LITTLE LEAGUE: Shelton in World Series
Shelton’s National Little League team has won a spot in the Little League World Series, the first Connecticut team to reach that milestone in almost 20 years.
Back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning gave Shelton a 2-1 win over the team from Manchester, N.H., in the New England Regional Championship in Bristol, Conn.
Shelton now advances to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa., for its shot at becoming Connecticut’s first team to capture the worldwide title since 1989.
NFL: Pats sign cornerback Shoate
The Patriots have signed cornerback Jeff Shoate and placed safety Tank Williams on the injured reserve list.
Terms of the deal with the 27-year-old Shoate were not disclosed. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Shoate has played in 14 NFL games, all with the Broncos.
* Broncos linebacker Louis Green left the field on a stretcher with a neck injury and a concussion during the first quarter of yesterday’s preseason game against Houston. The 6-foot-3, 237-pound Green collided with teammate D.J. Williams as the two converged to tackle Texans tight end Owen Daniels, who caught a short pass.
NBA: Lakers, Yue reach deal
The Lakers agreed to terms with guard Sun Yue, who is playing for China and will face Kobe Bryant and the U.S. men’s team today in the Beijing Olympics.
Lakers spokesman John Black declined to discuss details of the terms and said it could be some time before a contract is signed.
GOLF: Sorenstam trails by two
In Stockholm, Sweden, Annika Sorenstam shot a 1-under 71 and trailed by two shots after leader Lill Saether tied the course record with a 64 in the rain-shortened Scandinavian TPC.
Saether birdied six of her first seven holes and totaled 9-under 135 after rain postponed second-round play Friday and shortened the tournament to 54 holes.
CYCLING: Armstrong finishes second
In Leadville, Colo., Lance Armstrong finished second in the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race, pushing six-time champion Dave Wiens to a record time.
It was Armstrong’s first competitive bicycle race since winning his seventh straight Tour de France in 2005. Wiens took the lead from Armstrong with 10 miles to go in the 100-mile race and finished 1 minute, 56 seconds ahead.
Wiens crossed the finish on a flat back tire in a time of 6 hours, 45 minutes, 47 seconds, shaving 13 minutes off his old record. He set the record last year while holding off Floyd Landis.
MLB: Bonds makes surprise visit
Barry Bonds, who still hopes to continue his playing career soon, made a surprise visit to AT&T Park during a special pre-game ceremony to honor former outfielders.
The ceremony was part of the Giants year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary in the city. His name was left off the official list of confirmed outfielders, although it was rumored Friday night that he would appear.
NASCAR: Ambrose wins Zippo 200
In Watkins Glen, Marcos Ambrose took advantage of a fortuitous pit stop midway through the Nationwide Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International and easily beat Kyle Busch for his first career NASCAR victory.