News sports 2008-06-20 Andanh.com

Back in the hunt Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:18:50 -0500
CROMWELL, Conn. — Johnson Wagner says he could shoot a 61 while playing the TPC River Highlands on his old Sega Genesis video game as a kid. The actual course didn’t give Wagner much more of a challenge Thursday in the Travelers Championship when he shot a 6-under 64 to match Steve Lowery, Brad Adamonis and Englishman Brian Davis for the first-round lead. After taking last week off, Franklin’s Kenny Perry shot an opening round 4-under 66 and sits only two strokes back. With temperatures hovering in the low 70s and soft greens from rain Wednesday night, conditions set up nicely for the field. Seven players were a shot back at 65, and another 16 shot 66s. Of the 156 players, 104 shot under par. “We had no wind and it was just kind of there for the taking today with it being so soft,” Wagner said. “But get a little wind and get this place firm and it’s all you can ask for, so I’m happy to get a good round when I needed too. Wagner, who is looking for his second career victory after winning in Houston earlier this season, eagled the 296-yard 15th after hitting his approach shot within 18 inches of the pin. Lowery also won this year, at Pebble Beach in February. He was the first leader in the clubhouse, after playing his first golf in almost two weeks. Lowery decided to skip this year’s qualifying for the U.S. Open because he felt fatigued. He sat at home and played with the kids and watched the Open on TV. He practiced a bit, but said he didn’t play a single round of golf. “Regardless of the golf courses, when I’m tired I don’t do as well, and when I’m rested I tend to play better,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll stay rested this week.” Davis, looking for his first tour win, and is coming off disk injuries to his back and neck that he says have affected his swing since late last season. He started the day hitting his first shot into the trees. “I didn’t have a lot of good vibes then,” he said. “I holed a 5-footer for bogey. It’s funny how a round somehow starts with a bogey and ends up being good. I mixed in a couple of birdies and kept on rolling.” Adamonis, from nearby Cumberland, R.I., also eagled the 15th and had to overcome a heckler who yelled during his swing on the second shot on the 17th hole. Despite a bit of a miss-hit, the shot managed to clear the course’s signature lake and land on the green, 25-feet from the hole. “It must have been a Yankees fan,” said Adamonis, a die-hard Red Sox rooter. “I think I would have been a little more mad if it had hit the water.” John Huston, Peter Karmis, Justin Rose, Lucas Glover, Ken Duke, Tom Pernice Jr. and amateur Michael Thompson shot 65s. Thompson, coming off a U.S. Open that saw him tie for 29th place, had the shot of the day. His 199-yard approach on the par-4 10th hole found the cup. “I’m here to have fun,” he said. “There’s no pressure, there’s nothing to lose, just going out and playing golf and see how I do.” Only three of the top ten players on tour are playing in this year’s tournament, which has a $6 million purse and a top prize of just over $1 million. Stewart Cink and Vijay Singh joined Perry at 4 under. Many other big names decided not to make the cross-country trip from last week’s U.S. Open in San Diego. Fairfield native J.J. Henry, the winner two years ago, also was among those who finished two shots back. Henry, who grew up coming to the tournament with his family, won the event in 2006 and tied for 13th a year ago. “It was pretty easy out there,” he said. “It wasn’t very stressful.”

Cregar choosing Hilltoppers over Cubs Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:18:51 -0500
Western Kentucky first baseman/outfielder Chad Cregar has decided to come back for his final year at WKU. Cregar, who was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 47th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball first-year player draft, said he wants to take some time to rehab from a recent knee operation and is hoping another year at WKU will help improve his stock for next year’s draft. In the MLB, players drafted after their junior season who don’t sign are put back in the pool of potential draftees the next year. “(The Cubs) said if I don’t sign they’d be interested next year,” Cregar said. “Hopefully, I can get healthy and show them that I can play a position every day and it will help my draft status.” Cregar, who was selected 1,413th overall, said it was an honor to get selected. “It’s a great feeling,” Cregar said. “Just the fact they are interested in you, that means you have a chance to play at the professional level, which is awesome.” The left-hander is coming off a record-breaking campaign. Cregar finished with a team-high .360 batting average with 21 home runs and a single-season school record 82 RBIs. Cregar helped lead the Hilltoppers to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. In two NCAA tourney games, Cregar was 4-for-8 with a homer and four RBIs. The success came despite a preseason knee injury that limited his playing time in the field. Cregar underwent knee surgery last week and expects to resume baseball activities in about eight weeks. “The doctor couldn’t be happier with it,” Cregar said. “I’ve got plenty of time to rehab it, get stronger and get ready for next year.” With Cregar returning, WKU returns seven every-day players and its top three pitchers from a team that went 33-27 and claimed the school’s second Sun Belt Tournament Championship. “I want to get to that Sun Belt Championship again,” Cregar said. “I think we have some new guys that are coming in and some younger guys are going to step up big time just like they did last year. I think we have a chance to do even bigger things next year.”

