Ramirez, Cubs clobber Phils

Baseball Betting Lines

07/15/2010 - Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aramis Ramirez wiped the slate clean from a dreadful first half, driving in four to set the tone of Chicago's 12-6 victory over Philadelphia in the first of four games at Wrigley Field.

The second half started for the disappointing Cubs, left to jockey with Milwaukee for third in the National League Central despite a high payroll, with a trio of home runs and a solid start from Ryan Dempster.

Dempster (8-7) gave up two runs on six hits with three strikeouts and three walks over 6 2/3 frames for the Cubs, winners in two of their last three games. Tyler Colvin was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, Derrek Lee -- also slumping this season -- went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and Alfonso Soriano finished 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in the victory.

Jamie Moyer (9-9) was hit hard for six runs on five hits over only three innings. Ryan Howard hit a pair of two-run home runs for the Phillies, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.

Chicago squared the game in the home first and never looked back, as two players, Colvin and All-Star Marlon Byrd, were hit by pitches in front of Ramirez's two-run double down the left-field lined.

One inning later, Starlin Castro busted out of the box on a sharp liner over Shane Victorino's head in center, leading to a triple. A suicide squeeze failed with Dempster at the plate, but the ball bounced away from Carlos Ruiz, and Castro was credited with stealing home.

The Cubs played long ball in the third, striking for three runs on a pair of homers. After a Colvin single, Lee turned on a pitch over the bleachers in left-center field for a 5-2 game. Then after a groundout by Byrd and pop-up by Ramirez, Soriano swatted a middle-in offering over the ivy-covered wall in left for a four-run edge.

Philadelphia did little offensively until the sixth, putting runners on first and second with two outs before Ruiz grounded into a force out to end the threat.

The Phillies put runners on the identical bases in the seventh and chased Dempster, but failed to score as Raul Ibanez struck out looking.

The Cubs broke the game wide open with a five-spot in the seventh. It all came with two outs, as Lee singled and Byrd was hit by a pitch before Ramirez smoked a two-run double down the left-field line. Soriano's looping single to left-center scored Ramirez and Geovany Soto followed with a towering two-run shot to left-center field.

Soriano added an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth for a 12-2 game.

Victorino and Ibanez added RBI singles in the ninth and Howard followed with a two-run moon shot tight to the line in right for the Phillies.

The Phillies put a two-spot on the scoreboard in the first frame with Ibanez's two-out single to center and Howard's long two-run shot on to Sheffield Avenue past the seats in right-center field.

Game Notes

Philadelphia pitchers hit a season-high three batters, and they all eventually scored...Castro was the first Cub to steal home since Brian McRae on April 13, 1996. The shortstop finished 3-for-4...Moyer was drafted by the Cubs back in 1984...Despite his season-long slumber, Ramirez is 14-for-33 over his last eight games with 13 RBI...Howard registered his 25th career multi-homer game and his second this season...The Cubs totaled eight extra-base hits.

Footballgambleworld Baseball Betting News

<< Carpenter masters Dodgers again
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chris Carpenter pitched eight strong innings and remained unbeaten against the Dodgers, and the St. Louis Cardinals started the post All-Star break with a 7-1 win in the opener of a four-game series. Carpent

<< Nuggets sign Harrington
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Denver Nuggets have signed free agent forward Al Harrington. Terms of the deal weren't released, but it's believed to be a five-year, $34 million contract. Harrington averaged 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1

<< Goldberg leads Canadian Tour's Players Cup
Winnipeg, MB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aaron Goldberg shot a six-under 65 to take the first-round lead Thursday at The Players Cup. Goldberg had six birdies in a flawless round on the Pine Ridge course to build a one-stroke lead over Brady Stockto

<< Rangers use big first inning to beat Red Sox
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bengie Molina's two-run home run capped a six- run first inning as the Texas Rangers downed the Boston Red Sox, 7-2, to start the second half of the season. Nelson Cruz went 3-for-5 with three RBI and a r

<< Seattle edges D.C. United with late winner
Washington, D.C. (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roger Levesque scored in the 89th minute and Kasey Keller made five saves, leading Seattle Sounders FC to a 1-0 victory over D.C. United in MLS on Thursday night at RFK Stadium. Keller made a few great s

ChiSox win ninth straight, edge Twins >>
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Gordon Beckham hit a solo home run and drove in two as the Chicago White Sox took an 8-7 win over the Minnesota Twins to begin the second half of the season. Juan Pierre went 3-for-4 with an RBI and tw

Lincecum blows out candles, blows away Mets >>
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Lincecum shut out the Mets, becoming the second-fastest Giants pitcher to win 50 games, as San Francisco posted a 2-0 victory in the opener of a four-game set at AT&T Park. It took the hard-th

Pineiro beats former team, Angels down Mariners >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Joel Pineiro threw seven solid innings to win his seventh straight decision and the Angels got three RBI apiece from Erick Aybar and Bobby Abreu in a 8-3 win over the Seattle Mariners to start the post All-Sta

Twins put Morneau on DL >>
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau was put on the 15-day disabled list following Thursday's 8-7 loss to the White Sox due to a concussion. The move is retroactive to July 8. Morneau suffered the i

Lincecum blanks Mets >>
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tim Lincecum shut out the Mets, becoming the second-fastest Giants pitcher to win 50 games, as San Francisco posted a 2-0 victory in the opener of a four-game set at AT&T Park. It took the hard-th

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard