Findley misses PK as RSL, Seattle battle to draw
Soccer Betting Lines
09/10/2010 - Seattle, WA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC battled to a scoreless draw in Major League Soccer action in front of over 36,000 fans at Qwest Field on Thursday night.
RSL (12-4-8) moves into a tie with Columbus and Los Angeles atop the league's overall table with 44 points, although it has played one more game than the other two.
Seattle (9-9-6) solidified its spot in the middle of the Western table with the draw, and looks to be in the driver's seat as far as advancing to the postseason as a wild-card team.
The game, which was the 29th-straight sell-out for Seattle, was the first for RSL at Qwest Field since winning the MLS Cup there last season.
The game, while fast-paced, featured very few clear-cut scoring opportunities for either team. Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller and RSL goalkeeper Kyle Reynish - starting for the injured Nick Rimando - combined for just five saves in the game.
The biggest save was credited to Keller when he denied RSL striker Robbie Findley on a penalty kick just after the half-hour mark.
Findley earned a penalty when Seattle defender Jeff Parke lost his footing on the edge of the penalty area with the U.S. international driving toward him. Parke then stuck out his knee and took down Findley, but he wasted the ensuing PK by firing right at Keller.
It was the first missed PK for RSL since May of 2008 at the club's old venue, Rice-Eccles Stadium, vs. San Jose.
Seattle midfielder Steve Zakuani had his team's best chance in the 53rd minute when he sped past a number of defenders into the RSL penalty area, but Kyle Reynish anticipated well and jumped off his line to grab the ball before the speedy winger could get off a shot.
RSL had another chance after the hour mark, but Andy Williams' left-footed shot from about 20 yards was saved by Keller.
Seattle will aim to get back into the win column when it travels to Columbus on Sept. 18, while RSL hosts Chicago earlier the same day in its next MLS fixture.
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Cain threw eight-plus solid innings and was backed by an offense that smacked four home runs, as the San Francisco Giants beat the San Diego Padres, 7-3, in the opener of a critical four-game series.
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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.
Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.
El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.
MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds.
Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.
New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.
Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''
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