Morning Briefing April 29, 2010
Basketball
Just as Kobe Bryant took the reins Tuesday night to lead the Lakers in an overwhelming playoff Game 5 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he also is showing how much clout he has in the marketplace.
Bryant’s No. 24 jersey again is the top-seller in the NBA, the league announced Wednesday. His jersey also was No. 1 in 2008-09.
The Lakers were the top team in NBA merchandise sales, as has been the case in seven of the past eight seasons.
Second to Bryant in individual jersey sales is LeBron James from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett was No. 3, up one spot from last season. Chicago Bulls second-year player Derrick Rose was No. 4, and the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard was No. 5.
Kevin Durant, whose Thunder have posed a surprising threat to the Lakers, is in the top 10 for the first time, coming in at No. 9. Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony moved from No. 15 to No. 10.
Football
Denver Broncos All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady underwent surgery to repair a torn left patellar tendon and will be out for several months, according to a published report.
The Denver Post reported on its website that Clady suffered the knee injury while playing basketball, according to people it didn’t name.
Clady was the 12th overall pick out of Boise State in the 2008 NFL draft.
American League
Tigers 11, Twins 6: Brennan Boesch hit a go-ahead double in the sixth, leading Detroit past visiting Minnesota.
Rangers 6, White Sox 5: At Arlington, Texas, Josh Hamilton’s two-run homer sparked Texas past Chicago.
Rays 10, Athletics 3: At St. Petersburg, Fla., James Shields struck out 12 in seven innings and Tampa Bay beat Oakland.
Angels 4, Indians 3: At Anaheim, Calif., Howie Kendrick’s bunt single in the ninth lifted Los Angeles past Cleveland.
Red Sox 2, Blue Jays 0: Jon Lester struck out 11 in seven innings and Boston won at Toronto.
Yankees 8, Orioles 3: CC Sabathia allowed three runs in 7 2/3 innings, leading New York at Baltimore.
National League
Padres 6, Marlins 4: At Miami, David Eckstein hit a three-run double and San Diego rallied past Florida.
Mets 7, Dodgers 3: John Maine pitched six solid innings, leading New York past visiting Los Angeles.
Pirates 6, Brewers 5, 14 inn.: Garrett Jones’ two-out, run-scoring double in the 14th rallied Pittsburgh at Milwaukee.
Nationals 3, Cubs 2: Adam Dunn hit a tiebreaking home run in the fourth, leading Washington at Chicago.
Diamondbacks 12, Rockies 11, 10 inn.: At Denver, Kelly Johnson homered to lead off the 10th and Arizona beat Colorado.
Phillies 7, Giants 6, 11 inn.: Wilson Valdez doubled home the go-ahead run in the 11th, leading Philadelphia at San Francisco.
Reds 6, Astros 4: Mike Leake pitched seven sharp innings and Cincinnati won at Houston.
Cardinals 6, Braves 0: Jaime Garcia worked seven scoreless innings and St. Louis beat visiting Atlanta.
The designated hitter will be used in the All-Star game every year, and rosters will be expanded again to 34 under changes made by baseball’s special committee for on-field matters
A pitcher who starts on the final Sunday before the All-Star break will be ineligible to pitch in the All-Star game and will be replaced on the roster, Major League Baseball said.
— The Associated Press