Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • 190

C2 THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2002 THE HARTFORD COURANT Butler Signs 3-Year Deal With Heat TheWeelcAhead THU, FBI. SAT. SUN. MON, TUE. WED.

Toronto Detroit 5 Detroit Detroit "tu vuvkc Cleveland Toronto Toronto Toronto 1:05 p.m. 7:05 p.m. 4.05p.m. Florida SPFIorida SFtonda SFlorida fc05p.m. NewHaven NewHaven NewHaven NewHaven Portland 135p.m.

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Jersey WOLVES 6pm N.Y.Buzz SpmgrW Delaware; KttMv 1 7p.m. 7pm 7pm i Starting Lines $12 MILLION DEAL FOR CHELIOS The Detroit Red Wings re-signed defenseman Chris Chelios, 40, to a two-year, $12 million deal Wednesday. "It was all friendly talk," Chelios said of negotiations The New York Islanders acquired center Jason Wlemer from the Florida Panthers for defenseman Branislav Me-zel. Wiemer, 26, had 11 goals, 20 assists and 178 penalty minutes last season. Mezei.

21, played 24 games with the Islanders last season The Buffalo Sabres re-signed right wing Rob Ray to a one-year contract Ray, 34, has spent his entire 13-year career with the Sabres. STARS SIGN GUERIN The Dallas Stars signed free agent right wing Bill Guerin to a five-year deal. Guerin, 31, set a career-high with 41 goals for the Boston Bruins last season and also had 25 assists. He finished tied for second in the league in goals and led the NHL in shots with 355. INDY 500 VICTORY UPHELD Hello Castroneves never doubted he was the winner of the Indianapolis 500.

He just had to wait five weeks for confirmation. Indy Racing League president Tony George rejected an appeal of the disputed finish between Castroneves and Paul Tracy, declaring the Brazilian the race winner. George said the decision by IRL vice president Brian Barnhart that Tracy's pass occurred after the yellow caution flag flew could not be appealed. EXTENSION FOR NOTRE DAME'S BREY Notre Dame rewarded basketball coach Mike Brey, the first to lead the Irish to consecutive 20-victory seasons his first two years, with a two-year contract extension through 2008-09. The Los Angeles Lakers signed Missouri guard Kareem Rush, the 20th pick in the NBA draft, to a three-year contract worth about $2.8 million.

Former NFL star Jim Brown was released from jail after completing a term for vandalizing his wife's car. He served nearly four months of a six-month sentence. YALE CREW WINS ITS OPENER Yale won by a length over King's College of London in the first round of the Temple Cup student eights at the Henley Royal Regatta at Henley-on-Thames, England. U.S. crews recorded six first-round victories in the Temple Cup Jerry Dusen berry, the former president of USA Boxing, pleaded guilty to sex abuse charges in Portland, and was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.

He pleaded guilty to criminal conduct with four Ullrich, who won the 1997 Tour de France, tested positive for amphetamines while recovering from a knee injury in June. He wasn't entered in this year's Tour, which starts Saturday, because of the injury. Jeff Clement of Marshalltown High in Iowa hit his 71st career home run to set the national high school record. Clement, a catcher drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 12th round last month, broke the record of 70 homers set by Yankees prospect Drew Henson in 1998. Compiled by Tim Castillo from wire reports Associated Press MIAMI The Miami Heat signed Ca-ron Butler, the 10th pick in the NBA draft, to a three-year contract Wednesday.

Terms were not disclosed, but under the NBA's rookie wage scale, the 10th pick can be offered a three-year deal worth about $4.5 million. Butler, a frfoot-6, 220-pound forward from UConn, is a slasher and a scorer with a reputation for playing his best in big games all attributes the Heat lacked last season as they finished 3646 for sixth place in the seven-team Atlantic Division. Small forward was the weakest position on coach Pat Riley's roster. Butler didn't miss a game because of injury in two seasons at UConn. He finished his college career with 1,136 points, 477 rebounds, 190 assists and 143 steals.

