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ATLANTA (AP) — Cole Hamels came within one out of his second shutout of the Braves this season, making the Phillies' second series sweep of the year in Atlanta look easy. Hamels, who earned his first career shutout against the Braves on May 15, gave up his only run with two outs in the ninth, and the Phillies beat the Braves 4-1 on Thursday night to complete their second three-game sweep at Turner Field. Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pedro Feliz hit home runs as the Phillies improved to 8-1 against the Braves this season, including 6-0 at Turner Field. Softball player dies after being punched by opponent Rochester, N.Y. — A softball player who died after being punched in the back of the head by a rival team member was a victim of homicide, a pathologist ruled Thursday. A grand jury will probably decide within the next two weeks whether to indict Sean Sanders, 27, on murder charges in the death of Daniel Andrews, 36, prosecutor Paul Dontenville said. Witnesses said Sanders punched Andrews, a father of three and a champion bowler, from behind at the end of a recreational league game in a Rochester suburb. Andrews died Monday evening. Glavine improving, hopes to return this season After three frustrating weeks, Tom Glavine finally got a sign that his left elbow is healing and that he might pitch again this season. "I was pleasantly surprised the last two days," said the 42-year-old left-hander, on the disabled list with a partially torn flexor tendon. Glavine hadn't noticed any improvement during stretching and rehab sessions for three weeks, but did Wednesday when head trainer Jeff Porter prodded and stretched the elbow without producing the discomfort the movements caused previously. Former Olympian pleads guilty to heroin charges Norfolk, Va. — Former track star Tim Montgomery, once dubbed "the world's fastest man," pleaded guilty Thursday to distributing heroin, averting a trial set for next week. He appeared briefly in U.S. District Court in Norfolk, answering "Yes, sir," as District Judge Jerome B. Friedman asked if he understood his plea to federal charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 100 grams of heroin. The Olympic gold medalist and former 100-meter world-record holder was arrested in April and has been held without bond after a judge declared him a flight risk and a danger to the community. The jury trial he requested had been scheduled to start July 9. UGA suspends Lemon after felony arrest Athens - Georgia defensive lineman Michael Lemon was suspended indefinitely from the football team Thursday afternoon after turning himself into authorities Thursday morning, the school announced. Also, starting offensive guard Clint Boling, who had been arrested for DUI back in the spring, was suspended for two games Thursday, according to an announcement by coach Mark Richt, and charges were dropped against defensive end Jeremy Lomax, who was cited last month for carrying a concealed weapon. Lemon, a redshirt sophomore from Lizella, near Macon, was wanted on two battery charges - one of which was a felony - in connection with a fight that occurred at an Athens apartment complex Saturday night. UGA student DeMarius Jackson suffered a fracture of his left eye socket as a result of punches he claims he took from Lemon. Braves hoping Diaz can spark lackluster outfield production While the Braves consider outfielders from other teams who could be available before the July 31 trade deadline, Matt Diaz hopes he can help boost that punchless part of the offense soon. The left fielder could rejoin the Braves before the All-Star break, after spending the past five weeks on the disabled list recovering from a partially torn ligament in his left knee. "I should be back very soon," said Diaz, who has passed every test in recent days, including sprints, quick cuts, and hitting. "I feel like I'm 100 percent [recovered]. I'm ready to get back out there. It's been tough not being able to help out." Braves have no answers for emerging Phillies Never mind what it says on the deed and other legal documents. For the time being, the Philadelphia Phillies have assumed ownership of the Braves and Turner Field. The Phillies continued their recent mastery of the Braves with a 7-3 win Wednesday night their fifth win in five games at Turner Field in the past 26 days, and their sixth win in seven games against the Braves this season. "It's a rough time around here right now," said Chipper Jones, whose 403rd homer was one of the few highlights for the fourth-place Braves, who have lost six of eight games to fall to six games off the lead in the National League East. Hawks' Smith 'impressed' by visit with Sixers The Philadelphia 76ers rolled out the red carpet for Hawks forward Josh Smith on Wednesday, complete with limousine