Nina's Sports Bad Boys Blog World: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Dodgers say goodbye to St. Louis-bound Furcal

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers waved goodbye to shortstop Rafael Furcal, who appeared to be on his way to St. Louis after five-plus seasons in Los Angeles. And Furcal's sudden departure cast an even larger pall in the clubhouse following their loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Justin Upton greeted Matt Guerrier with a go-ahead, three-run double in the sixth inning and Arizona climbed within three games of the NL West lead with a 6-4 victory over the Dodgers on Saturday night.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and general manager Ned Colletti were measuring their words carefully before the game when asked about the status of Furcal's impending trade to the Cardinals.

The two-time All-Star shortstop was held out of the lineup Saturday. He participated in batting practice and pregame drills, but he was not in the dugout in the ninth inning when Mattingly used Eugenio Velez to hit for reliever Josh Lindblom.

Furcal cleaned out his locker, but the team made no formal announcement after the game that he was traded.

"Raffy's got a lot of friends here, so we're sad to see him go and we're going to miss him," second baseman Aaron Miles said. "He's been a big part of this team. It's been tough for him to get on the field this year, but he's going to a great team and a great organization. It's a real good opportunity for him and I wish him the best."

Los Angeles starter Chad Billingsley (9-9) was charged with six runs and seven hits over 5 2-3 innings. He struck out four and tied a season high with five walks. One of them was to No. 8 hitter Gerardo Parra with the bases loaded and none out in the sixth. Xavier Nady batted for Micah Owings (5-0) and hit a sacrifice fly, reducing the Dodgers' lead to 4-3.

"Billingsley was pounding the zone earlier, but he just wasn't locating in the sixth and we took advantage of it," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. "That's what you have to do. You have to recognize it and just lay off the pitches that are just marginally off the plate. That's what we did."

Another walk to Kelly Johnson on Billingsley's 103rd and final pitch loaded the bases again. Upton then hit a drive to center that skidded on the wet grass and got past Matt Kemp, clearing the bases. The three RBIs increased Upton's team-high total to 65, just four fewer than he had last season in 133 games.

Kemp, who hit a two-run drive in the third for his 26th homer of the season, came up in the seventh representing the potential tying run. But Bryan Shaw struck him out with a runner at third. J.J. Putz, the sixth Arizona pitcher, pitched a hitless ninth for his 23rd save in 27 attempts.

The Diamondbacks also loaded the bases with none out in the second, but all they could get out of it was a sacrifice fly from Willie Bloomquist. Right fielder Andre Ethier prevented two more runs when he robbed Johnson of extra bases with a lunging catch while going full speed toward the warning track.

The Dodgers grabbed a 3-1 lead in the third. Casey Blake, in his first game off the disabled list, hit a sacrifice fly one pitch after a one-out triple by Tony Gwynn Jr. Ethier singled with two outs and Kemp deposited Owings' 2-1 pitch into the pavilion seats in left-center, raising his NL-leading RBI total to 82.

Jamey Carroll's line drive up the middle through a drawn-in infield increased the margin to 4-1 in the fourth.

Notes: Hiroki Kuroda informed Colletti that he decided not to waive the no-trade clause in his contract. He was the subject of considerable trade speculation prior to Sunday's non-waiver trade deadline. "In my heart of hearts, knowing him like I know him, I'm not surprised that is the way he felt," Colletti said. "I would have been more surprised if he had said, 'OK, I'll go somewhere else.' In a way, it's refreshing. He made a commitment to sign here, and he wants to fulfill that commitment. ... Blake missed the Dodgers' previous 21 games because of a cervical strain. The Dodgers placed 3B Juan Uribe on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 24, because of a groin strain.

Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/baseball/mlb/07/31/dodgers-furcal.ap/index.html?eref=si_latest

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Jets sign WR Plaxico Burress

The New York Jets took a page out of the Philadelphia Eagles playbook in signing WR Plaxico Burress Sunday.

The Jets confirmed Sunday morning that they had an agreement in principle with the former Super Bowl star with the New York Giants, who was released in June after 20 months in prison.

MORE: �Sunday's NFL moves

On Friday evening, after days of hearing themselves declared the frontrunners to sign Nnamdi Asomugha, the Jets saw the Eagles swoop in and steal the superstar cornerback. On Sunday it was their turn.

Over the last few days, all of the talk concerning Burress, 33, surrounded the Giants and Steelers, his two former teams.

Burress met Friday evening with coach Tom Coughlin to discuss a possible return to the Giants. After playing the first five years of his career in Pittsburgh (2000-2004), Burress signed with New York as a free agent. In Super Bowl XLII in the 2007 season, he caught the winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds left in the Giants' 17-14 victory vs. the New England Patriots.

On Saturday, Burress visited the Steelers training camp in Latrobe, Pa. He had breakfast with the coach Mike Tomlin, Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert and team President Art Rooney II. He later had lunch in the team cafeteria with veteran Steelers Hines Ward and James Farrior.

