Professional Sports

WASHINGTON -- Brooks Laich scored two goals and Alex Ovechkin and Matt Cooke each had a goal and an assist to lead the Washington Capitals to a 4-1 win over the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday night.

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Shortstop Yunel Escobar's grand slam capped a six-run second inning and the Braves battered Francisco Rosario in a 9-1 victory over the Phillies.

SURRY, Va. -- The trial of suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick on state dogfighting charges has been delayed.

FLOWERY BRANCH -- After cutting Alge Crumpler, the Atlanta Falcons have signed former Georgia tight end Jason Rader.

ATLANTA -- Bobby Holik scored on a pass from Ilya Kovalchuk in the closing minutes and the Atlanta Thrashers overcame a three-goal deficit Thursday night to beat the Calgary Flames 6-4 for only their second win in 12 games.

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Todd Jones finally looked like the pitcher who has 301 major league saves. The Tigers closer pitched a perfect inning against a major league club for the first time this spring Thursday, lowering his ERA from 24.55 to 19.29. Detroit played to a 6-6, 10-inning tie against the Atlanta Braves.

Proceeds from numerous charitable efforts to benefit community.

It was just a simulated game on a practice field behind the center-field fence, but Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Hampton had a smile on his face afterwards.

Buddy Carlyle gave up three homers, but Atlanta used a nine-run fourth inning to beat the Cleveland Indians 11-4 Wednesday night at the Braves Disney World training complex.

The Houston Rockets became the third team in NBA history to win 20 consecutive games, tying for the league's second-longest winning streak with an 83-75 victory over the Atlanta Hawks tonight.