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wxy1123
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Jan 9 2013, 01:48 AM
Post #1
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LONG POND, Pa. Charles Woodson Jersey . - Juan Pablo Montoyas contribution to the NASCAR highlight reel so far this season was his crash into a jet dryer in the season-opening Daytona 500. Montoya finally had a bright spot that didnt involve explosions and raging fuel fires. He turned a lap of 176.043 mph Saturday to win the pole at Pocono Raceway. The winless Montoya won his first pole since April 2011 in Richmond, Va. He hasnt won a race since Aug. 8, 2010 at Watkins Glen. The pole was a needed lift for Montoya and his No. 42 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team. Hes 21st in the standings and has yet to drive to a top-five finish. He only has two top 10s and has continued a string of mediocre seasons since qualifying for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in 2009. Montoya admitted he was "shocked" he beat out Pocono qualifying stars such as Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano and Kasey Kahne to lead the field in Sundays 400- mile race. "We know were working in the right direction, we know were working hard, we feel the cars are getting a little better," Montoya said, "but to go out there and get a pole ... I just went through the hauler and all the engineers, theyre all happy and laughing. Im used to long faces, a lot of long faces, a lot of stressful faces. We needed something like this as a company. This is big for us." Hamlin turned a lap of 175.795 and qualified second. Its his 12th top-10 start in 14 career Pocono races. Paul Menard, Kahne and Marcos Ambrose round out the top five. Points leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. starts eighth. Montoya joined NASCAR in 2007 after a successful career in open wheel that included an Indianapolis 500 victory and a Monaco Grand Prix win. His 2009 season where he finished eighth in the standings turned out to be a one-year blip instead of a breakthrough into regular championship contention. His team has undergone massive turnover — including new crew chief Chris Heroy — yet it didnt bring the No. 42 Chevrolet any better results. He hasnt finished better than 21st in any of his last three races and has finished better than 14th only once in his last 11 races. "I think were quite a ways away from as a company where we want to get to," he said. "We want to be able to come every weekend knowing you can beat a Hendrick, beat a Gibbs. Thats our goal." Montoya knows he was as unlikely as any driver to win the pole. "If you told me this morning I was going to be sitting on the pole, Id say, pfff," he said. "I thought we were going to be OK. I thought wed be 12-15. And were sitting on the pole." The trick for Montoya becomes trying to duplicate the strong run on Sunday. Montoya has four career top 10s, including one runner-up finish in 2009, in 11 career starts at Pocono. "I know tomorrow is going to be a reality check," Montoya said. "Im really open-minded about tomorrow. But lets enjoy today." Montoya is the 15th different pole winner in 21 races this season and earned a spot in the 2013 Shootout at Daytona. The first repave at Pocono since 1995 produced record speeds in qualifying for the June race — 36 cars bettered the previous track record. Logano set the track record of 179.598 mph and went on to win the race. With 400 miles of racing and several practice sessions on the track, the speeds werent as fast on Saturday. Logano prepared for qualifying by watching a replay of his second career Cup victory. "I was sitting in the motorhome watching the race tape and Im like, I know who is going to win this race. This is going to be a good one," he said. "Those are more fun to watch." ___ Dan Gelston can be followed at http://twitter.com/apgelston John Kuhn Youth Jersey . The talented wide receiver was arrested Monday after being accused of attacking his mother during an argument, hitting her arms and face. Reggie White Packers Jersey . Scott Cullen breaks down Monday nights NHL playoff action. GOING SEVENThe New York Rangers forced a Game Seven in their opening round series with the Ottawa Senators, winning 3-2 in Ottawa in Game Six. http://www.nflproshoppackers.com/charles-woodson-jersey . The opening round was even sweeter with three birdies on the back nine late Thursday afternoon at Muirfield Village for a 5-under 67, leaving him one-shot out of the lead after a day that featured a timely rally by Rory McIlroy and a surprising departure by Phil Mickelson. Randall Cobb Jersey . The 37-year-old Hernandez was 1-1 with a 4.94 ERA and one save -- the first of his 17-year career -- with the Braves. He gave up seven hits and five