Royals end 12-game losing streak (AP)

David DeJesus homered and Kyle Davies pitched five strong innings just hours after being called up from Triple-A, sparking a 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night that snapped the Kansas City Royals‘ 12-game losing streak. Davies (1-0) gave up one run on five hits and became Kansas City’s first winning pitcher since Zack Greinke on May 18.

Webb pitches shutout for 10th victory (AP)

Brandon Webb threw his eighth career shutout, Mark Reynolds homered twice and the Arizona Diamondbacks snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday night. Webb (10-2) scattered six singles in his second complete game of the year and 14th of his career.

Rays’ Kazmir stifles White Sox to win fifth consecutive start
Scott Kazmir won his fifth straight start, allowing three hits in seven innings of AL East-leading Tampa Bay’s 2-0 victory over …

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Cubs, White Sox make Chicago second to none this season
Sorry, New York. Sorry, Boston. It’s not even close this year. Chicago rules. The Cubs have become almost invincible at home …

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Red Sox’s Ramirez joins 500 homer club (AP)
Manny Ramirez connected for career homer No. 500 on Saturday night, hitting a drive off Baltimore Orioles right-hander Chad Bradford to become the 24th major leaguer to reach the milestone. Ramirez drove the first pitch into the seats in right-center in the seventh inning. The Red Sox star watched the flight of the ball, then took off around the bases.

Martin rallies Dodgers past Mets to snap skid
Russell Martin went 4-for-4 with a homer and three RBI, and the Los Angeles Dodgers took advantage of a blown call at first base …

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Soriano leads Cubs to sixth straight win (AP)

Ryan Dempster got plenty accomplished in his short five-inning start. He ran his record at Wrigley Field to 7-0 and also contributed a two-out RBI double, his first extra-base hit since 2002. Dempster and the Chicago Cubs seem to be having a really good time lately, especially at their cozy ballpark. Alfonso Soriano drove in Dempster with a two-run homer and finished with three RBIs, helping the…

Griffey’s 599th homer, Bruce’s first lift Reds past Braves in 10
Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 599th career homer Saturday, leaving him one shy of a seldom-reached mark, and Jay Bruce extended his …

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What will be personality for this year’s draft?
Every draft has a personality, but it’s anyone’s guess as to how the future will unfold with this year’s crop, NBADraft.net says.NBA/~4/302040263″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Time may have run out for Spurs (AP)
Time finally may have run out on the San Antonio Spurs — both for this season and in their championship-filled run. The group of 30-something Spurs could not keep up with the in-their-20s Los Angeles Lakers. After another fast start at Staples Center, San Antonio seemed to tire, again blowing a substantial lead and falling 100-92 on Thursday night as the Lakers won Game 5 to advance to the NBA…

Suns to interview Pistons assistant Porter again
Terry Porter is expected to be interviewed for a second time by the Phoenix Suns later this week. Porter joined Detroit Pistons coaches and players at their practice facility on Saturday, the day after the Boston Celtics eliminated them in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Suns have been searching for a head coach since Mike D’Antoni resigned to lead the New York Knicks.NBA/~4/302000279″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Spurs‘ Horry says return ‘up in the air’
“Big Shot Rob” might be done breaking hearts. San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry said Saturday he’s considering retirement after winning seven NBA championships in a 16-season career. “Right now I’m up in the air,” Horry said. “That’s all I can really tell you, up in the air. I want to play, 80 percent of me wants to play and I’m sure as soon as I get in the gym and see people bouncing the ball it would turn into 100 percent. So we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.NBA/~4/302077992″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

No announcement yet on Bulls, Collins (AP)

Doug Collins’ second tenure as Chicago Bulls coach may be coming, but there was no announcement as of Friday evening. The Bulls and Collins, who coached a young Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen before the 1990s dynasty took off, acknowledged Thursday discussing a return engagement. The sides also said there would be more talks once Collins’ obligations with TNT ended, which happened when the Los…

Future uncertain for Pistons (AP)
Rasheed Wallace seems to symbolize the Detroit Pistons. He is a unique talent, the only player in league history with 100 3-pointers and 100 blocks in multiple seasons, and the team defies NBA convention by having success without a superstar or two. Wallace also appears to check out mentally at inopportune times, as do some of his Pistons teammates.

