Braden makes strong progress from surgery

PHOENIX (AP) - Dallas Braden decided against being a world traveler this winter, realizing his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery took top priority.

Giants thrilled to be healthy, together

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Scottsdale Stadium went silent not once but twice Sunday.

Mahan stops McIlroy in Match Play golf

MARANA, Ariz. (AP) - Even as Hunter Mahan motored his way through the Match Play Championship by beating one tough opponent after another, he had reason to feel he was just along for the ride in the final match Sunday afternoon.

Sports News Brief

FOOTBALL

Ski Report

Stewart seeks 1st win in Daytona 500

Tsonga, Del Potro, Tipsarevic reach Open 13 semisfinals

MARSEILLE, France (AP) - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin del Potro each won for the 200th time in his career Friday, setting up a semifinal between the two at the Open 13. The top-seeded Tsonga beat Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-4, 7-5 in an all-French quarterfinal, and Del Potro edged Richard Gasquet 7-5, 7-6 (5). The other semifinal pits Janko ...

Patrick wins pole for Nationwide race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - In about 24 hours, Danica Patrick went from her biggest crash to her biggest moment in a stock car. The former IndyCar star won the pole Friday for the season-opening Nationwide Series race at Daytona, becoming the first woman to secure the top qualifying spot in NASCAR's second-tier series since Shawna Robinson at Atlanta on March 12, ...

Not an All-Star, but Lin stars in Orlando

Luck, Griffin get chance to meet with scouts

A break from Lin to put focus back on Howard’s future at NBA All-Star game

Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki beaten in Dubai semis

Serena joins sister Venus at Family Circle

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Serena Williams will join sister Venus at the Family Circle Cup championships in April. The younger Williams sister committed to play the clay court tournament this week. Venus announced she was playing earlier this month. Both Williams sisters are past champions at the Family Circle. Venus won the title in 2004 and Serena won ...

Miller, Nelson top Hall of Fame finalists

Kobe Bryant a no-show at All-Star media session

Ripon Christian rebounds from loss with blowout win

Natalie Prins and Kaylie Colyn each netted two goals apiece for Ripon Christian during Wednesday's 8-0 Southern League victory over visiting Delhi.

Warriors look to stay hot back home against Denver

OAKLAND (AP) - Sleep deprived but back in the Bay Area, the Golden State Warriors returned to work Wednesday calm and confident that their Mile High City masterpiece will be no fluke.

Crawford has 3 hits in Giants’ loss to D’backs

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Brandon Crawford saved the day twice with late-inning offensive heroics. He never got a third chance, resting in the on-deck circle when the final out was recorded.

Oakland A’s feel missed call costly in loss to Red Sox

BOSTON (AP) - Oakland's Jed Lowrie rounded first base, reached second and immediately raised his arms in the air.

Coyotes knock off Sharks

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Coming off a dramatic victory in their home finale, the San Jose Sharks had a chance to move closer to earning home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

California environmental changes could aid Kings bid

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Proposed changes to California environmental protection law unveiled Wednesday could help Sacramento's effort to keep its professional basketball team, according to the leader of the state Senate.

MLB capsules

WASHINGTON (AP) - Yadier Molina hit a two-run single off Stephen Strasburg during St. Louis' three-run first inning, and the Cardinals beat the Nationals 4-2 Wednesday to complete a sweep and give Washington's All-Star ace the only four-start losing streak of his young career.

Raiders look to reverse bad draft fortunes

ALAMEDA (AP) - For seven straight years starting in 2004, the Oakland Raiders had a top 10 pick in the NFL draft only to end up disappointed in the outcome.

Curry leads Warriors past Nuggets

DENVER (AP) - The Golden State Warriors hardly missed much of anything Tuesday night.

Colon, A’s blank Red Sox in rain-shortened game

BOSTON (AP) - The rain kept falling and Bartolo Colon kept throwing fastballs for strikes.

D-backs recover to beat Giants in 11

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Didi Gregorius had a pretty good view from third base when Giants reliever Santiago Casilla's wild pitch skipped past catcher Buster Posey and went to the backstop in the 11th inning.

Sharks clinch playoffs with win over Stars

SAN JOSE (AP) - One month after being mired in ninth place in the Western Conference, just hoping to squeeze into the postseason, the San Jose Sharks have clinched a ninth straight playoff berth and can now push for home-ice advantage in the first round.

NBA Playoff capsules

NEW YORK (AP) - Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points, Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith added 19, and New York opened a 2-0 lead over Boston with an 87-71 victory Tuesday night.

MLB apsules

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Ichiro Suzuki hit a go-ahead two-run single in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 Tuesday night.