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| Power at the plate Wed, 4 Jun 2008 10:59:52 -0500 Greenwood senior Lindsey Green has earned quite a reputation in the middle of an explosive offense, but this season the catcher has shown how important she can be behind the plate as well. With just a few games left in her high school career, the Florida Gulf Coast signee is looking to lead Greenwood to a second straight state title this weekend at the KHSAA State Tournament in Owensboro. “It’s near the end - but if you think back to last year, that was the end of a good thing,” Green said. “Hopefully, it will be like that this year. Right now, we’re just preparing to get ready for it. Hopefully at the end of the tournament there will be tears, but they will be happy tears.” Green has been a force at the plate all season. In 117 at-bats, she has 24 extra-base hits - including 11 home runs. During last week’s Region 4 Tournament, Green was named co-MVP after hitting three home runs in the first two games. Her prowess at the plate has even led some to suggest she could have played high school baseball. “That’s a pretty big compliment,” Green said smiling. “I’d like to try it and see what I can do.” Green said her approach at the plate is simple. “I just go out and swing it as hard as I can,” Green said. “Before every game I go out and hit, whether it is with the team, by myself or with my dad.” She said it helps to be in the middle of a lineup full of offensive weapons. “We always have base runners, so it is always pretty good when you get up to bat,” Green said. “We have such a strong lineup. It’s like last year, when everyone in the state tournament had a hit that helped us at some point.” Still, that didn’t prevent Green from being intentionally walked twice during the Region 4 championship game. “It’s frustrating, but you have to take it as a compliment because they respect you so much,” Green said. While everyone sees Green’s success at the plate, Greenwood coach Penny Reece said it is what she does behind the plate that makes her so valuable. “A lot of people don’t see that,” Reece said. “She’s back there covered up with that mask and gear and you don’t think about that. She calls every pitch. Obviously her and Rachel work together on that, so a lot of people say she doesn’t really have to do much with Rachel Riley behind the mound. She does.” Senior pitcher Rachel Riley credits Green with her success. “She’s irreplaceable,” Riley said. “It’s funny, because I’ll have my grip ready - knowing what she is going to call. We know each other so well. If I have anybody else out there, we don’t click as well as me and Lindsey.” While Green and Riley had a rapport unmatched in the area, Green found herself having to work with an inexperienced staff early in the year while Riley recovered from a knee injury. “Lindsey really stepped up and was a leader,” Reece said. “She gave those kids confidence when they were scared to death. She made them believe that they belonged to be out there in varsity competition. Whether it be Whitnee, Ashli Alford or little Peyton Price coming in. They would all say that Lindsey makes you feel good out there.” Green said she is just doing her job and adds that it’s made easier by being part of a team with the chemistry that the Lady Gators have. “Most of us has played together since we were 12 years old, so we know each other really well,” Green said. “I’ve always said we are probably the best group of girls that play together, because we know each other so well. We just click really well together.” Green hopes that chemistry continues this weekend. While another state championship would be the ideal ending, Green said her expectations are a little simpler. “I just want everybody to have the game of their life and have no regrets,” Green said. “I want us to be able to click one last time.” |
| Trojans persevere through injuries Wed, 4 Jun 2008 10:59:52 -0500 GLASGOW — Upon entering the 2008 baseball season with nine experienced seniors, Barren County might have seemed destined for the Region 4 championship. While the Trojans eventually lived out that destiny, the road leading to tonight’s Semi-State 2 series opener against Christian County at Henderson County High School was hardly a primrose path. The adversity started early, when Blake Crabtree - one of the Trojans’ top two pitchers - suffered a torn ligament in his right elbow, sidelining him from pitching for the entire year. As if that wasn’t enough, Barren County’s other ace, Lucas Mohon, also missed time with nagging hamstring issues. Add that to a leg injury suffered by fellow senior Matthew Riley, and what once looked like a championship mix began flirting with disaster. But rather than giving up, the Trojans persevered, and are now two victories from advancing to next week’s Forcht Bank/KHSAA State Tournament at Applebee’s Park in Lexington. “About two weeks ago we played Franklin-Simpson in our last regular season game, and Riley was hurt, Lucas had been battling hamstring problems and then Blake hurt his arm again - and it was really a low point for us.” Barren County coach Scott Gillon said. “We got them all together and I kind of told them that I really didn’t know why things were happening the way they were because we’ve always worked hard and battled through a lot of adversity before, but hopefully good things would come.” Gillon’s wishful thinking turned into reality. All three regained adequate playing shape just before the District 15 Tournament and eventually led the Trojans to their first Region 4 crown Saturday over Greenwood. “Just before the district tournament everything kind of came together, Lucas was good, Riley was told that he was done for the year and then he was fine and then Blake was OK,” Gillon said. “I guess what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Crabtree agreed, saying that the season started off as good as was hoped. The Trojans returned from a spring break trip to Florida with an 11-2 record and a fine outlook. But when the injuries began to mount, it was simply a matter of everyone else on the team stepping up and refusing to let the dream die. “It started off great, we were 11-2 when we got back from Florida but we had the difficulties with injury and stuff like that,” said Crabtree, who as a second baseman still managed to win the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association Region 4 Player of the Year despite all the elbow pain. “But we finally got everybody back healthy, and we’re playing our best ball right now and hopefully we’ll continue to do that.” Mohon said that in a way, the injuries to the three seniors might have helped as much as it hurt. “Us going down, sure that really hurt, but it allowed a lot of the other guys to step up, and they definitely did,” he said. “During that streak where we had so many injuries, we had a lot of guys step up and make some big plays, pitch a lot of good innings and help keep us winning and keep that winning attitude going.” Barren County hopes to continue that winning attitude tonight, when it takes on Region 2 champion Christian County. The Colonels (25-11) enter the best-of-three series after knocking off Region 2 favorite Henderson County 8-6 on Friday. “We played them last year and they came over here and run-ruled us,” Gillon said. “We haven’t seen them this year and we’re getting some scouting reports, but we know they’re a pretty good team - if you can beat Henderson, you’re a pretty good squad. “Christian County traditionally is a pretty good program, but we’re going to go up there and compete the best we can and hope that everything works in our favor.” Crabtree said that despite all the pain and adversity, this has been a year he wouldn’t trade for anything. “You have to take a lot of ibuprofen and go through a lot of pain while you’re playing,” Crabtree said. “But we’ve all been able to gut it out … it’s been rough, but it’s going to all work out in the end. “It’s definitely been worth it ... and hopefully we’ll keep on the right track and things will continue to work out.” |
| Area ladies earn wins at various Muni LGA events Wed, 4 Jun 2008 10:59:53 -0500 The Muni Ladies Golf Association held events this month at Paul Walker Golf Course and The Golf Course at Riverview. On May 13 at Paul Walker, Rachel Higdon won the first flight, Beverly Finkle took the second flight, Sonja Kimmel the third and Pat Tapscott the fourth. Georgia Brenner carded a chip-in on the 12th hole. At Riverview on May 20, Karen Lee won the first flight, Brenda Fry the second, Trudy Lee the third and Jean Lucas the fourth. Peggy Chaffin chipped in on No. 4, while Melly Lee and Fry chipped in on No. 16. Karen Lee carded a birdie on No. 11, while Louise Culp and Melly Lee birdied No. 17. On May 27 at Riverview, Judy Lee took the first flight, Daphna Gilbert won the second, Kimmel the third and Tapscott the fourth. Kimmel, Daphna Gilbert and Cheryl Willis all recorded chip-ins. |
| History awaits Big Brown Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:03:00 EST With Big Brown's brilliant but brief career already in its final stages, a popular backside topic is how the unbeaten Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner will go down in history. More racing coverage |
| Big Brown's hoof OK after work, trainer says Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:39:00 EST Triple Crown aspirant Big Brown yesterday morning had his first serious workout since two days before he won the Kentucky Derby on May 3, cruising five furlongs in 1:00.03 at Belmont Park. |
| Filly will be buried at Derby Museum Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:53:00 EST Eight Belles, who died minutes after placing second in the Kentucky Derby last month, will be buried a couple of furlongs from the finish line. |
| Keeneland raises fall stakes purses Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:59:00 EST Keeneland will offer a record $5.4 million in stakes purses -- one of the richest programs in North America -- for its 2008 fall race meeting Oct. 3-25. |
| U of L sports budget a record $50.7 million Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:59:00 EST Having eight home games this season will give the University of Louisville football team an advantage. It also will provide a big help to the athletic department's bottom line. |