NBA to start fining floppers next season
The NBA will begin fining players guilty of flopping beginning next season. Although the exact amount of fines has not been determined, the clubs have been informed that a new rule is on the way. “We have not finalized what the system’s going to be and certainly we will before the beginning of next season,” NBA vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson said Friday.NBA/~4/301374492″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Lakers get week off before NBA finals (AP)
Kobe Bryant was positively giddy. The Los Angeles Lakers star and his teammates, resplendent in caps and T-shirts honoring their Western Conference championship, were celebrating on the Staples Center floor as Jerry West spoke to the crowd. The 70-year-old West, known as Mr. Clutch during a Hall of Fame career with the Lakers, presented his former team with the conference championship trophy…

Spurs F Horry considering retirement (AP)
“Big Shot Rob” might be done breaking hearts. San Antonio Spurs forward Robert Horry said Saturday he’s considering stepping away from the game after winning seven NBA championships in a 16-season career. “Right now I’m up in the air,” Horry said. “That’s all I can really tell you, up in the air. I want to play, 80 percent of me wants to play and I’m sure as soon as I get in the gym and see people…

Probe of Kevin Johnson won’t be reopened (AP)
Authorities say there’s no reason for police to reopen an investigation into whether former NBA star Kevin Johnson molested a teenage girl. Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness said Friday that Johnson’s actions, though ill-advised, were not illegal. He said Johnson touched the girl on her shoulders, but not her breasts.

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Penguins want obstruction rules enforced (AP)

The Pittsburgh Penguins knew the Detroit Red Wings would block their path to winning the Stanley Cup finals. Maybe just not this much. Penguins coach Michel Therrien all but begged the on-ice officials again Friday to enforce the obstruction rules, arguing that one of his team’s greatest strengths is being taken away by the Red Wings’ defensive tactics.

Holmstrom game-time decision for Wings (AP)
Top-line forward Tomas Holmstrom took an on-ice spin Saturday morning with his Detroit Red Wings teammates to test out his injured right leg hours before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals. After gingerly skating for about 20 minutes and flexing his legs, the winger said he felt good but wasn’t sure if he would play.

New scheme helped, but Penguins still have issues
A forechecking change helped them win Game 3, but Spector says the Penguins have other problems to resolve vs. the Red Wings.

Red Wings sign off on Swedish invasion
Ten years ago, the Red Wings were known for their Russian players. This year, it’s all about the Swedes, Inside Hockey says.

Devils sign Finnish D Salmela (AP)
The New Jersey Devils signed free agent defenseman Anssi Salmela of Finland on Friday. Contract terms were not immediately available. The 23-year-old had 16 goals and 16 assists in 56 games with Tappara of the Finnish League last season. His 16 goals were tops among defensemen in the league. Salmela had 36 goals, 42 assists and 208 penalty minutes in 226 games in the Finnish League.

Players react to death of Canucks’ Bourdon
Vancouver Canucks rookie defenseman Luc Bourdon owned a motorcycle only several days before dying when the bike veered into the path of a truck on a winding, two-lane road, close friend Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins said Friday. Letang, badly shaken by the news, said a “pretty excited” Bourdon called him earlier this week to tell him about buying the motorcycle. “We knew it was dangerous, but he had fun with it,” Letang said.

Pang’s Game 4 Preview
If the Red Wings want to come back from a loss to the Penguins, they need to focus on defense in Game 4, Darren Pang says.

