Alex Povetkin was the IBF's #1 ranked contender, which guaranteed him a world title shot against champion Wladimir Klitschko. Klitschko, in a bid to satisfy his mandatory challenger obligations, offered Povetkin a bout for Sept 11 in Germany. Povetkin declined, following the advice of his trainer Teddy Atlas who believes the 2004 Russian Gold Medalist is not ready yet for a world title challenge. "I think he deserves the chance to develop. . . . My job is to do the best job I can for the fighter and to make sure he is the best he can be when he's in a situation to fight." Povetkin would have been paid $2 million for the bout. Instead of Povetkin, Klitschko is now expected to defend his crown against IBF #2 ranked contender Samuel Peter. (The two fought previously in September 2005.) How the IBF came to the conclusion that Peter deserves a number two ranking is beyond me. Since losing to Vitali Klitschko and Eddie Chambers in back-to-back bouts, Peter has beaten four nondescript opponents whose combined record when he fought them was 69-39-8 . . .
Lots of offense in the Bronx last night during NY's 10-4 victory over Kansas City. Six Yankees drove in runs, and every starting player except Brett Gardner had at least one hit. (Gardner did walk once.) Alex Rodriguez led the hit-barrage with two doubles, a homer (number 599) and four RBIs. Kansas City pounded out 14 hits, but left 14 men on base . . . David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, and Chan Ho Park combined for 2.2 innings of shutout relief; although, Chamberlain's inning was a nail-biter. C.C. Sabathia earned the win, but was hardly stellar: 6.1 innings, 3 earned runs, 11 hits, 4 walks, and 9 Ks . . .
Ugh, the Mets. What more can be said? . . .
I should have known better than to get excited about the Pirates. After scoring 26 runs in their last two games, the Bucs were held to only two runs by the Milwaukee Brewers . . .
The Rangers widened their lead over the Angels to six games following another Cliff Lee gem. Lee threw 8.1 innings while surrendering only two runs. He did not walk a batter the entire game . . .
Impressive recovery by the Braves following Wednesday's heartbreaking loss to the Padres. After watching Billy Wagner blow a two run, ninth-inning lead and then losing in 12 innings, you had to question how the Braves would respond Thursday afternoon. Question answered. Braves starter Tim Hudson pitched seven shutout innings while surrendering only four hits and walking just one batter. The Braves offense ripped the Padres staff for eight runs and 13 hits. The 8-0 drubbing earned the Braves the rubber match of the three-game series . . . The AP reports that "the Braves have lost only one of their last 21 series since May 10, going 16-1-4 in that span" . . .
The Phillies finally found a way to beat the Cards: hold them to one hit and take them into extra innings. Placido Polanco's 11th inning homer enabled the Phillies to salvage one of the four games this week against the Cards. It also ended the Cards eight-game winning streak . . . Phils starter Cole Hamels pitched eight shutout innings and only gave up one hit . . .
Speaking of the Cardinals, the ballclub is reportedly interested in trading for Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt. Can you imagine a starting staff of Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, and Roy Oswalt? Pretty frightening if you're an NL opponent . . .
Anyone else think Yankees reliever David Robertson looks like Niles Crane from "Frasier"? . . .
SPORTS BYTES WILL RETURN ON THURSDAY, JULY 29
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