Biete - Kristall » Draft. Zunino is the third catcher for Se

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Jimmie Johnson can secure a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship this week at Watkins Glen International, and hes not even thinking about it. On a rainy Friday at the storied road course in upstate New York that delayed Cup practice until late afternoon, injured star Tony Stewart was foremost on everybodys mind. Stewart broke both the tibia and fibula in his right leg on Monday night in a sprint car race in Iowa, has since undergone two surgeries, and is out indefinitely. Max Papis will drive Stewarts No. 14 Chevrolet on Sunday in the Cheez-It 355 at The Glen, where Stewart has a track-record five Cup wins. It will bring Stewarts streak of 521 consecutive Cup starts to an end, and its his absence that gives Johnson the opportunity to be the first to lock into the Chase on points. "Its not the way I want to clinch, by any means, with him not being here at the race track. Its a big loss for our sport," Johnson said. "I know that Tony is feeling bad about being injured and the effect that it has on his Cup team. Its crazy to think that he wont be a player in the Chase." Stewart was leading with five laps remaining at Southern Iowa Speedway when a lapped car spun in front of him, causing Stewart to hit that car and flip several times. He was taken from the track by ambulance. Like his fellow drivers, Johnson, a five-time Cup champion, said he didnt like some of the comments hes seen in the aftermath of the crash. Specifically, those who questioned Stewart for racing so much. It was his third crash in a month in the powerful open-wheel cars. "Its troubled me to see some people giving him a hard time about his decision to race other vehicles," Johnson said. "We always praise him for his contributions to the motor sports world and his ability to drive and race anything. He has done so much for our sport. "I personally praise him for all that he does for our sport, including driving sprint cars Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday," Johnson said. "Its unfortunate that he got hurt. I hate that hes injured, but Id be bummed if he didnt continue to race all during the week. Thats the Smoke we know and love." Stewart-Haas Racing has not named an interim driver for beyond this weekend, and said no discharge date has been decided for the 42-year-old Stewart. "Its going to be a few weeks before we even look at that," said Greg Zipadelli, competition director at SHR. "For now, it will be a week-to-week diagnosis on him." Among the names that have popped up as candidates is 21-year-old Kyle Larson, a rising star in the Nationwide Series who sits sixth in points entering Saturdays Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen. He might be a bit too young, though. "Hes in a really crucial spot in his career and (it would be good) not getting fed to the wolves too soon," Zipadelli said. "I would prefer from this point on to put one person in that we felt was capable of doing a good, solid job and trying to build some chemistry with the crews and the crew chief. "Theres a lot of those little details that make for a good day on Sundays," Zipadelli said. "The longer you get to work with someone, the better you get to know them, the better chance you have of having some consistent results. But I dont know well honestly be able to do that. The drivers that wed like to put (in the seat) are all racing for a championship, and we need to be respectful of their position." Although Regan Smith is challenging Austin Dillon for the points lead in the Nationwide Series, Smiths boss at JR Motorsports said he wouldnt hesitate giving Smith the chance to drive the No. 14 if the opportunity arose. "Id be the first to put Regans name in the hat for that kind of opportunity," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. "I understand that we are racing for a championship. It would be a challenge. It would also give him an opportunity to showcase himself ... and get some guys maybe wanting to put him back in the car full-time on this (Cup) side of the deal. That would be good for him." At least Smith knows what hed face. He was forced to sub for Earnhardt in the No. 88 last October in the Chase when Earnhardt couldnt compete because of the effects of two concussions. "Its going to be a great opportunity for somebody," said Smith, who grew up in Cato, N.Y., a two-hour drive north of Watkins Glen. "Last year it happened so quick there wasnt time to think. There was nothing but a phone call. "I certainly would be open to that. You just cross that bridge and see how things line up. I think its a lot of hypothetical right now. I cant speak to any of that." Michael Pierce Jersey .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Chris Board Jersey . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. http://www.customravensjersey.com/custom-parker-ehinger-jersey-large-1433d.html . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont. Marlon Brown Jersey . Louis Blues teammates who would also be participating in the Olympics, Alex Pietrangelo felt right at home, no different in some ways to the travel experience of any old road trip – save for the length of the journey, that is. Clarence Moore Jersey . The showiest items on Calgarys lot were forwards Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. Both will be unrestricted free agents this summer.SEATTLE - Even with a stellar seven inning start from Jordan Lyles, the Houston Astros were staring at the possibility of a winless road trip and seven-game losing streak as they headed to the plate in the ninth inning. An unearned run allowed in the eighth inning put the Seattle Mariners ahead 1-0 and seemingly ended the Astros hopes of a victory. They entered the game winless in 38 chances when trailing after eight innings and hadnt been able to score a single run in their last 17 innings against the Mariners. But the Astros provided a first for the 2013 season as they rallied for six runs off the Mariners bullpen to steal the victory away from Seattle and snap their six-game losing streak Wednesday night. "Its never too late when youre able to put together a six-run inning, especially after the woes weve had the last two games," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "It was definitely good to see the guys break out and put together some good at-bats in the ninth inning." Trailing 1-0, Jason Castro and J.D. Martinez led off with a pair of singles and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Carlos Corporan. After an intentional walk of Carlos Pena, Chris Carter doubled off the wall in left field to score a pair and give the Astros their first lead of the game. Another intentional walk loaded the bases again and brought the hook for Mariners closer Tom Wilhelmsen (0-2). It was Wilhelmsens fourth blown save in his last nine tries. Brandon Barnes drove in another run when his drive to left field glanced off the glove of Jason Bay and gave the Astros a 3-1 lead. Marwin Gonzalez drove in two more on a single to centre off Yoervis Medina and Charlie Furbush walked in another. "We score six in the ninth — we havent had the offence lately but it just shows we can do it in a big situation like that," Carter said. "Its good for the team." Paul Clemens (4-2) earned the victory for Houston. Lyles posted his best start of the season in holding the Mariners scoreless through seven innings. He allowed just three hits, two walks and struck out a career-high 10 to keep the game level into the eighth inning. "Jordan was outstanding again tonight," Porter said. "...Even the times in which he got into trouble, you can see the look in his eyes and the patience and the poise of Im going to make quality pitches to get out of this. I thought the big strikeouts with the bases loaded was huge." Lyles previous caareer-high for strikeouts had been eight coming into Wednesday nights game.dddddddddddd Lyles struck out nine Mariners through the first four innings alone and retired the final 11 batters he faced. "Curveball was pretty good tonight," Lyles said. "We kept going to it — kept burying it in the dirt and guys are swinging over it." The Mariners had missed out on an opportunity to take the lead in the fourth inning off Lyles. Nick Franklin hit a one-out double off the wall in right field. Mike Zunino singled sharply to centre field for the first hit of his major league career but Franklin was held up at third base. A walk loaded the bases but Brendan Ryan and Alex Liddi both struck out as Lyles worked out of the jam. Mariners starter Jeremy Bonderman also pitched well. Bonderman allowed just three hits in eight innings. He walked two and struck out five before Wilhelmsen gave up the lead in the ninth. Mariners manager Eric Wedge said Wilhelmsen was missing up in the strike zone and the Astros were able to take advantage. "The ninth inning is a different animal. You saw the next two guys struggled too," Wedge said. "Weve got to get Tom driving the ball downstairs — missing down. When he does miss well work on it." Endy Chavez singled for Seattle to lead off the eighth inning. Gonzalez picked up an error when he dropped the throw from Hector Ambriz on a bunt from Jason Bay that would have been in time to beat Chavez at second base. After a pop out from Kyle Seager and strikeout by Raul Ibanez, Seager lined a single to right to drive in Chavez and give the Mariners their only run. Notes: Mariners C Mike Zunino made his major league debut just over a year removed from being selected by Seattle in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Zunino is the third catcher for Seattle to make their major league debut in the last 20 days joining Jesus Sucre and Brandon Bantz. ... Lyles is the ninth pitcher to strike out 10-plus Mariners in a game this season. ... With two more errors Wednesday night, the Astros increased their league-leading total to 51 for the season. ... It was the first win this season for Houston when trailing after eight innings. The Astros were 0-38 when trailing after eight innings entering Wednesday night. ... Houstons six-run ninth inning matched their highest scoring inning of the year. The Astros had scored six runs in the sixth innings against the Colorado Rockies on May 30. ' ' '