White Sox's Quentin smacks bat, breaks wrist

September 6, 2008

American League home run leader Carlos Quentin has a broken right wrist stemming from his own temper and the Chicago White Sox left fielder will have surgery Monday that could sideline him for the rest of the season. Quentin was injured Monday night against the Cleveland Indians. After fouling off a pitch while batting against Cliff Lee, Quentin hit his right hand on the bat as he was holding it with his left. "What did happen was kind of unfortunate. It's kind of something that, you know, I still have trouble believing that it happened that way," Quentin said yesterday. He is batting .288 with 36 homers and 100 RBIs. Quentin said the surgery would not have any long-range consequences for his wrist.

Recent columns

• LPGA won't suspend players for poor English

  September 6, 2008

  Under increasing criticism, the LPGA Tour backed off plans to suspend players who cannot speak English well enough to be understood at pro-ams, in interviews or in making acceptance speeches at tournaments. LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens said she would have a revised plan by the end of the year that would not include suspensions, although fining non-English speakers remains an option. The LPGA membership includes 121 international players from 26 countries. Asians won three of the four majors this year.

• Bolt comes back to top Powell

  September 6, 2008

  Usain Bolt rallied to beat Asafa Powell in the 100 meters, winning in 9.77 seconds at the Van Damme Memorial in Brussels, Belgium. Running against a strong headwind in his season finale, the three-time Olympic champion had a bad start and watched Powell go ahead. But Bolt pulled even with Powell and won by .06 of a second.

• NASCAR Chevrolet 400 pushed back to tomorrow

  September 6, 2008

  Rain that began last night and expectations that it would continue today with Tropical Storm Hanna moving in forced NASCAR to postpone tonight's Sprint Cup Chevrolet 400 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. The race is now scheduled to run at 1p.m. tomorrow.

• Bills' Peters to end holdout today

  September 6, 2008

  Rather than losing a game paycheck of more than $191,000, Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters made plans to end his holdout and report to the team by today. Though Peters and his representatives were unavailable for comment, Bills chief operating officer Russ Brandon released a statement saying, "It is our understanding that Jason has filed a reinstatement letter with the National Football League and that he is reporting to [the team's headquarters] tomorrow morning." Peters, who wants a new contract, is unlikely to play tomorrow against the Seahawks.

• Curlin's next race is Jockey Club Gold Cup

  September 5, 2008

  Curlin will get his chance to become thoroughbred racing's richest horse in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., on Sept. 27. The 2007 Horse of the Year and Preaknes winner, fresh from a victory in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga in upstate New York, has earned $9,796,800 with 10 wins in 13 career starts. The record of $9,999,815 is held by Cigar. Golf: California state Sen. Leland Yee is seeking a legal opinion to determine whether the LPGA Tour's language requirement for players violates state or federal law. The policy requires players to speak English starting in 2009.

• Culpepper retires; Burress gets new deal

  September 5, 2008

  Daunte Culpepper, who starred for the Minnesota Vikings before a major knee injury in 2005 curtailed his career, announced his retirement in an e-mail yesterday, saying he has simply grown tired of fighting for one more opportunity. Culpepper completed 64percent of his passes in a nine-year career, with 142 touchdowns. He tried to resuscitate his career with the Miami Dolphins in 2006 and the Oakland Raiders last season, struggling in both of those stops, and he wasn't in training camp with any team this year. "Since I was not given a fair chance to come in and compete for a job, I would rather move on and win in other arenas of life," Culpepper, 31, said. He was the Vikings' first-round draft choice in 1999, became their full-time starter a year later and teamed with Randy Moss to pile up yards and touchdowns at an impressive rate. .

• No. 24 South Carolina upset by Vanderbilt

  September 5, 2008

  Chris Nickson threw for a touchdown and ran for another, and Vanderbilt finally beat a ranked opponent on its own field, upsetting No.24 South Carolina, 24-17, in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams. Vanderbilt (2-0) had made it a habit of knocking off SEC teams on the road but hadn't upset a ranked team in Vanderbilt Stadium since Sept.19, 1992, a 31-9 win over then-No.25 Mississippi. South Carolina (1-1) survived four interceptions in shutting out North Carolina State, 34-0, last week. The Gamecocks couldn't escape their mistakes against Vanderbilt. The Commodores picked off two of Chris Smelley's passes and sacked him four times, recovered a punt that bounced off a South Carolina player and blocked a field goal. South Carolina's lone touchdown was after Vanderbilt's only turnover, which the Gamecocks recovered at the Commodores' 20-yard line in the first quarter.

• Billick invests in sports radio station

  September 4, 2008

  Former Ravens coach Brian Billick has become an investor and partner in sports talk radio station WNST (1570AM). Billick last night announced his partnership with station chief executive Nestor Aparicio and pledged to help bring a product that would cater to the sports-obsessed fans of the Baltimore region. "This is Baltimore-owned. This is home, and we're going to run the station as Baltimore's," said Billick, who will blog regularly and conduct four radio segments a month, including a live show on the first Wednesday of each month. Aparicio said the station's Web site would be relaunched as a 24-hour sports service offering video, podcasts and blogs. EDWARD LEE

• Oklahoma City team to be called 'Thunder'

  September 4, 2008

  After weeks of speculation, Oklahoma City's new NBA franchise revealed that the team will be called "Thunder." Team chairman Clay Bennett said the team colors will be blue, red and orange - blue to coincide with the main color of Oklahoma's state flag and red and orange to reflect the colors of the sunset.

