KWBG Sports for July 29th

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Desmond Jennings hit his first career

home run and later added a two-run double in a seven-run seventh

inning and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied from five runs down to stun

the Oakland Athletics 10-8 in day baseball. B.J. Upton and Evan

Longoria also homered for the Rays.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The defending World Series champion Giants

have completed a trade for Carlos Beltran and the veteran slugger

is batting third and playing right field in San Francisco's lineup

for tonight's series finale in Philadelphia. The All-Star

outfielder grounded out in his first at-bat with the NL West

leaders, who traded top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler to the Mets

for Beltran.

MILWAUKEE (AP) - The NL Central-leading Brewers will have to

make-do without their starting second baseman for the next two to

six weeks. Rickie Weeks is on the 15-day disabled list a day after

spraining his left ankle during last night's 2-0 win over the Cubs.

The Brewers did find some help, acquiring infielder Felipe Lopez

from the Tampa Bay Rays Triple A affiliate for cash.

ASHBURN, VA, (AP) - The Redskins unloaded under-performing

defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth to the New England Patriots

for a 2013 fifth-round draft pick. The Redskins got only six and

a-half sacks in Hayneworth's 20 games with the Skins.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Day 3 of the frenzied NFL offseason produced

another blockbuster trade. The Philadelphia Eagles have sent former

starting quarterback Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals for

cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick.

KWBG Sports for July 28th

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Vikings have acquired

quarterback Donovan McNabb from the Washington Redskins in exchange

for a sixth-round draft pick and a conditional pick in 2013. The

deal gives the Vikings a veteran quarterback who will play until

first-round draft choice Christian Ponder is ready to take over.

UNDATED (AP) - There were two significant on-field feats

yesterday in baseball. The L.A. Angels' Ervin Santana tossed the

third no-hitter of the season in the Angels' 3-1 triumph over

Cleveland and the Seattle Mariners snapped their franchise-record

17-game losing streak by beating the New York Yankees 9-2 behind

Felix Hernandez.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP)- North Carolina officials have called a

press conference today at which time they are expected to discuss

yesterday's firing of football coach Butch Davis nine days before

the start of preseason practice. An interim coach is expected to be

named following this morning's closed-door meetings of the North

Carolina board of trustees.

NEW YORK (AP) - A person with knowledge of the plans says NBA

owners and players will resume talks toward a new collective

bargaining agreement Monday, a month after the lockout started.

Though both sides have been talking and met on multiple occasions

since July 1, this will be the first meeting to include

Commissioner David Stern, union executive director Billy Hunter,

owners and players.

MILWAUKEE (AP) - A person with knowledge of the deal tells The

Associated press that the Milwaukee Bucks are in discussions with

franchise icon Sidney Moncrief about returning to the team as an

assistant coach. Bucks coach Scott Skiles has an opening on his

staff after Kelvin Sampson left to join Kevin McHale as an

assistant with the Houston Rockets.

KWBG Sports for July 27th

NEW YORK (AP) - The Seattle Mariners have stretched their

club-record losing streak to 17 games with a 4-1 setback in New

York last night. The Mariners didn't get their first baserunner

against CC Sabathia until Brendan Ryan singled with one out in the

eighth. Marrk Teixeira (teh-SHEHR'-uh) and Curtis Granderson hit

solo homers against the Mariners, who are four shy of the American

League record for consecutive losses set by the 1988 Baltimore

Orioles.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - San Francisco absorbed a 7-2 loss at

Philadelphia last night after Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum

(LIHN'-seh-kuhm) was scratched from his scheduled start because of

a stomach illness. Barry Zito filled in for Lincecum and

surrendered Chase Utley's inside-the-park home run and a three-run

blast by Raul Ibanez (ih-BAHN'-yehz). The Giants said last night

that Lincecum could be well enough to pitch today.

PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Diamondbacks have reinstated closer

J.J. Putz (puts) from the 15-day disabled list and placed infielder

Geoff Blum on it with a broken right pinkie finger. Putz missed 19

games with elbow tendinitis after being placed on the disabled list

on July 1, retroactive to June 29. He was 1-2 with 21 saves and a

3.12 ERA in 34 games.

UNDATED (AP) - Several prominent football players learned

yesterday that they will be released. The list includes New York

Giants offensive linemen Sean O'Hara and Rich Seubert, running back

Marion Barber, receiver Roy Williams, right guard Leonard Davis and

kicker Kris Brown of Dallas, and Willis McGahee (muh-GAY'-hee),

former Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap, wide receiver Derrick Mason

and nose tackle Kelly Gregg of the Ravens.

UNDATED (AP) - A source tells The Associated Press that

quarterback Tavaris Jackson has agreed to contract terms with the

Seattle Seahawks, which means the end of Matt Hasselbeck as the

team's signal-caller. And Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown

insists he won't satisfy quarterback Carson Palmer's request for a

trade, saying a deal would reward him for failing to play out the

rest of his contract.

KWBG Sports for July 26th

WASHINGTON (AP) - It's business as usual for the NFL today after

players voted yesterday to approve a 10-year labor agreement that

ends the 4 1/2-month lockout. Club facilities will open to players

today, and general managers will be able to sign 2011 draft picks

and rookie free agents. Teams can begin talking to veteran free

agents, and training camps for some teams may begin as soon as

tomorrow.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - The Texas Rangers have widened their

lead in the American League West by setting a major league season

high for runs in last night's 20-6 laugher against Minnesota. Ian

Kinsler homered and drove in four runs. Michael Young also homered

and drove in three runs, and Josh Hamilton had three RBIs. The rout

gives the Rangers a four-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels in

the American League West.

UNDATED (AP) - The Seattle Mariners extended their club-record

losing streak to 16 games by falling 10-3 to the New York Yankees.

Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira (tuh-SHEHR'-uh) each homered and

drove in three runs, while Freddy Garcia held his former team to

three runs and eight hits in 7 2/3 innings. The Mariners' skid is

the longest in the majors since Kansas City lost 19 in a row in

2005.

ATLANTA (AP) - Chipper Jones returned from the 15-day disabled

list and was back in the Braves' starting lineup last night, only

two weeks after having surgery on his right knee. Jones was 2-for-4

with a solo homer as Atlanta lost 3-1 to Pittsburgh. The Braves

made roster room for Jones by sending outfielder Wilkin Ramirez to

Triple-A Gwinnett.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A law enforcement official says the two men

charged with severely beating a San Francisco Giants fan at Dodger

Stadium on opening day are suspected of assaulting three other

Giants fans the same day. Detectives believe the other victims were

approached by suspects Louie Sanchez and Marvin Norwood on the west

side of the stadium on March 31. Both are accused of mayhem and

assault in the attack on 42-year-old paramedic Bryan Stow, who was

beaten into a coma and remains hospitalized.

KWBG Sports for July 25th

NEW YORK (AP) - The National Football League player's executive

committee meets today, and while every NFL fan wants a vote on a

tentative deal, nobody is sure when that might happen. Lawyers have

worked through the weekend on issues that are holding up an

agreement with the owners.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Baseball star Roger Clemens' legal troubles

don't appear to be over after a mistrial. He may be retried on

perjury charges for allegedly lying to Congress about the use of

performance-enhancing drugs. To avoid that, Clemens would have to

convince the judge that prosecutors intentionally provoked a

mistrial by showing jurors evidence that had been ruled out.

MIAMI (AP) - New York Mets ace pitcher Johan Santana's rehab

remains on target. He threw 45 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday.

Barring a setback, he's expected to begin a minor-league

rehabilitation assignment in the next few days.

SHANGHAI (AP) - U.S. swimmers have a surprising loss to deal

with. They picked up a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle

relay at the world championships. They couldn't move up after

Michael Phelps got off to a good start. It was the first time since

2007 that the American men lost a relay of any kind at worlds or

the Olympics.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The young U.S. team is looking more and

more like the juggernaut of old at the World Cup of Softball in

Oklahoma. Stacy May-Johnson hit a grand slam and Christi Orgeron

had a three-run double as the United States advanced to the

championship game by beating Great Britain 10-0 Sunday. The U.S.

will face either 2008 Olympic gold medalist Japan or Canada.

