Giants Within 1 in the West

The Giants can move back into a tie for first place with a win Tuesday, coupled with a Padres loss, as the Giants have moved to within 1 game of NL West leading San Diego.

The Giants have also apparently got their starting pitching back on track. Starting with Tim Lincecum's win last week, the Giants' starters have been outstanding over the last week or so. The team has won 4 of their last 5 because of that, as their offense still hasn't really found their groove in September yet. A prime example of this came Monday night, as the D-Backs held the Giants scoreless through 12 innings, when they finally broke through and won, 2-0. They only scored 3 runs the day before that in LA as well. There really just isn't anyone who's very hot in that lineup right now, and there are a few guys starting to struggle a bit. Andres Torres has hit a bit of a rough patch over the last week, going 2-25 in that span. The Giants outfield as a whole has really hit a rough patch. Newcomers Jose Guillen and Cody Ross started out well, but have since cooled off, and Pat Burrell has just 1 homer in has last 10 games. It's gotten to the point where Nate Schierholtz is starting to get some ab's again, and he ended up delivering the game winning hit on Monday night in AZ. Luckily, the Padres bats have sputtered more than the Giants, enabling the Giants to stick within striking distance of first place.

The Giants will try and reclaim that top spot again on Tuesday night, sending Tim Lincecum to the mound vs. young D-Back righty, Barry Enright. The 24 year-old Enright has been lights out since his promotion (6-2, 2.45 era) and won't be an easy task for the Giants. More importantly though, they're just hoping Timmy can continue his rythem from last weeks start, which was his best start in about 2 months. It's time to start the "Padre Watch" as well, and they'll be sending someone to the mound in place of Mat Latos (out with the flu) Tuesday to oppose the Dodgers' Clay Kershaw. This is a great opportunity for the Giants to move into that tie, as the pitching matchup now heavily favors LA. Also, the Wild Card race, which appears is becoming just a 2-team race between the Giants (or San Diego) and the Phillies. The Phills, who hold a 1.5 game lead on the Giants, send Joe Blanton to the mound against the Marlins Chris Volstad, Tuesday night.

Roster News: The Giants will be getting Emmanuel Burris and Eugenio Velez back on the big league roster Tuesday night as well, as the Giants have now expanded their roster to 32 players. With them being in a pennant race, again, there probably won't be many more call-ups, and certainly not any players that they don't plan on using in some way. I still would like to see Jesus Guzman brought up as a right-handed power bat off the bench, and still would like to see righty Henry Sosa get a few innings of work.

Johnson City Cardinals Win Appalachin Title

The long wait is over for the Johnson City Cardinals.
Johnson City wrapped up its first Appalachian League championship since 1976 with a 6-2 win over Elizabethton Saturday night at Cardinal Park. The Cardinals swept the best-of-three championship series after a 7-2 win at Elizabethton on Friday.
"The thing about Elizabethton is they're always the class of the league, both on and off the field," Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said about Johnson City's overall seventh league title. "It's just a real honor to be able to beat somebody of that caliber."
Virgil Hill led the way for the Cardinals offense, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. His totals included a two-run homer over right in the eighth inning.
"It was just a collective effort," Hill said. "I had so much support from my family, my friends and my brothers on the team. Elizabethton is a great team. They've been sticking it to us all year long, but we wanted it more. All the hard work that we did finally paid off."
Elizabethton's Jamaal Hawkins led off the game with a solo shot over left, but Johnson City starting pitcher Kevin Siegrist buckled down and didn't give up any more runs and just two more hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. Trevor Rosenthal threw the next two innings, before closer Hector Corpas retired four straight batters, setting off a wild celebration as teammates charged the mound.
"I can't say enough about our starting pitching this whole playoffs," Shildt said. "In the first game, (Ryan) Copeland gave us five-plus innings. Cale (Johnson) threw six innings the second game and Boone Whiting was great last night for six-plus. Seigrest was outstanding tonight. He's gotten better over the course of the season. He's always had pretty good fastball control, but now his change-up is better and his breaking ball is the best it's been all year.
"Corpas at the end, I can't say enough about the guy. He doesn't scare and he's aggressive. He's got a great fastball and an out-pitch, a splitty. It's tough for opposing guys."
The Cardinals' offense responded in the bottom of the first as Phillip Cerreto provided a RBI single and Travis Tartamella came up with a two-run single for a 3-1 lead. The Cards added a fourth run in the sixth inning off Hill's RBI double to score Cerreto.
The Twins' Gunner Glad scored off an error to cut the margin to 4-2 in the top of the eighth. However, Johnson City answered with Hill's two-run shot which also scored Kleininger Teran.
"We had such an awesome coaching staff who taught us the team concept," Hill said. "All we had to do was come out here and execute. I was just trying to do anything possible to help my team out. The home run, it was just awesome. I can't even describe it."
Elizabethton was bidding for its sixth Appalachian League title in the past 11 years. The Twins had battled the Cardinals for the West Division title all season. It was fitting the nearby rivals with the league's two best records met in the championship series.
"Congratulations to Johnson City, they were the class of the league all year," Elizabethton manager Ray Smith said. "We beat them as many times as they beat us this year, but they beat us at the right time. Our guys gave it their best effort. They made every at-bat a tough at-bat, and every out a tough out. They battled to the wire."

written by Jeff Birchfield


My take on this is that the Cardinals minor league system is crappy. All of our draftees never pan out. Well this team jelled and produced with players like pitcher Cale Johnson and Oscar Taveras that belted out 8HR, 43RBI, .322 BA AVG and 211 AB. Now thats not too shabby. Congrats Johnson City!!!

