North County Sports Magazine Online

North County Sports Online Has Moved

2008-08-07T08:29:00.001-07:00

A new era has begun for North County Sports Magazine Online. Please visit us at our new website
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North County Sports Magazine

2008-08-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

A new era has begun for North County Sports Magazine Online. Please visit us at our new website
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NFL Hall of Fame Capsules

2008-08-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

FRED DEAN
Defensive End
1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-1985 San Francisco 49ers.
Played 141 games in 11 seasons with the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers. ... A second-round pick by San Diego in the second round in 1975 NFL draft ... A linebacker in college, he was converted to defensive end by the Chargers, where his quickness, speed and strength made him one of the league's most feared pass rushers. ... Unofficial career sack total near 100, since sacks were not an official NFL statistic until 1982. ... Unofficially registered 15.5 sacks in 1978, nine in 1979, and 10.5 in 1980 for the Chargers. ... Supplied 12 sacks in 11 games with the 49ers in 1981 and posted a career best 17.5 sacks in 1983, including a then-NFL record six in one game vs. New Orleans Saints. A member of two Super Bowl championship teams, he was selected to play in four Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro in 1980 and 1981.

DARRELL GREEN
Cornerback
1983-2002 Washington Redskins
Played 295 games in 20 seasons ... Selected in first round in 1983 NFL draft. ... Had at least one interception in 19 consecutive seasons, an NFL record ... Made 54 career interceptions, returning six for touchdowns. . .Tied for first on NFL all-time list for most consecutive seasons with one team (20). ... Had three INTs vs. Detroit (11/15/87). ... Posted career-best five INTs in three different seasons: 1984, 1986, 1991 . . .Returned fumble 78 yards for a score vs. the Colts (10/7/93), longest fumble return in Redskins history. ... Also returned 51 punts for 611 yards. ... Tied for second all-time for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in playoffs with two. . .A member of the 1990s All-Decade Team. ... Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls and named All-Pro in 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991.

ART MONK
Wide Receiver
1980-1993 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles
Played 224 games in 16 seasons . ... Selected by Washington in first round of 1980 draft ... Had 50 or more receptions in a season nine times. Gained 1,000 or more receiving yards in a season five times. ... Set then-NFL records for catches in a season (106), most consecutive games with at least one reception (164), and career receptions (820). ... Finished career with 940 catches. ... A strong receiver, especially effective over the middle in traffic, made the "dodge pattern" his signature play. ... In 1984, caught eight or more passes in six games, had five games of 100-plus receiving yards, and in one game caught 10 passes for 200 yards. ... Selected as Redskins Most Valuable Player in 1984. . .First player in team history to produce three consecutive 1,000-receiving yard seasons. . .A three-time Pro Bowl selection, he was named All-Pro in 1984 and 1985..

EMMITT THOMAS
Cornerback
1966-1978 Kansas City Chiefs
Played in 181 games in 13 seasons. ... An undrafted free agent from from Bishop College in Dallas. . .One of finest cornerbacks of his era. Ranks ninth all-time in interceptions with 58, which is fourth all-time best by a pure cornerback and is a franchise record. ... Led the league with team-record 12 interceptions in 1974 - two shy of NFL all-time single-season mark. He returned two for touchdowns.... Led AFL with nine INTs in 1969 and added three more during playoffs, including one in Chiefs' stunning 23-7 win over the Vikings in Super Bowl IV. ... Had five interception returns for TDs during career. ... Led the Chiefs in interceptions in five seasons. . .His 937 return yards on 58 INTs is team record. ... Selected to play in five Pro Bowls.

ANDRE TIPPETT
Linebacker
1982-1993 New England Patriots
Played in 151 games in 11 games. ... Second-round pick in 1982. ... In 1984 established team record 18.5 sacks and earned first of five consecutive (1985-89) Pro Bowl selections. . .Helped lead Patriots to first Super Bowl appearance in 1985-86 season. Led AFC with 16.5 sacks and earned AFC Defensive Player of the Year honors that season. ... Recorded 9.5 sacks in 1986 before sidelined for five games due to injury. ... In 1987, had AFC-leading 12.5 sacks. ... Injuries caused him to miss four games in 1988 and entire 1989 season. ... Remained a dominant player through final four seasons. . . At time of retirement, his 100 career sacks, 18.5 sacks in a season and 17 opponent fumbles recovered were team bests. ... Named to NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

GARY ZIMMERMAN
Tackle
1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-97 Denver Broncos
Played 184 games in 12 seasons. ... Selected in first round of 1984 Supplemental Draft.. ... Spent two seasons with the Los Angeles Express of now-defunct USFL before reporting to Vikings. ... After joining Vikings, began streak of 169 consecutive starts that lasted until 1996, when he was sidelined by surgery. ... Anchored offensive line that helped Vikings lead NFC in rushing in 1991. ... Helped Broncos lead NFL in rushing, 1996 ... One of just handful of players to be named to two NFL All-Decade Teams (1980s, 1990s). ... Named NFL Lineman of the Year in 1987. ... Earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors eight times and selected to play in seven Pro Bowls.

NFL Calendar

2008-08-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

August 2 - Hall of Fame Inductions
August 3 - Hall of Fame Game - Indianapolis vs. Washington
August 7-11 - First preseason weekend
August 26 - Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players
August 30 - Roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players
September 4-8 - Kickoff 2008 Weekend
October 14 - Trading deadline 2009
January 3-4 - Wildcard Playoffs (NBC, CBS & FOX)
January 10-11 - Divisional Playoffs (CBS & FOX)
January 18 - Conference Championships (CBS & FOX)
February 1 - Super Bowl XLIII - Tampa, Florida (NBC)
February 8 - Pro Bowl - Honolulu, Hawaii (NBC)

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-08-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (69-40) at NY Yankees (59-50), 12:55 pm, FOX

BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim probably don't want their current road trip to end. The major leagues' best team is 7-1 against the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and their current victim - the New York Yankees. Anaheim looks to win its third game in a row against the Bronx Bombers on Saturday, but will be without scorching Torii Hunter. Hunter will miss the remainder of the series to travel to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to attend the funeral of his grandmother, who passed away last Friday. Hunter has propelled the Angels, who are riding a five-game winning streak, to victories in the first two games of the series. Hunter and Juan Rivera hit three-run home runs in the third inning as they roughed up Andy Pettitte en route to a12-6 romp on Thursday. On Friday, Hunter drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth against Mariano Rivera for a 1-0 triumph. Anaheim starter Ervin Santana tossed eight sterling innings, allowing five hits while striking out eight. Sidney Ponson, his cournterpart, tossed seven scoreless frames and gave up two hits and four walks. Francisco Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth to notch his major league-leading 45th save. Mike Mussina (13-7, 3.56 ERA) takes the mound for the Yankees, who have dropped five of six. Before the 39-year-old surrendered six runs and eight hits in five innings against the Orioles on Monday, he went five games without allowing more than two runs. The Angels will counter with Jered Weaver (9-8, 4.11), who defeated Boston in his last start on Tuesday, but was forced out after 5 2/3 innings with discomfort in his right shoulder. Prior to the game, Yankee Stadium will host its 62nd Old-Timer's Day.

Arizona (57-52) at LA Dodgers (54-55) 10:10 p.m.

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Despite the addition of Manny Ramirez, the Los Angeles Dodgers are still struggling to score runs. The Dodgers continue their search for offense on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ramirez, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox on Thursday in a three-team deal, had a pair of singles but grounded into a double play in the ninth inning during Los Angeles' 2-1 setback on Friday. The 36-year-old slugger posted a .299 batting average with 20 home runs and 68 RBI with the Red Sox and is expected to bolster a team that ranks in the bottom five in the majors in runs, home runs and slugging percentage. However, Ramirez and his teammates were stymied for the second straight game by the Diamondbacks, who stretched their lead in the National League West to three games over the Dodgers with their second consecutive 2-1 victory on Friday. Ramirez and Los Angeles hope for a better performance when they face Yusmeiro Petit (1-1, 2.55 ERA), who will come out of the bullpen to take Micah Owings' spot in the Arizona rotation after the righthander was sent to the minors on Friday. Petit is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts, giving up one run and three hits in five innings en route to a 9-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs in his most recent start on July 22. Hiroki Kuroda (5-8, 4.40) has lost each of his last two starts and tries to earn his first win since July 7 for the Dodgers.

Padres on Deck vs. Giants, Game 2 of 3 (Series 0-1)

2008-08-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

Padres Look to Rebound With Peavy
San Francisco (45-63) at San Diego (42-68), 7:05 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- After getting an extra day off following a demanding performance his last time out, Jake Peavy would like nothing better than to wear out the San Francisco Giants. Pitching on five days' rest, Peavy gets his first home start in nearly a month when the San Diego Padres face the Giants on Saturday.

The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, coming off a season-high 127-pitch outing in a 3-1 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday, has already spent a month on the disabled list with a strained right elbow. With the Padres owning the second-worst record in the NL, San Diego elected to give Peavy (8-6, 2.67 ERA) an extra day to recover after yielding a run and four hits with 10 strikeouts against the Pirates. The righthander will get the chance to continue his dominance in Petco Park, where he sports a 1.45 ERA in nine starts but has not pitched in since July 11, and of the Giants, against whom he is 11-6 with a 3.27 ERA.

He'll be paired up with another former Cy Young Award winner, Barry Zito (5-13, 5.80) , who won American League honors in 2002. However, the lefthander matched his career high in losses on Sunday with his major league-leading 13th after surrendering six runs and six hits with five walks over five innings in a 7-2 setback to Arizona.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-31T15:24:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (67-40) at NY Yankees (59-48), 4:05 p.m.

BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim put all of baseball on notice with the acquisition of first baseman Mark Teixeira. One day later, the New York Yankees made a statement of their own, replacing the injured Jorge Posada with another potential Hall of Fame-caliber catcher in Ivan Rodriguez. The Yankees expect Rodriguez to make his debut on Thursday when they host the first game of a four-game set with the Angels. New York reacted quickly after Posada's season-ending shoulder surgery, trading reliever Kyle Farnsworth to Detroit in exchange for the 14-time All-Star backstop. "(Rodriguez) is a significant upgrade with all due respect to who we got," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "How it works out all remains to be seen, but he's having a good year and we're excited to have the opportunity to believe that we addressed an important area of need." The Yankees fared quite well without Rodriguez in the lineup on Wednesday, avoiding a three-game sweep with a 13-3 rout of Baltimore. They'll look for a repeat against Jon Garland (9-6, 4.30 ERA), who overcame a poor outing in Saturday's 11-6 victory over Baltimore to get the win despite surrendering five runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. Anaheim dealt first baseman Casey Kotchman and minor league pitcher Steve Marek to Atlanta to acquire Teixeira, who made his debut in Wednesday's 9-2 three-game series-sweeping win over the Red Sox. Teixeira drew a walk but went hitless in four at-bats, but it did not matter as the Angels won for the 10th time in 12 games after the All-Star break. "I'm very excited," Teixeira said. "If you ever get traded, you want to get traded to a team that has a chance to win it all. This is a great team here - great pitching, great defense and timely hitting. This team knows how to win and I'm happy to be a part of it." Andy Pettitte (12-7, 3.76) will be the latest pitcher trying to derail an Angels offense that has scored 80 runs since the break, something he may able to do if he can emulate his last two outings. After holding Oakland to one run and striking out nine on July 20, the lefthander yielded three runs - one earned - and five hits with seven strikeouts in the Yankees' 10-3 over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

Arizona (55-52) at LA Dodgers (54-53), 7:10 p.m.

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have a chance to pull even atop the National League West Division on Thursday when they open a crucial four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers managed to get back above .500 for the first time since May 27 on Wednesday, claiming a 4-0 victory against the San Francisco Giants as Chad Billingsley earned his first career shutout. The win was the ninth in the last 13 games for Los Angeles, which has held opponents scoreless in four of five contests. The Dodgers have a good chance of continuing their success against the Diamondbacks, who own one of the worst offenses in baseball. Despite holding a one-game lead in the NL West, Arizona ranks near the bottom of the NL in a number of offensive categories, including batting average (13th), home runs (12th) and runs (ninth). But, the Diamondbacks have won five of their last six, outscoring the opposition 37-18 over that span. Staff ace Brandon Webb looks to keep Arizona atop the division. Webb (14-4, 3.14 ERA), who is tied with three others for the major league-lead in wins, earned his third straight victory on Saturday. The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner surrendered three runs and four hits in seven innings, walking two and striking out eight en route to a 5-3 victory over the Giants. Derek Lowe (8-8, 3.74) goes for his fourth consecutive win for the Dodgers. Lowe enters the game after his best start, eight scoreless innings, yielding one hit and one walk while striking out four during Saturday's 6-0 victory against the Washington Nationals.

Report: Red Sox Trade Ramirez to Dodgers

2008-07-31T15:14:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox apparently grew tired of Manny being Manny. The Red Sox traded disgruntled slugger Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-team deal completed minutes prior to Thursday's non-waiver deadline, according to a report posted by si.com.

The trade initially was reported by NESN, the Red Sox television station, which stated that Boston received Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jason Bay in the deal. The Red Sox have yet to confirm the trade. According to NESN, the Pirates received reliever Craig Hansen and outfielder Brandon Moss from the Red Sox. Pittsburgh also acquired third baseman Andy LaRoche and minor-league pitcher Bryan Morris from the Dodgers.

The reported deal came one day after Ramirez criticized the Red Sox in an interview with ESPNDeportes, claiming that he has been mistreated by the defending World Series champs. Ramirez, 36, is batting .299 with 20 home runs and 68 RBI. The 29-year-old Bay will be counted on to fill the power void left by Ramirez in Boston's lineup. Bay is batting .282 with 22 homers and 64 RBI.

"If it's Boston or wherever it might be, that's the silver lining, a little bit of sweet," Bay said Wednesday night. "At this time of year, I would definitely like to be part of that atmosphere."

Dodger Stadium to Host 2009 WBC Final

2008-07-31T15:03:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Dodger Stadium will be the site for the semifinal and final games of the 2009 World Baseball Classic from March 21-23, it was announced on Thursday. PETCO Park in San Diego, California, and Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida, were also unveiled as venue sites for earlier rounds of the tournament, which will be held March 14-19.

"It is fitting that Dodger Stadium, the site of many celebrated events, has been selected to host the semifinals and final of the 2009 World Baseball Classic," president and COO of Major League Baseball Bob DuPuy said. "Los Angeles is one of the most international cities in the world and the Dodgers have always been on the forefront of baseball's development as a global game. "In addition, PETCO Park and Dolphin Stadium will provide strong international venues for round two of the tournament. Baseball fans across the globe will have the exciting opportunity to experience these three exceptional settings during the world's premier international baseball tournament."

The tournament , which features 16 national teams and 480 of the world's best players, opens in Tokyo, Japan, on March 5 and concludes at Dodger Stadium. PETCO Park, the site of the 2006 World Baseball Classic finals, will feature the four advancing teams from Pools A and B from March 15-19. Dolphin Stadium, which is the home of the Florida Marlins, will house the four squads that move out of Pools C and D from March 14-18. Pool A contains China, Chinese Tapei, Japan and Korea while Australia, Cuba, Mexico and South Africa make up Pool B. Pool C is comprised of Canada, Italy, Venezuela and the United States. Pool D encompasses the Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico.

"We are humbled and honored to be hosting the championship of the 2009 World Baseball Classic," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said. "The Dodger organization has a long and storied history of spreading the game of baseball internationally and it's only fitting that we open the gates of Dodger Stadium to fans from around the world and welcome them to the city of Los Angeles with open arms." In 2006, Ichiro Suzuki and MVP Daisuke Matsuzaka helped Japan win the inaugural tournament, which ended up being quite successful. More than 740,000 fans from 48 states and 15 countries across the world attended games - 16 of which were sold out - and millions more watched on television.

Broadcasted by 48 media outlets and in 10 languages to 205 countries and territories around the world, the World Baseball Classic had over 50 sponsors and 21 official licenses. The tournament will be held every four years after 2009, with plans in place to expand the participant field in 2013.

Broncos to Release Lynch

2008-07-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

DENVER (Ticker) -- Denver Broncos safety John Lynch may have taken part in his final practice with the team, according to a published report on Wednesday. The Rocky Mountain News reported the Broncos have given Lynch permission to explore other options - both inside and outside of football - and will announce his release from the team Thursday.

Lynch's hometown San Diego Chargers are considered a likely landing spot since they showed some interest in the 15-year veteran in free agency before he decided to remain with Denver. He has also drawn interest from television networks - likely as an analyst - once his playing career is over.

Lynch was excused from practice Wednesday morning for what head coach Mike Shanahan called "personal reasons" after the two-time All-Pro did not attend a team meeting Tuesday night as he wrestled with his role in the Broncos' defense. The nine-time Pro Bowl selection signed a one-year, $2 million dollar contract in the offseason with the promise he would be "allowed to compete in every situation."

However, he has seen no time in the Broncos' nickel and dime defenses, only taking part in the team's base package early in training camp. The 36-year-old Lynch has compiled 740 tackles and 26 interceptions in 224 games with the Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he spent his first 11 seasons.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (66-40) at Boston (61-47), 4:05 pm

BOSTON (Ticker) -- A day after acquiring slugger Mark Teixeira, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will try to sweep the three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday at Fenway Park. Teixeira, who is batting .283 with 20 home runs and 78 RBI, is expected to make his debut with the Angels and bat cleanup behind Vladimir Guerrero. The owners of the best record in the major leagues, the Angels traded first baseman Casey Kotchman and prospect righthander Steve Malek to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday with hopes the two-time Gold Glove winner will propel them to play deep into October. In the first two games against the Red Sox, Anaheim looked like a legitimate championship contender. On Monday, it posted a 7-5 triumph and Tuesday was even more impressive as John Lackey took a no-hitter into the ninth - before surrendering two hits and two runs - en route to a 6-2 win. Boston will turn to ace Josh Beckett (9-7, 3.83 ERA) to erase the possibility of falling three games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays (62-44). Beckett faced the Angels on July 19 and was on the losing end of a 4-2 bout. The 28-year-old righthander tossed eight innings on the road, allowing four runs and nine hits while striking out six. Joe Saunders (13-5, 3.10) threw 6 2/3 innings that game, allowing two runs and six hits, but didn't factor in the decision. Saunders, a first-time All-Star, has held opponents to three or less runs in nine of his last 10 starts and is 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in two starts against the Red Sox. Anaheim swept Boston in a three-game set in the first series of the second half, enjoying a 20-8 run advantage.

San Francisco (44-62) at LA Dodgers (53-53), 7:10 p.m.

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have surged into contention in the National League West Division on the strength of their pitching. Righthander Chad Billingsley (10-9, 3.26 ERA) tries to lead the Dodgers to their fifth win in six games on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants. Los Angeles enters the series finale one game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for first place in the NL West thanks to a staff, which ranks first in the NL and third in the majors with a 3.72 ERA and has held opponents scoreless in three of their last four games. Billingsley, who ranks third in the NL with 137 strikeouts, has also been a huge part of the success of the rotation, winning six of his last eight starts while surrendering two runs or fewer five times over that span. The 24-year-old allowed two runs and five hits in 7 2/3 innings, walking three while striking out four en route to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday. Jonathan Sanchez (8-6, 4.46) tries to end a dismal stretch . Sanchez has yet to post a victory in July after winning five of his six starts in June. The 25-year-old lefthander is 0-2 with an 8.47 ERA this month as the Giants have dropped each of his last four outings.

