Record crowd watches Oregon spring game

April 30, 2011

EUGENE, Ore. (AP)—Just a few months removed from the BCS championship, theOregon Ducks played their spring game Saturday before a Pac-10 record crowd ofmore than 43,000.

Heisman finalist LaMichael James proved he hadn’t lost a step by running fora 67-yard touchdown for Oregon’s green team early in the day. Rob Beard addedthree field goals for a 16-0 victory over the white team.

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According to Oregon’s count, a Pac-10 and school spring record 43,468 fansshowed up for the game, which seemed to catch both the university and Eugeneofficials off guard. Traffic was snarled in the city and some parking gates atAutzen Stadium were shut, adding to the backup.

For comparison, last year’s spring game drew 25,211, the previous schoolrecord.

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16 y.o. Thompson shares lead in Avnet Classic

April 30, 2011

MOBILE, Alabama (AP)—Sixteen-year-old Alexis Thompson moved into position tobecome the youngest winner in LPGA Tour history by shooting a 5-under 67 onSaturday for a share of the third-round lead with Song-Hee Kim in the Avnet LPGAClassic.

Kim had a 70 to match Thompson at 7-under 209 on The Crossings course at theRobert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Magnolia Grove complex.

“I’m going into (Sunday) just going all-in on every golf shot,” Thompsonsaid. “Play consistent like I have the last few days and hopefully it’ll all gowell.”

Sandra Sandra Gal of Germany lines up… AP – Apr 29, 2:16 pm EDT Stacy Lewis acknowledges the g… AP – Apr 29, 2:16 pm EDT Amy Yang of South Korea, drive… AP – Apr 29, 2:10 pm EDT Grace Park of South Korea line… AP – Apr 28, 1:53 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 3; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/a0/fullj.471429d023efd37c637676fdedc29cc8/ap-c72cdef3a1334c9d8ab11836515ca9ea.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=357&hc=396&q=70&sig=QS2HmCUu9F6P3e7sSaUzSQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/3b/fullj.71446b2ca53114d9274f89cc8bcd9635/ap-f87d116bf5444a07bf436dd5ad0f4313.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=90&yc=1&wc=261&hc=291&q=70&sig=OfzVKZUGf7qukq03sL0x_w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/44/fullj.2300b73fd2a96b4377be8ffa9d13de1b/ap-46f5aa12fe084ad1812705674c915d47.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=369&hc=410&q=70&sig=MWwH87N3lK4bxybpo.KrwQ--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 4 Golf Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Thompson will be 16 years, 2 months, 21 days on Sunday. Marlene Hagge was 18years, 14 days when she won the 1952 Sarasota Open, which was an 18-hole event.Hagge won two 18-hole events at age 18. Paula Creamer is the youngest winner ofa multi-round event, winning the 2005 Sybase Classic at 18 years, 9 months, 17days.

Amy Yang was a stroke back after a 72, and Maria Hjorth (67), SuzannPettersen (71) and Karen Stupples (72) were 5 under. Second-round leader SandraGal was 4 under after a 75.

Thompson played in the U.S. Women’s Open at 12, and turned pro last yearafter going 5-0 for the United States in the Curtis Cup.

Thompson said she didn’t notice her top spot on the leaderboard until shewas heading up to the 18th green.

“I hadn’t been looking at the leaderboard, since I’m not trying to worryabout that,” she said.

Thompson dodged trouble on the finishing hole after hitting her approachinto the greenside rough.

“I was just hoping, ‘Don’t go in the bunker,”’ she said. “When I hit it,I was just like, ‘Wow, that was really bad.’ But that’s golf. You hit shots likethat. You’ve just got to take it and go find it.”

And she did. But Kim saved par after landing in the bunker.

“I had a great lie on the bunker so I knew I had par,” Kim said. “I had alot of confidence. That’s why I made par.”

Thompson made a number of mid-range putts, including one on No. 16 for thelast of her six birdies.

