Saturday, August 21, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Jay Mariotti Jailed, and then Bailed

Posted: 21 Aug 2010 12:31 PM PDT

Jay Mariotti ,ESPNThe famous ESPN personality Jay Mariotti gets arrested on account of domestic violence act as the police tells on felony at 4.30 pm on Saturday. The man is currently released on bail of $50,000.

The Sheriff also confirms the charge over the popular ESPN personnel who lives in Los Angeles.

Reports say that the famous, who is also the former sports columnist for Chicago Sun-Times had a huge argument with girl friend and ended up having a violent-full results at Santa Monica.

It got even worse at the couple's Venice residence. The reports also say that the penalty over this violent act by the man can result him between 6 months to 3 years of imprisonment, all depending on the incidental situation.

History says that Mariotti shifted his line of writing from print to internet sports for AOL's Fanhouse.com His some of the critically acclaimed works penalizing his statements for 'About the Horn', also including athletes and movie critic Roger Ebert.

Eng Vs Pak Results:Pakistan Edges Out England at Oval in a Close Finish

Posted: 21 Aug 2010 10:18 AM PDT

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Eng Vs Pak

Pakistan who were in dire straits just two weeks before, recovered remarkably to play out an intense test against England and securing a 4wicket win in a nail-biting finish.

The afternoon session was filled with tense drama as Anderson and Graeme Swann showed their potential and came close to turning the match in favour of England but was thwarted in their attempts by some determined Pakistani cricketers, Umar Akmal and Mohammad Amir.

England had effectively stifled the run chase by Pakistan before Amir and Umar struck boundaries to regain the lost confidence. Eventually Umar's cheeky single past short fine leg sealed the test in favour of Pakistan. In doing so, Pakistan have stopped the mighty England from extending their 6 match winning sequence. Pakistan's run chase was extremely laboured as England bowlers dried up their scoring and at lunch, the Pakistani status read-33 runs required for a win with 7 wickets in hand. The score was just not budging even with the productive opening session.

Azhar Ali's run out was just the tip of the disaster as Yousuf was left nonplussed by a beauty of a delivery by Anderson which uprooted his off-stump and left him gaping about what he did wrong. Kamran Akmal's batting woes are another story as he was done in by Swann and to ricochet the tension, his dismissal sparked a string of 5 consecutive maidens as Pakistan were 16 runs adrift of that elusive victory.

Barring just a portion of the third day, Pakistan have not let England assume an upper hand which is a remarkable success considering the disastrous results in the last two matches. Yousuf offered some semblance of strength to the failing line-up with his return and also lot better fielding options.

Amir and Ajmal had brought Pakistan the chance of victory last night by running through England's batting order as no one except Alistair Cook could hold their positions. Cook made a stunning 110 but young-gun Amir's 1st ever 5 wicket haul and an astonishing 7 for 28 at that overshadowed him completely.

Imran Farhat was the main builder of the Pakistani run chase and brought them within sniffing distance of a victory. Salman Butt, the composed captain played his part to perfection. Well, the final distance proved a much greater battle than anticipated despite the meagre runs they had to get but that only increases the expectations for a thrilling Finale next week at Lord's so be there.

Score Update:

Pakistan 308 and 148/ 6 (Butt 48, Yousuf 33, Swann 3/50) beat England 233 and 222 (Cook 110, Amir 5/52, Ajmal 4/71). Pakistan claim victory by 4 wickets.

Giants Sign Lineman Andrews, Release Louis

Posted: 21 Aug 2010 10:02 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – The New York Giants have added depth in their offensive line Friday, inking former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Shawn Andrews to a six-year “prove it” pact.

Andrews, a two-time Pro Bowler, is expecting a make it or break it season after missing an ample amount of games in the last two years due to injuries.

After undergoing successful back surgery last December, Andrews spent the last 10 months under rehabilitation to prepare for a big comeback.

Sources indicated several NFL teams tried to acquire Andrews after the Philadelphia Eagles released him March 10.

Selected 16th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft, Andrew built a solid career with the Eagles, but injuries, weight problems, and emotional depression plagued him over the course of his career.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin was reportedly impressed on the desire of Andrew to get his career back on track.

Coughlin added Andrews looked physically and mentally fit to play with the team this coming season.

Andrews, 27, said he’s ready to fill in the void left by offensive tackle Cliff Louis, who was released by the Giants.

Andrews’s agent, Rich Moran, said his client has to perform effectively next season for the Giants to pick up the second year of his contract.

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Marlins Catcher Paulino Gets 50-Game Ban For Positive PED Test

Posted: 21 Aug 2010 09:52 AM PDT

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Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

Miami, FL, United States (AHN) – Florida Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s drug policy Friday.