Padres On Deck vs. D-Backs, Game 3 of 3 (Series 1-1)

2008-07-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

Arizona (54-52) at San Diego (42-66), 7:05 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

Padres Try to Take Series Victory Tonight

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Dan Haren will look to win his third consecutive start on Wednesday when the Arizona Diamondbacks conclude a three-game series against the San Diego Padres.

Haren (10-5, 2.56 ERA), who has not allowed more than two runs in each of his last nine outings, gave up two runs with nine strikeouts over eight innings during Friday's 10-2 triumph over the San Francisco Giants. The 27-year-old Haren's lone loss over the last two months came against the Padres on July 4. He yielded two runs over seven frames in a 5-1 setback, which ended a three-game winning streak.

Haren will now turn his attention to building off Doug Davis' impressive performance in Tuesday's 3-0 victory over San Diego. Davis took a perfect game into the seventh and pitched 7 2/3 innings, ending the Padres' four-game winning streak.

San Diego will counter with righthander Cha Seung Baek (3-4, 4.86), who gave up four runs and seven hits with three strikeouts over 5 1/3 frames in Friday's 6-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Arizona, which holds a one-game advantage over the Los Angeles Dodgers (53-53) atop the National League West, has won four of its last five games and six of its previous eight contests.

Pit Row Preview

2008-07-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

Napa Auto Parts 200
August 2, 2008
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Montreal
Race 23 of 34 on Nationwide series circuit
TV: ESPN2, 12 p.m.
Laps: 74
Track length: 2.709-mile road course
Race length: 200 miles Qualifying record: Patrick Carpentier, Dodge, 95.531 mph (2007)
Race record: Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 64.671 mph (2007)

Pennsylvania 500
August 3, 2008
Pocono Raceway Long Pond, Pennsylvania
Race 21 of 36 on Sprint Cup circuit
TV: ESPN, 10 a.m.
Laps: 200
Track length: 2 1/2 miles
Race length: 500 miles
Qualifying record: Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 172.391 mph, 2000
Race record: Rusty Wallace, Ford, 144.892 mph, 1996

Hungarian Grand Prix
August 3, 2008
Hungaroring Budapest, Hungary
Race 11 of 17 in Grand Prix Series
Laps: 77
Track length: 2.470 miles
Race length: 190 miles
Lap Record: Michael Schumacher, 1:19.071 (2004)

Aztces to Host "Friday Night Lights"

2008-07-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO (SDSU) - San Diego State football head coach Chuck Long and his coaching staff will play host to the first annual "Friday Night Lights," a camp for high school prospects. The summer event is slated for Friday, Aug. 1, from 6:00-9:30 p.m. PT at the Aztec Athletics facilities.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (65-40) at Boston (61-46), 4:05 pm

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Oddly enough, John Lackey's best start this month came against the Boston Red Sox. Lackey takes the hill Tuesday for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim looking to duplicate his rare success against Boston in the middle-game of a three-game series. Lackey (8-2, 3.02 ERA) returned from a six-week stint on the disabled list in June and went 6-1 with a 1.44 ERA, but has struggled since. The Angels' ace has won two straight starts, but has a 7.61 ERA in four outings this month. Ironically, Lackey's best effort came against the Red Sox, who have owned him throughout his career. He allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings of an 11-3 win over Boston on July 18 to improve to 2-6 with a 6.01 ERA in 12 starts vs. the Red Sox. While Lackey has struggled against Boston, his team has not. Casey Kotchman and Torii Hunter each homered during a six-run sixth innings as the Angels posted a 7-5 victory on Monday. Anaheim has won six of the seven meetings between the teams and has the best record in all of baseball, prompting Red Sox manager Terry Francona to say, "They might be the class of the American League right now." Clay Buchholz (2-5, 5.81), who opposed Lackey in the last meeting, takes the hill for Boston and is looking to snap a personal three-game skid. Buchholz, who was recalled from Class AAA Pawtucket on July 11, is seeking his first win since May 7. On Wednesday, the 23-year-old righthander allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-3 loss to Seattle.

San Francisco (44-61) at LA Dodgers (52-53), 7:10 p.m.

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The San Francisco Giants got their offense back on track just in time to avoid a fourth straight loss. The Giants look to continue the hit parade on Tuesday when they continue their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Francisco entered Monday's series opener after scoring just eight runs over its previous four games. However, the Giants nearly equaled that number against the Dodgers, who had not allowed a single run in its previous 19 1.3 innings, forging a 7-6 victory to end the Dodgers' three-game winning streak. Fred Lewis, Jose Castillo and starter Kevin Correia all had two RBI for the Giants, who struck for five runs in the fourth inning to forge a 7-0 lead. The Dodgers narrowed the deficit to one before San Francisco's bullpen slammed the door with 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, capped by closer Brian Wilson's 28th save of the season. Matt Cain (6-8, 3.82 ERA) tries to continue the strong pitching when he takes the mound for the Giants on Tuesday. Cain snapped a two-game personal losing streak during his last start, registering his first shutout of 2008 during Thursday's 1-0 victory against the Nationals. The 23-year-old righthander allowed just four hits while striking out four without yielding a walk. Jason Johnson (0-0, 2.57) makes his first start of the season when he counters for the Dodgers. The 34-year-old journeyman has surrendered two runs and five hits in seven innings during a pair of relief appearances since being recalled from Class AAA Las Vegas on July 19. Johnson took the roster spot of Takashi Saito after the closer was placed on the 15-day disabled list July 18 with a right elbow sprain.

Padres On Deck vs. D-Backs, Game 2 of 3 (Series 1-0)

2008-07-29T08:48:00.000-07:00

Arizona (53-52) at San Diego (42-65), 7:05 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7
Young Returns To the Mound For Padres

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Chris Young will take the mound for the first time in more than two months on Tuesday when the San Diego Padres continue a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Young has been sidelined since May 21, when he was struck in the face by a line drive off the bat of St. Louis Cardinals' slugger Albert Pujols.

The 6-10 Young (4-4, 4.50 ERA) suffered a broken nose and a small crack in his skull. Young last faced Arizona on April 19, but didn't factor in the 10-3 loss. He tossed six solid innings, allowing two runs and three hits before the Padres' bullpen imploded in the late frames.

Doug Davis (3-5, 4.22) will oppose Young with hopes of winning for the first time this month. The lefthander hasn't allowed more than four runs in nine of his past 10 starts, but the Diamondbacks have lost seven of those games. Davis faced San Diego on July 5 and was on the short end of a 4-2 loss. He tossed eight sterling innings, allowing three runs and seven hits while striking out seven, but was out-dueled by ace Jake Peavy.

On Monday in the series opener, starter Greg Maddux stole the show despite allowing four runs in five innings. The 42-year-old righthander moved past Hall of Famer Phil Niekro and took sole possession of 10th place on baseball's career strikeout list in the third inning by recording his 3,343rd strikeout in the third against Conor Jackson. Nick Hundley's three-run shot was the big blow as the Padres erased a 3-2 deficit and scored six runs in the third against Arizona starter Micah Owings to stake Maddux to a lead he wouldn't relinquish.

Clipppers Sign Davis from Miami

2008-07-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Clippers on Monday signed guard Ricky Davis to a multi-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 21st overall pick in the 1998 draft out of Iowa, the well-traveled Davis spent last season with the Miami Heat, averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the injury-ravaged club, which finished with the worst record in the NBA.

"We believe he will be a good addition," Clippers vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor said. "His versatility and ability to shoot from the outside will spread the floor and help our low post players." The 28-year-old Davis has averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 10 seasons with five teams prior to signing with the Clippers, who have been restructuring their roster this offseason.

Los Angeles, which now employs point guard Baron Davis, will have to find some shots for Ricky Davis, who is known as a shoot-first player.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (64-40) at Boston (61-45), 4:05 pm

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Manny Ramirez became the most proficient RBI producer from the Dominican Republic in baseball history on Sunday. Of course, all anyone wanted to talk about where his new home might be. With Ramirez once again feeling unappreciated and possibly on the trading block, the Boston Red Sox begin a pivotal three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday. On Sunday, Ramirez made headlines - as he has countless times in recent years - by saying he would waive his limited no-trade clause if Boston could make a deal because he was "tired" of them and the team is tired of him. Then, in his typical fashion, he showed his employer Sunday night why a trade may not be in their best interest, going 3-for-5 with two RBI in a 9-2 win over the New York Yankees. "We will cross that bridge when we get there," Boston third baseman Mike Lowell said. "Manny says a lot of things, some of them are entertaining, some of them make you roll your eyes and spin your head, but it seems every time he says something, he goes 3-for-4. So maybe we should encourage him to say something like that. But it is a weird situation and I'm glad I'm not the one who has to make those decisions." The RBI pushed Ramirez into sole possession of 22nd on the all-time RBI list with 1,669, breaking his previous tie with Sammy Sosa as the most prolific RBI producer from the Dominican Republic. While the Red Sox handle that tenuous situation, they must also deal with the arrival of Anaheim, which owns the best record in the majors. Boston would like nothing more than to avenge the Angels' three-game home sweep of it coming out of the All-Star break. To do so, they'll turn to Daisuke Matsuzaka (11-1, 2.63 ERA), who has been the Red Sox's best pitcher of late, going 3-0 with a 0.88 ERA over his last five starts. The righthander notched his second win in as many outings in Tuesday's 4-2 victory at Seattle, allowing two runs and five hits with six strikeouts over 7 1/3 frames. Anaheim will counter with Jered Weaver (8-8, 4.08), who will make his 21st start of the season on Monday, six days after leaving his last outing after 77 pitches due to back tightness. Over three frames, the righthander two runs and three hits in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Cleveland, failing to pitch enough innings to qualify for the win.

Padres on Deck vs. D-Backs

2008-07-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

Arizona (53-51) at San Diego (41-65), 10:05pm, 4SD/1090/105.7
Maddux Seeks to End Losing Streak

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Greg Maddux hopes to end a dreadful winless streak when he takes the mound for the San Diego Padres in the opener of a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.

Maddux (3-8, 4.18 ERA), who has 350 career victories, has not won since May 10 - a span of 14 starts. It is the longest stretch without a victory for the future Hall of Famer. The 42-year-old righthander did not factor in the decision in his last outing, giving up three runs - two earned - in 5 1/3 innings during San Diego's 9-5 setback to the Cincinnati Reds.

However, Maddux has not enjoyed much success against the Diamondbacks, going 2-11 with a 5.29 ERA. He was tagged for nine runs in seven innings during his last start against Arizona on April 18.

The Diamondbacks are coming off a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants and will counter with the struggling Micah Owings (6-8, 5.40) on the hill. Owings is enduring a winless streak of his own as he hopes for his first victory since May 25. The 25-year-old righthander gave up five runs in one-third of an inning in his last appearance, which was an outing out of the bullpen against the Chicago Cubs on July 23. He has not made a start since July 9, which was a loss to Washington.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

San Francisco (43-61) at LA Dodgers (52-52),7:10 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have pitched back-to-back shutouts. With the way the San Francisco Giants have been scoring runs lately, Los Angeles might make it three straight scoreless games. The Dodgers eye their fourth straight win on Monday when they host the first of three games against the rival Giants. Los Angeles yielded just two runs in sweeping Washington, the lowest-scoring team in the majors, in three games over the weekend. In shutting out the Nationals over the final two games, the Dodgers extended their consecutive-innings scoreless streak to 19 1/3 frames. That run could continue against a Giants club that sports the fourth-lowest scoring offense in the majors, tallying a mere eight runs over the last four games. San Francisco managed a total of just seven runs over the weekend when it was swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks. On Monday, the Dodgers give the ball to Hiroki Kuroda (5-7, 3.98 ERA), who has struggled mightily since the All-Star break. The Japanese import, who went 2-0 and allowed three runs combined over his final three outings just before the "Midsummer Classic, is 0-1 with a 11.25 ERA in his two starts since. The righthander surrendered five runs and nine hits over six innings in Wednesday's 5-3 loss at Colorado. Kuroda's struggles pale in comparison to Giants starter Kevin Correia (1-5, 5.71), who has not posted a win since the second week of the season. The righthander permitted four runs and a career-high 12 hits over 5 2/3 innings in Wednesday's 6-4 win over Washington but did not factor into the decision.

Philadelphia Claims Arena Bowl Title

2008-07-27T20:44:00.000-07:00

PHILADELPHIA 59, SAN JOSE 56

NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- Matt D'Orazio and the Philadelphia Soul made sure history did not repeat itself in ArenaBowl XXIII. D'Orazio threw seven touchdown passes and ran for another score as the Soul secured their first league title with a 59-56 victory over the defending champion San Jose SaberCats on Sunday afternoon.

Chris Jackson caught three scoring passes for the Soul (14-3), who booked their trip to the Big Easy with a 70-35 demolition of the Cleveland Gladiators at the Wachovia Center two weeks ago. To claim its first title, Philadelphia had to go through powerful San Jose, which made its second consecutive appearance in the ArenaBowl and fourth in seven seasons.

Last season, the SaberCats won their third league title by defeating the Columbus Destroyers. They could not repeat the feat Sunday thanks to D'Orazio, who also led the Chicago Rush to the title in 2006. This season, he paced the AFL in passer rating (131.3) and completion percentage (72.4) en route to winning the league's Quarterback of the Year Award. D'Orazio completed 26-of-43 passes for 302 yards in this one, connecting with Jackson - the AFL Offensive Player of the Year - once in each of the first three quarters. The final one was a 32-yard score to give Philadelphia an insurmountable 44-27 advantage with 7:56 left. Jackson, who led the league in touchdowns with 49, caught 11 passes for 146 yards for the Soul, whose owner, rocker Bon Jovi, led the raucous celebration as time wound down.

Mark Grieb tossed six touchdown passes for San Jose (11-6), which failed to become the first team since the Tampa Bay Storm (1995-96) and only the third club to win four ArenaBowls, joining Tampa Bay (five) and Detroit (four). The SaberCats made it interesting in the final seconds, scoring 14 points in 11 ticks to fall just short of a remarkable comeback within the final minute.

SoCal MLS Capsule

2008-07-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

FC DALLAS 4, LA GALAXY 0

FRISCO, Texas (Ticker) -- After going winless in MLS play since mid-June, FC Dallas finally decided enough was enough. Kenny Cooper scored twice in the first 17 minutes, Dominic Oduro scored his fifth goal of the season and Abe Thompson came off the bench to add another tally as FC Dallas blasted the Los Angeles Galaxy, 4-0, at Pizza Hut Park.

A smothering defensive effort kept the Galaxy - the top-scoring team in MLS - to just two shots on goal, both of which goalkeeper Dario Sala turned away to hand the Galaxy just their third blank sheet of the season. The victory by FC Dallas (5-6-7), in addition to giving new coach Schellas Hyndman his first MLS win, avenged a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the Galaxy (6-7-5) on May 18, a result that cost his predecessor - Steve Morrow - his job.

Cooper's first goal came in the 15th minute when he sent a left-footed blast past Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin and into the right corner of the goal from 22 yards to the left of the arc. Two minutes later, Cooper added his second goal, taking a short set-up from Oduro and ripping a right-footed shot just inside the left post to make it 2-0. It was Cooper's 11th goal of the season, moving him into a tie for second place with the Galaxy's Edson Buddle among the league leaders, one behind Los Angeles' Landon Donovan.

In the 36th minute, Oduro took a midfield pass from Arturo Alvarez, dribbled down the right flank, maneuvered past Cronin and drilled a shot from outside the right post into the left corner of the goal to give FC Dallas a 3-0 advantage. It was the first time since May 20, 2006, against the New England Revolution that FC Dallas had recorded three goals in the first half.

For good measure, Thompson capped the scoring in the 89th minute with a right-footed kick that snuck just under the right crossbar past Cronin, who posted seven saves in the contest.

Down The Stretch: Del Mar Update

2008-07-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

DEL MAR (DMTC) - An almost unprecedented string of longshots Saturday led to a record Pick Six carryover at Del Mar of 1561987 which will be added to Sundays Pick Six pool. The tracks previous high carryover was 1117973 on July 29 1990.

The six race sequence saw every favorite defeated several by stout outsiders. The upsets mean Sundays Pick Six Pool at the track is likely to surpass the tracks all-time Pick Six total pool of 3555771 established on August 15 1998.

The prices in the days final six races on the 10race card were 5th Dr. J.J. 12.60 6th Black Astor 11.80 7th Charlies Moment 44.20 8th Weekend Escape 49.20 9th Storm Mesa 17.60 and 10th Gold Star Status 49. Favorites were shutout in all 10 races. The Pick Six did pay a record consolation prize of 218977.40 to two ticket holders who had five of the winners.

Additionally the track set a new Pick Four standard when only three tickets tabbed the last four races on the card for a payoff of 200000.70 crushing the previous high of 85945.80 set last year on July 22.

The record Pick Six carryover for Sunday is the result of a threeday carryover. The previous record was a four-day carryover.

Del Mars total handle for the day was 20531679 the ninth largest in its history.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (64-39) at Baltimore (48-55), 10:35 am

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Orioles aim to snap a 16-game Sunday losing streak when they wrap up a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Orioles, who have lost six straight overall, have not won on Sunday since April 6. Baltimore has a ways to go before reaching the major-league record of 21 straight losses on a specific day. The 1939 St. Louis Browns and 1890 Pittsburgh Innocents both did it on Tuesdays. The Orioles are having trouble winning no matter what day it is, and Garrett Olson (6-5, 6.11 ERA) is not the ideal candidate to put an end to both their streaks. The lefthander 1-4 with an 8.62 ERA in his last eight games and has not won since June 28. Olson isn't the only Baltimore starter struggling. Orioles starters have an ERA of 10.23 during their current five-game skid. On Saturday, rookie Radhames Liz was rocked for six runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings of an 11-4 loss. Los Angeles, which has won four straight, hands the ball to Ervin Santana (11-4, 3.37)., who seems to have solved his road woes, as he is 8-1 with a 3.44 ERA in 12 starts away from Angel Stadium this season. Last season, the righthander went 1-10 with an 8.38 ERA on the road.

Washington (38-66) at LA Dodgers (51-52), 1:10 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Casey Blake already is having an effect on the Los Angeles Dodgers' slumping offense. Blake will try and help the Dodgers complete three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals on Sunday. The 34-year-old third baseman was acquired from Cleveland on Saturday for a pair of prospects and had two hits and scored a run in his debut, a 6-0 win. Derek Lowe tossed eight dominant innings and Matt Kemp homered for the Dodgers, who nearly matched their offensive output from the previous three games. Blake was leading Cleveland with a .289 average and 58 RBI prior to the trade. The veteran was acquired to spark an offense that ranks 24th in baseball in runs scored with 435. While the Dodgers have struggled to score, they are nowhere as bad as the Nationals. Washington was held to two hits on Saturday, and is last in baseball with 388 runs. That bodes well for rookie lefthander Clayton Kershaw (0-3, 5.18 ERA), who was knocked around on Tuesday after being recalled from Class AAA Las Vegas. The seventh overall pick of the 2006 draft, Kershaw allowed five runs and 10 hits in three innings of a 10-1 loss to Colorado on Tuesday. Washington, which has lost eight straight here, counters with Jason Bergmann (1-7, 4.21). Bergman is 0-6 with a 3.26 ERA in his last 11 starts. The Nationals have lost 15 of 19 and are owners of the worst record in baseball.

