Rays' Matt Moore Being Mentioned With Babe Ruth After Win

Posted less than an hour ago

Patrick Smith/Getty Images(BALTIMORE) -- Rays' left-hander Matt Moore pitched seven-innings of one-run ball leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles Sunday.

Moore allowed five hits and one run while striking out five and walking one.

The win improves the 23-year-old Moore's record to 8-0 on the season. That's the best start to a season for a pitcher that young since Babe Ruth did it in 1917 at age 22.

Moore didn't seem impressed by the milestone but his manager did.

"If you compare (Moore's achievement) historically, he ranks up there with Babe Ruth, and that's not a bad thing," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I think from where he's coming from, he knows he can be better. He doesn't like those five-inning outings. He doesn't like that at all. So I'm sure he's deflecting based on that. As you see him get deeper into the games and more consistent with the wins, I think you might see him step out a little bit.

"But I like the idea that there's humility involved. I like the idea that he knows that he can get better. I love that. The accountability is tremendous. That doesn't surprise me. ... Historically speaking, it's been wonderful, but there is 'more' in Moore. And he knows that."

The Rays (23-20) are now tied with the Orioles (23-20) for third in the A.L. East.

Spurs Dominate Grizzlies in Game 1

Posted today at 5:30pm

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(SAN ANTONIO) -- Tony Parker scored 20 points and dished out nine assists in the San Antonio Spurs 105-83 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 Western Conference finals victory on Sunday.

Kawhi Leonard had 18 points and shot 4-for-5 from 3-point land.

The Spurs, who only trailed for 21 seconds in the game, stormed out to a 17-point first quarter lead. The Grizzlies were able to cut the lead to six in the second quarter, but that was as close as they got.

Still, as convincing a victory as this was, the Spurs know not to count their chickens until they hatch.

"Memphis is a very tough team...very tough mentally," Parker said. "I can promise you nobody is happy in our locker room because we were up 2-0 last year (Western Conference finals versus Thunder) and we lost. This is just one game...It means nothing, and we still have a long way to go."

Mike Conley Jr. had 14 points and eight assists in the loss.

Game 2 takes place Tuesday in San Antonio. Tip-off scheduled for 9:00 P.M. Eastern.

Bruins' Young Defenseman Come Through: B's Top Rangers, 5-2

Posted today at 4:44pm

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images(BOSTON) -- The young Bruins' defenseman are making a mark on the NHL Playoffs.

The trio of Dougie Hamilton, Torey Krug and Matt Bartkowski combined for four points en-route to a 5-2 Boston victory over the New York Rangers, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Sunday.

The Bruins now have a 2-0 series lead over the Rangers.

Hamilton, Krug and Bartkowski (who are all rookies) are playing in place of the injured Dennis Seidenberg, Andrew Ferrence and Wayne Redden.

Krug started the scoring for the Bruins scoring 5:28 into the first period, his second goal in two games, but Rangers' captain Ryan Callahan tied it up 2:33 later.

The B's and Blueshirts traded goals in the second before Johnny Boychuck slapped one past Henrik Lundqvist 12:08 into the period to give the Bruins the lead for good.

Milan Lucic and Brad Marchand tacked on goals in the third to make it 5-2.

Tuesday the series shifts to New York, where the Rangers have yet to lose this postseason. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:30 P.M. Eastern.

Rangers Place Kinsler on DL, Call Up Profar

Posted today at 4:18pm

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(ARLINGTON, Texas) -- The Texas Rangers have placed second baseman Ian Kinsler on the 15 day disabled list Sunday, with a strained right rib muscle and called up top prospect Jurickson Profar to take his place.

Kinsler's placement on the DL is retroactive to Friday.

The 30-year-old Kinsler leads the Rangers in hitting with a .302 average. He has also has seven home runs, 20 RBIs and a .369 on-base percentage this season.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels does not expect Kinsler to miss more than 15 days.

With Kinsler down, that allows the Rangers to call up MLB.com's No. 1 overall prospect Jurickson Profar from Triple-A Round Rock.

The 20-year-old Profar is hitting .278 with four home runs, 19 RBIs, six stolen bases and has a .370 OBP in 37 games this season.

Mike Krzyzewski Might Coach Team USA Again After All

Posted today at 2:37pm

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- After declaring that he was walking away from being the head coach of the United States Olympic men's basketball team, Coach K is in discussions to return to the team, according to SI.com.

After the 2012 Olympics in London, Krzyzewski said that he had no plans on returning to the team, and was ready to walk away from international competition. But lately, he's been in deep talks with USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo.

"I think it's very close to being resolved," Colangelo said in the SI.com report. "That's all I can say for sure. Give it another week and it should be resolved."

Since the Americans don't play again till 2014, Colangelo was never in a rush to name Krzyzewski's replacement. SI.com is reporting that Colangelo had yet to even approach any candidates yet.

Krzyzewski was hired back in 2005 after a disappointing finishes in the 2004 Olympics and the 2002 world basketball championship.

Under Krzyzewski, the United States has won two straight gold medals in men's basketball.