KWBG Sports for July 22nd

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (AP) - The NFL owners have ratified a new

collective bargaining agreement opening the way for the end of the

four-month old lockout. The players will have a conference call

later this evening to vote on the deal.

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (AP) - The annual Hall of Fame game that kicks

off the NFL exhibition season will not be played this year due

lockout. Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL') says there is not

enough time to prepare for the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams to

meet as planned August 7.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Howie Kendrick scored from second base

after outfielder Endy Chavez dropped a fly ball in the second

inning and Anaheim went on to a 1-0 win over Texas. Jered Weaver

won a pitcher's duel with a fellow All-Star C.J. Wilson to improve

to 13-4 and lower his major-league leading ERA to 1.81

MIAMI (AP) - San Diego Padres second baseman Orlando Hudson

avoided serious injury when he collided with a wall after catching

a foul ball. Hudson was taken off the field on a stretcher, but a

team spokesman says he's expected to be fine and rejoin the team in

Philadelphia tomorrow for the start of a series with the Phillies.

DENVER (AP) - Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman each homered and

had two hits to lead Atlanta to a 9-6 win over Colorado. Brooks

Conrad homered and Nate McLouth had two hits for Atlanta, which

earned a split of the four-game series.

KWBG Sports for July 21st

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - The Texas Rangers' second-longest winning

streak in team history is over at 12 games. Howie Kendrick drove in

four runs and the L.A. Angels erupted with six runs in the sixth

inning to beat the AL West-leading Rangers 9-8 last night.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - The Los Angeles Dodgers and Major League

Baseball squared off in a Delaware bankruptcy court yesterday as

the iconic franchise sought court approval of a $150 million

financing arrangement that MLB is challenging with a financing

offer of its own. The judge hearing the case said he would try and

issue a rule by today.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The NFL labor picture continues to play out in

the hands of lawyers for both sides. The players didn't vote

Wednesday on a full proposal to settle the league's labor dispute,

citing several outstanding issues, although there was agreement

among the 32 team player reps on what items needed to be resolved.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Tiger Woods has fired caddie Steve

Williams, saying "it's time for a change." Woods and Williams

were together for 12 years and some 250 tournaments, a

player-caddie relationship that produced 72 wins, 13 majors and a

friendship so strong that each served in the other's wedding.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) - Serena Williams is using her special

injury-protected No. 1 ranking to get into the U.S. Open field. She

is ranked 172nd this week, and only the top 105 players have been

granted direct entry into the field for next month's major

championship, but the Open is making an exception for Williams.

KWBG Sports for July 20th

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - The Texas Rangers own the biggest

divisional lead in baseball. The Rangers beat Anaheim 7-0 for their

12th straight victory, moving them five games up on the Angels in

the American League West.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - James McDonald and three relievers combined on

a six-hitter to help the Pittsburgh Pirates shut out the Cincinnati

Reds for the second straight night, 1-0. The victory keeps the

surprising Pirates atop the NL Central as the Bucs improved to 7-1

against the Reds this season.

HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Astros traded second baseman Jeff

Keppinger to the San Francisco Giants for two Double-A pitchers

yesterday. Keppinger is batting .307 with four homers and 20 RBIs

in 43 games this season since his return from foot surgery and is

getting a chance to play for a team in the playoff hunt.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - All-Star center Steven Stamkos signed a

five-year, $37.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on

Tuesday, two months after helping the team make a surprising run to

the Eastern Conference finals. Stamkos, the No. 1 overall pick in

the 2008 draft, had 45 goals and 91 points last season.

NEW YORK (AP) - Staff members from the NBA and players'

association will meet Friday in the first session related to

collective bargaining since the lockout began July 1. Neither NBA

Commissioner David Stern nor players association chief Billy Hunter

plan to attend.

