BUG Community

SYDNEY Top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland extended her unbeaten start to
the season to six matches with a 6-4, 6-3 win Tuesday over 42-year-old Kimiko
Date-Krumm at the Sydney International. Colin Kaepernick Authentic Jersey .
Radwanska, who won last weeks WTA tournament at Auckland, New Zealand, coped as
best she could with the searing 40 degree Celsius (over 100 degrees F)
temperatures at Olympic Park and secured an early break over the veteran
Japanese player. “This is too hot to play tennis,” Radwanska said when asked
whether matches should be put on hold at the Australian Open lead-up event.
“Even for players, for ball kids, for the people sitting out there, its just too
hot.” Radwanska said she was trying not to alter her game in the conditions but
admitted she had more of a battle against the heat than her opponent. “The first
main thing is just to stay calm and trying to survive,” said the 2012 Wimbledon
finalist, who admitted having experienced similar conditions at Melbourne Park
during the Australian Open. The Sydney tournament has an Extreme Heat Policy but
it only comes into effect at the discretion of the tournament referee. Tennis
officials apply a complex formula factoring in heat, humidity and wind to
determine when on-court conditions become too stressful for the players.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, who had to qualify here, beat
former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-2 while American qualifier
Madison Keys defeated Zheng Jie of China 6-0, 6-4. In other matches,
second-seeded Angelique Kerber, No. 3 Sara Errani of Italy and fourth-seeded Li
Na of China also advanced to the quarterfinals. Kerber beat Galina Voskoboeva of
Kazakhstan 6-2, 7-5 and Errani defeated Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 6-1. Li,
who was pushed to two tough sets in beating American Christina McHale in the
first round on Monday, dominated Ayumi Morita of Japan 6-1, 6-0. In first-round
mens play, sixth-seeded Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic defeated Guillermo
Garcia-Lopez of Spain 6-2, 6-3 and Spains Feliciano Lopez beat seventh-seeded
Jeremy Chardy of France 6-7 (2), 7-5, 6-3. Jarkko Nieminen of Finland defeated
qualifier Bjorn Phau of Germany 6-0, 6-1 and Australian wild-card entry John
Millman beat Spains Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-4. Fabio Fognini of Italy beat Grigor
Dimitrov of Bulgaria, who lost to Andy Murray in last weeks Brisbane
International final, 6-3, 6-1. Top-seeded John Isner, who received a first-round
bye, will play his second-round match against fellow American and qualifier Ryan
Harrison. Harrison was leading Roberto Bautista Agut 2-1 in the opening set
Tuesday when the Spaniard pulled out with a lower abdominal strain. Randy Moss Womens Jersey . Turner, 30, of
Suwanee, Ga., was booked into the Gwinnett County jail in metro Atlanta just
after 5 a.m. Turner spent barely two hours behind bars before he was released on
$2,179 bond, jail records showed. A Gwinnett County police officer pulled over
Turners black Audi R8 on Interstate 85 northeast of Atlanta after clocking the
car at 97 mph—32 mph over the speed limit, said Cpl. Patrick Willis Black Jersey . Joe Blanton
pitched effectively into the eighth inning for his first win with Los Angeles
and A.J. Ellis hit his first career grand slam in a 10-8 win over the Colorado
Rockies on Wednesday. http://www.nflproshop49ers.com/patrick-willis-jersey
. —His tender left hand and sore left hamstring both on ice after a big day,
Yoenis Cespedes shared how he reminded himself to keep the celebration to a
minimum. Dashon Goldson Jersey . The moves come one
day after the team announced that leading rusher Brandon Whitaker would miss the
rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Colin Kaepernick Jersey . City says on its
website Friday that Maicon “will meet Blues manager (Roberto) Mancini and his
new teammates when he returns from international duty next week.Through the
first half of the 2012 Major League Baseball season, there have been surprises,
disappointments and award-winning performances. Scott Cullen breaks down the
major leagues at the midway point. Its no surprise that the New York Yankees
have the best record in baseball—theyre the Yankees, after all—but getting
such quality starting performances from Andy Pettitte (coming out of retirement)
