Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

World Volleyball Favorites Parade To Next Round

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 05:16 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Tokyo, Japan (AHN) – Volleyball powerhouses Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and the United States locked up spots in the next round after posting their third consecutive wins at the 2010 FIVB Women’s World Volleyball Championship in Japan.

Brazil, the reigning Olympic champion, remains on top of pool B after blasting the Netherlands 25-19, 25-18, 25-14.

European Champion Italy also registered an impressive victory over lowly Kenya 25-9, 25-7, 25-21, setting up a spicy encounter with the Brazilians in the last game of the preliminary competitions (pool B).

With traditional volleyball contender China having trouble in their first three games, Japan and South Korea emerged as the only unbeaten Asian teams in the championship.

Japan continued its brilliant play Sunday, downing world volleyball first-timer Algeria 25-18, 25-7, 25-14 to improve its pool A slate to 3-0.

South Korea battered Asian neighbor China Sunday, beating them to the tune of 25-22, 25-23, 25-23 to share the lead with defending world volleyball champion Russia in Pool D.

Meanwhile, the United States also kept its record unblemished, pummeling Germany 25-23, 26-24, 25-17 in pool C play.

After taking a break Monday, World Volleyball matches resumes Tuesday, as other teams battling out for the remaining spots in the second round.

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Vikings Release Wideout Randy Moss

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 05:16 PM PDT

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Minneapolis, MN, United States (AHN) – Just weeks after being traded to Minnesota, Randy Moss was waived by the Vikings Monday, a day after he criticized head coach Brad Childress during a post-game conference following a 28-18 loss in New England.

The move came less than four weeks after Minnesota traded a third-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for the veteran star receiver.

The Vikings, with the pressing need to bolster their passing offense that has been without deep threat Sidney Rice due to injury, acquired the outspoken Moss, who was released by the Pats two days after meeting the Miami Dolphins in Week 4.

In a bizarre post-game conference, the 33-year-old Moss indicated he would not be answering any more questions from the media for the rest of the season.

He also reportedly expressed his admiration toward coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots organization, while bringing up few points perhaps intended to make the Minnesota coaching staff look bad.

“Definitely down that we lost this game because I didn’t really expect for us to lose this game knowing that we had a few things to clean up,” Moss, who shared information about his former team with his new one, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

“I wish we could’ve had that three at the end of the first half. Maybe could have been different. Maybe not,” he added.

Childress, on the other hand said, “I think we did a pretty good job of heeding [Moss' advice], both offensively and defensively,” according to the Star Tribune.

“He gave us some windows into how we thought they would end up playing. That’s obviously in his eyes,” said Childress.

According to linebacker Ben Leber, Childress did not give the team a reason for Moss’ exit from Minnesota, the Star Tribune reported.

The seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro selection will be on waivers until Tuesday afternoon. His former team, the Patriots, will have a chance to claim Moss if the NFL’s other 31 teams pass.

Moss, who trails only Jerry Rice all-time in receiving TDs (153), is behind only Terrell Owens and Tony Gonzalez among active receptions leaders and is second to Owens in receiving yards.

Moss, however, did not have a big impact on the Vikings.

In four contests with the Vikes, Moss had 13 catches for 174 yards and a pair of scores.

He was held to just one catch for 8 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Patriots.

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Flyers Lead `Canes 2-1 After Two Periods; Philly Seeks Fifth Straight

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 05:16 PM PDT

Ed Condran – AHN Sports Correspondent

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – The Flyers number one line continues to produce, even though Danny Briere is out.

The team’s top points man is serving the first of a three-game suspension for a stick-swinging incident with the New York Islanders Frans Nielsen.

Briere’s linemates continue to find the back of the net. Scott Hartnell scored for the Flyers, who lead the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1.

Hartnell scored his third goal of the season on a nice backhander in front of ‘Canes goalie Justin Peters.

The Flyers top goal scorer, Claude Giroux netted his seventh goal of the season on the powerplay.

The Canes Patrick Dwyer scored his third goal of the year on a breakaway courtesy of a careless turnover by Flyers winger James van Riemsdyk.

The Flyers are hot and the Hurricanes are not.

The Atlantic division leader is going for its fifth straight win and the latter, which has lost two of its last three, have split their first ten games.

The road-weary Canes, who have played seven games away from Raleigh, have had a number of quality chances but Flyers rookie goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has made a bunch of nice saves.

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Vick Reportedly Getting Healthy, Expects To Play Sunday

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 05:16 PM PDT

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who has missed Philadelphia’s last three games due to a rib injury, returned to practice Monday and is ready to resume his roles as the team’s starter.

Vick, who has not played since Oct. 3 when he suffered a rib cartilage injury in a loss to the Washington Redskins, declared after practice Monday he is 100 percent healthy and healed from the injury, according to multiple reports.

The 30-year-old Vick, a three-time Pro Bowler, was enjoying a career resurgence until sustaining the rib injury.

