It's Friday

It's Friday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is August 19th, the 231st day of 2011. There are 134 days left in the year.

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Today is the 30th birth anniversary of the Greatest Dog in the History of Dog and the Greatest Dog in all of Dogdom, Willis J. Goobygoo Hebrank-Meissner(The J stands for Joy-Boy). For nearly sixteen years, from Late August/early September 1981, until his departure to the Rainbow Bridge on June 13th, 1997, he was the absolute best friend, human or otherwise that I had ever had. We went everywhere together and did everything together.

Until my wife Kim and my son Jimmy, I was never as close to anyone as I was my Willis. Even though he's been gone for 14 years now, not a day goes by that I don't think about him or miss him. Everyone should have a friend as good as I did with my Willis.

Happy birthday boy! Visit his website at http://www.raybartley.com/willis.html.

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Today's Birthdays: Politician/actor Fred Thompson is 69 ... Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is 65 ... Former Second Lady of the U.S. Tipper Gore is 63 ... Actor/director Jonathan Frakes is 59 ... Political consultant/TV talker Mary Matalin is 58 ... Actor Peter Gallagher is 56 ... Actor John Stamos is 48 ... Actress Kyra Sedgwick is 46 ... Actor Kevin Dillon is 46 ... Actor Matthew Perry is 42.

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NHL announces it's national TV schedule for 2011-2012.

Practical enhancements likely to catch on quickest.

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Today is Aviation Day.

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U.S. Women's Under-18 Team Tops Canada, 3-2,
at 2011 Women's Under-18 Series

Pankowski, Johnson and Savage Score in Victory

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Anne Pankowski (Laguna Hills, Calif.) recorded a goal and an assist to lead the U.S. Women's Under-18 Team to a 3-2 win over Canada in the opening game of the 2011 Women's Under-18 Series in Rockland, Ont.

"I think the key tonight was the girls contained their excitement and played hard," said Heather Linstad, head coach of the 2011 U.S. Women's Under-18 Team. "The team played composed and came out ready to skate. Even though we gave up two goals, I never thought we got back on our heels."

The U.S. struck first, just 1:02 into the opening period, when Pankowski scored from just outside the crease. Team USA made it 2-0 off a Kaliya Johnson (Chandler, Ariz.) slapshot from the point. Pankowski drew the lone assist on the play. Canada cut the lead in half thanks to a power-play goal by Meghan Dufault at 17:58, but the U.S. finished the opening 20 minutes with a 3-1 advantage thanks to Paige Savage (Carrollton, Texas), who tipped in Courtney Burke's (Albany, N.Y.) shot from the point. Alex Carpenter (North Reading, Mass.) also drew an assist on the goal.

After a scoreless second period, Canada came within a goal with 8:07 left in regulation on Dufault's second power-play marker of the contest, but the U.S. maintained its advantage to capture the victory in game one of the series.

Sidney Peters (Geneva, Ill.) made 26 saves for the win for Team USA.

The teams play game two of the series tomorrow (Aug. 19) at 7:00 p.m. EDT at the Canadian International Hockey Academy in Rockland, Ont.

NOTES: The Women's Under-18 Series is in its fifth year ... The U.S. roster includes 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders ... The 22 players on the U.S. roster represent 11 states, with Minnesota's six representatives leading the group ... Alex Carpenter is the daughter of U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer and Stanley Cup champion Bobby Carpenter ... Sydney Daniels is the daughter of NHL Central Scout Scott Daniels, who played six seasons in the NHL ... For Team USA's full roster, click here ... Heather Linstad, head women's ice hockey coach at the University of Connecticut, is serving as head coach of the U.S. Women's National Under-18 Team for the 2011-12 season. She is assisted by Hilary Witt, assistant women's ice hockey coach at Northeastern University, and Joel Johnson, assistant women's ice hockey coach at the University of Minnesota ... The U.S. roster was selected during the USA Hockey Women's National Festival in Blaine, Minn. ... For photos from tonight's game, click here.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring By Period

USA 3 - 0 - 0 - 3
CAN 1 - 0 - 1 - 2

First Period - Scoring: 1, USA, Pankowski (Cameranesi), 1:02; 2, USA, Johnson (Pankowski), 13:16; 3, CAN, Dufault (Ambrose, Connery) pp, 17:58, 17:58 ; 4, USA, Savage (Burke, Carpenter) 19:03. Penalties: USA, Trivigno (body-checking), 1:23; USA, Stecklein (holding), 7:26; USA, Hampton (hitting from behind), 9:46; USA, Hampton (hitting from behind), 9:46; CAN, Krause (interference), 14:00; USA, Peters (interference), 17:12.

