Astros use 17-hit attack to defeat Cubs

Baseball Betting Lines

07/19/2010 - Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Lee slapped a two-run double to highlight a five-run first inning, as Houston capitalized early on mistakes from Carlos Silva and beat the Chicago Cubs, 11-5, to begin a three-game set at Wrigley Field.

Hunter Pence added a two-run single in the opening inning, when the Astros compiled seven of their 17 hits. Chris Johnson ended 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and three RBI as the Astros snapped a two-game skid. Jason Castro belted a three-run homer.

Wandy Rodriguez (7-11) yielded eight hits and five runs over six innings to win for the fourth time in five starts.

Silva (9-4) allowed the first six Astros to reach base in the opening inning as he lost for the fourth time in five decisions - a span of seven starts. The right-hander, who was removed after the opening frame, has lasted just 2 1/3 innings over his last two outings, surrendering a total of 13 hits and 11 runs.

Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer and ended with three RBI, and Tyler Colvin added a solo shot for the Cubs, who beat Philadelphia in three of four games at Wrigley Field over the weekend. Derrek Lee went 3-for-4 and scored twice in defeat.

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MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.

Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.

According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).

Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.

''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
    
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.

Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.

''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''

Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
   
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.

”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
   
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.

For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.