Venable and Latos help Padres complete sweep of Cubs

Baseball Betting Lines

08/19/2010 - Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Will Venable drove in two runs and Mat Latos tossed seven solid innings, as the San Diego Padres defeated the Chicago Cubs, 5-3, to complete a rare four-game sweep at Wrigley Field.

Jerry Hairston Jr. and Ryan Ludwick each had an RBI for the Padres, who had never before swept the Cubs in four games in the Windy City. San Diego did win a four-game series between the teams at Petco Park from May 5-8, 2006.

Latos (13-5) allowed two runs on five hits to improve to 8-1 over his last nine decisions. The right-hander also struck out a career-high 10 batters and walked one. Heath Bell recorded his 37th save of the season despite giving up a run in the ninth.

Aramis Ramirez, Marlon Byrd, and Blake DeWitt each drove in a run for the Cubs, who have lost seven of their last nine.

Starter Carlos Zambrano went six innings, giving up one run on four hits. Sean Marshall (6-4) allowed four runs on four hits to take the loss.

The Padres got on the board in the second. Yorvit Torrealba and Venable started the inning with consecutive walks and Chris Denorfia followed with a single to load the bases. Latos popped out for the first out. Hairston then grounded into a fielder's choice to plate the first run of the game.

Chicago failed to advance a runner past first until the sixth. Kosuke Fukudome singled and scored on Byrd's two-out double to left. Ramirez followed with an RBI two-bagger of his own to make it 2-1.

San Diego responded with four runs in the seventh to take a 5-2 lead. Marshall started the frame on the mound for the Cubs. Miguel Tejada walked and Adrian Gonzalez singled to put men on first and second. Ludwick drove in Tejada with a single. Chase Headley's base hit loaded the bases then Venable knocked in a pair of runs two batters later with a single to center. Another run scored when Denorfia reached base on a fielder's choice.

Chicago scored a run off Bell in the ninth. Alfonso Soriano hit a two-out single, moved to second on a defensive indifference, and scored on DeWitt's base hit. Koyie Hill struck out to end the game.

Game Notes

The Padres have won 10 of their last 11 games...San Diego placed outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a fractured hamate bone in his right hand. To take his spot on the roster, the team recalled pitcher Ryan Webb from Triple-A Portland...The Cubs recalled outfielder Sam Fuld from Triple-A Iowa...Latos improved to 9-3 in 15 road starts this season.

Wwwmsnmusic Baseball Betting News

<< Federer, Djokovic, Murray land in Cincy quarters
Mason, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two-time runner-up Novak Djokovic and former champion Andy Murray recorded third-round victories, while reigning titlist Roger Federer entered the quarterfinals via walkover Thursday at the $3 million Western &a

<< Mets activate C Barajas
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Mets activated catcher Rod Barajas from the 15-day disabled list Thursday. Barajas had been on the DL since July 27 with a strained left oblique. Prior to his stint on the DL, he was b

<< G-Men sign QB Randolph; Sorgi out with sore shoulder
Albany, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Giants signed quarterback Dominic Randolph on Thursday, to address a growing issue under center. The move came after it was revealed that backup QB Jim Sorgi has an arm injury, and, accor

<< Clijsters into QFs; Dementieva upended in Montreal
Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters was an easy third-round victor, while defending Rogers Cup champ Elena Dementieva was an upset victim Thursday at this $2 million Canadian event, a U.S. Open tune- up. The

<< Sox C Saltalamacchia on DL with infection
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox placed back-up catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia on the 15-day disabled list Thursday after doctors discovered an infection in his right leg. The Boston Globe reported that Saltalamacchia wen

Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Murray reach Cincy QFs >>
Mason, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - World No. 1 superstar Rafael Nadal, two-time runner-up Novak Djokovic and former champion Andy Murray recorded third-round victories, while reigning titlist Roger Federer entered the quarterfinals via walkover Thu

Broncos sign DL Hunter >>
Englewood, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Broncos added depth to their defensive line on Thursday, signing free agent Jason Hunter. The 26-year-old Hunter was released by Detroit on Monday. The Appalachian State product enjoye

NBA fines Blazers' Fernandez >>
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The National Basketball Association has fined Portland Trail Blazers swingman Rudy Fernandez $25,000 for public statements detrimental to the league. Fernandez has made it public that he wants to be t

Atwal shoots 61 to lead Wyndham Championship >>
Greensboro, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Arjun Atwal fired a nine-under 61 to take the first-round lead Thursday at the Wyndham Championship. Atwal birdied three of his last four holes to match the Sedgefield course scoring record and take a two-sh

Reds recall Wood to make Thursday start >>
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Reds recalled pitcher Travis Wood from Triple-A Louisville to start Thursday's game against Arizona. Wood compiled a 3-1 record with a 2.65 earned-run average during an eight- start span

2007 NFL Football Betting Preview


“You play to win the game!”

Those are the words of notoriously intense head coach Herman Edwards. Unfortunately, from a bettors’ perspective, most coaches don’t feel that way about the NFL preseason. August is a time to evaluate young players, finalize the depth chart and pray your star players stay healthy.

The trick to making money during the exhibition schedule is identifying coaches – like Edwards – who can’t stand losing even when there's nothing on the line.

The New York Jets betting won 15 of 21 preseason games and went 14-7 against the spread (ATS) during Edwards’s five-year tenure with the club. In his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs field boss, the team improved from 0-4 to 2-2.

Identifying win-a-holics like Edwards is a good start if you plan betting the preseason – even though most say you shouldn’t ... but what the hell do they know anyway?

Here’s a brief rundown of two teams that have a habit of winning during the second-stringers’ season, and another club that has a good chance of exceeding this year.

New York Giants betting lines

Playing in the media hub of North America can be stressful but the press can’t write anything negative about the way Tom Coughlin’s boys play in the preseason. The Giants won and covered all four games last summer, improving their record to 7-1 both straight up (SU) and against the spread over the last two years.

Coughlin has shown he’s not afraid to give his starters more time in the second preseason game than most of his colleagues, no doubt one of the reasons his team has been so dominant.

Dallas Cowboys betting lines

Bettors can count on America’s team early on. The Cowboys are 14-6 both SU and ATS since 2002 in warm-up contests. Former coach Bill Parcells, the coach of the team the last four years, has an intimidating, in-your-face presence – surely a reason Dallas has had so much early success.

The Big Tuna won’t be strolling the sidelines with looks of disgust, but new coach Wade Phillips will be anxious to make a good first impression for owner Jerry Jones.

Dallas plays the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos before things get serious. They then face the Houston Texans in their third contest (the game starters see most game time) and finish off with the Minnesota Vikings.

Expect a Dallas team able to walk away with another 3-1 preseason record.

Oakland Raiders betting lines

This team scored a league-worst 12 offensive touchdowns last season, so the rookies and veterans each have something to prove. There’s a bounty of first-unit jobs up for grabs and plenty of bodies competing for those slots.

First-time head coach Lane Kiffin will be eager to impress an owner who employs the philosophy, “Just win, baby!”

The 32-year-old Kiffin has to command respect from a locker room full of players older than him. All of these factors should lead to purpose in preseason. 

Don’t forget: before playing like a team that belonged in NFL Europe, Oakland went 4-1 (both SU and ATS) in exhibition games.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football wagering needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.