Saturday, July 10, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Soccer Legend Platini Hospitalized With Exhaustion

Posted: 10 Jul 2010 05:42 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Johannesburg, South Africa (AHN) – French soccer great and UEFA President Michel Platini was hospitalized in South Africa on Friday after being ill for several days.

UEFA Presidential spokesman Natalie Jackson said Platini was rushed to the Morningside medi-clinic in after feeling weak due to flu.

Platini, who held the UEFA presidency since 2007, has spent almost a month in South Africa since the World Cup began June 11.

Unlike previous reports, medical examination revealed Platini only suffered exhaustion and not a heart attack.

“Michel Platini fell ill [Friday] after developing flu symptoms for the past days. He was hospitalized for tests,” FIFA told AFP Friday.”There are no signs of a heart attack. Mr Platini will remain under observation as a precaution.”

Reports indicated the 55-year-old Platini experienced weakness while eating dinner at Johannesburg’s Le Pigalle restaurant.

“He fell ill while he was seated at table number four,” Le Pigalle waiter Joshua Alexander told AFP. “We called a doctor and he was taken to the hospital.”

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Senators Center Fisher Weds Singer Underwood At Secret Georgia Resort

Posted: 10 Jul 2010 05:42 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Atlanta, GA, United States (AHN) – Ottawa Senators center Mike Fisher married country singer Carrie Underwood in a secret, secluded Georgia resort east of Atlanta Saturday.

Underwood, 27, has won five Grammys and sold more than 10 million albums. Fisher, 30, is an 11-year veteran of the Senators, where he wears the alternate captain jersey.

The two were introduced in 2008 by mutual friends and engaged in December 2009.

Underwood plans to retain her stage name but change her legal name to Carrie Fisher. The two are reportedly building a home in an Ottawa suburb.

Fisher finished last season with 25 goals and 28 assists in 79 games for the 44-32-6 Senators, who were eliminated in the first round by the Penguins.

The Peterborough, Ontario native is known for being open about his strong Christian faith and volunteers with Christian hockey camps.

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Georgia Football Players Arrested On Possession Of Alchohol Charges

Posted: 10 Jul 2010 05:42 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Athens, GA, United States (AHN) – Redshirt sophomore tailback Dontavius Deshawn Jackson was arrested by University of Georgia police early Saturday morning and charged with DUI and teammate Tavarres King also was arrested and charged with underage possession of alcohol.

Jackson, 20, and King, 19, were booked at 6 a.m. and held on bond along with Darren Brooks Whatley, 18, and Marygrace Elizabeth Azar, 20.

King started nine of 12 games at wide out for the Bulldogs last season, and third-stringer Jackson appeared in four.

The arrest is another blemish for the already-reeling Bulldogs.

Just a week ago, Athletics Director Damon Evans resigned after being arrested in Atlanta for DUI.

On Monday night, cornerback Jordan Love was arrested for obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

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Knicks Close In On Free Agent Felton

Posted: 10 Jul 2010 05:42 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – The New York Knicks were close to adding another piece to their rebuilding puzzle Friday, reaching an agreement with Charlotte Bobcats free agent point guard Raymond Felton.

Arguably the top point guard in this talent-laden free agency class, the 26-year-old Felton reportedly agreed to terms with the Knicks.

Multiple sources indicated Felton will formally sign the deal this weekend and join Amar’e Stoudemire, Danilo Gallinari, and Wilson Chandler as the core of the newly-built Knicks.

Selected fifth overall in the 2005 draft, Felton averaged 13.3 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in five seasons with the Bobcats.

Felton also was instrumental in the Bobcats’ playoff resurgence, averaging 12.1 points, 5.6 boards, and 3.6 assists last season.

Although the Bobcats were booted out in the first round of the playoffs by the Orlando Magic, the former University of North Carolina standout still contributed immensely for his ball club, averaging 11.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 2.5 boards.

Sources reported the length of the contract remains unknown, but Felton will likely receive $7 million in his first contract year.

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Steve Stricker Dominates At John Deere

Posted: 10 Jul 2010 05:42 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Silvis, Illinois, United States (AHN) – Steve Stricker is all over the PGA Tour record books.

He wrote his name in them again Saturday with a third round 62 at the John Deere Classic that set the 54-hole scoring record.

