Thursday, July 8, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Harvick Leads Cup Points Race At Halfway Point

Posted: 08 Jul 2010 04:41 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – Kevin Harvick brought an end to new daddy Jimmie Johnson’s win streak and extended his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points lead from 105 to 212 points at the midway point of the season.

Harvick sits atop the points standings with 2,684 and behind him is four-time champion Jeff Gordon (2,472), who scored a top-five finish at Daytona last week.

Johnson is third with 2,459 and rounding out the top-five are Kurt Busch (2,439) and Denny Hamlin (2,400). Kyle Busch (2,376), Matt Kenseth (2,322), Jeff Burton (2,319), Tony Stewart (2,251) and Greg Biffle (2,234) comprise those drivers in the top-10 in the standings.

In positions 11-20 are: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2,177), Carl Edwards (2,170), Mark Martin (2,130), Clint Bowyer (2,121), Ryan Newman (2,090), Kasey Kahne (2,016), David Reutimann (2,000), Joey Logano (1,997) ,Jamie McMurray (1,945) and Martin Truex (1,930).

Juan Montoya (1,924), AJ Allmendinger (1,900), Paul Menard (1,847), Scott Speed (1,765), Brad Keselowski (1,721), David Ragan (1,709), Marcos Ambrose (1,660), Elliott Sadler (1,650), Sam Hornish Jr. (1,604) and Regan Smith (1,496) and make up the 21-30 positions.

Rounding out positions 31 through 45 are: Bobby Labonte (1,391), Robby Gordon (1,334), Travis Kvapil (1,233), David Gilliland (1,193), Kevin Conway (1,169), Brian Vickers (1,158), David Stremme (770), Mike Bliss (759), Joe Nemechek (729), Max Papis (699), Dave Blaney (622), Casey Mears (556), J.J. Yeley (491), Michael McDowell (471) and Bill Elliott (448).

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Keselowski Leads Nationwide Points At Midway Point

Posted: 08 Jul 2010 04:41 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – Brad Keselowski continues his dream season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series as he extended his points lead from 247 to 277 points over former series champion Carl Edwards.

Keselowski is out front with 2,806 points and Edwards has 2,529, while Justin Allgaier has 2,318 and rounding out the top-five in points are Kyle Busch (2,291) and Kevin Harvick (2,163).

Paul Menard (2,077), Joey Logano (1,933), Steve Wallace (1,922), Brendan Gaughan (1,895) and Jason Leffler (1,839) make up the top-10 in points.

In positions 11-20 are: Trevor Bayne (1,803), Michael Annett (1,722), Tony Raines (1,704), Brian Scott (1,676), Reed Sorenson (1,645), Kenny Wallace (1,564), Mike Wallace (1,525), Mike Bliss (1,486), Michael McDowell (1,421) and Eric McClure (1,398).

Greg Biffle (1,368), Joe Nemechek (1,343), Scott Lagasse Jr. (1,328), Ricky Stenhouse (1,304), Jason Keller (1,300), Colin Braun (1,151), Josh Wise (1,010), Robert Richardson Jr. (989), Brian Keselowski (925) and Jamie McMurray (906) make up positions 21-30.

Rounding out positions 31-45 are: James Buescher (903), Willie Allen (880), Clint Bowyer (855), Shelby Howard (840), Morgan Shepherd (840), Mark Green (803), Scott Riggs (741), Brian Vickers (733), Scott Wimmer (678), Kelly Bires (673), Kevin Lepage (594), Jeremy Clements (561), Coleman Pressley (533), Kasey Kahne (522) and Derrike Cope (519).

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Haywood Stays With Mavs; Kleiza Inks Raptor Offer Sheet

Posted: 08 Jul 2010 04:41 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Dallas, TX, United States (AHN) – Brendan Haywood is expected to be a full-time starter next season for Dallas after agreeing on a six-year, $53 million pact with the Mavericks.

According to reports, the sixth year of the deal is not fully guaranteed. As a result, it averages more than $7 million annually in guaranteed money, depending on incentives.

The 30-year-old center, who was acquired from Washington in a trade-deadline deal last February, started most of the Mavs’ games down the stretch instead of Erick Dampier.

