Bergesen, Wigginton help Orioles blank Twins
Baseball Betting Lines
05/06/2010 - Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brad Bergesen pitched 6 2/3 scoreless frames, and Ty Wigginton's two-run homer accounted for all the scoring, as the Baltimore Orioles opened up a four-game set at Target Field with a 2-0 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Bergesen (2-2) allowed six hits and two walks in his outing, by far his best of the season. The 24-year-old had been sent to the minors after his early season struggles, failing to get out of the fifth inning in each of his first three starts.
He has now completed five innings in two consecutive starts since being recalled -- both wins -- as Baltimore recovered after being swept by the Yankees earlier this week.
"Today felt really good," Bergesen said. "I was able to get into a nice rhythm today. My previous start -- the last one was okay, the previous ones I haven't been my normal self. Today, to be able to get back to that, felt really good.
Wigginton finished with two hits, as did Miguel Tejada for the Orioles in the win, only Baltimore's eighth of the season (8-21). Alfredo Simon worked the ninth for his third save.
Denard Span had two of Minnesota's six hits, as the Twins had their four-game win streak snapped. Carl Pavano (3-3) took the hard-luck loss for the second straight start after giving up only two runs, six hits and three walks while fanning eight in eight innings.
Pavano went the distance -- eight innings -- in his previous start, a 3-0 loss to Detroit.
"(The Orioles) go out there and swing the bat. They've always done that," Pavano said. "I think when they know we're coming after them with strikes, trying to keep the strikes at good quality, I think it works in our favor. If we throw quality strikes, we're going to get outs."
After a scoreless first, Tejada began the second with an infield single and scored on Wigginton's 10th homer of the season.
Meanwhile, Bergesen shut down the Twins' offense. He was forced to get out of a jam in the third, when Minnesota loaded the bases with two outs. Michael Cuddyer, however, flied out to center.
Bergesen allowed one or fewer baserunners in four of the first six innings before using some help to get out of the seventh unscathed.
The first two Minnesota batters were retired, but Span singled, Orlando Hudson reached on an error and Will Ohman walked Justin Morneau to load the bases. Ohman recovered, however, by striking out Jim Thome to end the inning.
Koji Uehara, reinstated from the disabled list on Thursday, pitched a perfect eighth, and Simon ended the game with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Game Notes
Twins catcher Joe Mauer (heel) missed his sixth straight game, and shortstop J.J. Hardy (wrist) missed his second consecutive contest...Baltimore outfielder Adam Jones (hip) returned after a one-game absence and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts...The Twins had a streak of six consecutive games with multiple runs in the first inning snapped...The Orioles improved to just 2-17 when scoring three or fewer runs...Baltimore went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, and it is now 0-for-18 in its last four games combined.
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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards
Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.
Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.
Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.
Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.
All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.
A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.
For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.
2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1
Ron Brace (NE) 25/1
Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1
Darius Butler (NE) 40/1
Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1
Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1
Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1
Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1
Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1
Larry English (SD) 15/1
Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1
Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1
Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1
Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1
James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1
Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1
Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1
Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1
Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1
Roy Miller (TB) 20/1
Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1
Fili Moala (IND) 30/1
Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1
Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1
B J Raji (GB) 7/1
Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1
Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1
David Verkune (CLE) 20/1
Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1
Field (Any Other Player) 6/1
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.