White Sox to visit White House:
The White Sox are heading to the White House. A group of about 35, including players, team officials and family members, will tour the White House today. But it isn?t certain if they?ll get to meet President Barack Obama, who often dons a well-worn White Sox cap. The team has embraced Obama as "First Fan." Beckett?s suspension reduced:
Josh Beckett?s suspension was reduced from six games to five on Sunday, allowing the Boston Red Sox ace to take his next turn in the rotation. Beckett threw a pitch near the head of the Los Angeles Angels? Bobby Abreu on April 12, leading to both dugouts and bullpens emptying. The right-hander was suspended Tuesday and immediately
appealed the ruling.
FBI investigates Pitino?s claim:
The FBI is investigating the estranged wife of Louisville?s equipment manager regarding extortion allegations leveled by coach Rick Pitino, her attorney said Sunday. Attorney Thomas Clay said he spoke with the FBI about the matter last week but had no further comment. He represents Karen Sypher, the wife of longtime equipment manager Tim Sypher. Clay acknowleged that Karen Sypher was contacted by the FBI after Pitino filed a complaint last month that he was being targeted for extortion.
"I can?t be more specific than they talked to her," Clay said. "Yes, there could be a criminal prosecution."
Gay wins Heritage by 10 shots:
Brian Gay put on a record-setting show in the Verizon Heritage at Hilton Head Island, S.C. Gay shot a 7-under 64 Sunday to win at Harbour Town Golf Links by an astounding 10 shots. He broke the 13-year-old scoring record, finishing at 20-under 264 on the way to his second PGA Tour victory.
It was the tour?s largest margin of victory since Phil Mickelson won the 2006 BellSouth Classic by 13 strokes. Gay bested Loren Roberts? mark of 19 under in winning the 1996 Verizon Heritage. Gay?s 10-shot edge over Luke Donald (66) and Briny Baird (68) shattered the 7 strokes five-time champ Davis Love won by in 1998. Besides a $1.026 million first prize, Gay earned a spot in the 2010 Masters.
? Nick Price won the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am at Lutz, Fla., for his first Champions Tour victory, overcoming 3 double bogeys in a final-round 71. After a par putt on the 18th hole, Price finished with a 2-shot victory over Larry Nelson to end an 0-for-38 streak on the Champions Tour and win his first title since the 2002 MasterCard Colonial, a span of 111 tour events.
? Australia?s Scott Strange won the European Tour?s Volvo China Open, closing with a 4-under 68 for a 1-stroke victory over Spain?s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano. Strange had an 8-under 280 total on the Beijing CBD International course.
Franchitti wins Long Beach GP:
Dario Franchitti used fuel strategy and a very fast car Sunday to win the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach (Calif.). Franchitti dominated, beating runner-up Will Power, the pole winner, by 3.318 seconds ? half of the final straightaway.
Nadal extends title streak:
Rafael Nadal became the first player to win five straight Monte Carlo Masters titles by beating Novak Djokovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 on Sunday in Monaco. The top-ranked Spaniard, however, lost a set at the clay-court tournament for the first time since the 2006 final against Roger Federer.
Cougars win another series:
The Kane County Cougars have won their first three series of the season. On Sunday before 3,192 at Elfstrom Stadium, the Cougars beat Cedar Rapids 6-4 to take three of four from the Kernels. The Cougars are 7-3, the fourth-best 10-game start
in franchise history.