Koller in control in AJGA tourney Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:18:51 -0500
Former Russellville standout Nikki Koller holds a seven-shot lead after the second round of the Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior Open at Bellefonte County Club in Ashland. The two-time KHSAA state champion fired an even-par 70 on Thursday and now has a 3-over, 143 after two days of competition. Kyung Kim from Chandler, Ariz., is third with a 10-over, 150, while Bradenton, Fla.’s Marika Liu is third with a 13-over 153. The tournament concludes today.

Doing his own thing Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:37:00 EST
Vee Sanford is one of the top high school basketball players in Kentucky. An athletic 6-foot-3 point guard, Sanford was the third-leading scorer on a senior-dominated team at Lexington Catholic High School last winter.

Drugs, inbreeding threaten horse racing, Congress told Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:41:00 EST
American thoroughbreds are so inbred that they are racing less and are more fragile, and the widespread use of drugs to help them compete threatens the sport's integrity, Congress was told yesterday.

Gillispie won't recruit young players Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:04:00 EST
The National Association of Basketball Coaches wants college basketball coaches to back off of young recruits. And UK coach Billy Gillispie -- who has benefited from pursuing young prospects -- said yesterday that he'll oblige.

Prince gets Olympic team spot, report says Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:49:00 EST
The Detroit Pistons' Tayshaun Prince earned a USA Basketball team spot for the Beijing Games, The Associated Press reported yesterday. The U.S. Olympic roster will be officially announced Monday at a Chicago news conference.

Patterson 'progressing nicely' after ankle injury Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:49:00 EST
University of Kentucky forward Patrick Patterson, recovering from stress fracture surgery, will have a protective boot removed from his left foot today. Patterson had surgery March 28 for a stress fracture in his left ankle, an injury that cost him the final four games of his freshman season.

Maybe you can win for losing Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:50:00 EST
A Franklin, Ky., Circuit Court judge sided with a devilishly clever argument and ruled in favor of Duke University yesterday in a breach of contract lawsuit brought by the University of Louisville.

Spillman gets DUI charge dropped Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:50:00 EST
A charge of driving under the influence against University of Louisville receiver JaJuan Spillman was dismissed by a district court judge Wednesday, but Spillman pleaded guilty to misdemeanor marijuana possession.

McKinney, Millenbaugh leave U of L football Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:50:00 EST
Two University of Louisville football players have left the team in recent weeks. They are James McKinney, a transfer from the University of Michigan, and C. J. Millenbaugh, who came to U of L from a California junior college.

Hoosiers get to work replacing soggy carpet Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:51:00 EST
Crews started pulling up the artificial turf at Indiana University's Memorial Stadium yesterday, the first step in replacing the flood-damaged football field. Heavy rain that caused flooding across much of central and southern Indiana on June 7 washed out the gravel foundation underneath the turf, leaving a sinkhole in the south end zone and lumps throughout the south side of the field.

Good call: Most refs are stand-up guys Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:51:00 EST
Every once in a while, it's good to talk to a guy like Mark Wiedmar. Wiedmar is a referee. But give him a chance. These days, when we read about referees or umpires, we're hearing about disgraced NBA ref Tim Donaghy, or debating a bad call in the NBA playoffs, or shaking heads over a phantom fair-catch call. It's not just here, it's worldwide.

Big Brown to race in Haskell Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:52:00 EST
Big Brown is on his way back to the races, with his next start set for the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 3. Less than two weeks after Big Brown's Triple Crown attempt ended with a last-place finish in the Belmont Stakes, co-owner Paul Pompa Jr. said the Haskell will mark the colt's return.

