Pirates extend Rockies' slide in series opener

Baseball Betting Lines

07/27/2010 - Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Neil Walker finished 3-for-4 with a solo home run as Pittsburgh continued Colorado's second-half slide with a 4-2 victory at Coors Field.

Zach Duke (5-9) started the three-game set with six solid innings, allowing two runs on just three hits with four strikeouts and a pair of walks. Octavio Dotel pitched the ninth frame for his 21st save of the season. The Pirates snapped a four-game skid with the victory.

Jorge De La Rosa (3-3) took the loss, surrendering three runs -- two earned -- on six hits with eight strikeouts and two walks over seven frames. Brad Hawpe and Clint Barmes hit back-to-back home runs for the Rockies, who have lost seven straight.

The Rockies activated their star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki from the 15-day disabled list before the game after he missed 33 games with a fractured left wrist. He went 0-for-4 and committed his sixth error of the season.

The Pirates jumped out for two runs in the top of the first as Andrew McCutchen shot a ball down the left-field line for a double and scored on Jose Tabata's single to center. Walker followed with a bunt single, and after a double play grounder from Garrett Jones, a wild pitch plated Tabata.

Colorado didn't score a run until the fifth frame when Hawpe measured up a first-pitch fastball, driving it into the left field seats. Barmes followed with a homer of his own, tying the game at 2-2.

The Pirates didn't waver, striking right back in the sixth with the aide of a Tulowitzki fielding error. He misplayed Tabata's grounder then Walker reached on an infield single. Jones doubled home Tabata, putting runners on second and third with nobody out, but the Pirates failed to score again. Pedro Alvarez struck out, Lastings Milledge was walked to load the bases and Ronny Cedeno bounced into an inning-ending double play.

The Rockies threatened in the home half of the seventh with Miguel Olivo's leadoff double. Hawpe moved him to third with a groundout, but the Pirates brought the infield in so the catcher couldn't score on Barmes' grounder to third. Pinch-hitter Seth Smith walked, but Evan Meek retired Dexter Fowler on a grounder to the mound to thwart the threat.

"We need to come up with a hit there," said Rockies manager Jim Tracy. "That's basically what's been going on."

Walker hit a solo home run in the eighth to build a two-run cushion at 4-2.

The Rockies brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth after Hawpe's two- out double to left. However, Dotel got Jason Giambi to loft a fly ball to left to end the game.

Game Notes

Colorado closer Huston Street was taken to the hospital after being hit in the lower abdomen by a line drive off the bat of Ian Stewart during batting practice. He suffered a right abdominal contusion...With Tulowitzki's return, the club designated infielder Brad Eldred for assignment to clear a roster spot...Hawpe hit his sixth home run of the season, while Barmes clubbed his eighth.

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NFL Football Betting


BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES

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BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES

All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.

COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES

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TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES

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RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES

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PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES

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JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES

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SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES

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VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES

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DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES

Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.

SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES

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BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES

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BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES

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RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES

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PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers

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Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.

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