But everybody' divulges s looking recounts for pitching right now, whether it be bullpen or starters, so I think John will be given another opportunity somewhere " Smoltz was one of the best pressure pitchers of his era, going 15- 4 with four saves and a 2 65 ERA in the postseason. Stern said the Sonics updated the board on the " disappointing week that they had there in terms of not even a vote on their measure " Washington' s legislative leaders recently announced they wouldn' t vote during the current session on a proposal to use county taxes to help build a new$ 500 million arena in the Seattle suburb of Renton. 2 spot in the batting order and grounded out in his first at- bat, following Johnny Damon' s leadoff homer " I' m excited to have him back " Yankees manager Joe Girardi said " It' s also big to have one of your leaders back. They are supported by a bullpen that entered Wednesday' s game with a 1- 14 record " We' re hoping that the rookies come of age sooner that probably expected " acting general manager Mike Rizzo said.

The last time Lincoln played was in 1960# 8226; Quarterback Herbert Bynes was named Hampton' s Most Outstanding Player in the MEAC/ SWAC Challenge . He was tagged for 12 runs and 14 hits over 4 2/ 3 innings in a rehab start with Tacoma on Friday night " We told[ Rowland- Smith] yesterday that he' s going to go down and pitch some more " Wakamatsu said " We didn' t put a time frame on it " The team did not announce a starter for Thursday' s game against the Orioles Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press . Now that they' re out, he' ll have surgery on his knee, the Boston Globe reported on Tuesday " Clearly, that' s why we didn' t do surgery . 5, though the Mountaineers received two first- place votes . Then Francis took over, scoring the final nine points in the half. Updated: July 18, 2008, 10: 08 PM ET D- backs' Upton on DL, clearing room for newly- acquired Clark Comment Email Print Share Associated Press Clark PHOENIX- The Arizona Diamondbacks placed right fielder Justin Upton on the 15- day disabled list because of a strained oblique muscle Friday night, making room for newly acquired first baseman Tony Clark. Jeff Gordon insisted he wasn' t angry when he stopped Jamie McMurray in the garage late Saturday night to discuss the last two laps of the Shootout.

Updated: June 20, 2008, 8: 08 PM ET Fired McLaren claims tension, jealousy to blame for Mariners' woes Comment Email Print Share Associated Press SEATTLE- When the Seattle Mariners fired manager John McLaren at 9 a m . The advantage was still 10 with about 8 minutes left in the game after a 3- pointer by Laron Profit, but the Sixers weren' t done . Bosh tied his career- high with 25 points and Morris Peterson scored a season- high 21 to lead Toronto to a 105- 94 victory over the slumping Orlando Magic on Monday night . He teased the team' s PR director, who was standing next to him, for allowing him to speak to reporters on a travel day " Gee, no more non- mandatory media days for me " he said- and especially got a kick out of his fine being " double worst " the previous largest, a$ 50, 000 hit on Pat Riley in 2003 and Phil Jackson in 2004 " If that' s the worst thing that' s happened in the NBA from a coaching perspective, so be it " he said . Simpson said he believed the pellets were strays but was uncomfortable they were hunting near his home.

If Bouldin is threatening to shave his briar patch of a hairdo if the Bulldogs pull off a Final Four run, what might he do to celebrate a berth in the Elite Eight? It' s suggested he could pay tribute to Morrison with a mustache " If I could grow it maybe I would " he said . The Knicks play again at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night against Cleveland, and Thomas said Marbury was expected to attend the game . Other AL home openers include Cleveland at Detroit and Toronto at Baltimore( April 9; Texas at Cleveland, Oakland at Seattle and Chicago at Toronto( April 12; and Los Angeles at New York( April 13 . It was a big surprise to me " Memphis and Boston finished with the two worst records in the NBA and had the most likely chances of landing the top picks Instead, the Celtics drew No 5 while Memphis will pick No 4 . Fifteen laps in, the procession has begun with Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske claiming the top four spots. The Spurs are seeking their first repeat after failing to defend their titles in 2000, 2004 and 2006.

