Big Unit is big letdown in return to Arizona mound

Baseball Betting Lines

04/25/2007 - Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Randy Johnson was pounded in his return for Arizona, as San Diego jumped on the Big Unit and handed the Diamondbacks their fifth straight setback, 10-5, to open a three-game series at Chase Field.

Johnson was brought back to the home of Cy Young Awards and World Series glory, acquired in a January trade with the New York Yankees. After two dissatisfying seasons in the Big Apple, Johnson was given a change of scenery back to familiar territory.

The flame-throwing southpaw won four of his five Cy Young Awards in a Diamondback uniform while playing an integral part in Arizona's 2001 championship team.

He had back surgery in October and wasn't ready for the beginning of the season, instead throwing three rehab starts before Tuesday's season debut.

And it wasn't vintage Johnson (0-1), who gave up six runs on six hits with four walks and seven strikeouts over five frames.

The other 43-year-old on the mound pitched just well enough for the win. David Wells (1-1) gave up five runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts in five innings.

Trevor Hoffman pitched the last out for his fourth save.

Khalil Greene was the major hitting star for the Padres, finishing 4-for-5 with four runs batted in. Adrian Gonzalez hit his sixth homer as part of a 3- for-3 night with three RBI and three runs scored for San Diego, which has won four of five.

Carlos Quentin homered and Stephen Drew tripled and drove in a pair in defeat.

The Diamondbacks took an early 2-0 advantage with a pair of two-out runs in the second. Chad Tracy tripled past Mike Cameron in center and Quentin drilled his first homer of the year over the wall in left.

San Diego first got to Johnson in the top of the third. Jose Cruz, Jr. walked with one out then walked the rest of the way around the bases on Gonzalez' homer.

Chris Young's one-out double set the table for the Diamondbacks in the bottom of the third, and Drew drove him home with a single to right for a 3-2 lead.

The score remained that way until San Diego blitzed Johnson in the fifth. Cruz, Jr. clubbed a belt-high slider high in the air and over the fence in left to tie the game then Brian Giles singled, Gonzalez walked and Cameron was plunked by a pitch to load the bases.

Greene cleared them, turning on an inside fastball into the gap in right- center field for a 6-3 advantage.

Arizona cut the deficit to 6-5 during the home half of the fifth as Robby Hammock walked and scored on the first of consecutive triples. Drew tripled to right and Orlando Hudson followed with a three-bagger to nearly the same location, scoring Drew for the margin.

Dana Eveland replaced Johnson and suffered the same fate in the top of the sixth. Marcus Giles doubled and was driven home by his brother Brian's base hit to center. A passed ball moved Brian Giles to second, and he scored on Gonzalez' ground-rule double.

Brandon Medders then entered and things got worse for Arizona.

After Cameron popped up, Greene singled just in front of Eric Byrnes in left. Byrnes made a strong throw that was oddly cut off by Medders just a few feet in front of what would have been a play at the plate. The pitcher spun and fired errantly to second, and Greene came all of the way around to score the Padres' 10th run.

Game Notes

Yusmeiro Petit, who made the start in Sunday's loss to San Francisco, was sent to Triple-A Tucson to make room for Johnson on the roster...Young and Tracy each had two hits in the loss...Attendance 19,508.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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