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2B Daily News – Friday, August 24, 2012 CYCLING USADAto strip Armstrong of 7 Tour de France titles AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The U.S. Anti- Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedent- ed seven Tour de France titles after he declared he was finished fighting the drug charges that threaten his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time. Travis Tygart, USADA's chief execu- tive, said Armstrong would also be hit with a lifetime ban on Friday. Still to be heard from was the sport's governing body, the International Cycling Union, which had backed Armstrong's legal challenge to USADA's authority. Armstrong, who retired last year, declined to enter USADA's arbitration process — his last option — because he said he was weary of fighting accusations that have dogged him for years. He has consistently pointed to the hundreds of drug tests that he has passed as proof of his innocence during his extraordinary run of Tour titles stretchingfrom1999-2005. ''There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, ''Enough is enough.'' For me, that time is now,'' Arm- strong said in a statement sent to The Asso- ciated Press. He called the USADA investi- gation an ''unconstitutional witch hunt.'' ''I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999,'' he said. ''The toll this has taken on my family and my work for our foundation and on me leads me to where I am today - finished with this nonsense.'' USADA reacted quickly and treated Armstrong's decision as an admission of guilt, hanging the label of drug cheat on an athlete who was a hero to thousands for overcoming life-threatening testicular can- cer and for his foundation's support for cancer research. A's (Continued from page 1B) ''It was just limiting the damage, that's what I told him,'' Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. ''For the most part, that's as good stuff as we've seen him have. Plus-fastball with good movement. As good a slider as we've seen, and found a change that's workable for him. He had three pitches going tonight, just couldn't limit the damage in the one inning that they ended up scoring on him.'' ''It is a sad day for all of us who love sport and athletes,'' Tygart said. ''It's a heartbreaking example of win at all costs overtaking the fair and safe option. There's no success in cheating to win.'' Tygart said the agency can strip the Tour titles, though Armstrong disputed that as he insisted his decision is not an admission of drug use, but a refusal to enter an arbitra- tion process he believes is unfair. ''USADA cannot assert control of a pro- fessional international sport and attempt to strip my seven Tour de France titles,'' he said. ''I know who won those seven Tours, my teammates know who won those seven Tours, and everyone I competed against knows who won those seven Tours.'' USADA maintains that Armstrong has used banned substances as far back as 1996, including the blood-booster EPO and steroids as well as blood transfusions — all to boost his performance. The 40-year-old Armstrong walked LITTLE LEAGUE Panama, California advance at LLWS SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — Hance Smith's eyes widened in the dugout as he watched Quinton Gago send a homer well over the left- field fence. The boys from Petaluma, Calif., are packing quite the punch from the plate at the Little League World Series. Smith hit two homers, including a first-inning grand slam, and Califor- nia pounded out 12 hits in an 11-1, five-inning vic- tory over San Antonio on Thursday night to reach the U.S championship game. California will play Goodlettsville, Tenn., on Saturday. away from the sport in 2011 without being charged following a two-year federal crim- inal investigation into many of the same accusations he faces from USADA. The federal probe was closed in February, but USADA announced in June it had evidence Armstrong used banned substances and methods — and encouraged their use by teammates. The agency also said it had blood tests from 2009 and 2010 that were ''fully consistent'' with blood doping. Included in USADA's evidence were emails written by Armstrong's former U.S. Postal Service teammate Floyd Landis, who was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title after a positive drug test. Lan- dis' emails to a USA Cycling official detailed allegations of a complex doping program on the team. been shut out 15 