Thursday, June 14, 2012

Birmingham's Michael Thompson shoots 66 to lead U.S. Open; Tiger lurking | al.com - Birmingham native and former Crimson Tide golfer Michael Thompson has taken the clubhouse lead at the U.S. Open, shooting a 4-under 66 for a three-shot lead on a late-charging Tiger Woods.

More
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/06/birminghams_michael_thompson_s.html#incart_river_default


Jerry Sandusky Trial, Day Four: ‘Was Mrs. Sandusky Home?’ - The Daily Beast - In the trial’s most chilling testimony yet, a young accuser said he screamed for help in the basement of ex-Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky—but no one answered. Diane Dimond reports.


http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/14/jerry-sandusky-trial-day-four-was-mrs-sandusky-home.html


Witness in Sandusky trial says he screamed for help – USATODAY.com


http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-14/sandusky-trial/55595882/1?csp=hf


Matt Cain hit a drive with Dustin Johnson into McCovey Cove before perfect game (Video) - Yardbarker -Matt Cain warmed up for his perfect game on Wednesday night against the Astros in an unconventional way: by hitting a golf ball into McCovey Cove. PGA Tour golfer Dustin Johnson was visiting AT&T Park ahead of the U.S. Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco and hit some balls into McCovey Cove before taking in the game. He also threw out the ceremonial first pitch, though he didn’t pull it off as well as Rory McIlroy. In addition to Johnson smacking some balls into the water, a few Giants players took swings including Clay Hensley, Aubrey Huff, and former player J.T. Snow. They were looking for more volunteers and Cain stepped forward for a swing. Cain blasted one out of the park and into the water.


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http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/matt_cain_hit_a_drive_with_dustin_johnson_into_mccovey_cove_before_perfect_game_video/11009657?linksrc=home_rg_head_11009657


Flurry of no-hitters and perfect games reflect changes in baseball - Tom Verducci - SI.com - Finally, there has been a lot of talk about how Cain just might have pitched the best game in baseball history, seeing as he tied the record of Sandy Koufax for most strikeouts in a perfect game (14). In other words, Cain took care of the majority of outs himself without letting anybody on base. That puts his game among the greatest ever, though for importance, there's no way it stands up to Dan Larsen throwing a perfect game in the 1956 World Series against a Dodgers team that led the NL in on-base percentage, was second in runs scored and had four future Hall of Famers in the lineup. - But you also have to keep in mind that there are more strikeouts in today's game than ever before in history. When Koufax fanned 14 Cubs in his perfect game in 1965, NL batters struck out once every 5.74 at-bats. This year they are punching out once every 4.42 at-bats -- a 23 percent increase in the rate of strikeouts. The less often the ball is in play, the more likely a no-hitter becomes.


More
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tom_verducci/06/14/no.hitter.craze/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t12_a0&hpt=hp_c1

No-hitters all over, with former Braves doing daring deeds! | Mark Bradley - AJC


http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/06/14/no-hitters-all-over-with-former-braves-doing-daring-deeds/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog


PGA Tour - U.S. Open Championship Results - USATODAY.com


http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/golf/pga/event/US-Open-Championship


Michael Thompson takes early lead, Tiger lurks at Open – USATODAY.com


http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/story/2012-06-14/us-open-tiger-woods-phil-mickelson-bubba-watson/55600746/1?csp=hf


Matt Cain pitches first perfect game for San Francisco Giants | al.com - (VIDEO) Dothan native Matt Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in major league history and first for the Giants, striking out a career-high 14 and getting help from two spectacular catches to beat the Houston Astros 10-0 on Wednesday night.


More
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/06/matt_cain_pitches_first_perfec.html


A-Rod: I would 'pay money' to see Bryce Harper - Yardbarker


http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/a_rod_i_would_pay_money_to_see_bryce_harper/11011652?linksrc=home_rg_head_11011652


Penn St. officer describes sting operation against Sandusky – USATODAY.com


http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-14/sandusky-trial/55595882/1?csp=hf