Freese knocked in two runs and Lance Lynn (7-1) gave up eight hits and three runs, all in the opening inning, for the Cardinals, who had lost four in a row coming into this series. Jason Motte picked up his eighth save.

“I’m going to keep trying to get wins when I’m out there or do everything I can to put us in a situation to win,” Lynn said.

Jeff Suppan (2-3) allowed eight hits and five runs along with four walks over 4 2/3 innings for the Padres, losers in five of their last seven contests.

Will Venable hit the game’s second pitch over the wall in right field and the Padres added two more runs in the opening frame, only to give them back in the bottom half of the match.

Chase Headley singled in Yonder Alonso and Nick Hundley’s ground ball plated Jesus Guzman in the top of the first. The third run came mainly because Lynn was late covering first base on a potential double play.

Skip Schumaker doubled home Rafael Furcal, who walked leading off the bottom of the opening frame. Freese singled to left to drive home the second run and then consecutive singles from Yadier Molina and Matt Adams produced the tying score. Adams, whose base hit went to right field, recorded his first career RBI.

“The offense did a great job scoring early and I needed to do a better job in that first inning,” Suppan said.

Lynn fanned Everth Cabrera to leave the bases full in the third. Lynn gave up a double to Venable with one out in the next inning, but retired both Cameron Maybin and Alonso to escape the jam.

The Cardinals stranded a runner in the fourth, but went ahead in the fifth. Just after Matt Holliday led off with a single, Beltran took Suppan’s 0-1 offering over the wall in right field for his National League-leading 14th homer of the year.

Freese homered to left off Brad Brach in the seventh to put the finishing touch on a convincing win for the Cardinals.

Bet on MLB with BetOnline – $900 sign-up bonus

sportsbook.com – 15% bonus on parlay bets

Group C preview

Golden Boot betting

Vicent del Bosque’s Spanish squad for Euro 2012 came closer to completion today after the Chelsea contingent were called up to the Spain camp. Fernando Torres made headlines over the weekend after appearing to criticise his manager for a lack of game time and Chelsea’s style of play, and after a low-key season will be delighted just to have made it into the squad.

The big news concerning the Spain squad is the confirmed absence of David Villa and the likely absence of Carlos Puyol, two key members of the Spain team that won the last two international tournaments on offer.

Spain will have a dilemma in replacing their all-time leading goal-scorer, with Fernando Torres not guaranteed his place up front. Fernando Llorente had a fantastic season and Roberto Soldado was as reliable as ever for Valencia, with Iker Munian also staking a claim.

Players from Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao are yet to be announced until after their King’s Cup game which is set to take place this Friday, with a large contingent expected to come from the Catalans.

Barcelona provided seven of the starters in the 2010 World Cup final and a similar haul are likely to make it to Euro 2012, although Puyol and Villa look set to miss out. After impressing on the way to the Europa League final, Bilbao have a number of young players in contention for the 23 man squad. Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente look assured of a place in Poland and Ukraine and the 19-year-old Iker Munian could be a surprise inclusion in the squad with just one cap to his name.

Del Bosque will have just two days from the Copa del Rey final to select his squad of 23, with the late timing of the domestic final hampering his selection plans.

An English contingent of Pepe Reina, David De Gea, David Silva and now Mata and Torres has made it to the preliminary squad, with Jose Enrique of Liverpool missing out.

Despite these injury concerns Spain remain favourites for Euro 2012. The Spainsh remain the team to beat and are priced at 5/2 with Sportingbet to defend their European Championship.

Sportingbet – £50 risk-free bet

After a textbook performance from goalie Mike Smith and a memorable effort by captain Shane Doan inspired a Game 4 win over the Kings in Los Angeles, belief that this team could sneak out of a 3-0 deficit was starting to grow amongst Coyote fans.

But the reality of the situation is still grim. Elimination remains a likely prospect and with the series shifting to Jobing.com Arena, the odds will be stacked against the Coyotes. The Kings enjoy playing on the road; they enjoyed consecutive victories in Phoenix to build a 2-0 head start, and remain undefeated on the road with a 7-0 record in the playoffs.

Before Game 4, the Kings had yet to be shut out in the postseason and had allowed consecutive goals in a game only once. The Coyotes accomplished what no other team has done to the Kings in the post-season and will need to continue in tonight’s match-up.

“I really think it’s tough to come into a building and do it three times,” Doan said. “They did it Vancouver, and we acknowledge that but it’s tough to do it again.”

