Wilson Tang from the 404 joins us in studio to hack away at all the tech news along with host of the week Mr. Brian Tong. Hackers are threatening a third attack on Sony which may cause consumers to think twice about adding their credit card information onto any site in the future despite the 1 million dollar insurance policy that Sony will take out for every user. The LastPass CEO explains how their system was hacked in detail while video game developer David Braben creates a USB stick sized PC for $25 which we all want. And we find out if the Chrome OS notebook will blend. Will it blend?

• Move would not take place before union World Cup
• Wales forward has followed league and played as a teenager

Crusaders have confirmed their interest in signing Andy Powell, the Wales rugby union forward who has been sacked by London Wasps for fighting in a pub. The Welsh Super League club recognise they have no chance of persuading Powell to follow his friend Gareth Thomas by switching codes before the rugby union World Cup this autumn, but they have already spoken with his agent about the possibility of the 29-year-old joining them in 2012.

"We're already looking at our squad for next season, and Andy Powell is a player who would definitely be of interest to us," Rod Findlay, the Crusaders chief executive, said. "He's been up to watch us a couple of times and as it happened we had a meeting with his agent this week anyway because he represents a couple of our other players. We appreciate that this is a rugby union World Cup year, but as for the future, I wouldn't rule it out."

Powell spoke of the appeal of league, which he has always followed and played briefly as a teenager in Cardiff, when he was dropped by Wales last year after driving a golf buggy down the M4 when over the drink-drive limit. "I would love to go and play league," he said, after watching one of Thomas's early appearances for the Crusaders in Wrexham. "It would suit my game."

Elliot Kear, a 22-year-old full-back who, like Powell, received his first taste of league with the Cardiff Demons amateur club, is set for his first appearance of the season at Headingley as the Crusaders face Leeds in the only all-Super League tie in the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Kear has been recalled from a loan spell with the Championship One club Hunslet, and the Crusaders coach, Iestyn Harris, has Vince Mellars and Peter Lupton available after injury, and Richard Moore back from suspension, for the game against the club with whom he was a cup winner at Wembley in 1999.

Halifax have raised the stakes ahead of their televised tie at home to Bradford by confirming that they have approached the former Bulls coach Brian Noble to join them in a consultancy role. Noble has been in no rush to return to coaching since leaving the Crusaders at the end of last season, working in the media and as an adviser to Mickey Rourke in his planned film about the life of Thomas.

Halifax hope that he may be tempted back to advise Matt Calland, a former Bradford centre who has been under growing pressure this season as the Yorkshire club have managed a single win from seven matches in their defence of the Co-operative Championship title.

"An offer has been made to Brian Noble," said the Halifax director Ian Croad. "It's based on Brian coming in, acting as a consultant on the coaching front, probably until the end of this season, and providing a fresh pair of eyes to help Matt. Nothing is signed yet, but we are aiming to resolve things before Sunday's game."

Wigan, who have a home tie against Barrow , have agreed a new two-year contract with Pat Richards, the Australian wing who is the reigning Super League Man of Steel and had been linked with possible moves to Sydney or rugby union.

Billy Slater scored two tries as Australia beat New Zealand 20-10 on the Gold Coast in their annual international fixture, gaining some revenge for the defeat they suffered against the Kiwis in the Four Nations final last November.

Former prime minister feared devolution and dismissed declaration by George Robertson that it would 'kill nationalism stone dead'

Tony Blair always had reservations about Scottish devolution even though he campaigned vigorously in favour of a Yes vote in the 1997 referendum.

As an English chap Blair never understood the deep passion among acolytes of the late John Smith, his predecessor as Labour leader, for a Scottish Parliament. Blair's expensive education at Fettes, the Eton of Scotland, did nothing to help.

A key moment for Blair came when Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill, the widow of the late Labour leader John Smith, told the future prime minister that he should create a Scottish Parliament if he wanted to live up to her husband's legacy. Lady Smith repeated her husband's claim that a Scottish Parliament represented the "settled will" of the Scottish people.

Blair delivered, though there were a series of internal Labour rows in the run up to the 1997 Westminster election, not least when he likened a future Scottish Parliament to a parish council.

Blair had two fears about Scottish devolution:

• It would inevitably loosen Scotland's links with the rest of the United Kingdon. Blair never quite bought the famous line by the former Labour MP Tam Dalyell, a prominent opponent of devolution, who said:

Devolution is a motorway without exits to independence.

But Blair shared the concerns of sceptics such as the Labour trade minister Brian Wilson. He never quite signed up to the famous declaration by George Robertson, then shadow Scottish secretary, who said in 1995:

Devolution will kill nationalism stone dead.

Blair thought that devolution could destabilise the delicate balance of relations within the United Kingdom. He was one of the first to spot one of the greatest threats to the Union – English resentment at the favourable funding arrangements for Scotland under the Barnett Formula.

• It would entrench Labour in Scotland which embodied for him the loathsome Old Labour which had made the party unelectable in Middle England. This is why Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who were the driving forces behind the creation of the parliament, agreed on a proportional voting system that was designed to guarantee that Labour would find it difficult to form a majority.

There was meant to be another benefit – the SNP would also never be able to form a majority. This would mean that the nationalists would struggle to hold a referendum on independence.

In the wake of the SNP's stunning breakthrough the former prime minister may allow himself a small "told you so" moment, though that sort of behaviour is not usually within his nature. A referendum on independence is closer than ever before, though Alex Salmond will proceed with care because a vote for the SNP does not necessarily equate to support for leaving the UK.

Blair's only hope will be that the more proportional voting system, which deprived Labour of a majority at Holyrood even when it dominated the political landscape, will also deprive the SNP of a majority. But at lunchtime today that is looking uncertain.

Whatever the final result at Holyrood one thing is clear. Scotland is already detaching itself from the rest of the UK, as my friend and former Herald political editor Benedict Brogan blogged today. One of the strongest examples of the parting of the ways was the role the UK Labour party played in this year's Scottish election: none.

Once again credit Nashville for not making anything easy, but their suffocating style still couldn't stop Vancouver from taking two in their barn and heading home with a commanding 3-1 lead. Of course we know having "commanding leads" is a tad misleading, so expect nothing short of a small war on Saturday.

Some cogent conclusions:

• There's a reason we call him the KesLORD and when he's splitting your D for the GWG that's your first hint. That fact SOB was one of the aforementioned D men is just icing on the cake of life. Kesler has now creeped into the top five for assists (8) and is tied for third overall in points (11). Dude of the hour, man of the game, player of the series?
• At this rate, Joel Ward will be the type of player most teams should want in at least a bottom six role. I'm damn near rooting for the guy.

• Each team won 35 faceoffs and lost 35 as well. Lappy was again the man, going 9-14 (64%) from the dot.
• Ehrhoff: you're killing me softly with your song. That blown coverage on Ward should have been enough to punt most TVs into the ocean. But he walks out with three points, tied with Kesler and Hank for the most points on the night. As was said in Dumb and Dumber: "Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!"
• The Sedins were gifted with a few open nets in the beginning of the game, but blew a tire and the skies darkened. At the break of dawn they strolled out of game four with a combined four points. Wait, what?
• Any Preds fan who wants to continue to bitch about penalties while your little pile of puke Tootoo gets away with his typical contribution to society, I'll hear nothing more.
• Edler: Thank you for shooting. 
• The Preds shots on goals per period: 6, 7 and 8. 
• Cam will have more tomorrow on the Corsi, but you'll never guess who lead the Canucks (think Swedish genetic supremacy). 
• Rinne finally looked human. Granted he's still obscenely gifted, but he was all over the place in the first and was beaten clean on the Kesler and Edler tallies. Not enough traffic in front of him for my liking, but the Canucks made it work.
• Aaron Rome: This team is better with him eating 13 minutes - and handing over a 5-on-3 - instead of Ballard why?
• Your SH TOI leaders: Burrows and Kesler (2:40 each).
• Luongo's SV% took a slight step backwards tonight and Rinne is approaching Brian Boucher land.
• Dan Hamhuis lead the team with 24:13 and was a quiet force once again. Nice to see him bring the solid minutes back at home against a hostile crowd.
• Side quest results: Hodgson with 5:59, Wilson with 13:34. I hear a slide whistle right about here.
• Cody Fransen = master of the mystery puck. If you look behind you, he placed a puck on the back on your seat. He's such a prankster.
• Raymond is due for some scoreboard. His wheels had to be giving the "WTF" to more than one Nashville player tonight.
• Lapierre played more minutes than Samuelsson. Discuss.
• Suter and Weber finish the game both with -2. 

Next game is back at the Cell on Saturday at 5:00 PM. Time to drive the final nail into the kitty coffin.

Two Guitars – Bending Time – Modish Creative Group, 25:21 ****:   (Gus Wieland – guitar, vocals; Brian Conigliaro – guitar, harmonica, vocals; Eddie Torres – percussion) Two Guitars is not exactly an overnight success story. Gus Wieland and Brian Conigliaro are experienced versatile musicians. They have played with a wide assortment of name acts, including, Ray Charles, Gerry Mulligan, Eubie Blake, Dizzy Gillespie, The Turtles, Lou Rawls, The Tokens, Al Wilson and even Snoop Dogg. They ...

Petrohawk Energy (HK)

Q1 2011 Earnings Call

May 05, 2011 10:00 am ET

Executives

Floyd Wilson - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Richard Stoneburner - Founder, President, Chief Operating Officer and Director

Stephen Herod - Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Assistant Secretary

Mark Mize - Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer

Analysts

Michael Hall

Leo Mariani - RBC Capital Markets, LLC

Ronald Mills - Johnson Rice & Company, L.L.C.

David Heikkinen - Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securities, Inc.

Subash Chandra - Jefferies & Company, Inc.

Brian Corales - Howard Weil Incorporated

Gil Yang - BofA Merrill Lynch

Marshall Carver - Capital One Southcoast, Inc.

Jason Wangler - SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

Presentation

Operator

Good day, and welcome to the Petrohawk Energy Corporation's First Quarter Earnings Conference. Today's call is being recorded. At this time, I would like to turn the conference over to Mr. Floyd

Tim Lincecum struck out 12 New York Mets Wednesday evening in yet another dominating performance for a 2-0 win.

To make matters even more exciting, our favorite stoner hurler surpassed Christy Mathewson in Giants lore for most double-digit strikeout games in franchise history with 29, including three already this season. God, that's hot.

Big Time Timmy Jim gave up five hits over seven innings, using 127 pitches. He struck out his final five batters before four Giants relievers finished the job, including Brian Wilson, who worked a perfect ninth for his 10th save of the season.

The Mets struck out total of 16 times, which is a season-high for a nine inning game. Give them a break though, they just faced three Cy Young winners in four games between Lincecum, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.

Also, this picture is damn adorable...


[NBC Bay Area]

Post by Amy Keyishian

I’m so on the public breastfeeding train. I literally cannot understand why anyone would have a problem with me feeding my babe in public -- even if they accidentally saw a nipple flash. Horrors!

I mean, in a world where 300-pound guys paint their torsos and flail around shirtless on national TV because they’re at a playoff game ... is my boob really worth crying about? (I mean if you’re not Abby, that is.)

Yet even my uber-boober mom tossed a muslin blanket over me when she caught me breastfeeding at a sidewalk café. Well, she did have a point: we were in buttoned-up Palo Alto, not loosey-goosey San Francisco. But I love that I’ve breastfed in odd and creative places.

For instance, in that pic up there, I was carrying Abby in a sling across the Golden Gate Bridge during the March for Women. Faced with the tempting aroma, she started fussing, and what was I to do -- tell her to have a sandwich instead? She fell asleep and stayed latched the rest of the way across, to the amusement of everyone except a family of horrified tourists. (Welcome to San Francisco! Now go home!)

It made me cast my mind back over the last two-and-a-half years to remember other strange places I’ve done the old nip-snack:

3,000 feet above Chicago (on an airplane, that is) At a beekeeping store In my synagogue’s sanctuary (hey, it was Penny’s naming ceremony, and I didn’t want her to drown out the prayers with her wailing!) Leaning over my shopping cart (at least it was at Whole Foods) In a surreal flower-shaped chair at Fairyland (see above) On a bench on a windy cliff overlooking a wild, beautiful beach (this was sweet -- as I was feeding the baby, the people who had paid for the bench in memory of their friend arrived for a dedication ceremony, and were touched that a new life was being nurtured in that spot and at that moment ... so cool, right?) In the stands at a Giants game (there are better ways I'd like to be near Brian Wilson topless, believe you me) In a gingerbread house (well, it’s part of this big playground in Golden Gate Park) In a Starbucks (during lunch when I was working full-time -- yay, one fewer pump session!)

This is starting to feel like those “weirdest places I’ve had sex” conversations we used to have in college, but much less sordid.

Where’s the oddest place you’ve breastfed?

I really appreciated the writer who used the Doc Rivers vs. Dwyane Wade playoffs as a reason to pick his top 6 NBA players to hail from Marquette. (1 – Wade, 2 – Lucas, 3 – Matthews, 4 – Chones, 5 – Kojis, 6 – Rivers)

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-8396261

As a couple have noted, he seemed to focus on ppg, which probably is not the best basis since a two-time All-Star like Don Kojis who was a rebounding machine played in an era where scores were lower, etc. I always thought that pro games played was the best starting point for how good a career someone had since if you were good enough to play 300, 600 or 800 NBA games, it meant you were doing something well enough (play defense, run the offense as a point guard, etc.) to be one of the top few hundred players in the world for several years. Certainly there are many other factors, but below I list the games played and points per game in laying out my Top 20.

1 Dwyane Wade 547 games 25.4 ppg – no brainer
2 Maurice Lucas 855 games 14.4 ppg – 5-time All-Star gives him an edge over 2-time All-Star Don Kojis
3 Don Kojis 814 games 12.2 ppg – really the final of the GREAT pro players to come out of Marquette as one of three NBA All-Stars, the best of the best
4 Glen (Doc) Rivers 864 games 10.9 ppg – once averaged 10 assists per game too, the best of the NBA non-All-Stars
5 Wesley Matthews 82 games 12.6 ppg – probably ends up here, but obviously could be higher or lower

6 Jim Chones 623 games 12.3 ppg – has a ring and was 1st team Rookie
7 George Thompson 437 games 18.6 ppg – if you view the ABA as equal to the NBA, then he is a 3-time All-Star who belongs with the Top 3, but if not he is a player who slides a lot for only lasting one year in the NBA
8 Tony Smith 457 games 5.5 ppg – anyone who can shut down Michael Jordan on TV has to be in our Top 10
9 Jerome Whitehead 697 games 6.5 ppg – lot of years as a solid backup
10 Earl Tatum 262 games 9.6 ppg – great defensive player too, his 9 steals against the Lakers is only two off the all-time NBA record, and he scored 19 in that game

11 Chris Crawford 252 games 6.6 ppg – injuries cut short what really might have been a nice career from beyond the arc
12 Dean Meminger 416 games 6.1 ppg – go the ring with his hometown Knicks
13 Jim McIlvaine 401 games 2.7 ppg – block enough shots to play 400 games without scoring
14 Terry Rand – 1st round Lakers pick who chose the better paying Industrial League and played 8 seasons there
15 Travis Diener 179 games 3.8 ppg – some good stretches of running the point

16 Larry McNeil 297 games 8.5 ppg
17 Steve Novak 225 games 4 ppg
18 Lloyd Walton 341 games 4.2 ppg
19 Alfred (Butch) Lee 96 games 8.1 ppg
20 Dave Quabius 6 pro seasons for the team that helped form the NBA

Pros not included (alphabetical)
Gene Berce 3 games 3.3 ppg
Brian Brunkhorst 3 games 8.3 ppg
Jimmy Butler 0 games 0 ppg – hoping mock drafts are right!
Tom Copa 33 games 1.5 ppg – took a few years, but he got there
Bill Downey 3 games 0 ppg
Maurice (Bo) Ellis 168 games 3.6 ppg – could have included him
Lazar Hayward 42 games 1.7 ppg – hopefully playing time plays out
Bob Lackey 71 games 5.8 ppg
Amal McCaskill 114 games 1.8 ppg
Allie McGuire 2 games 1.0 ppg
Jerel McNeal 0 games 0 ppg – finally had a few days on the Hornets roster, hopefully next year in his first game
Ed Mullen 5 pro seasons pre NBA
Joe Thomas 39 games 1.4 ppg
Bernard Toone 23 games 2.4 ppg
Michael Wilson 32 games 3.4 ppg
Sam Worthen 69 games 3.5 ppg

Labour tribalists, who John Kampfner describes (Comment, 3 May) as preparing to gloat at the defeat of AV, should look at the result of Canada's election (Comment, 4 May) and reconsider their position even now. With just 39% of the vote, Stephen Harper's Conservatives scooped 54% of the seats in the Ottawa House of Commons, because the left-liberal vote split between the New Democratic Party winning 31% and the Liberals winning 19%. It's reasonable to believe AV would have denied Harper a majority. Turnout, though slightly improved, at 61% would still shame most mature democracies. It is probably no coincidence that it is equally low in the UK and the US, which continue to use first past the post. Canadians, like Britons in 1983, 1987 and 1992, are saddled with a Conservative government a clear-cut majority of the electorate voted against.

Tom Brown

London

• Yesterday I received some leaflets from my MP (Conservative Claire Perry) asking me to vote No to AV: it is "complex, obscure and unfair", and "the government will have to spend millions of pounds explaining to voters" how it works. In a separate envelope from her, I am asked to rank each of two lists of national and local concerns "from 1-5 in order of importance". Judging whether schools are more important than jobs, or the NHS more than the police, may be matters beyond the mind of a humble voter such as me, but Ms Perry has apparently already decided I lack such comparative skills and would presumably ignore me if I was to reply. Parliamentarians who patronise the electorate undermine democracy. What better reason to vote Yes?

Mike Pitts

Marlborough, Wiltshire

• Nick Clegg has repeated the Yes campaign's claim that only the Conservatives and BNP oppose AV. Here in Northern Ireland, the Democratic Unionist party, the Greens, and Ulster Unionist party all back a No vote. AV would be a tremendous step backward for Westminster. It's not a fair election system and would rig the electoral system against smaller parties. AV is an obscure, expensive and unwanted system.

Tom Elliott Leader, UUP, Brian Wilson MLA Leader, Northern Ireland Green party, Peter Robinson MLA First minister of Northern Ireland

• I was one of those Labour members who was undecided. Then I got a leaflet urging me to "Vote Conservative and No to AV". Now I've made my decision.

Allan Buckley

Greystoke, Cumbria

• Support in your columns for a Yes vote is very impressive. However, I fear the only endorsements that would make a difference at this stage would be William and Kate's.