Acording to reports, Paulino admitted he used a dietary supplement he later learned contained a banned substance.

“To control my weight this season, I used a dietary pill,” said Paulino who will not appeal MLB’s decision.

“Regretfully, I recently learned that the dietary pill contained a substance banned under Major League Baseball’s drug policy. I am ashamed and saddened for disappointing and distracting my family, my teammates, the entire Florida Marlins organization and baseball fans. My heartfelt and most sincere apology.”

Paulino batted .259 with four homers and 37 RBI in 91 games for the Marlins this season- he will be placed on the restricted list. Brad Davis was recalled from the team’s Triple-A club to replace Paulino.

“I was irresponsible for failing to take all precautionary steps in confirming the approval of the dietary pill,” Paulino said. “Without a doubt, I have learned from my mistake.”


Edinson Volquez, of the Reds, is also serving his 50-game suspension this season while on the disabled list in April.

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Lidge In Form For Phillies Playoff Push

Posted: 21 Aug 2010 09:40 AM PDT

Ed Condran – AHN Sports Correspondent

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – The biggest difference between the 2008 World Series champion Phillies and the 2009 squad, which relinquished its crown to the 2009 New York Yankees in the Fall Classic, was Brad Lidge.

The Phillies closer, who was lights out during the former year, suffered through a nightmarish 2009 campaign.

Phillies fans cringed when Lidge toed the rubber and booed when he didn’t come through. Lidge was maligned in the media and in the blogosphere (check out the amusing ‘On The Ledge With Lidge’ blog).

Lidge hasn’t been perfect in 2010. The Notre Dame alum has blown four saves and missed more than a month on the disabled list.

But Lidge, who has 16 saves and a win, has been fairly reliable, especially of late.

Lidge believes he has bounced back primarily due to relatively good health.

“I feel really good right now,” Lidge said. “I think that’s the biggest different from last year. It was a tough year (2009) for me physically more than anything. I knew I wasn’t myself. The biggest thing for me is that I had two surgeries (on right knee and elbow). I know what I can do when I’m healthy. It was physical last year. I’m fine now.”

Lidge feels good physically thanks to physicians. His mental state is excellent thanks to Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who never lost faith in his closer.

“Lidge is our closer,” Manuel said. “When he has that good slider, he can beat anyone. He’s our guy.”

When Lidge is reminded of Manuel’s support, a broad grin crosses his face.” He’s as good a manager as you can ask for. In Houston (as an Astro) I had one save opportunity at the beginning of the year and I was out of that role. Last year I had a manager stay with me all the way through a bad year. I can’t say enough good things about Charlie.”

A positive attitude is right up there with a devastating slider for Lidge, who is normally smiling. “I think you have to stay up,” Lidge said. “I really believe that believing in yourself is key. If you go out there and don’t think you’re going to get it done, well, you’re probably not going to get it done. I believe I can get it done every night, particularly now that I’m feeling good. I don’t lack confidence.”

Lidge just wants to help his team get back to the World Series for the third consecutive season.

“That’s all that matters,” Lidge said. “I want to have a chance to win another ring.”

It’s difficult to get that far without a strong closer. “There’s no doubt about that,” Manuel said. “We need Lidge to be as good as he can be. It’s difficult to get to the World Series without your closer pitching good.”

Lidge suffered through a horrendous regular season but was perfect through the playoffs until game 4 of the World Series.

The Phillies tied the contest in the eighth inning but Lidge allowed the Yankees to score in the following frame and win the pivotal contest, which gave the Bronx Bombers a commanding 3-1 Series lead.

Lidge would like nothing more than to go back to the World Series and play the Yankees. “I would love that,” Lidge said.

“I would love to go up against them again and see who wins this time. But we have to get back to the playoffs first. That’s our goal now and then we’ll have a new goal.”

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Atwal, Snedeker Locked Atop Wyndham

Posted: 21 Aug 2010 09:40 AM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Greensboro, NC, United States (AHN) – Two players, with two different objectives but with their eyes on a singular prize find themselves tied for the lead halfway through the Wyndham Championship Friday at Sedgefield Country Club.

Brandt Snedeker, Rookie of the Year in 2007 and winner of this event during that campaign, added a 65 to his opening 63 to finish 36-holes at 12-under par.

Arjun Atwal, who has lost his membership to the PGA Tour, is conducting the ultimate job interview this weekend. Atwal’s three-under par 67 coupled with his opening 61 tied him with Snedeker. Atwal has to win on Sunday in order to secure a playing card for the next two seasons.