Luckily for the Coyotes, a blueprint of how to be successful against the Kings should be fresh in their minds. In Game 4, the Coyotes found a way to solve the relentless forecheck of the Kings and that snowballed into scoring opportunities and less time spent in their own zone defending.

“I liked the way we were more competitive in some one-on-one battles,” Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said. “We gave ourselves a better chance to win because we won more battles.”

The Coyotes could be more engaged because they had puck possession. Even though they were still outshot, many would argue the bulk of the quality chances belonged to the Coyotes. And that started with finding a better way to get into the Kings’ zone.

The Coyotes combated the adversity in Game 4 with the desperation they felt to continue their season. Now the challenge will be to continue to use that desperation to climb back into the series.

Only three teams in NHL history have ever come back from a 3-0 deficit.

“We have to get on a run, and that’s what we’re talking about,” Doan said. “We’re capable of doing it. We did it throughout the year often. Hopefully Smitty can get on a run, a couple of us can get on a run, give him some support, and things can work out.”

Based on their away form this campaign, the Los Angeles Kings are favourites for today’s match at -130 and the Coyotes are available at +110 to win and extend their Stanley Cup chances.

Odds are from Intertops

Sign-up now to claim your free $100 bonus

Read our other NHL articles here:

Devils eliminate the Flyers 4-1

The Stanley Cup

San Antonio Spurs 102, LA Clippers 99

Spurs sweep the Clippers 4-0

The San Antonio Spurs became the first team to reach the NBA conference finals by sweeping the Los Angeles Clippers late last night.

The Spurs won 102-99 at the Staples Center in what was the closest game of the series; a game that involved 14 lead changes.

Chris Paul scored 23 points and Blake Griffin 21, but it was not enough to save the Clippers.

Tim Duncan led the Spurs scoring with 21 points, with four teammates also scoring in double figures.

San Antonio will play the winners of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the LA Lakers (currently 3-1) in the western conference finals.

The Spurs continue to lead the way in NBA betting, they are +185.00 to win the NBA Championship after demolishing the Clippers who many tipped to win.

Bet with sportsbook.com on NBA and other sports here today

$100 sign-up bonus at sportsbook.com

Miami Heat 101, Indiana Pacers 93

Series tied 2-2

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for 70 points as the Miami Heat recovered from back-to-back defeats to grind down the Indiana Pacers 101-93 on Sunday and level the NBA’s Eastern conference semi-final at 2-2.

The Heat trailed by eight points at halftime, but snatched the momentum when James and Wade took over and scored heavily in the third quarter.

“This is what the playoffs are all about. It’s just survival,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

James, named last week as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, scored 40 points, with 18 rebounds and nine assists.

Wade, who was subdued in Game Three, responded in turn with 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

“Me and ‘Bron had it going,” said Wade. “We played off of each other very well. We both were aggressive at the same time. That’s beautiful basketball for the Miami Heat when we play that way.”

The Pacers led 54-46 at halftime, but James and Wade put the visitors in front when they combined to score the first 28 points for the Heat, who went on a 25-5 run.

After levelling the series the Heat are available at +225.00 to win the 2012 Championship, with the sportsbooks less keen on the Pacers going all the way, they are priced at +2500.00.

sportsbook.com – $100 sign-up bonus

The teams return to Florida for Game Five on Tuesday.

Read our other NBA content here:

Spurs eliminate the Jazz

2008 Austria & Switzerland

Top scorers – Spain 12

Top scorers per game – Netherlands 2.50 goals per game

Fewest conceded – Croatia 2

Most clean-sheets – Spain 3

When the goals went in:

2004 Portugal

Top scorers – England & Czech Republic 10

Top scorers per game – England 2.50 goals a game

Fewest conceded – Italy & Spain 2

Most clean-sheets – Greece 3

When the goals went in:

Get betting on Euro 2012 with Sportingbet

Co-hosts Ukraine will be hoping to cause an upset in Group D, in what if qualification for the tournament is to be believed, looks a tough group to call. Roy Hodgson will take charge of England for Euro 2012 with expectations surprisingly low.

