Day: August 14, 2007

Astros’ Oswalt wins 5th straightAstros’ Oswalt wins 5th straight

Los Angeles Dodgers' Chad Billingsley looks downward after giving up a two-run home run to Houston Astros' Jason Lane during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 13, 2007.

Scuffing around on the road like the Houston Astros? Then Roy Oswalt is your man. Jason Lane hit a two-run homer, Oswalt won his fifth consecutive decision and the Houston Astros sent the slumping Los Angeles Dodgers to their ninth loss in 11 games with a 4-1 victory Monday night. Oswalt (13-6) gave up a run and six hits in eight innings with two walks and three strikeouts.

Sexson’s 9th-inning HR gives M’s winSexson’s 9th-inning HR gives M’s win

Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki grounds out against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning during a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 13, 2007, in Seattle.

Even after a two-run double to start his return home, Richie Sexson still heard boos. “Nothing against them. I dug my own grave with the fans,” said the Seattle slugger who’s been in a season-long funk. But Sexson rose from his ongoing burial in Seattle to give the fans something else to shout about. He drove Matt Guerrier’s second pitch of the ninth inning over the left-center field fence to send…

‘Pacman’ proclaims innocence in shooting‘Pacman’ proclaims innocence in shooting

Jeff Jarrett, co-founder of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, talks about the involvement of Tennessee Titans cornerback Pacman Jones in their wrestling program Hard Justice Monday, Aug. 6, 2007, in Nashville, Tenn. Jarrett said Jones will be in the wrestling ring in his new role and is working out at his Tennessee farm to prepare for his debut.

Suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones sees himself as an innocent bystander in the Las Vegas strip club fight that led to a triple shooting and left one man paralyzed, and he expects to be vindicated. “And I’ll tell you, ‘I told you so,”‘ Jones said in an interview scheduled to air Tuesday night on HBO’s “Real Sports.” Las Vegas police identified the Titans cornerback as the…

Clippers sign F Josh PowellClippers sign F Josh Powell

The Clippers added frontcourt depth Tuesday by signing former North Carolina State forward Josh Powell. Elton Brand, the Clippers’ starting power forward, ruptured his left Achilles tendon earlier this month and is expected to be sidelined for the first several months of the season. The 6-foot-9, 235-pound Powell averaged 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds last season while playing in 37 games for the…

Rivera blows save, but Jeter lifts YanksRivera blows save, but Jeter lifts Yanks

New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, right, poses for a picture with artist Peter Max and some paintings he did honoring Rodriguez's 500th home run before the start of the Major League Baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Monday, August 13, 2007 at Yankee Stadium in New York.

Derek Jeter made up for a rare blown save by Mariano Rivera with one perfectly placed grounder. Jeter’s infield tapper to the right of reliever Chad Bradford scored Melky Cabrera in the bottom of the ninth inning and gave the New York Yankees a 7-6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night. Rivera had converted 19 straight save opportunities before Brian Roberts’ RBI single tied it at 6 in…

Ellis, Gaudin lift A’s past Tigers 7-2Ellis, Gaudin lift A’s past Tigers 7-2

Oakland Athletics' Mike Piazza singles in the third inning, to drive in Kurt Suzuki from third base, in a 7-2 win over the Detroit Tigers in a baseball game Monday, Aug. 13, 2007 in Detroit.

Chad Gaudin gave himself a pep talk in the tunnel between Oakland’s dugout and clubhouse after a shaky first inning. It worked. Gaudin struck out a career-high nine and was backed by Mark Ellis’ homer and Marco Scutaro’s three RBIs as the Athletics beat the Detroit Tigers 7-2 Monday night. After walking and hitting Detroit’s first two batters and giving up a two-run single, Gaudin retired 10…