Star-Gazette from Elmira, New York • 10

i I1 SPORTS Star-Gazette, www.stargazette.com, Monday, September 2, 2002 3B Meunier-Lebouc captures first career LPGA victory GOLFROUNDUP 13 under and into a three-way tie for third with Fiji's Vijay Singh (65) and Australian Robert Allenby (70). Senior PGA: Bob Gilder shot a 4-under 67 in a tense duel with South Africa's John Bland to win the Allianz Championship in West Des Moines, Iowa, by one stroke. Gilder, who played with Bland in the final group, had to nail a 4-foot putt for par on 18 to secure his third victory on the Senior PGA Tour this year. The Associated Press France's Patricia Meunier-Lebouc won her first LPGA Tour title Sunday, shooting a 5-under 67 for a two-stroke victory in the State Farm Classic in Springfield, 111. Meunier-Lebouc, playing her second season on the LPGA Tour after winning five times on the Ladies European Tour, had an 18-under 270 total on the Rail Golf Course.

1989. The 13-year gap between wins is the third longest in tour history. Lowery, who also finished second to Joel Edwards last year, shot a 68, missing an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole. SAUERS Craig Barlow (68) bogeyed the final hole to fall to i oome Homer in wild 9th gives A's their 18th win in row AREACOLLEGES -EG women win soccer opener Star-Gazette Li Freshman Jennifer Tuttle scored goals Sunday as the Elmira College women's soccer team opened its season with a 4-1 home victory over Lycoming College. Stacey Brown assisted on all three of Tuttle's goals.

Holly Latour scored Elmira's other goal. FIELD HOCKEY Assumption 2, Mansfield 1: In a rematch of last year's Eastern College Athletic Conference Division II championship game, Assumption College (Worcester, Mass.) defeated visiting Mansfield University. Mansfield, which beat Assumption 2-1 to claim the ECAC title, was putshot 13-4. Assumption had a 14-2 edge in penalty corners. Jennifer Lechner scored Mansfield's only goal off an assist from "-Kristi Swartz.

Heather Long saves for the Mountaineers (0-2), who host Mercy-hurst at 4 p.m. Wednesday in their home opener. AUTO RACING Schumacher earns record 10th Fl win SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium Five-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher set a record for most victories in one season Sunday with a win in Jays 0 senes XI i 1 MEUNIER-LEBOUC heim Cup team, closing with a 69 to tie for fourth at Miguel Tejada rounds the bases homer in the bottom of the ninth. South Korean stars Se Ri Pak and Mi Hyun Kim tied for second. Pak shot a 65, and Kim, the 1999 tournament winner, had a 69.

Emilee Klein played her way onto the U.S. Sol- Illliilll WKW imsr 15 under with rookie Beth Bauer (67) and England's Laura Davies (67). PGA: Gene Sauers won the Air Canada Championship in Surrey, British Columbia, closing with a 2-under 69 for a one-stroke victory over Steve Lowery. The 40-year-old Sauers, who hasn't had a full PGA Tour card since 1996, finished with a 15-under 267 for his third tour victory and first since The Associated Press after hitting his winning I ilpaKillllMIISB illllplilllilllilllBllilil Twins Athletics The Associated Press OAKLAND, Calif. Miguel Tejada hit a dramatic three-run homer as the Oakland A's blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning, then rallied to beat the Minnesota Twins 7-5 Sunday to extend their winning streak to 18 games, baseball's longest in 49 years.

The first game-ending homer of Tejada's career extended the majors' longest winning streak since 1953, when the New York Yankees also won 18 a row, on a day it seemed certain to continue and then seemed certain to end when Oakland allowed three solo homers in the top of the ninth. "This thing has a life of its own," Oakland manager Art Howe said of the longest streak in franchise history, besting the 17-gamer by the 1931 Philadelphia A s. "I can't say I'm surprised by anything that happens. We sort of blew that game, but Miggy found a way to get it for us anyway." Matthew LeCroy, Corey Koskie and Mike Cuddyer homered for Minnesota in an improbable rally that ruined the complete-game hopes of Mark Mulder and sent the Coliseum into stunned, empty silence. But in the ninth, Ramon Hernandez walked and Ray Durham singled against ace closer Eddie Guardado (1-3).

Pinch-hitter Olmedo Saenz struck out, setting the stage for Tejada's homer. Bv sweeping AL Central-leading Minnesota, the A's won their ninth straight series. When ace Barry Zito goes for his 20th win today against Kansas City, the A's have a shot to tie the AL record of 19 straight victories set by the White Sox in 1906 and tied by the Yankees in 1947. The longest streak in major-league history is 26 by the 1916 New York Giants. Around baseball The New York Mets matched the longest home losing streak in National League history with their 1 4th straight Yankees 6 Blue Jays The Associated Press Yankees starter David Wells walks off the field after giving up four runs in the sixth inning.