European Championship history

EURO 2012 Stadium Guide

The Ukraine have turned to their national icon, Andriy Shevchenko, who has returned from injury just in time to lead the line for Oleh Blokhin’s side. With 46 goals in 105 games for his country Shevchenko is Ukraine’s leading goal-scorer and their most experienced player. Anatoliy Tymoshchuk of Bayern Munich has some continental experience, but the rest of the squad lacks star quality. Two uncapped goalkeepers make up the provisional squad and with first-choice keeper Oleksandr Rybka banned for a doping offence; Ukraine may struggle to find a reliable stopper.

Sweden will be led by the enigmatic Zlatan Ibrahimovich at Euro 2012 and may well upset the two group favourites France or England. They qualified as the best placed group runner-up, in the same group as the Netherlands, and scored an impressive 31 goals. Sweden have some good young talent coming through their ranks: John Guidetti who so impressed at Feyenoord on loan from Man City, is unfortunately ruled out through injury, but a Swedish midfield of Kallstrom, Larsson and Rasmus Elm will be a handful for any team.

After the debacle of South Africa 2010 France finally ditched Raymond Domeneche and brought in World Cup winner Laurent Blanc. The former Bordeaux manager has quietly been transforming the les blues style of play and they passed England off the Wembley pitch in the last meeting between the teams. Blanc has only announced his overseas shortlist of players, which includes Newcastle duo Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohann Cabaye, with Patrice Evra earning a reprieve after his role in the 2010 chaos. Philippe Mexes and Adil Rami look to have established themselves as the first choice centre-back pairing and if the players can keep their notorious egos in check the France could be a dark horse this summer.

On the talk of egos, the last team to compete Group D will be England under Roy Hodgson. Having overcome an initial wave of indifference and hostility to his appointment, Hodgson now has to patch up an England squad fragmented by racial allegation, suspension and injuries. Jack Wilshire is definitely out and if Scott Parker is ruled out then you suspect that England may seriously struggle to get out of the group. Wayne Rooney is suspended and his immediate replacement, Darren Bent, is still recovering from injury. Carroll, Welbeck and Defoe will be tasked with getting the goals in the first two games, while there may be a great deal of expectation on Oxlade-Chamberlain, who makes the 23 man squad at just 18. England enter the tournament with low expectations, but even that may see Hodgson quickly painted as the villain.

Bet on Group D with Sportingbet

Champions League Final 2012

Bayern Munich v Chelsea

Saturday 19^th May 19:45

Chelsea and their long-time investor Roman Abramovich will once again be competing for the last trophy that eludes them this Saturday.

Another interim coach, Avram Grant, came the closest to winning the fabled Champions League for Abramovich, after a John Terry slip denied them the title against Manchester United in 2008.

Roberto Di Matteo has had a similarly remarkable transformation on this year’s Chelsea side, and after going back to basics and abandoning AVB’s philosophy of possession dominance and a high line, Chelsea have again thrived.

Their opponents Bayern Munich go into the final at the Allianz Arena as favourites, at 5/4 with Chelsea back at 10/3. The German’s were thumped 5-2 by Dortmund in last weekend’s German Cup final and will be determined to put in a better show than they managed in the 2010 Champions League final.

Jose Mourinho’s Inter completely stifled the Bavarians that night and the core of his Chelsea side will have to defend superbly again if they wish to emerge victorious.

Both sides will be severely restricted in terms of the players available due to suspension. Chelsea will be without; John Terry, Ivanovic, Ramires, and Merieles (whilst also waiting on the fitness of Cahill and Luiz). Bayern will be without two of their regular back four; Badstuber and the converted left-back Alaba is also suspended.

Chelsea may have to repeat the defensive heroics that they conjured up against Barcelona in Saturday’s final. The Bayern forward line is extremely dangerous and Chelsea may have to look at hitting Jupp Heyncke’s side on the counter.

Paddy Power are offering a massive money-back-special on Saturdays game. If Chelsea lift the Champions League Trophy, Paddy Power will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score & Scorecast singles on the match.

Get betting with Paddy here

Both teams are 11/1 to win on penalties, surprising considering the prestige associated with the Germans and penalty shoot-outs, and after their elimination of Madrid from 12 yards.

Mario Gomez is the top name on the first scorer charts, at 4/1, after netting 41 times for Bayern this season. The former Stuttgart man is still in contention to catch Messi as top-scorer in the Champions League; two goals against Chelsea would see him equal the tally of the Barcalona man.

The striker had a hatful of chances against Bayern Munich and is likely to find himself in the right positions again on Saturday. He is a tempting 13/2 to score twice and at 25/1 to run riot and score a hat-trick versus the Blues.