Anthony Garrett

Falkland, Fife

I was recently approached by Ian Bozsnyak, author at Amaziation (www.amazination.blogspot.com), with some questions about the upcoming Mets-Giants series. (Keep in mind, this was done on Monday, before the series and the Jose Reyes rumors became so rampid)


Q1) Last Season Brian Wilson adopted the phrase "Fear the Beard" and Wilson also adopted the term to some, "the best closer in all of Baseball." Wilson went on the DL during Spring Training this season with an oblique injury. Since returning though converting 8 out of his 9 save opportunities, he has an ERA that through 11 games, stands at 6.97. Wilson has also walked 9 batters in 10.1 innings. Trevor to you what is the major problem with Brian Wilson, and is he beginning to become a concern for not only the fans but Bruce Bochy and his staff as well?

TC: The problem with Wilson, if you want to call it a problem, was that he just didn't throw much in the spring and it took him a few games to get going. The large era came from his first 2 games, since then, he's been nails. Since the blown save on the 8th, he's gone 8 innings allowing just 4 hits. Those first few outings really were like Spring games for him since he had such little work. I would say he finally hit his groove around April 10th and you go on what he's done since then than the first 2 games of the season... Not to mention, seems like a lot of closers had the early season jitters going too, not just Wilson.

Q2) Players such as Buster Posey, Aubrey Huff, Pat Burrell, Freddy Sanchez, and Cody Ross were just a few of the many offensive players that helped the Giants bring San Fran the title in 2010. In 2011, these players are struggling tremendously. What are the thoughts around the Giants organization about these players struggles, and which player to you is the biggest question mark?

TC: Your right on about them struggling, matter of fact, the whole offense is struggling (4 runs scored in 4-game series in Washington over the weekend). Sanchez and Posey each started off real hot, but have gone stone cold the last 10 games. Posey isn't really "struggling", still leads catchers in hr's and RBI, just has to bring the average up a bit Huff right now is the biggest question mark to me, just because has steadily gotten worse as the season goes on after being their most consistent offensive player last year. Now that Sandoval is out, it's magnified even more.... Burrell's average is actually slowly climbing and he brings that big home run stick, which is why Boch plays him out there... As far as Ross, that guy didn't play any baseball for a month, and all the sudden he's back in the big league's, I'd like to give him another 2 weeks before we asses were he's at.

Q3) During the Mets-Giants series, the Mets will see Ryan Vogelsong on Tuesday night against R.A Dickey. Tell me a little about Vogelsong, and what Mets fans should expect to see.

TC: Vogelsong has been around the block a bit and has returned home to the team that drafted him back in 2000. The 33 year-old will feature a fastball that will go low 90's, not really overpowering. He's got a nice change-up that will keep hitters off-balance which he showed last week vs. Pittsburgh. He can also strike you out (8 in 5 2/3 last start) and he's in the zone a lot. But there is a reason why he's bounced around so much. If you get to him early, he doesn't often regain composure. Could be a whoever scores first kind of game.

Q4) A pitcher that stood out too me in 2010 postseason for the Giants was Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner through five starts this season is 0-4. What is the problem with Madison this year and did his last start in Pittsburgh show promise for the Giants going foward?

TC: Well, Bumgarner is 21 years-old and yes he did have a few bad starts to begin the year with. He misplayed a bunt in San Diego in his very first start which resulted in 3 runs scoring in the inning, and I really think that stuck with him. Then when he'd get in trouble, he'd get the feel, "here we go again". But like I said, he's a young arm and things like that will happen with young arms. Anyway, his last 2 starts have been brilliant (13 IP, 1 ER, 14 K's and only 11 base-runners allowed) and he was tagged with losses in each because the Giants offense went non-existent. So in reality, he should be 2-2. And for him to get his era down from the high 7's where it was in mid-April to 4.75 so quickly is pretty impressive. I think Bumgarner will be fine.

Q5) I read a portion of a post you wrote that explains how much you want the Giants to get Jose Reyes. Reyes as we all know is an exceptional talent that does not show up every day. As we can all assume, Sandy Alderson and his staff will be asking for a ton is return for Jose. The Mets going foward when trading ball players away want a ton of pitching, and hard throwers. They also would like their share of pop, and speed as well. This may be a hard question to answer but could you possibly put together a few young talented players that you believe could fit that bill that i mentioned the Mets would be interested in but at the same time be a realistic package that could be shipped to New York.

TC: Giants fans would go gaga over Reyes, but your right, I don't think they'd give up what the Mets would want or match up well in a trade scenerio. I think a chance of scenery would do Reyes wonders. Not too mention, he's the kind of athlete you can move to CF or 2B later in his career. I just like him as a player, when he's healthy. But again, whatever team get's him, has to sign him, or else you give up all those players for nothing.

My proposed package for Jose Reyes I guess would go a little something like this: 1.) CF Gary Brown (A-Ball;Giants #1 pick 2010) 2.) LHP Eric Surkamp (AA Richmond- Giants #2 P prospect), 3.) OF Thomas Neal (AAA Fresno- Top 5 prospect), 4.) RHP Sergio Romo (27 YO with closer stuff now, KRod perfect mentor)

That's about what I could come up with as far as players I think New York would want and the Giants may give up. No way they give up Brandon Belt or Zach Wheeler for a guy who could walk in the winter.

• Even split with Aussies for International Origin Match
• 'We have terrific talent at our disposal,' says coach

Brian McClennan has stamped his mark on the Exiles team that will face England in next month's International Origin Match at Headingley by selecting five players who grew up in his native New Zealand, and ignoring the claims of a dozen Australians.

Nine of the 13 players who have been included after topping their positional polls in an online voting system involving more than 10,000 supporters are Aussies. But McClennan, a proud Kiwi who made his name by coaching New Zealand to their surprise win against Australia in the 2005 Tri-Nations final at Elland Road, has ensured a 50-50 split in the initial 18-man squad by selecting Louis Anderson, David Fa'alogo, David Faiumu and Sia Soliola – all current or former Kiwis – plus Kylie Leuluai, the Leeds prop who was born in Auckland and represented the Maori before switching his allegiance to Samoa.

That has meant overlooking a collection of former Australia internationals such as Michael Vella, Glenn Morrison and Ryan Hoffman. Other notable Aussie exclusions are Wigan's former Melbourne scrum-half Brett Finch, the Hull KR forward Clint Newton, and Warrington's hooker Michael Monaghan – although his younger brother, Joel, is in the squad thanks to supporters' voting.

Newton is currently injured having aggravated a knee problem trying to get fit for Rovers' Good Friday derby against Hull FC, but so is Fa'alogo, the Huddersfield forward who is facing yet another lengthy absence with more hamstring trouble. Yet Fa'alogo, who is a probable target for Warrington now that Tony Puletua looks more likely to stay with St Helens if he does not head home to Australia, has been included.

McClennan will complete his 22-man squad for the match by selecting one more player in each of the next four weeks. But his flexibility will be reduced by the limit of three players per club, meaning that he will have to omit one of the Warrington quartet who have already been selected – Anderson, Joel Monaghan, Brett Hodgson and Matt King – from his final team.

The England coach, Steve McNamara, will name his squad in the week before the game, on Friday 10 June.

"The make-up of the squad looks very exciting," said McClennan. "We have some terrific talent at our disposal with vast experience at the highest level.

"The fans have made some intelligent selections throughout the voting process over the past month. Their selections mirror the type of squad I am looking to build. Their picks will serve as the nucleus of my squad going into the game against England."

Danny Buderus, Leeds's former Australia hooker who will captain the team, said: "Our biggest challenge will be gelling as a unit as we will have less than a week in camp as a group. The beauty is that we know each other from our backgrounds in the NRL and it won't take us long to adapt to each other.

Exiles

Hodgson (Warrington), Richards (Wigan), Carmont (Wigan), King (Warrington), J Monaghan (Warrington), Chase (Castleford), T Leuluai (Wigan), K Leuluai (Leeds), Buderus (Leeds, capt), O'Meley (Hull), O'Donnell (Huddersfield), Menzies (Catalans), Fitzgibbon (Hull), Faiumu (Huddersfield), Anderson (Warrington), Puletua (St Helens), Soliola (St Helens), Fa'alogo (Huddersfield).

(12 votes - 1 comment - 160 views)
Description from Dangerous Minds: It’s OK: The Beach Boys’ 15th Anniversary TV Special aired in 1976 on NBC. It was a weird affair created when Brian Wilson was at the lowest ebb of his struggle with substance abuse and depression. Produced by Lorne Michaels and written by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, the show features a barely willing Wilson lured back into the studio and, in a bit that is both funny and sad, onto the beach and a surfboard. As most of us know, Brian was not a surfer and in this clip he’s barely a pedestrian. I have a feeling this may have been therapeutic for Brian.

“Good Morning America” newsreader Josh Elliott started his new gig yesterday, though this morning was his first regular day on the job, given the extraordinary news surrounding Osama Bin Laden’s death.

To welcome him to the morning show, actor Jamie Foxx helped him perfect his delivery when saying “Good morning, America!” in a spoof on the classic “This is SportsCenter” commercial campaign:

Bonus: watch Elliott in  “This is SportsCenter” ads with soccer star Jozy Altidore and San Francisco Giants Closer Brian Wilson after the jump.

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Fifty-two players were drafted on Monday evening in the UFL draft, including former Bears RB Adrian Peterson and Chiefs DT Ryan Sims. Multiple well-known recent college players were also taken, including Boston College LB Mark Herzlich.

Many of the players drafted are expected to wait and see if the NFL lockout is lifted later this week before signing a UFL contract. If the lockout is lifted, the players could opt to sign as free agents with NFL teams.

Here is the complete results of the draft, with the name of UFL team in bold, followed by the player, his position and college.

First round

 Hartford: Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M
 Omaha: Reynaldo Hill, CB, Florida
 Sacramento: Ryan Colburn, QB, Fresno State
 Virginia: Martail Burnett, DE, Utah
 Las Vegas: Joel Bell, OT, Furman

Second round

 Hartford: Kurt Quarterman, OG, Louisville
 Omaha: Jamie Cumbie, DE, Clemson
 Sacramento: Ugo Chinasa, DE, Oklahoma State
 Virginia: Ryan Sims, DT, North Carolina
 Las Vegas: Lawrence Wilson, DE, Ohio State

Third round

 Hartford: Cecil Newton Jr., C, Tennessee State
 Omaha: Joe Toledo, OT, Washington
 Sacramento: Derrick Roberson, CB, Rutgers
 Virginia: Adrian Peterson, RB, Georgia Southern
 Las Vegas: Eric Peterman, WR, Northwestern

Fourth round

 Hartford: Ricky Henry, OG, Nebraska
 Omaha: Chris Smith, CB, Northern Illinois
 Sacramento: Roberto Davis, DE, NW Missouri State
 Virginia: Aundrae Allison, WR, East Carolina
 Hartford: Brad Thorson, OL, Kansas
 Virginia: Clint Ingram, LB, Oklahoma

Fifth round

 Hartford: Phillip Tanner, RB, Middle Tennessee State
 Omaha: Mike Smith, OT, Nebraska
 Sacramento: Spencer Paysinger, LB, Oregon
 Virginia: Trevor Anderson, DT, Albany
 Las Vegas: Kennedy Tinsley, FB, North Carolina

Sixth round

 Hartford: Ervin Baldwin, DE, Michigan State
 Omaha: D.J. Jones, OT, Nebraska
 Sacramento: Jamel Hamler, WR, Fresno State
 Virginia: Ian Scott, DT, Florida
 Las Vegas: Mike Teel, QB, Rutgers

Seventh round

 Hartford: Greg Smith, TE, Texas
 Omaha: Kyle Nelson, TE, New Mexico State
 Sacramento: Kainoa LaCount, OT, Hawaii
 Virginia: Joe Monteverde, TE, Richmond
 Las Vegas: Dave Philistin, LB, Maryland

Eighth round

 Hartford: Colby Whitlock, DT, Texas Tech
 Omaha: Jeremiah Masoli, QB, Mississippi
 Omaha: Brian Johnston, DE, Gardner Webb
 Virginia: Wynel Seldon, RB, Wyoming
 Las Vegas: Cameron Colvin, WR, Oregon

Ninth round

 Hartford: Jonathan Lewis, DT, Virginia Tech
 Omaha: Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky
 Sacramento: Josh Gatlin, CB, North Dakota State
 Virginia: Derek Devine, QB, Marshall
 Las Vegas: Mario Fannin, RB, Auburn

Tenth round

 Hartford: Keith Grennan, DE, Eastern Washington
 Omaha: Akiem Hicks, DT, University of Regina
 Sacramento: Keanemana Silva, S, Hawaii
 Virginia: David Pittman, CB, Northwestern State
 Omaha: Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College
 Virginia: Jeff Maehl, WR, Oregon

Who will make the Exiles team; tough at the bottom for Harlequins; and rugby league's literary renaissance

1) It's tight at the top

When the music finally stopped after the 21 Super League fixtures played between 21 April and 2 May, four teams were locked together on 18 points. That is the way the table will remain for the best part of a fortnight, as all 14 elite clubs will be involved in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup next weekend.

Of the pacesetting quartet, it is the champions, Wigan, who would seem to be the best-placed. They were the only one of the four to win all three of their games in the most demanding week of the season – against St Helens on Good Friday, Wakefield on Easter Monday and finally a 48-16 cruise against the Crusaders in Wrexham on Sunday – and they still have a game in hand on the rest as a result of their involvement in the World Club Challenge in February.

Huddersfield, the pre-Easter leaders, have had a wobble with consecutive away defeats by the Crusaders and Catalans. Warrington remain inconsistent, with romps against Bradford and the Crusaders sandwiching a home defeat by Hull that was their third in five matches – although their 24-0 win at Wigan in late March remains the most significant single result of the season.

St Helens have made a better impression despite taking only three points from their last three fixtures, all of which were snatched in dramatic finishes against Castleford and Hull on consecutive Mondays. The most successful club of the Super League era have again showed the remarkable resilience that is increasingly reliant on the quality of young players they keep churning out, as they have somehow remained competitive despite injuries to nine first-team players, including their four first-choice half-backs.

Nathan Ashe was the latest new boy to impress when pressed into service from the interchange bench at Hull, even though he has only just returned from a knee injury himself. Meanwhile Jamie Foster continues to show a remarkable temperament as a still-callow goalkicking wing, Shaun Magennis offers consistently good value from the bench, and if the brightest young talents of all – Jonny Lomax and Gary Wheeler – are able to return to a full-strength Saints team also including Paul Wellens, Leon Pryce, Chris Flannery and Paul Clough, then they will take some beating at the business end of the season.

2) It's grim nearer the bottom

Monday's thriller between Hull and Saints was a suitably upbeat way to round off what has been a mostly excellent 12 days for the Super League competition. But the undoubted lowlight came 48 hours earlier at the Stoop, where Harlequins went down 34-16 to Salford in front of a sub-2,000 crowd. The London club have now gone eight games without a win since they were unlikely early-season leaders after notable results at Leeds and St Helens. It is a good job the cup draw has been kind to them – rugby-wise, if not geographically – with an away tie at the Championship One strugglers Gateshead Thunder on Friday night, otherwise they would seem obvious contenders to be the victims of an upset.

3) Exiles in waiting

Watch out for an announcement on Wednesday morning of the Exiles squad who will provide new and dangerous opposition for England at Headingley next month. So far five players have been selected by the coaches Brian McClennan and Terry Matterson – Leeds's Australian hooker Danny Buderus as captain, the Wigan scrum-half Thomas Leuluai as his No2, plus Luke O'Donnell, Tony Puletua and Joel Monaghan. That provides an indication of the quality of the team that England will have to face, but the Exiles may yet suffer from basing their selection on reputation rather than form. The list of overseas players from which supporters were invited to choose included the likes of Brett Finch, Amos Roberts and Willie Mason, big names from Australia who have made little or no impression this season. In contrast three outstanding contributors to the Catalans Dragons' April surge of five wins and a draw – Ian Henderson, Scott Dureau and Ben Farrar – were not even considered.

Henderson has been much more impressive than even Buderus, and Dureau is arguably the form scrum-half in the whole Super League competition, popping over a long-range match-winning drop goal in their latest win against Huddersfield on Saturday. Steve Menzies, another import who has been giving great value to the Dragons – and will be in the Exiles team – also revealed on his Twitter account that Dureau has won the moustache-growing competition in which the Catalans players have been indulging over the last month. They may look increasingly ridiculous, but as one of three clubs locked together three points behind the top four – with Castleford and Leeds – they must now be taken seriously as play-off contenders.

4) Faz, you're next

But the Catalans have a potentially tricky cup assignment on Friday night at Leigh, where they will face the 10th highest pointscorer in the history of rugby league. Mick Nanyn broke into the top 10 on Sunday when he kicked four goals in the 36-12 win against Batley which kept Leigh at the top of the Championship table, displacing the club's former Great Britain full-back Jim Ledgard. Nanyn has now scored 3,282 points in a career spent in the lower divisions with Swinton, Rochdale, Whitehaven, Widnes, Oldham and now Leigh, with his only Super League experience coming in a brief stint at Harlequins. That is a seriously impressive record, even if he would not claim to be in the same class as a player as Ledgard or Andy Farrell, who currently stands ninth on the all-time list with 3,381.

My most enduring memory of Nanyn is the picture of him that appeared in the official media guide and various match programmes in the 2008 World Cup, when he was representing Scotland – the Australian organisers clearly couldn't get hold of an action shot, so they had him looking impeccable, if slightly incongruous, in a dinner suit. Many who have been frustrated by Nanyn's apparent reluctance to throw his considerable weight around throughout his career might find that choice of dress appropriate, but now the 28-year-old has had the last laugh.

5) Reed all about it

England's coach Steve McNamara has had mixed news as he prepares for the Exiles game, with the encouraging returns after knee surgery of Danny McGuire and Jamie Peacock in consecutive Leeds matches negated by the loss of one of Super League's brightest young talents, Kallum Watkins, and the probable unavailability of another in the aforementioned Lomax. But he does have a bonus three-quarter option for the Four Nations series later this year in Jack Reed, a 22-year-old who has come from nowhere to become a regular in the Brisbane Broncos backline this season – and turns out to have been born in Castleford. McNamara confirms that he is keeping a close eye on the form of Reed as well as Gareth Widdop and Gareth Ellis, the two other Yorkshireman currently playing in the NRL, although Sam Burgess now seems certain to be ruled out after his latest injury blow.