“We got the wind right on a lot of holes today,” said Scott Thompson, herfather and caddie. “We were pretty good at judging the wind and when we didmake a mistake like (on 18), she recovered from it. She’s hitting it good. Shemade a lot of putts. She made like five putts from about 12-15 feet, whichsometimes we don’t make.”

Gal struggled after opening with rounds of 70 and 67 to enter the day with aone-stroke lead over Yang.

“It kind of played tough today,” Gal said. “The greens were reallybouncy, and I just wasn’t striking the ball as well. Basically, a par round andI would have been happy today but I missed three short putts.

“I’m still in the mix. I’m just three shots back, so nothing to worryabout.”

Hjorth overcame back-to-back bogeys early with three birdies over the final10 holes coupled with an eagle on the par-5 16th hole.

She set up her 15-foot eagle putt with a 3-wood approach.

“It was a really good second shot,” said Hjorth, who won in 2007 on aRobert Trent Jones Golf Trail course in Prattville. “The wind was coming up soit was kind of the perfect shape to get into the pin.”

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Golf-Watson and Simpson in tie for New Orleans lead (Reuters)

April 30, 2011

* Late birdie earns Watson a share of the lead

* Simpson surges into contention with sizzling front nine (Adds detail, quotes)

NEW ORLEANS, April 30 (Reuters) – Bubba Watson got up anddown from a greenside bunker to birdie the last and hold a shareof the lead with fellow American Webb Simpson after Saturday’sthird round of the New Orleans Classic.

Left-hander Watson, who had been one stroke ahead overnight,splashed out to five feet at the par-five 18th and coolly sankthe putt for a two-under-par 70 at the TPC Louisiana.

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That gave the long-hitting American a 12-under total of 204,putting him level with Simpson who had reeled off fiveconsecutive birdies from the par-three third on the way to aflawless 67.

At one point, Simpson led the field by two on another hotand breezy day in Louisiana but he failed to make any birdies onthe back nine before being caught by Watson’s late surge.

American John Rollins carded a 69 to finish alone in thirdat 11 under, a stroke better than six players including hiscompatriot Steve Stricker (68), Australian Matt Jones (69) andSouth Korea’s K.J. Choi (67).

Britain’s Luke Donald, who could become world number onewith victory this week, returned a 70 to end the third roundfive shots off the pace.

“I got off to a pretty good start with those five birdies ina row, and I even had a chance at eight for birdie,” Simpson,25, said in a television interview.

“But the way the wind blows out here and the golf course isfirming up, I knew pars were a good score on the back nine. Iwish I could have gotten more but, all in all, a solid day.”

TAMPA BAY EXPERIENCE

Simpson will be bidding for his first PGA Tour title when hetees off in Sunday’s final round and plans to draw on hisexperience from last month’s Transitions Championship in TampaBay where he finished second.

“I have proved to myself, my caddie and everybody else thatI can win,” Simpson said of his runner-up spot at Tampa Bay,just one stroke behind winner Gary Woodland.

“I was right there until the last hole so I will carry theconfidence from that tournament into tomorrow. The only thing itwill do is help me.”

In co-leader Watson, however, Simpson faces a much moreexperienced player who is seeking his third career victory onthe U.S. circuit.

“We are right in a good position,” said left-hander Watson,who clinched his second PGA Tour title at the Farmers InsuranceOpen in January.

“I must just stay focused on what I am doing, just play‘Bubba’ golf. Don’t worry about what’s going on, don’t worryabout what anyone else is doing.”

Conditions on Sunday are expected to mirror those ofSaturday when tricky winds provided a daunting challenge on acourse already playing fast and firm.

“The greens were getting pretty firm and pretty quicktoday,” said Watson. “It was tough. It was tough to make putts.You were just trying to cosy it up there, or I was any way.”

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing byPritha Sarkar/Nick Mulvenney; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Huff’s bases-loaded walk lifts Giants

April 30, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP)—Taken out of the starting lineup, slumping Aubrey Huff(notes)drew a bases-loaded walk as a pinch hitter to force home the go-ahead run, andthe San Francisco Giants overcame Jonathan Sanchez’s(notes) wild start and BrianWilson’s(notes) wild finish to edge the punchless Washington Nationals 2-1 Saturday.

