Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.sports From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: sports Fri, May 8 1992 Date: Fri, 8 May 92 05:31:37 EDT Message-ID: 05-08 0000 DECISIONLINE: Sports USA TODAY Update May 8-10, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network BRUINS, RANGERS WIN: The Boston Bruins took a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Adams Division final Thursday with a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Vladimir Ruzicka scored the go-ahead goal for the Bruins who can win the series Saturday. In the Patrick Division final, the New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-5 in overtime on a goal by Kris King to take a 2-1 series lead. BLACKHAWKS CAN CLINCH: The Chicago Blackhawks can win the Norris Division final in four games if they beat visiting Detroit Friday in NHL playoff action. Also, the Edmonton Oilers take a 2-1 lead in the Smythe Division final into Friday's home game against Vancouver. BULLS EVEN SERIES: The Chicago Bulls held the New York Knicks scoreless for the final two minutes Thursday and evened the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series at 1-1 with an 86-78 win. The series shifts to New York Saturday and Sunday for the next two games. In the Western Conference semifinals, the Portland Trail Blazers took a 2-0 series lead, downing the Phoenix Suns 126-119. OAKLAND DOWNS DETROIT: The Oakland Athletics downed the Detroit Tigers 6-2 Thursday as Mark McGwire hit his 14th home run in just the 29th game of the season for the A's. Bob Welch (1-1) pitched seven shutout innings for the win. In other AL games: Chicago 7, Boston 6; Baltimore 5, Minnesota 4; Kansas City 6, Milwaukee 4; Cleveland 8, Texas 7; Toronto 8, Seattle 7; California 6, New York 0. GIANTS TOP CARDINALS: Bill Swift threw a four-hitter to improve his record to 6-0 as the San Francisco Giants topped the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 Thursday. Swift, who never has won more than eight games in a season, lowered his league-leading ERA to 1.29. In other NL games: Cincinnati 4, New York 2; Atlanta 4, Pittsburgh 2; Chicago 9, Houston 2. LEMOND TO WEAR JERSEY: Greg LeMond returned to his winning ways Thursday, capturing the windy and cold opening stage of the Tour Du Pont Thursday night. It was the first race he has won since the 1990 Tour de France, and his first in the USA since 1985. LeMond, who rides for the French team Z, finished the 3-mile time trial in 6 minutes, 18.88 seconds. LeMond will wear the yellow leader jersey in Friday's first stage. CORDERO ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT: Jockey Angel Cordero Jr. announced Thursday that he will retire as a rider and become a full-time trainer. Cordero, who is third all-time with 7,076 thoroughbred wins, decided to retire rather than risk further injury - he was hurt seriously in a four-horse spill Jan. 12 at Aqueduct race track and hasn't raced since. He won six triple crown races, including three Kentucky Derbies. FIRE NEED WIN: The Birmingham (Ala.) Fire need a win Sunday against the Montreal Machine to stay alive in the World League playoff hunt. The prospects are good, as the Fire (4-2-1) are 3-0 at home this season, while the Machine (2-5) have yet to win on the road. Also Sunday: San Antonio (5-2) plays at Barcelona (5-2); New York:New Jersey Knights (3-4) visit the (Columbus) Ohio Glory (1-6). EDBERG WINS, CAPRIATI LOSES: Top-seeded Stefan Edberg of Sweden defeated Spain's Francisco Clavet 6-3, 6-1, advancing to the quarterfinals of the German Open in Hamburg. Italy's Omar Camporese defeated fellow countryman Stefano Pescosolido 6-4, 6-4. All other third-round matches were suspended or postponed because of rain. Also, Jennifer Capriati was beaten by Amanda Coetzer 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in the Italian Open. AMERICA'S CUP FINAL TO BEGIN: The America's Cup best-of-seven final between Italy's Il Moro di Venezia syndicate and America 3 begins Saturday (ABC, 3 p.m. EDT). The world's oldest, continuously contested sporting event will pit Bill Koch, head of the U.S. syndicate against Raul Gardini, who heads up the Italian syndicate. Races continue Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. STANDLY LEADS BELLSOUTH CLASSIC: Mike Standly shot 5-under-par 67 Thursday for a one-stroke lead after the first round of the BellSouth Classic PGA Tour event at Atlanta Country Club. He leads five players at 68, including defending champion Corey Pavin. SANDERSON BEING INVESTIGATED: Alabama basketball coach Wimp Sanderson is being investigated on charges that he struck a female athletic department assistant. University officials refuse to identify the woman or specifics of the case but confirmed they have opened an investigation. Sanderson did not return phone calls Thursday but told the Birmingham Post-Herald, "I just can't talk about it." 24-HOUR TELEPHONE INFORMATION: USA TODAY Sports Hot Line. 95 cents a minute. 1-900-555-5555. Sports Editor: Jason P. Smith. (919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM