Cardinals, Marlins conclude series in south Florida

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08/08/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Cardinals will try to get back on track when they shoot for a series victory over the hosting Florida Marlins this afternoon from Sun Life Stadium.

The Cardinals had won two straight, including Friday's opener of this series, but dropped a 5-4 decision in 10 innings last night. St. Louis closer Ryan Franklin allowed a game-tying home run to Dan Uggla in the ninth before Hanley Ramirez stroked a game-winning single in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Franklin was saddled with the loss and newcomer Jake Westbrook posted a no- decision for allowing three runs in seven innings with nine strikeouts and no walks.

"I just made some mistakes and they hit them," Franklin said.

Yadier Molina ended 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Matt Holliday chipped in a pair of hits and knocked in a run for the Cardinals, who have lost three of five games and fell 1 1/2 games behind Cincinnati for the NL Central lead. Albert Pujols added two hits and two runs scored in defeat.

Molina is hitting .347 since the All-Star break.

Taking the mound for St. Louis Sunday will be Jeff Suppan. Suppan won his previous outing last Saturday in an 11-1 win over Pittsburgh, as he tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings and struck out five. He is now 1-4 in eight starts with the Cardinals after going 0-2 in 15 games (2 starts) with Milwaukee.

The right-hander is 4-4 with a 3.70 ERA in 14 career games (13 starts) against the Marlins.

Florida was able to stop a five-game slide thanks to Ramirez's heroics in the 10th inning. Ramirez ended with two RBI and Uggla was 3-for-4 with a clutch home run for the Marlins, who are nine games off the lead in the NL East.

Marlins ace Josh Johnson did not figure into the decision and held the Cardinals to a pair of runs and five hits in eight innings with five K's. Clay Hensley recorded the win with a scoreless 10th inning after Leo Nunez gave up two runs in the ninth.

"You're always going to feel frustration as soon as it happens," Johnson said of the blown save, "but as soon as you win, it all goes away."

Florida outfielder Cody Ross (neck) and first baseman Gaby Sanchez (hamstring) both missed Saturday's game and are day-to-day.

The Marlins, who will kick off a 10-game road trip through Washington, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh after this series, are slated to send Sean West to the mound this afternoon. West has made one start at the bigs this season against Philadelphia on Tuesday and suffered the loss for giving up five runs -- four earned -- and nine hits in five frames.

West, who went 8-6 in 20 starts a season ago, defeated the Cardinals the only time he faced them back on September 15, 2009. The lefty tossed six innings of one-run ball and struck out nine batters in a 2-1 win.

The Marlins and Cardinals split a two-game series back in May, but St. Louis has won five of the past nine meetings between the two clubs.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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Chiefs' Treen Green out for Sunday's game

How long Trent Green will remain sidelined is unknown. Coach Herm Edwards said Monday he will miss a second straight start Sunday when the Chiefs host the San Francisco 49ers.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first hook slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati's Robert Geathers.

Oddsmakers at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com currently have the Chiefs listed as 7-point favorites versus the 49ers.

The 49ers got beat by Philadelphia 38-24 as a 6.5-point underdog last week. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (42.5).

Alex Smith completed 27-of-46 passes for 293 yards with a touchdown. Michael Robinson rushed for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five carries.

The Chiefs lost 9-6 to Denver last week as an 11-point underdog. The combined score was well UNDER the posted over/under total (38).

Larry Johnson rushed for 126 yards on 27 carries. Damon Huard completed 17-of-23 passes for 133 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

To visit this online sports book got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.