He shot 46.5 percent, including 36.4 percent on three-pointers. He also scored in double digits in all but one of his 63 college games. Butler is participating in the Heat's summer workouts, the team said. TheAir GOLF Noon: U.S. Women's Open, first round, ESPN 4 p.m.: Western Open, ESPN SOCCER 7:30 p.m.: MLS: Crew at Revolution, FS 8 p.m.: MLS: MetroStarsatBurn, MSG TENNIS 7 a.m.: Wimbledon, women's semifinals, TNT; noon: SDSB (same-day tape) 1p.m.: Indians at Yankees or Blue Jays at RedSox.ESPN2 1:35 p.m.: Eastern League: Ravens at Rock Cats, 1470, 1300 4 p.m.: Astros at Pirates, ESPN2 6p.m.:Metsat Marlins, Radio: 660 6 p.m.: Giants at Diamondbacks, ESPN; Radio: 1410 6:05 p.m.: EL: Navigators at Sea Dogs.

1420, 1310, 1400 7 p.m.: Cubs at Braves, ESPN2 9 p.m.: Orioles at Angels. ESPN AUTO RACING 8 p.m.: Pepsi 400 qualifying, FX BASEBALL 1p.m.: Indians at Yankees, Radio: 7 p.m.: YES (same-day tape) 1p.m.: Blue Jays at Red Sox, Radio: 1080,560,1400,980, 1350,1120 BASEBALL BIBB SO AVG AB TORONTO 2 0 0 0 Former Husky Finds Right Fit El Duque Talked Into English? Mets Let Another Slip Away Associated Press 254 80 .287 .248 .253 .225 .455 .232 .275 .000 .225 5 37 Berg 2b Hinske3b ShStewart If CDelgado lb Wells cf JoCruzrf JPhelpsdh FLopezss Huckabyc Swann pr Fletcher Totals By PAUL DOYLE COURANT STAFF WRITER BIBB SO By JACK O'CONNELL COURANT STAFF WRITER 2 0 3 0 CLEVEUND AB BIBB SO AVG Lawtonrf 4 0 1 2 1 1 .245 Vizquelss 5 0 1 1 0 1 .294 Burks dh 3 0 0 0 0 0 .264 JoCabreraph-dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 .111 Broussardph-dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 .190 Thome lb 5 1110 1 .281 Fryman 3b 5 2 3 1 0 0 .222 Bradley cf 5 1 2 0 0 0 .234 Magruderlf 5 1 2 0 0 0 .222 Gutierrez 2b 3 2 2 1 1 0 249 EOiazc 3 0 1 0 0 0 .215 Stevens ph 1 1 1 1 0 0 .333 EPerezc 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250 Totals 41 814 8 2 3 NEW YORK AB BIBB SO AVG ASoriano2b 4 113 0 1 321 Jeter ss 4 2 2 0 1 1 314 BWilliamscf 5 110 0 1 303 JaGiambilb 3 1110 1 312 NJohnsonlb 0 0 0 0 0 0 232 Mondesi rf 1 1 0 0 0 216 Posada 2 1 1 2 2 0 261 Coomerdh 4 1 2 2 0 1 254 White If 4 1 1 2 0 0 253 Wilson 3b 4 2 2 1 0 0 207 Totals 34111211 3 5 CLEVELAND 010 300 130- 8 14 0 NEW YORK 050 010 41X-11 12 0 0 0 1 1 AVG 207 .298 -316 345 .237 .251 .266 .224 .218 .255 .262 AB 34 BOSTON Damon dh Hillenbrand 3b Garciaparra ss MRamirezlf Henderson pr-lf Daubach rf Varitekc TCIarklb Offerman pr-lb Nixon cf Merloni 2b Totals 0 1 2 0 1 0 2 0 1 2 NEW YORK Orlando Hernandez will start for the Yankees Friday night but he isn't sure how to commu- nicate with the BOSTON There were moments when Pete Walker wondered whether he would ever have an opportunity to establish himself in the major leagues. In 1998, for instance, he tore up his knee while pitching for Boston's Triple A af 511 100 000 100-2 11 4 001 001 03X-5 11 1 TORONTO BOSTON media after the game. NOTEBOOK RED SOX NOTEBOOK E-Hinske (17). Huckaby (1).

