Twins say a final farewell to Harmon Killebrew

The Minnesota Twins and their supporters say a final farewell to Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew.

Thousands of fans, dozens of former teammates and and approximately 45 members of the family of the Killebrew attended a memorial service in the target field.

Memorials lay at the feet of the statue of Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame baseball player Harmon Killebrew, Thursday 26 May 2011, at the plaza before target field of a public service memorial in Minneapolis for Killebrew died the week last at the age of 74 of cancer in Arizona.

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton said Thursday as Harmon Killebrew day, in memory of the man that hit career 573 home runs and died at the age of 74, after a battle with cancer of the esophagus last week.

Among those present were wife of the Killebrew Nita and Hall of Fame Hank Aaron, Rod Carew, and Bert Blyleven.

Some began the evening at the Mall of America, built on the land where Killebrew played for the twins to the former Metropolitan Stadium. Carew, Jim Kaat and others take the LRT in the commercial centre of field target for the ceremony.

Poulter beats Donald in the World Match Play final

 Ian Poulter denied Luke Donald first place in the ranking of golf in the world Sunday, beating his English countrymen 2 and 1 in the final of the World Match Play Championship to claim his first title in 2011.

Second Donald could be no. 1 for the first time, displacing compatriot Lee Westwood if he had won the tournament in Andalusia, but he did not find consistent form that has swept the final.

Poulter, who ousted Westwood in the last 16, was Ryder Cup teammate three times 1 in a match with error, but a 45-foot putt won the 12th hole and birdies on the fate of the 14th and 16th seal of Donald.

"I did not play my best, but I played the right blows, at the right times" said Poulter, whose 14th career title he will lift no. 22 in the top 15 when the new ranking is published Monday. "" "". It is a very special day. ?

Poulter picked up select one winner to 1.14 million and is become the first player to win two titles of match play, after having won the Accenture tournament last year.

Donald won the edition of this event in Arizona in February 2011 and came in the final on a game of 14 wins in match play, which included victories in single and double to Ryder Cup last year.

But just as he did last month, when he lost a match to Brandt Snedeker on heritage in South Carolina - Donald missed an opportunity to climb to no. 1, recognizing the fatigue had taken with him in the South of the Spain.

Ian Poulter of England is preparing a putt during the semi-finals of the World Match Play Golf Championship, against Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium, Casares, South of the Spain, Sunday, May 22, 2011.

"I just run out of steam a little bit", said Donald, which made only one birdie against Poulter. "I really did not play well." I had some opportunities on the Greens I can usually do in my sleep. It leaves a taste in my mouth. ?

Poulter, who beat Nicolas Colsaerts Belgium on the first hole of playoff in the second semi-final, earlier Sunday had been taken for at least 18 holes in its five previous games on the Finca Cortesin course this week.

Donald, on the other hand, had marched relentlessly to the final faced with an infection of the throat, despite compelling research in an overwhelming ranked third Martin Kaymer in the semi-finals.

"He plays like a machine," Kaymer said after his 5-3 thrashing.

Poulter was 1 at Donald the eighth when, after slicing his tee shot into the bushes beside the alley, he slipped down a bank trying to thrash his second shot.

"I think that my clothes were affected more than me", said Poulter.

It was lifted promptly concede the hole-free, shared the three next and is then in the match-turning point on the 12th green putt to draw even. Poulter is revealed too much down the finishing, Donald limping home with four bogies on his card.

Poulter played 108 holes this week, discarded his way for a first victory in the tournament since the Hong Kong Open last November. The match play format is certainly at his convenience.

"We will be able to 20 McGinley events per year, please." Poulter quipped. "It gets adrenaline goes, gets me is that if you are just to make birdies and winning easy matches." I like it just. It is good to have a good tussle.

"It doesn't have to be perfect image." It is sufficient to do the work. ?

Poulter won on the seventh anniversary of his only son, Luke.

"That makes even more special," said Poulter, who fly in England Sunday with Luke front of Wentworth PGA Championship.

Donald head for the same event, where he gets another chance to dethrone Westwood.

"This is the least of my concerns", Donald said the battle for the No. 1 spot. "He will come if I continued to play as I am."

