Australian gold medalist Mack Horton feudded with Sun

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Matt Bush and Tony Barnette took drastically different and quite unconventional paths to becoming 30-something rookie relievers and locker mates with the AL West champion Texas Rangers.When the Rangers were in the playoffs last October, former No. 1 overall pick Bush was in the final month of a 3 +-year stint in prison for a drunken driving accident that nearly killed a man.The 32-year-old Barnette was finishing a record-setting season as a closer who helped the Tokyo Yakult Swallows reach the Japan Series.Its almost like fate, the 30-year-old Bush said. Here we both are, finally getting our chance, being around the same age, and get to share our experiences and our rookie years together.The right-handers are key setup men for the Rangers, who play the AL Division Series opener at home Thursday against the winner of the American League wild-card game (Baltimore or Toronto).Bush, now a reliever whose fastball touches 100 mph, was initially drafted in 2004 out of high school by his hometown San Diego Padres as a shortstop -- just ahead of 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, also a six-time All-Star.Within weeks after receiving a $3.15 million signing bonus and before even playing his first pro game, Bush was suspended by the organization following his arrest in a bar fight. That was only the first of several alcohol-related incidents before the nearly fatal accident while in spring training with the Tampa Bay Rays in March 2012.Sober since that time, the final nine months of Bushs prison sentence in Florida last year included living in a halfway house while in a work-release program with a job as a baker at a Golden Corral in Florida.It was in the parking lot of that restaurant that Rangers officials watched Bush throw in the mid-90s. After his release Oct. 30, Bush went to Texas with his father to work out for the team for which Josh Hamilton, another former No. 1 overall pick, went from alcohol and drug issues to being a five-time All-Star and the 2010 AL MVP.Everybody in every clubhouse for the most part has a story. Some stand out a little bit more than others, like Matts. Hes handled it tremendously. He shows up, works hard and throws 100 mph. Its fun to watch, Barnette said. Isnt baseball great? It gives guys like us chances.Barnette was a 10th-round draft pick by the Diamondbacks in 2006 from Arizona State, then started 96 games in four minor league seasons before going to Japan in 2010, a year before making the transition from starter to reliever. The Alaskan-born pitcher set a team record with 41 saves and a 1.29 ERA in 59 games for the Swallows last season before signing a two-year contract with Texas.Jonathan Lucroy, the catcher Texas acquired Aug. 1, said Bush and Barnette dont seem like MLB rookies, both having matured and learned from unique situations.While Barnette has spent the entire season with the Rangers, Bush went from spring training to Double-A Frisco after not playing any regular-season games since 2011.I really wouldnt have thought itd work out the way it is, especially with such a good team, a winning team, going to the playoffs now and being the setup guy. Its a dream come true really, Bush said. My true hopes were to finish the year without getting into any trouble, to stay sober, and to go into next year with a chance of getting placed on the 40-man roster.But things happened much faster than that, getting called up by the Rangers in mid-May after 12 relief appearances at Double-A, and converting all five save chances at the highest level he had pitched to that point. He has made 58 appearances for Texas (7-2, 2.48 ERA), and hasnt allowed a run in his last 10 appearances (11 1/3 innings).Its been fun, its been everything that I ever thought of, and being 30, Ive been able to handle myself, being more mature, Bush said. I definitely wasnt ready back then when I was a lot younger.Barnette (7-3, 2.09), who missed three weeks in September with a tight left oblique muscle, has recorded more than three outs in 19 of his last 27 appearances since mid-June, with a 0.79 ERA in that span.We know our roles and we know whats expected of us, and I think it helps being older, and the fact that were comfortable with who we are now, Barnette said. And were not worried about stepping on anybodys toes around us, because were older than everybody.On a team with 28-year-old shortstop Elvis Andrus being the longest-tenured position player in his eighth season, Bush and Barentte are certainly the old rookies. Off White Vapormax Kopen . They reached the 100-point plateau for the fourth time in five games, bested the visiting Trail Blazers by 34 in the paint and scored 19 of the final 25 points in regulation. Nike Vapormax Nederland . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. http://www.vapormaxsalenederland.com/nike-epic-react-flyknit-goedkoop-kopen/dames.html . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. Nike Air Max Plus Tn Dames . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. Vapormax Flyknit 3 Dames . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. RIO DE JANEIRO -- A female Chinese swimmer has tested positive for a banned substance at the Rio Olympics, Chinas swimming association said Friday -- the first competitor in the sport to fail a test at the games.Chen Xinyi tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide after she finished fourth in the womens 100-meter butterfly Sunday, missing a bronze medal by nine-hundredths of a second, the Chinese Swimming Association said. Xinhua, Chinas official state news agency, reported the story Friday.The 18-year-old also was scheduled to compete in the 50-meter freestyle beginning Friday.Chen has applied to the International Olympic Committee to have her B sample tested and to get a hearing on the matter, Xinhua said, citing the swimming association.The CSA has taken this matter seriously and demanded full cooperation from Chen in the investigation, the association said in the statement quoted by Xinhua.Doping has been a major concern in the Rio Games. Seven Russian swimmers were allowed to compete after initially being banned following reports of a huge, state-sponsored doping operation in their homeland. That decision has sparked complaints from several swimmers, most notably American Lilly King.Also, Australian gold medalist Mack Horton feudded with Sun Yang over the Chinese stars three-month suspension for using a banned stimulant in 2014.dddddddddddd. Horton called Sun a drug cheat after beating him in the 400 freestyle. Sun insisted he was clean and came back to win gold in the 200 free. They will compete again Friday in the preliminaries of the 1,500 free.No statement about Chens reported test was posted on the CSA website, and calls to its offices rang unanswered Friday. FINA, the international governing body of swimming, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Chens teammate Wang Shun declined to comment after he won bronze in Thursdays 200-meter individual medley.This situation, I dont know the details, Wang said.Li Keke, a spokeswoman for Chinas national anti-doping agency, said she had no additional information on the Chen case.We have noticed media reports about the case. So far the anti-doping agency has yet to receive any official confirmation, Li told The Associated Press.This reported test should be generated by the organizer. The Olympic committee and FINA should know about it. At present, we will continue to monitor, Li said. ' ' '