Churchill Downs Results Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:53:00 EST

Churchill Downs Entries Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:55:00 EST

PREP BASEBALL: Elizabethtown upends Central Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:08 -0500
ELIZABETHTOWN What a difference two weeks can make.

PREP BASEBALL: John Hardin sweeps North Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500
RADCLIFF It’s been said that hitting is contagious and the John Hardin Bulldogs certainly had a bad case of it spread through the team Thursday night.

PREP SOFTBALL: Krupinski, Central Hardin shut out John Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500
CECILIA Having been shut out in their previous two games, the Central Hardin Lady Bruins were in a little bit of a funk.

PREP SOFTBALL/BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Lady Panthers fall; Mayfield moves to 7-1 Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500
The slumping Elizabethtown Lady Panthers lost for the 10th time in 13 games, falling to visiting Warren Central on Thursday, 3-1.

BOYS'/GIRLS' PREP TENNIS RESULTS: Thursday's Matches Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500
Results from Thursday's area high school tennis matches:

UK has not talked to Jordan Crawford Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:42 EDT

Stricklin leaving UK for Miss. St. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:00 EDT

Reds rookie to debut in Yankee Stadium Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:29 EDT

CINCINNATI . The Cincinnati Reds plan to start 22-year-old rookie right-hander Daryl Thompson in the second game of their series with the New York Yankees.

The Reds said Friday they expect to recall Thompson from Triple-A Louisville to make his major-league debut Saturday in Yankee Stadium.

In 14 starts this season at Louisville and Double-A Chattanooga, Thompson was 6-2 with a 2.22 ERA. He pitched last year in Single-A.

Thompson was part of an eight-player trade in 2006 between the Reds and Washington.

College basketball coaches call for ban on recruitment of sophomores or younger Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:33 EDT

University of Kentucky Coach Billy Gillispie said last night he will comply with a recommendation from the National Association of Basketball Coaches that college coaches not offer scholarships or accept commitments from prospects who have not yet completed their sophomore season in high school.

.I'm a firm supporter of our coaches association,. Gillispie said. .They've done so many positive things with regards to players and fostering relationships with universities that I have no problem with whatever recommendation they may have with regards to what's best for our game..

The NABC released a statement on Thursday addressing the issue. Former UK Coach Tubby Smith is the president of the NABC.

.If the current rules state coaches cannot offer scholarships or accept commitments from students earlier than June 15 following the conclusion of the sophomore year, it certainly makes sense that this should apply to anyone in lower grades,. Smith said in the statement. .The academic and athletic profiles of these younger students are still very much works in progress. Coaches and athletes need to respect the process and allow development to occur in both areas prior to making commitments..

Blue Jays fire Gibbons; Gaston back in command Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:59 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays fired manager John Gibbons on Friday and elevated two-time World Series winner Cito Gaston to the helm, starting with tonight's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Blue Jays, losers of five straight games, are mired in the cellar in the American League East with a 35-39 record, 10 1/2 games behind first-place Boston in the division. The move came after the Blue Jays were swept in a three-game set at Milwaukee.

The 64-year-old Gaston becomes the first two-time manager of the Blue Jays, moving over from his position as club ambassador and special assistant to the president and CEO. Gaston managed the Blue Jays from 1989-1997 and led the team to four playoff appearances, including back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993.

Gaston has a career record of 681-635 as manager in a franchise-high 1,316 games.

Gibbons compiled an even record of 305 wins and 305 losses during his tenure, which started in August, 2004. The highest finish for the Blue Jays under his watch was second in the AL East in 2006 with an 87-75 mark.

Jays GM apologizes for criticizing Reds' Dunn Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:39 EDT

TORONTO . Toronto Blue Jays General Manager J.P. Ricciardi apologized to Cincinnati counterpart Walt Jocketty over critical comments he made on a Toronto radio station about Reds outfielder Adam Dunn.

.It's my fault, I take full responsibility for it,. Ricciardi told The Globe and Mail newspaper of Toronto on Thursday. .I tried to get Adam's phone number from the Reds ... and if he wants to talk to me, I'll talk to him and apologize personally. But I apologize to him and the Reds. I need to be better than that. I let my guard down..

Dunn responded angrily Thursday after learning that Ricciardi questioned Dunn's passion for playing during the GM's weekly call-in show on Toronto radio station The Fan 590 on Wednesday night.