Padres On Deck @ Pirates, Game 4 of 4 (Series 2-1)

2008-07-27T07:59:00.000-07:00

Padres Seek Series Win
San Diego (40-65) at Pittsburgh (48-56), 10:35 am, 4SD/1090/105.7

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The lowly San Diego Padres look to win their third consecutive game in the finale of a four-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday at PNC Park.

Jake Peavy (7-6, 2.76 ERA) will take the mound for the Padres with hopes of avoiding his seventh loss - one more than he had all of last season. In 2007, the powerful righthander went 19-6 with a 2.54 ERA while winning the National League Cy Young Award. Peavy is 4-0 with a 1.30 ERA in his last five starts against the Pirates, although he hasn't faced them since 2006.

The Pirates will counter with Paul Maholm (7-6, 3.92), who has quietly established himself as the club's ace. The 26-year-old is coming off a dominant outing against the Houston Astros on Tuesday in which he surrendered one run and five hits in eight sterling innings. He has also held opponents to three runs or less in eight of his last 10 starts.

After dropping a 9-1 decision on Thursday, the Padres have rattled off two straight wins against the Pirates, who traded outfielder Xavier Nady and lefthander Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees on Saturday. Adrian Gonzalez led Saturday's charge, belting a three-run homer and a solo shot. Kevin Kouzmanoff also hit a three-run homer and Nick Hundley added two hits, including his first career homer. Jason Michaels had a two-run homer and an RBI single on Saturday while teammate Adam LaRoche had a solo shot - his third homer of the series.

Johnson Claims Pole at Brickyard 400

2008-07-27T07:54:00.000-07:00

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The last time Jimmie Johnson raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, his day ended in a fiery wreck. His next race at the famed track will begin from an unfamiliar position - at the front. Johnson hopes to cap an impressive weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway by winning Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.

Johnson posted the fastest time in Saturday morning's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying session, lapping the historic 2 1/2-mile track in 49.52 seconds at a speed of 181.763 miles per hour. It will mark the first time in seven career starts that Johnson will start from the pole at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Despite winning this race two years ago, Johnson traditionally has struggled at this track.

The two-time reigning series champion was involved in multiple crashes at last year's race, and he was forced to exit his burning car as flames entered the cockpit. "Every mental coach in the country right now is going to love to hear us, but positive thoughts bring positive things," said Johnson, who finished 39th in last year's race and has placed outside the top 35 in three of his last four races here. "We are off to a good start, so hopefully we don't find any negativity out there. It is our turn to do well this year."

One day after dominating in practice, Johnson picked up where he left off Saturday morning. It was the fourth pole this season and 17th career for Johnson, whose No. 48 car has headlined a stable of dominant Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets this weekend. Johnson posted the fastest lap time during Friday's practice when he clocked 49.987 seconds in the afternoon session. "Only a win on Sunday would make this weekend better," he said. "I am grateful for such a great race car these guys prepared."

Johnson won this event in 2006, when he dominated the field to join Dale Jarrett as the only drivers in NASCAR history to win both the Daytona 500 and the Allstate 400 in the same season. "When I look back at the Daytona 500, the Brickyard, and the championship, there was so much that went on that year that it's hard to really look back and savor one aspect of it," Johnson said. "I'd love to experience it again."

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (63-39) at Baltimore (48-54), 4:05 pm

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim keep rolling while the Baltimore Orioles' surprising first half success has caught up to them. The Angels, who own the best record in the majors, take on the struggling Orioles on Saturday with hopes of winning their seventh game in eight tries during the second half. Juan Rivera and Casey Kotchman homered to lead the Angels to a 6-5 victory on Friday, but it wasn't easy. All-Star Joe Saunders threw well until he hit a wall in the seventh and closer Francisco Rodriguez nearly failed to notch his 43rd save. The Orioles lost their fourth game in a row and have fallen into the American League East Division's basement by 3 1/2 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. Jon Garland (8-6, 4.12 ERA) will take the mound for Anaheim with his sights set on improving to 4-0 in seven starts against AL East opponents. Garland is coming off a no-decision against the Boston Red Sox in which he surrendered three runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings. Baltimore will counter with Radhames Liz (4-2, 7.19), who beat the Blue Jays on Monday and will try to erase an awful outing on Friday by starter Brian Burres. Burres recorded five outs in a 6-5 loss to the Angels, a decision that marked the fifth time in his last 11 starts that he's allowed at least two home runs. The southpaw's ERA has gone up by more than two runs (from 3.16 to 5.37) over that span, and he's logged an ERA over 6.00 in each of the last two months (7.20 in June and 6.75 thus far through July). Burres also marked the seventh straight outing that an Oriole starter has been pulled before completing six innings. Melvin Mora hopes to get back on his his recent tear. Mora was 9-for-17 over four games before going 0-for-4 on Friday.

Washington (38-65) at Los Angeles (50-52), 7:10 p.m.

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers rotation has had no trouble against one of the worst offenses in the majors. The Dodgers look to continue that trend on Saturday when they resume their home series against the Washington Nationals. Chad Billingsley allowed just two runs in 7 2/3 innings on Friday, helping the Dodgers claim a 3-2 victory over the Nationals and lower the team's National League-leading ERA to 3.79 this season. Billingsley had no problem shutting down the Nationals lowly offense, which ranks last in the majors this campaign with 388 runs and a dismal .243 batting average. Derek Lowe (7-8, 3.97 ERA) tries to keep Washington in check and help Los Angeles claim its eighth straight home victory against the Nationals when he takes the mound on Saturday. Lowe, who has won all four career starts against Washington, has won each of his last two decisions but allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings on Sunday. The veteran righthander walked three and struck out six, but did not factor in the decision during a 6-5 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Odalis Perez (3-7, 3.99) faces his former team when he counters for the Nationals. Perez, who was a member of the Dodgers for parts of five seasons beginning in 2002, snapped a personal three-game losing streak despite surrendering five runs and nine hits in five innings during Washington's 15-6 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

Padres on Deck @ Pirates, Game 3 of 4 (Series 1-1)

2008-07-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

San Diego (39-65) at Pittsburgh (48-55), 4:05 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- After undergoing some changes to the roster, the Pittsburgh Pirates would like to see their amount of wins change as well. The Pirates reportedly dealt outfielder Xavier Nady and lefthander Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees on Friday before falling to the San Diego Padres.

With a new-look lineup, the Pirates hope to get back on the winning track on Saturday at PNC Park. John Van Benschoten (1-2, 8.27 ERA) will take the mound for Pittsburgh, which saw its four-game winning streak come to an end. The 28-year-old righthander has made four starts, but pitched at least five innings once. He faced the Houston Astros in his last start and allowed three runs and six hits in five starts - his best outing of the season.

San Diego counters with Josh Banks (3-4, 3.51), who hasn't won since May 31, when he threw a complete game and allowed one earned run against the San Francisco Giants. Banks has yet to allow more than four runs in a start, but has been a victim of poor run support. For San Diego, Adrian Gonzalez homered on Friday for the first time since July 5. He still is among the league leaders in homers (23) and RBI (78). So far this series, Kevin Koumanoff is 4-for-8 with a run and an RBI. He is also in the middle of a hot streak, collecting hits in nine of his last 10 games.

Chargers Place Gates on PUP List

2008-07-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Chargers on Friday placed Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates on the physically unable to perform list. The Chargers also placed center Nick Hardwick, fullback Andrew Pinnock and linebacker Anthony Waters on the "PUP" list.

San Diego's top receiving threat, Gates is still recovering from the surgery he underwent on February 27 to repair a torn plantar plate in his left big toe. Gates suffered the injury in the second quarter of San Diego's AFC divisional playoff win over Tennessee on January 6. The injury severely limited Gates during the Chargers' postseason run, which ended with a loss to New England in the AFC Championship Game. Gates, who recorded 75 catches for 984 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games last season, will be eligible to come off the list once he passes a physical.

San Diego's starting center Hardwick is recovering from a foot injury, while Pinnock and Waters are out with knee injuries.

Arena Football League Commissioner Resigns

2008-07-25T19:43:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Two days before the league's championship game, Arena Football League commissioner David Baker announced his resignation on Friday. Baker, 55, held the position for 12 years. He told the league's Board of Directors of his decision, saying it was "time." Baker had received a contract extension last year. This season, the league has seen attendance, television ratings and merchandise sales all increase. The Arena Bowl will be played Sunday in New Orleans, with the Philadelphia Soul facing the San Jose SaberCats.

Lakers Keep Vujacic

2008-07-25T19:39:00.000-07:00

RIVERSIDE, California (Ticker) -- With the recent exodus of NBA players overseas, restricted free agent guard Sasha Vujacic appeared to be next one in line. But the Los Angeles Lakers made sure that wasn't going to happen Friday, according to a report in The Press-Enterprise. The newspaper reported that, after some tense negotiations, the Lakers and Vujacic agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract.

Vujacic rebuffed the Lakers' original offer of three years, $12 million, leading the 3-point specialist and his representatives to threaten to follow recent NBA defectors such as the Atlanta Hawks' Josh Childress and the Toronto Raptors' Carlos Delfino, who each received large multi-million-dollar deals to play in Greece and Russia, respectively.

However, Vujacic - who had planned to take a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Europe on Friday - never left Los Angeles. The 6-7 Vujacic averaged a career-high 8.8 points last season and shot 45 percent from the field, including 44 percent from the arc, helping him earn the nickname "The Machine" because of his prolific shooting which helped Los Angeles earn a berth in the NBA Finals.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles (62-39) at Baltimore (48-52), 4:05 p.m.

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim own the largest division lead in the majors and their advantage seems to growing by the game. The Angels look to continue their strong play on the road when they visit the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Anaheim, which owns a 10-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West, has won consecutive games and seven of eight. While this contest opens a 10-game road trip, the Angels aren't worried about losing their lead as the team is a major league-best 31-18 away from home. Anaheim is poised to continue that trend when it sends Joe Saunders (12-5, 3.05 ERA) to the mound. Saunders, who has allowed two runs or less in 13 of his 19 starts, is 3-0 lifetime against the Orioles and allowed four runs and 12 hits in five innings during a 6-5 victory over Baltimore on May 4. Brian Burres (7-6, 5.02) tries to help the Orioles end their three-game losing streak. Burres, who went 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in his only two career starts against Anaheim last year, is looking to bounce back from a tough outing. The 27-year-old lefthander had a three-game win streak snapped when he allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings, walking four while striking out five during Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

Washington (38-64) at LA Dodgers (49-52), 7:40 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- After seeing their pitching staff roughed up by the Colorado Rockies, there may be no better time than the present for the Los Angeles Dodgers to play host to one of the worst offenses in the majors. The Dodgers hope to rebound from a disappointing end to their first post-All-Star break road trip on Friday when they face the Washington Nationals. Despite going 3-3 against National League West-leading Arizona (50-51) and third-place Colorado (45-58), Los Angeles left Coors Field with questions about a pitching staff that surrendered 25 runs as the Rockies took two of three. Despite the recent struggles, Los Angeles still sports a 3.81 team ERA, the best mark in the NL. If any pitcher is up to the challenge, it figures to be Chad Billingsley (9-9, 3.32 ERA), who leads the team in wins. However, the righthander took the loss in Saturday's 3-2 loss to Arizona after allowing three runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. For Billingsley, who has been afforded 59 runs of support in his 20 starts, it marked the ninth time LA has provided with one run of support or less in an outing. However, he may catch a break against the Nationals, who are the second-lowest scoring team at 386 runs. He'll be opposed by John Lannan (6-9, 3.29), who has received less help. The lefthander has been provided with a league-low 37 runs in 19 starts. He did receive three runs over his six innings of work in Saturday's 8-2 win over Atlanta. Lannan allowed one run and seven hits.

Padres on Deck @ Pirates, Game 2 of 4 (Series 0-1)

2008-07-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

San Diego (38-65) at Pittsburgh (48-54), 4:05 p.m., 1090/105.7

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- A blistering offense has enabled the Pittsburgh Pirates to flip the switch from ice-cold to red-hot . The Pirates go for their fifth straight win on Friday when they face the San Diego Padres. After scoring 15 runs during a five-game slide earlier this month, the Pirates have rebounded by averaging 8.5 runs while posting a .355 batting average during the streak - their longest surge since winning six straight in early May. Jason Bay, Xavier Nady and Nate McLouth all homered during the series opener as the Pirates handed the Padres their ninth loss in the last 10 games, 9-1, on Thursday. Zach Duke (4-7, 4.92 ERA) looks to keep San Diego in check and keep Pittsburgh's winning streak alive. Duke has been terrible over his last three starts, allowing 20 runs - 19 earned - in 13 1/3 innings, posting an 0-2 record over that span. Cha Seung Baek (2-5, 4.94) toes the rubber for the Padres. Baek is 2-0 with a 3.41 ERA in 10 road appearances - three starts - between San Diego and the Seattle Mariners.

Pirates Rout Padres

2008-07-24T20:11:00.000-07:00

PITTSBURGH 9, SAN DIEGO 1

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- It took three starts for rookie Yoslan Herrera to adjust to major league hitting. Herrera tossed six scoreless innings and Jason Bay, Xavier Nady and Nate McLouth all homered as the Pittsburgh Pirates posted their fourth straight win, a 9-1 triumph over the woeful San Diego Padres on Thursday night.

Herrera (1-1) had allowed 13 runs and 19 hits over six innings in his two prior outings since being recalled from Class AA Altoona. But despite his 19.50 ERA, he yielded only six hits and a walk against San Diego's meek offense for his first career win. The 28-year-old righthander was backed by an offense that has scored 34 runs and collected 54 hits in its past four games. Bay and Nady hit back-to-back home runs off Clay Hensley to start the fourth, staking the Pirates to a 4-0 lead. It marked the first time this season Pittsburgh had consecutive homers. Bay, whose 22nd homer surpassed his total for all of last season, now has 15 RBI in his past 10 games. He also drove in Freddy Sanchez with a sacrifice fly in the first.

The Pirates chased Hensley after the righthander allowed the first two batters in the sixth to reach. Recalled earlier in the day from Class AAA Portland, Justin Hampson entered and, following a single by Doug Mientkiewicz, walked pinch hitter Chris Gomez with the bases loaded. Two batters later, All-Star McLouth lifted a sacrifice fly for a 6-0 bulge. Adrian Gonzalez spoiled the shutout bid in the eighth with a two-out single that scored former Pirate Jody Gerut, who led off the frame with a double - the Padres' only extra-base hit. Luis Rivas delivered an RBI single in the bottom half and McLouth followed with his 21st home run, capping the scoring.

Hensley (1-1), who was making his first start of the season after beginning the year on the disabled list due to a right shoulder strain, allowed six runs and seven hits in five innings. The 28-year-old, who had made three relief appearances prior to Thursday, walked two and struck out a pair. Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff had two hits apiece for the Padres (38-65), who have lost 26 of 33 and own the worst record in baseball.

MLS Stars Beat West Ham United

2008-07-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

MLS ALL-STARS 3, WEST HAM UNITED 2

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Major League Soccer players extended their unbeaten All-Star Game record with a 3-2 victory over England's West Ham United at BMO Field. The MLS All-Stars, driven by impressive first-half goals from Argentine Christian Gomez and Mexico's Cuauhtemoc Blanco and a second-half tally by Canada's Dwayne De Rosario on a penalty kick, turned on the style in front of a stadium-record sellout crowd of 20,844. Striker Dean Ashton netted both goals for West Ham United.

The MLS All-Stars continued the winning run of victories of overseas opposition since the introduction of the format in 2003, with West Ham joining Guadalajara, Fulham, Chelsea and Celtic as losing sides. MLS coach Steve Nicol started with England star David Beckham on the right and Blanco up front alongside Kenny Cooper. Landon Donovan and Juan Pablo Angel served as the striking options on the bench. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley deployed 19-year-old Joe Widdowson at left back, handing the teenager the job of marking Beckham. Matthew Etherington was at midfield after missing last Sunday's 3-1 win over the Columbus Crew.

The Hammers opened the scoring in the 26th minute, when Ashton ran onto a through ball from striking partner Carlton Cole before rifling home a right-footed shot from the right side of the area. West Ham's lead lasted less than a minute, however, as the All-Stars hit straight back. Beckham played the ball to Blanco, who back-heeled it into the path of Gomez for a right-footer that beat goalkeeper Robert Green. The English side had to play second fiddle for the rest of the opening half as the MLS midfield of Beckham, Blanco, Gomez and Juan Toja took control.

Gomez missed a perfect chance for a second tally in the 32nd minute, when Beckham cut the ball back to him from the right only to have the Colorado Rapids midfielder miss high and wide. Two minutes later, it was Blanco's turn to create, crossing low from the left to Cooper at the far post. But FC Dallas' striker sent a stooping header wide. Beckham had his first free-kick opportunity in the 39th minute, when Blanco was fouled 25 yards away from the net. The England star curled his kick around the wall, only to see his effort headed clear by Hammers captain Lucas Neill. Blanco gave the All-Stars the lead they deserved a minute before halftime. The Mexican received a short pass from Toja, cut inside from the left and then curled a right-footed shot through a maze of players and around Green at the far post. It was Blanco's last contribution as Nicol took him, as well as Cooper, out of the action at halftime.

Donovan and Angel came on in their place, while West Ham brought on Luis Boa Morte at the expense of Etherington. The substitution the Toronto fans were baying for, however, was the introduction of club captain Jim Brennan, a native of Canada. That came on the hour as Nicol withdrew Toja and Gomez for the Canadian duo of Brennan, a defender, and midfielder De Rosario. Within three minutes of the switch, Beckham had two chances to extend the MLS' lead. Unmarked, he received a cross from the left from Jonathan Bornstein but drove the ball back across goal and wide of the far post.

Later, he sent a curling 20-yard free kick into the side netting. West Ham drew even against the run of play when Ashton sent in a 67th-minute shot from 20 yards out that appeared to deflect off a defender's head. But again, the MLS All-Stars hit straight back. De Rosario was brought down in the box by Neill in the 70th minute. The Houston Dynamos midfielder took the penalty kick himself, smashing the ball home off the crossbar for a 3-2 lead. The advantage nearly was doubled a minute later, when former Aston Villa striker Angel found the net. But the goal was disallowed as offsides was called.

