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Published: July 22, 2008 at 11:07 PM
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Diamondbacks acquire pitcher Rauch from Nats

PHOENIX, July 22 (UPI) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired reliever Jon Rauch from the Washington Nationals Tuesday for infielder Emilio Bonifacio.

Rauch, 29, is 4-2 with a 2.98 earned run average and 17 saves. He took over the Nationals' closer role from the oft-injured Chad Cordero this season. In 48 games, the right-hander has walked seven and struck out 44.

"Rauch is a proven late-game reliever who we control through 2010," Arizona General Manager Josh Byrnes said. "We are pleased to add him as we attempt to defend our division title."

Rauch, at 6-foot-11 the tallest current major-leaguer, led the majors with 88 appearances last season and was 8-4 with a 3.61 ERA and four saves. He appeared in 85 games in 2006 with a 3.35 ERA.

It is unknown whether Rauch will step into the closer's role in Arizona. Chad Qualls took over that role from Brandon Lyon Monday.

Bonifacio, 23, has appeared in eight games this season for the Diamondbacks, batting .167 (2-for-12) with three runs scored, a double and two runs batted in.


Braves Manager Bobby Cox suspended

MIAMI, July 22 (UPI) -- Atlanta Braves Manager Bobby Cox was suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount of money Tuesday.

The penalty, announced by Major League Baseball, was for his inappropriate conduct and comments during Sunday's 15-6 loss to the Washington Nationals. Cox was to sit out Atlanta's Tuesday game at Florida.

Cox was ejected in the third inning by home plate umpire Chris Guccione for arguing balls and strikes. The Braves allowed six runs over the first three frames with Atlanta pitching issuing two bases-loaded walks, the second leading to Cox's ejection.

Cox is the winningest manager in Braves franchise history. He is in his 27th season as a major league manager and his 23rd year as Atlanta's manager. (1978-81, 1990-present).


Kirilenko, Srebotnik win; Erakovic upset in Slovenia

PORTOROZ, Slovenia, July 22 (UPI) -- Top-seeded Maria Kirilenko and second-seeded Katarina Srebotnik were winners, but sixth- seeded Marina Erakovic lost Tuesday at the Slovenia Open.

The Russian Kirilenko beat Croatia's Nika Ozegovic 6-1, 6-1 to set up a second-round matchup with Italy's Roberta Vinci.

Srebotnik, a native of Slovenia and the 2007 runner-up, defeated Croatian Sanda Mamic 6-2, 6-2.

New Zealand's Erakovic was upset by France's Camille Pin 7-5, 5-7, 6-3.

Eighth-seeded Italian Sara Errani rallied to beat countrywoman Maria Elena Camerin 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-1.


Calzaghe's hand injury postpones fight

LONDON, July 22 (UPI) -- Undefeated Englishman Joe Calzaghe injured his right hand training for his scheduled Sept. 20 bout with Roy Jones Jr., postponing the fight.

The fight, to take place in Madison Square Garden, is likely to be rescheduled for November, according to the British newspaper The Guardian. Calzaghe's The Ring Magazine light-heavyweight title will be at stake.

The 36-year-old Calzaghe, who has a 45-0 professional record and has owned the WBO super middleweight title since October 1997, gave up his WBC super middleweight belt to take the match with Jones. He still holds the WBO and WBA titles at super middleweight, but moved up to light-heavyweight in April and defeated Bernard Hopkins by split decision.

Jones, 39, has been a champion in four different weight classes and previously held the light-heavyweight title for seven different organizations.


© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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