ASS News » break with a Halfpenny penalty but Farrell replied in ki

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros have agreed to a one-year contract with left-hander reliever Tony Sipp. Sipp will earn $500,000 this season if he remains in the majors and $100,000 in the minors. There is $200,000 in performance bonuses in the major league deal. He will earn an additional $25,000 each for appearing in 35, 40, 45 and 50 games and $50,000 each for 55 and 60 games. The 30-year-old Sipp was pitching for San Diegos Triple-A affiliate before requesting his release on Thursday. Sipp has a 4.30 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 11 games in Triple-A this season. He was 3-2 with a 4.78 ERA in 56 appearances in the majors last season with Arizona. Houston optioned right-hander Paul Clemens to Triple-A Oklahoma City and transferred right-hander Jesse Crain to the 60-day disabled list. Alex Delvecchio Jersey . -- DeMarcus Cousins had 29 points, nine rebounds and six steals to lead the Sacramento Kings to their third straight preseason win, a 107-90 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. Brett Hull Jersey . 31-Feb. 2. While organizers havent decided if itll be red or green clay, they feel their choice of surface will give the Americans an advantage over Britain, which is expected to be led by defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray. http://www.redwingshockeyauthentic.com/curtis-joseph-jersey/ .S. -- Carl-Antoine Delisle snapped a tie in the third period with his second goal of the game to lead the Tigres past Cape Breton 4-3 in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action Wednesday as Victoriaville won its eighth in a row. Terry Sawchuk Jersey . The 10-year deal the league and players agreed to that ended the 2011 lockout gave either side the right to opt out after six years. With the league projecting financial growth, there has been speculation that players will take that option in three years, especially since a new national TV contract will be in place by then. Bob Probert Jersey .Y. -- As if the worst start in franchise history isnt bad enough, Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black braced his teams win-starved fans for potentially more tough times.Saracens sent out a real statement of intent as they kicked off the defence of their European Champions Cup crown by beating French giants Toulon 31-23 at Stade Mayol. The home side had never lost a home game in this competition but they found themselves 28-9 down early in the second half of the Pool 3 opener. Sean Maitland, Richard Wigglesworth and Chris Wyles all scored tries, with Owen Farrell kicking 13 points on his first appearance of the season for Saracens.But three-time winners Toulon came roaring back through tries from Levan Chilachava and Bryan Habana, plus Leigh Halfpennys boot. However Saracens managed to hold on, with a late Farrell penalty sealing a famous win and laying down a marker to any side with ideas of taking their mantle as European champions.Mark McCalls men made the ideal start with Farrell getting the first points on the board with a fourth-minute penalty after some good work by Jamie George and Wyles. Owen Farrells late penalty sealed the win and robbed Toulon of a bonus point Toulon quickly responded with their own deadly boot levelling the scores as Halfpenny slotted a penalty attempt from 40 metres.But it was the visitors who had made the more fluid start and they registered the games first try in the ninth minute. Strong carries by Maro Itoje and Jackson Wray got them deep into Toulon territory, and the ball was worked wide for Maitland to beat the cover and score in the corner.Farrell could not add the extras but the English side were soon celebrating again thanks to a wonderfully worked score. Billy Vunipola made yards and hooker George broke through a gaping hole and offloaded for Wigglesworth to go under the posts, with Farrell converting for a 15-3 lead after just 15 minutes. Chris Wyles scored Saracens third try Saracens were soon on the front foot once more with Itoje and lock partner George Kruis rampaging upfield.dddddddddddd A knock-on ended the surge but Toulon had infringed in desperate defence and Farrell punished the ill-discipline to further extend the away sides lead.Toulon did at least trim the gap through Halfpennys second penalty after Itoje was penalised for a high tackle.But Saracens rammed home their ascendancy with a third try before the break. Mako Vunipolas cute offload allowed Farrell and Marcelo Bosch to make yards, with Wyles finishing the flowing attack on the left and Farrell converting for a 25-6 half-time lead.Toulon were first on the board after the break with a Halfpenny penalty but Farrell replied in kind after Maa Nonu was sin-binned for a tip-tackle on Brad Barritt. Maro Itoje charges towards the Toulon defence The numbers were evened up as Toulon battered away at the Saracens line, with Itoje paying the price and seeing yellow for a string of offences in desperate defence. The second row trotted off and Toulon immediately struck as Chilachava burrowed over from close range and Halfpenny converted.The score sparked the French side into life and a second try soon came their way as Nonu sent Habana over.Halfpenny added the extras to move the hosts within five points, and the lead became increasingly precarious when Saracens lost Schalk Burger to the bin with eight minutes remaining for slowing down ruck ball.But Farrells penalty put the result beyond doubt and denied Toulon a losing bonus point.You can watch Liverpool v Man Utd, plus Englands tour of Bangladesh and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy six months at half price! ' ' '