runs in 1 2-3 innings against Toronto in his last appearance Sunday. Jordy Nelson Pink Jersey . Walter Samuel headed Inter in front in the fourth minute following a howler from goalkeeper Christian Abbiati as the Nerazzurris quick start seemed to surprise Milan. Milan improved but had Riccardo Montolivos goal disallowed for a foul on Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals arent acting like teams that have traded places. Cliff Lee tossed seven sharp innings for his first home win in nearly a year while Washington wrecked itself with a big mistake on the bases, helping the Phillies to a 4-1 victory Sunday and a three-game sweep of the team with the best record in the majors. The loss left the Nationals in a testy mood. Manager Davey Johnson was heard screaming at someone in the clubhouse, sarcastically suggesting that person "come down here" and run the team. General manager Mike Rizzo was seen entering the clubhouse after the game, and presumably engaged in the heated conversation with Johnson. "I had a discussion with my boss and I apologize to you guys," Johnson said, explaining why reporters had to wait nearly 25 minutes before entering his office. Johnson didnt say more about the confrontation, and Rizzo wasnt immediately available to comment. The Nationals have lost four straight for the first time since June 15-19. They entered with a 5 1/2-game lead over Atlanta. The third-place Phillies arent going to win their sixth straight NL East title, but they were determined to make a statement against the Nationals. They may have done more than that, stirring up some tension on the Nationals side. "We expect to win every time we take the field," Lee said. "Hopefully we can carry this over the rest of the season." The Nationals touched Lee in the seventh, but ran themselves out of a bigger inning. Jayson Werth led off with an infield single and advanced to second on Lees throwing error. Adam LaRoche followed with a towering shot to right that bounced off the top of the railing and back in play. Werth and LaRoche thought the ball went out and started jogging. LaRoche was tagged out between second and third while Werth stayed at third on the double. A video replay upheld the call. Tyler Moore then lined an RBI double to left to cut it to 4-1. "I screwed up," LaRoche said. "I shouldve stopped at second." Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run homer and Laynce Nix had a solo shot to back Lee (3-7). The 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner hadnt won at Citizens Bank Park since Sept. 5,, going 0-6 in his previous 12 starts. Charles Woodson Womens Jersey. Lee outpitched Jordan Zimmermann (9-8) by allowing one run and seven hits, striking out five. Jeremy Horst got an out in the eighth and Josh Lindblom got the last five outs for his first career save. Jonathan Papelbon had the day off after closing three straight games. Zimmermann gave up three runs and five hits in five innings. His ERA went up to 2.63, third-best in the NL. "The first four innings were a breeze and then I hit a wall and made a couple bad pitches," Zimmermann said. It was just the second three-game sweep of the season for Philadelphia, which closed within six games of .500 for the first time since losing to Pittsburgh on June 28. "They have a real good ballclub and Lee pitched a heck of a game," Johnson said. "He was a complete pitcher." Hurt by poor run support often this year, Lee got the offence going with an RBI double in the fifth. Kevin Frandsen singled to start the inning and advanced to second on a passed ball by Jesus Flores. Erik Kratz followed with a looper to centre, but Bryce Harper made a sliding catch. Lee, who hits well for a pitcher, then lined one to deep centre over Harpers head, scoring Frandsen for a 1-0 lead. Rollins followed with a drive to the seats in right. The leadoff hitter has 15 homers, just three shy from taking the team lead away from the since-traded Hunter Pence. Nix connected on an 0-2 pitch off Tom Gorzelanny in the sixth. NOTES: Phillies LF Juan Pierre stole his 586th base in the fifth, tying Maury Wills for 19th on the career list. ... The Phillies are 8-15 in Lees 23 starts. They were 22-10 when he started last season. ... OF Domonic Brown wasnt in Philadelphias starting lineup for the second straight game because of a sore left knee. ... Werth battled the sun on Chase Utleys shallow fly to right in the fourth and ended up catching the ball barehanded after it glanced off his glove. ... The Nationals were swept in a three-game set for the fourth time. ... Stephen Strasburg (15-5, 2.85 ERA) starts for the Nationals on Tuesday night at Miami. ... Vance Worley (6-9, 4.06 ERA) pitches Tuesday night for the Phillies vs. the Mets. ' ' '
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