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• Rockies Closer Morales Goes On DL; Shoulder Injury
• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari Wednesday said Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad were like “dogs who lick the feet of the Congress” but later took back his words saying he didn’t mean to be offensive. In a rally here, Gadkari accused Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad of betraying the opposition on the recent cut motions in parliament and said: “Bade dakarte the sher jaise, aur kutte ke jaise ban kar Sonia-ji aur Congress ke ghar par talve chatne lage’ (these leaders were roaring like lions but later bowed like dogs to lick the feet of Sonia and the Congress).” Gadkari’s remark led to a sharp political reaction from the Samajwadi Party and the RJD leaders who accused him of using foul and unparliamentary language. “I was just using a phrase in the speech to make a point. I take my words back if this has hurt anyone. I have not called them dogs personally. It was only a phrase. It should not be misunderstood. I was talking of their role,” Gadkari told IANS immediately after the remarks. The BJP president, addressing his maiden rally in this city, said the two leaders and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) deserted the opposition on the cut motions in parliament. “In front of the TV, Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad stood with Sushma Swaraj (leader of opposition). All these parties stood with us but turned away later,” Gadkari said. “What happened during the cut motion? The BSP went and sat in the lap of the Congress,” he said. “Someone asked me later which party is with the Congress? I said that only one party was with the Congress – the Congress Bureau of Investigation,” Gadkari said taking a swipe at the Congress for allegedly using the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against political leaders. “Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad bowed before the CBI. In their inquiry, somewhere the lawyer was changed while somewhere the affidavit was changed,” the BJP president claimed. Earlier, Gadkari chided the Congress Party for promoting dynasty politics. The BJP president said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee cannot even think of ever becoming their party’s chief. Referring to his elevation from a poster-pasting ordinary worker to the BJP president, Gadkari said the Congress culture was only to depend on the Nehru-Gandhi clan for leadership. “Can Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee and other senior Congress leaders even ever think of becoming the Congress president?” Gadkari asked. “From (Jawaharlal) Nehru to Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi to Sonia Gandhi now and in future Rahul Gandhi, the leadership issue is quite decided in the Congress,” he said. Gadkari said as an ordinary party worker, he had pasted BJP posters and painted walls. “I have been going around places with electricity linesmen to put up BJP posters. The BJP is a party of the workers. You can become an ex-MP from MP, ex-minister from minister and ex-MLA from MLA, but you can never be an ex-worker. The BJP knows the worth of its workers,” he said. Condemning the policies of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Gadkari said the government has failed to fulfil its promise of controlling prices within 100 days of coming to power June last year. “Instead of the slogan ‘garibi hatao’ (eliminate poverty), the Congress government is out to eliminate the poor,” he said. “Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that India is moving towards double-digit GDP growth but in reality we are going towards double-digit growth in inflation. Our neighbouring country China is maintaining its inflation at below two percent but here it is over 11 percent,” Gadkari said. He added: “Poverty and poor plight of crores of people is the direct result of wrong economic policies and bad governance of the present government. These policies have ruined the whole country.”
• Hit In Pocket: 18 NFL Teams To Raise Ticket Prices For Coming Season
• Gadkari terms Mulayam, Lalu ‘licking dogs’, retracts later
• Braves To Retire Classy Pitcher Glavine’s Number
• Back Spasms Shelve BoSox’ Beckett For Scheduled Friday Start
• Federer, Bondarenko Win At Madrid Masters
• SL vs Eng ICC T20 Semi Final Live Score: England Prepared for Semi-Final Fight
• LeBron, Cavs On Verge Of Early Exit After Celtics Grab Game 5
• Blackhawks Back In Conference Finals With Game 6 Win Over Canucks

Rockies Closer Morales Goes On DL; Shoulder Injury Posted: 12 May 2010 11:19 AM PDT AHN Sports Staff Denver, CO, United States (AHN) – The Colorado Rockies suffered another setback in the bullpen Wednesday after closer Franklin Morales suffered inflammation in his throwing shoulder and had to be sent to the disabled list. Rockies manager Jim Tracy said Morales experienced weakness in his inflamed throwing shoulder. Tracy added Morales feels no pain, but the closer would still be placed on the DL to rest and rehabilitate the injured shoulder. It has been a rough season for the Rockies' pitching staff, which already lost the service of starters Jason Hammel, Jeff Francis, and closer Huston Street. Hammel, who was placed in DL with a strained groin, might be activated Wednesday to replace Morales' spot. Hammel went 0-2 with 9.16 ERA, 13 strikeouts, and 8 walks before the injury. Tracy said Morales had difficulty controlling his pitches after undergoing various examinations. “We weren’t pleased with the strength tests. And obviously, he was struggling with his command,” Tracy told the Denver Post Wednesday, Morales has struggled with five walks and one hit batter in his last four outings. Morales went 0-3 with a 4.09 ERA, 8 strikeouts, and 3 saves. Valenzuela hurler Edgmer Escalona is expected to have his MLB debut this week after the Rockies signed him in 2004. Tracy said Escalona has a dynamic arm and can throw pitches with high velocity. However, Tracy was concerned with how Escalona will handle the pressure of “The Show”. Escalona went 1-0 with a 7.83 ERA in 14 appearances with the Sky Sox this season. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari Wednesday said Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad were like “dogs who lick the feet of the Congress” but later took back his words saying he didn’t mean to be offensive. In a rally here, Gadkari accused Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad of betraying the opposition on the recent cut motions in parliament and said: “Bade dakarte the sher jaise, aur kutte ke jaise ban kar Sonia-ji aur Congress ke ghar par talve chatne lage’ (these leaders were roaring like lions but later bowed like dogs to lick the feet of Sonia and the Congress).” Gadkari’s remark led to a sharp political reaction from the Samajwadi Party and the RJD leaders who accused him of using foul and unparliamentary language. “I was just using a phrase in the speech to make a point. I take my words back if this has hurt anyone. I have not called them dogs personally. It was only a phrase. It should not be misunderstood. I was talking of their role,” Gadkari told IANS immediately after the remarks. The BJP president, addressing his maiden rally in this city, said the two leaders and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) deserted the opposition on the cut motions in parliament. “In front of the TV, Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad stood with Sushma Swaraj (leader of opposition). All these parties stood with us but turned away later,” Gadkari said. “What happened during the cut motion? The BSP went and sat in the lap of the Congress,” he said. “Someone asked me later which party is with the Congress? I said that only one party was with the Congress – the Congress Bureau of Investigation,” Gadkari said taking a swipe at the Congress for allegedly using the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against political leaders. “Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad bowed before the CBI. In their inquiry, somewhere the lawyer was changed while somewhere the affidavit was changed,” the BJP president claimed. Earlier, Gadkari chided the Congress Party for promoting dynasty politics. The BJP president said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee cannot even think of ever becoming their party’s chief. Referring to his elevation from a poster-pasting ordinary worker to the BJP president, Gadkari said the Congress culture was only to depend on the Nehru-Gandhi clan for leadership. “Can Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee and other senior Congress leaders even ever think of becoming the Congress president?” Gadkari asked. “From (Jawaharlal) Nehru to Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi to Sonia Gandhi now and in future Rahul Gandhi, the leadership issue is quite decided in the Congress,” he said. Gadkari said as an ordinary party worker, he had pasted BJP posters and painted walls. “I have been going around places with electricity linesmen to put up BJP posters. The BJP is a party of the workers. You can become an ex-MP from MP, ex-minister from minister and ex-MLA from MLA, but you can never be an ex-worker. The BJP knows the worth of its workers,” he said. Condemning the policies of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Gadkari said the government has failed to fulfil its promise of controlling prices within 100 days of coming to power June last year. “Instead of the slogan ‘garibi hatao’ (eliminate poverty), the Congress government is out to eliminate the poor,” he said. “Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that India is moving towards double-digit GDP growth but in reality we are going towards double-digit growth in inflation. Our neighbouring country China is maintaining its inflation at below two percent but here it is over 11 percent,” Gadkari said. He added: “Poverty and poor plight of crores of people is the direct result of wrong economic policies and bad governance of the present government. These policies have ruined the whole country.” Posted: 12 May 2010 11:12 AM PDT AHN Sports Staff Minneapolis, MN, United States (AHN) – University of Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi said Wednesday that the Big Ten expansion plan is still years in the making. Maturi, the Gophers' athletic director since 2002, said he would be surprised if the Big Ten managed to initiate its expansion this summer. Sports Radio WHB reported the Big Ten offered four schools – Nebraska, Missouri, Rutgers, and Notre Dame – an invitation to join the conference. Reports also stated the Big Ten plans also to invite a fifth team, once Notre Dame agrees to the proposal. The Big Ten is reportedly determined to settle its expansion plan quickly and predicted to announce the move no later than the last week of July. Meanwhile, Maturi was not too keen on the reports, saying he would be shocked if Big Ten expansion happens this year. "Then again, I've been shocked before. I just don't think that Big Ten expansion is that far down the path. I don't think it is, based on conversations we've had and meetings we've had." Maturi told the Detroit Free Press. Nebraska, a member of the Big 12, said the Big Ten has not extended the school an invitation to join the conference. Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said he was not sure about Big Ten's invitation to two of his member schools: Missouri and Nebraska. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Hit In Pocket: 18 NFL Teams To Raise Ticket Prices For Coming Season Posted: 12 May 2010 10:39 AM PDT AHN Sports Staff NY, NY, United States (AHN) – The National Football League announced Wednesday 18 of 32 teams plan to increase ticket prices next season. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said 18 teams will hike ticket prices next season despite a looming work stoppage in 2011. Sports and business analysts have mixed reviews of an impending rise in tickets prices. Sports franchise consultant Marc Ganis sees a slight increase ranging from 3 percent to 7 percent as a result of an improving economy. Meanwhile, former NFL executive and agent Andrew Brandt viewed the hike as the product of a possible work stoppage and uncapped salary. The uncapped salary system is part of NFL's agreement with its players in the final year of the current labor deal. NFL teams such as Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers, and San Francisco 49ers will use the price increase to secure taxpayers support for their new stadiums. Unlike other teams, the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers will employ a sharper increase at 6.67 percent and 7 percent respectively. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions are the only teams that are expected to cut thier prices after experiencing market struggles in recent seasons. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Gadkari terms Mulayam, Lalu ‘licking dogs’, retracts later Posted: 12 May 2010 10:37 AM PDT AHN Sports Staff Minneapolis, MN, United States (AHN) – University of Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi said Wednesday that the Big Ten expansion plan is still years in the making. Maturi, the Gophers' athletic director since 2002, said he would be surprised if the Big Ten managed to initiate its expansion this summer. Sports Radio WHB reported the Big Ten offered four schools – Nebraska, Missouri, Rutgers, and Notre Dame – an invitation to join the conference. Reports also stated the Big Ten plans also to invite a fifth team, once Notre Dame agrees to the proposal. The Big Ten is reportedly determined to settle its expansion plan quickly and predicted to announce the move no later than the last week of July. Meanwhile, Maturi was not too keen on the reports, saying he would be shocked if Big Ten expansion happens this year. "Then again, I've been shocked before. I just don't think that Big Ten expansion is that far down the path. I don't think it is, based on conversations we've had and meetings we've had." Maturi told the Detroit Free Press. Nebraska, a member of the Big 12, said the Big Ten has not extended the school an invitation to join the conference. Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said he was not sure about Big Ten's invitation to two of his member schools: Missouri and Nebraska. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Braves To Retire Classy Pitcher Glavine’s Number Posted: 12 May 2010 08:44 AM PDT Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor Atlanta, GA, United States (AHN) – Pitcher and future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine, who helped Atlanta to their first World Series ring, will be honored this summer when his No. 47 jersey is retired, joining the company of Greg Maddux and Hank Aaron. “It’s an honor and it’s humbling that I’m going into the Braves Hall of Fame and will have my number up there with all the other great players who have played for the organization,” Glavine told MLB.com. Glavine (305–203) returned to the organization in February, after formally announcing his retirement. He became a special assistant to the team president, and is a guest analyst for some Braves games. The lefty finished his career with a 3.54 ERA, fanning 2,607 batters over two decades. Glavine is a five-time 20-game winner and one of only 24 pitchers in league history to have 300 career victories. “It’s something you never envision while you’re playing,” said Glavine, who made his debut for the Braves in August 1987. “Over time it became a reality that it would be a possibility, but until you get the notice, it’s certainly not something you take for granted. It’s something that certainly gives you pride.” Glavine,44, will be inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame Aug. 6. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Back Spasms Shelve BoSox’ Beckett For Scheduled Friday Start Posted: 12 May 2010 07:59 AM PDT AHN Sports Staff Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Boston Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett is expected to miss Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers with back spasms, a major sports media outlet reported. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Beckett's condition is fine, but might still need more time to rest his back injury. Francona said Francona did not sustain major damage in his back based on the result of Tuesday's medical test. Beckett, who skipped Tuesday's side throwing session, will be excused from pitching exercises to relieve his back pains. Pitching in a game and throwing a side is probably not going to help it today or tomorrow.” Francona told ESPN Tuesday. The Red Sox also see Thursday's off day as an opportunity to organize their rotation. Francona designated Tim Wakefield for Wednesday's start, Clay Buchholz (Friday), Jon Lester (Saturday), and John Lackey (Sunday). Francona said he would not sideline the possibility of starting Beckett next Tuesday's vs. the Yankees, but it all still depends on Beckett's recovery. Beckett suffered the back spasms during a batting session before Mondays' match against the Toronto Blue Jay. Beckett was a disappointing 1-1 with 7.46 ERA, 34 strikeouts and 16 walks before Monday's injury. Francona said he did not know which side of the pitcher's back hurts, "the left or right." The Red Sox will open interleague play against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 21-23. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Federer, Bondarenko Win At Madrid Masters Posted: 12 May 2010 06:40 AM PDT AHN Sports Staff Madrid, Spain (AHN) – World's No.1 Roger Federer booked a spot in the third round of the Madrid Masters after ousting German Benjamin Becker 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) Tuesday. Federer, the 2009 Madrid Masters winner, stormed to an easy 6-2 win in the opening set by halting Becker's serve opportunity twice. However, Federer faced a gritty challenge from Backer in the second, as he overcame a 6-5 deficit to force a tiebreaker. The Swiss Maestro then unloaded pressure-packed shots down the stretch to finish off Becker in the tiebreaker round. It has been a rough clay court season for Federer, who lost his first match on clay in Rome and in the semifinal of the 2010 Estoril Open. Federer will next play either countryman Stanislas Wawrinka or Argentine Leonardo Mayer in the third round. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko stunned World's No.2 Caroline Wozniack 6-2 6-3 in their women's singles second round duel Tuesday. Bondarenko capitalized on Wozniack's lackadaisical performance, as she blasted the Danish in one hour and 20 minutes. Wozniack previously said she's not 100 percent healthy due to an ankle injury she suffered an ankle injury at Family Circle Cup last month. Bondarenko, who currently ranks at No.26, looks to advance into the quarterfinal round when she faces China's Li Na in the third round. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

SL vs Eng ICC T20 Semi Final Live Score: England Prepared for Semi-Final Fight Posted: 12 May 2010 05:34 AM PDT ENG vs SL England have started their research already as they plan the downfall of Sri Lanka in Thursday’s ICC World Twenty20 semi-final. Paul Collingwood’s team have excelled in demonstrating their exciting and clever cricket in the shortest format of the game over the past two weeks. It has carried them through an awkward group qualifying stage in rainy Guyana and then flourished in a perfect Super Eight campaign, which ensured they avoided fellow group winners Australia in the last four. England all-rounder Tim Bresnan, who has been used by Collingwood and coach Andy Flower with new-ball and death bowling and a potentially pivotal batting position of number seven, believes that if they continue playing cricket the way they are playing then it doesn’t really matter who the opposition is. Bresnan believes that his initial task – alongside fellow Yorkshireman Ryan Sidebottom – can be a little less precarious than those that follow in the bowling. He also believes that if you bowl it where you want to which is back of a length and straight, with a little bit of variation, especially if it swings as well, the batsmen are just going to have a little bit of a stare at you.

LeBron, Cavs On Verge Of Early Exit After Celtics Grab Game 5 Posted: 12 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter Cleveland, OH, United States (AHN) – The Cleveland Cavaliers took the best record in the regular season through the first round and into a 3-2 lead over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern semis. Most thought the elder Celtics squad was out of gas against the mighty LeBron James and his Kingdom. Wily veterans Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and the Celtics thought otherwise. Allen scored 25 points to lead the Boston Celtics as they put the mighty James and his Cavaliers on the verge of elimination with a 120-88 manhandling in Cleveland Tuesday night. Pierce added 21 and Garnett 18 for the Celtics, who dealt the Cavs their first Game 5 loss in the LeBron era and the worst loss in franchise playoff history. Rajon Rondo, coming off a triple-double in Game 4, scored all of his 16 points in the second half as Boston outscored the Cavs an incredible 70-44. Cleveland had their last lead of the game 29-26 with six minutes left in the second quarter. Boston exploded on an 13-2 run to pull away and kept the Cavs down with 55 percent shooting, including a ridiculous 53 percent from three. The Cavs shot just 41 percent and were outrebounded 41-31. James finished with just 15 points on 3-for-14 shooting. Shaquille O’Neal led Cleveland with 21 points and Anthony Parker had 14. The Celtics will get a chance to eliminate Cleveland Thursday at TD Garden. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

Blackhawks Back In Conference Finals With Game 6 Win Over Canucks Posted: 12 May 2010 01:59 AM PDT Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter Vancouver, BC, Canada (AHN) – The Chicago Blackhawks unleashed a barrage or scores on the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday to skate away with a 5-1 win and advance to the Western Conference Finals for the second-straight year. Troy Brouwer and Kris Versteeg opened the scoring early in the second period with goals less than a minute apart. Dave Bolland added a shorthanded goal with less than a minute left in the period to give Chicago a three-goal advantage going into the final period. Shane O’Brien cut the lead to 3-1, but Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien sealed the win with back-to-back scores less than 30 seconds apart. Roberto Luongo made 30 saves in the loss and Antti Niemi stopped 29 shots for the victors. The No. 2 seed ‘Hawks go on to face the top-seed San Jose Sharks in the Western finals, starting with Game 1 this weekend. Copyright © 2003 – 2010 AHN – All rights reserved.

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