San San Francisco Giants ' Mig… AP – Apr 30, 7:42 pm EDT San Francisco Giants ' Eli… AP – Apr 30, 6:25 pm EDT Washington Nationals pitcher J… AP – Apr 30, 6:14 pm EDT San Francisco Giants starting … AP – Apr 30, 6:13 pm EDT Washington Nationals starting … AP – Apr 30, 6:13 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 4; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/43/fullj.c46c56b72ed4be9cbce4795eec0168a0/ap-ebf11eaab7a0418fbd4c254df9400751.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=350&hc=388&q=70&sig=qSYFVd3qCzPUra8hDXymEg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/3d/fullj.6c406c1b7dcd46d1becf745a539d5e1e/ap-1050af66ebbf404593654b8c915e9434.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=68&yc=1&wc=306&hc=341&q=70&sig=GGV_YkntyZySIqeZYvrrTw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/4e/fullj.9f8fab0cdda69b975b552225376778e5/ap-dae6f0d483b94923bae4c51df1df428c.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=97&yc=1&wc=248&hc=276&q=70&sig=5t1n.yJz6cQFGn29pUswAA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/c8/fullj.8be020eaf883b662c04c905e96db8f30/ap-99316c577ea24312a9ebd145943c1e3e.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=103&yc=1&wc=235&hc=262&q=70&sig=V_JLieorZJp7jhhSlMbrJA--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 5 SF-Was Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance San Francisco 0 Washington 3 Fri, Apr 29 – Final San Francisco 2 Washington 1 Sat, Apr 30 – Final San Francisco at Washington Sun, May 1 – 1:35 pm ET San Francisco at Washington Mon, May 2 – 7:05 pm ET

Sanchez walked or hit seven of Washington’s first 10 batters but allowedjust two hits and one unearned run in his five innings. Guillermo Mota(notes) (2-0)pitched a perfect sixth for the win, and four other relievers followed withhitless work.

Still, Wilson made it interesting in the ninth. He walked two batters andhit Jayson Werth(notes) to load the bases with two outs, before striking out AdamLaRoche(notes) swinging for his eighth save.

John Lannan(notes) (2-3) allowed two runs in 6 2-3 innings.

He gave up Eli Whiteside’s(notes) homer in the third and the bases-full walk toHuff in the seventh.

Both teams learned before the game that they would be without their starthird basemen for long stretches because of upcoming operations: San Francisco’sPablo Sandoval(notes) is expected to miss four to six weeks because of a broken bone inhis right wrist; Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman(notes) should be sidelined for six weekswith an abdominal tear.

The lineups could have used those players’ skills at the plate.

The Nationals, in particular, really let Sanchez and Wilson get out oftrouble despite some serious control problems. Washington left the bases loadedin each of the first two innings, before doing it again in the ninth.

Sanchez walked three of the game’s first four batters—Rick Ankiel’s(notes)double-play grounder was the exception—prompting a mound visit by Giantspitching coach Dave Righetti. That didn’t help, because Sanchez then issued afourth free pass.

But with the bases full, Michael Morse(notes) swung at the first pitch and groundedout to third.

Things didn’t get better in the second, which Sanchez began by hitting IanDesmond(notes) with a pitch.

The left-hander then had Desmond picked off first base with a well-disguisedmove. When Desmond broke for second, fill-in first baseman Buster Posey(notes)—normally a catcher, he was making his first start at the bag since August, togive the .202-hitting Huff a rest—threw over, but shortstop Mike Fontenot(notes)dropped the ball and was charged with an error.

A wild pitch, walk and another hit batter helped load the bases. Ankiel thenhit a floater than ticked off diving Fontenot’s glove for a run-scoring singlethat made it 1-0 and left three runners on.

But Sanchez managed to wriggle out of the jam. He struck out Jayson Werthlooking, then got Adam LaRoche to ground out to Posey.

That began a stretch of eight consecutive outs for Sanchez, including fourstrikeouts in a row.