| Cards' redshirt RB Martin gets release, will transfer Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:00:00 EST One of the top running back prospects ever to sign with the University of Louisville football team has left the school before playing a down. |
| Baseball coach sees U of L as place to be Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:00:00 EST Dan McDonnell's success as the University of Louisville baseball coach inevitably will place him at the top of other schools' wish lists. But McDonnell made a strong statement about where he wants to be yesterday. |
| Selfless Jasper finished well for Wildcats Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:01:00 EST Usually, when a player transfers, you've seen it coming by what transpired on the court or field. Usually, you've seen it in how he related to other people, or from things he said in the media. |
| PRP's Millers a diamond duo Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:03:00 EST Megan Miller, the daughter of one of Kentucky's most successful high school baseball coaches, seemed a natural to join the profession. The road to becoming a coach began as a child, when Miller would head to the Pleasure Ridge Park High School baseball field as much as possible to be with her father, Bill. |
| Mud Hens are full of power against Bats Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:50:00 EST Toledo's Mike Hessman was the one leading the International League in home runs. Teammate Brent Clevlen was the one who swung the big bat last night. Clevlen blasted two colossal homers, and his five RBIs helped the Mud Hens defeat the Bats 7-2 before 7,924 fans at Louisville Slugger Field. |
| Churchill Downs Entries Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:24:00 EST |
| Churchill Downs Leaders Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:26:00 EST |
| PREP BASEBALL: Elizabethtown upends Central Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:08 -0500 ELIZABETHTOWN What a difference two weeks can make. |
| PREP BASEBALL: John Hardin sweeps North Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500 RADCLIFF It’s been said that hitting is contagious and the John Hardin Bulldogs certainly had a bad case of it spread through the team Thursday night. |
| PREP SOFTBALL: Krupinski, Central Hardin shut out John Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500 CECILIA Having been shut out in their previous two games, the Central Hardin Lady Bruins were in a little bit of a funk. |
| PREP SOFTBALL/BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Lady Panthers fall; Mayfield moves to 7-1 Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500 The slumping Elizabethtown Lady Panthers lost for the 10th time in 13 games, falling to visiting Warren Central on Thursday, 3-1. |
| BOYS'/GIRLS' PREP TENNIS RESULTS: Thursday's Matches Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500 Results from Thursday's area high school tennis matches: |
| Cohen's name bandied for MSU job Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:33 EDT Rumors are rampant about John Cohen's future as baseball coach at Kentucky. Most of the talk has Cohen bolting from Lexington and back to his alma mater, Mississippi State. Mitch Barnhart, UK athletics director, says he anticipates Cohen will remain with the Wildcats. Spokesmen at Mississippi State say the Bulldogs do not yet have a successor to Ron Polk and that it may be after the College World Series ends before an announcement will be made. The Herald-Leader tried unsuccessfully to reach Cohen on Tuesday and Wednesday. |
| Late rally falls short as Legends lose again Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:03 EDT The Greensboro Grasshoppers scored four runs in the third inning and three in the fourth and had all the offense they needed to beat the Lexington Legends 7-4 on Wednesday night at Applebee's Park. The Legends got a rally started in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn't enough. With Lexington down 7-2, the ninth began with a walk to catcher Max Sapp. First baseman Eric Taylor hit a line-drive triple to right to drive in Sapp. A sacrifice fly by right fielder Russell Dixon brought in Taylor, but the scoring ended there. Lexington's Jonathan Fixler lined out to third, and Greensboro closer Garrett Parcell struck out shortstop Catlin Everett to end the game. |
| Future Cat Zollo might play at Clark Co. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:43 EDT It appears that Vinny Zollo, a 6-foot-8 high school sophomore-to-be who has committed to Kentucky, will be playing basketball at Clark County next season. Clark County Coach Scott Humphrey said Wednesday that .all indications are that (Zollo) is coming here. He's visited the school, his mom has interviewed for a teaching position, and they've been in town for the better part of a week looking at property. .There are still a few hoops for them to jump through, but it appears it's full-throttle ahead for them to move to this area.. Zollo played his freshman year at McClain High School in Greenfield, Ohio. He broke his leg in an AAU game recently and will be sidelined several weeks. |