NFL ROSTER MOVES

Here is the rundown of all NFL roster moves in the last week of the 2010 preseason courtousey of FOX SPORTS. FOX SPORTS gets the credit for the list!

Definitely some notable names of rookies from the last two-three years on this list that were flooded into NFL football card products and autograph cards from the various manufacturers.

NFL Cutdown Deadlines:

* Tuesday, Aug. 31: NFL teams must reduce rosters from 80 to 75 players.
* Saturday, Sept. 4: NFL teams must reduce rosters from 75 to 53 players.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived TE Dominique Byrd, OT Casey Knips, C David Moosman. Traded CB Jorrick Calvin to the Philadelphia Eagles for RB/FB Charles Scott. Signed WR Isaiah Williams.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Moved OLB O’Brien Schofield from Active/Non-Football Injury List to Reserve/Non-Football Injury list. Placed FB Nehemiah Broughton on injured reserve. Waived/injured WR Darren Mougey.

Wednesday, Sept. 1: Placed WR Darren Mougey on IR. Extended the contract of DL Darnell Dockett through 2015.

Friday, Sept. 3: Traded G Reggie Wells to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2011 sixth-round pick. Moved LB Gerald Hayes from Active/Physically Unable to Perform list to Physically Unable to Perform list, waived/injured LB Mark Washington. Waived WR Onrea Jones, FB/RB Charles Scott, WR Isaiah Williams, WR Ed Gant, LB Stevie Baggs, LB Cody Brown, DE Jeremy Clark, DE John Fletcher, CB Trevor Ford, G Jonathan Miller, G Tom Pestock, OL Herman Johnson. Released TE Anthony Becht, LB Monty Beisel, CB Justin Miller.

Saturday, Sept. 4:Released QB Matt Leinart. Waived/injured LB Chris Johnson, RB Alfonso Smith.

ATLANTA FALCONS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived OT Mark Ortmann, S/CB Gabriel Derricks.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Waived/injured DT Thomas Johnson. Released S Matt Giordano with injury settlement.

Wednesday, Sept. 1: Placed DT Thomas Johnson on IR.

Saturday, Sept. 4:Waived TE Robbie Agnone, WR Troy Bergeron, WR Tim Buckley, RB Dimitri Nance, C Blake Schlueter, WR Andy Strickland, WR Ryan Wolfe, TE Keith Zinger, S Rafael Bush, S Eric Brock, CB Dominique Daniels, CB Chevis Jackson, LB Weston Johnson, DE Maurice Lucas, DE Emmanuel Stephens, G Jose Valdez, LB Bear Woods. Waived/injured WR Brandyn Harvey. Released C Brett Romberg, FB Dan Klecko.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived CB Doug Dutch. Waived/injured C Daniel Sanders and S Marcus Paschal.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Moved LB Brendon Ayanbadejo and RB Matt Lawrence from Active/Physically Unable to perform list to Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Acquired CB Josh Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2011 conditional draft selection. Waived/injured FB Mike McLaughlin.

Thursday, Sept. 2: Placed FB Mike McLaughlin on IR.

Saturday, Sept. 4:Traded LB Antwan Barnes to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2011 seventh-round pick. Moved S Ed Reed from Active/PUP list to Reserve/PUP list. Placed C/G David Hale, OT Ramon Harewood, OL Stefan Rodgers, DT Kelly Talavou on IR. Released K Shayne Graham, CB Travis Fisher, WR Demetrius Williams. Waived QB Troy Smith, TE Davon Drew, WR Justin Harper, CB Chris Hawkins, RB Curtis Steele, WR Eron Riley, OT Devin Tyler. CB K.J. Gerard, OL Bryan Mattison, LB Albert McClellan, OL Joe Reitz, S Brad Jones.

BUFFALO BILLS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived WR Aaron Rhea, G Kyle Calloway, DT Lonnie Harvey.

Saturday, Sept. 4:Released OT Kirk Chambers. Waived/injured TE Derek Schouman. Moved S Jon Corto from Active/PUP list to Reserve/PUP list. Waived C Sean Allen, RB Andre Anderson, RB Joique Bell, QB Levi Brown, DE Rashaad Duncan, FB Rodney Ferguson, C Christian Gaddis, TE Andrew George, WR James Hardy, G Nick Hennessey, CB Ellis Lankster, WR Naaman Roosevelt, RB Chad Simpson, LB Donovan Woods, G Andre Ramsey, CB Lydell Sargeant, OT Jason Watkins, WR Chad Jackson.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Monday, Aug. 30: Signed G Tim Duckworth.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Waived WRs Dexter Jackson and Oliver Young. Placed WR Wallace Wright and DE Hilee Taylor on Injured Reserve. Moved LB Thomas Davis from Active/Physically Unable to Perform list to Reserve/Physically Unable to perform list.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Placed G C.J. Davis, S Aaron Francisco, G Duke Robinson on IR. Released OT Rob Petitti, DE Rob Moore. Waived/injured TE Jamie Petrowski, Waived QB Hunter Cantwell, RB Josh Vaughan, G Andrew Crummey, LB Quinton Culberson, WR Trent Guy, G Ray Hisatake, DT Corvey Irvin, LB Mortty Ivy, CB R.J. Stanford, FB Rashawn Jackson, WR Kenny Moore, RB Dantrell Savage, DT Tank Tyler, LB Sean Ware, CB Brian Witherspoon.

CHICAGO BEARS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived QB Matt Gutierrez, WR Zeke Markshausen, DE Maurice Evans.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Waived/injured FB Will Ta'ufo'ou.

