A's rout Tigers to finish sweep

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06/04/2008 - Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carlos Gonzalez belted a three-run double to spark a six-run seventh inning, as the Oakland Athletics beat Detroit, 10-2, to complete a three-game sweep.

Bobby Crosby had two hits and two runs batted in, and Travis Buck homered and scored twice for Oakland, which is riding a four-game winning streak after dropping four straight.

Justin Duchscherer (5-4) allowed only two baserunners over the first five innings including a stretch that saw him retire nine straight and 12 of 13 batters for the win. His outing was finished after 6 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits and five walks after running into trouble in the later innings.

Tigers starter Nate Robertson (3-6) surrendered five runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out five through 6 1/3 innings in taking the loss.

Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen knocked in the runs for Detroit, which finished 3-6 on its road trip.

The Athletics got to Robertson in the fourth for the first run of the game. Emil Brown and Daric Barton started the frame with singles, and Brown scored on Buck's double-play groundout.

Oakland padded its lead one inning later. Jack Hannahan worked a one-out walk and Jack Cust roped a two-out double to right two batters later. Crosby then smacked a double to left, plating both runners.

Detroit had back-to-back one-out walks in the sixth and Guillen put the Tigers on the board with a single up the middle. Marcus Thames then worked a walk to load the bases and Duchscherer hit Ordonez with a pitch, forcing in a run. Duchscherer induced Jeff Larish into an inning-ending double play to stop the bleeding.

Buck gave Oakland back a two-run cushion, leading off the home half with a blast to right-center.

The A's batted around for six runs in the seventh, breaking open an otherwise close game. Robertson started the inning, but was removed in favor of Freddy Dolsi after walking a batter and recording an out. Dolsi struck out the first batter he faced, Crosby, and issued a walk to Brown before giving way to Casey Fossum.

Barton ripped an RBI single and Buck singled to load the bases before Gonzalez doubled to left, clearing the bases. Rob Bowen then singled back up the middle to plate Gonzalez. Aquilino Lopez came on for Fossum and gave up a Hannahan double to right-center that scored Bowen and capped the scoring.

Game Notes

This was the first series between the teams this season. Oakland took six of 10 matchups from Detroit last year....The A's continue a nine-game homestand, hosting the Angels for a three-game set beginning Friday, before the New York Yankees come to town...Detroit begins a 10-game homestand on Friday, hosting the Indians, White Sox and Dodgers...Tigers infielder Ramon Santiago left Wednesday's contest after injuring his shoulder while diving for a ground ball in the seventh inning. He was replaced by Edgar Renteria.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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