Betting Odds - Graffiti Wall

(Thursday, October 23rd)

Final Score: Tampa Bay 4, Philadelphia 2

St. Petersburg, FL - James Shields threw nearly six shutout innings and B.J. Upton went 2-for-4 with a run batted in as the Tampa Bay Rays topped the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-2, in Game 2 of the World Series.

With the win, the Rays evened the best-of-seven matchup after the Phillies won the first game, 3-2, behind seven strong innings from ace Cole Hamels. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

Shields (1-0), who had lost his previous two postseason starts against Boston in the AL Championship Series, gave up seven hits and two walks in 5 2/3 frames. But he skated around and out of trouble to keep the Phillies off the scoreboard, and struck out four. Dan Wheeler tossed a scoreless inning of relief, while rookie David Price threw the final 2 1/3 innings, giving up two runs.

“I thought my stuff was good, and my change-up was exceptional tonight,” Shields said. “I felt they did a good job of battling, taking pitches and being patient. And I’m known as a strike-thrower and most of the teams don’t really take too many pitches on me.”

Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria hit RBI groundouts for Tampa Bay, which managed seven hits, all of them singles.

Philadelphia won Game 1 despite leaving 11 men on base and going 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position. The same offensive troubles showed up again, as the Phillies left 11 more runners on base and went 1-for-15 with them in scoring position.

Eric Bruntlett slammed a pinch-hit solo homer for Philadelphia, while Carlos Ruiz finished with a pair of doubles and two walks. The first three hitters in the Phillies lineup finished a combined 1-for-14.

“Actually, that might be one of our sloppiest games all year,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “But at the same time we stayed in rhythm and we struck back at them in the end. I’m concerned about us hitting with guys on base, because it looks like at times we might be trying a little too hard. But we can fix that.”

Brett Myers (0-1) took the loss after allowing four runs — three earned — on seven hits with three walks in seven innings.

The Phillies trailed by four runs entering the eighth inning, and Bruntlett came on as a pinch-hitter with two away. He launched a Price offering into the left field seats to bring Philadelphia within 4-1.

“He crushed it,” Price said of the homer. “He’s been sitting on the bench for eight innings and comes in there and just acts like he’s been playing the whole game. That’s what it’s about. I just have to make a better pitch.”

After J.C. Romero worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth, Ruiz led off the ninth by smoking a double down the left field line. The left-hander Price then pitched to Jimmy Rollins, and had one of his tosses run inside, appearing to brush Rollins’ jersey. But Rollins was not awarded first base and eventually popped out.

It proved to be crucial, as Jayson Werth’s grounder to third base hopped off Longoria’s glove and went into center field. Ruiz scored on the play to make it a two-run game. But Price fanned Chase Utley before getting Ryan Howard to ground out into a shift, ending the game.

In Game 1 on Wednesday, Philadelphia got the early edge with a two-run homer from Utley. Tampa Bay, however, grabbed the lead with two runs in the first inning on Thursday.

Myers walked leadoff hitter Akinori Iwamura before Upton smacked a single to right. But Werth had the ball carom off his glove, allowing the runners to advance to scoring position.

Pena and Longoria each hit a run-scoring ground out to make it 2-0 Rays.

“You’re not always gonna hit home runs. When you’re facing better pitching, when you get an opportunity to score a run, you better take advantage of it,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “And if there’s less than two outs, it doesn’t have to be a hit.”

Tampa Bay threatened to increase its lead in the second, loading the bases with one out. Dioner Navarro singled and Rocco Baldelli walked on a strange play. Initially, home plate umpire Kerwin Danley called Baldelli out on a check swing, but first base umpire Fieldin Culbreth ruled he didn’t go around, resulting in a walk.

“I thought he called the guy out,” Manuel said. “But he said he was pointing like that, he pointed to go to first base.”

Jason Bartlett tapped a ball up the third-base line that Pedro Feliz could not field in time, filling the bases. Iwamura popped out to Rollins in shallow center, but Upton came through with another single to right field.

Navarro scored easily, but this time Werth made a nice throw to nail Baldelli at home, ending the inning with the Rays holding a 3-0 lead.

