KWBG Sports for April 30th

 UNDATED (AP) - The San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks won the opener of their respective NBA first-round series. Tony Parker scored 28 points to lead the Spurs past Utah 106-91 before Andrew Bynum tied an NBA playoff record with 10 blocks while recording a triple-double in the Lakers' 103-88 win over Denver. The Clippers trailed 84-57 late in the third quarter but closed on a 28-3 run to beat Memphis 99-98, and Josh Smith's 22 points and 18 rebounds highlighted the Hawks' 83-74 triumph against Boston.

     ATLANTA (AP) - Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (RAH'-zhahn RAHN'-doh) is facing a possible suspension for bumping an official in the final minute of their loss to Atlanta last night. Celtics forward Brandon Bass had just been called for a foul when Rondo screamed at referee Marc Davis, who quickly gave him a technical. Rondo was tossed from the game for bumping Davis in the chest.

     UNDATED (AP) - The Philadelphia Flyers and Phoenix Coyotes won yesterday's NHL conference semifinal games. The Coyotes scored three times on 19 shots in the second period to build a 4-2 lead in a 5-3 victory over Nashville. Danny Briere (bree-EHR') scored his second goal of the afternoon at 4:36 of over to lift the Flyers past the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in the opener of that series.

     ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - The Texas Rangers finished last night's 5-2 loss to Tampa Bay without outfielder Josh Hamilton, who left after two innings because of stiffness in his back. The American League leader in home runs, RBIs, total bases and slugging is day-to-day.

     AVONDALE, La. (AP) - Jason Dufner birdied the second playoff hole to beat Ernie Els and win the Zurich Classic. Dufner fired a final-round 2-under 70 for a 19-under total in his first victory in 164 starts on the PGA Tour. He has three runner-up finishes, including last year's PGA Championship and Phoenix Open.

KWBG Sports for April 27th

 NEW YORK (AP) - There was no drama surrounding the first two picks of the NFL draft last night as Indianapolis used the No. 1 selection to take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck before Washington grabbed Robert Griffin III with the second choice. Both the Colts and Redskins had made their intentions known prior to the draft, but their picks were followed by numerous trades that altered the selection process. Alabama running back Trent Richardson went to Cleveland with the third pick, Minnesota selected USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil (kah-LEEL') at No. 4 and Jacksonville claimed Oklahoma St. wide receiver Justin Blackmon with the fifth overall choice.

     NEW YORK (AP) -The future of the Pro Bowl is apparently up in the air. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL') is reportedly thinking about ending the annual game. ESPN reports that the commissioner is "strongly considering" suspending the game for the upcoming season. The Associated Press was told by league spokesman Greg Aiello (eye-EHL'-oh) that no determination has been made yet.

     UNDATED (AP) - The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils won last night to move into the NHL's Eastern Conference semifinals. Marc Staal and Dan Girardi scored second-period goals to support Henrik Lundqvist's 26 saves in the Rangers' 2-1 victory over Ottawa. Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur made 31 of his 43 saves after the second period, but it was Adam Henrique's (HEHN'-reeks) second goal of the game at 3:47 of double-overtime that gave New Jersey a 3-2 triumph at Florida.

     CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The Charlotte Bobcats have set an NBA record with their season-ending 104-84 loss to the New York Knicks. The Bobcats finished 7-59 for a .106 winning percentage, topping the Philadelphia 76ers' .110 winning percentage in 1972-73 as the worst in league history.  Charlotte also ends the campaign on a 23-game losing streak, three off the NBA record.

     UNDATED (AP) - Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford won't be in the lineup for a while after being diagnosed with a sprained ligament in his throwing elbow. The club did not announce a timetable for Crawford's return, but he is expected to miss at least a few months. And New York Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey says he's 99 percent sure he'll have season-ending Tommy John surgery after a partial ligament tear was found in his throwing elbow.

KWBG Sports for April 26th

 BOSTON (AP) - The Boston Bruins' reign as Stanley Cup champions is over following a 2-1 overtime loss to Washington in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Joel Ward hadn't scored a goal in the series until he stuffed in a rebound of Mike Knuble's (kuh-NOO'-buls) shot at 2:57 of OT. Braden Holtby stopped 31 shots for the Capitals, who still don't know who they'll face in the next round.

