Sheets gets first win since 2010, Braves sweep the Mets

Ben Sheets pitched six innings of two-hit shutout ball to record his first win since 2010 as the Braves won their seventh straight game completing a three-game sweep of the Mets 6-1. The former Olympian, who missed all of 2009 and 2011 with arm troubles, stuck out five and walked just one in his first start since July 19, 2010. Freddie Freeman provided most of the offense with a three-run homer in the Braves six-run fifth inning.

The Houston Astros lost their 13th straight road game Sunday falling to Matt Cain and the Giants 3-2 at AT&T Park. Buster Posey went three-for-four with two RBIs to supply the offense. Matt Cain went 6 1/3 innings allowing a run on five hits to pick up his 1oth win. The last time Cain faced the Astros, June 19th, he threw a perfect game. Houston is 9-34 in enemy territory this year and play their next seven with suitcase, a four-game set vs. the Padres starting tonight and then finishing with a three-pack vs. the DBacks in Arizona.

The White Sox visit Fenway Park tonight as Kevin Youklis returns to Boston for the first time since his trade to Chicago. The change of scenery has done the player and both teams well. Expect Youklis to be cheered heartily as he was a key cog in both the Red Sox championship teams. Roy Halladay will make his return Tuesday vs. the Dodgers. “Doc” will be making his first start since May 27th when he went down with an injury to his right shoulder.

Kidd cited for DUI after one car crash

Jason Kidd was cited for DUI after hitting a telephone pole with his Cadillac Escalade early Sunday morning. Kidd was alone in the vehicle, treated for minor injuries and released to police. Kidd was released on his recognizance. The ex-Maverick/Sun/Net signed a three-year, $9.5 million deal with the Knicks.

The Phoenix Suns won the amnesty auction for the recently released Luis Scola for $3 million dollars. A rugged front court player, Scola averaged 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in five seasons with the Rockets. He grabbed 2,984 rebounds to rank ninth on Houston’s career list. Scola will play for Argentina in the upcoming Olympic Games.

Deadline for franchised tagged players today

The deadline for franchise “tagged” players is today at 4:00 PM EST. If the tagged players can’t come to a long term contract with their team, they will be required to play this year with the tag and at a salary which is the average of the top five highest paid players at the position. With the Drew Brees deal finally done, Wes Welker, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, and Steeler wide receiver Mike Wallace are the major names tagged and none with the possible exception of Forte appears to be close to a deal.

Kahne takes checker in New Hampshire

A pit stop miscalculation between Denny Hamlin and his team cost the No.11 big time as Kasey Kahne held off Hamlin late to register his second win of the season and make him a wildcard to make the Chase. Hamlin was much the best all day leading 153 of the first 223 laps but at a green pit, Hamlin was given four tires instead of the two that he requested which set him back to 13th place. Hamlin worked his way through traffic but ran out of laps finishing second as Kahne took the checkered flag. Clint Boyer was third, Dale Earnhardt Jr fourth, and Brad Keselowski fifth. It was Earnhardt’s 14th top ten finish in 19 races. Matt Kenseth finished 13th but still leads the standing by 16 points of Junior and 40 points over Greg Biffle. Nascar is off next week but returns on the 29th when the Chase returns to the Brickyard, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Kasy Kahne talks about race strategy after win

Zach Johnson wins Deere in playoff

Troy Matteson had been cruising all week long taking a three-shot lead into the final round of the John Deer Classic but as Zach Johnson closed the gap, the noose got tighter and after a double-bogey at 15, Matteson trailed by two strokes. Matteson rolled in a 59 foot eagle putt on 17 to level things but could only par out forcing a playoff. Both players double-bogeyed the first playoff hole and then Johnson knocked a bunker shot stiff to withing six inches for the win. It was Johnson’s ninth career win and his second of 2012. “The Open” or the British Open as we gringos like to call it starts on Thursday. SP3 will have a not to be missed preview on Wednesday. Make SP3 part of your daily routine and check it out.

Tour de France stage marred by sabotage

A one kilometer stretch of Sunday’s 14th stage of the Tour de France was sabotaged by carpet tacks that caused at least 30 punctures resulting in several injuries. The course is swept by street cleaners that are directly in front of the lead group but with millions lining the streets of the 2100+ mile marathon, it is impossible to police everything.

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