BALTIMORE — Everything’s a go for Orb. The Kentucky Derby winner was in a playful mood the day before the Preakness, making faces for photographers between nibbles of grass outside his stall at Pimlico Race Course. “He’s really settled in well. He seems to be energetic about what he’s doing, so I couldn’t be … Continue reading →

FRESNO, California — Shane Loux combined with three Fresno relievers to limit the New Orleans Zephyrs to one run on four hits in a 6-1 win Friday at Chukchansi Park. Fresno has taken the first two games of the series and the Z’s have dropped three straight. The Z’s scored first with an unearned … Continue reading →

The New Orleans VooDoo commited five turnovers in dropping their seventh straight game — a 65-54 loss to the Spokane Shock at Veterans Memorial Arena in Arena Football League action Friday. The Shock (6-3) started the scoring with a 9-yard touchdown pass, which the VooDoo answered as quarterback Kurt Rocco, who returned from a knee injury, connected … Continue reading →

TODAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS TV 10 a.m. Indy 500 Time Trials NBCSP 6 p.m. NASCAR, All Stars Speed 11 a.m. Pitt at Louisville ESPNU Noon Texas A&M at Tennessee FSNO 1 p.m. Arkansas at Auburn CST 2 p.m. Clemson at … Continue reading →

ST. FRANCISVILLE — Former Woodlawn High School standout Derek Sanders and Baton Rouge resident David Griffin claimed spots in the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying Round through a local qualifier Thursday at The Bluffs Golf Resort. Griffin and Sanders finished second and third, respectively, in the 18-hole event behind medalist Sam Burns of Shreveport. All three … Continue reading →

LONDON — David Beckham is retiring from soccer, ending a career in which he transcended the sport with forays into fashion and a marriage to a pop star that made him a global celebrity. The 38-year-old former England captain, who recently won a league title in a fourth country with Paris Saint-Germain, said Thursday he … Continue reading →

TODAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS TV 6:30 p.m. Texas at TCU FSNO 7 p.m. Ole Miss at LSU CST 7 p.m. Clemson at Florida St. ESPNU 10 p.m. UC-Irvine at Fullerton ESPNU 1:10 p.m. Mets at Cubs WGN Continue reading →

BALTIMORE — Growing up, Kentucky Derby winner Orb was just another horse who fit in with the crowd. Never caused problems. Never raised a ruckus. Never got sick or hurt while frolicking in the fields of Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., with his pals, or when he was learning how to be a racehorse at … Continue reading →

Mylute trainer Tom Amoss and the gray colt went in different directions Wednesday in their respective journeys from Churchill Downs to Pimlico Race Course. Amoss headed home to Louisiana to attend the graduation of his daughter, Ashley, from LSU, while the fifth-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby was flown from Louisville, Ky., to Baltimore for the Preakness. Continue reading →

BALTIMORE — The Preakness draw was over, and trainer Shug McGaughey listed a variety of reasons why he was OK with having Kentucky Derby winner Orb starting Saturday’s race from the rail. Then someone asked him, “If you had your choice, where would you want to be?” Without hesitation, McGaughey responded, “The outside.” Continue reading →

NEW ORLEANS — The Arena Football League’s top-ranked passer is preparing to host the VooDoo, which holds the unfortunate label as the league’s worst defense. The VooDoo (1-6) have lost their last six games. The Spokane Shock (5-3) have lost their last three games. “Going up to Spokane, a loud environment, a very … Continue reading →

NEW ORLEANS — VooDoo receiver Donovan Morgan returned to the lineup in time for last week’s 62-16 loss at the Iowa Barnstormers, the latest loss for the Arena Football League franchise besieged by injuries. Starting quarterback Kurt Rocco could join Morgan on the field for Friday’s game at the Spokane Shock (5-3), giving the … Continue reading →

MIAMI — Derrick Rose should be ready to play in Chicago’s next game. If there is a silver lining that accompanies the end of the Bulls’ season — the final scene played out Wednesday night in Miami, where the Heat needed a huge late rally to beat Chicago 94-91 and close out the Eastern Conference … Continue reading →

TODAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS TV 5 p.m. Inside SLU Baseball CST 6:30 p.m. Ole Miss at LSU ESPNU 6:30 p.m. NW State at Wichita St. CST 7 p.m. Tigers at Rangers FSNO … Continue reading →