KWBG Sports for July 19th

BALTIMORE (AP) - After managing just five hits in their 1-0,

16-inning win over Tampa Bay Sunday night, the Boston Red Sox

erupted with 16 hits in their 15-10 rout of Baltimore last night.

Dustin Pedroia doubled in two runs to spark an eight-run eighth

inning as the Red Sox beat Baltimore for the seventh straight time.

CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Cubs beat Philadelphia 6-1 Monday on

a night when Phillies ace Roy Halladay left the game because of the

91-degree heat on a steamy night at Wrigley Field. Halladay doubled

over and was visited by a trainer in the top of the fifth in his

first action since throwing two shutout innings in last week's

All-Star game.

UNDATED (AP) - The NFL told club executives they could be

schooled in the ins and outs of the new labor contract as early as

Thursday, and the players' association summoned its leadership for

a potential vote - the strongest signs yet the lockout might be

nearing an end. Lawyers for both sides met 8 1/2 hours yesterday in

New York, and talks were scheduled to continue today.

NEW YORK (AP) - Clay Hensley came off the disabled list to win

his first major league start in three years, leading the resurgent

Florida Marlins past the New York Mets 4-1. Florida improved to

15-9 under 80-year-old manager Jack McKeon, who took over after

Edwin Rodriguez abruptly resigned late in the team's 1-19 June

swoon.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Lou Marson hit a tiebreaking solo homer in

the seventh inning and the Cleveland Indians completed a

doubleheader sweep with a 6-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins to

take the first two of an important four-game series between the AL

Central foes at sweltering Target Field. Asdrubal Cabrera

(ahs-DROO'-buhl kah-BREHR'-uh) hit a three-run homer to lift the

Indians to a 5-2 win in the first half of the twinbill and added an

RBI single in the nightcap.

KWBG Sports for July 18th

SANDWICH, England (AP) - Darren Clarke has won the British Open

to give Northern Ireland its third victory in golf's last six

majors. Clarke closed with an even-par 70 for a 5-under total,

three shots ahead of Americans Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.

The 42-year-old Clarke is the oldest major champion since Vijay

Singh (VEE'-jay sing) at the 2004 PGA Championship.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - The U.S. women's soccer team settled

for runner-up status at World Cup by falling to Japan 3-1 on

penalty kicks yesterday in Frankfurt Germany. The Americans had

taken the lead in the 104th minute off a header by Abby Wambach off

a feed from Alex Morgan, who scored the first goal of the game in

the 69th minute. But Japan came back from a pair of one-goal

deficits to become the first Asian nation to win the tournament.

LOUDON, N.H. (AP) - Newman-Haas Racing finished one-two at New

Hampshire Motor Speedway yesterday as Ryan Newman held off teammate

and owner Tony Stewart. Newman started from the pole before

claiming his first win of the season. Danny Hamlin finished third,

followed by Joey Logano and Johnnie Johnson.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - The Boston Red Sox are closer to

full strength. Left fielder Carl Crawford will return to the lineup

today after being placed on the disabled list on June 18 with a

strained left hamstring. And Bosox manager Terry Francona says Jon

Lester could rejoin the rotation in about a week after landing on

the DL with a strained back muscle.

UNDATED (AP) - NFL labor negotiations will resume today in New

York instead of Minneapolis, according to a person who spoke to The

AP on condition of anonymity because the discussions are supposed

to remain confidential. The owners and players made significant

progress last week, but potential sticking points remain, including

re-establishing the union and figuring out what it will take for

nine NFL players to settle their antitrust suit against the league.

KWBG Sports for July 15th

SANDWICH, England (AP) - Round two of the British Open is being

played today at Royal St. George's, where 20-year-old amateur Tom

Lewis of England grabbed a share of the lead with a 5-under-par 65

in Thursday's opening round. He matched Denmark's Thomas Bjorn

(Byron), an alternate who got into the field Monday, after Vijay

Singh withdrew.

NEW YORK (AP) - Four people familiar with the negotiations tell

The Associated Press that the two sides in the NFL labor

negotiations are making significant progress on rookie contracts.