| State softball: Patience pays off at Anderson Co. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:33 EDT Inexperience and success often don't go hand-in-hand. Just ask Anderson County's softball team. For years, the Bearcats struggled to find a way back into the state tournament. After reaching the tournament in 2002 on the back of an improbable regional run . they were only 13-18 . the Bearcats failed to make it out of the Region 8 tournament for five straight years. Anderson County Coach Brian Glass figured that if the school wanted to reach the state tournament again, it would have to start building. So Glass built. |
| John Clay: ABC needs to get this Belmont right Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:53 EDT I'm not worried about Big Brown when it comes to Saturday's 140th running of the Belmont Stakes. I'm not worried about big-mouth trainer Rick Dutrow. I'm not even worried about the inside post position, or the Japanese invader, Casino Drive, or the Long Island weather, or the sandy track or the gremlins of racing luck. Three little letters worry me about Saturday. |
| Big Brown draws inside post position for Belmont Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:41 EDT A surprising outcome of the post-position draw for the 41 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday saw 2-5 favorite Big Brown draw the inside starting spot in his quest for the Triple Crown. In trainer Rick Dutrow's mind, that's no problem, babe, as he would say. Dutrow accepted the No. 1 post with the same calm he exhibited with selecting the No. 20, far outside post for Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby. .I just can't see a post position getting him beat,. Dutrow said. He added that he remains .every bit. as confident about Big Brown now as he has throughout Big Brown's Triple Crown victories in the Derby and Preakness Stakes. Nine will challenge Big Brown in this 1 1/2-mile stakes that often proves to be the undoing of colts close to winning the crown. Casino Drive, who has had only two career races, was made second betting choice at 7-2. He drew an ideal post, No. 5. |
| Federer reaches 16th straight Grand Slam semifinal Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:01 EDT There have been times this year when Roger Federer's cloak of infallibility slid from his shoulders, when his absolute dominance against anyone but Rafael Nadal and at any tournament but the French Open wasn't quite so absolute. Federer arrived at Roland Garros with one title, his lowest count since 2001. He arrived with seven losses, more than his total for any of the previous three entire seasons. And so it was Wednesday that for the first set of his French Open quarterfinal against 24th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez, Federer looked, well, human. His serve was broken three times. He shanked shots. He was, by his own admission, "a little bit rattled." Still, as he's done so many times, Federer adjusted and regrouped, beating Gonzalez 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 to extend his own record by reaching a 16th consecutive Grand Slam semifinal. Federer moved two wins away from completing a career Slam and earning his 13th major championship, which would leave him one shy of Pete Sampras' mark. "At one stage, I was a bit afraid," the No. 1-ranked Federer said, "because the match was not going the way I wanted." |
| IOC picks Chicago among 4 finalists for 2016 Games Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:26 EDT Getting to the final phase was one thing. Now, Chicago has some hard work ahead to overcome weaknesses in its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Chicago was one of four cities selected as bid finalists Thursday, along with Tokyo; Madrid, Spain, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The lineup sets up a high-profile contest featuring major cities from the Americas, Europe and Asia. Failing to make the International Olympic Committee shortlist were three cities - Doha, Qatar; Prague, Czech Republic, and Baku, Azerbaijan. The IOC said Doha had the potential to host the Olympics and even rated the Qatari capital tied for third with Chicago in its technical assessment. But the IOC said it turned back Doha because it proposed holding the games in October. The finalists now advance to a 16-month race that will culminate on Oct. 2, 2009, with a secret ballot by the full IOC at its session in Copenhagen, Denmark. |
| Smoltz to have season-ending shoulder surgery Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:24 EDT John Smoltz knew the pain was too intense to keep pitching this season. Now, the Atlanta Braves right-hander hopes to add one more comeback to his remarkable career. Smoltz will undergo season-ending surgery on his ailing right shoulder next week, but the 41-year-old is not ready to concede his next move is retirement. "I've pulled off a lot of miracles," Smoltz said Wednesday at a hastily called news conference before the Braves' game against the Florida Marlins. "I probably shouldn't have played this long. I'm looking forward to seeing if I can extend it." The only pitcher in baseball history with 200 wins and 150 saves already has returned from four operations on his elbow, but it's highly improbable for someone his age to come back from a major procedure. No wonder the news conference took on the tenor of a retirement announcement. "This is a sad day for us in many ways," general manager Frank Wren said. "We don't know the outcome of the surgery, whether it will allow him to come back and pitch, or just allow him to go on with his life." Still, Smoltz has defied the odds before. |