Chargers Come to Terms With Cason

2008-07-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Chargers on Thursday agreed to terms with cornerback Antoine Cason, their first-round pick, on a five-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Cason received All-Pac-10 first-team honors as a defensive back and return specialist for the University of Arizona. In addition to returning two punts for touchdowns, he tied for second in the conference with five interceptions, taking back two for scores. The 27th overall selection, Cason also finished with a career-high 71 tackles, including one sack and four stops behind the line of scrimmage. In his four years with the Wildcats, the 6-0, 190-pound Cason started 46 games, finishing with 253 tackles and 15 interceptions, good for fourth in school history. He also caused five fumbles and recovered another. Even though he missed Monday's report date for rookies, he will be able to practice when Charger veterans report on Friday.

Padres on Deck @ Pirates, Game 1 of 4

2008-07-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

San Diego (38-64) at Pittsburgh (47-54) 7:05 p.m./4SD/1090/105.7

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to build off a three-game sweep of division-rival Houston Astros when they take on the struggling San Diego Padres on Thursday. Pittsburgh pounded out 25 runs and 34 hits to move past the Astros and into fifth-place in the National League Central. The sweep followed four straight losses at Colorado after the All-Star break.

Meanwhile, San Diego continued their freefall in the lackluster NL West.Following a three-game series sweep by the Cincinnati Reds, the Padres have lost seven of eight and 25 of their last 32 to fall 12 1/2 behind the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks. The Padres, owners of the worst record in baseball, took six of seven from the Pirates last season.

Yoslan Herrera (0-1, 19.50) makes his third career start for Pittsburgh. Last out, the 28-year-old righthander lasted 1 2/3 innings, surrendering seven runs on eight hits.

Clay Hensley (1-0, 0.00) will be making his first start for the Padres in place of recently traded Randy Wolf. Hensley has pitched five scoreless innings for San Diego in relief, including earning a win Monday night against the Reds after being recalled from Class AAA Portland on July 18. The 28-year-old lefthander had labrum surgery on his right shoulder in September. In his only previous start against the Pirates in 2006, Hensley struck out a career-high nine, allowing one run and seven hits over six innings.

WNBA Lowers Boom on Sparks & Shock

2008-07-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The WNBA lowered the boom Thursday on the Los Angeles Sparks and Detroit Shock, suspending 10 players and one assistant coach in response to the ugliest incident in league history.

Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles' top two players, and Shock assistant Rick Mahorn headlined the list of individuals penalized as a result of Tuesday night's bench-clearing brawl between the teams. "The WNBA and its players represent all that is good about sports: passion, hard work and sacrifice," league president Donna Orender said in a statement issued Thursday afternoon. "On a nightly basis, our players display extraordinary skill, athleticism and competitive fire. The events Tuesday, however, were inexcusable and in no way indicative of what the league stands for."

Parker and Leslie, the Sparks' two leading scorers, each were suspended one game for throwing punches during the brawl. Mahorn, an assistant coach for the Shock and former forward for the NBA's Detroit Pistons, was suspended two games for escalating the altercation. The stiffest penalty was issued to Detroit's Plenette Pierson, who was suspended four games for initiating the fight by confronting Parker. Other Shock players suspended were Kara Braxton, Tasha Humphrey, Elaine Powell and Sheri Sam, all of whom were given one-game bans for leaving the bench area during the brawl. Sparks forward Murriel Page and guard Shannon Bobbitt each were suspended two games for leaving the bench and becoming physically involved in the fight. DeLisha Milton-Jones, Los Angeles' third-leading scorer, also received a one-game suspension.

In order to enable both teams to dress the minimum number of players, the start dates of the suspensions have been staggered. Parker, Leslie, Bobbitt and Milton-Jones will serve their suspensions Thursday when the Sparks visit the Connecticut Sun. Page will miss Friday's road game against the New York Liberty. Mahorn, Pierson, Braxton and Humphrey also will start their suspensions Thursday when the Shock visit the Houston Comets. Powell and Sam both will serve their suspensions at later dates.

The brawl began in the waning seconds of Los Angeles' 84-81 victory when Parker, this year's No. 1 overall draft selection, and Pierson got tangled up following a free throw and fell to the floor. Pierson then charged Parker, who slung the Detroit center to the court, igniting the incident. Mahorn came off the bench - presumably as a peacemaker - but the 6-10, 300-plus pounder created more violence when he inadvertently knocked Leslie to the floor. Milton-Jones came to Leslie's defense by punching Mahorn in the back. Parker, Pierson, Mahorn and Milton-Jones all were ejected as a result of the brawl, which also resulted in a season-ending knee injury to Shock forward Cheryl Ford.

Leslie, a former league MVP, reacted regrettably after the game, telling reporters that the players involved in the fracas had misrepresented the WNBA, a league desperate for positive publicity. Orender echoed Leslie's sentiments in Thursday's statement, which said that on-court fights would not be tolerated. "We hold our players to a very high standard," Orender said. "These suspensions should serve notice that the behavior exhibited at the end of Tuesday's game will not be tolerated."

Padres Activate Bard

2008-07-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The San Diego Padres activated catcher Josh Bard from the 15-day disabled list prior to Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 30-year-old Bard had been on the DL with a sprained left ankle since May 22, when he attempted to block the plate against St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols on May 21.

Bard played in nine rehab games between Class A Lake Elsinore and Class AAA Portland, hitting .125 (3-for-24) with one home run. Prior to the injury, Bard was hitting .200 (26-for-130) with seven RBI in 38 games.

The Padres also recalled lefthander Justin Hampson from Portland and optioned catcher Luke Carlin and lefthander Joe Thatcher to the Beavers. Hampson went 0-1 with a 7.27 ERA in 10 games before being optioned to Portland on June 27. Carlin hit .188 (11-for-80) with two RBI in 30 games with San Diego, while Thatcher went 0-4 with a 8.42 ERA in 25 appearances.

Chargers Release WR Parker

2008-07-23T19:47:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Chargers released veteran wide receiver Eric Parker on Wednesday. Parker, who had spent all six seasons of his career with the Chargers, led all San Diego receivers in catches in 2004 (47) and 2006 (48). He signed as an undrafted free agent in 2002. The Chargers tried to trade the 29-year-old product of Tennessee this summer after acquiring Chris Chambers in a trade from Miami last season. Parker missed all of 2007 with a foot injury. For his career, Parker has 187 receptions for 2,586 yards and 11 touchdowns in 62 games, including 40 starts.

Jazz Acquires Knight From Clippers

2008-07-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- The Utah Jazz acquired point guard Brevin Knight from the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Jason Hart on Wednesday. Knight, who was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 16th pick in 1997, has averaged 7.9 points and 6.6 assists during his 11-year career. The 32-year old Stanford product ranks second in the NBA with a 4.62 assist-to-turnover ratio. The 11-year veteran will back up Deron Williams in Utah. Hart, who spent 23 games with the Clippers two seasons ago, returns to Los Angeles after appearing in 57 games for the Jazz last season. He averaged 9.0 points and 4.0 assists for the Clippers in 2006-07. "We are glad to have Jason back with us," Clippers vice president of basketball pperations Elgin Baylor said. "He played an important role for us when he was here previously, and we think he will be a valuable component this time as well." In Los Angeles, Hart will back up Baron Davis.

Dunn Leads Reds Past Padres

2008-07-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

CINCINNATI 9, SAN DIEGO 4

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Bronson Arroyo pitched seven solid innings and Adam Dunn belted a grand slam Wednesday as the Cincinnati Reds beat the San Diego Padres 9-4 in the rubber game of a three-game series. Arroyo (9-7) allowed three runs on six hits while striking out seven in seven innings to earn his fifth win in as many starts. The righthander has a 3.09 ERA in 32 innings in the five starts since allowing 10 runs in only one inning of work in Toronto on June 24th. The only blemishes on Arroyo's line were two home runs, a leadoff home run by Jody Gerut and a two-run shot by Kevin Kouzmanoff in the sixth. After San Diego reliever Joe Thatcher allowed an RBI double to Ken Griffey Jr. in the seventh, he walked Brandon Phillips intentionally to load the bases for Dunn. Dunn made Thatcher pay by driving a fastball 374 feet to right field for his ninth career grand slam. The home run also tied Dunn with Ryan Howard for the Major League lead with 29 home runs. Despite another solid outing, veteran righthander Greg Maddux was unable to secure his first win since May 10th. Maddux has a 4.55 ERA in 79.1 innings, stretching over 14 starts since May 10th, but no wins in that time frame. Maddux fell victim to a sixth inning rally as Phillips helped manufacture a run when he stole second base after a one out single, advanced to third after Khalil Greene mishandled a throw in a run-down and scored on an infield single by Dunn. Dunn would be the last batter of the afternoon for Maddux, who allowed three runs - two earned - on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings, while striking out four. Edwin Encarnacion followed Dunn by taking the first pitch that he saw from reliever Cla Meredith (0-3) 368 feet to left field for his 19th home run of the season. Encarnacion has now homered in three of his last four games, and has six home runs in his last 11 games. Jeremy Affeldt allowed one unearned run in the eighth, and Todd Coffey retired only two batters and allowed one run in the ninth before giving way to Francisco Cordero for his 21st save of the season.

Padres Get Ledezma

2008-07-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The San Diego Padres on Wednesday purchased the contract of lefthander Wil Ledezma from Class AAA Portland. Ledezma, 27, was outrighted to Portland on June 12 after going 0-2 with a 5.04 ERA in 14 games - six starts - for San Diego this season. The lefthander went 1-0 with a 4.41 ERA and recorded one save in Portland.

Padres Deal Wolf

2008-07-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

HOUSTON (Ticker) --The Houston Astros added a veteran arm to their rotation Tuesday, acquiring lefthander Randy Wolf from the San Diego Padres for minor league righthander Chad Reineke.

Wolf, 31, is 6-10 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts for the Padres this season. The 10-year veteran should bolster an inconsistent rotation which currently is without injured ace Roy Oswalt, who is sidelined with a hip injury. The move to pick up Wolf perhaps signals that the struggling Astros consider themselves postseason contenders in the National League. Mired in fifth place in the NL Central Division, Houston enters Tuesday's contest vs. Pittsburgh with a 46-53 record.

In Oswalt's absence, the Astros' rotation includes Wandy Rodriguez, Brandon Backe, Brian Moehler and Runelvys Hernandez. Wolf has been scheduled to start for the Astros on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers. "Randy is an experienced starter and a great competitor," Astros general manager Ed Wade said. "We tried to sign him as a free agent during the offseason, but the chance for him to pitch close to home prevailed."

Wolf owns a career record of 84-76 with a 4.30 ERA in 233 career games, including 229 starts, with San Diego, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a National League All-Star in 2003, a season in which he went a career-best 16-10. "I've known Randy since the day he signed his first professional contract," Wade said. "I can say without hesitation that he brings every quality that you'd want in a member of your team, both on and off the field."

Reineke, 26, is 5-9 with a 4.41 ERA in 20 games -19 starts - for Class AAA Round Rock this season. He is 28-32 over five minor league seasons in Houston's organization with a 3.72 ERA in 149 career appearances.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

LA Dodgers (49-50) at Colorado (43-58), 6:05 pm

DENVER (Ticker) -- The All-Star break and a trip to Coors Field appear to be just what the Los Angeles Dodgers needed to get their sluggish offense rolling. The Dodgers attempt to continue their offensive resurgence on Tuesday when they continue their three-game set against the Colorado Rockies. Los Angeles entered the All-Star break last Tuesday with 390 runs, the fifth-worst total in the majors. In 46 of its 95 games leading up to the break, the team scored three runs or less, going 8-38 in those outings. The second half of the season is off to a good start, however, as the Dodgers have found some uncharacteristic offense - scoring 32 runs in four contests and going 3-1 over that span. This resurgence was highlighted by a 16-10 triumph over the Rockies in Monday's series opener at Coors Field, where the Dodgers have scored 41 runs in four games this season. The Dodgers will try to climb back to the .500 mark for the first time since they were 27-27 on May 30 when they send rookie Clayton Kershaw (0-2, 4.42 ERA) to the mound. The team's top prospect, who is still seeking his first major league victory, went 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in three minor league starts this month after being optioned on July 2. Colorado will answer with Ubaldo Jimenez (5-9, 4.20), who has a 7.32 ERA in four starts against Los Angeles despite his 2-0 record against the club. The 24-year-old righthander won for the third time in four starts in Thursday's 5-3 win over Pittsburgh after allowing three runs and five hits over seven innings.

Cleveland (44-54) at LA Angels (60-39), 10:05 pm

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday looked nothing like the team that swept the Boston Red Sox in the first series of the second half. The Angels hope to get back on track and build on the best record in the major leagues on Tuesday, after dropping the opener of a three-game set against the Cleveland Indians. Behind the solid pitching of Paul Byrd and solo homers by Andy Marte, Casey Blake and Jhonny Peralta, the Indians rolled to a 5-2 triumph. Ervin Santana struck out eight in seven solid innings, but suffered the loss. Jered Weaver (8-8, 4.03 ERA) will take the mound for Anaheim in his first start against the Indians this season. In his career, he is 1-1 with a 5.09 ERA. The 25-year-old righthander has surrendered two runs or less in four straight starts. Cleveland will counter with Matt Ginter (1-0, 0.00), who made his first start since 2005 on July 12 against the Tampa Bay Rays in which he allowed five hits in five scoreless innings. He appears to be the odd-man out of the rotation, though, when Fausto Carmona returns from injury this week. Blake is 9-for-23 over his last six games, while smacking two homers and seven RBI in that span.

Padres on Deck, Game 2 of 3 (Series 1-0)

2008-07-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

San Diego (38-62) at Cincinnati (48-53), 4:10 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Jake Peavy has been his dominant self, consistently stifling offenses and striking out batters by the bushel. However, wins have been hard to come by and losses are coming at an alarming rate for the San Diego Padres' ace.

The righthander will take the mound on Tuesday looking to avoid his seventh loss - one more than all of last season - as the Padres face the Cincinnati Reds. Peavy (7-6, 2.66 ERA) was the National League Cy Young award-winner in 2007 when he posted a 19-6 record with 240 strikeouts. The Reds appeared set for a victory on Monday, but reliever Francisco Cordero surrendered three runs in the ninth to allow the Padres to steal a 6-4 triumph. Kevin Kouzmanoff highlighted the rally with a go-ahead, two-run double and Trevor Hoffman held off a threat in the bottom of the inning to notch his 18th save.

Johhny Cueto (7-9, 4.92) will face the Padres, who own the worst record in the major leagues. The 22-year-old is coming off a rough outing against the New York Mets in which he coughed up six runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings on Thursday. Jay Bruce extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a 1-for-5 effort on Monday.

Pit Row Preview

2008-07-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

Grand Prix of Edmonton
July 26, 2008
Streets of Edmonton Edmonton, Alberta
Race 13 of 18 in the 2008 IndyCar Series season
TV: ESPN, 2:00 p.m.
Length: 250 laps
Race length: 200 miles
Track length: 1.96-mile street course

Kroger 200
July 26, 2008
O'Reilly Raceway Park Indianapolis, Indiana
Race 22 of 35 on Nationwide series circuit
TV: ESPN2, 4:30 p.m.
Laps: 200
Track length: 0.686-mile
Race length: 137 miles
Qualifying record: David Green, Chevrolet, 113.461 mph, 1994
Race record: Jimmy Hensley, Oldsmobile, 96.923 mph, 1985

Chargers Sign Castillo

2008-07-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Chargers on Tuesday signed defensive end Luis Castillo to a seven-year contract through the 2014 season. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting the deal is worth $18 million in guaranteed money and could reach $43 million over the life of the contract. "Since his arrival, Luis has been played a huge role in the success we've had as a defense," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said. "He's an ascending player who is committed to getting better. We're thrilled that he'll be a Charger for years to come."

Castillo was the second of the Chargers' two first-round draft picks in 2005. In three NFL seasons, the 6-3, 300-pound end has played in 36 games - 33 starts - posting 13 career sacks, including a career-high seven in 2006. The 24-year-old has been plagued by ankle injuries the past two years, limiting him to 10 starts last season and nine in 2007.

Padres End Losing Streak

2008-07-21T21:50:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO 6, CINCINNATI 4

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Kevin Kouzmanoff laced a two-run double to highlight a three-run ninth inning and the San Diego Padres held on for a 6-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Brian Giles had a two-out RBI groundout to tie the game against Reds reliever Francisco Cordero (4-3) and Adrian Gonzalez was intentionally walked before Kouzmanoff delivered. Scott Hairston hit his 16th homer in the seventh to cut the deficit to 4-3. Trevor Hoffman surrendered three consecutive singles to start the bottom of the ninth, but wiggled out of the jam to earn his 18th save. Ken Griffey Jr. blasted a two-run homer - the 606th of his career - against San Diego starter Josh Banks in the sixth to snap a 2-2 tie.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

Cleveland (43-54) at LA Angels (60-38), 7:05 pm

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim showed why they own the best record in baseball by sweeping the Boston Red Sox in the first series of the second half. All-Star Ervin Santana will look to keep the Angels rolling when he faces the struggling Cleveland Indians in the opener of a three-game set on Monday. Santana (11-3, 3.34 ERA) has thrown at least seven innings in four of his last five starts and is coming off a dominant outing against the Oakland Athletics in which he struck out 10 in seven scoreless frames. Casey Kotchman hit a two-run double to cap a three-run rally in the eighth inning of Sunday's 5-3 victory over Boston and Francisco Rodriguez notched his major league-leading 40th save by pitching a perfect ninth. The Angels outscored the Red Sox, 15-5, in the two wins on Friday and Saturday. Cleveland, though owning the second-worst record in the American League, is coming off a three-game series win over the lowly Seattle Mariners. All-Star Game starter Cliff Lee tossed a complete game and became the AL's first 13-game winner by allowing two runs en route to a 6-2 triumph on Sunday. Paul Byrd (3-10, 5.47) will look to match such production and snap a personal five-game skid. Grady Sizemore leads the AL in home runs and has 22 stolen bases. Teammate Casey Blake was 4-for-10 with a homer and three RBI in the series against Seattle.

Los Angeles (48-50) at Colorado (43-57), 6:05 pm

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies look to continue their winning ways when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first game of a three-game set at Coors Field on Monday. Colorado is coming off a four-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend and can match a season high with another victory on Monday. The Rockies outscored the Pirates, 28-9, in the four games, including an 11-3 triumph on Sunday. Kip Wells (1-1, 2.29 ERA) hopes to continue Colorado's momentum when he makes his first start in nearly three months. Wells has been sidelined since April 28 with a blood clot in his right hand. The righthander has struggled in his career against the Dodgers, going 0-3 in five games - four starts - with a 5.88 ERA. Los Angeles won two out of three over the Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend, including a come-from-behind 6-5 victory on Sunday. The Dodgers scored five runs in the top of the ninth after trailing, 4-1. With the win, Los Angeles (48-50) pulled into a tie with Arizona for first place in the National League West. Winless in his last three starts, Eric Stults (2-2, 2.67) will take the hill for the Dodgers. The 28-year-old lefthander gave up three runs over six innings in his last outing, losing a 3-1 decision to the Florida Marlins with July 11. The Dodgers have won six of the first nine meetings between the two teams this season.