.I know nothing about this clown. I have no idea who he is,. Dunn told reporters in Cincinnati early Thursday, before the Red played the Dodgers. .I don't really care what one guy thinks, to be honest with you. If I'm a GM, I don't know if I would go out of my way to kind of discredit a player..

Venus, Serena in opposite sides of Wimbledon draw Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:59 EDT
Venus and Serena Williams, who have combined for six of the past eight Wimbledon titles, have been placed in opposite sides of the draw for this year's championship.

Venus Williams, the defending champion and four-time winner of tennis' most prestigious event, is this year's seventh seed and will open play against British wild card Naomi Cavaday.

Serena Williams, who beat her sister for back-to-back Wimbledon crowns in 2002 and '03, is the sixth seed. She will face Estonia's Kaia Kanepi in the first round.

Top-seeded Ana Ivanovic of Serbia is in Serena's half of the draw, but the two cannot meet until the semifinals. Ivanovic, coming off a French Open title, will take on Paraguay's Rossana De Los Rios in the first round.

Serena's path to the semifinals, though, has some potential danger. She could face 2006 Wimbledon champ Amelie Mauresmo of France in the third round, while last year's runner-up, 11th-seeded Marion Bartoli of France, could be a fourth-round opponent. Fourth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia is a possible quarterfinal matchup for Serena. Kuznetsova lost to Venus in last year's quarterfinals.

Shoulder surgery could end Curt Schilling's career Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:14 EDT
Even if he never pitches again, Curt Schilling has left his mark on the Boston Red Sox by helping them win two World Series titles. And that's a distinct possibility now that he faces shoulder surgery.

The 41-year-old right-hander, one of the best postseason pitchers in baseball history, will have the season-ending operation Monday after the rehabilitation program preferred by the club didn't work.

"Coming back from this surgery at 31 would be an enormous challenge, at 41 more so," Schilling wrote on his blog, 38pitches.com on Friday. "BUT, if that is an option at least I'll be able to make that decision with all the cards on the table, and it will end on terms I choose. I won't come back throwing 85 with so-so crap. If there is not an option to come back and be good, I won't."

Schilling's bullpen session last Friday did not go well. He was examined Monday by his personal physician, Dr. Craig Morgan, who had recommended surgery during spring training. The Red Sox insisted on a more conservative approach of rehabilitation.

The 20-year veteran, who hasn't pitched since last season, announced plans for surgery Friday on WEEI radio. Morgan, who operated on Schilling's right shoulder in 1995 and 1999, told The Associated Press that he would perform the operation in Wilmington, Del., where he is based.

Celtics revel in cheers of fans at victory rally Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:55 EDT
Through a haze of his own cigar smoke, Paul Pierce peered through sleepless eyes at the sea of green-clad fans and thrust his golden MVP trophy skyward.

His day had finally arrived. A day to ride in his own championship parade. A day that gave normal people a chance to wave signs, paint their faces in Celtics colors and scream their hearts out for the latest team to bring a title to town.

"We're tired of watching these parades on TV. Now we get to enjoy our own," Pierce said after a fantastic season that followed nine frustrating ones in his Boston career. "I haven't had any sleep yet, so now I'm still enjoying it."

The Celtics earned Thursday's "rolling rally" celebration with an amazing comeback season topped off by a stunningly dominant 131-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night in Game 6 of the NBA finals. Pierce was the series MVP.

It was the Celtics' first title without Red Auerbach, the team patriarch who died in October 2006 after being part of the other 16 championships, nine as coach. The cigars smoked by players and fans were a tribute to Auerbach's custom of lighting one up on the bench in the waning moments of still another win.

Indiana repairing flood-damaged football field Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:39 EDT

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. . Crews started pulling up the turf Thursday at Indiana's Memorial Stadium, the first step in replacing the flood-damaged field.

Heavy rain that caused flooding across much of central and southern Indiana on June 7 washed out the gravel foundation underneath the football field, leaving a sinkhole in the south end zone and lumps throughout the south side of the field.

Athletic department spokesman J.D. Campbell confirmed Thursday that school officials had decided to replace the field and that details would be released in the coming days.

Athletic Director Rick Greenspan has said it could cost as much as $1 million to replace the field. At least part of the cost is expected to be covered by insurance.

Olympic torch relay in Tibet begins Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:59 EDT
The Olympic torch relay has begun amid tight security in Tibet's sealed-off capital.