That issue has been a major stumbling block in the latest round of

labor talks. The league's owners and players are expected to meet

again Friday.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Two weeks after they filed a complaint over

their lack of involvement in the labor talks between the NFL and

players, a group of retired football players sent the league a

letter asking to be a part of the negotiations. The players refer

to a letter they received from Panthers owner Jerry Richardson and

Packers CEO Mark Murphy that said improving benefits and retirement

plans were a "top priority."

ATLANTA (AP) - The Yellow Jackets have been stung by the NCAA.

Georgia Tech has received four years of probation, a $100,000 fine

and has been stripped of its ACC title game victory from the 2009

football season for violations that also included problems in the

men's basketball program.

TORONTO (AP) - Major league home run leader Jose Bautista of the

Toronto Blue Jays twisted his right ankle during Thursday night's

game and is listed as day to day. Bautista is sitting on 31 home

runs after hitting a major league-high 54 homers last season.

KWBG Sports for July 14th

SANDWICH, England (AP) - The third major of the year in men's

golf is the British Open and the annual event is taking place this

year in Sandwich, England. The winner a year ago was Louis

Oosthuizen (WUHST'-hy-zehn). The forecast calls for a 60 per cent

chance of rain with wind gusting between 25 and 30 miles per hour.

MOENCHENGLADBACH, Germany (AP) - American soccer fans are still

celebrating Wednesday's big win by the U.S. in the Women's World

Cup. The American squad defeated France 3-1 to advance to the

championship match, while Japan qualified for the final with a 3-1

win over Sweden. The title match will be played Sunday.

UNDATED (AP) - It's back to business in Major League Baseball

Thursday night. Four games are on the agenda in the American League

while three are slated for the National circuit.

WASHINGTON (AP) - At the Roger Clemens perjury trial in

Washington, D.C. on Wednesday prosecutors introduced evidence they

say shows that Clemens used performance enhancing drugs. The

defense teams calls the evidence bogus.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Texas-Arlington is expected to become

the next member of the Western Athletic Conference. A vote by the

board of the regents for the University of Texas system is

scheduled for Thursday. The school has announced plans for an

afternoon news conference on campus featuring WAC commissioner Karl

Benson.

KWBG Sports for July 13th

PHOENIX (AP) - The National League won the All-Star game for the

second straight year by downing the American League 5-1 in Phoenix

last night. The AL led until game MVP Prince Fielder launched a

three-run homer in the fourth inning. The NL combined to allow just

six hits and improved to 42-38-2 in the series.

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Mets have shipped closer Francisco

Rodriguez and cash to the Milwaukee Brewers for two players to be

named. Rodriguez is the single-season record-holder with 62 saves,

doing it with the 2008 Angels. He's 2-2 with 23 saves and a 3.16

ERA this year.

PHOENIX (AP) - Major league teams are reviewing stadium safety

following the death of a fan at a Texas Rangers game last week,

according to baseball commissioner Bud Selig (SEE'-lihg). A

39-year-old Texas firefighter plunged to his death during Thursday

night's game while trying to catch a ball thrown to the stands by a

Rangers player.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Kurt Rambis has been fired as head coach of

the Minnesota Timberwolves with two years remaining on his

four-year contract. The Wolves went 32-132 under Rambis, including

an NBA-worst 17-65 last season.

TIANJIN, China (AP) - Kevin Durant isn't ruling out playing

basketball abroad next season if the NBA lockout isn't resolved.

The Oklahoma City Thunder forward said during a promotional tour in

China that he thinks more players will follow Deron Williams'

example and play overseas if the NBA season is disrupted. Williams

has said he will play in Turkey if the lockout remains.

KWBG Sports for July 12th

PHOENIX (AP) - Robinson Cano (kuh-NOH') has become the third New

York Yankee to win the Home Run Derby, doing it with a

record-setting performance in the final to beat Boston's Adrian

Gonzalez 12-11. Cano finished with 32 total homers and had four

outs to spare when he took the title. Milwaukee's Prince Fielder

and David Ortiz of the Red Sox were the other semifinalists.