times this season, did not have a travel day after beat- ing Minnesota at home on Wednesday after- noon. ''Now more so, it's more surprising than earlier in the year when we had a string of them,'' Melvin said. ''We've started to figure out the personnel better here, which enables us for the most part to com- bat that. We do every now and then have game like this currently where we get shut out. I don't see us a team that has been shut out that many times.'' a Oakland dropped into a tie with Baltimore and Detroit for the AL's sec- ond wild-card spot, 2 1/2 games behind the Rays. The teams finish their three-game series Saturday and get a rare Sunday off because the Republican National Convention begins Mon- day in Tampa. The A's, who have RAIDERS (Continued from page 1B) mistakes and hurt our- selves, but it's not con- cerning. It's frustrating, just because you want to score every time you get the ball, but we'll con- tinue to work and get better.'' Palmer has been in for 10 drives in the two games, leading the team to three field goals. There have also been four turnovers, includ- ing his two intercep- tions. Overall, Palmer is 16-for-30 for 140 yards, for a passer rating of 38.2. He has been unable to connect on the deep balls he was suc- cessful completing last year, with his longest pass so far being a quick-hitter to Darren McFadden that went for 18 yards. ''I don't have any two hits for Oakland, including a fourth- inning single that snapped an 0-for-22 slide. It was his first hit for the A's since he was acquired from Arizona in a trade. Stephen Drew had Cobb (8-8) struck out eight and walked two in his second career com- plete game, both this season. He bounced around that he'll be a good player for us.'' Palmer said one rea- son for his lack of con- cern is that he uses the preseason to see which plays might work when the games actually count. the first game against Dallas was on a deep pass to Jacoby Ford that he said he might not have made if it was the regular season. He also was inter- cepted last week on a ball he tried to force to tight end Richard Gor- don. His interception in reservations or any doubt at all about Car- son Palmer,'' coach Dennis Allen said. ''I think he's had a good camp. I expect when opening day comes throws usually irk coaches, offensive coor- dinator Greg Knapp said that is what preseason is for. ''My belief for a quarterback to run a new offense you have got to try some stuff,'' Knapp said. ''I will sac- rifice some of the ups and downs that go with that. If you make mis- takes you usually grow from it. That is what I want him to do in the preseason since the games are not held While those types of back from a poor outing against the Los Angeles Angels to win for the fourth time in five starts. It was the 14th win in 17 games for the Rays and their seventh shutout since July 19. They have pitched 13 shutouts this season, second-most in the majors behind the Angels (15). It's the closest the Rays have been to first place since they were 2 1/2 out before games of June 16. Cobb allowed 12 hits and eight earned runs in 2 2-3 innings at Los Angeles on Saturday night, the only time this month a Rays pitcher has given up more than four runs. The Rays came back from an 8-0 deficit to win that game and take Cobb off the hook. ''Nothing worked the last time. And to his credit, he just threw that in the trash can and did this tonight,'' Rays man- ager Joe Maddon said. accountable, so to speak. You still want to win, you still want to have that taste of it. But he has got to test him- self. I don't want to ever train a guy to be conser- vative from day one. He won't know his limits then.'' Smith, 13, is trying to remember to keep his hands out in front of his body before every at-bat. ''With that thought in first on a dropped third strike. ''It was a difficult Smith then hit a 2-2 pitch that just cleared the wall in left-center 225 feet away. ' 'Petaluma! Petaluma!'' shouted Cali- fornia's fans. Two pitches later, Quinton Gago went deep, too, and left no doubt about his shot. It easily cleared the wall in left and landed amongst fans perched on the grassy hill beyond the outfield. It was such an impres- sive shot that even Smith stopped to admire the blast from the dugout as the ball carried under the night sky. himself. But Smith wasn't done with five RBIs, and Gago had two hits and two RBIs. mind, I keep going to the plate,'' the power-hitting shortstop said. ''It's been working out so far.'' Smith