BUG Community

OSTERSUND, Sweden—Canadian skip Brendan Bottcher posted two victories
Thursday to lock up the top seed after round-robin play at the world junior
curling championships. Frank Gore Black Jersey . Bottcher dumped
Finland 9-2 in the morning draw and improved to 8-1 overall with a 10-7 victory
over Norway. “The guys curled great tonight,” Bottcher said. “That game was up
and down but we were always ahead on the scoreboard, so we always had control in
that regard. “I feel like were starting to get on a roll here and hopefully we
can ride that into the playoffs.” Canada will meet Sweden (7-2) on Saturday in
the one-versus-two Page playoff game. Scotland (7-2) will face Norway (6-3) in
the three-versus-four game. “We were just trying to make the playoffs,” Bottcher
said. “But its great that weve finished on top and to go into the one-two game.”
The Edmonton skip can lock up a berth in Sundays final with a victory. The loser
will meet the winner of the Scotland-Norway game in the semifinal on Saturday
night. Canadas Jocelyn Peterman dropped a 7-5 decision to Sweden in her final
round-robin game to fall into a five-way tie for second at 6-3. The Red Deer,
Alta., skip will play Russia on Friday morning in one tiebreaker while Sweden
will take on Japan in the other. The winners of each tiebreaker meet in a 3-4
Page playoff for a spot in the semifinal. The Czech Republic also finished at
6-3 but had the best head-to-head record and will play first-place Scotland
(7-2) in the 1-2 Page playoff on Friday night. The winner will advance directly
to Sundays final and the loser will go to Saturdays semifinal. Michael Crabtree Red Jersey . The 23-year-old
Buttner signed a five-year deal to leave Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, a day after
United opened the Premier League season with a 1-0 loss at Everton. “Alexander
is one of the best young left backs in Europe and were delighted to sign him,”
United manager Alex Ferguson said. Delanie Walker Jersey . Now, Sinclair will
lead the entire Canadian Olympic Team at the finale of the Games. The Canadian
Olympic Committee has announced that Sinclair will carry the maple leaf into the
London 2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony. http://www.the49erssportsshop.com/carlos-rogers-jersey/
. Playing for Saskatchewan in the 2004 West Final, the veteran kicker missed
while attempting an 18-yard field goal attempt that would have given the
Roughriders a berth in the Grey Cup. Perrish Cox Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Vernon Davis Jersey . Sarich, who cant
complete the deal until the window for player signings opens Sunday, will make
US$4 million.PITTSBURGH—After 19 seasons of losing, the Pittsburgh Pirates
arent ashamed to win any way they can. Neil Walker homered and drove in five
runs, Kevin Correia won his seventh straight decision and the Pirates overcame
four errors to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-6 Wednesday night. In addition to
the errors, the Pirates had a runner thrown out in a rundown between third and
home. The final three innings of the game were played in a steady rainstorm that
featured some vivid lightning. “We were probably longer on guts tonight than we
were execution,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. The Pirates committed
three of their errors in the seventh, loading the bases while protecting a
two-run lead before Tony Watson struck out Chris Young looking to end the
threat. Young vociferously argued the call with plate umpire Larry Vanover and
had to be restrained by Arizona manager Kirk Gibson before leaving the field.
Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton was also ejected during the dispute. “Its
just a big situation and my adrenaline was running and I just reacted to how I
was feeling,” said Young, ejected for the first time in his six-year career.
“With such a close game, I am passionate about winning and we are in a playoff
race.” Arizonas Willie Bloomquist had an RBI single off Chad Qualls in the
eighth, but Joel Hanrahan struck out the side in the ninth for his NL-leading
33rd save. “That shows you the importance of a big-time closer at the end of the
game to go ahead and shut that thing down and get the win and get out of here
and get back to your house and bed where its safe,” Hurdle said. Jordy Mercer
hit his first major league home run and rookie Starling Marte homered for the
second day in a row for the Pirates, who have the majors best home record at
35-17. Paul Goldschmidt and Willie Bloomquist had two RBIs each for Arizona,
which has lost four of five. “We had a lot of opportunities the whole game,”
Gibson said. “Ultimately, we didnt cash in right there at the end, but it was a
pretty intense game.” Walker hit a three-run homer in the first—his
career-high 13th of the season—and added a two-run double in the fifth to
give Pittsburgh the lead for good. His 65 RBIs lead NL second baseeman and his
home run total is tied the NL lead among his position. Joe Montana Black Jersey. Walker finished
with five RBIs for the third time in his career and second time this season.
Correia (9-6) was far from sharp in his temporary return to the rotation, but he
was good enough to earn a win for the sixth consecutive start. He allowed three
earned runs in six innings in his first start since the Pirates removed him from
the rotation after they acquired Wandy Rodriguez. Correia was openly
disappointed when he was removed from the rotation and reportedly asked to be
traded—he later backed off that claim. He allowed four runs in two innings of
his only relief appearance since, and is expected to return to the bullpen.
“Were here to please the people who make the decisions of when you get to play
and when you dont,” Correia said. “Obviously, I hadnt pitched in a couple weeks
in a start, and I still felt pretty good… For the most part I felt like I had
my pitches when I needed them.” Ian Kennedy (10-9) was charged with six runs and
eight hits in four-plus innings. He had won his four previous starts. Marte led
off the third with his fourth home run in 13 career games, and fellow rookie
Mercer opened the sixth with a high home run down the left-field line that made
it 7-4. A night after scoring seven runs in the eighth and ninth for a 10-4
victory, the Diamondbacks pulled to within two with a run each in the seventh
and eighth. NOTES: The Diamondbacks used a lineup without regulars Aaron Hill
and Jason Kubel, but both entered the game after the ejections of Young and
Upton. ... Despite the rain, the game was never delayed. ... Before the game,
the Pirates recalled LHP Jeff Locke from Triple-A and optioned OF Alex Presley
to the minors. Locke was summoned for insurance against a bullpen that was
shortened by Correias spot start. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said the team
wanted to get Presley, the teams opening day left fielder, some regular at bats.
... Diamondbacks C Henry Blanco underwent successful surgery in Phoenix on
Wednesday to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. He is likely out for the
season. ... Arizonas Joe Saunders (5-8, 3.57) faces Rodriguez (7-10, 3.82) in a
matchup of left-handers in the series finale on Thursday afternoon. ’ ’ ’