Penguins try to tie Cup finals vs. Wings (AP)
The Detroit Red Wings can win the Stanley Cup on Saturday night, even if they may not realize it. Not in actuality, of course. At last check, the NHL still requires a team to win four games to lift the Stanley Cup, not three. No matter, a Red Wings victory on Pittsburgh’s home ice would likely be a devastating blow to a young Penguins team that was waxed by a combined 7-0 score in the first two…

Wings’ Holmstrom will be game-time decision
Top-line forward Tomas Holmstrom took an on-ice spin Saturday morning with his Detroit Red Wings teammates to test out his injured right leg hours before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals. After gingerly skating for about 20 minutes and flexing his legs, the winger said he felt good but wasn’t sure if he would play. “It was a pretty good skate. I felt it a little bit,” Holmstrom said. “That’s the concern right there. We’re trying to do the smartest thing and figure it out before game time.

Bourdon had cycle only for several days (AP)

Luc Bourdon received his motorcycle license two weeks before his bike veered into a truck on a winding, two-lane road, instantly killing the rookie defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks. Investigators said Friday that Bourdon’s inexperience on a motorcycle may have played a role in his death. “The impact took place in the opposite lane,” Inspector Roch Fortin said during a news conference at…

Popularity: 5% [?]

Braves lose Kotsay to DL, but Smoltz on horizon
The Atlanta Braves put outfielder Mark Kotsay on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a strained lower back.

Indians hand Royals 12th straight loss (AP)

Consecutive loss No. 12 in what Kansas City manager Trey Hillman calls “this miserable streak” could hardly have been more entertaining for fans or more maddening for the Royals. A baserunning mistake cost the Royals one chance to score the tying run and an outstanding defensive play cost them another.

Baldelli playing again, eyes return to big leagues
Rocco Baldelli seemed upbeat after going hitless in five at-bats as the designated hitter in his second extended spring training game Saturday.

Video: Rosenthal’s AL Hot Corner
Heavy innings may have taken a toll on Dice-K’s shoulder. The Red Sox are worried, and Ken Rosenthal says they probably should be.

Down 9-1 in 6th, Cubs beat Rockies 10-9 (AP)

Mark DeRosa figured it was going to be one of those days. The Colorado Rockies jumped out to an early 8-0 lead and seemed to be taking batting practice against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. “Early on we were like, ‘It’s going to be rough,’ but the way the wind was blowing you never know. They got some runs on fly balls to left field as well.

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NCAA downgrades one charge against Indiana
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) -Indiana University finally got some good news Friday when the NCAA downgraded one of the five major allegations to a secondary violation in the Kelvin Sampson phone-call scandal.

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Around the Association presented by T-Mobile: May 28
Go Around the Association for a recap of Wednesday’s action to read about the Celtics‘ Game 5 win over the Pistons.

Ray or Rip: UConn Alums Take Rivalry to East Finals
Richard Hamilton’s postseason is going like his past five in a lot of ways, scoring 20 points on most nights and helping the Detroit Pistons reach the Eastern Conference finals.

Rivers, Celtics Viewing Tonight as Must-Win
In the BOSTON HERALD, Steve Bulpett writes “for the third time this postseason, Doc Rivers boarded a Thursday afternoon charter flight to a Friday night Game 6. For the third time, the Celtics coach carried a 3-2 series lead in his luggage, hoping to close out the opponent on its floor and avoid a Sunday showdown back in Boston. But considering the history in these situations, well, let’s just say Rivers wasn’t making any tee times for Sunday. ‘Yeah, we have (been in this position before),’ he said via teleconference just prior to takeoff for Detroit. ‘We have a chance to end it. But, you know, we’re playing good teams - and good teams in their place - and they’re tough to play.’”

Celtics Shut Down James, Beat Cavs in Game 1
Kevin Garnett scored 28 points and LeBron James couldn’t make a basket down the stretch as the Boston Celtics eked out a 76-72 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night in the opener of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Rip Hamilton Questionable Tonight With Injured Elbow
In the DETROIT FREE PRESS, Krista Jahnke writes “the Detroit Pistons don’t know if Richard Hamilton will be healthy enough to play against the Boston Celtics on Friday. Detroit’s leading scorer strained his right elbow in the final seconds of Boston’s 106-102 win on Wednesday night. X-rays were negative, and Hamilton’s arm was in a sling as he left the arena. Hamilton hadn’t been re-evaluated Thursday morning when coach Flip Saunders met with media, but Saunders said Hamilton is questionable for Friday night’s Game 6.”

