NATION

NATION
PCL suspends Beaversfor rushing the stands
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Pacific Coast League has fined and suspended almost the entire Portland Beavers team after the players chased a fan during a game earlier this month in Las Vegas.
Tagg Bozied was suspended for eight games and virtually every other Beaver at the game was suspended for four.
The league did not disclose the severity of the fines, which were levied late Monday.
The suspensions leave the Beavers, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, short-handed as they attempt to win a playoff spot.
Manager Rick Sweet must sit out at least three players every game for the rest of the season. He had nine position players available for Tuesday night's game. Some of the suspensions will have to carry over to 2004.
The suspensions extend throughout the minor leagues, so players who leave the Beavers in the offseason will have to finish their suspensions if they catch on with another minor league team.
Players and team officials would not discuss the fight.
The trouble began when Jim Lowe, a Las Vegas fan, heckled Bozied throughout the game. The two had words after the game and Lowe threw a soft stress-relief ball -- a Cashman Field giveaway -- at Bozied.
Nineteen Beavers then rushed into the stands and got into a scrum with Lowe on a concourse. Lowe had cuts and bruises, but declined medical treatment at the scene.
U.S. tops Argentina
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The United States beat Argentina 94-86 to remain undefeated at the Tournament of the Americas. Jermaine O'Neal scored 22 points for the Americans, who avenged a groundbreaking defeat in last year's world championships. O'Neal is one of only two U.S. players in the Olympic qualifying tournament that was on the last summer's American team that finished sixth after losing to Argentina, Yugoslavia and Spain.
Montross retires
TORONTO -- Toronto Raptors center Eric Montross is retiring because of a lingering foot injury. Montross hasn't played since breaking a bone in his left foot while stepping over a child safety gate at his home in the spring of 2002.
49ers' Shaw suspended
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Josh Shaw was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Shaw, a second-year pro from Michigan State, left the team to enter the league's substance abuse rehabilitation program. He will be eligible to return on Sept. 29.
Packers cut Smith
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Akili Smith, the third overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft, was cut by the Green Bay Packers. Smith was drafted by Cincinnati four years ago, but never established himself with the Bengals.
Eaton out for year
KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Seattle defensive tackle Chad Eaton, who has had two operations on his right knee since May, is out for the season after the team placed him on injured reserve.
Davis, Raiders win lawsuit
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Al Davis and his Oakland Raiders were awarded $34.2 million by a jury that found Oakland coliseum officials failed to deliver on promises of sold-out stadiums in luring the team back from Los Angeles.
The verdict in the lawsuit was far less than the $570 million to $833 million the Raiders sought to compensate for weak ticket sales and the declining value of the franchise.
Roster announcedfor World Cup
U.S. coach April Heinrichs announced the roster for her Women's World Cup squad.
Heinrichs picked 12 players from the 1999 team that beat China in a penalty kick shootout to win the championship, including Brandi Chastain, who made the game-winning kick. Mia Hamm, Briana Scurry, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett are among the veterans on the team.
Eight players will make their debuts in a World Cup: Shannon Boxx, Kylie Bivens, Angela Hucles, Siri Mullinix, Cat Reddick, Danielle Slaton, Aly Wagner and Abby Wambach.
Staff/wire reports