Roundup

June 27, 2009|By From Sun staff and news services

NBA

51st pick McClinton seen as combo guard by Spurs

After a longer than expected wait, Jack McClinton finally got the news late Thursday night: the former Calvert Hall and Miami Hurricanes guard was taken by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the NBA draft. He was the 51st overall pick. "It was crazy," McClinton said of the wait. "I just heard so many things, hearing the Knicks are going to take you at No. 29. But you don't know anything until it happens." Rumors of the Knicks' interest picked up steam when they acquired the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round pick. Those hopes were dashed when the Knicks selected Florida State guard Toney Douglas. It pushed McClinton to the second round, where he isn't guaranteed anything. He will have to earn a contract by having an impressive showing with the Spurs' summer league team. Although some questioned McClinton's point-guard skills, the Spurs have no plans to use him there. They have starter Tony Parker and backup George Hill. McClinton will serve as a combo guard, according to team general manager R.C. Buford. "Jack is not a one [point guard] at all, we don't want to make him one," Buford said. "He is a specialty player who can guard two positions and can really shoot the ball. He is not a point guard, has never been a point guard and I don't think it will be our purpose to make him one."

Baseball

Ponson tests positive for stimulant during WBC

Kansas City Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson, a former Oriole, tested positive for a stimulant during the World Baseball Classic and has been banned from international competition for two years. Major League Baseball will not suspend Ponson. He will be treated as a first-time offender and is subject to a medical review and fine. The International Baseball Federation said Friday that Ponson tested positive for Phentermine, a weight-loss drug that is similar in chemical structure to an amphetamine. Ponson, 32, pitched well for the Netherlands last March in the WBC and later signed a minor league contract with Kansas City. He is 1-5 with a 7.27 ERA and has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 30 because of a strained right elbow.

Aberdeen: : John Maine's right shoulder is still bothering him, so the New York Mets' right-hander won't be making his scheduled rehabilitation start tonight against the IronBirds for visiting Brooklyn. Maine, a former Oriole, is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break.

NHL

Caps draft center Johansson, 18-year-old from Sweden

The Washington Capitals selected Swedish center Marcus Johansson, 18, with the 24th pick in the NHL draft. Johansson, 5 feet 11, 182 pounds, spent most of last season playing with and against men for league champion Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League. He also played for Team Sweden in the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Horse racing

Rachel Alexandra 1-5 favorite in Mother Goose Stakes

Preakness and Kentucky Oaks champion Rachel Alexandra galloped about a mile and a quarter on Belmont Park's fast main track early Friday morning, and Today she will be a 1-5 favorite against four rivals in the Grade I, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes. Speedy Malibu Prayer and Flashing are expected to provide the stiffest competition.

Major League Soccer

Twellman out for six games with symptoms of concussion

The New England Revolution have put forward Taylor Twellman (Maryland) on the disabled list because of symptoms of a concussion. Twellman, the fifth player in Major League Soccer history to score 100 goals in a career, will miss at least six games.

- From Sun staff and news services

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