Guillen's sac fly in 10th helps Royals complete sweep of A's
Baseball Betting Lines
07/30/2008 -
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jose Guillen's sacrifice fly in the top of the
10th inning provided the winning run, as Kansas City edged Oakland, 4-3, to
sweep the three-game series with the Athletics.
Guillen finished with one hit and two runs batted in, while Alex Gordon walked
a franchise-record five times and Mike Aviles went 3-for-5 with two doubles
and an RBI. The Royals completed their first sweep in Oakland since June
14-16, 1988 and have won four in a row overall.
"I was informed of that right after the game," Royals manager Trey Hillman
said of the sweep. "It's nice to be part of positive history."
Ramon Ramirez (2-1) picked up the win after throwing 1 1/3 frames of scoreless
relief, while Joakim Soria pitched a perfect bottom of the 10th to nail down
his 30th save of the season.
Bobby Crosby went 2-for-3 with two walks and two RBI for the Athletics, who
had 13 hits -- all of them singles -- but who have now lost six of seven. The
A's swept Kansas City in an April series in Oakland, but only scored seven
runs in the series.
Huston Street (2-4) came on to pitch in the ninth inning and only let up a
single. But the reliever got into a big jam in the 10th, as he walked pinch-
hitter Esteban German to lead off.
Aviles then hit a double into the right field gap that fell just beyond the
reach of Oakland right fielder Ryan Sweeney, putting both runners in scoring
position. After Mitch Maier fouled out, Gordon was intentionally walked to
load the bases. Guillen came up and drove the ball to center field, allowing
German to come home without a play at the plate.
"That inning I thought Trey was going to take me out because I could barely
walk," said Guillen, who is battling a left hip flexor injury. "I was sitting
there and I was pretty sore...I told him, 'Let's get one run and end this
thing.'"
Soria set the A's down in order in the 10th to preserve the lead and complete
the Royals' fifth sweep this season.
Kansas City starter Brian Bannister gave up two runs on eight hits in five
innings of work, and tied a career-high with seven strikeouts. He also walked
four on the way to posting his third no-decision in his past four starts.
Sean Gallagher tossed five-plus innings and allowed three runs on five hits in
his start for Oakland. Brad Ziegler threw three scoreless frames to extend his
major league record to 30 scoreless innings to start a career.
"He had a good curve today," Oakland manager Bob Geren said of Gallagher. "His
slider got hit a couple of times. He had a couple of rough innings but he
threw the ball well."
The A's put a pair of runs on the scoreboard in the second inning. Mark Ellis,
Jack Hannahan and Crosby hit three consecutive singles, with Crosby's plating
Ellis. Two batters later, Sweeney sent a single to right that scored Hannahan
for a 2-0 Oakland lead.
But the Royals got the runs right back in the top of the third. Miguel Olivo
led off with a double and came home on Aviles' double to left two batters
later. Maier, playing in center field in place of David DeJesus -- who did not
start because of a sore back -- followed with an RBI single to tie the game.
In the top of the sixth, Maier started a rally with a single, and Gordon
walked. Guillen slapped a single to left field that brought in Maier and
chased Gallagher from the game. Ziegler entered and got a strike out and
double play to end the inning, but not before the Royals edged in front, 3-2.
"The job Ziegler did, I can't say enough," Geren said. "It's beyond words what
he's doing. He's having a heck of a season."
This time the Athletics came back to tie the game. In the home seventh, Emil
Brown led off with a base hit to chase Horacio Ramirez from the game, bringing
in Leo Nunez. Brown later advanced to second on a passed ball, and Hannahan
walked. Crosby singled to plate Brown for another tie game, at 3-3.
Game Notes
The Royals won their fifth straight road game...Ellis played in his 721st
game as a 2B for the A's, matching Dick Green's Oakland record...DeJesus
entered as a defensive replacement in the 10th inning in right field,
displacing Guillen, who is experiencing problems with his left hip
flexor...The Athletics left 15 runners on base, while the Royals stranded
seven...Kansas City next returns home for a nine-game stretch. Friday the club
opens a three-game set with the White Sox...Oakland hits the road for a 10-
game trip, beginning in Boston for a three-game set, starting Friday...The
Athletics optioned first baseman Wes Bankston and outfielder Eric Patterson to
Triple-A Sacramento following the game. Bankston got the start and went 0-
for-5 with one strikeout. The transactions leave two empty roster spots, one
of which is expected to be filled by Frank Thomas, who has been out since May
29 with right quadriceps tendinitis. He's expected to be activated off the
disabled list on Friday when the A's play at Boston.
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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
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