News sports 2008-07-07 Andanh.com

Nashville squad repeats Mon, 7 Jul 2008 10:51:53 -0500
Odell Bradley had a difficult act to follow Sunday - himself. Bradley, the 2007 Dirt Bowl Most Valuable Player, didn’t disappoint, however, as he and his Nashville squad repeated as tournament champions at the F.O. Moxley Center. Bradley grabbed his second straight MVP award in knocking off Clarksville, Tenn., 67-59. “This is a good tournament. We come here every year and this is our fourth of fifth time,” said Bradley, a former standout at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. “The first couple years, we always ended up losing in the championship game, and then last year we were able to get over the hump and winning the MVP individually was great. “But to come back and do it a second time means a lot. It just gets harder and harder and I’m real proud of all the guys.” Bradley, who finished with 16 points in the final, and his Nashville-based group - which included former NBA and Mississippi State standout Dontae’ Jones and Vanderbilt product Mario Moore - held off a Clarksville squad that featured current New Jersey Nets player Trenton Hassell. Hassell, who made his third trip to the Dirt Bowl this weekend, said this tournament has become a fixture for him during the summer, when he and his Clarksville teammates play six to seven tournaments. “There’s a lot of talent here and it’s close to home, there’s just a lot of good teams that are always involved,” said Hassell, who finished with 17 points in the championship game. “We played pretty good. We were missing about four guys and had to play with only five, but Nashville’s a deep team and we’ve been playing them in the last three tournaments and they just wore us down. “You’ve got a lot of guys here that can play, a lot of good teams and that’s all you can want. And they do a great job of putting it together, the people who run it do a great job of recruiting teams, the facilities are nice ... and it’s just first class.” Bradley agreed, saying the level of competition - which featured a team Saturday led by former Florida Gator and current Minnesota Timberwolves player Corey Brewer - at the Dirt Bowl really can’t be beaten. “There’s great competition. There’s a couple of guys I know from overseas who play in this, and a few NBA guys as well,” said Bradley, who is currently playing with a professional team in Venezuela. “It’s always great competition and it’s a good way to find out where your game is at.” In order to advance to the final Sunday, Hassell’s group had to edge out a Kentucky-based team calling themselves the Thunderkats earlier in the afternoon by a score of 83-79. The Thunderkats featured several familiar names, including former Western Kentucky and University of Kentucky standout Patrick Sparks, as well as former Wildcat and Glasgow star Brandon Stockton. Former Hilltopper Caleb Halcomb also played with the team. As far as a potential three-peat is concerned, Bradley said his team will definitely be back at the Dirt Bowl next summer and has no intention of giving up its crown. “It’s tough, teams come hard at us and the hometown teams always get a lot of support, so it just gets tougher,” he said. “And it’ll be tough to get a third one, but we’ll be here.”

