Washington Nationals manager Jim Riggleman spoke for a franchise when asked about the latest exam to be performed on Stephen Strasburg's valuable right arm. "I'm very anxious about that," Riggleman said. Thursday was a day of suspense at Nationals Park as the 22-year-old right-hander underwent his second MRI in less than a week. Read more..
With three straight wins in Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled themselves back into the NL wild-card race. Casey Blake hit a two-run homer and six Dodgers pitchers combined on a two-hitter as Los Angeles beat the Brewers 7-1 Thursday for a three-game sweep. "We've been saying all along, first let's try to put something together and then we'll see where we are," Dodgers... Read more..
Padres right-hander Chris Young has thrown another simulated game as he works his way back from a shoulder injury with the goal of pitching again this season. The 6-foot-10 Young threw 55 pitches in three innings Thursday before the NL West leaders hosted the last-place Arizona Diamondbacks. Young says he felt better as the simulated game progressed. Read more..
Jordan Zimmermann has been recalled by the Washington Nationals to make his first major league start of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals. Zimmermann returned to the big leagues Thursday, just more than a year after having elbow ligament replacement surgery. He last pitched for the Nationals on July 18, 2009, and had the operation on Aug. Read more..
There's something about the Phillies that brings out the best in the Houston Astros. Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven sharp innings, Carlos Lee homered and the Astros beat the Phillies 5-1 Thursday to complete their first four-game sweep in Philadelphia in 11 years. "Houston has been a team that for years has given us problems," Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said. Read more..
West City and Howick familiar foes at Championship
Championship game will be third matchup between teams in tournament final
The 2010 BNZ National Club Championship thus far has been a festival of games played by 7 clubs from all over New Zealand.
Now it's down to one game and two teams from neighboring clubs.
This is the one game that both teams have been waiting to play since the tournament began on Friday, just perhaps, were destined to play all along: A Championship final.
West City and Howick meeting for the championship game of the '10 National Club Championship should shock no one who has followed the tournament, watching as the defending champion and the 2008 Champion have been sharp and efficient on their way to the final.
When the two teams meet for the third time in the tournament final Sunday afternoon at 1pm at Lloyd Elsmore Park, they'll be way beyond familiarity and rivalry.
They're into historic territory.
"That we were able to come up to the stage together, I really feel great respect for the Howick boys for that," West City manager Ken Sommers said. "And at the same time, I feel like it's the game of the year."
It's certainly the culmination of a season of competition between the two clubs. Since the 2009 Spring Shield, the two teams have faced each other 10 times in club play, with Howick taking three games and West City taking seven.
Howick, playing on their home ground, will be the home team, going in undefeated through round robin play.
"Howick players and West City players are excellent," said Howick outfielder Dale Budge, who plays for the Cyclones. "There is little difference between the two."
On Monday night, there will be one big difference: Only one will go home the National Club Champion.