Vick completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 799 yards and six TD, with no interceptions in four contests for the Eagles.

The speedy quarterback also ran for 187 yards and a TD, but was hurt after being sandwiched between two defenders when he scrambled toward the goal line during a game against the Redskins.

Vick is expected to be back under center in Sunday’s clash against Indianapolis.

Also Monday, Vick’s favorite target wide receiver DeSean Jackson and offensive tackle Jason Peters returned to the practice field.

Jackson suffered a concussion in a win against Atlanta on Oct. 17.

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MLS To Make Changes For Future Postseasons

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 05:16 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Frisco, TX, United States (AHN) – Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber announced Saturday the league is seriously planning to implement a new playoff format after this season.

Garber, 53, confirmed there’s a significant demand around the league to modify the current postseason structure.

Garber added that the new format will finally prevent teams from jumping to another conference playoff bracket, a scenario that happened this year and in previous seasons.

Western Conference teams Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes are currently playing the Eastern Conference playoff bracket after finishing 7th and 8th respectively in the overall regular-season standings.

The New York Red Bulls (2008 MLS Cup runner-up) and Real Salt Lake (2009 MLS Cup champions) also benefit from MLS unique postseason format, as both teams reached the finals despite finishing last in the regular-season.

“It is kind of odd when you have teams moving from conference to conference and we’re looking at making some changes,” Garber told Fox Soccer Channel at halftime of the Western Conference Semifinal game between FC Dallas-Real Salt Lake Saturday at Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, Texas.

Garber insisted the idea to employ a new postseason format is connected to the league’s future expansion plans.

“We’re going to have more teams in the league over the next couple of years, and I think there are many more exciting ways that we can do this. Everything in the past worked well—it might continue—but let’s open it up to making it even better.” Garber added Saturday.

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Texas Rangers CEO Rips Yankees Fans; Apologizes Later For Remarks

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 05:16 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Arlington, TX, United States (AHN) – After calling Yankees fans ‘violent’ and ‘apathetic’ on a local radio show Monday afternoon, Texas Rangers CEO Chuck Greenberg issued an apology to the fans before the start of Game 5 of the Fall Classic.

Greenberg’s remarks stemmed from the reported behavior of Yankees’ fans during the ALCS.

“I think our fans have been great,” Greenberg said during an interview on the “Ben and Skin Show” on 103.3 KESN. “I think particularly in Game 3 of the World Series they just blew away anything I’ve seen in any venue during the postseason.”

“I thought Yankee fans, frankly, were awful. They were either violent or apathetic, neither of which is good. So I thought Yankee fans were by far the worst of any I’ve seen in the postseason. I thought they were an embarrassment,” Greenberg added.

The defending World Series champion Yankees, who were eliminated by Texas in six games in the ALCS, did not comment on Greenberg’s statements.

Later Monday, Greenberg issued a statement apologizing for his comments. He also indicated he has spoken directly to Hal Steinbrenner and Randy Levine to apologize for his comments.

“Earlier today, in the course of praising the extraordinary support and enthusiasm of Texas Rangers fans, I unfairly and inaccurately disparaged fans of the New York Yankees,” Greenberg said in a statement. “Those remarks were inappropriate. Yankees fans are among the most passionate and supportive in all of baseball.

The Rangers trail the Giants 3-1 in the World Series.

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Federer Cruises In Basel Tourney; Verdasco Triumphs In Valencia

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 05:16 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Basel, Switzerland (AHN) – Top-seeded Roger Federer cruised in the openers of his hometown tournament as his opponent Alexander Dolgopolov of Ukraine withdrew with an injury Sunday at the Swiss Indoors in Basel.

The Swiss master and Basel native Federer, a three-time champion here, was leading 6-4, 5-2, when Dolgopolov fell and hurt his ankle.

Federer was in total command of the match as he registered nine aces. He also allowed just four points in nine service games, while unloading 21 winners.

Federer, a titlist in Stockholm two weeks ago, is expected to contend for the crown against reigning champion and U.S. Open runner-up Novak Djokovic, who is seeded second this year.

Djokovic defeated Federer in the 2009 finale, ending the Swiss icon’s run of three consecutive Basel crowns.

Djokovic is set to open his title defense Tuesday against Ernests Gulbis.

In the second round, Federer will meet Janko Tipsarevic or Denis Istomin.

Other first-round winners Monday were American John Isner (No. 8) and Dutch qualifier Robin Hasse.

In Valencia, Spain, world No. 7 Fernando Verdasco, crushed American qualifier Michael Russell in straight sets Monday at the Valencia Open.

Verdasco, seeded third this week, dismantled Russell in 6-4, 6-1 fashion to set a second-round clash with former top-10 Frenchman Gilles Simon, who handled Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky, 6-3, 6-3.

Also moving forward at the $1.87 million event were Swiss Stanilas Wawrinka and Russian qualifier Teymuraz Gabashvili.