Wednesday, Sept. 1: Claimed OL Edwin Williams off waivers from the Washington Redskins. Waived RB Brandon Minor. Placed FB Will Ta'ufo'ou on IR.

Thursday, Sept. 2: Waived FB Will Ta'ufo'ou off IR with injury settlement.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Released TE Richard Angulo. Waived DT Jarron Gilbert, WR Juaquin Igleias, S Al Afalava, WR Freddie Barnes, C Josh Beekman, CB Cornelius Gilbert, OT Levi Horn, QB Dan LeFevour, LB Kevin Malast, OT James Marten, WR Greg Mathews, LB Tim Shaw, S Quentin Scott, LB Kelvin Smith, CB Woodny Turenne, DE Barry Turner, S Aaron Webster, FB Eddie Williams, C Edwin Williams, DE Mick Williams.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived LS Mike Windt, released LB Rashad Jeanty (failed physical). Moved S Tom Nelson from Active/Physically Unable to Perform list to Reserve/Physically Unable to perform list. Placed S Gibril Wilson on injured reserve. WR Maurice Purify has been suspended by the NFL for one game for violating the personal conduct policy.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Traded CB David Jones and a conditional draft pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for S Reggie Nelson. Released WR Matt Jones, LB Abdul Hodge. Waived/injured FB Fui Vakapuna. Waived K Dave Rayner, G Isaac Sowells, S Marvin White, DT Orien Harris, S Kyries Hebert, TE Chase Coffman, TE Darius Hill, RB James Johnson, DT Clinton McDonald, S Rico Murray, WR Maurice Purify, WR Dezmond Briscoe, G Otis Hudson, OT Gabriel Manns, S Jeromy Miles, LB Vincent Rey, OT Chris Rodgers, CB Johnny Sears, FB Joe Tronzo.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived CB John Bowie.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Placed DL Titus Adams on IR. Waived WR Taurus Johnson, G John Malecki, CB Gerard Dawson.

Friday, Sept. 3: Placed RB Montario Hardesty on IR. Waived WRs Syndric Steptoe and Jake Allen, OL Casey Bender, CB Coye Francies, TE Joel Gamble, OL Joel Reinders

Saturday, Sept. 4: Activated DT Shaun Rogers from active/PUP list; released WR Bobby Engram and OL Scott Kooistra; released DL C.J. Mosley (failed physical); waived S Larry Asante, G Paul Fanaika, DE Clifton Geathers, CB Brandon McDonald, RB Chris Jennings, CB Chris Chancellor, DT Travis Ivey, QB Brett Ratliff, S DeAngelo Smith, DE Swanson Miller, C Pat Murray and DE Brian Sanford.

DALLAS COWBOYS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived WR Terrell Hudgins, TE Scott Sicko.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Moved LB Stephen Hodge from Active/Physically Unable to perform list to Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Released S Patrick Watkins. Placed TE John Phillips on IR.

Friday, Sept. 3: Traded OL Pat McQuistan to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for an undisclosed 2011 draft pick.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Released CB Cletis Gordon. Waived OT Will Barker, G Travis Bright, DE Marcus Dixon, RB Herb Donaldson, TE DajLeon Farr, WR Jesse Holley, WR Manny Johnson, LB Curtis Johnson, CB Bryan McCann, RB Lonyae Miller, LB Steve Octavien, TE Jason Pociask, TE Martin Rucker, DT Jimmy Saddler-McQueen, LB Brandon Sharpe, DL Junior Siavii, OL Mike Tepper, CB Jamar Wall, CB Teddy Williams.

DENVER BRONCOS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived/injured CB Tony Carter. Released RB Justin Fargas.

Tuesday, Aug. 31:Placed CB Tony Carter on IR.

Friday, Sept. 3:Placed RB LenDale White on IR. Waived CB Tony Carter from IR with injury settlement. Waived WR Alric Arnett, DL Chris Baker, OL Paul Duncan, LB Jammie Kirlew, TE Nathan Overbay, TE Kory Sperry, LB Johnny Williams.

Saturday, Sept. 4:Traded CB Alphonso Smith to the Detroit Lions in exchange for TE Dan Gronkowski. Placed LB Elvis Dumervil, WR Brandon Stokley on IR. Placed DL Ben Garland on Reserve/Military list. Released DE Jarvis Green, LB Darrell Reid. Waived LB Kevin Alexander, TE Marquez Branson, WR Britt Davis, S Kyle McCarthy, C Seth Olsen, DL Jeff Stehle, LB Worrell Williams.

DETROIT LIONS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived WR Eric Fowler, LB Lee Campbell, DE Chima Ihekwoaba. Waived/injured TE Jake Nordin. Signed LB Rocky Boiman. Placed S David Roach on IR.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Traded OT Tyler Polumbus to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for an undisclosed 2012 draft choice. Moved CB Jack Williams from Active/Physically Unable to Perform list to Reserve/Physically Unable to perform list. Placed TE Jake Nordin on IR