• Lions' R. Johnson says Bell stole his luggage

  September 4, 2008

  Detroit running back Rudi Johnson said yesterday that the player who was waived to make room for him on the Lions' roster - Tatum Bell - took his luggage from team headquarters. Johnson said he was shown surveillance footage Tuesday afternoon that captured the theft. Johnson said a woman returned the bags to the practice facility Tuesday evening but that the contents were gone. Johnson said he is missing "a bunch of my underclothes," credit cards, his ID and about $200 in cash, but he said he did not plan to involve the authorities.

• Sports radio station starting Monday

  September 3, 2008

  Baltimore is getting a new all-sports radio station starting Monday. WVIE (1370 AM) will go on the air at 6a.m. as a Fox Sports affiliate, general manager Bob Pettit said. The station has hired Jerry Coleman, formerly of WBAL, as its sports director and talk-show host. WVIE, to be known as Fox 1370 Sports Radio, plans other local programming, but the majority of its shows will be from Fox. The station, the former WLG, has been running syndicated news talk shows. RAY FRAGER

• Ohio State's Tressel: Wells 'going to be fine'

  September 3, 2008

  Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said running back Chris "Beanie" Wells is "going to be fine." Wells injured his right foot in the third quarter of Saturday's win over Youngstown State. Tressel said could play Saturday against Ohio University.

• Federer needs 5 sets to reach quarterfinals

  September 3, 2008

  No. 2 Roger Federer was pushed to the limit last night in his fourth-round match against No. 23 Igor Andreev but won, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, in New York. He extended his U.S. Open winning streak to 31 matches. Third seed Novak Djokovic overcame hip, ankle and stomach ailments to top Tommy Robredo, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, to reach the quarterfinals. No. 8 Andy Roddick cruised past No. 11 Fernando Gonzalez, 6-2, 6-4, 6-1. Qualifier Gilles Muller beat No. 5 Nikolay Davydenko. Women's second seed Jelena Jankovic and fifth seed Elena Dementieva reached the semifinals, winning in straight sets.

• Beckett to return Friday; Chamberlain activated

  September 3, 2008

  Red Sox ace Josh Beckett is set to rejoin Boston's rotation Friday night in Texas. Beckett, who hasn't pitched since Aug. 17 because of an inflamed right elbow, threw 58 pitches during a bullpen session yesterday. "He threw all of his pitches with good intensity. Everything's fine," Boston manager Terry Francona said.

• Franchitti to drive in IndyCar next year

  September 3, 2008

  Dario Franchitti will return to IndyCar in 2009 as the replacement driver for Dan Wheldon at Chip Ganassi Racing. Franchitti, the 2007 IndyCar Series champion, left open wheel at the end of last season to move into NASCAR driving for Ganassi. But his Sprint Cup team never found sponsorship, and Ganassi shut down the No. 40 car in July.

• Jaguars' Collier shot, critically injured

  September 3, 2008

  Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier was shot and critically wounded outside a Jacksonville, Fla., apartment building about 2:45a.m. as he and former Jaguars teammate Kenneth Pettway waited for two women they met at a nightclub, police said. Collier, 26, was shot several times, but it wasn't clear where he was hit. The motive behind the attack was unknown. Pettway, a defensive end who was cut Saturday, was not injured.

• Sports Digest

  September 2, 2008

  Rookie Justin Wilson pulled out a controversial win Sunday at the Detroit Indy Grand Prix after IndyCar Series officials made the rare decision to compel Helio Castroneves to allow Wilson to speed ahead of him into first place. With Wilson breathing down his neck in the road race, Castroneves moved his race car into Wilson's path three times on Lap 72, prompting racing officials to act. Wilson held the lead the rest of the way, taking his first IndyCar victory. Castroneves held the top spot for 53 of the 87 laps. Series points leader Scott Dixon finished fifth. That result, coupled with Castroneves' showing, means the IndyCar title will be decided at next weekend's final points race at the Chicagoland track. Dixon's points lead over Castroneves was reduced from 43 to 30.

• Long putts lift Singh to Deutsche Bank title

  September 2, 2008

  Vijay Singh made three long birdie putts yesterday and closed with an 8-under-par 63 at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, Mass., for his second straight victory to build a huge lead in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Singh, who won The Barclays last week in a three-man playoff, was one shot behind Mike Weir going to the back nine of the TPC Boston when he started making just about everything from everywhere. He made consecutive putts of 35 feet and 60 feet to build a three-shot lead, then rolled in another putt from 35 feet on the 17th. That gave him his third victory in five weeks and turned the FedEx Cup into a snoozer. Singh has such a large lead that he could clinch the $10 million prize without even playing the season-ending Tour Championship. Weir fell to 1-9 when he has had at least a share of the 54-hole lead. Singh finished at 22-under 262 to break the tournament record by two shots in the six years of this event. The $1.26million for winning put him atop the PGA Tour money list over Tiger Woods, who has not played since June.