After Whiteside’s first homer of 2011 tied the game, the Giants went aheadin the seventh. Miguel Tejada(notes) reached on an infield single, Fontenot hit aground-rule double, and Whiteside was intentionally walked.

That brought up Huff, and Lannan’s day ended with the walk that made it 2-1,a score that wouldn’t change.

NOTES: Giants OF Darren Ford(notes) entered as a pinch-runner in the seventh andwas thrown out trying to steal second base. Ford singled in the eighth for hisfirst major league hit. … RHP Henry Rodriguez(notes) made his Nationals debut in theninth, reaching 100 mph and striking out two of the three batters he faced. …Posey’s one-out double in the fourth was wiped out on an odd double play. PatBurrell(notes) hit a comebacker and Lannan checked on Posey, who had strayed offsecond. Lannan ran Posey down and tagged him out, then threw to shortstopDesmond covering second to tag out Burrell as he tried to take an extra base.

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Watson, Simpson share Zurich Classic

April 30, 2011

AVONDALE, La. (AP)—Bubba Watson made a 4-foot birdie putt on the 18th holefor a 2-under 70 and a share of third-round lead with Webb Simpson on Saturdayin the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Simpson had five straight birdies in a 67 to match Watson, who has had atleast a share of the lead after all three rounds, at 12-under 204 at TPCLouisiana.

Web Web Simpson watches his approa… AP – Apr 29, 4:55 pm EDT Bubba Watson tees off on the f… AP – Apr 29, 3:44 pm EDT Bubba Watson acknowledges the … AP – Apr 29, 3:40 pm EDT AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 07: Jason… Getty Images – Apr 7, 2:17 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 3; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/4f/fullj.e65ff9784891275e1b28eb471504356b/ap-da85e63e954f485dbfd8d3b5b1e2e8a4.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=376&hc=417&q=70&sig=Ixuu4l0zN4zYmLBFSTpjhg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/23/fullj.361d1ad27018a8861c57f749667222ca/ap-6eddcd4f13b24d4fa020e783fcc748fc.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=386&hc=428&q=70&sig=noFBxy44xfORD4PtkCNZQg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/be/fullj.16e9147133dcc62e9b01b40e854cd5ab/16e9147133dcc62e9b01b40e854cd5ab-getty-107889049jl335_the_masters_.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=133&yc=1&wc=395&hc=439&q=70&sig=_cdiZQpUpfK5DUby57Gunw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 4 Golf Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

John Rollins (69) was third at 11 under, and 2002 winner K.J. Choi (67) was10 under along with Steve Stricker (68), George McNeill (65), Charles Howell III(66), Tommy Gainey (68) and Matt Jones (69).

Luke Donald, who missed an opportunity to jump from No. 3 to No. 1 in theworld a week ago when he lost playoff to Brandt Snedeker at Hilton Head, was 7under after a 70.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 11

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Daily Wrap-up: Round 3, Zurich Classic of New Orleans (PGATOUR.com)

April 30, 2011

AVONDALE, La. (AP)—Bubba Watson made a 4-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a 2-under 70 and a share of third-round lead with Webb Simpson on Saturday in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Simpson had five straight birdies in a 67 to match Watson, who has had at least a share of the lead after all three rounds, at 12-under 204 at TPC Louisiana.

John Rollins (69) was third at 11 under, and 2002 winner K.J. Choi (67) was 10 under along with Steve Stricker (68), George McNeill (65), Charles Howell III (66), Tommy Gainey (68) and Matt Jones (69).

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Luke Donald, who missed an opportunity to jump from No. 3 to No. 1 in the world a week ago when he lost playoff to Brandt Snedeker at Hilton Head, was 7 under after a 70.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 11

Written by chris · Filed Under Golf | Comments Off

Rangers hit 3 HRs in rout of Athletics

April 30, 2011

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Colby Lewis(notes) pitched eight strong innings, Texas hitthree home runs, including back-to-back shots by Nelson Cruz(notes) and Mike Napoli(notes) inthe fourth, and the Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 11-2 on Saturday.

OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Ricke… Getty Images – Apr 30, 7:08 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Conor… Getty Images – Apr 30, 7:08 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Elvis… Getty Images – Apr 30, 7:08 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Adria… Getty Images – Apr 30, 7:08 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Micha… Getty Images – Apr 30, 7:07 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Micha… Getty Images – Apr 30, 7:06 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Brett… Getty Images – Apr 30, 7:06 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Colby… Getty Images – Apr 30, 7:06 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Cliff… Getty Images – Apr 30, 7:06 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Colby… Getty Images – Apr 30, 7:05 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Colby… Getty Images – Apr 30, 7:05 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: A gen… Getty Images – Apr 30, 6:59 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Adria… Getty Images – Apr 30, 6:59 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Conor… Getty Images – Apr 30, 6:59 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Josh … Getty Images – Apr 30, 6:58 pm EDT Texas Rangers ' Elvis Andr… AP – Apr 30, 6:57 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Adria… Getty Images – Apr 30, 6:57 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Adria… Getty Images – Apr 30, 6:56 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Hidek… Getty Images – Apr 30, 6:55 pm EDT Texas Rangers ' Adrian Bel… AP – Apr 30, 6:54 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Adria… Getty Images – Apr 30, 6:53 pm EDT Oakland Athletics right fielde… AP – Apr 30, 6:51 pm EDT Oakland Athletics starting pit… AP – Apr 30, 6:03 pm EDT Oakland Athletics right fielde… AP – Apr 30, 5:45 pm EDT Texas Rangers designated hitte… AP – Apr 30, 5:41 pm EDT Hall of famer Rickey Henderson… AP – Apr 30, 5:35 pm EDT OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 30: Ricke… Getty Images – Apr 30, 4:36 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 26; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = 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YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 27 Tex-Oak Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance Texas 1 Oakland 3 Fri, Apr 29 – Final Texas 11 Oakland 2 Sat, Apr 30 – Final Texas at Oakland Sun, May 1 – 4:05 pm ET Texas at Oakland Mon, May 2 – 3:35 pm ET

Michael Young(notes) hit his first homer of the season as the Rangers tagged A’sstarter Brett Anderson(notes) (2-2) for seven runs in five innings while snapping atwo-game losing streak.

Lewis (2-3) allowed six hits with a season-high six strikeouts to win forthe first time since April 2. The right-hander had lost his previous threestarts while getting one run or fewer of support.

Kurt Suzuki(notes) and Josh Willingham(notes) homered for Oakland, which failed in itsattempt to get above .500 for only the second time this season.

Texas regained sole possession of first place in the AL West. The Rangersheld it for a week until losing to the A’s on Friday and dropping into a tiewith Anaheim. The Angels lost to Tampa Bay earlier Saturday, however, allowingthe Rangers to move back on top of the division alone.

A day after getting 11 hits—all singles—Texas had five extra-base hitsoff five Oakland pitchers and finished with 14 hits overall, one shy of itsseason-high. Every starter except Mitch Moreland(notes) had at least one hit and sevenplayers had at least one RBI.

Young’s homer was especially nice for the Rangers. His two-run shot in thethird ended a power drought that extended back to last Sept. 25.

Before muscling up against Anderson, Young had managed to drive in 17 runswithout a home run—the third-most by a player in the bigs since 1946.

The Rangers tagged Anderson for an early run in the first, getting some helpfrom Oakland’s shaky defense which entered the day second in the majors inerrors.

Anderson issued a one-out walk to Elvis Andrus(notes), then got Young to hit agrounder to second. But Andy LaRoche(notes), who was originally penciled in at thirdbefore second baseman Mark Ellis(notes) was a late scratch, threw to first instead oftrying for the double play. Andrus then stole third and easily scored on AdrianBeltre’s(notes) double that left fielder Willingham made a casual attempt to field.

Lewis, who appeared in 26 games for the A’s in 2007, relaxed with the leadand cruised to the win. He retired 15 of the final 18 batters he faced followingWillingham’s homer in the fourth and didn’t walk anyone until the eighth.