Friday, Sept. 3: Waived DT Jaron Baston. Waived S David Roach from IR with injury settlement.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Released CB Dre' Bly, S Ko Simpson, OT Jon Jansen, RB DeDe Dorsey, CB T.J. Rushing, WR Brian Clark, CB Dante Wesley, LB Vinny Ciurciu and CB Eric King. Waived injured DE Korey Bosworth; waived DT Rob Callaway, LB Caleb Campbell, K Steven Hauschka, CB Jonathan Hefney, OT Cliff Louis, WR Michael Moore, DT Landon Cohen, CB Paul Pratt, G Noah Franklin, C Dan Gerberry and WR Tim Toone.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Moved RB James Starks, S Atari Bigby, CB Al Harris from the Active/PUP list to the Reserve/PUP list. Placed RB Quinn Porter on IR.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Placed OL Allen Barbre, CB Will Blackmon on IR. Waived P Chris Bryan, OT Chris Campbell, WR Jason Chery, CB D.J. Clark, OL Evan Dietrich-Smith, WR Charles Dillon, LB Robert Francois, OT Breno Giancomini, QB Graham Harrell, TE Spencer Havner, LB Alex Joseph, S Anthony Levine, RB Kregg Lumpkin, LB Cyril Obiozor, LB Maurice Simpkins, DE Ronald Talley, DT Anthony Toribio, WR Chastin West, WR Patrick Williams, DE Jarius Wynn.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived WR London Crawford, DE Pannel Egboh, CB Fred Bennett. Placed WR Trindon Holliday and RB Ben Tate on IR. Removed TE Owen Daniels from Active/PUP list.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Signed RB Derrick Ward; placed K Kris Brown and WR Andre' Davis on IR; released C Chris White, CB Jacques Reeves. Waived RB Chris Henry, QB John David Booty, WR Bobby Williams, TE Derek Fine, RB Jeremiah Johnson, LB Isaiah Greenhouse, C Brett Helms, FB Jack Corcoran, OT Steve Maneri, S Nick Polk, CB Mark Parson, S Torri Williams, LB Will Patterson, OT Cole Pemberton, DT DelJuan Robinson, DT Malcolm Sheppard, OT Adam Stenavich, WR Derrick Townsel and DT Mitch Unrein. Moved TE Anthony Hill from active/PUP list to reserve/PUP list.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Monday, Aug. 30: Placed CB Kevin Thomas on IR.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Acquired CB Justin Tryon from the Washington Redskins in exchange for an undisclosed draft choice; released OT Adam Terry; waived DE Ervin Baldwin, QB Tom Brandstater, DE John Chick, CB Ray Fisher, DT Marlon Favorite, TE Colin Cloherty, C Adrian Martinez, CB Glenn Sharpe, S Terrell Skinner, WR Taj Smith, CB Ashton Hall, OT Chris Marinelli, RB Allen Patrick, CB Danny Gorrer, WR Sam Giguere, OT James Williams, RB Jarvarris James, CB Terrail Lambert, S Mike Newton, WR Brandon James, LB Vuna Tuihalamaka and WR Blair White.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Monday, Aug. 30: Placed DT D’Anthony Smith and C John Estes on IR. Waived WR Roren Thomas, DE Julius Williams, rookie CB Josh Gordy. Signed C Bradley Vierling. Waived/injured C Cecil Newton.

Wednesday, Sept. 1: Placed C Cecil Newton on IR.

Friday, Sept. 3: Waived G Cecil Newton from IR with injury settlement.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Traded S Reggie Nelson to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for CB David Jones and an undisclosed draft pick; placed LB Kyle Bosworth on IR; released TE Ernest Wilford, S Gerald Alexander, WR Troy Williamson, LB Rod Wilson, DT Atiyyah Ellison, LB Tony Gilbert, G Kynan Forney, LB Teddy Lehman and CB Scott Starks; waived RB Kolby Smith, DT Walter Curry, WR Clarence Denmark, WR John Matthews, OT Daniel Baldridge, TE Mike Caussin, DT Jeremy Navarre, QB Trevor Harris, RB Chad Kackert, DT Ko Quaye, LB Alvin Bowen and C Brad Vierling.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived QB Bill Stull, RB Kestahn Moore, TE Cody Slate.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Waived WR Lance Long.

Friday, Sept. 3: Waived TE Leroy Banks, WR Rich Gunnell, OL Lemuel Jeanpierre, G Ike Ndukwe, CB Mike Richardson, G Dan Santucci, LB John Russell. Re-signed S Jarrad Page.

Saturday, Sept. 4:Traded S Jarrad Page to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick. Placed CB Maurice Leggett, WR Jerheme Urban on IR. Waived G Colin Brown, DT Garrett Brown, DL Dion Gales, OT Bobby Greenwood, G Darryl Harris, LB David Herron, DT Derek Lokey, S DaJuan Morgan, QB Tyler Palko, S Ricky Price, WR Verran Tucker, LB Pierre Walters, RB Javarris Williams.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived/injured TE Joey Haynos.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Placed DE Phillip Merling on Non-Football Injury list. Placed OT Nate Garner and TE Joey Haynos on IR.

Friday, Sept. 3: Acquired OL Pat McQuistan from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for an undisclosed 2011 draft pick.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Released TE David Martin, DT Montavious Stanley. Waived Jonathon Amaya, DT Ryan Baker, DE Lionel Dotson, G Ray Feinga. LB J.D. Folsom, OT Andrew Gardner, OL Andrew Hartline, CB Kevin Hobbs, FB Rolly Lumbala, LB Chris McCoy, S Nate Ness, WR Julius Pruitt, LB Austin Spitler, G Donald Thomas, WR Patrick Turner, LB Erik Walden, S Ross Weaver, QB Pat White.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived/injured LB Jeremy Leman.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Waived WR Marko Mitchell, OT Bill Noethlich. Moved WR Sidney Rice from Active/Physically Unable to Perform list to Reserve/Physically Unable to perform list. Placed LB Jeremy Leman on IR.