Padres on Deck @ Reds, Game 1 of 3

2008-07-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

San Diego (37-62) at Cincinnati (48-52), 4:10 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The San Diego Padres are struggling to find ways to win games. San Diego hopes to avoid a seventh straight loss when it visits the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

The Padres were swept in a four-game series at St. Louis over the weekend, in which the Cardinals won three of the games by coming from behind late in the contest. San Diego blew a five-run lead in a 6-5 setback on Saturday, and St. Louis scored seven runs in the final two innings in Sunday's 9-5 win, capped by Aaron Miles' game-winning grand slam. The Cardinals also scored four times in the bottom eighth Friday to win that game, 11-7.

Josh Banks (2-4, 3.20 ERA) will take the mound for the Padres looking for his first win since May 31. The righthander pitched out of the bullpen in his last outing, giving up a run in one inning. Banks took the loss in his last start, giving up three runs over six innings against Arizona on July 6.

The Reds, who split a four-game series with the New York Mets over the weekend, will counter with righthander Homer Bailey (0-3, 7.00). The 22-year-old lost his first three starts this season but is hoping to build off his last outing in which he allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings at Milwaukee but did not factor in a 3-2 loss on July 13.

Walk-off Grand Slam Beats Padres

2008-07-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

ST. LOUIS 9, SAN DIEGO 5

By Jim Walsh
Contributing Writer

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Aaron Miles' walk-off grand slam erased a blown save by Jason Isringhausen and propelled the St. Louis Cardinals to a 9-5 victory and a four-game sweep of the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

With one out in the ninth inning, Albert Pujols drew a walk and advanced to third when Padres catcher Luke Carlin threw the ball into right field trying to nail Pujols after a missed sacrifice by pitcher Brad Thompson. Yadier Molina pinch hit for Thompson and was intentionally walked along with Skip Schumaker to load the bases for Miles, who sent a 2-1 pitch from Brian Corey (1-2) into the Cardinals bullpen in right for his second career grand slam and first career walk-off homer. Troy Glaus looked to be the Cardinals hero in the eighth, when he connected for a three-run home run off of Heath Bell to give St. Louis a 5-3 lead. It was the third homer of the series and fourth in the last six games for Glaus, who is hitting .559 (19-for-34) during his current nine-game hitting streak.

Isringhausen was called upon to get his first save for the Cardinals since May 5 but the former closer was unable to shut the door, allowing a one-out single to Scott Hairston in front of a RBI double from Edgar Gonzalez to bring the Padres within one. Brian Giles followed with a single to place runners on first and third and knock Isringhausen out of the game. Thompson (2-2) was brought in to face Kevin Kouzmanoff, who lined a double to center to knot the score at 5-5 and place runners on second and third. Chase Headley was intentionally walked to load the base before Thompson got Carlin to ground into a force out at the plate and Adrian Gonzalez to line out to first to end the threat.

San Diego starter Cha Seung Baek was strong for 6 1/3 innings in the 95-degree heat, allowing two runs - one earned - while scattering six hits with a walk and three strikeouts. The righthander retired 13 of 14 batters through the sixth inning before tiring in the seventh. Baek also contributed at the plate, connecting for his first major league home run, a two-run shot traveling 403 feet to the left-center field bleachers, to give the Padres a 3-1 edge in the fifth. It was only the second hit in 10 at-bats for the South Korean since coming to San Diego in June in a trade with Seattle.

Making his first major league start since being called up from Class AAA Memphis July 11, Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia was sharp for the most part over his five innings. The 22-year old lefthander, who set down 10 straight batters during one stretch, allowed three runs, five hits and a walk to go with four strikeouts. Hairston had three hits, including his 15th home run leading off the game, for the Padres, who lost their sixth straight.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

Boston (57-42) at LA Angels (59-38), 3:05 p.m., ESPN

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox hope to avoid a sweep and end their road woes Sunday when they visit the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the finale of a three-game series. The Red Sox have proven to be nearly unbeatable at Fenway Park this season, posting a major league-best 36-11 record while batting .297 as a team. But the road has not been as kind, with Saturday's 4-2 loss dropping Boston to 21-31 away from Fenway. Boston's team batting average dropped to .268 on the road. The Red Sox were in position to win Saturday, carrying a 2-0 lead into the seventh with ace Josh Beckett on the mound. But Vladimir Guerrero led off the seventh with a solo homer and pinch hitter Erick Aybar hit a bases-loaded triple to put the Angels on top, 4-2. The victory was the fourth in a row for Anaheim, which took the series opener, 11-3, on Friday. Boston will try to snap its four-game road losing streak Sunday behind knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (6-6, 3.60 ERA). The veteran righthander has been one of the best pitchers in the American League over the past two months, going 3-3 with a 2.13 ERA while holding opponents to a .176 batting average over his last nine starts. Anaheim counters with righthander Jon Garland (8-6, 4.20), who had his turn in the rotation pushed back a day due to neck stiffness. Garland has not pitched since allowing seven runs in just 2 2/3 innings to absorb a loss at Oakland on July 11. Garland earned a win at Boston on April 23, allowing four runs in six innings as the Angels went on to a 6-4 victory.

Padres on Deck @ Cardinals, Game 4 of 4 (Series 0-3)

2008-07-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

San Diego (37-61) at St. Louis (56-43) 2:15 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Cardinals look to complete a four-game sweep of the San Diego Padres when the teams meet in the series finale on Sunday.

The Cardinals, who have won four straight games, rallied from a five-run deficit Saturday to post a 6-5 victory and send the Padres to their fifth straight loss. St. Louis scored four runs in the fifth and two in the sixth to take the lead. Albert Pujols had three hits and four RBI in the win and is batting .483 (14-for-29) in his last seven games.

Jaime Garcia (0-0, 0.00) will make his first major league start when he takes the mound for the Cardinals. The 22-year-old lefthander was called up on July 11, replacing the injured Mark Mulder, and threw two scoreless innings on that date in his only appearance.

The Padres will turn to Cha Seung Baek (2-5, 5.25) in hopes of turning around their recent struggles. The righthander came out of the bullpen in his last outing, allowing three and four hits in 1 1/3 innings against the Atlanta Braves on July 13.

SoCal MLS Capsule

2008-07-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES 2, NEW YORK 2

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Galaxy captain David Beckham praised the character of his team for their late comeback to avoid defeat against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night. Landon Donovan rescued a point and nearly grabbed a winner for the Galaxy in a 2-2 tie at Giants Stadium, his cross in the 92nd minute from the left drifting into the far corner of the goal after L.A. striker Edson Buddle and the Red Bulls defense all missed the centering pass.

Until that point the Red Bulls had looked set to steal the show from visiting superstar Beckham and his teammates for the second year in a row after a great individual second-half goal from Red Bulls captain Juan Pablo Angel gave the home side a 2-1 lead. With Venezuelan international midfielder Jorge Rojas pulling the strings on his debut with flashes of creativity, the Red Bulls had looked in control heading into injury time but the Galaxy, to Beckham's delight, did not give up the chase for an equalizer. "There were chances for both teams but we showed a lot of character," Beckham said. "We were disappointed to go in 1-1 at halftime because they scored through our sloppy play. "Then we came out second half, they got a goal but we kept on battling and we didn't look as if we were going to get a goal but we did in the end. It showed the character in the team, especially when we're not playing as well as we can, to come back. So overall, maybe a draw was fair tonight."

In front of an Major League Soccer season high 46,754 fans, and 12 months after the home side had edged the same visitors 5-4, the Galaxy hit back in the 92nd minute when Donovan curled in a right-footed cross from the left that missed numerous heads, including Buddle's, and carried all the way into the corner of the net. "It was a cross, of course," Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit said. "But he kicked it so well, if Edson had touched it, it would have gone in as well. So the keeper didn't know what to do. Just the quality of the play itself made it difficult for the goalkeeper." At 2-2, the visitors sensed victory and very nearly snatched it when Beckham sent in a cross from the right that found Donovan at the back post. Donovan ripped a left-footed shot that hit the foot of the Red Bulls upright in the waning moments of the match.

With both the best offense and the worst defense in MLS, the Galaxy drew first blood in the 28th minute, when Beckham, from close to the center circle, picked out Buddle on the left with a great pass. Buddle advanced into the Red Bulls penalty area, twisting and turning van den Bergh and then crossing for Carlos Ruiz to head home from inside the six-yard box. The goal opened up the game considerably and the Red Bulls response came six minutes later, van den Bergh making amends for being dumped by Buddle. The midfielder picked up a delightful pass which Rojas sent from left to right behind his standing leg, and hammered the ball past the diving Cronin's outstretched right hand and into the bottom corner of the goal. Los Angeles came right back with Klein overlapping Beckham down the right and crossing for Donovan to volley left-footed from the back post over the bar. Van den Bergh continued the New York momentum in the second half, firing a shot from the left that forced Cronin to tip over the bar in the 55th minute and then crossing three minutes later only for Seth Stammler to fire over from point-blank range.

Again the Red Bulls atoned, and in some style as Angel received the ball from Rojas in the 71st minute and produced some brilliant footwork to round two Galaxy defenders. He cut in from the left and then curled the ball home with the outside of his boot and give the home side the lead. It should have been enough, but Donovan and the Galaxy had other ideas. "It's a very disappointed locker room," Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. "I think we created enough chances to win the game and the next one but unfortunately that wasn't the case. I'm optimistic, though, because there was good play at times, but we need to keep improving. Only time will tell if it's okay to get one point out of a game we should have won."

Cards Nip Padres

2008-07-19T22:56:00.000-07:00

ST. LOUIS 6, SAN DIEGO 5

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- With the St. Louis Cardinals down by five runs early in the game, starter Todd Wellemeyer settled down on the mound and Albert Pujols led the comeback. Pujols had three hits and four RBI as the Cardinals overcame a five-run deficit to record their fourth straight win, a 6-5 triumph over the San Diego Padres. St. Louis trailed, 5-0, after two innings but rallied with four runs in the fifth and two in the sixth to take the lead.

Wellemeyer (8-4) bounced back after the rocky start, allowing five runs and five hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. With the bases loaded and one out in the fifth, Pujols started the comeback when he lined the first pitch he saw into the gap in left-center field, clearing the bases and cutting the deficit to 5-3. Two batters later, Rick Ankiel hit an RBI single to pull St. Louis within one. In the next inning, Cesar Izturis singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice before Brendan Ryan reached on an error by third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff to put runners on the corners. Skip Schumaker tied the game with a groundout to shortstop and, after All-Star Ryan Ludwick walked, Pujols singled off the glove of shortstop Khalil Greene to give St. Louis a 6-5 advantage.

The Padres had a great chance to reclaim the lead in the top of the seventh as they loaded the bases with one out. But Ron Villone struck out All-Star Adrian Gonzalez and got Kouzmanoff to fly out to center. Ryan Franklin pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit and one walk en route to his 14th save. San Diego took a 1-0 lead in the first, when center fielder Ankiel could not handle Gonzalez's line drive, allowing Edgar Gonzalez to score from second. Kouzmanoff followed with a sacrifice fly to double the Padres' advantage. The Padres extended their lead to 5-0 in the top of the second, when Edgar Gonzalez blasted a three-run homer to left off Wellemeyer.

San Diego starter Randy Wolf (6-10) surrendered six runs - four earned - and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings, losing for the sixth time in his last seven starts.

WNBA Stages First Outdoor Game

2008-07-19T22:53:00.000-07:00

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- History was made Saturday, when the Indiana Fever posted a 71-55 victory over the New York Liberty in a WNBA game that was played at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the home of the United States Tennis Open. The contest, called the Liberty Outdoor Classic, was the first regular-season outdoor game in pro basketball history. It also was the first non-tennis sporting event to take place at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center.

Following the WNBA's lead, the NBA will conduct its own outdoor game in October, when the Suns play the Denver Nuggets in a preseason contest in Indian Wells, California. Basketball's foray into outdoor competition came after the NHL staged a regular-season game on New Year's Day between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the NFL's Buffalo Bills.

Padres on Deck @ Cardinals, Game 3 of 4 (Series 0-2)

2008-07-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

San Diego (37-60) at St. Louis (55-43), 12:55 p.m., FOX/ 1090/105.7

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Albert Pujols isn't the only member of the St. Louis Cardinals to contribute to the offense. Pujols and the Cardinals go for their fourth straight win on Saturday against the San Diego Padres.

Pujols has posted a .440 (11-for-25) batting average over his last six games. Surprisingly, he has one homer and three RBI this month. However, the rest of the Cardinals lineup has stepped up. St. Louis has 39 home runs since June 19 - the most in the majors over that span. The team pounded four solo homers during the series-opening win against the Padres and added two more blasts while logging 17 hits on Friday en route to an 11-7 victory. Rick Ankiel has been providing the power for the Cardinals with three home runs and eight RBI over his last five games. Ankiel, a converted pitcher, has 22 home runs and 54 RBI in his first full season as an outfielder in the majors.

Todd Wellemeyer (7-4, 4.04 ERA) hopes the hit parade continues when he takes the mound. Wellemeyer has lost his last three decisions and is looking for his first win since June 5. Randy Wolf (6-9, 4.66), who is 1-5 with a 7.06 ERA over his last six starts, counters for the Padres.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

Boston (57-41) at LA Angels (58-38), 12:55 p.m.

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox will be looking to snap a three-game road slide when they visit the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Saturday. The best home team in the American League at 36-11, the Red Sox have struggled to a 21-30 mark away from Fenway Park, including losses in eight of their last 10. The Angels made it look easy in the series opener on Friday, pounding a rusty-looking Boston club, 11-3. The Red Sox sent seven players to the All-Star Game Tuesday and traveled to Anaheim on Thursday's off day for the beginning of their third West Coast trip of the season. Garret Anderson certainly showed no rust for the Angels, driving in five runs with his first four-hit performance of the season. Ace Josh Beckett (9-5, 3.94 ERA) will try to slow Anderson and turn Boston's road fortunes. The righthander won his last two starts but surrendered five runs in five innings against Minnesota on July 9 - his second shortest outing of the season. Beckett has not faced Anaheim since last season's Division Series, when he he allowed four hits in a shutout, striking out eight and not issuing a walk. The Angels will counter with All-Star lefthander Joe Saunders (12-5, 3.07). The 27-year-old allowed one hit in a scoreless frame Tuesday in the Midsummer Classic, and is 3-0 with a 2.92 ERA in four career starts against the Red Sox.

Los Angeles (47-49) at Arizona (47-49), 5:10 p.m

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Hitting coach Don Mattingly is already making an impression on the Los Angeles Dodgers. After pulling into a tie for the top spot in the National League West Division, the Dodgers look to seize sole possession of first place Saturday when they continue their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mattingly, who took over for Mike Easler and made his debut in the dugout on Friday, watched Los Angeles pound four home runs - including two from Nomar Garciaparra and a game-winner by James Loney in the 11th inning - in an 8-7 victory during the series opener. The scoring outburst was unusual for Los Angeles, which entered Friday's game with 65 homers - tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for the second-worst total in the majors - and 390 runs, the fifth-worst mark in baseball. "We want a better approach team wise," Mattingly said. "We want to be able to attack people with what the guys are doing and have an understanding what that pitcher does, not give in to his strengths (and) make him come to us a little bit more. You got some veterans who know what they are doing and other young guys who need to keep refining their game. And that's what we are trying to do." The Dodgers look to continue the hit parade against Diamondbacks starter Dan Haren (8-5, 2.72 ERA). Haren has been outstanding of late, allowing two runs or less in each of his last six outings. The 27-year-old righthander allowed just two runs - one earned - and three hits, walking two while striking out nine but did not factor in the decision during Arizona's 7-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on July 10. Chad Billingsley (9-8, 3.25) looks to to earn his sixth win in his last seven starts when he toes the rubber for the Dodgers. Billingsley has posted a 2.33 ERA in his previous six outings, striking out 38 in 33.1 innings over that span.

Cardinals Rally Past Padres

2008-07-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

ST. LOUIS 11, SAN DIEGO 7

By James Walsh
Contributing Writer
ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Yadier Molina's two-run single sparked a four-run eighth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals busted opened a back-and-forth contest en route to an 11-7 victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday.

With runners on first and second and the game tied at 7-7, Rick Ankiel hit a grounder that was fielded by second baseman Edgar Gonzalez, who looked toward second for the force on Albert Pujols but had no play. When Gonzalez turned to first, no one was covering the bag, giving Ankiel an infield single. Molina followed with his base hit to right field off Heath Bell (6-4) that made it 9-7. Chris Duncan and Aaron Miles added RBI singles to cap the rally for the Cardinals, who won their third straight game. Kyle McClellan (2-4), the fifth of sixth pitchers for St. Louis, tossed a scoreless eighth to gain the victory.

The teams combined for 29 hits in a game that saw the lead change four times and was tied on three occasions. It looked like Padres starter Greg Maddux had a solid chance to record his 351st career victory as Jody Gerut's two-run homer in the fourth gave San Diego a 6-3 lead. But All-Star Ryan Ludwick erased those hopes in the bottom of the frame, when he sent a first-pitch changeup from the four-time Cy Young Award winner over the wall in left-center field for a three-run blast, evening the game at 6-6.

Maddux was replaced to start the fifth after surrendering six runs and eight hits. It was the 13th consecutive start without a win for the 42-year-old righthander, matching his career high set in 1990 with the Chicago Cubs. San Diego climbed back in front in the sixth on an RBI single by Brian Giles, his third hit of the night. Ankiel provided the game's third tie with a leadoff home run in the seventh. The 437-foot blast came on the 12th pitch of the at-bat, knotting things at 7-7.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

LA Dodgers (46-49) at Arizona (47-48), 6:40 p.m.

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- National League West supremacy is on the line when the Arizona Diamondbacks host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. Despite a sub-.500 record, the Diamondbacks hold a one-game edge over the Dodgers. Arizona owned the best record in the majors after the first month of the season, but has gone 27-40 since. Los Angeles had a golden opportunity to take over the top spot before the All-Star break but lost three of four to the Florida Marlins. The Dodgers hope righthander Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.43 ERA) can pull them even. After tossing 16 scoreless frames in his previous two starts, Kuroda did not receive a decision in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Marlins. He gave up three runs and seven hits with five strikeouts. Arizona will counter with lefthander Doug Davis (3-4, 3.80). The 32-year-old Davis has one win since May 23, posting a 1-3 record with a 4.14 ERA in nine starts over that stretch.

Boston (57-40) at LA Angels (57-38),7:05 p.m.

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox enter the second half in control of the American League East , but they have plenty of room for improvement ... especially on the road. The defending World Series champions return from the All-Star break on Friday when they open a series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Boston (57-40) seized a one-half game lead over the struggling Tampa Bay Rays (55-39) on Sunday, forging a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. All-Stars J.D. Drew and Dustin Pedroia drove in the runs as the Red Sox improved to 36-11 at home. While Boston has been unstoppable at Fenway Park, it wears a 21-29 away record - the second-worst road mark for a first-place team. Fresh off his All-Star MVP award, Drew will try to help the Red Sox reverse that trend. The 32-year-old right fielder is batting .302 with 17 home runs and 55 RBI and has helped fill the void left by an injured David Ortiz, who is eyeing a July 25 return from a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. Rookie Clay Buchholz (2-4, 5.70 ERA) makes his second start for the Red Sox after returning to the rotation following a two-month stint in the minors. Buchholz allowed four runs and five hits while walking five last Friday, but did strike out six en route to a 7-3 loss to the Orioles. John Lackey (6-2, 2.46) counters for the Angels, who own a six-game lead in the AL West . After missing the opening month with a strained triceps, Lackey has bounced back by allowing 11 runs over his first nine starts. However, the 29-year-old righthander has surrendered 11 earned runs in his last two starts, including six and 15 hits in just 5 2/3 innings in his previous outing. He did not factor in the decision though as the Angels rallied for an 11-10 victory against the Texas Rangers on July 10.

