Duncan hits Cardinals past Giants in extra frame

Baseball Betting Lines

04/12/2008 - San Francisco, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chris Duncan's single plated the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a wild 8-7 victory over San Francisco at AT&T Park.

The Cardinals not only ruined a no-hit bid by Giants starter Matt Cain that stretched into the seventh inning, but tore through the San Francisco bullpen following the right-hander's abrupt departure.

In the 10th, Adam Kennedy drew a leadoff walk against Erick Threets (0-1), then moved to second when Jason LaRue was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced on Aaron Miles' sacrifice bunt, and after Cesar Izturis went down swinging, Ryan Ludwick drew the intentional walk to load the bases. That set the stage for Duncan, whose single to left scored Kennedy to make it 8-7.

Anthony Reyes ran into trouble in the bottom of the frame, allowing a two-out double to Jose Castillo, but eventually nailed down his first career save. Jason Isringhausen (1-0) picked up the win, despite giving up two runs in the ninth.

Ludwick, Duncan and Rick Ankiel all homered for St. Louis, which snapped a two-game skid. Albert Pujols, whose double broke up the no-hitter, ended 2- for-4 with two runs scored.

John Bowker hit a three-run homer in his major league debut for San Francisco, while Cain also connected on a solo shot. Fred Lewis went 3-for-4 with a run batted in and one scored for the Giants, who have dropped two straight.

It was a pitcher's duel until the sixth inning -- with just one hit on the books between the two clubs -- until the Giants exploded for five runs off Cardinals starter Todd Wellemeyer.

Cain helped his own cause with a line-drive, leadoff homer to left. Wellemeyer came unraveled after that, allowing a base hit to Lewis. Eugenio Velez then popped up to third and Randy Winn lined out, but Bengie Molina reached on a fielding error by right fielder Skip Schumaker, allowing Lewis to trot home.

Bowker followed with a three-run homer, ripping a hanging breaking ball over the wall in right to make it 5-0.

The long delay clearly was no help to Cain, who served up a leadoff double to Pujols in the seventh, ending the no-hit bid. The floodgates opened after that, as Ankiel walked, and after Troy Glaus flied out, Kennedy followed with a run-scoring single. Two batters later, pinch-hitter Rico Washington cut it to 5-2 with a base hit to center.

Things nearly went from bad to worse, as Jack Taschner entered the game and plunked Izturis to load the bases. Giants manager Bruce Bochy then made the slow walk back to the mound, lifting Taschner for Merkin Valdez, who retired the pinch-hitting Ludwick on a fly ball to end the frame.

Duncan's solo shot off Tyler Walker cut it to 5-3 in the eighth, and after Pujols singled and moved up on a wild pitch, Ankiel's two-run blast made it a 5-5 contest.

Ludwick's two-run shot off Brad Hennessey put the Cards up 7-5 in the ninth, but the Giants came right back against Isringhausen in the home half. Ray Durham's leadoff double ignited the rally, and he scored on Rich Aurilia's single to left. Two batters later Rajai Davis reached on a fielder's choice grounder, stole second and scored on Lewis' two-bagger to right.

Game Notes

It was the fourth time in Cain's career he has taken a no-hitter into the seventh...Isringhausen blew his first save in six chances...Bowker was recalled from Triple-A Fresno earlier in the day. To clear a roster spot, the Giants optioned outfielder Clay Timpner to the Grizzlies...Pujols extended his hitting streak to six games...Giants center fielder Aaron Rowand pinch-hit in the ninth inning after missing Friday's game. Rowand is currently nursing sore ribs...The Giants are 0-6 in day games thus far.

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Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.