Friday, Sept. 3: Traded QB Sage Rosenfels and RB Darius Reynaud to the New York Giants in exchange for an undisclosed pick in the 2011 NFL draft as well as a conditional pick in the 2012 draft.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Released WR Javon Walker, TE Garrett Mills, DE Mike Montgomery. Waived S Colt Anderson, G Thomas Austin, G Adrian Battles, WR Logan Payne, WR Taye Biddle, WR Freddie Brown, OT Patrick Brown, OT Chris Clark, FB Ryan D'Imperio, LB Nate Triplett, OT Drew Radovich, CB Marcus Sherels, WR Marquis Hamilton, RB Ian Johnson, DT Jermaine Johnson, K Rhys Lloyd, CB DeAndre Wright.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived G Brian Simmons. Signed CB Terrence Johnson.

Tuesday, Aug.31: Placed S Josh Barrett, CB Leigh Bodden, S Brett Lockett, DL Darryl Richard on IR. Waived CB Terrence Johnson.

Friday, Sept. 3: Released DL Damione Lewis, C Eric Ghiaciuc.

Saturday, Sept. 4:Acquired LB Tracy White from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for an undisclosed 2012 draft pick. Acquired S Jarrad Page from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick. Placed S Brandon McGowan on IR. Released WR Sam Aiken, LB Pierre Woods, LB Eric Alexander, LB Derrick Burgess. Waived S Sergio Brown, OT George Bussey, TE Carson Butler, RB Thomas Clayton, WR Buddy Farnham, WR Darnell Jenkins, OL Ted Larsen, TE Rob Myers, G Rich Ohrnberger, WR Rod Owens, QB Zac Robinson, RB Chris Taylor, S Ross Ventrone, OL Thomas Welch, CB DeAngelo Willingham.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Monday, Aug. 30: Signed DT Kendrick Clancy.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Waived QB Sean Canfield, WR Andy Tanner.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Moved LB Clint Ingram, S Darren Sharper from Active/PUP list to Reserve/PUP list. Placed LB Jonathan Casillas on IR. Released RB Ladell Betts, DT Kendrick Clancy, C Nick Leckey, G Terrence Metcalf, DE Bobby McCray, FB Jason McKie, QB Patrick Ramsey. Waived WR Montez Billings, OL Brandon Carter, OL Na'Shan Goddard, OL Jermey Parnell, LB Harry Coleman, CB Reggie Jones, FB Zak Keasey, TE Tyler Lorenzen, DT DeMario Pressley, DT Al Woods, DT Jay Ross, S Chip Vaughn.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Placed QB Jim Sorgi, WR Sinorice Moss, LB Adrian Tracy on IR. Moved G Kevin Boothe from the Active/PUP list to the Reserve/PUP list. Waived WR Nyan Boateng.

Thursday, Sept. 2: Waived S Michael Greco off IR with injury settlement.

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived WRs Aundrae Allison and Marcus Henry, DE Rodrique Wright. Released WR Laveranues Coles.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Waived QB Kevin O’Connell. Claimed OLB Ricky Foley off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks

Thursday, Sept. 2: Waived S Michael Greco off IR with injury settlement.

Friday, Sept. 3: Acquired QB Sage Rosenfels and RB Darius Reynaud from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for an undisclosed pick in the 2011 NFL draft as well as a conditional pick in the 2012 draft.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Released WR Derek Hagan, OL Guy Whimper, S John Busing. Waived/injured DE Alex Hall, CB Courtney Brown. Waived QB Rhett Bomar, FB Jerome Johnson, DT Jay Alford, RB Andre Brown, RB Gartrell Johnson, TE Bear Pascoe, QB Dominick Randolph, WR Tim Brown, TE Scott Chandler, OL Jacob Bender, OL Herb Taylor, OL Jim Cordle, OL Dennis Landolt, DL Tommie Hill, DL Dwayne Hendricks, DL Nate Collins, CB Seth Williams, S Matt O'Hanlon, S Sha'reff Rashad.

NEW YORK JETS

Saturday, Sept. 4:Placed WR Santonio Holmes on Reserve/Suspended list. Waived S Emanuel Cook, FB Jason Davis, C Robby Felix, S Keith Fitzhugh, LB Ricky Foley, WR Brooks Foster, OT Dan Gay, LB Tim Knicky, DE Jason Lamb, LB Boris Lee, LB Josh Mauga, LB Cory Reamer, LB Brashton Satele, DL Ty Steinkuhler, CB Bo Smith, S Donovan Warren, OT Michael Turkovich, G Chet Teofilo, G Charlie Tanner, WR Larry Taylor.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived RB Chane Moline, WR Paul Hubbard, G Allen Smith. Released TE Tony Stewart.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Waived DT Eric Butler.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Placed FB Luke Lawton on reserve/suspended list; released DL Chris Cooper, TE John Owens and DT William Joseph; waived K Swayze Waters, CB Joey Thomas, FB Manase Tonga, WR Todd Watkins, WR Shaun Bodiford, S Jerome Boyd, QB Colt Brennan, S Stevie Brown, OL Chris Morris, DE Alex Daniels, DE Greyson Gunheim, DT Kellen Heard, LB David Nixon, OL Alex Parsons, CB Joe Porter, DE Jay Richardson and OL Brandon Rodd.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived WR Jared Perry, C Zipp Duncan, G Greg Isdaner, LB Simoni Lawrence, S Ryan Hamilton. Traded RB/FB Charles Scott to the Arizona Cardinals for CB Jorrick Calvin.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Claimed DE Pannel Egboh off waivers from the Houston Texans. Placed DE Ricky Sapp on IR.

