Matsui making progress in rehab

New York Yankees designated hitter/left fielder Hideki Matsui intensified the running program for his injured left knee yesterday, running 90 feet several times. Matsui was placed on the 15-day disabled list June 27. "Overall, I ran a little harder today, and I hit a little more today, as well," Matsui said. "I didn't have any problems, and I felt pretty good afterwards, too. It's another step forward." He's expected to run the bases soon. That's one of the final steps before playing in minor league rehab games . . . Chicago Cubs closer Kerry Wood is battling a sore back days after coming off the disabled list, where he was placed because of a blister on his right index finger. Wood couldn't pitch Friday, three days after he was activated from a three-week DL stint. Although he said he was feeling better and ready to go, manager Lou Piniella wasn't quite so sure . . . Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek may be out for the season after an MRI revealed a torn deltoid ligament in his right ankle. Grudzielanek went on the disabled list Aug. 2, one day after colliding with first baseman Ross Gload while catching a fly ball to shallow right off the bat of the White Sox' Juan Uribe. "We don't know if he's going to be back or not," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "He's got a tear in that ligament. It is all going to be dependent on how it reacts in the next couple of weeks."

Shelton won a spot in the Little League World Series, defeating Manchester, N.H., to become the first Connecticut team to reach that milestone in almost 20 years. Tyler Tice and Marcelo Ursini hit solo homers in the sixth inning as Shelton came from behind for a 2-1 win over Manchester North in the New England Little League championship in Bristol, Conn. Shelton advances to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa., to meet the West champion Friday.

Florida State running back Antone Smith, the team's leading rusher last season, left practice early because of dehydration. Team officials said he was expected to return tomorrow. After playing behind Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker his first two seasons, Smith rushed for 819 yards and three touchdowns as Florida State's featured back in 2007. He entered fall practice as the starter but is expected to face competition from junior college transfer Tavares Pressley . . . Rutgers coach Greg Schiano denied reports that his contract contains a buyout clause . . . Louisville wide receiver Trent Guy says he expects to play this season despite a gunshot wound suffered outside a local nightclub last month. Guy could be cleared to practice by early September. Guy was shot in the back outside a parking garage near a nightclub in the early hours of July 5. He had surgery to remove the bullet and spent several days in the hospital.

Annika Sorenstam shot a 1-under-par 71 and trailed by two shots after leader Lill Saether tied the course record with a 64 in the rain-shortened Scandinavian TPC in Stockholm. Saether birdied six of her first seven holes and totaled 9-under 135 after rain postponed second-round play and shortened the tournament to 54 holes. Maria Hjorth also shot a course-record 64 in a bogey-free round and shared second with Lora Fairclough (66) to trail by one stroke . . . Duke star Amanda Blumenherst and NCAA champion Azahara Munoz (Arizona State) advanced to the US Women's Amateur final at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club. Blumenherst beat 15-year-old Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash., 3 and 2, while Munoz edged Belen Mozo, 4 and 3.

Somerville's Kenny Florian beat Roger Huerta by unanimous decision in the lightweight division and welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre held on to his title with a unanimous decision over top contender Jon Fitch at an Ultimate Fighting Championship in Minneapolis. Florian might now have a shot at the 155-pound title if reigning champ B.J. Penn is up for the fight . . . The Los Angeles Lakers agreed to terms with guard Sun Yue, who is playing for China and will face Kobe Bryant and the US men's team today in the Beijing Olympics . . . Anthony Hart of Henderson, Nev., a 21-year-old motocross rider, died following a crash during a practice session for the Doug Henry New England Grand Prix at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway . . . Greg Sutton made 10 saves and Chad Barrett scored an unassisted goal in the 44th minute to give visiting Toronto FC a 1-0 MLS victory over Colorado . . . Claudio Lopez and Davy Arnaud each had a goal and an assist to lift host Kansas City over Chivas USA, 3-2 . . . Lance Armstrong finished second in the Leadville (Colo.) Trail 100 mountain bike race, pushing six-time champion Dave Wiens to a record time. Wiens crossed the finish on a flat back tire in 6:45:45, shaving 13 minutes off the record he set last year . . . Matt Alrich's five goals led the Boston Cannons (7-5) over Denver, 20-14, at Harvard Stadium in their final Major League Lacrosse game of the season . . . The host Chicago Bandits' two consecutive homers in the sixth inning beat the New England Riptide, 8-7, in National Pro Fastpitch Softball.