OAKLAND, Calif. Matt Thornton didn’t have a problem with the pitch he served up for a game-winning hit in his Boston debut. It was the two walks he allowed earlier in the inning that really irked the left-hander. Two days after being acquired from Chicago, Thornton’s command problems were the difference on a day when […]

NEW YORK Feeling he was close to a deal for Paul Pierce, a thought crossed Billy King’s mind. “I asked, ‘What about KG?’” the Nets general manager said. Yes, Brooklyn is also getting Kevin Garnett — and a real shot at contending for a championship. “I would say ending today it’s a good day for […]

SILVIS, Ill. It’s not hard to find some flaws in Jordan Spieth’s historic win at the John Deere Classic. Sure, most of the world’s top golfers were a continent away preparing for Muirfield and this week’s British Open. And yes, even Spieth knows luck was one of the major reasons why he became the first […]

LOUDON, N.H. Stuck in a hospital bed, Brian Vickers wanted to live another day. Once he recovered, he hungered for a competitive ride. And once he landed a solid seat, well, Vickers simply had to win. Even when life tossed obstacles in Vickers’ path, his determined spirit never waned. After four years of health scares […]

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Binghamton Mets (58- 34) picked up three shutouts in a series win for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Portland Sea Dogs (46-47) 4-0 on Sunday afternoon at NYSEG Stadium in Eastern League action. Portland dropped four of five in the series, and has not scored in its last […]

BOSTON Patrice Bergeron was just 22 years old when a serious concussion jeopardized his career. Now, less than two weeks before his 28th birthday, one of the NHL’s best two-way forwards is under contract for the next nine seasons and hopes to retire with the only team he’s played for, the Boston Bruins. Bergeron signed […]