Spurs eliminate Mavericks from playoffs
SAN ANTONIO, April 29 (UPI) -- Manu Ginobili helped San Antonio fight off a huge comeback bid Thursday and the Spurs advanced in the playoffs with a 97-87 victory over Dallas.
San Antonio rushed out of the gate, limiting Dallas to eight points in the first period and running off 14 in a row beginning late in the opening quarter to eventually take a 22-point lead.
The Mavericks cut their deficit to 13 at the half, climbed within one in the third period and stayed close in the fourth before the Spurs went on an 8-2 run that gave them a 10-point advantage with 4 minutes remaining.
San Antonio won the Western Conference quarterfinal series in six games and eliminated the No. 2 seed.
Ginobili got to the free throw line 13 times, making 10 of the attempts and finishing with 26 points. George Hill had 21 points and Tim Duncan 17.
Dallas was led by Dirk Nowitzki with 33 and Caron Butler with 25. The rest of the Mavericks made just 13-of-41 shots from the field.
San Antonio owned a 22-8 advantage after one period, limiting Dallas to 4-of-17 shooting in the opening 12 minutes. Butler and Nowitzki were the only Dallas players to score a point in the first quarter.
This was the first time since the NBA went to its current best-of-seven format in 2003 that a No. 7 seed has defeated a second seed in the opening round.
Van Pelt leads, Woods fades in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 29 (UPI) -- Bo Van Pelt seized the lead and Tiger Woods struggled Thursday in the opening round of the Quail Hollow Championship.
Van Pelt, who set the course record at the Quail Hollow Country Club with a 64 in 2006, turned in a 65 Thursday for a one-shot edge over Kenny Perry. Camilo Villegas was alone in third at 67 and those at 68 included Paul Goydos, Billy Mayfair, Andres Romero, Brad Faxon and J.J. Henry.
Phil Mickelson, playing for the first time since he won the Masters, bogeyed the final two holes and had to settle for a 70.
Woods, meanwhile, shot a 2-over 74 and had to rally to do that. He hit two shots in the water, suffered a double bogey on the 17th hole (his eighth) and wound up tied for 88th.
Playing for only the second time since the scandal that rocked his personal life, Woods is in danger of missing the cut.
"A lot of mistakes," Woods said. "I just didn't hit the ball very well today."
Woods was not even interested in going to the practice tee to try to work on all the things that went wrong Thursday.
"I'm just going to go hang it up today and come out tomorrow," he said.
Mickelson played despite having undergone treatment for dehydration, brought on by a case of food poisoning earlier in the week. He withdrew after six holes in the pro-am on Wednesday.
Blue Jays snap five-game skid
TORONTO, April 29 (UPI) -- John Buck hit three of Toronto's four homers Thursday and drove in five runs, carrying the Blue Jays to a 6-3 victory over Oakland.
Toronto halted a five-game losing streak and dealt the Athletics their third consecutive setback.
Oakland jumped to an early 3-0 lead, but Buck and Travis Snider hit back-to-back solo homers leading off the third against Justin Duchscherer (2-1).
After putting two runners on with one out in the fourth, Duchscherer was replaced by Jerry Blevins, who promptly gave up a three-run blast by Buck.
Buck added a solo shot in the sixth to finish the scoring.
Duchscherer came into the game having not allowed an earned run in 19 innings over three starts.
Toronto starter Ricky Romero (2-1) lasted six innings to get the win. He allowed three runs on four hits and struck out six.
Kevin Gregg struck out the side in the ninth for his sixth save.
Kolb signs contract extension
PHILADELPHIA, April 29 (UPI) -- Kevin Kolb, who recently inherited the No. 1 quarterbacking position with the Philadelphia Eagles, signed a contract extension Thursday.
Kolb is now under contract through the 2011 season. Jeff Nally, the quarterback's agent, said Kolb is guaranteed $12.26 million over the next two years.
"We're happy to have Kevin under contract for the next two seasons," Philadelphia Coach Andy Reid said. "When given the chance, Kevin has proven to have good command of this offense and we're looking forward to having him operate as the No. 1 quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles."
Kolb moved into the starting role when Philadelphia traded veteran Donovan McNabb to Washington on April 4. With McNabb injured last season, Kolb stepped in and became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 300 yards in his initial two starts.
In 12 overall appearances, Kolb has thrown for 885 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions.