     CLEVELAND (AP) - The Chicago Bulls are on the verge of clinching home court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs after Kyle Korver scored 20 points and Carlos Boozer added 16 in a 92-87 win at Indiana. The Bulls need to win their regular-season finale against visiting Cleveland tonight or have San Antonio lose at Golden State to grab the top overall seed.

     ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford says he won't be able to play in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against Boston because of a torn pectoral muscle that has already forced him to miss most of the regular season. Horford practiced four-on-four Monday but woke up sore and weak the following day. He is still hoping to play in the conference semifinals should the Hawks advance.

     NEW YORK (AP) - The NFL draft will begin tonight in New York, where Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck will be taken first overall by the Indianapolis Colts. Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan says he's 99.9% sure his team will select reigning Heisman Trophy winner and Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III with the second selection. Minnesota has the third pick, followed by Cleveland, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Miami, Carolina and Buffalo.

     SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The San Francisco Giants put Aubrey Huff on the 15-day disabled list as he receives treatment for an anxiety attack. The Giants originally said Huff left the team in New York over the weekend because of a family emergency. Huff is expected to rejoin the team in San Francisco this weekend.

KWBG Sports for April 25th

 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Utah Jazz clinched a playoff berth by rallying to beat Phoenix 100-88, eliminating the Suns from the playoff chase. Paul Millsap scored 26 for the Jazz, who will play either the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs or second-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder when the NBA playoffs start Saturday.

     EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) - The L.A. Lakers will be missing one of their key players in coach Mike Brown's rotation when the NBA playoffs start Saturday. Power forward Metta World Peace has been suspended seven games by the NBA for elbowing Oklahoma City's James Harden, meaning the player formerly known as Ron Artest (ahr-TEHST') could miss at least six playoff games.

     SAN DIEGO (AP) - Gio Gonzalez ran his scoreless innings streak to 20 over three starts and the NL East-leading Washington Nationals beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 last night on just four hits for their 11th win in their last 13 outings. Sporting an early season 13-4 mark, the surprising Nationals own the best record in the National League.

     UNDATED (AP) - Three first-round NHL Eastern Conference playoff series are going the distance starting with the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins home tonight against Washington in Game 7. On Thursday night, the Florida Panthers will host New Jersey after the Devils forced Game 7 with a 3-2 overtime victory on a Travis Zajac (ZAY'-jahk) game-winner last night, and the New York Rangers will host Ottawa in Game 7.

     NEW YORK (AP) - At least the top three picks in Thursday night's NFL draft appear set in stone. The Colts say they are taking Stanford QB Andrew Luck with the top pick, leaving Washington to take Baylor QB Robert Grifffin III at No. 2 and, barring a trade, the Minnesota Vikings likely take offensive lineman Matt Kalil out of USC with the third pick.

KWBG Sports for April 24th

SAN ANTONIO (AP)-  The road to the NBA Finals in the Western Conference will go through San Antonio. The Spurs clinched the No. 1 seed in the West in the upcoming NBA playoffs by routing Portland last night 124-89 for their eighth straight victory.

     OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma City Thunder forward James Harden underwent tests yesterday following his concussion in the previous day's game against the Los Angeles Lakers and will be re-evaluated today. Metta World Peace, who claims he accidentally clipped Harden while celebrating the dunk, faces discipline from the NBA as the regular season winds down and the Lakers prepare to open the playoffs this weekend.

     NEW ORLEANS (AP)- A New Orleans Saints spokesman is calling an ESPN report that general manager Mickey Loomis' booth in the Superdome was wired so he could listen to opposing coaches' radio communications during games is "1,000 percent false." The Saints say they are considering legal action against ESPN, which aired the alleged eavesdropping story on its "Outside the Lines" program.

     UNDATED (AP) - The Phoenix Coyotes have won a playoff series for the first time since 1987 when the franchise was based in Winnipeg by shutting out the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 as Mike Smith made 39 saves for his first career playoff shutout. In the East, the top-seeded New York Rangers have forced a seventh game at home Thursday after edging Ottawa 3-2 to tie that series.

