Marlin Waits, Wins at Darlington

Sterling Marlin was reined in by his crew while others spent much of Sunday knocking each other around Darlington International Raceway, then he picked up the crumbs, passing Dale Earnhardt to win the TranSouth 400 stock car race in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

A record 15 caution flags for 87 laps held the race to an average speed of 111.392 m.p.h., slowest in history over a track that was newly paved and faster than ever.

“A lot of good cars got knocked out early, and we had to make sure to run on the lead, not hit anything and finish the race,” Marlin said.

After the race, NASCAR impounded Marlin’s car, the Ford of Derrike Cope and the Pontiac of Bobby Hamilton for wind-tunnel testing because of complaints, mostly by Ford teams, that the Monte Carlo--which has won all five Winston Cup races this season--has an unfair aerodynamic advantage.

Baseball

The Dodgers told Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo he will have to change his delivery to avoid being called for a balk.

Nomo, who threw 35 pitches in a simulated game, was stopped by Manager Tom Lasorda and told he must not hesitate at the top of his motion. Lasorda said he probably will ask umpire Bruce Froemming for his opinion.

Milwaukee Brewer Manager Phil Garner has named former Dodger minor leaguer Jamie McAndrew as his opening-day starter for the April 4 game against the Angels in Anaheim Stadium. . . . Veteran major league pitcher Craig McMurtry has agreed to defy the players’ union and pitch for the Houston Astros on opening day against the San Francisco Giants. . . . Reliever Rob Dibble was suspended from the Chicago White Sox for unspecified inappropriate conduct.

Miscellany

Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes defeated Mike Dodd and Mike Whitmarsh, 15-4, at Singer Island, Fla., for Kiraly’s 100th beach volleyball tournament victory.

Gilbert Schaller of Austria won his first professional tennis title, beating Alberto Costa of Spain, 6-4, 6-2, in the Casablanca Open.

Heidi Voelker edged favorite Eva Twardokens to win the giant slalom at the U.S. Alpine National Championships in Park City, Utah.

Norway’s men and Russia’s women skied to victories in the World Cup Cross Country relay races at Sapporo, Japan.

Germany’s women’s soccer team defeated Sweden, 3-2, at Kaiserslautern and won the European Championship for the third time.

Steve Hatchell was chosen commissioner of the Big 12 Conference.