MLB: 1st loss for Strasburg
Stephen Strasburg struck out nine and allowed one run over six innings in his fourth start, but the Nationals were punchless again in a 1-0 loss to the Royals yesterday in Washington — dealing Strasburg his first loss.
On the last better he faced, Strasburg (2-1) got his 41st strikeout by freezing Scott Podsednik with an 83-mph curve. That broke a record held by Herb Score, who fanned 40 in his first four major-league starts for Cleveland in 1955. For the third time, Strasburg did not walk a batter. A stunning 75 of his 95 pitches were strikes.
* In Denver, pinch-hitter Jason Giambi’s two-run homer off Jonathan Papelbon capped a three-run rally in the ninth inning as the Rockies overcame an off night by ace Ubaldo Jimenez to beat the Red Sox 8-6.
NFL: Giants land Bengals’ Davis
The season-ending injury to Domenik Hixon last week to a torn knee ligament left the Giants in scramble-mode to identify a replacement to return punts and kickoffs. GM Jerry Reese maintained there were enough candidates on the roster, but he also said he’d try to add a player before camp. Reese did that yesterday, as the Giants were awarded Chris Davis off waivers from the Bengals. The Giants also came to terms with guard Mitch Petrus, a fifth-round pick from Nebraska, and punter Matt Dodge, a seventh rounder out of East Carolina. — Paul Schwartz
ETC.: Sedin wins NHL MVP
Henrik Sedin wrecked Alex Ovechkin‘s bid for an MVP three-peat. The Canucks star captured the Hart Trophy during the NHL’s awards ceremony in Las Vegas. Ovechkin, the Capitals’ captain, was honored by his fellow players, winning the award for top player that is presented by the Players’ Association.
Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers won the Calder as the rookie of the year. Dave Tippett of the Coyotes won as the most outstanding coach. Duncan Keith of the Blackhawks won the Norris Trophy as the top defenseman, the Sabres’ Ryan Miller won the Vezina as the top goaltender, and Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk won the Selke as the top defensive forward.
* Olympic gold medal figure skater Scott Hamilton had surgery to remove a benign brain tumor.
* The Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks dealt playoff star Dustin Byfuglien along with defenseman Brent Sopel and forward Ben Eager to Atlanta for a package of draft picks and players. Chicago gets a first (24th overall) and second-round pick in this week’s NHL draft as well as forwards Marty Reasoner, Joey Crabb and Jeremy Morin. Atlanta also receives prospect Akim Aliu.
OBIT: ‘Jelly’ Tart dead at 68
Former Net Levern “Jelly” Tart, who played for five ABA teams from 1967-71, was found dead yesterday in his Long Beach apartment by police. He was 68. — Peter Vecsey