Nats aim for sweep of Braves in DC

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04/22/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Nationals will try to continue their sudden surge this evening, as they aim for a sweep of a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park.

The Nationals began the season just 1-10, a start that included getting swept by the Braves in Atlanta from April 10-12, but have ripped off back-to-back wins for the first time this year. They can sweep a three-game set from the Braves for the first time since doing so at home last season from August 29-31.

In fact, Washington has won nine of its last 11 at home versus Atlanta.

The Nats posted a 4-3 win in Tuesday night's meeting. Austin Kearns tripled in the tying run in the sixth inning and Josh Willingham later plated the go- ahead run in the frame. Adam Dunn belted a solo homer in the victory.

Shairon Martis hurled six innings to get the win, allowing three runs (2 earned) on six hits and four walks, giving him two of Washington's three wins. Joel Hanrahan had two blown saves last week but recorded his second save in as many nights.

John Lannan has yet to post a win for the Nationals this year, but came very close last time out. He faced Florida on Friday and held the club to a run on three hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out eight in a no-decision. Hanrahan was charged with a blown save in what ended up being a 3-2 setback.

The left-handed Lannan faced the Braves on April 11 and yielded four runs on nine hits and three walks over six innings. He suffered the loss and fell to 2-2 with a 4.30 earned run average in four games versus the Braves.

He struggled against Kelly Johnson in that matchup, as Atlanta's second baseman had three hits, including a home run, and three RBI. Chipper Jones also drove in a run off Lannan.

Jair Jurrjens will start for the Braves and his best outing of the season last time out also ended begin his first loss of 2009. The right-hander won his first two starts and then faced the Pirates on Friday, holding them to just a run on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He also struck out seven, but suffered a 3-0 loss.

Jurrjens defeated Washington on April 12, allowing four runs (3 earned) on five hits and five walks over 5 1/3 frames. Dunn drew two of those walks and Elijah Dukes drove in a pair of runs off Jurrjens.

The 23-year-old is 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA in five career starts versus the Nats.

Kenshin Kawakami (1-2) suffered the loss on Tuesday, lasting five-plus innings and allowing four runs -- two earned -- on seven hits. Casey Kotchman had two hits and an RBI for the Braves, who have lost seven of eight.

Brian McCann returned to the lineup after being sidelined for two games with blurred vision. He visited an eye doctor on Tuesday and was fitted for a contact lens. It appears to have worked, as McCann went 0-for-2 but drew a pair of walks and scored a run.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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