Karstens nearly perfect in 2-hit shutout for Bucs
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jeff Karstens, center, is greeted by teammates in between innings after giving up a double to Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Young which broke up his perfect game during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008, in Phoenix. At left is Pirates' Chris Gomez (5) and Jack Wilson (2).
PHOENIX (AP) — Jeff Karstens has given the Pittsburgh Pirates a perfect start.
Almost a perfect game, too.
The recently acquired right-hander set down his first 23 batters before Chris Young's two-out double in the eighth inning and finished with a two-hitter Wednesday in a 2-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
"We knew what he was capable of doing," Pirates manager John Russell said. "We had very good reports on him. The biggest thing is he throws strikes. That's a great asset for any pitcher."
Karstens (2-0) has tossed 15 scoreless innings — against a pair of first-place teams — since coming to Pittsburgh in a six-player trade July 26 that sent outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees. This masterpiece followed a 3-0 victory Friday over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
"It's been a big change," Karstens said. "I was pitching well in Triple-A and I felt like I wasn't going
Weeks has 4 hits, Brewers beat Reds 6-3
CINCINNATI (AP) — Shoves? What shoves?
Struggling leadoff hitter Rickie Weeks matched his career high with four hits Wednesday, and the slumping bottom of the Milwaukee Brewers' batting
Truex agrees to stay at DEI through 2009
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) _ Martin Truex Jr. finally agreed to a contract extension with Dale Earnhardt Inc. on Wednesday that keeps him in the No. 1 Chevrolet at least through 2009.
The two
USA track's leader sends strong message on doping
DALIAN, China (AP) _ The new leader of USA Track and Field has a simple message to those who aren't buying into the idea of wiping away years of drug scandals and creating a new, clean sport: Get out.
» Full StoryFans split on Favre, Packers
.JPG)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) _ Brett Favre left Green Bay Wednesday without a clear picture of his future in the NFL. Packers fans are similarly confused.
Don Harvey, of Ashwaubenon, was carryi
Armstrong to race in Leadville 100
(AP) — Lance Armstrong is set to race in the Leadville Trail 100 on Saturday, a grueling 100-mile race in the Rockies of 1,000 mountain bike riders that left Floyd Landis battered and bleeding last ye
» Full Story
Life in the Adirondacks 7/2008
CanAm rugby mens premier final
Can Am Rugby over 35 final
CanAm Rugby BuffaloVSBellHigh
Can Am final Ottawa vs Akron
Can Am winners and 2nd place
Can Am Mountaineers vs Ottawa
Can Am Tourney MOB Rugby