Tampa Bay added one more run in the fourth inning, when Bartlett’s squeeze bunt scored Cliff Floyd from third.

Shields was removed after 5 2/3 innings, having thrown 104 pitches, and managed to keep Philadelphia scoreless despite numerous opportunities.

In the second inning, Howard led off with a double and Pat Burrell walked, and with one out they advanced on a wild pitch. But Greg Dobbs struck out looking and Feliz lined out to end the threat. Carlos Ruiz then began the third with a double, but was stranded on third base.

The Phillies also had two runners on with one away in the fifth, but Utley’s line-out to right resulted in a double play, when Werth was caught too far off first base.

In the top of the sixth, Dobbs’ single put runners on the corners with two outs, and Shields was removed in favor of Wheeler, who got Feliz to ground into an inning-ending fielder’s choice.

Ruiz walked to lead off the seventh, but Rollins went down swinging and Werth looked at strike three. Price entered at that point, walking Utley, but got Howard looking to end the threat.

Game Notes

Tampa Bay has not lost consecutive home games since September 2-3…Thursday’s contest was the 600th World Series game to be played to completion…Thursday was the 15th anniversary of Joe Carter’s World Series-winning home run. Carter’s three-run blast off Mitch Williams in the 9th inning of Game 6 gave the Toronto Blue Jays the title over the Philadelphia Phillies…Tampa Bay’s Matt Garza and Philadelphia’s Jamie Moyer are scheduled to pitch in Game 3.

(Thursday, October 23rd)

Final Score: West Virginia 34, Auburn 17

Morgantown, WV - Noel Devine tore up the vaunted Auburn defense for 207 yards on the ground and Pat White tossed three touchdown passes, as West Virginia doubled up the Tigers, 34-17, in a rare late October non-conference tilt.

West Virginia (5-2) dominated in the trenches, averaging 7.7 yards per carry over 271 net rushing yards. On the other hand, Auburn averaged 3.3 yards per carry and 149 total rushing yards.

Kodi Burns led Auburn (4-4) with 82 rushing yards and a touchdown, while throwing for 111 yards and another score. Brad Lester, the Tigers’ main tailback, managed just 37 yards on 13 carries.

Burns’ multi-talented opposing signal-caller, White, was shaky early with a pair of interceptions but rallied to throw for 174 yards on 13-of-21 through the air.

West Virginia slashed its way through the Auburn defense, easily moving the football inside the Tigers 20-yard line before White’s screen pass was intercepted by defensive lineman Josh Bynes, who pushed away a cut block and found the pigskin in his chest.

The Tigers went on a black-and-blue 20-play drive that ended in the game’s first points. Lester galloped for seven yards on a third down early, and Burns found Tommy Trott for 14 yards on 3rd-and-6 moments later. Auburn called running plays on the drive’s final 11 plays, however the Mountaineers tightened inside the five-yard line, and Wes Byrum booted through a 19-yard field goal.

White was intercepted on the next series and Auburn converted with Burns’ 16- yard touchdown toss to Lester.

Pat McAfee’s 23-yard field goal got WVU on the scoreboard, but the Tigers took the momentum back with Mario Fannin’s 69-yard kickoff return, setting up Burns’ nine-yard touchdown burst for a 17-3 edge.

It was all Mountaineers from there, as the combination of a punishing rushing attack and a devastating defense led to 31 unanswered points.

After a punt, Devine started to assert himself with 34 yards on three carries. White found Alric Arnett for a 44-yard touchdown connection.

McAfee booted through a 42-yard field goal to trim the deficit to 17-13 early in the third quarter, and WVU took the lead with White’s two-yard touchdown toss to Dorrell Jalloh.

After Byrum misfired on a long field goal attempt, the Mountaineers built a double-digit edge on a 73-yard march. White found Jalloh again, this scoring connection a 32-yard pitch-and-catch for a 27-17 lead.

Devine’s 30-yard TD sprint late in the fourth quarter capped the scoring.

(Thursday, October 23rd)

Final Score: Air Force 23, New Mexico 10

Colorado Springs, CO - Tim Jefferson had a touchdown pass and also added 64 yards on the ground, as Air Force used a big second half to defeat New Mexico, 23-10, in a Mountian West clash.

