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Bonds hits 736th, 737th career homers
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070414/ap_on_sp_ba_ga_su/bbn_nl_rdp"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070414/capt.8ef0cf7ac8154cbba41575535bc4ed67.giants_pirates_baseball_pagp125.jpg?x=123&y=130&sig=TgU3CgC8ciMVPQ_tXVpz_Q--" align="left" height="130" width="123" alt="San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds follows through on a first-inning RBI-single off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Zach Duke in baseball action Friday, April 13, 2007, in Pittsburgh. Bonds hit two home runs in the game, (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)" border="0" /></a>AP - Barry Bonds and Carlos Lee put on quite a show in Pennsylvania. Bonds hit his 736th and 737th career homers before being lifted in the fourth inning of the San Francisco Giants' 8-5 win in Pittsburgh. That wasn't even the best performance of the night in the Keystone State as Lee clubbed three homers in the Astros' 9-6 win at Philadelphia.</p><br clear="all"/>
Halladay, Kazmir outpitch fellow aces
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070414/ap_on_sp_ba_ga_su/bba_al_rdp"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070414/capt.906cf4936d294ff6a5c4b08dac3790d3.blue_jays_tigers_baseball_cptd112.jpg?x=103&y=130&sig=HFddALO11mJOKyjgdo9rdA--" align="left" height="130" width="103" alt="Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Roy Halladay delivers during first-inning AL action against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, April 13, 2007, in Toronto, Canada. (AP Photo/Nathan Denette,CP)" border="0" /></a>AP - American League aces were on display, and Toronto's Roy Halladay and Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir came out on top.</p><br clear="all"/>
Stars have enough legs to handle Canucks
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070414/ap_on_sp_ho_ga_su/hkn_nhl_playoffs_rdp"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070414/capt.4532b7c6b4654475afc0eb87e5629a5e.canucks_stars_hockey_vcrx107.jpg?x=130&y=99&sig=4y1tCeMnSXkAjWS38TM.Ow--" align="left" height="99" width="130" alt="Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco makes a pad save during NHL playoff action against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, Canada, Friday April 13, 2007.(AP Photo/Chuck Stoody,CP)" border="0" /></a>AP - After playing more than two games to decide their playoff opener, the Dallas Stars were thrilled to have a short work night. They made certain Game 2 of their Western Conference series at Vancouver would not be another marathon, using superb goaltending by Marty Turco and goals early in the first and second periods for a 2-0 win Friday night.</p><br clear="all"/>
2 spots left in the Western Conference
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070414/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/bkn_nba_rdp"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070414/capt.3fa9a4336a8442e88085956c65b43a4b.lakers_suns_basketball_pnu107.jpg?x=103&y=130&sig=VVtTawxaIZi2X6VVAy226g--" align="left" height="130" width="103" alt="Los Angeles Lakers' Luke Walton, rear, shoots over Phoenix Suns' James Jones (22) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 13, 2007, in Phoenix. The Suns won 93-85, despite Walton's 19 points. (AP Photo/Matt York)" border="0" /></a>AP - Better hold off calling the Lakers-Suns game a playoff preview. Los Angeles may not get that No. 7 spot — and suddenly eighth is no guarantee, either. The NBA's regular season headed into its final weekend with two spots left in the Western Conference, and the Lakers playing the worst of the three teams competing for them.</p><br clear="all"/>
Dad says Greg Oden will enter NBA draft
(AP)
AP - Ohio State star Greg Oden will enter the NBA draft, his father told The Indianapolis Star in a story on its Web site Friday night.
