Saturday, November 6, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Molinari Maintains One Shot Lead Over Westwood At HSBC

Posted: 06 Nov 2010 05:27 AM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Shanghai, China (AHN) – The new “Big Four” of golf were supposed to be front-and-center this week at Sheshan International Golf Club but after two rounds, Francesco Molinari has made it the “Italian Job.”

Molinari, who won the World Cup in China a year ago with brother Edoardo, shot a second round 70 Friday for a nine-under 135 total and holds a one shot lead over the world’s new top-ranked player, Lee Westwood of England.

Westwood finished his second round with a two-under par 70 and a 136 total.

Ernie Els moved into contention with the day’s low round, a seven-under par 65 and headed the group at 137 that included Richie Ramsay of Scotland land Jaco Van Zyl of South Africa. Van Zyl fashioned a 66.

He gained entry into this event as the Order of Merit leader on South Africa’s Sunshine Tour where he won four times this year.

Eighth-ranked Luke Donald was alone at six-under par, 138 while TIger Woods and Phil Mickelson found themselves in a group with seven others players at four-under par 140.

Woods struggled on his second day. He had five birdies but also found his share of problems with five bogeys. At the 18th hole, Woods hooked his tee shot, let go of his driver on his follow-through then kicked the club five yards in front of the tee box.

He finished with an even par round of 72 while Mickelson shot 71.

Woods was hoping for his first start of the year with consecutive sub-70 rounds the first two days.

This is the first time that hasn’t happened in 15 years for Woods. He has won 16 WGC events and has captured every title except for this one.

Fourth-ranked Martin Kaymer shot 69 and was a shot back of Woods and Mickelson at 141, three-under par.

Westwood continued to look good in his debut at No. 1. His iron game was solid as he hit 15 of 18 greens but didn’t have the putter going as he did in the first round.

Molinari got off to a great start with three birdies over his first seven holes. He got to 10-under for the tournament but bogeyed the ninth and played the final nine holes in even par.

He didn’t want to get ahead of himself when he was reminded that no Italian had ever won a WGC title and that he might be the first.

“There’s still a long way to go,” Molinari said as he headed for the weekend’s final two rounds.

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Shin, Baba Tied At Mizuno Classic; Pressel One Back

Posted: 06 Nov 2010 05:27 AM PDT

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Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Shima-shi Mie, Japan (AHN) – Jiyai Shin continued her good play Friday in the opening round of the Mizuno Classic with a seven-under par 65 at the Kashikojima Country Club.

Shin, ranked No. 1 in the world, was tied for the first round lead with Japan’s Yukari Baba.

Morgan Pressel of the United States was a shot back with 66 while last week’s winner in Malaysia, Na Yeon Choi, shot a five-under par 67.

Shin had nines of 31-34 with a pair of bogeys on her final nine.

Pressel turned in a one-under par 35 then blazed around the back nine with a five-under par 31.

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Restaurant Ignores Randy Moss` Diss; Dishes Food Out Instead

Posted: 06 Nov 2010 05:27 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Minneapolis, MN, United States (AHN) – Minnesota-based restaurant Tinucci in cooperation with Twin City radio station ESPN 1500 will hold a “fun-based” promotion dubbed “Free Lunch, Homey,” serving the same menu dissed by wideout Randy Moss last week.

Gus and John Tinucci, owners of Tinucci restaurant chain in Minnesota, will offer a free lunch buffet to the first 50 people who surrender Moss’ old Vikes jersey from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at Tinucci’s Newport branch.

Moss, who joined the Tennessee Titans after being waived by the Minnesota Vikings this week, reportedly mocked the chicken, beef, and ribs spread served by the Tinucci’s catering business in a post-practice lunch last Friday.

An advertisement posted on Tinucci’s website indicated the restaurant will serve the same menu ridiculed by the Pro Bowl wideout in exchange for his No.84 jersey, which will be donated to Nashville’s Boys and Girls club.

Those who don’t have Moss jersey can avail of the lunch special for $8.40, another promotional gimmick aimed at No.84.

Tinucci believed Moss really intended to spoil the good lunch his teammates had last Friday.

“All the other Vikings players appreciated it, they seemed to like our food,” Tinucci told the Woodburry Bulletin Friday “But got one bad apple and he was on a mission to ruin the bunch.”

Tinucci added Twin City radio ESPN 1500 convinced them to stage the event, insisting it’s about promoting the business.

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Wayne Rooney Off To Oregon: Star Heads To US For Ankle Rehabilitation

Posted: 06 Nov 2010 05:27 AM PDT

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Andrew Lawn – AHN Sports Correspondent

Portland, OR, United States (AHN) – Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney will head to Oregon this week for treatment on his troublesome ankle.