The former North Carolina standout, listed at 7-0, 263 pounds, averaged 8.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 28 contests for the Mavericks.

According to reports, Miami and Cleveland have indicated interest on Haywood to provide low-post defense and bolster shot-blocking stats.

Also Thursday, Denver Nuggets restricted free agent forward Linas Kleiza has reportedly been signed to an offer sheet by the Toronto Raptors.

Kleiza’s agent, Bill Duffy, confirmed to the Denver Post.com the Raptors have offered the 24-year-old forward a four-year deal worth $20 million.

Denver, which still own Kleiza’s rights, has a week to match the Raptors’ offer.

The Nuggets made a qualifying offer to Kleiza last month.

The 6-foot-8, 245-pound Kleiza, acquired by the Nuggets in a June 2005 trade with Portland, averaged 9.9 and 4.0 rebounds for the Nuggets in his final season.

Kleiza spent last season in Greece after playing four years with Denver, where he averaged 8.3 points and 3.5 boards in 301 contests in four seasons with the Nuggets.

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Goydos, Stricker Make History At John Deere; Shoot 59, 60 Respectively

Posted: 08 Jul 2010 04:41 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Silvis, IL, United States (AHN) – The fireworks came four days late at the John Deere Classic.

Paul Goydos and Steve Stricker made PGA Tour history Thursday during the tournament’s first round. Goydos became the fourth player ever to shoot a 59 and Stricker made it a perfecta, as no duo has ever shot a 59 and 60 in the same round.

First it was Goydos putting the TPC Deere Run on alert. He made the turn four-under at 31 then birdied eight of the nine holes coming in for a 28 and his amazing 59, 12-under Deere Run’s par of 71.

Five hours later Stricker made his run at 59. He turned the front one shot better than Goydos then added a second 30 coming in as he birdied seven holes, including a near-eagle at the 18th that would have tied Goydos.

Stricker’s approach shot at 18 came within two feet of going in. His tap-in gave him an 11-under par 60.

“It was very surreal,” said Goydos, who has struggled this season. In fact, the last time most saw him, he was making a nine at the par five 14th hole during the final round of the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach in January.

“Everything that has gone wrong since then, went right today,” Goydos said, trying to grasp his achievement. “On 16 tee I knew I had to birdie the last three holes. At 18 I hit the longest 7-iron I could possibly hit,” he said, describing his final approach shot that stopped seven feet from the hole.

“It was the most nervous I’ve ever been,” Goydos said as he described himself standing over the final putt. “It was numbness.”

“Everything bad that happened the last fourth months, evened out today. I putted fantastically. Today was that day,” said Goydos who recorded the first 59 since David Duval at the final round of the 1999 Bob Hope Classic.

With Duval, he joined Al Geiberger and Chip Beck as the tour’s 59 shooters.

Later in the day, Stricker, the defending champion, stepped into the spotlight. His round also broke the previous course record of 61, which he owned. But it will be Goydos with the record that may last a while.

Both players had a hot putting round. Goydos had a scant 22 putts, Stricker 25.

Both hit fairways and greens, making it look easy.

Goydos and Stricker were five and four shots clear of the next low scores as Michael Letzig, Matt Jones, Aaron Baddeley and James Nitties shot 64.

The wet conditions put lift-clean-and-place rules into effect, allowing player preferred lies in the rain-soaked fairways from early week storms.

Despite the advantage, Goydos’ round goes in the history books, as does Stricker’s.

As Goydos looked back and reflected on his round he added:

“It’s an iconic number!”

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Parrott To Serve As Crew Chief For Sadler

Posted: 08 Jul 2010 04:41 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Concord, NC, United States (AHN) – It’s been an interesting year for Richard Petty Motorsports, so in hopes of turning things around for its No. 19 ride the company has named Todd Parrott crew chief for the team and driver Elliott Sadler.

Petty, who was inducted into the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame class and whose wife has battled a form of cancer this year, brought the battle-tested Parrott over from the Research and Development department at Roush Fenway Racing.

Petty’s latest move reunites Parrott, R&D Manager at Roush Fenway Racing, with Sadler as they worked together at Yates Racing in 2004.

“We are happy to welcome Todd to our team and reunite him with Elliott,” said Robbie Loomis, Vice President of Competition for RPM. “We appreciate all of (former crew chief) Wally Rogers’ hard work with this team for the first half of the season. He will continue to be a valuable member of RPM.”

Parrott has15 years of experience as a crew chief in NASCAR and has tallied 29 wins in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Two of Parrott’s wins came with Sadler in 2004.

The 46-year-old Parrott was crew chief for driver Dale Jarrett in the No. 88 Yates Racing ride when Jarrett won the 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

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Lang Holds One Shot Lead At U.S. Women`s Open

Posted: 08 Jul 2010 04:41 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Oakmont, PA, United States (AHN) – The field of 156 women at the U.S. Open found out who’s the boss at the 2010 U.S. Open.

It’s none of the golfers, it’s Oakmont Country Club.

Former Duke star Brittany Lang was the only player to break 70 Thursday. Her two-under par 69 gave her a one shot lead after the first round of play on the difficult and treacherous Oakmont layout.

She was one shot in front of four players: amateur Kelli Shean, M.J. Hurr, Inbee Park and Amy Yang, all finished with 70s.

But it was a short list of players under par — five.

Two more managed to equal Oakmont’s par of 71 — Mahari McKay and Sakora Yokomine.

Three shots behind Lang was the world’s No. 1 player, Cristie Kerr, who was among 13 players at that number.

Lang, who has never won on the LPGA Tour, could have shot lower but she missed a four-foot putt for birdie at the 13th hole and bogeyed her final hole, the 18th.

It was a difficult day for most of the field. Average score was 77 and nearly a quarter of the field failed to break 80, including Michelle Wie, who shot 43 on her first nine of the day and finished with an 82.

“It’s kind of one of those days when nothing goes as planned,” Wie lamented, who was frustrated by the difficulty of the undulating greens at Oakmont.

Paula Creamer, who joined Kerr at 72, was happy with her round. “I would take one-over if somebody said “would you take one-over before going out there?” Of course. It’s a tough golf course,” Creamer said.

The biggest surprise among the sub-par shooters was Shean, a senior at the University of Arkansas who hails from Cape Town, South Africa.

“I’m thankful and grateful to be here,” she said, smiling after her round of 70. “Being at the top of the leaderboard, I don’t know a word that describes that.”

A big influence in her decision to play golf was South African Ernie Els. “He’s the reason I got here,” Shean said.

The golf course played the way the USGA planned, firm and fast. The greens were lightning fast even with the water that has been put on them.

As tough as it played on Thursday, typically U.S. Open courses only get more difficult with each round. Kerr’s pre-tournament prediction of a four-over or higher winning number might be in play.

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Astros` Oswalt Continues Superb Pitching, Contenders Look On

Posted: 08 Jul 2010 04:41 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Houston, TX, United States (AHN) – Roy Oswalt threw a one-hit shutout Thursday that helped Houston sweep a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 2-0 finale win, while other teams looked on the rejuvenated Astros right-hander.

It was the seventh career shutout and 19th complete game for Oswalt (6-10), who requested a trade from the team earlier this season.

It was also the first win since June 16 for the three-time All-Star, who took a loss in each of his two previous starts.

The recent outings could be an indication of the return of Oswalt, a dominant force in the early part of the last decade.

In his rookie campaign in 2001, he finished second in voting for the NL Rookie of the Year and placed fifth in Cy Young Award voting.

But the All-Star, who led the league in winning percentage, wins and ERA at different times over his career, has struggled to win the last couple of years.

The ‘Stros declining hitting over the years, including the departures of stars Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio, has had something to do with that, of course.

Last season, Oswalt finished 8-6 after winning 10 or more contests and registering a winning percentage over .600 in each of his first eight seasons.

He is ranked fifth best among active qualifying pitchers with a .640 winning percentage despite his 6-10 record on the current campaign.

That winning percentage, which ranks 36th all time, coupled with recent performances, sparked interest amongst teams looking to address pitching issues at trade deadline.