Zephyrs road trip WHAT: New Orleans Zephyrs at Fresno Grizzlies WHEN: 9:05 p.m. WHERE: Chukchansi Park, Fresno, Calif. RECORDS: Zephyrs (18-19); Grizzlies (21-19) PROBLEM PITCHERS: Zephyrs left-hander … Continue reading →

NEW ORLEANS — For many former Xavier athletes, the tearing down of The Barn, where the school’s basketball teams played their games, is a sad occasion. To Donald “Slick” Watts, who went on to a career as an NBA point guard from 1973-79, it takes on an even more personal meaning. “That’s where I became ‘Slick,’” said … Continue reading →

MINNEAPOLIS — Adam Dunn homered twice, doubled and drove in five runs, powering the Chicago White Sox past the Minnesota Twins 9-4 on Wednesday. Dunn hit a pair of two-run shots for his 35th career multihomer game. He’s hit three home runs in the last two games and has nine this year. Dayan Viciedo also … Continue reading →

PHOENIX — Paul Goldschmidt hit three doubles, Eric Chavez drove in three runs and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat Tim Hudson and the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Wednesday. Cody Ross added an RBI double as the Diamondbacks won the final two games of the series after a 10-1 loss in the opener. Hudson (4-3) had … Continue reading →

BALTIMORE — Not so long ago, the Padres were scuffling for victories no matter the opponent. Now a scrappy roster minus high-profile names is finding ways to win even against one of the American League’s best. Alexi Amarista homered and doubled twice and the San Diego Padres matched their season-high with 17 hits, beating the … Continue reading →

INDIANAPOLIS — The Knicks talked a good game but did not play one. After their Game 3 loss at Indiana, New York’s players seemed to understand their problems. They talked about making the extra pass, hitting the boards and playing with a sense of urgency in Game 4. Not much changed. The Knicks … Continue reading →

The Southeastern Louisiana golf team will play its longest course of the season when the Lions tee off Thursday morning in the Baton Rouge Regional at The University Club. But their drive from Hammond was a short, familiar one. Unlike their previous six NCAA regional appearances, Southeastern, the No. 12 seed, needed only a 45-minute bus ride … Continue reading →

TODAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS TV 5 p.m. Roger Cador Show CST 5:30 p.m. Inside LSU Baseball CST 6 p.m. Razorback Baseball CST Noon White Sox at Twins WGN 6 p.m. Red Sox at Rays ESPN Continue reading →

HONORS All-SWAC Starting pitcher: T.J. Renda, Alabama State Starting pitcher: Jose DeLeon, Southern Relief pitcher: Andre Rodriguez, Jackson State Catcher: Jose Cruz, … Continue reading →

CHICAGO — LeBron James and the Miami Heat didn’t even give the Chicago Bulls room to breathe, practically squeezing the playoff life out of them to take a commanding lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal. Another effort like this will seal it. James scored 27 points and the Heat nearly matched a franchise record … Continue reading →

The LSU women’s powerlifting team captured its fourth national championship at the USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals held recently in Killeen, Texas. The team also won national titles in 2008, 2009 and 2011. LSU’s Allegra Hudson won the 103-pound weight class, while Kayli Alphonso (114 pounds) and Ariel Parker (184 pounds) also won individual titles. Team captain … Continue reading →

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies are proving they know how to grab an advantage and hold onto it this postseason. Tony Allen scored on a driving layup to open overtime and the Grizzlies held off the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-97 Monday night to push the defending Western Conference champions to the edge of elimination. Continue reading →

NEW ORLEANS — Few honor the traditions of horse racing more than Seth Hancock and Al Stall Jr. But Hancock, owner of Claiborne Farm, and New Orleanian Stall, trainer of Claiborne’s Departing, will happily play the role of spoilers in Saturday’s Preakness as they try to knock off Kentucky Derby winner Orb … Continue reading →

TODAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS TV 6:30 p.m. UNO at LSU CST 9:30 p.m. Inside LSU Baseball CST 9:30 p.m. Rangers at A’s FSNO 4 p.m. Tour of California NBCSP Continue reading →

BC-BBA—Astros-President Resigns, 1st Ld-Writethru,466 Houston Astros president Postolos resigns Eds: Adds details. HOUSTON (AP) — George Postolos resigned as president and CEO of the Houston Astros on Monday, returning to sports consulting work in the midst of the team’s third consecutive season of struggles. Postolos worked for seven years with Houston businessman Jim Crane to buy a sports franchise … Continue reading →

I heard the term “Reno fatigue” so many times last year when the USBC Open was in Baton Rouge after a couple of years in Reno, Nev., before and then the two years after the trip to Baton Rouge. We wrote about it. We discussed it with bowlers and wondered what the actual future of the … Continue reading →