Fletcher (1), Halla-day (1), Garciaparra (12). LOB-Toronto 11, Boston 10. 2B-Berg (11), ShStewart 2 (23). RBI Hinske (46), ShStewart (20), Hillenbrand 2 (51), TCIark (23), Merloni 10). SB-Damon 2 (20), Garciaparra (4), Henderson (6), Merloni (1).

OP-Torontol; Boston 2. TORONTO IP RERBBSO NP ERA Halladay 6ft 6 2 1 3 5 113 3.06 Eyre 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 5.27 PolitteL.1-2 1 4 3 3 0 2 34 4.50 LOB-Cleveland 8, New York 4. 2B-Bradley (6), Magruder (5), Stevens (1), Jeter (14), Coomer 2 (5). 3B-EWilson 2 (2). HR-Thome (26) off Dwells: ASoriano (20) off Sabathia; Fryman (8) off Dwells.

RBI-Lawton 2 (32), Vizquel (46). Thome (60), Fryman (37), Gutierrez 2 (12). Stevens (1), ASoriano 3 (51), JaGiambi (65), Posada 2 (56), Coomer 2 (10), White 2 (36), EWilson (9). 5F- ASoriano, JaGiambi. Bowles RERBBSO NP ERA CLEVELAND filiate in time, Walker was getting over a rotator cuff injury and starting to put his career on track.

Four years later, the East Lyme native is glad he didn't give up. At 6 7 6 6 2 3 83 4.95 ft 1 0.00 IP RERBBSO NP ERA 7 10 2 2 2 3 104 3.80 1 1 0 0 1 1 13 0.00 1 0 0 0 0 0 17 2.61 10 726 BOSTON Burkett Gomes 1-0 ft 1 2 2 1 0 ft 0 0 0 0 1 4 3.26 14 2. uroina 5, 22 ft 3 2 2 0 0 1110 1 11 5.14 Sabathia 6-7 Wohlers Rincon Shuey Paronto NEW YORK Dwells 9-5 Karsay Stanton 1 IP RERBBSO NP ERA Eyre pitched to 1 batter in 7th. HBP-by Bowles (Hillenbrand). Umpires-Home, Fieldin Cul-breth: First Bill Miller, Second, Bill Hohn; Third, Larry Young.

6ft ft 9 5 5 2 3 113 3.66 3 3 3 0 0 15 2.86 Urbina Gets Pedro's Spot BOSTON Ugueth Urbina was selected to the All-Star team Wednesday as a replacementfor Pedro Martinez, who declined his invitation. Urbina joins Shea Hillenbrand, Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Lowe and Johnny Damon to give the Red Sox six representatives on the American League Ail-Star team. "For me, it's an honor to be there," Urbina said. "It's a good feeling. It's going to be real fun." It will be the second All-Star appearance for Urbina (0-3, 2.61), who has 22 saves.

He was on the 1998 NL All-Star team when he was with Montreal. "I had a call this morning from interim general manager Mike Port and manager Grady Little," Urbina said. "I'm happy about it Anybody feels special about it They picked me last minute." This is the most players the Red Sox have put on the All-Star team since 1978, when they had seven. STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS WALKER ft 1 0 0 0 0 4 2.68 1 0 0 0 0 14 1.50 lft Balk-Sabathia. Umpires-Home, Mark Wegnen rirst, bin weiKe: becono.

unns tiuccione; inira, Tim Tschida. PHILADELPHIA Jimmy Rollins singled with two outs in the eighth inning to give the Phillies an 8-7 victory over the Mets Wednesday night Mike Piazza hit two three-run homers for the Mets, who lost for the fifth time in seven games. Scott Strickland (6-5) retired the first two batters in the eighth, but left after Ricky Ledee doubled. Mark Guthrie entered and Rollins lined his first pitch into center, scoring Ledee to give the Phillies an 8-7 lead. Dan Plesac (2-1) pitched hit-less innings, and Jose Mesa worked the ninth, striking out Pi-am with a runner on first for his 22nd save in 26 chances.

