nation

nation

Favre supporters

Brett Favre’s fans came to his defense Sunday, rallying outside Lambeau Field to pressure the Green Bay Packers to reinstate him as the starting quarterback.

The crowd of more than 100 chanted “We want Brett,” and carried signs reading, “Favre for President” or “Favre Forever.”

Many in the parking lot wore No. 4 jerseys, tossed footballs and grilled.

Rodriguez scores; US women beat Brazil

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Amy Rodriguez scored in the 71st minute to give the U.S. women’s soccer team a 1-0 win over Brazil in an exhibition match Sunday.

The U.S., which has posted shutouts in its last six games, is now 20-0-1 in 2008. The two teams meet again Wednesday in San Diego in their last match before the Olympics start next month in Beijing. The U.S. faces Norway on Aug. 6 in its first Olympic match.

Abby Wambach sent a pass through the box to Rodriguez, and Brazil defender Tania initially blocked the ball. However, the ball squirted between her legs and Rodriguez let go with a blast high that Brazil goalie Andrea could only get her fingertips on for the game’s only goal.

The U.S. had several good chances in the first half, putting seven shots on net.

Ricketts dies at 73

PITTSBURGH — Longtime St. Louis Cardinals coach Dave Ricketts, who played on their 1967 World Series championship team, died early Sunday. He was 73.

Ricketts’ family informed the Cardinals, who were playing in Pittsburgh, of his death. He had been battling cancer and living in St. Louis.

Women’s basketball

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Former Louisiana Tech and Baylor coach Sonja Hogg will be among the inductees in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2009 class.

The new class was announced Sunday during the WNBA game between the Connecticut Sun and the Washington Mystics and also includes Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Jennifer Azzi, Jennifer Gillom, Jill Hutchison and Ora Washington.

The class will be honored June 13 at the hall in Knoxville. The six new inductees will bring the hall of fame membership to 109.

Serena’s Song Stakes

OCEANPORT, N.J. — Dance Hall Days won a three-horse stretch run to take the $70,000 Serena’s Song Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday, beating Hartigan by a neck.

Trained by Anthony Dutrow and ridden by Jose Lezcano, the 3-year-old filly covered the mile and 70 yards in 1:44 1-5 and returned $23.60, $13.40 and $7.40. Hartigan paid $7.40 and $3.20, while Awesome I Am was a neck back in third and returned $5.20.

Arenas back with Washington Wizards

WASHINGTON — Gilbert Arenas signed his six-year, $111 million contract with the Washington Wizards on Sunday, securing the return of a franchise player who is accepting less money than he was offered.

Arenas and the Wizards agreed to the deal July 3, but both sides waited until Arenas returned from an overseas trip to settle the details.

Poker Handicap

NEW YORK — Kip Deville toyed with the competition early before pulling away for a 23‚Ñ4-length victory in the $106,300 Poker Handicap at Belmont Park on Sunday.

The winner of last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Mile extended his winning streak to three races, finishing in 1:32.94 for a mile on firm turf against four rivals as the 2-5 favorite. Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. used the Poker as a tuneup to keep the gray 5-year-old sharp for a Breeders’ Cup defense at Santa Anita in October.

Lecavalier signs contract extension

TAMPA, Fla. — All-Star center Vincent Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85-million contract extension that he hopes will keep him in a Tampa Bay Lightning uniform for the remainder of his career.

“Not only is Vincent one of the most dynamic players in the NHL, he’s one of the classiest people you’ll ever meet off the ice, as well,” Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said Sunday in a team statement.

“With this deal, our ownership has made it clear that he is the cornerstone of the Lightning, and Vincent has shown his dedication to the franchise and the Tampa Bay area by signing for less than he undoubtedly would’ve received on the open market.”

world

Prince of Wales Stakes

FORT ERIE, Ontario — Harlem Rocker won the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes race Sunday to capture the second jewel of Canadian thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.

Not Bourbon, the Queen’s Plate winner, finished sixth to leave Wando in 2004 the last Canadian Triple Crown champion. The third race in the Triple Crown is the Breeders’ Stakes at Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack on Aug. 3.

Vindicator staff/wire reports