Thursday's Sports In Brief

By The Associated Press

STEROIDS, WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI took up the Roger Clemens case, told by the Justice Department to investigate whether the star pitcher lied when he testified to Congress he never took performance-enhancing drugs.

The FBI’s involvement was announced one day after the leaders of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee told Attorney General Michael Mukasey they weren’t sure whether Clemens told the truth under oath at a Feb. 5 deposition and Feb. 13 public hearing.

A probe could result in charges against the seven-time Cy Young Award winner for perjury, making false statements or obstruction of justice. Congress did not ask for a similar investigation of Brian McNamee, the former personal trainer who testified under oath that he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone.

PRO FOOTBALL

Isaac Bruce and Lorenzo Neal are on the move. Tedy Bruschi is staying put. So is Flozell Adams.

On the eve of free agency, the St. Louis Rams cut longtime star receiver Bruce, while the San Diego Chargers released All-Pro fullback Neal. Then Pro Bowl tackle Adams re-signed with Dallas and, on Thursday night, Bruschi agreed to a multiyear deal in New England.

Bruce, the last player remaining from the Rams’ 1995 move from Los Angeles, was a second-round draft pick in 1994. The 35-year-old wideout is among the NFL career leaders with 942 receptions for 14,109 yards and 84 touchdowns. He was the Rams’ second leading receiver last season with 55 catches for 733 yards and four TDs.

Neal, 37, was among three veterans released by the Chargers, who also parted with safety Marlon McCree and right tackle Shane Olivea. General manager A.J. Smith said all three requested their release so they can quickly jump into free agency.

Dallas also moved to keep three restricted free agents, putting tenders on Pro Bowl running back Marion Barber ($2.56 million, the highest possible), defensive end Chris Canty ($2.017 million), and guard Joe Berger ($927,000).

Derek Anderson, the 24-year-old Cleveland quarterback who stepped in as a starter after the first game and led the Browns to a 10-6 record last season, was tendered a one-year offer for $2.5 million. But he didn’t sign it, becoming a restricted free agent.

GOLF

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — A bogey-free 64 gave Luke Donald a one-shot lead over Brian Davis and a two-shot edge on Matt Jones after the first round of The Honda Classic.

Matt Jones (66) was alone in third, two shots off the pace, with a slew of others — including Ernie Els, the world’s No. 4 player — three shots back.

SINGAPORE (AP) — Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa got off to a fast start in her first round of the season, shooting a bogey-free 6-under 66 at Tanah Merah to take a one-stroke lead in the HSBC Women’s Champions.

Paula Creamer, coming off a victory Sunday in the Fields Open in Hawaii, and Japan’s Ai Miyazato opened with 67s in the inaugural 78-player event that features 18 of the top 20 players in the world.

GURGAON, India (AP) — Indian caddie-turned-pro Shamim Khan and Argentina’s Daniel Vancsik shot 5-under-67s to share the first-round lead in the Johnnie Walker Classic.

TENNIS

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Top-seeded Andy Roddick beat former high school teammate Mardy Fish 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals in the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships.

Roddick beat Fish for the sixth straight time to set up a match Friday against eighth-seeded Robin Soderling.

In other second-round matches, Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman beat fifth-seeded Sam Querrey 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (4); Australia’s Chris Guccione edged sixth-seeded Thomas Johansson of Sweden 6-3, 6-4; and Donald Young beat Colombia’s Alejandro Falla 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.

In the Cellular South Cup quarterfinals, fourth-seeded Lindsay Davenport routed sixth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki 6-0, 6-2 of Denmark in 53 minutes.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Justine Henin lost in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships, falling to Francesca Schiavone of Italy 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4).

Second-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia advanced to the semifinals at the Aviation Club by beating Amelie Mauresmo of France 6-1, 7-6 (4), and fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic moved on when Anna Chakvetadze of Russia retired because of a left thigh injury after losing the first set 6-1.

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Top-seeded Ivan Ljubicic advanced to the quarterfinals of the Zagreb Indoors, overpowering Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia with 19 aces in a 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3 victory.

Ljubicic will play countryman Mario Ancic in the semifinals on Friday.

ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — Top seeds David Nalbandian and Flavia Pennetta advanced to the semifinals of the Mexican Open clay-court tournament.

Nalbandian beat eighth-seeded Potito Starace 6-3, 6-3, breaking the Italian three times and saving three break points.

Nalbandian will face Peru’s Luis Horna, a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 winner over Argentina’s Agustin Calleri.

On the women’s side, Pennetta notched her 300th win on the WTA Tour, beating eighth-seeded Edina Gallovits of Romania 7-6 (4), 6-1.

HORSE RACING

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Curlin had an easy time winning his 4-year-old debut in Dubai.

The 2007 Horse of the Year had a perfect trip and a perfect result in rolling to a 2 1/4-length victory in the $175,000 Jaguar Trophy Handicap.

Curlin defeated five rivals in his first race since capturing the Breeders’ Cup Classic last Oct. 27, at New Jersey’s Monmouth Park. The colt also won the Preakness and ran a close second to the filly Rags to Riches in the Belmont Stakes.