It was Lewis’ longest outing since a complete-game win over Houston lastJune 19.

Brett Tomko(notes) pitched the ninth to complete the seven-hitter for Texas.

Suzuki’s homer on a 2-2 pitch from Lewis in the second tied the game.Suzuki’s solo shot, only his second home run of the season, came two days afterthe birth of the Oakland catcher’s first child.

Texas then chased Anderson with two runs in the third and four in the fifthwhen Cruz and Napoli hit their back-to-back homers. It’s the first time thisseason the Rangers hit consecutive homer runs.

Oakland’s starters went into the game leading the majors with a 2.47 ERA butAnderson never found his rhythm. The left-hander was done after five innings,having allowed nine hits while striking out three.

The A’s committed their AL-leading 25th error in the ninth, which led tothree unearned runs.

NOTES: Ellis sat out with the flu. … CF Coco Crisp(notes) did some running butsat out a third straight game for Oakland with tightness in his left quadriceps.… Two-time All-Star closer Andrew Bailey(notes) (forearm strain) is scheduled tothrow a bullpen session Sunday and could face hitters as early as next week,according to A’s manager Bob Geren. … A crowd of 27,285 was on hand for RickeyHenderson Bobblehead Day. The Hall of Famer, who spent time with the A’s as aninstructor in spring training each of the past two years, also threw out theceremonial first pitch. “He was in my opinion, and I’m sure in other people’sopinion, the greatest leadoff hitter of all time,” said Geren, who played twoseasons with Henderson while both were with the Yankees in 1988-89. “I don’teven know who would be in his league. He still looks like he could play.”Several members of the Rangers requested the Henderson bobblehead dolls, too.… Texas manager Ron Washington said he expects backup C Taylor Teagarden(notes) toplay in one of the next two games. Teagarden has played in only one game sincebeing recalled from the minors on April 20. … Injured Texas closer NeftaliFeliz(notes), who is out until at least next Friday while he recovers from rightshoulder inflammation, threw off the bullpen mound before the game.

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Tour Report: Watson showing rare combination (PGATOUR.com)

April 30, 2011

Martin/Getty ImagesBubba Watson is seeking his third win in the last 10 months.

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

We’re seeing a rare combination of power and precision in Bubba Watson right now.

It’s one thing to hit it a mile off the tee, it’s another to do that and hit 79 percent of your fairways and consequently 83 percent of your greens in regulation, which ties for best in the field this week.

Is there any wonder then that Watson takes a share of the 54-hole lead to Sunday’s final round after a 2-under 70 on Saturday that included a birdie on the 18th hole?

It’s not as if Watson has been a one-week wonder, either.

He won the Farmers Insurance Open in February. He also won the Travelers Championship last June. He lost in a playoff at last year’s PGA Championship, and he was a semifinalist in this year’s World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.

He’s also third on the PGA TOUR in total driving (distance plus accuracy) and second in greens in regulation.

Now he has a chance for his third win in a little over 10 months. A victory would also catapult him to the top of the FedExCup standings (click here for the projected FedExCup standings).

Not that Watson thinks he has any sort of advantage having been in this position before.

“There’s no advantage,” Watson said. “He wants to win. I want to win. Just because I’ve won two, luckily, I want to win my third. When I win my third, I want to win my fourth. There’s always pressure you put on yourself and then the outside pressure that everybody else seems to put on you. You have to get used to that.

“So for him not winning his first one might be a little tougher for him, but I’m just as nervous as he is.”

Controlling nerves key for Simpson

Martin/Getty ImagesWebb Simpson shot a 5-under 67 Saturday at TPC Louisiana.

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

At one point it looked like Webb Simpson might challenge the course record after making five birdies over his first seven holes. That’s what TPC Louisiana showed whatever teeth it has.

Simpson made nothing but pars the rest of the way, shooting a 5-under 67 to grab a share of the lead at 12 under with Bubba Watson, who just capped a 70.

“I got off to pretty good start but the way wind blows out here and the way the course was firming up I knew par was a good score,” Simpson said. “All and all a good day.”

