Georgia sports for Tuesday, July 29th

Atlanta Braves--

The news for the Braves keeps getting worse. The team opened a 7-game homestand last night with a pummeling at the hands of the St Louis Cardinals, 12-3. Braves' rookie starting pitcher Charlie Morton was rocked in the loss. Meanwhile, before the game, the Braves placed both 3rd baseman Chipper Jones and pitcher Tim Hudson on the disabled list. For Chipper, he is nursing a hamstring strain. Hudson has a right elbow problem, and it was revealed by general manager Frank Wren during the game that an MRI test on Hudson revealed some ligament damage. Hudson will be examined by specialists this week--it’s quite possible his season will be over. Already this year, the Braves have been besieged by injuries, namely to starting pitchers John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Mike Hampton. However, Hampton just returned over the weekend.

Atlanta Falcons/training camp--

The Falcons are through the first 3 days of camp at team headquarters in Flowery Branch. Off the field news: Defensive tackle Grady Jackson is back with the team on a 1-year contract. Jackson was released last season by former head coach Bobby Petrino. One of the Falcons' top free-agent signings is done for the season, before it has begun. Defensive back Von Hutchins will miss 2008 after undergoing foot surgery.

Georgia sports for Thursday, July 24th

Atlanta Braves--

The Braves jumped back on the winning track last night with their 9-4 decision over the Marlins in Florida. Gregor Blanco was the star offensively, posting 4 hits with 3 RBI’s and 3 runs scored. On the mound, Tim Hudson picked up the pitching win with 6 innings of work. However, there was bad news in victory. Hudson had to end his night after the 6 innings with a sore right elbow. 3rd baseman Chipper Jones left the game in the 4th inning with a strained left hamstring. The Braves have today off before opening a weekend series at Philidelphia, co-leaders of the NL-East division. The Braves are 6 games out of first.

NBA/Atlanta Hawks--

The Hawks have lost forward Josh Childress to an international team. Childress agreed to a 3-year, 32.5 million dollar contract to join the Greek powerhouse team Olympiakos. Childress spent the first 4 years of his professional career with the Hawks.

Georgia sports for Wednesday, June 18th

Atlanta Braves--

The Braves on the final stop of their four-city road trip lost to the Rangers in Texas last night, 7-5. Starting pitcher Tim Hudson and the Braves trailed 6-0 after 5 innings--Hudson lasted only 4-and-two-thirds innings on the mound, allowing 6 runs on 6 hits. He is now winless in his past 5 outings. The Braves did fight back with a 3-run rally in the 9th inning, but not enough. Atlanta's offense included catcher Brian McCann, who contributed a pair of hits and 3 RBI's. Game 2 of 3 in the series is tonight.

Left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez is expected to be activated from the Braves' disabled list today. He's been out 13 months in the road back from ligament replacement surgery. The Braves are considering moving Gonzalez into the closer's role, given the injuries to Rafael Soriano and John Smoltz.

Georgia sports for Friday, May 23rd

Atlanta Braves--

The Braves continued their hot-play at home, completing a 4-game series sweep of the rival New York Mets at Turner Field with the 4-2 win on Thursday night. The 3 runs scored in the 7th inning to turn a 2-1 deficit was highlighted by Chipper Jones' go-ahead RBI-single. ]
Tim Hudson earned the pitching win with a strong effort, his 7th victory already this season. The Braves are 6-1 on this current homestand, and winners of 13 of their past 14 at Turner Field. The homestand concludes with a 4-game Memorial Day weekend matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks, opening tonight.


College baseball-State teams' conference tournaments--

Georgia's Bulldogs were eliminated from the SEC baseball tournament with their 5-2 loss to Alabama Thursday. Georgia was the top-seed in the SEC tourney.

Georgia Tech was a loser in their Thursday game from the ACC baseball tournament, 15-12 to Miami. Tech will play next on Saturday morning, facing Clemson at 10am.

Georgia Southern's Eagles ended their Southern Conference tournament game at 2am this morning, falling to Elon College 16-5. GSU plays an elimination game this afternoon in Charleston against UNC-Greensboro.

Georgia sports for Thursday, April 17th

It has been a rough road trip for the Atlanta Braves as they lost their 3rd straight game last night. They've dropped the first 2 games in their series at Florida--the Marlins winning 6-5. Even more of a sting for the Braves--of the Braves’ 9 losses, 7 have been by one run. Last night, starting pitcher Tim Hudson lasted only 3 innings, allowing 4 runs. The Braves wrap their series and road trip tonight with John Smoltz on the hill.