Stricker’s 188 total is a whopping 25 shots under par and he ran away from the rest of the field on the back nine at the TPC Deere Run.

He’ll go into Sunday’s final round with a six-shot lead over Paul Goydos and Jeff Maggert who are tied at 19-under.

Stricker, playing with Goydos, birdied the first two holes of the day, as did Goydos and they both turned in 3-under 32s.

Goydos, who began the day a shot behind Stricker, was still in touch with the leader at that point, but it wouldn’t take long for Stricker to pull away.

The Wisconsin native birdied the first three holes on the back nine and was 6-under for the day and at 22-under for the tournament, separating himself from the field.

Stricker made a 4-foot birdie putt on No. 14 and holed a 20-footer for another birdie at 15.

At the par-5 17th, Stricker’s second shot was short of the green, but he blasted a bunker shot within four feet of the pin and sunk the putt.

Stricker’s only chance for bogey came on the final hole when he drove right into deep rough and had to lay up on his second shot. He followed hitting a short wedge to within a foot of the pin.

“It’s been a good three days,” Stricker said. “That’s my focus, to go out there and finish it with a good one tomorrow (Sunday).”

One of the reasons for Stricker’s success has been his putter. He had only 24 putts en route to the 62.

“I seem to putt really well here,” said the former University of Illinois golfer.

Stricker, the defending champion, goes into the final round with a six-shot lead over Goydos and Jeff Maggert. Maggert tied Goydos at 19-under-par thanks to the day’s second low round, a 63.

Matt Jones was nine shots back at 16-under.

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Phils` Ruiz Breaks Up Perfecto Bid For Reds` Wood; Rips Double In Ninth

Posted: 10 Jul 2010 05:42 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – Cincinnati Reds pitcher Travis Wood was perfect through eight innings Saturday vs. the Philadelphia Phillies, but Carlos Ruiz halted his bid for a perfecto with a double in the ninth. Phils pitcher Roy Halladay is also spinning shutout ball with a five-hitter.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Travis Wood is perfect through seven innings Saturday vs. the Philadelphia Phillies.

Trouble for the Redlegs is, Phils pitcher Roy Halladay is also spinning shutout ball with a four-hitter for Philly.

Wood threw 92 pitches through seven frames, including 63 for strikes.

He has fanned eight batters, while the magnificent Halladay has nine.

The Phils pitcher has allowed just one walk.

Miguel Cairo and Orlando Cabrera have two hits each for the Reds.

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Heat, Riley Eye New Additions; Free Agent Fisher In Mix

Posted: 10 Jul 2010 05:42 PM PDT

Todd Callahan – AHN Sports Reporter

Miami, FL, United States (AHN) – Having successfully landed the top three prizes in this year’s NBA free agency period, the Miami Heat are clearly not finished in considering a new addition Saturday in Derek Fisher.

Fisher, who averaged 7.5 points and 2.5 assists during the regular season for the world champion Los Angeles Lakers, met with Heat president Pat Riley about becoming the newest attraction on South Beach.

The architect of the famed “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s, which featured Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy, Riley is eager to replicate that in Miami.

The meeting between Riley and Fisher came a day after the legendary coach introduced reigning league MVP LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh as the Heat’s newest all-star trio.

Should Fisher, who averaged 10.3 points and 2.8 assists during the Lakers’ title run, make it a quartet and join the Heat, he will be part of another formidable backcourt.

Fisher has won five NBA titles sharing the same backcourt with Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant.

With a move to Miami, Fisher would team with Wade, who averaged 26.6 points per game.

The frontcourt also is imposing with James, who ranked second in the league with a 29.7 points-per-game average, holding down the small forward spot, and Bosh, who ranked in the top 10 in both scoring (24.0 ppg) and rebounding (10.8 rpg).

Bosh can play either power forward or center.

It also is reported that all three players took substantial pay cuts from what they could have earned as solo acts.

“One thing that is important is we all sacrificed money, sacrificed a lot of things to be a part of this,” James told AFN when introduced at a team function Friday. “But what we signed for is not important. What we’re going to do this coming fall is what’s most important.”

The creative salaries also allows Miami more flexibility to add more pieces to a team coming off a 47-35 regular season and first-round ousting in the playoffs by the Boston Celtics.

