ROCKIES LOSE AGAIN
NEW YORK (AP) – Dillon Gee followed Matt Harvey’s first career shutout with an impressive outing of his own, helping the New York Mets beat Colorado 2-1 Thursday and sending the Rockies home after matching the worst road trip in team history.
Gee (8-8) scattered eight hits without yielding a walk in 7 2-3 innings to win for the first time since July 14. He allowed Corey Dickerson’s homer leading off the fourth inning.
Rookie Wilmer Flores had an RBI groundout and Anthony Recker a sacrifice fly off spot starter Jeff Manship as the Mets completed their first three-game sweep over the Rockies since 2008 at Shea Stadium. Manship (0-1) was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs for the start because right-hander Tyler Chatwood experienced inflammation in his right elbow after a bullpen session Tuesday. Chatwood was throwing to test a tight hamstring that forced Colorado to push back his start two days to Thursday.
Now he’s headed to the DL, the latest blow for the sinking Rockies.
NEW COLORADO AD CASHING IN
BOULDER (AP) – The University of Colorado’s new athletic director will earn $700,000 a year, the highest salary ever for an administrator there, and be eligible for millions in bonuses. The university’s regents approved the contract for Rick George Wednesday. The former Texas Rangers executive will be eligible for up to around $8.5 million in bonuses though earning all of them is a long shot. All of the school’s teams would have win championships for five straight years. He can earn $50,000 for raising $15 million by next July. He can also get $50,000 if the average grade-point average for all athletes meets or exceeds the average undergraduate GPA. George served as assistant athletic director during Hall of Fame coach Bill McCartney’s tenure. He starts Monday.
ELWAY LIKES BRONCOS CHANCES THIS SEASON
DENVER (AP) – John Elway says the Denver Broncos, still stinging from their playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens in January, are primed for greatness in 2013 if they can just stay healthy and hungry. Two of the biggest reasons for his optimism: Von Miller and Peyton Manning. The Broncos executive vice president said he’s hopeful Miller won’t have to sit out all of September for violating the NFL’s drug-abuse policy. The All-Pro linebacker is having a terrific training camp while he appeals a pending four-game suspension.
Elway even called Miller the most talented player he’s ever seen on either side of the ball.
He was equally effusive in his praise of Manning, who is throwing the ball better and appears much more comfortable in his second season in Denver.