| Bruce gives Reds fans new hope Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:53 EDT Ken Griffey, Jr. should be dominating the Cincinnati spotlight, what with the Reds right fielder one homer shy of 600. Instead, Junior stands in the shadow. Of Jay Bruce's smile. For a team that hasn't had much to smile about these last few years . seven straight losing seasons and counting . there is something more than a little bit intoxicating about the dazzling debut of the Reds' new center fielder. |
| Smith scores 33 to lead Shock past Storm, 77-67 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:10 EDT Katie Smith will have several reasons to fondly remember her 34th birthday. The Detroit Shock All-Star was presented with her U.S. Olympic team jersey before the game, then scored a season-high 33 points in a 77-67 victory over the Seattle Storm Wednesday. "I didn't want to go home with a loss on my birthday," said Smith, who hadn't scored more than 28 points since joining the Shock in 2005. "I just didn't hit enough shots to get 34 points on my 34th birthday." Detroit coach Bill Laimbeer played Smith for the entire game, then joked that he thought she had fallen short of her milestone. "I played her all 40 minutes so she could try to score 40 points," he said. "She did turn 40 today, right?" |
| Garko has career-best 6 RBIs as Tribe rout Rangers Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:05 EDT Ryan Garko drove in a career-high six runs, David Dellucci hit a three-run homer and the Cleveland Indians held on for a 15-9 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night. Dellucci, who had 29 homers for the Rangers in 2005, extended Cleveland's lead to 11-6 in the sixth inning against Elizardo Ramirez (0-1) with his sixth homer. It came one batter after Garko's two-run single had put the Indians in front. Garko, who had four hits, had another two-run single in the four-run seventh that pushed Cleveland's lead to 15-6. Ramirez entered a game that was tied at 6, then was knocked around for eight runs and nine hits in 2 2-3 innings after being called up from Triple-A Oklahoma earlier Wednesday. Ramirez left with a 30.38 ERA in his AL debut. Texas pitchers have allowed 48 runs in the last four games. |
| Tony Stewart wins charity dirt-track race Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00 EDT Tony Stewart won his own charity dirt-track race Wednesday, leading nearly the entire way. Robby Gordon finished second in the Old Spice Prelude to the Dream, followed by Clint Bowyer. Stewart grabbed the lead from Kevin Harvick on the first lap at Eldora Speedway and led the rest of the way in the 30-lap race. Gordon moved into second by the 20th lap, but couldn't close. |
| Big Brown's 1st trainer watches star from afar Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:01 EDT Finding Big Brown's first trainer requires a long walk to the far back corner of sprawling Belmont Park, past rundown barns with peeling white paint. Pat Reynolds is sitting in his small, harshly lit office, last barn on the right. Outside the door, some of his 15 horses curiously poke their heads out of stalls. None is the once-in-a-lifetime horse that got away. The one who did was Big Brown. "There are pangs of 'what if.' Could should woulda," said Reynolds, whose former pupil went on to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and on Saturday will attempt to become thoroughbred racing's first Triple Crown winner in 30 years. The colt was out of Reynolds' barn a few weeks after he saddled Big Brown to a debut victory - by 11 1/4 lengths - in a turf race at Saratoga in September. |
| Tiger Woods plays 1st round of golf since Masters Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:01 EDT Tiger Woods played his first round of golf Wednesday since knee surgery two days after the Masters, getting a thumbs-up from his swing coach after 17-plus holes at Torrey Pines riding in a cart. Eight days before the start of the U.S. Open, Woods played in solitude on the South Course with swing coach Hank Haney, stopping only when he saw a small group of people with cameras waiting around the 18th green. "It went well," Haney said in a telephone interview. "He hit the ball really well. It was definitely a positive day." The San Diego Union-Tribune, which first reported on its Web site that Woods had played, said the round lasted 3 hours, 15 minutes amid tight security. No spectators or media were allowed on the course, which has been closed since May 21. It was the first time Woods has played at Torrey Pines since he won the Buick Invitational in January by eight shots before thousands of fans. Haney said it was eerie to play a city-owned golf course with no one around. |
