Votto, Reds increase NL Central lead with win over Brewers

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08/31/2010 - Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Joey Votto doubled twice and drove in three runs, as the National League Central-leading Cincinnati Reds handled the Milwaukee Brewers, 8-4, in the second of a three-game set at Great American Ball Park.

Jonny Gomes hit a two-run homer and Scott Rolen contributed a pair of doubles and two RBI for Cincinnati, which has won three straight and five of its last six overall. The Reds increased their lead to seven games ahead of second- place St. Louis after the Cardinals lost to Houston on Tuesday.

Sam LeCure (2-4) earned the win for allowing only one hit and a walk over two innings of relief work. Reds starter Aaron Harang, who was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game, yielded three runs -- one earned -- on eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts in four-plus innings. The right-hander had been out of the rotation since July 1 with lower back spasms.

Reds Pitching phenom Aroldis Chapman, who was promoted from Triple-A Louisville earlier on Tuesday, made his big league debut in the eighth and retired the side in order. The left-hander topped out at 102 m.p.h. on the radar gun.

Fielder's bloop single in the top of the first plated Corey Hart, who singled and moved to second on a groundout to give the Brewers the early lead.

In the bottom half, Drew Stubbs drew a leadoff walk and Chris Valaika singled. Votto then laced a double down the right-field line that scored both to put Cincinnati in front, 2-1.

Milwaukee stranded a pair of runners in the second, and Hart bounced into a 5-4-3 double play with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth to squelch another threat.

Rolen led off the home half with a double, and Gomes followed with a two-run shot to right for a 4-1 game.

The Brewers got two back in the fifth to cut the deficit to one. Harang permitted the first two hitters to reach via a single and walk, ending his outing. LeCure came in and retired the first batter, but gave up a single to Chris Dickerson that scored both runners with the aid of an error by the left fielder Gomes.

Votto's bloop run-scoring double to right in the home fifth made it 5-3, and the hosts broke it open with three more in the sixth. Paul Janish roped an RBI double to left and later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Rolen brought in two more with a double to center to build the hosts' lead to 8-3.

Chapman entered in the eighth and threw a perfect inning. Weeks' solo homer off Logan Ondrusek in the ninth accounted for the 8-4 final score.

Game Notes

Cincinnati made several roster moves before the game. In addition to reinstating Harang from the DL and recalling Chapman, the club also placed outfielder Laynce Nix on the 15-day DL with a left ankle sprain and optioned right-hander Edinson Volquez to Single-A Dayton...Reds outfielder Jay Bruce was a late scratch due to pain in his right side...The Reds have now won six of seven versus the Brewers this year, including a two-game sweep at home on May 17-18 in the only previous meeting at Cincinnati in 2010.

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Colts give the ‘D’ its due

The Indianapolis Colts know that winning the Super Bowl last season put a huge target on their backs, and they expect opponents to go all-out to knock them from the top of the mountain.

They’ll get their first test from the New Orleans Saints this Thursday night. The defending champs had nothing but good things to say about the New Orleans defense this past week, praising their opponents’ pass rush and run-stopping abilities.

"They play very aggressively," head coach Tony Dungy told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "They play a lot of man-to-man coverage, and they come after you. They have good pass rushers, and they're going to try to pressure us, I'm sure."

Both center Jeff Saturday and quarterback Peyton Manning gave New Orleans’ front four props, admitting keeping guys like Will Smithand Charles Grant contained would be a tall task for the offensive line.

New Orleans ranked second in total defense during the preseason at a sportsbook, allowing just under 233 yards per game. Last season, the defense finished 11th in the league after giving up 307.3 yards and 20.1 points per contest.

Not so sound on the ground

If Indianapolis' efficient offense has a weakness it has to be its running attack. The Colts one-two-punch of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai is no longer, leaving the bulk of the carries to Addai, the second-year back out of LSU.

Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Kenton Keith was named Addai’s backup this week after beating out DeDe Dorsey for the second-string position. Indy has only three backs on the roster right now, including fullback Luke Lawton, and coach Dungy is aware of the thinness of his ground game. Sports Betting lines on the game can be found at BettingExpress.com

“We’ll continue to look. Luke Lawton’s done a good job for us too. So probably getting a third true tailback is something that we’d like to do,” Dungy told the Indiana Tribune-Star.

Last season, Addai rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie campaign and scored seven touchdowns on the ground.

Brees says bring it on

Opening the season on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions is not the way most teams would like to kick off their year – unless you’re the New Orleans Saints or their quarterback Drew Brees. This internet Sportsbooks had the Saints as the favorites.

Brees told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he is excited to get the regular season started and the Colts are a great challenge for him and his teammates. The 28-year-old QB, entering his second season with the Saints, is expecting a wild environment in the RCA Dome this Thursday when the franchise celebrates its 2007-2007 championship.

Brees said he sees the opening game scheduling as an honor and a testament to how well New Orleans did last season. The Saints missed facing the Colts in the Super Bowl by one game, losing to the Chicago Bearsin the NFC Championship game.

"I mean, people think we can hang with these guys," Brees told reporters. "Even if they didn't, it wouldn't matter what they thought because as a team we're very confident. We know what we can do. We're not satisfied where we finished the season last year. And we've been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time."

SportsBooks ready for a shootout

Oddsmakers are preparing for some fireworks this Thursday when the NFL season kicks off. online Sportsbooks have Thursday’s total set at a whopping 52 points, accounting for two of the league’s most explosive offenses.

“This is like must-see TV,” Saints cornerback and former Colt Jason David told the Baton Rouge Advocate. “It’s two exciting offenses with great players. You’ve got a lot of star power on offense. At any given time a big play can happen. If I was a fan, I wouldn’t miss a snap.”

New Orleans, who ranked No.1 in total offense last season, can go blow-for-blow with the Colts’ attack. Head coach Sean Payton’s offensive schemes will get even better production out of Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston now that they’ve each had a season of playing together under their belts.

The Saints and Colts were the top two passing teams in the NFL last year, but while Indianapolis managed to put up almost 27 points per game, New Orleans struggled to capitalize on their efforts. The Saints ranked fifth in points per game.

“Yards are great,” running backDeuce McAllister told reporters, “but to be able to score more touchdowns would be important for us.”

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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