Post by buwu on Dec 21, 2012 6:20:58 GMT -5
INDIANAPOLIS -- Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing will field a car for Michel Jourdain Jr. Duane Brown Jersey . in the Indianapolis 500. Jourdain will drive the No. 30 Dallara for RLL in the May 27 race as a teammate to Takuma Sato, who drives full-time for Rahal in the IndyCar Series. Although Rahal returned to the IndyCar Series this season for the first time since 2008, he and Jourdain have been victorious together before. Jourdain won with Rahal in the Champ Car Series at Montreal and Milwaukee in 2003. "I am extremely happy about this new opportunity," said the 35-year-old Mexican driver. "My best years professionally came with Bobby Rahal. I have been working out harder than ever to make sure I am as fit as possible. I know it is a huge challenge, to drive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after so long and with this type of car, but I hope that I will feel at home in a few days." RLL had announced in March that Italian driver Luca Filippi would join the team at the Indianapolis 500 and complete the season. Rahal has always had two Honda engine leases, but when he didnt have a second program completed in time for the start of the season, he allowed Sarah Fishers race team to take over one of the leases for rookie Josef Newgarden. Honda has more engines now, and Rahal hopes to move forward with a second full-time team. But he said Tuesday a deal to put Filippi in the car in time for Indy has not happened yet. "Were continuing to work toward Luca being part of the team," he said. "Whether its in time for Indy, I cant tell you at this stage." Rahal said the organization has the "capacity" to field three teams at Indy, but its more realistic that Filippi join the series after the 500. "With each passing day (Indianapolis) becomes more difficult," Rahal said. "Time is not our friend in this case." It opened the door, though, for Jourdain, who returns to open-wheel competition for the first time since 2004. He was the youngest driver to start a Champ Car race when he competed at Long Beach at 19 years old, and went on to make 152 starts in CART and Champ Car from 1996 through 2004. He ran the 1996 Indy 500, qualifying eighth and finishing 13th. Jourdain also competed sporadically in NASCARs second-tier Nationwide Series from 2005 through 2008. J.J. Watt Texans Jersey . The 34-year-old Grimsby, Ont., native won her semi-final match on Day 13 of London 2012 over Colombias Jackeline Renteria Castillo 1-0, 1-0. Against the upstart Renteria Castillo, Verbeek showed her experience in a close first round, finding an opening in last 20 seconds to push her 26-year-old opponent through the passive zone for the only point of the round. Arian Foster Texans Jersey . Having recently joined from city rival Inter Milan in a swap for Antonio Cassano, Pazzini put Milan in front with a generous penalty in the 16th minute, restored the Rossoneris lead in the 77th after Bologna goalkeeper Federico Agliardi lost control directly in front of the goal, then added an insurance strike in the 85th. www.nfltexansfansstore.com/nike-kevin-walter-Texans-jersey/ . Tim Duncan got the result. Duncan prevented Pierce from driving to the basket, forcing him to take a fadeaway jumper that clanged off the rim at the buzzer and the San Antonio Spurs held on for their ninth straight win, 87-86 over Boston on Wednesday night. Arian Foster Jersey . "I am following my heart and moving forward," said Cameron. "This is a very difficult decision - I believe in the Olympic values and have lived my life with excellence, respect and friendship at the forefront of everything that I do. Brian Cushing Blue Jersey .C. United is looking for success on the road to advance in the MLS playoffs. ATLANTA -- Kris Medlen did his part to ensure Chipper Jones last regular-season home game was a win. Then again, all of the Atlanta Braves have been winning a lot with Medlen on the mound. The Braves won for a major league record 23rd straight time in games started by Medlen, beating the New York Mets 6-2 on Sunday as a sellout crowd cheered Jones every move. Medlen (10-1) gave up one unearned run and three hits in six innings, adding to his momentum heading into the post-season. The Braves have already clinched an NL wild-card spot and are on track to host the one-game playoff, which Medlen would start. "I think the best part about it is my name is in the history books, but its a team thing," Medlen said. "Its a really cool feeling. Like I said, were not done. I hope we keep going." According to STATS LLC research going back to 1921, only two other teams won 22 straight starts by a pitcher: the New York Giants with Carl Hubbell (1936-37) and the Yankees with Whitey Ford (1950-53). Fords streak was interrupted by military service. With Washingtons 10-4 loss to St. Louis, the Braves gained a game in the NL East and trail the first-place Nationals by three games. The Nationals have a magic number of one for clinching the division. The Braves close the regular season with three games at Pittsburgh. The Mets (73-86) topped 2011s loss total and ensured their most losses since a 70-92 record in 2009. Atlanta is 12-0 in Medlens starts this season after he moved to the rotation on July 31. The teams streak of 23 straight wins in Medlens starts began in 2010. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he was thinking of the post-season by limiting Medlen to six innings. "If we were able to do that, get him the win, get the team the win and keep him right where we wanted in terms of pitches and innings, that was a good day," Gonzalez said. The Mets only run off Medlen was set up by first baseman Freddie Freemans throwing error on Justin Turners grounder in the third. The wild throw to Medlen, who was covering first base, allowed Ruben Tejada, who singled, to score from second. David Ross hit a three-run homer in the second off Jenrry Mejia (1-2). Jones had a single and two walks and wouldnt agree to come out of the game early. "I tried to pinch-hit for him, get a big ovation for him," Gonzalez said. "He said, I want to finish this. Thats just the way he is." Jones parents were in Atlanta for the series. "To be honest with you, I saw us winning this game early and I wanted to go give my mom and dad a hug after the game," Jones said. "If I had taken myself out of the game, Id be in (the clubhouse) watching fantasy football." The retiring 40-year-old slugger said he had "a lot of relief" the weekend was over. "Im glad its over and we can go to Pittsburgh and finish out the year and get ready for the next one back here when all the fun is going to start," Jones said. Jones teammates stayed behind in the dugout as he ran onto the field to a standing ovation to start the ggame. Arian Foster Blue Jersey. The Braves joined the ovation, and even some New York players applauded him. Mets third base coach Tim Teufel walked over and shook Jones hand, and finally the Braves joined Jones on the field. "Its a well-deserved tribute," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "We all salute him in his career. Hes a great, great player." Jones was immediately tested as he made a dive to his left to make a stop on a grounder from Mets leadoff hitter Ruben Tejada. The All-Star third baseman made a one-hop throw to first base from his knees for the out. He made another diving stop on a sharply hit grounder by Scott Hairston to end the inning. Braves chanted "Lets go, Chipper!" when he batted in the second, and booed Mejia for walking him. Jones first hit of his final regular-season home series came with his third-inning single, ending a 0-for-13 drought that included four walks. He tipped his helmet to the fans before his at-bats in the first and seventh innings. With fans standing in the seventh, Jones walked again. Jones received another loud ovation when he took the field in the ninth. Fans chanted "Thank you, Chipper" as the inning started and then "Chipper! Chipper!" with two outs. The Braves scored a run in the fifth on doubles by Michael Bourn and Jason Heyward. Andrelton Simmons doubled in Dan Uggla in the sixth off Collin McHugh and scored on Bourns single. Mejia gave up four runs on six hits in five innings. "I thought he threw the ball good today," Collins said. "He made a real bad throw to Ross, right down the middle. But his two-seamer was the best one Ive seen him have." The Mets scored one run off Cory Gearrin in the ninth on a double by Ike Davis, a walk to Lucas Duda and a single by Andres Torres. Closer Craig Kimbrel recorded the final out on a grounder by Fred Lewis for his 42nd save. Bourn was a late addition to Atlantas lineup after missing six games with a sprained left thumb. Medlen lined a foul ball into the Mets dugout in the fourth, hitting catcher Josh Thole. Tholes right ear was red and swollen but he said he passed a concussion test. "I just saw the doctor and theres no issue, other than this big ear I have," Thole said. "It got me more on the cartilage of my ear, I think. Thats what saved me. It definitely could have been worse." NOTES: The sellout crowd of 50,635 raised the Braves attendance for the season at 2,420,171, a slight increase from their 2011 total. ... Following Collins lead, the Mets had a theme dress day, with all the players and coaches wearing football jerseys -- NFL or college -- to the park. The team had a similar hockey jersey day earlier in the season. ... Mets rookie RHP Jeurys Familia will make his first career start Monday against Floridas Josh Johnson. Familia has an 8.64 ERA in seven games in relief. R.A. Dickey is scheduled to start on Tuesday. ... LHP Paul Maholm will face Pirates LHP Jeff Locke on Monday night in Pittsburgh. ' ' '