Zimmerman's three-run homer lifts Nationals over Twins

Baseball Betting Lines

06/10/2007 - Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Zimmerman belted a three-run homer and Levale Speigner threw six solid innings as the Washington Nationals edged the Minnesota Twins, 3-1, in the second game of a three-game set at the Metrodome.

Speigner ( 2-2), a former member of the Twins organization, allowed just one run on two hits, while walking one and striking out three. Ray King, Jesus Colome and Jon Rauch blanked the Twins for two innings and Chad Cordero recorded the final three outs for his eighth save of the season.

Cristian Guzman, also a former Twin, had three hits for the Nationals, who have won three of four overall and seven of their last eight road games.

Johan Santana (6-6) went seven frames, surrendering three runs -- two earned -- on seven hits. He walked none and struck out five for the Twins, who have lost six of seven.

Justin Morneau hit his 17th homer of the season and Lew Ford had two hits for Minnesota, which finished with just five hits.

Morneau's lead-off homer to center in the second put Minnesota on the board, but Washington responded with three in the third.

Nook Logan reached first on Nick Punto's fielding error and stole second before Felipe Lopez struck out. Guzman followed with a single to center, putting runners on first and third for Zimmerman, who's shot into the left- field seats gave the Nationals a 3-1 lead.

Minnesota threatened in the ninth. Michael Cuddyer led off with a single to center off Cordero, who struck out Morneau and Torii Hunter before Ford kept the inning alive with a single to right. Cordero, though, got Jason Tyner to ground into a fielder's choice to end the game.

Game Notes

Twins' outfielder Jason Kubel left the game with a sprained right knee. He was to be re-evaluated Sunday...Cordero's save was the 99th of his career...Washington is guaranteed its third consecutive series win away from home...Speigner had a 14.44 ERA over his four previous starts...Guzman is 23- for-39 over his last nine games. He has raised his average to .352...The Twins were born as the original Washington Senators before moving to Minnesota in 1961...Attendance was 39,742.

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Kurt Warner to start, Matt Leinart to watch

Despite the debate that's swirling , Kurt Warner will remain the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, coach Dennis Green said today. The Arizona Cardinals are the +7 point underdog at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com for this Sunday's game.

Green's comment came in a statement released by the team following an ESPN report that Green decided that rookie Matt Leinart would replace Warner as starter for Sunday's game at Atlanta.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.