| Red Wings hoist Cup for 4th time in 11 seasons Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:55 EDT Hockeytown is home to the Stanley Cup - again. Using a little Motown magic on the road, the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in 11 seasons Wednesday night with a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the finals. The celebration came two nights later than expected. The Penguins forced the series back to Pennsylvania by tying Game 5 with 34.3 seconds left in regulation and winning it shortly before 1 a.m. in Detroit on Petr Sykora's power-play goal in triple overtime. Undeterred, the Red Wings wrapped up their fourth straight series on the road in these playoffs. Detroit is third in NHL history with 11 Stanley Cup titles, trailing fellow Original Six clubs Montreal and Toronto. Just like in Game 5, things got a little dicey for the Red Wings, who allowed Marian Hossa's power-play goal with 1:27 remaining that got the Penguins to 3-2. Pittsburgh had already pulled Game 5 hero Marc-Andre Fleury to create a 6-on-4 skating edge. With the final seconds ticking down, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby put a backhander on goal that Hossa just missed with a tip at the right post. |
| Dynamo, United clash postponed Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:50 EDT Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - The Major League Soccer fixture between the Houston Dynamo and D.C. United at RFK Stadium on Wednesday night was postponed because of poor field conditions caused by heavy rain. The game's start was delayed for about 30 minutes because of thunderstorms, and when it did finally start the teams played for 15:40 before referee Ricardo Salazar ordered the clubs to their respective locker rooms because a steady downpour of rain made the field unplayable. After about an hour and 15 minute rain delay the game was postponed to a later date, which is expected to be announced on Thursday or Friday. |
| Zetterberg wins Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:50 EDT The Detroit Red Wings are Stanley Cup champions because they excel at both ends of the rink. None of them does it better than Henrik Zetterberg, whose two-way play earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. The Swede's goal midway through the third period proved to be the series winner and he had an assist to lift Detroit to a 3-2 win Wednesday night over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6. He became just the second European to win the award, joining fellow Swede and teammate Nicklas Lidstrom, who won it in 2002. "It's special to be on there with so many great players - especially Nick," Zetterberg said as he looked at the trophy during a news conference. Zetterberg likely sealed the Conn Smythe with his two-point night. |
| Young Penguins can't stop seasoned Red Wings Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:45 EDT Finally, the moment the Pittsburgh Penguins waited for throughout the Stanley Cup finals. Evgeni Malkin, one of the NHL's best offensive players during the season, scored an important goal. Too late, as it turned out. Too late to save the game, too late to save the series. Malkin gave the Penguins a short-lived lift in their series-ending 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in Game 6 on Wednesday night, ending a finals-long shutout by scoring on a power play late in the second period. That made it 2-1 and, for the first time since the opening minutes, it appeared the Penguins had a chance to win and force a decisive Game 7. They should have known better. Red Wings stars Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski wouldn't let it happen, clamping down on the Penguins' young offensive stars to claim their fourth Stanley Cup in 11 seasons. The Penguins, seemingly the NHL's team of the future, now must wait for their first Cup since the Mario Lemieux days. As usual, a good defense beat a good offense, and these Penguins weren't ready yet to beat a team as deep, skilled and committed to defense as the Red Wings are. |
| Cards, Nats rained out; twinbill set for Thursday Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:15 EDT It was supposed to be a night to love the planet. Instead, the planet had the last word. The new Nationals Park is the first sports venue in North America to be officially certified as environmentally friendly, so the Washington Nationals promoted Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals as "Get Your Green On" night. The Nationals were to play wearing green hats. A green pitching rubber was on standby for the ceremonial first pitch. Lineup cards would be delivered at a green home plate. None of it happened. The game never had a chance. Mother Nature put on her own show with a series of heavy thunderstorms, accompanied by sporadic tornado warnings, that blanketed the area from mid-afternoon well into the evening. Spectacular lightning displays above the Capitol dome were visible from the ballpark's upper deck. The tarp was on the infield well before the 7:10 p.m. scheduled start time. By 9 p.m., huge puddles were forming in the outfield. The Nationals announced the postponement at 9:47 p.m. - the first rainout in stadium history - with the game to be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader Thursday. |