Burke got a victory of his own on Wednesday, as one of his many proposals was finally passed by general managers who agreed that TV timeouts should be allowed after an icing penalty . The alleged violations happened while Moore was a UConn assistant, and according to a source, Quinnipiac would not have access to information in an ongoing investigation . But I thought if I came out here[ to Los Angeles, it would help persuade me to make the decision that I need to make " Yet, even as he laughs away suitors like longtime Lakers fan Snoop Dogg, who all but begged O' Neal to join the Lakers, it seems that O' Neal already has made his decision Now, he' s just waiting on the other parties to catch up . He is scoring more than 11 points per game as the Tar Heels' sixth man . Torii Hunter was one of last winter' s chosen few, an All- Star player in his prime and at the top of several teams' shopping lists after it became apparent Minnesota could not compete financially to retain their long- time center fielder and franchise cornerstone. And if the Broncos' wild Fiesta Bowl victory wasn' t enough to win over most football fans outside of Oklahoma, then surely Johnson' s proposal to his girlfriend on the field right after scoring the winning points was. So this game is the game of the season " Bruce Hooley has covered the Big Ten for more than two decades and now is the host of a daily talk show on WBNS- AM 1460 in Columbus, Ohio.

Kenny Thomas added 30 points, scoring 18 during the Sixers' 39- point opening quarter, and Marc Jackson added 14 points, making all 10 of his free throws . It continued weeks later in Florida' s capital city, meeting with Gov . Louisiana- Lafayette is traveling to Jonesboro, Ark, to take on Arkansas State ESPN users had plenty to say about the Oct 11 Bottom 10 . Maybe we should try it to see what it looks like for us " Russell likes the way No 7 hitter Doug Mientkiewicz has been patient at the plate . Bucks F Keith Van Horn played 19 minutes, the most of the four games since returning from the injured list Tuesday. Updated: September 10, 2007, 11: 42 PM ET Hawaii must not perform' haka' with other team on field Comment Email Print Share Associated Press HONOLULU- A demonstration of Polynesian pride or just plain offensive? Hawaii coach June Jones on Monday said his team would continue performing a pregame Maori war dance called a " haka " despite being penalized for it Saturday at Louisiana Tech, where the Warriors escaped with a 45- 44 overtime win. Carter originally dislocated his shoulder in mid- November and missed the Wildcats' first five games this season.

Suffice to say White did everything on this Saturday except strike a pose- but only because that' s not his style . C " We really need a good road win " said junior cornerback Randy Phillips " It will helps some guys with confidence " Some Miami players aren' t having any problem with their confidence . He has range in coverage, likely more range than Perez had last year . 1 in both the coaches' and media polls, it is the sixth occasion that a school has had both programs ranked No 1 at the same time . We' ve just got to finish the games off " Milwaukee played the Lakers close throughout and led 79- 76 early in the fourth quarter.

The Crimson Tide and coach Nick Saban are preparing to face LSU, Saban' s former employer South Florida, which was No 2 two weeks ago, is down to No 20 after losing its second consecutive road game . As the leaders crossed the finish line, Scott Speed hit Brian Vickers from behind and spun out his Cup teammate while they battled for ninth place Vickers recovered to finish 12th . Nowitzki scored 32 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the Dallas Mavericks' 98- 85 victory over Memphis on Saturday night, sending the Grizzlies to their second loss in as many games since Hubie Brown retired suddenly as coach It was Nowitzki' s 10th double- double of the young season . Greer, who played overseas for four years before signing a free agent deal last offseason, appeared in 41 games without a start, but scored 19 points on 8- of- 12 shooting in a career- high 32 minutes against the Hornets in April Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press .

He is a good, competitive player " Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock told ESPN Wednesday morning . But in the last two weeks, Utley and Feliz have taken steps to raise their general manager' s confidence level " Probably a little bit more optimistic " Amaro said when asked if he felt better about each of his infielders now than when camp opened last month " Right now they' re continuing to progress and we' re hopeful, if not by opening day, then close to opening day these guys will be ready to play " Notes: A day after Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said the race for the fifth starter' s spot had begun, Chan Ho Park responded against the Blue Jays on Friday night . He had an MRI exam Tuesday, and manager Ron Gardenhire said it revealed " post- surgical changes " Team pyhsicians need to consult with the doctor who performed Crede' s most recent back surgery in 2008 before a treatment plan is formed, so it is still not clear whether Crede will be put on the disabled list " It' s locked up right now . Perhaps the Cougars, who have been throwing up all over themselves this year, just " Couged it " as their fans are wont to say when another game slips away . Fitch appeared in 18 games for the Heat as the third- string point guard behind Jason Williams and Gary Payton He averaged 4 7 points and 1 8 rebounds. Since the trade was announced, Miller' s play has been compared to the way Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks used to run the floor when Philadelphia was a regular title contender " I' m looking forward to playing for a coach that understands my position " Miller said Now all he has to do is get here Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. Stern said the site of KeyArena doesn' t have the potential for expansion present at Oklahoma City' s downtown arena.