Braves go for a series win over Marlins

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08/29/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The National League East-leading Atlanta Braves were able to end their four-game slide with last night's win versus the Florida Marlins. This afternoon they'll try for a series victory over their division rivals in the finale of a three-game set from Turner Field.

Atlanta broke out the bats in a huge way by handing the Marlins a 12-3 loss Saturday in the second test of this series. Matt Diaz homered to highlight a six-run second inning and Martin Prado belted a two-run homer and finished with a career-best five RBI for the Braves, who are still two games in front of Philadelphia in the NL East after the Phillies beat San Diego.

Eric Hinske went deep and Brian McCann drove in three runs in the win.

Braves starter Tim Hudson struck out a career-high 13 batters through seven strong innings, allowing just one run, six hits and one walk to improve to 15-5 on the season.

"I hope that I never have to try to win a game to stop a losing streak," Hudson said. "Hopefully, those losing streaks don't happen for the rest of the season. I know that you can't win them all, but I feel like whenever I go out there, I feel like we're going to have a good chance to win."

The Braves will host the New York Mets for four games after this set.

Derek Lowe draws the start for Atlanta this afternoon and has lost three straight outings. He is also only 2-7 with a 4.20 earned run average in his past 11 starts and pitched well enough for a win his last time out. In a 5-2 loss at Colorado on Tuesday, Lowe tossed six innings of three-run ball to fall to 11-12 in 27 starts to go along with a 4.33 ERA.

The lanky right-hander, who is 8-5 in 14 starts at Turner Field, will face Florida for the 19th time in his career. In 18 appearances (13 starts) against the Marlins, Lowe is 6-4 with three saves and a 5.03 ERA.

Florida had a three-game winning streak come to an end last night and was hoping to see Ricky Nolasco post his 15th win of the season. Instead Nolasco was reached for six runs, seven hits and walked three batters in only two innings of work to suffer the loss.

Andrew Miller did no better in relief and yielded four runs -- three earned -- in just four innings. Donnie Murphy, Emilio Bonifacio and Brad Davis each had an RBI for the Marlins, who dropped 6 1/2 games off the lead in the wild card race. The Marlins are also 8 1/2 games in back of Atlanta in the NL East.

"It was (deflating), but it's going to happen," Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez said of the loss. "You're going to lose ball games. Sometimes, you're going to lose them like we did today, 12-3. Sometimes, they'll be close ones, but we just have to forget about today and forget about what happened. Just bounce back, and tomorrow's a new day."

Florida should feel confident with All-Star Josh Johnson set to take the mound Sunday. Johnson, however, is only 1-2 with a 5.06 earned run average in his previous six starts. After throwing eight innings of two-run ball in a win at Pittsburgh on August 18, Johnson did not factor in the outcome of a 6-5 loss against the Mets on Tuesday.

Johnson was reached for four runs -- three earned -- and six hits in five innings at Citi Field. He remained at 11-5 in 26 starts and raised his ERA slightly from 2.27 to 2.36. The right-hander is 4-2 in 13 career games, 12 of which have been starts, against Atlanta.

The Braves are 6-5 against the Marlins this season.

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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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