05/11/2008 - Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Emil Brown finished with four runs batted in, including a three-run homer, as the Oakland Athletics avoided a weekend sweep and clobbered the Texas Rangers, 12-6.
Daric Barton hit a two-run homer and Frank Thomas had two RBI. Mark Ellis went 3-for-5 for Oakland, which halted a two-game losing streak and has won five of seven overall.
A's starter Rich Harden was roughed up after being activated from the disabled list before the game, lasting only 3 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on eight hits and four walks. Harden, who had been out since early April with a strained right shoulder, struck out five.
"I went out there and felt strong," Harden said. "I just threw too many pitches. It wasn't the prettiest game but I'm just glad to be back."
The A's pitching finally settled down in the latter stages, getting 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief from Santiago Casilla (2-0), Alan Embree and Huston Street to close out the game.
Ian Kinsler went 3-for-5, scoring twice with a run batted in for Texas. Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove in two runs.
Texas starter Sidney Ponson lasted 5 1/3 innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits and five walks.
The loss halted a five-game win streak for Texas, which lost for just the third time in its last 12 contests.
Oakland jumped on top for good in the seventh with two runs during a back and forth affair. Bobby Crosby doubled and Ellis singled. Franklyn German (1-1) threw to first on a pick-off try and had Ellis hung up going to second, but forgot about Crosby, who raced home just ahead of the tag for the go-ahead run. Jack Hannahan singled and Jamey Wright then came in from the bullpen, but Ryan Sweeney lofted a sacrifice fly to center for an 8-6 Oakland lead.
The A's added a run in the eighth on an RBI single from Brown and three in the ninth on a two-run home run from Barton, and pinch-runner Donnie Murphy scored on an errant throw from Saltalamacchia on a double steal attempt.
The A's scored four runs in the first off Ponson. Mike Sweeney took first after being hit by a pitch with one out, Jack Cust doubled and Thomas singled to center for a 1-0 lead. Brown followed taking a first-pitch fastball to the left field seats.
Texas got one back in the bottom half on consecutive two-out doubles from Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley and added another in the second on a Kinsler RBI single to center.
The Rangers picked up two more in the third to tie the game. Texas loaded the bases with two outs on a pair of walks and a base hit before Saltalamacchia singled to right scoring two, but then overslid the base at second for the third out.
Hamilton tripled in Kinsler in the fourth, but Oakland scored twice in the sixth to assume a 6-5 edge. The A's loaded the bases on a single and two walks with one out. Ponson walked Cust to force in a run before he was lifted in favor of German, who gave up a sac fly to Thomas.
Texas came right back in the bottom half and tied it on a Michael Young RBI single.
Game Notes
Texas continues its homestand, opening a three-game set with Seattle on Monday...Oakland stays on the road heading to Cleveland for a three-game, beginning Tuesday...Thomas has 1,695 RBI, tying Cal Ripken Jr. for 21st on the all-time list.
<< Flyers D Coburn leaves after getting hit with puck
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Just 1:51 into the second game of the Easte
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Francisco Giants edged the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-3, in the rubber match at
AT&
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<< Jazz tie series with OT win; Kobe fights through injury
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Deron Williams poured in 29 points and
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Angeles Lakers, 123-115, in overtime to knot their Western Conference
semifin
Knost rallies for first Nationwide victory >>
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Ichiro Suzuki was 3-for-4 and scored twic
Garcia pars in playoff to win Players >>
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sergio Garcia parred the first
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A's activate Harden from DL, starts against Texas >>
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Athletics activated oft-injured
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Harden was roughed up by Texas lasting
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In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
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