6) Read all about it

What does Germaine Greer have in common with Ray French? They'd have made a great pair in the Celebrity Big Brother house, but alas the closest they are ever likely to come is as joint top of the bill for the Wigan and Leigh Literary Festival. Ms Greer, who comes from the wrong part of Australia to have grown up with league, made her appearance last week with a discussion about Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife, and was relishing her first return to Wigan since she was surrounded by dogs as she distributed some T-shirts with Kenny Everett at some time in the late-1960s. (This is true, honest, I heard her interviewed last week on Radio Manchester.)

But it's not too late to see Mr French, who made occasional references to his own Shakespearean knowledge when he combined a weekend role as the BBC's voice of rugby league with his day job as an English teacher at Cowley High School in St Helens. He is on stage at Ashton Library on Wednesday night, as part of a heavyweight panel to discuss the literature of rugby league (In League with Literature), which also includes Professor Tony Collins and Dave Hadfield, the doyen of modern league journalists.

New league books are cropping up encouragingly regularly these days and one worthy and unusual addition to the library is Braver Than All The Rest, a novel in which the author Philip Howard combines his love of the game with his experience as a special needs adviser at a sixth-form college. It is available at £9.95 from the London League Publications website.

[ This guest post was written by Brian Nelson. ] Not quite a month ago, Wilson Combat released the new 7.62×40 WT (Wilson Tactical) round. When I first read about it, I wasn’t sure I had a use for it. But after looking closer at it, I think it has a real future with 3-gun [...]

After three days full of surprises, reaches and steals, the NFL Draft is finally over. Here is a look at some of the winners and losers of the draft: I don’t grade by talent because it’s so hard to determine just who will be good and who will bust. My grades are based on the teams that filled needs and maximized value by selecting players in rounds where they should have been taken and taking players that fit their offensive and defensive schemes.

Five Winners

New Orleans Saints: The Saints made a move on day one when they traded with New England to get back up into the first round. With their first pick at 24th overall, they grabbed California defensive tackle Cameron Jordan who many thought would go a lot higher. They also stole former Heisman Trophy winning runningback Mark Ingram at pick 28 with their trade with New England. That gives them a ton of options at runningback with Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory, and Reggie Bush. The Saints also took a pair of Illinois linebackers with Nate Bussey in the seventh round and the underrated Martez Wilson in the third. Pittsburgh defensive end Greg Romeus was a huge steal in the seventh round and third round selection cornerback Johnny Patrick will add depth at the position.

My Grade: B+

 

Dallas Cowboys:The Cowboys will be giving quarteback Tony Romo plenty of protection by selecting a pair of lineman in rounds one and four. Tackle Tyron Smith should be a sure starter at left tackle, and David Arkin is an option at guard. Outside linebacker Bruce Carter was a steal in the second round and has great potential if he's healthy. They also added an explosive backfield option in Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray. Fifth round selection Josh Thomas filled a need in the secondary and will compete for playing time.

My Grade: B+

 

Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati had a great first two days in selecting two future stars. A.J. Green was selected with the fourth overall pick and is sure to replace either OchoCinco or Owens, depending on which one goes first. They added their franchise quarterback in the second round with TCU's Andy Dalton. The Bengals filled a need in drafting defensive lineman Dontay Moch and added more depth at wide receiver with Stanford's Ryan Whalen. They also got some protection for their future quarterback by stealing Clint Boling in the fourth round.

My Grade: A

 

Detroit Lions: The Lions really had a good first three picks. They added defensive tackle Nick Fairley to play alongside Ndamukong Suh which will be one of the best interior defensive lines in the whole league. They grabbed Boise State's wide receiver Titus Young who will give Matt Stafford another weapon and a good complement to Calvin Johnson. Illinois' runningback Mike LeShoure will be great alongside Jahvid Best- A tandem that will be an excellent one-two punch. These picks will be nightmares for opposing offenses and defenses alike and maybe people will start taking the Lions seriously for the first time in a long time. One downfall however is that they failed to draft a corner which was probably their top need. They will have to address that in free agency (that is, if we have one.)

My Grade: A-

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay was a winner in this draft after their first two picks. They shored up the defensive line for ten years in selecting defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers. Bowers was projected as the number one overall pick by many three months ago until questions surfaced about his knee. If he can stay healthy though, he will be a forced to be reckoned with. There's no doubt about that. These two picks, along with last year’s picks Gerald McCoy and Brian Price, will be one of the best defensive line corps in a couple years and could rival the Vanden Bosh, Kearse, Brown, and Haynesworth corps of the Titans from a few years ago.

My Grade: A-

 

That's it for the winners, now to the losers.

 

Five Losers

Carolina Panthers: The Panthers reached on just about every pick except for defensive lineman Terrell McClain. They set themselves back three years in selecting Cam Newton with the first pick. He isn't an NFL quarterback and he sure won't succeed without any weapons around him. They didn't take a wide receiver until the fifth round which made absolutely no sense especially with Steve Smith likely on his way out. The Panthers raised a lot of eyebrows with most of their picks.

My Grade: C-

 

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks drafted two offensive lineman with their first two picks in James Carpenter and John Moffit. There's only one problem with that. Seattle doesn't have a quarterback! They had the perfect chance to select TCU's Andy Dalton at 25th, but instead they reach for Carpenter. Who are these guys going to be protecting? Charlie Whitehurst? I really don't understand Seattle's drafting strategy at all, but I think I have it figured out. Reach for offensive linemen in the first two rounds to protect a career backup or a 35 year old has-been. We'll see how far that gets them.

My Grade: D+

 

Oakland Raiders: Well, I can't get on the Raiders too much since they didn't have a first round pick, but the rest of their selections still didn't make much sense. They drafted a cornerback with their second pick to replace departing cornerback Nnamdi Asomougha, but they didn't get the right guy. They drafted one of the fastest corners in the draft, which is a mistake that can be blamed on owner Al Davis, and they drafted Chimdi Chekwa later in the draft. I like Ohio State and Chimdi Chekwa, but he isn't an NFL starter. I really think they messed up on that and it could be reflected by their pass defense this season.

My Grade: C-

 

Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons should have never moved up 21 spots to take wide receiver Julio Jones. The pick doesn’t make a ton of sense. They needed defensive help way more than they needed offensive. I understand that they wanted a playmaking wide receiver, but they could have grabbed Maryland’s Torrey Smith in the second round if they wanted a deep threat. With their other picks, they took only two defensive players which probably might not even be rotational guys. They came into the draft primarily needing defense and came out with one quality pick in Jones, who they gave up way too much to get, and a few special teamers.

My Grade: C-

 

San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers surprised a lot of people selecting linebacker Aldon Smith at number seven; a pick that I thought was a bit of a reach, but could still add an outside pass rush to their defense so I can’t criticize that pick too much. But other than that, I didn’t understand the rest of their picks. They took Colin Kaepernick to be their quarterback of the future. That’s fine, but I’m not sure that he has the skill set to be an NFL starter. I thought Ryan Mallett would have been a better selection. They didn’t take a cornerback until the third round, which I thought was their top need. Some of their picks left me shaking my head.

My Grade: C-

 

Some of the teams I didn’t see as a winner or loser. Here’s a look at the rest:

Arizona Cardinals: B

Baltimore Ravens: B+

Buffalo Bills: B

Chicago Bears: B-

Cleveland Browns: B

Denver Broncos: B

Green Bay Packers: B

Houston Texans: B

Indianapolis Colts: B-

Jacksonville Jaguars: C

Kansas City Chiefs: C

Miami Dolphins: B-

Minnesota Vikings: C+

New England Patriots: C+

New York Giants: B

New York Jets: C

Philadelphia Eagles: C+

Pittsburgh Steelers: B

San Diego Chargers: B+

St. Louis Rams: B-

Tennessee Titans: C+

Washington Redskins: B- 

 

For Part 1 of this story see here.



I was discussing with a friend Hellen the extraordinary service I was experiencing at a local Indian restaurant I was frequenting at least once per week. The staff was now treating me like family. When the owner Chandra is present, I am not even given a menu - we only have a discussion. I am offered items not on the menu, free appetizers and dessert. In short, the experience was now tantamount to eating at home.

You Can Count Your Saves Now. They're Going to Be There.

These Guys Are Practically Money, but Something's Not Quite Right

Cubs - Carlos Marmol (6)

Red Sox - Jonathan Papelbon (7)

Marlins - Leo Nunez (7) - Nunez had a poor outing on Friday night, but still recorded the save. He is now 2nd in the Majors with 9, and still has a sub-3 ERA and sub-1 WHIP despite that poor outing.

Braves - Craig Kimbrel (7) - Kimbrel had a rough week, getting a blown save and a loss on back to back nights. Even with Jonny Venters in the back of the pen, I think he's going to have to blow a couple more before he stops getting the majority of chances.

Tigers - Jose Valverde (7) - Your team has to give you save chances to allow you to get saves.

Brewers - John Axford (7) - Axford appears to be settling down, allowing just 1 hit in his last 4 appearances and striking out 3.

Diamondbacks - J.J. Putz (6)

Angels - Jordan Walden (7) - Walden has a lock on the closer's job in Anaheim, and could really start to vault up these rankings if the Angels get him more save opportunities.

Twins - Matt Capps (5) - I'm not sure when Joe Nathan is going to get the job back, if he ever is.

There Going to Get You Saves, And Not Destroy You in Other Categories

Indians - Chris Perez (6) - Do we think that Cleveland is going to keep winning like this? It seems unlikely, but it has been a month now. I want to see his next outing though, as he gave up a run and 2 hits in his outing Sunday.

Nationals - Drew Storen (7) - Storen has a lock on the job now, and has pitched well all season. He's not going to keep up a 0.60 ERA all year, but he should still level out below 3.00.

Reds - Francisco Cordero (6) - Cordero is limiting his walks, which has helped to feed his 0.83 WHIP. If he can continue this, he's going to give a great season to his owners.

Pirates -  Joel Hanrahan (6)

Rays - Kyle Farnsworth (6)

Orioles - Kevin Gregg (7) - Gregg could hurt you with WHIP, but he is the clear closer in Baltimore now.

There's A Lot to Like Here, but You're Playing with Fire

Athletics - Brian Fuentes (7) - If you're looking for reminders as to why Fuentes did not hold onto the closer's job in Anaheim, take a look at the lines from the 27th and 29th's games. He's going to get saves, but it could kill your WHIP or ERA to do it.

Mets - Francisco Rodriguez (6) - Something to remember as the season progresses - K-Rod has an option on his contract which will vest if he finishes 55 games this year. The Mets can't possibly want that to happen, so he could be used less frequently as the season progresses.

Phillies - Ryan Madson (6)

They Don't Have a Vice Grip on the Job, but There's a Lot of Upside Here

Dodgers - Jonathan Broxton (6)- Vicente Padilla recorded a save this week, and Broxton keeps having poor showings. There was speculation this week from management that he might be removed from the role, and I doubt highly he's going to be holding the job for long.

Blue Jays - Jon Rauch (6) - Rauch got a save on the 29th, 3 days after Francisco returned from the DL. I think they're going to let Rauch keep doing the job until he fails, but I'd own Frank Francisco if you're nervous about him.

White Sox - Sergio Santos (6) - Santos got both save chances this week, and recorded them both (even if he allowed 2 hits in one of them). If he gets the next save chance and converts it, I think we'll be able to say for sure he's got the job.

Saves are Coming, but Just Don't Expect Anything Else of Value

Astros - Brandon Lyon (6)

He's Going to Get Saves This Week, But He May Not Next Week

Mariners - Brandon League (6) - Aardsma is still on his rehab assignment, so League will continue to get the opportunities until then.

Cardinals -  Fernando Salas (7) - Apparently the foreseeable future was less than a week for Mitchell Boggs. Fernando Salas got saves on the 28th and 30th, and looks like he's got the current hold on the job. Salas has 10 strikeouts through 9 1/3 innings pitched, and if he can lock down the next couple of save chances, we could be looking at the permanent closer.

Rangers - Darren Oliver (7) - The Rangers only had 1 save chance this week, and Oliver recorded it. He also pitched in a tie game the following night and gave up 3 runs (1 earned). So he could get the next chance, but we won't know until this week.

It is never fair to evaluate drafts before players are given a chance to prove themselves in the NFL, as too many uncontrolled variables can affect the development of talent, and even the most talented players can fail if the structure is not in place for them to succeed. Furthermore, toughness, intelligence and competitiveness can take players a lot further than any amount of natural talent and cannot immediately be measured, as the sixth-round selection of Tom Brady would attest.

Nonetheless, there is an art to understanding the value of talent, how to manipulate a draft board and build through the draft. And those who understand the value of talent generally produce the strongest drafts.

PFW's research has shown that the average draft produces two starters in any given year. Ideally, those starters will be produced from the first two rounds, where the financial commitments are greatest.

Irrelevant of whether they come from the first round or the seventh round, however, it is very realistic to expect every team to produce two starters and a player who minimally can contribute heavily in nickel situations. PFW uses a sliding scale included below to grade each draft, with two starters being the standard benchmark all teams minimally should be able to attain in any given year.

Picks that were traded and veteran acquisitions acquired last year were taken into consideration where teams were without selections. Future picks were also weighed.

4 projected starters: A (Outstanding)
3 projected starters: B (Good)
2 projected starters: C (Average)
1 projected starter: D (Questionable)
0 projected starters: F (Poor)

An additional quarter point was awarded to teams who wisely manipulated the draft board and acquired future picks; for teams who drafted very soundly in the first two rounds where the greatest financial premium exists; for those who filled pressing needs; for the addition of elite, impact performers; for those who found ways to upgrade special teams, especially with late picks; and for those who likely filled five roster spots, with sixth- and seventh-round picks not expected to make solid rosters.

Also taken into consideration was the competitive-balance penalty that perennial winners regularly face, as they are slotted at the bottom of the round and not as well positioned to acquire elite talent.

The risk of picks, considering medical, mental and character questions, also was considered and weighed into grades, as was the drafting of projections who might have a steeper learning curve and include more overall risk to make it in the NFL. A half-point was subtracted for teams who drafted daringly relative to value of the pick.

Lastly, the ability to match talent to schemes and coaching staffs was weighed.

NFC
Arizona Cardinals
With plans to add a veteran quarterback, Ken Whisenhunt and GM Rod Graves did not address the team's most glaring QB need, instead choosing to follow a value-based approach with the selection of CB Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals also filled other needs at tight end, outside linebacker and by revamping the backfield. The competitiveness of their first two picks — Peterson and RB Ryan Williams — stands out, and both players should step into starting jobs immediately, with Peterson's game-breaking return ability adding a big plus on special teams. TE Rob Housler filled a glaring, stretch-the-seam element missing on the roster. OLB Sam Acho has eventual starter potential and was a very safe fourth-round selection who will add character to the locker room. FB Anthony Sherman could take over as Williams' lead blocker and help on special-teams coverage. Landing LB Quan Sturdivant in the sixth round was a solid value pick. DE David Carter and WR DeMarco Sampson have developmental potential. Williams' injury history is concerning, but collectively, the Cardinals easily could land three starters from this draft with minimal risk.
Grade: B-plus

Atlanta Falcons
After finishing atop the NFC standings, the Falcons sought a difference-making offensive playmaker and were bold about landing him, jumping a whopping 21 spots into the top 10 to secure WR Julio Jones, who could make an immediate impact and give the offense the much-needed balance it was lacking. GM Thomas Dimitroff paid a heavy price, dealing next year's first- and fourth-round picks to Cleveland, along with the Falcons' first-, second- and fourth-round picks this year. In theory, the Falcons dealt the equivalent of three solid starters to net one impact performer this year, and the trade will be judged in large part by whether Jones can stay healthy and push the Falcons over the hump in the playoffs. They also addressed some key need areas at linebacker and running back with the addition of Akeem Dent and Jacquizz Rodgers, two very productive, determined players who fit the locker-room leader mold that Dimitroff has done an excellent job identifying. P-PK Matt Bosher is a jack-of-all trades who can replace Michael Koenen. And OG Andrew Jackson and DE Cliff Matthews have potential to become solid contributors. The Falcons paid a steep price in mortgaging the future for Jones, and the net result does not translate well in PFW's formula, but the Falcons deserve credit for landing a premium player at a key position of need, upgrading special teams and landing six players who can make the roster. The aggressive approach could turn out to be the right one for the Falcons this year, but they put a lot of eggs into this year's basket and detracted considerable long-term ammunition that penalizes a strong crop of talent.
Grade: C-plus

Carolina Panthers
GM Marty Hurney has been one of the best in the draft at nailing first-round picks, but he took much more risk than usual with the selection of Cam Newton, forcing offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski to redesign the offense and perhaps creating an unhealthy competition between two entitled quarterbacks in Newton and Jimmy Clausen. The decision to couple a new head coach (Ron Rivera) with a new franchise quarterback was logical, and Newton has potential to make a more immediate impact than any other quarterback in the draft, with the capability to become an impact performer. Hurney's decision ultimately will be judged by Newton's development and the sustainability of the spark he can bring to the offense. The Panthers were without a second-round pick, dealt last year for Armanti Edwards, and they are still waiting for the light to come on for him. He made zero impact last season while transitioning to the slot. DT Terrell McClain and CB Brandon Hogan both possess starting-caliber traits, but also came with some risk. For where they were drafted, the risk might well meet the reward. NT Sione Fua and WR Kealoha Pilares can become solid contributors. The Panthers have had a knack for adding OL depth late in the draft, and C-OG Zack Williams and OT Lee Ziemba have developmental potential. LB Lawrence Wilson could help on special teams. The Panthers addressed key needs, and Rivera's ability to deal with prima donnas makes the high risk that defines this draft more tolerable. However, for a team drafting so highly, the Panthers' draft was dangerously volatile.
Grade: B-minus

Chicago Bears
With heavy influence from a strong-willed coaching staff featuring three former head coaches, GM Jerry Angelo addressed his two biggest needs at left tackle and defensive tackle with the selection of Gabe Carimi and Stephen Paea. The Bears aggressively moved up nine spots to land Paea, sacrificing the fourth-round pick that initially had been dangled in a trade gone bad with Baltimore. Neither Carimi nor Paea is flashy, but they are both sound, high-character talents capable of contributing readily. At California, FS Chris Conte wore the same No. 17 jersey that John Lynch once donned at Stanford and is not as big, strong or physical as Lynch but Angelo can hope he becomes a similar type of player. Mike Martz will get the opportunity to upgrade his backup quarterback situation with Nathan Enderle, a smart, heavy-footed, analytical pocket passer. West Virginia LB J.T. Thomas will have to fight for a roster spot. The Bears surrendered their seventh-round pick to select RB Harvey Unga in last year's supplemental draft. The Bears deserve credit for making sound selections in the first two rounds and manipulating the draft, even if they spurned the Ravens. They did a solid job filling needs.
Grade: B

Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones lined the roster with some very explosive, athletic talent with his first three picks — OT Tyron Smith, OLB Bruce Carter and RB DeMarco Murray — and the selection of Smith filled a primary need at tackle. All three, however, have durability concerns, as Smith was off some draft boards for medical reasons, Carter will be forced to begin the season on the PUP list and Murray never has been able to stay healthy. OG David Arkin, CB Josh Thomas and WR Dwayne Harris were all solid value picks who could carve out niches. Murray and Harris have potential to help in the return game. The seventh-round pick sacrificed for Illinois NT Josh Brent in the supplemental draft has turned out to be worth it. With the pick the Cowboys received from San Diego for WR Patrick Crayton, they selected FB Shaun Chapas, who also could help on special teams and contend for a job. C Bill Nagy has developmental potential. With a very deep roster, the Cowboys can afford to take more chances on medical risks, and they managed to add explosion to the roster. However, their early picks involved risk. As has been characteristic of their drafts, Rounds 4-7 appear to be strongest part of their draft. 
Grade: B-minus

Detroit Lions
The Lions sought explosive talent with their first three picks and landed plenty of it in DT Nick Fairley, WR Titus Young and RB Mikel Leshoure. However, all three enter the league with character and maturity concerns, possess boom-or-bust potential and will have to be managed closely. Fairley has potential to become an impact performer, and Young and Leshoure could provide a spark to the offense. Young's slight frame will be more susceptible to injury in the pros, and at a position where competitiveness and instincts are of primary importance, Leshoure does not grade out highly in those areas. The Lions swapped picks with the Seahawks and sacrificed their fourth-round pick to move up 18 spots and land Leshoure in the second round. They also acquired DE Lawrence Jackson from Seattle before last season for a sixth-round pick. Doug Hogue could fill a LB need and fits Jim Schwartz's defense well, but his injury history is concerning. OT Johnny Culbreath has athletic talent to make the roster but could be very challenged by the playbook. Collectively, the draft has a strong hit-or-miss element that could make a difference early but might leave the Lions with little in the long term.
Grade: C

Green Bay Packers
Packers GM Ted Thompson is one of the most underrated evaluators in the league, quietly spending as much time on the scouting trails as any other GM. He has a very good feel for identifying value throughout the draft and identifying scheme fits, which he masterfully plucked throughout the draft. His top two picks, OT Derek Sherrod and WR Randall Cobb, were both very safe selections that filled positions of need but also brought value. RB Alex Green might have been drafted early, but he fits Mike McCarthy's ground game very well. New Mexico State CB Davon House has the raw physical traits to be molded and fits Dom Capers' defense very well. Thompson made several trades from Rounds 5-7, and landed six character players with developmental potential in TE D.J. Williams, OG Caleb Schlauderaff, LB D.J. Smith, DE Ricky Elmore, TE Ryan Taylor and DE Lawrence Guy. Drafting at the bottom of the round might make it more difficult for this class to have heavy impact on a deep roster, but Thompson sought talent that could fill niche roles and drafted very well in the first two rounds.
Grade: B-minus

Minnesota Vikings
If there is a stigma attached to Rick Spielman's evaluation career, it is that he has struggled to correct the quarterback position, and Spielman opened up more potential criticism with the selection of Christian Ponder with the 12th overall pick. Intangibly, Ponder grades out very highly and he was a fast riser in the draft process, but questions still remain about his decision making and long-term durability. Although he fits well in Bill Musgrave's offense and addresses a primary area of need, selecting him so highly could turn out to be a considerable reach that defines Spielman's new control in the Leslie Frazier era. TE Kyle Rudolph was a safe selection in the second round. The Vikings dealt their third-round pick to New England for Randy Moss's short-lived tenure. DT Christian Ballard could turn out to be a steal in the fourth round if he matures. CBs Brandon Burton and Mistral Raymond could both fit into Frazier's defense well as press corners, and OT DeMarcus Love and C Brandon Fusco could provide depth on the offensive line. LB Ross Homan could turn out to be a solid special-teams performer, and DE D'Aundre Reed and WR Stephen Burton have developmental potential. Collectively, the Vikings added 10 players who could challenge for roster spots and did a very good job of matching talent to their schemes and coaches. The draft could produce several starters, but the Moss trade amounted to nothing and the very early selection of Ponder defied value logic.
Grade: C

New Orleans Saints
Sean Payton and GM Mickey Loomis did a very good job of recognizing value in the draft, filling a primary position of need at left defensive end with the selection of Cameron Jordan. After the division champion Falcons made a splash trade for Julio Jones, the Saints made a run for a Tide talent of their own, dealing their second-round pick and next year's first to New England to land Mark Ingram, the every-down back Payton has been searching for. As part of the deal for sending Jammal Brown to Washington, the Saints gave up their fifth-round pick but landed an additional third that they used on SLB Martez Wilson, who has first-round physical traits and should benefit from the hard coaching of Joe Vitt. If CB Johnny Patrick can be kept in line, he can turn out to be a solid contributor for a late third-round pick. The Saints gave up their fourth-round pick to trade up for C Matt Tennant in last year's draft, although he has yet to make much of an impact. They dealt their sixth-round pick to New England for TE David Thomas, who was a solid addition when healthy. The Saints recognized value in the seventh round with the selection of injury-prone DE Greg Romeus and LB Nate Bussey, who could factor readily on special teams. The loss of next year's first-round pick coupled with the departure of a Pro Bowl left tackle offset what was a very solid draft that addressed key areas of need for the Saints. 
Grade: B

New York Giants
GM Jerry Reese did a fine job of recognizing value throughout the draft, securing free-falling CB Prince Amukamara at the 19th pick. He could contend for playing time readily. DT Marvin Austin possessed first-round physical tools and with the hard coaching of D-line coach Robert Nunn, will be pushed harder than he ever has been before. WR Jerrel Jernigan could help in the slot and add value to the return game. OT James Brewer adds depth to the offensive line and will benefit from the tutelage of Pat Flaherty. The Giants dealt their fifth-round pick to Minnesota for backup QB Sage Rosenfels and PR Darius Reynaud, two solid additions to the roster last season. The final two rounds brought four players — LB Greg Jones, SS Tyler Sash, LB Jacquian Williams and RB Da'Rel Scott — who can help on special teams. Scott has explosive return ability and offers a home-run threat as a change-of-pace back if he can stay healthy in a limited role. The Giants could easily come away with three starters from this draft, took calculated risks matching talent to their coaches and upgraded their special teams. They deserve extra credit for recognizing value throughout the draft and adding some solid veterans in exchange for very little.
Grade: A

Philadelphia Eagles
Andy Reid and GM Howie Roseman filled one of their most pressing needs on the offensive line with the selection of Danny Watkins and continued to fill holes on the roster with their 11 picks. S Jaiquawn Jarrett was selected earlier than expected in a week safety class, but has eventual starter potential as a box safety. Curtis Marsh is a raw developmental talent who adds much needed size to the CB position. With a talented roster, special teams became a focus in the final four rounds, with the addition of MLB Casey Matthews, PK Alex Henery — who potentially could be David Akers' replacement — OLB Brian Rolle and LB Greg Lloyd. Landing Dion Lewis in the fifth round was a solid value, and he could carve out a niche as a third-down back. OG Julian Vandervelde and C Jason Kelce have developmental potential. FB Stanley Havili could struggle to make the roster. The Eagles did a fine job of addressing all of their needs throughout the draft, but sought out too much undersized talent from Rounds 4-7 and seemingly continue to get smaller and in turn more injury-prone, which has been a problem in November and December. The concentration on special teams is a plus, but they did reach for needs on all three of their top picks. Nonetheless, the draft should produce three starters and add some solid niche, role players. It was not a flashy draft, but it was solid.
Grade: C-plus

San Francisco 49ers

GM Trent Baalke and Jim Harbaugh filled three key needs with their top picks, landing the cleanest pass rusher in the draft with the most upside (Aldon Smith) and a up-and-coming quarterback (Colin Kaepernick) with all the physical and mental traits to blossom under the tutelage of one of the finest QB mentors in football. The Niners aggressively moved up to land Kaepernick, dealing away their second- and fourth-round picks. Concerns about Chris Culliver's durability raised flags about his ability to survive at safety, but he fits well as a corner in press coverage. Landing RB Kendall Hunter in the fourth round was a steal, and WR Ronald Johnson brought solid value in the slot in the sixth. Two converted, small-school left tackles — Daniel Kilgore and Mike Person — could bring depth to the interior of the offensive line. The Niners' final three picks — S Colin Jones, FB Bruce Miller and CB Curtis Holcomb — all could help upgrade special teams and have the warrior-type temperament desired by the new regime to fill out the bottom of the roster. The greatest criticism of the Niners' 10-pick draft haul is that it involves too much positional projection from top to bottom. However, with a strong, technical coaching staff in tow, the Niners can be justified taking additional risk on raw talent. Manipulating the draft to land value, fill needs and line the roster with special-teams standouts were all pluses.
Grade: B-plus

Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider might have reached for talent more than any other team in the NFC, beginning with the first-round selection of OT James Carpenter. They ignored their quarterback need with a veteran likely to return, instead choosing to address a glaring need on the offensive line with the addition of Carpenter and lunchpail OG John Moffitt, both of whom could plug in as scrappy starters. LBs K.J. Wright, selected with a pick acquired from New England for Deion Branch, and Malcolm Smith have developmental potential, and CBs Richard Sherman [drafted with the pick dealt to Baltimore for Josh Wilson] and Byron Maxwell both have the size and press skills desired for Pete Carroll's defense. FS Mark LeGree can provide depth in the secondary. WR Kris Durham was a late riser who could contribute as a possession receiver. Pep Levingston could add depth inside or outside on the defensive line. The Seahawks could land several starters and contributors from this draft and drafted well for their schemes. However, the production lost from dealing Branch and Wilson — who were not great scheme fits in Seattle — detracts from a nondescript crop in a draft marked by reaches.
Grade: C-minus

St. Louis Rams
Steve Spagnuolo and GM Billy Devaney addressed all of their major needs — perhaps with the exception of running back — including an upgrade of edge speed with the addition of DE Robert Quinn. Medical concerns pushed him down the board, but he fits well in Spagnuolo's defense and could replace the aging James Hall. Sam Bradford was given three very reliable receiving targets in Rounds 2-4 in TE Lance Kendricks and WRs Austin Pettis and Greg Salas, all of whom could factor readily in Josh McDaniels' offense and can open up the passing game. The Rams continued adding depth and special-teams talent in Rounds 5-7 with the addition of Jermale Hines, CB Mikail Baker, LB Jabara Williams and FS Jonathan Nelson — intriguing developmental talents capable of earning roster spots. Hines and Nelson, who both have eventual starter potential, were acquired in a deal down with Atlanta. Although it rolled the dice on Quinn's medical history with their top pick, the Rams' brass continually recognized value throughout the draft and upgraded its roster with contributing talent. The Rams easily could come away with three starters, potentially five, and upgraded special teams.
Grade: A

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
GM Mark Dominik took as much medical risk as any team in the draft with the selection of the Buccaneers' top two picks, DEs Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers. However, for all the risk, the Bucs also potentially landed as much value in the first two rounds as any team, while addressing a very pressing area of need. If Bowers can recover from knee surgery, he can become an impact performer, and Clayborn is very solid in his own right. LB Mason Foster has eventual starter potential and could help on special teams. TEs Luke Stocker and Daniel Hardy could both find roles blocking and receiving, respectively. S-CB Ahmad Black is a great fit for Raheem Morris' defense with Ronde Barber-like traits, and CB Anthony Gaitor could be a very solid final-round addition. RB Allen Bradford fits Greg Olson's ground game well. Dominik did a very solid job of landing instinctive, scheme-specific football players throughout the draft while targeting needs on every level of the defense. He also acquired DE Alex McGee and a sixth-round pick from the Chiefs for a fifth-rounder. 
Grade: B

Washington Redskins

Despite being fleeced by the Eagles last year in the trade for Donovan McNabb, GM Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan converted seven picks into 12 by trading down several times and were able to infuse some youth into an aging roster. OLB Ryan Kerrigan was a very safe first-round selection, but the Redskins reached for DE Jarvis Jenkins, who will project to end in Jim Haslett's odd front. Exchanging a third-round pick with New Orleans for a fifth in return for OT Jammal Brown proved to be well worth it. WRs Leonard Hankerson (third round), Niles Paul (fifth round) both fit Shanahan's offense well and could contribute readily, with Paul having potential to contribute on special teams. WR Aldrick Robinson (sixth round) also could find a role. The Redskins sacrificed their fourth-round pick as part of the deal for McNabb last season, which proved to be troublesome. RBs Roy Helu (fourth round) and Evan Royster (sixth round) are both well-suited for Shanahan's zone ground game. S DeJon Gomes and CB Brandyn Thompson will need to make it on special teams. OG Maurice Hurt could provide depth on the line. Their final two of four seventh-round picks — OLB Markus White and NT Chris Neild — have a chance to earn roles. Uncharacteristically of the Vinny Cerrato-Dan Snyder era, Shanahan and Allen showed more appreciation for building through the draft this year, manipulated it well, and did a very good job identifying talent that can thrive in their schemes. The addition of a disgruntled quarterback offsets the landing of a very solid offensive tackle on the trade front. The Redskins could easily come away with three starters, perhaps more in time, and plugged holes on an old roster.
Grade: B

A few days late due to NFL Draft craziness ...

Brian: The Heights recently ran an editorial wanting to steal a page from Southern college football and develop a Boston College athletics catchphrase like Alabama's "Roll Tide" or Texas' "Hook ‘Em Horns."

"BC doesn't have a slogan like this that transcends the team. "Ever to Excel" is a fine academic motto, but it doesn't have the same punch for athletic success. No one would be caught dead chanting that at a game. "Go Eagles" is a popular cheer, but it's a little too generic to be a catchphrase that immediately makes people think of BC football.

That's why we are suggesting that BC adopt "Stay Gold" as the slogan for its athletic teams. This phrase would be unique to BC. It's simple, yet powerful. It represents the loyalty and aspirations of the school, its students, and its fans."

I like the initiative here. I love the ESPN "Roll Tide" campaign and phrases like "Hook ‘Em Horns," "Gig ‘em" and "Geaux Tigers" serve as a reminder of the team and the pride that community members take in their alma mater's sports programs.

However, I can't say I care much for "Stay Gold" as a BC catch phrase; certainly not when the athletics program have had two major gambling scandals in recent school history. The color is also very closely associated with our Catholic rivals out in South Bend. Thoughts here? What do you think of Boston College adopting a slogan? Have any suggestions?

Jeff: Oh boy. How long has Roll Tide been a slogan at Alabama? Forever? Since we've been following BC athletics, there have been several failed attempts to start new traditions, primarily for football. The Eagle Walk continues but that is strictly controlled by the athletic department and might not be considered a success by everyone. Starting a slogan for the Eagles is not something that will take hold easily. If the Athletics Department really wants it to be successful through lots of t-shirts and advertising at games I suppose it's possible a slogan would take hold but it does seem like a tall task.

"Stay Gold" is not the first slogan that I would have come up with. Maybe something like "Soar High" or "Soar Higher" is what I would expect our slogan to be.

There is one new tradition starting this fall that I think is very good and will help the atmosphere at home games. There is now a young alumni section in alumni stadium next to the student section. This will help make the student section endzone much loader and will allow young alums to stand and be load without bothering some of the older fans that tend to complain about such behavior.

 

Big Finish

Brian: Snoop Dogg recently posed with a few North Carolina basketball players. If you had to pick one, what rapper should be associated with BC basketball?

Jeff: Since it won't happen, why bother guessing?

 

Jeff: The ACC looked strong in this weekend's NFL Draft, particularly through the first two rounds. Surprised?

Brian: Not really. Getting kids selected in the NFL Draft has never been an issue for the conference.

 

Brian: The NCAA will not consider new bowl applicants for a period of up to three years. This is a good thing, no?

Jeff: Yes, we are at a sufficient number now.

 

Jeff: Russell Wilson will be allowed to play football at another university since TOB is refusing to start him this fall. Any chance BC has to worry about him again?

Brian: Most likely not, which is a good thing. RW can't play for another ACC team or a team on the Pack's 2011 schedule.

 

Brian: Incoming BC freshman Eddie Odio describes himself as "a 6-7 wing player with a high IQ." Sounds perfect for Donahue's system, no?

Jeff: Yes, hopefully he's a good shooter.

 

Jeff: Castonzo to the Colts. Good for him to get on a great team, right?

Brian: Absolutely. A great team and he gets to play relatively close to home. 

 

Brian: Last one. The NFL invited Mark Herzlich to the NFL Draft, yet #94 went undrafted. This makes the league look pretty bad, no?

Jeff: There is a 0% chance the NFL invites anyone not expected to be drafted in the first round in the next three years.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHILADELPHIA -- Roy Halladay started the game by throwing 18 straight strikes and helped Philadelphia set a club record with its 18th victory in April as the Phillies beat the New York Mets 2-1 on Saturday.

Halladay (4-1) allowed one run and seven hits. He walked one while striking out eight to lead the Phillies to their third straight victory. Philadelphia went 17-5 in April 1993.

The NL Cy Young award winner cruised in the beginning of the game-- he didn't throw a ball until missing high to Jose Reyes in the third inning.

It was his seventh straight win over the Mets dating back to the 2006 season.

Mets starter Jonathon Niese (2-3) took the loss after Placido Polanco's sacrifice fly in the seventh broke a 1-1 tie.

CARDINALS 3, BRAVES 2

ATLANTA -- Gerald Laird's ninth-inning triple capped a late rally to give the Cardinals a win over the Braves.

Backed by rookie Brandon Beachy's seven scoreless innings to start the game, the Braves led 2-0 before St. Louis began its comeback. David Freese tied the game with a two-run single in the eighth before Laird's go-ahead triple drove in Matt Holliday.

Closer Craig Kimbrel (0-1), who had a blown save in the Braves' 5-3 loss to the Cardinals in 11 innings on Friday night, couldn't hold a 2-2 tie in the ninth.

Miguel Batista (2-1) earned the win.

GIANTS 2, NATIONALS 1

WASHINGTON -- Taken out of the starting lineup, slumping Aubrey Huff drew a bases-loaded walk as a pinch hitter to force home the go-ahead run, and the Giants overcame Jonathan Sanchez's wild start and Brian Wilson's wild finish to edge the punchless Nationals.

