Recordpub.com - Tuesday's Sports Wire

Former Buckeye star Clarett seeks prison release

COLUMBUS — Former Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett is again seeking early release from prison.

Clarett, who scored the winning touchdown for the Buckeyes in the 2002 national title game, has filed a motion asking a judge to release him. No court date has been set.

Clarett, who wishes to pursue a football career, withdrew a similar request filed with the Ohio Parole Board last year.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said Tuesday he’ll wait for a prison report on Clarett’s conduct before deciding whether to support or oppose early release.

Clarett pleaded guilty in September 2006 to having a hidden gun in his sport utility vehicle and holding up two people outside a Columbus bar in a separate case. He was sentenced to 71⁄2 years in prison with possible release in 31⁄2 years.

Wright agrees

to minor league deal with Indians

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Right-hander Jamey Wright and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a minor league contract.

The 35-year-old led the Kansas City Royals with 65 relief appearances last season, going 3-5 with a 4.33 ERA.

He is 82-115 with a 5.03 ERA in 14 seasons, also pitching for Colorado, Milwaukee, St. Louis, San Francisco and Texas. He has made 246 starts and 174 relief appearances.

If added to the 40-man roster, Wright would get a $900,000, one-year contract and the chance to make $700,000 more in performance bonuses.

Jackets to open next

season in Sweden

COLUMBUS — The Columbus Blue Jackets will open their 10th season with a pair of games against the San Jose Sharks in Stockholm on Oct. 8-9.

Columbus will be playing outside of North America for the first time.

The Blue Jackets and Sharks will join the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild and Phoenix Coyotes in opening their 2010-11 seasons in Europe.

The Hurricanes and Wild will meet in Helsinki on Oct. 7-8, while the Bruins and Coyotes will play in Prague on Oct. 9-10.

It’s the fourth year in a row that the NHL will begin the regular season with games played overseas.

The current Blue Jackets roster includes four players from Sweden: forwards Fredrik Modin, Samuel Pahlsson and Kristian Huselius and defenseman Anton Stralman.

Durant to defend H-O-R-S-E title

NEW YORK — Kevin Durant will defend his title in the H-O-R-S-E competition at All-Star weekend.

The Oklahoma City forward will face fellow All-Star Rajon Rondo of Boston and Sacramento rookie Omri Casspi. The field was announced Monday night on TNT, which will televise Saturday’s events.

Jacque Jones gets deal from Twins

MINNEAPOLIS — Jacque Jones has returned to the Minnesota Twins, agreeing to a minor league contract.

Jones began his major league career with Minnesota in 1999 before joining the Chicago Cubs in 2006. The outfielder’s best season came in 2002, when he hit .300 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs while the Twins advanced to the AL Championship Series.

Taveras released

by Athletics

OAKLAND, Calif. — Speedy outfielder Willy Taveras has been released by the Oakland Athletics, eight days after he was acquired from Cincinnati with infielder Adam Rosales for infielder Aaron Miles and a player to be named.

Flashes take fifth in Puerto Rico

RIO GRANDE, P.R. — Kent State closed out the opening tournament of its spring schedule Tuesday by firing the third-best round of the day: A 9-over 297 to hold steady in fifth place at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic.

With a final score of 897, the Golden Flashes finished behind only a quartet of top 15 teams in No. 11 Alabama (872), No. 4 Purdue (883), No. 12 Oklahoma State (886) and No. 13 Georgia (888). The 16-team field was competing in the 54-hole event at the par 72, 6,219-yard Championship Course at Trump International Golf Club.

Junior Martina Gavier and sophomore Mercedes Germino posted rounds of 73 and 72, respectively, to tie for 12th place at 3-over (219). Junior Sarah Bradley carded a 77 to finish in a tie for 32nd