Collegiate Times

Patrick Nyarko

Nyarko and the Fire went into one of the toughest places to play in the MLS and stole a point in the standings with a 0-0 tie against the Seattle Sounders FC. The Fire was without three starters, including Brian Pause, who was away playing with Team USA in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Furthermore, John Thorrington was ejected with his second yellow card of the match in the 54th minute, leaving Chicago with 10 men the rest of the way. Nyarko started, but did not have much impact on the game statistically.

Joe Saunders

On Wednesday, July 22, a recently struggling Saunders took the mound for the Angels on the road against the Kansas City Royals. Saunders earned no decision in the Angels' 9-6 win. The former Hokie pitcher went five and two-thirds innings, allowing six earned runs on nine hits with two strikeouts. With that performance, his ERA approached 5 at 4.94. Just over a month ago, his ERA was close to 4.0.

Monday, July 27, Saunders faced the Cleveland Indians. He went five innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits with two walks and two strikeouts. He left the game with the Angels winning 5-4, but the Indians scored four runs in the ninth inning to win 8-6. Saunders earned another no decision, but his ERA crept to 5.02.

Saunders' name has been floated around in trade talks concerning the Blue Jays' ace and defending Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay. The Angels have been considered one of the darkhorses to land Halladay in a deal before the July 31 trade deadline. The Blue Jays reportedly wanted either Los Angeles pitcher Jered Weaver or Saunders as well as other prospects in return for Halladay.

Kerri Gardin

On July 22, Gardin played a season-low five minutes as the Sun came from behind to beat the Sacramento Monarchs 83-75. Connecticut was down 11 at halftime before a third-quarter outburst, outscoring the Monarchs 30-13 in that period alone. Gardin did not score in her time but did grab two rebounds.