Earnhardt: Year tough on family

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn't know when he'll end his winless streak, or how long it will take to turn around his horrendous season. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Aussie cowboy on lengthy trail

BY RICH POLIKOFF

SPRINGDALE — Sam Knight took the long way to the Rodeo of the Ozarks. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

WIMBLEDON : Sampras in sight

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WIMBLEDON, England — Rising, rising, rising, high above the most famous patch of grass in tennis, Roger Federer seemingly channeled Pete Sampras on match point in the Wimbledon semifinals Friday, tucking both feet back beneath his body and uncorking an overhead smash. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Sisters put ties on hold

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WIMBLEDON, England — Venus Williams is just about the perfect older sibling: She supports Serena endlessly, protects her fiercely and even lets her pick which bedroom she wants when they're on the road. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Eyes on Armstrong, Contador from start

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MONACO — The Tour de France is ready for another edition with Lance Armstrong, and today's opening stage might show whether he's ready to challenge for another title. Armstrong's 37-year-old legs will be tested immediately when the three-week race begins with a 9.6-mile time trial. The stage will be run along the hilly streets and hairpin turns of Monaco, a Mediterranean principality better known for Formula One than for two-wheeled racing. The ride will likely offer an early shakeout of potential contenders who want to at least hold their own in the race against the clock. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

State's best fidgety on wicked first hole

BY JEFFREY SLATTON

It's the hole where bogey feels like par and birdie is something to dream about. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Second thoughts

Compiled by Robert Turbeville

Cowher says Iraq belongs to Steelers The soldiers expressed their gratitude over and over to the NFL coaches who made the trip to Iraq. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Off the wire

Democrat-Gazette Press Services

BASKETBALL U.S. advances in world play The United States advanced to the second round of the FIBA under-19 world junior basketball championships in Auckland, New Zealand, beating France 71-55. The United States then beat Egypt 112-55 to complete a sweep of pool games. Seth Curry scored 12 points and Gordon Hayward had 11 points and 5 rebounds against France. Ashton Gibbs scored 18 points, Shelvin Mack added 14 points, John Shurna had 13 points and 6 rebounds and Hayward had 10 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists against Egypt. The United States led 19-10 at the end of the first quarter and 35-20 at halftime against France. The Americans led 33-11 after the first quarter and 62-24 at halftime against Egypt. The United States, which earlier beat Iran 106-55, led Group B of the 16-team tournament. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

COMMENTARY : 'Bear's Boys' grew up tough in Kentucky

BY JOHN CLAY LEXINGTON (KY.) HERALD-LEADER

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Thirty of Paul "Bear" Bryant's former University of Kentucky football players gathered in June at The Campbell House for their annual reunion to slap backs, catch up with friends, tell stories and do the expected general reminiscing about their old college days. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Tuning in

- Saturday, July 4, 2009

Coke Zero 400 lineup

Qualifying rained out, lineup based on owner points. Race today At Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Fla. Lap length: 2.5 miles (Car number in parentheses) 1. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet. 2. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet. 3. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet. 4. (2) Kurt Busch, Dodge. 5. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford. 6. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota. 7. (39) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet. 8. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota. 9. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford. 10. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford. 11. (5) Mark Martin, Chevrolet. 12. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet. 13. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge. 14. (00) David Reutimann, Toyota. 15. (33) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet. 16. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet. 17. (83) Brian Vickers, Toyota. 18. (47) Marcos Ambrose, Toyota. 19. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet. 20. (07) Casey Mears, Chevrolet. 21. (20) Joey Logano, Toyota. 22. (26) Jamie McMurray, Ford. 23. (19) Elliott Sadler, Dodge. 24. (1) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet. 25. (77) Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge. 26. (43) Reed Sorenson, Dodge. 27. (29) Kevin Harvick, - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Bowyer gets first victory of season

