Softball

U.S. routs China in World Cup game

Tairia Flowers hit a first-inning grand slam, taking advantage of an intentional walk before her, to lead the United States to an 8-0 victory over China in the World Cup of Softball on Friday night at Oklahoma City.

The game ended after five innings because of the mercy rule.

Camarillo's Jessica Mendoza helped start the first-inning rally with a one-out single.

Track and field

Powell runs season best in 100 at Golden Gala

Asafa Powell marked his return from a groin injury by posting his season-best 9.90 seconds to win the 100 meters at the Golden Gala at Rome.

Also, Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius warmed up for a world-class, able-bodied race this weekend by finishing second in a 400-meter B sprint.

Javelin thrower Tero Pitkamaki of Finland hit French long jumper Salim Sdiri in the side on an errant throw. Sdiri suffered a 1-inch external wound and no internal damage.

Pro football

Colts sign Freeney to six-year deal

The Indianapolis Colts have signed defensive end Dwight Freeney to a long-term contract that will make him among the NFL's most highly paid defensive players.

Freeney and the Colts agreed to a six-year, $72 million contract that includes a $30 million signing bonus, Freeney's agent, Gary Wichard, said.

Rams' Brown suspended four games: Rams cornerback Fakhir Brown was suspended for the first four games next season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Lions' Rogers will not face criminal charges: Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers won't face criminal charges following a review of an exotic dancer's claims that he inappropriately touched her.

Raiders sign third-round pick Henderson: The Oakland Raiders signed offensive lineman Mario Henderson to a contract, making him the team's fourth draft pick to sign a deal.

Pro basketball

Grizzlies sign free agent Milicic

The Memphis Grizzlies signed forward-center Darko Milicic, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 draft who is joining his third team.

Milicic put up disappointing numbers in his 1 seasons with the Orlando Magic after being drafted by Detroit. But he averaged 12.3 points in the playoffs for the Magic against the Pistons.

Nets sign Carter to multiyear deal: The New Jersey Nets signed a deal with guard Vince Carter that will keep the eight-time All-Star in New Jersey at least through the 2010-11 season.

Peterson agrees to four-year deal with Hornets: Morris Peterson and the New Orleans Hornets agreed to terms on a four-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

He has spent his entire seven-season career with the Raptors.

Trail Blazers sign free-agent guard Blake: Former Trail Blazer Steve Blake is coming back to Portland after playing for the team in 2005-06.

The free-agent point guard who played for the Denver Nuggets last season signed a reported two-year deal with an option.

Kings sign Moore away from Nets: Mikki Moore signed with the Sacramento Kings, leaving the Nets to join his eighth NBA team.

The 7-foot Moore had a breakthrough campaign with the Nets last season, averaging career highs of 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds.

Foyle undergoes emergency appendectomy: Golden State reserve center Adonal Foyle underwent an emergency laparoscopy appendectomy at a Bay Area hospital.

Jazz signs Hart: The Utah Jazz signed point guard Jason Hart to a multiyear contract.

First Pacers coach Staverman dies at 70: Larry Staverman, who was the first coach of the Indiana Pacers when they started as an ABA franchise, died after a long illness. He was 70.

Horse racing

2003 Derby winner Funny Cide retires

Funny Cide will race no more.

The popular 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner was retired, nine days after winning at a small track in upstate New York with a near-record crowd cheering him on with every stride.

Tennis

Venus Williams draws Petrova in Fed Cup

Venus Williams will play Nadia Petrova, and Vania King will face Anna Chakvetadze in Fed Cup semifinal play today between the United States and Russia at Stowe, Vt.

King and Lisa Raymond will play Petrova and Elena Vesnina in doubles.

Mahut excited to reach Hall of Fame semifinals: Fifth-seeded Nicolas Mahut beat qualifier Prakash Amritraj 6-4, 7-6 (4) to reach the semifinals of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships at Newport, R.I.

Mahut will play Dick Norman, who ousted qualifier Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

In the other quarterfinals, Wesley Moodie upset second-seeded Vince Spadea 6-4, 6-4 and fourth-seeded Fabrice Santoro beat Mischa Zverev 6-4, 6-3.

Moya, Almagro reach semifinals at Swedish Open: Carlos Moya and Nicolas Almagro won their quarterfinal matches in straight sets to set up an All-Spanish semifinal at the Swedish Open at Bastad, Sweden.

Second-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer and Filippo Volandri of Italy will meet in today's other semifinal.

Andreev topples Gasquet to reach Swiss Open semis: Igor Andreev upset defending champion Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-2 at the Swiss Open to reach his first semifinal of the season at Gstaad, Switzerland.

The Russian wild card will face Andreas Seppi.

Soccer

L.A. company may buy MLS' Fire

Sports giant Anschutz Entertainment Group has reached a preliminary agreement to sell its stake in the Chicago Fire soccer team to Los Angeles-based Andell Holdings.

Hockey

Devils give Sutter his first NHL coaching job

The New Jersey Devils hired 45-year-old Brent Sutter, hoping to become the first Devils coach in three seasons to start and finish a season. This will be his first NHL coaching job.

Colleges

Oregon will reinstate baseball, drop wrestling

After a 26-year absence, the University of Oregon will bring back baseball for the 2008-09 season.

The Ducks also plan to discontinue their wrestling program following the 2007-08 season and add varsity women's competitive cheer.