Nationals win two in a row, edge Braves

Baseball Betting Lines

04/21/2009 - Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Shairon Martis now has two of Washington's three wins on the season, throwing six solid innings as the Nationals managed to slip by Atlanta, 4-3.

The 22-year-old Martis (2-0), who was credited with Washington's first win of the season against Philadelphia on April 16, scattered six hits and four walks while yielding three runs -- only two earned -- in the hard-fought win.

Joel Hanrahan had two blown saves last week but recorded his second save in as many nights with a very shaky ninth frame.

Austin Kearns tripled in the tying run and Josh Willingham plated the Nats' go-ahead tally during a three-run sixth inning for Washington, which has won back-to-back games after a 1-10 start to the year. Adam Dunn belted a solo homer for the victors.

Atlanta's Kenshin Kawakami (1-2) was the hard-luck loser, lasting five-plus innings and allowing four runs -- two earned -- on seven hits. Casey Kotchman had two hits and an RBI for the Braves, who have lost seven of eight.

The game was delayed 61 minutes due to rain.

After Dunn cut Washington's deficit to 3-2 with a leadoff homer in the sixth, a pair of fielding miscues by Atlanta helped the Nats take the lead.

Chipper Jones couldn't handle Elijah Dukes' shot to the hot corner, and Kearns followed with a line drive to left that Matt Diaz misplayed, causing Kearns to end up with an RBI triple.

Jeff Bennett then relieved Kawakami and got two quick outs, but Willingham's pinch-hit single to left plated the go-ahead run.

Another mental error for Atlanta, this time on the basepaths, kept the visitors from tying things in the seventh, as Martin Prado was thrown out trying to steal third with two away and Jones at the plate.

Hanrahan allowed a leadoff walk and a double to open the ninth, but the closer settled down, getting a groundout from pinch-hitter Greg Norton, a short fly out from Kelly Johnson and a sharp grounder to second from Yunel Escobar to end the game.

Consecutive two-out walks to Jones and Brian McCann proved costly for Martis in the first inning, as Kotchman followed with a run-scoring double. Jeff Francoeur then bounced a ball into the hole between short and third, causing Gonzalez to rush his throw to first. The throw got away from the first baseman and two runs came around for a 3-0 lead.

The Nationals got a run back in the second on Jesus Flores' RBI double.

Game Notes

Before the game, the Nats placed pitcher Joe Beimel on the 15-day disabled list and recalled pitcher Saul Rivera from Triple-A Syracuse...McCann returned to the lineup after being sidelined for two games with blurred vision...The Braves swept the Nationals at home in three games from April 10-12.

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SPORTS BETTING

NFL Football Betting Online

In terms of sports wagering, the NFL is "the most popular game in town." The explanation behind that is easy.

It is called the "pointspread."

Many years ago, NFL games, as well as the more popular college games, used straight odds as a vehicle for betting. For example, if the Bears were playing the Giants, and it shaped up as a competitive contest, the Bears might be, say, a 7/5 favorite. If they were playing an also-ran, it might be 10/1. Well, there is a point where a line becomes prohibitive, as far as betting the favorite. And who would waste money betting an underdog that has virtually no chance? Such a setup did not contribute to promoting betting action.

But in modern sports betting, a "pointspread" is used.

A NFL pointspreads are exactly that, a pre-established point difference between the two sides that will, for all intents and purposes, create a handicap that evens things out, and in doing so, produces comparable wagering activity on both sides of that proposition. So in lieu of a odds figure in which to bet the team to win outright, the Bears might be a three-point favorite over the New York Giants, and a 17-point favorite over the also-ran. Now that the team that is the underdog can "get" points, there can be equal action on both sides.

In sportsbooks, this is usually done with efficiency by charging the losing bettors 10% extra - in effect, bettors are laying 11/10 on those games. So they are actually betting $110 to win $100. If they lose, they pay the "vig." If they win, they simply collect.

The establishment of the pointspread as the corner stone around which team sports like football can be wagered upon was truly what brought gridiron betting into the stratosphere for online football betting .

Don't believe it? Just take a look at what happens around the Super Bowl.

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Barry Bonds Watch: Giants Slugger Says He'll Be Back

With only 21 home runs standing between him and Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds is indeed planning on coming back for more in 2007. At least, that's what his agent told the Los Angeles Times.

"Barry's going to play in 2007," Jeff Borris of Beverly Hills Sports Council told the Times on Tuesday. "I've had many discussions with Barry and he's going to play. My intentions are to see to it he's in a big-league uniform next season. Those are my marching orders."

Contract negotiations could get started as early as next week. Let's see which team has the deeper pockets. Will MLB baseball betting lines despite allegations of steroid use? Bet On It at www.MySportsbook.com .

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