Escobar's blast in 10th lifts Braves over Marlins

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06/02/2008 - Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Yunel Escobar drilled a game-winning two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Atlanta Braves a wild 7-5 win over the Florida Marlins, in the opener of a four-game set.

Escobar had three hits, three runs batted in and scored twice while Jeff Francoeur and Mark Teixeira each added a home run to the winning effort. Will Ohman (2-0) pitched a perfect 10th for the win, snapping Atlanta's three-game losing streak.

Dan Uggla doubled twice and scored twice for Florida which dropped its second straight and fifth of its last six overall.

Logan Kensing (3-1) took the hill for the 10th and issued a leadoff walk to Kelly Johnson before Escobar cranked the opposite-field game-winner off the top of the wall in right-center.

Kevin Gregg came on to close the game for Florida in the ninth and issued consecutive one-out walks to Francoeur and Brian McCann. Jair Jurrjens came on to run for McCann and pinch-hitter Josh Anderson moved the tying run to third on a force out. Gregg uncorked a wild pitch with Gregor Blanco in the batter's box, allowing Francoeur to score. Blanco chopped a grounder right back to Gregg, sending the game into extra innings.

Scott Olsen tossed six innings of three-run ball, on four hits and two walks, while striking out four for Florida. Jo-Jo Reyes matched Olsen's effort tossing six-plus innings of three-run ball, on five hits and one walk. The left-hander struck out four for Atlanta.

John Smoltz came on to pitch the ninth for Atlanta, his first action since April 27, and first bullpen appearance since 2004. Matt Treanor doubled to center with one out and Alfredo Amezaga came on to pinch-run. Pinch-hitter Wes Helms lined a single to left, moving the runner to third. Smoltz retired Hanley Ramirez on a fly out with Helms tagging and moving to second on the play. Jeremy Hermida singled to left, scoring both runners giving the Marlins a 5-4 advantage heading to the bottom half.

Francoeur jumped on the first pitch from Olsen to start the home second, sending a fastball to the seats in left.

Atlanta manufactured their second run of the game one inning later. Escobar worked a walk to start things off and moved to second when Chipper Jones drew a one-out walk. Teixeira followed with a line single to left, bringing Escobar around to score.

Florida got on the board in the fourth, tying the game at two. Hermida led off with a triple to the gap in right-center and scored on a Jorge Cantu sacrifice fly. Uggla then ripped a two-out double down the left field line and Luis Gonzalez singled to left bringing in Uggla for the equalizer.

Teixeira gave Atlanta back the lead in the fifth with a two-out solo shot to left, his fourth home run in the last five games.

Florida came back to tie the game in the seventh. Uggla led off by ripping a double to left and Gonzalez moved him to third on a single through the right side, chasing Reyes from the game.

Manny Acosta came on in relief and got Cody Ross to ground into a force out but Uggla was able to score on the play. Acosta went on to retire Treanor on a pop fly and Ramirez on strikes to limit the damage.

Renyel Pinto took the hill for Florida in the home seventh, loading the bases with two out but got Francoeur swinging to keep the contest tied at three.

Matt Lindstrom came on in the eighth to retire the first two Atlanta batters but Blanco ripped a double to left and Lindstrom issued a free pass to pinch- hitter Johnson. Escobar followed with a single back up the middle, scoring Blanco. Omar Infante worked a walk to load the bases and Joe Nelson came on to relieve Lindstrom. Nelson got Jones to fly out to end the inning but Atlanta had the lead heading to the ninth.

Game Notes

The Braves activated Smoltz from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game. Smoltz had been on the DL since April 28 with a severely inflamed biceps tendon and an inflamed rotator cuff. The team optioned reliever Phil Stockman to Triple-A Richmond to make room for Smoltz...Atlanta is in the midst of a 20-game losing streak in one-run decisions on the road dating back to August 10, 2007, tying for the second- longest such streak in Major League history. The club is one shy of Kansas City's 21-game streak from 2000-2001...The Marlins are 2-5 on their current 10-game trip against NL East foes...This was Smoltz's first blown save since September 22, 2004.

