Landis's 'B' sample due Saturday

Tour de France champion Floyd Landis is expected to learn the results of his second doping test Saturday, and even if that sample is positive it could take weeks to decide if he will be stripped of his title. However, the 30-year-old cyclist and his lawyer have previously acknowledged they expect the ``B" sample to show the same elevated ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone found in the ``A" sample last week. Michael Henson, a spokesman for Landis, confirmed that a urine test on Landis after the tour's 17th stage turned up an 11:1 ratio -- far above the 4:1 limit allowed. A 1:1 ratio is average. The ``B" sample, collected from Landis at the same time as the ``A" sample, will be unsealed in the presence of Landis's lawyer and tested at the same Chatenay-Malabry lab near Paris.

Sprinter Justin Gatlin isn't the only one facing a ban in the wake of doping violations against him. His embattled coach also could be barred from track and field if allegations against the Olympic and world champion hold up. The focus has shifted to Trevor Graham, who trains Gatlin and has been involved with at least a half-dozen other athletes who have received drug suspensions. Track's international governing body announced Graham could face a two-year ban if Gatlin is found guilty. The US Anti-Doping Agency can also penalize Graham if it confirms Gatlin's positive test.

New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey sustained a mild concussion in a collision with safety Will Demps at Monday evening's practice. Shockey was taken to a hospital and released that night, but still was experiencing headaches yesterday morning, said Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon . . . The Cardinals signed former Everett High star Diamond Ferri, a running back who played at Syracuse . . . The 49ers released cornerback Bruce Thornton, who started 11 games last season . . . Former Patriots receiver David Patten has missed the first two days of camp with the Redskins while hospitalized with a viral infection.

Minnesota Twins lefthander Francisco Liriano (12-2, 1.96 ERA) was scratched from his scheduled start tonight against the Rangers in Minneapolis because of inflammation in his forearm . . . Major League Baseball suspended seven minor leaguers for violating the drug prevention and treatment program. Cole Flowers of the Braves and Kengshill Pujols of the Dodgers were suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Edison Barrios and Juan Casas of the Pirates, Alvaro Diaz of the Tigers, and Jesus Granado of the Phillies also received 50-game suspensions for failing drug tests administered during the Venezuelan Summer League. Alfredo Reyes of the Pirates was given a 100-game suspension following a second positive test in the Venezuelan Summer League . . . Mets righthander Duaner Sanchez, injured Sunday when the taxi in which he was a passenger was involved in an accident, underwent shoulder surgery on his pitching arm and will miss the rest of the season . . . Gary Sheffield embraced Bobby Abreu's arrival with the Yankees, saying he would shift to first base if needed . . . Scott Shoemaker, recalled from Single A Wilmington, allowed two runs and five hits in five innings and Jeff Bailey homered to help host Pawtucket to a 4-2 victory over Buffalo.

Forward Maxim Afinogenov agreed to a three-year deal with Buffalo, enabling the Sabres to avoid a salary arbitration hearing. Terms were not available, but it's anticipated that Afinogenov will receive a hefty raise over the $1.086 million he made last season . . . Former Harvard star Dominic Moore, acquired last month by the Pittsburgh Penguins from the Rangers, signed a two-year contract . . . Scott Hartnell, who had a career-high 25 goals last season, avoided arbitration and signed for one year at $1.75 million with the Predators.

Brendan Hansen upstaged Michael Phelps in the pool at the US Summer Nationals in Irvine, Calif., lowering his own world record in the 100-meter breaststroke on opening night. Phelps easily won his first showdown of the week with Ryan Lochte in the 400 individual medley. Hansen, the silver medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, cruised to the wall in 59.13 seconds, eclipsing the mark of 59.30 that he set at the 2004 US Olympic trials. The night's other record belonged to 17-year-old Katie Hoff, who lowered her own American record in the 200 individual medley (2:10.05), missing the world mark by three-10ths of a second . . . Asjha Jones had 22 points, equaling her career-high for the second straight game, leading the host Connecticut Sun to a 66-52 WNBA victory over the New York Liberty, and extending their winning streak to eight games . . . Four University of Miami football players -- running back Tyrone Moss, receivers Rashaun Jones and Ryan Moore, and linebacker James Bryant -- were suspended for the Sept. 4 season opener against Florida State because they violated team policy, coach Larry Coker said . . . Antonio Grillo of Farm Neck GC shot 1-under-par 71 for a 3-under 141 and a four-stroke lead over Eleazar Encarnacion of Marlborough CC after the second round of the Massachusetts Junior Championship at Blue Hill CC in Canton . . . Frank Dully and Steve Bramlett of Kernwood CC won the NEPGA ProAssistant championship in a playoff at Wachusett CC . . . The extreme heat forecast caused Suffolk Downs to cancel today's live card.