Heat have no room for error versus Spurs in Game 6

MIAMI (AP) — They lost three times in three months in one of the most overpowering stretches the NBA has ever seen.

5 things to watch for in Game 6 of NBA Finals

MIAMI (AP) — Five things to watch for in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, as the San Antonio Spurs try to clinch their fifth title and end the Miami Heat's reign on Tuesday night:

Spurs' coach puts Pop into news conferences

MIAMI (AP) — During his team's Game 3 rout of the Heat, Gregg Popovich was shown on TV talking to his players while they were in the process of burying Miami with a stirring offensive display.

Yankees' Youkilis needs surgery, Teixeira to DL

NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Youkilis needs back surgery and Mark Teixeira returned to the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with an aching right wrist, the latest injury setbacks for the depleted New York Yankees.

Patriots TE Gronkowski undergoes back surgery

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has undergone back surgery.

Venus Williams pulls out of Wimbledon, citing back

After 16 consecutive years of always showing up at Wimbledon, winning five titles along the way, Venus Williams pulled out of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament Tuesday, citing a lower back injury.

Oly sprinter Campbell Brown suspended amid probe

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Olympic champion Veronica Campbell Brown of Jamaica is serving a suspension while anti-doping officials rule on her recent positive drug test.

North Carolina ousts Tigers from CWS with 4-2 win

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Home runs are few and far between at the College World Series these days, which made Brian Holberton's first-inning shot all the more important for North Carolina.

Surprise Hossa scratch part of NHL injury culture

BOSTON (AP) — Marian Hossa is one of the Chicago Blackhawks' top scorers, with three game-winning goals already this postseason.

AP Interview: Wiggins will be strong in 2014

PARIS (AP) — The director of the Tour de France expects Bradley Wiggins to come roaring back in 2014 after not defending his crown in this year's race that starts in just over a week.

Heat face crunch time in bid to keep Finals alive

By Simon Evans MIAMI (Reuters) - An enthralling NBA Finals reaches Game Six later on Tuesday with the San Antonio Spurs one win away from clinching their fifth championship and the Miami Heat knowing they must win to keep their season alive. The Spurs ended their run of three home games with an explosive 114-104 win over Miami on Sunday to go 3-2 up in the best-of-seven series, and history sugge

US collegians to host Cuba in July

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. collegiate national baseball team will host its Cuban counterpart next month in a five-game international "friendship" series.

England's Rose blooms after 17-year wait for major

Ever since Greg Norman's final-round implosion allowed Nick Faldo win the Masters in 1996, a generation of fine English talent has come up short in golf's four major championships.

Golfing in Iceland's midnight sun: lava beds, angry birds, winds

By Paul Ingrassia REYKJAVIK (Reuters) - The names of the world's greatest golf venues roll off the tongue like a putt rolling toward the cup. Pebble Beach. St. Andrews. Valderrama. Then there are Vestmannaeyja and Porlakshafnar. Those names don't trip off the tongues of anyone except the hardy residents of Iceland. Surprisingly, this island in the frigid North Atlantic is one of the most golf-ob

Padres beat Giants 5-3 on safety squeeze in 13th

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Andrew Cashner provided quite the thrilling warmup for his Tuesday start against San Francisco: a tiebreaking bunt as a pinch hitter in the 13th inning Monday night.

Freeman's homer in 9th lifts Braves over Mets 2-1

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves waited a long time to get going.

Scherzer improves to 10-0 as Tigers maul Orioles

(Reuters) - Max Scherzer maintained his perfect start to the season by securing a 10th straight victory in pitching the Detroit Tigers to a 5-1 triumph against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. Scherzer blew through the Orioles line-up with 10 strikeouts, allowing one run in six innings, as he drew level with St Louis pitcher Adam Wainright (10-3) on 10 wins for the campaign. He is, however, the

4 solo homers send Reds over Pirates 4-1

CINCINNATI (AP) — Todd Frazier wasn't going to let left-hander Francisco Liriano get another fastball by him. He guessed right and hit one a long way.

