Rodriguez's homer lifts Rays over A's
Baseball Betting Lines
08/22/2010 - Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sean Rodriguez hit a go-ahead, game-winning two-run homer with two outs in the eighth, and the Tampa Bay Rays slipped past the Oakland A's, 5-4, in the third of four games at Oakland Coliseum.
Rodriguez's eighth home run of the season lifted the Rays to their sixth win in eight games, although it was just their first victory in this series. Evan Longoria also added a home run in the win.
David Price was pedestrian in his search of win No. 16, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk while fanning five in six innings. Randy Choate (3-3) earned the win for a scoreless inning, and Rafael Soriano picked up his 36th save.
The Rays remained one game behind New York in the AL East after the Yankees beat Seattle earlier Saturday.
Mark Ellis had two hits and two RBI for the A's, who had a four-game win streak snapped. Daric Barton went 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in defeat.
Brett Anderson was in line for the win, throwing Oakland's record-14th straight quality start. In addition, he lasted seven innings -- marking the 20th consecutive game in which the A's starter has pitched six innings -- and allowed two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out eight.
Craig Breslow (4-4) took the loss for giving up three runs in two-thirds of an inning.
After the Rays tied the game in the top of the sixth, the A's went back in front in the home half.
Barton worked a leadoff walk, and Kurt Suzuki followed with a sharp lineout to third. On the play, Longoria tried to throw Barton out retreating to first, but the throw went awry, allowing Barton to take second.
Two batters later, with two outs, Ellis doubled to center to plate Barton, and Rajai Davis followed with an RBI single for a 4-2 game.
After Anderson pitched a scoreless seventh, Breslow came on for the eighth. Carlos Pena walked with one away, and, two batters later, Willy Aybar sent an RBI double to the gap in right-center. Rodriguez followed with a blast over the wall in center to put the Rays ahead, 5-4.
After Choate gave up a leadoff single in the eighth, Chad Qualls retired three straight batters to maintain the one-run lead. Soriano threw a perfect ninth to polish off the win.
The Athletics got started with two runs in the opening inning.
Price quickly loaded the bases with nobody out after a pair of singles and a hat batsman. Kevin Kouzmanoff opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly, and Ellis followed with an RBI single.
Longoria had an answer right away for Tampa Bay, blasting a leadoff homer in the second to cut the Rays' deficit in half.
The pitchers took control until the sixth, when the visitors tied the game. Carl Crawford led off the inning with a single, went to third on a Pena double and scored on Ben Zobrist's sacrifice fly for a 2-2 game.
Game Notes
The 13-game quality start streak for the A's ran from August 4-17, 1980. The team record for consecutive six-inning starts is 25...The Rays are 28-13 when a lefty starts for the opposing team.
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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards
Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.
Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.
All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.
A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.
2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1
Ron Brace (NE) 25/1
Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1
Darius Butler (NE) 40/1
Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1
Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1
Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1
Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1
Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1
Larry English (SD) 15/1
Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1
Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1
Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1
Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1
James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1
Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1
Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1
Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1
Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1
Roy Miller (TB) 20/1
Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1
Fili Moala (IND) 30/1
Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1
Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1
B J Raji (GB) 7/1
Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1
Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1
David Verkune (CLE) 20/1
Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 6/1
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.