Briefly

Baseball

The defending champion United States baseball team failed to qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympics, stunned by Mexico 2-1 Friday in a qualifying tournament. The U.S. team was among the favorites to win the gold medal again, and there was a chance Roger Clemens would have pitched for the Americans.

The U.S. team went 3-0 in pool play while Mexico lost all three games. But Mexico advanced when the Bahamas forfeited by failing to show up.

The Cardinals declined to exercise their $2.5 million option on reliever Mike DeJean, making him a free agent. DeJean, 33, acquired by the Cardinals in August from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for two minor-league pitchers, went 5-8 with a 4.68 ERA last season. DeJean received a $200,000 buyout.

Former New York Yankees first-base coach Lee Mazzilli was hired to manage the Baltimore Orioles. Mazzilli, 48, becomes a major league manager for the first time.

A 19-year-old man arrested in the death of a Cincinnati Reds outfielder told police he was involved, according to court documents. Reginald Riddle of Harvey, Ill., made an initial court appearance Friday. He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and burglary but wasn't charged.

According to court records, Riddle told police that he was involved in the death of Reds outfielder Dernell Stenson.

Golf

Charles Howell III shot a 4-under 67 for a one-stroke lead entering weekend play at the Tour Championship in Houston, Texas. Howell was at 8-under 134 and will play in the final group today with 46-year-old Fred Funk (67). Retief Goosen (67) was another stroke back at 136.

Tigers Woods finished with another 70 and was at 140, six strokes behind. Vijay Singh (68) was tied for 16th at 141. He only needs to finish in a three-way tie for third to win the money title.

Annika Sorenstam opened with a 9-under-par 63 at the Mizuno Classic, which she is trying to win for the third straight year. South Korea's Grace Park and Jung Yeon Lee were two strokes back.

Motorsports

Ryan Newman took his third straight NASCAR Winston Cup pole and 11th of the season in qualifying at North Carolina Speedway. Newman bumped rookie Brian Vickers off the top spot by 0.011 seconds, earning the pole for Sunday's Pop Secret 400.

Track

British sprinter Dwain Chambers was suspended after it was confirmed he tested positive for the steroid THG. Chambers, the European 100-meter champion, was suspended pending a British disciplinary hearing. He faces a minimum suspension of two years and a lifetime Olympic ban.

-- From wire reports