Padres on Deck @ Cardinals, GAme 2 of 4 (Series 0-1)

2008-07-18T16:29:00.000-07:00

San Diego (37-59) at St. Louis (54-43), 5:15 p.m., 4SD/1090/105.7

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Troy Glaus carried his hot bat straight through the All-Star break. Glaus and the St. Louis Cardinals go for their third straight win on Friday when they continue a series against the San Diego Padres.

The slugging third baseman opened the second half by hitting two of St. Louis' four solo home runs, helping the Cardinals to a 4-3 victory over the Padres on Thursday. It was the second multi-homer game of the season for Glaus, who has 17 overall. The 31-year-old veteran has homered in each of his last three games while reaching base in 14 of 17 plate appearances. Glaus will seek to continue his exploits against Greg Maddux.

Maddux (3-8, 3.90 ERA) is coming off a pair of losses in his last two starts and hasn't recorded a victory since May 10. The veteran righthander allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings, but received one run of support for the second straight outing during Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

Braden Looper (9-7, 4.25) is also looking to snap a personal two-game losing streak when he counters for the Cardinals.

Beckham Calls Move to MLS A Success

2008-07-18T16:22:00.000-07:00

By Simon Lewis
Contributing Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- David Beckham has declared his transfer to the Los Angeles Galaxy a success. But the British sports icon feels that Major League Soccer has much to do before it becomes a force in world soccer. One year and a day after Beckham marked his first start for the Galaxy with a trademark free-kick goal against D.C. United, the midfielder said he was enjoying life in the MLS following an injury-plagued opening season in 2007.

Beckham, 33, joined the Galaxy from Real Madrid last July, after signing a five-year contract worth $250 million the previous January. He has scored five goals and recorded seven assists in 16 games approaching the midway point of the 2008 campaign. Beckham's star appeal has already seen ticket sales reach more than 45,000 at Giants Stadium for Saturday night's clash with the New York Red Bulls, further proof that he is continuing to be a big hit in the United States.

"Soccer's definitely changing in this country and it's getting bigger and it's growing, but it's going to take time," Beckham said Friday before training. "I said that at the start - it's not just going to happen in a year or two. It's a long-term plan to raise the profile of the game in the country, and it's going well so far." Beckham was asked if he was playing a crucial part in that plan. "I'd like to think so," he said. "It's one of the reasons why I moved here, to be a part of growing the game here and hopefully people are seeing the changes. "The attendances are up 20 percent, shirt sales are up 780 percent, so I heard, so it's going well. "That's obviously what the game needs in this country, the hype's there and it's just about keeping it going."

Beckham reiterated his point that it will take more than a quick fix to both raise the standard of play and attract other big names to MLS in order to transform it into a league comparable with those in more established soccer countries. "It's going to take longer than a year to happen, but this league and the teams in it will start attracting players from Europe," he said. "On the other side, you see Jozy Altidore go to Villareal (from the Red Bulls), and so if you're a good player in this league, you're going to have a chance to play in other big leagues in the world, in Europe. "There are a lot of people putting a lot of money into this league and trying to grow it, and in the next few years you going to see that emergence. I've always said that the level here is a lot higher than people actually think it is. I've been here a year now and seen some of the talented players and teams that are in this league."

Padres Recall Hensley

2008-07-18T16:16:00.000-07:00

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The San Diego Padres on Friday recalled righthander Clay Hensley from Class AAA Portland of the Pacific Coast League. Hensley, 28, is in his second stint with the Padres this season after being recalled on July 1. He tossed two scoreless frames before being optioned to Portland three days later. Over parts of four major league seasons with San Diego, Hensley is 14-16 with a 3.89 ERA in 75 appearances, including 39 starts.

SDSU's Strasburg Named to Olympic Team

2008-07-17T12:56:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO (SDSU) - San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been selected to play on the U.S. baseball team at next month's Olympic Games to be held in Beijing, China. He is the lone amateur named to the 23-man squad that consists primarily of professional players not currently on the active roster of a major league club. Strasburg will become the fifth Aztec to compete with the U.S. Olympic baseball team, following in the footsteps of former SDSU standouts Chris Gwynn, Flavio Alfaro, Travis Lee and Royce Ring.

Padres on Deck @ Cardinals, Game 1 of 4

2008-07-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

San Diego (37-58) at St. Louis (53-43), 5:15 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- After a rough start to the season, Jake Peavy looks more like the pitcher who claimed the National League Cy Young Award last season. However, Kyle Lohse has been on top of his game all year. Peavy and his San Diego Padres face off against Lohse and the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a four-game set on Thursday. After claiming the pitching equivalent of the "Triple Crown" last season - leading the NL with 19 wins, 240 strikeouts and a 2.54 ERA - Peavy (7-5, 2.47 ERA) was unable to overcome his team's offensive woes, going 5-5 despite maintaining a 2.90 ERA through 15 starts. However, the righthander has been provided with seven runs of run support over his last two starts and earned consecutive wins.

Peavy was strong in his last outing, yielding four hits and seven strikeouts over seven innings in a 4-0 win on Friday over Atlanta. To get the Padres' season-high 11-game road trip started on a positive note, Peavy will match wits with Lohse (11-2, 3.39), who hasn't tasted defeat in 12 starts. The righthander has been a revelation since signing a one-year, $4.25 million deal with the Cardinals after going 9-12 with a 4.62 ERA in 34 games - 32 starts - in 2007 with Cincinnati and Philadelphia. Lohse collected his eighth victory over his last 10 starts on Friday, permitting six hits and striking out three over seven frames in St. Louis' 6-0 win at Pittsburgh.

Kai Leads U.S. Past Brazil; Lose Wamnbach to Injury

2008-07-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Natasha Kai scored in the 85th minute to lead the United States women's soccer team to a 1-0 triumph over Brazil on Wednesday in its final friendly before heading to Beijing to compete in the 2008 Olympic Games.

The Americans, who will face Norway on August 6 in its opening match of the Olympics, have recorded shutouts in each of their last seven matches and improved to 21-0-1 in 2008. In addition, the United States has yet to surrender a goal to Brazil since allowing four at the FIFA Women's World Cup semifinals in September 2007.

After Amy Rodriguez's lone tally in the 71st minute lifted the Americans to a 1-0 triumph over Brazil on Sunday, the teams once again played a spirited contest only to see a late goal decide the outcome. Off a set piece, Carly Lloyd fired the ball into the penalty area just in front of goalkeeper Andrea to Kai, who headed the ball past the Brazilian for the lone goal of the match.

Abby Wambach, who has 99 international goals in 127 appearances, injured her leg in a collision with Andreia Rosa in the 39th minute. She exited the contest on a stretcher and was replaced by Angela Hucles.

Clark Traded to Arizona

2008-07-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO - The Padres traded first baseman Tony Clark back to the Diamondbacks for a Minor League pitcher on Thursday. The deal would have been made sooner, but the Padres were waiting to see if Clark would waive his $500,000 trade assignment bonus.

USWNT to Play Brazil Before Sell-Out Crowd in San Diego

2008-07-15T20:44:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO - The United States national women's soccer team will be playing in its final match before heading to the Olympics this Wednesday night at USD's Torero Stadium against Brazil. The match will be televised live on the Fox Soccer Channel and is a sold out event of 7,000 fans. The US team features Abby Wambach, who is currently sitting on 99 career international goals, and fans are expecting her to reach the 100 goals scored mark on Wednesday.

Clippers Acquire Camby

2008-07-15T20:37:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday acquired forward Marcus Camby from the Denver Nuggets. In exchange, the Nuggets will have the option of swapping second-round picks in 2010. As a result of the deal, Denver receives a $10 million trade exception, which can be used until one year from the completion of the trade.

"Marcus has been an exceptional representative of the Nuggets both on the court and in the Denver community during his time here, and we are greatly appreciative of all he has done," Denver vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien said. "This trade exception, along with the future first-round draft choice we received from Charlotte last month, gives us a number of options and a tremendous amount of flexibility."

Camby is considered one of the top defensive players in the league, becoming just the second player in NBA history to lead the league in blocked shots three consecutive seasons. A former Defensive Player of the Year, Camby led the NBA with 3.61 blocks per game last season. "I love this acquisition for the current makeup of our team," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "We are getting a consummate pro who is maybe the best team defender in the league and who has 60 playoff games under his belt."

Camby set a slew of personal bests last season, averaging career highs of 13.1 rebounds and 34.9 minutes in 79 games - also a career high. Camby also averaged 9.1 points and had a league-best 18.0 rebounds per contest. "I think this is a very good addition for us, especially since we're getting a player who can really help us without having to give up a player in return," Clippers vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor said. "Marcus can play multiple positions and is one of the better rebounders and shot-blockers in the league. "With him playing alongside (Chris) Kaman, I think we will have a pair of excellent interior defenders, and that will make us a formidable team."

The addition likely was in response to losing long-time power forward Elton Brand to the Philadelphia 76ers via free agency a week ago. Drafted by the Toronto Raptors with the second overall selection in 1996, Camby spent the past six seasons in Denver after four campaigns with the New York Knicks. Camby has appeared in 60 playoff games in his career, averaging 8.6 points and 8.8 rebounds.

Pit Row Preview

2008-07-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

MISOURI-ILLINOIS DODGE DEALERS 250
July 19, 2008
Gateway International Raceway
St. Louis, Missouri
Race 21 of 35 on Nationwide series circuit
TV: ESPN2, 8 p.m. EDT
Laps: 200
Track length: 1 1/4-mile oval
Race length: 250 miles
Qualifying record: Scott Wimmer, Chevrolet, 135.355 mph, 2007
Race record: Carl Edwards, 119.142 mph, Ford, 2006

GRAND PRIX OF GERMANY

July 20, 2008
Hockenheimring Heidelberg, Germany
Race 10 of 18 in Grand Prix series
Laps: 67
Track length: 2.831 miles
Race length: 187.6 miles

HONDA INDY 200
July 20, 2008
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Lexington, Ohio
Race 12 of 17 in the 2007 IndyCar Series season
TV: ABC, 10:30 a.m.
Length: 85 laps
Race length: 191.93 miles
Track length: 2.4-mile road course

MLB All-Star Game Starting Lineups

2008-07-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

The following are the lineups for tonight's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York:

National League ---------------
1. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
2. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
3. Lance Berkman, 1B, Houston Astros
4. Albert Pujols, DH, St. Louis Cardinals
5. Chipper Jones, 3B, Atlanta Braves
6. Matt Holliday, RF, Colorado Rockies
7. Ryan Braun, LF, Milwaukee Brewers
8. Kosuke Fukudome, CF, Chicago Cubs
9. Geovany Soto, C, Chicago Cubs
RHP: Ben Sheets, Milwaukee Brewers

American League ---------------
1. Ichiro Suzuki, CF, Seattle Mariners
2. Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees
3. Josh Hamilton, CF, Texas Rangers
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
5. Manny Ramirez, LF, Boston Red Sox
6. Milton Bradley, DH, Texas Rangers
7. Kevin Youkilis, 1B, Boston Red Sox
8. Joe Mauer, C, Minnesota Twins
9. Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Boston Red Sox
LHP: Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians

Umpires -------
Home Plate - Derryl Cousins *
1st Base - Ed Rapuano
2nd Base - Tom Hallion
3rd Base - Mark Wegner
Left Field - Greg Gibson
Right Field - Phil Cuzzi
*-crew chief

MLB All Star Game Preview

2008-07-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

National League at American League, 5:00 pm, FOX

BRONX, New York (Ticker)- The American League is looking to claim home-field advantage in the World Series for the sixth straight year when it faces the National League in the All-Star Game on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. Since 1997, the AL has posted a 10-0-1 record in the Midsummer Classic. The AL Stars have not lost the game since Major League Baseball decided that the winner of the contest would get home-field advantage for their representative in the World Series.

The defending champion Boston Red Sox, who own the second-best record in the AL, have six players on the roster - including starters first baseman Kevin Youkilis, second baseman Dustin Pedroia and left fielder Manny Ramirez. The Red Sox would have had seven members, but designated hitter David Ortiz will not play due to injury.

The New York Yankees will be well-represented at their home ballpark for the Midsummer Classic with perennial All-Stars shortstop Derek Jeter, third baseman Alex Rodriguez and closer Mariano Rivera on the squad. AL manager Terry Francona admitted that he considered, if only briefly, starting Rivera. "Mariano Rivera may be the greatest reliever of all-time but he's not a starter," Francona said. "I don't think it would be fair to the starters." Francona will send Cleveland Indians lefthander Cliff Lee (12-2, 2.31 ERA) to the mound. Lee is tied for the AL lead in wins with Joe Saunders of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and his ERA ranks third in the majors. "The last season in Yankee Stadium, it's going to be an honor to start the game," Lee said. "It's an honor to be here. To start the game is icing on the cake. I'm completely baffled and privileged to get the honor, so I appreciate it." "There are a lot of pitchers having outstanding years and none measures up to Lee's," Francona said.

Ben Sheets (10-3, 2.85) of the Milwaukee Brewers will try to slow down the AL lineup, which also features Texas' Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley, Minnesota's Joe Mauer and Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki. Sheets was chosen by NL manager Clint Hurdle ahead of Arizona's Brandon Webb, who leads the major leagues in wins with 13. "I know for a fact (Hurdle's) the most popular man in Louisiana," said Sheets, a native of Baton Rouge. "I've never been to Yankee Stadium. I'm just going to try to soak it all in."

The NL lineup will feature plenty of firepower as well. Chicago Cubs rookies Kosuke Fukudome and Geovany Soto will be at the bottom of a lineup that also boasts former MVPs Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals and Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves in the No. 4 and 5 spots, respectively.

History of Yankee Stadium Unmatched

2008-07-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

By Bob Birge
SportsTicker Staff Writer

Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium on the corner of River Avenue and 161st Street in the south Bronx will serve as a farewell tribute to a fabled ballpark in its 84th and final season. Next year, the New York Yankees move into a new facility and even though it's only two blocks away, it won't be the same.

It won't be the same hallowed ground walked on by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig and all the other Yankees' legends. But the Yankees were not always the dominant team in New York. During the early part of the 20th Century, the New York Giants ruled the Big Apple, winning 10 pennants in a 20-year span. John McGraw, their fiery manager for 30 years, didn't think much of the upstart Yankees, who shared the Polo Grounds with the Giants for 10 seasons from 1913 through 1922. "The Yankees will have to build a park in Queens or some other out-of-the-way place," McGraw said in 1921, the year the Giants and Yankees played in the first of 14 Subway World Series contested in New York. "Let them go away and wither on the vine."

Things didn't exactly turn out that way. Yankee Stadium became home to the most successful sports franchise in American history. While it lost some of its old-time feel after it was remodeled in the 1970s, the old stadium inspired awe when it opened in 1923 with a seating capacity of 58,000 - unheard of at the time as most stadiums in that era had room for about 30,000 spectators. Yankee Stadium was the first baseball structure with three decks and the first televised World Series game took place there in 1947.

Its primary occupant won championship after championship. During a 44-season span from 1921 until 1964, the Yankees won 29 American League pennants. They won so much that it used to be said that rooting for the Yankees was like rooting for U.S. Steel. In 1958, the author Gay Talese wrote this about the Yankees : "Wall Street bankers supposedly back the Yankees. Smith College girls approve of them. God, Brooks Brothers, and United States Steel are believed to be solidly in the Yankees' corner. The efficiently triumphant Yankee machine is a great institution, but, as they say, who can fall in love with U.S. Steel?"

Yankee Stadium, its capacity eventually increased to 67,000, has hosted 37 World Series, including 10 in the "new" stadium (post-1976). But the Yankees are only part of its legacy. Yankee Stadium hosted countless championship boxing matches, historic college football games between Notre Dame and Army, an epic National Football League title contest in 1958 involving the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants and three Papal visits. A Brazilian soccer player named Edson Arantes Do Nascimento - better known as Pele - even played there as a member of the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League in the 1970s.

It all started after the Boston Red Sox sold George Herman "Babe" Ruth to the Yankees in 1920. According to popular legend, Boston owner Harry Frazee, a Broadway producer and director, made the move to finance his play "No, No, Nanette,", although some baseball historians question if that was the real reason for the sale. That season, the third-place Yankees doubled their attendance - outdrawing the second-place Giants by 100,000. McGraw, also a part-owner of the Giants, was enraged. He didn't like that his more established team was getting upstaged and told the Yankees they would have to vacate the Polo Grounds. The co-owners of the Yankees - Jacob Ruppert and Tillinghast l'Hommendieu Huston - endeavored to build their own stadium.

On February 6, 1921, the Yankees announced the purchase of 10 acres of property in the Bronx for $675,000 from the estate of William Waldorf Astor. The land was directly across the Harlem River and less than a mile from their old home. A crowd officially listed at 74,200 attended the Yankees' first game at Yankee Stadium on April 18, 1923. Fittingly, Ruth christened the new ballpark with a three-run home run as the Yankees defeated the Red Sox, 4-1. Due to Ruth's drawing power and larger than life persona in the Roaring Twenties, Yankee Stadium was soon dubbed "The House That Ruth Built". The new stadium should be called "The House That George Built" after current Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

In their initial season at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees won the first of their 26 World Series titles, the most championships of any professional team in North America. During the early years of the dynasty, Ruppert once remarked that his idea of a good afternoon was having the Yankees score eight runs in the first inning and then slowly pull away.

In 1925, Notre Dame's Knute Rockne brought his Fighting Irish to Yankee Stadium for the first of their 20 games against Army. It remained the nation's top rivalry through World War II. Yankee Stadium was where Rockne made his "win-for-the-Gipper" speech at halftime of the 1928 game against Army. It also was the site of the 1946 Notre Dame-Army contest when the powers played to a scoreless tie in what is considered one of the legendary games in college football history.

Starting in the 1920s, Yankee Stadium also hosted 30 championship fights into the 1950s. Perhaps the most memorable was the bout between Joe Lewis and German Max Schmeling on June 22, 1938. With the Nazi party in power in Germany and Europe on the verge of war, the fight took on political and racial overtones. Schmeling beat Lewis, an African-American, two years earlier and was championed by Adolph Hitler. But in the rematch, Lewis gained revenge in stunning fashion, knocking out Schmeling in the first round.

In 1956, Yankee Stadium gained a new tenant as the NFL's New York Giants moved from the Polo Grounds and stayed through the 1973 season. In the 1958 NFL championship, the Johnny Unitas-led Colts beat the Giants, 23-17, in the league's first sudden-death overtime. Although the Super Bowl was still a decade away, that 1958 game is regarded as one of the most influence contests in NFL history and many believe it signaled the arrival of professional football as a major sport. Up until then, the pro game took a back seat to college football.