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FOOTBALL BETTING

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After all the trouble that’s ensued since Braylon Edwards allegedly punched one of LeBron James’ homeboys in the face at a club, the Cleveland Browns have sent away their last remaining player of worth to the New York Jets. This is a great move for Dirty Sanchez and all, but it’s even better for the Knicks. Now Donnie Walsh can say, “You get to haunt Braylon Edwards with your posse if you sign here!” next summer.

Putting that aside for a moment, the move is a clear indication that the new-look Jets are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. I don’t think that New York thought that Dirty Sanchez was going to be such a rock star. With a 75.2 passer rating that was killed against the Jets, Sanchez is doing an admirable job of managing games and putting the Jets in a position to win. The defense has been the major story in New York thus far, but the acquisition of Braylon Edwards makes this offense loaded with talent that can dent any defense…as long as Dirty Sanchez continues his meteoric rise.

Thus far, Edwards has been a non-factor in the NFL piling up just 139 receiving yards on 10 catches. He has yet to find the endzone, and with the Browns mired in the most unsexy quarterback controversy of all time (Anderson vs. Quinn...yawn), there going nowhere fast. Edwards is two seasons removed from a career year which saw him catch 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns when the Browns were the spread killing monsters of 2007. In 2008, injuries slowed the receiver down to just 873 yards and three touchdowns though he played in all 16 games.

So that being said, we really don’t know if Braylon Edwards is just a flash in the pan, or a legit threat. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a prototypical receiver. But he’s also shown a strange, and unwarranted, talent for dropping passes. Lining up opposite Jericho Cotchery, a speed demon with 23 catches, 356 yards and a single touchdown, may give Braylon the open looks he needs. A change of scenery may also rejuvenate the star receiver.

In return, the Browns will receive Chansi Stuckey, online football betting a special teams player you’ve never heard of and a pair of draft picks. That’s a tall order for a guy whose only real value right now is in his name, and it shows no promise to the Browns that they can rebuild around those acquisitions. Braylon was the only reason to hope for the Browns to go 3-14 SU this year. Without him, they don’t have a single guy on offense that can scare any team.

For the Jets, it’s a response to the pounding that they took at the hand of the Saints. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have averaged around 4.0 yards per carry each on the ground, but striking a fair balance between the passing and rushing attacks in New York has been a struggle. You have to believe that the trio of Dustin Keller, Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will give Sanchez the weapons he needs to unleash through the air. Theoretically, that would open up holes for the rushing game. But the proposed public option health care plan works in theory too. We need to see the proof in the pudding before we start loading up mega bucks on the New York Jets to take the AFC.

The one wrinkle in this whole thing is that Braylon could very well be suspended by the league for disciplinary action due to his “brawl” with LeBron’s friend. If that’s the case, the Jets may have to bench him for a few games leaving them with a somewhat depleted receiving corps for a few games. Also, this is a guy who gets in fights with people at clubs. New York may not be the best place for him. Just sayin’.

The Jets have a long week before they meet the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football Betting in a virtual pick ‘em game. Braylon’s excess baggage may be a distraction, and his curiously low production may be what we should be expecting of him overall, but for the Jets, taking a chance to strike gold is well worth it. At the end of the year, they can simply just blame it on their rookie quarterback.

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Barry Bonds Watch: Giants Slugger Says He'll Be Back

With only 21 home runs standing between him and Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds is indeed planning on coming back for more in 2007. At least, that's what his agent told the Los Angeles Times.

"Barry's going to play in 2007," Jeff Borris of Beverly Hills Sports Council told the Times on Tuesday. "I've had many discussions with Barry and he's going to play. My intentions are to see to it he's in a big-league uniform next season. Those are my marching orders."

Contract negotiations could get started as early as next week. Let's see which team has the deeper pockets. Will MLB baseball betting lines despite allegations of steroid use? Bet On It at www.MySportsbook.com .

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