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Mike Bliss raced to his first NASCAR Nationwide series victory since 2004, catching a break to claim the rain-shortened event at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

More photos » by Denis Poroy - AP Randy Wells was a 38th round draft pick as a catcher back in 2002. He spent parts of four seasons pitching for the Iowa Cubs. He also didn't deserve the loss tonight. Browse more photos » Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs were mauled by the Fresno Grizzlies, 8-2. Starter Esmailin Caridad ran into trouble early and then settled down in a six inning start. Still, he allowed five runs, all in the first two innings, although only two of the runs was earned. Caridad was tagged for eight hits. He struck out seven and walked only one, so that's one positive result. First baseman Jake Fox was 2 for 5 with a double. Shortstop Andres Blanco was 2 for 4. Tennessee Smokies The Smokies got untracked tonight by beating the Birmingham Barons, 5-2. Casey Coleman improved his record to 4-1 by throwing five shutout innings. He gave up three hits. Coleman walked three and struck out only one. Brian Schlitter notched his sixth save with a perfect ninth. The Smokie

Real Salt Lake limited D.C. United to one shot on goal in a 0-0 tie Saturday night to earn its first point on the road.

RAY BUCK The Landry Cowboys would seem to draft a big-time basketball player or a world-class track athlete every year during the ’60s.Not all the hoopsters came aboard, however.'Sweet Lou' Hudson (Class of ’66) went on to star in the NBA for 13 seasons, averaging a little more than 20 points a game mostly with the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks.Ron 'Fritz' Williams (Class of ’68) averaged 9.3 points and 3.5 assists with Golden State, Milwaukee and the LA Lakers. He played eight NBA seasons.Pat Riley (Class of ’67) was an NBA bench player for nearly a decade before he turned to coaching. Five of his six NBA rings came to 'Riles' as a GQ-dressed head coach of the Lakers and the Heat, after he won one ring as a Lakers player.Not all NFL draft picks are slam dunks, of course.'But we didn’t just out and pick a guy to be cute,' said longtime Cowboys personnel man Gil Brandt. 'We spent each and every draft choice on someone we felt could be successful in the National

Charlie Wade didn't wait long to preview his recruiting speech to the top volleyball players coming out of Hawaii.

The Los Angeles Clippers won the NBA lottery Tuesday and wasted no time announcing they plan to take Oklahoma power forward Blake Griffin with the top overall pick in the June draft.

'I'm ecstatic,' said Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace. You should be, too.

A feel-good call When Tony Gwynn Jr. picked up the phone on Wednesday and learned he was coming home to play for the San Diego Padres, his Hall of Fame father was on the other end.

He's taking his first pro steps, but the Vikings are excited about the offensive potential of their No. 1 pick.

SEATTLE — Randy Johnson no longer has his mullet, his 99 mph heat or an ERA worthy of a Cy Young Award candidate. Nor did he pick up his 299th career victory in a nostalgia trip to Safeco Field Friday night.