     WASHINGTON (AP) -The complexity of the Roger Clemens perjury retrial showed itself in many ways yesterday before a jury that knows little about baseball. The prosecutor's hour-long opening statement attempted to portray the seven-time Cy Young Award winner as a man who told lies and "other lies to cover up lies."

KWBG Sports for April 23rd

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The Vancouver Canucks, who had the best record during the NHL regular season, are going home. The eighth-seeded L.A. Kings eliminated the Canucks in five games, winning the finale 2-1 in overtime on Jarret Stoll's overtime goal.

     PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia Flyers also advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs after eliminating Pittsburgh in six games with a 5-1 triumph yesterday. Claude Giroux (zheh'-ROO') scored his sixth goal of the series just 32 seconds into the game as the Flyers now await their second-round opponent.

     WASHINGTON (AP)- The defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins and upstart Washington Capitals are going the distance to decide their first-round series in which all the games have been decided by one goal. The Bruins will host the Caps Wednesday night in Game 7 after rallying for a 4-3 overtime victory on  a goal by Tyler Seguin (SAY'-gihn) at 3:17 of overtime.

     LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kobe Bryant capped a L.A. Lakers comeback by scoring six of his 26 points in the second overtime as the Lakers stormed from 18 points down to beat Oklahoma City 114-106. The game was marred by the second quarter ejection of Lakers forward Metta World Peace, who elbowed James Harden in the head while celebrating a dunk.

     SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Six years later, Ben Curtis is a PGA Tour winner again. The 2003 British Open champion ended a six-year winless drought with a two-stroke victory over Matt Every and John Huh to win the Texas Open for his fourth career PGA Tour title.

KWBG Sports for April 20th

 UNDATED (AP) -Orlando's All-Star and free-agent-to-be center Dwight Howard says he will have season-ending back surgery today in Los Angeles to repair a herniated disk.  The operation will end his season and keep him from playing for Team USA in the Olympics in London.

     NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Martin Brodeur (mar-TAN' broh-DYOOR') bounced back from his shortest postseason performance with a record-setting 24th Stanley Cup playoff shutout, leading the New Jersey Devils to a 4-0 victory over the Florida Panthers, tying their first-round series at 2-all. Brodeur made 26 saves in taking over sole possession of the postseason shutout mark from Patrick Roy (wah).

     NEW YORK (AP) - Curtis Granderson hit three home runs in the first four innings for the New York Yankees in their 7-6 win over Minnesota last night. With a chance to tie the major league record of four homers in a game, Granderson lined a clean single in the sixth and beat out an infield hit in the eighth for his first five-hit game since 2008.

     BOSTON (AP) - The New York Yankees will visit Boston and help the Red Sox celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first game at venerable Fenway Park at 3:15 p.m. (Eastern time) this afternoon. The Red Sox are stumbling along so far this season in the basement of the AL East with a 4-8 record heading into the weekend series with the Yanks.

     HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The lawyer for Joe Paterno's family says that the university's payment of millions under the former coach's employment contract wasn't a settlement and that the family declined a request for a full release. Wick Sollers issued a statement after Penn State disclosed it had provided the estate with more than $5.5 million in money and benefits to finalize the payments due under the contract.

KWBG Sports for April 19th

  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Melky Cabrera hit an RBI single in the 11th inning and the San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 in a thrilling pitchers' duel that seemed as if it might go on all night at AT&T Park. Cliff Lee threw 10 scoreless innings for the Phillies and Matt Cain pitched nine for the Giants.

     BOSTON (AP) -The Texas Rangers continued their torrid start by completing a two-game sweep in Fenway Park with a 6-3 win over the Red Sox. The Red Sox have lost eight of their first 12 games this season heading into their first matchup against the rival Yankees, who come to town Friday for Fenway's100th anniversary celebration.

     NEW YORK (AP) - A person familiar with the planning tells The Associated Press that Ivan (ee-VAHN') "Pudge" Rodriguez plans to announce his retirement Monday. A 14-time All-Star and the 1999 American League MVP, Rodriguez plans to make the announcement in Arlington, Texas, where he spent the first 12 of his 21 major league seasons with the Rangers.

