Redskins sign DE Peppi Zellner
ASHBURN, Va., May 12 (UPI) -- The Washington Redskins plucked another defensive linemen from their bitter NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, signing end Peppi Zellner on Monday.
Zellner spent the first four years of his career with the Cowboys, starting 17 games the last two seasons. The Redskins previously signed defensive tackle Brandon Noble, a starting defensive tackle with Dallas last year.
The 6-5, 262-pound Zellner never turned into a pass-rushing force for the Cowboys. His best season was in 2001 when he replaced an injured Ebenezer Ekuban at right end and had 51 tackles and three sacks. Last year, Zellner started just two of 16 games and had 42 tackles.
Nets seek sweep of Celtics
BOSTON, May 12 (UPI) -- The New Jersey Nets look to make team history Monday night when they played Boston in Game Four of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The Nets have never swept a playoff series, but can do it for the first time with a victory over the beleaguered Celtics, who trail, three games to none.
The game will be played at FleetCenter in Boston.
New Jersey had won only one playoff series until last year, when All-Star point guard Jason Kidd led the team to the NBA Finals, where they were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers.
While Kidd is the team leader, forward Kenyon Martin is an emerging superstar, and it has shown in this series. He is averaging team playoff highs of 21.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per contest, and has stifled Boston's Antoine Walker.
On Friday, Martin had 25 points and Richard Jefferson added 20 as the Nets routed the Celtics, 94-76, in Game Three. Kidd also contributed nine points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, and New Jersey shot over 49 percent from the floor (34-of-69).
Walker shot just 6-of-17, and had 15 points and 15 rebounds in 41 minutes. After being take out of the game with 4:24 left, he was heckled by a fan.
Walker put his left hand on the right side of the man's face and pushed him. The league is investigating the incident.
He is shooting just 29 percent in the series (34-of-119), and has drawn the wrath of Celtics' fans and Boston sports people.
No team ever has come back from a 3-0 deficit in an NBA playoff series. The Celtics have not been swept since 1989, when they lost, 3-0, in the first round to Detroit, the eventual champion.
Boston, which has won a record 16 NBA championships, has not been swept in a best-of-seven series since the 1983 conference semifinals against Milwaukee.
Each of the other three semifinal series -- the Lakers and San Antonio and Dallas and Sacramento in the Western Conference, and Detroit and Philadelphia in the East -- is tied, 2-2.
Sixers reserve sidelined with calf tear
PHILADELPHIA, May 12 (UPI) -- Philadelphia 76ers reserve forward Tyrone Hill will be sidelined three to four weeks with a muscle tear in his right calf, the team announced Monday.
Hill, who is averaging 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 10 playoff games for the Sixers, suffered the injury with 1:50 left in the third quarter of Sunday's 95-82 victory over the Detroit Pistons. An MRI taken Monday revealed a right gastrocnemius tear that will not require surgery.
The Sixers received some good news regarding guard Eric Snow as X-rays on his left hand after Sunday's game were negative. Snow, who has a contusion on his hand and tendinitis in his right foot, is officially listed as a game-time decision but played 38 minutes on Sunday.
The Sixers won both games in Philadelphia this past weekend to even the Eastern Conference semifinal series at two wins apiece.
The Pistons host Game Five on Wednesday.
Blake loses again at Hamburg Masters
HAMBURG, Germany, May 12 (UPI) -- James Blake's claycourt struggles continued Monday in the first round of the $2.83 million Hamburg Masters.
The 16th-seeded American lost his third straight match, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1, 6-2, to Argentina's Gaston Gaudio.
Blake has lost three of his four matches on European red clay this season but reached the quarterfinals at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships.
No. 7 Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand also has struggled on the dirt and was handed his third consecutive defeat, 6-4, 6-3, to Spain's Feliciano Lopez. Srichaphan has lost four of his last five matches.
No. 11 Gustavo Kuerten, the 2000 champion from Brazil,dispatched Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina, 6-2, 6-4, to improve to 14-5 lifetime at this event. The three-time French Open winner surprisingly has not been dominating this claycourt season, producing a 10-5 record and losing in the early rounds in two of the last three events.
Kuerten next meets Russia's Nikolay Davydenko, the Estoril champion who crushed Romanian qualifier Adrian Voinea, 6-0, 6-2.
In other play involving seeded players, No. 12 Guillermo Coria of Argentina cruised past American Vincent Spadea, 6-2, 6-2, and No. 14 Tommy Robredo of Spain defeated Czech Radek Stepanek, 6-4, 6-3.
