Sports briefs for July 11, 2005

Monday, July 11, 2005 | 9:11 a.m.

Chief says plans unchanged for 2012

The 2012 Olympic Games will go ahead in London despite security concerns after last week's terror attacks, International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said.

"We'll keep the games in London. There's absolutely no reason to reconsider that," Rogge said at a news conference in Hong Kong.

London won the 2012 Games on Wednesday, but a day later at least 49 people were killed by bombings on a bus and subway trains in London.

Negotiators hold marathon session

At New York, negotiators from the NHL and the players' association met until late Sunday night and planned to return to the bargaining table just hours later as they inched toward a deal that would end the lockout.

A source close to the talks said on the condition of anonymity that there was "still lots to do" and that discussions would likely stretch past today. The sides, which already met for seven consecutive days, were scheduled to resume negotiations this morning.

Beavers' Valdez burns through 51s lineup

At Portland, Ore., Brandon Emanuel pitched five scoreless innings and Wilson Valdez hit a two-run triple to lift the Portland Beavers to a 4-2 win against the Las Vegas 51s on Sunday.

Used primarily as a reliever this season, Emanuel (1-2) struggled in two previous starts, but he was almost flawless against the 51s. Emanuel needed just 52 pitches (38 strikes) to get through five innings.

He struck out five while allowing two hits and no walks.

In the ninth inning, Las Vegas cut the lead in half on back-to-back doubles by Willy Aybar and Norihiro Nakamura against Jack Cassel.

Las Vegas starter Harold Eckert (4-3) took the loss.

"Although it's a tremendous honor, there is another side to it and that side is we're all pushing to get to the major leagues," the hard-hitting Kansas City prospect said. "This is not the highlight of your career."

Huber hit a two-run double that earned him MVP honors, and Texas' Edison Volquez, nicknamed "Little Pedro," led a parade of dazzling pitchers that sent the World team to a 4-0 victory Sunday against the U.S. squad.

Seattle's Shin-Soo Choo, also playing in this minor league showcase for the third time, hit the only home run at spacious Comerica Park.

-- Sun wire services