Askew bids Mavericks adieu Mon, 7 Jul 2008 10:51:53 -0500
Former NBA star Vincent Askew’s stint with the newly formed Kentucky Mavericks lasted all of four days. Askew and the Bowling Green-based Mavericks, one of the newest additions to the American Basketball Association, officially parted ways Saturday night. So the team, which is roughly two weeks old, is already looking for its third head coach. Mavericks president Jason Smith said Sunday that Russellville’s Otis Key - who will now serve as the Mavericks’ interim head coach - was originally named head coach before stepping aside for Askew. Askew and Smith differ on the specifics of Askew’s departure. Smith claims Askew was fired, while Askew said he resigned. Smith suggested finance was the main issue. “This is a first-year organization and we need to make a name for ourselves, and we can’t do that if we don’t have reliable or trustworthy employees,” Smith said. “Whether it be the front office, the dance team, the players - whatever, we have to be honest with each other. “We aren’t the Dallas Mavericks, we’re the Kentucky Mavericks. You can’t expect me to buy your house, buy your car and pay your bills - it’s our first year and we’re trying to get established, and right now I’m on a no-nonsense policy.” Askew maintains that he stepped down, saying that he decided it wasn’t the best situation for him at this point in his career. “I have goals in basketball and I want to be somewhere more where I can teach the game,” said Askew, who said he will now serve as general manager of the ABA’s Los Angeles Push - a hiring the ABA’s Web site announced Wednesday, the same day Askew told the Daily News he would coach the Mavericks. “They (the Mavericks) were all professionals, they were nice guys, but I’m in a situation right now where I have to know in March or April that they’re going to be there - and I’m sure they will - but that’s just where I’m coming from.” While Askew didn’t agree with Smith’s description of the parting, Askew also noted that money was involved. “It’s not that I’m greedy or anything,” Askew said. “But it was just one of those things where it needed to be a bit more, I have a family, a house and kids to think about also.” Smith said the Mavericks are working on a strict budget and simply could not afford to overspend on one part of the organization. “The Kentucky Mavericks didn’t ask for a dime from the city, we’re not the baseball team,” he said. “We started from my finances and a business loan - a nice, nice business loan. “And I’m not going to spend the whole thing on the coach; I’m just not going to do it.” With Askew now out of the picture, Key - a former Russellville High School and Austin Peay player and a former player and coach with the Harlem Globetrotters - will serve as the team’s head coach on an interim basis. Smith said the team is interviewing several coaching candidates, including Key, and hopes a decision will be reached by Friday, when the team also hopes to have its roster finalized. The Mavericks are holding open tryouts from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily today through Wednesday at the Phil Moore Park Gymnasium. Smith said the Mavericks are still planning an introductory news conference Friday at the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation offices. “We’re praying we’ll have a new coach by (Friday) and we’re not going to leave coach Key out of this. He’ll be part of the team and he’s still in the running for the job,” Smith said. “We want to take the time from now until Friday to figure out exactly who this is going to be, and we’re going to do it right this time.”

WC South moves into 9-10 semifinals Mon, 7 Jul 2008 10:51:55 -0500
OWENSBORO — With its back against the wall, Warren County South delivered Sunday in the 9- and 10-year-old District 1 Little League Tournament at Country Heights. South got solid pitching from Michael Hicks and Cathan Shyrock, as well as timely offense, to outlast Franklin-Simpson 7-1 and advance into tonight’s semifinals. With the win, Warren County South finished 2-1 in pool play. “The main objective today was to win this game and move on to tomorrow,” WC South manager Brian Bybee said. “We were in a must-win situation and it all started with Michael Hicks, one of our better pitchers, on the mound. Then we got a big, big relief performance out of Cathan Shyrock to allow us to not have to burn any more pitchers.” Warren County South pounded out 11 hits and scored in four of six innings. South threatened in the first, but failed to score. Landon Bybee walked with one out and advanced to third on a ground-rule double by Jacob Lewis. After Hicks popped out, Trey Kirtley lined a would-be single that hit Lewis in the leg - resulting in a force out to end the inning. “That was an unlucky break for us ... but that’s baseball,” Brian Bybee said. “They didn’t let down, battled back and got the job done.” Click here for more Little League photos. South used a two-out rally in the second to finally get on the board. Grant Noble delivered an RBI single and Landon Bybee followed with a two-run double that made the score 3-0. Warren County South stretched the lead to 5-0 in the third before Franklin scored its only run of the game. South added insurance runs in the fourth and sixth to put the game away. Landon Bybee, Kirtley, Noble and Lewis all finished with two hits. Hicks went the first three innings, allowing one run and three hits while striking out five. Shyrock pitched three scoreless innings, scattering four hits and striking out two. Franklin-Simpson was led offensively by Cam Richardson, who had two hits and scored a run. Franklin stranded 12 runners, nine in scoring position. “We got into a bind there with Michael, but he worked himself out of a couple of jams,” Brian Bybee said. “We helped them out offensively, but our pitchers worked out of some big jams.” Warren County South will now face BG East in the semis tonight at 6 p.m. South beat East 18-8 in last week’s area tournament, but Brian Bybee said he expects a different game. “They are playing extremely well right now,” he said. “It’s not the same team we played last weekend, so we’ve got to be ready to play.” WC 032 101 - 7 FS 001 000 - 1 Bowling Green East 12, East Daviess County 10, 9- and 10-year-old BG East rallied from a 7-1 deficit to finish pool play unbeaten and advance to tonight’s semifinals. In a battle of unbeatens, East Daviess County appeared to have control when it scored seven runs in the second inning to build a six-run lead. BG East battled back with two runs in the second and three in the third, before taking a 10-8 lead with a four-run rally in the fourth. East Daviess cut the margin to one in the fifth, but East picked up a pair of insurance runs and held on for the win. Ethan Wilson led the offense with a triple and a double. East will now face Warren County South at 6 p.m. tonight. DC 071 011 - 10 BG 123 42x - 12 Warren County South 7, Central City 0, 11- and 12-year-old WC South rebounded from a loss against Owensboro Southern by blanking Central City on Sunday. The win allowed South to advance to tonight’s semifinals. “It was a tough loss (Saturday), so it was good to see them come out and take care of business,” WC South manager Joe Pitts said. Brad Logsdon paced the offense with three hits, while Austin Tibbs added two hits. Clay Stivers chipped in two RBIs for South, which scored in every inning but the first. Drew Wilken picked up the win, blanking Central City over four innings. “We couldn’t have asked for a better performance,” Pitts said. “We were looking to get three complete and 45 pitches. He was able to get us four, which was outstanding. He hit his spots. He had good velocity and he changed speeds.” South will now face BG East at 7:30 p.m. tonight. East beat South 6-5 in last week’s Area Tournament. “It’s going to be a good game,” Pitts said. “We have all the respect in the world for Bowling Green East. They are a quality team. We played them to one run in the Area Tournament. We’re going to come out and give it our best shot.” CC 000 000 - 0 WC 013 21x - 7 Bowling Green East 15, Ohio County 0, 11- and 12-year-old BG East cruised to a perfect 3-0 mark in pool play with a convincing four-inning victory over Ohio County. “I think they were able to play pretty loose tonight with nothing on the line,” BG East manager Rick Kelley said. “They came out and hit the ball. I think it’s a great confidence booster. Hopefully, that gets them ready to go in the semifinals.” Bowling Green had 14 hits. Grey Finwood had two hits and four RBIs, Quentin Cooke had a three-run homer and Robby Guthrie had two hits and three runs scored. Four pitchers combined to hold Ohio County to four hits. BG East will face Warren County South in tonight’s semifinals. “We have our No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers available (tonight), so we’re in good shape pitching wise,” Kelley said. “I think we’re playing as well as we can, but it is Little League baseball. South is a very good team and we’ll have our hands full, but I’m confident in our kids’ abilities. As long as they play to their potential, we should be fine.” OC 000 0 - 0 BG 429 x - 15

