Friday, August 31, 2007

Jaguars name Garrard starting QB; Leftwich out

The Jacksonville Jaguars have named David Garrard the team's starting quarterback and have decided to part ways with four-year starter Byron Leftwich, whom the Jaguars drafted out of Marshall in 2003. The 27-year old Leftwich has yet to play a full season in the NFL due to nagging leg injuries. He missed 10 games last year because of a broken ankle. In the six games that he played, Leftwich tallied 1,159 passing yards, seven touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 79 quarterback rating. Leftwich also missed the final five games of the 2005-06 season and the team's first-round playoff game against the New England Patriots due to the same injury. He is expected to be traded or released.

Garrard, 29, has been with Jacksonville since 2002. In that time span, he has started 18 games, 10 last year, and has a career quarterback rating of 78.9. Last season, Garrard threw for 1,735 yards and 10 touchdowns while being picked off nine times. His quarterback rating was 80.5. The Jaguars went 8-8 and failed to make the playoffs.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Eddie Griffin dies in car accident

NBA player Eddie Griffin died in a car accident last week when his sport utility vehicle collided with a freight train. He was 25. His body was identified today.

Griffin's last stint with an NBA team was with the Minnesota Timberwolves in March before he was waived for under-performance and off the court issues. The 6'10" forward also spent time with the Houston Rockets and the New Jersey Nets. He was drafted seventh overall out of Seton Hall University by New Jersey in the 2001 NBA Draft but was traded to Houston for the draft rights to Richard Jefferson. He then signed back with the Nets in the 2003-04 season only to be released and then signed by Minnesota a year later.

Griffin posted career averages of 7.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. He was widely considered one of the best shot-blockers in the league but never maximized his potential. His best season probably came in the 2002-03 campaign where he averaged 8.6 points, six rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. He tallied more points and blocks per game in his rookie year but shot only 36.6% from the floor and did not compile as many rebounds.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Saturday's MLB scores

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Red Sox 6 Orioles 2
BOS: W: Beckett (15-5); 8.2 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 8 K Drew: 3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI Lugo: 2-3, 2 RBI
BAL: L: Olson (1-1)

Mariners 7 White Sox 6
SEA: W: Batista (12-8) Ibanez: 3-5, HR (11), 3 RBI Betancourt: 1-4, GS HR (8), 4 RBI
CHW: L: Floyd (1-2); 4 IP, 7 H, 7 ER Fields: 2-5, GS HR (12), 5 RBI Owens: 2-4, HR (7)

Yankees 11 Indians 2
NYY: W: Mussina (8-7); 7.2 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 6 K Rodriguez: 2-5, 2 HR (39), 4 RBI Abreu: 2-5, 2 RBI Damon: 2-6, 2 RBI
CLE: L: Byrd (10-5); 2 IP, 7 H, 7 ER Martinez: 1-3, 2 RBI

Athletics 2 Tigers 5
OAK: L: Haren (13-4) Stewart: 2-4, RBI
DET: W: Verlander (12-4) Ordonez: 3-4, HR (19), 2 RBI Thames: 2-4, HR (12)

Blue Jays 1 Royals 4
TOR: L: McGowan (8-6) Zaun: 1-3, HR (6)
KC: W: Nunez (2-0); 6 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB Gordon: 3-3, HR (9), 2 RBI Gathright: 2-3, RBI

Devil Rays 3 Rangers 0
TB: W: Jackson (3-11); CG, 4 H, 8 K Young: 2-4, 2 2B, RBI
TEX: L: Rheinecker (1-1)

Twins 3 Angels 4
MIN: L: Neshek (6-2) Silva: 7 IP, 2 H Mauer: 3-4, RBI
LAA: W: Lackey (15-6); 8 IP, 10 H, 2 ER Izturis: 1-3, HR (5), 2 RBI

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pirates 13 Giants 3
PIT: W: Armas (2-3) Sanchez: 4-5, HR (7), 5 RBI LaRoche: 2-5, HR (17), 3 RBI Castillo: 2-5, 2 RBI
SF: L: Lincecum (6-3); 6 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 8 K Winn: 2-4, HR (7)

Dodgers 1 Cardinals 6
LAD: L: Lowe (8-11)
STL: W: Looper (10-9); 6 IP, 4 H, ER Ankiel: 3-4, 2 HR (3), 3 RBI, 3 R Edmonds: 2-4, 2 RBI