In 1965, history of a different sort was made at Yankee Stadium as Paul VI celebrate Mass before more than 80,000 as part of the first Papal visit to North America. It likely wasn't the Pope's fault, but by 1965, the Yankees' dynasty was crumbling. That season, the Yankees finished under .500 for the first time in 40 years. The next season, they finished last for the first time since 1912, when they were known as the New York Highlanders. The Babe's house became a ghost town as an unimaginably small crowd of 413 attended a late-season game in 1966.

By the late 1960s, the stadium itself also was showing signs of decay, and not helping matters was the urban blight of the south Bronx. There were even some overtures that CBS - which owned the Yankees at the time - would move the storied team across the Hudson River to New Jersey. Finally, in the middle of 1972, the city bought the team and the Yankee signed a 30-year lease.

In 1973, the team was purchased by an unknown shipbuilder from Cleveland named George M. Steinbrenner, who would get quite a bang for his buck. A franchise he bought for $10 million is now estimated to be worth close to $1 billion. More than 50 years after McGraw suggested the Yankees go play in Queens, they did just that, spending the 1974 and 1975 seasons at Shea Stadium - the home of the National League's New York Mets - while Yankee Stadium was renovated and modernized. The Yankees moved back home in 1976, winning the first of three straight pennants in the "new" stadium. They won World Series titles in 1977 and 1978, then added four more under Joe Torre from 1996-2000.

Despite drawing more than four million the year before, the Yankee announced in 2006 their plans to build a new stadium that will cost in excess of $1 billion. When the new structure opens, much of the existing stadium will be demolished and become parkland. Somewhere, the Babe is crying in his beer.

Photo: Art.com

Media Credentials: Inside Sports Media

2008-07-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

CBS Names Kellogg As Top NCAA Hoops Analyst

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Clark Kellogg was named as the top college basketball analyst for CBS Sports on Monday, signaling the end of Billy Packer's 27-year run with the network. A game and studio analyst for CBS for the past 16 years, Kellogg will partner with longtime play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz as the network's top broadcast team. The pair will work NCAA Tournament games together, including the Final Four in Detroit in April 2009.

Prior to Kellogg, Packer had been a part of CBS' top broadcast team since 1982, and had worked every Final Four with Nantz since 1991. "With his unquestioned popularity and performance over the years, Clark Kellogg earned all rights to this top spot," CBS News and Sports president Sean McManus. "Like Billy Packer, Al McGuire or any of the most highly regarded broadcasters, Clark is an original voice with his own style and perspective. We have been proud to have him lead our studio presence for many years and look forward to his fresh impact on CBS Sports' coverage of college basketball for years to come."

"I'm excited, humbled and quite pleased to have this special opportunity and responsibility to serve as lead analyst for college basketball at CBS Sports," Kellogg said. "I appreciate the confidence Sean has expressed in affording me this new role." A former college star at Ohio State and the Big Ten's MVP in 1982, Kellogg, 47, played five years in the NBA after being drafted in the first round by the Indiana Pacers in 1982. Following his playing career, "Special K" began broadcasting in 1990, working as an analyst for the Pacers and joining ESPN's college basketball team.

The promotion of Kellogg to lead duty comes as a bit of a surprise as Packer has long been considered the signature voice of college basketball. The 68-year-old has covered every Final Four since 1974, dating back to when NBC used to broadcast the event. "Billy Packer has set the standard of excellence for over 30 years," McManus said. "I can't express how important he has been, not only to CBS Sports and it's coverage of college basketball, but also to the growth of this great sport. It is almost impossible to over-estimate his passion, knowledge and commitment to the game."

However, Packer was not without his faults. A former player at Wake Forest and broadcaster of Atlantic Coast Conference games for Raycom Sports, Packer has shown a bias for that league at times. Also, Packer has been very vocal about his displeasure of the NCAA Selection Committee's decision to give more invitations to mid-major schools, like George Mason and Davidson. Meanwhile, middle-of-the-pack teams in the ACC and other major conferences have been squeezed out.

Carlsbad Triathlon Celebrates 27th Successful Event

2008-07-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

CARLSBAD, CA ‑ The City of Carlsbad celebrated the 27th annual Carlsbad Triathlon with another successful race that pleased athletes and spectators alike. Presented by the City of Carlsbad Recreation Department, the event caps at 1,000 athletes in 45 different divisions.

Finishing in first place at the 2008 Carlsbad Triathlon in the Elite Mens Division was Boyd Conrick. In the Elite Women's division, Rachel Challis had the best time, with 1:17:52, followed by Misako Win, with 1:22:49.

The oldest athlete ‑ Bill Bell, 83, of Indian Wells, CA ‑ returned once again to finish the race in 2:47:09.

Unofficial Elite Division results from the Carlsbad Triathlon include:

ELITE DIVISION ‑ MEN

1. Luke Bell ‑ 1:09:06

2. Aaron Kamnetz ‑ 1:10:06

3. Juliano Teruel ‑ 1:10:51

4. David Valencia ‑ 1:11:52

5. Thomas Taylor ‑ 1:12:29

ELITE DIVISION ‑ WOMEN

1. Rachel Challis ‑ 1:17:52

2. Misako Win ‑ 1:22:49

Official results will be posted online at www.CarlsbadTriathlon.com by noon Monday, July 13.

Aztecs to Host Family Day on Aug. 16

2008-07-14T13:12:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO (SDSU) - San Diego State's first preseason football scrimmage, Aztec Family Day presented by The San Diego Union-Tribune, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16, at Qualcomm Stadium. The event will feature traditional activities such as interactive games and the chance for fans to select seats for season tickets.

Braves Rout Padres

2008-07-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA 12, SAN DIEGO 3

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- All-Star catcher Brian McCann belted a solo homer and drove in three runs as the Atlanta Braves cruised to a 12-3 triumph over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. Mark Teixeira's two-run single highlighted a three-run first inning and Brent Lillibridge had a career-high three hits for Atlanta, which gave Bobby Cox his 2,300 managerial victory. Cox, who has 1,945 victories with the Braves, is the winningest manager in team history.

McCann, who leads all major league catchers with 18 home runs, belted a solo shot in the seventh inning to give Atlanta a 9-2 lead. He then jump-started a three-run ninth with a run-scoring double. That was more than enough offense for Jorge Campillo (4-4), who allowed two runs and five hits while striking out four in six innings. The 29-year-old rookie righthander left the game in the top of the seventh after fouling a ball off his left foot. Kevin Kouzmanoff and rookie Chase Headley belted solo home runs for San Diego, which fell for the 19th time in its last 25 contests.

Randy Wolf (6-9) allowed six runs and six hits in five innings to take the loss.

NC Sports Magazine to Cover ESPY's

2008-07-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES - North County Sport Magazine will be providing full coverage of the ESPY's Award Show from the Kodak Theater. Check back for the the inside scoop on the awards show that brings together sports and entertainent celebrities together for an evening filled with fun and surprises.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (56-38) at Oakland (51-43), 1:05 pm

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- All-Star Justin Duchscherer makes his final start of the season's first half on Sunday as the Oakland Athletics host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the rubber match of a three-game series. Duchscherer (10-5, 1.78 ERA) leads the major leagues in ERA and will enter the second half among the candidates to snatch the American League Cy Young award. Angels starter Joe Saunders (12-5, 3.07) finds himself in that class, too. The 27-year-old All-Star has allowed three runs or less in eight of his past 10 starts and hopes to stymie the Athletics for the second time this month. On July 2, he threw 6 1/3 innings, allowing just two earned runs and six hits. Duchscherer faced the Angels on May 1 and suffered his worst start of the year by surrendering six runs in five innings. On Friday, Oakland was supported by newly acquired starter Sean Gallagher, who was a part of the package the Chicago Cubs sent in exchange for Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin this week. The 22-year-old threw seven brilliant innings en route to a 9-2 victory. Ervin Santana, however, shut down the Athletics on Saturday, allowing just five hits in seven scoreless innings in the Angels' 4-1 win. Howie Kendrick, who saw his nine-game hitting streak come to an end on Friday, collected two hits and an RBI on Saturday for the Angels.

Florida (49-44) at LA Dodgers (45-49), 1:10 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Having climbed within one game of first place, the Florida Marlins look to complete a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. Dan Uggla drove in the go-ahead run with a double in the 11th inning Saturday as the Marlins extended their winning streak to four games with a 5-3 victory. A win on Sunday will give Florida its first road sweep of the Dodgers in franchise history. Overall, the Marlins have won six of their last seven games. Florida starts lefthander Andrew Miller (5-8, 5.09 ERA), who is hoping to snap a personal three-game losing streak. Los Angeles counters with righthander Chad Billingsley (8-8, 3.38), who surrendered six runs - five earned - in Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers have lost four of their last five contests. Florida last swept Los Angeles at home from September 6-8, 1999.

Padres on Deck vs. Braves, Game 3 of 3 (Serires 1-1)

2008-07-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Atlanta (44-50) at San Diego (37-57), 1:05 p.m., 4SD/1090/105.7

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Padres hope to end a dismal first half with a win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. After coming within one out of the playoffs last season, the Padres (37-57) are saddled with the worst record in the National League and have dropped 18 of their last 24 contests.

On Saturday, San Diego was victimized by a rookie pitcher and a resurgent slugger. Charlie Morton limited the Padres to one run and Jeff Francoeur, who was banished to the minors last week, had his first multi-hit game since June 24 as the Braves posted a 4-1 victory.

San Diego looks to win the rubber game of the series behind lefthander Randy Wolf (6-8, 4.38 ERA), who is the subject of numerous trade rumors. Wolf, who signed a one-year deal with San Diego prior to the season, is coveted as a solid back of the rotation starter He increased his market value in his last start on Tuesday, when he snapped a four-game losing streak by allowing one run over seven innings in a 10-1 victory over the Florida Marlins.

Atlanta counters with another rookie in Jorge Campillo (3-4, 3.06), who is just 1-4 with a 4.32 ERA over his last five outings.

Braves Hand Maddux Another Loss

2008-07-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA 4, SAN DIEGO 1

By Tim Powers
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Charlie Morton pitched 5 1/3 effective innings and Jeff Francoeur hit a decisive two-run single to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-1 victory over the San Diego Padres and even the three-game series at one apiece.

Morton (2-2) allowed one run and four hits to pick up his first victory since making his major league debut on June 14. The rookie righthander struck out for batters and did not issue a walk. Will Ohman recorded two outs in the sixth and Blaine Boyer contributed two scoreless frames before Mike Gonzalez retired the side in order in the ninth to convert his third save in as many chances this season. "The guys made some good plays behind me and we had some pretty good offense," Morton said. "It's going to be a progressive thing for me in terms of how I feel. Tonight, I felt like I had a lot more life on the ball."

Francoeur broke a 1-1 tie with a single in the sixth that brought home a pair of runs against San Diego starter Greg Maddux, who is still searching for his first win since May 10, when he notched career victory No. 351. "The way our pitcher was pitching, I felt like it was game over after that," Francoeur said. "(Maddux) was great tonight. We kept going along and piecing hits together, which is something we haven't done too much."

The four-time Cy Young Award winner Maddux (3-8) has gone 0-5 over 12 starts since his last win. He yielded three runs on six hits over seven innings while striking out three and walking two. "I enjoy being out there and enjoy the opportunity to pitch," Maddux said. "I'd rather be losing than not pitching at all." "It's extremely frustrating," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He's pitched well enough, one might say, to have double-digit wins. He's a professional, he goes out there every fifth day and competes as well as anyone I've been around. It's great to see."

The 42-year-old Maddux added to his lofty resume with a unique distinction when he stole second base in the third, making him the oldest pitcher in major league history to record a stolen base in a game. "They weren't holding me on," Maddux said. "I was trying to make something happen. We haven't been scoring too many runs. If I get thrown out there, what's the big deal? We have our leadoff hitter up."

Brent Lillibridge hit his first major league home run in the ninth, a solo shot off reliever Joe Thatcher that pushed the lead to 4-1. Chipper Jones added three hits for the Braves, who had lost three of four. Jody Gerut doubled home the lone run for the struggling Padres, who have lost 18 of their last 24 games. "We just got beat tonight," Black said. "We didn't swing the bats. We've got to do a better job of stringing games together where we have some offense to go along with the good pitching."

Klischko Puts Titles on the Line

2008-07-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

HAMBURG, Germany (Ticker) -- Wladimir Klitschko is seeking a decisive victory on Saturday night when he puts his IBF and WBO heavyweight titles on the line against Tony Thompson.

Coming off a points victory over Sultan Ibragimov in their title unification in February, the 32-year-old Ukrainian is eager to make a strong statement this time out. "I will try to end this fight as soon as possible," Klitschko said. "It is my goal to win as clearly as possible. And that means early and by KO." It will be a special fight for Klitschko (50-3, 44 KOs) who returns to the place where he started his professional boxing career 12 years ago. "It is great to be back in Hamburg," he said. "I have so many wonderful memories and after Kiev this city is my second home." Thompson will be no stranger to the local fans following his fifth-round TKO victory over German heavyweight Luan Krasniqi in their WBO title eliminator last summer.

The 36-year-old American (31-1, 19 KOs) is brimming with confidence ahead of his biggest fight. "Klitschko's time is over," Thompson said. "I will beat him, just like I beat Krasniqi. I will put him under pressure from the first round on. I will try to get him off balance and attack his chin. His collection of belts goes to the U.S." Saturday will not mark the first time the two fighters have met in the ring. In 2003, they briefly sparred against each other - something Klitschko claims not to recall. "I can't remember Thompson," he said. "But I called my former coach Fritz Sdunek and he said we made sparring together."

Thompson, meanwhile, was left unimpressed by Klitschko's apparent weak memory. "That he cannot remember me is his problem - I will show him in the ring," he said. "I have improved 100 times since then. The fight will not last the distance." Thompson's confidence has not gone unnoticed in Klitschko's camp, and coach Emmanuel Steward wants his fighter to set the tone early in the bout. "You have to hit him hard quickly so that he loses his confidence," Steward told Sportbild magazine. "He needs to realize that he is in the ring with a boxer from a different league. "Thompson believes after Krasniqi he can now beat up the second guy in Germany. That is why the first round is so important. Thompson needs to panic."

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (55-38) at Oakland (51-42), 6:05 pm

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Ervin Santana is hoping a start against the Oakland Athletics can help him get back on track. Santana takes the mound for the Angels on Saturday when the club continues a three-game series against the A's. A 25-year-old righthander, Santana (10-3, 3.53 ERA) was selected to his first All-Star game this week although his recent performances have been less than stellar. Santana is 1-0 over his last three starts but has surrendered 12 runs in 20 innings over that span. He allowed six runs and 10 hits in seven innings during his last outing, but still earned the win as the Angels posted a 9-6 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday. There is good news - Santana has dominated Oakland during his career, logging an 8-1 record and 1.49 ERA in 12 lifetime starts against the A's, which includes a1-0 mark and 1.80 ERA in three outings this season. Rookie Dana Eveland (7-5, 3.50) seeks his fourth straight win when he counters for Oakland, which trails the Angels by four games for the top spot in the American League West Division.

Florida (49-44) at LA Dodgers (45-48), 7:10pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- With wins in nine of his last 10 starts, Ricky Nolasco has been one of the hottest pitchers in baseball. However, he hasn't come anywhere as close to perfection as Hiroki Kuroda did his last time out. Two of the hotter pitchers in baseball will face off on Saturday when Nolasco and the Florida Marlins continue their four-game series with Kuroda's Los Angeles Dodgers. After his seventh start of the season on May 3, Nolasco (10-4, 3.74 ERA) owned a 1-3 record with a 6.10 ERA. Since that time, the righthander has been one of the best pitchers in the majors as he has rolled to a 5-0 record with a 1.81 ERA over his last six outings. While he hasn't had the prolonged success of Nolasco, Kuroda (5-6, 3.39) is coming off his finest performance in a Dodgers uniform. The rookie righthander dominated Atlanta in Monday's 3-0 win, taking a perfect game into the eighth inning before the Braves' Mark Teixeira opened the frame with a double. It was the only hit allowed by Kuroda, who struck out six to win for the third time in four starts. He's also shown no signs of the right shoulder tendinitis that sidelined him last month. Kuroda, who already owns a win in his only other appearance against the Marlins, will be facing a Florida team that leads the majors in home runs (134) and has hit at least one longball in 13 straight games.

Padres on Deck vs. Braves, Game 2 of 3 (Series 1-0)

2008-07-12T07:52:00.000-07:00

Atlanta (43-50) at San Diego (37-56), 7:05 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Scott Hairston and the San Diego Padres go for their fifth win in the last eight games on Saturday when they continue a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves.

Hairston has been red-hot lately and continued that trend on Friday, logging a pair of hits while scoring two runs to help the Padres post a 4-0 victory over the Braves. The 28-year-old left fielder has gone 17-for-34 with six doubles, a triple and five home runs in his last 11 games. Hairston has also scored nine runs and driven in nine over that span.

Rookie Charlie Morton (1-2, 6.84 ERA) looks to keep Hairston and the rest of the Padres in check on Saturday when he toes the rubber for Atlanta. Morton has lost each of his last two decisions and allowed six runs and eight hits in six innings, walking two while striking out two. He did not factor in the decision during Sunday's 7-6 victory over the Houston Astros.

Greg Maddux (3-7, 3.90) goes for his first win since May 10 when he takes the mound for the Padres. Maddux is 0-4 over his previous 11 starts but pitched well his last time out, allowing just two runs - one earned - and four hits in six innings. A former staple of the Braves rotation during the club's glory years, Maddux is just 1-2 with a 6.85 ERA in four starts against Atlanta since parting ways the team at the end of 2003.

Padres Blank Braves Behind Peavy

2008-07-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO 4, ARIZONA 0

By Tim Powers
Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Jake Peavy tossed seven scoreless innings and Scott Hairston had a pair of hits and scored two runs to help the San Diego Padres post a 4-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday. The struggling Padres, who had lost 17 of 22 coming in, leaned on their ace and he came up big. Peavy (7-5) allowed four hits en route to his second straight win, which was his second in seven career starts vs. the Braves. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner struck out seven and walked one.

The Padres (36-57) have the third-worst mark in baseball, and Peavy know he represents their best shot to win every time he takes the hill. "I've got to be that guy, and I understand that I have to be as upbeat as I can," Peavy said. "It's been a tough year, I think everybody in our clubhouse will tell you. I need to be a guy that this team can count on to give a quality effort every fifth day." Peavy, who spent nearly a month on the disabled list with a strained elbow, has not allowed a run in his last 14 innings. "What I liked today, was I thought (Peavy) did a good job of changing speeds," Padres manager Bud Black said. "The more that he can do that, I think it will be effective."

Heath Bell worked a scoreless eighth before Mike Adams allowed two hits in the ninth to set up a save situation for Trevor Hoffman. Hoffman, the all-time saves leader, struck out Brent Lillibridge to convert his 17th in 20 chances and secure San Diego's first win over Atlanta this season.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles (55-37) at Oakland (50-42), 7:05 p.m.

