Sea Dogs’ Henry named Eastern League all-star
The 2014 Eastern League Year-End All-Star Team features Portland Sea Dogs pitcher Henry Owens as the team’s left-handed pitcher on the 13-member roster.
In 20 starts with the Sea Dogs, Owens produced a 14-4 record with a 2.60 ERA and 126 strikeouts. He earned a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket on Aug. 1. He still leads the Eastern League in wins (14), strikeouts (126), complete games (3), shutouts (2), and average against (.201).
Owens is the first player in Sea Dogs franchise history to win 14 games in a single season. He also established franchise records by hurling 27 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings from May 19 through June 14 and winning nine consecutive starts from May 24 through July 19.
Owens was selected to play in the MLB All-Star Futures Game and was named an Eastern League Midseason All-Star.
Chiefs’ Stephenson suspended four games
Kansas City Chiefs starting right tackle Donald Stephenson has been suspended the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances, the NFL team said on Friday.
Selected by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2012 draft, Stephenson started seven games for Kansas City last year and was expected to be a cornerstone of the offensive line this season.
His loss is a blow to the Chiefs, who also parted ways with tackle Branden Albert and guards Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz during the offseason.
Graham fined for celebratory dunks
The NFL fined New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham $30,000 for two celebratory dunks after he scored touchdowns in a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans last week.
Graham “dunked” the football over the goalpost crossbar twice and received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty each time. The league banned his trademark celebration during the offseason, a result of one of Graham’s dunks knocking the goalpost out of alignment in a November game against Atlanta.
Graham defended his celebrations by saying he’s not hurting anyone. But he did acknowledge the new rule needs to be followed.
“For four years and however many touchdowns, I always dunked it,” Graham told NOLA.com. “I’ve just got to stop doing that now.”
Gardenhire expected to return to Twins
The Minnesota Twins, who have lost 95-plus games in three straight seasons and are on pace to lose 90 this year, expect to bring back manager Ron Gardenhire in 2015.
General manager Terry Ryan told the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Thursday that Gardenhire will return for his 14th season as manager.
The Twins were 63-99 in 2011 and were 66-96 in the following two seasons. Under Gardenhire, the Twins have won six American League Central titles.