Friday, Sept. 3: Acquired G Reggie Wells from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a 2011 sixth-round pick. Released RB J.J. Arrington, TE Nate Lawrie. Moved DE Victor Abiamiri from Active/PUP list to Reserve/PUP list. Waived WR Dobson Collins, DE Pannel Egboh, Martell Mallett, OT Jeraill McCuller, CB David Pender, CB Geoff Pope, DT Boo Robinson, S Anthony Scirrotto.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Acquired LB Antwan Barnes from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2011 seventh-round pick. Traded OL Stacy Andrews to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2011 seventh-round pick. Traded LB Tracy White to the New England Patriots for an undisclosed 2012 draft pick. Released G Max Jean-Gilles, WR Kelley Washington. Waived WR Chad Hall, WR Jordan Norwood, TE Cornelius Ingram, C A.Q. Shipley, C Dallas Reynolds, DE Eric Moncur, DT Jeff Owens, S Macho Harris, OL Fenuki Tupou, S Quintin Demps.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Waived FB/RB Dwayne Wright, LB Brandon Renkart, CB David Pittman. Released OT Adrian Jones. Moved OT Chris Scott from Active/PUP list to Reserve/PUP list. Waived LB Andre Frazier from IR.

Friday, Sept. 3: Waived TE Eugene Bright, G Dorian Brooks, OT Kyle Jolly, TE Sean McHugh, WR Brandon London, DT Scott Paxson, S Justin Thornton, RB Justin Vincent, LB Renauld Williams. Released LB/LS Matt Stewart.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Waived G Kraig Urbik, LB Patrick Bailey, CB Joe Burnett, WR Tyler Grisham, FB Frank Summers, CB Da'mon Cromartie-Smith, DE Sunny Harris, DE Doug Worthington, DE Steve McLendon, WR Stefan Logan. Released C Justin Hartwig.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Waived RB Marcus Mason, WR Gary Banks, G Lee Grimes, LB Darry Beckwith. Placed LB Donald Butler on IR. Signed P Glenn Pakulak. Claimed CB Fred Bennett off waivers from the Houston Texans. Released DL Ryon Bingham.

Saturday, Sept. 4:Released WR Josh Reed, K Nick Novak, CB Nathan Vasher. Waived WR Seyi Ajirotutu, OT Brady Bond, FB Richie Brockel, RB Curtis Brinkley, QB Jonathan Compton, WR Richard Goodman, OL Jeff Hansen, TE Dedrick Epps, DE Derrick Jones, FB Billy Latsko, C Ryan McDonald, RB Shawnbrey McNeal, P Glenn Pakulak, OT Nick Richmond, S Quinton Teal, CB Traye Simmons, G Cam Stephenson, WR Jeremy Williams, LB Kion Wilson, LB Mike Nixon.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived WR Bakari Grant, LB Patrick Stoudamire. Waived/injured LB Brandon Long.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Placed LB Brandon Long on IR.

Friday, Sept. 3: Waived K Shane Andrus, LB Mike Balogun, QB Jarrett Brown, FB Jehuu Caulcrick, LB Bruce Davis, G Brian de la Puente, TE Joe Jon Finley, WRs Bobby Guillory, Jason Hill, Kevin Jurovich, OT Matt Kopa, LB Keaton Kristick, S Chris Maragos, FB Brit Miller, DTs Khalif Mitchell, Will Tukafu, DE Derek Walker, C Cody Wallace. Released RB Michael Robinson, LB Matt Wilhelm, CB Karl Paymah.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived WR Kole Heckendorf, K Clint Stitser, G Gregg Peat, LB/DE Ricky Foley. Placed DT Jonathan Lewis on IR.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Acquired OT Tyler Polumbus from the Detroit Lions in exchange for an undisclosed 2012 draft choice. Traded CB Josh Wilson to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2011 conditional draft choice. Moved CB Josh Pinkard from the Active/PUP List to Reserve/PUP list. Signed DE James Wyche.

Saturday, Sept. 4:Placed LB Leroy Hill on Reserve/Suspended list. Placed OL Ray Willis on IR. Waived DT Jonathan Lewis off IR with injury settlement. Waived/injured DE Nick Reed with injury settlement. Acquired OL Stacy Andrews from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2011 seventh-round pick. Released WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, DT Amon Gordon, LB Tyjuan Hagler, WR Brandon Jones, QB J.P. Losman, WR Ruvell Martin, DE James Wyche. Waived RB Louis Rankin, DT Quinn Pitcock, S Jamar Adams, CB Marcus Brown, C Jeff Byers, G Mitch Erickson, CB Cord Parks, LB Joe Pawelek, OT Jacob Phillips, DT Rob Rose, OT Joe Toledo, TE Nick Tow-Arnett.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

Monday, Aug. 30: Waived RB Jamie McCoy, OT Joe Brown, CB Marcus Brown. Waived LB Dominic Douglas from IR with an injury settlement. Waived/injured OT Phil Trautwein. Placed WR Donnie Avery on IR.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Placed OT Phil Trautwein on IR.