     BOSTON (AP) - Paul Pierce had 29 points and a career-high 14 assists and the Boston Celtics clinched at least a tie for the Atlantic Division title as they held off a late charge by the Orlando Magic for a 102-98 win last night. NBA division winners are guaranteed to be seeded no worse than fourth in the conference and wouldn't have to face Chicago or Miami in the first round.

     UNDATED (AP) -- Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski (shuh-SHEF'-skee) called her a "pioneer in basketball" and someone who is among an "elite" group of leaders. Coach K was speaking of the legendary Tennessee Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, who is stepping down after 38 seasons and eight national titles as coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols.

KWBG Sports for April 18th

 MIAMI (AP) - Ozzie Guillen (gee-EHN') made a victorious return to the dugout last night as pitchers Josh Johnson and Heath Bell snapped out of early-season slumps to help the Miami Marlins beat the Chicago Cubs 5-2. Guillen returned from a five-game suspension imposed after his comments praising Fidel Castro caused a backlash in South Florida, especially among Cuban Americans.

     DENVER (AP) - Colorado's crafty 49-year-old southpaw Jamie Moyer became the oldest pitcher to win a major league game by hurling the Rockies to a 5-3 win over San Diego last night. Moyer twirled seven strong innings, allowing just six hits and two runs--none earned--in winning his 268th game, tying him with Jim Palmer for 34th on the all-time list.

     LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - It's time for Kentucky coach John Calipari to reload after he lost his entire starting five to the NBA draft following the Wildcats' national championship season.  Freshmen Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague, and sophomores Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb declared for the draft last night with Davis the likely No.  1 overall pick in the June NBA draft.

     LOS ANGELES (AP) - Vancouver Canucks leading scorer Daniel Sedin (suh-DEEN') resumed practicing yesterday after missing the last dozen games with a concussion. Sedin is unsure whether he'll play tonight as the Canucks are down 0-3 to the eighth-seeded L.A. Kings in their first-round NHL playoff series.

     NEW YORK (AP) - Football fans won't have to wait long to see Peyton Manning in a Broncos uniform. Manning's first game as Broncos quarterback will come in prime time as Denver hosts Pittsburgh on the opening Sunday of the NFL season as one of four prime-time games in the opening week of the just-released NFL schedule for 2012.

KWBG Sports for April 17th

 NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - LeBron James scored Miami's final 17 points in a furious one-man rally, finishing with 37 as the Heat pulled out a 101-98 victory over the New Jersey Nets. With Dwyane (dwayn) Wade sitting out with an ankle injury, James scored 17 points over the last 4:48.

     BOSTON (AP) - Nearly 22,500 participants braved an unseasonably hot day at the 116th running of the Boston Marathon in conditions that one runner called "brutal." When it was over, Kenyan-born U.S. resident Wesley Korir won the men's division and fellow Kenyan Sharon Cherop, captured the men's and women's divisions, respectively.

     LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Five Kentucky underclassmen, including projected No. 1 NBA draft pick Anthony Davis, are expected to announce their draft intentions at a joint news conference Tuesday. A news release says freshmen Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague, along with sophomores Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb will appear together Tuesday for the announcement in Lexington along with Wildcats coach John Calipari.

     NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The New Orleans Saints have completed their first day of voluntary workouts without star quarterback Drew Brees. Brees was in New York on Monday to join players' union officials at NFL offices to discuss the Saints' bounty program that resulted in a one-year suspension for head coach Sean Payton.

     ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - Peyton Manning had what he called "a productive first day" during the Denver Broncos' first offseason conditioning program. The 36-year-old former Indianapolis Colts' QB threw passes to his new receivers during some on-field work without the coaches, who aren't allowed to join them outdoors until organized team activities start in May.

KWBG Sports for April 16th

UNDATED (AP) - The Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings are up three-games-to-none in their respective Stanley Cup first-round series. Danny Briere (bree-EHR'), Matt Read and former Pen Max Talbot each scored twice as the Flyers blasted the Penguins 8-4 in Philadelphia. In Los Angeles, Jonathan Quick handled 41 shots and Dustin Brown scored the lone goal in the Kings' 1-0 win over Vancouver.

