Temper flaring as Cardinals P Chris Carpenter battling more than just iffy fastball

Cards’ Carpenter battling more than iffy fastball

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter has flashed a nasty temper in recent starts.
The reigning NL ERA champion got his first loss of the season last week. Right after a verbal clash with the Astros’ Carlos Lee, he allowed a three-run home run to Hunter Pence. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Temper flaring as Cardinals P Chris Carpenter battling more than just iffy fastball.

Ryan Howard’s 6 RBIs back Kyle Kendrick in Phillies’ 12-2 win over Pirates

Kendrick goes 8, Howard drives in 6 for Phillies

PHILADELPHIA – Kyle Kendrick pitched eight impressive innings, Ryan Howard hit a grand slam and had six RBIs, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-2 on Monday night.
Jayson Werth had a three-run homer for the NL East-leading Phillies, who have won four straight and 12 …. Original source  : Ryan Howard’s 6 RBIs back Kyle Kendrick in Phillies’ 12-2 win over Pirates.

Kobe Bryant scores 40 points, Lakers rout Suns 128-107 in Western Conference finals opener

Kobe gets 40, Lakers rout Suns in opener
LOS ANGELES – Even on a balky knee, Kobe Bryant had no problem giving the Los Angeles Lakers an early leg up in the Western Conference finals.

Bryant scored 40 points, Lamar Odom added 19 points and 19 rebounds, and the Lakers opened the series with ruthless offensive efficiency …. Read the original article  : here.

Edwin Jackson fans 12 in Diamondbacks’ 5-1 win over Marlins

Jackson fans 12 in Diamondbacks’ win over Marlins

MIAMI, Fla. – Edwin Jackson struck out a career-high 12 in eight shutout innings to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-1 victory over the Florida Marlins on Monday night.
Stephen Drew, John Hester, and Conor Jackson each drove in a run for the Diamondbacks, who won for just …. Source article  : Edwin Jackson fans 12 in Diamondbacks’ 5-1 win over Marlins.

Sing a song for LeBron, who may have better things to do than shop for a new city

Let’s sing a song together for LeBron
Ernie Banks never played in a World Series. Karl Malone never won an NBA championship.

For all his brilliance, Phil Mickelson has yet to win an Open of any real significance.
So when LeBron James reminds us that he’s only 25 and asks for patience, maybe we should listen. It’s not … Original article on : Sing a song for LeBron, who may have better things to do than shop for a new city.

Lorgat praises West Indies for a successful World Twenty20

BRIDGETOWN – International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat praised the West Indies for the staging of a highly successful and memorable World Twenty20.

“I think everyone would agree that the best teams in the men’s and women’s ICC World Twenty20s reached the finals. Congratulations go to Paul Collingwood’s England and Alex Blackwell’s Australia. They … Original source on Gaea Times at : Lorgat praises West Indies for a successful World Twenty20.

‘Contender’ White backs Clarke to lead Oz T20 side

SYDNEY – Australia’s Twenty20 vice captain Cameron White has backed incumbent Michael Clarke to lead the side for his leadership skills, despite selectors toying with the idea of allowing Clarke to focus on 50-over cricket and Tests.

Clarke expects his spot in the Australian Twenty20 team to … Read : ‘Contender’ White backs Clarke to lead Oz T20 side.

Can a 45-year wait come to an end for Inter?

ROME – Inter Milan fans remained relatively cool when they retained the Serie A title for a fifth straight time last Sunday with a 1-0 win in Siena.

For many, however, things could go out of control on Saturday if their heroes beat Bayern Munich in Madrid in the final of the Champions League and lift … Read more >>.

Selectors will look at my performance: Clarke

MELBOURNE – Australian captain Michael Clarke is in a spot after his team’s loss to England in the World Twenty20 final.

Clarke feels that Australia’s performance will be reviewed after batting performances “haven’t been up to scratch”.
“There is no doubt the selectors will need to have a look at my performances. I certainly know they …. Original article  : Selectors will look at my performance: Clarke.

