Soriano leads Cubs to sixth straight win

Alfonso Soriano homered and drove in three runs Saturday to help the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 5-4 for their sixth straight win. The NL Central-leading Cubs improved to 25-8 at Wrigley Field this season and handed the Rockies their sixth straight loss. With the wind blowing out at 14 mph and gusting up to 20 mph, balls again had a jet stream to ride over the fence.

Tigers LHP Willis to start on Tuesday

Dontrelle Willis never broached the topic of returning to the starting rotation with manager Jim Leyland, content just to be back with the Detroit Tigers after a rehab stint in the minors. But Willis will be back in a modified starting role on Tuesday when the Tigers play in Willis’ hometown of Oakland, Calif., against the Athletics.

Rays CF Baldelli playing, feeling upbeat

Rocco Baldelli seemed upbeat after going hitless in five at-bats as the designated hitter in his second extended spring training game Saturday. The results are secondary right now for the Tampa Bay Rays’ center fielder. That he’s playing at all is the important thing. The 26-year-old Baldelli has been sidelined since May 2007, because of lingering hamstring problems and what doctors have told him…

Ginobili expects to be OK for Beijing

San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili said he expects his injured ankle to be healed by the time he and Argentina’s national team begin the defense of their 2004 gold medal in the Summer Olympics in Beijing. “It’s something that I am looking forward to and of course at the same time I want to get ready, healthy to try to defend it,” Ginobili said Saturday.

Future uncertain for Pistons

Rasheed Wallace seems to symbolize the Detroit Pistons. He is a unique talent, the only player in league history with 100 3-pointers and 100 blocks in multiple seasons, and the team defies NBA convention by having success without a superstar or two. Wallace also appears to check out mentally at inopportune times, as do some of his Pistons teammates.

Porter, Suns expected to meet again

Terry Porter is expected to be interviewed for a second time by the Phoenix Suns later this week. Porter joined Detroit Pistons coaches and players at their practice facility on Saturday, the day after the Boston Celtics eliminated them in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Suns have been searching for a head coach since Mike D’Antoni resigned to lead the New York Knicks.

Probe of Kevin Johnson won’t be reopened

Authorities say there’s no reason for police to reopen an investigation into whether former NBA star Kevin Johnson molested a teenage girl. Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness said Friday that Johnson’s actions, though ill-advised, were not illegal. He said Johnson touched the girl on her shoulders, but not her breasts.

Haier Play of the Day: Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce does a pirouette through the Pistons for a three-point play.

2005

Rangers’ final reward

BBC Sport’s Colin Moffat reflects on a thrilling Cup finale

Wie falls 7 strokes off lead in Germany

Michelle Wie shot a 2-under 70 in the third round of the Ladies German Open on Saturday to fall seven strokes behind leader Amy Wang, who had a course record 63. Wie came into the day at 7-under, and birdied the third and seventh holes. But the 18-year-old Hawaiian had a bogey on No. 9 before finishing up with a birdie on the 11th to sit at 9-under 207.

Goggin, Perry lead major-like Memorial

Mathew Goggin might have to change his travel plans. The Aussie arranged a 5:50 p.m. flight to Memphis on Sunday so he could get a good night’s sleep before playing in a U.S. Open sectional qualifier on Monday. But his departure would be at about the same time Jack Nicklaus will be presenting a check for $1,080,000 and a crystal trophy to the winner of the Memorial Tournament.

Webb, Sorenstam shine at Ginn Tribute

The Ginn Tribute had already lost one of its main attractions in Lorena Ochoa. Tournament host Annika Sorenstam couldn’t imagine losing the other, so she made sure that didn’t happen. Sorenstam, the world’s second-ranked golfer, rallied with six birdies on her final 10 holes for a 66 that keeps her playing at RiverTowne Country Club through the weekend.