Playing in only his fourth tournament at this level, Spanish teen Rafael Nadal continued to impress with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over France's Paul-Henri Mathieu. The 16-year-old qualifier, who has reached five Challenger finals this year, advanced to the third round in his first Tennis Masters Series event at Monte Carlo last month.
Nadal could play fellow Mallorcan and second seed Carlos Moya in the second round.
Britain's Tim Henman, trying to come back from shoulder surgery last year, beat American Jan-Michael Gambill, 7-5, 6-4. He raised his record to just 3-5 this season.
Also, South African Wayne Ferreira routed Germany's Alexander Waske, 6-3, 6-2; Belgian Olivier Rochus defeated Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4; Lars Burgsmuller of Germany beat American qualifier Hugo Armando, 6-4, 6-4; and Spain's David Sanchez overcame Mardy Fish of the United States, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
This French Open tune-up awards the winner $462,313.
United States to play in Bratislava
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 12 (UPI) -- The Slovak National Tennis Center in Bratislava was announced Monday as the venue for the United State's Davis Cup playoff round tie against Slovakia.
The match will be played from Sept. 19-21.
The best-of-five match series will be contested on a red clay court at the 4,200-seat facility.
The United States lost its first-round encounter at Croatia in February and now must win against Slovakia in order to qualify for the 16-team 2004 World Group that competes for the Davis Cup. The American have dropped four straight road ties since beating host Zimbabwe in the opening round of the 2000 Davis Cup.
The only prior meeting between the United States and Slovakia came in the first round in Oklahoma City last year, which was won by the Americans, 5-0.
Stackhouse uncertain; Unseld not
WASHINGTON, May 12 (UPI) -- Veteran small forward Jerry Stackhouse is questioning whether he will be a member of the Washington Wizards next season.
He made the revelation to the Washington Times in the midst of the turmoil created by the last week's firing of Michael Jordan as President of Basketball Operations and, according to the paper, the unexpected resignation of Wes Unseld as General Manager.
"It's up in the air," Stackhouse, who can opt out of the final two years of his contract this summer, told the paper. "I don't dislike the team at all. I like the players on the floor, and we have some young talent. The most important thing to me is that we can go forward. I'm at the point in my career that I just want to win. That will play a big part in any decision I make. Right now, I can't make an easy decision."
Stackhouse, led Washington in scoring this past season with 21.5 points per contest in 70 games, indicated he was concerned about the team's current instability.
"We don't have anything in place, so it would be premature for me to say what I plan to do one way or the other," Stackhouse said. "Nobody knows what's going to happen. They could go in a totally different direction, but whatever they do, all the focus has got to be about making the team better. It has to be on doing whatever it takes to make this team a winner."
He made the comments before the Times broke the news about Unseld. He had indicated on May 2 that he was taking an indefinite leave of absence. During the time, it had been reported that he would have both knees replaced.
It was thought he would come back to that position upon his return, but he told the Times that, when he is ready, he will do so in another capacity.
"No, I won't," Unseld told the paper when asked if he would continue as GM. ""I'll still be with the team, but I'm not ever going to do all of the leg work and the heavy scouting. My role is going to change."
His situation leaves the Wizards in need of a head of Basketball Operations, a full-time General Manager, and possibly a new coach. The future of Doug Collins appears to be in doubt with all the changes and turmoil.
Ducks seek 2-0 lead over Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS, May 12 (UPI) -- Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be back in the spotlight Monday night when Anaheim plays at Minnesota in Game Two of the NHL's Western Conference final.
Game Two is scheduled to be played at Xcel Energy Center in Minneapolis.
Giguere has been the star of the postseason, leading the league with a 1.43 goals-against average and .954 save percentage. His numbers went down a but after a 39-save, double-overtime, 1-0 win in Game One on Saturday.
Giguere has been at his best when it has counted the most, recording an overtime shutout streak of 160 minutes, 49 seconds, just 2:08 from breaking the mark Patrick Roy set in 1993, and leading the Mighty Ducks to stunning victories over Detroit and Dallas.
However, after Game One against Minnesota, the Wild complained Giguere's pads might be too big. The Stars did the same after the opener of their conference semifinal.
The status of Minnesota's goalies is less certain.
Manny Fernandez played well in Game One of the series. He was thrown
into action because of a groin strain to Dwayne Roloson, but Roloson appears healthy for Game Two, and Fernandez has some distractions.
