07/04/2008 - Bronx, NY (Baseball Betting) - Jon Lester threw a complete game gem, while Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Lowell both drove in two runs, and the Boston Red Sox shut down the New York Yankees, 7-0, in the opener of a four-game set from Yankee Stadium.
Lester (7-3) scattered five hits throughout his time on the mound and struck out eight, while walking only two batters. Jason Varitek and Julio Lugo both had an RBI for the Red Sox, who snapped a five-game skid.
"You're thinking before the game you want to give your team a chance to win," Lester said. "The guys made some plays tonight, it was a great team win, which we needed."
Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera each had two hits for the Yankees, who lost for the fourth time in five games. Andy Pettitte (9-6) took the loss as he was touched for six runs -- five earned -- on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings of work.
"There's a lot of pride here," Johnny Damon said. "There's many media outlets talking about what's wrong with the Yankees. It's embarrassing. We're not playing up to our expectations. We got to do something soon."
The Sox wasted no time in getting on the board. Dustin Pedroia and J.D. Drew were on first and second with one out in the first, before Manny Ramirez grounded into what looked like an inning-ending double play.
Derek Jeter recorded the out at second but botched the throw to first, sailing the ball wide of a stretched out Wilson Betemit, plating Pedroia and moving Ramirez to second. Lowell followed with an RBI single, and Boston held a 2-0 lead.
Boston tacked on two more runs in the second. Coco Crisp singled and Varitek walked before Lugo made it second and third with a sac bunt. Ellsbury then clubbed a two-run double down the first base line to give the Sox a 4-0 cushion.
Crisp led the fourth off with a single, stole second, moved to third as Varitek grounded out and came home on Lugo's sac fly.
Boston made it 6-0 in the fifth inning. Drew belted a one-out double to right, moved to third on Ramirez's single and crossed home as Lowell offered a sac fly.
LaTroy Hawkins was called on in the eighth to replace Dan Giese on the mound for New York. He gave up a one-out single to Kevin Youkilis, walked Crisp and yielded an RBI single to Varitek, and the Sox went ahead 7-0.
Game Notes
Thursday's game was the first meeting between these two bitter rivals in which neither club is in first place in the AL East after July 1 since September of 1997...Pedroia extended his hit streak to 11 games...Lester's season-high for strikeouts is nine...Ramirez went 1-for-3, snapping an 0-for-12 streak. Varitek also went 1-for-3, snapping an 0-for-19 slump...The 4 2/3 is the second shortest outing for Pettitte this year, as the lefty lasted just four innings on May 12 against Tampa Bay. Pettitte also was undefeated in eight starts prior to Thursday's setback...Boston owns a 4-2 edge over New York in this year's season series.
<< Royals' offense heats up in Baltimore
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mark Grudzielanek had four hits and Jose
Guillen added three runs batted in, as the Kansas City Royals battered the
Baltimore Orioles with a seven-run sixth inning to earn a 10-7 victory in the
finale
<< Murphy's homer helps A's snap White Sox's seven-game win streak
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Donnie Murphy hit the go-ahead home run in the
fifth inning and Justin Duchscherer was impressive on the mound, as the
Oakland Athletics edged the Chicago White Sox, 3-2, in the opener of a four-
game se
<< Vallely shoots 62 to lead Saskatchewan Open
Saskatoon, SK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dale Vallely fired a 10-under 62 on Thursday
to take the first-round lead at the Saskatchewan Open.
Ryan Carter and Rob Grube trailed Vallely by a shot at nine-under 63, while
Chris Wall and Casey Watabu
<< Phillips leads Reds over Nationals
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brandon Phillips drove in three runs on
three hits to lift the Cincinnati Reds over the Washington Nationals, 5-3, in
the first game of a four-game set at Great American Ball Park.
Johnny Cueto (7-8)
Aurilia, Lincecum help Giants defeat Cubs >>
San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rich Aurilia drilled a three-run homer
to lift the San Francisco Giants to an 8-3 win and a split of a four-game
series with the Chicago Cubs.
Aaron Rowand went 2-for-4 with two runs scored wh
Spilborghs rescues Rockies in extra innings against Marlins >>
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Spilborghs' two-run single in the bottom of
the 11th inning lifted the Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 win over the Florida
Marlins in the opener of a four-game set at Coors Field.
The Rockies threatened in
Rodriguez, Tigers hold off Mariners >>
Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ivan Rodriguez knocked in three runs and Justin
Verlander hurled six effective innings, as the Detroit Tigers topped the
Seattle Mariners, 8-4, in the opener of a four-game set.
Matt Joyce had four hits,
Ray leads Eskimos to fourth-quarter comeback win >>
Edmonton, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ricky Ray threw for 448 yards on 27-of-41
passing, and completed a go-ahead touchdown pass to Jason Tucker with 55
seconds left, lifting the Edmonton Eskimos to a 34-31 win over the Calgary
Stamped
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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value
If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture. Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).
For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot. The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.
TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.
"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,' it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."
"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.
Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash. Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win.
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