finished 3 for 3 Starter Danny Marzo, already a California hero for hitting a game-ending homer this week, came up big on the mound with 11 strikeouts in five innings. He was gracious on the mound, too, after Texas' Jordan Cardenas went deep in the third. The 12- year-old Marzo greeted Cardenas with a high-five with his glove hand as Cardenas jogged down the third-base line. Earlier, Aguadulce, Another homer to left in the third earned the 13- year-old slugger another set of pats on the helmet from happy teammates who greeted him at the plate. game, but our pitcher did his job,'' Luis Gonzalez said through a translator. ''One pitch decided the game.'' Mexico scored in the fifth on Marcelo Perez's RBI single, and had the tying run at second with two outs in the sixth. But Edisson Gonzalez got a strikeout to end the game. ''I was not nervous in the beginning of the game,'' he said, ''but in the last inning when the first batter got on, I got nervous. (James') home run helped because I'm not having a good tourna- ment at the plate and we needed it to win the game.'' After the teams And to think, Smith has been borrowing team- mate Andrew White's bat. He may not ever give it back the way he's hitting. Marzo allowed just two hits and a walk, and retired the last seven bat- ters he faced. exchanged handshakes at the plate, Edisson Gonza- lez joined several team- mates to exchange high- fives one more time with Mexico's disappointed players. He tapped coun- terpart Ballina, 13, on the shoulder, as the Mexico starter walked back to his dugout to offer kind words and an embrace. Looking as cool and California has a chance to avenge its only loss in South Williamsport — a 9-6 defeat to the Tennessee crew from Goodlettsville on Sunday. Texas was eliminated. Texas manager Jack Panama, edged Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, 2-1 to advance to the interna- tional final against Japan. California didn't have quite as difficult a time against Texas, the game ending in the bottom of the fifth due to Little League's 10-run rule. ''Runs early help,'' said California manager Brad Smith, Hance's proud father. ''It gives confidence to our pitcher and just makes everything a little easier.'' The Petaluma boys managed just two hits off Texas pitching in the decisive six-run first — but both balls landed over the outfield fence. confident as a big-league ace, Edisson Gonzalez consistently worked ahead of the count and didn't allow a runner to get past first until Eduar- do Abrego doubled to left in the fifth. ''Yes we can! Yes we Wideman Jr. gathered his players in a circle in left field after the game for one final team meeting as the players' families and friends waited in the stands. ''We ran up against a great team ... One through 12, every one of them can put the ball in play,'' Wideman said. They were just smashing the ball.'' In the early game, 12- year-old Edisson Gonza- lez had 11 strikeouts and James Gonzalez provided the offense with a two- run homer in the first to lift Panama. can,'' Mexico's vocal fans yelled in Spanish in try- ing to urge a comeback. Perez followed with his solid RBI single to center, but Gonzalez got two strikeouts to end that inning. Renowned earlier in the tournament for their power, Mexico hitters struggled at the plate until the final innings. The loss eliminated Mexico. After beating Curacao California loaded the bases on three walks. A wild pitch brought home the first run, and the bases were loaded again after Austin Paretti reached we are right now in training camp.'' The Raiders also have been hurt offensively this preseason by injuries. Top deep receiver Denarius Moore will miss his third straight game this weekend with a hamstring injury, Ford will sit with a sprained left foot that sent him out early last week and center Stefen Wisniews- ki is out again with a calf injury. But speedy backup running back Taiwan Jones and starting tight end Brandon Myers are expected to play for the first time this preseason. ''I feel very confident in where I am right now and really where we are as an offense, especially as banged up as we are,'' After the game on Saturday, the Raiders will return to their facil- ity in Alameda for the final preparations before the final exhibi- tion game next Thurs- day and then the season opener Sept. 10 against San Diego. The team leaves camp with plenty of optimism, as well as the knowledge that there is plenty more work to get done to make for a suc- cessful