BASEBALL
Sanchez traded to Royals
Pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, who threw a no-hitter in 2009, was dealt by the San Francisco Giants to the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Melky Cabrera on Monday. The 28-year-old left-handed starter was key part of the Giants’ rotation when they beat the Texas Rangers to win the World Series last year. He had four wins and seven losses this season with a 4.26 ERA, but he missed the final month of the season with a left ankle sprain. Kansas City also got left-handed minor league pitcher Ryan Verdugo in the three-player deal. “He’s a very dynamic left-handed pitcher,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said of Sanchez. “His hit rates are very low, his strikeout rates are very high, his walks aren’t something we’re overly excited about, but at the same time he’s very young. He’s somebody our scouts feel is a breakout candidate moving forward into 2012.”
SOCCER
Mihajlovic gets the boot
Sinisa Mihajlovic was sacked as coach of Serie A side Fiorentina on Monday and replaced by Delio Rossi, the club announced. Mihajlovic, 42, had come in for some heavy criticism already this season and Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Chievo Verona — which left them 11th in the table — proved the final straw for the club’s board. The Serbian — who had previously coached Bologna and Catania in Serie A after a distinguished playing career which saw him win the European Cup with Red Star Belgrade in 1991 — had been in charge since the beginning of last season when Cesare Prandelli left to coach the national side. Rossi is best known for two spells coaching Palermo in the past two seasons, guiding then on both occasions to a Europa League place. However, the 51-year-old fell foul of the so called “coach eater” Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini, who refused to renew his contract in the summer and only last season sacked him after a 7-0 humbling by Udinese, before rehiring him a month later.
SOCCER
Alcaraz charged for spitting
Wigan Athletic’s woeful start to the season got worse on Monday when Antolin Alcaraz was charged by the Football Association (FA) with spitting at Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Richard Stearman during Sunday’s 3-1 defeat. The 29-year-old Paraguay international defender, signed from Belgian side Club Brugge KV last year after an eye-catching World Cup campaign, has only just returned to action after being out with a torn leg muscle. “Wigan Athletic’s Antolin Alcaraz has today been charged by the FA for spitting at an opponent,” an FA statement said. “The incident, which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video, relates to his side’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.” If Alcaraz admits to the offense he will receive a three-match ban, but he risks a lengthier ban if he appeals and is found guilty at a hearing.
RUGBY UNION
New tournament launched
Southern hemisphere rugby body SANZAR has relaunched its annual Test tournament as the Rugby Championship, replacing the Tri-Nations and reflecting the inclusion of Argentina. Argentina have been confirmed alongside South Africa, New Zealand and Australia to play from next year in the new Rugby Championship. SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters said yesterday that the regular participation of Argentina in a top-level tournament is “long overdue and we are excited about their inclusion.” Union Argentina de Rugby president Luis Castillo described the Pumas’ inclusion as an “historic moment for rugby in Argentina.”
Matvei Michkov did not score on Monday, but the Philadelphia rookie had a hand in both goals as hosts the Flyers earned a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Ryan Poehling and Jamie Drysdale got the goals for the Flyers (31-36-9, 71 points), who won their third straight. Michkov and Travis Konecny assisted on both. Ivan Fedotov stopped 28 shots to earn his first win since March 1, ending a personal six-game losing streak. Zachary L’Heureux got the lone goal for Nashville. Michael McCarron and Brady Skjei got the assists for the Predators (27-39-8, 62 points), who have just four goals in their
Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday pulled off a major upset in the DFB-Pokal by defeating defending champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-1 in their semi-final. The third-division team came from behind after Jonathan Tah gave the visitors a 17th-minute lead. Marius Worl replied three minutes later and Maximilian Groser scored Bielefeld’s second goal just before the break. The home team looked more likely to add to that tally as the Leverkusen players looked jaded. “I’m just proud of this team,” Bielefeld coach Mitch Kniat said as most of the fans the small stadium sang around him. “No one will sleep in the city tonight.” Patrik Schick went
THREES KINGS: The Celtics claimed a piece of league history by setting a new record for the number of threes in a season, ending their game with 1,370 Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun on Friday combined for 65 points as the Houston Rockets halted Oklahoma City’s 11-game winning streak with a statement 125-111 victory. In a potential Western Conference finals preview, the Rockets produced a dominant all-round performance to jolt the top-seeded Thunder’s all-conquering preparations for the post-season. Green finished with 34 points from 11-of-24 shooting, while Turkish big man Sengun made 31 points as second-placed Houston improved to 51-27. Oklahoma City grabbed the lead in the opening minutes of the first quarter, but Houston soon knocked the Thunder out of their stride with a physical approach to move into the
Marcus Rashford’s first goals for Aston Villa on Sunday inspired a 3-0 win against Preston North End that sent his side into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 10 years. Rashford struck twice in the second half at Deepdale to end Preston’s stubborn resistance before Jacob Ramsey wrapped up Villa’s long-awaited return to the last four. Villa are to face Crystal Palace — 3-0 winners at Fulham on Saturday — in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium in London. Revitalized since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, Rashford is beginning to show the form that
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