     UNDATED (AP) - The Nashville Predators own a 2-1 series lead in their Stanley Cup first-round series after Shea Weber scored a power-play goal and Pekka Rinne (PEHK'-ah RIHN'-ay) stopped 41 shots in a 3-2 triumph at Detroit. Stephen Weiss scored two power-play goals and Marcel Goc (gahch) provided the game winner to lead Florida's 4-2 win over New Jersey, evening that first-round series at a game apiece.

     LUTZ, Fla. (AP) - Florida International is set to replace fired basketball coach Isiah Thomas with another recognizable name. Louisville coach Rick Pitino says his son Richard is leaving his staff to become the next coach at FIU, although the school refused to confirm yesterday that it has reached agreement with Pitino on a deal.

     HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) - Carl Pettersson completed a five-shot win over Zach Johnson at the PGA's RBC Heritage at Hilton Head. Pettersson shot a 2-under-par 69 yesterday for a 14-under total in his fifth PGA Tour title and first since 2010.  Michael Allen closed with a 3-under-par 68 to win the Champions Tour event near Tampa by three shots over Kenny Perry.

     BOSTON (AP) - Today's 116th Boston Marathon is expected to be one of the hottest ever, weather wise. With the temperature expected to rise into the mid-80's organizers are urging runners, even the elite athletes, to slow their pace.

KWBG Sports for April 13th

  CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Bulls have opened a four-game lead on the Miami Heat in the race for the best record in the NBA Eastern Conference. The Bulls outscored the Heat 12-2 in overtime to take a 96-86 win over Miami despite star guard Derrick Rose's shooting 1-for-13 and scoring just two points.

     BOSTON (AP) - Chris Kelly scored on a long slapshot 1:18 into overtime and the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins beat the Washington Capitals 1-0 in the opener of their first-round playoff series. Braden Holtby made 29 saves for the Capitals and Tim Thomas stopped all 17 shots he faced while getting the shutout for Boston.

     UNDATED (AP) - In two overtime Game Ones, Martin (mahr-THAN') Havlat scored his second goal of the night at 3:34 of the second overtime to help the visiting San Jose Sharks upset the St. Louis Blues 3-2, and the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2. In a regulation first-round opener, the New York Rangers posted a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

     PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Shane Victorino and Ty Wigginton homered, Joe Blanton pitched seven strong innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat Miami 3-1 in the Marlins' second game without suspended manager Ozzie Guillen (gee-EHN'). The Marlins lost their second straight game without Guillen, who was suspended five games by the Marlins for saying he admired Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

     NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Sean Payton handed over control of his team to Joe Vitt, his second-in-command. Vitt will serve as interim coach, despite the fact that he'll miss a third of the season for his role in New Orleans' bounty system. Payton begins serving a one-year suspension next Monday for his role in the bounty scheme.

KWBG Sports for April 12th

 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Chris Paul scored 31 points, including the game-winning shot on a layup with 8.8 seconds left, lifting the Los Angeles Clippers to a 100-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder that kept them in position for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.  The Western Conference-leading Thunder have lost four of their last six games.

     UNDATED (AP) - The Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators and L.A. Kings all won their playoff openers as the NHL second season opened last night. Four more playoff series are scheduled to open tonight, including the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins opening at home against Washington.

     SAN DIEGO (AP) - Chris Denorfia (deh-NOR'-fee-ah) hit a two-run homer with one out in the eighth inning that carried the San Diego Padres a 2-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, who had been the last unbeaten team in the major leagues. Huston (HYOO'-stuhn) Street pitched a perfect ninth for his first save with the Padres.

     WACO, Texas (AP) - The NCAA has slapped Baylor's men's and women's basketball teams with three years' probation after an investigation turned up hundreds of impermissible telephone calls and text messages sent to prep recruits by coaches and assistants on the basketball teams. The violations were considered to be major infractions, and they were announced less than a week after the Lady Bears won the national championship with the first 40-0 season in NCAA history.

     LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Top high school prospect Nerlens Noel announced last night he's joining Kentucky, bolstering the Wildcats' hopes of defending their recent national championship and finishing with a fourth consecutive No. 1 recruiting class. The 6-foot-10 center from the Tilton School in New Hampshire selected the Wildcats over Syracuse and Georgetown.