and Phil Hughes (back from a rough 2011 campaign) sure helped the cause. What
also counts as surprising is that the team sitting in second place in the
American League East, behind the Yankees, is the Baltimore Orioles. Though the
Orioles have the third-worst run differential in the AL, theyve managed to go
45-40, somehow sitting second in a division that doesnt have a single team under
.500 at the break. In the American League Central, the surprise starts right at
the top. The Chicago White Sox had no expectations coming into the year, with
Vegas setting their win total at 74.5 (I was under), but the resurrection of
Adam Dunn and Jake Peavy, combined with the emergence of Chris Sale (who was
removed from the rotation ever-so-briefly) suddenly has the White Sox ahead of
Cleveland and a slightly disappointing crew in Detroit. Texas and the Los
Angeles Angels of Anaheim are waging an expected battle for supremacy in the
American League West, which has overshadowed an impressive first half by the
Oakland As. Theyre 42-42 for an even .500 record, but the As have exceeded
expectations. In the National League the dominance of the Philadelphia Phillies
is coming to an abrupt end. Injuries to Ryan Howard and Chase Utley were
expected to hinder the offence, but losing starting pitcher Roy Halladay to
injury and Cliff Lees ongoing battle to win a game (last yeas 17-game winner has
one win in 14 starts this year) has the Phillies looking up at the rest of the
National League East. At the top of the NL East, the Washington Nationals have
an okay lineup, bolstered when they called up Bryce Harper, but their pitching
has been spectacular. Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and
Edwin Jackson give the Nats a shot to win night after night. While the Nationals
emergence may not come as an outright shock (I did have them in the preseason
Top 10 of the MLB Power Rankings), the same can not be said for the Pittsburgh
Pirates, whose preseason win total over/under was 70. The batting order has been
adequate, carried for the last couple months by MVP candidate Andrew McCutchen,
but its been pitching that has kept the Pirates competitive. James McDonald and
resurgent A.J. Burnett have anchored a surprisingly effective staff. Their lead
in the National League West has dwindled to a half-game over the San Francisco
Giants, but its an accomplishment for the Dodgers to even be there considering
that theyve had Matt Kemp for 36 of 87 games. Here is my look at some individual
awards, including Gold Gloves, All-Surprise and All-Disappointing teams for the
first half of the 2012 season. AL MVPRobinson Cano, 2B, N.Y. Yankees (20 HR, 51
RBI, .313 AVG, .953 OPS) Runners Up:Josh Hamilton, CF, Texas (27 HR, 75 RBI,
.308 AVG, 1.016 OPS)Mike Trout, CF, L.A. Angels (12 HR, 40 RBI, 26 SB, .341 AVG,
.959 OPS) This race is open for business and could very well be taken by Trout
if he continues his exceptional all-around play. Cano holds a slight edge over
Hamilton right now, due to defence, but both are playing at the standard
required for an MVP award. NL MVPJoey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati (14 HR, 48 RBI, .348
AVG, 1.087 OPS) Runners-Up:David Wright, 3B, N.Y. Mets (11 HR, 59 RBI, .351 AVG,
1.004 OPS)Andrew McCutchen, CF, Pittsburgh (18 HR, 60 RBI, 14 SB, .362 AVG,
1.039 OPS) Votto and Wright have been getting on base like no one else (and
Votto is .030 ahead of Wright) with Vottos offensive dominance so impressive
that it offsets his defensive contribution at first base. McCutchen has been
spectacular since the beginning of May and is mounting a charge, not unlike
Trouts emergence in the American League. If Pittsburgh keeps winning, that will
shine a spotlight on McCutchen that is atypical for anyone on the Pirates. AL CY
YOUNGJustin Verlander, Detroit (9-5, 2.58 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 128 K, 132 2/3 IP)
Runners Up: Jered Weaver, L.A. Angels of Anaheim (10-1, 1.96 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 73
K, 96 2/3IP)Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox (10-2, 2.19, 0.96 WHIP, 98 K, 102 2/3
IP) Missing a couple starts due to injury could be the only thing holding Weaver
back from Verlander and Chris Sale edges his teammate, Jake Peavy, as well as
C.J. Wilson for inclusion among the runners-up. NL CY YOUNGR.A. Dickey, N.Y.
