Bird's words of encouragement are still driving Stephenson, even though the NBA legend is no longer in Indianapolis. More »Larry Bird's faith in Lance Stephenson pays off for Pacers in vital moments against Knicks
By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY, May 19 (Reuters) - Robbie Deans is firmly of the opinion that a British and Irish Lions test is no place to blood unproven players and his Wallabies squad reflects that belief in all but the position traditionally considered rugby's most important - flyhalf. Three uncapped players were included in the preliminary party announced on Sunday for the three tests in June and July but most of remaining 22 named were hardened veterans of international rugby. ... More »Rugby-Deans happy to take a punt on O'Connor at flyhalf
Vitor Belfort began his mixed martial arts career 17 years ago, exploding onto the scene, a 19-year-old ball of fire. More »Vitor Belfort Pins Career Resurgence on Promises Made and Blackzilians, Kicks TRT Talk to Curb
After struggling during the first half of May, the Oakland Athletics might be ready to make a run in the positive direction. More »Royals-Athletics Preview
With Troy Tulowitzki on a tear, the Colorado Rockies appear to have moved past their recent offensive woes as they try for their first three-game winning streak in almost a month. More »Giants-Rockies Preview
May 19 (Reuters) - Australia opening batsman David Warner will face a disciplinary hearing for his Twitter outburst against two senior Australian cricket journalists, the country's cricket board said on Sunday. The flamboyant left-handed batsman criticised News Limited journalists Robert Craddock and Malcolm Conn in an expletive-filled tirade, which grabbed headlines in Australia. The 26-year-old has been charged with breaking the code of behaviour which pertains to "unbecoming behaviour, regarding comments posted on his Twitter account," Cricket Australia said in a statement. ... More »Cricket-Warner to face disciplinary hearing over Twitter rant
(Reuters) - Australian Matthew Griffin won the SK Telecom Open at South Korea's Jeju Island by one shot after Sunday's final round was called off due to heavy fog. A 40-foot putt from the back of the green on the 18th guaranteed him the third-round lead on Saturday and it turned out to be the winning shot at the 1 billion Korean won ($895,700) OneAsia event at the Pinx Golf Club. "It's unfortunate to finish like this, but I'll take it," Griffin, who leapt to the top of the OneAsia Order of Merit with the win, said. ... More »Australia's Griffin wins weather-hit event in South Korea
May 19 (Reuters) - Australian Matthew Griffin won the SK Telecom Open at South Korea's Jeju Island by one shot after Sunday's final round was called off due to heavy fog. A 40-foot putt from the back of the green on the 18th guaranteed him the third-round lead on Saturday and it turned out to be the winning shot at the 1 billion Korean won ($895,700) OneAsia event at the Pinx Golf Club. "It's unfortunate to finish like this, but I'll take it," Griffin, who leapt to the top of the OneAsia Order of Merit with the win, said. ... More »Golf-Australia's Griffin wins weather-hit event in South Korea
The Sharks' situation was dire when Logan Couture limped to the dressing room. But when he emerged to net the game-winner in OT, the semifinal series with L.A. took on a very different feel. More »Couture gives Sharks life with OT heroics
Facing an offensively challenged Miami Marlins team that's been particularly bad against left-handers lately, Wade Miley appears to be in a good spot to rebound from his worst outing of the season. More »Diamondbacks-Marlins Preview
Despite letting a potential victory slip away, the Pittsburgh Pirates hope to continue one of their best stretches of the season behind a starting rotation that's been one of the best in the major leagues this month. More »Astros-Pirates Preview
May 19 (Reuters) - Two goals in four first half minutes were enough for Auckland City to clinch their third successive Oceania Champions League title against 10-man Waitakere United on Sunday. The 2-1 victory ensured at least a $500,000 payday for the Auckland side and entry to the lucrative FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco in December. Auckland's Adam Dickinson slotted home in the 16th minute after Waitakere goalkeeper Danny Robinson fumbled a deflected cross from Takuya Iwata before Alex Feneridis blasted home a shot from 30 metres that Robinson misread in the 20th minute. ... More »Soccer-Auckland City secure FIFA payday with another Oceania win
The St. Louis Cardinals routinely pound on the Milwaukee Brewers' pitchers, and Yadier Molina is one of the main culprits. More »Brewers-Cardinals Preview
SEATTLE (AP) -- Eddie Johnson scored twice, including the winner early in the 62nd minute, and the Seattle Sounders ended FC Dallas' nine-game unbeaten streak in MLS play with a 4-2 victory Saturday night. More »Johnson scores twice as Sounders beat FC Dallas
Reuters sports schedule at 0600 GMT on Sunday: SOCCER Premier League season ends (1500 unless stated) Chelsea v Everton Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers Manchester City v Norwich City Newcastle United v Arsenal Southampton v Stoke City Swansea City v Fulham Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United West Ham United v Reading Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa North London rivals in Champions League shootout LONDON - Arsenal need a win to guarantee a top-four finish and Champions League qualification but know any slip could let north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur sneak ... More »Reuters Sports Schedule at 0600 GMT on Sunday, May 19
If viewers at home noticed how Game 3 was in many ways the reverse of the game previous, they're not alone. So did Todd McLellan. More »Sharks and Kings engaged in déjà vu-ey series
(Adds more Deans quotes) * Cooper omitted * Folau among three uncapped players * Smith, Polota-Nau ruled out by injury By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY, May 19 (Reuters) - Australia coach Robbie Deans omitted flyhalf Quade Cooper but named Israel Folau and two other uncapped players in his preliminary squad of 25 on Sunday for the three-test series against the British and Irish Lions. Deans, who will add six more players to his squad on June 11, also found places in his party for uncapped number eight Ben Mowen and his ACT Brumbies team mate Christian Leali'ifano, who plays at centre and flyhalf. ... More »Rugby-Folau in, Cooper out of Wallabies squad for Lions
COMMENTARY | Argentina's Lucas Matthysse (34-2, 32 KOs) spoiled talk of Fight of the Year possibilities Saturday night at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City by walking right through the tough and experienced Lamont Peterson (31-2-1, 16 KOs) in three rounds. More »Lucas Matthysse Crushes Lamont Peterson, is Labeled ‘New Manny Pacquiao’
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Tommy Milone threw so many pitches in the first two innings that Oakland A's manager Bob Melvin feared he wouldn't make it far into the game. More »A's Milone overcomes rough beginning
The Sharks beat the Kings on the strength of two power play goals Saturday night, and one L.A. forward is pointing blame at the referees. More »Penner blasts refs for 'gall to guess' on penalty
Tyler Seguin says he needs to slow things down and regain his swagger. More »Seguin searching for swagger, goals vs. Rangers
Now that the Boston Red Sox have bounced back from their recent slide, they hope John Lackey can end his losing streak. More »Red Sox-Twins Preview
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Logan Couture spent most of the second period in the locker room with an injury. But he made it back in time to save the San Jose Sharks' season. More »Sharks break through against Kings
Based on Doug Fister's short, but telling, road history in Texas, the Rangers should feel confident they can get the best of another Detroit Tigers starting pitcher. More »Tigers-Rangers Preview
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- The Los Angeles Kings are now the team bemoaning a late penalty while the San Jose Sharks celebrate a dramatic win. More »Couture's OT goal gives Sharks 2-1 win over Kings