Jazz’s Millsap to Have Thumb Surgery
Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap will have surgery Thursday to repair his left thumb, which was injured during the Western Conference semifinals. General manager Kevin O’Connor says Millsap has a torn ligament. His recovery time won’t be known until Friday.

Celtics Put Away Hawks to Advance to Second Round
The Boston Celtics turned back the pesky Atlanta Hawks with a 99-65 victory Sunday in Game 7 of their playoff series, earning a second-round matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Penguins try to tie Cup finals vs. Wings (AP)
The Detroit Red Wings can win the Stanley Cup on Saturday night, even if they may not realize it. Not in actuality, of course. At last check, the NHL still requires a team to win four games to lift the Stanley Cup, not three. No matter, a Red Wings victory on Pittsburgh’s home ice would likely be a devastating blow to a young Penguins team that was waxed by a combined 7-0 score in the first two…

wings pens gallery
After being shut out in Detroit, the Penguins have come to fight. Check out the sights of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Wings enjoy luxurious off day at resort (AP)
The Detroit Red Wings enjoyed a day off fit for the stars. Not the Dallas Stars, either. Blocked by the NHL from returning to Detroit during the two-day layoff between Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup finals, the Red Wings spent a day of luxury Thursday at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort about 70 miles south of Pittsburgh.

Red Wings hope to have Holmstrom for Game 4
Red Wings coach Mike Babcock wasn’t about to share any more information about Tomas Holmstrom’s injury than was absolutely required by the NHL. “What are the rules?” Babcock asked a league official Friday on the second of two consecutive off days in the Stanley Cup finals.

Bourdon had cycle only for several days (AP)

Luc Bourdon received his motorcycle license two weeks before his bike veered into a truck on a winding, two-lane road, instantly killing the rookie defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks. Investigators said Friday that Bourdon’s inexperience on a motorcycle may have played a role in his death. “The impact took place in the opposite lane,” Inspector Roch Fortin said during a news conference at…

Popularity: 4% [?]

Dodgers‘ Martin 4-for-4 with HR, 3 RBIs in triumph
Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.

Indians hand Royals 12th straight loss (AP)

Consecutive loss No. 12 in what Kansas City manager Trey Hillman calls “this miserable streak” could hardly have been more entertaining for fans or more maddening for the Royals. A baserunning mistake cost the Royals one chance to score the tying run and an outstanding defensive play cost them another.

Blalock out a month following wrist surgery
Former All-Star third baseman Hank Blalock had surgery Friday on his right wrist and will be sidelined for at least another month. Blalock has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 29 due to a torn hamstring. He recovered from that injury, then experienced wrist soreness due to carpal tunnel syndrome. A cortisone injection earlier in the week failed to reduce swelling in the wrist. Hand specialist Dr. Tom Diliberti then operated.

Royals lose 12th straight as Sizemore belts 2 HRs
Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.

Utley’s 18th home run fuels Phillies’ rout of Marlins
Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.

Pedro rejoins Mets, to start Tuesday (AP)

Pedro Martinez figures the New York Mets would be in much better shape if he had been around more often this season. The three-time Cy Young Award winner rejoined the Mets on Friday and is scheduled to return to the mound Tuesday night in San Francisco for his second start of the year. He has been on the disabled list since straining his left hamstring April 1 at Florida.

Padres walk away with win over SF in 13
Keiichi Yabu got San Diego’s Kevin Kouzmanoff to ground into a triple play on his only pitch in the eighth inning but Khalil Greene drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the go-ahead run in the 13th, leading the Padres to a 7-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Billy Sadler (0-1) gave up a one-out walk to Tadahito Iguchi and Brian Giles’ double put runners on second and third in the 13th.

