• Preds players proud to call 'Partner' friend 3/22/2010, 3:00 a.m. CDT
(AP) — NASHVILLE, Tenn. - To most hockey players, the locker room attendant is just another guy who puts shampoo in the showers, leaves water bottles on the bench and picks up rancid socks to launder after a game.

• Messi scores twice as Barcelona advances 3/17/2010, 4:53 p.m. CDT
(AP) — BARCELONA, Spain - Lionel Messi scored twice to lead defending champion Barcelona over Stuttgart 4-0 Wednesday night and into the European Champions League quarterfinals.

• European Champions League Glance 3/17/2010, 4:37 p.m. CDT
(AP) — Arsenal (England) 5, FC Porto (Portugal) 0, Arsenal advanced on 6-2 aggregate

• Ricco to return from doping ban in Italian race 3/17/2010, 4:18 p.m. CDT
(AP) — MILAN - Riccardo Ricco is ready to race again after serving a 20-month ban for doping at the 2008 Tour de France.

• AP Interview: Agassi drug inquiries dropped 3/17/2010, 4:01 p.m. CDT
(AP) — ROME - Tennis officials have closed the book on Andre Agassi's drug revelations.

• Poor ticket sales knock out Pacquiao's concert 3/17/2010, 3:54 p.m. CDT
(AP) — HONOLULU - A promoter says poor ticket sales have forced the cancellation of Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao's upcoming concert Sunday in Waikiki.

• 1 vs. 16 usually lopsided in NCAA tourney 3/17/2010, 3:48 p.m. CDT
(AP) — PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The NCAA tournament is full of upsets in every matchup-except for No. 1 vs. No. 16.

• Astros hammer Marquis in 11-2 win over Nationals 3/17/2010, 3:36 p.m. CDT
(AP) — KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Jason Marquis allowed eight runs on eight hits over 3 1-3 innings in his second start of the spring, and the Houston Astros beat the Washington Nationals 11-2 on Wednesday.

• Hart struggles again as Tigers beat Pirates 6-3 3/17/2010, 3:29 p.m. CDT
(AP) — BRADENTON, Fla. - Kevin Hart might be walking his way out of the Pittsburgh Pirates' starting rotation.

• Tigers 6, Pirates 3 3/17/2010, 3:26 p.m. CDT
(AP) —

• Rangers manager Ron Washington's statement 3/17/2010, 3:23 p.m. CDT
(AP) — Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington acknowledged Wednesday that he failed a Major League Baseball test for cocaine last season and released a statement through the team:

• Anderson agrees to 2-year deal with Cardinals 3/17/2010, 3:21 p.m. CDT
(AP) — TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona Cardinals have come to terms on a two-year contract with free agent quarterback Derek Anderson.

• Ballard survives upset bid by Shelby County, 90-80 3/17/2010, 3:16 p.m. CDT
(AP) — LEXINGTON, Ky. - Before the Boys Sweet 16 tournament, Ballard coach Chris Renner said he wanted his team to play high octane games.

• Hanson sharp over 5 innings as Braves top Marlins 3/17/2010, 3:15 p.m. CDT
(AP) — JUPITER, Fla. - Tommy Hanson pitched like he was in midseason form Wednesday for the Atlanta Braves.

• Rosholt adding to family tradition at OSU 3/17/2010, 3:14 p.m. CDT
(AP) — STILLWATER, Okla. - For Jared Rosholt, wrestling at Oklahoma State is a family affair.

• Georgia Tech players checking cell phones at door 3/17/2010, 3:04 p.m. CDT
(AP) — ATLANTA - Georgia Tech players plan to give up their cell phones once again-this time before the NCAA tournament.

• Rays 5, Twins 2 3/17/2010, 3:01 p.m. CDT
(AP) —

• Rodriguez, Ruggiano help Rays beat Twins 5-2 3/17/2010, 3:00 p.m. CDT
(AP) — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Sean Rodriguez had two hits and scored twice, and Justin Ruggiano hit a two-run triple Wednesday to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 5-2 exhibition victory over the Minnesota Twins.

• Canucks winger Samuelsson to miss up to 3 weeks 3/17/2010, 2:59 p.m. CDT
(AP) — VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Canucks winger Mikael Samuelsson will be out up to three weeks with an undisclosed upper body injury during Tuesday night's 5-2 loss to the Islanders.

• Astros 11, Nationals 2 3/17/2010, 2:53 p.m. CDT
(AP) —

• Remaining Unrestricted Free Agents 3/17/2010, 2:45 p.m. CDT
(AP) — Unsigned unrestricted free agents (f-franchise player):

• S Dakota St alumni to hold pre-game pep rally 3/17/2010, 2:43 p.m. CDT
(AP) — BROOKINGS, S.D. - The South Dakota State alumni association will hold a pre-game pep rally in Norman, Okla., ahead of the Jackrabbits' first-round game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament.

• Tallet shuts down Orioles in Blue Jays' 4-1 win 3/17/2010, 2:42 p.m. CDT
(AP) — SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Tallet allowed one hit over four innings, a leadoff single by Cesar Izturis in the first, and retired the last 12 batters he faced to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

• Sean Jones agrees to deal with Buccaneers 3/17/2010, 2:42 p.m. CDT
(AP) — TAMPA, Fla. - Free agent safety Sean Jones has agreed to a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

• Barbaro's brother entered in Florida Derby 3/17/2010, 2:42 p.m. CDT
(AP) — HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Barbaro's brother Lentenor has been entered to run in the Florida Derby, a prep race for the Kentucky Derby.