MORNING BRIEFING July 11, 2011
Auto racing
Dario Franchitti avoided multiple crashes and a drive-through penalty to win his third title at the Honda Indy Toronto on Sunday and add to his lead in the IndyCar points standings.
The Scot held off Graham Rahal on a late restart, then beat teammate Scott Dixon on the 1.75-mile temporary street course at Exhibition Place.
Golf
Hee Kyung Seo of South Korea moved to the verge of winning the U.S. Women's Open on Sunday in Colorado Springs, Colo., finishing with a one-shot lead over So Yeon Ryu, who had three holes left when play was suspended by darkness.
On a grueling 36-hole day at the Broadmoor, Seo shot a pair of 3-under 68s to finish at 3-under 281 and close in on her first major championship.
The tournament resumes today (7 a.m., ESPN2).
Steve Stricker sank a 25-foot putt from off the 18th green to win the PGA Tour John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., for the third straight year, by one stroke over rookie Kyle Stanley.
Jeff Sluman shot a 2-under 70 and overcame a pair of bogeys on the back nine, holding on to win the Champions Tour First Tee Open in Pebble Beach, Calif., for the third time.
Baseball
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Yankees 1, Rays 0: James Shields and B.J. Upton made bad throwing errors that let Robinson Cano score as New York beat visiting Tampa Bay.
Rangers 2, Athletics 0: At Arlington, Texas, Adrian Beltre homered in his third consecutive game as the Rangers beat Oakland.
Red Sox 8, Orioles 6: Marco Scutaro, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis homered in the second inning as Boston beat visiting Baltimore.
Tigers 2, Royals 1: Justin Verlander became the first Tigers pitcher to earn his 12th win before the All-Star break in 24 years as Detroit won at Kansas City.
Twins 6, White Sox 3: Anthony Swarzak dominated over six innings as Minnesota won at Chicago.
Blue Jays 7, Indians 1: Jose Bautista hit a two-run double as Toronto won at Cleveland.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Brewers 4, Reds 3: Craig Counsell's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning lifted Milwaukee past visiting Cincinnati.
Phillies 14, Braves 1: Raul Ibanez homered and drove in six runs as Philadelphia routed visiting Atlanta.
Dodgers 4, Padres 1: Andre Ethier homered twice as Los Angeles beat visiting San Diego.
Cardinals 4, Diamondbacks 2: David Freese homered for the first time since April 12 as St. Louis beat visiting Arizona.
Pirates 9, Cubs 1: Andrew McCutchen homered and drove in five runs, and Pittsburgh entered the All-Star break with its best record in 19 years (47-43) after beating visiting Chicago.
Nationals 2, Rockies 0: Jordan Zimmermann took a shutout into the seventh inning and host Washington went to the All-Star break with a .500 record for the first time since 2005 after beating Colorado.
Marlins 5, Astros 4: At Miami, Mike Cameron belted a tying two-run homer for his first hit since joining Florida, which completed a four-game sweep of Houston.
Giants 4, Mets 2: Pablo Sandoval celebrated his first All-Star game selection by hitting an RBI double to extend his hitting streak to 21 games as San Francisco beat visiting New York.
Trever Adams' two-run double triggered an 11-run first inning as the host Spokane Indians (13-11) beat the Vancouver Canadians (14-10) 12-8 in Northwest League baseball before 4,645 at Avista Stadium. The teams wrap up their five-game series today at 3:30.
Cycling
Spain's Luis Leon Sanchez won the ninth stage of the Tour de France in Saint-Flour on a wild day of crashes, while France's Thomas Voeckler finished second to take the leader's yellow jersey from Thor Hushovd. Today is a rest day.
Tennis
Spain's David Ferrer beat American Mardy Fish 7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 7-6 (5) to clinch a victory for Spain over the United States in a Davis Cup quarterfinal in Austin, Texas. Ferrer, who beat Andy Roddick on Friday night, gave Spain an insurmountable 3-1 lead. Once Spain clinched the victory, Roddick's late match against Feliciano Lopez was canceled.
-The Associated Press
UPCOMING EVENTS
MONDAY
Legion baseball: Prairie at Spokane Northstars (2), Jackson Field, 5 p.m.
Simulcast racing: Greyhound Park, 10:15 a.m.
TUESDAY
Legion baseball: Coeur d'Alene at Lewis-Clark (2), 5 p.m.; Trail at Prairie (2), Post Falls High, 1 p.m.
Simulcast racing: Greyhound Park, 10 a.m.
ON THE AIR
MONDAY
Television Highlights
7 a.m. - LPGA, U.S. Women's Open, conclusion of final round (ESPN2).
5 p.m. - MLB, Home Run Derby (ESPN).
7 - Softball, All-Star Legends and Celebrity Game, tape (ESPN).
Radio Highlights
3 p.m. - Patchin, Osso and the Wingman (ESPN 700).
6 - Spokane Shock Coaches Show (ESPN 700).
6:30 - NWL, Vancouver at Spokane (KGA 1510).
7 - MLB, Home Run Derby, joined in progress (ESPN 700).