Sports Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
BASEBALL
FRANCISCO ARRESTED AFTER THROWING CHAIR AT FAN
Texas reliever Frank Francisco was arrested yesterday on a charge of aggravated battery after he threw a chair into the right-field box seats and hit two spectators in the head during Monday night’s loss in Oakland. One of the fans, a woman, was bloodied and her nose was broken.
With two outs in the ninth inning, the Rangers’ Alfonso Soriano tied the game 5–5 with his second homer of the night. Moments later, the Texas bench and bullpen cleared and an altercation began with a number of the fans, including the husband of the injured woman.
Texas reliever Doug Brocail was seen screaming at a male fan, and the pitcher had to be restrained by his teammates and bullpen coach Mark Connor. Others also had to be held back. Francisco then threw the plastic ball-boy’s chair, which hit one man in the head, bounced, and struck the woman on her left temple.
There was talk between the umpires and managers of suspending the game, clearing the stands, and forfeiting the game, which Oakland eventually won 7-6 after a 19-minute delay.
Rangers manager Buck Showalter said the fans went over the line. “It was a real break from the normal trash you hear from fans,” he said. But yesterday, Texas owner Tom Hicks apologized “for the conduct of some members of our club last night in Oakland.” He did not say whether Francisco or any other player would be punished.
FOOTBALL
PANTHERS’ SMITH HAS SURGERY
Steve Smith had surgery yesterday on his broken left leg, which he suffered in the fourth quarter of Carolina’s 24-14 Monday night loss to Green Bay. Smith is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Smith,who signed a $27.5 million extension in the offseason, was Carolina’s gamebreaker. He led the Panthers last season with career highs in receptions (88), receiving yards (1,110), and touchdowns (7). He also averaged 28.1 yards a kickoff return.
TENNIS
FEDERER LOCKS UP TOP RANKING
The ATP announced yesterday that Roger Federer, who captured his third Grand Slam last week at the U.S. Open, has an insurmountable lead and cannot be caught regardless of his performance over the last eight tournaments of the season. It is believed to be the earliest any men’s player has clinched the no. 1 spot since the Open era began in 1968.
Federer has a record 1,087 points, 440 more than American Andy Roddick.
On Monday, France’s Amelie Mauresmo became just the second player to reach no. 1 in the women’s rankings without ever winning a Grand Slam title.
SOCCER
CHELSEA IMPRESSIVE IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OPENER
Chelsea coasted to a 3-0 win on Didier Drogba’s two goals, Arsenal needed an own-goal for victory, and defending champion FC Porto was held to a 0-0 draw on the opening night of the Champions League season.
Porto, without half the team and the manager that beat Monaco to win the European title last season, tied at home with CSKA Moscow. Arsenal beat PSV Eindhoven 1-0 when defender Alex scored into his own net, while Ezequiel Gonzalez scored both in Panathinaikos’ 2-0 win over Rosenborg in Group E. Italy’s Inter Milan beat German champion Werder Bremen 2-0.Valencia also won 2-0 over Anderlecht in Group G. In Group F,AC Milan needed a late goal to beat Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0, while Henrik Larsson scored against his former club Celtic as FC Barcelona won 3-1.
CYCLING
ZABRISKIE WINS 11TH STAGE OF SPANISH VUELTA
American David Zabriskie of the U.S. Postal Service team won the 11th stage of the Spanish Vuelta yesterday, while countryman and teammate Floyd Landis retained the overall lead.
Zabriskie completed the 103-mile stage from San Vicente de Raspeig to Caravaca de la Cruz in 4:05:31, to beat the pack by 1:11.
Landis has a nine-second lead over Spain’s Alejandro Valverde.
– Associated Press