"I was trying to hit the ball out of the park," Piazza said of the 3-and-2 pitch he missed. After Piazza's second homer gave the Mets a 7-6 lead in the seventh, Bobby Abreu walked to start the bottom of the inning against Jaime Cerda. Strickland entered, Abreu stole second and Pat Burrell hit a double to right-center that tied it at 7. Mets starter Jeff D'Amico allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings. He has won once in his last seven starts.

Randy Wolf gave up four runs and five hits in six innings for the Phillies. Trailing 64, the Mets rallied with two outs in the seventh off reliever Carlos Silva. Roger Cedeno and Edgardo Alfonzo singled. Piazza then hit a 2-and-l pitch into the right field bullpen for his 17th homer and a 7-6 lead. Piazza hitathree-runhomer off Wolf an inning earlier for a 3-1 lead.

Mo Vaughn followed with a solo shot his 10th that made it 4-1, but the Phillies answered with five runs in the bottom half. "We swung the bats welt" Mets manager Bobby Valentine said. "We just didn't hold them." El Duque, a native Cuban who speaks little English, has been told by Yankees management that he may no longer use Leo Astacio, the team's assistant video coordinator, as his exclusive interpreter for interviews. "I don't know what to do," Hernandez said in halting English. "My English a little OK, but not for reporters.

They write for many thousands of people. I don't want to say something wrong or get my English words mixed up." This is the second time in five seasons the issue of El Duque's interpreter has come up. Former first base coach Jose Cardenal handled the duties in 1998 and '99 but resigned after the Yankees declined his request for a $30,000 raise for his language services. "You have to ask general manager Brian Cashman," Hernandez said. "He says Leo has to work.

Other Spanish-speaking players have to work. They can't do it so what can I do? Cashman said to me, 'Five I don't know." Hernandez implied that the Yankees believe he should be able to handle interviews in English by now. Actually, peer pressure may be part of the equation. Pitcher Ramiro Mendoza of Panama was shy about doing interviews for several years, and second baseman Alfonso Soriano, a Dominican, spoke no English two years ago. Both now do inter- views in English.

Said one Yankees player "The feeling among some Hispanic players is that if they can communicate with their teammates and the press in English, then why can't El Duque?" "The Yankees are not trying to force El Duque to speak English," Cashman said. "We are a diversified organization and have people in the clubhouse other than Leo who can help him. We just don't want someone taken from his job to do it." Knight Replaces Choate After the game, the Yankees optioned lefthander Randy Choate to Triple A Columbus and called up righthander Brandon Knight Manager Joe Torre said he hasn't decided whether Roger Clemens will start Sunday, though Clemens said he is planning on it Clemens had tightness in his right thigh Tuesday. the age of 33, Walker has arrived. Claimed on waivers by the Blue Jays in May, Walker will start against the Red Sox today at Fenway Park.

Since joining the Jays, he is 34, 2.76 in 20 games, including four starts. Walker may have been the Mets' best pitcher in spring training. But he was sent to Triple returned to the Mets for one appearance and then claimed by Toronto. As it turned out, the rebuilding Jays were the perfect team for Walker. After five brief promotions to the majors and seven trips to the disabled list, Walker was healthy and looking for an opportunity.

"I always felt like I could get hitters out at this level," Walker said. "But I've been hurt, and you sort of fall out of the loop. There were some doubts, but something kept me Walker was drafted by the Mets in 1990 after pitching UConn into the NCAA tournament He quickly became a top prospect and once was seen as a future closer. But injuries derailed his career and he was traded to the Padres in 1996. The next season, he signed with the Red Sox after injuring his shoulder and finished the season in Pawtucket The knee injury was next, but Walker eventually appeared in "After so many years, people start forgetting about you," Walker said.

"But it's exciting to pitch here. I don't think Til be too caught up in it because I've been around for. so long now. But it's still Fenway Park. Anyone who grows up in New England dreams of playing here." Rotation Decisions Tim Wakefield or Sunny Kim will start Sunday against Detroit The post-break rotation: John Burkett Derek Lowe, Frank Castillo and Pedro Martinez.

