Betting Odds – Graffiti Wall

Mark Teixeira

(Sunday, August 30th)

Final Score: New York 8, Chicago 3

Bronx, NY – Mark Teixeira hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs to lead the New York Yankees to a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox with an 8-3 victory at Yankee Stadium. Johnny Damon, who left the game with leg cramps, added a two-run homer to match his career high (24) for the Yankees, who improved to 20-7 in August and are 31-11 since the All-Star break. Derek Jeter went 2-for-3 with a walk and improved his batting average in the month to .381. Joba Chamberlain started and went just three innings, giving up two runs on four hits to take a no-decision. Alfredo Aceves (9-1) got the win after tossing three innings of two-hit relief for the AL East-leading Yankees, who are currently six games better than the Boston Red Sox. Scott Podsednik went 3- for-4 with an RBI and scored for the White Sox, who lost for the seventh time in eight tries. Freddy Garcia (0-2) took the loss after giving up three runs in six innings.

Final Score: Detroit 4, Tampa Bay 3

Detroit, MI – Placido Polanco’s three-run homer in the eighth inning was the difference as Detroit rallied past Tampa Bay, 4-3, in the third installment of a four-game set at Comerica Park. Clete Thomas finished 3- for-3 and scored two runs, while Curtis Granderson knocked in the other run for the Tigers, who have won four of six and stand 4 1/2 games ahead of Minnesota in the AL Central. Justin Verlander (15-7) went eight innings for the win, allowing six hits and three runs with four strikeouts against three walks. Evan Longoria smacked a two-run homer and Akinori Iwamura added a solo shot for the Rays, losers in three of four. With the setback, Tampa Bay remained two games behind Texas but drifted 5 1/2 back of Boston in the AL wild card chase after the Rangers lost and Red Sox won. Grant Balfour (5-3) got the loss and the blown save, charged with two runs in one relief inning. Starter Jeff Niemann was solid, going seven-plus frames and giving up just two runs and five hits without issuing a walk.

Final Score: Baltimore 5, Cleveland 2

Baltimore, MD – Felix Pie smacked a two-run homer and rookie pitcher Brian Matusz tossed a career-high seven innings of one-run ball, as Baltimore downed Cleveland, 5-2, to split a four-game series at Camden Yards. Matusz (3-2) gave up a career-low four hits while fanning a career-best eight and walking one to take the win for the Orioles, who had lost four of six coming into Sunday. The lefty was making just his sixth start in the majors. Brian Roberts went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for Baltimore. Justin Masterson (4-6) lasted 5 2/3 frames, allowing five runs — four earned — on eight hits with six strikeouts and four walks to take the loss for the Indians, who had won seven of 10 coming in.

Final Score: Boston 7, Toronto 0

Boston, MA – Paul Byrd hurled six scoreless innings during his first start in nearly a year and Kevin Youkilis drove in three runs as Boston downed Toronto, 7-0, in the finale of a three-game series at Fenway Park. Byrd (1-0), who signed a minor league deal with Boston on August 5, scattered three hits with one strikeout and three walks. He hadn’t toed the rubber in the big leagues since September 24, 2008 with the Sox and recorded his first victory since September 7, 2008. Alex Gonzalez added two hits and an RBI while Rocco Baldelli hit a solo homer for the Red Sox, who swept the series and have taken six of seven overall. Boston saw its lead in the AL wild card race extended to 3 1/2 games over Texas and 5 1/2 games over Tampa Bay after both clubs lost later Sunday. Adam Lind and John McDonald each had two hits for the Blue Jays, who have dropped five of six. Roy Halladay (13-8) turned in another atypical performance, taking the loss after allowing seven hits and four runs over six full frames.

Final Score: Minnesota 5, Texas 3

Minneapolis, MN – Jason Kubel went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and Mike Redmond drove in the game-winning run during a three-run eighth, as the Minnesota Twins rallied to edge the Texas Rangers, 5-3, in the rubber match of a three-game set at the Metrodome. Nick Punto went 2-for-4 and also knocked in a run in the bottom of the eighth for the Twins, who remain 4 1/2 games behind the AL Central-leading Tigers, who beat the Rays on Sunday. Brendan Harris drove in the tying run in the eighth. Jon Rauch (1-0) got the win with a scoreless inning of relief. Starter Scott Baker went seven frames, allowing three runs on six hits with six strikeouts. Joe Nathan picked up his 34th save despite a shaky ninth. Nelson Cruz went 2- for-4 with a two-run homer for the Rangers, who dropped to 3 1/2 games behind Boston in the AL wild card standings. Kevin Millwood allowed two runs in six innings for Texas, while C.J. Wilson (4-6) gave up three runs on three hits in the eighth to take the loss. It was his fourth blown save of the year.

