The Cleveland Cavaliers finally made a few offseason moves, signing free agent guard Devin Brown on Saturday and trading guard David Wesley to the New Orleans Hornets for forward Cedric Simmons. Brown averaged 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists — all career-highs — for the New Orleans Hornets last season.
Heat embrace end of difficult offseason
One of the slogans the Miami Heat’s marketing crew used this summer was “There is no offseason.” Oh, how the Heat probably wish that were true. It’s often been difficult during the five months since Miami’s championship reign ended. The Heat missed some free-agent targets, lost three rotation members, endured forward Antoine Walker being robbed at gunpoint in his home and had other players’…
Injured Nets PG Williams to miss camp
New Jersey Nets backup point guard Marcus Williams broke a bone in his right foot and will have surgery on Monday. Nets president Rod Thorn did not know how the second-year pro from Connecticut broke his fifth metatarsal. Williams is expected to be sidelined about six weeks, which will cause him to miss training camp.
Maine’s no-hit bid, brawl spark Mets win
John Maine stopped the Mets’ slide with an overpowering performance that pulled them into a first-place tie. He nearly did a whole lot more than that. Maine flirted with the first no-hitter in team history before allowing an infield single to Paul Hoover with two outs in the eighth inning, and New York snapped out of its September doldrums by routing the Florida Marlins 13-0 in a fight-filled game…
Escobar wins 18th as Angels sit starters
Mike Scioscia might have found a possible scenario that would allow Bartolo Colon to pitch for the Angels in the playoffs: as a reliever. Yes, the manager is considering it — if Colon even makes the postseason roster at all. Dustin Moseley and Chris Bootcheck also are vying for the final pitching spot.
ChiSox give C Pierzynski 2-years, $12.5M
The Chicago White Sox and catcher A.J. Pierzynski agreed to a two-year, $12.5 million contract extension Saturday that will keep him with the team through the 2010 season. Pierzynski will make a base salary of $5.85 million in 2008 under the final year of a three-year contract he signed in 2005. He will then receive $6.25 million in each of the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
Parise lifts Devils over Islanders 2-1
Zach Parise had a goal and an assist on the power play to lead the New Jersey Devils to a 2-1 preseason victory over the New York Islanders on Saturday night. Dainius Zubrus scored the other goal for the Devils, who had a 20-save effort from Martin Brodeur. Wade Dubielewicz, the backup to Rick DiPietro, stopped 37 shots for the Islanders.
Wild sign 2006 1st-round pick Sheppard
Center James Sheppard signed with the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, meaning the 2006 first-round draft pick will be on the ice opening night instead of returning to his junior team in Nova Scotia. The 19-year-old Sheppard had 33 goals and 63 assists in 56 games with Cape Breton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season.
Broncos place OG Hamilton on IR
Denver Broncos offensive guard Ben Hamilton was placed on injured reserve Saturday with lingering post-concussion symptoms. The Broncos also released wide receiver Brian Clark. They filled the roster spots by promoting wide receiver Glenn Martinez and safety Steve Cargile from their practice squad. Hamilton is a seven-year veteran who has missed all three of Denver’s games this year, breaking his…
Lahudood wins Belmont’s Flower Bowl
Lahudood found an opening in the lane and squeezed through for the upset Saturday in the $600,000 Flower Bowl Invitational for fillies and mares at Belmont Park. Lahudood had the rail in the 1-mile race on the turf and jockey Alan Garcia never vacated the fence. He sent the 4-year-old through an inside gap in deep stretch for a three-quarter length victory over the pacesetting Rosinka with 4-5…
Nashoba’s Key stays undefeated with victory in $400,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita
Nashoba’s Key improved to 7-0 in her career with a come-from-behind, three-quarters of a length victory over favored Citronnade in the $400,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday. Nashoba’s Key covered 1 miles on the turf in 1:59.73 and paid $5.40, $2.80 and $2.40. Citronnade returned $2.40 and $2.10 as the 4-5 wagering favorite, while New Zealand-bred Black Mamba was another nose back…
Hamlin keeps cool toward Petty
By Bruce Martin PA SportsTicker Contributing Editor