Mets (12-1, 2.40 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 123 K, 120 IP) Runners-Up: Gio Gonzalez,
Washington (12-3, 2.92 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 118 K, 101 2/3 IP)Zack Greinke, Milwaukee
(9-3, 3.32 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 111 K, 111 IP) Dickeys season has been freakish for
anyone, let alone a 37-year-old knuckleballer who had 106 career starts entering
this season. Stephen Strasburg and James McDonald are both viable candidates for
runner-up spots, but Gonzalez and Greinke have been ever-so-slightly more
productive. AL ROOKIE OF THE YEARMike Trout, CF, L.A. Angels (12 HR, 40 RBI, 26
SB, .341 AVG, .959 OPS) Runners Up:Yu Darvish, RHP, Texas (10-5, 3.59 ERA, 1.36
WHIP, 117 K, 102 2/3 IP)Jarrod Parker, RHP, Oakland (5-4, 2.86 ERA, 1.25 WHIP,
67 K, 85 IP) Since Trout it pushing for MVP honours, he should be a lock for
Rookie of the Year. Both Darvish and Parker have been good, but good wont be
nearly enough. NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Lance Lynn, RHP, St. Louis (11-4, 3.41 ERA,
1. Ronnie Lott Womens Jersey. 3 WHIP, 105 K, 103
IP) Runners-Up:Bryce Harper, CF, Washington (8 HR, 25 RBI, .285 AVG, .826
OPS)Norichika Aoki, RF, Milwaukee (5 HR, 20 RBI, 11 SB, .301 AVG, .818 OPS)
Trouts phenom counterpart in the National League, Bryce Harper, is most likely
to ultimately win the race, but hes still playing a little bit of catch-up
against Cardinals starter Lance Lynn, who has started to come back to earth
after dominating early. Aoki along with Reds infielders Zack Cozart and
Todd Frazier are in the running as well. GOLD GLOVESC Yadier Molina, St.
LouisRunners-Up: Miguel Montero, Arizona; Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia Montero guns
out baserunners like no others (46.9%) and Ruiz has handled more total chances
than any other backstop, but Molina remains the best all-around defender at the
position. There really should be room to inject Matt Wieters, best in the AL,
into this discussion too. 1B – Adrian Gonzalez, BostonRunners-Up: Albert Pujols,
L.A. Angels of Anaheim; Mark Teixeira, N.Y. Yankees It hasnt been the kind of
offensive season hed been expecting, but Adrian Gonzalez is doing his work with
the glove, leading first basemen in Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone
Rating/150 (www.fangraphs.com). Pujols, Teixeira, Joey Votto and Casey Kotchman
are all worthy of consideration as well. 2B – Brandon Phillips,
CincinnatiRunners-Up: Dustin Pedroia, Boston; Jason Kipnis, Cleveland With
far-and-away the best Ultimate Zone Rating at the position, Phillips stands out
enough to hold an edge on Kipnis, Pedroia, Darwin Barney and Robinson Cano.
