Garza gets Rays' first no-hitter by blanking Tigers

Baseball Betting Lines

07/26/2010 - St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Garza tossed the first no-hitter in Tampa Bay history in a 5-0 win over Detroit in the opener of a four-game set at Tropicana Field.

Garza (11-5) walked one, struck out six and faced the minimum 27 hitters for the Rays, who have won three in a row and four out of five. Brennan Boesch was the only baserunner for Detroit and was erased on an inning-ending double play grounder in the second inning.

Tampa Bay was the victim of a no-hitter twice earlier this season at the hands of Oakland's Dallas Braden, who tossed a perfect game on May 9, and Arizona's Edwin Jackson, who needed 149 pitches to finish the job on June 25. In fact, the Rays have been no-hit three times since last season with the White Sox' Mark Buehrle turning the trick in another perfect game July 23, 2009.

The New York Mets and San Diego Padres are now the only major league teams not have not thrown a no-hitter.

Matt Joyce hit a two-out grand slam in the sixth inning to break up dueling no-hitters and Carl Crawford added a solo shot in the eighth.

Max Scherzer (7-8) had kept the Rays hitless until Joyce's decisive blow and wound up taking the loss after allowing four runs -- three earned -- on two hits and four walks while striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings for the Tigers, who have dropped three out of four.

Garza threw 120 pitches to etch his name in the record books and throw the fifth no-hitter in the major leagues this season. It's the first time since 1991 that at least five no-hitters have been thrown in a single season.

He set down Miguel Cabrera on a line drive to left to open the eighth and then retired Boesch on a called third strike and got Ryan Raburn on a swinging third strike to end the frame.

The right-hander set down Don Kelly on a ground ball to second to open the ninth and then got Gerald Laird on a called third strike to reach the brink of history. He completed the no-hitter by retiring pinch-hitter Ramon Santiago on a fly ball to shallow right field. The Rays then mobbed their teammate, who had been 0-4 in six previous starts against the Tigers.

Ben Zobrist started the winning rally in the sixth with a one-out walk and moved up when Crawford reached on catcher's interference. Evan Longoria walked to load the bases for Carlos Pena, who struck out. Joyce then broke up Scherzer's no-hit bid with a grand slam off the right field foul pole on a 3-2 pitch. He had hooked the prior pitch foul down the right field line.

Jason Bartlett followed with a single to center field that chased the Tigers' young right-hander from the game. Brad Thomas came on and retired Reid Brignac to end the inning.

Crawford's homered in the eighth off Enrique Gonzalez.

Game Notes

Garza has won his last four decisions...Tampa Bay is 17-8 against the AL Central this year...Joyce's grand slam was his second of the year and of his career. Detroit skipper Jim Leyland was thrown out of the game after B.J. Upton stole second base the third when he appeared to have been tagged out before arriving at the bag...Scherzer is 0-6 in his last eight road starts and has won only once away from home all season, April 18 in Seattle...Austin Jackson had a 10-game hit streak snapped, while Santiago and Cabrera lost seven-game hit strings.

Justsoccerchance Baseball Betting News

<< Blue Jays continue domination of O's
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jose Bautista hit a three-run homer and Aaron Hill added a two-run shot and knocked in three, as the Toronto Blue Jays earned a 9-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles in the first of a three-game set at Roge

<< Yankees rally past Tribe; A-Rod stuck on 599
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Curtis Granderson hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Yankees took the first of four consecutive meetings with the Cleveland Indians, 3-2, at Progressive Field. Nick Swisher added

<< Cavs deal West, Telfair to T'Wolves for Sessions, Hollins
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded guards Delonte West and Sebastian Telfair to the Minnesota Timberwolves for guard Ramon Sessions, center Ryan Hollins and a 2013 second-round draft pick. West avera

<< Martinez back in Red Sox lineup
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox activated catcher Victor Martinez from the 15-day disabled list Monday after a month-long absence. Martinez broke his left thumb during a June 27 game against the Giants when a foul tip

<< Two Drexel hoop players in trouble with the law
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Drexel University has placed three male students, including basketball players Jamie Harris and Kevin Phillip, on interim suspension pending the outcome of a police investigation into a robbery

Cubs' catcher Soto leaves game in Houston >>
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto left Monday's game against the Astros with a bruised left foot. Soto grounded out to lead off the top of the sixth but did not come out to take his position defe

White Sox stretch home win streak to eight >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - John Danks tossed eight innings of one-run ball, and Juan Pierre went 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI, as the White Sox returned to U.S. Cellular Field with a 6-1 win over Seattle. Chicago, com

Raiders sign second-round pick Houston >>
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Raiders have signed defensive lineman Lamarr Houston, their second-round draft choice. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Houston was the 44th overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Texas. Hou

In a pinch: Edmonds' HR in eighth lifts Brewers >>
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pinch-hitter Jim Edmonds belted the tie- breaking home run off Bronson Arroyo with two outs in the eighth inning, as Milwaukee edged Cincinnati, 3-2, at Miller Park. The Brewers, winners of five in

Theriot's homer helps Cubs get by Astros >>
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Theriot hit his first home run of the season and Carlos Silva worked five innings to push Chicago past Houston, 5-2, in the opener of a three-game set. Theriot finished with a pair of hits and Alfonso

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. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.

FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

NFL Betting Lines

To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.