Padres 3, Giants 1

Padres 3, Giants 1

San Francisco

San Diego

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4 0 0 0
Gwynn cf
4 0 …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Padres 3, Giants 1.

Cubs 4, Rockies 2, 11 innings

Cubs 4, Rockies 2, 11 innings

Colorado

Chicago

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5 1 2 0

S.Smith lf …. Source  : Cubs 4, Rockies 2, 11 innings.

Winning Ashes Down Under will be the icing on England’s cake: Swann

LONDON – Beating Australia is always special, says England off-spinner Graeme Swann in an article for The Sun.

“Every time we beat them, our confidence grows that we can do it again and again,” Swann says.

“There is only one thing which could top the two incredible, emotional highs … Read more »»».

Flintoff likely to play for Queensland in Australia’s T20 Big Bash

LONDON – Injured all rounder Andrew Flintoff, who has still not given up hope of returning to England’s limited-overs team, is all set to play in an Australian domestic Twenty20 tournament.

Flintoff, 32, who watched England secure a historic win over the Aussies in the World Twenty20 final, is …. Read the original article  : here.

T20 winning captain Collingwood back in team as regular trooper

LONDON – England’s Twenty20 World Cup winning captain Paul Collingwood will join the team as a regular player at Lord’s on Monday for the first Test against Bangladesh.

Collingwood will not even be the vice-captain of the England cricket team. Andrew Strauss …. Original article  : T20 winning captain Collingwood back in team as regular trooper.

White being tipped to replace Clarke as Oz T20 captain

SYDNEY – Victoria captain Cameron White, who led his side to the Big Bash title, while winning four of the past five championships, is being tipped to be the new Australian Twent20 skipper after incumbent Michael Clarke’s tenure comes under review … Original article on : White being tipped to replace Clarke as Oz T20 captain.

Tiger Woods’ mistress Rachel Uchitel to pose for Playboy

LONDON – Rachel Uchitel, the former mistress of Tiger Woods, has agreed to strip for Playboy magazine.

The 35-year-old refused to bare all at the photo shoot in three weeks’ time but will go topless, reports The Sun.

Uchitel made headlines as she was the first woman linked to … Read : Tiger Woods’ mistress Rachel Uchitel to pose for Playboy.

Obama lauds UConn women’s basketball team as best team in all of sports

Obama welcomes UConn bball team to White House

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama welcomed the University of Connecticut’s national champion women’s basketball team to the White House Monday, calling them the best team in all of sports last year, “by far.”
The UConn women won their second straight NCAA championship earlier this year. It was the seventh … Original source on Gaea Times at : Obama lauds UConn women’s basketball team as best team in all of sports.

Despite severe injuries in racetrack incident, 68-year-old jockey plans to return to riding

Jockey, 68, plans to return from severe injuries

OKLAHOMA CITY – A 68-year-old quarter horse jockey says he plans to return to riding despite suffering major injuries in a weekend accident at Oklahoma’s Remington Park.
From his hospital bed Monday, Roy Brooks of Blanchard says he’d like to return to racing by the start of the track’s [..] Read the original article: here.

Expansion looms large as Big Ten administrators, coaches meet

Expansion looms large at Big Ten meetings
CHICAGO – Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez understands the public would like some answers about Big Ten expansion. Just don’t ask him.

Alvarez said the decision rests with school presidents, not with the league’s athletic directors. Still, expansion was the hot-button topic Monday as conference coaches and administrators gathered in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Expansion looms large as Big Ten administrators, coaches meet.

Deal for a decade: Nicklas Backstrom’s $67 million over 10 years is latest Capitals investment

Decade deal for Capitals’ Backstrom: 10 yrs, $67M

ARLINGTON, Va. – First Alex Ovechkin, now Nicklas Backstrom. The Washington Capitals have their two best players locked into big money contracts for a decade.
So, who buys lunch?
“Maybe we’ll have to do rock, paper, scissors,” Backstrom with a smile.
The 22-year-old Swede signed a 10-year, $67 million deal Monday, …. Original source  : Deal for a decade: Nicklas Backstrom’s $67 million over 10 years is latest Capitals investment.