• UAE group agrees to buy Manchester City

  September 2, 2008

  Manchester City has agreed to a takeover by a United Arab Emirates business group, ending former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's brief ownership of the Premier League club. The Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment will look at the club's accounts and contracts before completion of a deal believed to be worth $360 million.

• UCLA beats No. 18 Tenn. in overtime, 27-24

  September 2, 2008

  Quarterback Kevin Craft sparked UCLA's offense to life in the second half, and Kai Forbath kicked a 42-yard field goal in overtime to lift the host Bruins to a 27-24 victory over No. 18 Tennessee, making coach Rick Neuheisel's debut a winning one. The Bruins, who took the lead with 27 seconds left in regulation, were forced into overtime when the Volunteers' Daniel Lincoln kicked a 47-yard field goal as time expired. But in the overtime, Forbath made his kick and then Lincoln missed from 34yards. Craft, who threw four interceptions and totaled 66yards in the opening half of his first game for UCLA, went 18-for-25 for 193 yards and one touchdowns in the second half without an interception.

• Beijing: Measures lead to cleanest air in decade

  September 2, 2008

  A massive effort to clear up the skies over Beijing for the Olympics paid off with China's capital seeing its cleanest air in a decade, the city's environmental authority said. The Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau said the improvement in air pollution was mainly the result of special temporary measures that shut factories and banned 2 million cars from the roads for the Olympic Games. The environmental bureau said in a notice on its Web site that the density of major pollutants was cut by 45 percent in August. It said there were 14 days with the best air quality, or level 1, and one day rated at the worst quality, or level 3. Beijing typically has air that is two to three times dirtier than in most Western countries.

• Sports Digest

  September 1, 2008

  Mike Weir holed a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a 4-under-par 67 to take a one-stroke lead yesterday in the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, Mass., leaving him in a familiar position with hopes of a better outcome. It was the 10th time the Canadian has had at least a share of the 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour, but he has only one win when leading going into the final round. Weir had a 17-under 196 total. He matched the course record Friday with a 61 and shot a 67 on Saturday. Camilo Villegas ignored the swirling wind and increasingly firm conditions at TPC Boston to shoot 63, putting him in the final group with Weir. Three shots behind were Sergio Garcia (68) and Vijay Singh (69).

• Sports Digest

  September 1, 2008

  A day after Ohio State standout running back Chris Wells fell back in a heap with an injured right foot, the No.2 Buckeyes could do nothing but wait and hope that their Heisman Trophy contender would be quick to recover. In an e-mail yesterday, school spokeswoman Shelly Poe said no update on Wells' condition was likely until today "after some initial treatments and therapy." She reiterated that Wells had no broken bones after going down in the third quarter of Saturday's victory over Youngstown State.

• Sports Digest

  September 1, 2008

  Jamaica's Asafa Powell rebounded from a disappointing Olympics by winning the 100 meters in 9.87 seconds at the British Grand Prix in Gateshead, England. Powell, the former world-record holder in the 100 who finished fifth at the Beijing Games, won by three meters. American Tyson Gay won the 200 in 20.26, showing no signs of the hamstring problems that left him out of the Olympic 100 final.

• Sports Digest

  September 1, 2008

  Rookie Justin Wilson pulled out a controversial win at the Detroit Indy Grand Prix after IndyCar Series officials made the rare decision to compel Helio Castroneves to allow Wilson to speed ahead of him into first place. With Wilson breathing down his neck in the road race, Castroneves moved his race car into Wilson's path three times on Lap 72, prompting racing officials to act. Wilson held the lead the rest of the way, taking his first-ever IndyCar victory. "I'm very surprised - very much surprised about this call," said Castroneves, who held the top spot for 53 of the 87 laps. Series points leader Scott Dixon finished fifth. That result, coupled with Castroneves' strong showing, means the IndyCar championship will be decided at next weekend's final points race at the Chicagoland track. Dixon, whose points lead over Castroneves was reduced from 43 to 30, needs to finish eighth or better next week to win his second title and first since his rookie year of 2003.

• Sports Digest

  September 1, 2008

  Peppers Pride's bid for a North American-record 17th win in 17 starts has been put on hold after the horse was scratched from the Lincoln Handicap in Ruidoso Downs (N.M.). Trainer Joel Marr scratched Peppers Pride after the track turned sloppy because of rain over the previous day and a half. The thoroughbred mare has not raced on a wet track, the track said in a news release.

• Sports Digest

  August 31, 2008

  Russian giant Nikolai Valuev won the Word Boxing Association heavyweight championship over American John Ruiz in a unanimous decision in Berlin. The 7-foot Valuev (49-1) used his jab to frustrate Ruiz (43-8-1). The judges scored it for Valuev, 116-113, 116-111 and 114-113.