Second Period - Penalties: CAN, Crossley (hooking), 4:29; CAN, Connery (holding), 17:02.

Third Period - Scoring: 5, CAN, Dufault (Connery, MacAulay), pp, 11:53. Penalties: USA, Cameranesi (hooking), 11:02; CAN, Krzyzaniuk (body-checking), 15:35; CAN, Mercer (interference), 16:03; USA, Skarupa (hooking), 18:48

Power Play: USA 0-5; CAN 2-8
Penalties: USA 7-14; CAN 5-10

2011 Women's Under-18 Series Schedule
Canadian International Hockey Academy• Rockland, Ont.

Date Opponent Time (EDT)
Thurs., Aug. 18 Canada W, 3-2
Fri., Aug. 19 Canada 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 21 Canada 10:00 a.m.

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IN THEATERS THIS WEEKEND -- Conan the Barbarian; Fright Night; One Day; Spy Kids - All the Time in the World.

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Riders fall to 1-7 for first time since '95 with loss in Toronto

Toronto, Ontario -- Poor execution, missed assignments and penalties through the first 45 minutes dug the Saskatchewan Roughriders a hole that a 17 point 4th quarter comeback couldn't overcome, in a 24-18 loss to the Toronto Argonauts Thursday night, in front of 20,482 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario.

The Argos took the opening kick and made a couple of first downs, but couldn't move further and Noel Prefontaine came on to boot the ball across the goal line and out the side of the end zone for a 48 yard punt single with 11:59 to go in the first, for a 1-0 Toronto lead. The Riders were stung on their first offensive play from their own 35, as Darian Durant dropped back to pass. The ball slipped out of his hand as he went to throw and was ruled a backward pass, which the Argonauts recovered at the Saskatchewan 31. On second down, Cleo Lemon was nearly sacked for a big loss, but escaped and then tossed a lob pass into the end zone. More disaster struck the Green-and-White, as they were called for pass interference. Cory Boyd bulled over from the 1 on the next play and with the Prefontaine convert, Toronto had an 8-0 lead just 5:46 into the game. After a change in possession from the Riders to the Boatmen and back again, two penalties forced Saskatchewan to start at their own 3 yard line. They would advance the ball out to the 28, where on third down, they would be hit with a time count penalty, before Chris Milo would come on and punt the ball away, with Toronto running the ball back to their own 45, reaching the Rider 24 on the final play of the opening quarter, giving the Argos the lead after the opening 15 minutes for the first time this season.

The drive would eventually reach the 20 before stalling and Prefontaine would put three more points on the board with a 27 yard field goal, giving Toronto an 11-0 lead just 1:10 into the second quarter. Saskatchewan would respond with their first scoring opportunity of the game, moving from their own 29 to the Argonauts' 22, where Milo would just miss a 29 yard field goal wide left. Cory Boyd would return the missed kick from the end zone out to the 27, keeping the shutout intact. Two Toronto punts later, Tristan Jackson would return a punt to the Argo 28, but the return was negated by a holding penalty at the line of scrimmage called against newcomer Yvenson Bernard, forcing the Riders to start at their own 25, a swing in field position of 57 yards. Saskatchewan would reach the Toronto 34, where they were halted on 3rd and one when Brandon West was stopped in an attempt to keep the drive alive. The Argonauts would get the ball back with a little over two minutes to go, moving the ball across centrefield with 16 seconds to go, where another pass interference penalty would negate a Lance Frazier interception at the 23 yard line. After a pass to Brandon Rideau at the 31, Lemon was sacked by Tearrius George at the 40. Prefontaine would then kick a 47 yard field goal on the half's final play and  the two teams would retire to halftime with Toronto up 14-0.