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim can extend their lead in the American League West Division this weekend provided their bats don't go silent again. The Angels offense looks to stay red-hot when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. Anaheim (55-37), which owns a five-game lead atop the AL West, lost four of its final five games in June after scoring one run or less in each of those setbacks. However, the Angels have gone 6-3 in July by scoring nearly 6.5 runs per game and are coming off their highest output since May 18 as they forged an 11-10 victory in 11 innings over the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Sean Gallagher tries to cool the Angels when he makes his first start for the Athletics on Friday. Acquired in the deal that sent former A's ace Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, Gallagher posted a 3-4 record and 4.45 ERA in 12 games - 10 starts - this season. The 22-year-old righthander has made three starts against AL teams this season but owns an 0-1 record while yielding eight runs in 17 total innings against the Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays. Jon Garland (8-5, 3.76 ERA) goes for his third win in his last four starts when he takes the mound for the Angels. Garland is coming off his first complete game of the season, allowing just one run and six hits while striking out three during Sunday's 7-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Florida (48-44) at Los Angeles (45-47), 7:40 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- All-Star Hanley Ramirez will attempt to lead the Florida Marlins to their fifth win in six contests when they face the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. Ramirez collected five hits and delivered the game-winning home run in the 11th inning as the Marlins defeated the Dodgers, 5-4, on Thursday in the series opener of this four-game series. The 24-year-old Ramirez hit a first-pitch fastball over the right-center field wall off reliever Brian Falkenborg (1-2) with two outs. He went 5-for-6 with three singles, a double and the decisive home run. The National League starter at shortstop for the Midsummer Classic, Ramirez leads Florida with a .312 batting average and 23 home runs this season. Uggla, who went 0-for-3 on Thursday in his first game back after an 11-game absence, also has 23 blasts. Los Angeles hopes lefthander Eric Stults (2-1, 2.22 ERA) can shutdown the talented Marlins' offense and erase the sting of Thursday's extra-inning loss. Stults, who will be making his fifth start of the season and 12th career, gave up two runs - one earned - and seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts over four innings during Sunday's 5-3 triumph over the San Francisco Giants. Florida will counter with Chris Volstad (0-0, 0.00), who is making his first career start. In his only other major league appearance, the 21-year-old righthander tossed two scoreless frames of relief in Sunday's 10-5 win over the Colorado Rockies.

Padres On Deck vs. Braves, Game 1 of 3

2008-07-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

Atlanta (43-49) at San Diego (36-56), 7:05 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Jake Peavy and the San Diego Padres host the offensively-inconsistent Atlanta Braves on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, Peavy (6-5, 2.67 ERA) is starting to heat up after missing nearly a month on the disabled list with an elbow injury.

Peavy is coming off his best of the five starts since his return, tossing seven scoreless frames in Saturday's 4-2 triumph over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The righthander yielded just three hits and two walks with six strikeouts.

The Braves are 3-7 over the last 10 contests, scoring just nine runs in the losses, while exploding for 22 runs in their victories over that span. Atlanta starter JoJo Reyes (3-7, 4.40) will need some run support in order to snap his personal three-game losing streak. The 23-year-old lefthander surrendered four runs and six hits with three walks over 4 1/3 innings during Saturday's 6-1 setback to the Houston Astros. Jeff Francoeur, playing in his second game since his brief stint in the minors, hit a solo home run Wednesday, but the Braves suffered a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Francoeur is batting just .234 with nine home runs and 42 RBI this season.

Scott Hairston homered for the fifth time in as many games on Wednesday, but the San Diego Padres suffered a 5-2 setback to the Florida Marlins. Hairston is hitting .259 with 14 blasts and 28 RBI on the campaign.

Marlins Take Series With Win

2008-07-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

FLORIDA 5, SAN DIEGO 2

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Scott Olsen pitched eight outstanding innings, lifting the Florida Marlins to a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. Olsen (5-4), yielded a run, four hits and two walks while striking out three to earn his first victory since May 6. The southpaw, who threw 67 of his 97 pitches for strikes, had been 0-3 in his 11 previous outings. Hanley Ramirez belted his 22nd homer in the third inning before Mike Jacobs made it, 3-0, in the fourth with a two-run shot off Cha Seung Baek (0-2). Rookie John Baker drove in his first career run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth and Wes Helms walked later in the frame for a 5-1 lead. Scott Hairston hit a solo homer in the sixth and rookie Chase Headley added an RBI hit in the ninth for the Padres, who lost for the 10th time in 11 home games.

2009 MLS All-Star Game Goes to Utah

2008-07-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Major League Soccer announced Wednesday that Real Salt Lake Stadium will be the site of the 2009 All-Star Game. The new 20,000-seat stadium in Sandy, Utah, is expected to open in October. The 2009 showcase will mark the sixth time MLS All-Stars will take on a high-profile international club.

"When we broke ground on that fateful August day in 2006, we knew that this stadium would bring spectacular events to this community, and I cannot think of another event that exemplifies that idea more than this one," Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts said. "The eyes of the world will focus on the majestic Wasatch Mountains and stare in wide wonder." The date and opponent for the 2009 game will be announced by early next year. "We are excited to bring the 2009 MLS All-Star Game to Utah and Major League Soccer's newest world-class venue," MLS president Mark Abbott said.

The All-Star Game continues the list of high-profile soccer matches in Utah over the past few years, which include a 2006 World Cup qualifier between the United States and Costa Rica and exhibition matches featuring clubs such as Real Madrid, Boca Juniors and Everton.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (54-36) at Texas (47-44), 5:05 pm

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- The Texas Rangers likely knew coming into the season their pitching would be a question. Never could they have expected to be in a situation like this, however. Michael Ballard will become the second Rangers' pitcher to make his major league debut in as many days when the club continues its four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Texas, which is last in the American League with a staff ERA of 5.00, will turn to its 12th different starting pitcher this season on Wednesday. No other team has sent that many starters to the mound this year. Some of that turnover has been created because the team was forced to place Vicente Padilla (neck, thumb), Kason Gabbard (elbow) and Eric Hurley (hamstring) on the disabled list. Ballard has spent all season with Class AA Frisco, where he was 8-3 with a 3.97 ERA in 15 starts. No team has seen a pair of starters make their debut in back-to-back starts since the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002. Texas would be quite happy if Ballard could repeat the effort of Matt Harrison, who allowed two runs and five hits over seven innings in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Angels. He'll have his hands full against Jered Weaver (8-8, 4.17 ERA), who has been particularly sharp over his last three outings - allowing two runs or less in each start. In Friday's 8-2 victory over Toronto, the righthander collected a win after yielding two runs and six hits with six strikeouts over 7.1 innings.

Atlanta (43-48) at LA Dodgers (44-46), 7:10 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Brian McCann attempts to follow up his first multi-homer game in nearly a year on Wednesday as the Atlanta Braves meet the Los Angeles Dodgers in the rubber match of their three-game set. Atlanta, which narrowly avoided a perfect game by Hiroki Kuroda on Monday, was held hitless through four innings on Tuesday by Chad Billingsley. Another slow start figured to spell doom for the Braves, who had scored eight total runs over their last six losses. However, a three-run double in the fifth by Yunel Escobar broke open a scoreless tie before McCann hit the first of two solo homers for his first multi-homer game since July 13, 2007. Tim Hudson (9-6, 3.19 ERA) hopes McCann and the Braves can repeat the offensive display when he takes the mound in the series finale. The righthander yielded just one run and four hits over seven frames in Friday's 6-2 win over Houston, striking out six to win for the second time in three outings. The Dodgers, who will be chasing their fourth straight series win, will counter with Derek Lowe (6-8, 4.02). In Friday's 10-7 win in San Francisco, the sinkerballer surrendered five runs - four earned - and eight hits over five innings.

Padres On Deck vs. Marlins, Game 3 of 3 (Series 1-1)

2008-07-09T12:47:00.000-07:00

Florida (46-44) at San Diego (36-55), 12:35 pm

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Scott Hairston hopes to continue his recent power surge as the San Diego Padres host the Florida Marlins on Wednesday in the middle contest of a three-game series. Hairston homered for the fourth time in as many games on Tuesday, leading the Padres to a 10-1 rout of the Marlins. The 28-year-old leadoff hitter is on a five-game hitting streak, going 9-for-17 (.529) with four blasts and seven RBI over that stretch. Hairston will hope that success continues against Marlins starter Scott Olsen (4-4, 3.96 ERA), who has not won in over two months. Olsen, who was roughed up for nine runs - eight earned - and 11 hits over five innings during Friday's 18-17 loss to the Colorado Rockies, is winless with three losses over his previous 10 starts. He has not won since finishing one out away from a complete-game shutout on May 6 against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Padres, who are seeking their fourth win in six games, will send righthander Cha Seung Baek (2-4, 4.93) to the mound. Baek tossed six scoreless frames in Friday's 5-1 triumph over the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing just two hits and a walk with seven strikeouts. The South Korean had a no-hitter through five innings in that one.

Pit Row Preview

2008-07-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

FIRESTONE INDY 200

July 12, 2008
Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville, Tennessee
Race 11 of 17 in the 2008 IndyCar Series season
TV: ESPN2, 5 p.m.
Length: 200 laps
Race length: 266 miles
Track length: 1.33-mile oval
Qualifying record: Scott Dixon, 204.414 mph, 2007
Race record: Scott Dixon, 164.030 mph, 2007

LIFELOCK 400

July 12, 2008
Chicagoland Speedway
Joliet, Illinois
Race 19 of 36 on Sprint Cup circuit
TV: TNT, 5 p.m.
Laps: 267
Track length: 1 1/2 miles
Race length: 400 miles
Qualifying record: Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 188.147 mph, 2005
Race record: Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 136.825 mph, 2002

WPS Announces Plans

2008-07-08T20:13:00.000-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO (WPS) - Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today the details of its player selection process leading into the kickoff of its inaugural season in April 2009. WPS teams will build their rosters through an allocation of U.S. Women's National Team stars, a draft of international players, combines, additional League drafts and local team tryouts.

WPS will begin securing domestic talent with the post-Olympics allocation of the U.S. Women's National Team (WNT) and U.S. WNT Player Pool in mid-September, to be immediately followed with a draft of the top international players. In October, WPS will conduct a general draft for both domestic and international players, followed by east and west coast combines in December and a post-combine draft in January. WPS Teams for the inaugural 2009 season - Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington D.C. - will then complete their rosters via local tryouts

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (54-35) at Texas (46-44), 5:05 pm

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Joe Saunders will try to slow down the potent Texas Rangers lineup on Tuesday when he takes the mound for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Ervin Santana, who - along with Saunders - was selected to his first All-Star Game on Sunday, collected his 10th win of the season in Monday's series opener, but not before surrendering six runs and 10 hits as Texas nearly rallied from an 8-0 second-inning deficit. If Saunders (12-4, 3.04 ERA) can duplicate Santana's result, he would - at the very least - keep pace with Arizona's Brandon Webb (12-4), who will also be eyeing his 13th win when he takes the mound vs. Washington. The lefthander recorded his third win over his last four starts in Wednesday's 7-4 victory over Oakland after allowing four runs - two earned - and six hits with five strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. Saunders stands a great chance at winning No. 13 if he can maintain his success on the road, where he is 6-2 with a 2.05 ERA this season. Standing in his way will be Matt Harrison, who will be making his major league debut after being acquired at the trade deadline last season in the deal that sent Mark Teixeira to Atlanta. The 22-year-old lefthander has split time between Class AA Frisco and Class AAA Oklahoma this season, going a combined 6-3 with a 3.43 ERA in 15 starts.

Atlanta (42-48) at LA Dodgers (44-45), 7:10 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- One day after Hiroki Kuroda tossed a one-hit gem, the Atlanta Braves will have to figure out how to manage some offense against the Los Angeles Dodgers' hottest pitcher, Chad Billingsley. Billingsley will try to keep the Dodgers rolling in July on Tuesday when they they continue their three-game set against the Braves. Los Angeles defeated Atlanta, 3-0, in Monday's series opener behind Kuroda's one-hitter as Los Angeles won for the sixth time in seven games this month. The 33-year-old Japanese righthander took a perfect game into the eighth inning before Mark Teixeira - the only Atlanta baserunner - opened the eighth with a double. Even though it will be tough to follow such an act, Billingsley (8-7, 3.12 ERA) is likely the most likely to repeat such a performance as he will aiming for his fifth win in as many starts. The 23-year-old righthander has been particularly sharp lately, striking out 25 over 26.1 innings over his last four outings for a 1.37 ERA. In his last start, Billingsley yielded two unearned runs and six hits over eight innings, striking out five in a 5-2 win at Houston on Thursday. Atlanta will counter with rookie Jair Jurrjens (8-4, 3.09), who will look to rebound from his first loss in nine starts. The righthander surrendered four runs - including a season-worst three homers - and eight hits over seven frames in Thursday's 4-1 loss vs. Philadelphia.

Padres On Deck vs. Marlins, Game 2 of 3 (Series 0-1)

2008-07-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

Florida (46-43) at San Diego (35-55) 10:05 pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Randy Wolf hopes to end a pair of losing streak when he takes the hill on Tuesday as the San Diego Padres continue a three-game series with the Florida Marlins.

Ricky Nolasco threw eight solid innings and Jorge Cantu hit a two-run home run to lead the Marlins to a 3-1 victory on Monday. It was the Padres' ninth straight home loss - the most since August 11 - 30, 1980 when they played at Jack Murphy Stadium.

Wolf (5-8, 4.59 ERA) hopes to put an end to that streak, as well as end a personal four-game skid. The lefthander is 0-4 with a 8.30 ERA since his last win on June 11. On Wednesday, Wolf was rocked for seven runs and six hits in four innings of a 8-1 loss to Colorado. Things don't figure to get any easier against the Marlins, as the former Philadelphia Phillie is 3-12 with a 6.24 ERA in 19 games against Florida. All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez will try and extend his career-best 14-game hitting streak against Wolf.

Meanwhile, the Marlins counter with a struggling lefthander of their own in rookie Andrew Miller (5-7, 4.98). The 23-year-old Miller is 1-4 with a 4.53 ERA in his last eight starts. However, Miller did beat the Padres on May 4, as he allowed two runs and four hits in six innings.

Maddux Victimized Again By Offense

2008-07-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

FLORIDA 3, SAN DIEGO 1

Tim Powers
Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Ricky Nolasco threw eight solid innings and Jorge Cantu belted a two-run home run to lead the Florida Marlins to a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres in the opener of a three-game series on Monday. Kevin Kouzmanoff had a pair of hits for the Padres, who have lost nine straight home games for the first time since August 11-30, 1980 when they played at Jack Murphy Stadium.

Nolasco (10-4) yielded just one run on five hits and won his career-best fifth consecutive decision. The 25-year-old righthander, who also has won nine of his last 10 decisions, struck out seven and did not walk a batter. Kevin Gregg worked a perfect ninth to convert his 16th save in 22 chances. "I was just trying to challenge guys early and get early contact to keep us in the game," Nolasco said. "I'm not going to really walk anybody, I'm just going to challenge them and throw strikes. I feel good, I feel strong and trying to keep it going for the rest of the year."

Cantu's two-run blast in the fourth - his 16th of the season - against San Diego starter Greg Maddux (3-7) gave Florida a 2-0 advantage and provided all the run support Nolasco needed. "Ricky had been unbelievable and it's a good feeling to back him up like that," Cantu said. "(Maddux) paints his spots and you're just trying to make contact and put the ball into play. He's one of the best and he has been for a long time."

Chase Headley sliced the deficit to 2-1 with a solo shot in the fifth, the rookie's fifth homer of the season. But Nolasco allowed little else, retiring 12 of the next 14 batters he faced before giving way to Gregg. Josh Willingham's RBI groundout in the eighth made it 3-1.

Maddux failed to earn a victory for the 11th consecutive start, the second-longest winless stretch in the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer's career. The four-time Cy Young Award winner has not won since May 10, when he notched career win No. 350. "(Maddux) threw the ball well," Black said. "He made the one mistake to Cantu. He tried to get the ball down and away, and the ball sort of climbed back up on him. Cantu sort of jumped on that first pitch sort of middle up and squared it up. But, it was typical (Maddux)."

Ex-Charger Foley Settles for $5.5 Million

2008-07-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Steve Foley has settled his lawsuit against the city of Coronado and an off-duty police officer who shot him for $5.5 million, according to a San Diego Union-Tribune report. On September 3, 2006, Officer Aaron Mansker shot Foley in the back of the left knee and the hip after following him to his home because he suspected the Charger was drunk. Mansker said he thought Foley had a weapon, but the player did not. Foley pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drunk driving charge last year and was sentenced to five years' probation, the paper said. The shooting incident ended Foley's career and he was formally cut by the Chargers prior to last season.

SoCal MLB Preview

2008-07-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

LA Angels (53-35) at Texas Rangers (46-43), 5:05 pm

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Ervin Santana hopes to further validate his All-Star selection as the Los Angeles Angels take on the Texas Rangers in the opener of a four-game series on Monday. Santana (9-3, 3.28) will take the mound for the Angels, who have won four of their last five games, with hopes of slowing Ian Kinsler's hot bat. The Rangers' second baseman, who was also named to the American League All-Star roster, is riding a 18-game hitting streak and leads the AL with a .332 batting average. Kinsler went 3-for-5 with a walk on Sunday to finish 7-for-13 with three walks, scoring five runs in Texas' series against the Baltimore Orioles. His current hitting streak is one short of his career high, set earlier this season. Santana will join teammates Francisco Rodriguez and Joe Saunders in the "Midsummer Classic", marking the first time in the Angels' 41-year history they will have three representatives on the mound. Shortstop Michael Young (groin) was a late scratch on Sunday and Bradley, one of four Texas players selected to the AL All-Star team, left in the sixth with left knee tendinitis, but the injury is not considered serious. Rangers starter Luis Mendoza (1-2, 4.64) is coming off a no-decision against the New York Yankees in which he allowed six runs (one earned) and four hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Padres On Deck vs. Marlins, Game 1 of 3

2008-07-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

Florida (45-43) at San Diego (35-54), 7:05pm, 4SD/1090/105.7

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The Florida Marlins pitching staff had a tough time with the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. A trip to Petco Park may be what they need to get back on track. The Marlins continue their 11-game road trip when they open a three-game series at the San Diego Padres on Monday.

Florida pitching allowed 41 runs in its four-game series with Colorado, losing the first three games before salvaging the final contest, 10-5, on Sunday. The series included an 18-17 loss on Friday. But San Diego's offense ranks second-to-last in runs scored in the majors and average just 3.7 per game. The Padres have scored 3.6 runs per contest at home. Ricky Nolasco (9-4, 3.94 ERA) hopes to take advantage of the Padres' offensive woes when he takes the hill for the Marlins. The righthander has won two straight starts - and four straight decisions - including Wednesday's 4-2 victory over the Washington Nationals. Nolasco allowed two runs and just three hits with eight strikeouts over seven innings.

The Padres will counter with Greg Maddux (3-6, 4.04), who is still searching for his first win since May 10 - a span of 10 starts. The veteran righthander gave up eight runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings at Colorado on June 30.