Jeff Hart

Kasey Kahne won a popularity contest, then parlayed it into a $1 million payday. After failing to qualify for the All-Star race, Kahne grabbed a spot in the field when the fans voted him into Saturday night's event at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Alain Bailey won the men's long jump title to help Arkansas move into first place in the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday.

It was kid

One day

Arizona manager Bob Melvin seeks out pitcher and former Gainesville High standout Micah Owings on the days he isn't starting. Owings isn't a typical pitcher. On April 29, Melvin called on Owings to pinch hit for fellow pitcher Brandon Medders and the righty-swinging Owings lined his first pitch into the right field seats to tie the game.

Hokie freshman Justin Wright tied a career high with seven strikeouts while throwing a complete game to help the Virginia Tech baseball team stun top-ranked Miami on Saturday, 7-6, in the opening game of an ACC doubleheader at English Field.

Georgia Southern exploded early in game one then held off a late UNC Greensboro rally in the nightcap to complete a series sweep, winning 20-6 and 10-9 at J.I. Clements Saturday. The Eagles improved to 31-20 overall and 15-9 in the Southern Conference.

John Smoltz hopes to persuade the Atlanta Braves' medical staff to allow him to resume throwing as early as Sunday. Smoltz has been sidelined for two weeks because of biceps and rotator cuff problems in his right arm. A starter when the season began, Smoltz will go into the bullpen once he returns.

There were signs Saturday that Atlanta Falcons No. 7 jerseys may become yesterday's fashion. Some fans attending the Falcons opening day of minicamp wore No. 2 jerseys in early tribute to the team's new hope at quarterback, rookie Matt Ryan.

David Duncan worked eight solid innings while Charlie Blackmon and Tony Plagman collected three hits apiece to lead No. 25 Georgia Tech to a 5-1 win over Clemson Friday night in the series opener at Russ Chandler Stadium.