Rooney, 25, has been off-form this season and struggling with an ankle knock which is likely to keep him out a further three to four weeks.

With United due to face city rivals Manchester City next week, a game Rooney will definitely miss, the club decided the striker could do with a change of scenary away from the media glare.

Rooney will fly to the States this weeked, before heading to the Nike Town Centre in Oregon for intensive rehabilitation work.

The striker is also out of England’s friendly with France November 17 at Wembley.

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Giants Decline Option On World Series MVP Edgar Renteria

Posted: 06 Nov 2010 05:27 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) – Just days after winning World Series MVP honors for leading the San Francisco Giants to their first World Series in over a half-century, Edgar Renteria was bought out of the option year of his 2011 contract.

Renteria hit over .400 in the series, but is 35 and had an injury-riddled season.

Instead of paying the veteran shortstop $10.5 million for his services in 2011, the Giants opted to but out his pact for $500,000.

Although Renteria was remarkable in hitting a pair of homers in the World Series, including a key blast off the usually unhittable Cliff Lee in game five, he had just three homers and 22 RBI in the regular season.

Renteria is also considering retirement, which would leave him at 135 career homers with 290 stolen bases and 1,166 runs scored.

The 14-year player also performed for the Marlins, Cardinals, Red Sox, Braves and Tigers.

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Celtics Exec Ainge Backs Garnett Over Villanueva In War Of Words

Posted: 06 Nov 2010 05:27 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Boston Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge backed his player, Kevin Garnett, in a war of words between the forward and the Pistons’ Charlie Villanueva.

Ainge, speaking to a Boston radio station, said KG would not disrespect cancer patients as the Detroit player recently charged on his tweeter account after a recent trash-talking incident between the pair of players.

“There’s one thing that I know for sure, and it’s that KG would not offend cancer patients,” Ainge said on WEEI. “That makes no sense. It makes no sense on a lot of fronts. Not only is he experiencing it in his own family, but that’s just not something I’ve ever heard — in 30 years — ever say, in trash talking. What is logical in a trash talking situation for a player to say to another player, ‘You have cancer’ or ‘You are cancer’?”

Garnett already defended himself in the situation with a statement.

“My comment to Charlie Villanueva was in fact ‘You are cancerous to your team and our league,’” Garnett said. “I would never be insensitive to the brave struggle that cancer patients endure. I have lost loved ones to this deadly disease and have a family member currently undergoing treatment. I would never say anything that distasteful. The game of life is far bigger than the game of basketball.”

Villanueva got the war of words started by posted comments such as this on his twitter account:

“KG called me a cancer patient, I’m pissed because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he’s tossing it like it’s a joke.”

Ainge said he will stand by his coach, Doc Rivers, and Garnett in the matter

“First of all, both players have completely different stories,” Ainge added on WEEI. “One guy has a Twitter account where he blurts things out, that’s the first thing. Doc said he heard what KG said and I believe Doc. … I believe Doc and I believe KG.”

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Todd Bodine`s Truck Lead Down To 216 Points With Three Races Left

Posted: 06 Nov 2010 05:27 AM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – This weekend’s stop at Texas Motor Speedway couldn’t have come at a better time for former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Todd Bodine.

Bodine, who has dominated at Texas over the years, saw his points lead trimmed from 282 to 216 points last weekend after Bodine was wrecked and Aric Almirola ran second at Talladega.

Bodine, who has 3,480 points, saw his lead trimmed from 282 to 216 over Almirola, who has 3,264. Rounding out the top-five in points are Johnny Sauter (3,166), Matt Crafton (3,017) and Austin Dillon (3,065).

Ron Hornaday (2,987) sits sixth and in seventh is Tim Peters (2,980), followed by Mike Skinner (2,822), David Starr (2,780) and Jason White (2,678).

In positions 11-20 are: Ricky Carmichael (2,609), James Buescher (2,572), Justin Loftin (2,567), Ryan Sieg (2,302), Mario Gosselin (2,257), Kyle Busch (2,233), Jennifer Jo Cobb (2,050), Norm Benning (1,945), Brent Raymer (1,664) and Stacy Compton (1,614).

In points positions 21-30 is a group that includes: Donny Lia (1,500), Brett Butler (1,409), Ken Schrader (1,060), Dennis Setzer (1,049), Kevin Harvick (1,048), Mike Garvey (1,045), Brian Ickler (980), Narain Karthikeyan (963), Tayler Malsam (922) and Mike Harmon (846).

In spots 31-40 are J.C. Stout (802), Elliott Sadler (782), Mike Harmon (770), Chris Jones (769), Tony Jackson (744), Rick Crawford (736), Johnny Benson Jr. (735), Clay Greenfield (716), Chris Fontaine (714), Brad Sweet (705), Carl Long (687), Max Papis (644), Nelson Piquet (644), Donnie Neuenberger (609), Butch Miller (544) and Hermie Sadler (534).