PENNINGTON YMCA SUMMER YOUTH LEAGUE REGISTRATION: Through May 17, Pennington YMCA, Baton Rouge. Ages 3-12 for June 3-July 27 league. Fees $40 members, $85 nonmembers. Call Steve Ryan (225) 272-9622. Email: sryan@ymcabr.org. TIGERS CLASSIC: June 1-2, St. Gabriel. Coaches Pitch through 14-under age divisions. Fee $125. 3-game guarantee. Entry deadline May 23. … Continue reading →

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — A weekend filled with sharp words between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia came down to one last showdown Sunday in The Players Championship, this one staged across the water in a tiny, terrifying section of the TPC Sawgrass. Tied for the lead with two holes to play, Woods kept his … Continue reading →

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin say they’re already friends. The Green Bay Packers rookie running backs also are roommates, teammates and competitors. With the Packers taking former Dutchtown High standout Lacy in the second round of last month’s draft, then trading up to grab UCLA’s Franklin in the fourth round, both … Continue reading →

TODAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS TV 6 p.m. FSU at N.C. State ESPNU 6 p.m. Mets at Cardinals ESPN 4 p.m. Tour of California NBCSP 6 p.m. Heat … Continue reading →

Rainiers 3, Zephyrs 2 NEW ORLEANS — Tacoma shortstop Nick Franklin homered to right-center field leading off the 13th inning against reliever Jonathan Albaladejo, giving the Rainiers the victory on Sunday at Zephyr Field. Tacoma (23-15) has won the first two games of the four-game series. Continue reading →

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — A rift between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia attracted all the attention on a stormy day at Sawgrass. Swedish rookie David Lingmerth quietly went about his business and wound up atop the leaderboard Saturday in The Players Championship. Lingmerth finished a wild day with an 8-foot eagle putt on the … Continue reading →

TODAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS TV 6:30 a.m. Spanish Grand Prix NBCSP 1 p.m. Tennessee at Arkansas CST Noon Cubs at Nationals WGB 12:30 p.m. Blue Jays at Red Sox TBS 1 … Continue reading →

DES MOINES, Iowa — The New Orleans VooDoo dropped its fifth straight game Saturday night, a 62-16 loss to the Iowa Barnstormers. Quarterback Bill Stull was 6-of-11 with a touchdown pass for New Orleans (1-6); his scoring strike went to Chris Duvalt. Zack Estridge was 16-of-31 for 116 yards and three interceptions. Courtney Smith added … Continue reading →

SUNDAY’S GAME What: Tacoma Rainiers at New Orleans Zephyrs. When: 2 p.m. Where: Zephyr Field, Metairie. Probable pitchers: Zephyrs left-hander Brian Flynn (1-2, 3.00 ERA) vs. Rainiers right-hander Jeremy Bonderman (2-3, 3.83) Continue reading →

Women Team standings (after 8 of 21 events): 1, Arkansas, 50. 2, Georgia, 49. 3, LSU, 31. 4, Florida, 26. 5, Texas A&M, 25. 6, tie, Mississippi State and Missouri, 20. 8, Auburn, 191/2. 9, Kentucky 18. 10, Alabama, 17. 11, tie, Vanderbilt and South Carolina, 11. 13, … Continue reading →

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Sergio Garcia had one of those stretches where it felt like every putt was going to drop. He needed every one of them Friday for a 7-under-par 65 to match his best score on the TPC Sawgrass and take a one-shot lead over Tiger Woods at The Players Championship. Next … Continue reading →

NEW ORLEANS — VooDoo defensive back Demarcus Robinson gets frustrated when opposing offenses don’t throw his way. That’s why Robinson admittedly gets a little chippy after the whistle. “I’m hungry (for a tackle), and they’re not giving me anything to eat,” Robinson said as the VooDoo prepared to play at the Iowa Barnstormers … Continue reading →

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Tiger Woods was nine shots out of the lead — not the best position at The Players Championship, especially since he hadn’t even started his round. Perhaps the bigger surprise was the guy who posted the record-tying round Thursday. Roberto Castro had only played TPC Sawgrass in a practice … Continue reading →

Parity has struck the NBA playoffs, where the conference semifinals are fit to be tied. The four series are all knotted at one game apiece — the first time that’s happened in the second round of the NBA playoffs since the league went to its current format more than a quarter-century ago. For favorites like Miami, New … Continue reading →