Braves' Reliever Eric O'Flaherty Facing Elbow Surgery

Posted today at 2:28pm

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images(ATLANTA) -- As if the Atlanta Braves didn't have enough injured relievers on the DL, they'll have to make room for another as Eric O'Flaherty has been shutdown with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.

With O'Flaherty likely facing season ending surgery, the Braves bullpen is suddenly in shambles. Lefty Johnny Venters recently underwent his second Tommy John Surgery of his career, and righty Jordan Walden is currently on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.

"It's hard to lose two guys like we've lost," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "And we'll wait and see exactly how long Eric is going to be out, but it's not going to be a week or two, we know that."

But the team has no choice but try and patch together their bullpen.

"We have to. We don't have a choice," Wren added. "We've seen teams lose their closer and lose their set-up guys in the past and be able to regroup and make it work and we're going to have to do that."

O'Flaherty was 3-0 with a 2.50 ERA in 19 appearances this season, and was second in the National League with 12 holds.

Cardinals Place Pitcher Jaime Garcia On the DL

Posted today at 2:03pm

Bob Levey/Getty Images(ST. LOUIS) -- The St. Louis Cardinals pitching depth will be tested even further as the team has announced they've placed starting pitcher Jaime Garcia on the disabled list.

Garcia will be shut down because of a left shoulder strain. The team had hoped he could pitch through the injury without having to miss anytime, but it was took much for Garcia to take.

Garcia also dealt with shoulder issues last season, and those issues seem like they could be returning. He will visit Dr. James Andrews for his opinion, but he feels like his shoulder issues now could be worse than last year's.

"I would say at this point it's worse," Garcia said via MLB.com's Jennifer Langosch. "There's a lot more pain than last year. It started three starts ago. I was feeling great until that point. I basically tried to take care of doing little things here and there and it went downhill getting worse and worse."

When asked about the possibility of facing surgery, Garcia sounded worried.

"I'm very concerned, especially with the way I felt last night and the way I feel today," he added.

Along with Garcia, the Cardinals also have starters Chris Carpenter and Jake Westbrook on the DL.

Pacers Bounce Knicks, Advance To East Finals

Posted yesterday at 10:11pm

Andy Lyons/Getty Images(INDIANAPOLIS) -- Lance Stephenson scored 25 points and grabbed 10 boards to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 106-99 win over the New York Knicks Saturday.

The win sends the Pacers to their first Eastern Conference final since 2004.

"I just didn't want to go back to New York and play Game 7," Stephenson said. "Just get it done with now and I'd do whatever it takes to do that today. It showed tonight."

George Hill returned to the Pacers' lineup just two days after being diagnosed with a concussion. He scored 12 points in 42 minutes.

Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 39 points. Iman Shumpert chipped in 19 in a losing effort.

Indiana trailed 92-90 with just under six minutes to go before Roy Hibbert blocked an Anthony dunk attempt at the rim. That spurred a 13-5 Pacers run that helped them close out the game.

"That's why they pay me the big bucks this summer, so I have to protect the paint," said Hibbert, who signed a $58 million contract last summer. "If all else fails, meaning the offense, I have to protect the paint."

The Pacers will face the Miami Heat, the team that eliminated them from last year's postseason, in the Eastern Conference finals. Game 1 is Wednesday night in Miami.

David Beckham Notches Assist In Final Career Game

Posted yesterday at 6:50pm

Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images(PARIS) -- Just like that, it all came to an end for David Beckham.

In his final career game, Beckham notched an assist, leading Paris Saint-Germain to a 3-1 win over Brest.

"To finish my career here is special. Paris is the most beautiful place in the world. I'm sad to go. I feel a lot of satisfaction and emotion. Tonight is the end of my career, for sure," he said. "I've done my time at all the clubs where I've been, be it Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy.

Beckham drew a roaring ovation and wiped away tears when he left in the 81st minute as the match drew to a close. Paris Saint-Germain has one more game left this season, but Beckham told reporters after the game that Saturday's would be his last.

He announced his retirement earlier in the week and was given the captain's armband prior to the start of the match.

Oxbow Wins The 138th Preakness Stakes

Posted yesterday at 6:16pm

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images(BALTIMORE) -- Oxbow won the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday evening.

"I get paid to spoil dreams," said D. Wayne Lukas, the 77-year-old Hall of Fame trainer for Oxbow, who gave Lukas his sixth Preakness victory and a record 14th Triple Crown win.

Oxbow's odds to win the race were 15-1, and he paid $32.80 to win.

Ridden by veteran jockey Gary Stevens, Oxbow finished unofficially in 1:57.54.

Itsmyluckyday came in second with Mylute placing third.

Kentucky Derby winner Orb was the perennial favorite to win the middle leg of the Triple Crown with 3-5 odds, but he seemed to have been thrown off from starting at the No. 1 post position. Only two horses have ever won the Preakness Stakes from that spot since 1950.

"I'm disappointed. I'll be more disappointed tomorrow than I am right now," said Orb's trainer, Shug McGaughey. "I know the game. It is highs and lows. Probably more lows than highs."

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