Friday, Sept. 3: Waived S Brett Johnson, TE Darcy Johnson, WR Jordan Kent, C Tim Mattran.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Placed Kevin Payne and OT Eric Young on IR; released DE Victor Adeyanju, CB Quincy Butler and LB Bobby Carpenter; waived QB Keith Null, DT Ernest Reid, LB Devin Bishop, FB Dennis Morris, TE Darcy Johnson, WR Jordan Kent, WR Brandon McRae, WR Danario Alexander, RB Chris Ogbonnaya, G Roger Allen, C Tim Mattran, OT Ryan McKee, LB Cardia Jackson, S Brett Johnson, CB Marquis Johnson, CB Antoine Thompson and C Drew Miller.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Released RB Derrick Ward, waived WR Terrence Nunn, placed LB Jon Alston on IR. CB Aqib Talib has been suspended without pay has been suspended without pay for the team’s first regular-season game of the 2010 season and fined one additional game check for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Released WR Michael Clayton; placed OT Demar Dotson on IR; placed CB Aqib Talib on reserve/suspended list; waived injured C Jonathan Compas; waived CB Brandon Anderson, S Vince Anderson, RB Carlos Brown, OL Marc Dile, OT Xavier Fulton, DE George Johnson, TE Ryan Purvis, C Donovan Raiola, TE Jeron Mastrud, LB Rico McCoy, DT Dre Moore, DT Carlton Powell, CB Derrick Roberson, LB Lee Robinson, DE James Ruffin, QB Jevan Snead, FB Redrick Taylor and CB Trae Williams.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Removed DT Tony Brown from Active/PUP list. Waived/injured DT Kareem Brown, LB Mike Rivera. Waived P Ricky Schmitt, CB Pete Ittersagen, WR Bobby Sewall.

Wednesday, Sept. 1:Placed DT Kareem Brown, LB Mike Rivera on IR.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Moved LB David Thornton from Active/PUP list to Reserve/PUP list. Placed LB Gerald McGrath to Reserve/Suspended list. Released DE Raheem Brock, TE Sean Ryan, RB Alvin Pearman, CB Tye Hill, QB Chris Simms. Waived DE Eric Bakhtiari, WR Dominque Edison, FB Jed Collins, RB Samkon Gado, DE Chris Harrington, DT David Howard, G Nick Howell, DT Joe Joseph, C Kevin Matthews, OT Nevin McCaskill, TE Steven Pfahler, S Myron Rolle, OT Michael Toudouze, LB Patrick Trahan, WR Paul Williams.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Monday, Aug. 30: Traded FB Dennis Morris to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for undisclosed draft compensation. Acquired DE/OLB Hall Davis from the Rams in exchange for undisclosed draft compensation.

Tuesday, Aug. 31: Waived LB Hall Davis, S Lendy Holmes, OL Edwin Williams. Released LS James Dearth. Placed WR Malcolm Kelly on IR.

Wednesday, Sept. 1: Extended the contract of QB John Beck through 2012.

Saturday, Sept. 4: Traded CB Justin Tryon to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for an undisclosed draft choice; released RB Willie Parker, S Tyrone Carter, DT Howard Green, DE Darrion Scott and WR Bobby Wade. Waived injured OT Clint Oldenburg and LB Robert Henson. Waived WR Terrence Austin, WR Shay Hodge, LB Rob Jackson, CB Ramzee Robinson, OT William Robinson, S Russell Anderson, QB Richard Bartel, OT Selvish Capers, FB Carey Davis, OL Erik Cook, LB Curtis Gatewood, RB Ryan Torain and TE Lee Vickers.

Rangers Sign Mark Prior

Former NL all-star pitcher Mark Prior has been acquired by the Texas Rangers after spending the last month with the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League.Flyers manager Paul Abbott on Saturday confirmed the Rangers had acquired Prior and that he will be assigned to triple-A Oklahoma City.
Prior, who turns 30 on Tuesday, worked in relief for the Flyers. He threw 11 innings over nine outings, striking out 22 of 44 batters faced while not allowing an earned run. Opponents batted .143 against him.
Prior worked on developing the skills to come out of the bullpen. Last week, he pitched on consecutive days for the first time in his pro career.
Abbott says Prior came to the Flyers to face competitive hitting and see if his arm would hold up.
Prior's five-year major league career with the Chicago Cubs ended in 2006. The right-hander had a 42-29 record and a 3.51 ERA in 106 starts. He made the all-star team in 2003, when he was 18-6.
He had shoulder surgery and missed the 2007 season, and a shoulder tear forced him to miss the next season. Prior spent last year in the minors with his hometown San Diego Padres.

AP

Padres Opening Door for Giants

It seems like we've been waiting all year for it, but it's finally came, and that is a San Diego Padre losing streak. Ever since they've taken reigns atop the NL West, they've been a model of consistency, but now they're finally struggling, and it's time for the Giants to take advantage of it.

The Giants have picked up a few games over the last week, and now sit just 3 games back behind the first place Padres in the West, but they've been struggling themselves lately, and have yet to really jump on the opportunity this Padre losing streak is providing. They did manage to take 2 of 3 from the Rockies this week, but they fell back into the losing column Friday night against Chad Billingsley and the LA Dodgers. Barry Zito didn't really give the Giants much of a chance, as he gave up 4 runs in 4 innings of work. The bullpen did take over in the fifth and held the Dodgers scoreless the rest of the way, but the Giants offense mustered up only 2 hits all night, one of them just happen to be a clutch 2-out, 2-RBI single off the bat of rookie Buster Posey which is the only reason the Giants even dented the scoreboard. That came a day after the Giants only put up 4 hits against Ubaldo Jimenez. They just don't look like they're playing with a sense of urgency, especially at the plate. They didn't look like they were playing for a chance to move within striking distance of first place in their division. I don't now if the guys are just tired, or what (they did have just 2 off days in August), but they looked like they were swinging the bat under water on Friday night. Still though, as I type this, the Rockies are leading the Padres 2-1 in the fifth inning in San Diego and if they can hold that lead, the Giants would have another shot at moving within 2 games with a win tonight.

