National Sports Briefs

Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 13, 2007

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Mark Sweeney insists he never had any amphetamines in his locker for San Francisco teammate Barry Bonds to take.

Sweeney said Friday he was shocked to learn that Bonds apparently mentioned his name in connection with the slugger’s failed amphetamines test last summer. The New York Daily News reported Thursday that Bonds failed the test and initially attributed it to a substance he took from Sweeney’s locker.

“There was nothing I had for him to take or for me to give to him,” Sweeney told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

Sweeney moved forward after being told by Gene Orza, the union’s chief operating officer, that his name had come up with a failed test for the stimulants. He wasn’t informed of the player’s name.

“That was kind of a shock,” Sweeney said. “I heard my name was mentioned. I didn’t know who mentioned it. I didn’t know how or why.”

* NEW YORK — Batting champions Joe Mauer and Freddy Sanchez and AL MVP Justin Morneau were among 106 players who filed Friday for salary arbitration, set to get big raises for next season. Florida’s Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera also filed, as did Joe Crede of the Chicago White Sox.

SOCCER

INDIANAPOLIS — Maryland All-American Maurice Edu was taken by Toronto with the top pick at Friday’s Major League Soccer draft as the David Beckham signing dominated the conversation.

Beckham agreed a day earlier to a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Edu, a 20-year-old midfielder who left Maryland after his junior season, was excited about the Beckham deal.

“When I was growing up, David Beckham was someone I held in awe,” Edu said.

NBA

NEW YORK — NBA official Rodney Mott was suspended three games without pay Friday for making an obscene gesture toward a fan and also using inappropriate language.

TYSON

PHOENIX — Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson has been indicted on charges of drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs. If convicted of all four charges, he could be sentenced to up to 71/2 years in prison.

ATSUR

RALEIGH — North Carolina State point guard Engin Atsur probably will miss today’s game at Wake Forest with a nagging hamstring injury, coach Sidney Lowe said.

Atsur has played just once since he was injured Nov. 27 against Michigan and has missed 10 of the past 11 games. He had 10 assists but went scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting in 31 minutes of a loss to Boston College on

Jan. 6.

The Pack (10-6, 0-3 ACC) have been plagued by a short bench in Lowe’s first season.

GOLF

HONOLULU — Chad Campbell chipped in twice on his way to a 5-under 65 on Friday, giving him a two-shot lead among early starters.