Torch bearers were winding their way Saturday through Lhasa's streets on a 6.8-mile run that will end at the hilltop Potala Palace.

Police and soldiers have lined the route, keeping a close eye on flag-waving onlookers on either side. The torch run has been marred during its international legs by protests over Beijing's policies in the Himalayan region.

Tibet has been under a security clampdown since March and is still closed to foreign tourists. Foreign journalists have been allowed to visit only as part of closely monitored government tours.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Flyers trade Umberger to Blue Jackets for picks Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:39 EDT
The Philadelphia Flyers traded versatile forward R.J. Umberger to the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first round of the NHL draft on Friday night.

The Flyers received the Blue Jackets' first-round pick (19th overall) and Columbus' third-round selection (67th overall). Philadelphia also sent its fourth-round choice (No. 119) with Umberger to Columbus.

Umberger, 25, can be a restricted free agent on July 1 and the Flyers were having difficulty re-signing him because of the salary cap. Philadelphia is trying to create room to reach a deal with another restricted free agent, forward Jeff Carter.

Umberger had his best season as a professional in 2007-08 with Philadelphia, recording 50 points (13 goals, 37 assists) in 74 games. In the playoffs, Umberger led the Flyers in goals with 10 and was second in points with 15 in 17 games.

Umberger will be in familiar surroundings in Columbus, having attended Ohio State University. He will also be reunited with Blue Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock, who coached him for parts of two seasons with the Flyers.

Protesters urge Olympic sponsors to press China Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:59 EDT
Activists holding signs reading "Genocide: It's the real thing" demonstrated outside Coca-Cola Co.'s offices in Manhattan on Friday as part of a nationwide protest targeting several Beijing Olympic sponsors for failing to press China to help end the violence in Darfur.

The protest was one of a dozen rallies organized Friday by Dream for Darfur and the Save Darfur Coalition targeting Coca-Cola, Swatch, Volkswagen and General Electric for failing to act against China, which has significant investments in Sudan. China buys more than two-thirds of Sudan's oil exports.

The companies are among 15 of 19 top Olympic advertisers who received poor or failing grades from Dream for Darfur in its second corporate responsibility report card.

"If in any way you're tangentially associated with genocide you have to speak out," said Ellen Freudenheim, the director of corporate outreach for Dream for Darfur in New York. "These companies have the temerity to act like it's business as usual."

About 40 protesters wearing white T-shirts with a red bar and bearing the words "Genocide Olympics?" shouted slogans and handed out flyers to tourists and shoppers from behind barricades on a narrow swath of tony Fifth Avenue in Midtown.

NBA demands $1.4 million from disgraced referee Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:14 EDT
The NBA wants disgraced referee Tim Donaghy to pay the league $1.4 million, including his wages for games on which he bet or provided inside tips to gamblers.

The written demand, filed Thursday in federal court, asks a judge to force Donaghy to pay the sum as restitution in his gambling case. The league previously indicated it would seek $1 million.

The Donaghy scandal "has harmed the NBA and caused it to spend vast sums to undo that harm," league lawyers wrote.

In an earlier filing, defense attorney John Lauro accused the NBA of trying to extract the money to punish Donaghy for embarrassing the league with allegations of widespread misconduct by executives and employees - including claims that referees rigged games by making bad calls. The league has denied the accusations.

The NBA "provides no support whatsoever for the demand, which appears to be a transparent effort to intimidate Mr. Donaghy," Lauro wrote.

Graham pleads with judge to toss out conviction for lying Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:15 EDT
Disgraced track coach Trevor Graham asked a judge Friday to toss out his conviction for making false statements to federal doping investigators.

Graham argued in court papers that even if he did lie he said nothing to hinder the government probe of sprinter Marion Jones and other athletes suspected of lying to authorities about their drug use. Prosecutors needed to prove the lies were "material" to convict Graham of making false statements.

A federal jury convicted Graham last month of falsely downplaying the relationship he had with the admitted drug dealer Angel "Memo" Heredia. Graham said he had only spoken on the telephone with Heredia once while prosecutors showed the jury records showing numerous calls between telephone numbers owned by Graham and Heredia.

Prosecutors told the jury that Graham's lies slowed their investigation of Jones and the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, better known as BALCO where a massive performance enhancing drug ring was based. Jones, who Graham once coached, is currently in prison after pleading guilty to lying about her performance enhancing drug use.

