baltimoresun.com - Sports

Mora's homer is right on time

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

He hits first home run in 52 games to lift O's in 12th inning

Melvin Mora was expecting an extra-base hit off the right-field wall in the 12th inning of Saturday night's 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays when the ball kept carrying.

Not a thing for O's

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Maryland native Cecil and four Blue Jays relievers shut out offense

Their fiery manager was watching in street clothes from an unused broadcast booth, but it was the Orioles' offense that seemingly wasn't allowed on the field Friday night.

NFL study on heart health offers players mixed results

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Research, led by Ravens doctor, presents footballers with good and bad news

In the face of scientific research that suggests NFL linemen might be too big for their own welfare, Ravens defensive tackle Justin Bannan stands resolute and unflinching.

Don't look now, but change is coming to Orioles

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

T he All-Star break beckons, and the Orioles remain a study in contrast. It's as if they have been playing tug of war with themselves for the past three months.

NBAC's Morris qualifies for U.S. team at worlds

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

A strong U.S. nationals for North Baltimore Aquatic Club continued Saturday night, when 18-year-old Brennan Morris surprised everyone, including himself, by finishing second in the 1,500-meter freestyle, earning a spot on the United States team headed to the world championships in Rome in two weeks. Morris, who moved to Baltimore with his family three years ago from Lewisburg, Pa., lowered his career-best time by 20 seconds in the preliminaries Friday morning and then shaved an additional four seconds off that time in the final a day later, touching the wall in 15 minutes, 13.47 seconds. Jackson Wilcox of Nashville Aquatic Club finished first. "I didn't really expect it," Morris said. "All eight people were really close at the top. There were four 18-year-olds in the race, so it was a pretty young field. The race just happened to go my way. I'm pretty excited." Morris joined Michael Phelps and 15-year-old Elizabeth Pelton as NBAC members to make the squad. Morris' story isn't much different from Pelton's. As he showed promise in swimming, his family began to feel exhausted by the commute from Lewisberg, so they packed up and moved to Baltimore after his freshman year of high school. "I'm on a great team at NBAC, and I really like the town," Morris said. "We're big Orioles fans, so it worked out nicely."

U.S. women win gold medal at World University Games

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Connecticut's Tina Charles' 28 points and 18 rebounds helped propel the U.S. women past Russia, 83-64, to take home the gold medal at the 2009 World University Games on Saturday in Belgrade, Serbia. The U.S. (7-0) dominated the glass, out-rebounding Russia (6-1) 52-32 and scoring 22 second-chance points to Russia's four. Ohio State's Jantel Lavender added 14 points, and Stanford's Kayla Pedersen contributed 11 points and nine rebounds. Australia (5-2) defeated Czech Republic (4-3), 88-77, to win the bronze.

After blowing lead, Mystics rally to beat Sparks, 75-63

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Alana Beard scored 26 points as the host Washington Mystics closed the game on a 12-0 run after allowing a 24-point first-half lead slip away to defeat the Los Angeles Sparks, 75-63. Chasity Melvin added 14 points for the Mystics (6-5), who started a season-high six-game homestand. Shannon Bobbit and Betty Lennox each scored 10 points to lead the Sparks (4-7), who fell to 1-6 on the road this season. Los Angeles was without All-Star Lisa Leslie for the sixth straight game. Candace Parker, playing in her third game after missing much of the season following childbirth, was held to two points. Lindsey Harding scored 11 points for the Mystics, who were coming off a 1-3 road trip.

Warm memories of the 'Duel in the Sun'

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Watson edged Nicklaus in historic major at Turnberry

Even as he approaches his 60th birthday, Tom Watson rarely looks back. He is more interested in competing than relishing memories of his eight major championships, including his most famous victory - at Turnberry in the 1977 British Open.

Kerr holes 2-stroke lead at U.S. Women's Open

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

She's the only player under par

Earlier this week, Cristie Kerr defused the LPGA's commissioner hysterics by encouraging questions about her budding winemaking business. Asked how she's unwinding after each grueling round at Saucon Valley Country Club, Kerr didn't miss a beat.

Andino resumes fill-in role for O's

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

With Izturis off the DL, backup shortstop no longer an everyday player

Robert Andino was back in the Orioles' lineup Saturday, this time as a fill-in starter at shortstop and not the regular he had been for the past five weeks.