Miss Madison was so close Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:18:00 EST
It was poised to be a hometown celebration, but the Formulaboats.com U-5 pulled ahead of Miss Madison.

Another Louisville win on final day Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:34:00 EST
Zipping around the final curve at full speed, turning into the wind, Louisville's Kevin Attkisson galloped toward the finish line at Churchill Downs. He supplied his own horsepower, pedaling to his first criterium title in the USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships yesterday.

A good Guy finds himself in a bad place Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:39:00 EST
University of Louisville football coach Steve Kragthorpe sat by Trent Guy's hospital bed yesterday and told the junior wide receiver, "Trent, man, I am so glad I am talking to you right now."

U of L dismisses Spillman from team Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:50:00 EST
JaJuan Spillman has been dismissed from the University of Louisville football team after his arrest on drug and gun charges last week.

Amoss surprises himself with Downs training title Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:45:00 EST
Tom Amoss had such little expectation of winning the Churchill Downs training title that he and his family long ago planned a vacation at his parents' house in Pass Christian on Mississippi's Gulf coast that conflicted with the track's closing weekend.

Walrond mows down record 17 as Bats fall 2-0 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:01:00 EST
Lehigh Valley's Les Walrond struck out 17, the most ever by a Louisville opponent, as the IronPigs beat the Bats 2-0 yesterday in Allentown, Pa.

Ex-IU star Wilson wins triple jump Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:49:00 EST
Former Indiana University star Aarik Wilson leaped into the Olympics yesterday by winning the triple jump at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials with a total distance of 57 feet, 2¼ inches.

Torres adds 50 freestyle title Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:48:00 EST
Dara Torres won the 50-meter freestyle last night with another American record, giving the 41-year-old the chance to swim in two individual events in Beijing.

Kim, 23, earns 2nd PGA win Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:07:00 EST
Anthony Kim closed with a 5-under-par 65 yesterday to rally from a three-shot deficit and win the AT&T National in Bethesda, Md., making him the first American under 25 to win twice in one year on the PGA Tour since Tiger Woods.