Padres 3 Reds 8
SD: L: Hampson (2-3) B. Giles: 2-4, 2 HR (5), 3 RBI
CIN: W: Livingston (3-2); 8.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER Keppinger: 2-4, 3 RBI Gonzalez: 1-3, 2 RBI

Braves 7 Phillies 5
ATL: W: Mahay (3-0) Johnson: 2-3, HR (13), 3 RBI Francoeur: 2-4, HR (14)
PHI: L: Eaton (9-8); 3 IP, 8 H, 6 ER Iguchi: 1-5, 2 RBI

Brewers 7 Astros 4
MIL: W: Linebrink (4-3) Braun: 2-5, HR (22), 4 RBI Fielder: 3-5, HR (36)
HOU: L: Lidge (3-2) Rodriguez: 7 IP, 6 H, ER Lee: 2-5, 2 RBI

Marlins 7 Mets 5
FLA: W: Miller (4-0) Willingham: 3-5, GS HR (18), 5 RBI Cabrera: 2-3, 2 BB, 2 RBI
NYM: L: Heilman (7-4) Wright: 3-4, 2 HR (22), 3 RBI

Nationals 0 Diamondbacks 1
WAS: L: Lannan (1-1); 7 IP, 4 H, ER
ARI: W: Webb (12-8); CG, 5 H, 10 K Upton: 1-3, RBI

Cubs 2 Rockies 15
CHC: L: Hill (6-7); 5.2 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 1-2, RBI
COL: W: Fogg (7-7) Tulowitzki: 4-5, 3 RBI Hawpe: 2-5, HR (21), 3 RBI Carroll: 1-2, GS HR (2), 5 RBI Torrealba: 2-3, RBI, 4 R


Friday, August 10, 2007

Friday's MLB round-up

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Red Sox 5 Orioles 6
BOS: L: Okajima (3-1) Matsuzaka: 7 IP, 4 H, ER, 4 BB, 7 K Ortiz: 1-4, 2 RBI
BAL: W: Hoey (1-0) Bedard: 7.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 7 K Huff: 1-3, 2 RBI Markakis: 1-4, 2 RBI

Yankees 6 Indians 1
NYY: W: Hughes (2-1); 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 6 K Jeter: 3-4, RBI Abreu: 1-4, 2 RBI
CLE: L: Carmona (13-7) Barfield: 1-3, HR (3)

Athletics 16 Tigers 10
OAK: W: Lugo (3-0) Blanton: 4 IP, 7 H, 9 ER Cust: 2-5, GS HR (18), 7 RBI Buck: 4-5, 3 RBI Murphy: 2-5, HR (3), 3 RBI
DET: L: McBride (1-1) Tata: 2 IP, 5 H, 7 ER Thames: 1-3, GS HR (12), 4 RBI Ordonez: 3-5, 2 RBI Sheffield: 2-5, HR (24), 2 RBI

Blue Jays 2 Royals 1
TOR: W: Marcum (9-4); 6.2 IP, H, took no-hitter into 7th Wells: 2-4, 2 RBI
KC: L: Meche (7-10)

Mariners 3 White Sox 5
SEA: L: Washburn (8-9) Ibanez: 3-4, HR (10) Johjima: 2-4, HR (13)
CHW: W: Vazquez (10-6); 7 IP, 9 H, 3 ER Fields: 2-4, 2 HR (11) Dye: 2-3, HR (24)

Devil Rays 4 Rangers 7
TB: L: Sonnanstine (1-8) Navarro: 3-4
TEX: W: Wood (2-1) Catalanotto: 3-4, HR (8), 5 RBI Young: 1-4, 2 RBI

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Padres 12 Reds 7 (11 innings)
SD: W: K. Cameron (1-0) Gonzalez: 3-4, HR (19), 3 RBI Greene: 3-5, HR (19), 3 RBI Kouzmanoff: 2-5, HR (12), 2 RBI
CIN: L: Weathers (2-4) Hopper: 2-6, 2 RBI Griffey: 2-4, HR (27)

Marlins 4 Mets 3
FLA: W: Lindstrom (2-3) Ramirez: 2-4, 2 RBI, 3 SB, GW 2-R 2B Hermida: 2-3, RBI
NYM: L: Wagner (1-1); first blown save since June 7th (PHI) Beltran: 1-4, HR (20), 3 RBI

Braves 4 Phillies 5
ATL: L: James (9-9) McCann: 1-3, 2 RBI
PHI: W: Hamels (13-5) Helms: 1-3, HR (5), 2 RBI

