BASEBALL

RANGERS WITHDRAW FROM DELGADO NEGOTIATIONS

The Texas Rangers abruptly withdrew last night from the competition to sign Carlos Delgado, leaving the Mets, Baltimore and Florida as the remaining bidders for the free-agent first baseman. Delgado’s agent, David Sloane, said the Rangers told him yesterday that if Delgado signed with Texas, he probably would be a designated hitter most of the time.

All four teams have proposed four-year deals to Delgado, although it wasn’t known if all four years were guaranteed by all teams. Rangers owner Tom Hicks met with Delgado in Puerto Rico and offered a $48 million, four-year contract.

FRANCO SIGNS ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH ASTROS

John Franco agreed to a $700,000, one-year contract with the Houston Astros yesterday. Franco, 44, is the major league’s all-time leader in saves by a left-hander. He was 2-7 with a 5.28 ERA with the Mets last season, his 14th year with the team.

YANKEES SIGN SANCHEZ FOR ONE YEAR

The Yankees added a backup infielder yesterday, agreeing to a $600,000, one-year contract with Rey Sanchez, 37. Sanchez’s deal is subject to the 14-year veteran passing a physical.

GOLF

WOODS RALLIES TO TAKE BUICK OPEN

Ending the longest stroke-play drought of his PGA Tour career, Tiger Woods barely made it through a 31-hole yesterday at Torrey Pines by taking advantage of everyone else’s mistakes to win the Buick Invitational. Woods finished at 16-under 272 and earned $864,000. It was his first stroke-play victory since the American Express Championship in October 2003.

Woods ended the final round with a 4-under 68 for a three shot victory over Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman, Luke Donald, and Charles Howell III.

BOXING

LEWIS TO COME OUT OF RETIREMENT

Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis says he will end his retirement to fight Vitali Klitschko in November.

“I’m making a comeback later this year,” Lewis told the Sunday Mirror, a London tabloid. “I need the money just like everyone else and it’s just too good to turn down.”

Lewis, 39, retired last February 6 with a 41-1-2 record. Klitschko assumed the title April 24 when he beat Corrie Sanders. Lewis and Klitschko last fought in June 2003. Lewis was behind on points when the fight was stopped in the sixth round because Klitschko was cut.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

NO. 10 WASHINGTON DOWNS RIVAL WASHINGTON STATE

Nate Robinson scored 13 points and the tenth-ranked Washington Huskies moved into a tie for the Pac-10 lead with a 66-48 victory over intrastate rival Washington State yesterday. Williams and freshman Joel Smith came off the bench to each score 10 points for the Huskies (16-2, 6-1), who won their 18th straight at home.

– Associated Press