| Red Sox take over 1st with 12th straight home win Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:50 EDT Josh Beckett allowed a run in six strong innings and the Boston Red Sox won their 12th straight home game to take the AL East lead from Tampa Bay with a 5-1 win over the Rays on Wednesday night. The scariest moment for Beckett came when his left foot appeared to slip as it landed on a pitch to Cliff Floyd in the sixth inning. Manager Terry Francona and assistant trainer Mike Reinold went to the mound to check on him. Beckett stayed in the game and struck out Floyd. Beckett (6-4) left after throwing 92 pitches but was not injured, team spokesman John Blake said. He allowed seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks, the eighth time in 11 starts he walked one or no batters. Despite dropping a half-game behind the Red Sox and ending 10 days in first place, the Rays are a franchise-high 11 games over .500. Last season, they finished last for the ninth time in their 10 seasons, 30 games behind the division-winning Red Sox. J.D. Drew, batting third in place of the injured David Ortiz, continued his surge with an RBI double, a single and two runs. In Tuesday night's 7-4 win over Tampa Bay, Drew had a two-run homer, a double and two outstanding catches in right field. |
| Votto spoils no-no, Volquez lifts Reds past Phils Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:35 EDT Joey Votto's two-out RBI double in the seventh inning spoiled Brett Myers' bid for a no-hitter, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 on Wednesday night behind another impressive start by Edinson Volquez. A sellout crowd hoping to see Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 600th homer saw an old-fashioned pitcher's duel in the rarest of places - hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. Junior wasn't in the Reds' lineup for the third consecutive game because of general soreness, including a sore left knee. For the second straight game, he walked as a pinch hitter in the eighth and pitcher Bronson Arroyo ran for him. Volquez (8-2) allowed two hits, struck out eight, walked two and hit two batters in seven innings, lowering his ERA to a major league best 1.32. Bill Bray got two outs in the eighth and Francisco Cordero got the last four outs to complete the two-hitter and earn his 12th save in 14 chances. |
| Duke effective into 8th to help Pirates top Astros Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:05 EDT Zach Duke allowed two runs over 7 2-3 innings and Raul Chavez drove in three runs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 5-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night. Duke (3-4) gave up seven hits, struck out two and walked two. He was lifted after allowing a two-out walk to Miguel Tejada in the eighth. The left-hander had his longest outing of the season and won for the first time in seven career starts against Houston. Matt Capps pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 12th save. Ty Wigginton hit a solo home run and Carlos Lee had an RBI single for the Astros, who have lost six of seven, scoring 10 runs in that stretch. Roy Oswalt (4-6) lost to the Pirates for the first time since April 25, 2005. He went six innings, allowed three earned runs and nine hits, struck out four and walked one. Before Wednesday night, Oswalt was 5-0 with a 1.84 ERA in his past eight starts against the Pirates. |
| Duchscherer pitches A's to 3-game sweep of Tigers Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:58 EDT Justin Duchscherer allowed three hits over 6 2-3 innings and the Oakland Athletics beat the Detroit Tigers 10-2 on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep. Duchscherer (5-4) struck out three and faced only one batter over the minimum through the first five innings while winning for only the second time in his last five starts despite a season-high five walks. Tigers' starter Nate Robertson (3-6) took the loss after giving up five runs and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings. The left-hander had won his previous two decisions but remained winless in five starts on the road. The Tigers haven't fared much better away from Detroit. They finished their nine-game road trip with a 3-6 record and return Friday for the start of a 10-game homestand. Travis Buck hit his second home run of the season and Daric Barton matched his career high with three hits as Oakland won its fourth straight. It's the fifth time this season the A's have swept a three-game series after having only three three-game sweeps in all of 2007. |
| Big Brown to break from No. 1 post in Belmont Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:01 EDT Big Brown is No. 1 again before he even stampedes out of the gate at the Belmont Stakes. Big Brown will take his shot at Triple Crown history from the inside, drawing the No. 1 post for Saturday's race. The post could be a lucky one for an undefeated colt that really doesn't need any extra edge: It's produced the most Belmont winners (23) since 1905. Big Brown was installed as the early 2-5 favorite against nine rivals Wednesday for the grueling 1 1/2-mile race. Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby from the outside and he dominated the Preakness starting in the middle of the pack. Now, the colt has a shot at winning from the rail. Jockey Kent Desormeaux, whose flawless handling of the horse has Big Brown in position for the first Triple Crown in 30 years, said the inside was a better spot. "Absolutely, because it's an easier trip," he said. "I would be able to just guide and glide. Now, I'm going to have to jockey for position. He's so fast away from the gate, though, the race might be over in 40 yards." |
