Chennai: Defending champions Chennai Super Kings caused an upset in the late Indian Premier League match last night when they cruised to a nine-wicket victory over leaders Delhi Daredevils in only 15 overs.

Murali Vijay’s fine 48 helped Chennai easily surpass Daredevils’ disappointing first-innings total of 114-5 as they reached 115-1.

Ben Hilfenhaus had earlier taken three wickets in a devastating spell of bowling, and Delhi looked likely to suffer an embarrassing collapse as they slumped to 27 for four. But Yogesh Nagar’s 43 steadied the ship for the table-toppers, who remain top despite their defeat, while Chennai move up to fourth.

Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and chose to bowl first at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

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Story By: by Mark Memmott

There goes No. 2: Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers as he hit the second of his four home runs Tuesday night in a game vs. the Baltimore Orioles.

It’s incredible enough that Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton hit four home runs in one game Tuesday night — something that’s only been done by 15 other major league players.

But he came pretty close to hitting five, which no player has ever done in a single game, according to the Baseball Almanac. In the fifth inning, Hamilton’s long line drive to center field “one-hopped the wall for a [ground rule] double,” as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram‘s Foul Territory blog says.

And on top of all that, there’s the compelling story of Hamilton’s struggle with addictions. As ESPN.com writes:

“He went from first round draft pick in 1999 by Tampa Bay to out of baseball all together because of drug and alcohol addiction.

“He recovered and returned to the majors in 2007 with Cincinnati, and was traded to the Texas, where he has become a star — the AL MVP in 2010 — while still battling his addiction. He had a relapse before this season, but is off to a torrid start.”

We noted Hamilton’s pre-season relapse back in February.

After Tuesday’s game, he had this to say:

“Understanding that what I’m doing and what God’s allowed me to do coming back from everything I went through and allowing me to play the game at the level I play it, it’s pretty amazing to think about.”

And who has hit four homes in one game? Here’s the list, via the Baseball Almanac:

— Bobby Lowe; Boston Beaneaters; May 30, 1894.
— Ed Delahanty; Philadelphia Phillies; July 13, 1896.
— Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees; June 3, 1932.
— Chuck Klein; Philadelphia Phillies; July 10, 1936 (10-inning game).

— Patt Seerey; Chicago White Sox; July 18, 1948 (11 innings).
— Gil Hodges; Brooklyn Dodgers; Aug. 31, 1950.
— Joe Adcock; Milwaukee Braves; July 31, 1954.
— Rocky Colavito; Cleveland Indians; June 10, 1959.

— Willie Mays; San Francisco Giants; April 30, 1961.
— Mike Schmidt; Philadelphia Phillies; Aug. 17, 1976 (10 innings).
— Bob Horner; Atlanta Braves; July 6, 1986.
— Mark Whiten; St. Louis Cardinals; Sept. 7, 1993.

— Mike Cameron; Seattle Mariners; May 2, 2002.
— Shawn Green; Los Angeles Dodgers; May 23, 2002.
— Carlos Delgado; Toronto Blue Jays; Sept. 25, 2003.
— Josh Hamilton; Texas Rangers; May 8, 2012.

By the way, the Rangers beat the Baltimore Orioles last night by a score of 10-3. And here’s something for you trivia buffs: Each of Hamilton’s dingers scored two runs — and each time the same player was on base at the time. It was Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus.

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – A hat-trick by Yevgeni Malkin helped Russia hammer Sweden 7-3 to knock them off top spot in Group S in the ice hockey world championship preliminary round in Stockholm on Friday.

Co-hosts Finland were also beaten, losing 5-3 to Canada in Helsinki.

Goaltender Cam Ward was the hero for the Canadians, saving 35 of 38 shots as they leapfrogged the Finns at the top of Group H.

Finland led 3-1 midway through the game but Canada then clicked into gear.

Jeff Skinner made one and scored one before Evander Kane put Canada in the lead for the first time six minutes into the final period. Jordan Eberle fired the puck into an empty net in the dying seconds to secure victory.

Canada have 13 points, one more than Finland.

Sweden suffered a humiliating third-period collapse, letting in four goals against Russia having earlier gone into a 3-1 lead.

Indiscipline late in the second period led to two powerplay goals for the Russians, Malkin netting his first and Alexei Yemelin scoring two minutes later to make it 3-3.

Fifteen seconds into the third session Alexander Perezhogin added a fourth goal.

Malkin then struck twice more as Sweden failed to capitalize despite being a man up for five minutes when Dmitri Kalinin was penalized for cross-checking Johan Franzen in the face.