From pro basketball, the Atlanta Hawks wrapped their regular season schedule with a 113-99 loss at Miami. But for the first time since 1999, the Hawks will be playing more basketball. They will face the Boston Celtics in round-1 of the playoffs--the opening contest is Sunday in Boston.

Later this afternoon from Georgia State University, the school is expected to announce it will launch a football program with its first season in the fall of 2010. The Panthers would play in the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as I-AA. The school would play home games at the 70,000-seat Georgia Dome, not far from its downtown Atlanta campus. Georgia State would also build new practice and training facilities.

Georgia sports for Friday, April 4th

The Atlanta Braves hold a 1-3 record to open the season. Last night, they lost at home to the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 in 10 innings. Xavier Nady delivered an RBI-single off reliever Chris Resop for the winning margin in the 10th. The game marked the non-return of pitcher Mike Hampton. Primed to make his first start in a major-league game since August 2005, Hampton had to be scratched from the start last night when he experienced a left pectoral muscle strain in pre-game warmups. It's the latest in an injury-filled two-and-a-half years for Hampton, who's been trying to return from an assortment of problems, including a pair of left elbow surgeries.

The Braves tonight open a 3-game series in Atlanta against the New York Mets--Tim Hudson gets the Braves' pitching assignment.

Georgia sports for Monday, March 31st

The Atlanta Braves opened their season on the road last night in Washington D.C. with a loss to the Nationals 3-2. The Braves tied the game at 2 in the 9th, scoring on a passed ball. But in the Nationals' home-half of the 9th inning, Ryan Zimmerman wiht 2 outs launched a solo home run off reliever Peter Moylan for the winning difference. Earlier in the game, Chipper Jones drilled a solo home run, which represented the first HR to be hit in the Nationals' new stadium, getting its debut last night. For Braves' starting pitcher Tim Hudson, after a bumpy 1st inning allowing 2 runs, he settled down to retire the next 19 batters he faced. The Braves are back in Atlanta to open a 6-game homestand--home opener tonight against the Pirates. Tom Glavine gets the pitching call in his first game back in a Braves uniform.

If you missed it from the weekend, Augusta State's run through the Division II men's basketball tournament ended one win shy of a championship. The ASU Jaguars lost to the Warriors of Winona State Saturday afternoon 87-76 in action from Springfield, Massachusetts. For Winona St, it's the second championship in school history. Augusta State had its deepest run ever in the Division II tournament, ending their season 27-7.

Georgia sports for Wednesday, March 5th

The Atlanta Braves in spring training exhibition action Tuesday beat the Phillies 10-1. Pitcher Tim Hudson worked 3 innings, allowing 4 hits and a run. The Braves travel to Winter Haven, Florida today to face the Indians.

From pro basketball, the Atlanta Hawks at home lost to Golden State's Warriors, 135-118.

Georgia sports for Thursday, September 27th

The lights are nearly out for the Braves' postseason hopes, in the wake of their 5-2 loss to the Phillies in Philidelphia last night. Tim Hudson suffered the pitching loss to drop his season record to 16-10. A key Chipper Jones throwing error paved the way for 3 Phillies' un-earned runs off Hudson. With 4 games left in the season, the Braves stand 4 games out of 1st in the NL-East, and 4 off the top for the wild card. Concerning the Phillies, their recent surge combined with the Mets' faltering play has drawn Philidelphia to within 1 game of New York in the division.

Atlanta Falcons defensive back DeAngelo Hall says he's been fined 100-thousand dollars by the team for his outburst during the Falcons' loss at home to Carolina last Sunday. Hall also might be suspended for some length of the team's upcoming game against the Houston Texans. Last Sunday, Hall was whistled for 3 penalties on the same Falcon defensive series. His outburst included 2 personal fouls and a heated exchange with coaches on the sidelines. Hall says he plans to appeal the team sanctions through the NFL Players Association.

From preseason hockey, the Atlanta Thrashers last night beat the Florida Panthers 4-1 in exhibition action. The team is coming down the stretch toward their season opener, a week from Friday.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, August 21st

Warner Robins' little league team was rained-out from action in the Little League World Series up in Williamsport, Pennsylvania Monday. All five games in the tournament yesterday were rained-out, so the entire schedule moves to today. Warner Robins has split their first two games, and must win this evening in order to stay alive.

To major league baseball, the Braves opened a long 10-game road trip in fine fashion last night, blasting the Reds 14-4 in Cincinnati to commence a 4-game series. For a 2nd-straight game, 1st baseman Mark Teixeira hit a pair of home runs--he had 3 of the Braves' 17 hits on the night, and accounted for 6 RBI's. Atlanta cracked 4 homers overall, including a grand slam from Brian McCann and a homer from Andruw Jones. The offense was more than enough to support the pitching of Tim Hudson, who earned his 5th-straight win, and is the first pitcher in the National League to reach the 15-win plateau.

