Sports

Federer upset by Stepanek in Rome
Roger Federer lost again, falling to 27th-ranked Radek Stepanek 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) Friday in the Rome Masters quarterfinals.
Parker, Manu each score 31 in Spurs' win
The San Antonio Spurs' Big Three congregated around the scorer's table during a timeout in the fourth quarter, not long before they put the game away for good.
Celtics go up 2-0, James struggles again
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen found their shooting touch. LeBron James can only hope he left his in Cleveland.
Arizona's Webb goes to 8-0 with 6-hitter
That new contract in the works for Brandon Webb might have grown a few digits.
Wings show no rust, coast past Stars 4-1
Rolling, not rusty.
Garcia up by 2 at Players Championship
The flag was in a tempting location, back and left on the 13th green at the TPC Sawgrass with a pond running alongside the left side. Sergio Garcia took dead aim with a 7-iron and the ball never left its target.
M's Sexson charges mound, sparks brawl
Kason Gabbard threw an eye-high pitch at Richie Sexson. That was it for the Mariners 6-foot-8 first baseman.

Wins for Celtics and Spurs in playoffs
The Boston Celtics opened up a 2-0 lead in their playoff against Cleveland on Thursday while defending champions San Antonio clawed their way back into their series with New Orleans after a 110-99 win.
Detroit romp to win over Dallas in Western opener
The Detroit Red Wings earned a convincing 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference finals opener on Thursday.
Unseeded Wawrinka beats Blake to reach Rome semis
Unseeded Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka won an entertaining tussle with American James Blake 6-7 7-6 6-1 to go through to the semi-finals of the Rome Masters on Friday.
Arizona's Webb makes it 8-0 in win over Phillies
Brandon Webb pitched for his eighth successive win this season as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 on Thursday.
Maggert withdraws from Sawgrass after family tragedy
American Jeff Maggert pulled out of the Players Championship before Friday's second round following the death of his brother in a plane crash.
Bryant a unanimous selection as All-NBA
Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers was the lone unanimous selection to the All-NBA squad, the league said on Thursday.
Nash goals lifts Canada past Norway
Rick Nash scored a third-period powerplay goal to lift defending champions Canada to a 2-1 win over Norway at the ice hockey world championships on Thursday.

Arizona's Webb goes to 8-0 with 6-hitter
That new contract in the works for Brandon Webb might have grown a few digits.
M's Sexson charges mound, sparks brawl
Kason Gabbard threw an eye-high pitch at Richie Sexson. That was it for the Mariners 6-foot-8 first baseman.
Farnsworth's suspension cut to 1 game
Kyle Farnsworth's suspension was cut from three games to one Friday by Major League Baseball following an appeal by the New York Yankees reliever.
A-Rod begins rehab in Tampa
Alex Rodriguez took 57 swings in batting practice and fielded 31 grounders at third base during his first injury rehabilitation workout Friday at the New York Yankees' minor league complex.
Cubs activate Eyre, send Marshall down
The Chicago Cubs activated left-handed reliever Scott Eyre from the 15-day disabled list Friday and optioned left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall to Triple-A Iowa.
Beckett gets 1,000th K, BoSox top Tigers
In a matchup of hard-throwing right-handers, Boston's Josh Beckett got the best of Detroit's struggling ace, Justin Verlander. And Beckett reached a milestone along the way, too.
Yankees hit 4 HRs vs. Tribe, avoid sweep
Jason Giambi and the sluggish New York Yankees suddenly turned sluggerish.

Browns LB McGinest to retire after 2008
Browns linebacker Willie McGinest says the 2008 season will be his last.
Walsh sent NFL 8 tapes, but not of Rams
Former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh sent the NFL eight videotapes that show New England violated league rules by recording opposing coaches' playcalling signals.
RB Rhodes signs deal to return to Colts
The Colts have put their tag-team runners - Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes - back together.
Reid's son admits bringing drugs to jail
Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid's son was sent to state prison after admitting he smuggled 89 prescription pills into a county jail.
DT Haynesworth to miss Titans' minicamp
The Tennessee Titans will be holding a minicamp without defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.
Giants give LT Diehl 2-year extension
Offensive tackle David Diehl signed a two-year extension with the New York Giants that will keep him under contract with the Super Bowl champions through the 2013 season.

Parker, Manu each score 31 in Spurs' win
The San Antonio Spurs' Big Three congregated around the scorer's table during a timeout in the fourth quarter, not long before they put the game away for good.
Celtics go up 2-0, James struggles again
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen found their shooting touch. LeBron James can only hope he left his in Cleveland.
Pistons G Billups unsure about Game 4
Chauncey Billups spent almost all Wednesday night in the trainer's room. He was there Thursday, when the rest of the Detroit Pistons took the court to practice. And he'll be there most of Friday, too.
Bryant unanimous pick for All-NBA team
Kobe Bryant added another honor Thursday to go with his MVP award, becoming the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA team.
Jazz return home in 0-2 hole to Lakers
The Utah Jazz are hoping home court really is an advantage. Right now, they'll take any edge they can get.
Nets promote Vandeweghe to GM
Kiki Vandeweghe became the New Jersey Nets' general manager Thursday, less than six months after being hired as a special assistant to team president Rod Thorn.
Wallace: Allergies got me out of Game 2
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Ben Wallace learned about springtime in Boston the hard way Thursday night when allergies forced him to leave the Celtics' 89-73 victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Wings show no rust, coast past Stars 4-1
Rolling, not rusty.
Bitter rivalry highlights Flyers-Pens
Some NHL rivalries evolve from a big game, a major trade or a short-lived scuffle, then fade after a few years. Not the Philadelphia Flyers vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Flyers D Timonen likely to miss series
Flyers All-Star defenseman Kimmo Timonen will likely miss the Eastern Conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins because of a blood clot in his left ankle.
Parise lifts US over Germany at worlds
Zach Parise's power-play goal with 8:57 remaining snapped a tie and gave the United States a 6-4 victory over Germany in a qualifying-round game at the world hockey championship on Thursday night.
Maple Leafs fire coach Maurice
Paul Maurice was fired as coach of the Maple Leafs on Wednesday after Toronto failed to make the playoffs during his two years. The dismissal was the first big move in what is expected to be an active offseason for the team.
Ex-Sabres enforcer Ray sues NHLPA again
Former Sabres enforcer Rob Ray is suing the NHL Players' Association for a second time over money owed him during the NHL lockout, accusing the union of deceiving him into settling his initial suit two years ago.
Tampa C Halpern ruptures ACL at worlds
Tampa Bay Lightning center Jeff Halpern ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the world hockey championships and is expected to be sidelined until late December or early January.