TOUR DE FRANCE: Schleck in front
Simon Gerrans of Australia won yesterday’s 15th stage of the Tour de France after escaping from the pack in a four-man breakaway, clocking the 113.7-mile from Embrun to the Italian ski resort of Prato Nevoso in 4 hours, 50 minutes, 44 seconds. He beat Spain’s Egoi Martinez by three seconds.
Frank Schleck of Luxembourg took the yellow jersey and leads Bernhard Kohl of Germany by seven seconds and Cadel Evans by eight seconds. After today off, the race resumes tomorrow with a 97-mile stage from Cuneo to Jausiers. The race ends Sunday in Paris.
BASEBALL: Giants deal Durham
The Giants traded second baseman Ray Durham to the Brewers for two minor leaguers after the teams played yesterday. Durham was in a Giants uniform for the series finale against Milwaukee, but appeared prepared to leave town with the Brewers for St. Louis afterward.
* Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano (hand) will begin a rehab assignment today with Chicago’s rookie league team in Arizona and is expected to come off the disabled list on Thursday. . . . Rays activated closer Troy Percival (hamstring) from the 15-day DL yesterday.
TENNIS: Simon wins Indy tourney
Gilles Simon won the Indianapolis Championships, beating Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 6-4 . . . Aleksandra Wozniak became the first Canadian to win a WTA Tour singles title in 20 years, taking an advantage of a hip injury to Marion Bartoli to win the Bank of the West Classic 7-5, 6-3 yesterday in Stanford, Calif.
SOCCER: Fans clash in Columbus
A halftime brawl between more than 100 fans marred an exhibition match yesterday between West Ham United of the English Premier League club and the MLS’ Columbus Crew.
The fights, which overshadowed West Ham United’s 3-1 win, began when a handful of West Ham supporters eentered the corner of the stadium where the Crew’s most boisterous supporters typically gather. Columbus police and Crew Stadium security staff eventually separated the groups.
AUTO RACING: Race postponed due to rain
The TD Banknorth 250 featuring NASCAR’s Kevin Harvick against a field of top local and regional drivers was postponed yesterday because of rain. Race officials said qualifying heats would resume today, weather permitting.