Biggio hits go-ahead slam, as Astros hold off Brewers

Baseball Betting Lines

04/21/2007 - Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Craig Biggio hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth to put the Astros on top, but Brad Lidge almost gave it all back in the bottom of the inning before Chad Qualls came on to save Houston's 6-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Chris Burke and Brad Ausmus collected two hits each for Houston, which has won five straight and eight of nine. Matt Albers started for the Astros, allowing six hits and two runs in six innings. Rick White (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings of relief to get the win.

Prince Fielder hit a three-run shot in the bottom of the ninth for Milwaukee, which had won two straight and six of eight entering the game. J.J. Hardy also homered for the Brewers. Matt Wise (0-1) took the loss in relief, as he was responsible for the first runner to score on Biggio's slam, but it was Greg Aquino who gave up Biggio's blast.

Ben Sheets started on the mound for the Brewers, striking out four while scattering seven hits and two runs over seven innings.

Burke reached base on a bunt to start the ninth, and Adam Everett walked. Ausmus laid down a sac bunt, but Johnny Estrada tried in vain to throw Burke out at third, and everyone was safe. Pinch-hitter Mike Lamb struck out, but Biggio then lofted a 2-1 pitch high to left-center, and it carried over the fence to give the Astros a 6-2 lead.

Lidge walked pinch-hitter Tony Gwynn to start the home half of the ninth, and Gwynn stole second. Lidge then walked Rickie Weeks, but fanned Hardy to record the first out. The former Astros closer hung a 1-2 pitch up and in to Fielder, though, and the Brewers slugger belted it just inside the pole down the right-field line to make it a one-run game.

Lidge got Bill Hall to ground out, but gave up a double to Estrada, and was promptly lifted by manager Phil Garner. Trever Miller entered the game and walked Corey Hart. Miller was lifted for Qualls, who got pinch-hitter Gabe Gross to ground out to finally end the game.

Biggio walked, stole second, and moved to third on a wild throw by Estrada to start things off in the first inning for the Astros. Lance Berkman scored Biggio on a groundout, and the Astros had an early 1-0 lead.

Hardy hit a one-out single in the home half of the first, and Fielder walked to put men at first and second. Albers threw a wild pitch, allowing Hardy to move up to third, and Hall knocked in Milwaukee's first run with line drive single to right.

Hardy ripped a line-drive homer to left to lead off the fifth, and the Brewers led 2-1.

The Astros tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh, with Everett and Ausmus hitting back-to-back doubles, with Everett scoring on Ausmus' two-base hit. Sheets retired the next three Astros in order, though, and stranded Ausmus.

Game Notes

Houston is 6-1 on the road this season, the best road record in the majors, and the best road start for the franchise since a 7-1 start in 2004...Sheets went 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in three starts last season against the Astros.

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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.