ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - The Texas Rangers own the biggest
divisional lead in baseball. The Rangers beat Anaheim 7-0 for their
12th straight victory, moving them five games up on the Angels in
the American League West.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - James McDonald and three relievers combined on
a six-hitter to help the Pittsburgh Pirates shut out the Cincinnati
Reds for the second straight night, 1-0. The victory keeps the
surprising Pirates atop the NL Central as the Bucs improved to 7-1
against the Reds this season.
HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Astros traded second baseman Jeff
Keppinger to the San Francisco Giants for two Double-A pitchers
yesterday. Keppinger is batting .307 with four homers and 20 RBIs
in 43 games this season since his return from foot surgery and is
getting a chance to play for a team in the playoff hunt.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - All-Star center Steven Stamkos signed a
five-year, $37.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on
Tuesday, two months after helping the team make a surprising run to
the Eastern Conference finals. Stamkos, the No. 1 overall pick in
the 2008 draft, had 45 goals and 91 points last season.
NEW YORK (AP) - Staff members from the NBA and players'
association will meet Friday in the first session related to
collective bargaining since the lockout began July 1. Neither NBA
Commissioner David Stern nor players association chief Billy Hunter
plan to attend.
