Santana departs early, but Mets hold off Braves

Baseball Betting Lines

09/02/2010 - Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Johan Santana left after five innings, but limited Atlanta to just one run as the New York Mets avoided a four-game sweep at the hands of the Braves with a 4-2 win.

Santana (11-9) left the game with a strained pectoral muscle. Prior to his departure, the left-hander had given up the one run on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts to break a three-start losing streak.

David Wright hit a solo home run while Joaquin Arias also had an RBI for the Mets, who had dropped six of eight coming into the game.

Brian McCann went 3-for-4 with a solo home run while Martin Prado drove in the other run for the Braves, who had a five-game winning streak stopped.

Tim Hudson (15-6), who was named the National League Pitcher of the Month on Thursday, had a six-game winning streak snapped as he was charged with four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts over seven innings.

The loss shortened Atlanta's lead in the NL East to 2 1/2 games over Philadelphia, which is currently playing Colorado.

The Mets tagged Hudson for a pair of runs in the first inning. With two outs, Carlos Beltran hit a triple to center, and he came home when Omar Infante's throw to third went into the visitor's dugout. The next three batters then reached base to set the stage for Arias, who beat out an infield single to score Chris Carter for a 2-0 lead.

The Braves got one back in the second when McCann led off the frame with a blast over the right field wall, his 20th home run of the season.

Wright's homer in the sixth extended New York's lead to 3-1.

New York tacked on another run in the seventh as Luis Castillo singled with one out, Lucas Duda reached base on an Infante error and Beltran followed with a fielder's choice to plate Castillo for a 4-1 lead.

McCann led off the seventh with a single, but Matt Diaz lined out to first which saw McCann caught off the bag for the double play. Alex Gonzalez then grounded out to end the inning.

With Bobby Parnell on the mound in the eighth, Melky Cabrera led off with a single to center for the Braves. Parnell got the next two batters out, but Jason Heyward worked a walk and a passed ball moved both runners into scoring position. Prado then hit a high chopper that Wright made a barehanded grab on, but he was unable to make a play and Cabrera scored to make it a two-run game. Derrek Lee, though, flied out to end the inning.

Hisanori Takahashi worked around a leadoff single by McCann in the ninth to pick up his third save of the season.

Game Notes

McCann eclipsed the 20-home run plateau for the third straight season and fourth time in his six-year career. His career high was 24 in 2006...Atlanta has taken eight of the 15 games with the Mets this season. These teams have one more series this season, which will take place in New York from September 17-19...Atlanta plays a three-game set in Florida starting Friday...The Mets continue their 10-game road trip in Chicago on Friday.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

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Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds  
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.

Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.

Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.

Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

Arizona 20-1

Butler 20-1

Duke 30-1

Florida 7-2

Georgetown 30-1

Indiana 35-1

Kansas 15-1

Marquette 25-1

Maryland 40-1

Memphis 50-1

Nevada 50-1

UNC 9-2

OSU 8-1

Oregon 30-1

Pittsburgh 15-1

Texas 30-1

Texas A&M 18-1

UCLA 6-1

Wisconsin 10-1

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