Armstrong linked to doping program
COLORADO SPRINGS, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. doping agency officials said Wednesday the cycling team that included Lance Armstrong operated a "sophisticated, professionalized" doping program.
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Chief Executive Officer Travis Tygart said the organization was sending a "Reasoned Decision" regarding Armstrong to international, cycling, doping and triathlon groups charging that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs while a member of the U.S. Postal Service-sponsored cycling team.
A release from Tygart stated more than 1,000 pages of documentation would be posted on the USADA website. The agency said 26 people including 15 cyclists, testified about the USPS team's doping activities.
"The evidence shows beyond any doubt that the U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team ran the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen," Tygart said in the release.
The statement said collected evidence included witness testimony, documentary, first-hand, scientific, direct and circumstantial evidence."
"(The combined evidence) reveal conclusive and undeniable proof that brings to the light of day for the first time this systemic, sustained and highly professionalized team-run doping conspiracy," the release said.
"The USPS Team doping conspiracy was professionally designed to groom and pressure athletes to use dangerous drugs, to evade detection, to ensure its secrecy and ultimately gain an unfair competitive advantage through superior doping practices. A program organized by individuals who thought they were above the rules and who still play a major and active role in sport today."
MLB: St. Louis 8, Washington 0
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Chris Carpenter had 5 2/3 shutout innings Wednesday in pulling St. Louis to within one win of a playoff series win as the Cardinals beat Washington 8-0.
St. Louis can wrap up the best-of-five division series with a win Thursday. Washington, hosting its first baseball playoff game in 79 years, lost by eight runs for the second consecutive game after winning the series opener 3-2.
Carpenter didn't win a game in the regular season because he missed most of the season due to surgery. However, he improved to 10-2 lifetime in the post-season. He scattered seven hits and didn't retire the side in order but also didn't allow a run.
He was supported by a three-run home run from Pete Kozma in the second inning as the Cardinals continued their success against former teammate Edwin Jackson. Late in the regular season, St. Louis rapped Jackson for nine runs in 1 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings Wednesday.
The Cardinals got a two-out double from Allen Craig to drive in Matt Holliday for a run in the first and went up 4-0 the next inning with Kozma's home run.
Yadier Molina scored on a sacrifice fly in the sixth and walked with the bases loaded in the seven to make the score 6-0. Holiday capped a two-out rally in the eighth with a two-run double.
Reds lose Cueto to injury
CINCINNATI, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Reds dropped 19-game winner Johnny Cueto from their division series roster Wednesday, hours before he was to start against San Francisco.
The Reds' ace, who lasted just eight pitches in Game 1 Saturday because of back spasms, was pulled before Game 4 because of pulled muscles in his side, the Los Angeles Times and MLB.com reported.
Cueto, 26, who went 19-9 with a 2.78 ERA during the regular season, will also miss the NL championship series if Cincinnati, which leads the best-of-five division series 2-1, makes it that far.
The Giants avoided elimination Tuesday with a 10-inning 2-1 win over the Reds, who lead the best-of-five NLDS series 2-games-to-1.
"It was a very, very tough decision to make," General Manager Walt Jocketty said. "But our medical staff felt at best, Johnny would be able to pitch maybe one game in the next series if we get there, if he were available for that series."
Right-hander Mike Leake was to replace Cueto on the mound Wednesday.
Leake was 8-9 with a 4.58 ERA in 30 starts this season.
"It's quite a blow, but at the same time, you hope Leake steps up and pitches well," Manager Dusty Baker said.
Alex Karras, football star and actor, dies
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Alex Karras, a Pro Bowl-caliber football player who went on to a second successful career as an actor has died. He was 77.
Karras died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. It was announced earlier in the week that Karras was suffering kidney failure. Previously, family representatives said Karras had stomach cancer, heart disease and dementia.
Karras was a defensive lineman who played at the University of Iowa, where he won the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman in college football in 1957. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
He was the 10th overall selection by the Detroit Lions in the 1958 NFL draft and played 161 games in a career that spanned 1958-70. Karras was selected to the Pro Bowl four times -- 1959-61 and 1965 -- and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1960s.
Even before his playing career was over Karras was noted for his acting. He played himself in the movie version of "Paper Lion" and had a series of smaller TV roles before being cast as "Mongo" in Mel Brooks' Western spoof "Blazing Saddles."
His biggest role in television was as George Papadopoulos, who adopted the title character "Webster." That series ran for four seasons.
Karras starred opposite his real-life wife Susan Clark in "Webster." Clark is among Karras' survivors.
Karras in April joined the lawsuit filed by former players against the NFL related to head injures leading to health problems, including neurological conditions.