Giants turn triple play, lose to Padres (AP)

The San Francisco Giants turned a triple play in a key late-game situation, and then it was all for naught. Keiichi Yabu got San Diego’s Kevin Kouzmanoff to ground into a triple play on his only pitch in the eighth inning but Khalil Greene drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the go-ahead run in the 13th, leading the Padres to a 7-3 victory over the Giants.

Abreu hits, Mussina pitches Yanks past the Twins
Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.

Dice-K to 15-day DL with mild rotator cuff strain
Daisuke Matsuzaka was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday by the Boston Red Sox, who opted to take a cautious approach after an MRI exam revealed a mild strain of his right rotator cuff.

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MVP Kobe Bryant Highlights All-NBA First Team
NBA Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers headlines the First Team, as the NBA announced the 2007-08 All-NBA Teams today.

Around the Association presented by T-Mobile: May 18

Carlisle Introduced as Mavericks Coach
Rick Carlisle is ready to let Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks run. And run. And run some more.

Around the Association presented by T-Mobile: May 3

Pre-Draft Preview: Orlando Primary Highlights NBA Election
NBA.com’s Rob Reheuser provides a preview of the 2008 Orlando Pre-Draft Camp and profiles some players trying to improve their draft stock.

Lewis Scores 33 to Lead Magic Past Pistons
Rashard Lewis made sure the Orlando Magic won’t be swept by the Detroit Pistons again, scoring a career playoff-high 33 points Wednesday night in a 111-86 victory in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

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Red Wings hope to have Holmstrom for Game 4
Red Wings coach Mike Babcock wasn’t about to share any more information about Tomas Holmstrom’s injury than was absolutely required by the NHL. “What are the rules?” Babcock asked a league official Friday on the second of two consecutive off days in the Stanley Cup finals.

Penguins want obstruction rules enforced (AP)

The Pittsburgh Penguins knew the Detroit Red Wings would block their path to winning the Stanley Cup finals. Maybe just not this much. Penguins coach Michel Therrien all but begged the on-ice officials again Friday to enforce the obstruction rules, arguing that one of his team’s greatest strengths is being taken away by the Red Wings’ defensive tactics.

Wings hope to have Holmstrom for Game 4 (AP)

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock wasn’t about to share any more information about Tomas Holmstrom’s injury than was absolutely required by the NHL. “What are the rules?” Babcock asked a league official Friday on the second of two consecutive off days in the Stanley Cup finals. “Do we have to talk about the injury or just what part of the body, or what do we have to do?” When told he had to provide the…

Penguins try to tie Cup finals vs. Wings (AP)
Gary Roberts pictured a soft landing back in Toronto or with rival Ottawa at last year’s trade deadline. Both teams were on his approved list of destinations when the Florida Panthers shopped the veteran winger around the NHL before last year’s trade deadline, and it took some prodding once general manager Jacques Martin completed a deal with the Penguins before Roberts agreed to take his act to…

Pang’s Game 4 Preview
If the Red Wings want to come back from a loss to the Penguins, they need to focus on defense in Game 4, Darren Pang says.

Wings enjoy luxurious off day at resort (AP)
The Detroit Red Wings enjoyed a day off fit for the stars. Not the Dallas Stars, either. Blocked by the NHL from returning to Detroit during the two-day layoff between Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup finals, the Red Wings spent a day of luxury Thursday at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort about 70 miles south of Pittsburgh.

Players react to death of Canucks’ Bourdon
Vancouver Canucks rookie defenseman Luc Bourdon owned a motorcycle only several days before dying when the bike veered into the path of a truck on a winding, two-lane road, close friend Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins said Friday. Letang, badly shaken by the news, said a “pretty excited” Bourdon called him earlier this week to tell him about buying the motorcycle. “We knew it was dangerous, but he had fun with it,” Letang said.