Brewers 5 Astros 4
MIL: W: Spurling (2-1) Hall: 1-5, 2 RBI Fielder: 1-3, HR (35)
HOU: L: Moehler (1-4) Scott: 2-4, HR (14), 3 RBI

Dodgers 2 Cardinals 1
LAD: W: Beimel (3-1) Penny: 7 IP, 5 H, 6 K Loney: 1-4, GW 2-R HR (5), 2 RBI
STL: L: Wainwright (10-9); 9 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5 K Molina: 3-4, RBI



Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Tuesday's MLB news and notes

Diamondbacks re-sign Byrnes
The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed outfielder Eric Byrnes to a three-year contract extension worth $30 million. The 31-year old Byrnes is batting .303 with 17 home runs, 64 RBI, and 28 stolen bases this season.

Red Sox land Kielty
The Boston Red Sox have signed outfielder Bobby Kielty to a minor-league contract. Kielty, 31, was batting .200 this season with the Oakland Athletics before he was released on August 1st. He has spent a good portion of the year on the disabled list with a torn meniscus. Kielty is a career .255 hitter and is known for hitting very well against lefties (batted .325 against left-handers last season).

Padres to release Wells?
The San Diego Padres are reportedly considering releasing David Wells. The 44-year old left-hander is 5-8 with a 5.54 ERA this season and is coming off his worst outing of the year, giving up seven runs to the St. Louis Cardinals in a 10-5 loss on Monday.

Monday, August 06, 2007

J.O. to Lakers? Not so fast

Indiana Pacers' forward Jermaine O'Neal was quoted on Sports Illustrated's website on Monday as saying he would "welcome a trade to the Lakers." O'Neal, who has spent seven seasons with Indiana, does not want to be part of a rebuilding process and has expressed some interest in being dealt. However, O'Neal's agent, Arn Tellem, said in an e-mail to the Associated Press that the 28-year old "hasn't requested a trade to the Lakers." The 6'11" O'Neal averaged 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game last year.

Bonds stuck at 755; Cardinals score 10 in 5th

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Yankees 5 Blue Jays 4
NYY: W: Pettitte (8-7) Cabrera: 3-4, RBI Damon: 2-5, RBI Cano: 1-4, 2 RBI
TOR: L: Downs (1-2) Thomas: 2-5, 2 RBI

Devil Rays 4 Tigers 6
TB: L: Glover (5-4) Upton: 1-3, HR (16), 3 RBI
DET: W: Miner (2-3) Guillen: 3-4, 2 RBI Raburn: 1-4, 2 RBI

Indians 4 Twins 0
CLE: W: Byrd (10-4); CG, 4 H Peralta: 3-4, RBI Blake: 1-4, 2 RBI
MIN: L: Silva (9-12); 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 6 K

Athletics 9 Rangers 7 (13 innings)
OAK: W: Brown (2-0) Scutaro: 1-4, GS HR (5), 4 RBI Ellis: 2-6, 2 RBI Piazza: 3-7, RBI
TEX: L: Eyre (3-5) Young: 3-4, HR (5) Botts: 2-6, HR (1), 2 RBI Sosa: 2-6, 2 RBI

Red Sox 2 Angels 4
BOS: L: Schilling (6-5); 6 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 5 K Youkilis: 2-4, HR (12), 2 RBI
LAA: W: Speier (1-2) Kotchman: 1-4, 2 RBI

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Padres 5 Cardinals 10
SD: L: Wells (5-8); 4 IP, 11 H, 7 ER Blum: 2-4, HR (2), 2 RBI Gonzalez: 2-4, HR (18) Greene: 2-4, HR (18)
STL: W: Looper (9-9) Rolen: 1-4, HR (7), 3 RBI Eckstein: 1-4, 2 RBI Ludwick: 2-4, HR (9)

Cubs 1 Astros 2 (10 innings)
CHC: L: Wuertz (2-3) Hill: 7 IP, 3 H, ER, 6 K
HOU: W: Lidge (3-1) Rodriguez: 8 IP, 4 H, ER, 9 K Lee: 2-3, HR (24)

Brewers 2 Rockies 6
MIL: L: Vargas (9-4); 7 IP, 12 H, 6 ER
COL: W: Fogg (6-7); 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER Holliday: 3-4, HR (21), 2 RBI Hawpe: 2-3, HR (19), 3 RBI

Nationals 2 Giants 3 (11 innings)
WAS: L: King (1-1) Lannan: 7 IP, 8 H, ER, 5 BB Young: 1-4, HR (10), 2 RBI
SF: W: Hennessey (2-3) Lincecum: 7 IP, 5 H, ER, 8 K, 5 BB Winn: 4-5, RBI

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Glavine joins 300-club

New York Mets' pitcher Tom Glavine won his 300th game Sunday night in the Mets' 8-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Glavine went 6.1 innings, giving up six hits and two earned runs. The 41-year old left-hander is now 10-6 with a 4.31 ERA this season and has a 3.49 career ERA. He became only the 23rd pitcher in major-league history to win 300 games and only the fifth lefty to accomplish such a feat.