Jefferson was just 1-of-2 passing, and fellow quarterback Asher Clark was 0- for-1 but gained 86 yards on 23 carries for the Falcons (6-2, 4-1 Mountain West), who have won three in a row on the heels of a two-game skid. Travis Dekker had a one-yard touchdown grab.

Rodney Ferguson gained 107 yards on 19 carries with a TD for the Lobos (4-5, 2-3), who have dropped two of their last three tilts. Brad Gruner was 8-of-11 for 83 yards in defeat, while Jermaine McQueen had two catches for 46 yards.

Air Force kicked off to start the third quarter and Glover Quin returned it 25 yards before Clay Bryant forced a fumble. Will Keuchler fell on it at the UNM 26 to give the Falcons possession.

Seven plays later, Jefferson hit Dekker for a one-yard TD to make it 17-10 with 12:20 left in the third.

Ryan Harrison booted a 43-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 20-10 lead with 12:51 remaining in the game.

Just over 10 minutes later, Harrison added a 32-yarder to account for the final margin.

New Mexico had 91 yards passing to Air Force’s one yard, though, the Falcons won the battle on the ground, 227-212.

Ferguson’s two-yard touchdown run gave the Lobos a 7-0 lead with 6:22 left in the first quarter. The score capped a four-play, 11-yard drive that was set up when Clint McPeek recovered Jefferson’s fumble.

Just over three minutes later, James Aho nailed a 45-yard field goal to make it 10-0.

Later in the same stanza UNM was deep in Air Force territory approaching the goal line, however, Gruner took the ball himself up the middle as Brandon Reeves forced a fumble. Aaron Kirchoff picked up the loose ball and dashed 96 yards to paydirt as the first quarter expired, and it was a 10-7 game.

With 2:34 remaining in the first half, Harrison connected on a 30-yard field goal to knot the contest up at 10-10.

The deadlock held up through the half.

(Thursday, October 23rd)

Final Score: Toronto 4, Boston 2

Boston, MA - Niklas Hagman picked up a goal and one assist, while Anton Stralman’s first goal of the year was the game-winner as Toronto topped Boston, 4-2, at TD Banknorth Garden. Nik Antropov and Mike Van Ryn also scored for the Maple Leafs, who snapped a five-game skid. Vesa Toskala made 26 stops for the win. Patrice Bergeron and Blake Wheeler tallied for the Bruins, who wasted a two-goal, first-period lead en route to their fifth loss in six contests. Tim Thomas was solid in defeat, making 33 stops.

Final Score: Dallas 5, NY Islanders 3

Uniondale, NY - Mike Ribeiro had a goal and a career-high four assists as the Dallas Stars skated past the New York Islanders, 5-3, at Nassau Coliseum. Loui Eriksson had a pair of goals while Brenden Morrow finished with a goal and two assists for the Stars, who had lost three of four coming into the contest. Marty Turco made 24 saves in the win. Mark Streit had a goal and two assists while Rick DiPietro was shelled for five goals on 29 shots for the Islanders, who have dropped three of their last four games.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 4, Carolina 1

Pittsburgh, PA - Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin both registered a goal and an assist, as the Pittsburgh Penguins used a four-goal third period to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-1, at Mellon Arena. Ruslan Fedotenko and Maxime Talbot also scored for the Penguins, who have won three straight games and four of five overall. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 24-of-25 shots to get the win. Brandon Sutter lit the lamp and Michael Leighton allowed three goals on 34 shots for Carolina, which dropped to 1-1-1 on its season-long six-game road swing.

Final Score: Calgary 5, Nashville 3

Nashville, TN - Jarome Iginla registered a hat trick as the Calgary Flames downed the Nashville Predators, 5-3, at the Sommet Center. David Moss and Michael Cammalleri each scored a goal for the Flames, who have won their past two games. Miikka Kiprusoff made 35 saves. Jason Arnott had a goal and an assist while Dan Ellis gave up four goals on 26 shots for the Predators, who have lost three of their last four games.

