Taurasi suspended after DUI citation

The Phoenix Mercury has suspended guard Diana Taurasi for two games without pay after she was cited on charges related to drunk driving.

In a release Thursday, the team said Taurasi was suspended “for conduct detrimental to the team.” Taurasi will miss Saturday’s game against Detroit and Wednesday’s game against Minnesota.

Taurasi faces three charges, including extreme DUI, in a July 2 incident.

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PRO BASKETBALL

Jazz will match offer to Millsap

The Utah Jazz posted on its website that it plans to match Portland’s offer to forward Paul Millsap, a restricted free agent. A formal announcement was scheduled for today, the last day Utah can match the $32-million deal, which includes $10.3 million up front.

Minnesota Timberwolves President David Kahn will meet with DKV Joventut in Spain in hopes of lowering the $6.6-million price tag that has threatened to keep point guard Ricky Rubio, the fifth pick in the NBA draft, in Europe for at least next season. . . . Colorado Athletic Director Mike Bohn says Coach Jeff Bzdelik had a “casual” conversation with the Timberwolves about their head coaching vacancy.

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MOTOR RACING

Formula One team fires Bourdais

Formula One team Toro Rosso has fired driver Sebastien Bourdais. Bourdais, a four-time Champ Car series champion in the United States, had been unimpressive in the 2009 season, his second in F1. Toro Rosso said a replacement driver would be chosen in the lead-up to the Hungarian Grand Prix.

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GOLF

Chalmers, Klauk lead in Milwaukee

Greg Chalmers had success with his new putting grip and Jeff Klauk needed only nine putts in his first nine holes for each to shoot six-under-par 64s during a blustery first round at the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee.

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HORSE RACING

Asmussen appeals doping suspension

Trainer Steve Asmussen, who oversees Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra, has appealed a six-month suspension handed down after one of his horses tested positive for a local anesthetic last year. The Lone Star Park board of stewards in Grand Prairie, Texas, suspended Asmussen and fined him $1,500 for Timber Trick’s positive test for a lidocaine metabolite.

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ETC.

Female ski jumpers to appeal ruling

A group of female ski jumpers will appeal a court decision that prevents them from competing at the 2010 Winter Olympics. The appeal will be based on the argument that the organizers of the Vancouver Games must abide by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, said the attorney representing the jumpers.

Texas baseball Coach Augie Garrido was sentenced to four days in jail for a drunk-driving conviction, though he might not serve any time.

U.S. Alpine skier Cody Marshall has a head injury after falling about 20 feet while sliding from an escalator railing Wednesday night. The 26-year-old was listed in critical condition Thursday afternoon at University Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Jenae Leles hit a three-run homer and the U.S. softball team beat the Netherlands, 7-2, in the World Cup at Oklahoma City.

The proposed renovation of Pauley Pavilion has taken another step forward with the University of California Board of Regents’ unanimously approving the project design plan, financing plan and the environmental impact study. Working with NBBJ Architects, UCLA hopes to bid the project later this year and break ground in early 2010.

-- David Wharton

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PASSINGS

Ex-punter Brady, 83

Pat Brady, 83, a record-setting punter at the University of Nevada who went on to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers in punting in 1953 and 1954, died Tuesday in Reno after a lengthy battle with lymphoma.