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Truck Chief Wauters Fined, But Not Title Contender Almirola

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 09:47 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Daytona Beach, FL, United States (AHN) – Aric Almirola came within inches of winning last weekend’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, but the title contender won’t have to give up valuable points.

His crew chief, Richie Wauters, was hit with a $2,500 fine and put on probation the rest of the season, while Almirola, second in the points race, was unaffected by the penalty.

Wauters guided Kyle Busch to the win at Talladega a year ago and helped Almirola to his second consecutive runner-up finish at the track.

The No. 51 truck was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules) and 20B-5.12.1B (only a NASCAR-approved composite air filter housing will be permitted; use of unapproved air filter housing) of the 2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rule Book.

John Loper Jr., a crew member in the series, was also fined $2,500 and suspended from NASCAR indefinitely due to the violation of Section 12-1 and the unauthorized duplication of a NASCAR Annual Credential.

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Djokovic, Roddick Reach Basel Quarters; Soderling, Ferrer Roll In Valencia Tourney

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 09:47 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Basel, Switzerland (AHN) – Reigning champion Novak Djokovic and fourth-seeded Andy Roddick highlighted second-round winners Thursday at the Swiss Indoors tennis event.

The second-seeded Djokovic took advantage of several lapses by Jarkko Nieminen, prevailing over the Finnish qualifier, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), while the big-serving Roddick pounded Kazakhstan’s Andrey Golubev 6-3, 6-4.

World No. 3 Djokovic, who ended Roger Federer’s run of three consecutive Basel titles with a stunning victory over the Swiss icon in the 2009 finale here, will compete for a semi-final place against Dutchman Robin Haase.

The former No. 1 Roddick, on the other hand, set a rematch against former top-five star Argentine David Nalbandian, who sent sixth-seeded Croat Marin Cilic packing with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 upset in Day 4 of the $1.7 million event.

It will mark the first time that Roddick will collide against the 2002 Basel champion and three-time runner-up Nalbandian since their Basel semifinal showdown in 2003.

Meanwhile, top-seeded former No. 1 Federer, who ruled his hometown event from 2006-08, will face in quarterfinals Czech wild card Radek Stepanek, who ousted Santiago Giraldo of Columbia.

The other quarterfinal match Friday will feature Frenchman Richard Gasquet and Serb Victor Troicki.

At the Valencia Open, two-time French Open runner Robin Soderling bolstered his bid Thursday by demolishing crowd favorite Daniel Gimeno-Traver in straight sets to book his 14th quarter-final appearance this year.

The second-seeded Soderling, who became the favorite after top seed Andy Murray and third-seeded world No. 7 Fernando Verdasco were both eliminated, crushed Spain’s Gimeno-Traver, 6-2, 6-3.

In the quarters, Soderling will square off against Frenchman Gael Monfils, seeded eighth.

Former Valencia champion David Ferrer continued to give hope to the Spanish cause by disposing Russian qualifier Teymuraz Gabashvili, 6-2, 6-3. Ferrer will next play Potito Starace of Italy.

Sixth-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko also moved through the next stage after prevailing over Argentine veteran Juan Ignacio Chela. Davydenko will next be tested by Gilles Simon.

Friday’s other quarterfinal matches will have Marcel Granollers take on Argentine Juan Monaco.

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Michigan Football Gets Third Year Of Probation; Charge Against Rodriguez Reduced

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 09:47 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Indianapolis, IN, United States (AHN) – After the final completion of a 14-month investigation into the football team’s misuse of practice time, the NCAA placed Michigan on three years probation Thursday.

On Thursday, the NCAA handed Michigan a third year of probation for practice and training violations, a first in the program’s proud history, but declined to sharply punish head coach Rich Rodriguez or his program.

The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions did not find Rodriguez guilty of failing “to promote an atmosphere of compliance” but instead reduced the charge against the embattled coach to “failure to monitor.”

It also ordered Rodriguez to attend the league’s rules seminar.

The probation stemmed just before the 2009 season following a report by the Detroit Free Press, quoting anonymous players, who alleged that the training and practice sessions under Rodriguez far exceeded limits set by the NCAA.

As a result, Michigan announced in May self-imposed sanctions that included probation for two years and reduced training time.

The NCAA accepted most of Michigan’s self-imposed penalties, but added a year of probation to the school’s recommendation.

The Wolverines will be on probation starting from Nov. 4, 2010.

The Wolverines (5-3, 1-3) are again struggling this year, dropping three straights after opening 5-0. They will play Illinois Saturday, needing a victory to become bowl-eligible.

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