Pacman says he'll appeal his suspension
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070414/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_pacman_appeal"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070410/capt.ebe95393f2624f76b1ed297724d9e29b.jones_henry_suspensions_football_ny156.jpg?x=130&y=119&sig=t_nMmTVftdxZZPnYOB0w.g--" align="left" height="119" width="130" alt="Tennessee Titans punt returner Pacman Jones (32) high-steps into the end zone as he returns a punt 81 yards for a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., in this Dec. 31, 2006 file photo. (AP Photo/John Russell)" border="0" /></a>AP - Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones said Friday night he will appeal his season-long suspension and thinks NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made him the league's poster boy for disciplining players.</p><br clear="all"/>
Ohio State's Oden to enter NBA draft: report
(Reuters)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070414/sp_nm/basketball_oden_dc"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20070414/2007_04_14t033530_450x324_us_basketball_oden.jpg?x=130&y=93&sig=SkTm2CMlc1XLytlskug8Cw--" align="left" height="93" width="130" alt="The Ohio State Buckeyes Greg Oden hangs on the rim after a slam dunk against the University of Florida Gators during their NCAA Final Four men's basketball championship game in Atlanta, Georgia, April 2, 2007. The father of Oden said the freshman center would enter this year's NBA draft, the Indianapolis Star reported on its Web site on Friday. (Mike Segar/Reuters)" border="0" /></a>Reuters - The father of Ohio State University's
Greg Oden said the freshman center would enter this year's NBA
draft, the Indianapolis Star reported on its Web site on
Friday.</p><br clear="all"/>
Athletics beat Yankees 5-4 in 11 innings
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070414/ap_on_sp_ba_ga_su/bba_yankees_athletics"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070414/capt.a41867aec3a24ff0bc5945c36d2f6458.yankees_athletics_baseball__oas113.jpg?x=93&y=130&sig=Yjgk0IW5lHbg1psO1Yb.mg--" align="left" height="130" width="93" alt="Oakland Athletics' Travis Buck, left, jumps after scoring the winning run past New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada during the 11th inning of a baseball game Friday, April 13, 2007, in Oakland, Calif. Buck scored on a grounder by Bobby Kielty to lift the A's over the Yankees 5-4. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)" border="0" /></a>AP - Travis Buck decided from the moment he made contact that he would stretch his hit into a triple. The rookie wanted to test center fielder Johnny Damon and did so — barely.</p><br clear="all"/>
Abdominal pain puts Maradona in hospital
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070413/ap_on_sp_so_ne/soc_maradona_hospitalized"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070413/capt.c5ded249e1ef462ba7d1c8c0e8e14a81.argentina_maradona_hospitalized_bai103.jpg?x=126&y=130&sig=6IfMRxeGDK8PJydnI7.DHA--" align="left" height="130" width="126" alt="Former soccer player Diego Maradona cheers his team during an Argentina's first division soccer match in Buenos Aires between Boca Juniors and Lanus in this Dec. 10, 2006 file photo. Maradona was hospitalized with abdominal pain on Friday April 13, 2007, just two days after he left a private clinic for treatment for acute hepatitis related to alcohol abuse.(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)" border="0" /></a>AP - Diego Maradona was admitted with strong abdominal pains to a public hospital intensive care unit Friday and then transferred to a private clinic where he was listed in stable condition.</p><br clear="all"/>
Ducks take 2-0 series lead over Wild
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070414/ap_on_sp_ho_ga_su/hkn_wild_ducks"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070414/capt.fd552cdf7b31471abe46a92006814650.aptopix_wild_ducks_hockey_ana105.jpg?x=130&y=114&sig=D1.r6dWIPFSr7gs6PMVraA--" align="left" height="114" width="130" alt="Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the second period of their western conference quarterfinal NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)" border="0" /></a>AP - Taking the first two games on their home ice, the Anaheim Ducks know they'll face a stiffer challenge as their playoff series against the Wild shifts to Minnesota. "We needed to take advantage on home ice and we did that," Anaheim defenseman Francois Beauchemin said Friday night after scoring twice in the Ducks' 3-2 victory.</p><br clear="all"/>
Damaged goods?
RB Adrian Peterson's career at Oklahoma was plagued by injuries, a concern for NFL teams and evaluators.
'Pacman' says he'll appeal suspension (AP)
Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones said Friday night he will appeal his season-long suspension and thinks NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made him the league's poster boy for disciplining players. Jones has not talked to reporters since the suspension for conduct detrimental to the NFL was announced Tuesday.
Broncos cut five-time Pro Bowl LB Wilson (AP)
Broncos linebacker Al Wilson's heart tells him he can still play football. His neck is a different story. The Broncos released the five-time Pro Bowl player Friday because of a combination of injury and salary cap concerns. Wilson, who injured his neck against Seattle on Dec. 3, was scheduled to make $5.2 million in base salary this season.
QB Bledsoe retires after 14 seasons (AP)
Drew Bledsoe retired Wednesday, ending a 14-season career in which he made two Super Bowls. The top overall pick by New England in the 1993 draft out of Washington State, the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback played for the Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys. He was a starter for all three teams, but ended up as a backup with the Cowboys.
Saints sign WR Patten to one-year deal (AP)
The New Orleans Saints signed receiver David Patten to a one-year contract Thursday, hoping the 10-year veteran can rebound from two disappointing seasons with the Washington Redskins. A Saints spokesman confirmed the deal, but couldn't release financial details. Patten was cut last month two seasons into a five-year, $13 million free-agent deal he signed with the Redskins after helping the New...
