briefs.sept19

Martinez to miss remainder of season

BOSTON -- Boston Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez said Tuesday he will miss the rest of the season with inflammation in his right shoulder, confirming what had been expected since the team fell out of contention.

Although there was some question about his injury -- he said there was a small tear in the rotator cuff, which the team disputed -- there was no doubt that he was not the same pitcher who won three Cy Young Awards and had a 7-1 record and 1.44 ERA on Memorial Day.

After first going on the disabled list on June 27, Martinez returned on Aug. 26, but in three starts since he allowed five runs and 12 hits in 13 innings. After his last start, on Sept. 7, the team said he would not pitch again unless the Red Sox returned to the pennant race.

Blues tighten security at Savvis Center

ST. LOUIS -- Like other large sporting venues across the country, the Savvis Center plans heightened security measures, the St. Louis Blues announced Tuesday.

For hockey games and other events, there will be a larger security and police presence in and around the Savvis Center. There are also plans for increased surveillance and random inspections of items like purses and camera bags. Backpacks and similar items won't be allowed in.

Mark Sauer, CEO and president of the Blues and the Savvis Center, said he's confident that fans will experience little inconvenience.

The Blues' first preseason game is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Chicago Blackhawks. Their first two, which were to be played against the San Jose Sharks in Anchorage, Alaska, were canceled after the terrorist attacks.

The season opener is Oct. 4 at Columbus Blue Jackets.

Expos' Vazquez suffers fractured eye socket

MONTREAL -- Montreal Expos right-hander Javier Vazquez, one of baseball's hottest pitchers, had his right eye socket fractured when he was hit with a pitch during a game against the Florida Marlins.

The Expos confirmed the fracture Tuesday.

Vazquez spent Monday night at St. Mary's Hospital, where he had X-rays and a CAT scan.

Vazquez (16-11) went into the game on a six-game winning streak and had been voted the NL's pitcher of the month for August. He was 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA since June 15 and was 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in September.

The native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, had a 6-0 lead and appeared to be cruising to a victory in the fifth inning on Monday when he was hit on the helmet by Ryan Dempster.

Vazquez eventually got up and walked off the field.

Big 12 won't change championship game

DALLAS -- League officials on Tuesday said that the Big 12 Football Championship remains scheduled for Dec. 1 at Texas Stadium in Irving.

Ten games involving Big 12 teams were postponed last week after the terrorist attacks.

There had been talk of moving the championship game back a week, such as the SEC did, to allow teams an extra week to make up games.

The Big 12 decided against changing the date of the championship game after discussions with league officials and school representatives.

-- From wire reports