08/27/2008 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Delgado hit a pair of home runs and drove in three, as the New York Mets rallied to beat Philadelphia, 6-3, and leapfrog the Phillies to retake the lead in the NL East.
In the first game of the series on Tuesday, Philadelphia came back from a seven-run deficit to win in 13 innings. On Wednesday, the Mets used a four-run eighth to earn a split in the two-game set and take a half-game lead in the division.
Delgado, Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes each had three hits, while Brian Schneider had a key two-run single for the Mets, who have won two of three.
Johan Santana labored through six innings, and didn't factor into the decision after allowing three runs on five hits and three walks. He also struck out six. Brian Stokes (1-0) took the win after throwing a scoreless seventh, while Luis Ayala picked up his second save with a perfect ninth.
Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer and Jayson Werth added a solo shot for the Phillies, who had a five-game win streak snapped.
Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick gave up two runs on eight hits in five-plus innings, and took a no-decision. Rudy Seanez (5-4) gave up two runs in two- thirds of the eighth inning to take the loss, and Brad Lidge allowed two more runs in relief of Seanez.
The Mets trailed by one heading into the eighth inning, and Seanez started the frame off well by getting Luis Castillo to ground out and striking out David Wright.
But Delgado homered to left field to suddenly make it a tie game, at 3-3. It was Delgado's third homer in seven career at-bats versus Seanez.
Beltran then reached on an infield single, prompting Lidge to enter the game. After Beltran stole second, Lidge intentionally walked Ryan Church. That brought up Daniel Murphy, who doubled to right field to plate Beltran for a 4-3 New York lead.
With runners in scoring position, Schneider provided some cushion for the visitors by blooping a single just inside the third base line in shallow left field. Both runners scored to give the Mets a three-run edge.
Pedro Feliciano and Joe Smith combined to throw a scoreless bottom of the eighth, and Ayala got three consecutive groundouts in the ninth to seal the win.
The Mets had a lead in the first inning when Delgado singled home Reyes, who led off with a base hit and advanced to second on a groundout.
But Philadelphia took the lead in short order. In the home first, Jimmy Rollins hit a leadoff single, and later stole second with two outs. Howard crushed a Santana offering beyond the left field fence for a 2-1 Phillies advantage. Werth's leadoff shot in the second also went to left field for a two-run lead.
Kendrick threw 90 pitches through five complete innings, and returned to the mound for the sixth. But he dealt Delgado, who led off, a low pitch, which the Mets first baseman smacked deep into the right field stands to bring New York within one.
Game Notes
The Mets left eight runners on base, while the Phillies stranded six...New York next travels to Florida for a three-game set with the Marlins, starting Friday...Philadelphia wrapped up a nine-game homestand with a 7-2 mark, and next goes to Chicago for four games with the Cubs, starting Thursday...On Wednesday the Phillies purchased the contract of pitcher Andrew Carpenter from Double-A Reading, and designated infielder Andy Tracy for assignment...Carpenter threw a scoreless inning of relief in his MLB debut...The Phillies also on Wednesday transferred pitcher Mike Zagurski to the 60-day disabled list.
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BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
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
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
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
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers SPORTS TRASH TALK
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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