According to MLB.com, representatives from the Mets, Phillies, Rays and Dodgers were on hand Thursday to watch Oswalt, who dispelled doubts regarding health and consistency issues the last couple of seasons.

Oswalt had a pair of walks and struck out eight. He allowed only a first-inning single from Neil Walker to register his first full-distance shutout since he blanked the Pirates on Sept. 11, 2008.

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LeBron Leaves Cleveland: Free-Agent Superstar Opts For Miami Heat

Posted: 08 Jul 2010 04:41 PM PDT

Matt Aug – AHN Sports Editor

Greenwich, CT, United States (AHN) – With the basketball world looking on via a special on a major sports network, LeBron James announced his decision to join the Miami Heat Thursday.

The free-agent star spent his first seven years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but will move on to play alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the hopes of winning his first NBA title.

James has posted remarkable stats in Cleveland, netting nearly 28 points per game with seven rebounds and seven assists per contest but has reached just one NBA Finals.

“It’s a humbling experience to be in this position,” James told ESPN commentator Jim Gray minutes before he made his decision public.

James told Gray he picked the Heat over the Cavs, Knicks, Nets and Bulls after talking to his mother Thursday morning.

“This fall I am going to take my talents to South Beach with the Miami Heat,” James told Gray at 9:28 p.m. “I’m looking forward to it, the things the franchise has done to have all three of us is hard to turn down.”

James was referring to the Heat re-signing superstar Wade and signing forward Chris Bosh earlier in the week.

“The greatest challenge for me is to move on,” he said of leaving Cleveland.

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Catchings, Fever Overcome Hot Shock Bench In Blowout Win

Posted: 08 Jul 2010 04:41 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Indianapolis, IN, United States (AHN) – Tamika Catchings scored 24 points to go along with six rebounds as the Indiana Fever overcame three Tulsa reserves in double figures to pummel the Shock 100-72 Thursday night.

Katie Douglas scored 17 points, Shavonte Zellous added 16 and Briann January chipped in 13 to go along with six assists off the bench.

The expansion Shock’s bench carried the team, with Amber Holt scoring 18 points, Jennifer Lacy 12 and Marion Jones 11. The starters combined for just 22 points.

The Fever pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring the Shock 35-16, and went up by as much as 32 on their way to the win.

The win got the Fever (11-6) within two games of the first place Atlanta Dream in the Eastern Conference.

Tulsa (3-14) is struggling in its first season, owner of the worst record in the WNBA and losers of 11 straight to fall 12.5 games behind Seattle in the West.

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No Kings Ransom For Kovalchuk; L.A. Out Of Running

Posted: 08 Jul 2010 04:41 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – The Los Angeles Kings, who re-entered negotiations with Ilya Kovalchuk’s camp a day earlier, reportedly indicated Thursday the team is officially out of the sweepstakes for the free agent forward.

On Wednesday, it was reported the Kings were back in the hunt for the services of the Russian sniper, who reportedly turned down an initial offer of 13 years, $84 million by L.A. Sunday.

After failing to convince the high-scoring winger to lower his asking price and come out West, Kings GM Dean Lombardi was forced to pull out of the bidding war.

Rather than affect cap space that will be vital in retaining the young but talented core of the Kings, L.A. decided to forgo the opportunity to sign the two-time, 50-goal scorer to a long-term deal.

With the decision, the Kings are expected to bolster their offense and complement lamp-lighter Anze Kopitar, workhorse Dustin Brown, and veteran leader Ryan Smyth with a different player.

Los Angeles would also look into finding help for Norris Trophy nominee Drew Doughty and fellow blueliner Jack Johnson at the back end.

Forgoing Kovalchuk would help in the negotiation of contracts of franchise defensemen Doughty and Johnson set to expire next year.

It also leaves the New Jersey Devils as the favorite to sign the 27-year-old, three-time NHL All-Star Kovalchuk, who joined the Devils in early February in a trade with the Atlanta Thrashers.

Kovalchuk broke into the NHL with the Thrashers in the 2001-02 campaign after playing two seasons for Russian Super League club HC Spartak Moscow.

Returning to Russia to play in the KHL also remains an option for Kovalchuk.

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