Kouzmanoff, Braden help A's stop streaking White Sox

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07/31/2010 - Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Kouzmanoff finished a triple shy of hitting for the cycle and Dallas Braden tossed a complete game to lead Oakland to a 6-2 victory over Chicago in the second installment of a three-game set.

Kouzmanoff went 3-for-5 and scored three times while Daric Barton added a pair of hits and drove in two runs to help the Athletics snap a two-game slide.

Braden (6-7) permitted eight hits, walked one and struck out five to win his second consecutive start -- both against Chicago -- after going nine straight turns without a win following his perfect game for Oakland, which snapped the White Sox's 12-game home winning streak.

John Danks (11-8) suffered the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out eight in 6 2/3 innings for Chicago, which also had a five-game overall win streak halted.

Kouzmanoff started the second inning with a single, moved to second base on an Adam Rosales base hit and scored when Rajai Davis singled to right field. Mark Ellis walked to load the bases for Matt Carson, who roped a single to left to plate Rosales.

Coco Crisp struck out before Barton lined a single to right field to chase home two runs to extend the visitors' lead to 4-0.

Kouzmanoff led off the third with a home run to straightaway center to push the lead to five.

Braden held the Sox to two hits over the first five frames before Juan Pierre and Alexei Ramirez opened the sixth with back-to-back singles. The southpaw got out of trouble by retiring Alex Rios and Paul Konerko on fly outs and Carlos Quentin on a fielder's choice grounder.

Barton's ground rule double with two outs in the seventh spelled the end of the night for Danks. Tony Pena came on to end the inning.

Chicago's only runs came in the seventh when Dayan Viciedo singled with one out and scored when Andruw Jones followed with a homer.

Oakland loaded the bases with one out in the eighth and got a sacrifice fly from Ellis to push their advantage to 6-2.

Viciedo doubled with one out in the ninth, but Braden retired Jones and Gordon Beckham to end the game and sew up his third route-going performance of the season.

Game Notes

Oakland has won 10 of its last 15 road games, while the Sox fell for only a second time in their last 21 home games...The A's are 8-10 in Braden's starts. Kouzmanoff has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games, while Davis extended his hitting streak to six games...Jones' long ball was the 403rd of his career... Danks suffered his first career defeat to Oakland in six starts. He is 4-1 against the A's...Oakland was 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position while the Sox were 0-for-8 with RISP and stranded seven...Oakland leads the season series, 3-2.

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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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