Pedroia and Barney have each made one error thus far, while Kipnis leads second
basemen in assists. 3B – Brett Lawrie, TorontoRunners-Up: Mike Moustakas, Kansas
City; Chase Headley, San Diego Miles ahead of the rest at the hot corner when it
comes to Defensive Runs Saved, Lawrie makes more errors than many, but gets to
more balls than any other third basemen. Moustakas and Headley are also
up-and-comers, getting a slight nod at this point over perennial contender
Adrian Beltre. SS Brendan Ryan, SeattleRunners-Up: Yunel Escobar, Toronto;
J.J. Hardy, Baltimore The exact same trio as the first quarter, holding off
challenges from Starlin Castro and Mike Aviles. LF Alex Gordon, Kansas
CityRunners-Up: Josh Willingham, Minnesota; Martin Prado, Atlanta Advanced
metrics for outfielders can be iffy due to small sample sizes, so the inclusion
of someone like Willingham comes as a surprise, but Alex Gordon is clearly the
best at the position, using any number of measures (Defensive Runs Saved,
Ultimate Zone Rating/150, Total Chances). CF Mike Trout, L.A. Angels of
AnaheimRunners-Up: Austin Jackson, Detroit; Michael Bourn, Atlanta Even though
he got a late start, Trout is already an all-around force, including in the
field, where he effectively supplanted one of the best glove men in the game,
Peter Bourjos. Denard Span and Adam Jones are possibilities and Jon Jay has been
solid when healthy. RF Ichiro Suzuki, SeattleRunners-Up: Josh Reddick,
Oakland; Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reddick hasnt just been a revelation as an
offensive threat, he has been a terrific defensive right fielder, surpassed only
by Ichiro. Jason Heyward, Torii Hunter, Giancarlo Stanton and Brian Bogusevic
have all been very good. (I realize there are Gold Gloves awarded in both
leagues.  Im just trying to recognize the best fielders at each position.)
ALLSURPRISE TEAMC Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia (13 Hr, 46 RBI, .350 AVG, .995
OPS)1B – Bryan LaHair, Chicago Cubs (14 HR, 30 RBI, .286 AVG, .883 OPS)2B –
Aaron Hill, Arizona (11 HR, 40 RBI, .300 AVG, .860 OPS)SS – Jed Lowrie, Houston
(14 HR, 36 RBI, .254 AVG, .803 OPS)3B – Kyle Seager, Seattle (10 HR, 52 RBI,
.243 AVG, .726 OPS)LF – Josh Willingham, Minnesota (19 HR, 60 RBI, .261 AVG,
.913 OPS)CF – Colby Rasmus, Toronto (17 HR, 53 RBI, .259 AVG, .821 OPS)RF –
Josh Reddick, Oakland (20 HR, 43 RBI, .268 AVG, .880 OPS)SP – James McDonald,
Pittsburgh (9-3, 2.37 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 100 K, 110 IP)SP – R.A. Dickey, N.Y. Mets
(12-1, 2.40 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 123 K, 120 IP)SP – Chris Capuano, Los Angeles (9-4,
2.91 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 100 K, 111 1/3IP)SP – Edinson Volquez, San Diego (5-7, 3.52
ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 98 K, 107 1/3 IP)SP – Jason Hammel, Baltimore (8-5, 3.47 ERA,
1.22 WHIP, 101 K, 106 1/3 IP)RP – Fernando Rodney, Tampa Bay (2-1, 25 SV, 0.93
ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 38 K, 38 2/3 IP) ALLDISAPPOINTING TEAMC Alex Avila, Detroit
(5 HR, 23 RBI, .242 AVG, .721 OPS)1B – Gaby Sanchez, Miami (3 HR, 17 RBI, .202
AVG, .556 OPS)2B – Jemile Weeks, Oakland (2 HR, 13 RBI, 12 SB, .222 AVG, .620
OPS)SS – Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox (2 HR, 44 RBI, .266 AVG, .628 OPS)3B
Mark Reynolds, Baltimore (7 HR, 23 RBI, .207 AVG, .718 OPS)LF – Eric Thames,
Toronto (3 HR,. 11 RBI, .243 AVG, .652 OPS)CF – Cameron Maybin, San Diego (4 HR,
24 RBI, 16 SB, .212 AVG, .596 OPS)RF – Jeff Francoeur, Kansas City (7 HR, 25
RBI, .251 AVG, .667 OPS)SP – Ricky Romero, Toronto (8-4, 5.22 ERA, 1.47 WHIP)SP
Daniel Hudson, Arizona (3-2, 7.35 ERA, 1.63 WHIP)SP – Tim Lincecum, San
Francisco (3-10, 6.42 ERA, 1.58 WHIP)SP – Jhoulys Chacin, Colorado (0-3, 7.30
ERA, 1.86 WHIP)RP – Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs (1-2, 8 SV, 5.61 ERA, 1.87 WHIP)
Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter
at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on
Facebook. ’ ’ ’