Sports wire

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed right-hander Esteban Loaiza off waivers from the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, assuming more than US$8 million in guaranteed salary.

Loaiza, a two-time all-star, had made only two starts after missing the first 4 1/2 months of the season because of three different injuries. He allowed just three earned runs in 14 2-3 innings in the two starts, both against the Toronto Blue Jays, and gives the Dodgers depleted rotation a boost for the stretch run.



Champ Car race cancelled

PHOENIX (AP) - The promoters of the season-ending Champ Car World Series event in Phoenix on Dec. 2 have cancelled the inaugural event because of a lack of sponsor support.

''An event of this magnitude requires considerable corporate support and, though we did establish some outstanding partnerships, there were simply not enough of these to create economic viability,'' said Dale Jensen, owner and managing member of the Sports Property.

The race would have been run on a newly constructed downtown street circuit.

The group, which also promoted the season-opening race in Las Vegas in April, said that event will continue, with the second edition on April 6, 2008.



Calvillo leads CFL award winners

TORONTO (CP) - Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo was named CFL offensive player of the week Wednesday after leading the Alouettes to a 27-9 win over Hamilton last weekend.

Calvillo completed 30 of 44 passes for 354 yards and one touchdown. Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Kevin Glenn was also considered.

Calvillo's teammate, defensive end Alain Kashama, was named Canadian player of the week. He recorded two tackles, including one sack for a nine-yard loss.

Alouettes offensive tackle Dave Mudge and safety Etienne Boulay were runners-up.

Blue Bombers safety Kyries Hebert was named defensive player of the week and Hamilton Tiger-Cats kicker Nick Setta was named special teams player of the week.

Hebert had two sacks and finished with four tackles. Toronto Argonauts linebacker Willie Pile was also considered.

Setta connected on all three field-goal attempts and had seven punts for an average of 47.3 yards. Winnipeg kicker Rob Pikula and Montreal kicker Damon Duval were runners-up. Reid's son charged with violations NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid was charged Wednesday with driving under the influence and drug violations while still awaiting sentencing for a separate road-rage incident earlier this year. Britt Reid was jailed last week for violating bail terms after police found 30 1/2 pills, including the painkiller hydrocodone, amphetamines and antidepressants, during a traffic stop in Plymouth Township. Charges from that stop were announced Wednesday. Two weeks ago, the 22-year-old Reid pleaded guilty to gun and drug charges stemming from a January arrest in which police say he brandished a gun at another driver. While out on bail, he was required to remain drug-free and drive only to his community college classes. Canadian Francis blanks Giants 8-0 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Canadian Jeff Francis pitched a six-hitter for his second career shutout, Garrett Atkins homered twice and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants 8-0 Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep. Francis (14-6) struck out three and walked one in his second career complete game. The other was a two-hit shutout against St. Louis on July 24 last year. The North Delta, B.C., native matched his career high with his 14th win - also accomplished in 2005 - and had two hits while making his 100th career start. Francis, who became just the sixth pitcher in franchise history with 100 starts, allowed only two batters to reach second base on the way to ending a three-start winless stretch. He is 12-2 since May 7. Hill to sing NFL theme song NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Faith Hill will sing the opening theme to NBC's ''Sunday Night Football'' this season, the network announced Wednesday. The country star will perform ''Waiting All Day for Sunday Night'' before each game. The song, which pop singer Pink sang last season, is set to the tune of Joan Jett's '80s hit, ''I Hate Myself for Loving You.'' Marinovich back in jail NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Todd Marinovich, the former Los Angeles Raiders quarterback whose career ended in a mire of drug abuse, is facing a possible prison term after a weekend arrest in Orange County. Marinovich, 38, remained jailed Wednesday on no-bail warrants for probation violation pending a Sept. 6 pre-trial hearing. Police said he was skateboarding in a prohibited area near the Newport Pier boardwalk shortly before 1:30 a.m. Sunday and ran away when officers tried to stop him. He was found hiding in a carport about six blocks away. Marinovich had a guitar case, and inside officers found about a gram of powdered methamphetamine, a metal spoon and a hypodermic needle, Sgt. Evan Sailor said. Canucks unveil new uniforms VANCOUVER (CP) - The Vancouver Canucks' new home and away uniforms will look strikingly familiar to fans. The jerseys carry the most recent orca logo on the front and the original hockey stick emblem on the shoulders. The sweaters are in the same blue, green and white colours the Canucks wore when they first joined the NHL. About 8,500 people gathered at GM Place to get a look at the team's new jerseys, the fifth since the Canucks started playing 37 years ago.