Professional Sports

Wil Nieves wasn't supposed to bunt, of course.

Gladiators open season at home on October 18th

Slumping Ryan Zimmerman spent some time working with Barry Larkin before the game, and then had a season-high three hits, including a homer and tiebreaking two-run double, to lead the Washington Nationals past the Atlanta Braves 6-3 on Tuesday night.

ATLANTA -- After pulling up at Philips Arena in his white Hummer H2, Mike Bibby strolled past an admiring security guard, who wished him luck through the rest of the playoffs. The lovefest is occurring all over Atlanta after the Hawks evened their best-of-seven first round series against the Boston Celtics Monday night.

WASHINGTON -- Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz went on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with an ailing right shoulder, though the Braves were told he can get over the problem without surgery.

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Maybe Joe Gibbs can afford to let Tony Stewart go. The ol' coach already seems to have NASCAR's next star on his roster.

ATLANTA -- Joe Johnson scored 35 points - including 20 in the fourth quarter - and the surprising Atlanta Hawks overcame two double-digit deficits to beat the Boston Celtics 97-92 on Monday night, evening the series at two games apiece.

FLOWERY BRANCH -

NEW YORK -- Roger Clemens had a decade-long relationship with country star Mindy McCready that began when she was a 15-year-old aspiring singer and the pitcher was a Boston Red Sox ace, the Daily News reported.

ATLANTA -- Al Horford got right in Paul Pierce's face, then hopped away to the Hawks bench. The Boston star wasn't too thrilled with the rookie's bravado. Pierce flashed a hand gesture toward Horford and attempted to stare him down. Did Horford back off? Hardly.