“That’s my goal,” he said after he stepped off the course. “Secure my job for next year. I’m going to definitely be thinking about winning,” he said as he prepares for the weekend.

For Snedeker, it’s a matter of improving his position as he heads into the Barclays tournament next week to begin the PGA Tour’s version of the playoffs. “It’s probably the best back-to-back ball striking rounds I’ve had in a while,” said the former Vanderbilt star who lives in Nashville. “Gives me a lot of hope for the weekend.”

Snedeker, who hasn’t won since that successful rookie year, can feel the opportunity in front of him. “I seem to be playing my best golf this time of year. I missed four putts inside eight feet which is very unlike me.”

Lucas Glover, the 2009 U.S. Open champion who is looking for a captain’s selection for the Ryder Cup team from Corey Pavin, has put on a good show through 36. Glover shot a 65 and is in at 11-under, 129 and tied with Duke University grad Kevin Streelman and John Rollins, both shot 65s.

Webb Simpson, another former ACC player from Wake Forest, put together a six-under par effort of 64 and was in at 10-under par, 130.

Justin Leonard shot the day’s low round, a seven-under par 63 and was another shot back at nine-under.

The course played a bit tougher than it did during the opening round when players were allowed to lift, clean and place the golf ball in the fairway. Thursday, 104 players of the 150 man field shot under par. As the course dried out and the field played the ball down on Friday, the scores went up and the 36-hole cut came at three-under par.

Defending champion Ryan Moore’s two-under par effort sent him home early and former champion Carl Pettersson shot two-under and will miss the weekend. Fred Couples, who skipped a senior tour major, the Tradition, didn’t come close to the cutline, he finished two-over par for 36 holes.

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NHL GM`s: Game Only Needs Minor Tweaking

Posted: 21 Aug 2010 07:53 AM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Toronto, Ontario, Canada (AHN) – The 2010 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp took place over the past week to discuss possible rule changes.

National Hockey League general managers left the camp suggesting only small changes needed to be made.

One such change would be the addition of a yellow line in the crease behind the red goal line. This would gve review officials a clearer way to distinguish whether a puck crossed the goal line in a dispute.

Ottawa general manager Bryan Murray suggested an idea that gained support rather quickly. Murray noted that teams should switch sides before the start of an overtime sessio, thus creating a “long change” out of teams’ defensive zones during the five-minute session.

“That might be a way of settling more games,” Murray said during the meeting concerning the rule change. “I’d prefer that rather than have as many games as we have end in shootouts. We don’t want as many shootouts. We want the game settled by players as best as we can.”

More drastic changes like widening the goal crease three inches, making the depth of the net four inches shallower and replacing the mesh on the top of the net with clear plastic gained less support.

The time line for such changes has not been discussed, and the general managers do meet again prior to the start of the season.

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Night Of Decisions At Bellator 25; Grove Wins On Men`s Side

Posted: 21 Aug 2010 06:54 AM PDT

Shawn Krest – AHN Sports Correspondent

Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) – Bellator 25 was a marathon, not a sprint, as the three tournament bouts and the featured non-tournament fight all went the distance Thursday night in Chicago.

The second week of the season three tournaments named a semifinalist in the women’s 115 pound bracket and two heavyweight semifinalists.

The card saw Neil Grove win his heavyweight quarterfinal. Megumi Fujii and Jessica Aguilar also advanced in the women’s tournament.

All three won by TKO or submission, taking a combined 11 minutes 30 seconds, or 3 1-2 minutes less than any of Thursday night’s winners.

Former two-time NCAA wrestling champion Cole Konrad joins Grove in the heavyweight semifinals thanks to a unanimous decision over Spanish BJJ specialist Rogent Lloret.

Konrad entered the cage in much better shape than his last Bellator bout in June. He appeared lighter and had more muscle tone than in his unanimous decision over John Orr in a pre-tournament showcase bout.

Konrad’s wrestling skills ruled the day. He took Lloret down in each round and controlled him from top position for significant portions of the first and third rounds.

Konrad took Lloret down in the first minute of the fight, then remained on top for three and a half minutes before Lloret stood up following a failed Konrad guillotine submission attempt.

In the second round, the two fighters spent most of the time on their feet, with Konrad having an advantage in striking. He punctuated the round with a last-minute takedown.

In the final round, Konrad took Lloret down in the opening 30 seconds, then finished the fight on top.

Scores were all 30-27 which agreed with AHN’s unofficial scorecard. Konrad moves to 5-0 with his third straight decision. Lloret suffered his first loss since July, 2007 and is now 9-2-1.