The Riders would start the second half with the ball at their own 40. Another penalty would bring back at circus catch for a big gain by Chris Gatzlaf, but Getzlaf would make another good catch, this one at the 35 yard line, where an offside penalty against the Argos would give Saskatchewan a first down. A leaping catch by Efrem Hill would secure another first down at the 18, before a botched snap pushed the ball back to the 20. An incomplete pass on a missed pass interference call forced Milo into a 27 yard field goal attempt, which he missed badly to the right, giving the Riders just a single point with 8:25 left in the third, leaving the Toronto lead at 14-1 and basically wasting a 50 yard drive that shaved 6:17 off the clock. The Argos wasted little time in scoring, going 75 yards in 6 plays in just over 3 minutes, with Boyd hitting the end zone standing up from 1 yard out for his second major of the game. Prefontaine's convert with 4:47 still to play in the third, expanded the Toronto lead to a commanding 21-1. On the third quarter's final play from the Argos 31, Durant scrambled out of trouble, rolled to the left, then threw the ball away to avoid the loss. However, he was rocked hard by Jordan Younger, getting knocked out of the game.

Milo would start the 4th quarter by kicking a 38 yard field goal just 18 seconds in, cutting the deficit to 21-4. Prefontaine bounced a 42 yard field goal off the left upright with 3:16 later, restoring the Toronto lead to 20 points, at 24-4. Durant came back to start Saskatchewan's next series and threw a lousy pass that was intercepted by Byron Parker. A unnecessary roughness penalty forced the ball back to the Boatmen's 47, where they promptly went 2-and-out. After a first down at their own 40, Durant found a wide open Getzlaf, who actually had to wait for the ball to come to him at the Toronto 42. He made the catch and took the ball the rest of the way for a 70 yard touchdown. Milo kicked the convert and suddenly the Riders were down just 13 at 24-11 with still 7:18 left in regulation time. Exactly 5 minutes later, former Argo James Robinson would take a pass at the Toronto 15, spinning his way out of four tackles to scored a major, capping a nine play, 86 yard drive. Milo's convert made a game of it, bringing Saskatchewan to a one score deficit at 24-18, with 2:18 still to play. Jerrell Freeman would come up with a huge sack of Lemon at the 32 with 1:45 still on the clock, forcing a Prefontaine punt. Jackson returned the ball to the 33, leaving 77 yards between a major and a loss for the Riders with 1:32 left in the 4th. Robinson caught a 14 yard pass with 1:26 left, Durant threw incomplete intended for Hill with 1:21 to go, Hill caught a short one over the middle with 1:17 left, forcing a 3rd and 2. West went up the middle for 3 yards and a first down, then Dressler caught a sideline pass, going out of bounds at the Argo 38 with :55 seconds left. Jordan Cisco went out of bounds with a 6 yard catch with :50 seconds still to play, then Durant scrambled for 11 yards and a first down to the 22 with 44 seconds left. After throwing one away with 32 seconds still on the clock. Durant stepped out of trouble and found Getzlaf deep in the end zone, but solid defense and a hard fall caused the pass to drop to the ground with 23 seconds to go, forcing the Riders into a 3rd and 10 situation. Durant threw the ball to the end zone for Getzlaf, who was held up and wasn't able to complete his route. The ball fell incomplete, no penalty was called and the Argonauts ran the final 15 seconds off the clock, holding on for the 24-18 win. "We had opportunities at the end, but waited too long to get it going" said Rider Head Coach Greg Marshall. "It was tough to overcome and we just couldn't get it done at the end."