Poulter denies Donald in World Match Play final

CASARES, Spain - Ian Poulter refused Luke Donald of the Sunday World golf ranking for first place, beating his English countrymen 2 and 1 in the final of the World Match Play Championship to claim his first title in 2011.

Second Donald could be no. 1 for the first time, displacing compatriot Lee Westwood if he had won the tournament in Andalusia, but he did not find consistent form that has swept the final.

Poulter, who ousted Westwood in the last 16, was Ryder Cup teammate three times 1 in a match with error, but a 45-foot putt won the 12th hole and birdies on the fate of the 14th and 16th seal of Donald.

Ross Kinnaird / Getty ImagesIan Poulter, ranked 22nd, made clear Sunday, winning two of the last four holes with birdies.

"I did not play my best, but I played the right blows, at the right times" said Poulter, whose 14th career title he will lift no. 22 in the top 15 when the new ranking is published Monday. "" "". It is a very special day. ?

Poulter picked up select one winner to 1.14 million and is become the first player to win two titles of match play, after having won the Accenture tournament last year.

Donald won the edition of this event in Arizona in February 2011 and came in the final on a game of 14 wins in match play, which included victories in single and double to Ryder Cup last year.

But, just as he did last month - when he lost a match to Brandt Snedeker on heritage in South Carolina - Donald missed the opportunity to climb to no. 1, by recognizing the fatigue had taken with him in the South of the Spain.

"I just run out of steam a little bit", said Donald, which made only one birdie against Poulter. "I really did not play well." I had some opportunities on the Greens I can usually do in my sleep. It leaves a taste in my mouth. ?

Poulter, who beat Nicolas Colsaerts Belgium on the first hole of playoff in the second semi-final, earlier Sunday had been taken for at least 18 holes in its five previous games on the Finca Cortesin course this week.

Donald, on the other hand, had marched relentlessly to the final faced with an infection of the throat, despite compelling research in an overwhelming ranked third Martin Kaymer in the semi-finals.

"He plays like a machine," Kaymer said after his 5-3 thrashing.

Poulter was 1 at Donald the eighth when, after slicing his tee shot into the bushes beside the alley, he slipped down a bank trying to thrash his second shot.

"I think that my clothes were affected more than me", said Poulter.

It was lifted promptly concede the hole-free, shared the three next and is then in the match-turning point on the 12th green putt to draw even. Poulter is revealed too much down the finishing, Donald limping home with four bogies on his card.

Poulter played 108 holes this week, discarded his way for a first victory in the tournament since the Hong Kong Open last November. The match play format is certainly at his convenience.

"We will be able to 20 McGinley events per year, please." Poulter quipped. "It gets adrenaline goes, gets me is that if you are just to make birdies and winning easy matches." I like it just. It is good to have a good tussle.

"It doesn't have to be perfect image." It is sufficient to do the work. ?

Poulter won on the seventh anniversary of his only son, Luke.

"That makes even more special," said Poulter, who fly in England Sunday with Luke front of Wentworth PGA Championship.

Donald head for the same event, where he gets another chance to dethrone Westwood.

"This is the least of my concerns", Donald said the battle for the No. 1 spot. "He will come if I continued to play as I am."

LeBron, heat win game 2 to even the final East

After struggling from the field and combining for a playoff low 33 points in Game 1, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James rebounded by combining for 53 points on over 54 percent shooting. The two got to the line 17 times and pulled down 19 boards.

While Derrick Rose has been excellent in series-openers, Game 2 has not been as nice. Rose averages 8 points fewer in Game 2 and in five career games has shot just 39 percent from the field, including a 7 for 23 performance on Wednesday.

Through 3 quarters, the Bulls dominated the offensive glass but struggled to capitalize, scoring just 16 points as they went 4-13 on 2nd-chance opportunities. That came back to haunt them in the 4th, as the Heat kept Chicago off the glass, holding the Bulls to just 2 2nd-chance pts on a single offensive rebound.

