Soto's homer in eighth lifts Cubs past Astros

Baseball Betting Lines

09/06/2010 - Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Geovany Soto's two-out homer in the eighth proved to be the difference, as the Chicago Cubs opened a three-game series against the Houston Astros with a 5-4 victory at Wrigley Field.

Soto launched his 17th home run of the season and the 10th go-ahead shot of his career, as the Cubs improved to 9-4 under interim manager Mike Quade. Marlon Byrd added a two-run shot, while Jeff Baker and Blake DeWitt each drove in a run in the win.

Casey Coleman allowed four runs, eight hits and five walks in a six-inning start, and Andrew Cashner (2-5) earned the win for a scoreless eighth inning. Carlos Marmol notched his 28th save with a perfect ninth.

Chris Johnson homered for the Astros, who came into this series with 11 wins in their last 14 games. Michael Bourn added two hits and two walks, while Jeff Keppinger and Hunter Pence each drove in a run.

Wandy Rodriguez wasn't involved in the decision after yielding four runs and eight hits while walking one and fanning six in seven innings. Wilton Lopez (5-2) gave up Soto's homer to take the loss.

After Cashner retired the Astros in order to keep the game tied heading to the bottom of the eighth, Soto launched a pitch out of the stadium and onto the streets of Chicago beyond left-center for a 5-4 Cubs lead.

Marmol closed out the game by retiring Bourn, Keppinger and Pence in order.

Houston jumped on top early with a four-run second inning.

Johnson began the inning with his seventh homer, and Matt Downs drew a one-out walk. Jason Castro followed with a base hit that left runners on second and third after Alfonso Soriano's error in left.

Rodriguez flied out, but Downs scored and Castro went to third on a wild pitch. Bourn walked to put runners on the corners, and Keppinger and Pence followed with back-to-back RBI singles to put the Astros ahead, 4-0.

The Cubs answered with three runs in the third and one in the fifth to tie the game.

Darwin Barney started the third with a single and moved to second when Rodriguez uncorked a wild pitch with two outs. DeWitt plated Barney with an infield single, and Byrd launched a two-run homer to left for a 4-3 contest.

Another base hit from Barney began the fifth, and two batters later, Baker's RBI double tied the game.

Game Notes

The Astros still lead the season series, 8-5...The Cubs recorded nine hits, the first time they had under 10 in eight games...Chicago has won four of five overall.

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Albert Pujols to be This Year's Home Run Champ Says Online Sportsbook

Barry Bonds is a 50-1 long shot to be this year's home run champ odds.  The favorite to be this year's home run champ is none other than Albert Pujols, however.

Now that Barry Bonds is signed and in Giants camp, it is on to his pursuit of all of sports most prestigious records: the all-time home run mark. Bonds sits just 21 homers shy of tying Hank Aaron for the career mark at 755. Word out of Giants’ camp is that Bonds is the healthiest he has been in a few years. Bonds is just two seasons removed from his injury riddled 2005 campaign where he played in only 14 games and hit only 5 home runs. He did come back last year and had a solid season hitting .270 with 26 bombs. All eyes will be on Bonds this spring and summer not only because of his home run chase but his highly publicized steroid abuse allegations. If and when Bonds breaks the record, he surely will not get the positive attention one should for breaking a record that was once thought of as “unbreakable”. Despite Bonds decent season last year, he is just 50-1 at MySportsbook.com to lead the MLB in long balls this season.

Not surprisingly, the favorites to go deep the most times this season are Albert Pujols 5-1, Ryan Howard 6-1, David Ortiz 8-1 and Alex Rodriguez 12-1. With 49 homers, Pujols finished second in the National League behind Howard (58). Pujols is considered the favorite due to the consistent power numbers that he has posted since breaking into the league in 2001. Also one must consider the fact that he played in 16 fewer games then Howard did due to an injury. Howard smashed 58 homers in his first complete season of big league play en route to the National League MVP odds award. He silenced his critics by successfully hitting left-handed pitching. Howard also displayed the ability to use his power to the opposite field. Two attributes which should keep Howard amongst the league leaders in long balls for years to come. From the American League representatives, David Ortiz leads the field. Ortiz was second in the majors last year with 54 home runs. Except for 1999 when he only played in 10 games, Ortiz has improved on his home run numbers each year he has been in the majors (1997).

Be sure to log onto online sports betting site MySportsbook.com to check out the odds for who will lead the MLB in home runs this season. Below is just a sample of the players listed. With the highest credit card rates in the industry, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on baseball this summer.

World Series odds

Adam Dunn 15-1

Albert Pujols 5-1

Alex Rodriguez 12-1

Alfonso Soriano 15-1

Andruw Jones 25-1

Barry Bonds 50-1

Carlos Delgado 40-1

David Ortiz 8-1

Jermaine Dye 40-1

Ken Griffey Jr. 100-1

Lance Berkman 40-1

Manny Ramirez 20-1

Richie Sexson 40-1

Ryan Howard 6-1

Travis Hafner 20-1

Vladimir Guerrero 40-1

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