The U.S. attorney's office in San Francisco didn't immediately return a telephone call.

Flames get Cammalleri, deal Tanguay during draft Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:10 EDT
The Calgary Flames were busy at the NHL draft, acquiring center Mike Cammalleri from the Los Angeles Kings in a three-way deal and shipping forward Alex Tanguay to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night.

The Flames sent their first round pick, 17th overall, to Los Angeles for Cammalleri. The Kings then traded the 17th and 28th picks in the first round to Anaheim for the Ducks' pick at No. 12.

The rebuilding Kings also had the second overall pick, which they used to select defenseman Drew Doughty from Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League.

Cammalleri, who turned 26 last week, will likely play with Flames captain Jarome Iginla next season. Cammalleri had 19 goals and 28 assists in 63 games last season. His best season was 2006-07, when he had 31 goals and 46 assists in 81 games.

"I am thrilled to be coming to Calgary," Cammalleri told Rogers Sportsnet. "I have always wanted to play in Canada. Now I get to live it."

Broadcaster Pat Summerall recovering from surgery Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:59 EDT
Sports broadcaster Pat Summerall was recovering Friday from emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding, his wife said.

Cheri Summerall said her 78-year-old husband was resting comfortably Friday in a Dallas-area hospital. Doctors told her that a new medicine he had recently started taking caused a reaction that induced the bleeding.

The surgery was Thursday.

"He has really turned the corner," Cheri Summerall said in a story Friday on The Dallas Morning News' Web site. "The doctors are thrilled with Pat's progress. We are expecting a full recovery."

Summerall, a former NFL kicker and lineman, underwent a liver transplant four years ago and hip replacement surgery in January.

Morgan Pressel leads Wegmans LPGA Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:54 EDT
Morgan Pressel, intensifying her practice routines as she moves beyond her teens, shot a 7-under 65 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead over Suzann Pettersen midway through the Wegmans LPGA.

"You always have to be working ... harder because otherwise you are going to be passed pretty quickly out here," Pressel, the youngest major winner in LPGA Tour history, said after a second bogey-free round broke open a leaderboard logjam and got her to 10-under 134.

Defending champion Lorena Ochoa shot 70 to drop into a tie for 17th at 2 under. Annika Sorenstam (72), who is stepping away from the tour at the end of the season, finished her second round at 1 over and narrowly avoided being cut out of weekend play for the first time in 40 events dating to May 2006.

Pettersen, a five-time tour winner last year, chipped in for birdie on No. 9 - her last hole - to match Pressel's 65 and get to 9 under.

"I'm making a few adjustments right now to give myself ... a bit more consistency," the Norwegian star said. "I've been working hard on my game and not trying to get too hard on myself."

Thrashers hire John Anderson as coach Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:19 EDT
John Anderson never doubted his chance would come.

He just had to be very, very patient.

After coaching in the minors for 13 seasons - and winning five championships - Anderson finally landed a coveted NHL job when the Atlanta Thrashers announced him as the fourth coach in franchise history Friday.

Anderson was an obvious choice after leading the Thrashers' top affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, to the American Hockey League title. In fact, general manager Don Waddell didn't start the interview process until the Wolves had beaten Scranton-Wilkes Barre in the Calder Cup finals on June 10.

Still, Anderson wasn't taking anything for granted after being passed over for jobs in Anaheim, Toronto and Boston. After Waddell made the offer late Thursday, the new coach returned to his hotel room and cried.

Djokovic drawn into Federer's half at Wimbledon Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:10 EDT
Roger Federer may not want to look too far ahead in the Wimbledon draw. Waiting in the semifinals could be the dangerous Novak Djokovic.

Even the first round could be tricky for Federer, who will face a player he's never beaten as he begins his bid for a sixth straight Wimbledon title. He'll open against Dominik Hrbaty - a 30-year-old Slovakian playing in his 45th consecutive major - in the first match on Centre Court on Monday.

In the women's draw Friday, top-seeded Ana Ivanovic and two-time champion Serena Williams are in the same top half. No. 2 Jelena Jankovic and Venus Williams, the defending champion and four-time winner, are in the bottom section.

Hrbaty beat Federer in their only two previous matches in 2000 and 2004, but has slid from No. 12 in the rankings to No. 272 since their last meeting.

