SB Nation Houston: All Posts by Tim Blankhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2012-07-27T09:12:03-05:00https://houston.sbnation.com/authors/tim-blank/rss2012-07-27T09:12:03-05:002012-07-27T09:12:03-05:00Texans Training Camp: Houston Signs Bryant Johnson And Keyaron Fox
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> made a couple of moves on Friday to help sure up a couple of positions. They signed wide receiver <span>Bryant Johnson</span> back to the team, hoping to give a little more depth to the wide receiver position where several players on the roster according to<a href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2012/07/texans-sign-veteran-wide-receiver-bryant-johnson-fullback-fox/"> John McClain of the Houston Chronicle</a>.</p>
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<p>Coach Gary Kubiak wanted to sign a veteran receiver to compete with <span>Lestar Jean</span>, <span>DeVier Posey</span> and <span>Keshawn Martin</span>, none of whom has a catch in the NFL. Johnson will help provide depth behind starters <span>Andre Johnson</span> and <span>Kevin Walter</span>.</p>
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<p>The Texans also signed linebacker <span>Keyaron Fox</span> to the team. Fox last year played for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> and has also played with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>, whom he won a Super Bowl with in 2008.</p>
<p>To clear spots on the team for the new signees, fullback <span>Jason Ford</span> and cornerback <span>Desmond Marrow</span> were both put on waivers. Two-a-day drills for the Texans will begin on Saturday.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Stick with<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://houston.sbnation.com/houston-texans/2012/4/12/2944926/texans-free-agency-houston-signs-ilb-bradie-james"> this StoryStream</a> for more on the Houston Texans as training camp opens. For all things Texans, check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.battleredblog.com/">Battle Red Blog</a>.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-texans/2012/7/27/3193309/texans-training-camp-houston-signs-bryant-johnson-keyaron-foxTim Blank2012-07-27T08:53:59-05:002012-07-27T08:53:59-05:00Astros Vs. Pirates Preview: Houston Hopes To Snap Losing Streak Against Jeff Karstens And Pittsburgh
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> are looking for any kind of positives here down the stretch of the 2012 season. Having lost 23 of their last 25 games and losing 10 in a row by a margin of 72-30, the Astros will take anything that gets this team back in the right direction.</p>
<p>On Friday night, the Astros will try to get back on track against the Pittsburgh Pirates. <span>Jordan Lyles</span> (2-7, 5.50 ERA) starts for the Astros. He's hoping to rebound from his last start, a five and two-thirds innings performance allowing eight runs on 10 hits against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> on July 22.</p>
<p>The Pirates will send <span>Jeff Karstens</span> (3-2, 3.52) to the mound. Karstens is coming off a seven inning shut out performance allowing only five hits and three strikeouts against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> on July 22.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Read more about the Astros at<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://crawfishboxes.com/"> The Crawfish Boxes</a> and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://houston.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Houston</a>. Head over to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://bucsdugout.com/">Bucs Dugout</a> and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a> for the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> fans' perspective. <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2012/7/27/3193251/astros-vs-pirates-preview-jordan-lyles-jeff-karstensTim Blank2012-07-20T10:46:08-05:002012-07-20T10:46:08-05:00J.A. Happ, Brandon Lyon, David Carpenter Traded From Astros To Blue Jays, According To Report
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<p>The Houston Astros have traded three pitchers to the Toronto Blue Jays for two major league players, four minor league prospects and a player to be named later.</p> <p>The trade deadline is fast approaching so the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> are trying to rebuild for their future in the American League. According to a report by ESPN's Jim Bowden, the Astros are a part of a 10-player trade with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a>.</p>
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<p>Blue Jays acquire Happ, Lyon and Carpenter in 10 player deal with Astros......we have the latest Sirius 209 XM 89</p>
— JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) <a data-datetime="2012-07-20T14:50:50+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/JimBowdenESPNxm/status/226328315567435776">July 20, 2012</a>
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<p><span>J.A. Happ</span>, <span>Brandon Lyon</span> and David Carpenter have all been traded to the Blue Jays in return for two major league players, four minor league prospects and a player to be named later. The two major league players, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120720&content_id=35239442&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb">according to MLB.com</a>, are pitcher <span>Francisco Cordero</span> and outfielder <span>Ben Francisco</span>.</p>
<p>Cordero has a 3-5 record this year with a 5.77 ERA over 41 appearances. He has pitched 34 and one-third innings in that span with two saves. He has struck out 26 batters and walked 14 others. Francisco has played in 27 games this season, hitting .240 with five doubles and two RBIs.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2012/7/20/3172140/j-a-happ-brandon-lyon-david-carpenter-traded-from-astros-to-blue-jaysTim Blank2012-07-20T08:41:12-05:002012-07-20T08:41:12-05:00British Open Leaderboard: Brandt Snedeker Leads In Second Round Thanks To Five Birdies In Seven Holes
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<p>Brandt Snedeker is a name that may not be too well known, but golf fans are going to learn it after the round he has had at the British Open on Friday. Buoyed by five birdies in the span of seven holes, Snedeker is shooting 6-under for the round which puts him at 10-under for the tournament. He is currently four strokes ahead of first round leader Adam Scott, who is even through two holes of his second round.</p>