This is the second time Simpson has been in contention this season. At the Transitions Championship he carded three straights 67s before eventually finishing second after a final-round 69.

What did the former Wake Forest standout learn from the experience?

”The No. 1 thing is I proved to myself that I can win,” Simpson said. “I was right there until the last hole.

“I’ll carry that confidence from that tournament into tomorrow.”

He’ll also try to handle his nerves better, something that was an issue in Tampa, where his pre-shot routine slowed down and took him out of his rhythm.

Having a veteran caddie should help. Paul Tesori is on Simpson’s bag and the two talked about how to handle those nerves better the next time.

This is also the first time Simpson will take a share of the lead to the final round.

“The No. 1 thing is to stay in my routine,” Simpson said. “Take the same number of practice swings, the same number of practice strokes.”

If he can, he just might get his first career win.

Watch: The Bubba show

Martin/Getty Images

Bubba Watson’s been bashing his way around TPC Louisiana. Here’s a closer look at his swing.

For a look at his birdie on the 11th hole, click here.

Update: Simpson still leading — for now

We’re well into the third round and Webb Simpson is still leading, but he has company. Nine players are currently within three shots of his lead.

One of those is Matt Jones, who is 4 under through 14 holes, and overnight leader Bubba Watson, who is just 1 under through 12 holes.

The biggest moves among that group came from George McNeill, who shot 65, and Charles Howell III, who just capped a 66 to get to 10 under and in a tie with McNeill and two others.

K.J. Choi, Tommy Gainey and Steve Stricker are another stroke back from that and they all have a chance to get closer since they’re still on the golf course.

Simpson extends birdie streak

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

Make that five straight birdies now for Webb Simpson, who is 5 under through his first seven holes and leads at 12 under.

Among the highlights for the former Wake Forrest standout: A 33-footer on No. 4, a 16 1/2-footer on No. 5 and a chip-in from 21 yards on No. 6.

In case you’re wondering, the course record at TPC Louisiana is 64, which Kyle Reifers shot in the first round in 2007. To follow Simpson live with Shot Tracker click here.

Logjam at the top in New Orleans

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

So much for Bubba Watson’s lead. He now has company at 10 under in the form of Webb Simpson and John Rollins. They’re 3 and 2 under in the third round, respectively, while Watson is even par through his first three holes.

Very quietly, Simpson has put together a nice year after a little bit of a down season in 2010, which was his second on the PGA TOUR.

It’s been a total turnaround in 2011, though. In nine starts, Simpson has a half-dozen top-25s, including two top-10s, which of course includes his runner-up finish in Tampa.

Already, Simpson has made more money this year than he did in all of 2010 and he’s obviously well on his way to adding to that this week.

Rollins on the other hand has been more of a head-scratcher. Statistically, he’s been solid. On the scorecard, though, he’s just not putting up the numbers.

In 10 starts, Rollins has missed the cut five times and he has just one finish inside the top 40 — a tie for 20th in Tampa.

This week, however, Rollins missed just two fairways and eight greens in regulation through his first two rounds. And of the eight times he did miss the green, he made par or better seven times. In other words, he’s simply putting the ball in the hole better than he has all year.

McNeill goes low, moves into contention

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

After finishing 138th on the money list in 2010, George McNeill has only conditional status on the PGA TOUR this year. A big week here could go a long way toward changing that.

McNeill, who tied for fifth early this season in Puerto Rico, shot a 7-under 65 Saturday — the low round of the day so far — to move to 10 under for the week and within reach of the lead.

How good was McNeill Saturday? Over his last 12 holes, he made seven birdies. His best shot of the day? How about driving the 377-yard par-4 13th, where he two-putted from 38 feet for birdie.

Given his status, McNeill came into this week with just four starts. If he continues to play this well, he’ll certainly get a lot more.

Teater on pace for career week

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

The biggest jump in the FedExCup standings this week could come from Josh Teater, who entered the week 171st. Should he go on to win — he’s currently one shot back of leader Bubba Watson — he’d move inside the top 30.