Sanchez walked or hit seven of Washington's first 10 batters but allowed just two hits and one unearned run in his five innings. Guillermo Mota (2-0) pitched a perfect sixth for the win, and four other relievers followed with hitless work.

Still, Wilson made it interesting in the ninth. He walked two batters and hit Jayson Werth to load the bases with two outs before striking out Adam LaRoche swinging for his eighth save.

ASTROS 2, BREWERS 1

HOUSTON -- Jason Bourgeois singled home the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning for Houston.

Kameron Loe (2-2) walked pinch-hitter Brett Wallace and Michael Bourn with two outs. Bourgeois followed with his third hit, and pinch-runner Bill Hall scored.

Bourgeois also doubled and stole two bases.

Prince Fielder's sixth homer of the season was a tying, solo shot with one out in the ninth off Houston closer Brandon Lyon (3-1). Casey McGehee singled after that, but Lyon retired the next two batters to get out of the inning.

ROCKIES 4, PIRATES 1

DENVER -- Jason Hammel shook off a leadoff home run to pitch seven strong innings and Chris Iannetta backed him with a three-run homer.

Hammel (3-1) allowed six hits, including Andrew McCutchen's eighth career homer to start a game.

But Hammel kept the Pirates in check after that, striking out four and walking two. He also benefited from a Rockies defense that turned three double plays.

Rafael Betancourt pitched a scoreless eighth and Huston Street got the final three outs for his NL-leading 10th save in 10 chances.

Paul Maholm (1-4) allowed four runs on seven hits in seven innings.

CUBS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 3

PHOENIX -- Darwin Barney singled up the middle to score Geovany Soto in the top of the ninth inning, and Chicago beat Arizona.

Alfonso Soriano hit his 10th home run, tying him with Ryan Braun for the National League lead, and Matt Garza threw eight solid innings for the Cubs.

Garza (1-3) scatted three runs on six hits with 10 strikeouts and two walks over a season-best eight innings for his first win with the Cubs. Carlos Marmol pitched a hitless ninth for his seventh save.

J.J. Putz (0-1) gave up two runs and three hits in the ninth for the Diamondbacks.

REDS 4, MARLINS 3

CINCINNATI -- Pinch-hitter Edgar Renteria singled with two outs in the 10th inning to lift Cincinnati.

Marlins starter Josh Johnson left after seven innings, and reliever Randy Choate took over in the eighth with a 3-0 lead. Cincinnati scored three times to tie it.

The Reds loaded the bases with no outs in the 10th against rookie Michael Dunn (1-1) with walks to Brandon Phillips and Jonny Gomes and the pitcher's error on Miguel Cairo's sacrifice bunt.

The Marlins brought in center fielder Chris Coghlan as an extra infielder, but he returned to the outfield after Ramon Hernandez grounded into a forceout at the plate. Paul Janish popped up before Renteria singled through the hole into left field.

Francisco Cordero (1-0) worked two scoreless innings for the Reds.

PADRES 5, DODGERS 2

LOS ANGELES -- Will Venable scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch by reliever Matt Guerrier with two outs in the eighth inning, and the San Diego Padres got two other runs on dropped throws at home plate to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Andre Ethier extended his hitting streak to 26 games, a record for the month of April. He had two singles for the Dodgers.

TODAY'S TV SCHEDULE

AUTO RACING

6 a.m. IRL, IndyCar, Sao Paulo Indy 300 VERSUS

1 p.m. NHRA, Spring Nationals ESPN2

COLLEGE BASEBALL

9 a.m. Auburn at South Carolina ESPN

CYCLING

4 p.m. Tour de Romandie: Final stage* VERSUS

EQUESTRIAN

8 a.m. Rolex Championships NBC

GOLF

3 a.m. European PGA Tour: Ballantine's Championship (final round) TGC

9 a.m. PGA Tour: Zurich Classic (final round) CBS

10 a.m. LPGA: Avnet Classic (final round) TGC

HORSE RACING

4 p.m. The Quarters from Los Alamitos FOXSP2

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

7 a.m. Toronto at N.Y. Yankees TBS

7:30 a.m. L.A. Angels at Tampa Bay FOXSP

10 a.m. Chicago Cubs at Arizona WGN

10 a.m. San Diego at L.A. Dodgers FOXSP2

2 p.m. N.Y. Mets at Philadelphia ESPN

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

1 p.m. Los Angeles at FC Dallas FOXSP

MOTORSPORTS

2 a.m. MotoGP World Championship SPEED

10 a.m. MotoGP Moto2 SPEED

NBA BASKETBALL

7 a.m. Western Conference semifinals Memphis at Oklahoma City (Game 1) ABC

9:30 a.m. Eastern Conference semifinals: Boston at Miami (Game 1) ABC

NHL HOCKEY

9 a.m. Western Conference semifinals: Detroit at San Jose (Game 2) NBC

1 p.m. Eastern Conference semifinals: Tampa Bay at Washington (Game 2) VERSUS

MONDAY'S TV SCHEDULE

HOCKEY

4 a.m. IIHF World Championship, U.S. vs. Norway VERSUS

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

1 p.m. N.Y. Yankees at Detroit ESPN

1 p.m. L.A. Angels at Boston FOXSP

4 p.m. Chicago Cubs at L.A. Dodgers FOXSP2

NBA BASKETBALL

2 p.m. Eastern Conference semifinals: Atlanta at Chicago (Game 1) TNT

4:30 p.m. Wester Conference semifinals: Dallas at L.A. Lakers (Game 1) TNT

NHL HOCKEY

1:30 p.m. Eastern Conference semifinals: Boston at Philadelphia (Game 2) VERSUS

* -- Tape-delayed broadcast

SATURDAY'S BIIF RESULTS

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Varsity

Kealakehe def. Hualalai Academy 25-12, 25-9, 19-25, 25-12

Kohala def. Konawaena 25-12, 25-7, 25-10

Hawaii Prep def. Honokaa 25-15, 25-11, 30-32, 25-19

Junior varsity

Hawaii Prep def. Honokaa 25-17, 25-23,

MONDAY'S BIIF SCHEDULE

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Playoff for fourth-place tie

Laupahoehoe vs. Hualalai Academy at Kealakehe High, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY'S BIIF SCHEDULE

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Playoff for fourth-place tie

Laupahoehoe-Hualalai Academy winner at Konawaena, 6 p.m.

GOLF

HHSAA girls state tournament at Waikoloa Village Golf Course

BASKETBALL

NBA PLAYOFF GLANCE

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Chicago vs. Atlanta

Series tied 0-0

Monday's game

Atlanta at Chicago, 2 p.m.

Wednesday's game

Atlanta at Chicago, 2 p.m.

Friday, May 6

Chicago at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Sunday, May 8

Chicago at Atlanta, 2 p.m.

Tuesday, May 10

Atlanta at Chicago, TBA*

Thursday, May 12

Chicago at Atlanta, TBA*

Sunday, May 15

Atlanta at Chicago, TBA*

Miami vs. Boston

Series tied 0-0

Today's game

Boston at Miami, 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday's game

Boston at Miami, 1 p.m.

Saturday, May 7

Miami at Boston, 2 p.m.

Monday, May 9

Miami at Boston, 1 p.m.

Wednesday, May 11

Boston at Miami, TBA*

Friday, May 13

Miami at Boston, TBA*

Monday, May 16

Boston at Miami, 2 p.m.*

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

L.A. Lakers vs. Dallas

Series tied 0-0

Monday's game

Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday's game

Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 4:30 p.m.

Friday, May 6

L.A. Lakers at Dallas, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 8

L.A. Lakers at Dallas, 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, May 10

Dallas at L.A. Lakers, TBA*

Thursday, May 12

L.A. Lakers at Dallas, TBA*

Sunday, May 15

Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m.*

Oklahoma City vs. Memphis

Series tied 0-0

Today's game

Memphis at Oklahoma City, 7 a.m.

Tuesday's game

Memphis at Oklahoma City, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 7

Oklahoma City at Memphis, 11 a.m.

Monday, May 9

Oklahoma City at Memphis, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 11

Memphis at Oklahoma City, TBA*

Friday, May 13

Oklahoma City at Memphis, TBA*

Sunday, May 15

Memphis at Oklahoma City, TBA*

* -- if necessary

HOCKEY

NHL PLAYOFF GLANCE

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Washington vs. Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay leads series 1-0

Friday's result

Tampa Bay 4, Washington 2

Today's game

Tampa Bay at Washington, 1 p.m.

Tuesday's game

c Washington at Tampa Bay, TBA

Wednesday, May 4

c Washington at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Saturday, May 7

c Tampa Bay at Washington, 6:30 a.m. *

Monday, May 9

c Washington at Tampa Bay, TBA *

Wednesday, May 11

c Tampa Bay at Washington, TBA *

Philadelphia vs. Boston

Boston leads series 1-0

Saturday's result

Boston 7, Philadelphia 3

Monday's game

Boston at Philadelphia, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 4

Philadelphia at Boston, 1 p.m.

Friday, May 6

Philadelphia at Boston, 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 8

Boston at Philadelphia, 3 p.m. *

Tuesday, May 10

Philadelphia at Boston, TBA *

Thursday, May 12

Boston at Philadelphia, TBA *

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Vancouver vs. Nashville

Series tied 1-1

Thursday's result

c Vancouver 1, Nashville 0

Saturday's result

Nashville 2, Vancouver 1, 2OT

Tuesday's game

c Vancouver at Nashville, 3 p.m.

Thursday, May 5

c Vancouver at Nashville, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 7

c Nashville at Vancouver, 2 p.m.

Monday, May 9

c Vancouver at Nashville, TBA *

Wednesday, May 11

c Nashville at Vancouver, TBA *

San Jose vs. Detriot

San Jose leads series 1-0

Friday's result

San Jose 2, Detroit 1, OT

Today's game

c Detroit at San Jose, 9 a.m.

Wednesday, May 4

c San Jose at Detroit, 2 p.m.

Friday, May 6

c San Jose at Detroit, 1 p.m.

Sunday, May 8

c Detroit at San Jose, 2 p.m. *

Tuesday, May 10

c San Jose at Detroit, TBA *

Thursday, May 12

c Detroit at San Jose, TBA *

* -- if necessary

SOCCER

MLS GLANCE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

W L OT Pts GF GA

New York 4 1 2 14 10 2

Philadelphia 4 1 1 13 5 2

Houston 3 1 3 12 11 6

Columbus 3 1 3 12 7 5

New England 2 3 3 9 8 12

D.C. 2 4 1 7 10 16

Toronto FC 1 3 4 7 7 13

Chicago 1 3 3 6 10 13

Sporting Kansas City 1 4 1 4 10 13

WESTERN CONFERENCE

W L T Pts GF GA

Los Angeles 4 1 3 15 10 7

Real Salt Lake 4 1 0 12 8 2

Seattle 3 2 3 12 10 7

Colorado 3 3 1 10 9 8

Portland 3 3 1 10 10 13

Chivas USA 2 2 3 9 8 6

FC Dallas 2 3 1 7 8 9

Vancouver 1 4 3 6 11 14

San Jose 1 4 2 5 6 10

NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie.

Friday's result

Houston 4, D.C. United 1

Saturday's results

Philadelphia 1, San Jose 0

Columbus 2, Vancouver 1

New York 1, Sporting Kansas City 0

Colorado 1, Chicago 1, tie

Seattle FC 3, Toronto FC 0

Portland 1, Real Salt Lake 0

Chivas USA 3, New England 0

Today's game

Los Angeles at FC Dallas, 11 a.m.

TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL

American League

CLEVELAND INDIANS--Selected the contract of RHP Alex White from Columbus (IL). Optioned RHP Frank Herrmann to Columbus. Designated RHP Jess Todd for assignment.

National League

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS--Sent C John Hester to Baltimore to complete a Dec. 6 trade.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES--Recalled LHP Daniel Moskos from Indianapolis (IL). Placed RHP Evan Meek on the 15-day DL, retroactive to April 27.

Frontier League

TRAVERSE CITY BEACH BUMS--Acquired C John Parham from Gary (AA) for a player to be named.

WASHINGTON WILD THINGS--Signed OF Jeremy Richter.

COLLEGE

GEORGE MASON--Named Paul Hewitt men's basketball coach.

GOLF

ZURICH CLASSIC

Saturday's third round

Webb Simpson 68-69-67 -- 204

Bubba Watson 66-68-70 -- 204

John Rollins 67-69-69 -- 205

George McNeill 71-70-65 -- 206

Charles Howell III 68-72-66 -- 206

K.J. Choi 68-71-67 -- 206

Tommy Gainey 67-71-68 -- 206

Steve Stricker 70-68-68 -- 206

Matt Jones 66-71-69 -- 206

Joe Durant 67-72-68 -- 207

Fabian Gomez 71-71-66 -- 208

Greg Chalmers 72-69-67 -- 208

David Toms 70-71-67 -- 208

Dean Wilson 73-64-71 -- 208

John Senden 70-67-71 -- 208

David Hearn 71-68-70 -- 209

Nick O'Hern 67-72-70 -- 209

Luke Donald 68-71-70 -- 209

Jason Dufner 68-69-72 -- 209

Josh Teater 69-66-74 -- 209

Andres Romero 72-71-67 -- 210

Rickie Fowler 70-72-68 -- 210

Hunter Haas 69-71-70 -- 210

Nick Watney 71-68-71 -- 210

David Mathis 70-68-72 -- 210

AVNET CLASSIC

Saturday's third round

Alexis Thompson 71-71-67 -- 209

Song-Hee Kim 67-72-70 -- 209

Amy Yang 70-68-72 -- 210

Maria Hjorth 70-74-67 -- 211

Suzann Pettersen 72-68-71 -- 211

Karen Stupples 68-71-72 -- 211

Hee Kyung Seo 73-74-65 -- 212

Angela Stanford 74-70-68 -- 212

Na Yeon Choi 69-72-71 -- 212

Paige Mackenzie 70-71-71 -- 212

Sandra Gal 70-67-75 -- 212

Anna Nordqvist 73-72-68 -- 213

Juli Inkster 71-72-70 -- 213

Christina Kim 70-71-72 -- 213

Stacy Lewis 68-71-74 -- 213

Katherine Hull 72-71-71 -- 214

Grace Park 67-75-72 -- 214

Sarah Kemp 70-70-74 -- 214

Sun Young Yoo 72-68-74 -- 214

Cristie Kerr 76-70-69 -- 215

Maria Hernandez 73-72-70 -- 215

Karin Sjodin 74-71-70 -- 215

Brittany Lincicome 71-73-71 -- 215

Jimin Kang 73-69-73 -- 215

Se Ri Pak 69-71-75 -- 215

Jennifer Song 74-73-69 -- 216

Lorie Kane 72-73-71 -- 216

Jee Young Lee 73-72-71 -- 216

Beatriz Recari 73-72-71 -- 216

Stephanie Sherlock 71-74-71 -- 216

Shanshan Feng 72-71-73 -- 216

Morgan Pressel 72-70-74 -- 216

Mhairi McKay 74-72-71 -- 217

Pornanong Phatlum 74-72-71 -- 217

Heather Bowie Young 72-73-72 -- 217

Jessica Korda 75-69-73 -- 217

Haeji Kang 72-71-74 -- 217

Mi Hyun Kim 73-70-74 -- 217

Candie Kung 72-70-75 -- 217

Mindy Kim 73-68-76 -- 217

Alena Sharp 72-69-76 -- 217

Jenny Suh 71-69-77 -- 217

Kristy McPherson 76-70-72 -- 218

Angela Oh 69-77-72 -- 218

Laura Davies 72-72-74 -- 218

Paula Creamer 71-72-75 -- 218

M.J. Hur 74-73-72 -- 219

Samantha Richdale 74-73-72 -- 219

Karrie Webb 77-69-73 -- 219

Azahara Munoz 73-71-75 -- 219

Dewi Claire Schreefel 72-72-75 -- 219

Mina Harigae 78-69-73 -- 220

Cindy LaCrosse 73-74-73 -- 220

Ryann O'Toole 73-74-73 -- 220

Wendy Ward 75-72-73 -- 220

Dori Carter 72-73-75 -- 220

Ilhee Lee 79-66-75 -- 220

AUTO RACING

CROWN ROYAL PRESENTS THE MATTHEW & DANIEL HANSEN 400

1. (20) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 400 laps, 143.1 rating, 48 points, $239,591.

2. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 400, 126.7, 43, $202,775.

3. (4) Kasey Kahne, Toyota, 400, 116.2, 42, $154,958.

4. (27) David Ragan, Ford, 400, 82.7, 40, $129,350.

5. (8) Carl Edwards, Ford, 400, 99.4, 40, $151,516.

6. (3) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 400, 110.5, 39, $143,633.

7. (18) A J Allmendinger, Ford, 400, 85.2, 37, $124,411.

8. (30) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 400, 74.9, 36, $133,561.

9. (31) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 400, 78.8, 35, $123,783.

10. (37) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 399, 87.8, 34, $108,439.

11. (9) Joey Logano, Toyota, 399, 76.7, 33, $89,000.

12. (12) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 399, 87.2, 32, $123,911.

13. (29) Dave Blaney, Chevrolet, 399, 63.7, 31, $93,933.

14. (5) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 399, 99.7, 30, $83,875.

15. (23) Greg Biffle, Ford, 399, 84, 29, $90,825.

16. (25) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 399, 86.4, 29, $82,475.

17. (2) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 399, 80.3, 27, $99,945.

18. (17) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 399, 71.4, 26, $108,239.

19. (24) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 398, 67.3, 25, $81,200.

20. (13) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 398, 84, 24, $112,625.

21. (33) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 398, 77.5, 24, $110,286.

22. (36) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 397, 57.3, 22, $113,950.

23. (35) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 397, 51.7, 21, $103,266.

24. (14) Bobby Labonte, Toyota, 397, 58.7, 20, $98,420.

25. (39) David Gilliland, Ford, 397, 50, 19, $86,583.

26. (41) Andy Lally, Ford, 397, 44, 18, $81,100.

27. (21) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 397, 92.6, 18, $79,350.

28. (15) Casey Mears, Toyota, 396, 52.9, 16, $71,850.

29. (1) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 395, 77, 16, $120,633.

30. (28) Travis Kvapil, Ford, 395, 46.8, 0, $83,708.

31. (19) David Reutimann, Toyota, 395, 68.7, 13, $98,108.

32. (38) Ken Schrader, Ford, 394, 35.6, 12, $76,822.

33. (43) Tony Raines, Ford, 393, 31.1, 11, $68,100.