Filly handles a mile just fine Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:05:00 EST
No one will confuse Churchill Downs' Grade III Locust Grove Handicap with New York's Belmont Stakes. But jockey Alan Garcia was thrilled nonetheless to win yesterday's turf stakes for older fillies and mares.

Now Prather just wants to be a paperback rider Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:54:00 EST
Kris Prather, a 29-year-old Louisville resident, always dreamed of pursuing two professions as a child — jockey and writer. She excelled in the first, capturing 189 wins at Turfway Park and 242 overall. When injuries cut short that passion, she pursued the other. Prather recently published her first young-adult novel, "The Horse Tamer's Niece."

Churchill Downs results Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:19:00 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:

Nadal finally beats Federer on grass Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:53 EDT

WIMBLEDON, England . Rafael Nadal, grass stains on his white shirt and a Spanish flag tucked under his arm, scampered through the Centre Court stands to celebrate his first Wimbledon title with hugs and handshakes.

Roger Federer sat in his changeover chair, protected from the night's chill by his custom-made cream cardigan with the gold .RF. on the chest. Alone with his thoughts, alone with the knowledge that he had come so close to becoming the first man since the 1880s to win a sixth consecutive championship at the All England Club.

Two points from victory, the No. 1-ranked Federer couldn't pull it out, instead succumbing to No. 2 Nadal 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7 Sunday night in a 4-hour, 48-minute test of wills that was the longest men's finals in Wimbledon history . and quite possibly the greatest. Even Nadal felt sympathy for Federer.

.I am very happy for me,. Nadal said, .but sorry for him, because he deserved this title, too..

UK sophomore recruit needs work Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:51 EDT

Cincinnati . Kentucky recruit Dominique Ferguson seemed to have a message on the T-shirt he wore under his jersey. .Cats are back,. it read.

When asked about the T-shirt, Ferguson smiled self-consciously. It referred to his Bloomington Lawrence North team in Indiana. He's intent on restoring that program's glory before moving on to UK in 2010. Ferguson acknowledged UK's recent slippage when he said, .It's better for me to come in and make us better..

Then he added, .I think they'll be a lot better this year..

Of more immediate concern to Ferguson is rebuilding his own basketball reputation. His goal at the adidas-sponsored It Takes 5ive Classic team tournament is not to wow anyone. He just wants to convince critics he's good enough to merit a UK scholarship offer as a high school sophomore.

Gay's injury scares other sprinters Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:01 EDT

EUGENE, Ore. . For those who don't know any better, it would be easy to believe that the thrill of victory is still the most overwhelming emotion at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. You're fooled by those fascinating smiles on victory laps, or by ponytailed wunder.kinds whose faces are painted in incomprehensible amazement and indescribable joy.

That's a predictable but totally inaccurate emotional snapshot. Here's the truth: Joy doesn't fuel these trials. Fear does.

Dazzling, suffocating, motivating fear. It's the fear of knowing that of the more than 1,000 competitors who descended on the University of Oregon's Hayward Field, barely 130 will be rewarded with an Olympic berth to Beijing. It's those lousy odds that make for plenty of jagged nerves, anxious guts and unsettled wits. It's the fear that no matter who you are or how hard you've trained, your Olympic dream could end with abrupt and dispassionate cruelty.

On Saturday afternoon at Hayward Field, that fear became the exposed nerve of these trials when sprinting superstar Tyson Gay tumbled to the track in the first few steps of the 200-meter quarterfinal heat as if he'd just been shot in his leg. For more than a few frightening seconds, the Lexington native thought he had torn his hamstring muscle and destroyed his Olympic dream.

Injured Gay remains focus at track trials Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:35 EDT

EUGENE, Ore. . Sunday was a big day for Kentucky big guys.

UK throws coach Doug Reynolds, Wildcats senior-to-be Rashaud Scott and Louisville alumnus James Dennis finished 4-5-8 in the discus.

But even when sidelined, Tyson Gay drew much attention as the U.S. Olympic track and field trials concluded Sunday at sold-out (21,176) Hayward Field.

Gay, out of Lexington's Lafayette High School, was absent from the men's 200-meter finals. Last year's world champion at 100 and 200 meters pulled up about 40 meters into Saturday's 200-meter quarterfinals.