This week’s top seed, British star Andy Murray, last year’s champion, is slated to meet Spain’s Feliciano Lopez Tuesday.

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Flyers Edge `Canes, Win Fifth Straight

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 05:16 PM PDT

Ed Condran – AHN Sports Correspondent

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – The Flyers are hot and the Carolina Hurricanes are not. The Atlantic Division leaders won their fifth straight game, beating the Hurricanes 3-2.

The Flyers number one line continues to produce, even though Danny Briere is out. The talented goal scorer served the first of a three-game suspension for a stick-swinging incident with the New York Islanders Frans Nielson.

Briere’s linemate Scott Hartnell is still finding the back of the net.

Hartnell scored his third and fourth goals of the season. His first goal was on a nice backhander in front of Canes goalie Justin Peters. The second was on a re-direct off of a shot by defenseman Kimmo Timonen.

Hartnell has scored six points in his last six games.

“We’re mixing and matching,” Hartnell said regarding the line change. “We try to play Flyers hockey. You can tell when we’re on our game. We’re playing well right now. We got the win that’s the main thing. We’re at the top of our division. We got to keep going getting wins.”

Emerging star Claude Giroux scored his team-leading seventh goal on the power play.

The Canes Patrick Dwyer scored his third goal of the season on a breakaway courtesy of a careless turnover by Flyers winger James van Riemsdyk.

Joe Corvo added a goal, while the Canes played with an extra attacker with 26 seconds left in the contest.

The road-weary Canes, which have lost three of its last four games, have played eight of its first eleven games away from Raleigh. The Canes had a number of quality chances but Flyers rookie goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who played in his fourth straight game, made some big saves.

“I’m getting used to the atmosphere,” Bobrovsky said via a translator. “It’s getting better and better. The most important thing is that the team won and I tried to do my best.”

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Lincecum, Renteria Shine As Giants Capture First Title In 56 Years

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 05:16 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Arlington, TX, United States (AHN) – Tim Lincecum outdueled Cliff Lee by hurling a gem, and Edgar Renteria hit the game-winning home run in the seventh, as the San Francisco Giants captured their first title since 1954 with a 3-1 win over the Texas Rangers Monday in Game 5 of the World Series at Rangers Ballpark.

In the second meeting of the series between two Cy Young Award winners, Lincecum (2-0) came out on top by allowing just one solo homer among three hits and two walks while striking out eight in eight frames.

Both pitchers lived up to the expectations, unlike their first encounter, where the reigning two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, Lincecum, earned the win despite yielding four runs in 5 2-3 innings.

The Rangers were the first to get through the Giants right-hander in the fourth inning followed by the Giants in the fifth frame before Renteria uncorked a three-run blast in the seventh that snapped a scoreless game.

That huge hit from Renteria gave the Giants a 3-0 lead and all the offense they needed in snapping the third-longest championship drought in the league.

It marked the second home run in the 2010 Fall Classic for Renteria, who was also the World Series hero for the Florida Marlins after he smacked the game-winning hit in the 11th inning of Game 7 in the 1997 World Series.

Brian Wilson, who led the regular season with 48 saves, registered his sixth save of the postseason for the victors.

The victory gave the Giants their sixth title overall, but their first since moving to San Francisco in 1958.

The Giants captured five titles when they were base in New York.

Meanwhile, Lee (0-2), who was making his first home start this postseason, took the loss after allowing one home run on six hits with no walks, while fanning out six over seven frames.

The Rangers were making their first real postseason run in the 50-year history of the franchise.

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Manning, Colts Dominate Rematch Vs. Texans; Take Solo Spot Atop AFC South

Posted: 02 Nov 2010 05:16 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Indianapolis, IN, United States (AHN) – Peyton Manning threw a pair of TD passes, as the Indianapolis Colts avenged an opening-day loss in Houston with a 30-17 victory over the Texans Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Manning went 26-of-45 for 268 yards for the Colts (5-2), who were missing the services of All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark, receiver Austin Collie and running back Joseph Addai due to injuries.

Despite the key injuries, the rest of the Colts stepped up with Mike Hart providing the defending AFC champs a rare ground game by running for a career-high 84 yards.

Tight end Jacob Tamme, who replaced Clark in the lineup, caught six passes for 64 yards, while Reggie Wayne hauled in four passes for 39 yards and a score for the victors.

Adam Vinatieri registered three field goals for the Colts, who built a 17-3 halftime lead and then fended off any threat from Houston.

With win, the Colts moved atop the AFC South. Indianapolis is a half game better than the Titans (5-3).

Matt Schaub struggled early in the contest and ended with a 22-of-38 completion for 201 yards with one TD and one interception for the Texans, who posted a landmark 34-24 win in Week 1 against Indianapolis.

The Texans were looking to use that success in achieving a franchise first Monday. Houston has never beaten the Colts in Indianapolis in its history.

The Texans, who slipped to 4-3, are currently in third place between the Titans and the 4-4 Jaguars.

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