Valentin's RBI single in the 12th leads Reds over Brewers

Baseball Betting Lines

07/24/2007 - Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Pinch-hitter Javier Valentin's run-scoring single in the 12th inning gave the Cincinnati Reds a 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a four-game set at Great American Ball Park.

Grant Balfour started the frame for Milwaukee and immediately struggled with his control, walking Jeff Conine and Pedro Lopez. David Ross then laid down a bunt and Balfour attempted to get pinch-runner Norris Hopper at third, but his throw was not in time. Valentin then stepped up to the plate and drove the first pitch he saw from Balfour into right field to win it for the Reds.

Cincinnati starter Aaron Harang, who was activated from the bereavement list prior to the game, was brilliant, allowing just one run on seven hits through 10 innings. Harang also struck out 10 while not issuing a walk in the no decision.

Chris Capuano, who came into the game losing his last six decisions, started for Milwaukee and was just as good as Harang. The left-hander went eight strong frames, giving up only one run on seven hits to go along with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Ross finished 2-for-4 with a home run for the Reds, who ended a three-game losing streak. Jared Burton (1-1) picked up his first-career victory after retiring the only two batters he faced in the top of the 12th inning.

Ryan Braun collected three hits including a home run for the Brewers, who have three losses over their last four games. Balfour (0-2) absorbed the loss while Prince Fielder had two hits.

After two scoreless innings, Ross gave Cincinnati the lead after launching a home run over the wall in center to lead off the home half of the third.

Braun answered for the Brewers and tied things at 1-1 after hitting a lead-off homer in the fourth.

After Braun's homer, Harang retired 17 straight Milwaukee hitters before Braun poked a single to left with two outs in the ninth. Fielder followed with a base hit to right to put runners on the corners. Harang, though, kept Milwaukee off the board as he got Johnny Estrada to ground out weakly to first to end the threat.

The Brewers threatened again in the 10th as Kevin Mench and Craig Counsell hit back-to-back singles with one out. Harang battled back and got pinch-hitter Tony Graffanino to pop out to second and Corey Hart to strike out to end the inning.

David Weathers started the 11th for Cincy and quickly loaded the bases. The veteran reliever, though, got Estrada to ground into a double play with the first out coming at home to keep the game tied. Geoff Jenkins was then hit by a pitch to fill up the bases again, but Weathers managed to get out of the jam as he got Mench to fly out for the third out of the inning.

Game Notes

Harang, who threw 121 pitches, has gone 13 straight starts without a loss. He also became the second pitcher in the majors this season to throw 10 innings, joining Toronto's Roy Halladay. The last Reds pitcher to toss 10 innings was Rick Mahler, who did it August 30, 1989...Milwaukee went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base.

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MySportsbook.com Posts Heisman Trophy Odds

With 3,919 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and a mere seven interceptions last season, combined with a powerful South Bend Heisman legacy, odds makers at MySportsbook.com have given Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn the best Heisman Trophy odds at 5-2.

Quinn isn’t the only big man on campus this season.  Oklahoma junior running back and 2004 Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson, listed at 7-2, rushed for a combined 3,033 yards in his first two years as a college player and will give Quinn a run for his money. 

This online sportsbook has also listed Troy Smith, Ohio State senior quarterback, as another strong favorite to win the 72nd Heisman Trophy.  A 7-1 bet, Smith threw for 2,282 yards last season and also led the Buckeyes to a convincing 34-20 victory over Quinn and the Fighting Irish in last season’s Fiesta Bowl.

Current betting odds Heisman trophy are:

Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame)
Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)
Troy Smith (QB, Ohio State)
Michael Bush (RB, Louisville)
Steve Slaton (RB, West Virginia)
Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville)
Chris Leak (QB, Florida)
Mike Hart (RB, Michigan)
Ted Ginn (WR, Ohio State)
Darius Walker (RB, Notre Dame)
Drew Tate (QB, Iowa)
Marshawn Lynch (RB, Cal)
Kenny Irons (RB, Auburn)
Chad Henne (QB, Michigan)
Kyle Wright (QB, Miami)
Drew Stanton (QB, Michigan State)
Kenneth Darby (RB, Alabama)
JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU)
Drew Weatherford (QB, Florida State)
Blake Mitchell (QB, South Carolina)
Reggie Ball (QB, Georgia Tech)		 5-2
7-2
7-1
10-1
10-1
12-1
12-1
18-1
18-1
20-1
30-1
35-1
35-1
40-1
50-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
60-1

For complete NCAA Football odds visit MySportsbook.com.