Final Score: Buffalo 4, Minnesota 3 (OT)

St. Paul, MN - Derek Roy’s tally 44 seconds into overtime sent Buffalo past Minnesota, 4-3, at Xcel Energy Center. Roy, Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek each contributed a goal and one assist for the Sabres, who improved to 6-0-1 this season after overcoming a two-goal third-period deficit. Ryan Miller stopped 30 shots to earn the win. Benoit Pouliot, Stephane Veilleux and Brent Burns each scored for the Wild, who suffered their first defeat of the campaign in five contests. Niklas Backstrom took the loss after allowing four goals on 24 shots.

Final Score: Colorado 4, Edmonton 1

Denver, CO - Ian Laperriere had a goal and an assist, as the Colorado Avalanche downed the Edmonton Oilers, 4-1, at Pepsi Center. Paul Stastny, Joe Sakic and Cody McLeod also scored for the Avalanche, who have reeled off four straight wins after beginning the season with three consecutive one-goal losses. Ben Guite and Darcy Tucker each collected two assists, while Peter Budaj made 25 saves. Shawn Horcoff lit the lamp and Mathieu Garon allowed four goals on 25 shots for Edmonton, which has lost two games in a row after opening the year with four straight wins.

Final Score: Phoenix 2, Washington 1

Glendale, AZ - Mikael Tellqvist, making his first start of the season, stopped 31-of-32 shots to help the Phoenix Coyotes to a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. Peter Mueller had the game-winning goal for the Coyotes, who saw their three-game slide become history. Mikkel Boedker also lit the lamp in the win, while Olli Jokinen had an assist. Brooks Laich had the lone tally for the Caps, who have dropped three straight contests. Alexander Semin had an assist in defeat, while Jose Theodore let in both goals on 34 shots.

NBA10/23/2008

7:35 PM EDT
651 atlanta hawks    185.5     184 / 184u07 / 184u09     183.5     +212     88 Under 183.5
652 detroit pistons    -5 -05     -4.5 +09 / -4 -11 / -4.5  -5  -232     87 final  
DET-Starters are expected to be limited

8:05 PM EDT
653 milwaukee bucks    188     188 / 188o09 / 188.5u06 188.5o08     +160     76 Under 188.5
654 minnesota timberwolves    -4 -08     -4 -08 / -4.5 -04     -4.5      -170     95 final
MIL-C-Bogut-OUT

8:35 PM EDT
655 miami heat    191     191u10 / 190.5o08 / 190.5o07     191     +214     80 Under 191
656 new orleans hornets    -5 -05     -5.5 -05 / -5.5 -08 / -5.5  -6  -234     100 final
@ Mobile Civic Center - Mobile, AL

8:35 PM EDT
657 indiana pacers    195.5     201.5u07 / 201.5o07 / 201.5 201.5u07     +255     114 Over 201.5
658 dallas mavericks    -7 -05     -7 -05 / -7 -02     -7          -285     91 final  
IND-F-Dunleavy-OUT

9:05 PM EDT
659 portland trailblazers    187.5     186.5 / 186 / 185.5u07     +131     89 Over 185.5
660 utah jazz    -4 -05     -3.5 -03 / -3.5 EVEN / -3.5      -3      -141     100 final
UTAH-G-Williams-OUT

10:05 PM EDT
661 oklahoma city    193     192.5 / 193u06 / 193     193o07     +295     93 Over 193
662 phoenix suns    -8 -03     -8 -09 / -8.5 -05 / -8.5 -03 -8  -325     102 final
OKL-F-Durant-QuestionablePHX-G-Nash-Probable

10:05 PM EDT
663 houston rockets    -3 -05     -3 -05 / -3      -3.5      -148     110 Over 194
664 sacramento kings    194.5     194o06 / 194u07 / 194o06 194o09  +138   97 final  
HOU-G-McGrady-Probable, C-Ming-Probable

10:05 PM EDT
665 charlotte bobcats    200.5     200.5 / 200.5u09 / 199.5     197.5     +205     77 Under 197.5  
666 los angeles lakers    -6.5 -05     -6.5 -05 / -6.5 EVEN     -6.5      -225     88 final
@ Honda Center - Anaheim, CALAL-G-Bryant-Probable