By slotting Martinez fourth, the Red Sox are giving their ace a week off. Johnny Damon, who had sore legs during the doubleheader Tuesday, was the DH Wednesday. Trot Nixon played center field, and Brian Daubach started in right Owner John Henry and president Larry Lucchino held an informal session with the print media Wednesday afternoon. Lucchino voiced support for commissioner Bud Selig, who has come under fire during collective bargaining talks. "Bud's being vilified, we think unfairly," Lucchino said.

"There is a mis-perception that Bud Selig is a one-man band marching to his own drummer. He really is carrying water foraunified set of clubs and pushing issues that are being thrust upon him by one ofhis 2000 before returning to the Mets. "After trying to get my foot back in the door, this is a perfect situation for me," Walker said. "I'm finally able to do what I can physically." Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi was familiar with Walker from his of scouting throughout New England.

So when the Jays needed depth, they claimed Walker. Walker made his first major league start on May 28, when the Red Sox were visiting Toronto. Today, he pitches in the park he grew up visiting. There probably will be about 20 family members at the game. Mondesi's Hustle Helps three games for the Rockies in Damon Has Two Hits, Two Stolen Bases NEW YORK AB BIBS SO AVG Cedeno If 5 2 3 0 0 0 250 Alfonzo 3b 3 1 1 0 2 0 200 Piazzac 5 2 2 6 0 1 281 Vaughnlb 3 11112 250 Paytoncf 4 0 0 0 0 1 257 Strickland 0 0 0 0 0 0 Guthrie 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Valentin ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 229 Weathers 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Cerda 0 0 0 0 0 0 TPerezcf 1 0 0 0 0 0 230 Burnitzrf 4 0 0 0 0 2 212 McEwing2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 .189 Alomar ph-2b 2 0 0 0 0 0 258 D'Amico 2 1 1 0 0 0 .103 Ordonez ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 236 Totals 36 7 8 7 3 7 PHILADELPHIA AB BIBB SO AVG Ledeecf 5 1 2 0 0 2 213 Rollins SS 5 1 2 1 0 0 263 BAbreurf 3 2 12 10 211 Burrelllf 4 2 3 2 0 1 290 Rolen 3b 4 1 2 0 0 0 253 Anderson 2b 3 1 1 1 1 0 277 Lieberthal 4 0 2 1 0 0 267 ToPerezlb 3 0 0 0 1 0 231 Wolfp 1 0 0 0 0 1 .115 Glanvilleph 1 0 1 1 00 223 CSilvap 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Plesac 0 0 0 0 0 0 Michaels ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 209 Mesap 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 34 8 14 8 3 5 hot weather.

I have a tendency of not staying back and rushing my pitches, trying to get us off the field. It's nice to have the offense we have." The Yankees hit for a team cycle in the second inning with singles by Jason Giambi, Rondell White and Derek Jeter, a double by Ron Coomer, a triple by Enrique Wilson and a home run by Alfonso Soriano to give Wells a 5-1 lead. Wells gave back three runs in the fourth, and it was still a one-run game when he departed in the seventh after giving up Thome's home run, a long opposite-field drive. Thome's seven-game homer streak is one off the record held by Dale Long of the Pirates (1956), Don Mattingly of the Yankees (1987) and Ken Griffey Jr. of the Mariners (1993).

"It's nice, but it's not fun when you don't win," Thome said. In his seven-game streak, the Indians are 2-5. For the second consecutive game, the Yankees got to Cleveland's bullpen in the seventh. With two outs, newcomer Raul Mondesi hustled and beat out an infield hit as he slid into first base. Jorge Posada followed with a two-run single and Coomer drove in two more with his second double.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE Cl day night after the Yankees slugged their way to an 11-8 victory over the Indians. The intense heat and humidity took a toll on the portly Wells, but unlike earlier in his career the lefthander did not run up a white flag. Such a situation in an early 1998 game at Texas led to a confrontation between Wells and Yankees manager Joe Torre, after which they reached an understanding that Wells would quit quitting on soggy nights when he didn't have his best stuff. A little more than a week later, Wells pitched a perfect game at Yankee Stadium. "Boomer held it together," Torre said after his team moved a season-high 21 games over .500.

