Selig assumes control of Dodgers' finances
NEW YORK, April 20 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced Wednesday the league office is assuming control of the Los Angeles Dodgers' finances.
Selig issued a statement saying the day-to-day operations of the team will be overseen by an MLB representative in the wake of a report team owner Frank McCourt is struggling to pay the bills.
"I have taken this action because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers and to protect the best interests of the club, its great fans and all of Major League Baseball," Selig said.
Someone will be appointed to oversee the Dodgers "in the next several days," the statement indicated.
The Los Angeles Times reported this week McCourt received a $30 million loan from the Fox television network to cover the Dodgers' payroll. It marked the second time he has had to do so since the end of last season, the newspaper said.
McCourt, who bought controlling interest in the team from Fox in 2004, has been involved in a messy divorce during which his wife Jamie has challenged his ownership of the team.
NFL labor negotiations recessed until May
MINNEAPOLIS, April 20 (UPI) -- Federally mediated collective bargaining negotiations between NFL team owners and players were adjourned for nearly a month Wednesday in Minneapolis.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan, appointed to mediate the efforts to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, adjourned talks until May 16 after four days of negotiations.
The sessions were being held as another federal judge in Minnesota considers a request by the players for an injunction to end the owners' lockout of training camps that started a month ago.
Jeff Pash, the league's vice president of labor, told reporters he felt the bargaining sessions were fruitful.
"I think this was a valuable process and I don't think a single minute of it was wasted time," he said.
"I think everybody believes it was helpful and that's really where we are," added Jim Quinn, outside counsel for the NFL Players Association. "I think everybody believes it was helpful and that's really where we are."
By the time bargaining resumes, U.S. District Judge Susan Nelson is likely to have ruled in the players' injunction request.
"I think fans want a solution," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on the league's Web site. "I want solutions. I think the players want solutions and I think the teams want solutions. That's why we have to be working at it in negotiations and figuring out how to get to that point."
The break in negotiations came one day after the NFL released its regular-season schedule for 2011. The season is scheduled to open Sept. 8 in Green Bay with the defending Super Bowl champion Packers hosting New Orleans.
Miller records second shutout of the playoffs
BUFFALO, N.Y., April 20 (UPI) -- Ryan Miller's 32 saves brought him his second shutout of the playoffs Wednesday and allowed Buffalo to even the series with a 1-0 win over Philadelphia.
Both of Miller's shutouts in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals have been by a 1-0 score. He allowed eight goals in the other two games so far in the series.
With the series deadlocked at 2-2, Philadelphia will host Game 5 Friday. A sixth game will be played in Buffalo and if a seventh game is needed it will be in Philadelphia next Tuesday.
The shutout was the third for Miller in 44 post-season appearances. His first one came in 2005.
Miller, the No. 1 goaltender for the United States during the Vancouver Olympics last year, equaled his career best during the 2010-11 regular season with five shutouts.
The game's only goal came from Jason Pominville 9:38 into the first period. He tipped in a shot by Rob Niedermayer.
Brian Boucher stopped 28 shots for Philadelphia.
Colorado improves NL's best record
DENVER, April 20 (UPI) -- Ty Wigginton and Ryan Spilborghs each bashed three-run homers Wednesday in the Colorado Rockies' 10-2 rout of San Francisco.
Wigginton also drove in a run with a groundout to finish with four RBI. Seth Smith went 2-for-3 with a walk, driving in two runs and scoring three times for the Rockies, who salvaged one win in their three-game series with the Giants.
Jose Morales contributed an RBI as the first-place Rockies pounded out 13 hits. Colorado became the first team in the majors this season to reach 13 victories.
Jorge De La Rosa (3-0) earned the victory, allowing two runs on four hits in a seven-inning start. He walked two and fanned six.
Giants starter Matt Cain (2-1) was torched for six runs on nine hits through 4 2/3 innings before being lifted.
Buster Posey drove in both of San Francisco's runs with a single and a groundout.