Final Score: LA Angels of Anaheim 9, Oakland 1

Anaheim, CA – John Lackey picked up his 100th career win with another dominating performance against Oakland and led the Angels to a 9-1 defeat of the Athletics in the finale of a four-game series. Lackey (9-7) got the milestone win after giving up just an unearned run on five hits and two walks in eight innings. It was Lackey’s third start since picking up win No. 99 on August 15. The right-hander had faced the Athletics once earlier this season, on July 19, and threw nine scoreless innings in the Angels’ 1-0, 10-inning victory. Torii Hunter and Kendry Morales each hit a three-run homer and finished with two hits for Los Angeles, which salvaged a split in the series. Chone Figgins went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs batted in for the AL West-leading Angels, who extended their lead to five games over Texas, which lost to Minnesota earlier Sunday. A’s starter Brett Anderson (7-10) got the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits in six innings. Jay Marshall surrendered another five runs in 1 2/3 innings of relief. Daric Barton was 1-for-3 and scored the lone run for Oakland, which has dropped five of seven.

Final Score: Kansas City 3, Seattle 0

Seattle, WA – Zack Greinke hurled a career-best one-hitter as Kansas City topped Seattle, 3-0, in the finale of a four-game set from Safeco Field. After striking out a franchise-best 15 batters against the Indians on Tuesday, Greinke (13-8) turned in his major-league best sixth complete game of the season and lowered his AL-best earned run average to 2.32. Miguel Olivo and David DeJesus knocked in a run apiece for the Royals, who managed a split in the series and halted a two-game losing streak. Kenji Johjima picked up the only hit for the Mariners, who had won five of six coming in. Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-2) took the loss, though he was charged with just five hits and three runs over eight innings. He fanned a career-high seven batters.

Final Score: Florida 6, San Diego 4

Miami, FL – John Baker went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and scored once, as Florida held on for a 6-4 win over San Diego in the finale of a three-game set. Cody Ross added a two-run single, while Chris Coghlan had an RBI for the Marlins, who snapped a three-game slide. Sean West (6-5) earned the win after tossing six effective innings. The lefty permitted three runs — one earned — on seven hits, struck out seven and walked two. The rookie has now won three of his last four starts. Kevin Kouzmanoff had an RBI double and Oscar Salazar had three hits and a run scored for San Diego, which had won four of five coming into the contest. Mat Latos (4-4) was saddled with the loss after giving up five runs — four earned — on four hits in only 3 1/3 innings. He walked two and fanned a pair. The Marlins are behind the Philles in the NL East by eight games and trail the wild card lead by 3 1/2 games after San Francisco beat Colorado Sunday.

Final Score: Los Angeles 3, Cincinnati 2 (12 innings)

Cincinnati, OH – Matt Kemp hit a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning that proved to be the difference, as the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park. Kemp also homered for the Dodgers, who have won four of their last five games and lead both Colorado and San Francisco by six games in the NL West. James McDonald (4-3) earned the win after tossing a scoreless inning of relief. Starter Clayton Kershaw flummoxed Cincinnati’s hitters over his seven-inning start. The young lefty gave up two runs on four hits and fanned 11. He also had an RBI single. Darnell McDonald clubbed a two-run homer for the Reds, who have dropped two straight on the heels of a five-game winning streak. Bronson Arroyo got the start for the Reds and allowed two runs on six hits in 7 1/3 innings. Francisco Cordero (2-4) entered from the bullpen to begin the 12th and issued a leadoff walk to Manny Ramirez, who scampered to third on a one-out double by Juan Castro. Following an intentional walk to Andre Ethier, Kemp lofted a fly ball to center field to chase home the go-ahead run. Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton walked two of the first three batters in the bottom of the 12th, but struck out Wladimir Balentien and Drew Stubbs to record his 29th save of the season.

Final Score: Milwaukee 4, Pittsburgh 1

Milwaukee, WI – Casey McGehee went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and scored twice as the Milwaukee Brewers swept Pittsburgh with a 4-1 victory at Miller Park, continuing their dominance at home against the Pirates. The Pirates have dropped 21 straight games at Miller Park in a streak that stretches back to May 3, 2007. Craig Counsell ended with two RBI for the Brewers, who swept the three-game set on the heels of getting swept in three games by the Reds. Jeff Suppan (6-8) got the win after going six innings and giving up a run on eight hits. The righty also drove in a run at the plate. Garrett Jones went 2-for-2 with a solo homer for the Pirates, who have just two wins over their last seven tries. Lastings Milledge had three hits and Brandon Moss two in the setback. Ross Ohlendorf (11-9) took the loss after surrendering four runs on five hits with six punchouts to two walks in six frames.