PHOENIX (AP) - The National League hasn't won back-to-back

All-Star games since 1995 and '86, but it has a chance tonight

against the American League in Phoenix. The American League went

12-0-1 from 1997 until the National League took last year's game

3-1 at Anaheim. The senior circuit leads the series 41-38-2.

PHOENIX (AP) - Roy Halladay will become the fourth hurler to

start All-Star games for both leagues when he tosses the first

pitch for the National League tonight in Phoenix. Halladay is 11-3

with a 2.45 ERA for the Philadelphia Phillies this season. Jered

Weaver starts for the American League after going 11-4 with a major

league-best 1.86 earned run average for the Los Angeles Angels.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - So Yeon Ryu (soh yahn yoo) beat

fellow South Korean Hee Kyung Seo (soh) by three strokes in a

three-hole playoff to claim the U.S. Women's Open title. Ryu carded

three straight 2-under-par 69s to get to 3-under through

regulation. American Cristie Kerr was the only player under par,

finishing at minus-1.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Former All-Pro linebacker Mike Vrabel

(VRAY'-bul) is retiring from the Kansas City Chiefs and returning

to his alma mater as an Ohio State assistant coach. Vrabel

confirmed Monday morning the end of his 14-year career and that he

had taken the job as linebackers coach with the Buckeyes. The

position was previously held by his college roommate and teammate,

Luke Fickell (FIHK'-uhl), who was elevated to interim head coach

when Jim Tressel resigned May 30.

KWBG Sports for July 11th

HOUSTON (AP) - Houston Rockets center Yao Ming will officially

announce his retirement later this month, ending an eight-year NBA

career in which he averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds. A person

with direct knowledge of his decision tells The Associated Press

Yao has decided to retire. The 7-foot-6 Yao has been plagued by leg

and foot injuries late in his career, and missed 250 regular-season

games over the past six seasons.

CINCINNATI (AP) - Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was

arrested yesterday morning in Cincinnati on misdemeanor charges of

disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Cincinnati media outlets

reported documents filed in court accuse Jones of being disorderly

and shouting profanities in a bar and trying to pull away as

officers arrested him. His career has been marred by at least six

arrests and a dozen instances that involved police intervention.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Spain has advanced to the Davis Cup

semifinals by knocking out the U.S. David Ferrer clinched it with a

7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 7-6 win over Mardy Fish to give the Spaniards an

insurmountable 3-1 lead. The lone win for the Americans was

provided by the doubles team of Mike and Bob Bryan on Saturday.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Hee Kyung Seo will be the

clubhouse leader when the final round of the Women's U.S. Open

resumes later today. Seo finished 3-under following a pair of

3-under 68s, putting her one shot ahead of So Yeon Ryu and two

better than Cristie Kerr when yesterday's play was halted by

darkness. Ryu has three holes remaining, one more than Kerr.

SILVIS, Ill. (AP) - Steve Stricker shot a final round 2-under 69

for a one-shot win over Kyle Stanley at the PGA's John Deere

Classic. Stricker finished 22 shots under par, five shots better

than third-place finishers Matt McQuillan and Zach Johnson.

KWBG Sports for July 8th

NEW YORK (AP) - Baseball history could be made tonight at Yankee

Stadium. Yankee captain Derek Jeter needs two hits to become the

28th major leaguer to compile 3,000 hits and Jeter would be the

first to do it exclusively in a Yankee uniform.

UNDATED (AP) - Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino

and Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko have been elected

to the All-Star team by online fan voting. And Los Angeles Angels

closer Jordan Walden will replace the Yankees' Mariano Rivera, who

has soreness in his right arm and hasn't pitched since July 3.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Atlanta Braves charge into a crucial

midseason series in Philadelphia two and a-half games back of the

Phils, but on a roll. The Braves are coming off their first

four-game sweep of Colorado in 18 years and have won nine of 10 and

14 of 17 as they face 10-game winner Roy Halladay in tonight's

series opener.