Russia now have five wins from five games.

Elsewhere, Czech Republic destroyed Italy 6-0 in Group S and United States squeezed past Kazakhstan 3-2 in Group H.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)

Dubai: This is it. Today Godolphin will bid to break their Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) jinx and finally win America’s most famous race with the help of a change in strategy and a gutsy horse called Alpha.

The Dubai-owned stable have made seven attempts in the past to win the $2.2 million (Dh8 million) Churchill Downs showpiece with a sixth place finish by China Visit in 2000 being their best result.

However, in Alpha, a Darley-bred son of Preakness winner Bernadini, they appear to have their best chance yet.

Alpha’s preparation for America’s annual "Run for the Roses" represents a major change in policy as he did not travel to Dubai during the winter and instead stayed with New York-based Kiaran McLaughlin.

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Dubai Al Wasl coach Diego Maradona has officially withdrawn his transfer fund ultimatum, begrudgingly confirming his acceptance to work within the constraints of the club’s existing budget.

The Argentinian had twice told the Dubai club that he would quit if they didn’t give him more funds to spend on his team in the summer, but an Al Wasl statement last week announced that he had backed down on his demands. The club said Maradona would see out his contract, which runs until the end of next season.

“
 I will respect my contract and continue to fight next season with what I have, even without reinforcements

Al Wasl coach Diego Maradona

And on Sunday, speaking publicly for the first time since his meeting with the board, Maradona confirmed he had withdrawn his threats.

Downbeat

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Just when you think the closer position couldn’t have sunk any lower, its 2012 struggles reach a sublime, legendary level. Even the infallible, ageless Mariano Rivera cannot be spared fate’s wrath.

When you read "Rivera tears ACL shagging batting practice flies," you know now no one is safe at the position. It is Closer’s (not Murphy’s) Law: What can go wrong, will.

"Do I like having a deep bullpen, just like every other manager? Yes," manager Joe Girardi told The New York Post. "Does this shorten it? Yes. Is it a big guy that you’re losing? Yes. But you’ve got to find a way to overcome it. That’s what life is about. Life’s about getting knocked down sometimes and getting back up, finding a way to get through things."

Rivera is done, perhaps for his career; the Giants Brian Wilson (Tommy John elbow surgery) is done, perhaps for his career as a closer; Joakim Soria (TJ elbow surgery) is done for the year and perhaps as a Royal; Red Sox Andrew Bailey (thumb surgery), Nat Drew Storen (elbow), Jay Sergio Santos (shoulder) and Ray Kyle Farnsworth (elbow) still heal.

The carnage doesn’t end there, either. Even presumably healthy closers like Heath Bell, Carlos Marmol and Jordan Walden have bee too ineffective for the last-inning role thus far.

Is there anyone who can do what Jonathan Papelbon and Fernando Rodney can? (To think their former teams just didn’t like those two early-season standouts enough to keep them.)

It is a mess, but we will try to sort through it team-by-team this week (again) in the Friday pitching report.

"I’ll sleep on it," Girardi told The Post. "We’ve got two guys who I feel are very capable in [David] Robertson and [Rafael] Soriano. If we took the lead Robby was going to close (Thursday night). But I’ll sit down with my coaches and we’ll talk about it. I’ll make that decision [Friday]."

The Yankees thought enough of Robertson to make him their eighth-inning guy over Soriano. He was clearly their second-best reliever with his 0.00 ERA and 0.909 WHIP with 18 strikeouts in 11 innings. The numbers made him more dominant than the Rivera himself thus far this season.

The question is whether the Yankees want to weaken their eighth inning to stopgap their ninth? Barring a trade for a closer (see below), Robertson is a must-add in all fantasy leagues immediately. It is probably already too late, even if the mere 54 percent ownership on CBSSports.com suggests otherwise. Add Robertson in 100 percent of leagues and if you miss out …

If you missed out on Robertson, you might as well give Soriano a shot. He has more experience in the closer’s role, but being a closer in New York is a different beast; ask Armando Benitez. Maybe the Yankees side with experience so they don’t mess with Robertson as a lights-out setup man.

Also, if the Yankees do consider a trade, perhaps they would prefer keeping Robertson is in accustomed setup role.

Right now, the answer lies within Girardi and his coaching staff. Soriano can be a Top 10, if not a top five, fantasy closer in his own right, but Girardi has already technically chosen Robertson over Soriano when weighing the setup question (and the Thursday night fill-in after Rivera went down in batting practice).

