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Saunders belts two clutch homers in Mariners victory

The Seattle Mariners got some bad news Friday about center field, specifically center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. Not only is the veteran coming back slowly from a right pectoral injury, but he has developed a case of plantar fasciitis. On the other side of the coin, Gutierrez's replacement, Michael Saunders, is giving the club plenty of reasons to breathe easily. Saunders had his biggest day of the season with two homers Friday in Toronto. He homered in the ninth with the Mariners down two runs to help force extra innings against Blue Jays closer Francisco Cordero. Then in the 10th, he delivered a grand slam off Luis Perez to secure a 9-5 Seattle win, the fourth in a row for the Mariners. This is the same Saunders who was given a chance to replace the often-injured Gutierrez last year but faltered badly. "Saunders is a completely different hitter this year," manager Eric Wedge said. "To his credit, he's always been a complete player, but the hitting has been a bit short. This year, it hasn't been. He is still learning; I'm impressed with the way (he) fought through his early at-bats. That put him in position to do more later." The Mariners suffered badly without Gutierrez last season. But with Saunders hitting .254 with three homers and 11 RBIs, things are looking up this time around.

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Saunders belts two clutch homers in Mariners victory

Seattle Seahawks' Ideal Second Round 2012 NFL Draft Pick: Fan Opinion

I'm still a bit dazed over the Seattle Seahawks' selection of West Virginia DL/LB Bruce Irvin in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. I did not see that one coming. Nevertheless, it addressed one of the team's draft needs, leaving them with offensive line and linebacker as what I deem to be their next most pressing spots to fill with draft picks.

Seattle has the No. 11 selection in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft on April 27. Who might the Seahawks have to choose from at that spot?

Offensive Line

Offensive line jumps to my mind. Only four o-linemen were selected in the first round--OT Matt Kalil, OT Riley Reiff, OG David DeCastro, and OG Kevin Zeitler--but several teams ahead of Seattle in the second round, including the St. Louis Rams twice, could also use some help on the offensive line. Linemen could become hot commodities on Friday.

In my opinion, the best remaining options at offensive line are Stanford OT Jonathan Martin, Georgia OG Cordy Glenn, Wisconsin C Peter Konz, Ohio State OT Mike Adams, and Midwestern State OG Amini Silatolu. Keep in mind that Adams will miss the first five games of the season as a result of the Ohio State scandal.

My first choice would be Martin (6-foot-5, 312 pounds), but I seriously doubt he'll make it down to the Seahawks at No. 11. In fact, it wouldn't shock me if the Rams took him at No. 1. Glenn (6-foot-5, 348 pounds) may also be gone by No. 11, as might Adams (6-foot-8, 320 pounds), despite his five-game suspension.

The Cleveland Browns may be shopping for an offensive lineman at No. 5. So might the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 6 or the Rams at No. 7. The Indianapolis Colts might even be tempted at No. 2 (although I'm hoping they take Stanford TE Coby Fleener, instead) to protect their newly-acquired quarterback of the future, Andrew Luck.

Konz (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) is a great center, but the Seahawks could really use help at guard and tackle before center.

Silatolu (6-foot-3, 324 pounds) sounds pretty good at the guard position, so all told, my order of preference would be Martin, Glenn, Adams, Silatolu, and Konz if the 'Hawks go o-line at No. 11.

Linebacker

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Seattle Seahawks' Ideal Second Round 2012 NFL Draft Pick: Fan Opinion

Schwantz And Mamola Set For TT

Kevin Schwantz and Randy Mamola will highlight the Parade Lap for this year's Isle of Man TT.

Schwantz will ride a Suzuki GSX-R1000 with Mamola set to take his lap on a new Ducati Panigale. Those two will be joined by 11-time TT winner Phillip McCallen, former World Superbike Champion and current Isle of Man resident Neil Hodgson, current MotoGP star and Isle of Man resident Cal Crutchlow and eight-time TT winner Ian Hutchinson.

The Parade lap is sponsored by Arai, the official helmet partner of the 2012 Isle of Man TT races.

Schwantz is looking forward to his lap.

"The Isle of Man is rightly considered a mecca for motorcycle racing and when I was offered the opportunity to experience a closed road parade lap I jumped at the chance," Schwantz said. "The top TT racers are respected around the world and I'm really looking forward to experiencing the famous Mountain Course first hand."

Ditto for Mamola, who will be making his first trip to the Island.

"I have a long connection with Arai and it will be a real honor to represent them in a parade lap around this iconic race circuit. I've met many TT racers over the course of my career and I'm pleased to get the chance to see the races live."

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Schwantz And Mamola Set For TT

Clarkson loses Manx land dispute

27 April 2012 Last updated at 05:54 ET

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The dispute was over a footpath outside Jeremy Clarkson's home

Jeremy Clarkson has lost a legal battle in a dispute over public access to a path near his Isle of Man home.

The Top Gear presenter and his wife, Frances, claimed having a public path so close to their lighthouse property breached their human rights.

A court judgement in the Isle of Man on 26 April ruled against the claim.

Deemster David Doyle came down in favour of the "rights and freedoms" of the general public to walk in the Langness area.

The ruling said that although everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, the footpath would remain in place as recommended in a recent public inquiry.

The probe came after ramblers complained Mr Clarkson had diverted a path on the Langness peninsula in the south of the Isle of Man.

Inquiry inspector Roy Hickey found "strong and persuasive evidence" had been put forward by members of the public that they had the right to use the path.

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Clarkson loses Manx land dispute

New Chairman sought for Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission

by Richard Parslow

The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission has announced that it will be recruiting a new Chairman as the term of Claire Milne, a partner in Appleby (Isle of Man) LLC, an international provider of offshore legal, fiduciary and administrative services, comes to an end in July this year.

Mrs Milne, a partner in the firms Corporate and Commercial department, is recognised internationally as a leading specialist in Intellectual Property and the gaming industry.

Reflecting on Mrs Milnes accomplishments at the head of the Commission, Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK said: As Claire Milnes contract draws to an end, I wish to express my appreciation for the legacy she leaves behind. The Commission has a robust regulatory framework, is well placed to tackle the challenges ahead and the Isle of Mans reputation as the premier licensing jurisdiction is firmly established.

Under her leadership, the Gambling Supervision Commission has evolved from its place within Government to become an autonomous Statutory Board, introduced a number of legislative changes including the safeguarding of player funds, the introduction of network licences and new Casino Regulations, and signed its first international cooperation agreement. The Commission is now an active member of the international regulatory bodies Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF) and International Association of Gambling Regulators (IAGR).

Mrs Milne commented: I have hugely enjoyed my time with the Gambling Supervision Commission and working with all the staff. It is just time to hand the baton on to someone else. I know that the Commission will go on from strength to strength and it will always have my support.

Recruitment for her replacement as Chairman of the Gambling Supervision Commission begins next week.

- Ends -

I know that the Commission will go on from strength to strength and it will always have my support.

Mrs Claire Milne,

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New Chairman sought for Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission