Sports briefs for January 8, 2004

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004 | 10:45 a.m.

Baseball officials visited Monterrey, Mexico, on Wednesday to examine the facilities as they work toward finding a new home from the Montreal Expos.

The Expos were bought by the other 29 major-league teams before the 2002 season, and baseball officials have spoken in the past with groups from Northern Virginia, Portland, Ore.; and Washington, D.C.

To raise revenue, the commissioner's office moved 22 Expos home games to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the 2003 and '04 seasons. Monterrey had bid for the 22 games this year.

Baseball owners have said they want funding for a new ballpark in place before deciding on a permanent home. In the past, baseball commissioner Bud Selig called the Mexicans' temporary proposal "formidable."

Goalie gets fourth

Brian Boucher of the Phoenix Coyotes became the first NHL goalie in 55 years to post four consecutive shutouts when he beat the Washington Capitals 4-0. Montreal's Bill Durnan in 1949 was the only other goalie in the modern era to blank four opponents in a row.

King backs out

Don King withdrew from his attempt to win a promoter's license in New Jersey rather then answer investigators' questions about dealings with former IBF chairman Bob W. Lee, who was convicted in a racketeering case three years ago and banned from boxing.

Alaskans on top

Sean Rash, an Anchorage native who lives in Wichita, Kan., and Katie Laneart of Eagle River, Alaska, were the men's and women's leaders after the second day of the 2004 USA National Bowling Amateur Championships at the Castaways.

Russians hang on

Former world No. 1 Marat Safin rallied for a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6), 6-3 win against Jiri Novak to give Russia a win against the Czech Republic at the Hopman Cup today in Perth, Australia. It kept the Russians in contention for a spot in the final.

Reese in the lead

Kristine Reese of Carefree, Ariz., shot a 5-under-par 68 to grab the first-round lead in the 54-hole Women's Nevada Open at Mesquite.

Free Rattlers game

The Las Vegas Rattlers of the ABA will play the Kansas City Knights today a 7:30 p.m. at UNLV's South Gym. The game is free to the public.