If he gets past Hrbaty, Federer could face a third-round match against rising French star Gael Monfils, whom he beat in the French Open semifinals, and either 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt or Fernando Gonzalez in the fourth. Federer's projected quarterfinal opponent is Spain's fifth-seeded David Ferrer.

Knicks fill out Mike D'Antoni's coaching staff Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:19 EDT
The New York Knicks added three assistants to coach Mike D'Antoni's staff Friday, retaining Herb Williams from Isiah Thomas' crew and signing former Suns assistants Phil Weber and Dan D'Antoni.

"We have three top quality assistant coaches that will be great assets as we work toward our goal of bringing winning basketball back to New York," said Donnie Walsh, the Knicks' president of basketball operations. "Phil and Dan enjoyed tremendous success with coach D'Antoni in Phoenix, while Herb has been a great part of our franchise for many years."

Dan D'Antoni, Mike's older brother, was an assistant in Phoenix for three seasons. Before that he won more than 500 games in 30 years at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, S.C. He also founded the Beach Ball Classic, one of the most prestigious high school basketball tournaments in the country.

Weber, from Northport, N.Y., was an assistant in Phoenix for nine years, including 4 1/2 under Mike D'Antoni. He was an assistant coach at the University of Florida, Chaminade University and Iona College before joining the Suns in September 1999.

Williams has been with the Knicks since 2001. He served 44 games as the interim head coach, including the final 43 games of the 2004-05 season after Lenny Wilkens was fired.

Lightning ready to pick Stamkos No. 1 in NHL draft Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:15 EDT
Steven Stamkos has never been to Tampa Bay. That's very likely to change soon and, boy, will hockey fans know who the 18-year-old from Toronto is.

Barring a knock-your-socks off trade, which is unlikely, Stamkos will be selected by the Lightning with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft on Friday night. It's a decision general manager Jay Feaster refers to as "idiot proof," while noting he already has the player penciled as the team's second-line center next season.

So sure have the Lightning been they'll select the NHL Central Scouting's top-ranked prospect that the team has already unveiled a marketing campaign, titled, "Seen Stamkos," which has included billboards, posters and even a Web site devoted to the player.

"That was pretty funny, one of my buddies showed me that site," Stamkos said Thursday. "It's a great honor that they think so highly of me. And hopefully everything works out and I end up in Tampa."

That's the plan, which Feaster refers to as "the worst-kept secret," while adding: "I think he's special. I don't think they come around all that often."

First things first: Cubs, White Sox both on top Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:49 EDT
In the Second City, the buzz is all about first place.

The Cubs are on top. So are the White Sox. And starting Friday, they play each other six times in 10 days.

Somehow, maybe, this could be a preview of a Windy City World Series. Just imagine fans of the teams who don't exactly love one another jamming the Red Line train that runs the eight miles between Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field.

The last all-Chicago World Series saw the White Sox, known as the "Hitless Wonders," beat the favored Cubs four games to two, after the Cubs went 116-36 during the regular season of 1906.

Two years later, the Cubs won the World Series and haven't captured one since, a 100-year stretch of futility that White Sox fans are quick to point out when there's a debate over who's the best team in town.

Panthers trade captain Jokinen to Coyotes Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:04 EDT
The Florida Panthers traded captain Olli Jokinen to the Phoenix Coyotes for defensemen Nick Boynton and Keith Ballard and a second-round pick on Friday night during the NHL draft.

In Jokinen, the Coyotes get a top forward who has scored at least 70 points in each of the last three seasons. The Finnish star had his best season in 2006-07, when he scored 39 goals and added 52 assists in 82 games.

Jokinen had been with the Panthers since the 2000-01 season after brief stints with Los Angeles and the New York Islanders, but according to reports he had recently asked for a trade. The 29-year-old center has two years and $10.75 million left on his contract.

Ballard, 25, had six goals and 15 assists in 82 games for the Coyotes last season. He's in the final year of a deal that will pay him $2.5 million.

Boynton, 29, scored three goals and added nine assists and 125 penalty minutes in 79 games. He'll make $2.95 million in 2008-09, the final season of his deal.

Blue Jays fire manager Gibbons, rehire Cito Gaston Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:49 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays dipped back into their past to shake up a last-place team that has looked overmatched at times in the competitive AL East, firing manager John Gibbons on Friday and replacing him with two-time World Series winner Cito Gaston.

