http://www.ajc.com The latest headlines from AJC en-us Copyright 2008, Cox Newspapers Inc., AJC Wed, 9 Jul 2008 11:54:00 EDT Newspapers COXnet RSS Generator v1.0 http://img.coxnewsweb.com/C/08/17/52/image_1352178.jpg http://www.ajc.com 5 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/09/braves_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/09/braves_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Wed, 9 Jul 2008 02:02:40 EDT Los Angeles — Chipper Jones said Tuesday that the best way for the Braves to avoid a flurry of Mark Teixeira trade rumors would be to start winning. And on Tuesday night, they played like a team capable of doing that. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/08/braves_tavarez_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/08/braves_tavarez_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Wed, 9 Jul 2008 01:43:41 EDT Los Angeles — It would be a gross understatement to say newly signed Braves reliever Julian Tavarez has been around the block a few times. Or that he's stirred things up a bit along the way. The Braves, his 10th major league team and third this season, needed someone to bolster their injury-riddled bullpen. Tavarez, 35, was imminently available, having been released last month by Milwaukee after refusing to accept an outright assignment to the minor leagues. "Three baseball teams already [this season]," said Tavarez, who began the season with Boston and was released by the Red Sox. "Hopefully this is it. I don't want to jump around anymore." http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/08/bravesnot_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/08/bravesnot_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Wed, 9 Jul 2008 01:41:34 EDT Los Angeles — Tom Glavine was encouraged after having no pain when he tested his elbow with some light throwing Tuesday. It was the first time he'd thrown in exactly four weeks since leaving a June 10 start at Chicago with what was diagnosed as a partially torn flexor tendon. The 42-year-old left-hander won't know if he can avoid surgery and pitch again this season until after he increases the intensity of his throwing sessions, which Glavine hopes to do during and after the All-Star break. His goal is to be pitching from the mound within two weeks, with a timetable for a possible return to the rotation to be determined according to his progress. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/07/08/hawks_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/hawks/stories/2008/07/08/hawks_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Tue, 8 Jul 2008 22:55:42 EDT Scratch Philadelphia from the list of NBA teams pursuing Hawks restricted free agent forward Josh Smith. The Sixers received a verbal agreement on a five-year, $82-million contract from veteran power forward Elton Brand Tuesday night, according to the Philadelphia Daily News, thus ending their pursuit of Smith. Smith was in Philadelphia last week for a visit and was wined and dined by the Sixers, but left town without a verbal agreement to sign an offer sheet. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/07/08/falcons_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/07/08/falcons_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Tue, 8 Jul 2008 22:08:07 EDT The Falcons have scrapped their annual Midtown Touchdown Fan Fest at Piedmont Park after two seasons and replaced the interactive event with a simulated game that is open to the public at the Georgia Dome, Aug. 2. The night preceding the game at their home stadium, Atlanta will stage a public scrimmage at Mill Creek High School in Hochston. The change in routine was announced along with their training camp schedule Tuesday. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/thrashers/stories/2008/07/08/thrashers_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/thrashers/stories/2008/07/08/thrashers_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Tue, 8 Jul 2008 20:07:22 EDT Zach Bogosian's first game-winning goal for the Thrashers came on his first day in the team's uniform. It was just for fun, in a breakaway drill in the opening practice of prospect development camp. But maybe it was a harbinger of things to come. The Thrashers sure hope so. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/07/08/vick_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2008/07/08/vick_0709.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:57:37 EDT Just seven months after Michael Vick was sentenced to federal prison, the fallen Falcons quarterback found himself in a "precarious financial position" and filed for bankruptcy protection. One of his creditors is the Falcons. In Chapter 11 documents filed in federal court in Virginia on Monday, Vick cites debts of between $10-50 million dollars. He also cites assets in the same range. In the court documents, Vick lists seven creditors, including the Falcons, that are owed a total of $12.8 million. The debt to the Falcons is for $3.75 million, listed as a pro rated signing bonus. The documents indicate the claim is disputed. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/08/braves_0708.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/08/braves_0708.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Tue, 8 Jul 2008 01:48:31 EDT Los Angeles — The Braves would've needed more than a good night's sleep to handle Hiroki Kuroda on Monday. The Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander took a perfect game to the eighth inning against the Braves before Mark Teixeira broke it up with a double. It was the Braves' only hit in a 3-0 series-opening loss at Dodger Stadium. Kuroda (5-6) didn't allow another baserunner before or after Teixeira's hit as the right-hander recorded his second consecutive complete-game shutout at Dodger Stadium. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/07/bravesnot_0708.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/07/bravesnot_0708.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 7 Jul 2008 23:03:38 EDT Los Angeles — For Jeff Francoeur, it took four days to get back to the majors. For Vladimir Nunez, it took four years. The Braves purchased the contract of the Cuban right-hander and infielder Brent Lillibridge from Class AAA Richmond on Monday, the same day they recalled Francoeur from Class AA Mississippi. They made the flurry of moves to replace three who went on the disabled list after Sunday's 17-inning win against Houston: infielder Omar Infante and relievers Manny Acosta and Jeff Bennett. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/07/francoeur_0708.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/07/francoeur_0708.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 7 Jul 2008 22:19:40 EDT Jeff Francoeur flew to rejoin the Braves Monday evening, relieved and happy. After three days of a minor- league stint in AA Mississippi, he was also ready to play. "Even though it's only been three days, I feel like a new guy," Francoeur told the Journal-Constitution by phone during a layover in Chicago. "I was hoping to get there before the game. But now I'm just excited to be there and be with the guys. The only thing is, I have no clothes." He's got some shopping to do today in Los Angeles. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/uga/stories/2008/07/07/ugahoops_0708.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/uga/stories/2008/07/07/ugahoops_0708.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Mon, 7 Jul 2008 18:49:40 EDT Athens — Jeremy Jacob came to Georgia last year as a four-star basketball recruit. He left without anyone knowing whether he was worthy of that distinction. Jacob, a 6-foot-7 forward from Baton Rouge, La., officially quit the men's team on Monday. However, the transfer process was initiated early last week and head coach Dennis Felton and assistant coach Desmond Oliver, who recruited Jacob, spent the better part of the past week trying to dissuade him. Jacob, who will have four years of eligibility remaining, initially intends to transfer to Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Fla., before moving on to another Division I program, possibly a mid-major. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/06/braves_0707.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/06/braves_0707.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Sun, 6 Jul 2008 23:28:21 EDT The Braves had been waiting much longer than 17 innings and 5-1/2 hours for a win like Sunday's over the Astros. They'd been waiting all season. That's why there were all the flushed faces, hugs and the sighs as Mark Teixiera celebrated with teammates around second base after his walk-off, bases-loaded single beat the Astros 7-6. The 17-inning game was the longest regular-season game in Turner Field history. The 5:35 game time -- on top of nearly a two-hour rain delay -- made it the longest time of a Braves game since a 5:40 game on May 14, 1988, against St. Louis. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/06/BRallstars0706.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/06/BRallstars0706.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Sun, 6 Jul 2008 22:58:22 EDT A sure fire way to make Brian McCann blush? Ask him when the last time is he didn't make an all-star team. "I don't know," he said Sunday, reddening. The answer is somewhere in amateur ball, if even then, of all-star games he was eligible to make. As a professional, at only age 24, he just made the National League All-Star team for the third consecutive year. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/06/bravesnot_0707.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/06/bravesnot_0707.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Sun, 6 Jul 2008 22:38:23 EDT The Braves had to disable three players following Sunday's marathon win over the Astros. Both Manny Acosta and Omar Infante strained their hamstrings during Sunday's game — Acosta running the bases in the 16th inning and Infante running the bases in the second inning, which aggravated an old hamstring injury. Also headed to the disabled list was reliever Jeff Bennett, who injured his right shoulder making a throw to first in the game Saturday night. Bennett subluxed his shoulder, manager Bobby Cox said, having it pop out of joint and pop back in. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/06/soriano_0707.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/07/06/soriano_0707.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21 Sun, 6 Jul 2008 22:37:25 EDT Reliever Rafael Soriano threw a 10-minute bullpen session on Sunday morning and came away telling pitching coach Roger McDowell he was feeling about "80 percent." That wasn't strong enough to get him out on a rehab assignment just yet. But the Braves think after another week of treatment and throwing while the team goes on the West Coast, he could be ready for a minor league rehabilitation assignment by the end of the week. "He's very close," general manager Frank Wren said. "He threw well and he's getting better all the time, but he's not quite there."