UPI NewsTrack Sports

All-Star game rosters announced

NEW YORK, July 1 (UPI) -- The New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers each had four players on the NL squad when the All-Star game rosters were announced Sunday night in New York.

The American League roster included only two first-timers -- Detroit second baseman Placido Polanco and first baseman Justin Morneau of Minnesota.

Eight National League players will make their first All-Star appearances -- including second baseman Orlando Hudson and closer Jose Valverde of Arizona; Philadelphia outfielder Aaron Rowand and Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels; Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder and second baseman J.J. Hardy; and LA Dodgers catcher Russell Martin and closer Takashi Saito.

Among other AL starters are outfielders Magglio Ordonez (Detroit), Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle) and Vladimir Guerrero (LA Angels of Anaheim).

The AL squad also has New York Yankee infielders Derek Jeter (shortstop) and Alex Rodriguez (third), along with Detroit catcher Ivan Rodriguez and Boston first baseman David Ortiz.

Veteran Giants slugger Barry Bonds will be a starter before his home fans for the NL outfield, when the game is played in San Francisco July 10.

Hargrove resigns as Seattle manager

SEATTLE, July 1 (UPI) -- Mike Hargrove resigned Sunday as manager of the Seattle Mariners.

The unexpected decision was announced as Seattle prepared for its game against Toronto at Safeco Field, and came with the Mariners in the middle of a seven-game winning streak. They are second in the American League West behind the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with a record of 44-33.

"Over the past several weeks, I have come to the realization that to be fair to myself and the team, I can not continue to do this job if my passion has begun to fade," Hargrove said in a statement. "I want to stress how much I respect, and love, the players in the clubhouse, and the coaches and staff that we have in place here."

While managing the Mariners, Hargrove compiled a 191-210 record in three seasons.

Seattle promoted bench coach John McLaren and signed him to a contract for the rest of the season.

Hamlin wins the latest Nextel Cup race

LOUDON, N.H., July 1 (UPI) -- Denny Hamlin Sunday fought off a late challenge by Jeff Gordon to win the Nextel Cup's Lenox Industrial Tools 300 at Loudon, N.H.

Hamlin's No.11 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet crossed the finish line one length ahead of the four-time points champion, allowing Hamlin to record his first victory of the season and the third of his Nextel Cup career.

"We finally got a win," said Hamlin, who had led a total of 665 laps this year without a victory.

Hamlin took a 0.440-second lead over Gordon with 25 laps left and held on until the end.

Martin Truex Jr. was third, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was fourth and Jimmy Johnson finished fifth.

Gordon is first in the standings with 2,613 points, followed by Hamlin with 2,457 points.

Matt Kenseth is third (2,248), Johnson is fourth (2,232) and Jeff Burton is fifth (2,230).

Bateman wins the Buick Open

GRAND BLANC, Mich., July 1 (UPI) -- Brian Bateman Sunday sank a 12-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to win the PGA's Buick Open Golf Tournament at Grand Blanc, Mich.

Bateman shot 3-under 69 in the closing round to finish at 15-under 273.

His birdie avoided a possible playoff against Jason Gore (67), Woody Austin (69) and Justin Leonard (67) -- who finished in a tie for second at 14-under 274.

"I'm still trying to figure out what I did," Bateman said after he claimed a winner's check of $882,000. "I felt good all week. I felt like I was giving myself a lot of chances at birdies. I was patient just about every day and it just seemed to build."

Bateman also has one victory on the Nationwide Tour this season.

2003 winner Jim Furyk (70) shared fifth place with Steve Elkington (68), Scott Verplank (71), Marco Dawson (68) and John Rollins (67) at 13-under 275.

Christie Kerr wins U.S. Women's Open

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (UPI) -- Cristie Kerr shot a 1-under 70 Sunday to win the U.S. Women's Open at Southern Pines, N.C., her first title at a LPGA major.

Kerr finished at 5-under 279 to win her 10th tour championship.

World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa (71) and Angela Park (70) were two strokes back at 3-under 281.

Se Ri Pak, who won the U.S. Women's Open in 1998, fired a 3-under 68 Sunday and finished in a tie for fourth with In-Bee Park (69).

Last year's Open winner, Annika Sorenstam, had two bogeys and a double-bogey Sunday, closing with a 2-over 73 -- and settling for a tie for 32nd place at 8-over 292.