<p>Other notable golfers that have yet to tee off include Bubba Watson, who tees off at 9:21 a.m. ET, Tiger Woods at 9:43 a.m. ET and Graeme McDowell at 9:32 a.m. ET. All three golfers are tied at 3-under for the tournament. Currently the projected cut line is at 2-over.</p>
<p>Golfers with ties to the Houston area have had very hit or miss tournaments so far. The one with the best tournament performance so far is Bob Estes of Austin, Texas. He shot a 2-over for the round, putting him at 1-over for the tournament. University of Houston graduate Anders Hansen has faltered after a first round 68. Through 16 holes in the second round he is 5-over, putting him at 3-over for the tournament. Justin Leonard has just not had a good tournament, shooting 4-over in the second round for 9-over for the tournament.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">or more on the tournament, stick with our <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c52126; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/golf/2012/7/14/3159346/british-open-2012-live-updates-leaderboard-schedule-royal-lytham-st-annes" target="_blank">2012 British Open StoryStream</a> </i>for additional news and analysis. There's also the <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://waggleroom.com/">Waggle Room blog</a> with more on the British Open. Be sure to subscribe to this <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://youtube.com/sbnation">Youtube Channel</a> for video commentary.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2012/7/20/3171711/british-open-leaderboard-second-round-brandt-snedeker-bob-estes-anders-hansen-justin-leonardTim Blank2012-07-17T17:41:17-05:002012-07-17T17:41:17-05:00Astros Vs. Padres: Jordan Lyles Goes For Third Win Against San Diego
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> have won a mere 10 games this season on the road. In addition to that, they have not won consecutive road games since April. They have an opportunity to reverse that trend Tuesday night as they play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a>. Pitcher <span>Jordan Lyles</span> takes the hill looking for his third win of the season. Lyles had a decent start his last time out, pitching seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits in a no-decision against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Milwaukee Brewers</a> on July 8.</p>
<p>The Astros lineup will have <span>Carlos Corporan</span> catching for Lyles in place of <span>Chris Snyder</span> and <span>J.D. Martinez</span> will be playing in left field in place of <span>Justin Maxwell</span>. The rest of the Astros' lineup is as follows.</p>
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<p>1. <span>Jose Altuve</span> (R) 2B<br>2. <span>Marwin Gonzalez</span> (S) SS<br>3. <span>Scott Moore</span> (L) 1B<br>4. J.D. Martinez (R) LF<br>5. <span>Brian Bogusevic</span> (L) RF<br>6. <span>Chris Johnson</span> (R) 3B<br>7. <span>Jordan Schafer</span> (L) CF<br>8. Carlos Corporan (S) C<br>9. Jordan Lyles (R) P</p>
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<p>The game is set for a 10:05 p.m. ET start from Petco Park. The game will broadcast on Fox Sports Houston while the radio broadcast will be provided by KTRH 740 AM and KLAT 1010 AM.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Read more on the Astros at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://crawfishboxes.com/">The Crawfish Boxes</a> and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://houston.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Houston</a>. Check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://gaslampball.com/">Gaslamp Ball</a> for the Padres fans' perspective. <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball. Also, be sure to subscribe to our <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://youtube.com/sbnation">Youtube Channel</a> for video commentary.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2012/7/17/3165817/astros-vs-padres-jordan-lyles-against-san-diegoTim Blank2012-07-17T15:26:29-05:002012-07-17T15:26:29-05:00Jeremy Lin Will Join Houston Rockets, New York Knicks Pull Out Of Deliberations
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<p><span>Jeremy Lin</span> is coming to Houston. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> have officially dropped out of contract deliberations with the Harvard graduate, according to a post by New York Times writer Howard Beck.</p>
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<p>Posting momentarily to <a title="http://nytimes.com" href="http://t.co/7q9bU8pi">nytimes.com</a>: Lin will be a Rocket. Knicks deliberations over.</p>
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) <a data-datetime="2012-07-17T20:04:49+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/HowardBeckNYT/status/225320171240308736">July 17, 2012</a>
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<p>The third year of the offer sheet that Lin signed, worth $14.8 million, is the likely reason why the Knicks were unwilling to match the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a>' offer. That amount would have had the Knicks likely subject to the luxury tax.</p>
<p>Lin played 35 games last season with the Knicks, starting 25. In that time, he averaged 14.6 points per game with 6.2 assists per game and a shooting percentage of 44.6%. He also averaged 3.6 turnovers per game, so he is going to have to limit those in order to become a great point guard.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Read more on the Rockets at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://thedreamshake.com/">The Dream Shake blog</a> at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://houston.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Houston</a>. <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://sbnation.com/nba">Our NBA hub page</a> all the news and analysis around the league you need. Also, be sure to subscribe to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #365317; font-weight: bold;" href="http://youtube.com/sbnation">this Youtube Channel</a> for video commentary.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-rockets/2012/7/17/3165465/jeremy-lin-will-join-houston-rockets-new-york-knicks-deliberationsTim Blank