BRISBANE, Australia - Maria Sharapova has injured her right collarbone and decided to withdraw from the Brisbane International as a precaution ahead of the Australian Open. The French Open champion pulled out of the Brisbane tournament on Tuesday after feeling pain while practicing before her opening match. "I still have quite a bit of time to prepare for Australia. Im on the right track, been training really well, so I just dont want to jeopardize what Ive gained in the off-season so far," the No. 2-ranked Sharapova said. "Just have to make a smart move here." The 25-year-old Russian also withdrew from the Brisbane International last year because of injury but recovered quickly to reach the Australian Open final, where she lost in straight sets to Victoria Azarenka. She said the latest injury also forced her to withdraw from a recent exhibition tournament in South Korea, but was "not at all" related to the right shoulder problem which has plagued her since 2008. "I had a bit of inflammation in my collarbone, and I sent (scan results) to a doctor in New York and he told me I couldnt really do much overhead training for about a week," she said. "So to be fair, I havent really given myself a chance to pretty much hit any serves or anything over my head ... So I just kind of ran out of time here." Sharapova said shed started practicing her serves again on Monday and it wasnt enough time to properly prepare for a tournament featuring eight of the top 10 women. The Australian Open starts Jan. 14 at Melbourne Park. The four-time major winner told a news conference earlier in the Brisbane tournament that she felt relaxed and relieved to have finally broken a Grand Slam drought by winning the French Open last year. The win at Roland Garros completed a career Grand Slam and was her first major title since the 2008 Australian Open. On Tuesday, she reiterated she was "feeling so much better." "I just dont want to jeopardize what Ive built on," she said, adding that her decision to skip the 2012 Brisbane tournament was a good example of putting her health ahead of match practice. "Its kind of the way that Ive always built my career around the fact that its very important for me to go into something like the Australian Open believing and knowing that Im healthy, that Im confident. "I dont exactly need to play five tournaments in order to feel that way." Sharapovas absence gives Australias Jarmila Gajdosova a direct route to the quarterfinals, where shell meet Slovakian veteran Daniela Hantuchova. Coach Factory Outlet . But one piece that should be sticking around - and the good news for Als fans is hes the most important piece - is general manager, Jim Popp. “Ive (talked to) three different teams this off-season but things have not materialized where Ive gotten a job and I dont really expect to,” Popp told Cybulski and Company on TSN Radio 1050. Coach Handbags Outlet . -- Chad Johnson understands many were writing him off after his forgettable 2011 season with the New England Patriots. [url=http://www.official-coach-shop.com/]http://www.official-coach-shop.com/[/ur... . Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols were not in the lineup because of injuries Sunday in the Angels-Tigers series finale, giving them two days off because both teams are off Monday.(Sports Network) - The Baltimore Orioles hope to take over sole possession of first place in the American League East on Friday when they continue an important four-game series with the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. Baltimore moved back into a tie with the Yanks atop the division following a thrilling win in Thursdays opener. The Orioles raced out to a 6-1 lead in that one, only to see the Yankees score five times with two outs in the eighth to even the game. Baltimore, though, battled right back, as Adam Jones, Mark Reynolds and Chris Davis each homered in the bottom of the frame to give the Orioles a 10-6 victory "Thats the biggest hit Ive ever had in my life," said Jones. "Everything else up to this point has been leading up to this." Reynolds had two of Baltimores season-high six home runs, while Robert Andino and Matt Wieters also went deep for the Orioles, who took two of three from the Yankees last weekend and have won six of eight overall. "They are playing with a lot of confidence right now," said New Yorks Alex Rodriguez. "You have to tip your hat to Baltimore." Jason Hammel got the start for Baltimore and was solid over five-plus innings, allowing one run on six hits. Darren ODay (7-1) recorded the final out in the eighth to pick up the win. Ichiro Suzuki and Curtis Granderson had two RBI apiece for Neww York, which had a 10-game lead over the Orioles on July 18.dddddddddddd New York fell for the 11th time in 16 tries. Yankees starter David Phelps gave up five runs on six hits over four innings. David Robertson (1-6) allowed three runs on three hits without recording an out in the eighth. "They expected me to come in and do a job and be able to put up a zero right there, and I feel like I let the team down," Robertson said. Phil Hughes takes the hill for the Yanks hoping for a better effort this time around than the last time he faced Baltimore. Hughes absorbed the loss on Sunday against the Orioles, surrendering five runs and eight hits - 2 HR to Reynolds - in five innings to drop him to 13-12 on the year to go along with a 4.18 ERA. Hughes, who is just 3-8 in 12 road starts this season, is 5-4 with a 5.27 ERA in 16 games (13 starts) versus the Orioles. Baltimore, meanwhile, will counter with rookie left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, who is 12-8 with a 3.79 ERA. Chen lost to the Yanks on Saturday, as he allowed four runs (3 earned) and four hits in 6 2/3 frames. However, he is 1-1 in three starts against them this season with a 3.26 ERA. Despite Thursdays loss, the Yanks have won four of six in Baltimore this season and 21 of 30 at Camden Yards since last losing a series of at least two games there April 6-9, 2009. Baltimore is 8-7 against the Yankees this season. ' ' '