Now, according to ESPN's Adam Shefter, Burress will sign a one-year contract for about $3 million, guaranteed.

On June 6, Burress was released from the Oneida Correctional Facility, a medium security prison in Rome, N.Y. He had served 20 months of a two-year sentence with time off for good behavior.

He received the prison sentence after pleading guilty to weapons charges in connection with accidentally shooting himself in the leg in a New York night club in November of 2008.

Contributing: Gary Mihoces

See photos of: NFL, New York Jets, Plaxico Burress

Source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/UsatodaycomSports-TopStories/~3/VEnsfavw0Bc/1

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Duke eyes possible NCAA recruiting violation

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) � Duke is investigating whether an NCAA recruiting rule was violated when coach Mike Krzyzewski reportedly offered a scholarship to a recruit during a summer tournament.

Forward Alex Poythress told CBSSports.com that Krzyzewski spoke to him earlier this week while he was in Orlando, Fla., for a tournament with his AAU team, the Georgia Stars, and offered him a scholarship.

NCAA rules prevent coaches from contacting recruits before they are finished playing in tournaments.

Duke spokesman Jon Jackson said in a statement Saturday that the school is gathering facts and that "proper adherence to NCAA bylaws has always been, and will continue to be, a cornerstone of Duke Athletics."

Poythress is a 6-foot-7 forward from Clarksville, Tenn. He is considered one of the nation's top high school seniors.

Posted

Source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/UsatodaycomCollegeSports-TopStories/~3/itx3GRnrlZg/2011-07-30-1542538035_x.htm

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Blog: Follow the latest rumors, trade buzz as deadline approaches

The clock is ticking as the non-waiver trading deadline approaches at 4 p.m. ET. The Atlanta Braves struck first Sunday morning and acquired outfielder Michael Bourn from the Houston Astros.

Several big names remain on the market - among those are San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell, Washington Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Huroki Kuroda, Minnesota Twins outfielder Denard Span and Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey.

CHART: �Notable trade deals

On the eve of the deadline, the Indians got Ubaldo Jimenez, the Cardinals acquired Rafael Furcal and the Phillies got Hunter Pence. Still nothing from the New York Yankees.

USA TODAY will follow the latest rumors and rumblings as the trade deadline approaches (all times ET).

***

2:55 p.m.: Astros pitcher Wandy Rodriguez not going to the Indians, Richard Justice tweets. Talks about him going to the Yankees are dead too, tweets Jayson Stark.

2:51: Not to be lost in the midst of the deadline, Tigers' Justin Verlander has a no-hitter through seven innings.

2:37 p.m.:�Padres trade Mike Adams, not Heath Bell to the Rangers. Adams, who turned 33 on Friday, has gone 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA over 48 relief appearances with the Padres this season.

2:00 p.m.: The Florida Marlins say Leo Nunez is not available, FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi reports. The closer makes $3.65 million this year and is headed into his final year of arbitration.

1:44 p.m.: Outfielder B.J. Upton is in the Rays lineup. He joked before the game whether he should get dressed. Upton had been rumored to go to the Giants and Braves.

1:35 p.m.: The Nationals don't want to part with Drew Storen in the Denard Span discussion, which could be a deal-breaker for the Twins.

1:25 p.m.:Ryan Ludwick is in the Padres lineup today (4:05 p.m.) batting fourth. Then-again, Ubaldo Jiminez started the game Saturday and pitched one inning before being pulled.

1:01 p.m.: The Indians may not be done after getting Ubaldo Jimenez. They are close to a deal with Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown.

1 p.m.: Interesting note. The Yankees are one of five teams NOT to make a move before the deadline. Three hours remain.

12:52 p.m.: The Diamondbacks acquired Brad Ziegler from the Athletics. The D-backs send Brandon Allen and Jordan Norberto to the A's.

12:50 p.m.: Astros GM Ed Wade may not be done selling firewood. There's a good chance pitcher Wandy Rodriguez could be dealt.

12:40 p.m.: The Diamondbacks, in need to bolster their bullpen, are showing interest in Athletics reliever Brad Ziegler.

12:35 p.m.: Astros GM Ed Wade is trying to calm the waters after dealing Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn in consecutive days.

"It's not a fire sale," Wade said. "If we stay course, the end result will be so substantial that fans will understand why we had to go through it."

Hat tip: Richard Justice

12:30 p.m.: The Nationals are in the Denard Span sweepstakes, possibly for reliever Drew Storen and outfielder Roger Bernadina.

Source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/UsatodaycomSports-TopStories/~3/dX46kxYjFTM/1

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Donald called up from Triple-A Columbus

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Shortly after trading veteran infielder Orlando Cabrera to the Giants, the Indians recalled infielder Jason Donald from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday morning, the team announced.

Cabrera was traded for outfielder Thomas Neal, who has been optioned to Columbus. Neal is currently on the Triple-A disabled list with a left hand contusion.