All-Star Volquez gets 11th win Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:04 EDT

CINCINNATI . At the end of a frustrating performance, Edinson Volquez looked up at the scoreboard, saw the news and started celebrating with teammates in the Cincinnati Reds' dugout.

He was headed to Yankee Stadium.

Volquez lasted six innings Sunday to get the victory on the day he was picked for his first All-Star Game, the Reds' lone representative after right-fielder Ken Griffey Jr. faded out of the picture in the final voting. He got the news when he was lifted for a pinch hitter during a 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals.

.Everybody has dreams,. said Volquez, who came to the Reds last December in the trade for outfielder Josh Hamilton, an AL All-Star. .A lot of pitchers want to win the Cy Young or go to the All-Star Game. This is one of mine..

NASCAR: Stewart's withdraw a queasy decision Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:15 EDT

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. . After driving his car as high as third, an ailing Tony Stewart radioed his team he couldn't continue.

.Are you sure? Are you sure?. crew chief Greg Zipadelli repeatedly asked.

Stewart was certain, climbing from his seat midway through Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway while relinquishing the wheel to backup driver J.J. Yeley. His decision ensured another winless race for Stewart, whose streak stretched to 32.

At about the same time, teammate Kyle Busch was making yet another charge to the front as he rolled to his Sprint Cup Series-best sixth victory of the season. It was a stark contrast for Joe Gibbs Racing, which had hoped to have all three of its drivers challenging for the win.

Swimming: Torres, 41, sets another American record Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:10 EDT

OMAHA, Neb. . Dara Torres already knew she was going to the Olympics. That's not good enough anymore.

The 41-year-old Torres won the 50-meter freestyle Sunday night with another American record, giving her the chance to swim two individual events in Beijing.

She's already done what no one thought possible, returning from her second retirement to reclaim her place as America's most dominant female sprinter. She'll be the oldest American ever to swim at the Olympics, but she wants so much more.

.I can't sit here and lie and say, .Oh, I'm just glad I'm going,' . said Torres, who is heading to her fifth Olympics. .I want a medal..

Gay has mild leg strain, says he'll be 100 percent Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:47 EDT
Sprinter Tyson Gay has a mild strain in a muscle in the back of his left leg but says he'll be 100 percent for his two races at the Beijing Olympics.

Gay has been told to restrict himself to light physical activity for the next two weeks. He pulled up abruptly in the first 40 meters of his 200-meter qualifying race Saturday at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials and had to be carted off the track.

He was diagnosed with a severe cramp in his hamstring, and an MRI that afternoon revealed the strain.

"I'll be 100 percent for the 100 and 400 relay," Gay said in an NBC interview before Sunday's 200 final.

Gay said he felt a "little tweak" in the hamstring before the race and told coach Jon Drummond, who recommended he not run. But Gay didn't take that advice.

Tour de France gets new leader Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:59 EDT
In a big day for French cycling, Samuel Dumoulin won the third stage of the Tour de France on Monday while countryman Romain Feillu finished third to claim the yellow jersey.

"It's phenomenal," said Dumoulin, who rides for the French-owned Cofidis team. "I have waited for a win like that for so long."

Feillu was just beaten to the line and took the overall lead from Alejandro Valverde, the Spaniard who led since winning Saturday's first stage and finished in the main pack of riders nearly two minutes back in 68th place.

William Frischkorn of the United States finished second, a fraction ahead of Feillu.

"I just lacked a bit of strength to get the stage win," Feillu said. "But I got the leader's jersey."

Bobcats coach Larry Brown hires brother Herb Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:59 EDT
Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown hired his brother to round out his coaching staff.

Herb Brown will join Jeff Capel, Phil Ford and Dave Hanners as assistants. The move Monday came a day before the Bobcats open a rookie and free agent minicamp in Las Vegas.

It'll be the third time the 72-year-old Brown will work for his younger brother, who is beginning his record ninth NBA head coaching job. The Browns were also paired in Detroit and Philadelphia.

Herb Brown spent the past four seasons as an assistant in Atlanta. Charlotte is the ninth team he's worked for as an assistant. He served as head coach in Detroit for three seasons from 1975-78.

Brey agrees to 2-year extension at Notre Dame Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:59 EDT
Notre Dame's Mike Brey, the Big East basketball coach of the year the past two seasons, has agreed to a two-year contract extension to remain with the Irish through the 2014-15 season.