34. (16) David Stremme, Chevrolet, 393, 40.5, 10, $67,025.

35. (42) Robby Gordon, Dodge, 393, 30.7, 9, $66,900.

36. (7) Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 388, 62.7, 8, $75,025.

37. (10) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 385, 53.3, 7, $66,625.

38. (34) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 360, 40.9, 0, $66,500.

39. (6) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, accident, 300, 97.6, 6, $103,536.

40. (22) Michael McDowell, Toyota, electrical, 134, 34.9, 4, $66,200.

41. (32) Mike Skinner, Toyota, rear gear, 61, 29.4, 0, $66,050.

42. (26) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, brakes, 40, 27, 0, $65,925.

43. (40) J.J. Yeley, Chevrolet, electrical, 38, 25.9, 1, $66,293.

.

WASHINGTON (AP) - San Francisco Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez walked or hit seven of the first 10 Washington Nationals he faced. Giants closer Brian Wilson walked or hit three out of four Nationals hitters in one stretch in the ninth inning.

Ah, and don't forget that Sanchez also walked someone else and mixed in a wild pitch, reliever Jeremy Affeldt added yet another walk, and shortstop Mike Fontenot dropped a throw for an error.

Somehow, despite a total of nine walks and three hit batters, the Giants allowed only one run. And, somehow, they managed to beat the punchless Nationals 2-1 Saturday, thanks - appropriately, it seems - to a go-ahead run that scored when a slumping Aubrey Huff drew a bases-loaded walk as a pinch hitter.

According to STATS LLC, the Giants are the first team since 1955 to put 12 or more of an opponent's runners on base via a walk or hit-by-pitch but give up fewer than two runs in a nine-inning game. Oddly enough, the losing team in that long-ago game also was a team known as the Washington Nationals.

"A strange game," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "Jonathan - he didn't know where the ball was going. He was all over the board."
Here's the thing, though: The Nationals left the bases loaded three times.

They only accumulated two hits all game - both by Rick Ankiel off Sanchez, including a run-scoring single in the second.

Sanchez walked six but allowed just one unearned run in his five innings. Guillermo Mota (2-0) pitched a perfect sixth for the win, and four other relievers followed with hitless work.

Still, Wilson made it interesting in the ninth. He walked two batters and hit Jayson Werth to load the bases with two outs, before striking out Adam LaRoche swinging for his eighth save in nine chances.

"When you're not scoring a lot of runs and leaving guys out there, it starts to weigh on you as a team," LaRoche said. "It makes every one of those opportunities seem more important than it is."

John Lannan (2-3) allowed two runs in 6 2-3 innings: Eli Whiteside's homer in the third and the bases-full walk to Huff in the seventh.

"I blew it with Huff," Lannan said.

That was the last batter Lannan faced. Nationals manager Jim Riggleman second-guessed himself after the game for leaving his lefty in to face Huff after having him intentionally walk Whiteside to load the bases.

Riggleman said he wanted to give Lannan a chance to possibly earn a win. But the skipper later realized he should have brought in reliever Tyler Clippard to pitch to Whiteside.

"That's one that's on me," Riggleman said.

Both teams learned before the game that they would be without their star third basemen for long stretches because of upcoming operations: San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval is expected to miss four to six weeks because of a broken bone in his right wrist; Washington's Ryan Zimmerman should be sidelined for six weeks with an abdominal tear.

The lineups could have used those players' skills at the plate.

Sanchez walked three of the game's first four batters - Ankiel's double-play grounder was the exception - prompting a mound visit by Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. That didn't help, because Sanchez then issued a fourth free pass.

But with the bases full, Michael Morse swung at the first pitch and grounded out to third.

Things didn't get better in the second for Sanchez, who began that inning by hitting Ian Desmond with a pitch.

The left-hander then had Desmond picked off first base with a well-disguised move. When Desmond broke for second, fill-in first baseman Buster Posey - normally a catcher, he was making his first start at the bag since August, to give the .202-hitting Huff a rest - threw over, but Fontenot let the ball slip out of his glove.

A wild pitch, walk and another hit batter helped load the bases. Ankiel then hit a floater that ticked off the diving Fontenot's glove for a run-scoring single that made it 1-0 and left three runners on.

"As a group, we were in a fog there - a couple of mistakes we made," said Bochy, whose team had lost six of its preceding eight games. "We have to snap out of this."

Sanchez did manage to wriggle out of that jam. He struck out Werth looking, then got LaRoche to ground out to Posey.

That began a stretch of eight consecutive outs for Sanchez, including four strikeouts in a row.

"I had to stay out there and go deep in the game," the pitcher said. "I didn't have it in my first two innings, and then I said: 'That's done."'

NOTES: The Cleveland Indians walked 11 batters and hit one in a 3-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on June 14, 1955, STATS LLC said. ... Giants OF Darren Ford entered as a pinch-runner in the seventh and was thrown out trying to steal second base. Ford singled in the eighth for his first major league hit. ... RHP Henry Rodriguez made his Nationals debut in the ninth, reaching 100 mph and striking out two of three batters.

Obviously, Pablo Sandoval's surgery (see post below) and the crazy nature of today's 2-1 win were the main stories of the day, but I want to get into closer Brian Wilson for a moment, since I had no room for this in the paper today. Though he has converted eight of his nine save chances, he is...

MOSCOW — Miki Ando of Japan won the world figure skating championships after overcoming Olympic gold medalist Kim Yu-na in a duel of exceptional elegance on Saturday.Alissa Czisny, the U.S. champion from Bowling Green, finished in fifth place.The victory by the Japanese skater, who also won at the 2007 worlds, was fitting in a competition that was originally scheduled in her homeland before it was hit by an earthquake and tsunami in March.“I was skating for Japan, and I never cared about the result. I’m really happy to have a gold medal,” Ando said. “I worked hard, and I’ve become a little bit of a stronger skater than a year ago.”In ice dance, Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White won the first world gold for their country in the discipline, outpointing 2010 champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada. The American sister-brother team of Maia and Alex Shibutani won bronze.The free programs of Ando and Kim contained languid moves interspersed with moments of power and steely control. They were within less than half a point of each other going into the free skate.Ando, skating to Grieg’s “Piano Concerto in A Minor,” in the final group of six, opened with a triple lutz-double toe loop. She didn’t falter until the middle of the program, when she stepped out of a double axel and reduced the planned combination triple toe to a double.But she regained her poise, had three more solid triples and a double axel-double loop-double loop cascade so surprising that it drew gasps from the crowd.Kim made her season debut after firing coach Brian Orser and moving her training base from Toronto to Los Angeles in the past year. She started even more boldly with a triple lutz-triple toe. Her program — “Homage to Korea” — set to a haunting collection of traditional Korean music and choreographed by Canadian David Wilson, was a crowd-pleaser at Megasport Arena.But she quickly ran into trouble, singling two of her next three jumps. She also featured a cascade starting with a double axel, but one of the jumps was a toe loop instead of a loop, giving the element slightly less value.“I’m just so glad that the competition is over,” said Kim, who cried on the podium. “After the Olympics, I was thinking: ‘Am I going to come back to competition or not?’ ... Mentally I couldn’t stop thinking: ‘Why do I have to do this?’ I think that was the hardest thing. But then I felt ready to go, and I thought: ‘I can do this.’?” Carolina Kostner of Italy improved from sixth place to take the bronze, with a charming program to the dreamy strains of Debussy’s “Afternoon of a Faun,” marred only by popping one triple.“Last year it was a hard time for me, so it was a big emotion just to finally again just enjoy it,” she said. “To be able to get a medal ... just makes it more special.”For the United States, Czisny finished fifth in the free skate, securing the same finish overall. American Rachael Flatt was 12th overall.The winning American ice dancers thanked their coaches, Igor Shpilband and Marina Zoueva.“To say that we owe everything to our coaching is an understatement.” Davis said of the pair, who also coach the silver and bronze medalists.Davis and White were slightly behind going into the free dance, but outpointed the Canadians on technical marks and program components in their clean and lively tango program.“It’s been a long 15 years we’ve been together, and just building toward this moment,” White said. “I think we kind of knew it would come eventually. But you have to make it happen on the ice.”Virtue and Moir were more aesthetically adventurous in a program that smoothly moved from Latin music to smoky jazz to a drum fusillade and included an upside-down lift.“We set out to challenge ourselves and to push the boundaries of ice dancing,” Virtue said. “The program is unlike anything we’ve ever done before and I think unlike anything the ice dance world has ever seen. We’re really proud of what we’ve accomplished.”All the 2010 champions entered this year, and none of the defenders prevailed. Mao Asada of Japan finished sixth after an error-filled short program. Daisuke Takahashi finished sixth in the men’s, overwhelmed in a field won by Canada’s Patrick Chan, who set three world records in the process. Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy won the pairs, with 2010 champions Pang Qing and Tong Jian of China settling for bronze.

Brian Wilson makes his save interesting, loading the bases with Nationals as he tried to protect a 2-1 lead in the ninth. Adam LaRoche struck out on a 3-2 pitch to end the game, as Wilson was one pitch off the plate away from blowing a save. The Beard has saved eight game in nine [...]

San Francisco Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez walked or hit seven of the first 10 Washington Nationals he faced. Giants closer Brian Wilson walked or hit three out of four Nationals hitters in one stretch in the ninth inning.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jason Marquis (21) throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington on Friday, April 29, 2011.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) delivers against the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Friday, April 29, 2011, in Washington.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) delivers against the Washington Nationals center fielder Rick Ankiel during the third inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, in Washington, on Friday, April 29, 2011.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) delivers against the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Friday, April 29, 2011, in Washington.

San Francisco Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez walked or hit seven of the first 10 Washington Nationals he faced. Giants closer Brian Wilson walked or hit three out of four Nationals hitters in one stretch in the ninth inning.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jason Marquis (21) throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington on Friday, April 29, 2011.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) delivers against the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Friday, April 29, 2011, in Washington.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) delivers against the Washington Nationals center fielder Rick Ankiel during the third inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, in Washington, on Friday, April 29, 2011.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) delivers against the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Friday, April 29, 2011, in Washington.

San Francisco Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez walked or hit seven of the first 10 Washington Nationals he faced. Giants closer Brian Wilson walked or hit three out of four Nationals hitters in one stretch in the ninth inning.

San Francisco Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez walked or hit seven of the first 10 Washington Nationals he faced. Giants closer Brian Wilson walked or hit three out of four Nationals hitters in one stretch in the ninth inning.

Castleford Tigers 6-48 Leeds Rhinos

Bizarre as it sounds given the lop-sided final scoreline, this could have been a very different derby if Castleford had not paid the price for a new zero-tolerance approach by Super League officials to forward passes.

A number of recent high-profile matches have been marred by an apparent determination to award the benefit of the doubt to attacking players, with particularly blatant forward passes ignored in Wigan's games against Leeds and St Helens - one for them, and one against. But one touch judge went to the other extreme here in denying the Tigers wing Richie Owen twice in the space of 12 first-half minutes, on each occasion after mesmerising brilliance from the Maori stand-off Rangi Chase.

Video replays cannot be used for forward-pass decisions and they would have been inconclusive anyway, but instead of being level or better at half-time, Cas found themselves 12-0 behind – with the anger of the home majority of a Bank Holiday crowd at this unusual street party further fuelled by the equally marginal pass with which Danny McGuire had sent Jamie Jones-Buchanan over for the Rhinos' second try.

Castleford's coach, Terry Matterson, tried manfully to bite his tongue afterwards, but a veiled criticism of Chase's performance finally drew out his true feelings. "The two pieces of play to set up the two 'tries', that's what the fans pay to see," said the Australian. "They were absolutely wonderful pieces of rugby league. I was going 'wow', and I'm sure the crowd were too. To have those chalked off is absolutely ridiculous, especially when they get one awarded from a pass that looked pretty dodgy as well. It dumbfounds you – but when you look at a 48-6 scoreboard you can't say too much."

After going into the Easter programme six points behind the Tigers, Leeds are level with them in fifth after a hat-trick of increasingly convincing victories. After McGuire made his first appearance of the season against the Crusaders on Monday following major knee surgery, he was joined on the interchange bench by Jamie Peacock, the England captain who also required a reconstruction after his cruciate ruptured on the Rhinos' previous trip to Cas last August.

So the highlight of this win, and arguably of Leeds's season so far, came in the 61st minute when Peacock made a powerful half-break and offloaded to the supporting McGuire, who scampered around the Castleford full-back, Richie Mathers for his first try as a married man – having played Harry to Mathers's William at his former Rhinos team-mate's nuptials two years ago.

"It's been like two messiahs coming back to rugby league with the amount of stuff that's been talked about them, but I reckon it's going to be three or four weeks before we see the true Peacock and McGuire," said the Leeds coach, Brian McDermott.

"I'm all right, it's just good to be back playing, and nice to have a good involvement in the game," said Peacock. "I didn't want to come back and make the numbers up."

Kallum Watkins had scored the Rhinos' first try inside 90 seconds, before Cas had touched the ball, but the battling Tigers were still in the game until the other Leeds wing, Ryan Hall, squeezed in at the opposite corner 14 minutes into the second half. The four further scores that followed McGuire's in the last 12 minutes – from Rob Burrow, Paul McShane, Ian Kirke and a second for Hall – were therefore tough on Cas, who have taken a single point from four matches.

Castleford Tigers Mathers; Thompson, Arundel, Dixon, Owen; Chase, Orr (capt); Jackson, Milner, Snitch, Jones, Holmes, Ferres. Interchange Emmitt, Aspinwall, McGoldrick, Clark.

Tries Watkins, Jones-Buchanan, Hall 2, McGuire, Burrow, McShane, Kirke. Goals Sinfield 8.

Leeds Rhinos Webb; Watkins, Delaney, Senior, Hall; Sinfield (capt), Burrow; Leuluai, McShane, Burgess, Jones-Buchanan, Clarkson, Ablett. Interchange McGuire, Peacock, Cross, Kirke.

Try Arundel. Goal Dixon

Referee R Silverwood (Mirfield) Att 9,860

• Centre expected to start despite missing training session
• Iestyn Harris targeting top-eight finish despite being bottom

Iestyn Harris is in his first season as a Super League coach, but the selection dilemma he faced ahead of game against the champions, Wigan Warriors, for his Crusaders team is unlikely ever to be repeated. Gareth Thomas was unavailable for the penultimate training session of the week on Friday, having been sent an invitation to a wedding in London that he really could not refuse.

However, it is an indication of the progress that Thomas has made in the 13 months since he was persuaded to switch codes that he is expected to retain his place at centre for Super League's ultimate test. Harris gave the 36-year-old special dispensation to miss the session on condition that he was back in Wrexham for team run.

The Crusaders are bottom of the table with three wins from their first 12 matches, but with only two points, having started the season on minus four, as a punishment for entering administration during the winter. But they produced comfortably their best performance since Harris succeeded Brian Noble as coach in a stunning 32-6 win against Huddersfield on Good Friday in their last home match, and were competitive again before going down 34-16 at Leeds on Easter Monday.

"We are improving and it is still our expectation and goal to be fighting to get into the top eight," said Harris. "To do that, you've got to beat the sides who people don't expect you to beat – teams like Huddersfield, Leeds and Wigan. Our team are pretty focused on that.

"What we struggled with last year was the physicality of some of the bigger teams. They tended to come here and dominate us physically and we always seemed to be on the back foot. I think we showed against Huddersfield and Leeds that we're matching these kind of teams physically."

They will miss They will miss their suspended prop Richard Moore, the burly Yorkshireman who was struck down with Crohn's disease last season but has been one of the Crusaders' best players since signing from Wakefield last winter. Mark Bryant and Adam Peek return to the pack, and Harris hopes that Lincoln Withers and Vince Mellars will also be available for Saturday's televised Challenge Cup tie at Leeds.

For their part, Wigan have recalled Dom Crosby from a loan spell at Widnes and he could go straight into the squad following the loss of Harrison Hansen for a month because of a knee injury.

TODAY'S TV SCHEDULE

ATHLETICS

2 p.m. The Penn Relays ESPN2

AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL

8 p.m. Collingwood vs. Western Bulldogs ESPN2

AUTO RACING

12 p.m. NHRA: Qualifying for Spring Nationals ESPN2

VERSUS IndyCar: Pole qualifying for Sao Paulo Indy 300 (same-day tape)

1 p.m. Sprint Cup: Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400 FOX

COLLEGE BASEBALL

6:30 a.m. Oklahoma at Texas FSN

7 a.m. Arkansas at Georgia ESPN2

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

2 p.m. Oklahoma at Texas ESPN

CYCLING

10 a.m. Tour de Romandie: Stage 4 * VERSUS

GOLF

3 a.m. European PGA Tour: Ballantine's Championship (third round) TGC

9 a.m. PGA Tour: Zurich Classic (third round) CBS

10 a.m. LPGA Tour: Avnet Classic (third round) TGC

HOCKEY

4 a.m. IIHF World Championships: U.S. vs. Austria (preliminary round) VERSUS

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

7 a.m. Regional coverage FOX

1 p.m. Seattle at Boston MLB

1 p.m. Baltimore at Chicago White Sox WGN

4 p.m. San Diego at L.A. Dodgers FOXSP2

NFL FOOTBALL

6 a.m. NFL Draft: Rounds 4-7 ESPN

NHL HOCKEY

9 a.m. Conference semifinals: Boston at Philadelphia NBC

3 p.m. Conference semifinals: Nashville at Vancouver VERSUS

SOCCER

3:55 a.m. Premier League: Fulham at Sunderland ESPN2

SUNDAY'S TV SCHEDULE

AUTO RACING

6 a.m. IRL, IndyCar, Sao Paulo Indy 300 VERSUS

1 p.m. NHRA, Spring Nationals ESPN2

COLLEGE BASEBALL

9 a.m. Auburn at South Carolina ESPN

CYCLING

4 p.m. Tour de Romandie: Final stage* VERSUS

EQUESTRIAN

8 a.m. Rolex Championships NBC

GOLF

3 a.m. European PGA Tour: Ballantine's Championship (final round) TGC

9 a.m. PGA Tour: Zurich Classic (final round) CBS

10 a.m. LPGA: Avnet Classic (final round) TGC

HORSE RACING

4 p.m. The Quarters from Los Alamitos FOXSP2

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

7 a.m. Toronto at N.Y. Yankees TBS

7:30 a.m. L.A. Angels at Tampa Bay FOXSP

10 a.m. Chicago Cubs at Arizona WGN

10 a.m. San Diego at L.A. Dodgers FOXSP2

2 p.m. N.Y. Mets at Philadelphia ESPN

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

1 p.m. Los Angeles at FC Dallas FOXSP

MOTORSPORTS

2 a.m. MotoGP World Championship SPEED

10 a.m. MotoGP Moto2 SPEED

NBA BASKETBALL

7 a.m. Western Conference semifinals Memphis at Oklahoma City (Game 1) ABC

9:30 a.m. Eastern Conference semifinals: Boston at Miami (Game 1) ABC

NHL HOCKEY

9 a.m. Western Conference semifinals: Detroit at San Jose (Game 2) NBC

1 p.m. Eastern Conference semifinals: Tampa Bay at Washington (Game 2) VERSUS

* -- Tape-delayed broadcast

FRIDAY'S BIIF RESULTS

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Varsity

Christian Liberty def. St. Joseph 25-22, 25-20, 16-25, 17-25, 15-9

Hilo def. Pahoa 25-21, 20-25, 16-25, 25-23, 16-1

TODAY'S BIIF SCHEDULE

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Varsity matches follow 10 a.m. JV matches unless noted below

Kealakehe at Hualalai Academy, 10 a.m.