• Sports Digest

  August 31, 2008

  Curlin won the $500,000 Woodward Stakes, beating long shot Past the Point by 1� lengths at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Curlin, ridden by Robby Albarado, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1 minute, 49.34seconds enroute to his fourth victory in five starts this year. Curlin paid $2.70, $2.40 and $2.10. Past the Point returned $13.80 and $6.40, and Wanderin Boy paid $3.50 to show.

• Sports Digest

  August 31, 2008

  Golden State Warriors officials have questions about the explanation guard Monta Ellis gave them regarding how he severely injured his ankle, according to the Contra Costa Times. The team has launched an investigation, dispatching athletic trainer Tom Abdenour to Jackson, Miss., to take a look at Ellis. Ellis informed the Warriors a little more than a week ago that he injured his left ankle working out in Jackson. He had surgery Wednesday in Alabama to repair a torn deltoid ligament in his left ankle. He is expected to miss a minimum of three months.

• Sports Digest

  August 31, 2008

  Tim Clark matched his career low with a 9-under-par 62 , giving him a one-shot lead over Mike Weir (68) at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, Mass. Clark was trying to get into contention when he shot to the top of the leader board by playing a six-hole stretch in 7-under. He had a chance to shoot a 59 but bogeyed his final two holes for a 62. He is at 14-under 128 overall in the second event in the PGA Tour Playoffs. Vijay Singh (66) and Ben Curtis (65) are two shots back.

• Sports Digest

  August 31, 2008

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• Sports Digest

  August 31, 2008

  Joba Chamberlain breezed through 35 pitches while facing batters in a simulated game, saying afterward that he is ready to rejoin the New York Yankees for the stretch run. On the disabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis, he said he threw all of his pitches. Chamberlain, 22, hasn't pitched since leaving a start Aug. 4 at Texas with discomfort in his right shoulder. He is 4-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 32 games this season, including 12 starts. Chamberlain has said he expects to be placed in the bullpen.

• Fish eliminates No. 9 Blake in straight sets at Open

  August 31, 2008

  The fact that Mardy Fish defeated fellow American James Blake in the third round of the U.S. Open last night was somewhat surprising. What was more shocking was the ease of his victory over No. 9 Blake. Fish won, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4). It was a day of upsets in the men's draw as Kei Nishikori stunned fourth seed David Ferrer, American Sam Querrey beat No. 14 Ivo Karlovic and No. 32 Gael Monfils defeated No. 7 David Nalbandian. Some other seeds were pushed to five sets - No. 6 Andy Murray, No. 10 Stanislas Wawrinka and No. 17 Juan Martin Del Potro - but were able to win. Breaking the trend was No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who faced little challenge in his win. On the women's side, No.6 Dinara Safina struggled to get past 60th-ranked Timea Bacsinszky, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. The Williams sisters, No. 4 Serena and No. 7 Venus, had no such problems advancing.

• Sports Digest

  August 30, 2008

  Former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova became the latest upset victim at the U.S. Open as she was beaten by 28th-ranked Katarina Srebotnik, 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-3, in the third round in New York. A day after No. 1 Ana Ivanovic lost to 188th-ranked Julie Coin, the third-seeded Kutznetsova was eliminated. The Russian, who won the tournament in 2004 and reached the final last year, had trouble fending off Srebotnik's frequent charges to the net. Second seed Jelena Jankovic won a tough match, playing 28 points in the last game to finish off Zheng Jie, 7-5, 7-5. American Lindsay Davenport was eliminated by No.12 Marion Bartoli, 6-1, 7-6 (3). Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Nikolay Davydenko and Elena Dementieva won in straight sets.

• Sports Digest

  August 30, 2008

  Mike Weir birdied the first four holes at the Deutsche Bank Championship on his way to tying the course record at TPC Boston in Norton, Mass., with a 10-under-par 61 in the first round. He has a three-shot lead over a group of four players that included Vijay Singh, who is atop the standings in the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup.

• Sports Digest

  August 30, 2008

  The Boston Red Sox put Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right elbow after the ace was examined by Dr.James Andrews. "There were a number of tests, and Josh came through with flying colors," manager Terry Francona said. "Obviously, we hoped for that." Francona hopes Beckett can return to the rotation Friday in Texas. Beckett, who is 11-9 with a 4.34ERA, was placed on the DL retroactive to Aug.18.

• Sports Digest

  August 30, 2008

  Jimmie Johnson won the pole for tomorrow's NASCAR Sprint Cup Pepsi500, turning a fast lap of 180.397mph. For much of the session at Auto Club Speedway, it appeared that the front row would be all Hendrick Motorsports, with Jeff Gordon sitting in the second spot with a lap of 179.565. But A.J. Allmendinger got between the teammates with a lap of 179.659.

• Sports Digest

  August 30, 2008

  Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson has legally changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco, according to several media reports. "Have I ever had a reason for why I do what I do? I'm having fun," he told the team's Web site. A Bengals spokesman said the team had no comment on the matter.

• Sports Digest

  August 30, 2008

  San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili needs surgery to repair a ligament in his left ankle. Spurs officials said Ginobili would have surgery next week. The team will announce a timeline for his return after the surgery. Ginobili said a magnetic resonance imaging of his ankle showed no improvement from an exam two months ago. He led the Spurs in scoring last season at 19.5 points per game.