How did Teater, who has just one finish in the top 50 this season, play his way into Saturday’s final group? Simple: Putting.

In Round 2, Teater converted eight putts of 8 feet or longer, including a career long 72-foot, 11-inch bomb on the third hole.

For the week, he’s converted nine putts from outside 10 feet — second-most in the field.

Click here to follow Teater and Watson live with Shot Tracker

Your open thread: Zurich Classic, Rd. 3

Martin/Getty ImagesBubba Watson enters the weekend at 10 under and with a one-shot lead.

Bubba Watson is halfway to his second win of the season. Will he get it, or will someone else emerge on moving day at TPC Louisiana, where the wind will be blowing in the 20-mph range? Follow it live and discuss today’s round here.

Scores | Shot Tracker | Tee Times | Groups to watch

Watson’s accuracy the difference

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

We’re at the halfway point of the halfway mark of the 2011 season and Bubba Watson is looking for his second win of the season and third in less than 12 months.

At this point a year ago, Watson was 25th in the FedExCup standings. He entered this week 10th. Should he go on to win, he’d like move to No. 1.

Watson’s always been one of the longest hitters on the PGA TOUR — he currently ranks second at 308.2 yards off the tee — but now he’s dialing in his irons. Case in point: He’s also second on TOUR in greens in regulation and second in ball-striking.

Not surprisingly, Watson also leads the TOUR in par-5 scoring.

This week has just been an extension of all that. Watson of course leads the field in driving distance, but he’s also tied for first in greens hit — 86 percent compared to a field average of 60 percent — and has two eagles through the first two rounds.

Is there any wonder why he’s leading?

Martin/Getty Images Bubba Watson is seeking his third win in the last 10 months. By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer Weâre seeing a rare combination of power and precision in Bubba Watson right now. Itâs one thing to hit it a mile off the tee, itâs another to do that and hit 79 percent of […]

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Force grabs top spot and closes in on record (PA SportsTicker)

April 30, 2011

BAYTOWN, TEXAS (AP) —John Force moved within one of NHRA Pro Stock great Warren Johnson’s No. 1 qualifying record by racing to his third consecutive top-spot Saturday at the NHRA Spring Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway.

Force earned the 137th No. 1 of his Funny Car career with his Friday pass of 4.097 seconds at a top speed of 310.27 mph. Warmer weather conditions prevented the majority of racers in all categories from improving their performances during Saturday’s two sessions.

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Force will face Bob Bode in the first round of eliminations Sunday, seeking his 133rd career victory.

The other three top qualifiers from Friday also held on to their spots as Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Ronnie Humphrey (Pro Stock) and LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle) will lead their categories into Sunday’s eliminations.

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Golf-Americans Watson and Simpson in tie for New Orleans lead (Reuters)

April 30, 2011

Left-hander Watson, who had been one stroke ahead overnight,splashed out to five feet at the par-five 18th and coolly sankthe putt for a two-under-par 70 at the TPC Louisiana.

That gave the long-hitting American a 12-under total of 204,putting him level with Simpson who had reeled off fiveconsecutive birdies from the third on the way to a flawless 67.

At one point, Simpson led the field by two on another hotand breezy day in Louisiana but he failed to make any birdies onthe back nine before being caught by Watson’s late surge.

“I got off to a pretty good start with those five birdies ina row, and I even had a chance at eight for birdie,” Simpson,25, said in a television interview.

“But the way the wind blows out here and the golf course isfirming up, I knew pars were a good score on the back nine. Iwish I could have gotten more but, all in all, a solid day.”

Britain’s Luke Donald, who could become world number onewith victory this week, returned a 70 to end the day five shotsoff the pace.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing byPritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Daily Wrap-up: Round 3, Zurich Classic of New Orleans (PGATOUR.com)

Rangers hit 3 HRs in rout of Athletics

Tour Report: Watson showing rare combination (PGATOUR.com)

Force grabs top spot and closes in on record (PA SportsTicker)

Golf-Americans Watson and Simpson in tie for New Orleans lead (Reuters)

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