The third slot in the heavyweight semifinals went to Damian Grybowski who won a controversial decision over Scott Barrett.

The Poland-born Grabowski was the crowd favorite with a large continent of Chicago’s Polish population turning out to support their countryman.

Barrett spent most of the first round on top of Grybowski, however. He lifted and slammed Grybowski for a takedown early in the fight and spent much of the first round on top before Grybowski was able to reverse the position.

Barrett added another takedown later in the round, but Grybowski landed the hardest shot of the first round near the end with a stiff uppercut.

Barrett also seemed to control most of the second round. Again he scored with a lift and slam takedown in the first minute.

This time, Barrett was able to get back control from a full mount and landed some ground and pound before Grybowski reversed position.

Grybowski dominated the third round with striking. He landed extended combinations against a wobbly Barrett.

All three judges gave Grybowski the victory by a 30-27 margin. AHN’s unofficial scorecard had Barrett the winner by a 29-28 score.

Grybowski is now undefeated at 13-0 with his first decision win. Barrett fell to 10-2.

In the women’s tournament, bracket crasher Zoila Frausto continued her underdog run with a unanimous decision over Jessica Pene.

Frausto was not originally booked for the tournament, but she won a vicious knockout victory over tournament entrant Rosi Sexton in a showcase bout.

Frausto kept Pene at bay throughout the fight, landing left hooks and kicks to the body that kept Pene from getting any offense on track.

Frausto cruised to 30-27 margins on all cards.

Despite opening her career with four straight decision victories, Frausto seemed spent at the end of the bout. “The 15 (minutes) was a little hard. I need to get used to doing this,” she said. “I won, though, and that’s all that counts.”

Frausto moved to 8-1. Pene suffered her first loss after winning the first seven bouts of her career.

In a non-tournament bout, season two welterweight semifinalist Dan Hornbuckle won a unanimous decision over Brad Blackburn, 29-28 on all cards.

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Winning Ara: Ex-Irish Coach Parseghian Visits Program

Posted: 21 Aug 2010 06:20 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

South Bend, IN, United States (AHN) – Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish coach Ara Parseghian zest up the atmosphere in South Bend Thursday, as he fed players with inspirational thoughts on winning and being tough on the field.

Considered the most decorated football coach in Notre Dame’s football history, Parseghian returned to South Bend for a little pep talk with players during Thursday’s practice.

In his brief but meaningful speech, the 87-year-old Parseghian talked with the players the value of toughness, both physical and mental, as an important ingredient to a successful football career.

Parseghian mentored some of the best football players of all-time, including defensive tackle Alan Page and tight end Dave Casper.

“Listen, this is not a guy who doesn’t have an aura about him… He talked about toughness — mental toughness and physical toughness — and what it takes to win. It was just a great message.” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly told SouthBend Tribune Thursday.

In 11 seasons with the Fighting Irish, Parseghian captured two National titles in 1966 and 1973 and posted an outstanding 95-17-4 (.836) with the team.

Parseghian’s presence also inspired several young football players, including freshman offensive guard Christian Lombard, who’s excited to tell his father about his experience with the legendary coach.

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ChiSox Bats Come Alive, Crush Twins With 21-Hit Assault

Posted: 21 Aug 2010 05:28 AM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Minneapolis, MN, United States (AHN) – Paul Konerko highlighted a 21-hit attack with five hits and four RBI as the Chicago White Sox blank the Minnesota Twins 11-0 Thursday, in the finale of a three-game set at Target Field.

Konerko tied a career high with 5-for-5 performance that included a solo blast to lead off the fifth, his 31st home run.

It gave a 5-0 edge to the White Sox, who added two more runs in the seventh.

Alexei Ramirez, who ended with three hits and two RBI, capped the offensive burst with a two-run homer in the eighth that made it 11-0.

Mark Teahen also had three hits and two RBI, Omar Vizquel added three, while Juan Pierre, Alexei Ramirez and A.J. Pierzynski each knocked two hits for the White Sox.

It was more than enough support for Buehrle (12-9), who stymied the offense of the surging Twins by hurling seven scoreless innings.

The White Sox left-hander faced the Twins for a third time this year and is 1-1 with a 3.94 earned run average in his previous two 2010 starts against them.

He gave up five hits and a walk, while striking out four for his fourth win in five decisions.

With the victory, the White Sox avoided a sweep.

It also enabled the White Sox (66-55) to shave Minnesota’s lead to four games in the AL Central.

Twins starter Carl Pavano (15-8), who was attempting for his third straight win, was charged with seven runs in six frames in the loss.

He set a career high with 15 hits allowed, which also tied a club mark.

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