Jeff Hart

The Atlanta Braves were feeling down after five straight losses and the demotion of popular teammate Jeff Francoeur. Jason Perry's debut as the fill-in for Francoeur helped end the drought. Perry hit a run-scoring triple in his first major league at-bat, Tim Hudson gave up only one run in seven innings and the Braves beat the Houston Astros 6-2 Friday night to end their skid.

Fireworks on and off the track did not keep Paul Kelly from continuing his outstanding season so far 2008 at Lanier National Speedway. Kelly was either in first or second place for 87 of the 100-lap Pro Late Model feature Friday night at the annual Fourth of July extravaganza at LNS before eventually pulling away in the final 10 laps for the victory.

The Gainesville A's showed just how potent their offense can be Thursday night. The A's pounded out 14 hits against a good Alpharetta Post 201 pitching staff in a 12-5 American Legion win that saw every batter in the lineup get at least one hit.

The Atlanta Braves may soon face a difficult decision with Mark Teixeira, the team's cleanup hitter and possible free agent.

Lest anyone forget that Roger Federer has, indeed, lost at Wimbledon, the BBC filled time during a rain delay Wednesday by rolling tape of his 2002 first-round exit against Mario Ancic. That, of course, was the last time Federer stepped on a court at the All England Club - or anywhere on grass, for that matter - and walked away without winning.

Despite an outstanding effort on the mound for the Gainesville A

Several close finishes highlighted a solid night of racing at Lanier National Speedway Saturday night. Close finishes in Street Stock and Prol Late Model divisions as well as a $250 bounty race in open-wheeled modified highlighted the racing.

Second-ranked Rafael Nadal has advanced to the fourth round with a 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-3 win over Nicolas Kiefer in fading light at Wimbledon.

One swing from completing her week's work, Venus Williams toed the baseline, dribbled the ball, gave it a toss and delivered yet another thunderclap serve at sun-kissed Wimbledon. The scoreboard said 127 mph, the fastest women's serve ever recorded at Wimbledon. The scoreboard also had Williams winning 6-1, 7-5 Saturday over qualifier Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.

Germany captain Michael Ballack missed his team's last practice Saturday because of a calf injury, putting him in doubt for Sunday's European Championship final against Spain.