allowed three runs and seven hits with three strikeouts and a pair of walks over eight innings to earn his second consecutive win and third in four starts. The 28-year-old southpaw won in his first start since becoming a father earlier in the week. Andrew Miller (5-4) took the loss for Detroit. The young left-hander departed the game due to a left hamstring strain after allowing seven hits and six runs with five strikeouts and a walk over just four innings. Magglio Ordonez went 3-for-4 with two RBI for the A.L. Central-leading Tigers, who have lost five of six. Ivan Rodriguez and Mike Hessman each knocked in a run.

Final Score: Baltimore 3, Tampa Bay 1

St. Petersburg, FL - Aubrey Huff belted a three-run homer and Daniel Cabrera threw seven strong innings as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 3-1, in the first of three between the clubs at Tropicana Field. Cabrera (8-11) yielded four hits and one run, while walking one and striking out three. Nick Markakis had two hits for the Orioles, who have won eight of 11. James Shields (8-7) surrendered three runs on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Carlos Pena had two hits and scored the lone run for the Devil Rays, who have lost two of three.

Final Score: Cleveland 5, Minnesota 2

Minneapolis, MN - Grady Sizemore went 3-for-5 with a two- run home run and four RBI as Cleveland topped Minnesota, 5-2, in the opener of a four-game set at the Metrodome. C.C. Sabathia (14-6) allowed eight hits and two runs over six innings to nab the win. Joe Borowski pitched a scoreless inning in relief to earn his 30th save. Franklin Gutierrez had two hits and scored two runs for the Indians, who have won two in a row and took a half-game lead over Detroit in the A.L. Central following a four-game losing skid. Johan Santana (11-9) was charged with six hits and five runs — three earned — in six-plus frames, fanning eight and walking two en route to losing his third straight decision. Torii Hunter was 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Twins, who have lost two in a row after a four-game win streak. Michael Cuddyer collected two hits and scored a run in his return from a stint on the disabled list with a sprained right thumb.

Final Score: Oakland 8, LA Angels of Anaheim 4

Oakland, CA - Dan Johnson’s RBI double highlighted a five- run eighth as the Oakland Athletics beat the Angels, 8-4, in the second test of a four-game series at McAfee Coliseum. Oakland starter Lenny DiNardo allowed three runs on five hits, while walking two and striking out two over six innings. Santiago Casilla (3-1) gave up a run in the eighth, but got the win for the A’s, who have won three of four. Guerrero hit two homers for the second consecutive game for the Angels, who have lost two of three. Angels starter Dustin Moseley was tagged for three runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. Scot Shields (3-4) took the loss, allowing all five runs in the eighth.

Final Score: Seattle 7, Boston 4

Seattle, WA - Yuniesky Betancourt homered and finished with four RBI, as the Seattle Mariners topped the Boston Red Sox, 7-4, in the opener of a three-game series at Safeco Field. Kenji Johjima added a two-run home run for Seattle, which has won six of its last seven contests and now trails the first-place Angels by 2 1/2 games in the AL West. Horacio Ramirez got the start and yielded four runs on 10 hits over four-plus innings. The bullpen combined to pitch five shutout innings from there, with Sean Green (5-1) picking up the win and J.J. Putz working the ninth for his 32nd save of the season. David Ortiz finished with a home run and two RBI for the Red Sox, who have lost 10 straight in Seattle. Jon Lester yielded four runs over five frames and Mike Timlin (1-1) took the loss after allowing three runs — two earned — in just 1 1/3 innings.

Final Score: New York 6, Chicago 2

Chicago, IL - Ruben Gotay went 2-for-4 with a run-scoring single as the New York Mets scored four runs in the ninth inning to down the Chicago Cubs, 6-2, in the opener of a three-game set at Wrigley Field. Orlando Hernandez started for New York and gave up two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 frames. Hernandez also fanned a season-high nine and walked one. Guillermo Mota (1-0) was credited with the victory after pitching a scoreless eighth inning. Ramon Castro hit a solo home run for the Mets, who have won three straight and four of their last five. Chicago starter Carlos Zambrano pitched five-plus innings, allowing just two hits including a home run, to go along with seven walks and five strikeouts. He left in the sixth inning with heat-related cramping. Ryan Dempster (2-4) absorbed the loss after giving up all four runs in the ninth on five hits. Derrek Lee hit a solo home run for the struggling Cubs, who have dropped five of their last seven games overall and fell a game behind Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central. The Brewers edged Philadelphia, 2-1, Friday night.

Final Score: Houston 8, Florida 2

Miami, FL - Houston ace Roy Oswalt threw six innings to win his third straight start, and Eric Bruntlett knocked in four runs, as the Astros topped the Florida Marlins, 8-2, to open a three-game series. Oswalt (11-6) also got his 2007 road record a little closer to .500, moving to 4-5 in 11 such appearances. He allowed one run on four hits with a walk struck out five. Chris Burke homered for the Astros, who won their second straight. Bruntlett went 3-for-4 and also scored. Florida left-hander Dontrelle Willis (7-11), who is mired in the worst slump of his career by going 0-8 in 12 starts since May 29, gave up three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and a walk over 6 1/3 innings. Jeremy Hermida homered for the Marlins, who have dropped nine of 11. Hanley Ramirez ended 3-for-4 in the loss.

