The Colorado Rockies’ final road trip before the All-Star Break began with a thud. Another night-long pitching nightmare saw the Rockies fall 9-3 to the St. Louis Cardinals last night. Starting pitcher Josh Outman was lucky to leave the game trailing only 2-0, as he walked five batters in his three innings of work. Relievers Tyler Chatwood and Adam Ottavino combined to give up six runs over the next four innings to put the game out of reach. The Rockies got on the board with Tyler Colvin’s ninth home-run of the season, a two-run blast in the fourth that momentarily tied the game. Carlos Gonzalez had a pair of hits to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. The Rockies and Cardinals play game two of their series at Busch Stadium tonight. ESPN Radio 1410 has the action, with pregame coverage at 6:30 and the first pitch at 7:15.

The North Platte First Nationals are looking to get back on the winning track tonight, but it won’t be an easy task. A doubleheader on the road against Grand Island is on the docket this evening. The First Nationals lost all five games at the Mike Peterson Legion Tournament in Lincoln over the weekend to drop their record to 17-17. They’ll hope to recapture the form that brought them four wins in five games prior to the tournament. First pitch tonight in GI is set for 5:30.

Commitment number 12 to the Nebraska football recruiting class of 2013 is Maryland linebacker Marcus Newby. Newby is rated a four-star recruit by Rivals, who also ranks him the 15th-best outside linebacker in his class. He attends the same high school in Gaithersburg, Maryland as current Husker defensive lineman Jason Ankrah and Husker defensive coordinator John Papuchis. Newby is already the third linebacker to commit to the Big Red for 2013, joining Ohioan Courtney Love and Lincoln Southwest star Josh Banderas.

The Denver Nuggets made their first move in the NBA’s free agent period by bringing back point guard Andre Miller on a three-year deal. Financial terms have not been disclosed. The 36-year old Miller was an instrumental part of Denver’s rotation, averaging 9.7 points and 6.7 assists per game last season in a reserve role. With Miller’s contract done, the Nuggets will now shift their focus to bringing back center Javale McGee, who is a restricted free agent.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Jeneba Tarmoh has conceded her spot in the 100 meters rather than race against training partner Allyson Felix.

Tarmoh notified USA Track and Field on Monday of her intention to withdraw. Her agent, Kimberly Holland, already made it known that Tarmoh would not participate in a runoff Monday night to break a third-place tie at the U.S. track trials.

In an email sent through her agent to USATF, Tarmoh said: “I understand that with this decision I am no longer running the 100m dash in the Olympic Games and will be an alternate for the event.”

USATF President Stephanie Hightower said the organization is “disappointed” Tarmoh had a change of heart.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Joba Chamberlain could soon pitch in a minor league game for the first time since injuring an during spring training.

The New York Yankees reliever said he is scheduled to throw in a simulated game on Friday. Chamberlain threw a pair of 20-pitch segments Monday during his third batting practice session at the team’s minor league complex.

Chamberlain dislocated his right ankle bouncing on a trampoline with his son on March 22 and expects to see game action within two weeks. The right-hander was coming back from elbow ligament-replacement surgery at the time of the ankle injury.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Michael Phelps has dropped one of his races at the London Olympics, giving up the chance go for another eight gold medals.

Coach Bob Bowman tweeted Monday that Phelps was scratching the 200-meter freestyle, and the decision was confirmed by U.S. head coach Gregg Troy.

Phelps qualified in five individual events for London at the U.S. Olympic trials in Omaha, and he’s expected to swim all three relays. But he’s decided to focus on the 200 and 400 individual medley, and the 100 and 200 butterfly.

BASEBALL
American League
L.A. Angels at Cleveland, 6:05 p.m.
Minnesota at Detroit, 6:05 p.m.
Kansas City at Toronto, 6:07 p.m.
N.Y. Yankees at Tampa Bay, 6:10 p.m.
Boston at Oakland, 9:05 p.m.
Baltimore at Seattle, 9:10 p.m.
National League
Houston at Pittsburgh, 6:05 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta, 6:10 p.m.
Miami at Milwaukee, 7:10 p.m.
Colorado at St. Louis, 7:15 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE on ESPN Radio 1410)
San Diego at Arizona, 8:40 p.m.
Cincinnati at L.A. Dodgers, 9:10 p.m.

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) – Tiger Woods bagged his third tournament title of the year on Sunday at Congressional, passing Jack Nicklaus for second place on the all-time list. He’s eight victories shy of the career record set by Sam Snead.

Woods closed with a 2-under-par 69 to finish at minus-8, one stroke better than Bo Van Pelt, who carded an even-par 71.

