Conrad's late slam helps Braves cook Marlins

Baseball Betting Lines

07/25/2010 - Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brooks Conrad hit his second career grand slam during an eight-run eighth inning, as the Atlanta Braves rallied past the Florida Marlins, 10-5, in the second test of a three-game set between these two NL East rivals.

Martin Prado hit a solo homer for the Braves, who bounced back from a 7-6 loss in the opener of this series. Eric Hinske drove in two runs and scored once, while Jason Heyward had three hits and scored twice for the victors.

Jesse Chavez (2-1) tossed a perfect seventh to pick up the win.

Dan Uggla homered and knocked in three runs for the Marlins, who had a three- game winning streak snapped. Mike Stanton added a solo homer.

"It's not the first time [we blew a lead] and it won't be the last...It just so happens they stole one from us," Uggla said. "That's baseball."

Trailing 5-2, Atlanta exploded for eight runs in the eighth. Taylor Tankersley started the inning on the mound for Florida. Heyward singled, Chipper Jones reached first on Jorge Cantu's throwing error, and Brian McCann was hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out.

Jhan Martinez (1-1) came in from the bullpen and walked Troy Glaus to force in a run. Hinske followed with a two-run single to right to tie the game. Burke Badenhop then took over for Martinez on the hill. Alex Gonzalez put down a bunt and catcher Ronny Paulino threw to third, but the runner was safe to load the bases. Two batters later, pinch-hitter Conrad drove the ball into the seats in right for a 9-5 lead.

"In those situations you have to be confident as a pinch hitter," Conrad said. "If you're hesitant, you're probably not going to get the job done."

Jones knocked in another run later in the inning when he grounded into a fielder's choice.

Florida stranded the bases loaded in the ninth.

Prado's homer to left in the top of the first gave Atlanta the early lead. However, Florida plated a run of its own in the home half to tie the game. Chris Coghlan was hit by a pitch and Gaby Sanchez singled to put men on the corners with nobody out. After Hanley Ramirez struck out, Uggla drove in a run when he grounded out.

McCann's RBI single in the top of the third gave the Braves a 2-1 edge.

The Marlins, though, responded with three runs in the bottom of the third to go in front by two. Coghlan hit a one-out single and came around to score on Sanchez's double down the left-field line. Two batters later, Uggla smacked Kris Medlen's offering into the seats in left for a 4-2 advantage.

Atlanta put runners on the corners in the fifth, but McCann grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Stanton's homer to right in the sixth made it a 5-2 game.

Game Notes

Atlanta has won five of its eight matchups with the Marlins this season...The Braves' eight runs in the eighth was a season-high for runs scored in an inning...Uggla's homer was the 139th of his career, which moved him into sole possession of second place on the team's all-time home run list. Mike Lowell is the franchise leader with 143...Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez was ejected in the top of the fifth for arguing balls and strikes...Heyward extended his hitting streak to eight games...Braves starter Medlen lasted six frames, allowing five runs on eight hits. He fanned a season-high eight batters and walked one...Florida starter Anibal Sanchez went six innings, giving up two runs on five hits. He struck out seven and walked three.

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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

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