Didier Drogba is the first Chelsea player on the list, priced at 7/1 and with the Ivorian looking likely to leave Chelsea in the summer he would love to sign off with a Champions League winners medal.

Read our review of the all the previous Champions League finals

Hodgson’s role to be much more than England coach as the Golden Generation slink off with a grim and undeserved final fling

As the FA website crashed and the squad was announced the initial reactions were of disbelief at the weakness of the squad. A place for Stewart Downing, Lampard, Gerrard, Parker and Barry in the most one paced midfield England have ever been blessed with. How did it get this bad? Is this really the best 23 man squad we can put together?

Whilst Downing, may have failed to score or even provide an assist in the Premier League this season it would hardly have mattered if Hodgson had picked Adam Johnson or Aaron Lennon. Would either of these two players have worried Laurent Blanc, Vincent Del Bosque or Joachim Low? This is a weak England team in transition with a golden generation having one last undeserved shot at redemption.

Hodgson’s nod to the future with Oxlade-Chamberlain will no doubt come under attack from many who would prefer to see the teenager at the Olympics in Stuart Pearce’s TeamGB. He would be guaranteed three games of 90 minutes and the incredible experience of playing in front of his own fans. Instead he will face the potential wrath of over-expectant England fans and the racial bigotry that may yet blight Euro2012.

For Hodgson though, the choice was clear, he is building for the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil and what many see as his real target Euro2016 in France. In order to do this he wants his future stars to experience the real thing and not the diluted under-23 tournament that the Olympics is. Hodgson’s tenure will not be judged on Euro2012 no matter what The Sun would want you to believe. He will be judged over the full four year period. Judged by the Press on results on the pitch and judged by the FA on the same results and his work at St George’s Park.

England’s shallow pool of players has been cruelly exposed and it is the job of Hodgson, Brooking et al to change this over the next four years just as Germany did after 2012. Change the face of English football, invest in the next generation, say goodbye to the golden generation of celebrity footballers who lost their way.

Believe in Hodgson, believe in the changes that are being made and let’s enjoy what will be a transitional period in English football.

The MLB season is well underway and sportsbook.com are offering its members up to 15% extra cash on their baseball winnings if they make a four-team (or more) parlay bet. A four-fold parlay returns 5% extra on your winnings, 10% for five-folds and you can get a 15% cash bonus on any six-fold parlay bets on any MLB action.

This special offer won’t be around for long so make sure you use sportsbook.com when placing your parlay bets on the baseball.

Sign-up with sportsbook.com here – 100% deposit bonus

Read our latest MLB articles:

Hamels given five-game ban for Harper strike

Defenders: John Terry, Gary Cahill, Joleon Lescott, Phil Jones, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, Glen Johnson

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Frank  Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Scott Parker, James Milner, Ashley Young, Theo Walcott, Stewart Downing, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Strikers: Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe

Rio Ferdinand was the first big-name casualty from Roy Hodgson’s first ever England squad, with Michael Carrick and Micah Richards also unlucky to miss out on a place in the Euro 2012 squad.

The simmering tension between Ferdinand and former England captain, John Terry, seems to have been a factor and the back injury that troubles Ferdinand looks to have given Hodgson an excuse to jump on.

Hodgson had to fend countless questions on the absence of Rio Ferdinand in today’s press conference, with his selection of Stewart Downing slipping under the radar.

The inclusion of Stewart Downing is a major surprise with most pundits branding him their flop of the season, after returning no assists and no goals after a £20 million outlay.

The squad does appear to be a revived version of the 2010 World Cup squad, with Hodgson admitting that it would be impossible to completely change the squad of players that qualified under Capello.

After injury put paid to Kyle Walker’s selection chances Hodgson admitted that it was a straight choice between Phil Jones and Micah Richards for the cover at right-back, with the United man winning.

Cahill, Lescott, Jones are notable improvements on Ledley King and Matthew Upson. In midfield Parker finally makes it to a major tournament, while the direct threat of Ashley Young and Oxlade-Chamberlain will add individual flair.

Up front Andy Carroll will have a chance to show he can compete with the most expensive strikers in Europe and Danny Welbeck deserves his chance on the international scene.

The England manager admitted that research on opponents Sweden, France and Ukraine had yet to be completed, but he has shelved plans to fly off to Spain for a training camp, giving players more time to recuperate after the season end.

Backing England to win at Euro 2012?

Sportingbet have a £50 risk-free bet offer