Saturday, November 21, 2009 in Lewiston, Maine

Auburn-Lewiston:
Clear sky, 37.4 °F

Reports: Yao may miss season

Jun 30, 2009 12:00 am
HOUSTON (AP) — Rockets center Yao Ming's broken left foot could be a "career-threatening" injury.

Dr. Tom Clanton, the Houston Rockets' team physician, told the Houston Chronicle on Monday that Yao's injury "has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career-threatening."

Yahoo! Sports first reported the Rockets and Yao's representatives were concerned the 7-foot-6 All-Star would never play again. Yahoo! Sports quoted "multiple league executives, officials close to Yao and two doctors with knowledge of the diagnoses."

Red Sox 3B Lowell has fluid drained, hip injection

Jun 30, 2009 12:00 am
BALTIMORE (AP) — Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell had fluid drained from his ailing right hip Monday in Boston, and received an injection that might relieve inflammation in his surgically repaired joint.

The Red Sox will wait at least a couple of days to determine whether the treatment was successful or whether Lowell needs to be placed on the disabled list, manager Terry Francona said before Monday night's game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Mariano Rivera earns 500th save, Yankees beat Mets

Jun 29, 2009 12:20 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Mariano Rivera earned his 500th save, becoming the second reliever to reach the milestone, and the New York Yankees beat the punchless Mets 4-2 on Sunday night for a Subway Series sweep.

Chien-Ming Wang won for the first time in more than a year and Rivera got four outs, securing the Yankees' fifth consecutive victory — all away from home.

Worker struck by lightning at Travelers tourney

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) — A worker for a trash hauling company was struck by lightning at the Travelers Championship at the TPC River Highlands golf course on Saturday night.

Cromwell Fire Department officials said the man was in his mid-30s, but would not release further details. Security officials said the man was conscious when he was placed in an ambulance and taken to Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. The man's condition was not released.

A thunderstorm struck the course less than an hour after play ended Saturday night.

Bradley sees through the loss to see the positives

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Bob Bradley was as frustrated as his players that his United States team let a two-goal lead slide to a 3-2 loss to Brazil in the Confederation Cup final.

Yet he said the experience of the 14-day competition was another sign of the remarkable progress his team is making since the disappointment of the 2006 World Cup.

US goalie Howard shines, even in 3-2 defeat

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — For 45 minutes, it was no contest. United States goalkeeper Tim Howard was outplaying Brazil's Julio Cesar, considered by many to be among the world's best.

Then the second half started, and the United States' 2-0 lead turned into a 3-2 loss in Sunday's Confederations Cup final.

Howard was brilliant in the first half, but Brazil's powerful offense staged a relentless assault on Howard for the entire second half, capping the comeback with Lucio's game-winning goal in the 84th minute.

Brazil rallies to beat US in Confed Cup final

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Clint Dempsey sobbed as the Americans walked up to get their second-place medals, unable to hide the pain and the disappointment any longer.

The euphoria of knocking off Spain last week dissolved Sunday in the Confederations Cup final when Brazil unleashed its "Beautiful Game."

After dominating the five-time World Cup champions in the first half, the Americans were powerless as Brazil scored three goals in the final 45 minutes to rally for a 3-2 win.

spt-basecaps-0629

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
ATLANTA — Rookie Tommy Hanson threw six scoreless innings despite a bout with the flu, and homers by Chipper Jones and Garret Anderson carried the Atlanta Braves past Boston 2-1 on Sunday, preventing a Red Sox sweep.

Pitching dominated the weekend series, with the teams combining for only nine runs in three games. Hanson (4-0) kept it going, limiting Boston to two hits on another sweltering day at Turner Field and extending his scoreless streak to 20 innings.

Anti-doping chief vows Tour fairness for Armstrong

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
PARIS (AP) — When Lance Armstrong and France's anti-doping agency were at odds last spring over a surprise doping test, the seven-time Tour de France champion's return to the Tour appeared to fade.

Since then, tensions have eased. Armstrong is set for the start of the three-week race Saturday in Monaco, and Pierre Bordry, the president of anti-doping agency AFLD, says his drugs testers will treat Armstrong like any other rider.

Earnhardt has strong race despite finishing 13th

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. had one of the most satisfying 13th-place finishes in his NASCAR career Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Gas strategies and a rain-shortened race probably cost the crowd favorite a better finish, but Earnhardt ran well throughout the day, spending most of the 273 laps in the top 10 and running quite a bit in the top five.

Phillies LHP Bastardo to miss next start

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
TORONTO (AP) — Philadelphia left-hander Antonio Bastardo will miss his next start because of a strained shoulder, the team said Sunday.

Bastardo left injured in the fourth inning of his last start and returned to Philadelphia this weekend, where he is scheduled to see a doctor on Monday.

Pitching against Tampa Bay last Thursday, the rookie gave up six runs in the first two innings to waste a 4-0 lead. He was replaced by Chad Durbin after a one out walk in the fourth.

Bastardo is 2-3 with a 6.75 ERA in five starts and has lost his past three outings.

Perry wins Travelers Championship

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
CROMWELL, Conn. - Kenny Perry shot 63 Sunday to finish with a tournament-record 258 and win the Travelers Championship by three strokes over Paul Goydos and David Toms.

The 48-year old Perry, who led after each of the first two rounds, trailed by a stroke to Paul Goydos heading into Sunday.

But he shot 32 on the front nine and was up by five strokes heading to the par-4 15th.

Goydos made a 20-foot eagle putt from the fringe on 15 and birdied 16. But he missed his birdie putt on 17 to the right.

Federer, Williams resume bids for 6th Wimbledons

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — As Week 1 gives way to Week 2 at Wimbledon on Monday, the primary story lines have not shifted since the beginning of the tournament.

