It was a highlight-reel day for some of the highest-profile American competitors at the Games yesterday. Gymnast Gabby Douglas took home the all-around gold, Michael Phelps made it a three-peat in the 200 IM, and the men’s basketball team shattered several single game records in a 156-73 thrashing of Nigeria. Tonight in primetime, you’ll see the fastest swimmers in the world take to the pool in the men’s 50 meter freestyle final. Phelps will also look for his 21st career Olympic medal in the 100 butterfly. The women’s finals in swimming are the 800 freestyle and the 200 backstroke, which features teen sensation Missy Franklin. You’ll also catch a prime time glimpse of the men’s trampoline final. The track and field events begin today in London, with the first medal event at Olympic Stadium being the men’s shotput and the women’s 10000 meter race. Also, the US women’s soccer team plays their quarterfinal match against New Zealand.

Youth was served for the Colorado Rockies last night as they snapped a five-game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Starting pitcher Alex White, recalled from the minor leagues to make an emergency start, pitched into the sixth inning, allowing just two runs and striking out three. At the plate, Josh Rutledge’s two-run homer highlighted a three-run seventh that gave the Rockies a 5-2 lead. With the blast, Rutledge became the first Rockies rookie to homer in four consecutive games. The Rockies blew the game open with a three-run eighth, capped off by a pinch-hit two-run homer from another rookie, Wilin Rosario. The Rockies open a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants tonight in Denver. ESPN Radio 1410 has it for you with pregame coverage at 7:05 and first pitch at 7:40.

ENGLEWOOD, CO (AP)– Even with Eric Decker down, Peyton Manning didn’t miss a beat. Decker has been the star of the Denver Broncos’ training camp so far, but when he went out with a strained groin, Demaryius Thomas stepped up at yesterday’s practice to solidify his standing in Denver’s refurbished offense. Thomas made several big catches Thursday, even turning a rare wobbly pass from Manning into a 35-yard TD when he outleapt veteran cornerback Drayton Florence and second-year safety Rahim Moore at the goal line. Nagging injuries have hit the receiving corps with D’Andre Goodwin, Tyler Grisham and Greg Orton joining Decker on the sideline, and the Broncos brought in Cameron Kenney off waivers from Seattle to fill in. But thanks to Thomas, Manning’s timing hasn’t been crimped by the steady stream of receivers hobbling off the field.

Two Husker football players were named to preseason award watch lists yesterday. Sophomore running back Ameer Abdullah was picked to the Paul Hornung Award watch list. The award is given to the most versatile player in college football, as selected by a 16-person committee. Abdullah proved his versatility as a freshman for the Huskers, averaging over 29 yards per kickoff return, including a 100-yard touchdown return against Fresno State, and rushing for three touchdowns. Senior defensive lineman Cameron Meredith made the watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, handed out annually to the nation’s best defensive end. Meredith garnered honorable mention All-Big Ten honors last season, tallying 58 tackles, nine quarterback hurries, and five sacks. He’s started 27 consecutive games for the Huskers over the past two seasons.

CORTLAND, N.Y. (AP) – It was Tebow Time for the New York Jets in goal-line drills.

The Jets provided a glimpse into their plan for Tim Tebow on offense Thursday, as the backup quarterback ran for two touchdowns and threw for another to Josh Baker in a four-play sequence that had the crowd at SUNY Cortland fired up.

On one wildcat-style play, Tebow took a snap from the shotgun, quickly faked a handoff to Joe McKnight and zipped into the end zone nearly untouched. Coach Rex Ryan yelled “Tebow’s live!” to the defense before the drills.

Tebow had previously only been used in regular plays and as the punt protector on special teams.

Tebow says it “looks like there’s gadgets and gizmos,” but it’s more of a “power play” that can stretch defenses.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) – Kicker-punter Anthony Fera is the latest player to leave Penn State following harsh NCAA sanctions against the program for the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

A team spokesman says Thursday that Fera is no longer on the roster. The junior was one of the top specialists in the Big Ten.

Penn State also confirms that incoming freshman Jamil Pollard, who had yet to play for coach Bill O’Brien, is no longer with the squad.

Six players have left the program this week in the wake of NCAA penalties including a four-year postseason ban.

Fera is the second starter to go. The biggest loss is 1,200-yard rusher Silas Redd, who departed for Southern California.

A seventh player, quarterback Rob Bolden, was given his release before the NCAA sanctions.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – The Texas Rangers have brought up top hitting prospect Mike Olt and optioned utility player Brandon Snyder to Triple-A Round Rock.

Olt’s contract was selected Thursday from Double-A Frisco, where the corner infielder was hitting .288 with 28 homers and 82 RBIs in 95 games. Olt’s homer total is tops in Double-A.

Olt was prominent in trade speculation before Tuesday’s deadline for deals without waivers, but the Rangers ended up sending two lower-level prospects to the Chicago Cubs for right-hander Ryan Dempster.

Snyder, a corner infielder and outfielder, is hitting .281 with three homers in 38 games with the Rangers.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rangers transferred pitcher Colby Lewis to the 60-day disabled list. Lewis is out for the season with a torn elbow tendon.

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Minnesota at Boston 6:10 p.m.
L.A. Angels at Texas 7:05 p.m.
Cleveland at Kansas City 7:10 p.m.
Toronto at Oakland 9:05 p.m.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
San Diego at Cincinnati 11:35 p.m.
N-Y Mets at San Francisco 2:45 p.m.
Philadelphia at Washington 6:05 p.m.
Miami at Atlanta 6:10 p.m.
St. Louis at Colorado 7:40 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE on ESPN Radio 1410)