Final Score: St. Louis 2, Washington 1

St. Louis, MO – Albert Pujols knocked in Colby Rasmus with a single in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the St. Louis Cardinals held on to edge the Washington Nationals, 2-1, completing a three-game series sweep at Busch Stadium. Rasmus and Pujols accounted for all of the Cardinals’ four hits with Rasmus scoring both runs. St. Louis has now won 18 of its last 22 games and hasn’t lost a series since dropping two of three at Philadelphia from July 24-26. Rick Ankiel knocked in the other Cardinals run with a sacrifice fly. Adam Wainwright (16-7) went six innings and allowed three hits and one run, struck out seven and walked three in earning his major league-leading 16th win of the season. The right-hander improved to 11-3 in his last 14 decisions Elijah Dukes had an RBI single for Washington, which has dropped 10 of its last 13. Garrett Mock (3-6) was the hard-luck loser after surrendering two runs on four hits in six innings. The young righty struck out five and walked one.

Final Score: New York 4, Chicago 1

Chicago, IL – Nelson Figueroa delivered a solid performance on the mound and singled home a run, as the New York Mets defeated Chicago, 4-1, and denied the Cubs a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field. Figueroa (2-3) allowed one run on six hits and struck out a career-high 10 batters over his seven-plus inning start. Brian Stokes finished off the eighth inning and Francisco Rodriguez notched his 28th save of the season with a scoreless ninth. Angel Pagan collected three hits and scored a run for the Mets, who won for just the second time in their last nine tries. Aramis Ramirez knocked in the lone run for Chicago, which had won three of four entering play. Carlos Zambrano (7-6) gave up four runs — three earned — on a season- high 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings to absorb the loss. Tom Gorzelanny, Sean Marshall, John Grabow and Angel Guzman combined to yield just one hit in 5 2/3 innings of relief.

Final Score: San Francisco 9, Colorado 5

San Francisco, CA – Edgar Renteria belted a go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the seven inning, as San Francisco scored seven unanswered runs to defeat Colorado, 9-5, and pull even with the Rockies in the NL wild card standings. Renteria added an RBI double, while Eugenio Velez collected two hits and knocked in a run for the Giants, who swept the three-game series at AT&T Park and won for the fifth time in their last six games overall. San Francisco starting pitcher Matt Cain earned his fourth straight no-decision after allowing four runs on eight hits over six innings. He also struck out eight and walked two. The come-from-behind victory made a winner out of Brandon Medders (3-1), who recorded the final two outs in the top of the seventh. Troy Tulowitzki finished 4-for-5 with a homer and three RBI for the Rockies, who have lost five in a row, a season- high. Todd Helton and Ian Stewart both had three hits, with Helton blasting a solo home run. Jason Hammel gave up two runs on four hits in his five-plus inning start. Both the Giants and Rockies are six games back of Los Angeles in the NL West. Rafael Betancourt (0-1) took the loss for Colorado.

Final Score: Arizona 4, Houston 3

Phoenix, AZ – John Hester went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a run batted in, as the Arizona Diamondbacks edged the Houston Astros, 4-3, to complete a three-game sweep at Chase Field. Justin Upton smacked a solo homer and drove in two runs for the Diamondbacks, who have won four in a row and five of seven. Ryan Roberts knocked in the other run for the victors. Dan Haren (13-8) went seven-plus innings for Arizona, allowing three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and two walks to take the win. Chad Qualls tossed 1 1/3 frames of scoreless relief to pick up his 24th save of the season but injured his left leg on the final play of the game. Lance Berkman knocked in a pair of runs for the Astros, who have lost six of seven. Michael Bourn went 2-for-3 with two runs scored in defeat. Wandy Rodriguez (12-9) lasted six-plus frames, giving up four runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and three walks to take the loss. Rodriguez has now dropped three of his last four starts.

Final Score: Philadelphia 3, Atlanta 2

Philadelphia, PA – Joe Blanton allowed only one run through seven strong innings, and the Philadelphia Phillies capitalized on an Atlanta error in the seventh to defeat the Braves, 3-2, in the rubber match of a three-game set from Citizens Bank Park. Blanton (9-6) yielded just three hits and four walks while fanning seven to record his 10th consecutive quality start. He has allowed three or fewer runs in 11 straight outings. Chase Utley hit his 29th home run of the season, while Carlos Ruiz had two doubles and two RBI in the win, the Phillies’ 10th in 14 games. Ryan Howard went 2-for-4 for Philadelphia, while Brad Lidge earned his 27th save of the season. Martin Prado homered and went 3-for-4 for the Braves, who fell eight games behind the Phillies in the NL East and are 3 1/2 games behind Colorado and San Francisco in the wild card race. Chipper Jones drove in a run in the setback. Jair Jurrjens (10-9) allowed three runs — two earned — on seven hits and two walks in seven innings to take the loss.