For Toronto, Cleo Lemon was 20-for-28 passing for 169 yards. He also ran twice for 21 yards and was sacked twice. Cory Boyd ran the ball 12 times for just 45 yards, but scored a pair of majors. Andrie Durie was the leading receiver with 7 catches for 54 yards. Noel Prefontaine had a solid game, kicking 3 field goals, 2 converts and a punt single. His 7 punts traveled an average of 48.57 yards. Anthony Cannon and Willie Pile had 6 tackles each and Byron Parker had an interception. For Saskatchewan, Darian Durant was 33-for-44 passing for 384 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception and he was the team's leading rusher with 7 carries for 54 yards, while being sacked once. Chris Getzlaf caught 4 balls for 123 yards and a 70 yard touchdown, Efrem Hill caught 9 passes for 107 yards, Weston Dressler had 10 receptions for 76 yards and James Robinson caught 2 passes for 33 yards and 1 touchdown. Brandon West ran the ball 7 times and gained 34 yards and Chris Milo kicked 1 field goal in 3 attempts, 2 converts, a missed field goal single and punted 3 times for a 40 yard average. Nick Graham and James Patrick had 5 tackles each to lead the defence.

The Argonauts ran 69 plays, gaining 248 yards net total offense, 169 passing and 95 rushing. They picked up 19 first downs, 7 rushing, 9 passing and 3 by penalty. They held the ball for 26:49, were penalized 4 times for 30 yards and had no turnovers. The Roughriders ran 84 plays for 468 net total yards, 384 passing and 99 rushing. They had 27 first downs, 12 rushing, 14 passing and 1 by penalty. They held the ball for 33:11, were penalized 10 times for 94 yards and turned the ball over 4 times, once on a fumble, once on an interception and twice on downs.

With the win, Toronto improves to 2-6, after snapping a 6 game losing streak. The Argos have next week off, returning to play on Scotiabank Labour Day Weekend, Saturday, September 2nd, when they host the BC Lions, with kickoff set for 7:30pm EDT. Saskatchewan falls to a league worst 1-7 with their 4th straight loss. They have next week off as well, returning on Scotiabank Labour Day Weekend at home against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Sunday, September 4th game kicks off at 4:00pm EDT on 620 CKRM and the Rider Radio Network, with Rod Pedersen and Carm Carteri calling all the action.

Visit the team's official website at http://www.riderville.com/.

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Men's Grooming Day is today.

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2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

Visit the leagues' official website, http://www.cfl.ca/.

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Today is National Hot and Spicy Food Day.

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TAMPA, Fla. -- Whether it was just caution because of the delayed start to training camp or not, New England coach Bill Belichick held out most of his starters in the Patriots' preseason opener.

On Thursday night, he turned them loose for the first time and they showed him they might already be in midseason form.

Tom Brady, the reigning NFL MVP, tossed a pair of touchdowns and completed 11 of 19 passes in the Patriots' 31-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brady threw for 118 yards in one half of work, and connected on scoring strikes from 16 yards to Aaron Hernandez, and 8 yards out to Chad Ochocinco, who also both made their debuts.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis also got in on the act, rushing 11 times for 51 yards and two touchdowns.

Read the rest here.

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Today is Hug Your Boss Day. (Linky Link)

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Sufferin' succotash!

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The discovery of gold in California was reported by the New York Herald on this date in 1848.

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The Tampa Bay Rays, fresh off a series win in Boston, had yesterday off and tonight host the Seattle Mariners. Wade Davis goes to the hill for the Rays, he'll be opposed by Seattle's ace, Felix Hernandez. First pitch is set for 7:10pm EDT.

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NASA has issued the facts about a comet called Elenin that will be zipping by Earth in October. Basically the 2- to 3-mile-wide comet can't hurt us. It's too small and its closest approach to Earth will bring it 90 times the Earth-moon distance. That's 22 million miles away.

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ATLANTA -- Don't be fooled by the Giants' 28-19 record in one-run games. Their mastery in these decisions has deserted them.

At the current rate, this shortcoming could deny San Francisco a return trip to the postseason. Since the pitching-rich, hitting-poor Giants routinely play close games, they're bound to find themselves in more one-run games during the crucial weeks ahead. So it would behoove them to regain their skill at winning by the most slender of margins.