Fernandez never showed up in the locker room after Saturday night's game, avoided reporters, and quickly showered, dressed, and traveled to Montreal to visit his ailing father.
Marc Fernandez, the brother-in-law of Minnesota Coach Jacques Lemaire, had just been told his arteries are 95 percent blocked. He is scheduled for triple-bypass surgery on Tuesday.
Roloson has played nine of Minnesota's 15 postseason games, going 5-4 with a 2.46 GAA and .909 save percentage. Fernandez is 3-2 with a 2.22 GAA and .923 save percentage.
The sixth-seeded Wild weren't necessarily heartbroken when the goal by Petr Sykora 8:06 into the second overtime gave Anaheim the win on Saturday. They are just 1-5 at home in the postseason, but already have won a pair of seven-game series.
The Mighty Ducks, who are in the conference finals for the first time in franchise history, won the first two games in each of the previous two series, both on the road.
Game Two of the Eastern Conference finals is Tuesday night.
The top-seeded Ottawa Senators will seek a two games to none lead over the second-seeded New Jersey Devils after winning in overtime Saturday.
Santos cleared of wrongdoing
LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 12 (UPI) -- Jockey Jose Santos Monday was cleared of any wrongdoing by stewards at Churchill Downs, where the jockey rode Funny Cide to victory in the Kentucky Derby.
The meeting of the Kentucky Racing Commission was held after Santos had been accused of cheating.
At a Monday afternoon news conference, the commission revealed the results of a thorough review after a photograph published in the Miami Herald showed what might have been something other than a whip in Santos' hand.
The photo was taken as Santos crossed the finish line at Churchill Downs on May 3. Stewards at the track began a probe Saturday, two days after Frank Carlson of the Herald brought it to their attention.
Bernie Hettel, Kentucky's Chief Steward, said he and two other stewards "carefully examined dozens of photographs taken from a number of different angles at various points during the race, reviewed several videotapes, and conducted a thorough interview" with Santos.
The commission used local police to help enlarge pictures of Santos and his hand some 20 times. The three stewards also watched NBC's broadcast before voting unanimously to clear Santos.
"There is no evidence that would suggest that Mr. Santos had any prohibited device in his possession or that he engaged in any improper actions during the race," Hettel said.
While his wife and four children were in Albany, N.Y., receiving keys to the state following the first Derby victory by a New York-bred horse, Santos was at Monday's news conference.
"I'm thankful this nightmare is over," said Santos, 42, a native of Chile, who wore a suit while standing at the dais next to his attorney. "A week ago was the happiest moment of my life. Then, this photograph came and almost ruined my career, actually."
The former Eclipse Award winner as the nation's top jockey said he was angry and shocked upon learning of the controversy, but ready to move on as he prepares for Saturday's Preakness and a possible chance at the Triple Crown.
"It's already behind me," Santos said. "I have no doubt about it that this would end very soon. The pictures speak for themselves. I want to keep going on."
When asked if he would consider a lawsuit against the newspaper, Santos said he had no comment.
Among those present at Monday's news conference was new Churchill Downs President Steve Sexton, who was confident in the outcome.
"We regret any inconvenience or embarrassment," Sexton said, referring to Santos, his family, and trainer Barclay Tagg. "We certainly wish them luck headed into this year's Preakness."
Taken by Jamie Squire of Getty Images, the photo does depict a dark area in the space between Santos' hand and whip, although it is not clear what, if anything, he was holding.
Kentucky Racing Commission rules do not prohibit a jockey from holding something other than a whip, except those specifically prohibited, like an electrical device that might help the horse run faster.
Against the wishes of the racing commission, the Herald wrote its story Friday night after calling Santos at Belmont Park in New York. The report stated that Santos said he was carrying a "'cue' ring to call the outriders."
On Saturday, Santos told the Daily Racing Form that the Herald misunderstood him, and that the object was a "Q-ray" bracelet he wears for arthritis.
Santos, who speaks with a heavy accent, held up the bracelet at Monday's news conference.
Funny Cide became the first gelding to win the Kentucky Derby since 1929, holding off pre-race favorite Empire Maker with an impressive backstretch. He would have been only the second winning horse to be disqualified, joining Dancer's Image in 1968.
The news of possible wrongdoing by Santos threw the Preakness field into disarray.
