Even though Trey Hillman’s departure from Japan was less than perfect, he’s ready for the next challenge as manager of the Kansas City Royals. Hillman managed his last game in Japan on Thursday when his Nippon Ham Fighters were on the losing end of a perfect game in the finale of the Japan Series. The 44-year-old Hillman had never played, coached or managed in the majors.
A backup goalie and a sleep-deprived rookie made sure the San Jose Sharks stayed stuck in their early-season slump. Jean-Sebastien Aubin made 45 saves and Matt Moulson scored the go-ahead goal in his NHL debut as the Los Angeles Kings earned their fifth victory in six games, 5-2 over the Sharks on Friday night.
The Edmonton Oilers are starting to resemble the injury-plagued team of late last season, when they lost 18 of their last 20 games. Jason Arnott scored the game-winning goal with 8 minutes remaining in the third period Friday and the Nashville Predators won on the road for the second straight night, 4-1 over the Oilers, who lost another defenseman to an injury.
Clay Bennett sat in his owners suite during the Seattle SuperSonics’ home opener churning with emotions. He beamed watching No. 2 draft pick Kevin Durant score 27 points in just his second NBA game, showing flashes of his youthful brilliance and igniting the home fans. But Bennett also knew what loomed Friday morning — his long-anticipated announcement that he plans to move the team to Oklahoma…
The Phoenix Suns got home at 4 a.m., then sleepwalked through their home opener. The result was a 119-98 rout at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers. More games like this and Kobe Bryant might not want to leave Los Angeles. Vladimir Radmanovic made all four of his 3-pointers and scored 19 points, and Bryant added 16 points and 11 rebounds Friday night in a game that was not nearly as close as the…
Proudinsky beat Optimer by 1 1/2 lengths Friday in the $52,000 feature race at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree meeting. Ridden by Victor Espinoza and racing for the first time in a year, Proudinsky ran a mile on the turf in 1:34.39 and paid $6.40, $4.60 and $3.20. Optimer returned $6.60 and $3.80, and Artist’s Tale paid $3.80 to show.
Terrific Storm beat Junior College by a half-length Friday in the $58,500 feature race at Churchill Downs. The 6-year-old son of Storm Cat, ridden by Rene Douglas, covered the mile on the turf in 1:37.77 after taking the lead from Junior College deep in the stretch. Terrific Storm paid $5, $2.80 and $2.10 as the favorite in the field of seven.
Cougar Bay rallied to edge Mister White Sox by a half-length Friday in the $56,000 allowance feature on the turf at Aqueduct. Last at one point in the 10-horse field, Cougar Bay charged home to win for the second time in 16 starts. The 4-year-old gelding, ridden by Alan Garcia for trainer Barclay Tagg, was making his U.S.
Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Curlin is up for sale, with a new group of more than 400 owners interested in a payday for the best thoroughbred in the country. Details haven’t been worked out about where and when the likely Horse of the Year will go on the block, but lawyers involved with the horse’s owners said it could be soon.