"As his peers have acknowledged by selecting him coach of the year the past two seasons, Mike has built one of the top men's basketball programs in the Big East Conference," the Rev. John Jenkins, Notre Dame's president, said in a statement Monday. "His quiet confidence and class are a perfect fit for Notre Dame, and I am sure that we'll enjoy still more success in coming years."

The 49-year-old Brey has coached the Irish to five 20-win seasons in his eight years as coach, including five NCAA tournament appearances, and has a 167-86 record. He guided the Irish to a 25-8 record last season, the third-most wins in a season in school history, and this season will return all but one player.

"I love the momentum of our program and the facility improvements that we are making at the Joyce Center," Brey said.

Brey's career record as head coach is 266-138 in 13 seasons, including five years at Delaware before coming to Notre Dame.

Gardner's RBI in 10th lifts Yankees past Red Sox Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:43 EDT
Rookie Brett Gardner singled home the winning run off Jonathan Papelbon with two outs in the 10th inning, and the New York Yankees overcame a two-run deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 Sunday night for a four-game split.

Alex Rodriguez hit his 536th homer, tying Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle for 13th on the career list, and Robinson Cano had a two-run triple in the seventh off Javier Lopez that tied it 4-4.

Cano singled off Papelbon (3-3) leading off the 10th, Melky Cabrera sacrificed and pinch-hitter Wilson Betemit struck out. Gardner, who came to the plate just 2-for-20 this year, fouled off a pair of 0-2 pitches, took two balls, fouled off another pitch. He then sent a soft grounder up the middle that kicked off the glove of diving shortstop Alex Cora and into the outfield as Cano scored. Gardner was given a huge ovation when he came back on the field for a postgame interview.

New York remained a season-high nine games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays and closed within four games of the Red Sox. Boston lost its sixth straight one-run game.

Mariano Rivera (3-3) had an eventful six-pitch ninth inning, then pitched a perfect 10th. Sean Casey hit a soft single to short center on Rivera's first pitch of the night, Coco Crisp sacrificed on the next and pinch-hitter Jason Varitek shattered his bat on the third, moving the runner to third base. Manny Ramirez then pinch-hit, and Rivera froze him with a called third strike.

Wild sign Owen Nolan to 2-year, $5.5 million deal Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:16 EDT
Owen Nolan, the 36-year-old power forward who spent last season with the Calgary Flames, signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Nolan had 16 goals and 16 assists in 77 games for the Flames last season, his 16th in the NHL. He has 381 goals and 426 assists in 1,068 career regular-season games with Quebec, Colorado, San Jose, Toronto, Phoenix and Calgary.

"Owen Nolan is a true power winger who can score goals, play a physical brand, play either wing and take face-offs," Wild president Doug Risebrough said. "We are excited to add a player of his experience and versatility."

The Wild also signed goalie Barry Brust to a multiyear contract and right wing Jesse Schultz to a one-year deal.

The 24-year-old Brust was 24-16-3 with a 2.27 goals-against average last season for the Wild's top minor league affiliate, the Houston Aeros. The 25-year-old Schultz had 26 goals and 40 assists in 80 games last season for the Chicago Wolves in the AHL. He's a cousin of Wild defenseman Nick Schultz.

Torres wins 50-meter freestyle; Vanderkaay captures 1,500 free Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:16 EDT
Dara Torres culminated her amazing push at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials by winning the 50-meter freestyle Sunday night.

Torres won the race in 24.25 seconds, eclipsing her American record of 24.38 set the previous night in the semifinals.

Jessica Hardy (24.82) was second.

Also Sunday, Peter Vanderkaay rallied to win the 1,500-meter freestyle. Vanderkaay finished in a time of 14 minutes, 45.54 seconds, which was just .25 seconds away from an American record, held by Larsen Jensen.

Jensen was second Sunday in 14:50.80.

Teixeira's RBI single in 17th lifts Braves to win Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:13 EDT
Mark Teixeira singled off the wall in left-center with the bases loaded in the 17th inning, giving the Atlanta Braves a 7-6 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday in the longest game in Turner Field history.

Rain delayed the start of the game by 1 hour, 50 minutes, and solid pitching extended it much longer. The Braves rallied with two runs in the eighth inning to tie it, and each team had several chances to score the go-ahead run.

