Robby Gordon has unexpected setback a Indy
INDIANAPOLIS, May 11 (UPI) -- Robby Gordon had a setback late in Monday's practice session for the 88th Indianapolis 500 when he spun his primary car in the first turn.
The full-time NASCAR Nextel Cup driver was uninjured and nearly saved the car before it brushed into the wall.
"It just got loose right in the middle of turn one and it turned sideways," Gordon said. "Unfortunately, we got into the wall. It's not hurt that bad."
Gordon will run his backup car on Tuesday and hopes to get the primary car back on the track Wednesday. He will miss practice on Thursday and Friday because of NASCAR commitments with Richard Childress Racing before returning for Pole Day on Saturday.
Gordon said he has to make his qualifying attempt here before 3 p.m. EDT so he can travel to Richmond International Raceway in time for Saturday night's Nextel Cup race.
Broncos release quarterback Beuerlein
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 11 (UPI) -- The Denver Broncos on Monday released veteran quarterback Steve Beuerlein, who saw limited playing time last year behind Jake Plummer.
Beuerlein completed 33-of-63 passes for 389 yards and two touchdowns with five interceptions in 2003.
Beuerlein, 39, spent the last three seasons with the Broncos after five years with the Carolina Panthers. He also has played for the Los Angeles Raiders, Dallas, Arizona and Jacksonville.
The Broncos' draft picks in April included former Colorado State quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt in the seventh round.
Pat Kennedy named Towson basketball coach
TOWSON, May 11 (UPI) -- Towson University hired Pat Kennedy as men's basketball coach Monday.
Kennedy coached the last two seasons at Montana where his teams were 23-35, but his overall record in college coaching is 416-311.
He succeeds Michael Hunt, who resigned after three seasons to become an assistant coach at Miami.
"(Kennedy's) recruiting and coaching background, and his national recognition and respect were important factors in his selection as our head coach," Towson Athletic Director Wayne Edwards said. "We are confident that he will lead Towson University to success within the Colonial Athletic Association."
Kennedy also coached at DePaul, Florida State and Iona.
Season may be over for Tampa Bay's Eddie Perez
ANAHEIM, Calif., May 11 (UPI) -- Left-fielder Eddie Perez of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays may miss the rest of the season because of a torn left Achilles tendon.
The 33-year-old Perez was injured while running the bases on what appeared to be a triple in the fifth inning of a game Sunday in Anaheim. His leg gave out as he rounded second base and he fell to the ground. After a lengthy delay, he was taken from the field on a motorized cart.
Perez was fitted with a splint by Dr. Craig Milhouse, the Angels' team physician.
"I'm not a pessimist at all, but I've seen past history on Achilles' tears. As an athlete, everyone who has tears that is a low point of their careers," Perez said.
"As soon as it popped I knew I was in serious trouble. You known when you're down, you're done.
Perez is batting .211 with one home run and seven runs batted in for the Devil Rays this season.
Grosjean, Philippoussis ousted at Hamburg
HAMBURG, Germany, May 11 (UPI) -- The troubles for Sebastien Grosjean and Mark Philippoussis continued Monday in the first round of the $2.9 million Masters Series Hamburg.
The eighth-seeded Grosjean lost to Marat Safin of Russia for the sixth time in eight career meetings, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5.
It was the first meeting between the two since since Safin won in the 2002 Davis Cup final.
Grosjean was a quarterfinalist at the Australian Open earlier this year, but is just 4-4 in his last eight matches.
Philippoussis, from Australia, fell to Joachim Johansson of Sweden, 7-5 (7-6), 6-1.
No. 11 Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand fell to Olivier Rochus of Belgium, 6-3, 6-4; and No. 15 Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic was ousted by Florian Mayer of Germany, 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-4.
Defending champion Guillermo Coria of Argentina beat Nicolas Almagro of Spain, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