The Bulls really struggled offensively in Game 2 on Wednesday. Derrick Rose couldn't find his shooting rhythm, and when he created shots for his teammates, they too struggled to convert chances into points. Starting frontcourt Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng had a hard time converting Rose's passes, as the two forwards combined to shoot 2 of 9 (four points) off passes by Rose, and sharpshooter Kyle Korver missed all four of his chances created by the league MVP.

The Heat had two transition plays in the first half Wednesday night, scoring two points on 1-of-2 shooting. In the second half, the Heat ran more, scoring 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting.

Chris Bosh's role in the Heat's offense took a hit in Game 2. After scoring 30 points and getting an offensive touch on 51.4 percent of the possessions when he was on the floor in Game 1, Bosh scored 10 points and received a touch on 27.5 percent of the possessions he was on the court for in Game 2. Note: A touch is credited on any offensive play where a player handles the ball. For offensive rebounds, players are credited with a touch only if they attempt a shot or receive the ball again on a pass.

The Bulls made 15-of-33 shots (45.5 pct) inside five feet in Game 2 against the Heat, well below their season average of 58.9 percent entering Wednesday night. Derrick Rose (2 of 10), Carlos Boozer (3 of 8) and Joakim Noah (2 of 6) were three big reasons the Bulls were outscored 50-34 in the paint.

In the shot-clock era, there have been four instances in which teams combined to score 24 points or fewer in the fourth quarter of a playoff game.

The Bulls had their lowest output of the playoffs in Game 2 on Wednesday, scoring just 75 points in their loss to the Heat. Chicago also saw its offensive numbers drop sharply from its Game 1 win Sunday.

CHICAGO -- Back to his usual havoc-wreaking ways, LeBron James took control when it counted and the Miami Heat sent out a loud message in the process.

They're ready for a "street fight," if that's the route to the NBA finals.

James came up big down the stretch to finish with 29 points, Dwyane Wade scored 24 and Miami beat the Chicago Bulls 85-75 Wednesday night to tie the Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece.

The Heat can breathe a little easier after escaping with a win and stealing home-court advantage. Coming off a lopsided loss in Game 1, they recovered down the stretch after blowing an 11-point lead to pull even in the series, with Game 3 in Miami on Sunday.

The Bulls had their lowest output of the playoffs in Game 2 on Wednesday, scoring just 75 points in their loss to the Heat. Chicago also saw its offensive numbers drop sharply from its Game 1 win Sunday.

*Lowest point total of playoffspowered by

"The series has just started," James said. "It's 1-1. We're excited that we were able to come here and get a win. But it's just started."

James shook off a brutal opener and scored nine points over the final 4:27, starting with a 3-pointer that put Miami ahead for good, 76-73. He also had 10 rebounds despite a head cold, and Miami outrebounded the Bulls 45-41 after getting pounded 45-33 on the glass in the opener.

"That fourth quarter is going to epitomize this entire series," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after his team outscored Chicago 14-10 in the period. "It's an absolute street fight for both teams."

For James, it was big turnaround after he managed just 15 points on 5-for-15 shooting while being harassed by Luol Deng in Game 1.

Wade also looked more like a superstar after scoring 18 on Sunday and chipped in with nine rebounds.

Udonis Haslem, whom Spoelstra called "an absolute championship warrior," provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, and the Heat beat the Bulls for the first time this season even though Chris Bosh scored just 10 after pouring in 30 in the opener.

In the shot-clock era, there have been four instances in which teams combined to score 24 points or fewer in the fourth quarter of a playoff game.

— from Elias Sports Bureau

"We got that one that we needed," Wade said. "Now, we go home and we've got to take care of business. This team right here is like us. They can win at home and on the road."

Derrick Rose led Chicago with 21 points but scored just two in the fourth quarter. Deng, the only other Bulls player in double figures, added 13 but had just four after the opening period.

Joakim Noah had nine points but only eight rebounds. Taj Gibson provided a spark in the fourth quarter, scoring all of his eight points. Carlos Boozer, however, was a non-factor with seven points and eight rebounds and sat out the final 16:21.

The Bulls missed countless layups and got outshot 47.1 percent to 34.1 percent. They were just 3 of 20 on 3-pointers and 16 of 26 at the foul line while getting beat on the glass.

