Sports Briefs July 19, 2011
Baseball
J.J. Hardy had absolutely no desire to leave Baltimore. The Orioles were intent upon keeping the talented shortstop, who has contributed heavily at the plate, in the field and in the clubhouse.
That made it easy for both sides to come to an agreement on a new contract Monday that guarantees him $22.25 million over three additional seasons through 2014.
Hardy is making $5.85 million this season under a one-year deal agreed to in January.
• AMERICAN LEAGUE
Red Sox 15, Orioles 10: Dustin Pedroia doubled in two runs to spark an eight-run eighth inning, and visiting Boston got home runs from Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Josh Reddick in a 15-10 rout of Baltimore.
White Sox 5, Royals 2: Mark Buerhle lasted seven innings, and Chicago beat Kansas City.
Indians 5-6, Twins 2-3: At Minneapolis, David Huff pitched seven scoreless innings and Asdrubal Cabrera hit a three-run homer to lift Cleveland over Minnesota in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.
In the nightcap, Lou Marson hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh ro hlep Cleveland complete the sweep.
Yankees 5, Rays 4: At St. Petersburg, Fla., Russell Martin drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the top of the ninth to lift New York over Tampa Bay.
• NATIONAL LEAGUE
Cubs 6, Phillies 1: Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena homered to back a dominant start by Rodrigo Lopez, and host Chicago beat Philadelphia.
Nationals 5, Astros 2: Michael Morse and Ryan Zimmerman homered and Zimmerman drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth to lead Washington at Houston.
Marlins 4, Mets 1: Clay Hensley came off the disabled list to win his first major league start in three years and visiting Florida beat New York.
Braves 7, Rockies 4: At Denver, Freddie Freeman homered and drove in three runs and Atlanta beat Colorado.
Pirates 2, Reds 0: Charlie Morton pitched five shutout innings and host Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati.
Diamondbacks 3, Brewers 0: At Phoenix, Josh Collmenter pitched eight innings of three-hit ball and Arizona beat Milwaukee.
Giants 5, Dodgers 0: Ryan Vogelsong pitched into the seventh and host San Francisco shut out Los Angeles.
Football
University of Montana cornerback Trumaine Johnson is one of five Big Sky Conference football players named to the initial Buck Buchanan Award watch list.
Eastern Washington defensive tackle Renard Williams and safety Matt Johnson are also in the initial list of 20 players along with Idaho State linebacker A.J. Storms and Sacramento State defensive end Zach Nash, who was named the preseason conference defensive MVP.
Montana State quarterback DeNarius McGhee, EWU quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and Eagle receiver Brandon Kaufman are on the initial Walter Payton Award watch list, which was released last week.
Cycling
With the Tour de France heading toward its decisive stages, there is still no favorite in a wide open race that is fueling the passions of French fans who hope Thomas Voeckler holds his lead against all odds.
When racing resumes oday after a rest day, Voeckler will open the 16th stage nearly two minutes ahead of Frank Schleck - supposedly a weaker rider than his younger brother, Andy - and four minutes ahead of three-time champion Alberto Contador.
- The Associated Press