Glavine wins 300th; Tigers fall again

AMERICAN LEAGUE

White Sox 3 Tigers 1
CHW: W: Floyd (1-1); 6 IP, 7 H, 6 K
DET: L: Tata (1-1) Ordonez: 1-4, HR (17)

Royals 5 Yankees 8
KC: L: Meche (7-9); 4 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 5 BB Gload: 2-4, HR (4), 2 RBI Gathright: 4-4, RBI
NYY: W: Mussina (7-7); 6 IP, 9 H, 2 ER Cabrera: 2-5, HR (7), 2 RBI Matsui: 1-3, HR (22), 2 RBI Abreu: 3-4, 2 RBI

Rangers 1 Blue Jays 4
TEX: L: McCarthy (7-8) Catalanotto: 2-5, HR (7)
TOR: W: McGowan (8-5); 8 IP, 8 H, ER, 6 K Stairs: 3-3, 2 RBI

Orioles 11 Devil Rays 3
BAL: W: Bedard (12-4); 6.2 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 11 K Huff: 3-5, HR (8) Patterson: 2-5, 3 RBI Gibbons: 4-5
TB: L: Sonnanstine (1-7); 3.2 IP, 8 H, 7 ER Crawford: 4-5, HR (9) Upton: 2-5, HR (15), 2 RBI

Indians 0 Twins 1
CLE: L: Carmona (13-6); 7 IP, 5 H, ER, 5 K, 5 BB
MIN: W: Baker (6-4); 8 IP, 4 H

Red Sox 9 Mariners 2
BOS: W: Beckett (14-5); 6.2 IP, 8 H, ER, 9 K Ramirez: 2-4, HR (19), 2 RBI
SEA: L: Bautista (11-8)

Angels 4 Athletics 3
LAA: W: Lackey (14-6) Anderson: 2-4, 3 RBI Kotchman: 3-4, RBI
OAK: L: Calero (1-5) Johnson: 1-3, HR (11), 2 RBI

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Astros 5 Marlins 6
HOU: L: Albers (2-5) Lee: 2-4, HR (23), 4 RBI
FLA: W: Olsen (9-9); 7.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 8 K Ross: 2-2, 2 RBI Ramirez: 1-4, HR (19) Amezaga: 1-4, 2 RBI

Rockies 5 Braves 6
COL: L: Bucholz (5-4) Spilborghs: 2-3, 2 HR (9) Helton: 2-4, 2 RBI
ATL: W: Villarreal (2-1) C. Jones: 3-4, HR (19), 2 RBI Escobar: 2-4, 2 RBI

Phillies 8 Brewers 6
PHI: W: Myers (2-3) Werth: 2-5, HR (4), 2 RBI Rowand: 3-6, 3 RBI
MIL: L: Parra (0-1) Jenkins: 4-6, 3 RBI Braun: 2-6, HR (20) Mench: 2-4, 2 2B, RBI

Giants 4 Padres 5
SF: L: Chulk (4-3) Molina: 1-1, PH HR (11), 2 RBI
SD: W: Brocail (4-1) M. Giles: 1-3, 2 RBI

Diamondbacks 3 Dodgers 0
ARZ: W: Webb: (11-8); CG, 7 H Upton/Reynolds: 2-4, RBI
LAD: L: Penny (13-3); 7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 K

Mets 8 Cubs 3
NYM: W: Glavine (10-6); 300th career win Delgado: 2-4, 4 RBI Castillo: 4-5, 2 SB Reyes: 3-6, RBI
CHC: L: Marquis (8-7)

Yankees to call up Chamberlain

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the New York Yankees will be calling up minor-league right-hander Joba Chamberlain within the next 48 hours. The 21-year old is 9-2 with a 2.45 ERA in the minors this season. He has also struck out 135 in 88.1 innings. Chamberlain will most likely assume a relief role with the Yankees. There is no word yet on who New York will be sending down. A potential candidate is right-hander Jeff Karstens.