They had no answer for James down the stretch, either, and came up short when it looked like they might find a way to pull this one out.

"We played a low-energy offense, a low-energy defense and the result was not good," coach Tom Thibodeau said.

Rose put it this way: "We can't afford to go out and play like this. We let them get easy baskets, especially in transition."

The Heat led by 11 late in the third, only to see the Bulls pull even in the fourth, with Gibson providing a big spark.

He cut it to 71-69 early in the fourth with back-to-back jumpers for his first points of the game, pumping both arms after the second shot went in.

Then, he tied it at 73 with 7:16 left after Haslem lost the ball out of bounds, drawing more roars from the crowd, but the teams traded misses for about three minutes before James put Miami ahead with a 3. Then, he scored again with 3:15 left to make it 78-73.

Gibson delivered a slam over three defenders and got fouled by Wade, the same guy he delivered a poster-worthy dunk on in Game 1, to make it a three-point game with 2:29 left, but missed the free throw.

James then put back his own miss and nailed a 20-footer to make it 84-75 with 47 seconds left.

The Heat looked like they were ready to pull away in the third, going on a 10-0 run after Rose hit two free throws to cut it to 57-56 with 5:14 left.

Haslem blocked Deng and dunked on Keith Bogans for a three-point play to start the run.

James then stole a pass from Noah and broke the other way for a three-point play, then picked off another by Deng, leading to a layup for Wade. Haslem, who hadn't been playing much, threw down another vicious fast-break dunk on Rose to finish the run, crashing to the court as the lead reached 11, but the Bulls answered with six straight to stay in it.

"I talked to him two days ago, and there was a look in his eye," Spoelstra said, referring to Haslem. "I've been through a lot of battles with that warrior, and I knew it was time to put him in."

Haslem continued to reiterate he was ready but understood he needed to be patient. When the opportunity came, he wasn't looking to score.

"I was seeing guys running to the basket without anyone putting a body on them," he said. "My focus wasn't on scoring tonight, it was defense and rebounding."

Game notes
Sporting various piercings and tattoos, incoming Hall-of-Famer Dennis Rodman presented the game ball to a loud ovation before the opening tip. ... The Heat stuck with their Game 1 lineup and held out Erick Dampier, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Dexter Pittman again. ... The Bears' Julius Peppers got a loud ovation and waved to the crowd when he was shown during a first-quarter timeout. ... The Bulls missed their first nine field goals before Bogans nailed a 3 and scored on a fast-break layup. ... Deng sent the crowd into a frenzy when he swished a 41-foot heave at the end of the first quarter.

In the final of the East, Luol Vs LeBron a key clash

The Chicago Bulls he lives year-round Luol Deng, so what he was doing little against LeBron James and Miami Heat in game 1 of Conference final is shocked the.

Hit big shots? Hitting advice? Limit the most talented player of the game? Check, check and check huge.

The Bulls lead the heat 1-0 after a 103-82 victory Sunday and a large ground which is Deng. It was mark 21 points, to capture seven rebounds, and to contribute to four interceptions while neutralizing James in individual overall performance which helped to lift Chicago to an impressive victory.

Yes, Derrick Rose was up to his usual tricks of MVP, scoring 28 points, but it was Deng providing big assistance if it has been registered or fight against the King.

"It's Luol Deng," Carlos Boozer of Chicago said. "He is a hero unknown to us." It should have been an All-Star Game this season. It's a normal game for Lu. He played most of best player the other teams - or the second best player, whatever the case may be. It marks for us, strike big shots in clutch for us, the bouncing ball, is a great leader, always to inspire us. "Luol need get more love".

If he keeps this, which should not be a problem. Game 2 is Wednesday at the United Center, but the Bulls are certainly not write off the coast of Miami.

"They have lost big games and come out aggressive the next day," Deng said.

LeBron James of Miami Heat, left, turned to the basket as Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls defends in the second quarter to 1 game in the series of basketball for the NBA Eastern Conference finals Sunday, May 15, 2011 in Chicago.

