SPORTS DIGEST | Laird unlikely winner at Bay Hill tournament

Laird unlikely winner at Bay Hill tournament

ORLANDO, Fla.

Martin Laird went from shocking collapse to unlikely champion Sunday at Bay Hill.

Three shots behind with four holes to play, Laird made birdies and two clutch pars to close with a 3-over 75 and become the first European winner in the 33-year history of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The 75 was the highest final round every by a Bay Hill champion, and it took Laird’s best golf to do that. He also needed some help from Steve Marino, who lost the lead with a double bogey from a plugged lie in the bunker on the par-3 17th. Marino made birdie on the 18th for a 72 and wound up one shot behind when Laird two-putted for par from 90 feet.

Willis, Hermida agree to deals with Reds

Goodyear, Ariz.

The Cincinnati Reds have reassigned left-hander Dontrelle Willis and outfielder Jeremy Hermida to their minor league camp.

Willis, who agreed to a minor league deal in November, was trying to win a spot in Cincinnati’s bullpen but walked 11 in 92/3 innings this spring. He also had no record with a 9.31 ERA.

The 29-year-old Willis has struggled since he went 22-10 for Florida in 2005, appearing in just 30 major league games over the last three seasons.

Hermida hit .342 with three homers and six RBIs this spring but was trying to win a roster spot as a non-roster player.

Cubs release veteran pitcher Carlos Silva

MESA, Ariz.

Carlos Silva has been released by the Chicago Cubs, one day after they told the veteran pitcher he would not make the opening-day roster.

The move Sunday leaves the Cubs on the hook for Silva’s $11.5 million salary this season. The 31-year-old right-hander made it clear Saturday he would not accept a minor league assignment.

The Cubs informed Silva on Saturday that he would not break camp with the club. They said they would try to trade him but if they couldn’t, they hoped he would go to the minor leagues.

Tait returns to Cavs play-by-play duties

CLEVELAND

Joe Tait, the Cavaliers’ Hall of Fame radio play-by-play broadcaster, worked his first game of the season Sunday when Cleveland played Atlanta.

Tait had double bypass surgery and an aortic valve replaced in January. He was hospitalized in November with a blood clot in his lung, delaying the surgery.

Tait, 73, said before the season that he planned to retire in April. He plans to broadcast Cleveland’s five remaining home games.

Notre Dame advances to Frozen Four

MANCHESTER, N.H.

Billy Maday scored with 5 seconds left in the second period, Mike Johnson made 37 saves and Notre Dame advanced to the Frozen Four with a 2-1 victory over New Hampshire on Sunday night in the NCAA Northeast final.

Stephen Johns also scored and Riley Sheahan had two assists for Notre Dame (25-13-5). The Irish will face Minnesota-Duluth on April 7 in the semifinals in St. Paul, Minn. Duluth beat Yale 5-3 on Saturday night in the East final in Bridgeport, Conn.

Notre Dame, a 4-3 overtime winner over Merrimack on Saturday, advanced to the Frozen Four for the second time in school history. In 2008 in Denver, the Irish beat Michigan in overtime before falling to Boston College in the title game.

Clijsters earns 500th win in tennis match

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla.

Kim Clijsters has earned her 500th career victory by beating Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Clijsters, who won the tournament in 2005 and 2010, advanced to the fourth round despite 10 double-faults and 39 unforced errors Sunday. Seeded second, Clijsters next plays No. 19 Ana Ivanovic.

Reigning French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, seeded fifth, beat Lourdes Dominguez Lino. No. 9 Agnieszka Radwanska eliminated No. 24 Maria Kirilenko.

Vindicator staff/wire reports