season. ''I'm a firm believer that the cream will always rise to the top,'' defensive ''We've got a lot of young guys playing, but I feel really good where Palmer said. Richard Seymour said. ''It may not start out that way. Little things, if you don't address them, they can become glaring weaknesses for you as well. I think we're in a position now to continue what we've started to build. We've laid the foundation, but just because you got a good foundation don't mean you got a good roof over your head, either.'' tackle West Division Texas A's Another rematch in on top in the international final. Tokyo beat Panama 4-1 on Wednesday night. Mexico starter Ramon Ballina struck out 12, but allowed James Gonza- lez's big blast. Panama manager Luis Gonzalez is also a proud uncle after his 12-year- old nephew hit the homer. MLB American League WL Pct GB 73 51 .589 — 67 57 .540 6 Angels 65 60 .520 8.5 Seattle 61 64 .488 12.5 East Division WL Pct GB New York 72 52 .581 — Tampa Bay 70 55 .560 2.5 Baltimore 67 57 .540 5 Boston 59 66 .472 13.5 Toronto 56 68 .452 16 Central Division WL Pct GB Chicago 68 55 .553 — Detroit 67 57 .540 1.5 Kansas City55 68 .447 13 Cleveland 54 70 .435 14.5 Minnesota 51 73 .411 17.5 ------------------------------------------------------- Thursday's results Detroit 3, Toronto 2, 11 innings L.A. Angels 14, Boston 13, 10 innings Tampa Bay 5, Oakland 0 Texas 10, Minnesota 6 Today's games L.A. Angels (Greinke 1-2) at Detroit (Por- cello 9-8), 7:05 p.m. N.Y.Yankees (Sabathia 12-3) at Cleve- land (Kluber 0-2), 7:05 p.m. Toronto (Villanueva 6-3) at Baltimore (Britton 2-1), 7:05 p.m. Kansas City (B.Chen 9-10) at Boston (Lester 7-10), 7:10 p.m. Oakland (J.Parker 8-7) at Tampa Bay (M.Moore 10-7), 7:10 p.m. Minnesota (Deduno 4-1) at Texas (M.Harrison 14-7), 8:05 p.m. Seattle (Vargas 13-8) at Chicago White Sox (Peavy 9-9), 8:10 p.m. Saturday's games Oakland at Tampa Bay, 1:10 p.m. Minnesota at Texas, 4:05 p.m. L.A. Angels at Detroit, 7:05 p.m. N.Y.Yankees at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m. Toronto at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m. Kansas City at Boston, 7:10 p.m. Seattle at Chicago White Sox, 7:10 p.m. Sunday's Games L.A. Angels at Detroit, 1:05 p.m. N.Y.Yankees at Cleveland, 1:05 p.m. Kansas City at Boston, 1:35 p.m. Toronto at Baltimore, 1:35 p.m. Seattle at Chicago White Sox, 2:10 p.m. Minnesota at Texas, 3:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Mexico lost its second game without manager Fernando Rios, who was suspended two games after failing to have all his players take a turn at bat in a 4-3 win earlier this week over Tai- wan. Mexico's acting man- ager elected not to speak with reporters after the game. MLB West Division National League WL Pct GB GIANTS 69 55 .556 — Dodgers 67 58 .536 2.5 Arizona 64 61 .512 5.5 San Diego 56 70 .444 14 Colorado 50 73 .407 18.5 East Division WL Pct GB Washington 77 47 .621 — Atlanta 71 53 .573 6 Phillies 58 67 .464 19.5 New York 57 68 .456 20.5 Miami 57 69 .452 21 Central Division WL Pct GB Cincinnati 76 50 .603 — St. Louis 68 56 .548 7 Pittsburgh 67 57 .540 8 Milwaukee 57 66 .463 17.5 Chicago 47 76 .382 27.5 Houston 39 86 .312 36.5 ------------------------------------------------------- Thursday's results Colorado 1, N.Y.Mets 0 St. Louis 13, Houston 5 Philadelphia 4, Cincinnati 3, 11 innings Atlanta at San Francisco, late p.m. Today's Games Colorado (D.Pomeranz 1-7) at Chicago Cubs (Samardzija 8-11), 11:20 a.m. Milwaukee (Fiers 6-6) at Pittsburgh (W.Rodriguez 8-12), 4:05 p.m. Washington (E.Jackson 7-8) at Philadel- phia (K.Kendrick 6-9), 4:05 p.m. Houston (Lyles 2-10) at N.Y. Mets (Niese 10-6), 4:10 p.m. St. Louis (Lynn 13-5) at Cincinnati (Latos 10-3), 4:10 p.m. San Diego (Stults 3-2) at Arizona (Corbin 5-4), 6:40 p.m. Miami (Eovaldi 4-8) at L.A. Dodgers (Billingsley 10-9), 7:10 p.m. Atlanta (Sheets 4-3) at San Francisco (Vogelsong 10-7), 7:15 p.m. Saturday's games Colorado at Chicago Cubs, 10:05 a.m. Houston at N.Y. Mets, 10:10 a.m. Atlanta at San Francisco, 1:05 p.m. St. Louis at Cincinnati, 1:05 p.m. Milwaukee at Pittsburgh, 4:05 p.m. Washington at Philadelphia, 4:05 p.m. San Diego at Arizona, 5:10 p.m. Miami at L.A. Dodgers, 6:10 p.m. Sunday's games Houston at N.Y. Mets, 10:10 a.m. St. Louis at Cincinnati, 10:10 a.m. Milwaukee at Pittsburgh, 10:35 a.m. Washington at Philadelphia, 10:35 a.m. Colorado at Chicago Cubs, 11:20 a.m. Miami at L.A. Dodgers, 1:10 p.m. San Diego at Arizona, 1:10 p.m. Atlanta at San Francisco, 5:05 p.m.