It might help if the heat moved the ball rather that try to beat the Bulls off the dribble, an approach which did not work. They also got hammered on the glass, with Chicago outrebounding their 45-33 and crushing 31-8 on second-chance points.

Now, they are in a hole.

"Everyone understands that we are disappointed about the game last night and we still have an opportunity, and sometimes you must have amnesia enter in game 2," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "You can not just let go, the next few days 2? that we will work to solve some of these challenges that we had last night." But we still have to understand that Wednesday is an opportunity for us. I don't care. Sometimes there are of good performance, bad performances in the playoffs. "It is really not relevant, that it really boils just to a victory and a loss".

Their chances would be certainly better if James performed as it is able.

He scored just 15 points on 5-of-15 shots. If it was Deng sticking to him or the great men, he simply had no place to operate and was essentially a non-facteur in the game.

He appeared fairly well to the move at the beginning when he blocked stacking of Deng in the opening seconds and fed Dwyane Wade for a fastbreak slam.

Then, he picked off the coast of a pass by Rose and dunk was broken, and it did everything in the first 40 seconds. He also picked up two fouls in the first quarter and two of its four-digit business, committed with Joakim Noah undressing him and Deng ousted a pass, and it was not found in the second half.

In the third quarter, when the upgraded Bulls Miami 24-15, James scored two points and attempted four shots. At one point, he loses the ball near the bench in Chicago and blocked a few seconds later try to go to individual against Taj Gibson.

James hit a 3 at the beginning of the fourth, but did not score another point. Deng was a great reason - but not the only reason - it fought.

He had help from Gibson, Noah and same Omer Asik. The Bulls were quick to do rotate and plug gaps, making it difficult for James and Wade get to the rim.

Nadal Beats Djokovic in the final Open de Madrid

 Novak Djokovic retained until her departure perfect for the season and against Rafael Nadal Sunday.

Djokovic beats Nadal on clay for the first time in 10 trials, beating Spanish head 7 - 5, 6-4 in the final of the Madrid Open and extends his invincibility 32-game season.

Djokovic second wasted a 4-0 lead in the first set, but recovered at the end of the last victories of Nadal on clay to 37 matches and the Serbs to win his third consecutive victory over Nadal in the final this season.

Djokovic 2011 sixth title allowed him to exceed season-opening 31-match run by Bjorn Borg in 1980. He trails only the beginning of 42-0 John McEnroe in 1984.

"It is probably just at the top," Djokovic speaks to beat Nadal on clay on Spanish soil. "In the circumstances, I played an incredible match." ... I walk on the Court today thinking that I could win. I need to be aggressive and it was a great game. ?

Run of Djokovic of 34 consecutive wins since the triumph of the Davis Cup of the Serbia in December is the eighth best of all time.

"I am against a great player of obviously - it has a monster year," Nadal said. "" "". He was better, you have to accept that. ?

He also lost Djokovic in the final at Indian Wells and Miami this year.

Earlier, Petra Kvitova won his third title of the season by beating Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (3), 6-4 in the final of.

Defeat last of Nadal on clay came to Robin Soderling Garros nearly two years ago. He won six titles on clay, and it is only his seventh loss on the surface of 196 2005 games.

Nadal had divided the last two finals here with Roger Federer and Switzerland star was beaten in three sets in the semi-finals Saturday. But Djokovic proves too difficult and vengé loss to Nadal 2009 Magic Box arena, where the couple collide in a record of 4 hours more semi-finals.

Djokovic has spent most of the course of the past seasons as player no. 3 of the world behind Nadal and Federer, but began the year by winning the Open of Australia and has not regretted.

Sunday, he was confronted with what is widely regarded as the toughest test in tennis: Nadal on clay - and his victory is yet another signal that a change of power standing may be in the works.

"I am pleased that I can play the best tennis when I had to and perhaps lacking much in the past", said Djokovic. "That is what was perhaps missing against Rafa and Roger in past tournaments."

Djokovic ran out 4-0 lead after Nadal netted to be broken for the second time.

"The game started terribly," said Nadal, who also won here in 2005. "I have to play more aggressive forehand."

The Spanish broke back immediately and then withdrew in 5-4 conversion after his second point of rupture of a ball in the corner.