Gregor Blanco finally did, after singling off Tim Byrdak (2-1) to lead off the 17th. Yunel Escobar followed with a bunt single and Chipper Jones loaded the bases with a base hit to right, before Teixeira's ball went over the head of a drawn-in outfield for the winning hit.

Royce Ring (2-1) pitched the 17th for Atlanta, getting Byrdak to ground out with Carlos Lee stranded at third to end the inning.

The Braves have won two of three following a five-game losing streak, despite stranding 21 of the game's 35 runners. Each team used seven pitchers in the Braves' longest regular-season game since beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 in 18 innings on Aug. 3, 1996.

Lagat, Manzano, Lomong make 1,500 Olympic team Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:41 EDT
Bernard Lagat, who will compete as an American Olympian for the first time in Beijing, has won the 1,500 meters at the U.S. track and field trials.

Lagat, the American record holder in the event, finished in 3 minutes, 40.37 seconds and will have the chance to double in Beijing, after winning the 5,000 meters earlier during trials.

Mexican-born Leo Manzano was second in 3:40.90, and Sudanese native Lopez Lomong was third in 3:41 to claim the other two Olympic spots.

Alan Webb, eighth at the 2007 world championships, was fifth in 3:41.62.

World Series of Poker crown worth roughly $9M Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:36 EDT
The top prize at the main event of the World Series of Poker will be more than $9 million this year, and about 660 players will get some piece of a $64 million prize pool, tournament officials said Sunday.

About 2,500 players entered the no-limit Texas Hold 'em tournament Sunday, the last day players were able to register. The field of more than 6,800 entrants was about 500 more than last year but still down from 2006, when a record 8,773 players entered and Jamie Gold won $12 million.

The roughly $9 million top prize would be the second largest in the main event's history. Last year, California psychologist Jerry Yang emerged from a field of 6,358 players to win a top prize of $8.25 million.

Tournament spokesman Seth Palansky said the number of entrants was what tournament officials were expecting, about equal to the event's average for the last five years.

Participation dipped sharply in 2007, nine months after President Bush signed a law that cracked down on Internet gambling in the United States. The law was blamed for the decline because it meant that fewer U.S. players could qualify for the main event through online satellite tournaments.

Vanderkaay pulls an upset in 1,500 freestyle Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:36 EDT
Peter Vanderkaay has pulled off an upset in the final race of the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, beating Larsen Jensen and Erik Vendt in the 1,500-meter freestyle.

Vendt had the top time in the preliminaries, while Jensen is the American record holder. But Vanderkaay beat them both Sunday night, overtaking the fast-starting Jensen to win swimming's version of the mile in 14 minutes, 45.87 seconds.

Jensen held on for the second Olympic spot in 14:50.80, while Vendt was far back in fourth at 15:07.78 - more than 17 seconds slower than he swam in the prelims.

Torres sets another American record to win 50 free Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:36 EDT
Dara Torres has set another American record at the U.S. Olympic swimming free trials, winning the 50-meter freestyle.

The 41-year-old Torres got off to the third-slowest start Sunday night but was in control midway through the most furious lap in swimming. She touched in 24.25 seconds, breaking the mark of 24.38 she set the previous night in the semifinals.

Already the oldest American swimmer to claim a spot on the Olympic swim team, Torres had already ensured a trip to Beijing by winning the 100 free.

NBC to use Olympics to see how people use media Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:04 EDT
NBC is using the Olympics as a "billion-dollar research lab" to get a sense of how people are using different media platforms to experience the Beijing Games that begin Aug. 8.

Besides giving advertisers a clearer picture of how much consumers are paying attention to the games, NBC hopes its research provides a comprehensive picture of how people are supplementing TV viewership with tools such as video streaming, video on demand and mobile phones, said Alan Wurtzel, the company's research chief.

"The billion-dollar lab is an extraordinary research opportunity," he said.

NBC has scheduled 3,600 hours of Olympics programming on its main network, along with Telemundo, USA, Oxygen, MSNBC, CNBC and Bravo. That's the equivalent of eight days of programming packed into each day.

In addition, the company is planning to make 2,200 hours of streaming video available on NBCOlympics.com. Consumers may also get video on demand via their computer and Olympics content through their mobile phones.