• Wheaties chooses Liukin, Clay for cover

  August 29, 2008

  At the Beijing Olympics, Nastia Liukin followed in the footsteps of Mary Lou Retton and Carly Patterson, the two other American gymnasts who have won Olympic gold in the all-around competition. Now she and American decathlete Bryan Clay follow them onto the Wheaties cereal box. Liukin won five medals in Beijing. Clay was the first American to win the decathlon since Dan O'Brien in 1996. The special-edition boxes will be sold in September.

• No. 1 Ivanovic shocked by 188th-ranked Coin

  August 29, 2008

  Top seed Ana Ivanovic lost in one of the biggest upsets in tennis history yesterday as she was stunned by 188th-ranked Julie Coin, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, in the second round of the U.S. Open in New York. "If you would ask if I'm playing like a No.1, [it's] no," Ivanovic said. "Obviously, it was very hard." Even after Ivanovic struggled in the first round while coming back from an injured thumb, there was no way to see this coming. Coin spent much of the year playing in minor league events and nearly got knocked out of a qualifying event to merely make it into the Open. Never before in the Open era that began in 1968 had the No.1 woman lost this early in the tournament. Many of the favorites won yesterday as Rafael Nadal, James Blake, David Ferrer, Andy Murray, Venus and Serena Williams, and Dinara Safina moved into the third round.

• No. 23 Wake Forest routs Baylor, 41-13

  August 29, 2008

  Riley Skinner threw three touchdown passes, two to Chip Brinkman, as No.23 Wake Forest got a 41-13 win over host Baylor. Skinner was 27 of 36 for 220 yards.

• Goodell reinstates Cowboys' A. Jones

  August 29, 2008

  Adam Jones did what he had to do to get back into the NFL. He stayed out of trouble. The cornerback-kick returner was fully reinstated yesterday from his 17-month NFL suspension, which followed an accumulation of arrests and legal problems, and is able to play for the Dallas Cowboys during the regular season. "I just have to keep myself out of bad situations like I have been doing the last six or seven months," he said in a statement.

• PGA players criticize LPGA's punishment plan

  August 29, 2008

  Argentine Angel Cabrera joined many other PGA players in voicing their displeasure about the LPGA's decision to punish golfers who don't speak English in pro-ams, trophy presentations and media interviews. "You don't have to speak English to play golf," last year's U.S. Open winner said in Spanish. K.J. Choi of South Korea recalled his rookie season on the PGA Tour in 2000, when his English was so limited that he often got lost going to the golf course because he couldn't read street signs. He wasn't comfortable enough to speak English for five years, despite constant study. "It is a difficult situation," Choi said in English. "It is good for them to help players learn English. When I learned English, I became a better player. But to suspend them? I don't think so."

• Chargers' Merriman to play this season

  August 28, 2008

  San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman decided yesterday that he'll play this season despite two torn ligaments in his left knee. After spending several days seeking outside opinions, Merriman ( Maryland) informed the team of his decision yesterday morning. Merriman said last week that he has two torn ligaments in his left knee and has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery. Merriman has made the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons. He has 39 1/2 sacks in that span, more than any other NFL player. Coach Norv Turner expects Merriman to play in the Sept. 7 opener.

• No. 2 seed Jankovic survives at U.S. Open

  August 28, 2008

  Jelena Jankovic outlasted Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-5, at the U.S. Open in New York. The combination of not being in match condition after a summer knee injury and an array of hard forehands and well-placed drop shots by Arvidsson left Jankovic, seeded second, fighting to get her wind during the 2-hour, 44-minute match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. While Jankovic escaped an early exit, No. 8 seed Vera Zvonareva was upended by Tatiana Perebiynis, 6-3, 6-3, in the tournament's biggest upset yet. In men's first-round play, No.3 seed Novak Djokovic shook off a left ankle injury and beat Arnaud Clement, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. Eighth seed Andy Roddick won his first match in straight sets. He beat Fabrice Santoro - the oldest man in the draw at 35 - 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.

• Center fielder Kotsay acquired by Red Sox

  August 28, 2008

  Center fielder Mark Kotsay was acquired by the Red Sox from the Atlanta Braves, only one day after Boston put J.D. Drew on the 15-day disabled list because of a lower back strain. Kotsay, 32, hit .289 with six home runs and 37 RBIs in 88 games with the Braves. Atlanta acquired minor league outfielder Luis Sumoza in the deal. The 20-year-old hit .301 in 51 games for Single-A Lowell of the New York-Penn League this season.

• Warriors' Ellis out at least three months

  August 28, 2008

  Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis will be out at least three months after severely spraining his ankle during an offseason workout. Ellis, who signed a six-year contract extension worth $66 million with the Warriors this summer, sprained his ankle and tore a deltoid ligament while working out at his home in Jackson, Miss., Warriors spokesman Raymond Ridder said. Ellis underwent surgery yesterday to repair the ligament. Ellis, who averaged 20.2points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season, will miss at least the first month of the regular season.