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The baseball world is mourning the death of

Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams, who won two World Series titles

with Oakland and led two other teams to pennants. The Hall of Fame

said Williams died from a ruptured aortic aneurysm at a hospital

near his home in Henderson, Nev., at age 82.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - They'll try to get an early start

today at the U.S. Women's Open after thunderstorms cut short

opening round play. Cristie Kerr and amateur Amy Anderson are tied

at 2-under late in their first round but only 25 players were able

to complete their round with some 72 players never getting to tee

off at all because of the weather.

KWBG Sports for July 7th

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Albert Pujols (POO'-hohls) went 1-for-6 with an

RBI in his return to action for the St. Louis Cardinals in their

9-8, 13-inning loss to Cincinnati last night. The three-time

National League MVP returned to action nearly a month ahead of

schedule after suffering a broken left wrist last month.

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Now that Albert Pujols (POO'-hohls) has

returned to the St. Louis lineup, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa

says he'd love to see the slugger in next Tuesday's All-Star Game

as an injury substitution. La Russa's only objection would be if

Pujols was part of the Home Run Derby competition, which can take

an injury toll on a player.

CLEVELAND (AP) - Derek Jeter went 1-for-3 with a walk last night

in a 5-3 loss in Cleveland, leaving him three hits shy of the 3,000

mark. Jeter and the New York Yankees open a homestand tonight

against the Tampa Bay Rays.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Jury selection in the Roger Clemens' perjury

trial in Washington is expected to continue today and could go into

next week. Clemens, the former fireballer who won 354 major league

games and is one of four hurlers with more than 4,000 strikeouts,

is charged with lying to Congress on the issue of

performance-enhancing drugs.

NEW YORK (AP) - NFL owners and players find themselves in

hurry-up mode as time gets tight to reach labor peace one month

before the Hall of Fame game is scheduled to start the preseason on

Aug. 7. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL') and players

association chief DeMaurice Smith plan to return to the

negotiations today, along with several owners and players.

KWBG Sports for July 7th

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Three-time National League MVP Albert Pujols

(POO'-hohls) is expected to start at first base when the St. Louis

Cardinals host Cincinnati tonight. Pujols was activated from the

15-day disabled list before the Cards' 8-1 win last night after

making a quick recovery from a fractured forearm.

NEW YORK (AP) - Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith will conduct

NFL labor talks this week after letting the lawyers handle

paperwork for two days in an attempt to end their labor stalemate.

On Thursday, Goodell and Smith will resume their discussions, with

owners and players present and one person with knowledge of the

negotiations says those talks could last into the weekend if a new

deal appears imminent.

NEW YORK (AP) - Today is the 115th day of the NFL labor lockout

and time is gradually becoming a factor in the discussions.

Training camps for the Rams and Bears are scheduled to open in less

than three weeks, and those teams are scheduled to play in the Hall

of Fame game on Aug. 7.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - As expected, Tiger Woods says he's

passing up next week's British Open because his left leg isn't

completely healed. Woods, whose 14 major titles ranks four back of

all-time leader Jack Nicklaus, will have one final shot at a major

this year at the PGA Championship Aug. 11-14 in Atlanta.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Frank Vogel, who took over for Jim O'Brien

in the middle of last season and led the Indiana Pacers to the

playoffs, is expected to be named to the job at a news conference

today in Indianapolis. The team finished the year 20-18 under Vogel

and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006, losing in five

games to top-seeded Chicago.

KWBG Sports for July 5th

CLEVELAND (AP) - The New York Yankees had Derek Jeter back in

the lineup last night for the first time since he suffered a calf

injury on June 13. Jeter went 0-for-4 in a 6-3 loss to the Indians

at Cleveland, leaving him six shy of becoming the 28th player with

3,000 hits.

CLEVELAND (AP) - Cleveland Indians pitcher Josh Tomlin has

become the first major league hurler since 1919 to pitch at least

five innings in each of his first 29 major league appearances.

