SPORTSCENE

Minor-league coach killed by line

Tulsa Drillers coach Mike Coolbaugh died after being struck in the head by a line drive as he stood in the first-base coach’s box during a game in North Little Rock, Ark.

The Texas League game was suspended in the ninth inning yesterday after the 35-year-old former Cardinal was hit by a foul ball off the bat of Tino Sanchez of the Drillers. Coolbaugh was taken to Baptist Medical Center-North Little Rock, where he was pronounced dead.

Travelers spokesman Phil Elson said Coolbaugh was either hit on the right side of his head or on the forehead and fell to the ground immediately. According to a report on the Drillers’ Web site late yesterday, Coolbaugh was knocked unconscious and CPR was administered to him on the field.

Sgt. Terry Kuykendall, spokesman for North Little Rock police, said Coolbaugh was still alive when he was put in an ambulance but stopped breathing as the ambulance arrived at the hospital.

Coolbaugh played 44 games in the major leagues for the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers over two seasons. Coolbaugh joined the Tulsa staff on July 3 as a batting coach. He played for the team briefly in 1996.

 

Vinokourov wins 15th stage

Alexandre Vinokourov won the 15th stage of the Tour de France today.

The Kazakh rider, a former race favorite whose hopes of a Tour victory vanished when he lost nearly 29 minutes yesterday to overall leader Michael Rassmussen, crossed the finish alone.

Vinokourov broke away near the end of the 122-mile ride from Foix to Loudenvielle-Le Louron for his fifth Tour stage win and his second this year. He also took Friday's time trial in Albi.

 

Steelers reach terms with first-rounder

Outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons, the No. 15 pick in the NFL draft, agreed yesterday with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a five-year contract that could be worth as much as $15 million and guarantees him $8,053,000 in bonus money.

Timmons became only the third first-round pick in the April draft to reach terms and the first in the upper half of the draft. Previously, the only first-rounders under contract were 49ers offensive tackle Joe Starkey (No. 28) and Bears tight end Greg Olsen (No. 31).

Timmons’ deal includes $12 million in salary and guaranteed bonus money and $3 million in incentives. The deal, negotiated by Miami-based agent Drew Rosenhaus, represents an 8 percent increase in bonus money paid to last year’s No. 15 pick, Rams cornerback Tye Hill, and a 19 percent bump in total contract value.

 

Hopkins wins decision over Wright

Bernard Hopkins earned another stunning victory in the twilight of his fighting days Saturday night, ending Winky Wright’s 7½-year unbeaten streak with a unanimous decision in their 170-pound matchup at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

The 42-year-old Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs) landed his biggest blow when he opened a gash over Wright’s left eye with a head-butt in the third round. Hopkins spent the night picking at it while Wright (51-4-1) scrambled and counterpunched, his face showing frustration and fatigue as the fight slipped away.

Judges Glenn Trowbridge and Dave Moretti scored it 117-111 for Hopkins, and Glenn Hamada scored it 116-112.

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