New scheme helped, but Penguins still have issues
A forechecking change helped them win Game 3, but Spector says the Penguins have other problems to resolve vs. the Red Wings.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Red Sox place RHP Matsuzaka on 15-day DL (AP)
Daisuke Matsuzaka was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday by the Boston Red Sox, who opted to take a cautious approach after an MRI exam revealed a mild strain of his right rotator cuff. Matsuzaka was examined in Boston by Dr. Thomas Gill. It is the first trip to the disabled list by Matsuzaka, who joined the Red Sox last season after pitching in Japan.

Abreu hits, Mussina pitches Yanks past the Twins
Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.

Utley’s 18th home run fuels Phillies’ rout of Marlins
Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.

Befuddled Leyland plans to start Willis Tuesday
Jim Leyland said after Friday night’s game that Willis will start for the Tigers on Tuesday in Oakland, with right-hander Armando Galarraga following Willis after about four innings.

Floyd’s walk-off home run lifts Rays over White Sox
Cliff Floyd lined a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

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Cubs overcome eight-run deficit to edge Rockies
Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.

Indians put designated hitter Hafner on disabled list
Cleveland designated hitter Travis Hafner, after taking a few practice swings, was sent home Friday and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder.

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Joba the reliever stretches into new rotation role
Joba Chamberlain’s transition from eighth-inning setup man to a rotation spot has been all the rage in New York since the Yankees announced May 21 that Chamberlain was moving to the rotation. Funny thing is, Chamberlain, 22, doesn’t understand why it is such a big deal.

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D-backs’ Byrnes has pair of strained hamstrings
Arizona manager Bob Melvin said Friday night that left fielder Eric Byrnes has two strained hamstrings.

Pujols continues power surge as Cards down Bucs
Visit ESPN.com for the complete story.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Rivers Hopes McDyess’ Message Rings With Celtics
Doc Rivers wants his players to start listening to Pistons forward Antonio McDyess. It wouldn’t hurt if they started guarding him, too.

Indiana U’s Sampson Joins Bucks Coaching Staff
Kelvin Sampson wants to restore his reputation and continue his career, and hopes he took a step in that direction by accepting a job as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.

Spurs Dominate Game 4 From Start to Finish, Even Series
Tim Duncan had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the New Orleans Hornets 100-80 on Sunday night in Game 4 to even the Western Conference semifinals at 2-2.

Around the Association presented by T-Mobile: May 13
Go Around the Association for a recap of Tuesday’s playoff action, including the Pistons‘ series-clinching win over the Magic.

Pistons’ Billups Still Sore, Unsure He Can Go in Game 4
Chauncey Billups said Thursday he was still sore, a night after he was forced to leave the Pistons‘ loss to Orlando in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals because of a strained right hamstring.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Pedro rejoins Mets, to start Tuesday (AP)

Pedro Martinez figures the New York Mets would be in much better shape if he had been around more often this season. The three-time Cy Young Award winner rejoined the Mets on Friday and is scheduled to return to the mound Tuesday night in San Francisco for his second start of the year. He has been on the disabled list since straining his left hamstring April 1 at Florida.

Bruce has 4 hits, Reds top Braves in 11 (AP)

Rookie Jay Bruce had four hits — three of them off 300-game winner Tom Glavine — and scored on Chipper Jones’ error in the 11th inning Friday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Bruce added to his remarkable debut week by opening the 11th with a single off Royce Ring (1-1).

Rays’ sudden success a welcome development
Rays mania is sweeping the nation. Or at least it should be. Dayn Perry has the reasons you should jump on the Tampa bandwagon.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Wings hope to have Holmstrom for Game 4 (AP)

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock wasn’t about to share any more information about Tomas Holmstrom’s injury than was absolutely required by the NHL. “What are the rules?” Babcock asked a league official Friday on the second of two consecutive off days in the Stanley Cup finals. “Do we have to talk about the injury or just what part of the body, or what do we have to do?” When told he had to provide the…

Pens to open arena for Game 5 of finals
The Pittsburgh Penguins will open Mellon Arena for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals so fans can watch the team play the Detroit Red Wings on the venue’s video screens. Game 5 will be played Monday at 8 p.m. in Detroit. Doors at the Pittsburgh arena will open an hour earlier. General admission tickets for $5 will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Proceeds will go to the Mario Lemieux Foundation for cancer and neonatal research.

