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nation

Hessman homers twice in US rout

DURHAM, N.C. — Mike Hessman hit two of the United States’ four home runs Monday night, and the Americans capped their stateside preparations for Beijing by scoring nine runs in the fifth inning of a 17-5 baseball exhibition rout of Canada in a game shortened to seven innings.

Matt LaPorta (Cleveland Indians) homered for the third time in the four-game series, and Terry Tiffee drove in three runs and also connected for the second straight game for the U.S., which scored in each inning and took the final three games of the four-game tuneup for the Olympics after they lost the opener in 10 innings.

Tripp named

BOULDER, Colo. — Former University of Colorado women’s basketball star Tracy Tripp has joined the program as director of basketball operations.

She replaces Ann Strother, who has decided to continue her pro playing career in Europe.

A native of Fort Collins, Tripp was a four-time letter-winner for the Buffaloes from 1985-89. She is among the school leaders in scoring, field goals and steals.

Tripp spent the last 13 seasons as an assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Denver.

Curlin works out

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Curlin, the 2007 Horse of the Year, worked five furlongs and is “in a beautiful rhythm,” his trainer said Monday, the day before his next race is scheduled to be announced.

Majority owner Jess Jackson, who was present for the workout at Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track, will announce when and where Curlin will race next on Tuesday.

He could go in the Grade 1, $500,000 Woodward on Aug. 30 at Saratoga, a race also mentioned as a possible next choice for Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown. Big Brown won the Haskell Invitational on Sunday at Monmouth Park, his first start since finishing last in the June 7 Belmont Stakes.

Yonto dies at 83

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Longtime Notre Dame assistant football coach Joe Yonto, who worked under Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine and Lou Holtz, died Monday. He was 83.

A university spokesman confirmed Yonto’s death but had no details on the cause.

Yonto was a high school coach before he joined Parseghian’s staff in 1964 and was the Irish’s defensive line coach for 17 years under Parseghian and Devine.

Cavs sign Kinsey

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers, looking to add backcourt depth, signed former Memphis Grizzlies guard Tarence Kinsey on Monday.

Kinsey split last season between Memphis and Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul in the Turkish league. In his second season with Memphis, he averaged 3.6 points and 8.7 minutes in 11 games. In Turkey, the 6-foot-6 Kinsey averaged 9.2 points in 14 games.

As a rookie with Memphis in 2006-07, Kinsey made 12 starts in 48 games, averaging 7.7 points. The Cavaliers remain in talks with restricted free agent point guard Delonte West.

Pierce detained

LAS VEGAS — Police detained NBA star Paul Pierce in handcuffs during a weekend traffic stop on the Las Vegas Strip, but released him without issuing a summons.

Las Vegas police Officer Bill Cassell said Monday that Pierce was handcuffed briefly after emerging “a little agitated” from a vehicle he was driving around 3 a.m. Sunday.

Pierce led the Boston Celtics to the championship this year and was MVP of the finals.

The 6-foot-7, 235-pound Pierce was given field sobriety tests and a Breathalyzer, which registered below the legal limit. Cassell said Pierce was not arrested.

A valet was called to drive Pierce’s car, and Pierce took a cab back to where he was staying.

The Celtics and Pierce’s agent had no immediate comment Monday.

Vindicator staff/wire reports