KWBG Sports for April 11th

 CHICAGO (AP) - Richard Hamilton scored 20 points and Luol Deng added 19 to help Chicago beat the New York Knicks 98-86, without Derrick Rose in the line-up.  Rose sat out with a sprained right ankle suffered against the Knicks Sunday after he returned from a 12-game absence caused by a groin injury.

     HOUSTON (AP) - Chipper Jones returned from the disabled list with a single and two-run homer to lead Atlanta to a 6-4 win over Houston.  The 40-year old third baseman missed the first four games of his final season after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

     LOS ANGELES (AP) - Andre Ethier (EE'-thee-ur) celebrated his 30th birthday and the 50th anniversary of Dodger Stadium by hitting a go-ahead homer in the Dodgers 2-1 win over Pittsburgh. Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles bullpen limited the Pirates to just five hits in the Dodgers home opener.

     WASHINGTON (AP) - The Mets plan to send David Wright to a specialist for more tests after X-rays showed the third baseman suffered a fractured pinkie in his right hand. He was pulled out of the line-up for Tuesday night's loss to Washington.  Wright had a least one hit in each game this season before being sidelined.

     INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Jim Irsay says team officials are even more impressed with Andrew Luck after a three-hour meeting Tuesday and he wrote on Twitter it was easy to see why Luck and the No. 1 pick have been synonymous for two years. Irsay has said the Colts will take a quarterback with the No. 1 pick in this month's NFL draft, but neither Irsay nor general manager Ryan Grigson have said the Stanford quarterback will be the choice for Indy.

KWBG Sports for April 10th

 ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Yu Darvish pitched into the sixth inning of his much-anticipated major league debut for the Texas Rangers, retiring 10 batters in a row after a rough start and getting credit for the victory in the Rangers' 11-5 victory over Seattle. Darvish gave up four runs in the first inning but settled down and allowed five runs on eight hits in his five and two-thirds innings of work.

     BALTIMORE (AP) - The New York Yankees finally won their first game of the season, using four hits by Derek Jeter and an effective pitching performance by Ivan Nova to defeat the Baltimore Orioles 6-2 last night. The Yanks averted the fourth 0-4 start in franchise history - the first since 1973.

     SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The San Antonio Spurs rested stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili (MAN'-oo jih-NOH'-blee) as they lost to the Utah Jazz 91-84 to end their 11-game winning streak. The Spurs already have clinched a playoff berth, but fell a game behind Oklahoma City in the race for best record in the Western Conference.

     NEW YORK (AP) - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL') upheld  the one-year suspension of New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton for his role in the Saints' bounty scandal. Also upheld was yesterday was eight-game suspension of GM Mickey Loomis and assistant head coach Joe Vitt, who will sit out the first six games of the regular season.

     MIAMI (AP) - Isiah Thomas' firing at Florida International sparked a protest by his former players last night. Team members who attended a university athletic department banquet quietly walked out of the event moments before the season's award winners were to be introduced but the event continued as planned.

KWBG Sports for April 9th

 AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - Bubba Watson earned his first green jacket and his first major title victory with a playoff victory on the second hole to defeat Louis Oosthuizen (LOO'-ee OOST'-hay-zihn) to win the 80th Masters. The long-hitting lefty outdueled Oosthuizen, who made a rare double-eagle on the second hole for just the fourth double-eagle in Masters history.

     SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Tony Parker scored 28 points and the San Antonio Spurs won their 11th straight game, beating the Utah Jazz 114-104 to maintain their slim lead atop the Western Conference. Manu Ginobili (MAN'-oo jih-NOH'-blee) added 23 points for the Spurs, who are now on their second 11-game win streak - a season best in the NBA.

     ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler homered and drove in three runs apiece, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-3, taking two of three in their season-opening series. Albert Pujols (POO'-hohlz) went 2 for 3 with a double and two walks, as the Angels' new $240 million slugger went 3 for 10 with two doubles in his first three games at Angel Stadium.

     UNDATED (AP) - TCU plans to introduce LSU's Trent Johnson today as the basketball coach who will lead the Horned Frogs into the Big 12 Conference. Johnson replaces Jim Christian, who's moving on to become coach of Ohio University.