• NASCAR puts Ky. Busch, Edwards on probation

  August 28, 2008

  NASCAR placed Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards on probation for the next six Sprint Cup Series races, the result of their on-track incident last weekend at the end of the race at Bristol Motor Speedway. During the cool-down lap after Edwards' Ford took the checkered flag for Roush Fenway Racing, Busch drove alongside Edwards and bumped his car. Edwards responded by driving the nose of his car into the right side of Busch's Toyota, spinning him out.

• Strahan staying retired, says no to Giants

  August 27, 2008

  Seven-time New York Giants Pro Bowl selection Michael Strahan is staying retired. "This has been one of the toughest nights of my life," Strahan told FoxSports. com in a story released yesterday. "But after long deliberation and throwing around a million scenarios in my head for the past day, I think it's just best if I stay retired." Giants general manager Jerry Reese asked Strahan, 36, to reconsider his retirement Monday, just 48 hours after the Super Bowl champions lost Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora for the season to a knee injury in a preseason game. Strahan needed about a day to turn down an offer to return for a 16th season with what could have been an $8 million contract.

• LPGA to require players to speak English by 2009

  August 27, 2008

  The LPGA Tour will require players to speak English starting in 2009, with players who have been members for two years facing suspension if they can't pass an oral evaluation of English skills. The rule is effective immediately for new players. "Why now? Athletes now have more responsibilities, and we want to help their professional development," deputy commissioner Libba Galloway said. "There are more fans, more media and more sponsors. We want to help our athletes as best we can succeed off the golf course as well as on it." There is no such rule on the PGA Tour. The LPGA held a mandatory meeting with South Koreans last Wednesday to inform them of the new policy, which was first reported by Golfweek magazine. There are 121 international players from 26 countries on the LPGA Tour, including 45 players from South Korea. The South Koreans were informed of the rule; however, LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens has not given them - or anyone - a written explanation, Galloway said.

• Ex-manager of Ali dead; Eight Belles buried in Ky.

  August 27, 2008

  A longtime manager of boxer Muhammad Ali and son of the late Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad has died after heart surgery. Jabir Herbert Muhammad was 79. His oldest son, Elijah MuhammadIII, said he died Monday in Chicago. He managed Ali's boxing career from 1966 until 1981 and managed his post-fighting career for an additional 10 years.

• Edwards gets past Ky. Busch to win

  August 24, 2008

  Carl Edwards saw Kyle Busch lead 415 consecutive laps at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, then used his bumper to nudge Busch's car aside with 30 laps to go, causing it to wiggle just enough that Edwards could drive by to win the Sharpie 500 for his second consecutive victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Busch finished second, followed by Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon.

• Stricker's woes help Streelman take lead

  August 24, 2008

  Steve Stricker lost a ball and a big lead yesterday, leaving Kevin Streelman atop the leader board at the PGA The Barclays in Paramus, N.J. Stricker, who led the FedEx Cup playoff opener by three shots when the round began, shot a 6-over 77 and was four strokes back at 4-under in a 12-way tie for 11th. Streelman's 68 put him at 8-under 205 overall, one shot ahead of Vijay Singh (66), Sergio Garcia (69), Mike Weir (67) and Paul Casey (69).

• Beckett to miss start Tuesday against Yanks

  August 24, 2008

  Boston Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett won't be facing the New York Yankees on Tuesday after skipping a bullpen session yesterday because of continued numbness and tingling in his pitching arm. Manager Terry Francona said Beckett has "inflammation" in his elbow and likely won't start again until Friday, when the Red Sox return home to open a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, out since Aug. 7 with tightness behind his right shoulder, will come off the disabled list to start Tuesday. Wakefield is 7-8 with a 3.67 ERA in 23 starts. Francona intends to be "overly cautious" with Beckett, who is 11-9 with a 4.34 ERA in 23 starts. "We're talking about a guy's pitching arm," Francona said. "Let's make sure it's perfect."

• Hawaii, Mexico reach Little League final

  August 24, 2008

  Tanner Tokunaga doubled home two runs with the bases loaded with two outs to cap a six-run sixth inning that gave Hawaii a come-from-behind, 7-5 win over Louisiana to advance to the Little League World Series title game in South Williamsport, Pa. Waipahu, Hawaii's opponent today will be Matamoros, Mexico, which defeated Tokyo, 5-4, earlier yesterday for the international title. Lake Charles, La., lost a 5-1 lead in the sixth to lose. In the early game, a five-run third inning erased an early 2-0 deficit and gave Mexico all the momentum it needed to win.

• Miami quarterback Marve reportedly suspended

  August 24, 2008

  Miami quarterback Robert Marve was told he was been suspended for the season opener against Charleston Southern, according to The Miami Herald. The suspension stems from an incident last year in Coconut Grove, Fla. Freshman Jacory Harris is expected to start Miami's opener Thursday at Dolphin Stadium. Marve is expected to start Sept. 6 against host Florida in Gainesville.

• Colonel John edges Mambo to take Travers

  August 24, 2008

  Colonel John beat Mambo in Seattle in a photo finish to win the $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Colonel John ran 1 1/4 miles in 2 minutes, 3.20 seconds. The Eoin Harty-trained horse paid $10.40, $5.40 and $4.30. Colonel John had not won a race since taking the Santa Anita Derby in April and finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby. Mambo in Seattle, ridden by Robby Albarado, paid $6.30 and $5.10. Pyro, the favorite in the 139th running of the Travers, finished third in the race for 3-year-olds with Shaun Bridgmohan riding and paid $3.70.

• Sports Digest

  August 23, 2008

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• Big Brown set to run in Monmouth Stakes

  August 22, 2008

  Big Brown is heading back to the grass in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

• Sonics' banners, trophies to stay in Seattle

  August 21, 2008

  The championship banners and trophies from the SuperSonics' best days will remain in Seattle. But the flat-screen TV in the coaches' locker room is going to Oklahoma City.

• Despite win, Hagerstown doesn't advance

  August 20, 2008

  Hagerstown beat Lake Charles, La., 6-4, at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., but still failed to advance to the U.S. semifinals.

• MLS' Galaxy hires Arena as coach, GM

  August 19, 2008

  Former U.S. national team and D.C. United coach Bruce Arena was hired yesterday as coach and general manager of David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy, which hasn't won a game in more than two months.

• Little League pitcher perfect for Mexico

  August 18, 2008

  Jesus Sauceda pitched the fifth perfect game in Little League World Series history and the first in 29 years when he struck out all 12 batters in Matamoros, Mexico's 12-0 win over Emilia, Italy, in South Williamsport, Pa.

• Braves' Glavine out for season

  August 17, 2008

  Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine is out for the season.

• Del Potro reaches Legg Mason final

  August 17, 2008

  Juan Martin del Potro won his 18th consecutive match and a spot in the ATP Legg Mason Tennis Classic final with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Tommy Haas in Washington. Del Potro will face either Igor Kunitsyn or Viktor Troicki, who were set to play late last night. Del Potro broke Haas for a 3-2 lead in the first set, starting a streak of eight games won. Haas finally held serve again to make it 4-1 in the second. His winning streak is the second best on the ATP this year, behind Rafael Nadal's 32 straight.

• Report: Finley to re-sign with Spurs

  August 16, 2008

  Michael Finley is poised to re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs.

• Mauk sues NCAA for extra eligibility

  August 15, 2008

  Quarterback Ben Mauk has launched a legal Hail Mary in an effort to keep his college football career alive.

• M. Williams heading to Cavs in 3-team trade

  August 14, 2008

  The Cleveland Cavaliers are getting some help for LeBron James.

• Woods won't swing club until next year

  August 13, 2008

  Tiger Woods said he isn't going to be physically able to swing a club until 2009.

• Sports Digest

  August 12, 2008

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• Sports Digest

  August 11, 2008

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• Sports Digest

  August 10, 2008

  Chicago White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras is out for at least nine months after rupturing his left Achilles' tendon while trying to cover first base in last night's 6-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Contreras, 36, limped past first base before clutching his leg and pounding his fist on the ground. He needed help to get off the field. The right-hander, who had just been activated from the 15-day disabled list with right elbow tendinitis, is 7-6 with a 4.60 ERA.

• Sports Digest

  August 10, 2008

  Lance Armstrong placed second in the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race in Colorado, pushing six-time champion Dave Wiens to a record time. It was Armstrong's first competitive bicycle race since winning his seventh straight Tour de France in 2005. Wiens took the lead from Armstrong with 10 miles to go in the 100-mile race and finished 1 minute, 56 seconds ahead.

• Sports Digest

  August 10, 2008

  Scott Dixon came from behind last night at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, passing Helio Castroneves on the final straightaway to win the Meijer Indy 300. It was the second win in a row and the record-tying sixth victory of the season for Dixon, trying to win his second IndyCar Series championship. Castroneves tried to win on fuel strategy. It looked as if Castroneves had it when he took the lead with six laps to go when Dixon, who had dominated most of the 200-lap race, was forced to make a fuel stop.

• Big Ten: Games not compromised by official

  August 9, 2008

  The Big Ten's investigation of two football games involving an official with a history of financial troubles and casino gambling turned up no evidence to suggest the integrity of either 2007 game was compromised, the conference announced yesterday.

• Boxer Russell collapses, to miss Olympics

  August 8, 2008

  American bantamweight Gary Russell Jr., a Capitol Heights native, will miss the Olympics after collapsing in Beijing last night while trying to make weight.

• Sports Digest

  August 7, 2008

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• Source: $50M a year could lure James overseas

  August 6, 2008

  LeBron James would strongly consider leaving the NBA to play overseas if he was offered a salary in the range of $50 million a year, a person close to him told ESPN The Magazine.

• Prado, Nafzger, 4 others inducted into Hall

  August 5, 2008

  Jockey Edgar Prado and trainer Carl Nafzger led a group of six new inductees into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame yesterday in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

• Mets' Wagner to get MRI; Maine on DL

  August 4, 2008

  Billy Wagner has a strained left forearm and will have his second magnetic resonance imaging in two weeks tomorrow, leaving the New York Mets without their closer and starter John Maine.