Tomlin took a no-hitter into the seventh and allowed two runs and

three hits in a 6-3 win over the New York Yankees last night. The

right-hander has gone at least six innings in 15 of his first 16

starts this season.

ST. LOUIS (AP) - St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa could

be able to pencil Albert Pujols (POO'-hohlz) into the lineup as

early as tonight. Pujols says he had no pain in his broken left

wrist after taking batting practice and fielding grounders before

the Cardinals game with Cincinnati last night. He's scheduled to be

examined this morning before the team decides whether to activate

him.

ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones and

manager Fredi Gonzalez regret their sharpest criticisms of umpire

Mark Ripperger who called Jones out on two called strikes to end

Sunday's 5-4 loss to Baltimore. Jones said he shouldn't have said

work by umpires overall "is substandard." Gonzalaz says he

shouldn't have characterized the calls as "awful."

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) - Novak Djokovic (JOH'-koh-vihch)

officially became the top-ranked men's tennis player yesterday, one

day after beating Rafael Nadal for his first Wimbledon title.

Djokovic actually clinched the No. 1 ranking by winning his

semifinal match. Nadal drops down a notch to second, while Roger

Federer remains No. 3.

KWBG Sports for July 4th

NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Baseball has announced the starters

for the July 12 All-Star game, and they include four New York

Yankees and three Milwaukee Brewers. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez,

Robinson Cano (kuh-NOH') and Curtis Granderson of the Yankees were

elected by fans in the American League. Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder

and Rickie Weeks were chosen from Milwaukee in the NL.

NEW YORK (AP) - New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes has received

good news concerning his strained left hamstring. Tests revealed

the All-Star has only a Grade 1 strain and could return later this

week. Reyes leads all National Leaguers with a .354 average, 124

hits, 15 triples and 65 runs scored, and his tied for first with 23

doubles.

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) - Novak Djokovic (JOH'-koh-vihch) is the

Wimbledon men's singles champion following a 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3

victory over defending champ Rafael Nadal. Djokovic is 48-1 this

year and has beaten Nadal five times in tournament finals. Nadal

had won 20 straight matches at the All England Club, including the

2008 and '10 titles.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) - Nick Watney has won the AT&T National

near Philadelphia, finishing two shots ahead of K.J. Choi. Watney

closed with a 4-under-par 66 for a 13-under total in his fourth PGA

victory. Rickie Fowler finished eight shots back after opening the

final round with a share of the lead.

BLAINVILLE, Quebec (AP) - John Cook closed with a 6-under 66 to

win the Champions Tour event in Canada by three shots. Second-round

leader Chien Soon Lu of Taiwan carded a 70 and finished alone in

second place at 18-under par.

KWBG Sports for July 1st

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL')

and NFLPA head DeMaurice (deh-MOHR'-ihs) Smith resumed negotiations

on a new collective bargaining agreement this morning, about six

hours after concluding a 15-hour session. The NFL lock out is in

its fourth month.

NEW YORK (AP) - The NBA is the second of the four major

professional sports leagues in the U.S. to lock out its players.

Owners took action after the collective bargaining agreement with

the players union expired at midnight Eastern time.

CLEVELAND (AP) - The NBA's Cavaliers cleared out a logjam at

power forward before the lock out began, trading J.J. Hickson to

the Sacramento Kings for forward Omri Casspi and a future

first-round pick. Hickson spent three mostly productive seasons in

Cleveland, but his days were numbered when the club drafted Texas

forward Tristan Thompson with the No. 4 overall pick last week.

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) - The two berths in the men's

championship will be filled before the day is done at Wimbledon.

Second-seeded Novak Djokovic (JOH'-kuh-vich) is facing No. 12 seed

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (SAHNG'-guh) in the first semifinal. They'll be

followed onto Centre Court by defending champion and top seed

Rafael Nadal and No. 4 seed Andy Murray.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) - The first-round co-leaders are on the

course for round two of the AT&T National outside of Philadelphia.

Adam Scott and Hunter Haas carded 4-under-par 66s and began the day

sharing a one-shot advantage over four golfers.