Wings enjoy luxurious off day at resort (AP)
The Detroit Red Wings enjoyed a day off fit for the stars. Not the Dallas Stars, either. Blocked by the NHL from returning to Detroit during the two-day layoff between Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup finals, the Red Wings spent a day of luxury Thursday at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort about 70 miles south of Pittsburgh.

NHL bests NBA in Detroit TV ratings (AP)
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ first victory over the Detroit Red Wings on NBC drew the best overnight rating for a third game of the Stanley Cup finals in six years. Pittsburgh’s 3-2 win on Wednesday night earned a 2.8 national rating and an 18.2 rating in Detroit, beating out the 15.9 rating for the Pistons’ matchup with the Boston Celtics.

Penguins try to tie Cup finals vs. Wings (AP)
Gary Roberts pictured a soft landing back in Toronto or with rival Ottawa at last year’s trade deadline. Both teams were on his approved list of destinations when the Florida Panthers shopped the veteran winger around the NHL before last year’s trade deadline, and it took some prodding once general manager Jacques Martin completed a deal with the Penguins before Roberts agreed to take his act to…

Pang’s Game 4 Preview
If the Red Wings want to come back from a loss to the Penguins, they need to focus on defense in Game 4, Darren Pang says.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Court: Olson reaches divorce settlement (AP)
Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson and his second wife, Christine Olson, have reached a divorce settlement, a court spokesman said Thursday. Pima County Superior Court spokesman David Ricker said the judge in the case told him the lawyers had canceled a planned meeting on Friday because the couple came to a settlement agreement.

McGee dismissed from Indiana for rules violations
Indiana coach Tom Crean dismissed forward Brandon McGee from the team, leaving the Hoosiers with only three returning players for next season.

Syracuse freshman Greene to stay in NBA draft
Syracuse freshman Donte Greene will stay in the NBA draft after signing with an agent this week.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Rays’ sudden success a welcome development
Rays mania is sweeping the nation. Or at least it should be. Dayn Perry has the reasons you should jump on the Tampa bandwagon.

LIVE: First-place Cubs take on fading Rockies

Examples abound in this remarkable season
Chase Utley’s scorching April is yet another sign that this season is going to be far from normal. But he’s not the only example.

First-place Rays place closer Percival on DL
Tampa Bay closer Troy Percival was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain, and the Rays filled the roster opening by activating infielder Willy Aybar on Thursday.

Posada tests shoulder with throws to second, third
Yankees catcher Jorge Posada increased his rehabilitation program for a sore right shoulder Thursday, making hard throws to second and third during a pregame workout.

Popularity: 2% [?]

ESPN.com has launched many new college football widgets that offer scores, stats, and news

Visit the ESPN Widget Center.

WVU, Rodriguez headed for mediation (AP)
West Virginia University’s $4 million lawsuit against ex-football coach Rich Rodriguez is headed for mediation, with the goal of resolving the dispute by Aug. 1. But WVU attorney Jeff Wakefield says Judge Robert Stone’s order is standard, and he thinks it’s unlikely mediation will help. Wakefield says the university remains firm in its position that Rodriguez owes $4 million under the contract in…

Weis: Visiting troops was inspirational (AP)
Charlie Weis joined a group of college football coaches on a trip to military bases in Germany and the Middle East to pump up the troops. They got plenty out of it themselves. “I think we felt at least equally inspired by what we saw when we were over there,” the Notre Dame coach said Thursday. “It was definitely a rewarding, educational experience.