One great peace of news to come out of that Rockies series was Tim Lincecum's outing in the rubber match on Wednesday. The Giants needed it too, because he was opposed by Jimenez and again, the Giants offense didn't do a whole lot for him. Lincecum didn't need a whole lot though, as he went 8 strong, allowing 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 9. The only blemish on his night wasn't even much of a mistake, just a great piece of hitting by one of the best young hitters in the league, as Carlos Gonzalez took him deep with nobody on base. Brian Wilson shut the door in the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning, earning his 38th save and preserving Lincecum's first win since July 30th. More importantly though, it broke Lincecum's personal 5-game losing streak, and hopefully will put the 26 year-old right-handers mind back at ease. It's also worth noting that it was by far Timmy's best outing throwing to rooking backstop Buster Posey, something that has been brought up frequently when discussing Lincecum's 2nd-half drop-off. Anyway, the Giants need their ace confident and ready down the stretch if they are going to be playing in October, there is no doubt about it.

Roster News: The Giants haven't made many add-ons to their roster just yet, but the only positional player they've brought up has already paid some dividends. Speedy 25-year old center fielder Darren Ford, who had a huge '09 season and a nice spring training this year, was called up this week, and scored the game winning run in Wednesday's game vs. the Rockies. Ford, who led the Giants minor leagues in stolen bases and is arguably the fastest guy in the organization, was used as a pinch runner and will be used in that role quite often. The Giants also activated relievers Dan Runzler and Chris Ray.

Pujols Player of the Month!

St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols has been named the National League Player of the Month for August.

Pujols batted .379 over 26 games in August and led the National League with 11 home runs. He posted a .777 slugging percentage, scored 29 times and drove in 23 runs.

The three-time NL MVP hit the 400th home run of his career on August 26 in an 11-10 loss to Washington.
Pujols is batting .313 on the year with 35 home runs and 95 RBI. He leads the NL in homers and total bases (292) and is second in RBI and runs scored (92).

In his 10th season in the majors, all with St. Louis, it is Pujols' fifth monthly award and first since June 2009.

Other players receiving votes for the player of the month award were Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez and Cincinnati's Joey Votto.

Giants In Need of a Strong September

Although they've really looked pretty bad here over the last couple of weeks, the Giants enter September with a more than legit shot at ending their 7 year playoff drought.

The one consistent the Giants had been able to keep up, even when they were struggling, was that they've been able to beat the teams they should beat, but that wasn't the case in their most recent series vs. the D-Backs. The Giants really should have been swept by Arizona, but fortunately for them, their offense showed up in Sunday's finale and bailed out another rough series for the pitching staff. Now they have a shot to get back on the right track and start off September in stronger fashion than they finished August in if they can take care of Colorado on Wednesday and take the 3-game set. More importantly though, the Giants need Tim Lincecum, who's struggles have yet to cease, to get back on track, and this would be a great game for him to do that in. It's not going to be an easy task though, as Lincecum will go against the Rockies ace, and potential Cy Young candidate Ubaldo Jimenez. Lincecum has been a below average pitcher since the all-star break, carrying a 5.17 era, a 1.52 WHIP and a 2-5 record in 9 games since the 3-day hiatus. Again, I'm not at all in panic mode, and I fully expect Lincecum to work his way out of this. I just think the kid's had a tremendous workload over the last 2 1/2 seasons and the Giants may want to monitor his pitch count a lot closer over this last month. The Giants really need Lincecum to get back on track if they're going to make a serious run at a postseason birth, so it's really tough at this point to hold him back in any of his starts. I just wouldn't ask him to throw more than 100 pitches per game right now, and I'd give him the extra day of rest whenever possible.

Luckily, while the pitching staff has sputtered, some of the offensive players have started to pick up some of the slack. Freddy Sanchez in particular has been on fire over the last 10 days, hitting right around .500 with a homer, 6 RBI and 8 runs scored over that span. He's raised his average back up to .290 and has found himself back in the 2-hole because of it. The Giants offense clicks best with Sanchez in the 2-spot, and I like how it allows Posey to move back down in the lineup to a more suitable position for him. When they're on, Andres Torres and Freddy Sanchez provide one of the better 1-2 combo's in the NL, and we're just now seeing both of them hit their stride together. Sanchez hasn't been the only guy who's picked up the slack recently though either. Pablo Sandoval has really spun his season around in August. Half of his 12 home runs and 16 of his 52 RBI came in August, and he backed those numbers up with a solid .312 average and .907 OPS. That is much more "Panda" like, and I really think he's in line for a big finish, which of course would be another shot in the arm for the Giants offense. For the first time in a long, long time, the Giants have two guys in their early-mid 20's who they drafted/developed that should anchor the middle of their order for years to come in Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval. It's like Matt Williams and Will Clark all over again. I really can't wait to see them both clicking together and eventually hitting back-to-back in the batting order.

September Call-Ups: Since we are officially in September now, teams can expand their rosters and carry up to 40 players. With the Giants being in a pennant race, I don't think they are going to be looking at giving a lot of younger players much of a look, but there are still some intriguing names to keep an eye on over this next month. I don't think we'll see guys like Thomas Neal or Brandon Belt but a few other guys to watch for are former Marlins' ace Dontrelle Willis (in Fresno right now), infielder Jesus Guzman (to provide right-handed pop off the bench), infielder Emmanuel Burris (late inning defense replacement at short) and right-hander Henry Sosa (promising arm that can start or relieve).