MILWAUKEE, July 18 (UPI) -- First-round leader Richard S. Johnson held onto a share of the top spot at the U.S. Bank Championship Friday and Kenny Perry stayed within five shots.
ATHENS, Greece, July 18 (UPI) -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points Friday, helping Germany move within one victory of an Olympic berth in a 78-65 qualifying win over Brazil.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 18 (UPI) -- Christina Kim maintained her one-stroke lead with a 4-under-par 68 in the second round of the LPGA's State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill.
UMAG, Croatia, July 18 (UPI) -- Top-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain beat German Mischa Zverev 7-5, 7-5 in a quarterfinal match on Friday at the Croatia Open in Umag.
LONDON, July 18 (UPI) -- Disgraced London-based sprinter Dwain Chambers, accused of doping, lost his appeal Friday to compete in the Beijing Olympic games.
CHICAGO, July 18 (UPI) -- The Inland Real Estate Group of Companies Inc. has submitted an offer to buy Chicago's Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs, a newspaper report said Friday.
Amputee misses South African Olympic team … Cavendish claims fourth 2008 Tour stage … K.J. Choi leads the British Open … Phillies get pitcher Joe Blanton from A's … Darcis continues strong Dutch Open play ... Sports news from United Press International.
LONDON, July 18 (UPI) -- Cyclists Riccardo Rico and Leonardo Pieopli have been fired by Spain's Saunier Duval team at the Tour de France and the team has withdrawn, a BBC report said.
SOUTHPORT, England, July 18 (UPI) -- K.J. Choi birdied the last two holes Friday and owns the lead after two rounds of the British Open golf tournament in Southport, England.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala., July 18 (UPI) -- Alabama linebacker Ezekiel Knight has been medically disqualified from participating in the 2008 season because of an undisclosed medical condition.
WASHINGTON, July 18 (UPI) -- The Washington Nationals have signed their 2008 second-round draft pick, Destin Hood, and will send him to their Gulf Coast League affiliate at Viera, Fla.
PHILADELPHIA, July 18 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia Phillies have strengthened their starting rotation by acquiring right-hander Joe Blanton in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.
BEIJING, July 18 (UPI) -- At 10:55 a.m. on the third Sunday in August, if all has gone well to that point, Michael Phelps will have his date with history.
ATHENS, Ohio, July 18 (UPI) -- Frank Solich has agreed with to a contract extension to remain the head football coach at Ohio University through the 2013 season.
AMERSFOORT, Netherlands, July 18 (UPI) -- Defending champion Steve Darcis collected a straight-set win Friday and advanced to the semifinals of the Dutch Open in the Netherlands.
NIMES, France, July 18 (UPI) -- Mark Cavendish used a perfectly timed burst of speed to win Friday's 13th Stage of the 2008 Tour de France, giving him four stage victories this year.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 18 (UPI) -- Double-amputee Oscar Pistorius, who runs on prosthetic blades, has come up short in his attempt to win a spot on the South African Olympic team.
DENVER, July 17 (UPI) -- Chris Iannetta put Colorado in front with a two-run homer in the sixth inning Thursday and the Rockies held on to defeat Pittsburgh 5-3.
STANFORD, Calif., July 17 (UPI) -- Samantha Stosur pulled off an upset Thursday and Patty Schnyder set up a quarterfinal meeting with Serena Williams at the Bank of the West Classic.
CINCINNATI, July 17 (UPI) -- Carlos Delgado drove in the go-ahead score during a four-run ninth Thursday, rallying the New York Mets to their 10th straight win -- 10-8 over Cincinnati.
ST. LOUIS, July 17 (UPI) -- Troy Glaus hit two of St. Louis' four home runs Thursday and closer Ryan Franklin survived a shaky ninth to give the Cardinals a 4-3 victory over San Diego.
