Royals INF Tejada suspended 105 games for PEDs

KANSAS CITY, Mo.- PEDs have taken another toll in baseball as Miguel Tejada was suspended Saturday for 105 games after testing positive for an amphetamine he is the third former MVP caught using PEDs.

The Kansas City Royals infielder drew one of the longest penalties handed down by Major League Baseball. His ban came after Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games and Brewers star Ryan Braun got a 65-game penalty that will keep him off the field for the rest of the season.

All three stars have been dogged by doping allegations in the past.

Associated Press reported that Tejada tested positive for Adderall, a substance the 39-year-old has used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because those details were not made public.

MLB's medical staff grants therapeutic-use exemptions that allow players to use drugs such as Adderall to treat ADD. But the substance has become a popular performance-enhancer, accounting for 10 of the 11 positive stimulant tests in the major league program in the year ending with the 2012 World Series, according to the annual report of the Independent Program Administrator.

The report, which was released in November, said that medication for ADD accounted for 116 of 119 therapeutic-use exemptions granted by Major League Baseball.

Tejada, who was already on the 60-day disabled list with a calf injury, previously tested positive under the league's amphetamine policy. That subjected him to a 25-game ban for a second test and an 80-game suspension for a third. He is not challenging the penalties.

LA Dodgers sweeps Tampa Bay Rays

The Los Angeles Dodgers increased their NL West lead to a season-best 7 1/2 games Sunday night with an 8-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Mark Ellis had a homer and three RBIs to help the Dodgers improve to a major league-best 37-8 since June 22, a stretch that has dramatically turned around their season after they trailed the Arizona Diamondbacks by as many as 9 1/2 games. The Dodgers are a season-best 17 games over .500.

Kershaw (11-7) allowed two runs - one earned - and struck out eight to help the Dodgers complete their seventh series sweep of the season. Tampa Bay's only hits off the 2011 Cy Young Award winning left-hander through the first seven innings came in the fifth, a leadoff single by Yunel Escobar and a two-out triple by pinch-hitter Sam Fuld.

LeBron James complains about being in the spotlight too much

LeBron James if not crying about a foul, or complaining to the refs about a play, or flopping his heart out he is on Social Media sites and complains about being too famous.

LeBron revealed in a late-night post on his official Facebook page Sunday night that sometimes the constant attention is too much to bear.

"Man it's hard to go out and have a good time these days! It's cool though, it's part of my life. Wouldn't change anything(just saying). Been in the spotlight since I was 15. Sometimes u just wanna STOP!! But I refuse cause I have a commitment to the youth to inspire them!! That will keep me pushing forward and focused alone."

I just hope to be a good model to the youth he should promote reading the dictionary to know the difference between "because" and "cause."

Los Angeles Angels release rehabbing Ryan Madson

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Ryan Madson a right-handed reliever for the Los Angeles Angels was released by the team. He never pitched for the Angels, he's attempting to return from elbow ligament replacement surgery.

Los Angeles Angels team officials abruptly announced the move Monday before the first pitch of their game against Texas.

Los Angeles signed Madson to a one-year, $3.5 million deal in late November, hoping the former Philadelphia closer could fill the same role in Anaheim.

But Madson developed elbow soreness during spring training with the Angels and he never made it back to the big leagues with his hometown Angels despite rehabilitation assignments and extra work in Arizona.

Madson hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2011, having season-ending surgery in April 2012 after signing an $8 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds. Madson also never pitched for the Reds.

Albert Pujols On Disabled list

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols was placed on the disabled list Sunday because of a tear in his left foot that could end his season.

Manager Mike Scioscia told reporters that Pujols will be sidelined for "a significant amount of time."
He has a partially torn plantar fascia, an injury that has bothered him most of the season. He aggravated it while running out a single in the ninth inning of Friday's 6-4 loss to Oakland.

"This is something that, talking to Albert, has been going on for six or seven years," Scioscia said before the Angels' game against Athletics. "It's been going on for a long time and he's managed it. This is a big blow to our team right now."

Although surgery seems unlikely, Scioscia didn't rule out the possibility that Pujols could be sidelined for the rest of the year.

Pujols left the team and returned to Los Angeles on Saturday morning for additional testing. That's when the injury was diagnosed.

The three-time NL MVP, who signed a $240 million, 10-year contract with the Angels as a free agent in December 2011, has served as the club's designated hitter most of the season. Pujols was hitting .258 with 17 home runs and 64 RBIs before re-injuring his foot.

The Angels went into the season with hopes of winning the AL West. They began the day with a 48-54 record, 12 games behind the first-place A's.

Outfielder Kole Calhoun was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake.

US Soccer team victorious against Panama

CHICAGO USA - A surprising victory indeed. In just 42 seconds after coming into the game as a substitute Sunday, Shea looked sharp and scored his goal in the 69th minute that gave the United States a 1-0 victory over Panama and the CONCACAF Gold Cup title.

This is the fifth Gold Cup title of the U.S.A., their first was 2007.

"I was there just to put it away," Shea said.

When they heard the final whistle, team USA began celebrating while the rest of the team raced off the bench. Several players jumped up and down, and hugs and high-fives were exchanged. Klinsmann, who watched the game from a luxury box after being suspended for his tirade over the officiating in the semifinal, quickly made his way down to the field, pumping his fists in the air as he walked.

"They wanted to send out a signal that they are the best group in CONCACAF, and they are," Klinsmann said. "For today."

Napoli's 2 Home Runs Helped Red Sox beat Yankees 8-7 in 11

BOSTON (AP) - Mike Napoli hit a three-run shot after the Red Sox fell behind early, then he ended the game with a solo shot with two outs in the 11th inning as the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 8-7 Sunday evening.

"He's a dangerous batter," Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "He can do damage at any point in the game."

The Red Sox scored seven runs after falling behind 3-0, thanks to Napoli's three-run homer in the third inning that cleared the seats above the Green Monster and the billboard above them. But they coughed up the lead when New York scored two in the sixth and two in the seventh to tie it 7-all.