Sports briefs for July 29, 2004

Thursday, July 29, 2004 | 11 a.m.

Kobe accuser's name mistakenly revealed

More confidential material from the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case, including the last name of the woman who has accused Bryant of rape, was accidentally released to the public by the court on Wednesday through the Colorado State Judicial Branch Web site.

It is unclear how long the document, which was clearly marked "filed under seal," was posted. The court's Web site for public information closed down just before 3 p.m. Mountain time, a law professor in Washington, D.C., who noticed the posting said. The site was back just before 5 p.m. with the document apparently removed.

A spokeswoman for the court, Karen Salaz, said in a statement that a clerk had made the error.

It was the third instance of supposedly secret sealed court papers slipping through the safeguards. Earlier this year, a document was posted on the court's Web site that also included the name of Bryant's accuser. Last month, the full transcript of a closed-door hearing was accidentally sent in an e-mail message to seven news organizations.

The 6-foot-9 Patterson played at UCLA from 1969-71, after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and before Bill Walton.

Simeoni questioned

Italian cyclist Filippo Simeoni, who said he was "threatened" by six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong during the race, was questioned by police in Rome about the episode, which might be linked to a feud between the riders. Simeoni was chased down the Armstrong in last Friday's stage, a move apparently related to a dispute about Simeoni's testimony about drug use in cycling and sports doctor Michele Ferrari, who has ties to Armstrong.

Spencer suspended

Shane Spencer was suspended without pay by the Mets -- one day after he was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol and charged with driving under the influence. Spencer is on the 15-day disabled list after cutting his right foot on a piece of glass in a New York bar.

Roddick rolls

Andy Roddick beat qualifier Julien Benneteau and top seed Roger Federer beat Hicham Arazi in first-round matches at the Masters Canada tournament in Toronto.

Big Mac tees off

Mark McGwire made his debut in a major amateur golf event with a 12-over 82 at the 102nd annual Western Amateur, a score that left him 17 strokes behind the co-leaders and tied for 152nd in the field of 156 at Benton Township, Mich.