     UNDATED (AP) - The best of the NHL gets a few days off before the playoffs start Wednesday night. Vancouver, which won the Presidents' Trophy for the second straight year with the best record in the league, opens at home Wednesday night against the eighth-seed L.A. Kings.

KWBG Sports for April 6th

 SAN DIEGO (AP) - With Magic Johnson watching from next to the dugout, the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 5-3 even though reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw left after three innings with the flu. Former Lakers great Johnson, part of a group buying the Dodgers for $2.15 billion, had a big smile after Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer in the eighth, giving him three RBIs.

     CLEVELAND (AP) - In the longest opening-day game in major league history, J.P. Arencibia's (ah-rehn-SAY'-bee-uhz) three-run homer in the 16th inning sent the Toronto Blue Jays to a 7-4 win over the Cleveland Indians. Luis Perez, Toronto's seventh pitcher, pitched four scoreless innings for the win and Sergio Santos got two outs to end the 5-hour, 14-minute game.

     AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP)- England's Lee Westwood takes a one-shot lead over South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen (LOO'-ee OOST'-hay-zehn and Sweden's Peter Hanson into today's second round of the 80th Masters. There's a big group of golfers tied at 3-under including Americans Ben Crane, Jason Dufner and Bubba Watson.

     ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points, Tyson Chandler had 12 points and 12 rebounds and the New York Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic 96-80 last night. The Magic's fifth loss came on the heels of coach Stan Van Gundy's comments yesterday morning saying he'd heard from top team officials that Dwight Howard has asked that he be fired.

     FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino has been put on paid leave following release of a police report which says that Petrino had a 25-year-old female employee with him during a weekend motorcycle ride that ended in a crash. Petrino, who is married with four children, broke four ribs and cracked a neck vertebra, but didn't reveal he was riding with the woman during a news conference Tuesday.

KWBG Sports for April 5th

  MIAMI (AP) - Kyle Lohse (lohsh) hurled six no-hit innings and pitched into the eighth to help the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals spoil the Miami Marlins' debut in their new ballpark, 4-1. The highlight for Marlins fans came early when boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who had one of his greatest bouts in Miami Beach against Sonny Liston in 1964, delivered the ceremonial first pitch after riding in from center field in a golf cart.

     UNDATED (AP) - There are seven more major league openers on tap today with both Cy Young award winners scheduled to pitch. AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander is on the mound this afternoon for the Tigers in their home opener against Boston and tonight in San Diego, NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers takes on the Padres at Petco Park.

     CHICAGO (AP) - The Theo Epstein era in Chicago begins this afternoon as the Cubs new GM starts his new gig after coming over from Boston. The Cubs, who haven't won a World Series since 1908, send out Ryan Dempster against the much-improved Washington Nationals and their young ace, Stephen Strasburg, at 98-year-old Wrigley Field.

     MIAMI (AP)- The Miami Heat moved within two games of the Chicago Bulls in the race for the NBA's best record following their 98-93 win over Oklahoma City last night. LeBron James had 34 points and 10 assists and Dwyane (dwayn) Wade added 19 points in the Heat's 17th straight home victory.

     CHICAGO (AP) -Reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose practiced with the Chicago Bulls yesterday and could be back in the lineup for their game tonight against Boston. Rose has missed the last 11 games with a groin injury.

KWBG Sports for April 4th

  DENVER (AP) - National player of the year Brittney Griner scored 17 of her game-high 26 points in the second half and added 13 rebounds and five blocked shots in unbeaten Baylor's 80-61 victory over Notre Dame for the NCAA women's national championship. The Lady Bears are the first college team to win 40 games in a season and the seventh women's team to finish the season undefeated.

     MIAMI (AP) - LeBron James scored a season-high 41 points, Mario Chalmers added 19 and the Miami Heat clinched a playoff spot with a 99-93 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Chris Bosh scored 17 points and Udonis Haslem (yoo-DAH'-nihs HAZ'-lehm) grabbed 11 rebounds for Miami, which won despite Dwyane Wade sitting out with a bruised left knee.

     AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - Tiger Woods got a featured tee time for his first round Thursday in the Masters, playing just behind defending champion Charl Schwartzel and just ahead of No. 1- ranked Luke Donald. Woods will play his first two rounds with Miguel Angel Jimenez (AHN'-hehl hee-MEHN'-ehz) of Spain and Sang-Moon Bae of South Korea with a 10:35 a.m. (Eastern) for Thursday's opening round.

     MIAMI (AP) --Ozzie Guillen's (gee-EHNZ') new-look Miami Marlins open the stateside Major League Baseball season Wednesday night against the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday night at the Marlins new $515 million ballpark on the site of the old Orange Bowl in Miami. Marlins ace Josh Johnson gets the opening night pitching assignment against the Cardinals' Kyle Lohse (lohsh) for new manager Mike Matheny, who takes over for retired skipper Tony La Russa.

     WASHINGTON (AP) - Boston Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey will have surgery on his right thumb that could sideline him for a significant portion of the season. The Red Sox were counting on Bailey to take up the closer's role left vacant when Jonathan Papelbon signed a free-agent deal with Philadelphia.

KWBG Sports for April 3rd

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) -Kentucky sits atop the men's basketball world today after winning its eighth national title in school history, 67-59 over Kansas last night. The Wildcats' talented freshman center Anthony Davis won the most outstanding player award, scoring just six points but grabbing 16 rebounds and tying the NCAA championship game record with six blocked shots.

     DENVER (AP) - The undefeated Baylor's women's team goes for the NCAA women's national championship tonight when it plays Notre Dame, a team the Lady Bears defeated 94-81 back on Nov. 17 in Waco, Texas. If the Baylor women win, they will become the first college hoops team to win 40 games in a season.

     NEW YORK (AP) - New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin underwent what the team called successful surgery on his injured left knee, and posted a picture on Twitter of himself recovering in his hospital bed. The second-year sensation out of Harvard is expected to miss about six weeks.

     PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Flyers coach Peter Laviolette (lah-vee-uh-LET') was fined $10,000 Monday after calling out counterpart Dan Bylsma (BIHLZ'-muh) for sending out his checking line late in Philadelphia's 6-3 win at Pittsburgh on Sunday. The shouting match was the highlight of a fight late in the game after Pens forward Joe Vitale leveled Flyers center Daniel Briere (bree-AYR').

     GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) - Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta says he's penciling in pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (oo-BAHL'-doh hih-MEHN'-ehz) to start the second game of the season, despite Jimenez drawing a five-game suspension and fine by Major League Baseball for intentionally throwing at Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki (too-loh-WIT'-skee) on Sunday in a spring training game. Jimenez could delay the suspension with an appeal, which Acta says is likely.

KWBG Sports for April 2nd

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - John Calipari's group of Kentucky's mostly freshman-dominated team takes on Bill Self's surging Kansas Jayhawks in tonight's NCAA men's title. Kentucky is gunning for its eighth national title while the Jayhawks are trying for their fourth in school history, and second in four years.

     DENVER (AP) - Baylor's undefeated women's team has one more game left to try and become the first team in NCAA hoops history to record 40 victories in a season. The Lady Bears rallied in the second half to beat Stanford 59-47 behind Brittany Griner's 13 points and nine rebounds to reach Tuesday night's championship against Notre Dame.

     DENVER (AP) - Skylar Diggins scored 19 points, Brittany Mallory hit two big 3-pointers in overtime and Notre Dame beat Connecticut 83-75 on Sunday night to reach the national championship game for the second straight year. The Irish made their first three 3-point shots in OT after missing nine of 11 from long range in regulation.

     MARTINSIVLLE, Va. (AP) - Ryan Newman took advantage of a three-car wreck on the final lap to win the NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway and snap a 22-race winless streak on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit. Jeff Gordon dominated the race all the way, leading for 328 laps, and wound up finishing 14th.

     HUMBLE, Texas (AP) - Hunter Mahan (MAY'-han) shot a 1-under 71 to win the Houston Open, edging Carl Pettersson (PEET'-ur-suhn) by one stroke.  Mahan, who won the Match Play Championship in February, is going to this week's Masters as the first two-time champion on the PGA Tour this year.