Rehearsal over for Phelps: Now it's on to Beijing Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:22 EDT
The rehearsal is over. Now Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, Natalie Coughlin and Ryan Lochte are taking their show on the road to the Beijing Olympics.

The quartet was idle on the final night of the U.S. trials Sunday, getting a rare moment to enjoy their accomplishment of qualifying for multiple Olympic events.

Phelps, of course, will be the busiest in Beijing. He earned another shot at Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals and will swim in eight events - five individual and all three relays.

"You guys talk about that," he told reporters, referring to Spitz's record. "I just get in the water and do what I love to do, and that's compete."

Spitz endorsed Phelps at the trials as a worthy successor, suggesting that after 36 years, it's time for someone else to take his mantle.

Red Sox pitcher Schilling undergoing normal rehab Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:59 EDT
Two weeks after season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling said Monday he hasn't decided whether he will try to play in 2009.

"We're in the initial phase of my rehab," he said. "Whether I was a plumber or a pitcher, I'd have to do it just to have use of my shoulder and arm. There's no real critical decision-making point for a good five, seven or eight weeks from now, until I need to decide whether I want to progress past the normal surgery rehab into very specific job rehab and we'll figure that out then."

Wearing a green Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles jersey and a sling on his right arm, Schilling attended a movie screening and fundraiser for skin cancer awareness with two of his three sons. His wife, Shonda, said he was in more pain than after previous surgeries.

"I know my kids really aren't ready for him to retire," she said. "They really are enjoying him at home, but my youngest is 6 and he's just at an age where he can understand it."

Schilling said he realized he had to get back to work if he's going to return next season.

Nadal pulls out of Mercedes Cup Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:59 EDT
One day after winning the Wimbledon title for the first time, Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Mercedes Cup on Monday with muscle pain above his right knee.

The second-ranked Spaniard, who said he won't play again until healthy, traveled to the Weissenhof tennis center to tell the promoters personally of his withdrawal as the clay-court event's defending champion and star attraction.

"This was the least I can do. I'm disappointed that I can't play," Nadal said. "My doctor said I need a few days off. I will have a checkup and treatment and won't return to the court until I am 100 percent fit."

Nadal has played 47 matches since mid-March, winning six titles and reaching another final. He had fought knee problems since before last year's Wimbledon tournament.

"The calendar is hard on us players," he said. "I have played four, five months without a break. I have to recover."

Tour de France: Spaniard keeps yellow jersey Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:15 EDT

SAINT-BRIEUC, France . With villagers calling out to him as he sped through the countryside, Alejandro Valverde kept his lead in the Tour de France on Sunday and basked in the honor of wearing the yellow jersey.

The Spaniard held back as Norwegian sprint specialist Thor Hushovd won the second stage in a sprint in completing the 102-mile ride in Brittany from Auray to Saint-Brieuc.

.It was an incredible thing to spend today with the yellow jersey on my shoulders,. Valverde said. .Every time that we passed through a village, people recognized me and shouted my name..

Valverde, one of the favorites in the three-week race, ruled out trying to win the stage that featured a tricky uphill finish. He finished 12th.

Scoreboard Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:32 EDT

Transactions

BASEBALL

American League

BALTIMORE ORIOLES. Purchased the contract of RHP Greg Aquino from Norfolk (IL). Designated RHP Ryan Bukvich for assignment.

Sports briefs Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:02 EDT

College football

Louisville dismisses receiver Spillman after second arrest

Louisville wide receiver JaJuan Spillman has been dismissed from the team following his second arrest in 18 months.

Coach Steve Kragthorpe announced the dismissal Sunday, three days after Spillman was arrested on charges of driving under the influence, carrying a concealed weapon and having no insurance.

Coming up for the Lexington Legends Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:52 EDT

Coming up

Lexington Legends

at Charleston RiverDogs

What: Four-game series

East Kentucky edges Boyd County for title
The 2008 Cliff Webb Memorial Tournament ended in exciting fashion on Sunday evening in Central Park.

Buyers’ fuel cost concerns evident on car lots
Pain at the pump is increasingly driving consumers to car dealerships, where they’re choosing smaller, more fuel-efficient cars over gas-ravenous trucks and SUVs.

South London state bound
After falling to the North Laurel All-Stars in the opening game of the girls' Minor League district tournament, South London battled its way through the loser's bracket, then beat North Laurel two straight games to win the title and advance to the state tournament.

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