Sunday, November 8, 2009 in Lewiston, Maine

Auburn-Lewiston:
Overcast, 39.2 °F

Martin, Gordon know the Chase race is for 2nd

Nov 07, 2009 1:43 am
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Mathematically, Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon still have a chance to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup title.

The reality with three races left?

"We've still got a great battle going for second in points," Gordon said Friday. "If for some crazy reason those guys had trouble, we've got to make sure we capitalize on them. Our focus right now is winning races, and trying to get to second in points."

Royals shed salary, acquire 2 players

Nov 07, 2009 1:37 am
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Trimming salary in a 2-for-1 deal, the Kansas City Royals sent infielder/outfielder Mark Teahen to Chicago for two players Friday and declined options on three others, including last season's top home run hitter.

Kings G Kevin Martin to miss at least 8 weeks

Nov 07, 2009 1:35 am
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Sacramento Kings leading scorer Kevin Martin will be sidelined for about two months after deciding to undergo surgery on his injured wrist.

The team said Friday that Martin will have the operation on his left wrist on Monday and is expected to miss at least eight weeks. Martin has a non displaced hairline fracture of the navicular bone in his wrist.

Martin is averaging 30.6 points a game for the Kings, who have lost four of five games to open the season. Sacramento was an NBA-worst 17-65 last season.

Pacers forward Hansbrough to debut

Nov 07, 2009 1:31 am
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough will make his pro debut Friday night against Washington after missing the preseason and four regular-season games with a right shin injury.

Coach Jim O'Brien said the team's first-round pick from North Carolina will be a reserve, and the plan is to play him for about 16 minutes.

Hansbrough led North Carolina to the national championship last season. The Pacers need him because starting power forward Troy Murphy is out with a bruised lower back.

Damon wants to return, will explore other options

Nov 07, 2009 1:26 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Johnny Damon soaked it all in as he shared a float with first-timers Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. for the New York Yankees' championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes on Friday.

The whole scene made him a little wistful.

"It's good he got to do it in his first year here," Damon said as the energetic Swisher bounced around beside him after the parade finished in the shadow of City Hall. "It took me my fourth and possibly final year. I am so overjoyed because you don't know how many times you get this opportunity."

Twins get SS Hardy, Brewers get OF Gomez

Nov 07, 2009 1:22 am
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers finally gave J.J. Hardy the change of scenery he had been expecting and reunited the unhappy shortstop with an old friend in the process.

The Brewers traded Hardy to the Minnesota Twins on Friday for speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez.

Hardy winds up with the Twins' All-Star catcher, Joe Mauer, a teammate on the U.S. national teams in 2000 and 2003. The two still chat regularly when they see each other, and Hardy said the move could help him move on from a forgettable season.

Pro Bowler Ty Law, Broncos agree to terms

Nov 07, 2009 1:13 am
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Defensive back Ty Law has agreed to terms on a deal with the Denver Broncos.

Kevin Poston, Law's agent, confirmed the news Friday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. The agreement came after Denver's media availability and a Broncos spokesman said the team had no comment.

Law is expected to sign the deal Saturday, pending the passing of his physical. He may even make it out to practice as the Broncos (6-1) prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.

Garnett is fully moved on from Timberwolves

Nov 06, 2009 3:19 am
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kevin Garnett's old home doesn't feel like home anymore.

On his most recent return to Target Center — he led Boston to a 92-90 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night — Garnett was cheered wildly by the crowd, just like in the old days.

He delivered an all-around performance that was critical to victory, just like in the old days.

Marlins trade Hermida traded to Red Sox

Nov 06, 2009 3:16 am
MIAMI (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have acquired outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins for left-handers Jose Alvarez and Hunter Jones.

Hermida was the Marlins' first-round draft pick in 2002 but has yet to fulfill his projected potential. He hit .259 this year with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs. He's a career .265 hitter with 57 homers.

Alvarez went 9-4 in Class A this year with a 2.26 ERA in 12 starts and 14 relief appearances. The 20-year-old Venezuelan has a 3.21 ERA in four minor league seasons.

WS notes: Steinbrenner wins 7th

Nov 05, 2009 5:14 am

NEW YORK (AP) — Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees said throughout the postseason they wanted to win another title for George Steinbrenner.

The frail owner wasn't around when New York beat Philadelphia 7-3 on Wednesday night to win the World Series, but there's no doubt the outcome brought a smile to his face.

It was the 79-year-old Steinbrenner's seventh crown since he bought the team in 1973 and first since turning over the day-to-day operation of the team to his son, Hal, last November. Hal Steinbrenner was expected to accept the championship trophy.

Celts put muzzle on 'Wolves

Nov 05, 2009 4:59 am

MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin Garnett had 12 points and 11 rebounds in his third game back in Minnesota since he was traded in 2007, helping the Boston Celtics remain undefeated with a 92-90 victory over the Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

Rajon Rondo scored 14 of his 18 points in the third quarter for the Celtics (6-0), who join the Denver Nuggets as the only two teams in the league without a loss.

Girardi under the microscope

Nov 05, 2009 4:44 am

NEW YORK (AP) — When Joe Girardi left the dugout every few minutes to switch relievers against the Angels, some wondered whether he was getting paid per pitching change.