Will Roger Federer win a sixth Wimbledon championship and record 15th Grand Slam title?

Will Andy Murray end Britain's 73-year wait for a male singles champion at the All England Club?

Will Venus Williams become the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1991-93 to win the Venus Rosewater Dish three years in a row, bringing her career haul to six?

Rain gives teenager Joey Logano first Cup win

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — There were questions about the judgment of team owner Joe Gibbs when he decided to replace departing two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart with a 19-year-old rookie this season.

Even a rookie considered a phenom.

The former NFL coach, head of Joe Gibbs Racing, admitted Sunday he tried not to put too many expectations on the talented, but woefully inexperienced Joey Logano.

Cardinals make their move early

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Minutes after walking into the St. Louis Cardinals' clubhouse, Mark DeRosa was already getting tips from Albert Pujols. Manager Tony La Russa had him batting cleanup behind Pujols and DeRosa was happy to be with an NL Central contender after a half-season in the American League.

"I just want to be a piece to the puzzle," DeRosa said. "I'm excited to be here and to be back in the National League and be a part of a division race that I have a lot of familiarity with."

Hanson wins again, leading Braves past Red Sox 2-1

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
ATLANTA (AP) — Tommy Hanson was very much aware of who he'd be facing in these two starts.

It didn't faze him a bit.

The big right-hander became the first NL rookie to beat the New York Yankees and Boston in consecutive starts, throwing two-hit ball over six scoreless innings, and homers by Chipper Jones and Garret Anderson carried Atlanta past the Red Sox 2-1 on Sunday.

Switch-pitcher promoted to Tampa

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Reliever Pat Venditte is bringing his two-armed skills to Tampa.

The Charletson RiverDogs said Saturday their switch-pitching closer was promoted to the Yankees advances Class A team. Venditte uses a specially designed, six-fingered glove with two thumbs so he can face batters as a rigthy or a lefty.

Venditte led the South Atlantic League with 20 saves. He had a 2-2 record with a 1.47 ERA over 30 2-3 innings. He finished with 73 strikeouts and nine walks.

Instead of hanging it up, Phillips flying high

Jun 29, 2009 12:00 am
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Dwight Phillips found himself at a spot many athletes reach when they hit 30, after an injury hits and their legs don't take them places they once did.

"I had to reevaluate and decide if maybe my time was gone," he said.

Good thing he thought twice about that.

What had the makings of the beginning of the end when he missed the Olympics last year turned out to be only a hiccup.

Flames acquire potential free agent

Jun 28, 2009 12:00 am
Flames acquire potential free agent Bouwmeester


MONTREAL (AP) — The Calgary Flames have added Jay Bouwmeester to their already impressive defense corps, at least for the next four days.

Bouwmeester, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, was acquired by Calgary in a trade with the Florida Panthers as the NHL entry draft wrapped up Saturday with the final six rounds at the Bell Centre.

K-State coach Snyder not talking after audit

Jun 28, 2009 12:00 am
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — When people say Bill Snyder altered the landscape at Kansas State, it is literally true.

After he revitalized the worst program in major college history and created a football powerhouse, workers had to widen the roadway leading into town so that every game day Bill Snyder Highway could funnel tens of thousands of cars, campers SUVs and minivans to an expanded Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

What offseason? NFL hasn't had one

Jun 28, 2009 12:00 am

Supposedly, pro football has reached its downtime. Considering how the NFL has ignored for nearly five months that this is the offseason, a break sure would be nice right about now.

Head coaches are on vacation — Philadelphia's Andy Reid and Minnesota's Brad Childress went fishing together in Alaska, where they presumably are not discussing how to incorporate dynamic first-round picks Jeremy Maclin and Percy Harvin into their offenses. General managers are examining 30-foot putts, not salary cap figures. Roger Goodell is climbing Mount Rainier.

Roddick's serve helps win tiebreakers at Wimbledon

Jun 28, 2009 12:00 am

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) - A 135 mph serve makes tiebreakers a little easier, and Andy Roddick won some important points with that one stroke Saturday at Wimbledon.

Taking advantage of his big serve, Roddick won two tiebreakers and beat good friend Jurgen Melzer 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-3 to reach the third round.

Roddick improved to 22-3 this year in tiebreakers.

"Obviously, being able to win cheap points under tense situations with my serve helps," he said.

Armstrong, old-school racing on tap at 2009 Tour

Jun 28, 2009 12:00 am
PARIS (AP) — France's anti-doping crusaders are stockpiling needles for testing blood and cups for sampling urine, and two new books on Lance Armstrong have just been released in France.

Must be about time for the Tour de France.

The seven-time champion is back from retirement, four years after his last victory. Teammate Alberto Contador, the 2007 winner and a top pre-race favorite, returns after Astana wasn't allowed to compete last year.

They are allies, but could become rivals too.

US excited to have chance to play Brazil in final

Jun 28, 2009 12:00 am
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Landon Donovan remembers the first time he played the Brazilians, when his under-23 team trudged off the field, victims of a 7-0 thrashing.

"I haven't beaten Brazil on any level," the U.S. forward said. "It would be amazing to do it tomorrow."

Amazing, unbelievable, spectacular — any adjective would apply.

SPTyanks0628

Jun 28, 2009 12:00 am
Yankees roll past Mets 5-0


NEW YORK - The Yankees are turning this Subway Series into a monumental mismatch.

A.J. Burnett combined with two relievers on a one-hitter, Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada made Citi Field seem small with opposite-field homers, and the Yankees rolled past the Mets again, 5-0 Saturday night.

Alex Cora got the Mets' only hit, lining a clean single to center on a 0-1 pitch leading off the sixth. He had been 0 for 21 with eight strikeouts against Burnett.

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