rides, a guided tour of not only their facilities but much of the city of Brotherly Love and a brief meeting with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. "We had a great meeting and a great time visiting with everyone here [Wednesday], and we'll continue to talk tomorrow," Brian Dyke, one of Smith's agents, said late Wednesday night. "What I can tell you is that we're very impressed with 76ers organization and the city of the Philadelphia." Dyke and Wallace Prather, Smith's other agent, had a lunch meeting with the Hawks on Tuesday afternoon. Thrashers sign free agent Hainsey Ron Hainsey might turn out to be two things for the Thrashers: A defenseman who can improve their team immediately and a 27-year-old who will keep getting better in the seasons to come. The Thrashers signed Hainsey on Wednesday to a five-year, $22.5 million contract. He wasn't the highest-rated defenseman available in free agency, but he might have been the best who would agree to sign with the Thrashers. One day after failing to land top-rated Brian Campbell, who opted for $7 million a year from Chicago, the Thrashers got a less-established guy whose $4.5 million a year still makes him one of their highest-paid players. Perno signs new contact worth $2.25 million Athens - No sooner had Georgia baseball coach David Perno put his signature on a new contract Tuesday than he was on the phone with 30 recruits. There is no time to waste in the college game. Perno, who led the Bulldogs to the College World Series for the third time in five years this past season, received a $150,000-a-year raise that was announced by Georgia athletics director Damon Evans on this morning. Phillies' dominance over Braves continues Whenever the Phillies need a pick-me-up, they know where to go. Turner Field has been like a second home for them in recent years — without as many boos as they hear whenever things go sideways in Philadelphia. The National League East leaders came in lugging cold bats, but the Phillies warmed quickly with five runs in the first two-plus innings against rookie Charlie Morton during an 8-3 series-opening victory. The fourth-place Braves went 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position and lost for the sixth time in seven games against the Phillies this season, falling to five games behind the division leaders. Matt Ryan responds to commish's remarks on rookie contracts Matt Ryan isn't apologizing for benefiting from a system that allows top NFL draft picks to receive massive contracts. Even so, he appreciates where Roger Goodell was coming from last week when the commissioner questioned paying millions in guaranteed salary to rookies who have yet to play a down in the league. "You can also understand the other side of it, the concern of veterans who have been in the league 10, 12 years and proven themselves but not seen the money," Ryan said in a phone interview Tuesday. "I can understand both sides." The third pick in this year's draft, the quarterback signed a $72 million, six-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons that included $34.75 million in guaranteed pay. Chipper Jones, Kotsay return to Braves' lineup The Braves were elated to get their best hitter back Tuesday, as Chipper Jones made a U-turn on an anticipated route to the disabled list. The Braves third baseman reported "tremendous improvement" in his injured quadriceps and told manager Bobby Cox to forget the DL —Jones was ready to play in the series opener against Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Asked if he would rely on the veteran player's wisdom in this matter, Cox said, "Got to," and quickly changed the lineup, penciling in Jones' name in his familiar No. 3 spot Tuesday against the Phillies. Thrashers hit market for top defensemen The free agent market opens Tuesday at noon, and the Thrashers are looking to buy. They don't really have much choice. They've got a lot of spots to fill, for one thing. Six players on the current roster become unrestricted free agents today, and the team on Monday bought out the contract of another, defenseman Alexei Zhitnik. The Thrashers have a lot of money to spend, too. The NHL announced last week the minimum payroll for the 2008-09 season is $40.7 million. Hawks plan to match any offer for Smith, Childress The Hawks have been pointing to this day since October. They have made it clear that their top priority this summer was signing restricted free agents Josh Smith and Josh Childress, keeping them in Hawks uniforms. The difficulty of that task becomes known Tuesday, the first day NBA teams can negotiate with free agents. Contract terms can be agreed to at any time but nothing can be made official until July 9, after the league's one-week moratorium is completed. If you want other news on this page, please email me the name and location, if known. |