Konawaena at Kohala, 10 a.m.

Honokaa at Hawaii Prep

WATER POLO

BIIF tournament championship

Kamehameha vs. Waiakea, 2 p.m.

JUDO

HHSAA state championships at Stan Sheriff Center, Oahu

TRACK AND FIELD

BIIF championships at Kamehameha, 3 p.m.

BASKETBALL

NBA PLAYOFF GLANCE

WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

San Antonio vs. Memphis

Memphis wins series 4-2

Sunday, April 17

c Memphis 101, San Antonio 98

Wednesday, April 20

c San Antonio 93, Memphis 87

Saturday, April 23

c Memphis 91, San Antonio 88

Monday's result

Memphis 104, San Antonio 86

Wednesday's result

c San Antonio 110, Memphis 103, OT

Friday's result

Memphis 99, San Antonio 91

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Chicago vs. Atlanta

Series tied 0-0

Monday's game

Atlanta at Chicago, 2 p.m.

Wednesday's game

Atlanta at Chicago, 2 p.m.

Friday, May 6

Chicago at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Sunday, May 8

Chicago at Atlanta, 2 p.m.

Tuesday, May 10

Atlanta at Chicago, TBA*

Thursday, May 12

Chicago at Atlanta, TBA*

Sunday, May 15

Atlanta at Chicago, TBA*

Miami vs. Boston

Series tied 0-0

Sunday's game

Boston at Miami, 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday's game

Boston at Miami, 1 p.m.

Saturday, May 7

Miami at Boston, 2 p.m.

Monday, May 9

Miami at Boston, 1 p.m.

Wednesday, May 11

Boston at Miami, TBA*

Friday, May 13

Miami at Boston, TBA*

Monday, May 16

Boston at Miami, 2 p.m.*

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

L.A. Lakers vs. Dallas

Series tied 0-0

Monday's game

Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday's game

Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 4:30 p.m.

Friday, May 6

L.A. Lakers at Dallas, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 8

L.A. Lakers at Dallas, 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, May 10

Dallas at L.A. Lakers, TBA*

Thursday, May 12

L.A. Lakers at Dallas, TBA*

Sunday, May 15

Dallas at L.A. Lakers, 3:30 p.m.*

Oklahoma City vs. Memphis

Series tied 0-0

Sunday's game

Memphis at Oklahoma City, 7 a.m.

Tuesday's game

Memphis at Oklahoma City, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 7

Oklahoma City at Memphis, 11 a.m.

Monday, May 9

Oklahoma City at Memphis, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 11

Memphis at Oklahoma City, TBA*

Friday, May 13

Oklahoma City at Memphis, TBA*

Sunday, May 15

Memphis at Oklahoma City, TBA*

* -- if necessary

HOCKEY

NHL PLAYOFF GLANCE

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Washington vs. Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay leads series 1-0

Friday's result

Tampa Bay 4, Washington 2

Sunday's game

Tampa Bay at Washington, 1 p.m.

Tuesday's game

c Washington at Tampa Bay, TBA

Wednesday, May 4

c Washington at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Saturday, May 7

c Tampa Bay at Washington, 6:30 a.m. *

Monday, May 9

c Washington at Tampa Bay, TBA *

Wednesday, May 11

c Tampa Bay at Washington, TBA *

Philadelphia vs. Boston

Series tied 0-0

Today's game

Boston at Philadelphia, 9 a.m.

Monday's game

Boston at Philadelphia, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 4

Philadelphia at Boston, 1 p.m.

Friday, May 6

Philadelphia at Boston, 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 8

Boston at Philadelphia, 3 p.m. *

Tuesday, May 10

Philadelphia at Boston, TBA *

Thursday, May 12

Boston at Philadelphia, TBA *

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

Vancouver vs. Nashville

Vancouver leads series 1-0

Thursday's result

c Vancouver 1, Nashville 0

Today's game

Nashville at Vancouver, 3 p.m.

Tuesday's game

c Vancouver at Nashville, 3 p.m.

Thursday, May 5

c Vancouver at Nashville, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 7

c Nashville at Vancouver, 2 p.m. *

Monday, May 9

c Vancouver at Nashville, TBA *

Wednesday, May 11

c Nashville at Vancouver, TBA *

San Jose vs. Detriot

San Jose leads series 1-0

Friday's result

San Jose 2, Detroit 1, OT

Sunday's game

c Detroit at San Jose, 9 a.m.

Wednesday, May 4

c San Jose at Detroit, 2 p.m.

Friday, May 6

c San Jose at Detroit, 1 p.m.

Sunday, May 8

c Detroit at San Jose, 2 p.m. *

Tuesday, May 10

c San Jose at Detroit, TBA *

Thursday, May 12

c Detroit at San Jose, TBA *

* -- if necessary

SOCCER

MLS GLANCE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

W L OT Pts GF GA

Houston 3 1 3 12 11 6

New York 3 1 2 11 9 2

Philadelphia 3 1 1 10 4 2

Columbus 2 1 3 9 5 4

New England 2 2 3 9 8 9

Toronto FC 1 2 4 7 7 10

D.C. 2 4 1 7 10 16

Chicago 1 3 2 5 9 12

Sporting Kansas City 1 3 1 4 10 12

WESTERN CONFERENCE

W L T Pts GF GA

Los Angeles 4 1 3 15 10 7

Real Salt Lake 4 0 0 12 8 1

Seattle 2 2 3 9 7 7

Colorado 3 3 0 9 8 7

Portland 2 3 1 7 9 13

FC Dallas 2 3 1 7 8 9

Chivas USA 1 2 3 6 5 6

Vancouver 1 3 3 6 10 12

San Jose 1 3 2 5 6 9

NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie.

Friday's result

Houston 4, D.C. United 1

Today's games

San Jose at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.

Sporting Kansas City at New York, 1:30 p.m.

Vancouver at Columbus, 1:30 p.m.

Chicago at Colorado, 3 p.m.

Toronto FC at Seattle FC, 4 p.m.

Real Salt Lake at Portland, 4:30 p.m.

New England at Chivas USA, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday's game

Los Angeles at FC Dallas, 11 a.m.

TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL

MLB--Suspended Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen two games and fined him an undisclosed amount for arguing balls and strikes then complaining about his ejection on Twitter during an April 27 game.

American League

CLEVELAND INDIANS--Reinstated INF Jason Donald from the 15-day DL and optioned him to Columbus (IL).

NEW YORK YANKEES--Reinstated C Francisco Cervelli from the 15-day DL. Assigned C Gustavo Molina to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL).

OAKLAND ATHLETICS--Reinstated C Kurt Suzuki from the paternity leave list. Optioned C Josh Donaldson to Sacramento (PCL).

TORONTO BLUE JAYS--Activated OF Rajai Davis from the 15-day DL. Selected the contract of DH David Cooper from Las Vegas (PCL). Assigned OF Travis Snider and INF Chris Woodward to Las Vegas.

National League

LOS ANGELES DODGERS -- Placed 3B Casey Blake on the 15-day DL. Recalled INF Russell Mitchell from Albuquerque (PCL).

NEW YORK METS--Activated C Ronny Paulino from the 15-Day DL. Optioned C Mike Nickeas to Buffalo (IL).

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES--Recalled C Dane Sardinha from Lehigh Valley (IL). Assigned LHP Mike Zagurski to Lehigh Valley.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES--Returned INF Josh Rodriguez, a Rule 5 draft pick, to Cleveland.

BASKETBALL

Women's National Basketball Association

WASHINGTON MYSTICS--Acquired G Jasmine Thomas and a 2012 first-round draft pick from Seattle for G Katie Smith and C Jacinta Moore and Indiana's 2012 second- and third-round draft picks. Indiana received G Erin Phillips and a 2012 third-round pick from Seattle.

FOOTBALL

Canadian Football League

EDMONTON ESKIMOS--Signed QB Cody Kirby.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League

BUFFALO SABRES--Signed coach Lindy Ruff to a multiyear contract extension.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING--Recalled F Marc-Antoine Pouliot, F Mike Angelidis and D Mathieu Roy from Norfolk (AHL).

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

D.C. UNITED--Activated G Steve Cronin from the disabled list. Placed MF Junior Carreiro on the disabled list.

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION--Loaned G Tim Murray and F Ilija Stolica to USL PRO league club FC New York. Named Peter Fuller reserve team coach.

COLLEGE

NORTH CAROLINA STATE--Named Jeff Dunlap as its director of basketball operations.

SAN FRANCISCO--Named Scott Sidwell athletic director.

SYRACUSE--Named Chris Gedney senior associate athletics director.

TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI--Named Kenneth Turner men's assistant basketball coach.

WISCONSIN--Signed men's basketball coach Bo Ryan to a contract extension.

GOLF

ZURICH CLASSIC

Friday's second round

Bubba Watson 66-68 -- 134

Josh Teater 69-66 -- 135

John Rollins 67-69 -- 136

John Senden 70-67 -- 137

Jason Dufner 68-69 -- 137

Matt Jones 66-71 -- 137

Webb Simpson 68-69 -- 137

Dean Wilson 73-64 -- 137

Tommy Gainey 67-71 -- 138

Steve Stricker 70-68 -- 138

David Mathis 70-68 -- 138

Luke Donald 68-71 -- 139

K.J. Choi 68-71 -- 139

Nick O'Hern 67-72 -- 139

Cameron Tringale 72-67 -- 139

David Hearn 71-68 -- 139

Camilo Villegas 71-68 -- 139

Matt Bettencourt 68-71 -- 139

Nick Watney 71-68 -- 139

Joe Durant 67-72 -- 139

Billy Mayfair 69-70 -- 139

Chris DiMarco 72-68 -- 140

Charles Howell III 68-72 -- 140

Hunter Haas 69-71 -- 140

Charlie Wi 70-70 -- 140

Chris Couch 71-69 -- 140

Brian Davis 71-70 -- 141

D.A. Points 70-71 -- 141

Jeff Maggert 72-69 -- 141

Blake Adams 73-68 -- 141

Peter Tomasulo 71-70 -- 141

George McNeill 71-70 -- 141

Greg Chalmers 72-69 -- 141

David Toms 70-71 -- 141

Brendon de Jonge 72-69 -- 141

Aron Price 72-69 -- 141

Joseph Bramlett 69-72 -- 141

Brandt Jobe 71-71 -- 142

Kevin Streelman 72-70 -- 142

Carl Pettersson 67-75 -- 142

Jason Bohn 71-71 -- 142

Brian Gay 71-71 -- 142

Ben Crane 69-73 -- 142

Lee Janzen 71-71 -- 142

Scott Gutschewski 73-69 -- 142

Nate Smith 75-67 -- 142

Colt Knost 72-70 -- 142

John Merrick 73-69 -- 142

Chez Reavie 71-71 -- 142

Vijay Singh 74-68 -- 142

Robert Allenby 72-70 -- 142

Rickie Fowler 70-72 -- 142

Fabian Gomez 71-71 -- 142

Billy Horschel 72-70 -- 142

Richard S. Johnson 72-71 -- 143

Shane Bertsch 74-69 -- 143

Vaughn Taylor 70-73 -- 143

Troy Matteson 71-72 -- 143

Alexandre Rocha 70-73 -- 143

Steve Flesch 73-70 -- 143

Andres Romero 72-71 -- 143

Keegan Bradley 73-70 -- 143

Marc Turnesa 70-73 -- 143

Ryan Palmer 70-73 -- 143

Michael Bradley 74-69 -- 143

Charley Hoffman 69-74 -- 143

Tim Herron 72-71 -- 143

Jeff Overton 73-70 -- 143

Tag Ridings 72-71 -- 143

Chris Stroud 73-70 -- 143

Martin Piller 70-73 -- 143

AVNET CLASSIC

Thursday's second round

Hawaii golfer in bold

Sandra Gal 70-67 -- 137

Amy Yang 70-68 -- 138

Stacy Lewis 68-71 -- 139

Karen Stupples 68-71 -- 139

Song-Hee Kim 67-72 -- 139

Suzann Pettersen 72-68 -- 140

Sun Young Yoo 72-68 -- 140

Jenny Suh 71-69 -- 140

Sarah Kemp 70-70 -- 140

Se Ri Pak 69-71 -- 140

Mindy Kim 73-68 -- 141

Alena Sharp 72-69 -- 141

Christina Kim 70-71 -- 141

Paige Mackenzie 70-71 -- 141

Na Yeon Choi 69-72 -- 141

Jimin Kang 73-69 -- 142

Candie Kung 72-70 -- 142

Morgan Pressel 72-70 -- 142

Alexis Thompson 71-71 -- 142

Grace Park 67-75 -- 142

Aree Song 74-69 -- 143

Chella Choi 73-70 -- 143

Mi Hyun Kim 73-70 -- 143

Shanshan Feng 72-71 -- 143

Katherine Hull 72-71 -- 143

Haeji Kang 72-71 -- 143

Paula Creamer 71-72 -- 143

Juli Inkster 71-72 -- 143

Laura Diaz 75-69 -- 144

Jessica Korda 75-69 -- 144

Natalie Gulbis 74-70 -- 144

Angela Stanford 74-70 -- 144

Amanda Blumenherst 73-71 -- 144

Azahara Munoz 73-71 -- 144

Haru Nomura 73-71 -- 144

Hee Young Park 73-71 -- 144

Laura Davies 72-72 -- 144

Reilley Rankin 72-72 -- 144

Dewi Claire Schreefel 72-72 -- 144

Brittany Lincicome 71-73 -- 144

Maria Hjorth 70-74 -- 144

Ilhee Lee 79-66 -- 145

Kris Tamulis 75-70 -- 145

Taylor Leon 74-71 -- 145

Karin Sjodin 74-71 -- 145

Maria Hernandez 73-72 -- 145

Tiffany Joh 73-72 -- 145

Jee Young Lee 73-72 -- 145

Anna Nordqvist 73-72 -- 145

Beatriz Recari 73-72 -- 145

Dori Carter 72-73 -- 145

Lorie Kane 72-73 -- 145

Brittany Lang 72-73 -- 145

Heather Bowie Young 72-73 -- 145

Stephanie Sherlock 71-74 -- 145

Marcy Hart 70-75 -- 145

Stacy Prammanasudh 70-75 -- 145

Karrie Webb 77-69 -- 146

Cristie Kerr 76-70 -- 146

Kristy McPherson 76-70 -- 146

Karine Icher 75-71 -- 146

Eunjung Yi 75-71 -- 146

Mhairi McKay 74-72 -- 146

Pornanong Phatlum 74-72 -- 146

Nicole Hage 73-73 -- 146

Jin Young Pak 73-73 -- 146

Ashli Bunch 72-74 -- 146

Angela Oh 69-77 -- 146

Mina Harigae 78-69 -- 147

Wendy Ward 75-72 -- 147

M.J. Hur 74-73 -- 147

Samantha Richdale 74-73 -- 147

Jennifer Song 74-73 -- 147

Cindy LaCrosse 73-74 -- 147

Ryann O'Toole 73-74 -- 147

Gerina Piller 73-74 -- 147

Hee Kyung Seo 73-74 -- 147

Failed to qualify

Sarah Jane Smith 77-71 -- 148

Hee-Won Han 76-72 -- 148

Michelle Wie 76-72 -- 148

AUTO RACING

CROWN ROYAL PRESENTS THE MATTHEW & DANIEL HANSEN 400 LINEUP

After Friday qualifying; race today

1. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 128.639 mph.

2. (78) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 128.382.

3. (33) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 128.272.

4. (4) Kasey Kahne, Toyota, 128.15.

5. (5) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 128.053.

6. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 128.011.

7. (2) Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 128.011.

8. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 128.005.

9. (20) Joey Logano, Toyota, 127.98.

10. (27) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 127.956.

11. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 127.78.

12. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 127.66.

13. (39) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 127.473.

14. (47) Bobby Labonte, Toyota, 127.473.

15. (13) Casey Mears, Toyota, 127.455.

16. (30) David Stremme, Chevrolet, 127.401.

17. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 127.352.

18. (43) A J Allmendinger, Ford, 127.334.

19. (00) David Reutimann, Toyota, 127.334.

20. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 127.31.

21. (56) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 127.304.

22. (66) Michael McDowell, Toyota, 127.298.

23. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 127.131.

24. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 127.095.

25. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 127.047.

26. (87) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, 127.023.

27. (6) David Ragan, Ford, 127.017.

28. (38) Travis Kvapil, Ford, 126.892.

29. (36) Dave Blaney, Chevrolet, 126.886.

30. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 126.88.

31. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 126.713.

32. (60) Mike Skinner, Toyota, 126.582.

33. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 126.393.

34. (09) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 126.351.

35. (9) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 126.269.

36. (22) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 126.21.

37. (83) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 126.186.

38. (32) Ken Schrader, Ford, 126.139.

39. (34) David Gilliland, Ford, 125.915.

40. (46) J.J. Yeley, Chevrolet, 125.488.

41. (71) Andy Lally, Ford, 124.832.

42. (7) Robby Gordon, Dodge, Owner Points.

43. (37) Tony Raines, Ford, 125.482.

Failed to qualify

44. (92) Brian Keselowski, Dodge, 123.288.

In reply to Angels in the Outfield and Angel on the Mound at Diablo Park:

Increased growth hormone in the body(either from pituitary gland tumors or however the fuck these athletes use it) causes acromegaly. The most visible symptoms are enlargement of hands, feet and certain facial features(lips, ears, nose,jaw). It also causes growth of the skull and forehead......Mr. Bonds. I've noticed a lot of athletes with gigantic foreheads lately. Plus it causes swelling in other organs like the HEART. I imagine we will see quite a few ball players from this generation die early. HGH probably can be used safely, but in general it's not a good idea to fuck with your endocrine system when you are already perfectly healthy. It's a delicate system that can cause chain reactions of other problems. I'm betting if Brian Wilson is using HGH, he isn't doing it in moderation, doesn't seem to be his style.