Roy Halladay (15-6) won for the first time in four starts. He allowed five rims and nine hits in seven-plus innings. Kelvim Escobar pitched the ninth for his 28th save in 35 chances. He gave up Jason Giambi's 33rd home run of the season. "It wasn't one of our best road trips," Bernie Williams said.

"If you want to make the postseason and be strong in the postseason you have to play better than this." Williams hit RBI singles in the first and third, giving New York a 2-Olead. Rondell White led off the Yankees' fourth with his 12th home run. He entered the at-bat in a 4-for-31 slump. Wells pitched five scoreless innings before allowing four runs in the sixth. helps Josh Phelps drives in three runs as Toronto wins three of four.

The Associated Press TORONTO Rookie Josh Phelps thoroughly enjoyed wrecking New York's weekend. Phelps doubled twice and drove in three runs and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Yankees on Sunday. Phelps went 8-for-14 with 10 RBIs as the Blue Jays took three of four from the AL East leaders. "It's always nice to beat up on the Yankees when you get the chance. You can't beat it," Phelps said.

"When I look at 10 RBIs I say, 'Wow, that's a great The Yankees, who have lost just two of their last 19 series, started their six-game road trip by sweeping a two-game series against Boston. "We started off good and ended up terrible," David Wells said. "We got our behinds kicked in Toronto. We just have to regroup." With the score tied at 4 in the seventh, Toronto's Jayson Werth singled off Wells (15-7) for his first major-league hit. Wells then walked Shannon Stewart before Dave Berg, who played for the old Elmira Pioneers of the New York-Penn League, hit a tiebreaking single to center.

Vernon Wells followed with an RBI single off Ramiro Mendoza and Phelps hit an RBI double, giving Toronto a 7-4 lead. "Josh is swinging the bat real well. He's one of our guys that we are counting on for the future," said Toronto manager Carlos Tosca, whose team has 13 rookies. Kansas City's first-round draft pick in 2000, was placed on injured reserve and will miss the entire season for the second year in a row. Anthony Wright, who started five games at quarterback over the past two seasons, and kicker Tim Seder were among 18 players cut by the Dallas Cowboys.

The Detroit Lions cut 1 2 players, with the biggest surprise being former first-round draft pick cornerback Terry Fair. Center Luke Butkus, the nephew of Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, one of the best players in the history of the Chicago Bears, was cut by the Bears. Boston 7-1 Mark become Sox beat Scott high with for the Angels Jared as the only season Rangers. David one out Arizona the San Red Sox over the Cleveland Indians Buehrle pitched a seven-hitter to the first Chicago White Sox lefthander with 1 7 wins since 1 985 as the White the Detroit Tigers 7-0. Spiezio homered and tied a career four RBIs, helping John Lackey win fifth time in six starts as the Anaheim beat the Baltimore Orioles 9-3.

Sandberg and Randy Winn homered Tampa Bay Devil Rays completed their second series sweep of the with an 8-3 win over the Texas Dellucci hit a two-run double with in the bottom of the ninth to give the Diamondbacks a 7-6 victory over Francisco Giants. Kevin Millwood hit a two-run double on his way to winning his sixth straight decision as the Atlanta Braves beat the Montreal Expos 6-4 for a three-game sweep. Ron Gant homered to reach 1 ,000 career RBIs and the San Diego Padres sent the Colorado Rockies to their season-high ninth straight toss, 9-5. Kevin Millar drove in the go-ahead run for the third straight game and the Florida Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-4 to complete a series sweep. Dan Wilson homered and drove in three runs as the Seattle Mariners broke out of their hitting doldrums and beat the Kansas City Royals 9-4.

Manny Ramirez and Brian Daubach hit consecutive home runs, and Tim Wakefield pitched seven strong innings to lead the The skid is the longest at home in the majors since Detroit dropped the final 1 7 games at Tiger Stadium in 1996. "It is demoralizing," said Mike Piazza, who watched the latest loss with a sore wrist. "Everyone has had losing streaks, everyone has had slumps. But this is uncharted waters for me. I'm a little bit in shock." Pat Burrell, Todd Pratt and Tomas Perez all homered off Leiter (11-11), who lasted two-plus innings in his shortest regular season start in 14 years.

Angel Echevarria homered and Alex Gonzalez singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the Chicago Cubs rallied to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4. Hideo Nomo won for the 1 1th time in his last 12 decisions, pitching the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Houston Astros 2-1 Belgian vGrand Prix. Schumacher won his 10th race this season, roaring out from 2tlie pole position to complete the 44-lap race on tl)e scenic 4.327-mile track in one SCHUMACHER hour, 21 min- v.Utes, 20.634 seconds. Schumacher now hold records for most victories in one season, most Grand Prix wins (63), and most championship points (923).