Final Score: Cincinnati 13, Pittsburgh 4

Pittsburgh, PA - Scott Hatteberg launched a three-run home run as the Cincinnati Reds crushed the Pittsburgh Pirates, 13-4, in the opener of a three-game set at PNC Park. Jeff Keppinger knocked in three runs while Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn and Alex Gonzalez each went deep for the Reds, who ended a five-game losing streak. For Griffey, it was his 26th home run of the season and No. 589 for his career. Matt Belisle (6-8) picked up his first win in his last 11 starts after giving up three runs on nine hits through six innings of work. Ryan Doumit hit a two-run home run for the Pirates, who saw their modest two- game winning streak come to an end. Pirates starter Ian Snell (7-10) was tagged for six runs on 10 hits over five innings of work. The left-hander has struggled since the All-Star break, giving up 39 hits and 24 earned runs through 26 innings over the course of a personal five-game losing streak.

Final Score: Washington 3, St. Louis 2

Washington, DC - Ryan Zimmerman knocked in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth, as the Washington Nationals earned a 3-2 victory over St. Louis in the opener of a three-game series at RFK Stadium. Ronnie Belliard and Felipe Lopez added an RBI apiece for Washington, which tied a season high with its fourth straight win. Tim Redding got the start and tossed 6 1/3 strong innings, yielding just one run on seven hits with eight strikeouts. Chad Cordero (2-2) got the win after tossing a scoreless ninth. Kip Wells opposed Redding and was nearly as good, yielding a pair of runs over six frames. Ryan Franklin (4-1), though, was ineffective in the ninth for the Cardinals, who have lost three in a row. Pinch-hitter Tony Batista got to Franklin immediately with a leadoff single, and Felipe Lopez followed with a fielder’s choice grounder. Lopez then moved to second on Belliard’s base hit a batter later before Zimmerman stepped in and hit a single to left, scoring Lopez to give Washington its 11th home win in 13 tries.

Final Score: Colorado 9, Atlanta 2

Atlanta, GA - Jeff Francis ran his unbeaten streak to 10 games, as he guided the Colorado Rockies to a 9-2 win over the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a three-game series at Turner Field. Francis (12-5) tossed six innings of one-run, six-hit ball with eight strikeouts for the Rockies, who have won five of their last six. Francis is 7-0 in his last 10 outings. Garrett Atkins went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer to pace the offense, while Troy Tulowitzki and Matt Holliday added two RBI apiece. Mark Teixeira homered for the third time in as many games with Atlanta, which has now dropped two straight. The newly-acquired Teixeira, obtained in the trade deadline deal with Texas, is the first Atlanta player since Gary Sheffield back in 2002 to hit homers in each of his first three games with the club. John Smoltz (10-6) took the loss after letting up seven runs — five earned — in 6 2/3 frames.

Final Score: Milwaukee 2, Philadelphia 1

Milwaukee, WI - Yovani Gallardo threw 6 2/3 solid innings as the Milwaukee Brewers edged the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-1, in the first of a three-game set at Miller Park. Gallardo (4-1) yielded just one run and four hits while striking out seven and walking one. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder had an RBI apiece for the Brewers, who won for just the third time in 10 games. Milwaukee moved back into the NL Central lead, one game over the second-place Cubs who dropped a 6-2 decision to the Mets earlier today. Pat Burrell homered for the Phillies, who have lost three of four since a four-game winning streak. Kyle Kendrick (5-2) went seven innings, allowing two runs on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Final Score: San Diego 4, San Francisco 3 (10 innings)

San Diego, CA - Barry Bonds has homered against San Diego more than any other club in his career, but he’s had a difficult time sending balls over the wall at Petco Park, and that trend continued on Friday in a 4-3 10-inning loss to the Padres. Bonds went 0-for-4 and remained stuck at 754 career home runs, one shy of Hank Aaron’s record, and San Francisco’s bullpen blew the lead for a second time in three nights. Scott Hairston tied the game with a three-run homer in the eighth and won it with a two-out drive barely over the wall in left-center in the 10th inning. Despite having 86 of his homers against the Padres, Bonds has only three of them at Petco Park, which opened for the 2004 season. In fact, he’s hitting .169 in 25 career games in the spacious stadium. On Friday he faced future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, who fanned the Giants slugger on a called third strike in the first inning. Bonds grounded out to end the third, flied out to right in the sixth and grounded out again in the eighth before being replaced by Fred Lewis in left field. Bonds is 2-for-18 with a pair of singles and 10 walks since moving within one homer of Aaron last Friday against Florida. Hairston, in the game for an injured Milton Bradley, belted the tying three- run homer off Vinnie Chulk in the bottom of the eighth inning. Hairston then took a 3-2 pitch from Jack Taschner (2-1) barely beyond the glove of Rajai Davis and over the wall to send the Padres to their second straight win. Heath Bell (5-3) struck out two batters in the top of the inning to get the victory. Dave Roberts had four hits and two RBI for the Giants. Matt Cain was on track to snap a three-game losing streak after striking out 11 over 7 1/3 innings, but the Giants bullpen coughed up the lead in the eighth inning, and San Francisco ended up losing for the second time in three games. They also lost 6-4 at Los Angeles on Wednesday when blowing another eighth- inning advantage.

Final Score: Arizona 1, Los Angeles 0

Los Angeles, CA - Doug Davis pitched eight three-hit shutout innings and Chris Snyder homered in the seventh, as the top two teams in the competitive National League West division squared off for a crucial three-game series that began in Los Angeles where the red-hot Arizona Diamondbacks downed the Dodgers, 1-0. Davis (8-10), who extended his string of quality starts to six games posting a 3-1 record along the way, walked only one batter and had four strikeouts. Jose Valverde struck out two of three batters in a perfect ninth for his 32nd save of the season. Arizona has vaulted to the top spot in the West by winning 11 of its last 13 games, and took a two-game lead on the Dodgers. Los Angeles has relinquished the division lead to the Diamondbacks with losses in seven of its nine most recent contests.