When he left slumping Nick Swisher in the lineup, he was criticized. When he put in a pinch runner for Alex Rodriguez, his judgment was questioned. Now, his decision to go with a three-man rotation in the World Series is hotly debated.

In a sport filled with second-guessing, no one is analyzed more than the manager of the New York Yankees. Especially the manager who succeeded Joe Torre.

Bode Miller still aiming for overall title

Nov 05, 2009 4:23 am
SOELDEN, Austria (AP) — Bode Miller believes he still has what it takes to win the overall World Cup title, even though he just started skiing again after a seven-month layoff.

"I think I always have a chance. I'm one of the few guys who skis all the events pretty well and I think that automatically gives me a chance," Miller said Thursday at an event for his ski company leading to the start of the World Cup season.

Patriots' DL Wright may get larger role

Nov 05, 2009 4:11 am
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Mike Wright's playing time increased after the New England Patriots traded star defensive end Richard Seymour to the Oakland Raiders a week before the season.

It's due to grow again now that the player who moved into Seymour's spot, Jarvis Green, is recovering from knee surgery.

"It's tough to lose any player on the defense," Wright said Tuesday, "but we're going to let Jarvis handle his business and we're going to take care of what we can on the field."

Brady starts rolling when November begins

Nov 05, 2009 3:51 am
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Seven games into his comeback season, a healthy Tom Brady has the New England Patriots where he wants them — on top of the AFC East.

And now it's November, time for him to really get rolling.

Yankees win 27th title

Nov 05, 2009 12:00 am

NEW YORK (AP) — Paint the town in pinstripes! Nearly a decade after their dynasty ended on a blooper in the desert, the New York Yankees are baseball's best again.

Hideki Matsui tied a World Series record with six RBIs, Andy Pettitte won on short rest and New York beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 on Wednesday night, finally seizing that elusive 27th title. It was the team's first since winning three straight from 1998-2000.

Celtics shell 76ers

Nov 04, 2009 4:52 am

Patriots' DL Wright may get larger role

Nov 04, 2009 4:24 am
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Mike Wright's playing time increased after the New England Patriots traded star defensive end Richard Seymour to the Oakland Raiders a week before the season.

It's due to grow again now that the player who moved into Seymour's spot, Jarvis Green, is recovering from knee surgery.

"It's tough to lose any player on the defense," Wright said Tuesday, "but we're going to let Jarvis handle his business and we're going to take care of what we can on the field."

Pettitte, Yanks go for title against old foe Pedro

Nov 04, 2009 4:23 am

NEW YORK (AP) — Andy Pettitte leaned forward in his chair and recounted a recent chat he had with Derek Jeter as soon as they realized what was next in this World Series.

Pettitte vs. old foe Pedro Martinez, with the Yankees one win from ecstasy.

Still chasing that elusive 27th championship, New York turns to Pettitte once again in Game 6 on Wednesday night, hoping he can pitch his team past the Philadelphia Phillies on only three days' rest.

Howard piling up strikeouts at record pace in WS

Nov 04, 2009 3:31 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Howard's World Series can be summed up like this: swing and miss.

Over and over, Howard has gone down swinging against the New York Yankees. Overall, the Philadelphia Phillies' slugger has struck out 12 times in the first five games, tying Willie Aikens for most whiffs in a World Series. Aikens did it with Kansas City against the Phillies in 1980.

Howard has been prone to striking out throughout his career. The 2006 NL MVP fanned 199 times in 2007 and 2008. Only Arizona's Mark Reynolds has K'ed more times in one season.

Bad NFL tackling? It's because they don't practice

Nov 04, 2009 3:23 am
Frank Gore runs right up the gut of the Indianapolis defense. Defensive back Jerraud Powers delivers a big body-blow, but Gore just bounces off and keeps on running, one of two broken tackles on the way to a 64-yard San Francisco touchdown.

Baltimore's Ray Rice catches a screen pass and is surrounded by four Cincinnati would-be tacklers - emphasis on "would-be." Rice's right hand touches the ground, but he keeps running right through the Bengals for a 48-yard score.

Mangini mum on GM's sudden ouster

Nov 04, 2009 3:21 am
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The convoluted ouster of George Kokinis as Cleveland's general manager barely made a ripple in the Browns' locker room.

These guys are accustomed to losses.

Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas hardly knew Kokinis, who was hired in January and left the club under unexplained circumstances on Monday.

"He wasn't around too much, and when he was, he was pretty quiet," Thomas said.

Seattle cuts ties with Edgerrin James

Nov 04, 2009 3:11 am
RENTON, Wash. (AP) - The struggling Seattle Seahawks have released running back Edgerrin James.

The Seahawks made the move Tuesday, two days after a lackluster 38-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

James signed with Seattle in late August hoping to revitalize a career that fell flat after moving from Indianapolis to Arizona.

In seven games as the backup to Julius Jones, James had just 46 carries for 125 yards and no scores. He averaged just 2.7 yards per carry.

Utley, Lee help Phils stave off Series elimination

Nov 03, 2009 4:03 am
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Put those parade plans on hold, New York. The Phillies are coming back.

Desperate to hang onto their World Series title and hounded by the Yankees to the very last swing, Philadelphia somehow held on for an 8-6 win Monday night in Game 5.

Chase Utley hit two home runs to raise his Series total to a record-tying five, Cliff Lee won again and Philadelphia cut its deficit to 3-2.

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