Junqueira holds on to win CART race in Denver i. DENVER Bruno Junqueira, hoping he still has time to get back into the CART championship chase, led from start to finisn Sunday in the inaugural Shell Grand Prix of Denver. Junqueira had to hold off a late by TargetChip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon, who could only try to pressure the leader into a mistake, The strategy didn't work as yunqueira's Toyota-powered Lola i crossed the finish line 0.282-sec-; onds ahead of Dixon's. Six teams commit to CART for 2003 season DENVER Six teams pledged to return to CART in giving the embattled Champ series a much-needed boost. At a press conference before the 'Shell Grand Prix of Denver, team owners of Newman Haas Racing, Fernandez Racing, Patrick Racing, Players 'Forsythe Racing and Walker Racing and the CEO of Team Rahal announced their commitments to CART next season.

teams TargetChip Ganassi Racing, Team Kool Green and Morris Nunn Racing have not announced their intentions. All three are expected to field teams in the rival Indy Racing League next season, but have said there is still a possibilitv they could run in CART. QUICKHITS Orientate beat a field that included champion sprinter Squirtle Squirt in the $250,000 Forego Handicap at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday. The University of Pittsburgh's men's basketball team, which won a school-record 29 games last season, has sold out of "season tickets. Mark Millon had five goals and two assists as the Baltimore Bayhawks beat the defending-champion Long Island Lizards 21- 13 in the Major League Lacrosse championship.

The Associated Press college football poll, which is normally released on Sundays, will be released today. SPORTSPEOPLE Tennessee linebacker Kevin Burnett likely will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee against Wyoming on Saturday. Clemson starting cornerback a -Toure Francis likely will miss the season with a torn knee ligament. "Compiled from wire reports. defeat at Shea Stadium as the Philadelphia Phillies pounded Al Leiter for three homers in a 9-5 victory.

One day after completing the first winless month at home in NL history, the Mets matched the Boston Braves' 14-game home skid in 191 1 for the longest in league history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The major-league record is 20 by the St. Louis Browns in 1953. The Mets broke a tie with the 1979 team for the longest losing streak ever at home. Running back Robert Edwards took a big step in his comeback from a devastating knee injury 312 years ago by making the Miami Dolphins' regular-season roster.

Veteran running back Terry Allen, who has overcome numerous knee operations, was released by the New Orleans Saints. ESPN reported that Rodney Peete will be the Carolina Panthers' opening-day starter at quarterback after beating out Chris Weinke, last year's starter. The return of receiver Jimmy Smith made Darnay Scott expendable to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who cut the nine-year veteran. Around the NFL Safety Travares Tillman, Buffalo's second-round pick in the 2000 draft, was among 13 players released by the Bills. Among the other notable players released were defensive end Shawn Price, a nine-year veteran who had re-signed with Buffalo two weeks ago, and running back Richard Huntley, a five-year NFL veteran attempting to rejuvenate his career in Buffalo.

The Oakland Raiders released veteran linebacker Greg Biekert. The Raiders had asked the 1 0-year pro to take a pay cut of $1 .5 mil- Running Continued from Page IB For information, e-mail race director Fraser Williams at fras-evffi localnet.com. The 28th annual Ithaca 5 10 race is set for 9 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 15 at Ithaca High School. Both the 5- and 10-mile road races are USATF distance-certified, and both are designated as Road Runners Club of America Eastern Regional Championships.

Pre-registration fees are $10 without a T-shirt or $15 with a T-shirt, by Sept. 10. The race-day entry fee is $20, with no T-shirt guarantee. Students ages 18 and under pay half price, without a T-shirt. Race-day registration will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

at the high school activities building. Race applications can be downloaded from the Finger Lakes Runners Club Web site: www.cee.cor-nell.edu-flrcflrc.html. For tion, e-mail race director Lorrie Mar-nell at Diane Sherrer contributes a column on running every week in season. The Star-Gazette is happy to forward questions, comments and information to her. Send them in care of the Star-Gazette at P.O.

Box 285, Elmira, NY 14902. or fax to 607734-3004. You can e-mail her at dysherrermymailstation.com. On the Net For season previews and comprehensive coverage of each NFL team, go to www.stargazette.com. lion from the $2.5 million he was scheduled to make this season, and Biekert wasn't willing.

Cedric Scott and Ross Kolodziej, defensive linemen who were drafted last year, were among five players waived by the New York Giants. Wide receiver Sylvester Morris, ItfiTiffjiii Realty Group ext, 13 kciarkccchotmail.com rSffffflfTn Mike Realty Group! Salesperson Kathy Clark Salesperson -A Business As Usual! 1 -a. 607-732-0200 ext. 20 mham0755aol.com 607-732-0200.