Donald, 26, has hit .310 with 32 runs, 12 doubles, four home runs and 15 RBIs in 47 games with Columbus this season, splitting time between third base and shortstop.

He hit .253 with 39 runs, 24 RBIs and four homers in 88 games for the Indians last year, making his big league debut on May 18, 2010.

He has hit .357 against left-handed pitchers this year, with his average climbing steadily all season (.250 in April, .280 in May, .315 in June, .320 in July).

Donald began the 2011 season on the 15-day Major League disabled list with a fractured left hand after being hit by a pitch in Spring Training. He was reinstated on April 29 and optioned to Triple-A.

Donald was acquired by the Indians in 2009 as part of the deal that sent Cliff Lee to the Phillies. He will be in uniform when the Indians take the field Sunday against the Royals.

Joey Nowak is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @joeynowak. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Source: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110731&content_id=22558046&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb

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Rockies' Jimenez dealt to Indians for prospects

CLEVELAND -- In the middle of a surprising season, the Cleveland Indians are getting an ace rather than trading one away.

The Indians acquired Ubaldo Jimenez from the Colorado Rockies for three minor leaguers and a player to be named.

The trade, contingent on the 2010 All-Star passing a physical Sunday, is a bold gamble by the Indians' first-year general manager Chris Antonetti.

The Indians, 1� games behind Detroit in the AL Central, have gone all in to try to win the division for the first time since 2007 after making their second trade of the night and third in three days.

Also Saturday night, Cleveland dealt infielder Orlando Cabrera, who lost his starting job to rookie Jason Kipnis last week, to San Francisco for Triple-A outfielder Thomas Neal. On Thursday, they sent two minor leaguers to the Chicago Cubs for veteran outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.

To obtain Jimenez, Cleveland gave up right-handers Alex White and Joe Gardner and first baseman-outfielder Matt McBride.

Left-hander Drew Pomeranz, one of Cleveland's top pitching prospects, was pulled from his start at Double-A Akron. He did not sign with Cleveland after being drafted last year until the signing deadline of Aug. 16. No drafted player can be dealt until one calendar year after signing.

The 22-year-old Pomeranz could give the Rockies the most value if he is the player to be named. Cleveland's first-round pick in 2010, fifth overall, the left-hander began this season at Class A Kinston, going 3-2 with a 1.87 ERA in 15 starts to earn a promotion to Akron. He went 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA in three games with the Aeros.

In 91 innings overall, the former University of Mississippi ace has struck out 112.

The Indians traded Cy Young winners CC Sabathia in 2008 and Cliff Lee in 2009 for a group of prospects, some of which have helped Cleveland go from 90-plus losses the past two seasons to contenders.

Matt LaPorta, the key player in the Sabathia deal, delivered a two-out, three-run homer to cap Cleveland's four-run ninth for a 5-2 win over Kansas City.

The Indians would not comment on the deal until after results of the physical on Sunday.

"This was a very difficult decision for us to make," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said in a statement released by the team. "Our focus with this deal was to make our team better in the very near future and we feel like we were able to do that in this situation.

"We believe the timing of this deal also allowed us to maximize the value we were able to get in return."

The offensively challenged Indians beefed up an already formidable pitching staff by getting Jimenez, who was pulled from his scheduled start Saturday in San Diego after one inning.

The right-hander gave up four runs on four walks and two hits to the Padres, making 45 pitches. He went to the dugout and spoke with manager Jim Tracy, then accepted handshakes and hugs from what are now his former teammates.

Jimenez was smiling and later told reporters he had been traded to Cleveland.

"When I got to the mound, I couldn't even throw a strike because I didn't have my mind on the game," Jimenez said.

The 27-year-old threw a no-hitter against Atlanta in April 2010 on the way to a 19-8 record with a 2.88 ERA and got the nod as starter for the NL All-Star team.

He is only 6-9 with a 4.46 ERA in 21 starts this year.

Indians manager Manny Acta would not comment on the deal, but he is quite familiar with the fellow native of the Dominican Republic.

Jimenez is 56-45 with a 3.66 ERA in 138 games, all but one of them as a starter since arriving in the majors with Colorado in 2006.

White, 22, made his big league debut with Cleveland this year, but went on the disabled list May 21 with a strained right middle finger on May 21. The 15th overall pick in the 2009 draft out of North Carolina is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA for Cleveland.

The 23-year-old Gardner went 7-8 with a 4.99 ERA at Double-A Akron this year. A third-round choice in 2009 from Cal-Santa Barbara, he was 13-6 with a 2.75 ERA combined in two levels of Class A ball a year ago.

McBride, 26, has split 2011 between Akron and Triple-A Columbus, hitting a combined .279 with 15 homers and 56 RBIs. The 75th overall choice in the 2006 draft as a catcher from Lehigh University, he had shoulder surgery early in his minor league career.

Source: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6819477/colorado-rockies-ubaldo-jimenez-confirms-trade-cleveland-indians-prospects?campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

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