When Empire Maker trainer Bobby Frankel heard Funny Cide might be disqualified, resulting in his horse being declared the winner, he decided Saturday to enter the star colt and removed Peace Rules.
Apparently convinced the investigation would reveal no smoking gun, Frankel changed his mind Sunday, announcing he would enter Peace Rules instead of Empire Maker.
Ankle injury will land Marrero on DL
ST. LOUIS, May 12 (UPI) -- The St. Louis Cardinals likely will place rightfielder Eli Marrero, who suffered a severely sprained right ankle Sunday at Chicago, on the 15-day disabled list.
Marrero, who had to be carried off the diamond at Wrigley Field on a stretcher, was injured while sliding on the wet outfield grass.
There were two ironies about the injury.
St. Louis rightfielder J.D. Drew left in the second inning with stiffness in his back, then was replaced by Marrero, also a backup catcher, who then was injured.
"It's a tough thing for Eli," General Manager Walt Jocketty was quoted by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch after Sunday's game was called. "We don't know anything for sure except he's probably going to have to miss some time."
He was hurt trying to avoid a collision with centerfielder Jim Edmonds on a fly ball to right-center in the fourth, getting his foot caught up on the grass while the rest of his body kept moving forward. He rolled around in agony before being carted off.
Initially, it was feared that the ankle was broken, but hospital X-rays were negative.
"I thought he slipped trying to stop," said Edmonds. "I still don't know what happened. He was in so much pain that he couldn't even answer what was hurting. That was about as bad a set of conditions that you could possibly play in. You play four innings, the game is canceled, and you lose a player. We'd have been better off not playing. We lost an important player today, and that's going to be tough to swallow."
Ironically, the game was postponed because of heavy rains in the top of the fifth inning. The Cardinals' next game is Tuesday night at home against Cincinnati.
Astros option Saarloos
HOUSTON, May 12 (UPI) -- The Houston Astros have optioned pitcher Kirk Saarloos to Triple-A New Orleans and recalled pitcher Jeriome Robertson from the Zephyrs.
The demotion came one day after the righthander gave up seven runs in 4 1/3 innings of Sunday's 10-7 victory at Philadelphia. Saarloos, 23, gave up 11 earned runs over 6 1/3 innings in two starts since he was recalled on May 2.
He did not have a decision in either outing, and recorded four walks and seven strikeouts. In six starts for New Orleans this year, Saarloos went 3-0 with a 1.65 ERA, including two complete games, five walks, and 25 strikeouts.
Robertson, 26, went 1-3 with an 8.36 ERA in six starts for the Astros earlier this season. He had 11 walks and 23 strikeouts.
He was optioned to Houston's Pacific Coast League affiliate on May 2 when Saaroos was recalled. He went 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA for the Zephyrs.
Coaches at Southwest Texas get raises
SAN MARCOS, Texas, May 12 (UPI) -- With both programs coming off winning campaigns, the head coaches of the basketball teams at Southwest Texas on Monday were given new contracts.
Both Dennis Nutt and Suzanne Fox were given three-year deals. Financial teams were not disclosed.
Nutt guided the men's team to a 17-12 mark last season, matching the third-best win total in the program's history. The former member of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, who has brothers coaching college hoops and football, went 25-41 in his first two years.
Fox led the women's squad to the Southland Conference tournament title and the team's first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1997, the season before she took over. She had posted just one winning season before 2002-03.
"Our basketball programs are definitely on the rise, and it was our desire to reward both coaches," said Athletic Director Greg LaFleur.
Antonio Lawrence declares for NBA Draft
SAN JOSE, Calif., May 12 (UPI) -- Freshman forward Antonio Lawrence of San Jose State became the latest collegian Monday to declare for the NBA Draft.
Monday is the deadline for underclassmen to make a declaration. Spartans Coach Phil Johnson made the announcement.
Lawrence was second for SJSU in scoring this past season with 11.3 points per game. He also led the squad in rebounding at 6.2 per contest and steals with 45.
Lawrence shot 43.5 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from three-point range.
After the season, the 6-4 Lawrence was named to the All-Newcomer First Team of the Western Athletic Conference. Before college, he was listed by several recruiting services as one of the top-100 high school seniors in the class of 2002.
The graduate of San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, Calif., he also attended Andrew Jackson and Wolfson High Schools in Jacksonville, Fla.
The draft is June 26. The predraft camp, which is by invitation only, is scheduled for June 3-6 at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.
June 19 is the deadline for early-entry withdrawal from the draft.