Nadal then saved three set points straight well before Djokovic took the set on his fourth try when his backhand took a lucky bounce on the net cord and left do Nadal no chance.

In a complete match of big shots, Nadal fired up the crowd with a spectacular lob between the legs to set up three break points in the first game of the second series. Nadal has slammed a forehand down the line to break, but the stubborn Djokovic bounced right at level in the next game.

"Each point had an average 10-15 rallies." "I need to work hard for my points", said Djokovic.

Scanning of lightning capitals to reach the final of the East

TAMPA, Florida - Sean Bergenheim scored two goals and Dwayne Roloson stopped 33 shots as the Tampa Bay Lightning outbreak has completed a sweep of the series of the seeded Washington Capitals in height with a 5-3 victory in game 4 on Wednesday night.

Playing on consecutive nights for the first time this postseason, the lightning extended their series of victories for seven games and advanced to the final of the Conference is for the first time since their season of the 2004 Stanley Cup Championship.

For Alex Ovechkin and the capitals, it is still another bitter disappointment for playoffs.

Rookie Michal Neuvirth stopped 32 shots for Washington, but Bergenheim scored twice in eight minutes in the second period to build a 3-1 lead which induces songs of "sweep, sweep, sweep," a room fills of 20,835.

The big three of Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos lightning have elevated their games, but has therefore Bergenheim, who was a leader of the team of seven goals through two rounds. Sixth objective St. Louis' of playoffs, with 3: 08 remaining, finished marking of Tampa Bay.

Ryan Malone and Marc - André Bergeron added goals for the lightning, who have not lost since the fall in a hole of 3-1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round.

Marco Sturm, John Erskine and John Carlson scored for the capitals.

The lightning won the first two games in Washington, then pushed the capitals on elimination by winning game 3 in Tampa Tuesday evening.

They expected the hardest game of series Wednesday, calling the capitals a proud team which should not be taken lightly. Washington found it, the first three games could have gone with Ovechkin insisting after game 3 that the series was far from over and that he expected his team to come back and win.

Malone marked with Ovechkin in the criminalization of recharge area, giving Tampa Bay an advance 1 - 0 at 12: 37 of the first period. The lightning have not lost a postseason game in which they were registered first, however shown once Washington more enduring after falling at the start.

The capitals he linked to the end of the first, marking the second time in only 17 of series power play opportunities. Jason Arnott and Ovechkin attended the purpose of Sturm, but Washington was unable to continue the momentum for a second period in which it was outshot 17-10.

Sixth and seventh goals of the playoffs Bergenheim put the lightning up 3-1. Caps tightening with goal without help Erskine at 13: 40 of the second, but Roloson responded to every challenge after that.

Game notes
The lightning have won eight consecutive playoff games against the capitals, dating from the first round in 2003. ... Washington D Mike Green, who left in the third period Tuesday night with what the capitals described as a lower body injury, did not play in game 4. ... Tampa Bay LW Simon won and D Pavel Kubina sitting for the third consecutive game because of injuries was not disclosed, the top of the body. They are on the day the day. ... St. Louis, Lecavalier and Kubina are the only players remaining on the list of Stanley Cup champion team lightning.

Barcelona advance to the final of the Champions League

 Barcelona advanced to the final of the Champions League by dominate Real Madrid in a match 1-1 draw Tuesday night, winning the semi-final 3-1 total as Pedro Rodriguez scored off the coast of a perfect through pass to Andrés Iniesta in the 54th minute.

In the fourth match between the rivals in 18 days, Rodriguez gave Barcelona the lead has three goals total of goals of-and-home series.

Marcelo scored for Real Madrid in the 64th minute on a pass from Angel Di Maria, whose initial shot rebounded off the coast of a position. Marcelo was the only shot on goal by the visitors in the entire game.

Seeking his fourth title of the Champions League and the third in six years, Barcelona plays Manchester United and Schalke on May 28 at Wembley. Manchester United took a 2-0 lead in the second round on Wednesday evening at Old Trafford, and the final could be a match of the Championship 2009 Barcelona won 2-0. -