- The Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Clint Bowyer's first victory of the season gave Richard Childress Racing a muchneeded boost. Bowyer won the Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night, holding off Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards in a green-whitecheckered finish. "These guys never give up, the guys at RCR and the ladies," Childress said. "They just dig and dig. We've been a little bit off, and when you get a little bit off, everybody wants to kind of kick you. We just take that lick and come on back." Bowyer, the defending series champion, was the leader when a multicar accident brought out the caution with six laps to go in the Subway Jalapeno 250. That set up a final two-lap overtime sprint, and Bowyer lined up inside of Edwards for the double-file restart. With Busch pushing him from behind, Bowyer raced to the front. He didn't have to deal with a challenge from Busch because an accident in the fourth turn brought out a race-ending caution, giving RCR its first victory of the year. Busch fini - Saturday, July 4, 2009

AMERICAN LEAGUE : Yankees' Burnett gets best of old Blue Jays buddies

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — After he was knocked out in the third inning at Fenway Park in Boston in early June, A.J. Burnett vowed to improve. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Ramirez tells fans, teammates he's sorry

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN DIEGO — Manny Ramirez returned to the big leagues as only he could. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

This date in baseball

1905 The Philadelphia Athletics scored two runs in the 20th inning, giving Rube Waddell a 4-2 victory over Cy Young of the Boston Red Sox. Both pitchers went the distance. Young did not allow a walk. 1908 George Wiltse of the New York Giants pitched a 10-inning, 1-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies. 1912 George Mullin of the Detroit Tigers celebrated his 32nd birthday by pitching a no-hitter over the St. Louis Browns. 1925 Two of the great left-handers of their time — Herb Pennock of the Yankees and Lefty Grove of the Philadelphia Athletics — hooked up in a pitchers duel that New York won 1-0 in 15 innings. Pennock gave up four hits and walked none. 1939 Jim Tabor of the Boston Red Sox hit three home runs, including two grand slams, in an 18-12 victory over the Philadelphia Athletics in the second game of a doubleheader. 1976 Philadelphia's Tim McCarver lost a grand slam when he passed Garry Maddox on the base paths. The Phillies still beat the Pirates 10-5 at Pittsburgh. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Box score key

AB: at-bats ; R: runs; H: hits; BI: runs batted in; BB: walks; SO: strike outs; AVG: post-game batting average; E: errors; LOB: runners left on base; 2B: doubles; 3B: triples; HR: home runs; SB: stolen base; CS: caught stealing; S: sacrifice; SF: sacrifice fly; GIDP: grounded into double play; DP: double plays; TP: triple plays; IP: innings pitched; ER: earned runs; NP: number of pitches; ERA: postgame earned run average; W: winning pitcher; L: losing pitcher; S: save; BS: blown save opportunity ; H: hold (pitcher holds lead but doesn't qualify for save); IBB: intentional walk; HBP: batter hit by pitcher; PB: passed ball; WP: wild pitch; T: length of game. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

MLB calendar

July 14 All-Star Game, St. Louis. July 26 Hall of Fame inductions, Cooperstown, N.Y. July 31 Last day to trade a player without securing waivers. Aug. 15 Last day to sign selections from 2009 amateur draft who have not exhausted college eligibility. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

TEXAS LEAGUE : Home run by native tops Naturals in 9th

ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

SAN ANTONIO — It was a case of local boy does good for San Antonio on Friday. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Magallanes out two games for ump bump

BY DOUG CRISE

Arkansas Manager Bobby Magallanes found out Friday afternoon he has been suspended by the Texas League for two games after he bumped umpire Dan Oliver in last Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Glantz-Culver line

FRIDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS Chamique Holdsclaw had 18 points and 8 assists, Sancho Lyttle scored 16 points and Angel Mc-Coughtry scored 14 in a reserve role as the host Atlanta Dream beat the Washington Mystics 72-65 to end a two-game losing streak. Alana Beard scored 16 points, Lindsey Harding scored 11 and Crystal Langhorne added 10 for Washington, which has lost three of four and missed its first nine three-point attempts. A sprained left ankle has sidelined Washington's Marissa Coleman, who led rookies with a 12.7 scoring average, for the past eight games. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Boxing

FIGHT SCHEDULE National TV in parentheses SATURDAY At Vienne, France, Anselmo Moreno, Panama, vs. Mahyar Monshipour, France, 12, for Moreno's WBA bantamweight title. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Auto racing