Bosh reportedly agreed to a six-year deal via a sign-and-trade with the Toronto Raptors that was finalized Frirday. James was reportedly part of a similar pact with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Heat.

Wade elected to stay with the Heat, the only team he has played for during his prolific NBA career.

James revealed his future destination in a prime-time special Thursday on ESPN, choosing the south Florida sand and surf over destinations like the Los Angeles Clippers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The latter whom could have offered James a maximum six-year deal.

With the trio in place, the Heat are drawing comparisons to the Boston Celtics, acquired an their own all-star trio of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. These transactions led to Boston capturing the NBA title in 2008.

However, with the possible addition of Fisher and the expected resigning of 6-foot-8 forward Udonis Haslem, “Showtime,” could have a south Florida address this season.

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Creamer Holds Lead; Play Suspended At U.S. Open

Posted: 10 Jul 2010 05:42 PM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Oakmont, Pennsylvania, United States (AHN) – Paula Creamer was on her way to the third round lead at the U.S. Women’s Open when they simply ran out of daylight.

The third round, forced to start late due to Friday’s rainout, will be completed Sunday morning, and Creamer will have five holes left to improve on her 1-under-par.

She was the only player under par as she avoided big numbers Saturday.

She made the turn in even-par 36 then birdied the 10th and 12th holes before she bogeyed her last hole of the day, the par-3 No. 13.

The bogey left her with a three-shot lead over Wendy Ward and a four-shot margin over Suzann Petterssen.

Lexi Thompson managed to finish her third round with a 1-under-par 70 to finish at 4-over 271 and closer to the lead.

Brittany Lang was 3-over through 14 and 4-over for the tournament.

The third round was a disaster for Cristie Kerr.

Kerr, who started the day a shot behind Creamer, made back-to-back double bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes. She fought back with birdies at five and seven but still made the turn 2-over for the day.

She made her third double of the day at the 440-yard 10th hole and added another bogey at the par-5 12th. As a result of the nightmare round, Kerr found herself a full seven shots behind Creamer when play was called.

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Hudson, Braves Blank Mets; Extend NL East Lead

Posted: 10 Jul 2010 05:42 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – Tim Hudson pitched seven scoreless innings, and Omar Infante went 3-for-5 with an RBI as the Atlanta Braves combined to shut out the New York Mets 4-0 Saturday night.

Hudson struck out three, walked two and gave up just four hits to improve to 9-4. He also lowered his ERA to an impressive impressive 2.30 that ranks fifth in the National League.

Jonny Venters pitched a quick scoreless eighth, and Billy Wagner completed the shut out with a scoreless ninth.

Troy Glaus and Hudson each drove in a run for Atlanta, and Yuniel Escobar hit into a run-scoring double play to account for the other run.

Mets starter Mike Pelfrey dealt four innings of four-run ball, allowing 14 hits and walking three. The right-hander’s record dropped to 10-4. His era is 3.58 ERA.

The win extends the Braves’ (52-35) lead in the NL East to five games ahead of the Mets (47-40).

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Reutimann Scores Second Career Cup Win At Chicago

Posted: 10 Jul 2010 05:42 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Joliet, IL, United States (AHN) – David Reutimann passed Jeff Gordon and then pulled away from Carl Edwards to win Saturday night’s LikeLock.com 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.

It was Reutimann’s second career Cup win and the first for Michael Waltrip Racing this season, while Edwards’ runner-up finish breathed new life into a struggling Roush Fenway Racing team.

Gordon ran third and was followed by Clint Bowyer and pole sitter Jamie McMurray, as Chevrolets took three of the race’s top-five spots.

Kasey Kahne, Jeff Burton, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart and Paul Menard made up the top-10 finishers, as points leader Kevin Harvick finished 34th and four-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson ran 25th.

“We blew the engine,” said Greg Biffle, who left the race early with a new failed Ford powerplant. “That is what happens when you have a brand new product. There is a little trial and error.”

“We don’t have a lot of miles on these engines. It seemed like we broke something in the valve train or something. It is unfortunate. “

“That will hurt our chances in the Chase you know. We had a great car and coming into tonight I was really excited about it, so this is really disappointing. I guess tonight just wasn’t our night.”

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