Rangers end 6-game skid with 8-7 win over A's

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Nelson Cruz thrust his right arm into the air and shouted out in relief while running the bases after hitting his second homer of the night for the Texas Rangers.

Connelly new boss at Nuggets

(Reuters) - The Denver Nuggets named Tim Connelly as their new general manager on Monday after Masai Ujiri joined the Toronto Raptors last month. The first task for 36-year-old Connelly, who spent the last three years as the assistant general manager in New Orleans, will be finding a new head coach to replace George Karl, who was sacked at the end of the season. "We have a lot to do," Connelly tol

Scherzer improves to 10-0, Tigers top Orioles 5-1

DETROIT (AP) — Max Scherzer has shrugged off the significance of his undefeated start, saying records are fluky statistics for pitchers and that he's simply playing for a good team.

Football writers honor Colts coach Chuck Pagano

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Chuck Pagano spent most of last season finding new ways to coach football.

List of the last 19 major championship winners

(Reuters) - A list of the last 19 major championship winners after England's Justin Rose became the 18th different champion when he clinched the 113th U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania on Sunday. 2013 June - Justin Rose (England), U.S. Open April - Adam Scott (Australia), Masters 2012 August - Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), PGA Championship July - Ernie Els (South Africa), B

Iconic Merion stands test of time in hosting U.S. Open

By Mark Lamport-Stokes ARDMORE, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - Like a vintage bottle of wine brought out of the cellar after gathering dust for 32 years, Merion Golf Club's iconic East Course made a welcome return as host of the U.S. Open - and did so in classic style. The challenging par-70 layout with its brutally difficult finish had long been regarded as too short to stage one of golf's four major c

Ex-NFL star Chad Johnson released from jail

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A contrite Chad Johnson apologized Monday for disrespecting a judge when the former NFL star slapped his attorney on the backside in court last week and was released from jail after only a week instead of 30 days.

Miami's Big Three on brink of another Finals letdown

By Frank Pingue SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) - Nearly three years after the formation of a partnership designed with the sole purpose of winning multiple NBA championships, the Miami Heat's 'Big Three' - LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh - are on the cusp of a second Finals letdown. The All Star trio have been unable to prevent Miami falling 3-2 behind to the San Antonio Spurs in the best-of-sev

Expect more majors by Rose, says Jacklin

By Mark Lamport-Stokes ARDMORE, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - Justin Rose ended a 42-year title drought by English players at the U.S. Open with his two-shot victory at Merion on Sunday and has been tipped by his predecessor, Tony Jacklin, to win several more majors. Jacklin, who clinched the 1970 U.S. Open at Hazeltine, applauded Rose's strength of character and ice-cool finish, and has marked him out

Football Writers honor Colts coach Pagano

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano has won the George Halas Award from the Professional Football Writers Association for overcoming adversity.

Golf-PGA Tour money list

June 17 (Reuters) - Leading money winners on the 2013 PGATour on Monday (U.S. unless stated): 1. Tiger Woods $5,909,742 2. Matt Kuchar $4,393,265 3. Brandt Snedeker $3,503,655 4. Phil Mickelson $3,417,984 5. Billy Horschel $2,998,128 6. Justin Rose (England) $2,921,290 7. Kevin Streelman $2,572,989 8. Jason Day (Australia) $2,566,023 9. Adam Scott (Australia) $2,356,511 10. Boo Weekley $2,307,509

Golf-PGA Tour FedExCup points table

June 17 (Reuters) - PGA Tour 2013 FedExCup points table onMonday (U.S. unless stated): 1. Tiger Woods 2,380 points 2. Matt Kuchar 1,964 3. Brandt Snedeker 1,528 4. Phil Mickelson 1,518 5. Billy Horschel 1,413 6. Justin Rose (England) 1,301 7. Kevin Streelman 1,234 8. Boo Weekley 1,154 9. Jason Day (Australia) 1,101 10. Adam Scott (Australia) 999 11. Keegan Bradley 994 12. D.A. Points 985 13. Hunte