| Reds' Griffey sits again still 1 homer shy of 600 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:46 EDT Ken Griffey Jr., one homer shy of 600, wasn't in the starting lineup for the Cincinnati Reds for the third consecutive game Wednesday. The 38-year-old outfielder played in 54 of Cincinnati's first 57 games, but he hasn't started against the Philadelphia Phillies because of general soreness and a sore left knee. Griffey walked on four pitches as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning Tuesday night and pitcher Bronson Arroyo ran for him. Corey Patterson started in center field Wednesday after being recalled from Triple-A because Ryan Freel was placed on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Rookie sensation Jay Bruce was in right field again. The only other players to hit 600 homers are Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Sammy Sosa. Griffey hit homer No. 599 against Atlanta on Saturday, but missed a chance to reach the milestone in front of his hometown fans. |
| Lakers and Celtics set to rekindle Finals rivalry Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:01 EDT They're like long, lost fraternity brothers who left college with bad haircuts and wearing those thigh-hugging short shorts that were fashionable during the Reagan years. They drifted to opposite coasts and barely kept in touch. Well, they've reconnected and are getting back together. The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are going to a reunion in a place they both know so well - the NBA finals. It's about time, huh? "I feel like a little kid," said Celtics forward Paul Pierce, who grew up in L.A. and used to sneak into the Lakers' home arena. "Now I understand that, hey, I'm going to be a part of history. This is something I grew up watching, the Laker-Celtics rivalries." |
| PETA urging action following death of Eight Belles Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:46 EDT The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are urging prosecutors to bring animal cruelty charges against Eight Belles' trainer, Larry Jones. Lawyers for the animal rights group plan to deliver a letter to R. David Stengel, Commonwealth's Attorney for Jefferson County, on Thursday asking for an investigation to be launched into the death of the 3-year-old filly. Eight Belles was euthanized moments after the Kentucky Derby on May 3 after breaking both of her front ankles. PETA said Jones' admission that he gave Eight Belles an anti-inflammatory drug less than two days before the Derby jeopardized her safety. Jones has denied any wrongdoing in the handling of the horse, and said Wednesday that he followed the rules of racing as set forth by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority. An autopsy on Eight Belles completed last month showed she had no diseases or pre-existing bone abnormalities before her breakdown. She also tested negative for steroids. |
| Trade deadline pickups happy to be in Cup finals Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:46 EDT Back in February, the Stanley Cup finals were no more than a pipe dream for a trio of thrilled Pittsburgh Penguins. Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis toiled in Atlanta, and Hal Gill endured long days while mired in the mess the Toronto Maple Leafs' season had become. Less than four months later, it is though they were born to wear the black and gold. "It's funny how your loyalties change when you're in battle with a team," Gill said Wednesday, a few hours before Game 6 against the Detroit Red Wings. "It doesn't take long, a few games before you get that feeling that you're part of this team. "I was traded a long time ago. It feels like it was three years ago." Hossa, an impending unrestricted free agent, knew his days with the Thrashers were numbered. Disappointed in the direction of the also-ran club that had won the Southeast Division a year ago, Hossa didn't enter into serious negotiations with Atlanta and wrote his ticket out of town. |
| Miracle comeback leaves Penguins battered but bullish Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:45 EDT PITTSBURGH . The Stanley Cup finals haven't seen anything like this in 72 years, a team staving off elimination by scoring in the last minute of regulation and then winning in overtime. Just like that, Hockeytown began wearing one big hockey frown, and the Penguins get to play another game against the Detroit Red Wings that not many outside of Pittsburgh thought they would play. If they've got enough healthy bodies. Ryan Malone broke his nose . for the second time in the series. Sergei Gonchar has a back or shoulder injury that wouldn't allow him to shoot during his only on-ice appearance in overtime. Petr Sykora has a significant but undisclosed upper body injury. Sidney Crosby's right ankle, injured in January, won't be healed until he takes significant time off. |
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