Lynn Swann may run for Congress (AP)
Lynn Swann is thinking about running for Congress. The former Pittsburgh Steelers star, a Republican who lost Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race last fall, said Thursday he has been approached to run for the Pittsburgh-area seat held by Democratic Rep. Jason Altmire. "I'm still collecting information," Swann, of Sewickley Heights, told The Associated Press in a phone interview.
Raiders sign OL Cooper Carlisle (AP)
The Oakland Raiders agreed to a contract Friday with former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Cooper Carlisle. Carlisle started every game the past two seasons for the Broncos and has played 95 games since joining Denver as a fourth-round pick out of Florida in 2000. "Cooper has been a consistent starter in our division and his experience will serve us well up front with our offensive line," Raiders...
Simms, Garcia to compete for Bucs QB job (AP)
Training camp is more than three months away, however Chris Simms and Jeff Garcia are already gearing up for an interesting race for Tampa Bay's starting quarterback job. The Buccaneers held their first wave of voluntary offseason workouts this week, with Simms taking the majority of snaps with the first team and free agent signee Garcia still trying to get a feel for coach Jon Gruden's offense.
Mysteries of the East
Even after nearly six months of basketball, we still don't know the favorite to win the Eastern Conference.
Kidd, Nets clinch playoff berth (AP)
Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets took no satisfaction in eliminating the New York Knicks from the playoff race. They should get plenty of pleasure from qualifying themselves for the postseason. "They were on the schedule," said Kidd, who had his 87th triple-double. "Nobody was celebrating that we knocked the Knicks out.
Nuggets spoil Hornets' OKC farewell (AP)
Not long ago, the sight of any NBA superstars in Oklahoma City would have been a dream come true. My, how times have changed. A triumph by Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and the Denver Nuggets sent fans home in disappointment Friday night, as the New Orleans Hornets lost their final game in their temporary home, 107-105.
Warriors further playoff push with win (AP)
The Golden State Warriors have spent eight seasons on the unpleasant end of a one-sided rivalry with the Sacramento Kings, who racked up playoff glory while their coastal rivals only stacked up losing records. The balance of NBA power in Northern California has shifted to the Bay this spring -- and the Warriors cemented their spot on top with another win in a playoff chase that's coming down to...
Clips keep pace for last spot in West (AP)
Win or go home. That's the attitude the Los Angeles Clippers are playing with these days. Cuttino Mobley had 22 points, six rebounds and seven assists, Elton Brand added 20 points and seven rebounds, and the Clippers took command early in beating the Portland Trail Blazers 107-89 on Friday night for their ninth win in 13 games.
Nash send Kobe, Lakers tumbling to .500 (AP)
The Phoenix Suns' 60th victory of the season was almost as ugly as Kobe Bryant's shooting night. Steve Nash had 26 points and 14 assists, and the sputtering Suns sent a weary Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers to their sixth loss in seven games, 93-85 on Friday night. Bryant, who played all 48 minutes in Thursday night's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, was 7-for-26 from the field for 17 points...
Bulls tighten hold on No. 2 seed in East (AP)
Kirk Hinrich thought back to his rookie season, when the Chicago Bulls won just 23 games and seemed about as far from contention as a team could be. "We've come a long way since I've been here," he said. They're heading to the playoffs for the third straight year, and this time, the expectations are higher.
Boozer, Jazz pick up needed win (AP)
The way the Utah Jazz have been playing, they weren't about to discount their 104-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night just because Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse and Erick Dampier sat out. "They still have (Dirk) Nowitzki," noted Matt Harpring. "And Josh Howard. That's two All-Stars," added Deron Williams.
Raptors closer in gaining home court (AP)
The Toronto Raptors moved a step closer to clinching home court in the first round of the playoffs. If they later meet the Detroit Pistons, they know they'll have to play better. Anthony Parker scored 21 points and the Raptors moved within a win or a Miami loss from clinching the third seed in the Eastern Conference with an 87-84 victory over the Pistons on Friday night.
Wade's late surge lifts Heat by Pacers (AP)
The Miami Heat have been talking about getting into playoff mode, and Dwyane Wade was there Friday night. Wade scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, plus got a steal and found James Posey for the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:29 left that sparked the Heat to a 100-96 victory over the Indiana Pacers -- a game where the defending NBA champions rallied from a seven-point deficit in the final...
