In Brief | Nation and World

Saint Louis grad wins QB job for No. 5 Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. — Redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota has won the job as starting quarterback for No. 5 Oregon.

Oregon coach Chip Kelly announced Friday that Mariota earned the position over sophomore Bryan Bennett, who was Darron Thomas’ backup last season. Thomas left school early to declare his eligibility for the NFL draft.

Mariota is the first freshman to start in an opener for Oregon since Danny O’Neil in 1991.

Mariota, a 6-foot-4 Saint Louis (Oahu) graduate, emerged as competition for Bennett during the annual spring game, when he completed 18 of 26 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 99 yards and two scores — including an 82-yard scoring run — to lead his team to a 41-14 victory.

Armstrong banned for life, career vacated

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency erased 14 years of Lance Armstrong’s career Friday — including his record seven Tour de France titles — and banned him for life from the sport that made him a hero to millions of cancer survivors after concluding he used banned substances.

USADA said it expected cycling’s governing body to take similar action, but the International Cycling Union was measured in its response, saying it first wanted a full explanation on why Armstrong should relinquish Tour titles he won from 1999 through 2005.

The Amaury Sport Organization that runs the world’s most prestigious cycling race said it would not comment until hearing from the UCI and USADA, which contends the cycling body is bound by the World Anti-Doping Code to strip Armstrong of one of the most incredible achievements in sports.

Gonzalez, Loney scratched amid talks

BOSTON — Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez and the Dodgers’ James Loney were scratched from their team’s starting lineups Friday night as the clubs tried to finalize a major trade involving the first basemen.

The Red Sox, trying to cut payroll during a disappointing season, also were discussing sending pitcher Josh Beckett, left fielder Carl Crawford and infielder Nick Punto to Los Angeles, a baseball official informed of the discussions said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcements were made.

Brewers RHP Marcum off DL, will start today

PITTSBURGH — The Milwaukee Brewers have activated Shaun Marcum from the disabled list and plan to start him tonight against Pittsburgh.

The Brewers made the move Friday.

Marcum has been on the disabled list since June 23 because of tightness in his right elbow.

He made three rehabilitation starts in the minors and Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said Marcum would be on a pitch count of approximately 90 on Saturday.

Marcum is 5-3 with a 3.39 ERA in his second year with Milwaukee and can become a free agent after the season ends. He will get two starts before Aug. 31, when postseason rosters are set.

Rick Majerus takes leave of absence

ST. LOUIS — Saint Louis basketball coach Rick Majerus is taking a leave of absence for at least the upcoming season.

The university said Friday that assistant coach Jim Crews will direct the team as interim coach, and that a decision hasn’t been made for the 2013-14 season, leaving the door open for Majerus to return.

The 64-year-old Majerus is hospitalized in California undergoing evaluation and treatment for an ongoing heart condition, school spokesman Brian Kunderman said.

Orioles recall Matusz, designate J.C. Romero

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles have recalled left-hander Brian Matusz from Triple-A Norfolk and assigned him to the bullpen, a radical change for the long-time starter.

Matusz has pitched in 68 major league games, all of them starts. The Orioles had him serve as a reliever in four games recently with Norfolk, and he did well enough to warrant a look at the big league level.

Matusz will be the only lefty in the bullpen. He replaces J.C. Romero, who was designated for assignment Friday. Romero had a 6.75 ERA in five appearances with the Orioles.

In other moves Friday, Baltimore optioned right-hander Tommy Hunter to Double-A Bowie and activated infielder Ryan Flaherty (bacterial infection) from the 15-day disabled list.

Rangers’ Michael Young on MLB paternity list

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers infielder Michael Young has been placed on the MLB’s paternity leave list following the birth of his third son.

The Rangers made the move Friday, when they selected the contract of infielder Luis Hernandez from Triple-A Round Rock to take Young’s roster spot.

Logano gets 1st Bristol victory in Nationwide

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Joey Logano has picked up his first Nationwide Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Logano chased down Kevin Harvick, then held on over a series of late cautions for his sixth win of the season. Defending series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished second and was followed by Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon and Elliott Sadler.

Kvitova wins, Wozniacki retires in New Haven

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Caroline Wozniacki’s New Haven winning streak ended at 20 Friday when the four-time defending champion retired from her semifinal match with Maria Kirilenko because of a knee injury.

Wozniacki, who injured the right knee in her quarterfinal win Thursday, called for the trainer right after dropping the first set 7-5 to the 25-year-old Russian.

Kirilenko, the seventh seed, will face second-seeded Petra Kvitova today. The 2011 Wimbledon champion beat Italy’s Sara Errani, 6-1, 6-3 on Friday night.

Isner beats Tsonga in Winston-Salem semi

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Defending champion John Isner advanced to the Winston-Salem Open final Friday, beating France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 3-6, 7-6 (7-3).

Isner, seeded third and ranked 10th, will face seventh-ranked Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, a 6-4, 6-3 winner over seventh-seeded Sam Querrey in the final hard-court tournament before the U.S. Open.

Roberta Vinci
wins Texas Open

GRAPEVINE, Texas —Third-seeded Roberta Vinci won the Texas Open on Friday night, beating second-seeded Jelena Jankovic 7-5, 6-3 in the U.S. Open tuneup event.

By wire sources