ARCALIS, Andorra (AP) — In the Tour de France duel between teammates Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador, the first big mountain stage went to the Spaniard. Contador, the 2007 winner, unleashed a burst of speed Friday in the last uphill mile into the tiny Pyrenees principality of Andorra — and Armstrong didn’t lay chase. By […]

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — The Washington Capitals have found a possible second-line center for next season, signing free agent Brendan Morrison to a one-year, $1.5 million contract on Friday. Morrison has played 12 NHL seasons with Dallas, Anaheim, Vancouver and New Jersey. The 33-year-old veteran split last season between the Ducks and Stars, scoring 16 […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jayson Werth’s power push paid off. Fresh from homering for the fourth straight game, the Philadelphia outfielder was picked for the NL All-Star team Friday as a replacement for injured New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran. The World Series champion Phillies put three outfielders on the NL roster for Tuesday […]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Another 16,000 steroids tests of Texas public high school athletes caught eight cheaters. The University Interscholastic League on Friday released the latest results of the 2-year-old program. They show that about 45,000 total tests have confirmed 19 cases of steroids use. Given so few positive results, state lawmakers have agreed to […]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies have waived Jerry Stackhouse, just a day after acquiring the NBA veteran in a four-team, eight-player trade. General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced the move Friday after Thursday’s blockbuster deal involving the Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic. As part of […]

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, whose lack of discipline at the plate and erratic play in the field has frustrated the team’s management and fans this year, was traded Friday to the Kansas City Royals for two minor league pitchers and cash. Right-hander Danny Cortes will report to Double-A West Tenn and […]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — First Carlos Gomez heard voices. Then he watched his iPod go haywire after he got out of the shower, sending him scrambling for the lobby without stopping to put on his pants and shoes. After last year’s experience, the Minnesota Twins outfielder didn’t want to go back to Milwaukee’s Pfister Hotel. But […]

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Kyle Busch is having the type of season most drivers would envy. He’s strongly positioned for a spot in the Chase, is tied for the Cup lead in victories and remains a serious threat to win in any series each time the green flag drops. Busch’s recent success makes the Joe […]

NEW YORK (AP) — Grant Hill is staying with the Phoenix Suns. Hill decided to remain in Phoenix on Friday, rather than join a title contender in Boston or a rebuilding team in New York. Lon Babby, Hill’s agent, said during a conference call that the deal is for two years, the second at Hill’s […]

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Brian Vickers won yet another pole, his fifth one this season coming at Chicagoland Speedway. Now the Red Bull Racing driver wants one of those starts to help get him to Victory Lane. Vickers ran a lap of 184.162 mph on Thursday for his fifth pole this year and 10th in […]