The Blue Jays, as the Mets and Mariners did earlier in the week, decided it's far easier to fire the manager than it is to overhaul a disappointing team close to midseason. Despite having five players making $10 million or more on its opening day roster, Toronto was 35-39 with five consecutive losses and was 10 1/2 games behind AL East leader Boston going into a three-game series in Pittsburgh.

"We've underachieved at this point with a good club," general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "There's a lot of the season left and we've got a chance to turn things around."

Gaston said the Blue Jays' season "starts over again tonight - we've got to get to where we should be. There's a good club here."

Gaston will manage the rest of the season and then be evaluated, Ricciardi said.

Oswalt helps Astros stop eight-game slide. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:19 EDT
Roy Oswalt rebounded from a poor outing, Carlos Lee had a two-run double and the Houston Astros snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

Oswalt (6-7) gave up two runs and seven hits in 7 2-3 innings with two walks and five strikeouts. The right-hander was coming off an outing last Sunday in which he allowed seven runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 13-0 loss to the New York Yankees.

Lee put the Astros ahead 2-0 with a two-out, two-run double in the first. He has 38 RBIs in his last 42 games.

Wilkinson, Dumais string together 10s at US Olympic trials Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:19 EDT
With a string of perfect 10s, Laura Wilkinson and Troy Dumais appear to be Beijing bound.

Wilkinson, who won gold on the 10-meter platform at the 2000 Olympics, showed she's still the boss of the tower at the U.S. Olympic trials, holding off a challenger half her age in the semifinals Friday night.

The 30-year-old Texan received at least one 10 on three of her five dives and finished with 813.20 points. She had a comfortable advantage over 15-year-old Haley Ishimatsu, who finished with four 10s and the highest-scoring dive of the night but was still only second at 757.55.

Wilkinson can lock up her third trip to the Olympics in the finals Sunday.

Dumais, who declared his goal for Beijing was "gold or go home," was just as good in the semis of 3-meter springboard. The two-time Olympian received 10s on three of his six dives to build a commanding lead with 1038.30 points. Chris Colwill was second at 961.00.

Volquez helps Reds end Yankees' win streak Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:14 EDT
Edinson Volquez pitched seven sharp innings in Cincinnati's first game at Yankee Stadium in 32 years, and the Reds beat Mike Mussina and New York 4-2 Friday night to end a five-game skid.

Jolbert Cabrera had four hits before departing with a dislocated finger and Joey Votto homered for Cincinnati, which snapped New York's seven-game winning streak. Ken Griffey Jr. added an RBI single in his first game in the Bronx since 1999.

Mussina (10-5) allowed four runs and 10 hits in eight innings, dropping to 0-2 in two career starts against Cincinnati. It was his first loss since he recorded just two outs against Baltimore on May 20.

New York hosted Cincinnati for the first time since the Reds won 7-2 on Oct. 21, 1976, to complete a four-game World Series sweep - the third and last time the Yankees were swept in the Fall Classic. Griffey's father scored the winning run in the ninth inning of the Reds' 4-3 win in Game 2.

The two franchises have met in the World Series three times, with the Yankees winning in four games in 1939 and five games in 1961.

Stamkos, Doughty, Bogosian go 1-2-3 in NHL draft Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:04 EDT
Steven Stamkos was selected with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night. The Lightning made no secret how much they liked the speedy, offensive-minded 18-year-old forward from suburban Toronto and chose him just minutes after they went onto the draft clock.

Tampa Bay, coming off an NHL-low, 31-win season, had the first pick in the draft for the second time. The Lightning chose Vincent Lecavalier No. 1 in 1998.

Lightning general manager Jay Feaster has been so impressed with Stamkos, that he's already got him penciled in as his second-line center for the upcoming season. Rated the top prospect by NHL Central Scouting, Stamkos is listed at 6-foot and 183 pounds. He produced 197 points (100 goals and 97 assists) in 124 games over two seasons with Sarnia of the Ontario Hockey League.

The draft then followed what many had predicted: plenty of defensemen being drafted and lots of trades, too.

Calgary completed two deals, trading center Alex Tanguay to Montreal for the Canadiens' first-round pick (25th) this year, and their second-round pick next year. The Flames then acquired Los Angeles Kings center Mike Cammalleri in a trade involving three teams.

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