But this talent continued to recede from the Giants as they lost Thursday night to the Atlanta Braves, 1-0, on Chipper Jones' fifth-inning home run off luckless Tim Lincecum. The Giants have lost their last six one-run games, including three in this four-game series.

Read the rest here.

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World Humanitarian Day is today.

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Today in Elvis History:

1954 - Elvis Presley went to Sun Studios to record "Blue Moon."

1957 - Elvis Presley's single "Loving You" hit #28 in the U.S.

1967 - The soundtrack to the Elvis Presley movie "Double Trouble" hit #47 in the U.S.

1972 - The Elvis Presley album "He Touched Me" hit #38 in the U.K.

1974 - Elvis Presley began his 11th season at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas.

1978 - The album "Elvis - NBC TV Special" hit #50 in the U.K 


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Facebook has its first Bible-themed game. Weaving throughout ancient Egypt and the Middle East, the Journey of Moses is described as a "fun, immersive adventure game, complete with complex characters, engaging quests, puzzles and mysteries."

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Today in Beatles History:

1964 - In San Francisco, CA, the Beatles began their second American tour which would cover 26 cities.

1967 - Ringo and Maureen Starr had a baby boy, Jason.

1967 - The Beatles single "All You Need Is Love" hit #1 in the U.S.

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The process of processing condensed milk was patented by Gail Borden on this date in 1856.

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Today in Sports History:

1909 - The first car race to be run on brick occurred at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1909 - The Philadelphia Phillies were rained out a major-league record 10th consecutive day.

1917 - Team managers John McGraw and Christy Matthewson were arrested for breaking New York City's blue laws. The crime was their teams were playing baseball on Sunday.

1921 - Ty Cobb (Detroit Tigers) recorded his 3,000 career hit.

1951 - The St. Louis Browns sent a midget to the plate against the Detroit Tigers. Eddie Gaedel, wearing the number 1/8 and standing only 3 feet, 7 inches tall, walked on four consecutive pitches and was then replaced by a pinch-runner.

1957 - The New York Giants Board of Directors voted to move the team to San Francisco in 1958.

1962 - Homero Blancas shot a 55 at the Premier Invitational Golf Tournament held in Longview, TX. It was the lowest score in U.S. competitive golf history.

1981 - In Zurich, Switzerland, Renaldo Nehemia set a new world record with 110 hurdles in 12.93 seconds.

1995 - Bobby Thigpen (Chicago White Sox) got his 40th save of season and became the eighth and fastest to record 40 saves in a season.

1995 - Mike Tyson knocked out Peter McNeeley after just 89 seconds.

1996 - Paul Molitor (Minnesota Twins) tied Lou Gherig by hitting his 534th career double.

2002 - John Madden debuted on "Monday Night Football."

2004 - Baseball commissioner Bud Selig received a contract extension through 2009.

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"Always be prepared for life and the ladies." That's the slogan for GuyHaus, a website which delivers man supplies to a guy's front door on the same day every month. I'm talking toilet paper, shaving cream, deodorant and more. All a guy has to do is visit the GuyHause website, pick his favorite products, input a credit number and prepare to look and smell good.

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Coming up:

Tonight:

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros  8:05pm EDT

Saturday --

Nascar Nationwide Series -- NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villenueve 2:30pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros  8:05pm EDT

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway 1:00pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Seattle Mariners 1:40pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros  2:05pm EDT

Monday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 7:10pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 10:15pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 10:15pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Detroit Tigers 1:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Houston Astros 10:15pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 7:07pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Houston Astros 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Houston Astros 9:05pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 1:07pm EDT

IZOD Indy Car Series -- Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway 4:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Houston Astros 4:05pm EDT

Monday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays 7:07pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 8:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs 10:15pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 8:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs 3:45pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers 8:05pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 6:10pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Great Clips 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 9:05pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles 1:40pm EDT

IZOD Indy Car Series -- Baltimore Grand Prix at Streets of Baltimore TBD

CFL Football -- Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers 4:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs Arizona Diamondbacks 4:05pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway 7:30pm EDT

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That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to tell your friends about us. See you tomorrow.