The Yankees have the money and prospects to do anything they desire. The Astros wouldn’t mind dealing Myers. It adds up to a match made in … uh, well, a potential match at least. (Myers couldn’t handle Philly, psychologically, and was arrested for abusing his spouse in Boston.)

Brian Fuentes of the A’s is always among the trade possibilities, but Myers is the most available and the most intriguing of the potential trade targets. The Yankees bullpen is strong and deep enough without Myers, or Fuentes, but we figured we have to measure those alternatives to Robertson and Soriano as well.

It is not the Yankee Way to be unable to make a decision like some teams, but perhaps Girardi goes with the hot hand as closer. In that event, we have to add the likes of lefty Boone Logan (0.87 ERA), righty Cory Wade (1.46 ERA) and starter Phil Hughes (once Andy Pettitte proves ready for the rotation) to the potential mix for saves.

Logan and Wade are long shots and Hughes is a wild card, particularly since he would first have to transition to a relief role and prove effective in the middle innings. Again, we want to present all options here, even the improbable ones.

• Angels lefty Scott Downs is now closing games in place of the ineffective Walden. The veteran has been lights out and may never relinquish the role back to the shaky sophomore. Consider adding Downs in all leagues right after you add Robertson, and before you add the Yankees’ other alternatives. If the Angels want to get Downs back into the situational lefty role, recent trade acquisition Ernesto Frieri can become an option. "We’re going to give him an opportunity to pitch himself into a role," Angels GM Jerry Dipoto told MLB.com. "What it does right now is it gives us another experienced and effective arm to put down in the bullpen and allow us to create a mix toward the end of the game."

• The Marlins’ Bell has been rung once too many times. Steve Cishek had to bail him out Wednesday, blowing the save before picking up the vulture victory in relief. He has been the Marlins’ most effective reliever, even if Edward Mujica picked up the save Thursday night. Add Cishek before Mujica, but the odds are Bell gets his closer’s job back in Miami before long (assuming he isn’t hurt, of course).

• Santiago Casilla was hung with a loss in his past outing, but he still stands above the sore-elbowed Sergio Romo in the pecking order for saves in San Francisco.

• Javy Guerra finally picked up his eighth save, but Kenley Jansen is still stalking the role full time. Jansen remains a sleeper to become a dominant fantasy closer the rest of the season.

• Sean Marshall still isn’t anywhere near as good as Aroldis Chapman. Eventually, the lightning-armed Cuban is going to be too good to ignore in the ninth inning for the Reds.

• The Red Sox are spot-starting Aaron Cook for Josh Beckett this week, but Daniel Bard could still be a candidate to close if the Red Sox would like to keep Cook in the rotation one Beckett returns for his next scheduled turn. Closer Alfredo Aceves does not factor into this equation whatsoever, it all boils down to Cook’s start and the Red Sox’s decision with their rotation and Bard.

• Marmol was removed, a la Bell, from his closer’s role with the Cubs on Thursday, giving way to Rafael Dolis, who Cishek-blew the save and picked up the vulture victory. James Russell (0.00 ERA) looks like a better option to close, if Dale Sveum makes a move at the closer spot. Dolis is worth an add, too, even if we assume Marmol eventually gets straightened out. Kerry Wood, recently brought off the DL, is not an option right now, the Cubs said.

• Hector Santiago has endured some growing pains for the White Sox and Matt Thorton filled in and implode himself. Santiago was better last time out, but no White Sox reliever has been as dominant as closer-in-waiting Addison Reed. It is getting closer to the time new manager Robin Ventura takes the handcuff and diapers off Reed and lets him fly as the White Sox’s stopper. Add Reed in all leagues where you can wait a few weeks for saves.

• With Grant Balfour infected by the closer influenza, Fuentes picked up a save this week for the A’s. The veteran is a candidate to stay in that role, particularly when you consider his past track record in it. Fuentes, who has a big contract for a small-market team, can be an option for the Yankees, too, of course.

• With Jim Johnson back from an illness, fill-in closer Pedro Strop is no longer a candidate for saves. He clearly set himself up nicely if Johnson falters or needs a break again, though.

• Struggling Francisco Cordero and Frank Francisco are likely safe for now. If you expect them to continue to struggle, jump back on Santos in a week or so (if healthy), or consider the Mets turning to Ramon Ramirez or Bobby Parnell. They are fliers in leagues that use true middle men.

