Sports Log
BASEBALL
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau’s season is over because of a stress fracture in his lower back that was diagnosed yesterday. He had 30 homers and 100 RBIs. The Twins also believe third baseman Joe Crede (back) is through for the year. Crede came off the disabled list last week, but he only felt well enough to start one game . . . The Orioles ended pitcher Brian Matusz’s season because the club is wary of overextending the rookie lefthander. The 22-year-old was 5-2 with a 4.63 ERA . . . Giants lefthander Randy Johnson pitched a simulated game, taking the mound for the first time since July 5. He threw 53 pitches, including warmups, in facing batters for the first time since going on the disabled list with a torn rotator cuff. The lefthander wants to pitch out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season . . . Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Magglio Ordonez will reach the plate-appearance incentive in his contract that will give the outfielder an $18 million option for next season. After last night’s game, Ordonez needed just four at-bats for the 1,080 over two years to activate the option.Smoltz misses start with shoulder pain
The Cardinals skipped John Smoltz’s turn in the rotation last night after he complained of shoulder tendinitis two days earlier. The 42-year-old righthander, who started the season with the Red Sox, said he felt good enough to pitch but realized it was wise to take precautions . . . The Tigers reduced reliever Fernando Rodney’s three-game suspension to two. He was suspended for throwing a ball into the stands in frustration after he hung on for a save at Tampa Bay Sept. 4. He appealed and the penalty was cut. He started serving his suspension last night against Toronto and will also sit out tonight against Kansas City.COLLEGE FOOTBALL
1 of 2 key injured USC players practices
Southern Cal quarterback Matt Barkley practiced but safety Taylor Mays did not. Barkley has a bruised right shoulder and Mays has a mild right knee sprain. Coach Pete Carroll didn’t say whether they will be ready for the No. 3 Trojans’ Pac-10 opener at Washington Saturday . . . UConn quarterback Zach Frazer is expected to miss the next two games because of a right knee injury suffered in a loss to North Carolina. Coach Randy Edsall offered no specifics about the injury, but said Frazer will not play Saturday at Baylor and that Cody Endres would start. Edsall also said Frazer is likely to sit out the following week vs. Rhode Island . . . No. 16 Oklahoma State starting tailback Kendall Hunter is doubtful for Saturday against Rice due to an injured right leg . . . New Hampshire (2-0) jumped three spots to No. 6 yesterday in the Sports Network poll for the championship subdivision. UMass (1-1) remained No. 17, Maine (2-0) stayed at No. 20, while Holy Cross (2-0) moved up two to No. 23. Harvard (0-0) fell a spot to 25th.GOLF
New Englanders advance to 2d round
Robert Linn, of Enfield, Conn., advanced to the second round of match play at the US Senior Men’s Amateur in Chicago with a 1-up victory over Ian Harris, of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. . . . Dana Harrity, of North Hampton, N.H., beat Sue O’Connor in 21 holes to move to the second round of match play in the US Women’s Senior Amateur in Hot Springs, Va. Rebecca Montgelas, of Darien, Conn., also advanced with a 6 and 4 win over Cindy Bryniarski.NBA
Mavericks keep Singleton, cut Buckner
The Mavericks are keeping forward James Singleton and getting rid of guard Greg Buckner. Singleton, a restricted free agent, looked around but decided to stick with Dallas. Buckner had a buyout-friendly contract (due only $1 million on a $4 million deal) and “given our depth at that position, coupled with the number of guaranteed contracts, there is simply no room on our roster,’’ said president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson. Dallas has 16 guaranteed contracts, one more than allowed during the season.NHL
Wild invite Sykora to training camp
The Wild have invited free agent forward Petr Sykora to training camp. The 32-year-old played for 14 seasons and was fourth in scoring for the Penguins last year with 46 points . . . The Panthers signed defenseman Dennis Seidenberg to a one-year contract.MISCELLANY
Memorabilia dealer sues Simpson
Bruce Fromong, the memorabilia dealer who blames his heart attacks on the stress of being robbed at gunpoint by O.J. Simpson, is suing the former football star and five other men who were in the room during the heist, seeking unspecified civil damages. Simpson’s lawyer, Yale Galanter, called the lawsuit frivolous . . . Michael Waltrip Racing hired Pat Tryson as crew chief for Martin Truex Jr. next season. Tryson will leave Kurt Busch’s team at the end of this season . . . The WNBA’s Seattle Storm signed coach Brian Agler to a two-year contract extension through the 2011 season.
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