National Sports

Cowboys keep tackle Doug Free at much lower salary

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys have significantly reduced right tackle Doug Free's salary after a difficult season that ended with him as a part-time player.

Falcons sign DEs Goodman, Maponga, 2 more picks

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- The Atlanta Falcons have signed four NFL draft picks, including defensive ends Malliciah Goodman and Stansly Maponga.

Scotland's Craig Lee leads Madeira Islands Open

SANTO DA SERRA, Madeira Islands (AP) -- Scotland's Craig Lee took a one-stroke lead over American Peter Uihlein and Chile's Mark Tullo on Friday during the suspended second round of the Madeira Islands Open.

Povetkin stops Wawrzyk in Round 3, keeps WBA belt

MOSCOW (AP) -- Alexander Povetkin stopped Andrzej Wawrzyk by a technical knockout at 2:29 of the third round Friday to retain his WBA heavyweight title.

Braves bring Jason Heyward off disabled list

ATLANTA (AP) -- Braves right fielder Jason Heyward has been activated from the disabled list and is starting against the Dodgers.

Indians activate RHP Vinnie Pestano

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians have activated right-hander Vinnie Pestano, the team's top setup man, from the 15-day disabled list.

Patriots sign 2 LBs, 2nd-, 7th-round draft picks

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- The New England Patriots have signed two draft picks, linebackers Jamie Collins and Steve Beauharnais (bo-HARR-ness).

Top-seeded Syracuse seeking 12th national title

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- Top-seeded Syracuse will take on Ivy League champ Yale in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I lacrosse tournament Saturday.

Mayor: Deal to sell Kings has been signed

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said Friday that the deal to sell the Kings to a group led by software tycoon Vivek Ranadive has been signed.

Nolan Ryan's oldest son named Astros president

HOUSTON (AP) -- Reid Ryan has been introduced as the new president of the Houston Astros.

Schmidt trying to get 2 cars in before adding car

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Sam Schmidt is content to wait another day before hiring a third driver for the Indianapolis 500.

Redskins sign S Phillip Thomas, 4th-round pick

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- The Washington Redskins have signed fourth-round draft pick Phillip Thomas, a safety from Fresno State who led major college football with eight interceptions last season.

Jets RB Goodson facing drug, weapons charges

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- New York Jets running back Mike Goodson is facing drug and weapons charges after a New Jersey traffic stop.

US defender Cherundolo signs new Hannover deal

HANNOVER, Germany (AP) -- United States defender Steve Cherundolo has signed a one-year contract extension with Hannover, six days after the captain set a club record for Bundesliga appearances.

Cavendish wins 13th Giro stage; Nibali keeps lead

CHERASCO, Italy (AP) -- Mark Cavendish sprinted to victory in the 13th and longest stage of the Giro d'Italia on Friday. Italy's Vincenzo Nibali kept the overall lead, boosting his chances of winning his home country's biggest cycling race.