In case that whole baseball thing doesn't work out for Giants' bearded closer Brian Wilson and the adorably smiley Cody Ross, they may have found themselves another career opportunity... as lip sync artists.

Wilson and Ross are the latest guest stars in a YouTube video by Keenan Cahill. Cahill is a 16 year old internet sensation who has gained popularity lip synching along to various songs. Previous guest stars include 50 Cent, Jersey Shore's Pauly D, and Nick Cannon. Cahill has a rare disease, Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome, which gives him a dwarf like appearance.

The Giants are holding a fundraiser for Keenan at their May 25th game against the Florida Marlins.

And now.. for your viewing enjoyment, we present to you their video. Enjoy!

Every day, there are a ton of videos to hit the internet. We can't possibly get to them all, but I'm going to give it a try today. First up, Nicki Manaj giving Steve Nash a lap dance. After the jump, Brian Wilson and Cody Ross lip sync for their lives (or maybe a charity) [...]

Q: Should the Colts draft a quarterback to groom behind Peyton Manning?

Nawrocki: The Colts should be more concerned with drafting an offensive lineman who can better protect Manning and a running back who can help open up a stagnant ground game. With Manning hitting age 35 and showing no signs of slowing down, the Colts could feel very comfortable moving forward with him for the next 3-5 years. It would be wise to land a developmental quarterback who can benefit from learning alongside the game's top passer and soak up some of his vast football knowledge. The Colts will not win a championship with Curtis Painter captaining the ship, and football czar Bill Polian has been one of the best in the league building for the future. If a solid quarterback is available at any point in the draft outside the first round, it would be a wise addition, and they could consider one early with Manning not under contract. However, they do have many more pressing needs.   

Q: Blaine Gabbert had a 16-9 TD-to-interception ratio and a 44 percent completion percentage on third downs in a spread offense against college competition. It's puzzling why he is mentioned as a top-five QB. The question is, why Gabbert is considered a top-five QB based on his body of work?

Nawrocki: Quite simply, the answer is upside. When it comes to evaluating collegiate talent, the name of the game is projection. Chase Daniel produced much better statistics and ran the Tigers' offense more capably in college. However, he was also deficient in the areas of height, foot speed, arm strength and escapability and his skill set did not translate well to the NFL game. Gabbert is not nearly as accomplished or experienced, but his ceiling is far greater. He has all the physical tools to become a solid starting NFL quarterback. He also played through injuries most of the past two seasons, which often gets lost when strictly evaluating statistics or scrutinizing his production under durress. In the three games that PFW charted, Gabbert converted 60 percent of his third-down throws — a winning percentage — and consistently sustained drives and moved the chains.

Q: Is there a chance the Broncos will draft Von Miller?

Nawrocki: Yes, the Broncos could have their choice of any defensive player in the draft. But with John Fox shifting from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense and Elvis Dumervil and Robert Ayers projecting from outside linebacker back to the DE position that they played in college, it's more likely that the Broncos look elsewhere. Miller is most ideally suited to line up as a 3-4 rush linebacker and better fit the odd front previously installed by Mike Nolan in Denver than he does Fox's preferred 4-3.

Q: Will the Bills go for a quarterback or defense?

Nawrocki: It all depends on who is available. If the Panthers stand put and select Cam Newton, the Bills' focus very likely will shift to selecting the best defensive player available, and their needs are greatest in the back seven. If Newton slides past the Panthers, the Bills could be faced with a dilemma that owner Ralph Wilson is surely to weigh in on given the struggles of the franchise to find a replacement for Jim Kelly. In the 14 years since Kelly retired, they have cycled through 10 starting quarterbacks (Todd Collins, Alex Van Pelt, Doug Flutie, Rob Johnson, Drew Bledsoe, J.P. Losman, Kelly Holcomb, Trent Edwards, Brian Brohm and Ryan Fitzpatrick). Chan Gailey runs a quarterback-friendly offense that does not require an elite triggerman to function adequately, and the Bills' most pressing need remains creating pressure on the opposing quarterback. Adding an impact defensive performer would make the most sense — but emotion often overrides logic when Wilson forces his opinion into the equation.

Q: Do you think the Packers should take Mark Ingram if available at No. 32, instead of an offensive guard, defensive end or outside linebacker?

Nawrocki: GM Ted Thompson has long been a value-driven decision maker, and should Ingram slide to the back of Round One, the Packers would likely pounce on him. I do not consider running back to be a core position generally worthy of drafting in the first round with the exception of rare talent such as Adrian Peterson, Bo Jackson or Earl Campbell. There are a lot of talented runners available in this year's draft and teams could find solid contributors in the middle-to-late rounds. The Packers could just as easily find one-cut, zone runners later in the draft that fit their stretch-zone, slide-protection ground game. Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray or Nebraska's Roy Helu could be available in the fourth round and allow the Packers to match talent to their scheme. If Ingram lasts until No. 32, however, he figures to be the best player on the board and could be a slam dunk to become a Packer.

Dynamite(With Me and San Francisco Giants Cody Ross & Brian Wilson) ~ Video Review tags: Baseball brianwilson britneyspears codyross davidguetta djgotusfallininlove djpaulyd
FunnyHumorClips

Rivals Rangers condemn attacks as fans and Catholics told to be vigilant after football manager and others are sent devices

Detectives fear that the letter-bomber who sent devices capable of causing "real harm" to the Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two prominent supporters of the club may carry out further attacks.

Leading Catholics and other well-known Celtic supporters have been warned to be vigilant after four crude improvised bombs in bottles wrapped with nails were sent to the Celtic manager, his lawyer, Paul McBride QC, and Trish Godman, a former deputy presiding officer of the Scottish parliament who posed in a replica Celtic strip on her last day as an MSP.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Mitchell, head of Strathclyde CID, said the devices were crude but "very definitely capable of causing considerable harm or injury to people". The devices were also very unusual, using petrol and another chemical held in a small bottle, suggesting the bomber had some knowledge of chemistry, said another source.

The discovery of the devices led Strathclyde police to warn many famous Celtic fans privately earlier this week to be extremely careful with their mail, and to report any suspicious or unusual packages to the police.

Chief Supt Ruaraidh Nicolson, head of community safety at Strathclyde, urged vigilance. "In terms of the general public, there is no danger, there is no risk," he said. "This is focused on high-profile people who have been in the media, who need to take sensible precautions."

Detectives from Strathclyde visited a number of potential targets on Monday, including Piara Powar, a leading anti-racist campaigner, and his wife Aasmah Mir, a well-known BBC Radio 5 presenter and Celtic fan born in Glasgow, who has been singled out by hardline Rangers supporters.

Power, executive director of Football Against Racism in Europe, is closely involved with an official hearing being heard next week by the European footballing authority Uefa against Celtic's arch-rivals, Rangers, into allegations that the overwhelmingly Protestant-backed club has failed to crack down on anti-Catholic bigotry among supporters.

The alert has now been extended to include prominent Catholics, signalling that the police now fear this is an openly sectarian campaign by an individual or small group of people based in south-west Scotland with strong loyalist and anti-Catholic sympathies.

Sources confirmed that police have alerted Scotland's most prominent Catholic, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, and all other Scottish bishops and staff in their offices to keep a close watch on their mail. Strathclyde police stressed on Tuesday these warnings are a precaution, and said there was no intelligence and evidence that specific people would be targets.

Police in the Western Isles called in the bomb squad on Tuesday as a precaution after a suspicious parcel was addressed to another senior Celtic figure, the former Labour minister Brian Wilson, who is a club director. It was sent to a tweed factory that he part-owns. Police have yet to confirm whether the incidents are linked.

The attacks were condemned yesterday by police, political leaders and the executives of both clubs, who are due to meet on Easter Sunday for their last derby of the season; a fixture already marred by a dozens of arrests on the terraces, on-field fights and touchline disputes involving Lennon and Ally McCoist, the Rangers assistant manager.

Martin Bain, the chief executive of Rangers, said the club was utterly appalled by the incidents. "Such behaviour is to be condemned out of hand. These acts have no place in society and no place in football," he said.

Peter Lawwell, the Celtic chief executive, said Lennon and other Celtic personnel were being subjected to "repeated threats and intimidation". He said: "It is an intolerable state of affairs which must end. Celtic, from our inception, has been a club open to all. We enjoy friendship and respect throughout the world yet, here in Scotland, we are caught up in these vile events."

Alex Salmond, the first minister of Scotland, said the failed attacks were "despicable and cowardly". He warned that the "lunatic element responsible for this outrage" would be prosecuted vigorously. "They will be dealt with using the full force of the law. We're not going to tolerate this sort of criminality in Scottish society," he said.

A source close to the investigation said the culprit had been dubbed "the media bomber" because three of the incidents followed significant television and newspaper coverage of an Old Firm dispute.

McBride became the latest target on Friday after vigorously attacking the Scottish Football Association last week, accusing the sport's ruling body of being "dysfunctional, dishonest and biased" over its recent treatment of Lennon for disciplinary offences.

Mir was the subject of a front-page story in Scotland on Sunday last weekend linking her support for Celtic to her husband's involvement with Uefa's investigation into Rangers. The club was charged by Uefa after its fans were seen chanting violently anti-Catholic songs at two Champions league games; Powar's pan-European anti-racism organisation, Fare, took a lead in investigating both cases and is Uefa's lead complainant in both cases.

Bain has hit back, accusing Powar and Fare, accusing them of being biased and unaccountable and subjecting Rangers to "disproportionate focus."

If found guilty at a hearing to be held at Uefa's headquarters in Switzerland next Thursday, Rangers could be fined, suspended from competitions or forced to hold future European games behind closed doors.

Asked about the affair, Michel Platini, the Uefa president, made clear he believed religion and football ought to be kept apart – a position that has heavily influenced Uefa's action against Rangers. Platini said: "We have to keep politics and religion out of football and sport, that is very important. It's a very bad thing that has happened to the manager of Celtic and the whole of Uefa support him. We have to try to help football and to do something. With my heart I am with him."

Despite having few links to Celtic, Mir has been named on private bulletin boards used by hardcore Rangers fans which are now under police investigation after being accused of inflaming sectarianism and of publishing death threats against Lennon.

McCoist, who is to be Rangers' next manager, condemned the attacks on BBC Radio Scotland. He insisted that he and Lennon were friends, who saw each other socially, despite their intense on-field rivalry. "It's evil, it's absolutely evil," McCoist said. "We can't let these idiots win, and we won't let them win."

Peter Kearney, a spokesman for Cardinal O'Brien, said the incidents showed that recent attempts by the Scottish government and footballing authorities to tackle sectarianism were failing. He said the Crown Office, Scotland's prosecution authority, had repeatedly rejected requests to publish detailed statistics on the levels of anti-Catholic violence and abuse in Scotland, despite its own evidence that it was significant.

The Crown Office last published a breakdown of sectarian offences in Scotland in 2006: it showed that Catholics were six times more likely to be the victims. It also established that only 15% of cases in the previous year were football-related, suggesting anti-Catholic bigotry was spread throughout Scottish society.

"These incidents confirm this is an issue which is much bigger than football," Kearney said. "Anti-Catholic hostility is deep and wide and vicious."

The targets

Neil Lennon

An animated figure in the dugout, Neil Lennon is one of the most controversial figures in Scottish football, disciplined several times for his on-field behaviour and criticisms of referees.

The Celtic manager has had death threats from Rangers fans, had bullets sent in the post and has now been the target of two improvised incendiary bombs. His family live with 24-hour security after moving home for their safety.

Lennon, 39, is a Northern Irish Catholic, born in Lurgan, County Armagh, who grew up supporting Celtic and became club captain in 2005. He retired from international football, where he won 40 caps for Northern Ireland, after receiving loyalist death threats.

Paul McBride QC

One of Scotland's best-known and most outspoken defence lawyers, he is closely associated with Celtic. He represented Lennon in his recent disciplinary hearings with the Scottish Football Association, which last week threatened to sue McBride after he described them as "dysfunctional, dishonest and biased".

Previously a Labour supporter, McBride joined the Scottish Tories soon after David Cameron became leader and often speaks for them on criminal justice issues. He has been linked to posts as a law officer in the government. In one of his most recent cases, McBride succeeded in getting Gail Sheridan, wife of Tommy Sheridan, cleared of perjury in the disgraced socialist leader's libel action against the News of the World.

Trish Godman

Until Godman posed proudly in her Celtic strip on the day last month that she retired from the Scottish parliament, the former Labour MSP for West Renfrewshire had led a quietly successful but uncontroversial life at Holyrood.

For four years, Godman had been a deputy presiding officer, equivalent to the deputy speaker's role at the House of Commons, responsible for overseeing parliamentary sessions. Godman was a Holyrood veteran, serving since its first session in 1999.

Originally a social worker, she came into politics after marrying the veteran Labour MP for Greenock, Norman Godman. Her son from a previous relationship, Gary Mulgrew, was one of the Natwest Three who admitted banking fraud charges in the US in 2007.

Severin Carrell

 

The 10th edition of the Tribeca Film Festival opens this evening with a free world premiere screening of the Cameron Crowe documentary THE UNION, about the album collaboration between iconic musicians Elton John and Leon Russell. The film will be screened on a first come, first serve basis tonight at the North Cove at the World Financial Plaza, just yards away from Ground Zero. Elton John, Leon Russell and the band they assembled for the album will perform live immediately after the screening.

 Crowe, whose is also working on a Pearl Jam documentary, began shooting the "Union" doc in late 2009 to follow the collaboration between John, Russell and producer T-Bone Burnett. The film incorporates appearances by fellow album contributors including Neil Young, Brian Wilson, Booker T. Jones and lyricist Bernie Taupin. 

Although open to the public, the free screening will require a festival wristband for entry. Wristbands will be distributed to the public on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 4:00pm at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. There will be a limit of two wristbands per person. More details are available at: www.tribecafilm.com

  Jane Rosenthal, one of the founders of the Tribeca Film Festival, called the screening a "special opportunity" to mark the 10th anniversary in a unique way. “Not only are we inviting the community to join us for the world premiere of Cameron Crowe’s film THE UNION, but to have Elton, whose music transcends generations, perform after is an

extraordinary gift to our Festival and more specifically the downtown community.”

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Circuit Editor

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In case you hadn’t noticed, Brian Wilson of the San Francisco Giants has become a bit of a pop culture star since he stopped shaving and the Giants won the World Series last season. He and Giants outfielder Cody Ross recently filmed a video with YouTube star Keenan Cahill. Check it out… He got off [...]

The pace continues at a nice clip with our pick at No. 20. A job well done by Bringin' the Wood(ley). Many thanks! Next up: the Kansas City Chiefs, represented by Wichita Sun Steeler. - Michael B. -

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Since 2008, the Bucs have had 22 draft picks. 10 of those 22 were starters in 2010, most notably led by Josh Freeman, Mike Williams, and Gerald McCoy. In the 2010 draft, Tampa bay drafted Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma) and Brian Price (DT, UCLA) in the first two rounds, in an attempt to shore up a defense that had become a sieve in recent years. Their draft was rather heavy defensively, but they also had a chance to get two targets for budding QB Josh Freeman, with Arrelious Benn in the 2nd and Mike Williams in the 4th round, who finished the season with 65 rec, 963 yds, and 11TDs.

The Buccaneer's biggest needs for the 2011 season come down to DE, OL, and LB, in no particular order. They invested heavily at the DT position last year, but after Brian Price was put on the IR for a hip fracture early on, their defense only managed to tie for 30th in the league with 26 sacks, led by Stylez G. White. I think that says enough to go ahead and draft a DE right now. But wait- Barrett Ruud, team leader in tackles for 4 straight seasons, is set to be a Free Agent, and if he isn't retained, a LB would be a top priority, particularly one with some pass-rushing ability also. And lastly, the OL- had I not looked up a roster or some news about the team, I don't think I could've named one of their O-linemen. Not even Pro Bowl Guard Davin Joseph. Unfortunately, he is a FA along with Jeremy Trueblood, and I would have to imagine that protecting their young star QB and opening some lanes for the freight train known as LeGarrette "I'm a sock you in the mouth" Blount would seem logical at worst, necessary at best.

I really wanted to take a DE here, most likely Adrian Clayborn, but this draft is incredibly deep at the position, and I think with their second round the Bucs will be able to nab a guy like Jabaal Sheard or Clayborn's teammate Chris Ballard. I also think that 20th overall is a little high for a guy like Martez Wilson at LB, who missed his entire junior year at Illinois because of a herniated disk in his neck. However, he has shown great maturity since the injury by become a better disciple of the game, and he could be the missing link to this team ever since Derrick Brooks left. And lastly, I was very tempted to pick Brandon Harris here, as he could be more of a hometown name in Tampa, potentially playing opposite Ronde for a year while he learned the ropes.

However, After days and days of waiting for the 20th pick to roll around in the BTSC draft, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would formally like to give the call to Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College. Castonzo has great size (6'7", 311 lbs.), quick feet, and a high football I.Q., some of the most important attributes for offensive linemen to possess when entering the NFL. He set a school record for the most starts at Boston College with 54 and was named a third-team AP All-American for the 2010 season. He started all 13 games for the Eagles as a team captain during his senior season in 2010. This guy has the makings to step in day one and excel for one of the youngest teams in the league, anchoring the left side of the line, protecting Freeman's blind side and clearing a path for Blount.

 

Here's an interview with Castonzo from the Senior Bowl.

BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Selections

1. Carolina Panthers -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
2. Denver Broncos -- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
3. Buffalo Bills -- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
4. Cincinnati Bengals -- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
5. Arizona Cardinals -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
6. Cleveland Browns -- 'The Snow Cone Machine' A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
7. San Francisco 49ers -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
8. Tennessee Titans -- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
9. Dallas Cowboys -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
10. Washington Redskins -- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
11. Houston Texans -- Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
12. Minnesota Vikings -- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
13. Detroit Lions -- JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin
14. St. Louis Rams -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
15. Miami Dolphons -- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
16. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Brooks Reed , DE, Arizona
17. New England Patriots -- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
18. San Diego Chargers -- Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue
19. New York Giants -- Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA

Tamworth dairy cattle breeder, Brian Wilson, has been named a Show Champion ahead of the 2011 Royal Easter Show.

Brian Wilson Toronto : Massey Hall 178 Victoria Street M5G 2L2 on 2011-06-18