A's Braden faces Rays for first time since perfect game

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08/22/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dallas Braden was perfect the last time he faced Tampa Bay and he will now try to give Oakland the series win, as the Athletics and Rays wrap up a four-game set today at the Coliseum.

On May 9th, Braden etched his name into history, becoming just one of 20 pitchers in major league history to throw a perfect game in a 4-0 victory over Tampa Bay. The left-hander retired all 27 batters he faced while striking out six along the way. He improved to 4-2 with a 3.86 ERA in eight career appearances -- seven starts -- versus the Rays.

Braden went more than two months without a win following the gem, but has gotten back on track in recent weeks. Over his last five starts, Braden is 4-1 with a 2.65 ERA, including two complete games. On Tuesday, he allowed two runs -- one earned -- and three hits over seven innings of a 6-2 victory over Toronto.

Countering for Tampa Bay is Matt Garza, who made a little history himself by becoming the first Rays pitcher to throw a no-hitter. Garza no-hit Detroit on July 26th, allowing just one baserunner on a walk, which was erased by a double play.

Most recently, the right-hander turned in a dominant performance, as he struck out a season-best 10 over seven scoreless innings of a 10-1 win over Texas on Tuesday. He gave up five hits and walked two in snapping a two-game slide.

Despite boasting a solid 3.70 ERA in four career outings against the Athletics, Garza has yet to pick up a win and has come out on the losing end three times. He was defeated by Braden twice last year.

Garza is hoping for some revenge and more importantly to give Tampa Bay a split of this four-game set after pulling out a 5-4 win last night.

Sean Rodriguez hit a game-winning, two-run homer with two outs in the eighth, as Tampa Bay slipped past the A's. Rodriguez's eighth home run of the season lifted the Rays to their sixth win in eight games, although it was just their first victory in this series. Evan Longoria also added a home run in the win.

David Price was pedestrian in his search of win No. 16, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk while fanning five in six innings. Randy Choate (3-3) earned the win for a scoreless inning, and Rafael Soriano picked up his 36th save.

The Rays remained one game behind New York in the AL East after the Yankees beat Seattle earlier Saturday.

Mark Ellis had two hits and two RBI for the A's, who had a four-game win streak snapped. Daric Barton went 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in defeat.

Brett Anderson was in line for the win, throwing an Oakland record 14th straight quality start. In addition, he lasted seven innings -- marking the 20th consecutive game in which the A's starter has pitched six innings -- and allowed two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out eight.

Craig Breslow (4-4) took the loss for giving up three runs in two-thirds of an inning.

The Athletics have still won four of their last five home meetings with the Rays.

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A bye week will allow Terrell Owens broken hand to recover just in time for the next game the Dallas Cowboys are slated to play, according to reports. MySportsbook.com, an football sportsbook, has posted football betting lines on TO playing.

Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger Sunday night and had a plate surgically attached to it Monday. Although Owens' hand was swollen and aching Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said he's optimistic the receiver will be back at work next week and catching passes a week from Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

MySportsbook.com online sportsbook listed Terrell Owens with odds of 7-2 (or $7 paid out for every $2 bet) to return back for the game against Tennessee.

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Owens did not speak with reporters Wednesday, but said Sunday he'd be out two to four weeks. A return against the Titans would be 13 days after the surgery. The Cowboys were listed as an early -7 1/2 favorite vs. the Tennessee Titans for Week 4 at MySportsbook.com

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