Homer-happy A's get game-winner from Suzuki to stun Chicago

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08/16/2008 - Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kurt Suzuki hit a game-winning, pinch-hit, two-run home run in the ninth and Jack Cust added two homers himself, as the Oakland Athletics edged the Chicago White Sox in dramatic fashion, 6-4, in the opener of a three-game set.

Pinch-hitter Emil Brown opened the home ninth with a double to the gap in left-center off Horacio Ramirez (1-2). Daric Barton then laid down a sac bunt to move pinch-runner Cliff Pennington to third before D.J. Carrasco was called on in relief. Suzuki then launched a 3-2 slider over the left field fence for the game-winner.

"I knew at the worst it was going to be a sacrifice fly," Suzuki said. "Our team battled to the end. They scored some runs and we came back. They scored again and we came back again."

Cust finished with three RBI and three hits while Mark Ellis had a solo homer for the A's, who have two wins in their last six contests and had dropped 23- of-27 coming in. Frank Thomas went 2-for-4 and scored in the win.

Oakland starter Dallas Braden lasted seven innings and gave up three runs on seven hits in the no-decision. Huston Street (3-5) picked up the win with a scoreless ninth.

AJ Pierzynski and Carlos Quentin both hit solo homers for the Pale Hose, who saw their three-game win streak come to an end as the club fell into a tie with the Minnesota Twins for the AL Central lead. The Twins beat the Seattle Mariners 9-3 on Friday. Jim Thome and Paul Konerko both drove in a run in defeat. Gavin Floyd lasted 5 2/3 innings and gave up two runs -- one earned -- on six hits while fanning four and walking two in the no-decision.

The ChiSox got on the board in the first inning with three runs. Pierzynski clubbed a solo homer before Quentin singled and Jermaine Dye doubled. Thome kept it going with an RBI single and Konerko then offered a sac fly.

Thomas led off the sixth with a single, and two batters later, Cust ripped his 21st homer of the year to left, making it 3-2.

Quentin led off the top of the eighth with a homer off Jerry Blevins, but Oakland got two runs back in the home half to tie it up.

Ellis welcomed Octavio Dotel to the game with a leadoff homer. Thomas and Carlos Gonzalez were both retired, but Cust belted another home run to make it 4-4.

"I went with my best pitch, the fastball, and he hit it," Dotel said of Cust's shot. "He beat my best. That's going to happen."

Game Notes

It was the fourth career multi-homer game for Cust...Suzuki has one other walk-off homer on August 16, 2007, which was also against the White Sox...Floyd is unbeaten over his last five starts (2-0)...Oakland took a 4-3 lead in the 2008 season series...Prior to the game Chicago recalled pitcher Clayton Richard from Triple-A Charlotte...Chicago is 6-28 at Oakland since the start of the 2001 season.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds  
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.

Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.

Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.

Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

Arizona 20-1

Butler 20-1

Duke 30-1

Florida 7-2

Georgetown 30-1

Indiana 35-1

Kansas 15-1

Marquette 25-1

Maryland 40-1

Memphis 50-1

Nevada 50-1

UNC 9-2

OSU 8-1

Oregon 30-1

Pittsburgh 15-1

Texas 30-1

Texas A&M 18-1

UCLA 6-1

Wisconsin 10-1

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