Playoff observations
Turco, Stars even series with Canucks (AP)
The Dallas Stars made sure to avoid another long night by jumping on the Vancouver Canucks early. Jeff Halpern and Joel Lundqvist scored on the opening shift in each of the first two periods, and Marty Turco made 35 saves as the Stars evened their best-of-seven first-round playoff series with a 2-0 win over Vancouver on Friday night.
Preds rip Sharks in fight-filled game (AP)
Emotions -- and tempers -- can't get much higher between the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators. J.P. Dumont scored a short-handed goal, then added a power-play goal 2 1/2 minutes later, and the Predators evened their Western Conference quarterfinal by beating San Jose 5-2 Friday night in a penalty- and fight-filled game.
Beauchemin gives Ducks commanding lead (AP)
Taking the first two games on their home ice, the Anaheim Ducks know they'll face a stiffer challenge as their playoff series against the Wild shifts to Minnesota. "We needed to take advantage on home ice and we did that," Anaheim defenseman Francois Beauchemin said Friday night after scoring twice in the Ducks' 3-2 victory.
Isles G DiPietro could play in Game 2 (AP)
Islanders star goalie Rick DiPietro is closer to making a return after practicing Friday for the first time in three weeks since his second concussion. Coach Ted Nolan said DiPietro looked sharp, but he'll wait until the morning skate Saturday before determining whether the goalie will play in Game 2 of the Islanders' first-round Eastern Conference playoff series at Buffalo.
Hedberg in, Lehtonen out for Thrashers (AP)
The Atlanta Thrashers will turn to veteran goalie Johan Hedberg and hope for more production from their top scorers when they try to even their first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers on Saturday. Kari Lehtonen shut out the Rangers in the third period of Thursday night's 4-3 loss, but still the young goalie will be benched in Saturday's Game 2.
Tortorella: No Game 2 adjustments needed (AP)
John Tortorella isn't changing a thing in the Tampa Bay Lightning's game plan for the playoff series against the New Jersey Devils. The coach liked what he saw in a 5-3 loss in Game 1, and he liked it even more on Friday in watching the videotapes. "I am not going to get into specifics, but we did a lot of the things we wanted to do," Tortorella said after the Lightning practiced at Floyd Hall in...
Sharks' Bernier helped off ice after hit (AP)
San Jose forward Steve Bernier had to be helped off the ice after being hit into the boards with his head snapping back before he fell face-first Friday night in Game 2 against the Nashville Predators. Bernier was at the sideboards, working for control of the puck when he was first hit by Nashville defenseman Dan Hamhuis.
Red Wings start quick, defeat Flames 4-1 (AP)
If the Detroit Red Wings could have scripted their playoff opener, it would have looked a lot like their 4-1 win Thursday night over the Calgary Flames. Detroit punished the Flames with checks and depth; its goaltending was solid; Pavel Datsyuk finally scored in the postseason; and Henrik Zetterberg played for the first time in two months.
Red Wings' Bertuzzi hopes to play Game 2 (AP)
Todd Bertuzzi skated in practice with the Detroit Red Wings on Friday and hopes to play in Game 2 of their first-round series against Calgary. Bertuzzi didn't play in Thursday's Game 1, which Detroit won 4-1, or in the regular season finale because of a concussion and a neck injury. "He's been cleared medically," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said.
Back and forth
Gordon gets another chance for victory in Texas (AP)
Jeff Gordon is 0-for-Texas, shut out of Victory Lane a dozen times.
Storm caps embarrassing week for Waltrip (PA SportsTicker)
FORT WORTH, Texas (Ticker) - Michael Waltrip discovered a new way to miss a NASCAR Nextel Cup race on Friday. An extremely severe storm canceled the qualifier for Sunday's Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Earnhardt intrigued by repair of rough spot on Texas track (AP)
The namesake for ``Dale's Dip'' was intrigued by efforts to fix the rough spot at Texas Motor Speedway.
Waltrip not racing or talking (AP)
Michael Waltrip isn't talking or racing this weekend.
Severe weather cancels qualifying for Samsung 500 (PA SportsTicker)
Gordon on the pole, Waltrip out after Texas qualifying canceled (AP)
Michael Waltrip will miss another race, and Jeff Gordon will start on the pole without driving a lap after NASCAR Nextel Cup qualifying was canceled Friday because of severe storms that led to tornado warnings.
Ragan on pole in Texas, on front row with teammate Edwards (AP)
David Ragan earned his first NASCAR Busch Series pole Thursday night, edging Roush Racing teammate and series points leader Carl Edwards.
Kenseth surging since Daytona -- from 40th to 4th (AP)
Matt Kenseth was already behind before the first race, and wasn't in much better shape after it.
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