Independence Day in the Bronx...Lincecum fans 8 Cubs to pad NL strikeout lead

NEW YORK (AP) The New York Yankees are hosting a July 4th day game at Yankee Stadium against archrival Boston to celebrate Independence Day. The Red Sox took the opener of the four-game weekend set by blanking the third-place Yankees 7-0 behind a Jon Lester five-hitter.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Tim Lincecum (LINZ'-ih-kuhm) increased his National League-leading strikeout total to 122 with eight in six innings and also singled in a run and scored a run in the San Francisco Giants' 8-3 win over the Chicago Cubs. The Giants earned a four-game split with the NL Central leaders.

WIMBLEDON (AP) Sunday's men's championship finalists are being determined by two semifinal matches today at Wimbledon. World number-1 Roger Federer takes an 8-and-2 lifetime mark into his match against Russian Marat Safin (mah-RAHT' SAH'-fihn), followed by Germany's Rainer Schuettler (RAY'-nur SHOOT'-lur) against second-seed Rafael Nadal (rah-fay-ehl nah-DAHL') of Spain.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) In a stunning development at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, Brendan Hansen has failed to make the team in the 200-meter breaststroke. The former world recordholder and bronze medalist at the Athens Games finished fourth with only the top two, Scott Spann and Eric Shanteau, going to Beijing.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) Randy Moss is diversifying. The New England Patriots' All-Pro receiver has bought half-interest in Morgan-Dollra Motorsports, a fledgling Nascar Truck Series team that has been racing this season without sponsorship.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-04-08 0431CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list