• Deweycheatumnhowe wins Hambletonian

  August 3, 2008

  Deweycheatumnhowe won the $1.5 million Hambletonian in East Rutherford, N.J., becoming the first unbeaten winner of the 3-year-old trotting classic. He extended his winning streak to 15 by completing the mile in 1minute, 52 seconds. The winner paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10. Crazed returned $3.40 and $2.60. Make It Happen paid $8 to show.

• D.C. United tops Kansas City, 2-0

  August 3, 2008

  Luciano Emilio scored his 11th goal of the season and Jaime Moreno had a goal and an assist to help host D.C. United beat the Kansas City Wizards, 2-0. United (8-8-1) won for the fifth time in six Major League Soccer games and took sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Zach Wells recorded his first shutout this season. Kansas City (5-6-7) lost for the first time in eight games. Emilio took a pass in the 28th minute from Moreno and, after switching the ball from his right foot, blasted a shot with his left into the lower left corner. Moreno scored on a header in the 60th minute to beat goalie Kevin Hartman.

• Hamilton claims pole in Hungary

  August 3, 2008

  Lewis Hamilton took a big step toward winning his third straight Formula One race yesterday by claiming the pole for the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest. The McLaren driver set a fastest lap of 1 minute, 20.899 seconds for his 10th career pole and second straight at the twisting Hungaroring track. Hamilton was more than 0.2 of a second faster than teammate Heikki Kovalainen to give McLaren a 1-2 front row today. Ferrari's Felipe Massa will start from third ahead of Robert Kubica of BMW Sauber. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen is sixth, behind Timo Glock of Toyota.

• Johnson edges Martin to take pole at Pocono

  August 2, 2008

  Jimmie Johnson won his second pole in a row and third of the season yesterday at Pocono Raceway, knocking Mark Martin off the top spot in qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 in Long Pond.

• Big Brown named favorite for $1M Haskell

  August 1, 2008

  Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown drew the No. 4 post and was made the 1-2 favorite for Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

• Deng, Bulls agree to six-year contract

  July 31, 2008

  Restricted free-agent forward Luol Deng and the Chicago Bulls have agreed to a six-year contract that could be worth as much as $80 million, a person within the NBA who is familiar with the situation told the Associated Press.

• America's Cup pushed toward usual format

  July 30, 2008

  The America's Cup appears to be headed away from a rare one-on-one showdown between American and Swiss crews and back to its traditional multichallenger format after a ruling by a New York appeals court yesterday that went against a San Francisco yacht club.

• Toney-Rahman fight now ruled no-decision

  July 29, 2008

  The California State Athletic Commission changed its original decision on the James Toney-Hasim Rahman fight from a technical knockout to a no-decision.

• Nadal takes Rogers Cup, wins 5th straight

  July 28, 2008

  Rafael Nadal beat Nicolas Kiefer, 6-3, 6-2, yesterday in Toronto to win the Rogers Cup, his fifth straight tournament win.

• Commentator takes Whitney Handicap

  July 27, 2008

  Commentator scored a dominant, front-running victory in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap yesterday at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Sent to the lead heading into the first turn, Commentator, ridden by John Velazquez, set a moderate pace and was never threatened while running 1 1/8 miles in 1minute, 50.23 seconds. He widened the advantage to 4 3/4 lengths over Student Council at the wire. Commentator, who repeated as champion, is now assured of a start in the Breeders' Cup Classic in October in Arcadia, Calif.

• Ky. Busch captures Nationwide victory

  July 27, 2008

  Kyle Busch was frustrated by NASCAR's latest rule change. He took it out on the competition. Busch led all but three laps in Clermont, Ind., to win the Nationwide Series' Kroger 200. It was the first event since NASCAR's mandate Wednesday to cut down the horsepower in series engines knocked 15 horsepower out of Toyota's engines. "We wanted to come out here this weekend and sort of get a little sweet revenge on everybody," said Busch, who won his 15th race of the season spanning NASCAR's three series, breaking the record of 14 set by Kevin Harvick in 2006. He has six Nationwide wins this year.

• Margarito stops Cotto, claims title

  July 27, 2008

  Antonio Margarito stopped Miguel Cotto in the 11th round in Las Vegas, blemishing Cotto's unbeaten record and claiming the World Boxing Association's 147-pound welterweight title with one last incredible barrage of punches. Margarito (37-5, 27 KOs), the Mexican star so often ducked by the division's best fighters in recent years, dropped the Puerto Rican champion twice in the 11th after several rounds of relentless pressure at the MGM Grand Garden. Margarito won his third welterweight belt. Cotto (32-1) was attempting his fifth title defense.

• Sports Digest

  July 26, 2008

  Carlos Sastre kept the Tour de France yellow jersey yesterday, a day before a time trial that most likely will determine the winner of the three-week race in what the Spaniard calls the "opportunity of my life."

• Coppin names Ramsey new athletic director

  July 25, 2008

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• Sports Digest

  July 24, 2008

  •GolfGreg Norman, who at age 53 took third at the British Open, said he has until today to decide whether to accept an invitation for next month's PGA Championship.

• Sports Digest

  July 23, 2008

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• Sports Digest

  July 22, 2008

  M. Jones wants prison