If you have a struggling closer, the following are under-owned/undervalued in CBSSports.com’s leagues right now:

1. Rodney, Rays (89 percent)
2. Chris Perez, Indians (81 percent)
3. Henry Rodriguez, Nationals (68 percent)
4. Robertson, Yankees (54 percent)

Every one of these guys are going great and should be owned in all leagues immediately. H-Rod and Robertson are real gems that need to be picked up. Rodney and Perez should be trusted even in the smallest of formats, too.

1. Lance Lynn, Cardinals (76 percent starting) — The rookie of the year candidate is among the best pitchers in fantasy. Jump on board.

2. Wandy Rodriguez, Astros (63 percent) — He has won three consecutive starts, has a 1.64 ERA and draws the struggling Marlins and Pirates. Perfect.

3. Justin Masterson, Indians (44 percent) — He is far better than his slow start suggests and he showed it in his past outing.

4. Matt Harrison, Rangers (46 percent) — Struggling, but he can turn it around against the Orioles and Angels.

5. Carlos Zambrano, Marlins (28 percent) — He is pitching a lot better than his record indicates and he seems (for now) a changed man, psychologically. The Astros and Mets shouldn’t scare us.

1. Francisco Liriano, Twins (13 percent) — Uh, duh. Even this former Liriano optimist wouldn’t trust him right now.

2. A.J. Burnett, Pirates (25 percent) — As if that disaster past outing didn’t already convince you otherwise …

3. Jake Arrieta, Orioles (24 percent) — He is coming off the best outing of his career, but no thanks against the Rangers and Rays.

4. Phil Humber, White Sox (31 percent) — From a perfect game to potentially dangerous the other way even in a two-start week against the Indians and Royals. Wow.

5. Daniel Bard, Red Sox (38 percent) — He hasn’t been great in the rotation, and Cook/Beckett makes it highly unlikely he makes two starts against the Royals and Indians. Frankly, we would be better off — and the much-maligned closer position in general — if he makes no starts and just moves back to the bullpen.

Eric Mack writes fantasy for SI.com. If you miss his Monday baseball trends, Wednesday prospect report or Friday pitching review, you can also find him on Twitter, where you can mock him, rip him and (doubtful) praise him before asking him for fantasy advice @EricMackFantasy. He reads all the messages there (guaranteed) and takes them very, very personally (not really).

Stockholm: Alexander Dale Oen stood on top of a world championship podium less than a year ago, wiping away tears as the Norwegian national anthem played in triumph again just three days after the country was rocked by a massacre by a right-wing extremist.

The swimmer became a symbol of resilience and resurgence in Norway with that victory – the country’s first swimming world title at a time when it was in desperate need of something to cheer.

On Tuesday, Norway was in mourning after Dale Oen died suddenly from cardiac arrest during a pre-Olympic training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona. He was 26.

Dale Oen, one of Norway’s biggest medal hopes for the London Olympics, was found collapsed on his bathroom floor late on Monday and was pronounced dead shortly afterward at Flagstaff Medical Center, Norwegian swimming federation President Per Rune Eknes confirmed to The Associated Press. He said it was still unclear what led to the cardiac arrest.

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DUBAI: Bubbly and chirpy, these girls are full of life. Calling themselves as The Racing Divas, the seven girls from the Jumeirah English Speaking School, Jumeirah, are excited about competing in the F1 in Schools national championships to be held from May 6-7.

Preparations are in full swing for the all-girls team (Sophie Ingram, Abi Lomas, Megan Kofteros, Jossie Padgett, Zara Morrison, Alannah McKevitt and Alice Jordan) who emerged clear winners in the JESS finals where four school teams participated. "The girls won hands down," said Rick McIntyre, one of the teachers, who are overseeing the team.

Over 200 students from around 34 schools in the UAE will compete in the national championships at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. "It’s really exciting and we are very happy. This is the first time we are going to be at the F1 in Schools," said Sophie, who is the team manager.

"In the final, our car wasn’t the fastest but we had the best reaction time which probably helped us a lot," Sophie added.

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Not a sport that is usually liked by girls, The Racing Divas have been very impressive outsmarting the other teams consisting mainly of boys. "We like doing different things and not just the girls’ stuff," said Alannah, who is one of the design engineers with the other being Megan. "In the F1 club we were the only girls and we didn’t want to tag with the boys but do it all by ourselves," Megan added.

The initial process was a tiring one and the girls sweated it out to put things together. "We had to send our team and then decide on the name and slogan. We then had to decide on the team jobs and send letters to get possible sponsors.

