Wednesday's Sports In Brief

Aug 27, 2015 - 7:38 AM NFL

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) A Santa Clara County grand jury indicted former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald on one count of rape of an intoxicated person.

The announcement came Wednesday, with the indictment stemming from an incident Dec. 15 at McDonald's home.

Current 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks also has been charged by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office with misdemeanor sexual battery for an alleged assault the same day involving the same victim. The case against Brooks also was announced Wednesday.

The 49ers sent Brooks home from Colorado, where they are holding joint practices with the Broncos before playing a preseason game against Denver on Saturday night.

MIAMI (AP) - Former NFL tackle Jonathan Martin posted on Facebook that difficulties in the profession led him to attempt suicide multiple times, and he wanted to share his struggle with social isolation to help others.

Martin, who retired this year, said his problems date to childhood in California, and to being told his entire life he was not ''black enough.''

Martin made national headlines when he abruptly left the Miami Dolphins during the 2013 season amid reports he was bullied by teammates on the offensive line, including Richie Incognito. Martin underwent counseling, Incognito was suspended, and neither played for the Dolphins again. Incognito is now with the Buffalo Bills.

An NFL investigation determined Incognito and two other offensive linemen engaged in a pattern of harassment toward Martin.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Adrian Peterson was reinstated by the NFL in April. He rejoined the Minnesota Vikings in June. He even got a new contract in July, with the guaranteed money he was seeking.

From the league's view, then, there should be no further dispute about the application of the personal conduct policy related to Peterson's punishment last season. The situation turned out all right for the star running back, now that he's back on the field.

For the NFL Players Association, there are still legal problems in play. The union argues Peterson should be paid back the millions he lost during what amounted to a six-game suspension, and the league has defied the federal judge in charge of the case.

NFLPA and NFL lawyers traded arguments Wednesday in front of U.S. District Judge David Doty on the union's contempt of court motion that was filed in May.

BASEBALL

DETROIT (AP) - Justin Verlander leaned forward a bit, hoping this line drive would land foul.

Then he arched his back in disappointment when the ball hit the line, kicking up chalk on its way to the left-field corner.

Verlander lost a bid for his third no-hitter when Chris Iannetta hit a leadoff double in the ninth inning, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-0. Trying to become the sixth major leaguer to throw three no-hitters, Verlander settled instead for a one-hit shutout.

Verlander (2-6) retired the next three batters after Iannetta, who is hitting .188, to finish his seventh career shutout and first in the regular season since May 18, 2012, against Pittsburgh. The right-hander struck out nine and walked two in his first win since July 29.

OLYMPICS

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Facing an early test of support at home, Los Angeles' 2024 Olympics plan stalled amid questions about potential runaway costs and the impact on neighborhoods already strangled by traffic and congestion.

The City Council had been expected to vote on a proposal to give Mayor Eric Garcetti broad authority to execute agreements linked to the bid, a steppingstone toward entering the international competition for the Games.

But the vote was pushed backed until at least Friday after it became clear members were struggling with questions from potential taxpayer debt to how construction and its inevitable headaches would transform the nation's second-largest city.

LITTLE LEAGUE

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - The closest thing to a home team at the Little League World Series is headed for the final of the U.S. bracket. And Lewisberry can expect a full house when it goes for the title.

Left-hander Adam Cramer struck out 13 in five innings, and the undefeated Pennsylvania team beat Pearland, Texas, 3-0 while thousands of red-shirted fans stood and cheered.

Manager Tom Peifer gathered his team on the field and said aloud what they already knew: They'll be playing for the title of best team in the U.S.

Pearland will play Bonita, California, on Thursday for a spot in the U.S. title game against Lewisberry. The winner of that game Saturday will face the International bracket winner for the World Series title a day later.

HORSE RACING

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) - With a dozen roses and about 300 people waiting to greet him, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah arrived at Saratoga Race Course and was led off a horse van next to his barn after a flight from California.

American Pharoah seemed to be adjusting well to his new home leading up to Saturday's Travers Stakes. He was walked around the barn area by Jimmy Barnes, trainer Bob Baffert's assistant, and then given a sponge bath.

The colt left Del Mar in California on Wednesday morning, arrived at the airport in Albany about 2 p.m., and was given a police escort up Interstate 87. The Pharoah entourage pulled into the backstretch just before 3 p.m., where hundreds of fans, media members and the mayor of Saratoga had gathered.

One fan left a dozen roses in a vase on a table in the courtyard by American Pharoah's barn. The first Triple Crown winner in 37 years was led into his stall following his bath.