2 PSU players get probation for fight (AP)
Two Penn State football players have each pleaded guilty Friday to a misdemeanor charge in connection with an on-campus fight last year. Linebacker Navorro Bowman and defensive tackle Phil Taylor appeared in court Friday to plead guilty to disorderly conduct in exchange for prosecutors’ dropping more serious assault charges.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Rivers, Celtics want to close it out in Game 6
Flip Saunders doesn’t sound like a coach worried about his future. The Boston Celtics won Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, pushing the Detroit Pistons to the brink of elimination and a possible shake up. Saunders has already outlasted his predecessors, Larry Brown and Rick Carlisle, both of whom lasted just two years. But if Detroit loses in the conference finals for a third straight season, there’s a chance Saunders won’t be back for a fourth year.NBA/~4/300939329″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Lakers eliminate Spurs, head to NBA Finals
The Spurs‘ reign is over. As they did in Game 1, the Lakers staged a huge comeback in Game 5 and advanced to the NBA Finals.NBA/~4/300981652″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

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Wings feeling fine after dropping Game 3
Red Wings mainstay Kris Draper enjoyed Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals even though Detroit fell short. And why not? The Red Wings started strong Wednesday night against the Penguins in their first trip to Pittsburgh for a game that counted since October 2006 and nearly pulled this one out, too. “Last night’s game was unbelievable,” Draper said Thursday, one day after the 3-2 loss that cut their series lead to 2-1. “There were a lot of hits and skating, some great plays, big saves.

Canucks’ Bourdon killed in motorcycle crash
Vancouver Canucks rookie Luc Bourdon was killed in a motorcycle crash near his hometown. He was 21. His sister, Eve Bourdon, confirmed the death. Police did not confirm the identity of the victim but said a motorcyclist was killed in the early afternoon in a crash near Shippagan. Bourdon, a defenseman, was the first-round draft pick of the Canucks in 2005, selected 10th overall. He was a member of the Canadian team that won the gold mdeal at the 2007 world junior hockey championship.

Pens to open arena for Game 5 of finals
The Pittsburgh Penguins will open Mellon Arena for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals so fans can watch the team play the Detroit Red Wings on the venue’s video screens. Game 5 will be played Monday at 8 p.m. in Detroit. Doors at the Pittsburgh arena will open an hour earlier. General admission tickets for $5 will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Proceeds will go to the Mario Lemieux Foundation for cancer and neonatal research.

Therrien switches things up for Penguins
Pens coach Michael Therrien juggled his lines and it worked in Game 3 as Pittsburgh finally found the net, Inside Hockey says.

Pang: Game 3 Recap
Game 3 was all about the Penguins gaining confidence in their abilities as they picked up their first win of the series, Darren Pang says.

Crosby scores 2 in Pens win at home vs. Wings

wings pens gallery
After being shut out in Detroit, the Penguins have come to fight. Check out the sights of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Babcock leans on Bowman for advice (AP)
Some coaches call on a former teammate or coaching mentor when they need advice. Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock solicits help from one of the most successful coaches in pro sports history. Babcock has the advantage of being able to talk to former Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman face-to-face during the Stanley Cup finals, because Bowman was in Pittsburgh to drop the ceremonial first puck before…

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Oakland activates Chavez, places Big Hurt on DL
Eric Chavez returned to the Athletics a few days ahead of schedule. The A’s activated their six-time Gold Glove third baseman …

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Hitting .400 isn’t last crusade for Atlanta’s accomplished Jones
Larry Jones Sr. walks into his den every day and looks at the headline on the framed article hanging from the wall: Chipper Wearing …

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Reds send RHP Belisle to minors to pitch in relief
Right-hander Matt Belisle is headed back to the minors and back to the bullpen.

Big Unit ties Clemens for second on career K’s list
Randy Johnson tied Roger Clemens on Thursday night for second place on baseball’s career strikeout list.

Posada tests shoulder with throws to second, third
Yankees catcher Jorge Posada increased his rehabilitation program for a sore right shoulder Thursday, making hard throws to second and third during a pregame workout.

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