NASCAR NATIONWIDE Subway Jalapeno 250 At Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Fla. Lap length: 2.5 miles (Start position in parentheses) 1. (1) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 102 laps, 195 points. 2. (19) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 102, 175. 3. (11) Carl Edwards, Ford, 102, 165. 4. (23) Joey Logano, Toyota, 102, 160. 5. (15) Kasey Kahne, Toyota, 102, 155. 6. (4) Brad Keselowski, Chevrolet, 102, 150. 7. (30) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 102, 146. 8. (31) Justin Allgaier, Dodge, 102, 142. 9. (2) David Ragan, Ford, 102, 143. 10. (3) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 102, 134. 11. (34) Michael Waltrip, Toyota, 102 135. 12. (26) Steve Wallace, Chevrolet, 102, 127. 13. (39) Michael McDowell, Toyota, 102, 124. 14. (6) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 102, 126. 15. (37) Matthew Carter, Ford, 102, 118. 16. (36) Kenny Wallace, Chevrolet, 102, 120. 17. (41) Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 102, 112. 18. (38) Scott Lagasse Jr., Toyota, 102, 109. 19. (24) Jason Leffler, Toyota, 102, 106. 20. (12) Bobby Gerhart, Chevrolet, 102, 103. 21. (42) Scott Wimmer, Ch - Saturday, July 4, 2009

NFL

PRESEASON SCHEDULE All times Central and subject to change SUNDAY, AUG. 9 Buffalo vs. Tennessee at Canton, Ohio, 7 p.m. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Transactions

BASEBALL American League MINNESOTA TWINS—Recalled LHP Brian Duensing from Rochester (IL). Assigned LHP Sean Henn to Rochester. SEATTLE MARINERS—Activated RHP Shawn Kelley from the 15-day DL. Optioned INF Mike Carp to Tacoma (PCL). TORONTO BLUE JAYS—Purchased the contract of OF Dave Dellucci from Las Vegas (PCL). Designated INF-OF Russ Adams for assignment. National League ATLANTA BRAVES—Placed 2B Kelly Johnson on the 15-day DL. Purchased the contract of INF Brooks Conrad from Gwinnett (IL). CINCINNATI REDS—Placed INF Danny Richar on the 15-day DL. Activated 3B Edwin Encarnacion from the 60-day DL. Eastern League TRENTON THUNDER—Announced OF Richie Robnett has been assigned to the team from Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre (IL). Announced RHP Jason Johnson has been assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and OF Jack Rye has been assigned to Tampa (FSL). American Association PENSACOLA PELICANS—Signed OF Adam Darby. SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CAPTAINS—Signed RHP Russ Fornea. Atlantic League LONG ISLAND DUCKS—Signed RHP Josue Matos. Can - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Tennis

ATP/WTA Wimbledon At The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club Wimbledon, England Purse: $20.5 million (Grand Slam) Surface: Grass-Outdoor Singles MEN SEMIFINALS Roger Federer (2), Switzerland, def. Tommy Haas (24), Germany, 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-3. Andy Roddick (6), United States, def. Andy Murray (3), Britain, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5). Doubles WOMEN SEMIFINALS Serena and Venus Williams (4), United States, def. Cara Black, Zimbabwe, and Liezel Huber (1), United States, 6-1, 6-2. Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs (3), Australia, def. Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual (2), Spain, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Woods escapes shaky stretch to hold on to one-shot lead

DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE PRESS SERVICES

BETHESDA, Md. — The best of Tiger Woods came Friday when his game was falling apart. - Saturday, July 4, 2009

Hillis anticipating role with new staff

BY DOUG CRISE

People forget that Peyton Hillis used to be quite the ballplayer. - Friday, July 3, 2009

HOG FUTURES JERRY MITCHELL : Hurricane brings Mitchell to Hogs

BY MARTY COOK

The latest in a series profiling new additions for the Arkansas football team in 2009. - Friday, July 3, 2009

WIMBLEDON : Sisters keep it in family

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WIMBLEDON, England — Richard Williams refuses to watch his daughters Venus and Serena play each other. He says he simply can't bear to see it, no matter the setting, no matter the stage. - Friday, July 3, 2009

RODEO OF THE OZARKS : Hold on tight, cowboy

BY RICK FIRES

SPRINGDALE — Tuck Crider of Fayetteville approached his mount with the confidence and swagger of a world champion. - Friday, July 3, 2009