"He struggled early on, but he hung in there until he found that his changeup could be a key pitch for him." Pitching coach Mel Stottle-myre helped Wells get through his 6-inning stint assisting him in changing his shirt six times, his jersey four times and his shoes three times while the pitcher drained water bottles. "I think did my job, by pitching into the seventh and keeping us in the game," Wells (9-5) said. Tm not going'tp lie to you. I hate NEW YORK PHILADELPHIA 000 004 300-7 8 0 010 005 llx-8 14 1 they had five against the Brewers on May 10, 1994. The Red Sox needed to be creative after struggling against Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay.

As Toronto's lone All-Star, Halladay has been one of the few bright spots for the Jays this season. He allowed two runs on six hits in 6 innings. The second run came on his errant pickoff throw to first allowing Nomar Garciaparra to score from third in the sixth. The first run scored in the third inning, when Damon stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error, and came home onagroundout The Red Sox got seven innings from starter John Burkett (two runs, 10 hits) before Wayne Gomes pitched a scoreless eighth for the victory in his first appearance with the Red Sox. Ugueth Urbina pitched the ninth for his 22dsave.

urkett allowed a run in the CONTINUED FROM PAGE CI When Clark left for a pinch runner, the crowd chanted his first name. The man whose batting average hasn't come close to matching his weight was finally a hero. "Tony Clark, he has neverbeen anything but professional going through his tough time," manager Grady Little said. "His character is second to none as far as being a good teammate and a guy that always has a smile on his face." The Red Sox also got offense from their more predictable sources. Manny Ramirez had two hits and Damon had two hits, three walks and two stolen bases.

Damon has 20 stolen bases, the most by a Red Sox player before the All-Star break since Otis Nixon had 34 in 1994. And the Red Sox stole five -f- ises, the most in a game since first and the tying run in the seventh on three consecutive singles. But with runners on first and second, Burkett got Shannon Stewart to ground to Shea Hillenbrand for a 5-3 double play. After walking Carlos Delgado, Burkett struck out Vernon Wells to end the rally. After Clark's single off Cliff Po-litte scored pinch runner Rickey Henderson, the Red Sox added two runs to provide a cushion for Urbina.

They have won four in a row and should glide into the All-Star break. They play the Jays today and then host the Tigers for three games. The Red Sox are 50-31 after 81 games. "I think the numbers kind of speak for themselves," Little said. "We won 50 games in half the season and we'll take that every day.

We were happy with what we were able to do and we're looking forward to the second half." i E-Rolen (8). LOB New York 5, Philadelphia 6. 2B-Ledee (6), Burrell (17), MAnderson (17). 3B Rollins (7). HR Burrell (21)off D'Amico; BA-breu (7) off D'Amico; Vaughn (10) off Wolf; Piazza 2 (17) off CSilva, Wolf.

RSI-Piazza 6 (53), Vaughn (34). Rollins (31), BAbreu 2 (43). Burrell 2 (61), MAnderson (24), Lieberthal (25). Glanville (15). SB-BAbreu (15).

Rolen (4). CS-Roliins (8X raien (. s-won. w-New yoik i. NEW YORK RERBBSO NP ERA 5 8 4 4 0 3 88 4.72 ft 3 2 2 1 0 15 2.89 ft 0 1 1 1 1 13 2.45 lft 2 1 1 1 1 23 3.69 D'Amico Weathers Cerda Strickland 6-5 Guthrie PHILADELPHIA Wolf CSilva Plesac W.

2-1 ft 1 0 0 0 0 4 1.61 RERBBSO NP ERA 5 4 4 1 6 100 4.44 6 ft 3 3 3 0 0 15 2.95 lft 0 0 0 1 0 21 620 1 0 0 0 1 1 13 220 MesaS. 22 D'Amico pitched to 3 batters in 6th: Cerda Pitched to 1 batter in 7th: Guthrie pitched to 1 after in 8th. Umpires-Home, Tim McClelland; First, Chuck Meriwether; Second, Ted Barrett; Third. Brian Runje.T-3: 15. A-50296 3.