Abi, the resource manager, added: "We then got our car painted and then chose the colour scheme and logos. It took a real long time, approximately eight weeks, for us to finalise the design of the car."

That meant they had to maintain a perfect balance by not disturbing their studies. "Some of the people in our school have been very supportive. We had to even skip a few classes and our teachers agreed that since we needed more time to be able to represent JESS Jumeirah well in Abu Dhabi," Sophie said.

The team also decided not to tamper with the car considering its performance in the in-house event. "We decided not to change the car. If it was good enough to win the JESS finals, it is good enough to win in Abu Dhabi," said McIntyre adding that the girls were doing well because of their commitment towards their job. "This team are an organised bunch. They have a great team with good leadership qualities. It really has given them an understanding of how to deal with money and things they need to achieve by managing themselves," said McIntyre.

Their slogan reads ‘Always fast…Always first’, apt for a team committed to excel and be the best.

Factfile

Team: The Racing Divas

Members:

Teachers: Rick McIntrye and Colin Thomson

Chennai: Gautam Gambhir guided Kolkata Knight Riders to a five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in last night’s Indian Premier League (IPL) game here.

The visiting skipper scored a vital 63 as his team chased down Chennai’s total of 139 for five with two balls to spare.

Suresh Raina top-scored with 44 from 34 balls for the hosts, while captain M.S. Dhoni added an unbeaten 34 from 30 deliveries. Jacques Kallis was the pick of the Kolkata bowlers with two for 21.

Chennai were boosted ahead of the match by the return of Australian batsman Mike Hussey, who missed the early part of the tournament due to his international commitments in the West Indies.

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But, after Francois du Plessis fell early to Brett Lee, Hussey was convincingly run out for 18 from 19 balls after a mix-up with Raina.

Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat as the team sought to make up for Saturday’s defeat to Kings XI Punjab, which ended a run of three successive home victories. Hussey came in for Nuwan Kulasekera and seamer Yo Mahesh for Wriddhiman Saha.

Brief scores:

Chennai Super Kings 139 for 5 in 20 overs (S Raina 44, M.S. Dhoni 34no; J Kallis 2-21)
Kolkata Knight Riders 140 for 5 in 19.4 overs (G Gambhir 63).
Kolkata beat Chennai by 5 wickets.
 

Dubai: A new-look UAE side promises to ‘raise a few eyebrows’ in this year’s Asian Five Nations, according to rugby association boss Ian Bremner, who will be looking for a strong start in the UAE’s opener against Hong Kong at the Sevens Stadium from 8pm tonight.

Today’s visitors overturned the UAE 62-3 in Hong Kong in last year’s competition, where the Emiratis finished third in their first year of competition following the break-up of the GCC-wide Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union (AGRFU).

Although they will be without many of their players from that encounter, fielding 10 new caps tonight, Bremner believes a reinvigorated UAE can spring a surprise when they kick-off their four-game campaign tonight. Japan, Kazakhstan and South Korea are the challenges to come.

"The expectation is as always to push on a bit from last year. With what we believe will be the two most challenging games first, the attitude isn’t to sit back and save ourselves for the last two matches, but to come out strong from the very beginning," Bremner said.

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Unknown entities

"Kazakhstan and Korea, our last two opponents, are unknown entities. Korea is a sleeping giant and Kazakhstan a robust and physical but ageing side. Therefore, we can’t rely just upon the last two games, we must aim to take something out of the competition early.

"It’s a new team, a new culture and a new environment, which is exciting. We’re not saying we hold no fear, but there is a buoyancy about the squad which is promising and of credit to all involved.

"We’ll surprise Hong Kong. We’re a different team to the one that lost against them at the tail end of the competition last year. In terms of capability and ability to use the ball, we’re better and our intensity has improved. We’re looking forward to raising some eyebrows."

Bremner added: "To finish third in the table again would be satisfactory considering we’re starting out again. Third would be a good performance and, given we have a lot of new players new to this experience, third is also a realistic aim."

UAE team

Graham Murphy, Charles Lilley, Dan Boatwright, Greg Thompson, Simon Osborne, Brett Williams, Sam Cook, Alistair Thompson, Patrick Hegarty, Andy Russell, Steve Smith, Jonathan O’Connor, Imad Reyal, Sean Hurley, Tim Fletcher.

Replacements: Peter Sampson, Christopher Jones Griffins, Tristan Barnett, David Matasio, John Fawls, Joel Pikari, Mohammad Al Sulaiman.