Georgia sports for Thursday, August 16th

It's now 2-straight wins for the Braves over the Giants, after last night's 6-3 final from Turner Field in Atlanta.

Tim Hudson threw 8 strong innings to record his 14th win of the season. He won his 4th straight outing, and 8th straight decision, improving his record to 14-5. Bob Wickman collected the save. Hudson was part of the offense as well, with 2 hits that included a run-scoring single. For the Giants, Barry Bonds went deep with home run #759 of his career in the 6th inning.

The Braves go for the series sweep of San Francisco with Chuck James on the mound tonight. Atlanta remains 3-and-a-half games behind the Mets for 1st in the NL-East division.

Georgia sports for Friday, July 20th

The Braves kicked-aside their 3-game losing streak in grand style last night, trouncing the Cardinals 10-1 in the opener of a 4-game series from Atlanta.

The Braves' offense included a home run and 3 RBI's from Andruw Jones. Matt Diaz knocked a homer, while Julio Franco in his first game back with Atlanta delievered a 2-run single.

On the mound, Tim Hudson was solid in 7 innings of work, allowing a run and 5 hits. His record improved to 10-5.

The Braves remain 2-and-a-half games behind the Mets for first in the NL-East Division.

Georgia sports for Friday, July 13th

The post All-Star break schedule gets rolling tonight for the Braves. They'll open a 10-game homestand with the 1st of 3 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Atlanta. Tim Hudson gets the starting pitching call this evening.

As play opens tonight, the Braves stand 2-and-a-half games back of the Mets for first in the National League East division. Following the Pirates, the Braves will welcome the Reds and Cardinals to Turner Field over the next week.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, June 26th

The Braves snapped their 5-game losing streak last night, scoring the 4-1 win over the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. Brian McCann had the big blow, a 3-run homer in the 6th inning. Along with his run-scoring single in the 4th inning, McCann accounted for all 4 RBI's for Atlanta.

The 4 runs represented an outburst for the Braves, who had been shut-out in 4 of their previous 5 games, with only a run scored. Tim Hudson earned his 7th pitching win of the season, with Bob Wickman recording his 13th save.

Georgia sports for Friday, June 15th

On the verge of salvaging one win in the 3-game series at Minnesota, the Braves instead blew a 2-nothing lead in the bottom of the 9th inning, and lost to the Twins 3-2. Minnesota sweeps the series.

Mike Redmond capped the Twins' comeback with an RBI-single off closer Bob Wickman. It ruined a great start by Tim Hudson, who allowed only 2 hits with no runs through
7-and-a-third innings of work. Rafael Soriano got the remaining 2 8th-inning outs, before giving way to Wickman in the 9th. Offensively for Atlanta, Brian McCann hit a solo home run, his first in a month.

The Braves have now lost 9 of their last 12 games--they open a series in Cleveland tonight.


Golfers at the U-S Open in Pennsylvania begin round-2 play this morning.
Checking on the results of Georgians in the golf major out of Thursday's 1st round: Former Georgia Tech star Stewart Cink finished his round 4 strokes off the lead. He fired a 2-over-par 72. Other Georgians on the board include Davis Love the Third from Sea Island, he finished 5-over-par. Charles Howell the Third from Augusta had a rough afternoon on Thursday, as he carded a 76 for 6-over-par.

Georgia sports for Thursday, May 31st

The Braves used their biggest scoring inning of the season to beat the Brewers yesterday afternoon in Miwaukee, 9-3.

Down 2-1, the Braves erupted for 7 runs in the 8th, led-off by catcher Brian McCann's 3-RBI double. Kelly Johnson had one of the RBI-hits in that inning, to go along with a solo home run earlier in the game. Andruw Jones also was part of the mix in that 8th inning with an RBI-double. The pitching win went to Tim Hudson. He allowed 6 hits and 2 runs across 7 innings of work to improve his record to 6-3. The Mets lost their game last night, so the Braves are now 4 games behind New York in the NL-East.

Off today, the Braves start a weekend series against the Cubs in Chicago Friday afternoon.


A Virginia prosecutor says informants have come forward to say Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick was involved in dogfighting. Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter told a Virginia TV-station there is evidence that links Vick to dogfighting, which is a felony in Virginia. The investigation into Vick's property began in late April. No charges have yet been filed in the case.