Woods moves to the top of the PGA Tour money list and the FedEx Cup standings for the first time since September 2009

NEW YORK (AP) – Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton drew a record total of more than 11 million votes and is one of three Rangers scheduled to start this month’s All-Star Game. He’ll be joined in Kansas City by catcher Mike Napoli and third baseman Adrian Beltre (BEHL’-tray).

Two other division leaders also have three starters for the June 10 midsummer classic. The Yankees are sending shortstop Derek Jeter, second baseman Robinson Cano (kan-OH’) and outfielder Curtis Granderson. Catcher Buster Posey, third baseman Pablo Sandoval and outfielder Melky Cabrera are the Giants representatives.

The rest of the NL’s starting lineup consists of Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, Reds first baseman Joey Votto (VAH’-toh), second baseman Rafael Furcal (fur-KAHL’) of the Cardinals, outfielder Matt Kemp of the Dodgers and Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran.

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) – Spain destroyed Italy 4-0 in the final of the European Championships soccer tournament in Ukraine for their third straight major title.

Four years ago at Euro 2008, Spain ended a 44-year drought of major titles, beating Germany 1-0 in the final to start a run that has been unmatched by any other team in history. Two years later Spain won the World Cup.

 

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Saturday’s Games
N.Y. Yankees 4, Chicago White Sox 0
Toronto 11, L.A. Angels 2
Minnesota 7, Kansas City 2, 1st game
Cleveland 11, Baltimore 5
Detroit 6, Tampa Bay 2
Minnesota 5, Kansas City 1, 2nd game
Texas 7, Oakland 2
Seattle 3, Boston 2, 11 innings

Sunday’s Games
Cleveland 6, Baltimore 2
Detroit 5, Tampa Bay 3
N.Y. Yankees 4, Chicago White Sox 2
Minnesota 10, Kansas City 8
L.A. Angels 10, Toronto 6
Boston 2, Seattle 1, 10 innings
Oakland 3, Texas 1

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Saturday’s Games
Pittsburgh 7, St. Louis 3
Cincinnati 2, San Francisco 1
Chicago Cubs 3, Houston 2
Atlanta 7, Washington 5
Miami 3, Philadelphia 2
Milwaukee 10, Arizona 2
N.Y. Mets 5, L.A. Dodgers 0
San Diego 8, Colorado 4

Sunday’s Games
Miami 5, Philadelphia 2
Washington 8, Atlanta 4
Milwaukee 2, Arizona 1
St. Louis 5, Pittsburgh 4
Chicago Cubs 3, Houston 0
San Diego 2, Colorado 0
San Francisco 4, Cincinnati 3
L.A. Dodgers 8, N.Y. Mets 3

The North Platte First Nationals hit a rut at the Mike Peterson Legion Tournament in Lincoln over the weekend, finishing the event with an 0-5 record. On Friday, the First Nationals fell to Millard South by a 12-1 score and then lost to Lincoln Southwest 10-2. Saturday saw another pair of losses, 15-5 to Elkhorn and 6-1 to Lincoln Pius X. Sunday’s game was a slugfest, but North Platte came out on the short end, losing to Elkhorn South 16-10. The First Nationals are now 17-17 on the season. They’re back in action Tuesday night in a doubleheader at Grand Island.

The journey was different for the Colorado Rockies, but the destination remained familiar – another Sunday defeat. The Rockies got standout pitching for a change, but the offense was AWOL in a 2-0 loss to the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Left-hander Drew Pomeranz was outstanding in his first start in the big leagues since May, allowing just one unearned run on a pair of hits in his six innings of work. But he was outshone by journeyman Kip Wells, who worked seven shutout frames for the Padres. The Rockies mustered just seven hits and only once got a runner past third base. The loss drops the Rockies to 2-11 on Sundays this season, and 8-30 on Sundays over the last two years. The Rockies head out on the road to start a series with the St. Louis Cardinals tonight. ESPN Radio 1410 has the action, with pregame coverage at 6:30 and the first pitch at 7:15.

There was good news yesterday for one member of the Colorado Rockies. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was named to his first National League All-Star team. Gonzalez was picked as a reserve by the player vote. The 26 year-old left fielder is batting .337 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI, leading the Rockies in all three of those Triple Crown categories. He also leads the team in slugging percentage and stolen bases, and is second in doubles. Gonzalez won’t just be appearing in the game – he’ll also be one of four National League sluggers to participate in the Home Run Derby the day before. Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp selected Gonzalez along with Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton and St. Louis’ Carlos Beltran to take part in the event. The 83^rd Major League Baseball All-Star Game is set for July 10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.